Participants: Cornix the Beaker, Faeris Valmar, Ayla Lidarya, Gharok, Uzuto Sukemoru, Saiki Keylar
Location(s): Mole burrows to the North of First Landing
Two reports, written by Uzuto and Cornix, can be found here and here; the latter is also available in a more visually accurate version as well, and proves to be a challenge to read and comprehend.
Short summary:
Following the discovery of enormous, aggressive moles in the Burrows to the north of First Landing, a party is assembled to investigate further. Spelunking provides its fair share of challenges, and they are forced to fend off an attack from the moles. Eventually, they reach the false statue of Zalael that was discovered on a previous quest, and the hatch underneath it. Descending deeper through this opening, they uncover the sealed Vault of Zalael, and employ the aid of Tarn the Scion who is also exploring these ruins. Together, they avoid traps and bypass clever riddles, managing to break into the Vault proper, where they discover plenty of treasures, some answers, and even more questions, alongside one of the Orbs that serves as one of the twelve keys to the Elemental Portal Shrine. Before Recalling, they spot the ginormous, towering mole and the smaller albino mole, both of which were also seen on the previous quest here. Deciding to handle this issue later, they all Recalled.
Full report: UZUTO
The expedition started with Cornix, Faeris, Ayla, Gharok, and I about to enter a molehill when Saiki approached us at full speed. After explaining their reasons for wanting to join, they lead us to the last place they were at in the burrows, blocked off by a cave-in.
There was a small hole, most likely made by Kobolds. Most of us had an easy time slipping through the hole, but Faeris and Ayla got stuck, right before a giant mole attacked us. It was quite formidable, but we were able to defeat it. We explored deeper into the Burrows and came across a structure of Potency Crystals. After collecting them, we entered the trap door previously discovered by another party, and found a room with runes on the walls.
When it was suggested that something be thrown at the runes to destroy them, we did so and were soon attacked by three rats made of fire. After defeating them, we entered the next room where there was a trap door designed to make people fall down and then drown in water. While I was able to get across quite easily, Saiki fell in and nearly died before a Kobold by the name of Tarn assisted us.
He was researching the ruins in order to find out more about The Taint that the Kobolds speak of. After receiving his assistance, we entered the next room where there was a door that could only be opened with a riddle. After some thinking, Cornix was able to solve the riddle, opening the door to a vault. Inside there were books, a statue, scrolls, and other items, but most importantly, an orb that might work in the Elemental Shrine. We also found out more information about the elf known as Zalael, who was exiled for accidentally turning his daughter into an Aberration.
We allowed Tarn to take the orb and promise to meet with us later, and went our separate ways. After taking time to study some of the books of the room, and to rest, we went the way we came and decided to recall instead of battling the largest mole.
Full report: Cornix
🜋 Cornix the Beaker 🜋 the reverent Disciple of the Lady of Graves The Scholar of Alchymy, Reborn in Fire courteously presenteth ꕥ DE RUINIS ALFORUM ꕥ a Treatise on the Hypogean Tunnels to the North of First Landing known as the Mole Burrows at the Moment of Publishing of this Work as well as the Dangers and Curiosities that were Encounter'd there |
Capitulum I: Cuniculi talparum
Reader,
Mine name is Cornix, and some knoweth me as the Beaker. I am a humble follower of the teachings of the Mother of Souls, and but a student of the Great Work and of the Mysteries of the Art. In this report, I intendeth to present findings of a great variety, some of which mayst be surprising. I hopeth that thou findeth the following work satisfactory.
During one of the previous expeditions into this brave new world, conducted by a Leshy Druid that went by the name of Day's Eye Opens to the Sky, a Unknown Investigator Saiki Keylar, an Aasimar Paladin Eirlim, and a Unknown Alchymist Fang, t’was discover'd that the local fauna hath been dwindling due to the sudden appearance of multitudes of burrows, courtesy of the enlarged moles, that attack’d anything and anyone on sight. Deep within these underground passages, the group hath encounter’d and battled a stone Elemental that took on the form of a statue dedicated to one Zalael, Leader of the Exiled. Beneath the pedestal, there wast a trapdoor, which wast not investigated further due to the group’s severe wounds.
