Gatherers
I figured I would finally expand on this idea. I've mentioned it several times in my blog, but most don't know what I'm talking about. Generally, I got the idea from reading Messi's blog. Gatherers are pretty much Proxies that pretend to be a victim/a Runner in order to gather information about the other side. It can go on for years without ever being found out. Technically, all it would take would be a phone or a computer to achieve the results you needed. You could be sitting next to the Runners you were turning in, and 'just barely escape with your life.' I've seen Poe is technically supposed to be a Gatherer, but I haven't seen any other examples. There's no way the proxies are that damn good at hiding their tracks.
I believe that there are more of these little fuckers in our midst than just one or two. Oh no. I believe there's an entire hidden group of Gatherers, specifically around to find out what they need to take Runners/uncooperative Proxies down. After all, who doesn't want another 'friend' to confide in? We never have any true ability to trust those around us. I hate to cause more paranoia and distrust, but let's face it. Some of the Proxies we deal with on a daily basis are just plain stupid. Reference Morningstar's now dead recruits if you don't believe me. And then, there are the ones that you just KNOW are devious as hell. Now. For the stupid ones, how the hell do you think they get the information about the Runners? There's no way they can even spell their own names, let alone look up an IP address or coax them into giving intimate knowledge about their lives.
I just don't believe it, sorry. Somewhere, somehow, there is more information we are just not able to access. Computers, log in information, notebooks with the truth, you name it, I believe in it. Surely there's gotta be some kind of training manual out there somewhere for the less criminally minded! Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, and wondered why your significant other/friend looked guilty while they were updating their blog? Ever found one in the history that didn't look familiar? All this and more, I know has happened. It has to. Also, another thing I would like to address in the mythos, while I'm at it: when people get scared, they fuck. Sorry to put it so bluntly, but stop tiptoeing around the truth. You do, you enjoy it, and it's one of the few distractions we get.
Anyway, back to the point. There are people among us that don't fit in. They are somehow always able to escape certain death, or have unknown connections that allow them to get resources they should have never been able to get normally. Sometimes, they know information that just doesn't make a damn bit of sense. How the HELL do you know what that Proxy looks like, hmm? Sorry, but that person has NEVER shown a picture of themselves on the internet. So why do you act like you could paint a picture of how to recognize him? How do you manage to 'hack' a blog that's been inactive for months? How are these blogs even hacked to begin with? Something's fishy, and I'm probably going to be persecuted for saying it, but fuck. Get a grip everyone. Open your eyes before your 'best friend',lover, or what the hell ever puts a bullet between your eyes or a blade in your back.
I believe that there are more of these little fuckers in our midst than just one or two. Oh no. I believe there's an entire hidden group of Gatherers, specifically around to find out what they need to take Runners/uncooperative Proxies down. After all, who doesn't want another 'friend' to confide in? We never have any true ability to trust those around us. I hate to cause more paranoia and distrust, but let's face it. Some of the Proxies we deal with on a daily basis are just plain stupid. Reference Morningstar's now dead recruits if you don't believe me. And then, there are the ones that you just KNOW are devious as hell. Now. For the stupid ones, how the hell do you think they get the information about the Runners? There's no way they can even spell their own names, let alone look up an IP address or coax them into giving intimate knowledge about their lives.
I just don't believe it, sorry. Somewhere, somehow, there is more information we are just not able to access. Computers, log in information, notebooks with the truth, you name it, I believe in it. Surely there's gotta be some kind of training manual out there somewhere for the less criminally minded! Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, and wondered why your significant other/friend looked guilty while they were updating their blog? Ever found one in the history that didn't look familiar? All this and more, I know has happened. It has to. Also, another thing I would like to address in the mythos, while I'm at it: when people get scared, they fuck. Sorry to put it so bluntly, but stop tiptoeing around the truth. You do, you enjoy it, and it's one of the few distractions we get.
Anyway, back to the point. There are people among us that don't fit in. They are somehow always able to escape certain death, or have unknown connections that allow them to get resources they should have never been able to get normally. Sometimes, they know information that just doesn't make a damn bit of sense. How the HELL do you know what that Proxy looks like, hmm? Sorry, but that person has NEVER shown a picture of themselves on the internet. So why do you act like you could paint a picture of how to recognize him? How do you manage to 'hack' a blog that's been inactive for months? How are these blogs even hacked to begin with? Something's fishy, and I'm probably going to be persecuted for saying it, but fuck. Get a grip everyone. Open your eyes before your 'best friend',lover, or what the hell ever puts a bullet between your eyes or a blade in your back.
