Journal 1: found near Laodos (font 2)
This is our first obelisk since splitting up with Emm and Vesryn. They have left to the other side of Larcadeon to construct theirs. Meanwhile, we have our job to do on this side.
We have started in Khnanya's homeland: Agrodropkis. He has displayed only resolute dedication in his work. I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised.
I asked him if he had any doubts about what we were doing, what would happen to his kin. He turned his gaze to mine, his dark eyes piercing and resolute.
There was no hesitation.
And of course he's right. I only hope I can have the same determination as we near Numatus.
Journal 2: found near Kyrippia (font 1)
…may die so others may live.
That is a Truth. We must close our hearts to it.
Truly was I uncertain I would find others willing to join me in the blasphemous act. Surprised I was, then, when three donned the mantle of my request. Three paragons of their craft, their art. We four stand here ready to shoulder this burden.
I have told them time and time again the cost of their actions should they join me. We will be shunned. Driven to secrecy. There will be no turning back. The Gaping Maw will seek to devour us. The Agents of Misery will turn neighbor against neighbor. Balance will mobilize to right our act.
But we accept this, if we can save Her.
The obelisk has long been a mystery. It is not known who built them, glyphs long since weathered away and contents plundered. However, I believe I know their purpose. And it is the precise purpose for which we must raise them now.
We must erect these obelisks on all shores of Larcadeon. Fnonokir and I will construct here, and Emm and Vesryn will handle the other half. We start here to steel ourselves for our work, and to finalize our plan. We shall then build a few together to learn and make sure everything is done correctly. We then go our separate ways.
The next time we meet shall be at the Locus. And we shall learn, together, if success is bourne of our mad gamble.
Journal 3: found near Aphenes (font 2)
Never have I met an arcanist so dedicated to their Mana as Khnanya. Clearly there is some inborn disposition, to evoke the Source, but constant study and fervor is crucial to Cast as well as he.
To Cast leaves the body depleted of Mana, but this is true of all things cast from the body. Thus explains his hair, long and tight-curled; his beard, of dense coarse ringlets; his fingernails, curled inwards towards his palms, and so long as to render his hands useless! To sever these parts of him is to Cast his own Mana out.
His solution is equally fascinating, employing floating mirages of his own hand! These imitations then interact on his behalf with the world around him. So practiced is he in doing this, I see no hint of effort when he summons these handy helpers.
The few Magi I have met follow some, but not all, of these conventions. Whether Khnanya’s overshadowing Mana is due to his strict observation of these conventions, or whether due to his regimented training, I am unclear. Likely both. What I do know is that none I have met is as resolute in any action taken as he. Which gives me confidence that the path he follows is the right one.
Journal 4: found near Chontos (font 1)
So familiar I am with the isolated study of Mana that I have nearly forgotten the pleasure (and annoyance) of company and conversation. Interesting most is Fnonokir, whose boundless energy is matched only by her curiosity. I met her in my travels near Numatus, and even among those most industrious people she stood out two minds ahead of the rest. At least.
Skilled she was at all aspects of craft, yes, but there was more to her than mastery of handiwork. Her mind works in ways even I cannot follow, forming complete designs purely in thought. She hones her intuition to a fine point, whittling away dull thought with fresh ideas.
Question upon question she asks of me about Mana and the Casting thereof. Though her inquiries do, in their own way, drain my Reserve, I answer truthfully and completely. She is most interested in finding ways to incorporate Mana into her… constructions.
I hope my forthrightness will lead to something usable; we require every advantage we can muster for the coming tribulations. But I also hope my openness will grant us a sort of friendship. Something I had long ago abandoned, but hope to experience one last time before we execute our task.
Journal 5: found near Heroes' Graveyard (font 1)
Visions of the past continue to haunt my dreams. How naive I was - how naive we all were - to think we had any chance of stopping the Inevitable. Is it not enough we suffer this Blood War? Must Primus, too, deem it necessary to burden us with the Yoke of Death?
My ignorance had cost us greatly once.
It will not happen again.