At the Ringing Anvil: Chromium, the King's Steel

[written up by Joel, player of Durham of the Ringing Anvil, expanding the scope of the setting--thanks, Joel!]

As the work on Fa Mei's magical khopesh sword is finished (project noted in the middle section here), it seems appropriate for the scribes to make an entry about this metal’s history, properties and where it could be found.

Chromium's first recorded appearance was roughly 250 lunar years ago, In a small city of the Vermilion Mountains, ruled then by Idris, first of his name. Located many leagues west of Cothon and Gadeed. A vein of the ore was found and smelted, producing orange colored ingots. After some experimentation by the King’s smiths it was discovered when forged with steel the metal itself took on a golden sheen and color.

King Idris ordered a sword made for himself and for his guard as protection of the mine fell to the king and his men. It is recorded that the warrior king’s weapon started to take on magical properties, shining light in dark caverns and warding away evil spirits. The popularity of chromium grew due to its ability to take on magical enchantment and the alloy became a status symbol within noble and wealthy circles. Decades passed and it was not uncommon for those of great wealth or social status to have some item forged with chromium, mostly weapons or armor, though not always the case. Many of these items were passed down through family lines, while others were lost in battles with Sro, demons, or in the wars of man. Chromium started to lose its glory after a few generations; rumors swirled that chromium magical items would lose the power they had by the time the grandchildren of the original owner inherited them; others simply state it was no longer the status symbol it once was.

The small city eventually became the great city Idris, one of the ten in the Ten Cities League. Those close to the royal family swear that there is a secret chamber where the sword of Idris the first is kept and that the sword itself speaks providing the wisdom and counsel of the former King. Such rumors aside, it is no secret that the city Idris has some of the best smiths in the known world and developed most of the techniques used for making chromium.

Chromium is almost exclusively forged with steel to give it maximum durability. Often the two metals will be layered on top of one another creating a pattern (damascus), which can be further manipulated to provide more unique patterns. After being forged this new alloy gains some new properties. First and foremost it makes the metal easily enchantable; it also allows the steel to be worked much more easily, removing problems such as shrinkage and porosity during the forging process. Pure chromium is a rare thing to see as it is brittle and likely to break.

Where can chromium be obtained? Idris of course is one such place, it is also said the far northern lands is another. There is unconfirmed rumor that the Fremen have access to chromium as well but most would rather believe that those barbarian tribes traded for it. The metal is more common than the fabled zortrium of legend so it would not surprise anyone if a merchant vessel had some to sell. An adventurer who is brave enough could very well come across some in the lair of a Sro or the tomb of a king.

 

Regarding Najm: Some Housekeeping

A few items of note that Najm ibn Marwan and crew have been up to in the last year.

In a recent session, which was actually backdated to the beginning of this lunar year, Najm transported a company of individuals to the city of Ittiyqa, some of whom would partake in the Zihuitlani Games there. Overcome by the glint of dinars, Najm allowed himself to be talked into supporting Gan ad-Din's entrance into the Games with 1000 dinars towards Gan's entrance fees--despite Najm's personal reservations about the nature of the Games. Once the Games began, he remembered his scruples and was sick with giving money toward them, even if Gan and his fellows were gracious victors.

Najm received 1080 dinars (so far) in return for his support. Remembering his scruples, he has devoted all of that money to charitable donations. Five hundred and twenty dinars (520) were spent on manumission for slaves from the slave market of Cothon. This would free 13 slave laborers, the worst-treated of all slaves; any with an inclination for work on ships would be invited to join his crews for pay.

The remaining five hundred and sixty (560) dinars would be spent in a great fish-and-crab feed at Fahra's Hole-in-the-Wall down in the harbor, for the poor especially, but not turning anyone away.

Both of these actions would have occurred some time in February, probably, after the return to Cothon from Ittiyqa.

In August, the keel was laid for Najm's new ship, the Rihha, a fast-sailing vessel, with financial help from Sesel and with a bronze figurehead cast in the image of a rihha-sro that Najm and company defeated some time ago in a strange place.

The Rihha was finished in October and has been undergoing her sea trials in the intervening months. She will be ready for a maiden voyage seeking the strange lost city of Babilar by next week, as noted in Najm's call to adventure. With two mates and two ships, it's time to promote one to captain of Saint Iskameen; and Najm has elected Alianor Drake as captain of the Saint Iskameen, while retaining Fa Mei as his own first mate on the Rihha. Allie (Alianor) is therefore free to choose her own first mate for her ship (still owned by Najm, of course).

Fa Mei is no doubt disappointed that she has not been selected as captain; as consolation for not getting her own ship, Najm suggests that she get a sword enchanted at the Ringing Anvil (for if she's his first mate, there will no doubt be adventures for her yet!).

Fa Mei has a chromium khopesh (damage 1d8+1), of which the metal chromium was noted by Durham as especially good for enchanting. Najm will pay 1500 dinars for the sword to be rehilted with something more distinctive of Fa Mei--she elects a basket hilt designed after a nautilus' shell, allowing her to strike with less worry over her own hand (+1 to hit).

And once the rehilting is finished, Fa Mei will have the sword enchanted at her own expense (2000 dinars) and with a Bani Dawr psioinc potion (given by Najm). Fa Mei has a high intelligence (15), and between that and the psionic potion, her sessions with Zaynab the Enchantress will focus on Fa Mei being able to predict an opponent's defensive moves, thus neutralizing the protective bonus of an opponent's shield or defensive technique (yes, Fa Mei has also heard of Sesel's famed ability to parry nearly anything!); i.e. it would become a Khopesh +1, negates shield OR defensive technique and allows the wielder to strike an opponent as if they have no shield, or as if they are not using a defensive technique.

[if this ability is too much, the Scribes allow that perhaps Fa Mei needs to have spent more, or to reword the enchantment of her sword]

It will be up to Durham and his Ringing Anvil to determine how much time this takes, from the first week of October (2023).

Najm has not been idle as he awaits his new ship being finished. He has been developing new spells, partially inspired by his reading of the Queen of Winds, and partially by his own calling of Saint Iskameen at the Battle of the Hastati Gate.

