Tallmind Theta's page

The Tallmind walks daily through an absolute wasteland of higher-order cogitation. Instead of companions whose ideas could be compared to shining skyscrapers of glass, these mud-rooting peasants remind them more of the thoughts of pigs than of humans. Mastication, flatulence, fornication. Tallmind never imagined that mental landscapes could smell so atrociously.

How could a civilization exist where no one had a Mind? It was like slug trails randomly making a city of slime, and their wobbling noises mistaken for worship. If the Tallmind had not possessed absolute control of their own bodily functions, they would have been sorely tempted to vomit, both for sheer reaction and for deliberate, visceral rudeness.

Yet they do none of these things.

Behind bland exterior, Tallmind grieves. It is similar to ancient whalesong, long and arrhythmic. Tallmind remembers a time when River was Ocean, and those huge aquatic beings roamed wide, those whose alien brainwaves tickled fanciful dreams in the forelobe.

But no longer. Companionship extinct, true sustenance now taboo, and sublime entertainments vanished. All vanished and in vain.

So they listen. They help the oinking elens where they possibly can. In reality, they pay little attention. They hide approximately 90% of their thoughts entirely. Samen the Scrubbed-Clean Mind is like saltwater as the Tallmind dies of thirst.

When one is surrounded by something akin to the walking dead, one can at least hope some of them can dig.

Samen, if ever you were a Tallmind, the moment is now. This being is building immeasurable psychic pressure. We must flee! Join with this one, and let us protect our companions and ourselves!

This one is harvesting a few of the creatures' remains with telekinetic tools that shine vague and gray. A note: Remind all companions when this one returns to 'Hearth'-- a laboratory is necessary.

A Tallmind's duty is to learn.

Hearing Aisling's suggestion, Tallmind Theta interprets it as a call to action. After all, they are used to a society where, by definition, the assent of one is the assent of many.

The will of a Tallmind, once turned toward a task, is absolute. Tallmind Theta wills it to be so.

-there is zero transition time and now

Samen the Clean One, where do you propose to go after this air-thing is settled? To the rock-thing? It is asked because this one could employ psychoportation to translate all minds to the destination directly, saving time and effort. Your thoughts?

focused perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30

This one observes the thin shell of illusion and suggestion that makes this room a 'reality' to the others.

"Interesting," this one will broadcast to the others.

The Tallmind endures Cleansed Samen's barb stoically, focusing only on the conveyed information, dwelling not on the manner of delivery nor the intentions behind it.

Suddenly-

Like an owl's sensitive, concave face, Tallmind Theta's scanning goes wide, in all directions. They are still. They listen.

An emotional storm is coming, unpleasant in the extreme. Damaging. We can save all, except-

Well, the lightning rod can fend for itself. Pragmatism is ever the virtue of the enlightened...

Samen, Tallmind Theta is in front of you, in that sudden, unnerving way. Their face shows the same non-expression as always: not slack or stupid, but more the alert, unblinking stare of a telepathic alien hivemind ape.

Narrowcast, they ask, Am I reading your emotional spectrums, correctly, Samen the 'Cleansed'? Did you used to have feelings for this hungry creature that now stalks us? Do these feelings still cloud your Mind? These questions are asked dispassionately in Tallmind's gender-neutral telepathy, but you can hear a hint of judgement in the wording.

The Tallmind turns suddenly, the motion quick as hawk. They broadcast a warning to their companions:

These images are not reality. Breathe and focus on building a wall around your mind.

all: will save vs fear, and remember to roll twice and take the better roll thanks to Tallmind. Assume you are all close enough for auras/ etc.

please RP facing old fears / doubts as Sky's ancient anguish radiates psychic pain into the very atmosphere

Tallmind Theta scans the local waves for the source of that silent laughter...but comes up with nothing. An elusive mind, like trying to grasp poisonous quicksilver.

This one can protect themself.

Tallmind Theta phases into something closer to a gas, or more accurately put a psychic wave function. They will be difficult to reach.

This one prefers Tallmind Theta. (clearly reading your thoughts/narration)

Fault them not for being what they are. It is the duty of those of us who have strength to protect those who do not. Just as they can protect us from more physical threats. The mind being a battlefield is a relatively new reality for this world.

Did the Sunlord not teach you of absolute freedom? This one may choose to aid, but to imply necessity or morality to such an action is erroneous.

You all suddenly have the sensation of wearing 'ear plugs' against mental intrusion. Something that Tallmind has done gives you all advantage (roll twice, take the better) of all mind-affecting spells/etc.

to remind everyone, Tallmind never speaks out loud, and they are usually staring at Samen while communicating, or staring toward the horizon. There is always something slightly off about the angle they are floating relative to the surface.

(to all) Are your minds not adequately armored? This one wonders why you allow others into your mental landscapes.

Broadcasting to all, Tallmind Theta thinks, An entity attacked you, and then fled. Does this answer your question?

Tallmind Theta stands incongruously in the air, as if standing on a platform that isn't there. They stare toward the dark clouds in the distance, not blinking, not speaking.

