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"Behind the great arch over the Bay, the Pale Wastes stretch, white and silent as the face of the moon. From here, you might almost imagine they were snow. North of the city, the salt-pools fizz with unlikely colour."[1]
"The citizens of Whither enjoy questions: so much so that they always answer a question with another question. This can make intelligence-gathering frustrating."[2]
Whither is a city located to the far north of the Unterzee near the salty Pale Wastes and Codex - or is it?
Is Whither a melancholy city of chilly evenings and muted tones?[4] Is Whither a place where questions are asked?[5] Does everyone in Whither answer questions with questions?[6] Can the answers to questions be anything other than questions, and will a citizen be exiled to Codex if their answer is not a question?[7] Does a strange wind blow through Whither, speaking of the Avid Horizon?[8]
Are the people of Whither quiet and reserved? Does the island have a mayor? Are their constables unclear in the lengths of their prisoners' sentences? Is their preferred diet mostly cave-fish, beasts from the Pale Wastes, and passable beer?[9] Do Whithern and Iremi engage in an annual contest at Frostfound called the Game of Truths, aiming to determine the difference between questions and riddles? Will a winner emerge one day, and will they be able to enter Frostfound without risk?[10]
The House of the Question[]
"North-west of Whither town, the House of the Question stands alone. Here the initiates of the House make offerings to the three gods of the deep zee, and perhaps a fourth who is not a god. It's the one place in Whither where you can sometimes get a straight answer... for a price."[11]
The House of the Question
Is there a temple northwest of Whither proper, and is it the only place where one can find an answer on this island? Yes, yes it is.[12]
The House of the Question is a temple dedicated to the Gods of the Unterzee,[13] with richly decorated shrines for each power.[14][15] It is maintained by several initiates who are capable of drawing a god's attention,[16] or lifting their curses, through various rituals.[17] There is no fourth shrine dedicated to the Drowned Man who is not a god,[18] and besides, what are gods, anyway?
↑Gather intelligence, Sunless Sea"The citizens of Whither enjoy questions: so much so that they always answer a question with another question. [...] “Are you asking for any particular reason?” “At what time of day?” “Is that your hat?” “Might it be six?”"
↑Codex, Sunless Sea"Exiled for giving answers. That's Whither for you. Anything new?"
↑Shore leave in Whither, Sunless Sea"The folk of Whither are quiet and sly and mystical. They subsist on cave-fish and the dust-burrowing beasts of the Waste. Their beer, however, is adequate. [...] She punches the mayor's nephew [...] and is hauled off [...] You ask about the date of their release. When the Whithern constables respond with “What is the price of time?”, [...]"
↑Take tea with the squatters at the dock, Sunless Sea"Some of them wear the robes of Iremi Riddlefishers; some look like Whithern folk, [...] "We're keeping the steps for the Game of Truths," [...] "Every year, the people of Irem and Whither meet here, for - [...] "Contests," [...] "The difference between a question and a riddle. One day, someone will prove themselves enough to enter the castle."
↑Story description, Sunless Sea"North-west of Whither town, the House of the Question stands [...] It's the one place in Whither where you can sometimes get a straight answer... for a price."
↑Gain Storm's Attention, Sunless Sea"Storm's shrine is red with blood and wine. [...] The initiates of the House perform the sacrifice. [...] "Storm's a messy eater," [...] he's heard your name now."
↑Lift Stone's Curse, Sunless Sea"Lift Stone's Curse [...] The initiates build a pyre of riches: all that linen up in smoke, length by length, all that scintillack cracked and sizzling."