This involves the commission of an excellent new spellbook (scroll) of the finest hmelu parchment, inked with the finest inks from Heijo the Dyer's inkshop, and copying the ballad that Gan ad-Din penned, "Najm at the Hastati Gate" as well as some paeans and prayers to Saint Iskameen and her battle prowess and lance of lightning (a cost of 2500 dinars). It will contain the spells Call Lightning and Saint Iskameen's Might.

The details of the spells are being worked out, but the results of his researches are as follows:

For Call Lightning 5 tick track (beginning week ending 9/9 to week ending 10/7):

1. 8 - success

2. 9 - success

3. 9 - success

4. 7 - success

5. 9 - success - 1500 dn altogether

For Saint Iskameen's Might a 6 tick track (beginning week ending 10/14 to week ending 12/9):

1. 6 – failure

2. 11 – success 1

3. 9 – success 2

4. 10 – success 3

5. 9 – success 4

6. 6 – failure

7. 8 – success 5

8. 6 – failure

9. 8 – success 6 – 2700 dn altogether

It has been noted that the second spell may be too weak as a fourth level spell, so negotiations over the particulars of that spell will continue, but Najm has successfully researched it, whatever the specifics, as well as having completed this spellbook, "Najm at the Hastati Gate".

The Exhortations of Najm ibn Marwan

 Najm ibn Marwan takes a break from study time and reading The Queen of Winds for a little public exhortation. He hopes that calling out certain great houses will not be taken the wrong way, but instead will sting them into action—he hopes! Otherwise he might be making some powerful enemies.

To this end, he gathers his crew with him and enters into the public souk, seeking out a high place that can serve as a focal point. He makes sure that there are servants and agents of some of the well known and powerful houses in the souk, and when once he has made sure of this, he begins loudly proclaiming a prepared speech ...

“Friends of the Cities,

“Too long has the shadow of threat stretched toward the very walls of Cothon and Gadeed, with little being done to drive it back. It is as if evening were descending, the very sun setting, and we, knowing that nightfall is inevitable, do nothing to rekindle the sun’s light.

“But this is no fall of night! No ending of the day. This is a threat against which we can fight back, a foe with bodies in which we can flesh swords. And though they be dead already, life already driven from them, yet they may still be put down and destroyed, in much the same way that a mad dog is already dead, yet must be stopped in its tracks before it can wreak any more damage in its final madness.

“Even within the last week, some few of us were able to destroy one of the greater creations that haunt Old Tsurr, a great sro that bore storms with it—yes, we destroyed it, and hacked its body apart, as you can see if you care to come look! But at the same time as we were destroying this monster, the enemy moved against the Poor Brothers of the Dead at the Hastati Gate and drove them from their post there, killing many of their number in battle.

“With this in mind, I think it’s time to stretch our hands and test our strength more fully against this enemy, and even to cut it out like the cankerous blight that it is. A company of us intend to drive again into Old Tsurr, in the company of Iqtadar Sesel, and to battle the monsters therein, and most especially the rumored giant some call the Stygian. And I propose that Friends of the Cities, if friends they be, assist us!

“Though of humble means, I will pay into the Cities’ treasury the month’s wages for fifty men-at-arms, if the Cities will agree to send them to our assistance. And I implore all those of greater means, and especially those who keep retinues for the defense of the Cities, to also send us aid. General Dalinar al Khalid, if he is deserving of the praise I hear on the people’s lips, will surely agree to this. Al Rashid, of whom Sesel is a son-in-law, will no doubt wish to aid in this matter. And the Barcidae, so quick to offer their assistance to the Cities, will surely leap to assist as well.

“Indeed, if Friend of the City you be, and you have means, see to it that we have forces adequate to attack the enemy that occupies Tsurr al Qadim. Help us to drive back this darkness, and kindle a fire to destroy all the shadows of threat. Once Old Tsurr is free again, we can then more easily turn our attention back to the Red Cloud and his ultimate defeat.”

---------

For his own part, Najm offers to pay the wages for a body of forty (40) light foot and ten (10) heavy foot. This would come out to 220 dinars (40*2*2=160 for the light foot; 10*3*2=60 for heavy; 160+60=220).

I don’t know that they can be specifically hired and outfitted just like that within a week, but he is essentially offering to assist the Cities’ treasuries by personally contributing for the wages of some men whom he hopes will assist in the assault on the undead. Wages are doubled because they’re specifically being called to combat.

Pako the Upstart and Durham the Dealmaker

 While the scribes have taken a hiatus from their writing due to a suggestion from the oracle. Durham and Pako have been pursuing things of their own interest. 

Many people of Cothan would say Pako has developed or grown over the past months, while still the loyal companion of Durham. However, he no longer carries himself as a humble servant with his head down in a bow. Now he walks like an officer of a noble house, head high, ears pointed up. Pako no longer looks the part of the humble servant either with his shimmering gray cloak and jet black leather armor decorated the Dlakolel mandibles and chitin, Zat-gun on his belt, two dagger like weapons called “Sai” and a fair length of Klackon silk rope.  

Pako is still seen doing his everyday errands for Durham and the Ringing Anvil but often he is accompanied by one or two of the Wasgo elite, a group of Renyu Pako has taken great interest in. It is reported he has taken to training the Wasgo elite in the art of stealth, practicing this “ninjutsu” as Pako calls it. Rumors surround Pako and the Wasgo elite: some say they're part of a guild of thieves, while others say they are involved in something going on around Fort Bugeater. 

Most evenings Pako is training with the Wasgo elite. However, there was one occasion where Pako was at a local tavern and a few patrons had a few words to say about Renyu that were very unpleasant. Before Durham could intercede on Pako’s behalf, two sai went flying, one hitting the bullseye of a dart board and the other landing just above the head one of the foul mouthed men. Pako locked eyes with the man, retrieved his weapon from his would be victim with a growl, then left. Durham pulled the other sai from the dart board and followed his friend.  That incident has labeled Pako an upstart in some social circles and stirred the embers of the anti-renyu sentiment that started months ago. 

