Objects of Interest: Caves of Life

Metaphysical / Paranormal event

The list below comprises a record of Objects of Interest (OI) discovered during the Hashinara Clan's first expedition into the Caves of Life. OI1, OI2, and OI5 are considered to pose a low level of risk. OI3 is confirmed to be a high-risk object. OI4's risk level remains unknown.   List compiled automatically by: Askaenos, Servant of Mēn To be delivered to Oyama Hikari at first possible opportunity.

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OI1: Brass Decanter

  Risk Level: Low   Description: A crude brass vessel designed to hold an unknown liquid (possibly water). Bears an engraving of a whale. High detail, but symbology unknown. Confirmed to be non-magical. No supernatural effects detected.   Retrieval: Discovered by Oyama Hikari and Ryūzaki Sanosuke in an abandoned storage room within the Caves of Life. Weak treasure response.  

OI2: Jewelry Box

  Risk Level: Low   Description: A wooden jewelry box designed to hold a single ring. Simple design with no carvings, but bears a large black jewel on its lid. Interior is velvet or velvet-equivalent fabric. Ring is missing. Confirmed to be non-magical. However, inlaid jewel may be effective at storing and channeling magical energy. No supernatural effects detected.   Recommendation: Channel magical energy into inlaid jewel. Observe response.   Retrieval: Discovered by Oyama Hikari and Ryūzaki Sanosuke in an abandoned storage room within the Caves of Life. Weak treasure response.  

OI3: Void Mirror

  Risk Level: High   Description: A black mirror surrounded by wrought metal. Approximately 1.5 meters tall. Covered by a cloth at time of discovery. Confirmed to be highly magical with aspects of Dream and Void. Supernatural effects observed (see addendum).   Recommendation: Avoid visual contact with mirror's surface at all times.   Retrieval: Discovered by Oyama Hikari and Ryūzaki Sanosuke in an abandoned storage room within the Caves of Life. Source of strongest treasure response.   Addendum - Observed Effects on Hashinara Yoshiyuki: Following retrieval and magical appraisal, OI3 was set in the middle of the room while party discussed further options. Party designates individuals present at the time of event: Oyama Hikari, Hashinara Yoshiyuki, Matsumoto Ooawagaeri Ryūzaki Sanosuke, Umashiashikabihikoji (Unconscious), and Zvonimira. A gust of wind (source unknown) shifted the cloth covering over OI3, causing it to fall away. Ryūzaki Sanosuke grabbed the cloth and replaced it, but in the fraction-second window, Hashinara Yoshiyuki's line of vision made contact with the surface of the mirror. Hashinara Yoshiyuki observed to "fall apart." To elaborate: The Daimyō's body vanished, leaving three items in its place. These were catalogued as:

• OI3-1: A mask
• OI3-2: A robe
• OI3-3: A black heart

All three items subsequently faded from view. Individuals present with supernatural sight confirm observing Hashinara Yoshiyuki's soul "flee" into the mirror. Events within the mirror remain unknown. (Recommendation: seek confirmation with Hashinara Yoshiyuki on events within OI3.) Unobserved, Hashinara Yoshiyuki's soul reconstituted at another point in the Caves of Life. Soul's new body described as rodent-like, with "sketchy" features. Body equipped with several metal spikes and a mechanical handgun of low quality. (Note: Body's form is too specific to be coincidental or conceptual in nature.) Confused, new body (Henceforth: The Scavenger) followed a "tugging" sensation through tunnels leading southward. Soon after, Scavenger encountered four individuals wearing metal masks and red robes in severe disrepair (Henceforth: Cultists). Scavenger succeeded in avoiding detection and planned to leave before observing that one Cultist wore Hashinara Yoshiyuki's mask on its belt sash. Considering this new information, Scavenger opted to design an ambush. Ambush rated as a success. Scavenger succeeded in killing one Cultist and slowing the advance of the others. Subsequent Cultists did not attack or show any signs of aggression. Instead, lead Cultist bowed to Scavenger and offered up sacrificial knife. Scavenger killed this Cultist with a shot to the head and the next, which repeated the same behavior. In the room with OI3, remaining Party heard the sounds of gunshots. Matsumoto Ooawagaeri opted to investigate while Oyama Hikari hid behind OI3 in a corner and Ryūzaki Sanosuke began to explore other rooms, accompanied by Zvonimira. Matsumoto Ooawagaeri found Scavenger standing over remaining Cultist, which was offering up a sacrificial knife in the same manner as previous. An altercation nearly broke out between the two, but was defused by Matsumoto Ooawagaeri's recognition of Scavenger's soul and Scavenger's intact memories of life as Hashinara Yoshiyuki. Scavenger proceeded to shoot the final cultist in the head and retrieve object OI3-1: Mask. Reports suggest a sense of fulfillment from finding this item, but a continued feeling that something was missing. "Tugging" sensation resumed, this time leading eastward. Matsumoto Ooawagaeri joined Scavenger (Henceforth: Party-2). Further information pending.  

OI4: Ichtyoid Creature

  Risk Level: Unknown   Description: An enormous creature housed within a chamber in the Caves of Life. Approximately 11.5 meters in length. Fills nearly the entire room and, notably, is far too large to fit through either of the chamber's entrances. Rear body similar to a deep-sea fish with black scales, large red eyes (presumed sightless) and a head-dominating mouth with sharp teeth obviously designed for predation. Forward body resembles a Human from the waist up, but is twice the size of an average of the species. Black scales extend to cover the forebody and a red fin acts in place of "hair." Resemblance to human subject deemed superficial, but not coincidental. OI4 was inert at the time of discovery, presumed dead. However, no signs of decomposition were present.   Recommendation: Removal for further study impractical. Treat with caution and avoid.   Retrieval: Not retrieved. Discovered by Oyama Hikari and Ryūzaki Sanosuke in transit from abandoned storage room to rejoin with Party. Physical contact avoided through supernatural acrobatics. No treasure response.  

OI5: Discarded Parchment

  Risk Level: Low   Description: A piece of parchment covered in writing and sketches on both side. Markings appear to be charcoal and material appears to be mundane, but neither show signs of decomposition. Front side contains scribbled ramblings; currently indecipherable, language unknown. Rear side shows a detailed drawing similar to murals discovered elsewhere in the Caves of Life. Illustration depicts a city with architecture. No match found for architectural style on Earth. Large, bristling black wolves surround city on every side. A titanic figure stands over the city, holding a spear with a crescent at its point, but cowers in the face of the wolves. Spear is raised defensively.   Retrieval: Discovered by Ryūzaki Sanosuke and possibly Zvonimira (presence difficult to confirm) in an abandoned cupboard northeast of room then containing OI3. Confirmed non-magical. Supernatural effects are unknown. Ryūzaki Sanosuke reported a sense of sharp-wittedness upon observing the parchment. Connection unknown.