PM - God, That Journal, and a Scythe

Zelrius

Hey, uh, I hope this is the right person. If it is; I am Zelrius, the guy with the weird clothes from the Abandoned church. I had to ask a bunch of people around Stokbon what your name was, using only a description of you, and the name Emil Trevelyan popped up more than a few times, so I decided to give it a shot.

If this is the right person, Please shoot me a message back, I have some questions I wanted to ask, if you have the time. If not, or if you'd rather not talk to me, just say so, I will leave you alone.. and very sorry to bother.

@Emil Trevelyan

 

Emil

It is nice for me to be able to match a face and body to a name finally! Well met Zelrius. Yes, I am Emil, the very same from the location you mentioned before. I find it interesting that there are people in Stokbon that know of me. I am not sure if that is a positive or a negative, really, though I guess it does depend on what they had to say of me. Mostly good things, one would hope.

Yes, I have plenty of time to converse. As to the answers to your questions, I cannot guarantee that I know them, but I will endeavor to impart any knowledge that I do happen to know. Tell me, how can I help you this chilly evening?

@Zelrius

 

Zelrius

Well met indeed Mr Trevelyan! I finally found the name to the person I was looking for, and holy shit did that take so long. The short answer is, yea they know of you. Or well, the shopkeeps and whatnot I talked to distinctly remember a well-dressed mild-mannered man, you stick out like a sore thumb compared to the other Adventurers. Which I suppose is part of the reason I wanted to contact you as well. More of that another time.

About those questions and this chilly evening as you so aptly put it; The Journal; What does it say? The one you were holding in the church, I mean. Anything important? Does it have any clues as to the Catacombs? What else was in that Church before I got there? Is there anything extra I should know? What about the grave- I should stop there and let you answer those ones first before I get into some of my deeper ones.

Any and all information you care to share would be greatly appreciated!

 

Emil

Ah, yes. That does make sense now that you mention it. For whatever reason, it seems many other adventurers tend to sway more toward martial mastery than the arcane arts. And mentioning said arcane arts always sends the citizens into mild hysterics. Looking for proper armor or spellcrafting materials is such a nuisance when the general populace either looks down their nose at you or refuses to help you because of their own moral code.

Anyhow.

Oh, the journal. I suppose you hadn’t been in the party when I originally found it. It is mostly the ramblings of a demented individual who believes that they will bring forth the next dark lord and or spread darkness throughout the land. They will do this by killing three people; whether they need to kill all three or merely one in three isn’t perfectly recorded.

Beneath the church, there are catacombs, or so the diary says. There also appears to be something sinister down there as well…or there was, but it was removed along with a skull that the author took along with him. However, that could be false. The entire journal could be a diversion, placed there for someone else to find with clues in it that aren’t really clues at all.

And we hadn’t found much of anything before you appeared, Zelrius. The statues on the main floor, this journal…oh. Oh, there was one thing. There was an eye painted on a wall with swirling tentacles around it and it seemed to…come alive while we were exiting the room. Hm…now that I think about it, I think that was the same room the journal was in…or was it a different room…

How did you come to find the church in the first place, if I may be so bold as to ask?

 

Zelrius

I uh, yea, the magic users aren't looked well upon. Some of my other friends experience similar issues, though the worst treatment I've heard of so far are the remarks and sometimes outright refusal of service to my Friend Mizuki, on the basis that she is a Caenis. Of course, that's Astorean specific, and you can't really blame them for not being fond of the Caneii, but it still doesn't make it right.

Demented Individual? Is there any name? Is it addressed to anyone? Who are the three people that were listed? Darkness? I am getting some serious over the top dramatic anime character vibes. That sounds creepy, are there days logged? Or is it just random scribblings that change from subject to subject?

Right, we have found the Catacombs, or atleast, what I believe to have been a passage way. I plan to return there soon, whether it be by myself or with a party is not quite understood, but regardless of which, I have so many more questions that I feel the burning need to know. You're right in that it could be a diversion, but I don't know if I'd lay a Diversion around in a puzzled out Church hoping someone would find it, and then just believe every word of it. No, I am convinced they legitimately wrote that stuff for themselves or someone else that the author intended to convey actual information. Worst case scenario, I am wrong, no harm no foul.

Interesting, when I go back, I will have to check out that room with the Eyeball. Sounds like a good fight and great way to grind some much needed Slashing Mastery.