It is uncertain what will become of this rogue character Pako has become, but one thing is certain, he is more his own than the pet many thought before. 

Meanwhile, Durham has been making the most of his Hannsman membership and status as wealthy adventurer and business holder. During the day Durham is often seen walking the markets eyeing what materials merchants may have to sell, as well as the blacksmith markets and the guild halls and conducting business at the Ringing Anvil in order to build strong business relations. 

In the evening Durham is at one of the taverns of Cothan, usually the Kantor, building up his relationship with the Hanse. Buying rounds of drinks to win the hearts of the sailors and marines there, swapping stories with his friend Telman of Tsipa or hosting feasts to make new friends and strengthen bonds (with members of the Kantor and Hanse alike).

As for the Ringing Anvil, Durham hired a sage and merchant at the beginning of the year.  Since then rumors are that they are researching into the  "Blue Armor" like that which Sesel wears--how it is made and securing the material necessary to make it for themselves.

[written up by Joel, player of Durham and Pako]

Renyu Reconnaissance

What Pako Saw!

Earlier in the year, Durham sent Pako, and a squad of the Wasgo Elite to conduct covert recon of Fort Bugeater and the surrounding area. In general, they were to stay hidden, gather information, and not engage in conflict. They were ordered to concentrate on the following efforts:

1. Determining patrol timing/sizes/make-up/etc along the trails around the area of the fort.

2. To set traps along the trails and making some general harassing actions.

3. Learn what, if any, supplies or materials are being moved into and/or out of the fort.

After several weeks of loitering and sneaking about the surrounding area of Fort Bugeater, Pako returned to the Ringing Anvil and made the following detailed report to Durham (and Durham cried):

Concerning the Watch Tower:

To begin with, the watch tower, which had been destroyed, has been solidly rebuilt and re-garrisoned. Recall that the watch tower has a lower, stone structure (about 10 feet high), and the main watch platform is at an elevation of about 30 feet (and is made of stout timbers). There are three ladders leading between the ground and the lower stone structure to the upper platform. There is a cleared area surrounding the tower, out to about 100 feet. In the cleared area there are three equally spaced, stout poles, about 20 feet tall, containing what appears to be highly combustible material packed in metal baskets clustered about their tops. These poles form a triangle around the tower, and are about equal distant from each other, and equally distant from the tower and the edge of the clearing. Pako noted 2 ballistae present: one on the roof of the lower structure, and one on the upper platform.

At all times, there appears to be at least 12 individuals stationed at the watch tower. There never seems to be more than 3 K'Zin included in that squad, and they tend to act as officers, with one clearly being the “Top-Cat”. There are always 5 individuals performing watch-duty on the upper platform. The garrison is rotated out once every week to 10 days, and as they are rotated out, there is usually a day or two when the tower is “double garrisoned”.

Concerning Patrols and Mapping:

Pako and his team made an extensive map, of good quality, of the trail system that is being patrolled, and their relation to the river, the watch tower and Fort Bugeater. Durham has this map in his possession (I just haven't actually made one). In general, there are 5 paths leading to and from the watch tower area.

1. There is the little used trail that is situated north – south, from the main road to the watch tower. It is roughly a mile in length (takes a human about half an hour to walk at a normal pace), due to the terrain. This trail, in particular, was never observed to be patrolled. All other trails show signs of constant, continued use.

2. There is a short trail between the tower and the river (to the west of the tower). Pako estimated it would take a human about 5 to 10 minutes to walk this trail, one way, at a leisurely pace. At random times a group of 3 or 4 garrison troops go down to the river, for various reasons (washing, fishing, obtaining water, etc.). The troopers going to the river are usually gone for a few hours.

3. There are 2 trails that, at first glance lead off to the northeast and southeast of the tower. These trails basically connect to form an extensive loop, winding along ridges and covering a fair bit of territory around the eastern flank of the tower, and of the fort. Pako estimated it would take a human about 4 hours to walk this loop. There are two other trails that lead off of this loop, that Pako's squad did not explore, one leading off to the northeast (to destinations unknown), and the other leading off toward the west. Because of the western trail's location and direction, Pako “suspects” it leads to Fort Bugeater, approaching it from a northern direction.

4. There is a final trail that lies in a generally north – south orientation, and this trail leads directly to the confluence of a stream that flows from the northeast to the southwest into the main river. Recall that the river flows north to south in this area. This end of this trail is also at the foot of the rocky cliffs that make up the southeastern facing wall of Fort Bugeater. Basically, the course of the stream here falls along the rocky cliff base that makes up the southeastern wall of the fort.

5. While scouting, Pako's spies set a number of traps to harass the Bugeater patrols. Upon later examination, most all of the traps had been tripped, but none of them seem to have produced any damage, or caused harm. And oddly, none of them were destroyed or dismantled … they were simply tripped and left alone.

As for patrols, Pako's squad has noted that there always seems to be a squad of at least 12 individuals, of a similar make-up as the watch tower garrison, moving along the trails. The renyu noted that there were usually 3 – 5 K'Zin present in these patrols. The patrols move randomly along the trail system, covering the loop trail, and the trail leading directly between the tower and the fort. The patrols move at a slow pace, and in a quiet, stealthy manner. The men of the patrol generally move along the main path, while the K'Zin tend to range ahead and to the sides as covert point guards, and they are difficult to discern. Several times, Pako's hidden renyu were almost walked over, unsuspected by both renyu and K'Zin! However, Pako's renyu are convinced that they were never spotted. Pako estimates that it takes the patrol about a day to move from the fort to the tower, and it takes another day to cover the loop trail in the eastern sector. While out on the trails, the patrol was never observed to camp out or build a cook fire. They always ended up either at the watch tower, or at Fort Bugeater.

Of special note, the patrol squads, the watch tower, and Fort Bugeater use a system of horn blasts to communicate basic intelligence among themselves. The system is not complicated, but the renyu are convinced that the “code” changes once in a while. Pako feels certain that particular blasts indicate:

1. “Danger is nearby” or “danger is being investigated”

2. Another indicates “danger has been engaged” or “Holy crap, we're in serious trouble!”

3. While a third indicates “all clear”.

There seem to be other combinations of blasts, but Pako could not discern their meanings. However, Pako believes that, even when the code changes, he can tell with high certainty those three codes in particular.

