Of Retribution and Atonement

After a year back within the hallowed halls of her University, Airtam, following an exhausting effort of remaining in the media and public eye as much as possible received a letter from a dear friend and colleague at the Malicean Scientific Commune concerning a young prodigy emerging from their ranks. While this friend had no way of knowing the history that Airtam and the girl's father shared, Airtam could not help but admire the fervor and described potential that seemed to have lit him up with a wave of inspiration, and she was content to even consider receiving the girl, beginning the necessary processes to prepare for enrollment, that is until a second letter arrived with a much more dire tone. Curiosity piqued and concerned for her friend, Airtam once again sets out to the Commune to investigate.

16th of Vigor, 158 PR
My esteemed colleague Airtam,
May my words find you in the best of health and spirits. I write to you today to share my deep admiration for a young woman of extraordinary intellect and accomplishments, by the name of Mauve Einstrahum, daughter of none other than the esteemed Thomas Einstrahum. Her achievements at the Malicean Scientific Commune have been nothing short of astounding, and I am honored to offer my praise and endorsement of her exceptional abilities to you as Headmaster of the University of the Lighted Way. I am aware that your field research has kept you abroad for some time now, and that, while certainly busy with the matters of securing a rich and vibrant future for the Empire through the minds you touch, I cannot picture you allowing such talent to go without being properly added to the annals of academic prestige that create such a marvelous pedigree for your institution.
Mauve's aptitude for the sciences is unparalleled, and her mastery of complex scientific concepts is a sight to behold. Her expertise is matched only by her unwavering commitment to experimentation and discovery, which is fueled by a passion and enthusiasm for science that is truly contagious. It is a rare pleasure to witness such exceptional talent and drive in one so young. Her contributions to the field of science have already made a significant impact here at the commune, and I have no doubt that her continued pursuit of knowledge will result in even greater breakthroughs under your tutelage. Consider this my petition to have her vetted and pulled out of this abysmal facility to be able to fully come into her own among peers and the wonder that is our great capital city. I will sponsor her if need be, and of course, should the matter of cost be raised concerning her room and board while there, I will happily supplement those expenses as well.
It is my sincere hope that you will have the opportunity to collaborate with Mauve on future scientific endeavors as I am told she is actually quite enamored with the legends that follow you and seeks to make a similar impact upon the landscape of innovation and discovery. Her remarkable intellect and tireless work ethic make her an invaluable asset to any team, and I am certain that she would be a valuable addition to any project in which she is involved.
We have been colleagues for many years, and friends even longer my dear, and I do hope none of this seems presumptuous of either. I would not bring her forward without the merit required to irrefutably prove my claims, and I hope that this letter finds you inspired to pursue scientific endeavors with renewed passion and enthusiasm, just as seeing the next generation rising so passionately to surpass our own achievements has inspired me.
Respectfully yours,
Professor Rupert Huntington

55th of Vigor, 158 PR
My esteemed Airtam, It is with great reluctance that I am compelled to write to you once more, this time with a heavy heart and grave concern for the safety of those around me. As you may recall from my previous letter, I extolled the remarkable intellect and achievements of a young prodigy by the name of Mauve Einstrahum, however, in the intervening weeks since my missive, a most troubling development has arisen. It seems that Mauve possesses an uncanny ability to influence those around her, a power that has grown to disturbing proportions. Individuals have become unconditionally obedient to her every whim, even at great personal peril or detriment to others.
This unnatural force has cast a dark and sinister cloud over the entire Commune, causing strife and conflict that threaten the well-being of all those in residence. I fear for my own safety and that of my colleagues, and am left with a sense of anxiety and uncertainty. Furthermore, the father of the young prodigy seems absent and unaware, eschewing the responsibilities of his position in favor of seclusion and isolation. I do not know what course of action to pursue, or where to turn for guidance in this moment of crisis.
Thus, I am reaching out to you in the hope that you may be able to offer insight or counsel on this most pressing matter. I implore you to consider the gravity of the situation, and to offer any advice or assistance that you may be able to provide. It is my fervent hope that this matter may be resolved with minimal upheaval, and that the Bureau will not need to intervene. I hope fervently that Mauve has not become embroiled in any unsavory or heinous practices, such as the dark arts or other forms of nefarious sorcery.
With great respect and admiration,
Professor Rupert Huntington

Purpose

As events surrounding Airtam began to grow more and more dire, she doubled down in her attempts to not only protect the people and principals she held dear, but to work out a plan by which she might ensure such things never happen again. By documenting the true events of the Malecian Scientific Commune, she had hoped to expose the horrors visited there previously as well as potentially secure her own safety in the process.