Oh uh... Y'know. Just doing my normal adventuring thing, then bam dark and spooky church, and who avoids that stuff in a video game?

 

Emil

It is interesting that the Caneii people are experiencing so much prejudice from the citizens of Astorea if only because we have one Beast folk race already within our borders. The Felis people have shown their willingness and ability to work with us and, more than that, they died on the front lines defending a King who was not their own.

The Caenis have only displayed one form of aggression and that singular entity has been snuffed out of existence. Now, of course, caution is the smart way to go about things if others were from the same tribe as that individual, but caution is different than outright bigotry. Perhaps some safety laws will be put in place once all the festivities have been concluded.

There is a name, yes. The entries are signed by “The Dark Descender, Merkaba.” However, no one I have spoken to knows of this person nevertheless have they heard the name before. Thus why I think this was all an elaborate prank that just so happens to have a kernel of truth in that there is a catacomb beneath the church. But, if we think about medieval architecture, more from Europe than anywhere else, how often is it that there were secret catacombs beneath churches to ferret away or protect individuals or items?

No, no names are listed, but one would think that with this whole…plot to take over the world, this Merkaba would need specific blood. Perhaps not. Perhaps this dark god is not a picky individual and will do with the blood of anyone.

I agree. Whoever this journal belongs to was a hearty consumer of anime and manga and the villains that those two mediums were frequent to show.

I also intend to return so perhaps I will make the venture with you. Granted, even though I believe this more a trick or a hoax than something to be worried about, this entire ordeal does have my curiosity piqued. Oh, now that I remember, the statues on the first floor were not of the Elysid nor the Torra, names which I have only yet to learn. No one in the party could identify who they were nor the scripture that was on their pedestals. I took the written portion to a church recently and the acolytes there could not decipher it either…

Slashing, hm? Do you believe you would be able to teach someone in the ways of swordsmanship? I find myself intrigued by the sword and feel that, perhaps, should enemies advance too close, it would be better to have a weapon within reach. After all, fireballs do explode when reaching their target and I’d rather not get caught up in the blaze.

 

Zelrius

I don't know if that's necessarily the reason personally, It is true enough that the Caenii and Felii don't get along well, but anyone could see that coming, and is something that could be easily mitgated with a few generations of interbreeding, just as the Humans have done in this world. Or you might be right, It might be that the Humans already have their cats, why would they need these scruffy and smelly dog people who have attacked them already?

Atleast, that's the case in Astorea. In Falderen, the only people who seem to be actively discriminated against are the Elves. Which is good, Fuck those knife ears, they did something to deserve it, and that's reason enough. I hope the Caenii will come to be better accepted in the growing towns in Astorea, afterall, as you said, Most of them were forced participants, and if anyone should be thrown out it should be those who are directly from the Lunatic Tribe. They allowed to aggression to go unchallenged, and so they should pay the price.

Merkaba? Well, much like you gathered from others you've inquired about it, I myself know nothing about that name. Perhaps you're right, its either a prank or a direct attempt at subverting any attempts at gathering more information. If that is the case, then they failed, because I've never wanted to know answers more than I do right now regarding this whole thing. I do believe, atleast if modern media is anything to go off of, that actually most Churches had Catacombs, not necessarily to escape, but to keep the Important dead in sort of Tombs, or honor them with a nook in those Catacombs having some sort of homage to that important person. Though that could be as wrong as saying "The Sky is Green". So take everything I say with a grain of salt, as it is all speculation.

Names are listed? What are the names, if you don't mind me asking? Specific blood? Some Melissandre level blood magic here? Watch, next it will need to be 'The Blood of Kings' or some stupid shit.

Other churches had no clue? Now that is a bit surprising. Now I wonder if the inscriptions were forged over old ones, with the intent to be misleading, or if this Church was more of a hidden Cult building, which is seeming more and more like that's what it is. If so, then perhaps it needs to be decoded WW2 Style? Or maybe they made up this whole language just so no one from outside could understand anything. What do you place the chances of someone from that Cult still being alive of?

If you're asking if I could show you some basics in hope of defending yourself in close quarters; Sure thing. If you're willing to put in the time and effort, so am I. As it will give me some much desired Mastery points as well, payment will be unnecessary, unless you're willing to trade secrets of Pyromancy.