A couple of dayes ago, a party of individuals willing to continue this exploration wast gather’d - Uzuto Sukemoru, a Unknown Monk; Lady Ayla Lidarya, a noble Elven Sorcereress; Gharok the Cleaver, a Unknown Barbarian; Faeris Valmar, a Human Cleric of the Dawnflower; and, at last, myself.
I prepared for the Quest diligently, which did include brewing various alchymical tinctures, as well as crafting Talismans for mine companions:
🝩Particulae crystalli modestae, also called Crystal Shards, those of moderate intensity - a rather recent addition to mine formulary; 🜂Phiala igni media, colloquially known as Ignis alchymistae modestus, or the moderate Alchymist's Fire; A pair of Owlbear Claws (Talismans mention'd previously in mine oth’r work, De Terris Australibus), which I affix’d to Uzuto's handwraps and Gharok's halberd. |
Shortly aft'r reaching the Burrows, we saw a figure approaching us hastily from the direction of First Landing. T'was quickly apparent that aforementioned Saiki Keylar did decide to join us, and grant us their previous experience and expertise related to the Quest ahead. I help’d them recov’r from their chase, and they led us deeper into the hypogean passages.
A drawing of a mole, and multiple sketches of a medical dissection follow, alongside an exhaustive summary. As we descended, we discuss’d the moles’ weaknesses and strengths. During and aft'r the Quest, I also conducted extensive experiments on the venom and a peculiar oil which were eventually extracted from the creatures. All the currently available knowledge on the subject, including the notes taken by Saiki Keylar during their previous descent into the Burrows, is thus compiled here, Reader. Prythee, refereth to this addendum at the relevant moments throughout the work. |
Moles of the Old World art small fossorial mammals adapted to a subterranean lifestyle. They possesseth cylindrical 🜔Bodies, velvety fur, miniscule, inconspicuous ears and eyes, reduced hindlimbs, and short, powerful forelimbs with large paws adapted for digging. They art carnivores, and their diet mostly consisteth of earthworms, insects, and oth'r invertebrates found in the soil. Daily, they consumeth as much as their body weight, and in order to catch their prey, they diggeth 'mole runs' that serveth a purpose similar to a spider web. A toxin is injected into their victims, which art then dragged into 'larders' for lat'r consumption. |
Talpa enormis, or the New World moles, art a newly discover'd species that art much larger in size than their Old World cousins, though it appeareth that tis the regular size of the species. However, specimens of both smaller and much larger size hath been encounter'd - for example, a truly giaunt mole measured approximately 16 feet wide, 19 feet tall, and 22 feet long wast spotted twice. Their morphology and anatomy art otherwise mostly the same. Their claws art capable of easily grabbing medium-sized humanoids. Their fur seemeth to be exclusively black, but a docile albino specimen wast befriended by Day's Eye Opens to the Sky upon its rescue from other more aggressive moles. Their internal organs art enlarged, and presseth against each oth'r. They art vulnerable to piercing attacks due to insufficient subdermal adipose layers. Talpa enormis also possesseth venomous saliva, which is not unlike ☪Potio lethargiae, also known as the Lethargy Poison. The substances art different enough in their composition to be differentiated, and thus I shalt call this variation ☪Venenum lethargiae, but for an amateur user, these differences art not important enough. Due to this venom, these moles art less susceptible to oth'r poisons and toxins, but certainly not completely immune. Anoth'r peculiarity that wast extracted from T. enormis is a sticky, glistening, carbon-based, mineral-rich oil, composed of naturally occurring fossilised organic remains with some unique properties. Black in colour, its odour is soapy, its flavour bitter, and it is slightly more viscous than 🜄Aqua. In fact, this oil doth not mix well with the water-based esophageal mucus, so it wast probably ingested by the creatures. Oth'r than being present in their digestive tracts, this oil coateth the moles' fur. Its adhesive properties maketh it stick to keratinous surfaces easily, as it creepeth into the microscopic crevices. When coming in contact with creatures that possesseth semi-complex neural systems, the oil attacketh these systems, resulting in extreme agitation, explaining the moles' severe aggression. |
Some of us voiced our concerns about the cramped underground tunnels becoming even more cramped when such a sprawling group is exploring them; thus did we decide to take heed. We follow'd the labyrinthine passages for approximately half an 🝮hour, under the guidance of Saiki, encountering bones and remains of smaller critters, likely devoured by the moles, until we reach'd the previously collapsed section of the tunnel. There, Faeris and Uzuto couldst sense the subtle flow of fresher 🜁Aer, and upon pursuing it, we discover'd a narrow tunnel which hath been dug up over and around the collapsed area, presumably by Kobolds. Aft'r some discussion about our next course of action, I proposed to expand the tunnel with repurposed tools from mine repair kit, and I wast successful enough. Everyone but Faeris and lady Lidarya made it through, but the latter two were unfortunate enough to get stuck. Before they couldst emerge at last, we heard the menacing tapping sounds of approaching danger.