If you see enemies in every corner and every shadow, you will make enemies that can be seen everywhere. How self-fulfilling.
ReplyDeleteThey were always there. The bad guys are on both sides, you of all people should know that.
ReplyDeleteOf course they were. But if you treat everything as an enemy, everything will become your enemy. There is a balance to be struck.
ReplyDeleteOf course, one can also prescribe to the view that everyone was an enemy to begin with, but that seems like a method of obtaining an increasingly short lifespan.
Nah, like I said, I already knew they were there. I believe in the possibility of redemption. That doesn't mean I necessarily want to get myself killed by trusting too much. I show next to no personal information on here, but otherwise I don't attempt to hide who or where I am.
ReplyDeleteIf someone wanted to kill me, it wouldn't be terribly hard to do. I don't make enemies, I make friends I may have to shoot in the face one day. ^_^
I'm sure they appreciate the sentiment.
ReplyDeleteNothing I wouldn't expect from them, I'm sure.
ReplyDelete-facepalm- So glad to know I have another friend. Nice to hear from you again, by the way. How is everything going? XD
ReplyDeleteThe thing is whether or not we want to admit it
ReplyDeletewe are all lunatics.
Yep! Don'tcha just love it?~
ReplyDeleteOh, you know. The usual.
ReplyDeleteDia, doesn't this seem a little...ridiculous? I mean, if these people actually existed, surely they would've killed my wife and myself by now. She's dangerous to them, and I'm sort of her protector, whether or not she wants to admit it. I just don't think it's possible.
ReplyDelete-Derek
Odd. Why are you the one commenting, when KK just woke up? Nevermind, it isn't important. You don't think it's possible? Really? After everything that's happened, you question people that would betray you?
ReplyDeleteKK's out right now, and my computer's down so I'm using hers. And no, I don't think it's possible. My wife got injured because she walked into a trap, not because she was betrayed. Everything else has just been...chance. And bad luck. That's all. The only people I question are ones like you who try to drive the rest of us apart. Divide and conquer much?
ReplyDelete-Derek
Look, I know for a fact they exist. You can't 'prove me wrong', and I'm not trying to divide and conquer. I'm trying to protect the people I care about by warning them. Chance doesn't exist, and bad luck is normally just a cop-out. Where exactly is KK? Do you even know?
ReplyDeleteYou're telling me that every single car crash is for a reason? That each stray bullet killing an innocent bystander went there because it was "supposed to"? I believe in God, but random chance is a fact of the universe. And no, I don't know where KK is. It's not like I keep tabs on her. Why do you want to know?
ReplyDelete-Derek
...Dia, you are dangerously close to causing me to lose my temper. She told me she was going to the arcade for a while. She's (somehow) able to walk again, so I trust that she can take care of herself. If anything happens, I'll know about it. You want to accuse me of not caring about my wife again? You won't like the results.
ReplyDelete_D3rek.
To the arcade by herself? Do you even know how she's walking, or did you leave it up to a miracle? I didn't say you didn't care. And people think I'm the one that assumes things.. I'm saying you aren't being a very good protector right now.
ReplyDeleteP.s. Why the hell did you sign it _D3rek? You're using L337 speak.
I don't know how she's walking, and I'm not a doctor so I'm not qualified to examine her and find out. Frankly, I don't CARE. The fact that she's walking is good enough for me. As for my signature...who cares?
ReplyDelete_D3R3K.
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ReplyDeleteAnything I put on the blog is public. Anything I don't is still private. Look it up.
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My parting gift to thee. A word of warning for those who have ears to hear and minds to comprehend.
-Mordred le Fay
I assumed it was Base64. This is what I got.
ReplyDelete"I want you to know that you're going to die. Slowly. Painfully. It won't be at my hands, but it will be at my direction. You're a bitter, rancid bitch who doesn't deserve the space she's wasting on this planet. You're just like my "wife", actually. A rancid, intolerable twat with an ego larger than the Empire State Building. I can't wait to see both your corpses strung up on the Bleeding Tree. You want to come at me? I'll destroy you."