Concerning Fort Bugeater and Supplies:

Pako is concerned. Very concerned.

A fairly detailed map of the Fort and its close surroundings were mapped. Durham has this map in his possession (see below).

Of particular interest the renyu noted the following:

1. The fort is garrisoned at all times with at least 100 individuals.

2. All of the garrison at the fort and the watch tower appear to be in good physical condition, well equipped, well trained, and have high morale. These folks, while being commanded by K'Zin, do not exhibit typical K'Zin clannish behavior. Everyone works together in a cooperative manner.

3. The garrison seems to be comprised of about 60 humans, and at least 40 K'Zin … hardened K'Zin.

4. Of the K'Zin, there are definitely 3 individuals who command more respect and fear, and they are easily identifiable. (One is certainly “Bugeater”, another has been called “Tracker”, and the third has been identified as “Mweep-Boss”.)

5. Of the humans there are 2 who are given as much respect as the K'Zin leaders. And one has been observed to “manipulate the arcane” in fiery displays that rival Heijo, Lord Althis, and Bart.

6. There is particular concern from the renyu due to at least 2 massively HUGE humans. These are thuggish creatures of extraordinary size (perhaps 20 ft tall at the shoulders), having ferocious rage and temperament, and emitting a foul odor (renyu could easily pick up their odor from a fair distance). These unnatural beasts do not tend to accompany patrols, but stay close to the fort. They seem to be aloof to all but the 2 identifiable men and 3 K'Zin commanders. Only 2 of these brutes were noted ... but, are there? ... all men-things look the same to Renyu. They wear armor (leathers of some such), and one wields a massive hammer, while the other a heavy metallic staff (sharply pointed on one end). Their reach is considerable.

7. The various troops are well outfitted, wearing either chain or leather armor, and carrying shields. Various types of hand weapons were observed: hammers, battle axes, long swords, dirks, K'Zin wt'sai, etc. Also, Pako's renyu observed the garrison members training in firing drills, using slings. They were good.

8. The fort is basically a triangular affair, situated upon a promontory overlooking the river to the west, an open cleared field to the north, and the forested/scrub stream area to the southeast-ish. The western, river-side cliffs are about 60 feet high (from river level to top of the fort's wall). The southeastern cliff wall is about 40 feet high (from stream level to top of the fort's wall). The northern wall (which has a recessed entrance at it's center) is about 10 feet high. At each of the three major corners there are massive mounds of rock that form “towers”. Upon the flat tops of each tower are 2 ballistae (similar to those of the watch tower), protected behind short, crenelated walls.

9. In the open field there are two evenly spaced rows of stakes, running east – west. The stakes are about 2 feet tall, and have long wispy material (roughly 2 to 3 feet long) affixed to their tops. This material is seen to flutter about, even with the lightest of breezes. From what the renyu have seen of the men in sling practice, they believe these to be “range” (close and medium), and “windage” indicators.

10. There is a contraption of 5 separate chains/ropes/logs that run across the river to individual dead-man mounds (which are on the bank opposite the fort). These lines can be raised and lowered in the water to block and interfere with river passage. These lines are manipulated by a block and tackle system, from within the confines of the fort. There is always a patrol-sized group of about 12 troops stationed on the dead-man side of the river, protecting that side of the contraption.

11. In the open field, north of the northern wall, are 5 unnaturally situated mounds. One central mound, and 4 that are equally spaced, at cardinal points north, west, south, and east of the central mound. The mounds are about 15 feet in diameter, about 5 feet tall at their center, and are covered in scrubby grasses – they do not appear to be recently made, or even disturbed. Oddly, the renyu spies note that these mounds are never approached by anyone from the fort – they are given a wide berth.

12. Two special occurrences were noted by the renyu, concerning “supplies” being delivered to the fort. The first involved a small caravan of 4 covered wagons, with human merchants/guards, delivering material to the fort. This caravan was fairly well guarded. The renyu thought that the main merchant was familiar and has been seen in Cothon-Gadeed, but he could not be identified. However, Pako and others are certain that if they saw the man again, they would recognize him. The renyu also report that the aroma of freshly butchered meat, and newly forged and oiled metals could be smelled as the caravan passed near their positions. The second occurrence was a “visit” by none other than Red Cloud, a retinue of at least 20 battle-hardened K'Zin warriors … and a human. The renyu observed this group enter the fort with great fanfare and respect, stay briefly over a 2 day period, then depart, heading in an east by southeast direction – in the general direction of Cothon-Gadeed. Red Cloud (or who they took to be Red Cloud) was quite large for a K'Zin, as were most of his retinue. The renyu agreed that if they were to be forced into an encounter with Red Cloud, even by himself, they would (as a group) retreat before him. He was formidable in appearance and stature. Interestingly, the human seemed to be almost an equal (if only slightly subservient) to Red Cloud. The appearance of Red Cloud elicited great joy and excitement from the garrison at the fort, and boosted morale significantly. Eater of Bugs greeted Red Cloud as a younger brother might greet a respected, elder brother – the two appeared to be long-time “friends”, sharing a mutual respect.

Thus ends Pako's report.

A crude map of Fort Bugeater follows.

Key:

1. Greenish area is lightly wooded, with signs of some cutting of trees.

2. Orange area is the level cobble/beach on the western shore of the river, where the dead-man mounds are located.

3. Grey-ish blobs appear to be intensely burned patches of ground.

4. Heavy, dark arrows indicate direction of river and stream flow.

5. Red squares indicate massive lean-to structures used by the brutish giants.

6. Dotted lines across the river indicate the river-travel blocking chains.

7. Irregular hatch-marked areas are the main walls of Fort Bugeater.

8. Squares with red hatching are the ballistae mound/towers.

9. Irregular slashed areas indicate natural cliffs.

10. Yellow circles indicate the undisturbed “mounds”.

11. Items within the confines of the fort indicate various buildings or large wall tents.

[written up by Phil, who has been helping with the Red Cloud material]

Durham's Barcidae Intel Briefing

[written up by Joel, pursuant to certain information his character Durham has been digging up during downtime in the past year]

Durham presents this information to the survivors at Bob hall, during Bart's end of the year feast.

