voiceless city

[kossai]

another story of thaliendir as sheogorath . this one is very large cope to be honest .

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should not surprise anyone that madness of lord sheogorath's followers come in very many shades . this story is about one such follower , mathis teran , who was prone to mindless wanders .

mathis never could talk , really . apart from family who hold dear , people would pity for this , some occasionally even fear , as if one without words is one without mind , one who will attack and think nothing , nothing , nothing .
but mathis could not see any problems with not talk . not talk was how most creatures live - talkers odd ones out !

during one especially long wander , mathis find unfamiliar city . helplessly lost , mathis walk along streets and look for anyone who might help . but whether by hands or by magic , no one would listen to what mathis say , nor give any help , kind words , or comforts .
" animal ! get out ! " these people instead shout . " say something ! speak up already ! "
some go so far as to threaten , violent wishes spoken quite loud to make sure of mathis hear . mathis could do nothing but cry and silently pray , hope heart sing loud enough that lord sheogorath might hear .

and hear , lord sheogorath did indeed .
another wander take hold of mathis , back along those unfamiliar paths , through field and forest alike , until suddenly home become clear and smile with glee . family weep with relief at mathis's return , and all was well .

but that is not where this end : what kind of lord would lord sheogorath be to allow this cruelty ? no , would not stand for that .
one by one , lord sheogorath visit , speak in visions that pain each one , that could not hope to understand . and each one find ... could no longer talk , as if mind and mouth sever from each other .
" be happy ! " lord sheogorath say , through colours and lights and vivid pictures , " to be without voice is gift , not curse . now will share in this gift , to learn truth . "

many did not like this one bit .
to pray was impossible like this - too stubborn to pray straight from heart - and this desperation drive at least one person to submit self to lord sheogorath .
to talk with each other was impossible - too stubborn to use anything but voice - and this loneliness drive at least two people to pure , mindless rage .
to even express these feelings was impossible - too stubborn to make art - and this endless enigma drive at least three to fatal breakdowns .

" enough ! " these minds cry out , " is this not test enough ? "
but lord sheogorath simply smile , message spread across all senses .
" test ? this is gift . will love and live , or will hate and die . "
as days become weeks , and then months , population of city dwindle - until only one remain .
lord sheogorath gracious enough to give one last chance to accept this gift as truly wondrous thing , but this woman refuse .
" pity . "

with no one left to provide , nowhere else to go , and nothing left to care for , woman soon perish alone .
some people spread whispers of this city , this place which mad god so thoroughly curse and destroy . but followers know truth : lord sheogorath bless , and these people simply not worthy enough to handle .

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