Scipio's Field Journal

35 Dying Light 9047   Immolate and Dad told me today that they’re going to finally let me go on a mission! They said it’s going to be to a recently-found digsite on the outside of the Crater. That means potentially pre-Starfall artifacts! Imagine how much we can learn about the people from that time. About our own history that’s faded. Maybe even stuff about Warforged they’ve forgotten themselves! Immolate seems nervous about me going out on my own, but it’s just a digsite. And no one outside of Greenwave knows I’m… me. So it should be fine. Also apparently Uncle Drifter is going to be coming with me! It’s been so long since I saw him, I miss him so much. It’s going to be so great. He’s going to be meeting us tonight at the Termina’s Beck celebration downtown. I know Wind is probably gonna be there too, which will also be really fun. Though I’m sure he’ll finally put together I’m the Didact’s kid. Oh well, he had to figure out sometime.   Either way, this is gonna be great. We leave tomorrow morning, and Immolate has pulled some strings to get us there “quickly and quietly.” Honestly, those are his favorite words when it comes to these missions. Kinda silly if you ask me.
   
1 Rekindling 90478   I can’t believe we get to start working so quickly. It’s so exciting! Drifter and I used these one-time teleportation beads to get here. He made sure to tell me to make sure to only use mine in an emergency. They’re apparently the only ones Immolate could pull together with the crisis and all. Not sure they’re entirely necessary, but Immolate insisted. Either way, I’m just happy to be out and about with Drifter. He’s the same as always; gruff and cranky, but sweet where it counts. I hope he doesn’t disappear for another 5 years after this. I know he hates working with the Didacy, but… I’m part of it now, same as Dad and Immolate.   The site is amazing though. There are so many examples of architecture that only lasted for like 10 years in the historical narrative. The culture from immediately after the Starfall amongst the survivors who were suddenly no longer Kingdom citizens… it’s just so fascinating. The walls have etchings that refer to sealing something away, which implies something pre-Starfall. Perhaps, judging by the phrasing, pre-Kingdom. In which case, this may be a bigger find than we thought!   We’re following protocol and calling back to Immolate every 6 hours for security purposes. It’s definitely overkill but I get it… Drifter makes sure I have the sending stone on me at all times.
     
2 Rekindling 9048   Welp. When things go wrong… Before dawn this morning, we made our way back to the dig site.. We had just barely gotten there to set our equipment down when… some kind of things attacked us. They were humanoid… I think? They were all malformed, their flesh was bloated, droopy, and damp. I have no idea what they were. They were clearly intelligent because they shouted at us to submit to them and then they put some kind of bubble around the site. Drifter tried to fight back, but one of them ripped his arm clean off. I’d never been so terrified in my life. We ran to the door at the end of the digsite.   We tried to use two of those teleportation capsules, but that bubble was apparently keeping the magic from getting us outside the digsite. So we tried our best to go inside the door with our second to last capsule. I did my best to imagine what the inside looked like based on my observations, and best I can tell, I made it. Drifter and Mozaar though… They’re nowhere to be seen. I have no idea what to do. I can hear those creatures fumbling with the door outside… I have one more capsule but I’m afraid to use it if that bubble is still up. The sending stone got smashed when I fell down after teleporting in here so there’s not even the option to call for help. Maybe Immolate’s paranoia will pay off after all. I’m gonna look around for now and hopefully I find Drifter and Mozaar around here somewhere.
     
3 Rekindling     I’m pretty sure it’s been a whole day since I got stuck here. I’ve had plenty of time to explore this place. No sign of Drifter, so I’ve been trying to make the best of things and do some research while I wait for someone to help. I found some bundles of kindling I’ve been burning in some of the fireplaces found in the ruin. This ruin is much smaller than I thought. There are work areas, living quarters, and apparent sites of worship. There are some strange statues scattered throughout that seem to… glow. Definitely pre-Kingdom in origin as this style is unlike anything on Sinderlan. The central worship chamber has an empty basin in it, not sure for what, but I’m assuming some ceremonial purpose. But what’s weirder is that the floor is covered in some kind of ice that resists heat. It will melt but only after extremely prolonged exposure to fire.   I’ve been studying the walls more, and I can’t make heads or tails of whatever this language is. It’s the common alphabet for sure, but that doesn’t make any sense if this is pre-Kingdom. None of this makes any sense.   I had a dream last night. A man made of ice just stood and stared at me. He had no eyes but. He was staring all the same. Between that and the sounds at the front door, I didn’t sleep much.   I’m also pretty sure I’m running out of water.
       
4 Rekindling   I think it’s been another day? I’m not sure really. I’m really starting to hate this place. The walls seem like they’re closing in on me. I freaked out and tried to use the capsule today. It didn’t even break. When I crushed it in my hand, some kind of energy flew out of it and rebounded back into my hand. I got knocked across the room and the entire room shook violently for what felt like an eternity. Walls started collapsing. My arm got hurt pretty bad. But the capsule just sat there on the ice. Completely unharmed. I don’t understand. This place. It’s not right.   I found concealed doors in the main chamber and off in a side chamber after the quake. I can’t get them open. I have no idea where they lead. At this point, I’m not sure I care to know.   I ran out of water today too. I’m going to try and drink some of that ice melt from the main chamber.   I had the dream again. He just stared.
     
5 Rekindling   Something in the water from that ice is messing with me I think. I’m starting to see my dreams when I’m awake. That man made of ice… I keep seeing him out the corner of my eye. He whispers to me sometimes, but I can't make out what he’s saying. My arm hurts so bad. I miss Mozaar. I want to go home.
     
6 Rekindling   They somehow figured a way through the front door. Oh gods, I can hear them banging at the door to my room. I have nowhere to go, I’ve boxed myself in here. That last capsule must still be in the central chamber. Drifter, Immolate, Dad, if you find this, I love you all. I’m so sorry I pushed you to let me do this trip. This is all my fault. I’m so sorry. I don’t want to di-
Type
Journal, Personal
Medium
Paper

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