Yeah... I'm just going to leave the implications of this up to the readers. Have fun my paranoid little readers. Looks like I was right after all.
Derek, honeysweetiebaby...guess what? Stopped over at Charlie's house. Yeah, THAT Charlie. The one with the guns. You and I are gonna have to have a talk, baby love. Stay put. Mommy's comin' home soon and when she does, we're gonna haveta have a talk about your naughtiness.
ReplyDelete^_^
KK/Derek... Yikes?
ReplyDelete@Dia I have sometimes wondered if M was something like this, since his "rules" have been debunked by some and praised by others. Maybe they work for some people but not others? And there's always a rumor or two that he's still out there, alive.
As for not fitting in though, I don't think any of us can really be said to fit in. We're all very different, loners and outsiders and non-conformists for the most part. It's probably what made us easy prey in the beginning. Now though, we communicate with one another and share info freely. This probably makes those Gatherers' jobs easier, but it also makes us stronger and more informed.
I say, don't be paranoid, but trust your instincts. You're going to know if someone intends you harm, no matter how they act.
*raises hand* i can guaruntee M is not one of those. he's said before his rules dont work for everyone, every time. plus, if things work out, he and i will be meeting. i think. so after that i think we've got a pretty good guess as to whether he is or not. but he's my friend, i trust him.
ReplyDeleteWell Shaun, I have not met him, and if I was paranoid, I could say you could be in on the whole Gatherer conspiracy, but not knowing either of you, I'm content to trust your instincts in the matter. ;)
ReplyDelete"How do you manage to 'hack' a blog that's been inactive for months? How are these blogs even hacked to begin with?"
ReplyDeleteIt's really not all that hard. A fucking script kiddie could probably manage it.
-Don't Shoot The Messenger-
Your blood pressure must be through the roof with that line of thought. Perhaps we should start taking bets one which poor soul you associate with is going to become that "Gatherer" in your eyes? I simply love how you're attempting to turn this into the next Malleus Maleficarum. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteAh, McCarthyism at it's finest!
ReplyDeleteThis is the shit that happens when I sleep. I swear to God... -sigh- Okay, in order...
ReplyDeleteKK- Holy shit, woman. I didn't want THAT to be the reaction incited, good grief.
Mystery- The post was meant as a "Stop blindly trusting people." kind of message. I doubt M is, but who knows.
Messi- I wasn't exactly speaking about you in particular, however... you're more skilled than I am at these matters. Also, people are incredibly stupid with their passwords. -_-
Teach me sometime? XD
Nightscream- Oh for fuck's sake. Really? I won't announce a Gatherer unless I have proof to begin with. My blood pressure is fine. I know how devious people are, and how easy it is to trust someone when you're scared or alone. I'm not judging anything, to be honest. No witch-hunts here. However... in general, it would be a good idea for us to be a little more careful about the information we give out.
Omega- Not McCarthyism. Read what I said. I have proof. I know for a fact they exist. I know of at least two off the top of my head, but I keep my mouth shut because I don't want to be the reason someone gets prosecuted by mistake.
Learn to read what I say and imply, people. Also, how on earth have there been no sex jokes yet? Damn, you lot really are superstitious. I'm definitely getting laid tonight, don't know about all of you. Yes. Feel free to gossip. Prudes.
For the love all all things good and fluffy, critics. Dia's got an entirely valid point.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is easy for something like this to descend into McCarthyism, I reckon it's a neccessary risk. If a person like that could be found out before they trap someone, well...that's better than losing one or more runners' lives, isn't it? You'd just have to watch your back. Flipping the fuck out about this is like saying rapists don't exist-- they're out there, but they're not around every fucking corner.
She's looking out for you, damnit.
Also, what I'd do to get laid about now, Dia. Lucky you. =|
The fact that they exist doesn't not make it McCarthyism. There actually were Soviet spies in America during the McCarthy era. But it created a mood of paranoia and fear, where anyone could secretly be an enemy, and where the slightest suspicion could create a accusations which ruined live.
ReplyDelete"Have a healthy amount of skepticism and caution" is good advice. "ANYONE could be a proxy! Even those closest to you!" only creates paranoia and fear, which is basically doing Slendy's job for him, and can in fact make a person less safe as they drive away those near them because of fear.