An assistant perhaps, entering with an armload of documents

Durham and Pako have snooped around gathering Intel on the Barcidae, using a variety of methods, combing through records, visiting taverns in disguise, greasing palms and consulting with informed minds.

Major Intel

This is information that Durham has gathered that he believes to be true and has specific details on.

Secret Tunnels

During his intel gathering the rumors of tunnels under the Migdol have kept recurring.  After journeying to the undercity and gaining the favor of Quinn, a southron of dark skin and hair, Quinn shares that the Barcidae have tunnels into and through the Undercity leading out through their Lightning-Tower especially (the one in Cothon); they once uncovered an Undina through those tunnels, among other strange finds. An Undina is a kind of ageless maiden (or ephebe) of strange beauty who has little will of her own, but will follow the orders of her master.

The tunnels lead east–presumably into whatever undercity remains beneath Tsurr al Qadeem, and possibly up to the Migdol or into the Tel al Safina itself. They're guarded by servitors of the Barcidae and bound underworld creatures, so it would be a whole thing to find out where specifically they lead.

Durham has heard that the Barcidae often buy slaves from mines or tomb-digger slaves, and are known to always keep a sapper-engineer on their staff.

Smuggling Ring

It is clear from the letters recovered from the Ocean’s Throat that there was a smuggling ring that involved the pirates of the Ocean's Throat, Souffet Fadhlan (former co-leader of the Cities) and circumspectly the Barcidae. Codenames and aliases or elisions ("Mr. M—" or other such devices)  were used to obscure identities, but given everything Durham and the Survivors have uncovered in the sea caves, it seems fairly obvious to them that the Barcidae were involved.

It is unknown if the smuggling ring is still currently running after the pirates lost their base, now currently Fort Doghouse.  The operation was largely used to smuggle in goods to get around market fees and bring in a few illegal items, such as the Sakkra-blood potions made by Yragram.

Minor Intel

This information was acquired with a minor amount of investigation and requires more work to develop details.

Zortrium

It's unclear when or how the Barcidae became familiar with working Zortrium, but they are acknowledged as smiths who have the secret know-how. They have traded this knowledge with the Attine Sixth House, but with few others. The Barcidae are known to possess a number of Zortrium artifacts, mostly of their own make–but there are no records of them purchasing any raw alloys.

More of these artifacts have "made their debut" in use by the Barcidae within the past 100 years, compared to artifacts attested in the deeper past.

Former-Souffet Fadhlan

Fadhlan is friendly with his successor, the Souffet Urodas. Neither are particularly well-disposed toward the Hanse. Fadhlan was opposed to the pirate campaign, but popular opinion overcame that so that he and former-Souffet Khousra allowed private citizens to help loan the Hanse money through war bonds. Fadhlan was known to be friendly with the Barcidae.

Actions to take

Armed with this new information there are a variety of actions adventures could take. And Durham has a few ideas on that.

• Making more trouble: certainly with the discovery of these secret tunnels there is plenty of opportunity to make trouble for the Barcidae. But it could cause more legal troubles or other problems for us.

• Law & order: there is a unique opportunity to bring legal action against the Barcidae. However, this requires a few things, first a powerful enough person to sue the Barcidae, second money to fund the lawsuit and third, developing more evidence. There is a range of charges that could be brought to the court of the moon from a smuggling charge to more serious ones. It is likely in all such cases that if the Barcidae lose in the Court of the Moon that they will appeal to the Court of the Sword (the Arena), and may well do their best to make sure that their champion wins.

Putting Rumors to Rest

In recent months, two prominent adventurers in Cothon-Gadeed--one a citizen, one a barbarian--have been beset by the circling of evil rumors, rumors like the circling of giriku over carrion: Durham and his Ringing Anvil said to be harboring ambitions against the Mother of Cities in her hour of darkness, and Sesel, iqtadar of the North Shore and subject to the envy of others of his class ...

Festering like boils, these rumors were a painful irritation to each of these, one a denizen of Cothon, the other a citizen of Gadeed--and yet both stood forth boldly, and like a leech with his lance, needled the boiling rumors directly, rather than let them fester. Here are their responses; the Scribes note that the ambitions they set forth were sufficient, and no rolls are required for either party:

1) Durham of the Ringing Anvil
(written by Joel)

In order to deal with the protest outside the Ringing Anvil, Durham feels the best solution is to rally support to his side and hold a counter-protest to win the court of public opinion. He will do this by spending 250 dinars (gp) at the four Great Taverns (1000 gp total) buying drinks and meeting with the leadership of each.

A message of the current protest is "non-human connections are bad", in particular Durham's connection with the Wasgo tribe of renyu. Durham will try to persuade leadership and patrons at the four Great Taverns to join him in a counter-protest held at the end of the week (30 April), where he will give a speech to address the untrue accusation that he is disloyal to Cothan. He will tell all who listen that this non-human rhetoric is a danger to all of Cothan-Gadeed as all the great taverns have a non-human association and this rhetoric should be met now before it gains any more strength. 

Durham's speech :

Many of you gathered here are aware of the shadow that has been cast upon me and my loyalties, but I am here to cast the light of truth on the situation. 

It is absolutely true that I have bonds of friendship with the Wasgo tribe and Hanse. But having these bonds does not make me disloyal to Cothan. I have always loved the diversity of Cothan, this city has been welcoming to foreigners like me and embraces others of different race and creed. Are not the four great taverns better with their non-human counterparts, is Cothan not greater for its non-human citizens…then why judge my friendship with the Wasgo so harshly?

Do you really believe I would turn my back on the city that has allowed my business to thrive? –points to the spinning arms of the windmill– People of Cothan search your hearts and you'll know the truth. My connection to the Wasgo is no danger to this city!