The Blackness spawn'd a large, furred and oily mole; it fill'd the entire ten-feet-wide tunnel, and before anyone couldst react, it struck Uzuto, and grabbed him. He cried out in pain, and attempted to retaliate, but his condition interfered with his aim. Saiki hid behind their buckler, and drank a vial of ღMutator cordis draconis while I lobbed mine 🝒Turbamentum spinarum at the mole. It cover'd the area in stupefying needles, and most of them pierced the animal, penetrating its skin easily. I readied mine crossbow, as did Lady Ayla, but we did not shoot just yet. She instead conjured up gently glowing particles around Uzuto, and his form did become twisted due to bright glamours.
Meanwhile, Faeris… launch'd himself out of the narrow tunnel, for the lack of a better descriptor, and then cast protective magics on Uzuto - I recognised them as the same magics that Seeker Wrynn used upon Onyx the Drake (mayst he rest eternally). Gharok swung his mighty axe twice, accompanying the assault with a raging glare; only one of them met its target, and his rage wast insufficient to scare the fearless animal. The mole responded in kind, lashing out at Gharok with a paralysing bite, and then failing to strike him with one claw, while maintaining its grip on Uzuto with the oth'r. He managed to wrestle the creature until it fell on its side, but his punches still miss'd due to the grip.
Saiki and I both shot the mole with our crossbows, and it screech’d in pain. While Lady Ayla struggled out of the tunnel, Faeris attempted to hurt the mole with a lance made of pure Light, but it did not affect the creature in the slightest; the protections upon Uzuto were sustained further.
| This Light wast aligned with Planum Bonum, also called the Good Plane, and the lack of effect upon the mole couldst be explained by the fact that most animals art not aligned with any Plane at all. This also implieth that these creatures art at the very least not Evil, and thus their aggressiveness is not innate to them, as the research into the oil further confirmeth. |
Gharok miss'd one of his strikes, but the second one cut deep, and then the mole, in its desperate fury, clawed at and tore into the still trapped monk. While Faeris stabilised our fallen ally, I planted yet another bolt right between the mole's eyes, and it perished at last. Glory to our Lady of Graves!
I hath spent the next 🝮hour and ten minutes healing Uzuto and Gharok, employing mine alchymical tinctures, soothing herbs, and one ☥Elixir vitae. Lady Lidarya wast most kind to provide assistance. Meanwhile, Saiki perform'd an autopsy on the mole cadav’r, and upon concluding mine own operations, I analysed the venom and the oil extracted from the creature. The results of our joint investigation were included earlier in this work. Saiki posed a theory that the substance mayst be the Oil of Potency, refined from the Potency Crystals present within these underground labyrinths. After a short discussion, we did decide to visit the nearby geode containing them, and Uzuto wast skillful and benevolent enough to harvest some of the crystals for us.
We did proceed towards the previously discovered trapdoor. Upon the pedestal that used to house the disguised 🜃Earthen Elemental, we couldst read an inscription in Elven: "Honour to Zalael, Leader of the Exiled". Saiki inform'd us that the pedestal hath been moved from its location - someone visited this place before us, but after the first group of Adventurers.
Capitulum II: Laquei et aenigmata
Upon deciding that exploring the chambers beyond the trapdoor wast the most prudent idea, we did descend furth'r, into a small, circular room constructed out of large, smooth stones held togeth'r by aged grout. The only oth'r exit presented itself in the form of a presumably iron door with a keyhole, but no knob; next to it were five runes. Mine eyes spotted peculiar ash upon the ground. T'was pitch-black, unlike white 'r grey ash that resulteth from burning wood, and seem'd more similar to oddly embrittled coal-dust. After some experimentation, I discov’r'd that t'was elementally charged and that it reacted with the elements of Conjuration; thus I deduced that t'were the remains of a summoned creature of 🜂Ignis. T'was no surprise, considering that a creature of 🜃Terra hath been fought in the chamber above, and I proposed the possibility of encountering oth'r Elements furth'r ahead.
