The “Introduction to the Other World” is fascinating. It aims to help with the disorientation experienced after the big ones arrive here. Notable early parts read:

  

  Welcome to our home, Kyklos. As wholeheartedly welcome as you are, note that this place is truly not the convenient, familiar world to which you’ve grown accustomed. Here life will be a constant struggle. Everyone’s lives are under the everpresent threat from the wild world that exists outside the walls of all our settlements. Moreover, it is now your duty, as well as ours, to manage these threats such that they don’t annihilate all the wonderful things that we have built.

  The good news is that as much as this world takes away, it also gives back plenty. This is a world of super human physical feats, magic, and all manner of new law and logic that enables our survival of these horrors.

  To support all of this novelty and as a consequence of our journeys here, Kyklos has gifted us with what we have come to call ‘status’. Our status can be checked simply by willing it into existence. After expressing that desire, sometimes more easily paired with a word or gesture for struggling newcomers, a private screen will appear that only you can see. Some examples of what the screen might describe: your identity, any titles or gifts you have received directly from Kyklos, a set of measured physical attributes that can be improved with time and effort, and any skills you have acquired through practice. Really, it can do so much more than this short list implies. Every few years, some of the most extraordinary among us achieve discoveries further and further into its depths, strengthening us all as a result.

  We realize that this may feel overwhelming. The same was true for everyone else also stolen here by the fiend Anatoly, evil sorcerer king of all the creeping villains and monsters outside our walls. However, there is a light at the end of this tunnel. There is reason to believe that the same antagonist who cursed can also provide a way home after his defeat. That has become our singular purpose on Kyklos: to collectively grow stronger so as to destroy him and end this.

  Therefore, newcomer, please search everywhere you can to improve your status, grow more powerful, and climb with us. Whether that be through small, mundane, everyday actions or extraordinary feats. Your status will inform you whenever the actions taken have resulted in successful personal growth, and all growth is valuable. The paths that Kyklos maps out through status are rich and complex. Every new explorer is a treasure to us all.

  Hm. I’m not sure what I was expecting. This is so strange and baffling. Is this Anatoly an ally? Another brother? Why have I never heard of him then? Especially since this names him as our king. The first song’s plant skins said that we goblins are king of threats, but now this other one names Anatoly as the same king! Which is it? Stupid big ones, contradicting themselves as if fresh and waddling down the gangways.

  Regardless, the information about status is invaluable. Since it says that they’re private, then that must mean no one can steal it back from me? However, then why could I see and touch the young one’s status in the first place? Was he special? Am I special? Better be careful with mine, just in case. Even if it should be safe.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  This also answers the question of why my songs list is important. Not having to guess when I succeed with a new song is good. Or when an existing song gets better? That’s better than simply wondering about it, I suppose, but is that it? Thinking back to when the song acquisitions came through the shifting mud, it felt like more than that. As if something in my deep mind was snapping into place. I only noticed because the resistance of the mud made the shifting outlines so clear. Additionally, every time something did snap into place, it was as though a whole new world of awareness and ability opened up to me. Did each successful achievement come with some kind of gift? No, no, more likely stolen treasure. I am most certainly not meant to have any of these. I’m stealing from this Kyklos, not receiving its stupid gifts.

  The puzzle vexing me, I scowl and furrow my brow. Rubbing a rich blob of mud across my forehead helps relax me back down to a calm state, allowing me to drift through the pool ready for the next plant skin.

  

  Magic is an amazing tool but can also be incredibly dangerous in the wrong hands. As a consequence, the most important first lesson is this: do not rely solely on this book to begin your path. A teacher is required unless you wish to accidentally eviscerate yourself and your neighbors. An outside observer is required for constant, knowledgeable feedback on your body and environment when you first progress. Failing to do this will almost certainly result in a painful death or other worse tragedy.

  Drat, that may explain some things. At first, this appeared to be a large impediment to my progress. I have no teacher, and I doubt anyone amongst the big ones will volunteer. I haven’t seen any brothers using magic, so I assume they can’t provide instruction either.

  Does that mean I should stop with this magic? Common sense says yes, but I already survived my first attempt with flying colors. Sure, maybe much of the surrounding forest and its inhabitants perished in that fire. However, so what? They weren’t my brothers. Continuing on with the text gives me even more confidence to stay on my current path.

  

  The first step is acquiring the four ‘Arcane’ skills, which are: perception, potential, channeling, and transformation. These build the foundation that all else sits upon, regardless of later specialization. Again, gaining your first level in these will be incredibly dangerous due to the arbitrary, blind attempts at wielding forces far outside your understanding and control. However, after you have achieved those first levels, then practice will be significantly safer for most of the later techniques described in this text. One must simply find the right guild teacher for the training.

  Ha! So I’ve already climbed that silly mountain. It wasn’t even difficult, stupid big one. No need to be careful now.

  

  In the spirit of safety, we shall provide no information whatsoever about what the foundational skills do in this book. Seek that information from your first teacher. After you’ve completed and thoroughly practiced the first levels, then return to the next chapters for pointers on continuing beyond basic training.

  So the big ones still wish to keep secrets from me, clever. Should I immediately jump into the more advanced exercises here? Some instinct tells me that that’s too dangerous without knowing more about the base skills. I’ll read and re-read these secrets many, many times before trying again. Perhaps with that practice of the mind I will be better prepared? Or I may even find more and better plant skins! What did they call it? New books!