Velkrod Stones
Description
The Stones are roughly 60cm along each edge and made from a metallic material that appears clear as glass. The script itself is etched into the material and does not show any signs of fading or erosion. The symbol contained within is curiously opaque, yet always retains its orientation as the cube is rotated. Use of magical energy near a Stone causes the symbol and edge writing to briefly glow, but only if the Stone is placed within one of the niches in the wall. The light emitted quickly fades after the magical energy stops.
Any damage done to a Stone seems to weaken it and the strange object dissolves completely before reappearing in its niche again. This behavior occurs even with the lightest of scratches, though the Stones resist blunt impacts with a resounding metallic clang. Use of flame or extreme cold have no effect at all on the strange material, which always seems to be cool to the touch. The wall with the niches, while made apparently of carved stone, seems to "heal" any damage as well, with the rate of regeneration porportional to the amount of damage caused. Some have attempted to chip and break away portions of the wall to see if there was anything behind, but the wall regenerated quickly after only a few centimeters of progress - restoring even the strange geometric shapes carved upon it.
Investigations
In 788 CE, a team of researchers attempted to study the Velkrod Hedrons. Logbooks indicate that some "magical resonance" emanated from the stones, and the geometric figures carved into the wall seemed to fill with some sort of light. The lead researcher apparently urged her companions to re-arrange the Stones while channeling a particular magical effect. Unfortunately, the logbooks fail to mention any potential results, though the pages seemed to be soggy with a foul smelling liquid when they were found by the time the first supply replenishment arrived. Of the expedition itself, there were no signs.
Velkrond Expedition Journal
788, 2nd Frost
Our party has successfully arrived at the ruins of Velkrond. It is quite apparent that Morigul is incorrect - Velkrond is quite obviously a temple, though to whom it was dedicated is a question we have yet to discover. My anticipation surely cannot withstand the night, but light has been fading as we arrived, and the venture proper must await the morn. I shall appease my appetite for the ruin's mysteries by teasing Morigul, and see if he'll be willing to part with his end of our wager.
Morigul, the grumpy lout, is very much a sore loser. He was incapable of withstanding my good-natured ribbing and stormed off to seek isolation in his tent. He claimed, when I asked for my winnings, that the visual appearance was not proof enough to confirm my prediction. We'll see in a matter of hours though, once we've penetrated the temple's doors and begun our survey. Curiously, the rest of the party, primarily the laborers, seem in a dour mood this morning. Lestre, the lead foreman, complained of strange dreams. He was unable to recall specifics, however, and the rest of the party seemed recalcitrant to discuss the matter. I suppose they might've heard some local folklore or myths surrounding this place, though it's been several weeks since we last visited a town or village. I suppose exploring a bit will set their minds at ease.
788, 3rd Frost
I am utterly astonished by the conditions these so-called ruins are in! Some places clearly show the ravages of time, but others seem untouched, almost as if they were newly installed and regularly cleaned! If it weren't for the dust, cobwebs, and stale air, it wouldn't be hard to presume someone had been here recently. We did observe that our magically powered lanterns seemed to have a strange effect on various designs carved into the walls. Strange geometric shapes (see sketchbook) seemed to "echo" the light, like a reflection that slowly lost its glow as the lanterns' light faded away. A pair of corridors branched off the main anteroom and curved underneath to end in a small chamber many meters under ground. The far wall is covered in more of those geometric shapes and figures. Embedded in the wall are niches cut perfectly from the stone, with the fabled Velkrond Hedrons nestled within.
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