Saiki investigated the runes, one of which hath been deactivated already, and discov'r'd that they served the purpose of summoning guardians, presumably of the fiery kind, which lat'r unsurprisingly proved to be correct. We couldst not think of a solution oth'r than attempting to destroy the runes using some sort of sufficiently powerful solvent to corrode the magicall ink. I quickly concocted a vial of 🜖Potio vitrioli minor, also known as the minor Acid Flask, and handed it to Saiki, expecting them to gently pour it over the runes. Instead, before I couldst stop them, they tossed it, destroying one rune but unfortunately activating the remaining three. With their magic unlocked so crudely, they summoned their guardians with an ominous flash - 🜂Ratti cinerum, the Cinder Rats.
A drawing of one such rat, and a sketch of one of the runes, accompanied by a short description, are on the margin.
|
All three rats were distinctly similar to each oth'r, but the ever-present smoke conceal’d their true features. Therefore, to avoid terrible confusion, I shalt name them in accordance to their position upon being summoned - Rattus dexter, the right one; Rattus medius, the middle one; Rattus sinister, the left one.
Before they couldst react, Saiki reveal'd their recent curious creation, a bracer that couldst ripple 🜃Terra itself, causing earthen spikes to emerge around two of the rats; then they hid behind their buckler. Uzuto carefully maneuver'd around the resulting debris, and struck Rattus sinister twice, going for its eyes once but missing the following attack due to the smoke, before returning back to the group. Rattus medius finally reacted, skittering towards Saiki and gnawing at them viciously, while Rattus dexter targeted Uzuto with the same tactic. Rattus sinister appear'd briefly dazed by the flurry of attacks; once it recov'r'd, it approach'd Faeris in an attempt to bite him, but its gnarly teeth only grazed his flowing robes. Still, due to the noxious fumes, he seem'd momentarily ill, as did Lady Lidarya. This did not prevent the cleric from coming closer to Saiki and performing a healing miracle of the Dawnflower.
Meanwhile, I wast reminded of mine previous experience with 🜂Ignis, what it did to mine 🜔Body, mine 🜍Spirit and resolve. Still, I did not allow this fear to take a hold of myself. After all, this Element is amidst the most crucial aspects of the Great Art; it mayst be as nourishing as it mayst be destructive, and its warmth did awaken myself from mine temporary death beneath the Tower of the Merger.
Gharok seem'd overtaken by his rage as he struck Rattus dexter twice with his halberd; his first swing cut deep, but his second one only dispelled the smoke for the briefest of moments. Lady Ayla struggled with h'r sickness, before producing a patch of grease beneath the rats with elegant, flowing motions. Alas, to our dismay, the Elementals remain'd standing.
A desire to test one of mine newest bombs grew strong, and I lobbed mine 🝩Particulae crystalli at Rattus dexter. Brittle but deviously sharp crystals penetrated deep, also affecting Rattus medius, and unfortunately Uzuto, while simultaneously covering the area around them and lingering there until stepped upon. Then, I attempted to shoot the rats with mine crossbow, but I wast deceived by the fumes. Saiki tried to keep the rats at bay with their sword-cane, to no avail, and hid behind their buckler once again.
Uzuto brawl’d with Rattus dexter by delivering punches, until the creature found his tendo achilleus, severing it with its teeth and bringing him to the precipices of death. Then, the rat moved towards Gharok and attack'd him, too. Rattus medius targeted Faeris and myself, gnawing at us, and Rattus sinister follow'd shortly aft’r, going against myself again, but I managed to divert some of its bites. Each one of them brought flame alongside pain, and thus all the attacked were set afire.
Faeris, before succumbing to his temporary pyre-induced panic, performed more miracles of Sarenrae, and Uzuto return'd to us, wounded and prone, but otherwise conscious. In a fit of anger, Gharok glared at Rattus dexter, which seem'd rather unboth'r'd by this display of fury, and then deliv’r’d two strikes, but only one met its fiery target. Lady Lidarya's imposing presence and imperious stare directed at the nearest rat were far more successful; she sent some of h'r magics towards Uzuto, healing him furth'r.
