How we got here and how we'll stay.

This isn't the first time humanity has been pushed to the brink. You aren't the first bright-eyed group of young people to come to me seeking advice for how to fix this. Nor are you the first I've asked to grab my cane and sit down for a spell while I tell you a story. Yes, I did mean that cane in the corner, and yes, I meant now please.
Before I tell you about myself, it's better you get that kettle over there, pour us each a cup, and get settled in. Ya'll young folk good and relaxed? Of course you aren't. Prospects are always itching to go out and get yourselves killed. Think there's glory or something in it. Maybe you're thinking your death's will appease the Old Gods. Never happens that way ya know? If I was able to, or hell, even thought that appeasing them spirits would of helped, you wouldn't be listening to me ramble now would ya?
See, we have to look at the past to understand our present. There's more to learn from our mistakes other than the last in the pack gets mauled by the Mockeries first. You think it's just ghost and monsters and desperation out there for you? It's just you against the insurmountable wall of death that hangs over your villages right? Well, it will be if you refuse to learn. The pathway to salvation is right through that wall. Think of these stories as the tools you'll need to carve a tunnel out of it and guide your people beyond it.
I used to be vague about this sort of thing and let my students try and figure things out for themselves. It was something I saw in a book once. I always wanted to be the wizened old master, speak in parables, and quietly enjoy my pupil's moment of realization. Instead I get to hear about how I failed them every night when they come visit. So I'll just tell you the truth now. The future lies directly in your ability to learn, adapt, and teach to your community the things I'm telling you tonight. That is what my mother wanted. No, she did not give birth to me, but she raised me for twenty five years, taught me every subject under the black sky. All of the knowledge gained from generations of travel through the stars, lessons gifted to us from aliens, elves, and dwarves. All of this until the day she gave me my name in exchange for a promise that I share this with you. That is what my mother wanted. No, she did not give birth to me, but she raised me for twenty five years, taught me every subject under the black system. All of the knowledge gained from generations of travel through the stars, lessons gifted to us from aliens, elves, and dwarves. All of this until the day she gave me my name in exchange for a promise that I share this with you.
It’s been said that traumatic moments are burned into the memory. Well, my children, let me say this: the fire I saw that night still burns in my dreams. I leave my windows open because I can still feel the heat in my bones, hear the wailing of my friends, and smell their skin cooking in that inferno. My mentor was the head researcher for the Grand Chieftess of this Perinian colony, Rashida. Rashida’s name meant “Righteous”, and as is common amongst our people, our parents and mentors pick our names upon maturity. I only wish that she had been named “The wise” in whatever language her family brought to the fleet with them. If they had my mentor would still be alive. Kamaria, named after the moon would still be in my sky had our leader been more aptly named.
I do not envy you prospects, but I understand your situation and you have my sympathy. I only hope you will not also see the Mockries come down upon your heroes as they did upon us that night. I hope that your weapons will be faster than the blade I pried from the dead guard’s hands in a desperate scramble while Kamaria struggled for her life. Really, I do. The image of The image of watching someone you respected so much die in your arms never leaves you. Nor will I ever be able to forget will I ever be able to forget what she told me with that serene look in her eyes. “That brown leather book with the copper binding. Please, bring it to me Cerisa.” she coughed out some blood and forced a smile. I don’t think she intended this to be my naming day, nor do I think she would ever have predicted the circumstances. “That is our legacy. Within is a record of all of the worlds we have discovered. Read it, and save what you can from this place. You, who I name in my final breath will be tasked with guiding those that survive this. Cerisa, she who shall advise, I am sorry I couldn’t teach you more. Hurry and go child, I love you.”
I’m sure you’ve noticed that book behind me sitting besides the scorched remnants of Rashida’s library, well, those that Kamaria had loved herself. I left that night with a cloth sack filled with my mother’s memories, the treasures she left behind would be her last gift to the world. She charged me with sharing that with you and passing it along. Three books that detail our customs, how we sailed the black sky, and the magic that would eventually lead us to our darkest hour, but will bring us into a new dawn. The only difference between tragedy and comedy is time. Now, I can laugh knowing that the moon had to fall for the sun to rise.

---

This is the intro to my game Precious Goods. Written in Cebisa's voice, this story tells the tale of her naming day and where she was during the start of The Calamity.