Document Structure

Publication Status

As part of the leaked Morenthall publications following her death, these writings are generally easy to find, though there have been several attempts by agents of the Bechtlarite Intelligence Agency to gather and destroy as many copies of this particular document as possible.

Historical Details

Public Reaction

The public were shocked by the contents of this entry, and the scientific community lit up with both wonder and consternation surrounding the events and actions of the new Chief Science Officer, Thomas Einstrahum.

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Of Retribution and Atonement

56th of Vigor, 158 PR

In light of all I have seen in my many years, I have become quite stalwart in my reactions to things that seem out of place or concerning, however, this missive from Rupert has set alight in me real worry. Rupert, dear friend that he is, is many things, but the man is pompously and blissfully unfazed by anything dangerous. I once watched the man drop his pipe into a terrarium at the Janus Academy that was teeming with venomous examples of serpent, and before anyone could say anything and without a second though, he shifted his odd shaped bulk into a kneeling position and snatched it up, even testing to make sure it was undamaged and still lit while several vipers struck the glass attempting to kill him. The daft and lovely fool seemed to not even notice what had happened. His tone shifting like it has, this troubles me. Things at the Commune must be far more dire than he lets on if his reaction pushed him to do this. I packed immediately and am preparing to depart in the University carriage.
I've told no one else of my endeavor, and will be traveling with no escort or fanfare, and taking a roundabout path as well. While it will easily add a day to the journey, it will assure that I am not followed. Geraldine much not know I have moved out into the Blighted Lands where I am venerable. The last two years have been exhausting, constantly doing all I can to remain publicly in view, but I have no doubt it has saved me from her further machinations. Luckily for me, I was not recognized during my last incursion to the Commune with poor Kael. I have not forgotten, but I am at an intersection of morality and obligation. My dear friend Rupert, Diana Shepherd and the troubles I escaped in the Commonage, and yes, the wrong done to the Volrishtad as well, not even beginning to delve into the actions of the Bureau outside of these few incidents. I will honor them. All of them, and this may well be my chance. If any place in Cairne has some data or device that can help the Ongommu Tae, it will be there at the Commune, and taking it sounds like a fair beginning to stripping compensation from the Commune and from Thomas for what he has done. 
But enough of that for now. I simply do not have enough information to plan my next move. I must wait until I have had a chance to speak with Rupert and gain a full assessment of the situation before I go striding blindly through their halls again. Perhaps he will even be inclined to help me, the man never could turn down a good adventure. 

58th of Vigor, 159 PR

I arrived at the Malicean Scientific Commune just after what would have normally been my breakfast, and immediately sought out Rupert thinking that perhaps over a cup of coffee we might discuss the concerns he penned to me about Mauve Einstrahum, however, upon meeting Rupert in person, I was surprised to find that he now held a completely different view of the young woman. He was practically enamored with Mauve, showering her with effusive praise and adoration, and even going so far as to contradict his prior concerns and claims, stating that Mauve was in fact perfect in every way by regaling me with what might have passed for bad poetry in another circumstance. His behavior was so strange that I couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to his affection for her, perhaps even a hint of romantic attraction which promptly tied me up in knots of both disgust and shock.
Despite my growing concerns, I decided to take up a role as an incognito scholarly visitor to the Commune, something not entirely uncommon, but the further into the facility I went, the more I wondered if I needed to. The place was vacant for the most part aside from wherever Mauve went, so, I made a point of avoiding a direct meeting with her, and Rupert must have promptly forgotten about me, which may have stung more than I am willing to admit here. I opted instead to observe her from a distance, watching unobtrusively from the periphery of the constant flurry of activity around her, and what I witnessed only served to deepen my suspicions.
The behavior of those around Mauve was odd, though the word is more my attempt at remaining polite than any type of scientific classification of their actions. They seemed to be completely under her spell, fawning over her and answering her any and every demand without question. It was as if she held some kind of supernatural power over them, a power that I could not explain or understand. I initially suspected arcane manifestations of some sort, and regretted my estrangement from the Guard, but the more I watched, the more I came to believe this could not be the case. While I am no arcanist, I have seen enough to know what the trappings of magic look like, and Mauve showed no sign of any such workings.
As the hours passed, my unease grew exponentially. I found myself unable to shake the crawling paranoia that seemed to be my now constant companion, that something new and dangerous and powerful was at play here, and that Mauve was at the center of it all. I began to fear for my own safety, as well as that of the others under her influence. Poor Rupert. Simple as the man can be he does not deserve to be drawn around like a child’s toy on a string like this. I must determine what phenomenon is manifesting here and halt it if I can.