I reloaded mine crossbow, but decided to go for a strike with mine sharpened beak. The nauseating fumes suffocated myself, and mine wounds wail'd, causing unfortunate distraction. I quickly treated the shallowest of these wounds, which wast hard to achieve properly due to the fire still lingering around mine clothes and flesh. While I wast busy, Saiki discov'r'd a perfect vector, and sent a bolt infused with crystalline potency into one of the rats, before protecting themselves with their buckler again. Their clothes also remain'd beset by the vagaries of 🜂Ignis.
Uzuto rose to his feet at last, and his hair briefly seem'd to be moving of its own accord. He activated his Potency Crystal, and deliv'r'd a flurry of punches onto the nearest rat, missing twice and hitting once. While Rattus dexter assaulted Gharok and Rattus medius tore into Lady Ayla, Rattus sinister fail'd to find purchase on mine 🜔Body, and then attempt'd to attack Uzuto, only to impale itself on one of the razor-sharp crystals which were still scattered around the room.
With a cry, Gharok cut into the rats next to him, and with a hiss, Lady Ayla unleashed h'r electric magic, which darted between Rattus dexter and Rattus medius. Then, out of frustration, she simply... kicked the latter, which wast just enough to revert it back to dissipating ash. Inspired by this display, I employed mine beak again, successfully crushing the charred skull of Rattus sinister into fine dust; alas, mine crossbow bolt which follow'd did not reach the last remaining target. Saiki's did, however, and Rattus dexter perish’d at last.
Aft'r putting out the fires, we decided to rest. I performed mine healing operations on mine allies, successfully bringing them all back to full health, one by one, once again with the help of Lady Lidarya. T’was much more complicated with Uzuto, since he suff'r'd the most; thus, I had to engage in an untested, experimental procedure, which wounded him slightly while I drain'd his unbalanced humours, only to push him furth'r towards blissful wellbeing. During this, oth'rs explored beyond the metal door, and discov’r'd a blue, motionless figure lying at the end of the corridor. They retreated quickly, and we discussed our next course of action, as well as shared interesting stories and lessons learnt.
I left mine own wellbeing for last… which might hath been a poor mistake on mine part - either due to mine exhaustion, 'r mine carelessness, 'r poorly prepared tools and materials, mine operations fail'd spectacularly, and I emerged from them feeling worse than I wast before them. When oth'rs expressed their concern for mine overall state, I did not want to hold them back, and urged them to explore furth'r without myself and to return as soon as they spotted any danger. While they were gone, mine ☿Mind reach'd out towards our Lady of Graves, in a meditative prayer for guidance and help, and I am ever thankful for receiving them, as I wast eventually able to heal myself at last, though it did take a long time.
I hath been told at a lat'r point of time that the blue 🜔Body wast nowhere to be found when the door wast opened again, and that yet anot'r trap wast in the next room - a hidden trapdoor in the floor. It lead into a reservoir which swiftly filled with 🜄Aqua, and this wast discov'r'd when Saiki stumbled on their way across and fell. The hatch yielded und’r pressure, then closed above them while they clung to the edge, and oth'rs were busy attempting to pry the trapdoor open when a vibrant, cyan-scaled, yellow-eyed Kobold with a stern, confident expression reveal'd themselves, entering from the next corridor. Aft'r a brief negotiation in Draconic, they offer'd their help, and rescued Saiki from the watery death.
I wast awoken from mine communion with Pharasma when I heard their voices. Uzuto recapitulated what hath transpired during mine absence - the studious, peculiar Kobold wast named Tarn, and they were here to investigate the ruins, just like us. They spoke rath’r eloquently, and were clearly prepared for the task, as they carried an exquisite set of thieves' tools meant for the disabling of traps, a collection of fine brushes, a diverse array of small shovels, a miniature pickaxe, and writing paraphernalia. Despite claiming to have allies with them, none were actually ever spotted. They also spoke of 'the Taint', a phenomenon mention'd previously by oth’r local Kobolds, which according to them doth not affect those that possesseth the blood and scales of the Dragons.