2) Sesel, Voice of the Survivors and Iqtadar al Saahil al Shamaliy
(written by Jacob)

As a burgeoning member of the Eyes of the Souffets, Sesel feels it is his duty to aid these Iqtas that have been ravaged by the Red Cloud. While he prepares his own forces to more directly aid in these assaults, he sends a letter to Souffet Khusra:

“I am disheartened by the destruction wrought by the Red Cloud across the Southern Iqtas, and feel it is my duty, as a member of your eyes, to provide what aid I can to these unfortunate souls. Being an adventurer I have some reasonable wealth accumulated, and with your leave I shall hire up a sizable mercenary force to march down to these Iqtas and provide them with some relief. Or, if it be more amenable, I could simply provide the dinars to the Poor Brothers (or other existing organization) that they might already have such a force they could gather and send relief. And, naturally the force will be either disbanded once the threat has passed or otherwise turned over to the control of Gadeed.”

As the Souffets accept this proposal, Sesel hires this force:

45 archers

45 heavy footmen

55 light footmen

1 captain, one Tanahhl al Shams

He pays a total of 1000 dinars, including the 750 dinars to raise the force, and 250 dinars in bonuses to raise it quickly--”The sooner it can depart, the better.” ~Sesel

The intent here is to send it as an aid to move amongst the various affected Iqtas. They are hired for 1 month, from 1 May.

Sesel publicly makes statements as to the support and well being of the affected Iqtas and their citizens and residents. He never addresses the rumors, for surely any such things are but idle gossip; but that he hears the sliver of truth in these rumors, that the Southern Iqtas are in dire need of support, and he is answering the call, however indirect it may come.

While the force is assembled, Zaida [Sesel's wife ~the Scribes] will use her contacts with her family [Banu al Rashid] to begin countering some of the rumors with comments about “I wonder why the Barcidae don’t send some of their forces to support the Southern Iqtas? Surely they have more wealth and power than some newly minted citizen.” and “It is unfortunate these Southern Iqtas felt they had no allies amongst the other Iqta owners or Great Houses such that they have weathered so long on their own. Seems like they barely had to ask and Sesel rose up to help. What are others even doing but cowering behind their forts and drawing a line in their sand?”

"Bob Hall" or A New Way to Think About Specific Institutions

 Much that is strange has been discovered and subsequently taken and held by various barbarians in the sea-caves known as the Ocean's Throat, north and east of Cothon. Ideas-man and renyu-friend Durham of the Ringing Anvil has taken the former pirate-hideout now called Fort Doghouse, as well as allying with the "native" renyu tribe of the Wasgo; and Citizen Sesel and his association, the Survivors of the Tel, claim to have seized some kind of further holding behind the legendary Green Doors within said sea-caves.

Well, the Survivors have begun to call their section behind the Green Doors "Bob Hall", and one Bartholomew Pettibone has been granted some kind of "stewardship" over whatever "hall" this may be.

Now, having long used Ben L.'s wonderful rules for building an institution for this game, it struck this referee that one could perhaps write something "custom" more akin to the special "relationship clocks" Ben has developed for cultivating relationships when thinking instead about institutions.

So:

Let us agree and establish that "Bob Hall" is currently "inconsequential" as an institution (rank 1); few dinars (gp) have been spent to upgrade the area heretofore, and no specific rolls have been made. It is merely the case that the adventuring-barbarians have ransacked the area and claimed it for themselves, with some scant resources allocated to ensure its security with a small garrison.

Granted! But now Bartholomew Pettibone has been set up as "steward" of the place, at least for the moment, and offers to pay up to 4000 dinars to develop the area in the caves into something more amenable to human occupation (rather than the strange green-skins that dwelt within it before!).

Rather than just have some generic "clock" to invest into, for this in-dungeon holding I'd rather have a little more buy-in, between me as the referee, and the players making the investment. So as referee, I'm going to suggest three possible uses for an investment, but also leave the end result up to the investor if they (Bart) have a different/better-explained development:

1. Spend 2500 dinars to line the walls with lead and other heavy metals, hoping to make "Bob Hall" better defensible against psionic attacks
2. Spend 2500 dinars to expand the bunkrooms and armory, and to hire fighting men to better defend against "conventional" attacks, esp. those coming from Sakkra that dwell in the self-same sea-caves
3. Spend 2500 dinars to make "Bob Hall" more comfortable for the adventurers dwelling there, and to allow for groups to strike out easily from Bob Hall, rather than "wasting" time in Cothon

Bart has suggested spending 4000 dinars altogether on the Hall; the referee proposes that Bart spend 2500 dinars for one of these improvements, and for each additional 500 dinars that he spends, up to 4000 altogether, he will receive a cumulative +1 on his roll of 2d6 (+3 altogether if 4000 is spend). Bart need only spend 2500 gp of the proposed 4000 to be eligible to roll the dice.

Having spent the 2500 dinar investment, Bart will roll 2d6 (+1 for every 500 gp thereafter up to 4000 gp total):

• 2-6 the investment fails to "grow" the institution
• 7-9 the institution grows (to rank 2 -- minor), but its growth incurs a complication (see Ben's complications at the moment, until I write my own)
• 10+ the institution grows without complication

It will be noted that this is more expensive than growing just any old institution. Indeed, I feel like an institution build inside the dungeon probably should cost something more. BUT, it is not strictly the case that these developments are all mutually exclusive; maybe Bart will be interested in both developing "psionic" and "conventional" defenses ... Perhaps he'll invest in one this month, and another the next? But once some investment is successful, the Referee will offer further suggestions for development, based on what's been done.

... This is only the beginning of a new way to look at developing certain institutions. I hope that it can be a way to differentiate/personalize developing institutions--and remember that like all Referee suggestions, these are all just such, only suggestions!--for those who want to get into some nitty-gritty details. None of this is to supersede the "normal" rules, only to add the possibility of more nuance.

The Envy of Iqtadars

 In early February, Citizen Sesel, newly minted Iqtadar of the Iqta' al Saahil al Shamaliy on the coast northeast of Cothon, paid 2500 dinars to upgrade his iqta' from a minor institution (rank 2) to a middling institution (rank 3) (per Ben L.'s excellent rules). Alas for Sesel his developments came with a complication, and much as Durham has recently learned, such complications can, well, complicate things.