59th of Vigor, 159 PR

As I planned last night, I ventured forth with the intent of addressing my growing concerns regarding the seemingly unnatural influence that Mauve Einstrahum possesses over the members of the Malicean Scientific Commune. Confident that my previous attempt at rescuing the Volrishtads had gone unnoticed, Thanks to the noble sacrifice of poor Kael, I embarked on my mission with an air of invincibility, driven by a strong and inspired conviction to uncover the truth, yet, I was met with repeated resistance and even hostility as I inquired about Thomas, Mauve's father. Those whom I had implored for assistance reacted with sudden bursts of anger and agitation, as if trying to protect something that should not be disturbed. It was as if I had awakened a sleeping beast, stirring emotions of fear and panic amongst those who stood before me and all of it without any obvious merit. Why would the mention of this man generate such ire? I have my own reasons for feeling similarly, and the irony is not lost on me, but these people respect and even admire the man, or at least they did.
Despite their vehement protests, however, I remained undeterred. It was evident that the power of Mauve's influence had run amok, a dangerous force that needed to be reined in before it wreaks further havoc. The recurring nature of their responses, a pattern of behavior that I could not ignore, only served to strengthen my resolve and further substantiated my suspicions that there are forces at play here that well surpass the realms of the known sciences, thus, with a heavy heart and a growing sense of unease, I moved to seek out Thomas on my own. I still remember the place well enough that I should be able to navigate the labs below well enough to find Thomas.
Despite the ominous atmosphere, I pressed on, for it was not just Rupert’s safety that concerned me, but the very essence of what made us human - our ability to think, to feel, to decide for ourselves, and if Mauve's influence had taken hold to such an extent, then it posed a threat not only to the Commune, but to the Empire as a whole. I must resolve this before Geraldine gets wind of this. I am terrified to think what someone like her might do with such power were she able to manipulate Mauve somehow.

60th of Vigor, 159 PR

As I returned to the underground labs, I descended the elevator in the storehouse under the guise of a dedicated researcher working late into the night, the same one Kael had located during our initial scouting. The entry was, as expected, largely unguarded thanks to Mauve gathering the majority of the population at the manor house. I found Thomas in his laboratory, and acting as if we had no prior history, I cautiously began to inquire about ways to defeat a creature that had traits and abilities such as the Pale Man, not wanting to spook him before I had a chance to gain some insight. The man blinked a few times and immediately began to ramble off about various methods of energy disruption and how to utilize vibrational spectrums to nullify specific frequencies. His fervor increased as he became more engrossed in his own genius in an obnoxiously pompous manner, but I continued to indulge him. No matter how vile or self absorbed the man may be, he was making sense.
After some time of this, Thomas, almost absently lost in his pride, excitedly decided to show me a project he had been working on that he called the Cthonic Energy Condenser. The device, he explained, allowed him to expel and absorb negative energy using the exact principle he had been speaking of. He went on to explain that he had been toying with the idea as a means to combat the Void since his wife died years ago, and that this was the very project that she had given her life in an attempt to bring to fruition. He seemed to grow somber for a moment, his eyes drifting off to some time in the past before snapping back and lowering his voice, looking about to make sure no one else was watching. He explained in a conspiratorial tone that he had finally found his missing catalyst that provided the baseline harmonic frequency that would allow him to combat the Void Born…and perhaps even the Void itself.
What I saw as he opened his private lab and drew back the privacy curtain was beyond my worst nightmares. In that large chamber, the flickering sodium bulbs illuminated a sight that will remain etched upon my mind until my own lights are snuffed out. A vacuum-sealed tube containing Kael's comatose remains, once my trusted partner and friend who I thought had sacrificed himself to save me that night. He sacrificed much more than either of us could have anticipated. He had been surgically altered almost beyond recognition, his arms and legs had been amputated, his sight taken, his voice silenced, and his once vibrant features twisted in a contorted expression of agony. Thomas had made him into a biomechanical construct, with tubes and valves spreading out from him like a hellish web of brass and steel, a mere husk being kept alive only by the machines that forced his heart to continue to beat.
In that moment, my shock, horror, and rage were almost too much to bear. I bit back tears to the point my teeth caused my lip to bleed and my nails etched crescent gouges in my palms, and I fought to maintain my disguise as Thomas activated the device, causing Kael to scream silently in his infernal prison. I could feel my blood boiling as Thomas proudly explained the mechanics of the device, the very instrument of my friend's torment.
My anger and sorrow were almost too much to contain, and I vowed silently to return to the laboratory under the cover of darkness, when everyone was sleeping, to destroy the machine and free Kael from his tortured existence. Thomas's arrogance and pride had warped his mind, his own apparent grief over his wife’s death apparently having driven him to take such steps, and he was oblivious to the enormity of his heinous act.
As I left the laboratory, I felt the air thick with the scent of danger, and the shadows seemed to writhe with a sinister energy. My mission has taken a dark turn, and the consequences of my actions remain uncertain, but I no longer care. I will kill whoever gets in my way this night. I will not leave Kael to rot in this place.

