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man

[!] Another crumpled and wet-stained parchment is opened and legible before you. The edges were charred. Spittle was ingrained into the page, smeared as if someone had tried to wipe it away. [!] “I have experienced near implosion on more than one experimental basis. The medium of aurum flasks is an expensive one, my ambition nearly costing me vision and sense. In my pursuit, however, I have gleaned new understanding- clarity comes to me, the signs common and principal. My heart has been made concrete, I have made many measures thus that have made me an enemy in some states. Darker pastures have been sought by once-debates, and my heart grows taut as I will not follow suit. I cannot call for many allies- I am fresh amongst the isle and my allegiances were close to hateful from many perspectives. No fault but my own, but I hope man’s truth will shine through. My own expression and victory has made me victim! No longer! Many-a-time I have been to the stake of death, and many-a-time I have seen traveler come to inspect and climb. The energies of the beyond flow effortlessly there. It was there that I made a stand against my tutor and his god. It is there that I experimented with the forces both abyssal and worldly. It is there that I realized that force may only go so far, but some only understand mettle - the point has already been made in that manner, there must be another way. And it is now that I believe I have reached a plateau.. Still, my fire yearns yet. But for now, I must bide. There are whispers of greater pursuits, and I have seen many men and beast and demigod shelter strange affects that I still cannot grasp as concept. Nevertheless, for what I can, I will attempt to teach. I will stretch my hand with flint and perhaps find fire within another. It is only that I pray that another will not do the same as I have done, but better, and perhaps it is only right. My notes will follow, a summarization of what I have learned thus:

“You have gall, I admit that.” + The elf rode to the location chosen in noted challenge, dismounting steed. Behind him stood a spire of black- of death claiming. It stabbed into the land that the elf found the alchemist so longingly gazing upon. Eyes were laid onto a grave, uprooted thus, the sanctity of the measure forever gone through occult or means otherwise. The man breathed heavily through mask, heaving as conversation ensued. The purpose of the meeting was simple: to prove ideal through mettle and courage. Wroth and bitterness had grown inside Gamu, ready to be exacted. “You did your research, I see.” - “Clearly. You bear the power of gods, how could I not?” - A bemused huff: “Out of fear?” - “Preparation. Perhaps I will bury you next to your comrade here, so that you both might find peace in Michael’s realm.” Steel was drawn and emboldened through worldly and deific means. “I will go when my time has come - and that is not today.” These were brought to clash, alongside ideals and hearts.. + Foot was pressed atop chestplate, the pupil victorious. “You fight me, but you fight the light as well! Do you not know that Malchediael is in an endless war?! He is protecting us!” - “Then let him fight, Xavier! Beget them to their devices! They do not need the souls of man to do their bidding! What is courageous of this?!..” Perhaps the might of his words and beliefs had been proven that day, in some effort. He who was once teacher was made to heel by his pupil- monologue ensuing. He had attempted to curry favor and have his once-comrade wrest his soul from Michael’s clutches to no avail. Now, here they were, conflicted. The challenge was met, and truth had come through perhaps, as the elf was bound and set atop horseback. + And so, the elf identifiable as Xavier Adiler was left before the gates of Celia’nor to be bore witness upon. He was knelt atop the ground, propped up and bound to a splintering wooden cross via rope. A victim he was made into by many mediums marred into skin, mind, and soul- he was left abused. ... A sign was left hammered into ground next to him amongst the strife, having been etched with the words: - “COME CLAIM HIM.” “FREE MAN FROM AENGUDAEMONICA.” “BEAR WITNESS TO MAN’S STRENGTH.” - A brief message, detailing the ideals that have won this day.