In Sesel's case, his meteoric rise from barbarian to citizen to iqtadar has evoked much envy and ressentiment among the lesser-to-middling iqtadars who hold iqta's in and around the Dual-Cities. Now, Sesel has done a fair amount of legwork to head off this envy, particularly in spending several weeks playing the socialite, going around to various get-togethers with the various Bani and Houses of Gadeed to head off the envy of these lesser lords and ladies.

And while that quick acting on his part certainly helped to tamp down on what otherwise could have developed into "evil rumors" like Durham has seen leveled against him--unfortunately, recent events have just complicated things.

For, un/fortunately for Sesel, his grant of an iqta' was on the far side from any effort possible by the Red Cloud and his forces. Fortunate for Sesel in that he has seen none of the depredations that the Kzinti and their warlord have vented upon such iqta's as al Zaytun to the southeast--yet this very fortune has aroused the ire and envy of those very iqtadars suffering said depredations!

As the conflict grows sharper--especially as new rumors filter in of the Red Cloud's wide daring!--the ressentiment grows apace, and a coterie of iqtadars have redoubled their envious whisperings (probably too at the behest of the Barcidae, who know little love for Sesel and his friends!):

Fortunately for Sesel, the income of his iqta' is not directly related to business in Cothon or Gadeed, and so he suffers no financial hardship; unfortunately for him, this informal "alliance" of lesser iqtadars will make things difficult for him when attempting to cultivate relationships in Gadeed especially, but even in Cothon. Which is to say, as of this week (ending 30 April, as the rumors gather again), Sesel will suffer a -2 penalty on all relationship rolls in Gadeed (excluding his wife's family, the Banu al Rashid), a -1 relationships penalty in Cothon, and a -2 penalty when attempting to build-up an institution related to either city.

Good for him--he has already started on one means of putting this envy to rest, by having solicited the ear of Khusra al Arasqiy, one of the two Souffets of Cothon-Gadeed. If he can secure a relationship with Khusra of (rank 3), these penalties to downtime will end, as Khusra puts her foot down against the nattering nabobs. Alternatively, if Sesel wants to wait things out, the penalties will also end when new Souffets are elected in November of this year (2022), and the iqtadars have to reassess their relationships with power. (Also, for Sesel, don't forget that even when the Souffet rotates out of power, it doesn't mean that the person ceases to have political weight and cache--it can still be very lucrative/important to have the ear of a former Souffet)

Sesel is also free to come up with his own solution to the trouble--the above examples are only suggestions that are made fairly clear through Sesel's relationship with one of the Great Bani of the Cities.

Evil Rumors

No, despite certain rumors being spread about the Red Cloud and his threat to Cothon-Gadeed and the Ten Cities' League, this report has nothing to do with such developments.

Rather, it concerns Durham of the Ringing Anvil and his continued association with renyu, and the opinions of certain people in regard to such associations.

To wit:

A gathering crowd within Cothon have begun to gather day after day in protest outside the Ringing Anvil--a crowd known to contain a number of supporters of the Souffet Fadhlan as well as certain supporters of the Barcidae. They tell all who will listen that Durham and his Ringing Anvil are involved with foreign elements--non-human renyu in particular, who are supposed to have been involved with pirates and rogue-alchemists in the Ocean's Throat sea-caves--and that these non-humans and their sympathizers will no doubt be happy to see the Red Cloud successful in war against Cothon-Gadeed! Not a few people point out Durham's continued association with the foreign Hanse of the Kantor Kabljauhof, further calling into question his right to do business in the precincts of Cothon.

Though the crowd seemed largely ineffectual when first they gathered, they have continued to grow in number, especially as rumor of the Red Cloud and his evils grow ... as of this week (ending 30 April), the crowd has grown large enough to dissuade most people from approaching the Ringing Anvil for any work whatsoever, other than those who know Durham as a friend / know the value of the work done at the Anvil (regardless of political bullshit).

Durham will lose 500 dinars this week, and each week subsequently that the issue is not dealt with, in order to support his employees at the Anvil through this shortage of work. If he can weather these costs up to 2500 dinars (five weeks), the furor may well blow over. If he wishes to meet the challenge Durham will have to come up with some means of demonstrating the harmlessness of his associations / or his loyalty to Cothon / or just his own innocence ... perhaps he could approach some citizen to sue his enemies on his behalf in the Courts of the Moon?

Developments with the Wasgo

Adventurer-tinkerer Durham has made no secret of his general appreciation for the renyu poeple, between his long association with his ever-loyal renyu-servant Pako and his spearheading the effort for freedom for and alliance with the Wasgo Tribe of renyu in the Ocean's Throat sea caves.

He has even called on the Wasgo to help garrison the one-time secret pirate fortress in those same caves, and named the place Fort Doghouse (whatever its historical name might once have been), to secure it against the interests of sakkra dwelling in the caves, as well as against the return of any pirates.

So it should be no surprise that he has now invested further in the Wasgo and the Doghouse fort:

Durham spends 3000 dinars on the Wasgo tribe. Mainly to help secure and grow Fort Dog House with some development for the tribe itself. The money is roughly split three ways; defence, infrastructure and education.

For defence Durham will hire men-at-arms (bowmen and spearmen) to help reinforce the garrison of Renyu there. As well as the purchasing of another ballista and lumber to construct another defensive platform on the other side of the cave. Durham would also like to hire Sslaan the Shen to be commander of Fort Doghouse for the time being, for who better to defend against pirates and sakkra than a seafaring sakkra warrior.

For infrastructure, Durham will hire fishermen and trappers. To help supply the fort with a source of fresh food by setting up crab traps, fishing nets and snares

For education Durham would like to hire a martial artist (perphas Bridne Murcada) to help train a few elite warriors to master their claw weapons through advanced hand to hand combat. Furthering his plan of developing a ninja unit of Wasgo warriors, numbering nine strong. Also sending a select few who wish to see if they can have magical power to Lord Althis of Crag keep.

