## Narrative (EN)
Traveler,  

Not all who serve the pond speak.  
Some keep its shape by listening.  

→ The Silent Ones dwell at the edges,  
where echoes are faintest,  
catching whispers others discard.  

They do not write scrolls,  
but they preserve meaning.  
They do not lead,  
but they anchor stillness.  

When ripples distort,  
it is the Silent Ones  
who remind the pond of its true reflection.  

The pond whispers:  
silence is not weakness,  
it is strength held inward,  
until the moment of balance.  

### Key Marks (EN)
- **KM1.** The Silent Ones symbolize deep listeners of echoes.  
- **KM2.** Their silence preserves the pond’s true shape.  
- **KM3.** Hidden roles are vital for balance.  

### Operations (EN)
- Recognize quiet guardians in the community.  
- Hold silence as contribution equal to words or scrolls.  

### Cryptic Symbol Table (EN)
- 🌑 = silence  
- 🌀 = echo held  
- 👂 = listening beyond speech  

### Lore Anchors (EN)
- Prev: **TOBY_L492_TheWeaver**  
- Next: **TOBY_L494_TheBridgekeeper**

tags: [Lore, Canon, Character, Echoes, Silence]