[!] Another missive rests before you. This one was particularly well-kept compared to the other notes of the same trilogy - its edges sharp, pages bleached and writ made in ink as opposed to flint and steel. [!] “I have witnessed much. I sit in these wilds because to oblivion it has gone.. The strength of the gods is unimaginable to me, as is. It is the least to say the same for the demi-gods of this isle. I admit that I have been conquered and beaten therefore - not for the hope of my ideals, but who I align myself with. This is unfortunate. I wish there were something beyond the surface of it all. I seek collaboration, yet am largely left to ponder. Perhaps the truth of my mission will shine through. No matter!.. As these situations accrue and I learn, I yearn for application. Here is what comes of it: The power of blood is unharnessed. I, myself, have seen ritual used to summon a demon from the Hells. Naturally, not on its lonesome. However, if it is capable as such catalyst, what else lies latent within me? Consider this: if blood is the body’s fuel akin to coals set to the forge, then the system functions so long as you keep the this efficient. This is to say .. embolden the body and soul. Here is the speculative formulae, alongside detail, for testing and debate: TO FORBADE THE ARTS - to separate man from all foreign influences by emboldening the natural state of himself. The base will be of liquid essence, so as to provide a metaphysical foundation. Consider the symbols (signs not yet ascertained): Purity - to cleanse man Separation/Rigidity - to oppose foreign entities/influences Strength - to embolden man’s soul and body and worldly processes Endurance - to increase tolerance of foreign entities; to elongate protection Courage - to embolden man’s/concoction’s essence Balance - to place man and affliction on equal ground TO MAKE MUNDANE - to grant man’s senses to those foreign. The base will be of redstone and salt, so as to provide a worldly foundation. Consider the symbols (signs not yet ascertained): Balance - to place man and afflicted on equal ground Impediment/Reduction - to quell foreign qualities Connection - to allow concoction to meld w/ afflicted Dark - man is made from it Chaos - an antithesis to their foreign makeup I have attempted these concoctions with common flasks - this did not work. They exploded, even, upon the addition of the catalyst. This being revealed, I believe an aurum flask to be necessary to contain the elixir’s activated powers. This means that they will be unable to be applied to another via throwing the flask. --- The first elixir is angled in the defense of man’s essence, so as they seek to pervert and corrupt it. This is to provide the self an ‘anti-’ in preparation of, but will likely not help thereafter the affliction. The Void, gods, Lycans and dragons are falsehoods. Man is true. The second elixir is angled in the levelling of the field. Who knows man’s weaknesses better than himself? If I can bring the senses of these malevolent creatures to the level of man, perhaps they may be abused like such. I believe such things to be replicable. – However, I believe the application will have to be done through physical means. This is unreliable, though, if it works.. --- Perhaps I am wrong in my understanding and application of topics learned. So be it. We will see what is to come.” [!] Aside the symbols listed were accurate depictions of the sigils within the Material Alphabet. Those learned would be able to see and thus learn, debate and experiment with this if shown. This note, like the others, is unsigned.. [!]

Somewhere far off, this parchment garners the attention of man. Quiet rumination. He'd set out..

[!] A bestranged, torn parchment finds itself before you, of which there are seldom found copies. It held worldly knowledge and studies.. [!] “This account is on the eve of my recovery after the crushing defeat at the hands of demonkin. I am beset by curse, my hope waned in its grasp. My ire burns yet fervently, and my soul still yearns.. In my unconsciousness, I was beset by conniptions of many-a-kind. I cannot tell if this were the result of the pommel to the head or otherwise. Regardless! .. The world is set clearer to me, the work of the cycle made abundantly clear through my preparations. My teacher taught that the Material Alphabet has no practical use but in understanding alone to me, but this cannot be true. For if so, why does the golem function? Why does the shrine immolate? All I can do is but to study, peruse, and write for now. If we want to embolden man, we must analyze what he is made of. What am I?.. Let us consider the physical - muscles, bone, breath, blood, lifeforce, mind. Let us consider the metaphysical - soul, mana. I have found purchase in ectoplasm, a measure nearly gathered from a strange splattering in front the Cathedral. It is a coalescence of mana infused directly with lifeforce, and it is what makes up spectral figures. As for spectres, what binds them to this plane? They say it is singular purpose or regret, but their make-up leads me to think that worldly mana binds them to our realm. They cling to this worldly mana in the place of their death, using the residual forces throughout to remain here, with us, in hopes to forsake the ever-long wandering of Ebraetes. So!.. I will apply what I know best. – This gathering is, strangely enough, disturbed by aurum which is enough to contain or disperse the collected passions. This being said, it is clear that aurum is a worldly metal meant to disregard the bindings of all-else false from man’s natural state. This would be useful perhaps, as base. It is worth mentioning that I happened unto a dark elf with effortlessly glowing tattoos. This confused me, and I sought answers - to which I were given. He explained the concept of redstone and ink seeped into the skin through repetitive, small piercing. I could not ascertain why, but he seemed off. Throughout the conversation, the markings on his skin pulsated in rhythm with.. something. .. This discovery, however, leads me to believe that the addition of redstone into the body is capably done, though I must learn of its application and what comes with it.” [!] The page is unsigned.. [!]

