Bellaluna's Journal

The journal is horribly damaged. Several liquids have spilled on it, some corrosive, and the vast majority of the writing is unregonizable.
On the “The Horrors”

• They appear to be some sort of extra-dimensional manifestation. Probably rooted in shadow-magic, but I can’t verify.
• Direct Sunlight destroys them instantly.
• Orichalcum causes them great difficulty and… pain? I was able to trap one in Thanedell using an orichalcum cage.
• Light (natural or magic) appears to cause them discomfort, but it also seems to make them manifest more strongly.
• They appear to be unable to move through areas lit by encirculing (i.e. pervasive) lighting - they seem to require a shadow.
• While they are most common in the Wasted Lands, I have heard tale of them in other parts of the over and under-continent. I have only seen them new the ruins of the old empire, but I have also not explored enough to draw firm conclusions.
• My commander referred to them as “Remnants” when we first encountered them near Elenath. I’m not sure where this name originated as the locals only refer to them as “The Horrors” and there is no equivalent in Goldenhome or our histories.

 
On the Emperor and other Sylvan’s immortality: Observations and Speculation:

• Lich
  • Seems too engaged with daily life and matters of state for this to be possible.
  • Liches typically eschew mortal matters after ascention
• Vampire
  • Emperor has been observed in direct sunlight, so unlikely.
  •No reports of other associated complications
• Other unknown forms of Undead
  • Possible, but impossible to prove without more information.
• Magic
  • Traditional life-extension techniques like potions?
• • "Cloning" -
  • an ancient technology from the age of light.
  •There are tales of an ancient magical technology that allows for the duplication of a living entity's body, and the transference of their essence to it upon death.
  • Seems possible for a small number, but it doesn’t scale.
  •Bodies would have to be stored somewhere.
• Infernal or Diabolical Pact?
  •Getting into wild speculation here – have not seen any evidence for this, though I know some of my peers have dabbled in summoning and binding.

 
The Experiment

• The mage that Hanayama contracted has proven very useful, if a bit temperamental. As long as I keep him sedated he’s not a danger.
• The transformation appears to have affected his mind – he’s quite insane, but still able to cast certain spells. I discovered this after waiting too long to change the barrel and he became lucid enough to attempt to charm me. Silly boy.

Many pages of formula and diagrams, most indecipherable or ruined.
…. And I finally finished the ring. It’s working better than designed – in addition to the intended concealment, it also conceals it’s magic when attuned and invisible, becoming nearly completely undetectable. The Orichalcum does seem to work as a focusing catalyst for magical energy. Hopefully that hasn’t adversely altered any other functionality – especially the more critical functions that I can’t test. ….
… most commonly found:

• Wisps – hard to hit, invisible, lightning attacks, resistant to normal weapons
• Wights – Intelligent, drains life-force, makes zombies from drained humanoids
• Zombies – Unusually powerful, slow, dumb.
• Bone Swarms – Indigenous and previously unknown. Possible amalgam creature.

Lesser frequently spotted:

• Wraiths -only seem to come out around full moons. Intelligent, drains life, can make Specters from drained. Resistant to normal weapons. Quite dangerous.
• Specters – Also only spotted around full moons. Life-draining, resistant to normal weapons.

… autopsy reveals the bone structure of a Sylvan female. These specimens must date back to the cataclysm….
… small scattering of Orichalcum found in the ruins near the gate….
… to top if all off, a Sun Knight has arrived leading an expedition. There appear to be a couple dozen soldiers and another dozen workers – they are expecting trouble….
… séance worked flawlessly! I was able to make contact and they answered my questions, though I do not know what the "tri-key" is for. I need to see if more chalcumation will allow addition time for questions, or more detailed answers .….
… do not seem to be getting discouraged. I’ve tried leading several groups of undead towards their camp, but they just keep digging in. Golarial seems to have a large budget for his expedition, or the emperor is very interested in…. …..in spite of losing 14 soldiers so far he’s still calling for reinforcements. I need to think – it’s just a matter of time before they find us, and I really don’t want to have to start over again….
…will send Baermek on a shopping trip so he’s not here when they arrive. The Shadow Knights are going to be a problem, not to mention Anlyr. He was very effective in the war, and extremely competent for his age; it’d would be a shame if I had to kill… ... assassins and murders won't leave me be. The Emperor's reach is far too long...

Type

Journal, Personal

Authors

• Bellaluna Dathana