 

Emil

I am a dog person more, myself. I know, I know; the trope involves me having a little black cat to help me with spellwork, but I always quite enjoyed walking a dog during the brisk autumn morning or snuggling with them in the cold of winter. Cats don’t (and won’t) allow you the same pleasure.

If you speculation about the catacombs beneath the church is correct, then we might be dealing with ghosts or ghouls or zombies waiting for us along with whatever else this Merkaba summoned. He does speak of making a deal with something down there, but the details are not clear. It sounds as if the entity he made the deal with wanted him to do something, but Merkaba flat out refuses to follow this contract in the journal.

…Which, if this is a person we are speaking about – again, I highly doubt this – then it makes me wonder what kind of power Merkaba had to flat out refuse a contract he signed with an otherworldly being. And to coincide with his darkness across the land bit, it was probably a demon or a devil. You don’t make contracts with them and then just not complete them…

No, no names are list. It merely mentioned that a guild had grown and Merkaba wants to utilize them for the “darkness overwhelming” plot. Oh, he does say something about a coven of witches that practice blood magic…

The dates are not given in terms that you or I would mark our calendar. It mere says Day 18, 26, 35, 66 and an entry on the page below it.

If that piece of text needs to be deciphered, then I haven’t the knowledge of who to take it to for help. Practiced as I may be, my mastery of the arts pales sharply in comparison to what we stumbled upon in the Church. And if there are more cultists out and around, they are keeping quiet for now and not drawing any attention to themselves. We haven’t a way to ferret them out of the populace. Perhaps this talk of going north might bring some people to the forefront…

Pyromantic secrets? You too have been watching too much anime, Zelrius. There are no secrets to fire, only the knowledge that it is as uncontrollable as any element. You respect that knowledge and you don’t get burned. Perhaps you bend and sway it to your desires, but you can never fully master it. Well, no human can at least…

But, I will say that is a sound trade: your knowledge of swordplay and my incantations to invoke fire magic.

 

Zelrius

I am a cat person more myself. I like the dog I own in real life, but I am going to be honest and say; they're too much maintence and work. And sure you could get a dog and never brush it or play with it, but that's just cruel and mean, and I don't like doing that. I'd much prefer a cat who only comes around once or twice a day (Though I hear once or twice a week is more realistic) and I can pet it for that brief moment, and then it leaves me alone to play Terrasphere the rest of the day if I so choose.

Ghost and Ghoulies hmmm. It might be beneficial, in that case, to bring a Healer and perhaps someone who has Spellbane along. I have a healer in mind, if you have no problem with me inviting some extras to come along. Though of course, I am wary to do so, since every extra person is just one more schedule to work around and count on. I suppose we could divise a system to make it smoother. How about this, we both find suitable candidates, and make it a rule to meet and leave from a certain location at a certain time, and anyone who doesn't show doesn't get to come. That way, worst case scenario, its just me and you, and possibly that other fellow we were there with originally. How's that sound?

I agree, that doesn't seem like something that seems in your interests, especially if the contract was already signed. That could mean that our Author is long dead, which would be quite unfortunate regarding us wanting to get any information. And even more so if our Author was an NPC, meaning they're dead dead. It might be literally impossible to find out any more than we know regarding the Author and the Journal itself. However, we can still find out about the church and this Demon, I suppose. I really hope he is still alive, and we can track him down...

Oh, NO NAMES! My bad, I misread the message. Okay, well, thats unfortunate. Just three people? Three random people? Or perhaps he knows the people he's looking for and didn't want whoever found the journal to know. Which would destroy my earlier theory that it was for his own memory, meaning you'd be right, it was intended for someone else. Whether it was a specific person, or just meant for whoever found it is now of the question.

Blood Magic? Like, Malefimancy? That's what it sounds like to me, and begins to scream at the things that Kijin and I talked and investigated about not too long ago. This is getting interesting, perhaps I should bring Kijin in on this. He'd be the one to know about Blood Magic, and if it isn't something he knows, I can guarantee he'd love to find out.

Decipher we must. I will keep an eye out for any cultish figures, though I don't know whether to investigate Players or NPCs. Not that there is much of a difference at a glance, but if a Cult member is a Player, it might be even harder to track them, as Players aren't generally kept in tax records, and they can change their appearance and even username on death. Something to definitely keep your eye out for.

