Diamond Pantheon

I bring all I's tools ta bear on th' slimy things. I've set up a resonating field projector ta reflect back th' data encoded in th' structure of th' slugs. I hook up th' projector to th' fungi Yerkan discovered via a series of linkup node hyperwire circuits an' point it at Amatin.

If this works, I'll read th' coding, create a copy for I's records, and recode it ta dig us an underground palace in a small corner of th' Frozen Ocean and then self-destruct on another Sslug after 2 days of work.

If it fails I'd like ta know if an artifact version would work.

What citadel do ya mean, Yerkan?

An' I think anyone of us could outpace a slug, even these stumpy lug legs.

The flying citadel that appeared in the sky the morning that the sslugs first appeared. It seems to have dropped them off.

Ah. Unfortunately none of us are flight specialists. But get I there and I promise ta take 'er apart!

One moment.

I phase through the ground, a clay arrow driving a secant through the earth toward where the citadel faded below the horizon. I pop my head out and look around.

There is no sign of the flying citadel.

Some kind of strange abjad? Why do I not recognize this writing system!

I will search around in the trenches for any clues. I will pore through my books and any ancient texts I can find for hints of this. I will focus on languages whose cultures may have shared the architecture of the citadel.

It is carved rather crudely in Sslugtrail. A god is usually able to read any unencrypted language's alphabet.

Perhaps...Thrash may be right and the Sslugs just poor writers.

It is merely one...correct? One Sslug that does all the writing. Two others with...unknown goals.

Yes. I agree with you. Just a little more data, and I think I can get this...