Ruin Whisps

Ruin Whisps, enigmatic entities found within the most pristine Old-World ruins, are a source of both fascination and frustration for scholars, explorers, and those seeking to unravel the mysteries of Yrdde's past.
Some believe they are fragmented remnants of the Old-World's vast information network – some sort of highly advanced magitech construct containing bits of knowledge, history, or even personalities of long-dead individuals. Others theorize they serve as watchdogs, protecting the ruins from those who would desecrate them or exploit their knowledge for nefarious purposes, perhaps controlling traps and protective devices that have long since fallen into disrepair. A less popular, more superstitious theory suggests the whisps are the restless spirits of scholars or scientists, their consciousness trapped within the Aetherial Flow, still yearning to share the knowledge they'd dedicated their lives to accumulating.

Appearance

Ruin Whisps appear as spherical orbs of light, approximately the size of a human head. Their outer shells are made of a translucent, crystalline material that glows with an inner luminescence, their color ranging from a soft, pulsating blue to a vibrant, almost electric violet. Intricate patterns, resembling circuit diagrams or perhaps a form of written language, shift and flow beneath their surfaces.
They appear to be non-corporeal, passing through walls, objects, and even living beings as if they were mere illusions. Attempts to physically capture or contain them have proven futile.

Behavior

They are found only within some types of Old-World ruins, specifically in locations thought to be associated with learning or data storage. They seem drawn to technological devices and yrddestone artifacts, their glow intensifying when near such objects.
Their attempts to communicate with explorers is marked by escalating frustration. The melodic tones shift to a higher pitch, the light patterns beneath their crystalline shells flicker erratically, and if their message remains unheeded, they either fall silent, their light dimming as if in disappointment, or simply drift away, phasing through walls and vanishing into the ruins' shadowed depths.
On rare occasions, a Ruin Whisp will fixate on a particular individual, following them through the ruins, their whispers intensifying as if narrating the explorer's actions or perhaps attempting to guide them towards something of significance. A renowned Imperial archaeologist documented an encounter with a Ruin Whisp that remained in his presence for several hours, its glow pulsing in response to his descriptions of the current state of Yrdde, only vanishing once the scholar fell asleep.

Archaeological Survey Report - Addendum: Ruin Whisp Encounter
Site: Old-World Ruin Zenithia Cluster, Island 47b
Date: 39th of Frostfall, 1027 AE
Investigator: Dr. Maras Aethon, Imperial Archaeological Society

Subject: Extended Interaction with Ruin Whisp Entity
This addendum documents an unusual and potentially significant encounter with a Ruin Whisp within the Island 47b ruin site. While previous expeditions have documented brief interactions with these enigmatic entities, this instance marks the longest period of sustained communication (one-way, regrettably) recorded to date.
Initial Contact:
The Whisp activated upon my entering a chamber designated Archive Beta-7. It approached, its blue luminescence pulsing, emitting a series of melodic chirps and clicks that I’ve tentatively classified as “Query Sequence Alpha” (see attached audio recording). I responded with standard greeting protocols (verbal and gestural), but received no discernible response beyond a shift in the Whisp’s light patterns, interpreted as a sign of… confusion or perhaps frustration (Designation: “Frustration Sequence Beta”).
Sustained Interaction:
Recognizing the potential significance of this extended interaction, I began to verbally describe my findings within the archive chamber – details of the recovered relics and theories regarding the chamber’s function as a repository for historical records.
To my surprise, the Whisp’s behavior changed. Its movements became less erratic, its light pulsing with what seemed to be… interest? (Designation: "Interest Sequence Gamma"). It remained within close proximity as I continued my analysis, occasionally emitting a soft, almost melodic hum in response to my voice. Running out of notes to list out loud, I began to give descriptions of current events in Yrdde – the rise of the Tervalkyre Empire, the ongoing conflict with the Sanctum Alliance, the discovery of new yrddestone deposits, anything that that crossed my mind in the moment.
Hypothesis:
I theorize that Ruin Whisps are not merely guardians of knowledge, but also seekers. Their activation in the presence of sentient beings is not a challenge, but a desperate plea for information. They are attempting to understand the current state of their world, their programming perhaps prompting them to gather and process new data. This hypothesis is further supported by their apparent interest in the information I shared regarding the development of technology and major sociopolitical changes on Yrdde.
Unexpected Communication:
At one point, as I detailed the challenges we face in deciphering Old-World script, the Whisp emitted a series of rapid clicks and tones (Designation: "Communication Sequence Delta") followed by a visual projection of a single rune - a symbol I recognized from several recovered data fragments but had been unable to translate.
I believe this represents an attempt to teach or perhaps even correct our understanding of their language. If this hypothesis is accurate, it suggests that by providing context, historical narratives, and our current understanding of the Old World, we might unlock the key to fully communicating with these enigmatic entities.
Termination of Contact:
The Whisp remained active for several hours, its luminescence pulsing and its vocalizations responding to my descriptions of the world outside the ruins. Unfortunately, exhaustion eventually overcame me, and I fell asleep. Upon waking, the Whisp was gone.
Recommendations:
This encounter, though brief, has yielded a potential breakthrough in our understanding of Ruin Whisps and their communication protocols. I recommend further research involving extended interactions with these entities, utilizing carefully crafted narratives of history, scientific discoveries, and even fictional accounts to gauge their responses and attempt to elicit further visual projections or tonal communications.
We stand on the precipice of understanding the whispers of the past. With patience, dedication, and a touch of creative experimentation, we might finally uncover the secrets these ancient guardians seek to share.