Are there other rat families, separate from you?

There are many clans, each with their own secrets and scents, yes. We share a kinship with them, though less than the furbound bonds of family.

Are there rats who are not in clans?

Yes; They are lost and confused without a family. Food?

Food. Can they join a family? Or have babies who are in a family?

Food!

This does not seem impossible, but we have never done it. Never in our memory had we too much food and too few bodies and no fear for the future changing and found such pitiful things, such that we would take in strange rats.

If one of you traveled very far from the others, what would happen?

A horrible fate. They would be lost, lesser, frightened and vulnerable.

Do you have any stories about a time when all rats were alone?

We remember being fewer. We do not remember being alone. Even before we met the dragon and bargained for the secret of Fire, our earliest recollection of many winters ago is of Love, and of knowing there are many of us, that the death of one is not the end.

What dragon did you meet?

They did not give us a name, but we remember well their awe-inspiring power. Trawling these ruined halls and throwing aside stone to dig for shiny treasure, defeating the foolish clans who thought to make prey of a dragon, their spirit burned so brightly! Truly the dragons deserve their reputation as great beings. When we offered treasure and secrets in trade for their knowledge, we learned of the essence of That-Which-Burns, and over several days we were taught to channel it ourselves. It is a powerful secret that has served us well in making the Boom, among other uses.

This odd visitor is still handing out food, right? By now they should have a lot.

Yeah, the demon's keeping it coming.

That-Which-Burns?

One of the Four Pillars of Reality; Fire. By holding understanding of Fire in our spirit we can emulate it.

We have enough food for now, secret-seekers. What else do you have to trade?

Would you like some food that will last for later? Or something else?

Some food does not rot, this is true. It would be good to have some just in case. But there is always food to find. You clearly have great and powerful secrets of your own. Will you tell us of the world we have not seen, that we might be more prepared for the future?

Yes. Would you like to see pictures?

Yes they would. They are still pretty cautious and suspicious though, and their vision isn't great.

She will show them pictures up close and zoomed in, and tell them about the worlds.

Oooh. Is it possible to learn the magic? Learning fire magic was the best thing that ever happened to this ratgroup.

It is possible to learn some kinds of magic but she is not sure a group of rats has ever tried.

After some extensive internal squeaking and some more questions about the other worlds and the magic and the mission of Vanda Nossëo, the rats announce that they will split the family, as they have done only twice before. One family will stay here and spread the news to other rats, the other would like to travel to these other worlds and learn.

Gosh, okay! They will bring the traveling-rats along with them when they leave.

It'll take a bit for the two now-separate families to settle. Do they have any more questions in the meantime?

How does splitting the family work?