Edrik's Discovery
You find a journal written by someone who calls themself Edrik. The parchment pages barely hang on to the leather and threads which binds them. You open the book and below are the pages you find. You suspect some are missing
You sense Edrik was in a trance of some kind, as they were writing in Old Marani. This is the last page within the journal.
As you recall you have found this journal within the arms of a skeletal remains, written by who you'd assume was the person cuddling this book during their last breath.
Who knows if Edrik fulfilled their destiny. Was it and did they uncover the mystery of these Runestones. Perhaps Edrik's destiny was the prelude of your own, to complete their work, discover the truth of the stones and they power they may possess.
Day 1
I did it. I couldn't wait any longer. Destiny was calling and I had to answer. If you are somehow reading this, Master Aldwyn; I am sorry I betrayed you. Not only did I leave without your permission, but I also stole from you. Please understand, if I am to uncover the secret of these Runestone Pillars, then it was a necessary evil as I need to use your notes on the ancient language you call Old Marani. Since I can remember, I have always wanted to study these pillars. I recall you saying these stones have another language on them. A language you call, Celestial. I promise I will uncover the great mystery the gods have gifted us. A gift I will learn for all of us to receive. Just imagine the tales of magic shifting from fantasy to reality. Therefore today marks the first day of my quest. To seek and study these Runestones, to learn the powers I believe they still possess.Day 98
The past few months I have seen many Runestone Pillars and Henges. Logging them all in my other logbook. I have learned there are many types of Runestones. Many of which I believe are mere replicas as the scripts are of our current tongue, not the ancient kind. In fact, this counts for the majority of them. This is frustrating as I continue to see one fake after another. However, I did manage to learn the pictures carved in the stones are glyphs. Many of them represent the gods, man, the suns; all of which I've listed in the other logbook. I am still yet to discover the Celestial language in these stones. Perhaps the Glyphs have something to do with it. It's strange as some of the glyphs blend with the Old Marani too; which makes me wonder if that's Celestial. This is hard to understand, it would be easier if people didn't make all of these fakes. I will continue my search. Right now I am tired, cold and I can also feel my nose beginning to clog. The telltale sign of Tyen paying a visit, as they do every year during the Day of Night. A fitting name, for a whole day's length of night.Day 289
I have safely arrived at Shroudmore. It's a popular place for Poachers and Loggers it seems as the place is full of them. I was minding my own business when I overheard a drunk in The Horned Wolf talk about a cursed lake within the nearby forest. I bought him another ale and questioned him about this lake. Apparently this lake has a cursed Runestone in the centre of it. Anyone who would drink from this lake would be poisoned and would die in a matter of days. Another drunkard then entered the conversation, saying the air is also poisonous as it once killed their friend who had not drank from the lake. This intrigues me, though I'm unsure if the stories of these drunkards are true. There is only one way to find out. However, I also have another concern. I think someone has been following me. I was roaming around the marketplace of Shroudmore, when I got the strangest feeling of being watched. I looked around and I could swear I've seen a vaguely familiar figure. I think it is someone from the previous town, though to be quite honest, I've been having this feeling for weeks. Before I head into the forest, I must make sure to clear my trail.Day 290
They've found me. I don't know how, but they've found me. I'll be honest, I did not only steal the books from Master Aldwyn, but I also stole his Sage Crest. It's how I've been able to travel and research these stones for so long. However, my past has finally caught up with me. I must get out of town, now! I did manage to hire a guide, a local Ranger. We are to meet tomorrow morning, but I can't wait. I must leave now.Day ???
I don't know how long I've been wondering the forest for, but I am alive. However, I have found not it, but them. The lake doesn't bathe one Runestone, but three! Remembering the warning of those drunkards; I haven't drank from the lake. Though, I am thirsty. I did manage to fill up my waterskin the other day at a stream, but I am afraid it won't be enough. I have noticed the lake also has a small waterfall. The lake also feels warm. I am yet to touch it, but I can feel the heat. I can also see faint vapour coming from the surface; perhaps this is how the air is apparently contaminated also. I shall rest tonight, but tomorrow I must do something. I doubt I am in the clear of that person who was following me, so I must be quick. I couldn't see much of the Runetones, so I need a closer look and there is only one way to do that.Day 2 at the Lake
And so I went into the lake. I had to take the risk if I am to uncover the mysteries of these Runestones. Fortunately the lake isn't too deep and it isn't too large either. It's rumoured to be poisonous, however I'm feeling fine. Perhaps they're wrong? Unless its a slow developing kind? I'm unsure. I am positive drinking the water is bad too, as it tastes very salty; not fresh at all. What I am sure of are the Runestones in the centre. There are three, each representing one of our Gods. Which God they represent I will need to work out tomorrow, as their glyphs are worn and I need more time in the lake to sketch them. Could these be the true Runestones I've been searching for. Thankfully the lake is warm, but it is very cold outside of it. I'm sit as close to the warm lake as I can. Its atonishing, as the moonlight reflects off the water giving it a dull glow, yet bright enough for me to write this at night. This is fortunate, as the Day of Night is looming and with the breif shine of the moonlight has been a blessing, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see.Day 3 at the lake
I am hungry, thirsty, tired. I've noticed my handwriting is off as I can't stop shaking. In hind sight I should have left this place as soon as I found it, then return once winter has broken into spring. I couldn't. Is this the effect of the lake, to draw you in and to keep you near it? Perhaps. If so, I am caught. Like fish in a barrel. I doubt I will ever see daylight again, as the suns have set for the Day of Night. Its a shame as I feel like I'm close. If only I knew who the Gods on the Runestones were. From what I can summize, the one of gods is, Karael, Goddess of the Hunt and Harvest. I can tell it is her, as her glypth is often a bow and arrow looking glyph. It's understandable she is here, as we are deep within a wild forest. I could even hear wolves howl in the distance, but I am yet to encounter one. The Second could be Ghana, Goddess of Life. Yes, water is the drink of life, however, this lake is unlikely to quench one's thirst. Though, we all tend to forget Ghana is not responsible the 'maintenance' of life. She merely manages our souls once we reach our inevitable end; the kind where I sense mine is soon. I say Ghana could be the glpyh, as her glpyh is often mistaken for Zostus, God of Chaos. I truly hope I am right this is Ghana's glpyh, otherwise I am under the whim of Zostus. The third glyph, I cannot tell. The face of the glpyh is broken, as though part of the stone has been broken off. So it could be anyone. I fear this could be my last log entry. I wonder if what I've done was the right thing to do. Betraying my Sage like I did. A deed I still regret to this day, even though it has allowed me to be here today. Destiny had to take it's cause, no matter how anyone felt about it. Destiny has no feeling, only motion. Like how a river must reach the ocean, I had to reach to this point. How I am able to keep writing this I don't know. Is this also destiny? I feel weak. Writing this journal is all I can do now. If destiny is as play here, then I truly surrender. I am now at the mercy of the gods. I've managed to find a large spore of mushrooms growing beneath the trees. They could be poisonous, but I am starving. If I am to die here, then so be it.Gaalur
Gaa
Paugun
Thuur
Kaa
Lapela
Korla
Kaus
Vuuaap
As you recall you have found this journal within the arms of a skeletal remains, written by who you'd assume was the person cuddling this book during their last breath.
Who knows if Edrik fulfilled their destiny. Was it and did they uncover the mystery of these Runestones. Perhaps Edrik's destiny was the prelude of your own, to complete their work, discover the truth of the stones and they power they may possess.
This prose is my entry for the Words of Worldbuilding Challenge.
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