1st of Senectus, 159 PR

The night was dark and cold as I made my way back to the underground labs. My heart pounded heavy with grief, my mind ached with the weight of what I must do. I could barely keep my emotions in check as I thought of Kael, trapped in that horrific machine. I felt a sense of shame for not being able to rescue him earlier, but I knew, now is not the time for self-pity. Now is the time for action.
I entered the lab under the cover of darkness, knowing that I must move quickly and quietly. I was filled with a sense of urgency, as though the weight of Kael's suffering was pressing down upon me, driving me forward. As I moved through the lab, I heard the sound of Thomas snoring. I found him in his office and quickly subdued him with chloroform. I am not proud of what I am doing, but it must be done. He’s lucky I didn’t use something more lasting.
My eyes fell upon the device, and my heart sank as I saw Kael's mangled form trapped within. This unholy biomechanical blasphemy upon the very science it was built upon was a testament to Thomas's madness and his cruelty. I began to dismantle it, piece by piece, hoping to release Kael from his torment. As I worked, I imagined a new device, one that could serve the same purpose without the use of a living element to power it. I used this as a focus to keep from breaking down as I swiftly went about my work, anything to not have to look upon the remnants of that poor boy’s face.
Once I released him from his prison, I knew it was too late. He was far beyond saving, and I could only hold him as he passed from this world. My tears fell upon his lifeless form, and I wept like I have never wept before, choking upon my despair and gasping for some sense of hope in this world that no longer recognized. I knew that I must dispose of his remains quickly, and so, using one of the containment chambers to incinerate them, I burned his body and gathered the ashes as best I could in a flask, and secured it in the folds of my cloak. It is a small comfort, but I hope that it will be enough to honor him. I do not know his people’s ways, but he is a hero, and I would honor him as such if I could.
My thoughts turned to Thomas, and I cannot lie, standing there for I know not how long glaring at his sleeping form through tear stained eyes, I considered ending his life, but as I contemplated this, I heard a large group of people moving into the upper levels of the labs. I did not know who they were or what they wanted, but I panicked, thinking that some alarm had been triggered. In my haste, I knocked over a cart which went crashing to the ground, and Thomas began to wake from his drug-induced slumber.
Grabbing him by his collar with both hands I yanked him to his feet with a strength I did not realize lay within me, one multiplied by my rage. I leaned in close to him, waited for his bleary eyes to focus on me and said, in a voice barely above a whisper, a voice that was not my own,