Have I? Maybe I have, but I don't generally like Anime. I just wish more of it was actually decent, but the same could be said about Theatre movies. Bending and Swaying things to my desires would make my ex-wife spin in her grave, how about we just stick to 'Casting magic.'

Ahaha, Jokes aside, yes that sounds like a very sound trade. When and where will you have a free moment in order to complete this trade.

 

EMIL

Anyone who owns a dog and believes that they aren’t maintenance and a lifelong investment probably should not own animals. While I have neither outside of TerraSphere, I spend copious amounts of time with my brother’s Boston Terrier, so I feel like Benny is effectively mine. I would wish for something a bit bigger than him as he’s nearly drowned in my laundry basket a few times. He’s highly affectionate, but lacking brain cells most certainly.

I agree with your estimation on the healer. Someone with divine magic would be a welcomed boon if there are undead creatures and the like lurking beneath the church. Granted, I also believe that the fewer people who know about this, the better it would be for you and I. Though I am not one to hoard information, once we figure out what we are dealing with and how to deal with it, we can, in essence, exploit that to our advantage. Continue entering the dungeon and – dare I say it – farming items and experience until we’ve had our fill.

I would not need to look for candidates. I do not know many people in TerraSphere and the persons I have some acquaintance with do not have the magic we are looking for. I will trust your judgment of character and skill in terms of who we are willing to bring with us.

Those whom I’ve spoken to either don’t know the name Merkaba, are lying about knowing the name, or know the name and haven’t seen him in some time. All of which does nothing to help you or I. Though I am remiss to say this, he might have already slipped through our fingers. He might not even log in anymore…though how someone can leave this world without looking back is a herculean feat in and of itself.

Blood magic like Hemonancy. According to the journal, these Blood Witches have taken the Bloodthrone Mountain as their own Merkaba was looking forward to meeting with them. To my knowledge, blood magic isn’t a magic that we Adventurers have access to. Do you believe it possible he somehow broke the code of the game and learned it from these witch NPCs?

Hm, I will get back to you on a time that is convenient. Sadly, this journal has taken up a lot of my time and interest and until I have a direction to point myself in, everything else basically falls by the wayside.

 

Zelrius

Aye, the dog I got when I was a kid and is still around today, is quite the time investment. It's not that I dislike the dog or anything, he was my best friend growing up and has helped me through some hard times, its just that I obviously am too invested in Terra to give the love and attention he deserves, yknow? And this Benny, tell me more about him? I am worried about a canine that gets attacked by dirty clothes. Ah yes, the age old curse of most dogs. Loving and great, but god damn are some of them retards for sure.

Okay, then the healer I put forth is Solaria. She's a knife ear, but I also have to remember that she is a player, so she's not actually a Yladian. So we'll be good in that department. Though to be honest, I think she might be more interested in being on the frontline in any fight. I will have to ask her to be sure, probably end up asking her to do both if she is interested. Aye, I agree. So far no one else has been contacted, Just you and me. I don't know of Bradwynne's Status on this whole ordeal, but if you could shoot him some information and ask some questions, that'd be great. I like the way you think, Emil. Dungeons are quite good for the loot and Mastery grind, and if we have a self-sustaining party, we might be able to stay there a little bit while everyone pumps their stats up.

No worries, I have another Candidate or two in mine, probaly another Support or a Tank just so that we cover all our bases with four or so people, and then we can look to see if we need any extras. If not, great, if so, then no problem, I have many connections and can fill gaps as necessary.

Him? Strange, the name Markaba comes off as Feminine to me, but maybe I am just bad at reading. Anyway, yea, you're right, I can't imagine just randomly logging off one day and just never returning. There's a possibility that either something happened to them, or the more likely option; was embarassed by what they were doing and how cringeworthy it might have seemed to them, so they broke away and ran for the hills, so to say. I don't know if that makes any sense, but regardless, Merkaba being gone complicates things.

It's also a possibility that there might be 'Hidden' Masteries and of the like. From my understanding, when it comes to Advanced Masteries, You have to do special things or be accepted into special societies to begin with, and its entirely likely that they're not all intentionally listed, and Merkaba either stumbled upon it by accident, or tried and dared to find out on his own. Or maybe, he never found his bloodmagic in actuality, but was convinced he had.

No worries, please keep me up to date on any recent developments regarding the Journal. Any time that you have is good with me, just make sure to let me know in advanced so I cant set some things aside for it.