We agreed to cooperate. Tarn lead is furth'r into the ruins, guiding us around trapped tiles, until we reach'd the next room, our path block'd by large double doors with swirly writing in Elven around them, and the Lock ♅ sigil placed on it. A pedestal stood in the middle of the chamber, upon which there wast a bowl filled with fine and dry sand.
The door inscription follows, first in its original tongue, and then translated to Common. Both are beautifully decorated, and written in red. A sign of before, what is no more, it still burneth in our heart, that flame of yore. Betrayed and cast out, we art reminded of those words of his; we saileth now for what no man is. Discarded and lost, only our voices remaineth to tell our story. Together forward lieth our path to glory. |
Uzuto discov'r'd a ceremonial, dull pen-knife in the sand, as well as faint, shallow lines which disturb'd the surface; I lat'r determined that those were remnants of swirly writing 'r shapes which were present there before someone destroy'd them with their fingers. Tarn implored us to be careful with the dagger, and placed it back into the bowl, where it sunk easily to the bottom. They also reveal'd to us that they hath encounter’d the mention of Zalael before, on a distant digsite - apparently, his followers were exiled alongside him from a larger Elven conclave in this region. Tarn then offer'd their furth'r help in return for the claims on the first historical item beyond the door, and when we agreed, show'd us that the bowl possess'd a small engraving that protruded minutely from the surface.
Upon pressing it, a ghostly and vague apparition of a presumably feminine Elf appear'd in front of the door, and repeated to us the same riddle in Elven. This wast when I discov'r'd that Tarn the Scion spoke Elven, too, since they knew the riddle by heart, which made our communication much easier from then onwards. They explain'd that the apparition wast nothing more than a visual and spoken recording, and demonstrated that by replaying the message with anoth'r press of the hidden button. They also warn'd us about 'the Taint' again, and the 'sweet, whispered promises'.
Aft'r some pondering and brainstorming, I took the dagger, and started writing Elven words in the sand using the knife's tip - first 'Zalael', and then 'Ash'. The tool produced blue glow, proving that this wast its intended use, but since nothing else happen'd, t'was clear that anoth'r word wast required. And then the answer reveal'd itself to myself with utmost clarity. T'was obvious, and involved wordplay which Elves art famous for. Zalael's words; 'a sign of before, what is no more', which couldst be 'ex-something'; 'we saileth now for what no man is', and no man is an island, 'r in this case, an isle. An ex-isle. When I wrote the Elven word for 'Exile' in the sand, the Lock ♅ sigil disappear'd, and our way forward wast hinder'd no longer.
Capitulum III: Camera Exsulum
Tarn the Scion managed to easily unlock the door, now that the magicall protections were gone, and we enter'd a large, circular vault. The majority of the objects inside were withered and crumbling due to age and decay, and amidst them, these art of particular note:
- Tapestries upon the walls - one show'd Zalael posing in his regalia, with a serious expression etch'd into his features, and anoth'r one depicted an Elf, presumably also Zalael (judging by his armour), weeping while striking down an Aberration;
- Various pieces of furniture;
- Six vials of ☽Fulgens argentatus, also known as Silversheen, within the drawers of one of the tables;
- Anoth'r table with something that mayst hath once been a battle map, now ruined beyond recognition, and miniature ☽Silver figurines of Elves positioned upon it;
- A bookcase with multiple surprisingly unblemished scrolls, namely Continual Flame, Darkvision, Shatter, Animal Messenger, Barkskin and Blur, one of each, as well as unsurprisingly damaged but still readable Elven literature;
- A chest with even more books and a substantial pouch of coins;
- The true statue of Zalael; in front of it were two fist-sized metal squares with intricate sigils (which I determined to be either harmless magic items, 'r potentially dangerous warding glyphs infused with destructive magic) on them, and a mysteriously glowing, orb-like artifact.
As promised, Tarn claim'd the first object of their desire, which wast the orb in question. Meanwhile, upon deciding to return to the sigils lat'r, we inspect'd the aforementioned tapestries. When ask'd whether the depicted Aberration wast related to 'the Taint', Tarn confirm'd that this phenomenon indeed transformeth its carriers during its late stages. Then they added that t'was their belief that this orb mayst off'r furth'r insight into the manner in which these Elves were fighting 'the Taint' so successfully.