[!] In stark contrast to the pristine nature of the original missive, another soot-marred, torn response note was set. [!] Writ with flint and steel, it said: "Hark!.. There is truth in your words. Man is prone to corruption, as all things pure. What else can man place his faith into, but himself? .. You will set the power of man to himself, allow him strength against false temptation from gods and dragons and accursed beasts. Make him realize that he, too, is able of great mind, spirit, and prowess alone - render aplomb. Maybe then man will realize he is great and to stand against those perversions, instead of lusting for them. If man is to crumble, then let it be by man's hands alone. Many, perhaps, are comfortable with apathy. If this is true, and they want to remain so, then unity is foregone." gamu

[!] A simple writ on yellowed and torn parchment came to you. The notice was posted on boards in Reinmar, Hyspian and Hanseti lands though eventually made its way across the isle by way of paid courier. There was nothing outstanding about the postings, the handwriting being coarse and from flint - the ends stained with soot. [!] “I greet you well.. .. this missive is a call to those understood of the Material Alphabet and others who want the power of man to be placed into men’s hands once more. I am Gamu, learned blacksmith and alchemist – it is unfortunate to say that I am master of none, so some concepts of the Material and the manipulation and acceptance of what is may be foreign to me for the time being. I am a simple man made craftsman and scholar. However..! I would seek your company, minds, guidance, and collaboration. I am new to these lands and have seen many things of strange and horrific nature. Shepherds and serfs lie dead aside the roads, I am weary. They whisper of Vampyrs, I am shaken to my core. The Mani-spirit bades those to cure his Lycan curse, I am conflicted. Xan is toppled by Azdromoth to usher in an era of dragons, I am downcast. Man wars and crushes the demons in the land of Belvedere, I am inspired. Inspired to know that man can best that which is stranger than. I am wrong to want for man to have his own strength? To bless himself with fervor? How do we stand against that which is greater than? I am set to carve a way through understanding and research. Attached to these missives, you will find collections of my study - peruse, and seek me by courier or aviary if you want to discuss more.” — [!] The additional missive was torn. [!]

[!] The parchment before you was yellowed and worn, torn at its edges and marred by travel and edit. It was not signed, perhaps ripped from a book. There were scribblings of worldly engravings and failed concoctions alongside the writing. These were marked out, nothing else to be made of them. [!] “On the 18th of Snow’s Maiden, .. I am made to write and continue my toil for man. I will address the make-up of Auric Oil for its properties of mana-repugnation and nullification. This might be regurgitation, yes, but understanding must be established first. Something tells me I have more to learn of the Material yet. Think! Why is Auric Oil so effective against the oddities of this land? The inclusion of an ingredient is necessary for it to be addressed - in this case, liquid essence, or mana. In layman’s terms, liquid essence is the raw form of one’s connection to the otherworldly manifest into a glowing, blue liquid. Think! Without the addition of liquid essence, the functions would implode on the material self with no direction given. Something strikes me as a theme - the inclusion of something in order to ultimately dissect and reject it. - In truth and curiosity, I imbibed the first vial I was able to get my hands on, giving me a brief onset of energy. I am set to believe that this property is present in all organic lifeforms, some inorganic if infused - enter: obelisks, ley lines, enchantments. This energy is often passive, made prominent by the exposure and weakening of the soul to be made easier to sense and manipulate these arcane energies - enter: magi. - To the functions included: instability, impediment, and death. I have transmuted Auric Oil only once before - the task is arduous, but here is what I learned.. Impediment is the halting of a process, evidenced by Tippen Root’s role in the medical field. GOD has allowed this root to impede and stop the flow of blood in surface wounds. This property is transmuted into the oil’s ability to interrupt the constant flow of mana in an object infused or otherwise overflowing with it. Instability is the destabilization of a process, evidenced by Nightsap’s role in the medical field. GOD has allowed this moss to be boiled and dipped into a tea, allowing for deep sleep for those mentally afflicted. This property is transmuted into the oil’s ability to dissuade the make-up of a spell of mana-relient process, making it erratic and dormant to collapse on itself. Death is, simply put, the end. This is evidenced by both Blight Cluster and Serpent’s Stalk - the former, upon my improper harvesting, afforded me great stomach pangs and cataracts for an unspecified time. I can only assume what effect it might have on creatures smaller than I - Musin, perhaps. The latter, I found, was lethal to pests such as mosquitoes and larvae. This property is transmuted into the oil’s ability to immaculately quell the arcane energies emboldened. .. Next, perhaps, I think I will expand on the subjects of: the Void, mana, Warding and Abjuration within the study of Transfiguration. I have never been one for magik. More elaboration on topics mentioned here, too, maybe. A further dive into the interplay of alchemical processes and the Material.” [!] The paper ended abruptly here by forceful ripping, though more writing past the point was evident. How strange. [!]

An Owynist acolyte of the foregone shepherd hears truth of his passing. Woe becomes him. To the place of their introduction, he and his steed rode. And in the church, he professed his piety and weakness to that which was and is and will forever be greater than. And in the fields, he toiled with all his might. And in the smithy, he beat on the metal again. And again. And again.. In the end he kneeled, praying. For he was once lost, having been given way by Harreniel.