Christ, I hope we don't start a witch hunt.
ReplyDeleteI only have so many bullets, people.
Good intentions pave the road to hell. -sigh-
ReplyDeleteI don't know how to rephrase it to better suit those that are prone to panic and hysteria. I'm terribly sorry.
I'm tired, and I'm getting a headache. I've gotta go deal with a bunch of shit I'd prefer not to mention on the blog. If anyone wants to keep commenting, go for it. I'm not in the mood for a theological debate right now.
While not every blog is true and many are some teen's cookie-cutter plagiarism, there are enough that can be tied into actual recorded events to be a concern.
ReplyDeleteBut then we are dealing with entities that literally, and I mean that in every sense of the word, have stepped off the page to haunt the shadows of what we laughingly call reality.
My job is to stop that from happening but these things are like rats or cockroaches; we known that they're there but there's fuck all we can do to eradicate them entirely. It's especially hard when their victims are in on their own demise. It's like murder-suicide by fiction.
Change the plot people; fight to survive not to die in a self-sabotaged attempt at glory or vengeance.
Chaos.
ReplyDeleteyes
"Seems odd. But believable. Comments aside, I think it's quite haunting to have to second guess the faction your loved ones may be working for..."
ReplyDeleteThe reality is, we see proxies 2nd hand in other folks blogs and they seem to be working alone in haunting/hunting their target. Looked at on a blog to blog basis, it would seem that they're not organized, that these are individuals acting out against other individuals.
ReplyDeleteBut we know Slenderman calls the shots, and it would just be common sense to assume that proxy have some organization, some hierarchy that has allowed and continues to allow them to function.
:3
ReplyDeleteOkay, gimme a second to collect my thoughts..
ReplyDeleteNiles, I do believe either way you spin it, the Runner/Fighter dies. I agree with you in the way that whatever you do, you ought to enjoy your life and not just lay down and die for ANY of the Fears.
Victor, chaos is constant. I do miss our conversations, though.
Artemis, it's just part of the routine. I hate to say it, but I mentioned it earlier. I don't make enemies, I make friends I may one day have to shoot in the face.
Mystery, the Slenderman is a conniving, evil, nearly all-powerful bastard. It wouldn't make sense for all of his henchmen to work alone. To put it simply, there is power in numbers. Why do you think they try so hard to make us Run alone? To scare us into making stupid decisions?
Peter, golly jee whiz. I finally hear from you again!
Why must all of his followers be under his command, necessarily? Why would a being of such supposed superiority consort with humans?
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how easily people will turn against each other.
ReplyDeleteIt all depends on which theory you subscribe to. I'm keeping my personal beliefs to myself for the moment. However, if you believe that the humans can (or do) stand alone.. that would suggest that there are "higher ups" in the Slendy food chain. Ones that give commands from the shadows, and could cause the death or the rescue of someone at a whim's notice. Now, who would you believe could fill those roles? Think about that.
ReplyDeleteScribe, oh yes. It's so blessed easy. If I were of the mindset, I could easily cause such a thing in whatever camp I wanted. People are predictable, and they're paranoid. Throw Slender man exposure in there, and most of the time all they care about is their own ass. In the instance of possible Gatherers, it was evidenced by Poe's abandonment that even Runners are willing to throw their own kind under the bus to save themselves.
Why everyone believes it's only Proxy vs. Runners, I'll never know..
Late to the party on this one, but I figured I'd just quickly throw in my two cents...
ReplyDeleteCalm down
Everyone needs to just calm down.
If you think an eye is always upon you, that there is a Slendy spy network and that everyone is an enemy in disguise, then you might as well relax and enjoy yourself, because there is nothing you can do about it anyway. There is always a way to get the dirt on someone, whether they isolate themselves or stay in the crowd.
Getting freaked out and pushing everyone away will only make you miserable on top of being hunted
And that was the perfect 50th comment, Wolfie. It really was.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I've known about Gatherers before I started writing. Sometimes I'm a little paranoid, but the rest? Fuck it. Spies work both ways, and honestly, I don't have time to waste on insignificant shit like "Oh, are they going to find me?" No shit Sherlock, I haven't exactly hidden it from the world. As soon as the first hooded bastard finds me..
