The Nowhere Archives, Introduction
You find the archives unusually empty when you push open the curtain to the small building. After calling the names of its occupants and concluding that they are not within earshot, you begin to look around the dusty chamber, scanning the shelves slowly with your eyes. Moments into your search, you find several long cardboard boxes filled with neatly organized, if somewhat dusty cassette tapes. You select one marked with a single dash and insert it into the player on the table. After a few seconds of static, it begins playing.
Beginning recording 1.
Date: April 23, 1 Post-Tapes.
Personal Designation: Unit 17.
Function: Co-historian and record keeper for the Nowhere Archives in the town of New Harbor, located on the island of Nowhere.
Date: April 23, 1 Post-Tapes.
Personal Designation: Unit 17.
Function: Co-historian and record keeper for the Nowhere Archives in the town of New Harbor, located on the island of Nowhere.
Why do you feel the need to introduce yourself? Everyone here is already well aware of who we are…
Clarity and specificity in historical records is paramount to understanding them. Please introduce yourself with your name and function.
I think you- Oh don’t give me that look… Fine. Those who dare to speak my name refer to me as Aleksanderos the Deathless, Last of His Name, King of the Ten Thousand Dead, Lord of the-.
Your former titles are irrelevant to your function in the community and to this archive. Please state your function.
*Sigh* If I must… I am Aleksanderos, the co-historian and record keeper for the Nowhere Archives, but I believe that understanding the perspectives of the individuals behind historical records is critical to understanding the records themselves. They must know more about us and our history. Mine in particular.
Given the unusual nature of this island, any personal history prior to one’s arrival is irrelevant. We were tasked with recording objective facts related to the history of New Harbor and of Nowhere at large, nothing more.
Objective facts mean nothing if we do not consider how people, including the recorders, were affected! Just because you’re an emotionless metallic husk does not mean- You know what, nevermind. We’ll discuss this at another time.
Agreed. Moving on. Four days prior to this recording, a team of explorers returned from the ruins of the Pleasant View Mall bearing a load of salvage. Among the items recovered were approximately 150 functional cassette tapes of varying brands and four broken recording devices. One of the aforementioned recording devices was repaired one day ago by a community member named Maria Johnson, a local expert in electronics of this type and era.
At the behest of the Harbormasters’ Council, the two individuals in this recording have been tasked with recounting the history of the town of New Harbor and the island of Nowhere.
While these types of historical records would normally be documented in print media, a phenomenon present on this island referred to as ‘True Speech’ allows spoken word to be understood by anyone who hears it, but prevents written word from being understood by those who are not fluent in the language used when writing.
At the behest of the Harbormasters’ Council, the two individuals in this recording have been tasked with recounting the history of the town of New Harbor and the island of Nowhere.
While these types of historical records would normally be documented in print media, a phenomenon present on this island referred to as ‘True Speech’ allows spoken word to be understood by anyone who hears it, but prevents written word from being understood by those who are not fluent in the language used when writing.
Who would be listening to this that does not already know that?
We cannot discount the possibility that these recordings will be discovered by individuals capable of traveling between realities at will. By using audio recordings, we ensure that they are accessible to anyone who discovers them.
And both possesses and understands how to operate one of these infernal ‘Recording Tape’ devices of course…
This has been considered. While your point is not invalid, this is the most practical solution available as of the present date. Should another arise, we shall produce a new batch of recordings.
Hold a moment. I did not agree to do this more than once.
We are the only functionally immortal sapient individuals on this island who have been present for most of New Harbor’s history, and as such are the only individuals qualified to perform this task. If you do not wish to continue to lend your ‘aid’ you may leave at any time.
And leave everything to your ‘objective’ viewpoint? I would sooner consign myself to the Eleven Hells. Besides, the Council wished for these recordings to be delivered from multiple points of view, and you alone cannot offer that.
I did notice your emphasis on the word ‘aid’ however. I may be influencing you more than you think.
I did notice your emphasis on the word ‘aid’ however. I may be influencing you more than you think.
Oh no.
Regardless, you have dominated this discussion for long enough.
Prior to this recording, we concluded that we should divide the history of Nowhere into two distinct periods. We will be referring to these as Pre-Tapes and Post-Tapes, or PRT and POT, as the discovery of these recording tapes is as significant an event as any other on this island.
It is also important that listeners understand that any discussions of events prior to today’s date are drawn from your long term memory, and that they should be interpreted as such.
I have already explained to you that my memories of my time here are crystal clear! Just because you incapable of understanding the arcane arts does not mean they are less accurate or valid than your digital nonsense.
In any case, our first task is to recount the history of New Harbor itself, beginning with the construction of the Wellspring in 128 PRT. Before the town was officially founded-
Halt. We must finish this recording and begin a new tape to ensure that these records are divided appropriately.
You must be kidding me-
I am incapable of kidding.
Fine, do what you must to change the recording tape, but I will occasionally require a pause between these sessions to find some sort of entertainment. Most of us do not possess your ability to ceaselessly perform menial tasks for days on end.
Acknowledged. This concludes the content of this introductory tape.
Comments