Tallmind Theta still stands in the midst of the turmoil, seemingly unaware of the chaotic events that surround them.

That one smells of frying neurons. Why does it lap after your mind like a crazed wolf, Samen of One?

This one waits at the portal, then latches on to the far group with a psychoportation that divides the Tallmind into an infinite amount of indivisible pieces over a finite distance; they reassemble themselves soundlessly next to Samen Elemind.

<<Come if you wish. You're as likely to find death as anything profitable, but it wouldn't hurt to have another ally in the fight. What will happen to your drones if you cross a planar boundary?>>

<<They shall sleep. This one will ask 'CaptainDove' to see that the thought companions are taken care of. It will be a discomfort, but worth the potential findings.>>

***

Just as Samen is contemplating the finishing touches of the various formulae and circle-diagrams he needs to open the rift-

-Tallmind Theta is behind you; their psychic teleportation is utterly silent.

<<Elenmind Samen, what is your opinion on this one accompanying you into this turbulent elemental realm? Great sources of energy could reveal potential locations of other Minds. Your thoughts?>>

The Tallmind continues their conversation with Aisling as they walk toward some inn (it matters not which).

<<Thought companions are born of the same litter, and are the hands and feet of the Tallmind; nothing more. Family histories are complex and this one does not have the 'elen' terms to explain yet.

Tallmind Theta sends a telepathic message to all within the Temple and beneath it; several minutes later, a dazed crowd of drakes, priests, and Council members emerge from the obsidian structure.

May We visit one of the inns that usually populate cities? Many minds around here have read books to that effect, and the experience sounds amusing; paying for hospitality.

Tallmind Theta turns, and many of its companions turn as well, many pairs of eyes looking at you.. Hundreds of Tallminds, thousands of thought companions. More born all the time.

Now, where shall this one and assorted thought companions sleep and eat? Samen the Cleansed, what is your human perspective on this?

The Tallmind's skin cycles through translucence, showing a glimpse of wrinkled brain and beating heart, then back to opacity. Some kind of body language? Anger, agreement, a shrug?

This one clearly has much to learn of present circumstances. No offense was intended. No Tallmind shall touch any 'newborn' human; as you say, they seem almost a different species entirely.

You see another cycle of translucence and color at your second question. This one will not speak of biology at this moment. Suffice to say bones are...necessary element for Tallminds to anchor their psyches to something real, grounded. History of bones important; they remember.

Tallmind Theta seems perplexed by Samen's strong response; all themself's brows crease at once, puzzling out this new situation. They flinch at Samen's vulgar use of wind-spit noise, but otherwise they have no strong reaction. They broadcast to all elens in the vicinity, following your lead.

Of course, a Tallmind would never seek to put others under forced control, like those ugly images in your mind. Thought companions are...We speak of arms and hands, many muscles working together; of branches and leaves, growing from one seed. Your fear references something that We do not do.

We are eager to learn of elens; We are no conquerors. Think you know everything of humans? Do you judge before you truly know?

<<...the human populations were having a celebration in Sky. The details are elusive. Volcano and Moon attacked in some way that damaged Sun, and the Sky closed around Us...all gone in an instant."

Tallmind's eyes, devoid of iris, only white sclera against dark pupil, lock onto you now. <<"Millenia of dark dreaming, you say? Even centuries would have been a devastation, but now..."

Including Gabe and Samen now.

The Tallmind looks across to Gabriel Human-like. Flat-headed. Why is it not a companion?

<<"How came you to your mind powers? Are you a thief?">> The question is asked without anger, but a patience, both calm and deadly, lurks behind the words.

to Samen only
<<"Doing? There was no 'doing'. Sun is ultimate freedom; Dark was ultimate prison. No doing. Just thought without action.>>

Some of the Tallmind's thought-companions roam around the Courtyard, grabbing a pitcher of water, some food, and other small items. It strikes you that you are not seeing multiple people, but rather the various limbs of a single body. Tallmind Theta stands in the middle of the movement, receiving water, food, and rest all while communicating with Samen.

This one is a real human, a Tallmind. As pink flesh wraps around unadorned white bones, this one conjures a silken gray material--some spare mental ectoplasm squeezed from their thoughts-- to cover themself; an ancient toga design. Their head is unnaturally large to your eyes; Bald, and with penetrating stare, the Tallmind communicates:

This one's name is Tallmind Theta. All can hear them now, even those without ears to hear the true Speech. This one would like to introduce all elens to all of themself.

Ten of the human refugees step forward, all in unison, and stand behind the Tallmind. It is clear these lesser humans--who were nearly catatonic before this--are now a part of the Tallmind. Tallmind Theta's thoughts can be heard across the entire Courtyard district.

This is We. Humans are, in our natural habitatutation, a manything. Yet elens do not possess this trait. This is curious.

This one looks at Samen The Cleansed. Cleansed of humanity as well? With many minds, We shall think upon this...

to samen only
<<"Tallmind Samen, where are your thought companions? Why is there only one human, and not even a companion at that?">>