Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Good afternoon, my friend. They sent you all the way out here to talk to me, did they? Well, it is a good thing they did, because I can really use some swift feet out here! : Well, they didn't exactly send me... Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: As you can see, my feet aren't going to carry me over these hills, trying to balance on those cliff edges. It makes me feel sick just thinking of them. So it is very good that you came, the timing could not have been any better. Not any better at all. You probably know me already from my various articles. Just last month I had the publication 'The Savage Mind: A Study in Xan Mythemes' in 'Jobe Scientist'. You have perhaps read it? : Yes, actually I did, and I must say you had some interesting points there! Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Oh yes, it got some attention. Yes, it got good attention that one, much more than the one I called 'In balance: Symmetry in Ecology and Xan reproduction'. That one was mainly picked up by the tabloids, even though it was only based on a simple theory of mine. I guess anything 'reproduction' is automatically picked up by their system and approved for articles these days. And in this case it is actually quite funny that they printed it, because the mating ritual that the Xan had, if my theory is correct, can't be of any possible interest to their readers. I mean; no physical contact involved! No physical contact! But, you're probably much more interested in knowing what my latest project is about? : Oh yes, please let me know everything! Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Hah! Yes, that would have been something. Giving away the knowledge I so carefully gather to a complete stranger. You might be working for Dr. Darnell for all that I know. No, I'm sorry, I can't tell you all about it, but a little I can reveal. A little you may know! : That's fine! Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: For some months now I've been here in Scheol looking at the creatures living here, trying to find any resemblance with the Xan, to broaden our understanding of these primitive ancestors. Yes, trying to expand our horizons so to say! Through looking at creatures that might be related to the Xan, we can learn more about their basic behaviors and anatomy. Many questions are yet to be answered, like how they reproduced as we find no reproduction happening with the Xan descendants. This question is yet to be answered and we must find out how they might have done this in the past and whether or not the cataclysm changed their anatomy in such a way that they no longer were able to reproduce. Because it might well be the cataclysm. : I'm actually just looking for a job.. Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: We've also found some exciting evidence just recently. Evidence that they were at some point a much smaller group, living probably in smaller hives, which means their population has prospered and grown at some point, before it was reduced by the cataclysm or in another way before it. Hard to tell, yes. Could have been something different. Easy to blame it all on the cataclysm. Too many scientists are satisfied as long as they find something that could be a reason, but it is easy to go for the obvious, and not so easy to find the alternatives. Need to be smarter to find the alternatives! : So... you have a job for me? Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: A job you say? Well, there's always hard work being done out here in the fields. And never will I say no to a little help now and then. Always work to do! It would be necessary to look for the Beits now actually. They shouldn't be too far away either, just so very inconvenient for me to go up there right now. No, it is not far away. Not for you. : I'll help you find them! Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Good! I'm sure we can come to some agreement regarding payment as well. It is only because it is so inconvenient you know. Just very inconvenient... Here is what you do: Bring me the bones of the Aggressive Beits. They can be found grazing in the valley northwest of here. While you're up there, can you look for the normal Beits as well as the Limping Beits for me? Beits and Limping Beits. Even you should be able to see the difference. Hah! I will need to know if they are still in the area or if they have moved further west already. I have noticed that they gather around the notum veins every now and then, but it fails me to see how often this happens, and if it is some kind of pattern here. Will need to look for a pattern. Maybe it is related to some instinct in them that urge them to get closer to the notum. Hmm. Yes. Maybe some sort of instinct. -- -- Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: And so you return, my friend! : I found some old Beit bones in the cave area. Are they of any use to you? Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Sure they are! Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Old bones tell new tales! Oh yes, they tell new tales! That is actually what makes our modern technology so fantastic for us scientists. It allows us access to information otherwise lost. To understand the Xan, we need to know more about how they lived and learning about their technology makes it easier for us to understand what life was like for them. If you're interested in these subjects, you should go find Frank Jobin. He's one of the technologists working here in Scheol now, studying the old notum battery. Right here in Scheol. : I'll go find him then. Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: I'm sure he'll only be glad to have visitors. Not many visitors these days, I'm sure he'll be glad to see you. I'm sure. -- Technologist Frank Jobin: Welcome stranger, welcome to the machine. : Can you tell me about this structure behind you? Technologist Frank Jobin: You mean the notum battery? There is not much we know of these structures. Only a few are left intact, and we are not sure if they are actually still active or exactly what purpose they once had. As you see, several pipes run down into holes in the ground. We believe that these pipes are leading down to subsurface reservoirs where the pressure is high enough to push the notum all the way to the surface. I would like to point out that this is just a theory; because no one has been that far down to actually observe what is happening. We have not been allowed to do anything to the actual structure yet. I guess they're afraid the whole thing might blow up or something. : Tell me about the incarnators. Technologist Frank Jobin: There is unfortunately not much to be told. These are old structures built around a particular strong notum vein. It forces the notum to flow as one current up in the air, and we believe the Xan had them built, but how they would use them we still don't know. We have found a way to use them, but this might not be how they were used by the Xan. It could be only one of many ways to use the incarnators. Bring me any crystal filled by the source, and I will show you how they work! -- Technologist Frank Jobin: So, did you find it? : I got the crystal that you asked for! Technologist Frank Jobin: Good! Let me have a look at it then! Technologist Frank Jobin: Thank you! Now, the Incarnators are where we believe the Xan were able to create life by projecting the blueprint of a living being. We are able to do this even today, and we see no reason this is not the same way it was done before. In this crystal that you brought me I store the blueprint pattern, and then I infuse it with novictum, making it a novictalized notum crystal holding the information of the living being we would like to project. Are you ready to go and see what happens at the Incarnators then? : I'm ready! Technologist Frank Jobin: I have two different novictalized notum crystals for you. I would like you to take each of them to the Incarnators we have here in Scheol, and try them for yourself. For the best experience, you should use the Immature Voidling crystal first. Please be prepared though, the life you call for might not be of the friendly kind. -- Technologist Frank Jobin: So, did you find the Incarnators? : I found them alright. You were right about the creatures though - they were not so friendly! Technologist Frank Jobin: Not? That was unfortunate. Well, at least the crystals worked! You did perhaps notice that the crystals would only work when used at the Incarnators? We believe this might be because the notum there is in a more concentrated form than at other veins or elsewhere. But we have to admit there is yet much to learn about the whole blueprint process. We believe it might be somewhat similar to our DNA, storing genetic information. But we do not currently have any knowledge on how these blueprints are made, or separated from the beings, but it is plausible that these are replications of the actual life form, and as we have seen several blueprints creating the seemingly same creature it might be some form of cloning involved. If you're interested in knowing more about how we believe the Incarnators were used by the Xan, you should go and talk to Dr.Hestyia, an Archaeologist. She might be interested in having a look at this ancient device that I found the other day as well. -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Watch your step there! Wouldn't want you to ruin weeks of work with one misplaced foot! The woman in front of you wipes her hand on her trousers before she offers it to you. Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Welcome to the Highlands. I'm Dr. Hestyia, pleased to meet you! : I'm . And you are Dr. Hestyia, the archaeologist? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: That's me! How can I help you? : Frank Jobin said you might be interested in this ancient device? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Oh, he thought so? Let me have a look at it! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: I guess he means well, but this device is of no interest to me. We have found several Novictum refiners in this area, and none of them are any different from the ones we've seen before in other areas. It is a device used by the Xan to reduce the volatility of Novictum. You may keep this if you like. So, are you interested in getting your hands on some cash? : That would have been nice! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Now, we are currently excavating a cave that we found just recently. The walls there have paintings showing what seems to be some sort of historical record of some tribe. If these are recordings of how the Xan once was, it is the largest Xan discovery done so far. The paintings will then support our theory that the Xan first lived in smaller communities, and only later on as their numbers grew did they build more city-like areas. This cave is a great discovery, and I'm very excited to see what we will learn from it. There are kilometers of paintings from what we can see, and I'm sure once we identify exactly what we're dealing with, we will be able to learn much from this! But, as this will take up a lot of my time now, I need some help to get some other items from another of our digs. It shouldn't be too hard work. Get me three samples of the old Xan Notum Crystals. And if you do, I'll give you 200 000 credits. -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how are you? : I've got some notum crystals for you! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Ah, I'd almost forgotten about those! Please hand over three different crystals and the extraction device I gave you! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Here is your money! I'm sorry I almost forgot about our agreement. You see we've discovered that the cave paintings probably were created by the ancient Yuttos, as some of them were still living in caves at the time that these were created. They seem to have been recording their own history this way, and we believe they also interacted with the Xan in this period, which means we are likely to find information about the Xan in there as well. Isn't this exciting? It could mean that we will be able to find the answers of many of our questions regarding the Xan! : Yes, this is truly amazing! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: I know! I know! Oh, I can't wait to see some of the scans! Well, I'm going to go back to the wall now, but if you want to know more about the Xan, I suggest you go and talk to one of the anthropologists out here, like Dr. Curry who's an expert in linguistics. You will find him in the Halls of Scheol. -- Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: Greetings traveler! As you might well know, the journey of a thousand miles must always begin with a single step, but have you noticed how the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes? We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond! It is with such knowledge I seek my paths and venture into these strange lands, far from home as if lost in time and place. What is your purpose here, traveler? : I'm here to learn more about the Xan! Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: Yes. Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them. There is much to learn from the Xan. Both to try and do as they did, but maybe just as much to stay away from the path they walked. When trying to understand the Xan, it is important that you understand that we do not know their language. What we hear is their adaptation to our language, simply to keep their secrets hidden. It has proven to be very hard to study a group that does not allow us to learn their language. : What have you learned? Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: We have found some old texts, mostly religious material, and we do sometimes manage to listen in on their conversations when they do not know that we are listening. We have found what seems to be their alphabet, and we are able to read some of the texts, but we are still far from knowing the language, and we can only hope that they will eventually teach us what they know, before it is too late and there is no one left to help us. If you wish to learn some of it, you should go and look for your own copy of one of their books. : What should I look for? Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: You should find one of the temple guardians; t hey usually keep a copy of their holy book called "The Word of Roch" or "The Word of Ocra" on them, depending on which of them they follow of course. Please bear in mind that this book means a lot to the guardians, and they try to keep them hidden from us, so you might have to beat around the bush. -- Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: How good to see you again. Did you get hold of the book? : Yes I did, what can you tell me of it? Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: Let me look at it first! Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: This book contains texts referring to 'the Brace'. We have not been able to translate much of it yet, but we have recognized the symbols of their gods and some words that we know, and we believe this book to be of some importance in their ancient religion. Maybe it is some sort of text believed to have been written by a god or a prophet, we do not know. What we have learned is that most texts found today mention these so-called 'Braces' and this could either mean that their religion was so important to them that it influenced their everyday life to such extent, or it could mean that only the Clergy were able to read and write, something we have seen many places before. : But if I understand everything they say, how come I can't read this book? Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: It is our belief that because of their exceptional communication skills they very quickly learned our language, and whenever we are in their vicinity, they switch from their own mother tongue. I believe they do this because they look upon us as trespassers here, and that they rather not give their secrets away. One way to get to hear them speaking in their own language is if you manage to get close enough to listen to them talking without them noticing you. The best time to do this is when they are busy with some ritual. Actually, if you want to go and try to listen to them, I am very interested in a recording of their prayers. Maybe you could get hold of that for me? : I guess I could! Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: I remember to have read once that when you row another person across the river, you get there yourself! I think that will be words for you to take with you on this mission. -- Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: It is said that true wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us. I am not so sure I agree. Trying to puzzle out this language is quite frustrating at times, and I do not feel any smarter even though I surely understand little of it. : I got the recording you wanted! Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: Really? Then you are better at being careful than I am. I guess they smell me from a distance or something; I almost never get the chance to hear them talk to each other anymore. Perhaps they are extra careful around me, knowing that I understand a little already. Well, let me have the recording then! Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: I love the fact that I am able to be outside working all day long, every day is different, every day is something new. You know what they say about office workers? "The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office." Hah! I can assure you it is nothing like that out here! But that might also be related to the fact that I do love my job. Thank you for your help, . : So, any idea what I should do now? Dr.Curry - Linguistic Anthropologist: Well, if you have not already done so, I suggest you go and have a chat with Dr. Darnell, she is a social anthropologist and for the last few months she has lived out here trying to live the "Xan way" as she calls it. Although some would say she is afflicted with moonstruck madness, I think we should remember the importance of the work she is doing. -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome. Please sit down! Can I offer you something to drink, or some soup perhaps? The woman sits down by the fireplace again, stirring what must be the soup she referred to. It looks more like green sludge. Not very tempting. : No thanks! I was just curious as to what you're doing out here on your own! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Me? Oh, I'm only trying to understand the basics of the Xan, to get the nerve of their culture, to get under their skin so to speak. I've sacrificed comfort and company to be out here on my own, learning to live off the land as close to what we believe are the old ways as possible. It is truly exciting! It is as if I finally can understand how they could love this place so much. And also why they would create so many beautiful things to surround themselves with, as if they held so much beauty inside that they needed to let some of it out. The art they made; I've never seen anything like it. Even what are clearly cruder objects look as if they were crafted in the hands of gods. Oh, but here I am jabbering like Ergo himself, I'm sure you've got plenty of that already. Tell me then; what do you seek here in the barren lands of Scheol? : I'm traveling through here, looking for adventure! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Looking for adventure you say. Well, there's plenty of interesting places to see around here. Although I think great discoveries can also happen as you sit down and relax, looking at the world around you the way the people living there do or did. I did a lot of research on the Xan before I moved out here, but I must say there are so many things I learn just from living here that I would never be able to see otherwise. : What can you tell me of the Xan? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Whoa! That's a broad subject you know! What can I tell you about all of history? Hah. Well, let me tell you a little about their family life, since that is what I'm looking at these days. There are several theories on how they organized the members of their society, and I believe they were quite similar to the types of families you would see back in the Stone Age. The Xan were so tied to their small family settlements that when they had to go to the populated areas either to sell their hides and livestock or in order to buy their needs, they would finish their errands as quickly as possible and hurry back to their community lest they spend even one night away. The children would not be allowed to leave their community, and would have smaller tasks assigned to them, like looking after the smaller children or the animals and land areas belonging to the family. : So they had children? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Well, we assume they did. We haven't actually found any evidence of actual children, but we believe that there are few traces of these, since they would not die as children, only as adults. And it is also something we see with most species, and we have no reason to think that the Xan didn't have offspring. We know their numbers increased, and that sure supports this theory. I believe that we will find out more as we live here, possibly experiencing the Shadowlands like they did. : What more can you tell me? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: We know that the Xan were great engineers and craftsmen. In many places here in the Shadowlands do we see examples of this. It is as if they worked with body and mind creating these fantastic objects. And often we see ornamented utilities that show how they cared for the appearance of even the most practical objects. We believe they were intellectual and artistic, and that they held beauty in high regard. Now, we know that the Xan used a special technique that we call the spun-pygmaeus technique. We've identified it as a traditional technique among the Xan, and I would be very pleased if you could find me any object that has been created with this technique. I will try to get a full set of kitchenware like the Xan used to have, and use that to really experience how it was to live in a Xan home. : I'll search for you! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you so much! I don't know exactly where you should look for these objects, but I believe that there has been some recent finds in the the uncharted area. -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: So, what can I do for you, ? : I found a spun pygmaeus platter! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Really? I don't have a platter in my collection yet. This will be very helpful indeed! You're such a warm, caring person! I am so glad to see when others understand the importance of the work we are doing out here in the field, and how people help us complete our missions. Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you, . Thank you for bringing this to me! So, what else can I do for you? : I'm just looking for a job! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Well, I might have a task for you, it might not be what you had in mind, but money is money, eh? : What can I do? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Well, for reasons I don't understand, they've given me the task to collect DNA samples from some of the creatures up here. I guess they figured they would ask me to do it since I'm in the area, but I'm not one to run around killing innocent creatures, so I really want nothing to do with it. The work has to be done though. It is actually long overdue already. Maybe you could help me out, and I'll give you a little cash for the job? : I'll help you! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you so much! Here are the instructions from Jobe. I haven't read them myself, but they should tell you what to do. -- Guard - Ulf Reinhart: How can I help you? : I'm here to deliver some DNA samples. Guard - Ulf Reinhart: Oh? More samples? Well, hand them over then! Guard - Ulf Reinhart: Thank you! Here's the receipt for delivering the samples. In case you might need it, they usually don't ask, but at least they can't say I didn't give it to you now! -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome back! How are you doing? : I got a receipt from Ulf Reinhart. Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Oh, yes, probably a good thing to hold on to. Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you, . Thank you for bringing this to me! I hope you don't think this is too much to ask, but I promised Dr. Hestiya to send her the Symbolism Reference Library as soon as I was done with it. Do you have the time to deliver it to her for me? : I'll deliver it for you! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you! -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how are you? : Dr. Darnell asked me to bring you this reference library. Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Yes, I asked her to send it to me, as it might be useful to have now that we will be looking at the inscriptions on the walls of the cave! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Thank you! I am not sure if this is of any use to you, but I have this Nano Crystal of Minor Nanobot Defense that I'm not using that you can have! And now that's done, are you interested in another job then? : Sure, what do you want me to do? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Well, I need someone to go up to the Necropolis and do some initial research in the area. We do think it might be some form of cemetery, and it might be were the Xan buried their dead. If we find something to back up this theory, we should consider calling for another team of archaeologists. Can you go there and see if you can find something of interest? -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how are you? : I found a burial stone; could that be of interest to you? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: I will have to have a look at it first, but it sounds promising! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Thank you. As you know, the burial traditions of any race are usually a key indicator of a religious belief structure of some form. Although little has yet been learned of the Xan culture due to the complexity of their written language, we believe that studying such objects as this may be an important detail in uncovering their secrets. One of the indicators of this is the evidence that they seem to have shown great respect to their dead, as is displayed in the exquisite craftsmanship of this Stone. If you want to know more about the Xan religion, I suggest you talk to Dr. Darnell again. She is probably the person who knows most about their religion around here! Maybe you can take the burial stone to her? : I'll bring her the burial stone! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Thank you, and send my regards! -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome back! How are you doing? : Dr. Hestyia told me to bring you this burial stone! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: A burial stone? A Xan burial stone? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: You know it is widely believed among us scientists studying the Xan culture that such devices were used to capture some form of telepathic record of a Xan after their physical form died. This one seems to be broken though. Maybe they are haunting these lands now? Now that would be something! : Can you tell me about their religion? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Well, their religion was a form of polytheistic belief, which means that they believed in multiple gods. They were devoted to the idea that the gods formed pairs, and you will always find a pair of two gods opposing each other anywhere you go in Shadowlands. Here in Scheol you can still see that the Unredeemed worship Roch, while the Redeemed follow Ocra. And the gardens were built to their honor, we're not sure how old they are, but we know they have been there since long before the cataclysm. The Yuttos say that the gardens have always been here, but I'm not sure how much we can trust them to tell us the truth. : What can you tell me of the gardens? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: You might have seen the gardens we have here in Shadowlands, where the followers worship their gods. Each follower can access these gardens using an insignia. Today, even you and I can access these gardens as the insignias are found all over these lands, but we believe that before the cataclysm these gardens were areas that only holy people would go to. That the insignias were special keys you needed in order to enter. I am quite sure that these old insignias can be found if only you look in the right places. : Do you want me to find an old insignia for you? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Oh yes, that would be very nice! I think you will need to visit the temples and convince one of the dwellers to give up theirs to get hold of one though. But, you seem to be able to take on whatever challenges you face, so it shouldn't be a problem for you. -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome back! How are you doing? : I have an ancient insignia for you! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: You found one? Good! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: I know getting hold of this was not a peaceful mission, and I assure you this next one will be much better. I simply want you to learn more about the beautiful gardens we have here in Scheol. You may look at the Roch Statue, but use this insignia on Ocra's statue to visit the garden of Ocra. See if you can learn something about the gardens and return to me if you still have a thirst for knowledge. -- Conserver Ocra Jha-Ilad: I am Conserver Ocra Jha-Ilad, and I welcome you to the Garden of Ocra, . Embrace the light to receive Her blessings. : What can you tell me of this garden? Conserver Ocra Jha-Ilad: The Garden of Ocra is a place for recreation, to give you time to reflect upon the path on which you are walking, and to help you on your journey towards enlightenment, so that you are not lead astray by darkness. : How was this garden created? Conserver Ocra Jha-Ilad: What is creation if not a process where you take something and you make it into something else? A transfer of energy from one element to another, and so everything that changes is destroyed only to be created again. Some call it evolution. : What do you do here? Conserver Ocra Jha-Ilad: For generations members of my family have been conservers of the Garden of Ocra, but I'm the last of my family. I look after the garden, making sure it can offer shelter to Ocra's faithful children and that all is kept and done the way Ocra wanted it. : Goodbye Conserver Ocra Jha-Ilad: Until our paths cross again. -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome back! How are you doing? : I visited one of the gardens as you told me to. Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: You did? Good. I hope you learned something then. I don't think they like that I'm digging up stuff from the past, at least they don't want to share any of their knowledge with me. It's a common problem for us researchers, that when the locals refuse to give us access to their knowledge we will spend a lot of resources getting hold of information by other means. Take their rituals for example, they openly refuse to say or show us anything, but the Yuttos say they are positive that some of the old rituals of the Xan are still practised. : I would like to know more about their rituals! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Our research so far suggests that they didn't have many different rituals, and we believe that most of their rituals were of religious character. We have also found jewelry like the Bracer of the First Pact that seems to have had the same function as the wedding rings back in the Holocene epoch. I've discussed this with One Who Is Like The Other, she showed me the pact adornments. Actually, the Yuttos claim that the Xan did have more rituals, but between you and me, I think they make a lot of it up to sound more interesting, they dont have any actual proof of this, and as I said, our extensive search has not given much support to this theory. : Anything I can do to help? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Dr. Hestiya told me that they'd found some artifacts that might have been used in rituals, and she was going to look into it for me, but then they found the cave paintings and now her team has no time to go back and have a proper look in the area. But perhaps you can go and find out for me. Can you? : Of course I can! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: That's very sweet of you! Dr. Hestiya will give you the details regarding where to find the artifact! : Goodbye -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how are you? : Dr. Darnell told me to ask you about some ritual artifact you'd found? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Yes, that's right. We found an artifact that we first believed was a Yuttos staff, but the Yuttos we talked to would not confirm this, and one even said that he believed it was an old Xan artifact. I can tell you where to find it if you're interested? I would have showed you the location, but I'm terribly busy these days, with the cave and all. It's all very exciting! There are mostly anthropomorphic depictions, where people are represented in motion. Although I have to admit their interpretation is rather difficult, so I think we might have to call for some experts. : Please give me the location details and I'll find the artifact! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Good. I've made some notes for you with the information that I have. It should be possible to upload the information to your map too. : Goodbye -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how did it go? : The artifact seems to be some sort of Xan Scepter! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: A Xan Scepter you say? And you're sure it is really a Xan artifact? Let me have a look! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Yes, I can see that there are several Xan symbols around its shaft. Actually this might well be one of the staves that the Yuttos later copied. We have recently uncovered several examples of staves in the Yuttos culture, and we believe these staves were used to channel source energy. Maybe this one is still functioning? From what we've learned of the ritual, the Yuttos, and probably the Xan earlier on, would gather around a sacred stone and summon beautiful creatures made of pure notum. Some of these would be guardians, set to protect their tribe. We're not sure if they actually saw any creatures, or if it might have been some sort of hallucination. But we know this was supposedly a protective ritual. : So you think I could make it work? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Stranger things have been known to happen here in the Shadowlands. If this one is still functioning, you would still need to find the correct device to use it with. Some sort of altar I would guess. : Goodbye -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how are you? : I'm not exactly sure what happened, but the altar erupted and a creature emerged! Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Oh yeah? I hope you still have the scepter? And that it isn't damaged? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: It really seems to be undamaged. Archaeological excavations are of great help to us when we try to establish the chronology of the settling of the Xan and their development, and the finds are of great help to researchers such as Dr. Darnell. I'm sure she would appreciate it if you brought her this scepter! : Goodbye -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome back! How are you doing? : The artifact you wanted me to find was a ritual scepter! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: A ritual scepter you say? And Dr. Hestiya seems to be quite sure about that? Let me have a look then! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you! I wonder to whom this once belonged. Do you have more questions for me before I take a closer look at the scepter? : I would like to know more about their daily life! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: We believe that the daily life for the Xan was rather uncomplicated. The amount of ornamented utilities we have found shows not only that they cared about the appearance of the things they surrounded themselves with, but also that they must have had time on their hands to do this kind of work. If they would have been struggling to find food, they would not have made the plates from which they ate their food look like pieces of art. We have also found smaller animals that we believe were kept as pets. We have found carvings illustrating that the Xan were fond of pastimes such as pets. The bigger animals are never shown merely as pets, but rather depicted as hunting companions or as watch dogs. One such animal that we've seen illustrations of looks a lot like a creature called Canine Mongrel that we have here in Scheol. I'm afraid I've never had the chance to take a closer look at one yet, but maybe you can help me? : How can I help you? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: If you bring me the corpse of one of them to me, I might be able to learn some about their diet from looking at their stomach contents and their teeth. : Goodbye -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome back! How are you doing? : I have a canine corpse for you! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Uhm. Yes. Please put it over there... Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you, I'll have a look at it in a bit. Last time we spoke, you said you wanted to know more about the Xan and how they were. Are you ready to listen some more? : Yes, please tell me what you know! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: We know that the Xan enjoyed the good life and playing was part of it. Some games were played with implements, and balls were popular among these. Balls were made of a leather skin filled with rags. We have found what seems to be a game for two where each player would have several pieces of polished rock. It seems to have been a game of skill and chance, perhaps akin to backgammon and was likely played by both young and old. : What more can you tell me? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: We don't think the Xan had a theatre like we know it as we have found no special venues constructed for plays, but we believe they did public performances of shows which were mostly pageant-like where we believe they recited dramatic dialogue before audiences. That music was part of religious ceremonies and musicianship was highly valued among the Xan we can see from carvings and artifacts found. But unfortunately we have even fewer clues to what their music sounded like than we have to how their language was spoken. : So they had theatre and song, did they also dance? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Only a few carvings of what we believe could be Xan dancers have been found. They are generally depicting a number of dancers performing the same synchronized movements. We believe that dancing was a part of rituals, but how common it was is hard to say from the material we've found. Talking about rituals... Do you have the time to help me some more? : Sure, what do you need? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Up on a hill in I noticed some urns that I think can be of interest to us. It would be very helpful if you could collect one and bring it to Dr. Hestiya to see if we can find out what it is. : Goodbye -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how are you? : Could you have a look at this urn for me? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: I'm sure that I can have a look and perhaps it is something I recognize. Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: I believe this is a prayer urn used for transporting water that was used in religious ceremonies. It has a large crack that runs down its entire length, so I don't think it could hold much water these days. If you are careful with it there might be a chance it could be repaired, though. I suggest you bring it to my yuttocra friend Vanward Four, he might be able to tell you more. : Goodbye -- The yutto in front of you turns towards you and greets you with a slow nod, his voice gentle and wise. You find yourself wondering how old this particular one is. Vanward Four: Hello young one. You have arrived at last. : Could you please have a look at this urn and tell me what it is? He nods his massive head and looks at you with his brightly burning eyes. Vanward Four: Let me have a look at this urn then, child. Vanward Four: Yes, it is a beautiful urn. The Xan were very artistic, weren't they? But it is broken, and should one try to store anything in it, it would most likely leak out. Let me see if I can repair it for you. The Yuttos takes out a tube of what seems to be some kind of glue, and smears the viscous blue substance on the urn to fill in the cracks. And mere seconds later, it is as if the Urn had never been broken. You think that maybe there might be some special nanobots working on a molecular level bonding the damaged parts of the urn. Vanward Four: Here you are! As good as new! : But do you know anything about how the Xan used this urn? Vanward Four: Of this I can not tell you. Do not worry, child. In time you, as well as others of your kind, will learn more about the Xan. : Goodbye -- Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Welcome back! How are you doing? : I have identified the urn for you as best as I could! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Thank you, it will be interesting to hear what Dr. Hestyia had to say! Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Its very intricate carvings make me think that it once contained something of importance to the Xan. And Dr. Hestiya thought it had been used for transporting water for religious ceremonies? But we could not get this confirmed by the Yuttocra? Well, I'll try to contact my sources and see what else there might be to learn about this urn. Thank you for helping me! : So, anything else I can do to help you? Dr.Darnell - Social Anthropologist: Actually, I can't think of anything. You've been of much help as it is, and for this I thank you! I will make sure to include this in my reports to Jobe. If you want to do something else here in Scheol, I suggest you go and see Dr. Hestyia, I know she's very busy these days, and could probably use some help! : Goodbye -- Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Hi again, how are you? : So, anything I can do to help you? Dr.Hestyia - Archaeologist: Excellent timing! I just got back the first scans of the Yuttos wall, and I promised I'd send the results to Dr. Jones. Could you please deliver them for me? : Goodbye -- Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Hi there, ! Did you find Frank Jobin? : Yes, but right now I'm here to deliver something from Dr. Hestyia. Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Ah, that cute little thing! So, what does she have for me this time you think? What does she have? Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Oh, it's a scan of the Yuttos wall carvings? I heard rumors they had found a place of interest up there, but little did I know that they already have a scan of the carvings! I'm happy to know she did not forget her promise to ship anything that might be of interest my way before we send it back to the rats for examination. Good thing she remembered her promise for sure. I just received the first results from their research on the beit bones, but so far we've not been able to establish any resemblance with the Xan. Not any resemblance yet. But I am not one to give up easily though. I don't give up easily at all. Some people wish to learn to swim and at the same time to keep one foot on the ground, but me, no. I plunge into the tasks ahead of me, never afraid to try all possible options until I find the answers. And I do find answers. I am even one of the best at finding answers. You have perhaps read my publication 'The Modern Researcher: Why turn every stone?' in 'Jobe Scientist'. No? That's a shame. A shame indeed. It is something every young researcher should read I say. But I must say this scan is surely interesting. I will spend much time looking at this now. Which means I will not have much time for much else. Not much time at all. Hmm... you don't seem to be too busy.. : I'm sure we can come to an agreement! Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: We've recently discovered that some creatures here have old DNA information stored in their nuclei that go all the way back to the cataclysm. There might be information found in these nuclei that can lead us to find out what happened to the Xan when this enormous disaster hit them. There might be vital information indeed. It seems clear as ice that something this big must have had quite an impact. Quite an impact. There are almost no structures intact from that period. Almost no buildings or other structures. It is very hard to do research here, sometimes it seems as if the important pieces are missing. Big pieces missing. Well, let's hope the eremites can tell us something. They better tell us something important the way they are hiding. : Goodbye Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: I will see you soon! -- Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: And so you return, my friend! : I found the nucleus you requested. Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Excellent, my friend. Excellent! Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Yes. One way to get genetic information is to look at the nuclei found in creatures here in the Shadowlands. We've recently discovered that the DNA information stored in the nuclei can tell us about the population's growth and reproduction, and some of them can even give us information about the Xan that go all the way back to the cataclysm. This small nucleus that you just brought me can perhaps tell us about the population growth! It is fantastic news! : So, what can you tell me of the Xan? Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: Dr. Hestiya once told me about a place far north. She says it is one of her favorite places here in the Shadowlands. Pretty girl that Hestiya. Clever too. Clever. I've been up there myself once. It is quite a walk. Quite a walk. : But, what about the Xan? Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: The Xan? The Yuttocra claim that the Xan once were playful beings, but there is little in their behavior today that supports this belief. Very little in their behavior.I guess a war that has been going on for that long would probably take the fun out of most beings. Who would want to create something beautiful if revenge is their only thought? Who would create anything at all? Up north you can see the remnants of a big structure that is very atypical for Xan style we mostly see here in Scheol. We believe that as they progressed as a species, architecture evolved from being merely vernacular into a more artistic form. I'm sure Frank could tell you more about these structures. Frank Jobin that is. : Goodbye Dr. Jones - Physical Anthropologist: I will see you soon! -- Technologist Frank Jobin: Did you find Dr. Hestyia? : Yes I did! How are you doing? Technologist Frank Jobin: We're doing well so far! Continuing to examine the old structures of the Xan here in Scheol, you know. We believe the Xan built a network of enormous structures to reach into what they call the Source, to extract and transform it to a form of energy that they could use for their own means. There are actually some examples of this technology in the Northern areas, but we have trouble continuing our research up there. : Anything I can do to help? Technologist Frank Jobin: Firstly the rafters are a serious security risk and it's dangerous for us to get up there safely, but we have managed a couple of expeditions under security escort. The real problem is though that the strange spirit creatures seem to have a habit of stealing parts from the machines. We were able to scan and even dismantle some of the machines but we could only get so far in our analysis because there would be components missing. It's impossible to put together a jigsaw puzzle without all the pieces! If you could retrieve some of the missing parts from the Thieving spirits it might give us a better chance of understanding the Xan technology. : I'll help you! Technologist Frank Jobin: Thank you. I expect you to return swiftly. : Goodbye Technologist Frank Jobin: Goodbye! -- Technologist Frank Jobin: Did you find any of the missing parts? : Yes, I got a few machine parts for you. I hope they're what you're looking for! Technologist Frank Jobin: Thanks! Just hand them over, . Technologist Frank Jobin: Thank you! For your help I want you to have this ring. I hope you'll find it useful! You know, I find it strange that the machines still seem to working. At least we detect source energy flowing through their ancient circuits and conduits. We would really like to know how they are still working after all this time. I am sure though that one day we shall find out! : Goodbye Technologist Frank Jobin: Goodbye! --