Cithreth's Journal
The Journal of Varis Cornelius Cithreth, Seer of Lugdunum
X Mart. AUC MMXCVIIIThis morning, Temerarius summoned me to the principia to assist in a new project. Apparently, the Emperor has decreed that Lugdunum is to become more than a mere outpost. We are to expand the fortress greatly – transforming it into a full town, and eventually a city. My understanding is that the Emperor intends to annex the Elvish kingdom of the north, and Lugdunum will be the capital of the new province. In any case, Temerarius brought me in because there is a great mystery to be solved. In the basement below the principia was a large door, sealed against being opened. This door was not merely locked, nor even protected with magic. Rather, it was cemented shut with concrete. Additionally, a plaque beside the door stated that, by order of Mamercinus, no Roman citizen was to enter on pain of death. According to my research, Mamercinus was Consul Prior in AUC CCCXCVII. But to expand the fort, the sewer system needs to be extended underneath the principia. Therefore, Temerarius countermanded the order, granting permission to pass by the door. Consequently, the soldiers have been digging for days trying to make an opening, and finally succeeded yesterday. Beyond the door, there is a short sloping tunnel, leading to a massive chamber. The chamber is perfectly round, and in the center is a 50’ diameter platform, surrounded by a wide pit. The pit goes down for 100 feet, and has spikes at the bottom. Clearly, whoever built this chamber wanted no one to cross. But the most interesting feature of the camber is a giant, glowing, silver-blue dome in the exact center – a hemisphere extending from the platform to the ceiling. The nature of this dome is unknown, but it appears to be constructed of magical energy. I have never before seen the like. Attempts to fire arrows at it have failed – the arrows shatter against it. At least, the soldiers reported this. When I heard they were attacking it, I ordered them to stop. We do not know the nature of this dome, and we should not disturb it until we do. XI Mart. AUC MMXCVIII
Investigating the chamber below the principia has engaged all of my time for the last two days. I noticed right away that there are four braziers located around the chamber in the cardinal directions – one each directly north, south, east, and west of the magic dome. I suspect these braziers had a hand in the dome’s manufacture. Perhaps a ritual spell was cast, and they are part of the ritual? The braziers have small engravings depicting a flame, a water droplet, a gust of wind, and a rock. Clearly, these are elemental symbols. I suspected that casting the spells shown in the symbols into the braziers, might dispel the dome, but this was not successful. Speaking of the dome – I believe now that it is a sphere, embedded to its equator in the floor. I still do not know the nature of this sphere, but I will continue to study it and consult the scrolls in the library, such as it is. If only I had access to the Ulpian Library in Rome, I would already know the answers, I am sure. XII Mart. AUC MMXCVIII
I think I have finally worked out the meaning of the glowing blue sphere in the underground chamber. It appears to be a spell of Imprisonment! Such a spell is far beyond my capabilities – nor do I know of any wizard who could cast such an abjuration. From what little I understand of this spell, its duration is effectively permanent. Given how we found this place, could it really mean that someone, or something, has been imprisoned here since the doors were sealed under Mamercinus’ orders 1,700 years ago? Clearly, whoever, or whatever, was imprisoned here could not still be alive. Even one of the Light Elves could not endure for so many centuries. Therefore, whoever was sealed in there must long ago have died. Still, I wonder who could have brought such wrath down upon himself that a consul of the Roman Republic would have ordered him permanently imprisoned here? Apparently, even death was not a sufficient punishment. Ironically, the Imprisonment spell is now an impediment to us, rather than to whatever poor soul died within it. The spell cannot be moved, nor can we pass through it by any means, mundane or magical, but this we must do to expand the sewer system under the Principia. Therefore, the sphere must be Dispelled, but although I have attempted to do so, I do not possess sufficient power to succeed. Twice I assailed the barrier; twice was my Dispel repulsed. But we may have another route to success. According to my limited understanding, this spell requires the caster to specify conditions under which the barrier will dissipate. Since my own powers are insufficient to Dispel the prison, I will attempt to divine the conditions needed to end the spell. XIV Mart. AUC MMXCVIII
Success! I have determined the means to dispel the barrier below the principia. The empty braziers located in the cardinal directions around the camber were the key. At first, I believed that each element must be placed into its corresponding brazier, but I was wrong. Instead, the opposite element must be used! Thus, water is to be placed into the fire brazier, air into earth, and so forth. Now that I have deduced this, I must simply prepare the proper spells, and we will be able to lower the barrier. As Temerarius has already granted permission to proceed, I plan to do dispel the barrier on the morrow. I must confess to experiencing a great deal of excitement at the prospect of seeing what was within the sphere. Will the remains be identifiable? Will whoever was held at bay for so many centuries have left some record behind? Perhaps a journal such as mine will give us some insight into who this villain was, and what he did to deserve such a terrible fate. XV Mart. AUC MMXCVIII
Perhaps I flatter myself, but I cannot help but hope that my name will bear some fame in the history scrolls. After all, in just a few minutes, I will be casting four spells – one each of fire, earth, air, and water – to dissipate a powerful Imprisonment that was cast by an ancient and mighty mage in an era long forgotten. Today we will learn why the old Consul Mamercinus locked this person away. Ah, Temerarius is here, along with his two guards, and the architect and the engineer. It is time to dispel this ancient barrier and see what lies inside. Fool! I was such a fool! I have wrought my own end, and that of everyone around me! The barrier should never have been dispelled! O! How wise was Mamercinus! What fools we were to disobey him! Now, my time is numbered in minutes, perhaps seconds. The principia shakes around me. The walls of the library crack. They will not stand much longer. But I must record this so that those who come after me will know. The barrier held within it a creature unlike any I have ever seen. In likeness it recalls a wingless dragon of human size, walking on two legs. The eyes – cold and blue as ruination. It reeks of rot and decay. And power… such power as I have never known could exist. It exhaled black death and the guards fell. It spoke arcane words, and roasted Temerarius and the architect with a blast of flames. Only my quick use of Absorb Elements protected me. But I hear him now, beating at the doors. The walls crumble. The principia trembles. My time is up. I must prepare to cast my final spells, and attempt to stop this creature, lest it be unleashed upon all of Lugdunum.
Purpose
This collection of rolled parchment was found in a scroll case, and appears to have been the journal of Lugdunum's chief seer.
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