Re: Living near the street collapse
Nodwin's eyes go glassy for a few seconds while he mentally follows along with what the unworldly creature projected into his brain. Remarkably, the symbols and images he saw in his mind were strangely familiar. When Vejovis first touched him, back when he was searching for a purpose, the feeling was much the same. While the sensation was far more alien than what he experienced with Vejovis, the creature's method of communication was strangely comforting in an odd sort of way. Vejovis had come to him using images like this.
That was where the similarity stopped. The content of these images was far different than what Vejovis had communicated to him. He had seen fire, and volcanic rock, and the way it cleansed the earth in preparation for new soil and growth. His abilities with humans were an extension of the way Vejovis renewed the earth. The only difference was that Vejovis moved in terms of millenia, and not at human speed, so his view of things was far longer than even the longest lifespans.
What this creature was sending... Well, none of the pictures made much sense. in Nodwin's perception, it seemed like there was some sort of dreamlike state superimposed over the top of the content. The images looked to him like they were being seen through a fog, perhaps self-imagined or completed so he could make even some sense of what he was being told. It was so different and disturbing that it was hard to digest, even in this sort of surreal state he was in.
Somehow, Nodwin was able to follow along with what the creature was showing him. Perhaps it was because Vejovis had broadened his mind with his touch. Perhaps it was due to the recent experience they had with the summoning circle and the demon. Perhaps it was something deep within Nodwin himself, some accident of birth, or perhaps some unknown heritage he had inherited from his family without knowing. He didn't know.
All Nodwin knew was that he understood what the creature was trying to show him, or he at least thought he did. Coming back to himself, he notes Jareth drinking with Jocelyn, and he notes that Mario is bolting for the door, presumably overcome with what he was now seeing. He was not surprised to see this at all.
Instead Nodwin steps directly in front of the creature, not in a threatening way, and ignites the fire on his staff.
"I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to tell me. Based on the images, I believe they are using eldritch or perhaps essential fire to power the runes, which bind the creatures to the summoning circle. As you can see, Vejovis has not granted me the same abilities, we have not progressed that far in my religious training. Most of what you are showing me is beyond my experience or education. But I know it it must be stopped. How do we do that?"