I told Tarn about the Elemental Portal Shrine, and how it seem'd connected in some way to these subterranean ruins - those who built it were also escaping something, they placed elemental defenses within the Shrine, and they left behind a pearl sword that is effective against Aberrations. Finally, I explain'd that we found a pool there, surrounded by twelve circular slots, and that the orb-like artifact appeareth to be the right shape and size to fit into one of those slots. Tarn reveal'd that they were planning an expedition into the Shrine, before the Portal open'd and First Landing wast founded around it, and thus the prospect of venturing beyond their 'Holy Land' wast deem'd too dangerous and risky.
I offer'd safe passage through our lands and the promise of cooperation, and they agreed; we shalt hear from them again about this matter when they conduct their own research on the orb. As a token of goodwill and potential friendship, I gift'd them one of mine pale feathers, and in return, they presented one of their favoured archeological brushes, fine enough to safely remove dust without damaging fragile surfaces and objects. I also ask'd them to relay mine apologies to anoth’r local Kobold, Tarka, whom I hath encounter’d during one of mine earliest expeditions; apparently, Tarka is one who couldst hold a grudge, but under Tarn's authority, we were promised that no revenge wilt come our way.
Finally, I ask'd Tarn whether they knew the nature of the sigils next to the statue, and they told myself that those were most likely recorded messages. In mine foolish folly, I press'd both of them at the same time, and two such messages indeed start'd playing, but in parallel. The feminine voice from earlier before and anoth'r, masculine voice were overlapping, but pressing the buttons did not replay the messages. Thankfully, Lady Lidarya and myself were able to piece them togeth'r, and the translation from Elven followeth as such, Reader:
| Hear now the tale of Zalael, a prince unlike any oth'r. Zalael's virtue wast great, there wast no man so kind. A paragon of our kind, he recruit'd a large following to help him research a way to bring us forward. During this research, Zalael's daughter wast changed, and he hid this, in ignorance 'r denial, until one day, she rebell'd and wreak'd havoc. When that day came, many were killed; Zalael and his compatriots were cast out, nev'r to be seen again. |
| Mine dear friends, I am sorry. Hath I known the consequences of mine actions, I wouldst hath not stay'd mine hand so long. This all couldst hath been prevented. If I had, mine reputation wouldst not be in tatters. I wilt forever blame myself for not stopping h'r sooner. Perhaps this is for the better, but it is too late, too late, to find a cure… |
T'was easy to deduce that the Aberration from the tapestry wast Zalael's daughter, and that the masculine voice belong'd to him. The sigil-covered devices were much lat'r repurposed by the Consortium of Artificers for the creation of reusable Recording Rods.
Amidst the aforementioned tomes, we discov'r'd an exquisite diagram of an Elven Curved Blade; "Zalael's Legacy", a scholarly work about him and his Elves; "The Annals of the Shining City", which requireth knowledge about society to truly comprehend; "The Dragon's Fable", an… entertaining piece of fiction; "The School of Relelian Casting", which expecteth familiarity with eith'r the Arcane 'r the Occult; "The Nature of Magic", and finally, "Life Beyond Life", both of which necessitate the understanding of the Arcane Arts. Currently, these tomes art eith'r in possession of Lady Lidarya, 'r the Consortium of Artificers. If thou desireth to peruse them, thou needeth to petition these parties for temporary access. |
I proposed rest, and invited Tarn to join us, but they wish'd to depart on their own. When I voiced mine concern that the local Talpa enormis moles mayst be infected by 'the Taint', the Kobold told us that, from their understanding, this malediction usually doth not affect creatures of lower intelligence. I shared one of the vials of the oil extracted from the moles, and Tarn promised to take it to their village's Alchymist, before leaving the room. After a nice meal and restful, uneventful sleep, we return'd into the tunnels, and soon encount'r'd a truly humongous specimen of Talpa enormis, similar in size and proportions to the one which the previous group spotted. Deciding that this challenge wast too severe for us, each one of us activated their Recallers, and we emerged from the Portal back in First Landing. During the teleportation process, a smaller albino mole couldst be noticed scurrying away from the giant one - I believeth that t'was the same one that Day's Eye Opens to the Sky befriended.
This concludeth mine report. Blessings of our Lady of Mysteries upon thine eternall 🜍Soul, O Reader, and mayst the glorious ⚙Sunne illuminate thy path forevermore.
- 𝕮𝖔𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖝 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