The Thelostian Tablets - An Interlude

Written somewhat accidentally by Steven Sparkman

"No one really knows what they called themselves, at least no one that I would call dependable….it doesn't matter. The Tablets are called Thelostian Tablets, named after the place several of them were found together—which only happened that one time—so people call them the Thelostians when they clearly aren't because Thelostia, old as the region is, isn't anywhere as old as the tablets or their creators and–"

Athol leaned his head back and made a snoring noise.

Reynas grinned. "Fine, I will get to the point. These Tablets, the process of finding them and putting them together and solving the puzzles and traps–it was a game to these people, whoever they were. And, when I think about it, I think it carried through. Remember Larkasius's tomb?"

Paga held up her left hand, missing two fingers. "I do."

"That's my point. It was full of traps and magical guardians and false treasuries–"

Athol clapped his hands "And the REAL treasury, we found that."

"We did. And we got in. And how did we get in?"

Sahmarra said "We found the keystone."

Reynas nodded. "Right. The keystone he hid in the same tomb that he had filled with traps and an impenetrable door to guard his treasury. He put the only way in, the only way to take what he cared so much to hide and protect, in the same place he had locked away. He put the key under the mat. Why?"

The others were quiet, thoughtful expressions on their faces…or at least in Athol's case a pained one as he tried to be thoughtful.

Sahmarra said "You're saying that it was because of these tablets?"

"Well, because of the game the tablet makers were playing when they created them. Think of all the places people like us have tracked down and broken into, fought and died inside of. Why are most of them even there, in the way that they are? Full of coins and gems and magic…and they're hidden well enough, sure, most couldn't be found if you didn't know where to look– but there's always a rumor, there are always clues. Scraps of information that we can piece together and then march off to plunder.

You know the Lizardfolk have a whole series of tombs in the Chakti Jungle where they've buried their kings for a thousand years and no one breaks into those tombs. Because they don't have to, they're just burial sites. And there are a few personal items buried with them, but whatever wealth they had stayed with the clan or the heir because who in their right mind would tuck it all away for someone to steal a few decades later and not use it? We still play a version of a game that was thought up before the Elves were new to the world."

"But that tablet game has better prizes, I bet," said Athol.

"Oh yes, from the few that have been found and opened successfully, much better."

Sahmarra grinned. "Then what are we waiting for?"

He looked at her. "You know how you're always telling me not to touch things and I touch them anyhow because, as you say, I have no concept of what could or couldn't be dangerous?"

"Yes."

"Sahmarra, I do not want to touch these tablets…"