[Video]

[seventhsong]

[It's Lorelei. For those who haven't encountered him yet, he looks remarkably (one could say exactly!!) like an older, adult Asch or Luke. Right now he looks fairly sober.]

It might be easy, with how things have gone recently, to give into despair and believe none of us are ever getting out of this place. I have chosen to believe that we will, and that our recent efforts against one of our captors proves that where there is a will, there is a way.

We simply weren't prepared enough this time.

[He frowns faintly.]

But aside from that. There is very little I can offer anyone here as consolation. We made our effort, and we failed. ... But I can offer this. Should we ever escape this Tower, should we lose these collars and regain the power that belongs to us.. ... I can't save your worlds. I can't repair the loss of life that's happened there.

But I can repair mine.

[There's no sense of bragging here at all.]

If ... we can't find a way to restore all worlds lost, but find a way to escape, then Auldrant will be open to any and all survivors of the Tower. You don't have to take up the offer, I will not force you. There will be those who would prefer to have their native homes or nothing at all. But for those of you who feel otherwise ... I offer what I can. And I can offer my world. It won't be your first homes, but it will be a home, somewhere to return to that won't ask who you are or what you are or even what you did. Everyone deserves a home. Everyone.

We just have to survive long enough to get there. Don't give up.

Comments

Re: every video

[bloodyashes]

If you're going to spend that energy, spend it on a world that isn't Auldrant. We have enough problems with replicas without trying to summon duplicates.

[There's a distinct difference in the meaning of the terms in the way he uses them, but Asch doesn't think the average person would see much difference.

Luckily there's another subject to work on - and there's a bit more light in his eyes, now, a spark of some long-lost royalty that's been waiting to get out.]

Auldrant's population has been concentrated in cities for the last several centuries. There's plenty of room to grow in other places - the southern half of the Rugnica plains is all good farmland that's never been used, because we never had a need for it. There's also the land surrounding the Tower of Rem; it's barren now, but in a few years it will probably be good for marshier crops like rice...

[Oh no Lorelei you got him started.]

[seventhsong]

I'm not sure I can spend it on a world that isn't Auldrant. I am limited off worlds without seventh fonons.

[He acknowledges that much!]

Yes. The Outer Lands still remain suspended in my own timeline, I intend to keep it that way. If I thicken the crust to the order of fifteen to fourty miles it should fairly effectively remain self-supporting without the need of the Sephiroth and eliminate risk of miasma; even miners won't dig down forty miles.

[He's been planning this.]

My estimation is that the world should be able to safely support over a billion sentients, including the various intelligent monster races. If it is to reach those numbers again there's more than enough arable land, though I suspect a good portion of it will be needed for livestock. Poor little Engeve won't be enough to support the entire world. But for now, even with Auldrant's native population replaced and all the Tower's residents moved, there should be no need to reclaim the plains for agriculture for some generations.

[There's a thoughtful hum.]

[bloodyashes]

...The land is still raised?!

[Wow way to throw a monkey wrench into his plans there, Lorelei. It doesn't take long to start figuring that into his plans.]

Then the holes where Hod and Akzeriuth were will need to be patched... Raise the spur of land to the south of Rugnica before reinforcing the crust, might as well maximize the available land...

[mumble mumble inevitable territory dispute grumble let them just have Akzeriuth mutter...]

I'd suggest landing the Tower residents there, the ones that insist on their own space, but I think dropping them on barren land with a tower in the distance might be in poor taste. Maybe make use of the restored Hod isles...

[seventhsong]

Yes, I know. That would go along with the idea of thickening the planet's crust by a few dozen miles. You didn't think I'd just leave big gaping holes, did you?

[Actually. It's Asch. That's almost likely.]

I intend to see if I can lift up what remains of human civilization below the crust before reinforcing it, yes. No point in cutting anything useful off, as I don't expect returning there will be doable once I have finished.

[And then he's going to set the miasma on fire. He's not explaining that part, probably for very good reasons.]

I was actually thinking about dredging up a new island outright, so neither nation has right to claim it and thus becoming grumpy about the 'responsibility' of new outlander citizens. I'd been considering the expanse of ocean just east of Sheridan, for optimal stabilized subtropical climate and access to both Belkend and Sheridan's particular resources. Winter is a terrible thing.

[bloodyashes]

[He waves off Lorelei's comment about holes - thinking out loud here, fondad.]

That's true, and it would be mostly protected from the Malkuth side for at least a few generations - there's not really a good port on that side of Rugnica, although I suppose we could dredge one up...

[He realizes, abruptly, that he's literally discussing changing the shape of the planet's landmass. That's certainly an idea worthy of stopping for a moment.]

And the closest port would be Nam Cobanda, which is an independent and would probably grow up similarly to Chesedonia if there was any significant trade...

[Aaaaaaand right back to city planning.]

[seventhsong]

I won't suggest going into too much indepth city planning for either nation. They may wish to have a say in it. Of course you do have particular sway with the Kimlasca-Lanvaldear alliance but Malkuth has its own way of doing things. Are you friends with the Emperor?

[It's innocently asked. Lorelei went immediately for Jade for a very, very good reason. He wants them cooperating. A unified effort from independent cities and the nations alike.]

Though as a note once Hod's hole is plugged back up the currents through the area are going to suddenly shift. Again. I suspect the fishing is going to pick up quite nicely along the interior seas, you may wish to when the time comes recommend your people do something about that.

[Fish are okay. He didn't mind them.]

[bloodyashes]

[Shhhh Lorelei don't bust his bubble. He doesn't have them near frequently enough.]

We haven't met, but that would have to change for obvious reasons... Daath is going to be its own headache to sort out.

[He can't imagine the church will take Lorelei running amok well, even aside from all the loss of leadership they've suffered. Ugh, he's one of their highest ranked officials, too, he'll be inevitably dragged into that...]

I imagine commerce is going to change a great deal anyway, if airships become commonplace. Which they no doubt will within a few decades, especially if we bring the scientists from here...

[seventhsong]

They will adapt. Humanity is resilient.

[If he has to, he will take the church directly in hand the way the other aggregates used to their own cults and worshipers. He didn't like the idea, but even those fanatical about adhering to the Score wouldn't deny the Score's author ... if only for fear of not being given a second song to live by.]

Airships and rail travel, the latter is easier and thus likely earlier. With a little luck I'll be able to keep the Planet Storm running so alternate and polluting fuel sources won't be required. I've read quite a bit on what 'Earth' uses as energy sources and I'd rather not see that repeated on Auldrant.

tardy hard

[bloodyashes]

If there's one thing this place proves, it's that.

[The Score is a debate that will inevitably be had later, if this all ever comes to anything. For now, it's probably a good thing that Lorelei didn't bring it up.]

We have airships to work backwards from. Someone will manage.