Maybe Beacon is some direct offspring? Something closer to the original mother than pet urocyon. I have to admit it's a myth I'm not really an expert on.

I don't know if she even was the source of the name 'Beacon'. It's possible the early monks of the temple looked up to her as some kind of metaphorical 'light in the darkness'. I could believe that, given her role as protector of this place.

Maybe the temple itself gives her some kind of power to transform. I don't know. What I do know is that she's some kind of powerful force, she's on my side, she saved us all, and she likes fish.

Nyeh.

I can't tell you the reasons behind much of the tapestry. The only thing I know is we're supposed to add to it whenever there's a new tribal leader, so there's some kind of visual record of them.

My role as abbot, and the role of most of the monks here, is to make sure someone malicious doesn't use the temple's power for their own selfish needs. And that seems to be what Beacon is here for, as well.

Things aren't as cut and dry for us as it is for Lunism; we don't have our god coming down and giving us exact instructions and a bunch of magic relics a few hundred years ago. We've mostly been having to figure stuff along as we went.

We have the tapestry, as some kind of visual record of things that may be symbolic or not, and we have an oral history of the priority of keeping the nexus safe. So that's what I do.

Or try to, anyway. Wasn't expecting to be shot today, honestly. But I'm confident whatever kind of force our resident pest control is, she's powerful enough to keep this place safe.

Beyond the general idea it's good for each tribe to be in control of their own temple, which I understand why you'd be interested in getting yours back for the fire tribe, I can't tell you some greater reason behind all this.

And I definitely can't tell you the meaning of most of the things on the tapestry, beyond the record of the leaders. Sorry.

That's fine. Don't expect you to be the expert on everything here. I can tell you that I know some Lunist scholars would love to come investigate that tapestry in greater detail.

If you would allow that, of course.

I don't have any problem with that, assuming they don't try and wreck the place. We've never really turned away anyone with honest intentions.

Weh.

Yes, yes, provided they brought fish for Beacon. And some foodstuffs we don't have regular access to would be appreciated as well. Some Ionian cheeses would be nice.

Throw some spirits into the deal, and your scholars can come and draw a whole copy of the tapestry, as far as I'm concerned.

I'll be sure to pass that along. I'm sure I could get some kind of supply delivery.

Deal's a deal, then.

You're sayin' we can get free cheese and alcohol from you, and we haven't yet?

Sky already pays all your travel expenses, including meals.

Yeah, but I'm hearin' I can get free cheese and alcohol too.

Moving on from Miss Arntta's stomach...