"Remember this moment, Bechtlarite, I have spared you only because I believe in the propensity for change and hold a true desire for the perpetuity of life, but do not mistake my mercy for weakness. For there will come a time when the people you have wronged will rise up, and they will not forget the atrocities you have committed against them. And on that day, those who have shown them no mercy will receive none in return."
I slapped him across the face with what remained of my failing strength, sending him reeling back into the floor, dazed, and then hid, trembling with a tumult of chaotic emotions still tearing through me, gulping down air in an attempt to catch my breath and slow my racing heart.
Thomas made his way upstairs, stumbling and looking terrified as he went. I heard him speaking with Mauve, though I could not make out what was said, and then I heard them arguing. A large commotion followed, and the alarms began to ring out in an ear splitting whine, quickly followed by the sounds of flames and gunfire, which were quickly drowned out by the sounds of people screaming. I used the chaos to escape outside in a second elevator, and wait out the fighting in a small shed on the surface where I write this now, my hands still shaking from the ordeal. The night is filled with the sounds of destruction, the air thick with the acrid smell of smoke and burning flesh. I know that I have started something, something that cannot be undone. But I am not afraid. I have faced my fears, and I have done what I must do.

2nd of Senectus, 159 PR

The aftermath of the violent clash that had ravaged the Commune was marred by rumors of Mauve's supposed malevolent powers. As I moved through the frenzied throng of people, I heard whispers of Mauve's control over the masses, and how, upon her capture, the spell had been lifted, leaving the people in a state of confusion and bewilderment. Some claimed that Mauve had been imbued with dark magic, while others spoke of a secret serum that had twisted her mind beyond recognition. Even while being held she attempted to regain control but was rendered unconscious before she could do more harm. The rumors seemed to grow more sinister by the minute, and more outlandish, and if I am being honest, I find myself genuinely sickened by the whole ordeal. I can only hope that dear Rupert is not among the dead. I could not bear to lose another friend. Despite my disgust, I remained amongst the people, careful to blend in and not draw attention to myself.
I chose to bear witness to Mauve's tribunal, a hurried affair but expedited no doubt to avoid mob justice in light of the damage done. The girl was drugged to the point of incoherence, able only to utter a few simple words in response to the barrage of questions hurled her way. Normally, such a state of affairs would have been deemed an egregious injustice, but to my abject astonishment, the carnage left in the wake of the conflict was too great to ignore. Over four hundred people had lost their lives, their blood staining the once hallowed ground of the Commune, not yet dry. The questions were more of a formality it seemed than any real attempt to find fact or fault, but as the tribunal drew to a close, Thomas Einstrahum, Mauve's own father, announced his decision to execute his own flesh and blood. I was floored. I had expected some manner of verdict that would either endear the girl to the machinations of her father’s morally deficient research or perhaps incarceration at some remote location, but death…I had been preparing to slip out unnoticed while the crowd looked on, but I was so taken aback all I could do was stand and watch. Choking back tears, he addressed the gathered crowd, and in a warbling tone that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and my blood chill, he spoke those familiar words.
"Remember this moment Bechtlarites, for the time has come for change, the time to realize the true value of life. We have been called and measured by the events of this day, and in that damning moment found lacking. This is a penance that supersedes my daughters actions, and weighs instead heavily upon my own. I would take her place if I could. I would offer her the mercy denied so many others. I will....remember this day."
His voice trembled as he spoke of the need for change, and the importance of valuing life. His words carried a weight that left me feeling hollow, as if a part of me had died along with the hundreds of Bechtlarites who had perished in the senseless violence.
Lost in her thoughts, I was suddenly aware of someone watching me from across the chamber. As I peered into the distance, I recognized the face of Nonpareil Geraldine Fulton sitting among the throngs of people, The sight of the sneer on Fulton's face filled me with a sense of dread, but dread tinged with the fire of my own growing hatred for her, and I knew she had to leave before anything untoward happened.
Using the uproar of the crowd as cover, I slipped away, cradling the ashes of Kael close to her chest. I knew that the Bureau would not overlook my involvement in the conflict, and that I had to flee into the Wastes if I hoped to survive. As I made my way south, I could not help but feel as if I was leaving a part of myself behind, trapped forever in the ruins of the once great commune, and stepping out into the barren badlands a new person.

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Type

Leaked Original

Medium

Vellum / Skin

Authoring Date

58th of Vigor to the 2nd of Senectus 159 PR

Location

Maliciean Scientific Commune

Authors

• Airtam Morenthall