Notes on the Depths

[winterblood 11181]

Spoiler

 

 

[!] Around the ruins of San Luciano, Savoy, refugees may find a few stray copies of notes to examine; documenting the lost world beneath theirs.

 

 

A man named Majid of Brev requested for Saoren and myself to join him on a venture to a cavern he deemed (almost) abandoned by the Mori Elves.  We brought a handful of others with us, for cautionary measures; better to travel in moderate groups in these turbulent times.  What we found was hardly anything close to what I expected at all; the size of that cavern was massive--enough to fit a city and more within it.  Not even our group saw a large fraction of it; this is truly a hidden world beneath our own, and it must have existed here for centuries--at the very least.  Majid guided us to the tunnel's direction, though I must admit I've failed to properly document its whereabouts myself--I'm not wholly familiar with these part of the deserts.  It's highly advised that a proper guide is present to seek out this cavern, lest you risk getting lost.

 

We saw signs of former occupation of the clan described to have besieged the North, once we ventured into the cave.  Old and tattered flags of crimson were posted around an old dock, which had only dust collecting on it; there was a broad expanse of water, as well.  Though we had little means of safely traveling across it.  Instead, we went more 'inland' within the tunnels.  A large lantern hung overhead, upon a fork in the road of tunnels and we followed the path heading right--which delivered us to a curious ruin.

 

A fortress in shambles, nestled into the dark stone of those tunnels.  Its walls were pale and flecked with blue, grandiose and imposing with its tall doorway that lead into a hall.  There were engravings of figures upon it; sigils, it seemed like--of a figure hammering an anvil.  Sometimes a lone anvil would be depicted too, accented with fine and elegant tapestries of blue--though I've never quite seen such a shade as this before.  Despite the nightmarish stories of cruelty I've heard of these elves, a part of me couldn't help but admire the use of their artistic crafts; yet little could be scavenged for how fragile that ruin had become over the years.  Untouched for so long; stagnant--even in its Echoes, for I saw many roaming.

 

This had to have been some sort of clan hall of a bygone family, either conquered by those of the red banner--or felled to some other threat.  I presume the latter, though surely those of the red banner had been present in those halls long before we had arrived.  In the main hall, there were three doorways branching off to different sections--two were guarded by imposing sets of armor, yet wielded only lanterns.  Someone described them to be Dreadknights; something which I've only read of in books, or heard in dark tales for children.  Nearing them caused for them to grow active, yet they immediately collapsed into scraps for their age; made truly fragile from disuse.  The room left unguarded, ravaged and crumbling archives, has led for me to believe that the clan of the red banner sought to scour for tomes.

 

The clan hall had a theme of forging and creation; working with minerals and metal--they seemed like creators of these Dreadknights, going so far as to design larger sets of armor.  I had heard that an enslaved soul was required for their making, though I've grown uncertain about that theory--I cannot listen to the idealist within me, however, to drop that notion completely.  The full creation process of these armored titans remains a mystery, though pieces of the puzzle are slowly gathered.

 

I hope to be able to gather more information in time, though I would encourage a great deal of caution and preparation for treks into these tunnels.  Although my group left unscathed, those caverns aren't wholly abandoned.

 

╭₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪╮

   Ilaria Des'Nox       

╰₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪₪╯

 

Thanks to BobBox for the event!

[Spoopy_Duck 3219]

Spoiler

cool art!

 

[MALUKOR 225]

Spoiler

Mind if I contact you about commissioning artwork?

 

[The King Of The Moon 7016]

Siru Thyone held a note in his hand, smiling at his cousin's portrait of him (he had no eyes).

[winterblood 11181]

1 hour ago, MALUKOR said:

  Reveal hidden contents

Mind if I contact you about commissioning artwork?

 

Spoiler

i intend to make a post semi soon about art commissions ;D

 

[sam33497 7360]

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mann this is awesome

 

[_Sug 2809]

Aravir's brow raised as his little gnome companion waddled up to him and gave him the paper, after reading it, he obtained a small bout of confidence in the times to come. It seemed his mentor had much to teach the world, and not just himself.

[Jentos 9425]

Spoiler

Unsure if these notes are available to a wider public, I will delete this comment if it is not. 

 

A letter is penned, and sent to the author, delivered by a small, bat-winged creature with a serpentine tail.

 

The nature of the Dreadknights requires the usage of powerful blood magic, and the bindings of rune upon the armour, which not only retain the plates together, but bind the soul required to carry out the dreaded will of its maker. These are the machinations of an old, limitless science; blood. Blood is the engine of all things living and observed, from thoughts, to very realities. Understanding its conception opens the way to bending life to ones will through an almost religious, and sacrilegious understanding of it. This sorcery is one used by the despairing, the cruel, and the careless; for the very essence of a being is locked into cold steel, removed of its passions, languishing, and bound to a master. I will not delve into its implication for the immortal soul, and its stain upon our very reality. 

 

The destruction of such runes is paramount to defeating a dread knight. Short of that, forges or bodies of lava were once used to melt them apart. They may also be buried or trapped. I find it surprising that their armour fell apart; signalling perhaps the age in which they were made, or perhaps the cheap craftsmanship once employed by the Mori'quessir. Moreover, it may also point to the fact that these are a different breed of dread knight altogether, let alone a different entity altogether. 

 

When you, or any you care, come face to face with a dread-knight, know that these are a cruel, sorcerous make. Shatter them with what you can, rend them of the sorcery that locks their spirit in place. And for those mighty in the spiritual ways, lend a metaphoric ear to these creations, and you will hear the despair of the souls within. Remember, no matter one's creed, pantheon or origin; there is something deeply holy in the destruction of the dread-knight. 

 

My kind thank you for the gift of your research, 

 

The An-Gho