Well, let's just say I'm not going to give a shit who knows what. What would be the point after I've been found? Why should I care about showing what I look like or what I do if someone's peering through my window? Speaking of, I really need to do my next post. Fucked up shit, I swear..
I like my friends, on all sides. They are literally what keep me sane. If one or more of them happen to be collecting data about me, so what? They did what they needed to do, and I got decent conversation. Other than that, I don't really give a flying damn. So yes, for the record, follow Knit's advice.
The post was to try to keep you cautious, not start a witch hunt or cause you to make stupid mistakes because you're scared. Live your life, go on. We're all going to die eventually anyway. Why not enjoy life while we're here?
Wolfie.. I like that... hehehe
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you Brightsky
I'll remember to use that, then.
ReplyDeleteOne day you really must explain mine. ;)
I will call you Wolfie too. Hehe, so about that wolf mask... maybe you should make one. ;) Though there is a bit of Wolf clan if you check out Lucas' blog. He boyfriend is a Wolf, converted by another Wolf and accepted by Father, and there are apparently more in the line. I think Lucas' Wolf is with Maurice right now though, hunting Cheshire...
ReplyDeleteThat is one death I will be happy to see committed. Death is one thing, reneging on your word is another. Again, I can see lying, but a promise? Oh, I dislike those that break them. I mean,hell, if the Fears can keep theirs... that makes you lower than an Eldritch Abomination to break yours.
ReplyDeleteYes, he is a very bad piece of work. There are many who would kill him just for breaking his word alone. I never commented on Emma's blog, but I rather liked her. Cheshire should be ashamed. There was no reason for his actions but malice.
ReplyDeleteHe puts his name to shame, and to kill the princess (of sorts) while he was at it? That's just being ugly.
ReplyDeleteTy- hehe thanks... I've made a new post about my mask, that will hopefully explain my reasoning on that
ReplyDeleteBrightsky- I was going to keep you in suspense over this, but given your current situation I think I'll tell you now... I called you Brightsky for two reasons. One is that one of the alleged meanings of Dia in Greek mythology is "bright sky". The other is that you carry such an air of hope about you. As you said, you believe in people, no matter how dark or light their heart is. As I said to you, you're always hoping for that heroic ending. Whether I'm accurate or not, this is how you appear to me. This is why the nickname seemed to fit.
I gather information, but I work only for myself.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, be cautious but not overly paranoid. Got it.
Wolfie, sometimes I truly wish you weren't a Proxy. I'd love to be able to visit you right now. You make me extremely happy, love, and that isn't anywhere near a lie. Also, Cheshire is dead, thank fucking god.
ReplyDeleteKobalos, you've got it correct.
I hope to see you all soon, but for now I need to start packing.
You don't want to be around me Brightsky. Don't forget what I am outside of being a Proxy. I am glad that I make you happy
ReplyDeleteNo one ever questions me, or who I am. Sometimes I wonder at the fatality of my readers. They're a very lucky bunch that I'm a benevolent informer. Same goes for you, love.
ReplyDeleteI care about my friends, and I'm glad you've survived so well.
I'm aware of what you might be.. I just don't care.
ReplyDeleteActually, that would be kind of awesome if you showed up at my door and shot me. I might die laughing if the bullet didn't kill me first.
I fear a shotgun might be the only way I could kill anyone. I have no wish to do so.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you care? I doubt you know, but still..
I haven't really cared about whether I live or die for a while now...Don't know why... I'm enjoying myself now that I've had my vengeance, but if someone tried to kill me right now, someone from my list... I would be fine with that. I would still fight of course; see if I could kill them first hehe
ReplyDeleteBut I would be okay with it
It won't be me, hun. Maybe ask Death? Oh, that was such an awful pun, I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteHaha It's okay... I'm not literally asking for it, I just don't mind if it happens. Sunshine should already know... I've made it clear to him on several occasions that if we met, I would not expect to be treated differently than any one else. Why do you think I've been so open with him?
ReplyDeleteHe is on my list... so are you, Penelope and Slendy
To kill, or be killed by?
ReplyDeleteThose it would be acceptable to be killed by.
ReplyDeleteEven though you say you won't, you're still on the list should you change your mind hahaha
Anyway, I don't want to end this on a dark note. I want you to survive, to keep going. Stay safe love, and again, I'll miss you
ReplyDeleteWe do tend to be pretty fatalistic.
ReplyDelete