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THE BLANK MEN
Jan. 1st, 2022 09:15 pmThe characters don't have to do all the work themselves. There are several dozen Blank Men already occupying the area. They're smooth, alabaster figures in a humanoid shape. They don't speak, they don't write, they don't sleep. They simply stand there until directed to do something. At this point, they obey, working nonstop as long as daylight touches them. When night falls, they simply stand in place until the sun rises again.
However, they won't work alone. If a character doesn't work with them, or around them, they'll stand in place as if they haven't been given any orders. But they don't take breaks when the character does.
The Blank Men don't hunt very well, but they will gather food, farm, repair, and construct buildings with the best of them. Every single one of them seems to know how to perform any task given to them (As long as it's within their capabilities). They will not fight or raise a hand to the characters, nor communicate with them in any way beyond obeying orders. They are slightly stronger and more durable than the average human, but not to the point of superhuman abilities. Harming one grants no visible reaction from the others.
However, they won't work alone. If a character doesn't work with them, or around them, they'll stand in place as if they haven't been given any orders. But they don't take breaks when the character does.
The Blank Men don't hunt very well, but they will gather food, farm, repair, and construct buildings with the best of them. Every single one of them seems to know how to perform any task given to them (As long as it's within their capabilities). They will not fight or raise a hand to the characters, nor communicate with them in any way beyond obeying orders. They are slightly stronger and more durable than the average human, but not to the point of superhuman abilities. Harming one grants no visible reaction from the others.
The Totem is a large stone head with an expression fixed in a contented smile. It's located just outside the Cave that the characters find themselves awake in. It is open, a sign written in the same sort of universal language that the gauntlets use says, for business. There's a bowl next to it.
The Totem takes trades, a voice in their dreams whispers. Offer it some sort of sacrifice and it will return the favor in the form of desired goods. A lamb carcass, for example, might result in high quality tools or much-needed medicinal goods. A work of art might result in batteries, high-tech devices, or other goods. Whatever the case, the person offering the sacrifice to the Totem must decide what they want in return and offer something of equivalent or greater value. If they don't make a decision as to what they want before making the offering, the Totem will choose for them, mouth opening to eject the item.
Of course, a voice will tell desperate people, physical goods aren't the only sacrifices it accepts. If someone doesn't know what to offer, or can't make a physical offering, the Totem can, and will, take non-physical goods. A memory won't be missed, after all. Or a superpower. Or their dignity.
Whatever is equal to their desire.
The Totem takes trades, a voice in their dreams whispers. Offer it some sort of sacrifice and it will return the favor in the form of desired goods. A lamb carcass, for example, might result in high quality tools or much-needed medicinal goods. A work of art might result in batteries, high-tech devices, or other goods. Whatever the case, the person offering the sacrifice to the Totem must decide what they want in return and offer something of equivalent or greater value. If they don't make a decision as to what they want before making the offering, the Totem will choose for them, mouth opening to eject the item.
Of course, a voice will tell desperate people, physical goods aren't the only sacrifices it accepts. If someone doesn't know what to offer, or can't make a physical offering, the Totem can, and will, take non-physical goods. A memory won't be missed, after all. Or a superpower. Or their dignity.
Whatever is equal to their desire.
