These are the entries in the enigmatic knight's journal that pertain to the Silent Spring Prison. They are interspersed with personal musings and entries about interesting food he ate.
Entry 1
Searching for the Sun, I happened upon these great walls that were well-guarded both by people and creatures. Thankfully, I discovered some of the strange mushrooms growing in these caverns grant the consumer the ability to turn into mist. I did just that to silently pass the guards and enter into this fortress. I suspect the guards are unaware of these mushrooms or they would surely have done away with them. Although mushrooms are notoriously difficult to get rid of... hmmmm...
Entry 2
Beyond the wall is a veritable city. Here the dingy citizens occupy ancient buildings they likely do not comprehend the age and historical relevance of. They toil at all hours to extract stones, metal, and crystal. The overseers seem to pay little mind to the prisoners here except to order their corpses removed or punish those not producing enough.
Do humans always live like this? More reasons to wash the world anew.
Entry 3
It seems there is a hierarchy here. The poor creatures have organized themselves into groups, banding together to defend food sources or other resources. The overseers seem to stoke conflict, perhaps in an effort to "train" them in combat, for the most brutal and successful of these thugs seem to rise to the top and are taken off to join the ranks of the guards.
It is difficult to tell the true reason for these souls to languish here. Some are most obviously criminals to the core, showing the signs of their corruption with pride. But others, it seems, are simply fodder. Unlucky or weak, easy prey for these monsters. I believe some of these prisoners were even born here.
Entry 4
I have come to what they call the Pit. This, they seem unaware, is the source of arcane here in these mines. At the bottom of this pit is the remains of a gate. It is colossal in size and unstable. The fools have no idea what they are tampering with. Some day they will dig too deep. Perhaps we will have a new sea in this desert when that day comes.
The ones working at the bottom of this pit seem to be either those who have earned extra punishment or those who they truly wish to disappear.
The haze of arcane dust is thick towards the bottom. I expect the corruption has seeped into the bones of those poor souls.
Entry 5
In the pit, I met one called the Matriarch. She spotted me and we tussled for a moment. I have never seen a creature quite like her. No real Ellar and certainly not human. Her obsidian skin, dark wings, and blazing green eyes spoke of worlds I could scarcely imagine.
Eventually, we called a truce and had a brief parlay. She said she was separated from the Shadow and that the followers of Aldanoc were to blame. I have no reference for what she meant. But she was caught unaware when she was weak and wounded. I believe the arcane haze dampens her, keeping her enslaved here.
While our short conversation was pleasant, and she was polite and attractive, I suspect this is a good place for her. I cannot say for sure, but the aura coming from her even in her weakened state was unsettling. I don't think I'll tell her how to escape.
Comments