Adventurous Accounts from the Sixth House

Finding themselves in possession of a great collection of Klackon khipu-texts--strands of silk knotted in intricate patterns to form words and phrases--the Survivors of the Tel have directed their in-house researcher Razo, with the help of fellow Survivor Raoden (who can magically read languages) and friend of the Survivors Gan (no relation to Gan ad-Din) to translate and transcribe the collection. While that herculean effort will be detailed in a near-future addition to this chronicle, in light of the stated intent of the expedition expected on 4 December (tomorrow as of writing this) the Scribes thought that the particular details related here were of enough interest to post separately (and forthwith):

Amongst all the research notes, exploration accounts, and correspondences in the various texts collected by the Survivors and their companions--all the contemporary material, rather than the literary texts and histories, &c.--a certain strand (as it were) stands out as quite interesting, developed in a series of three semi-parallel accounts. In short,

1. A narrative account of the Sixth House's delvings deep into the Tel seeking a rich (rumored) zortrium vein, its discovery, and what transpired thereafter, kept by leading-dore Itzkatl Xhoa
2. A court document detailing the Princess Zaharxa's entertaining of a strange delegation of grey-men and their cloaked escorts
3. A separate narrative account of of the Sixth House's use of a "translation pad" to explore deep caverns found to contain domed "life manufactories" guarded by terrible demons, explorations led by natural-philosopher Xixitlatzali (a dore)

The Accounting of Itzkatl Xhoa on the Zortrium Vein and What Lay Behind

This set of khipus comprise an ongoing set of reports sent to the Princess Zaharxa over the course of Itzkatl Xhoa's explorations. It begins with an overview of rumors of a rich vein of zortrium being located at a certain stratum of the Tel al Safina, and of his use of diggers to mine deep into the mountain in hopes of finding it. When they do, they cannot cut it, and so turn to the Barcidae, and elsewhere, seeking tools to help cut into the vein for usable ingots. Finally securing efficacious tools, they begin the work of mining it:

... When we had thus secured the torches from the Zoq-Fot-Pik, we had already dug down and under the vein, and so we started to cut there, because it was easier. And right away, the torches told against the zortrium, and we cleaved off a huge slab in a watch or so. But our enthusiasm was too much, and we had to halve that slab even to get it out of the hole, and cut it down again to form ingots.

After that, the workers got into a rhythm, and we had a holdful of ingots in a few shakes of a glowglobe--except that was when we cut through the outer layer and found that the vein was hollow! Like the carapace of some huge and desiccated dlakolel, so that once broken through there was much room on the other side. Strange passages carved through the vein, almost like through a worm-riddled fruit, except the passages were obviously built--but I'm getting ahead of myself.

When once we heard there was a space within, I sent Kilik with some her scouts to look inside, and to report to me what lay within. She reported as I have described, strange passageways riddling the metal veins. So much metal lay beyond that we are rich beyond our wildest imaginings--the Sixth House could outspend the Ten Cities League with all that lies buried here!--but it is not unguarded. Several ru'un came up out of the darkness therein and would have destroyed the scouts entirely if Kilik had not broken the red eye of their leader with her estoc. Even still, only half the scouts returned. ...

And later:

... and as you commanded, so we have obeyed, and though many scouts were lost, still they have found many treasures. In one place, strangely unguarded and lit as if waiting for someone, Kilik did discover a sheet of strange metal attached by metallic spinal-column to a pair of smallish boxes. All could be moved, and so Kilik and her scouts lifted it all up and hauled it out of the place without incident from ru'un, and now it is in our possession. I will send sketches to the Princess and her advisers, while I and my apprentices look into the nature of the thing. ...

A number of other episodes follow, detailing especially the heroism of Kilik and her scouts in facing off against ru'un, and other strange things, some perhaps demonic in nature, others frankly bizarre. Not all come from inside the vein of zortrium, as the deep caverns are home to strange worms and other malevolent creatures.

All the while, Itzkatl Xhoa has his workers cut off thinner slabs of zortrium to be shaped into ingots, to be sent up to the workshops above, while he tinkers with the strange sheet of metal and its boxes, and finally discovers that it can dematerialize objects placed onto the pad when a certain combination is pressed into the studs of one of the boxes.

Later, Itzkatl Xhoa comes to the realization that the objects are not dematerialized so much as "translated" elsewhere, and can be brought back. This then, is the "translation pad" ...

The Princess Zaharxa Entertains the Grey Envoy of the Erga

 At about the same time that Itzkatl Xhoa has figured out that his strange device is a "translation pad" that can send and receive objects, a strange delegation arrives in the market of the Great Spire, seeking an audience with Zaharxa of the Sixth House. It is said that they have come up from the tunnels and caves below, rather than entering by the outer doors; and they are a peculiar sort, of such a like as thought only to appear in old stories and hero songs:

... As they entered the audience hall, a great murmur passed through Zaharxa's entourage. "See, it's only a child!" ... "But the color--so grey, so unhealthy. And not human at all." ... "The cloaked ones walk with warriors' gaits." ... &c. &c.

The envoy was indeed the stature of a human child, but its skin an unhealthy grey pallor, its eyes large, black, and terrifying. It was escorted by tall cloaked figures that stank of meat, all broad of stature, except the one closest the envoy, which was tall and narrow, and silent as it walked.

All bowed before Zaharxa, and the envoy intoned a greeting in a strange burbling tongue that none recognized--and yet we all understood it implicitly, as if we did. "We are but tools of the Erga Chondrias, yet we bear greeting from them to thee, great Princess. The Erga is a great sorcerer, and they have seen the depths to which thy Sixth House has plumbed, and the greatness to which thee and thine aspire. Yet they fear that in thy ascendency that the old terror will be renewed--the terror of the Doulii and their Immortal Columns! They ask us to ask thee, great Princess--how might we find Accord, as was found between thy Xholda cousins, and the humans of the Cities?"

I looked to the Princess as this was said, and I saw that a fire had been lighted inside her, to be so likened to the Immortal Doulii, but she was rightly chary about it, deigning not to show how she gloried in it to these strange delegates. "We are Attines," she said, antennae waving coyly. "Our ways are not Doulii ways." And though I stepped forward to translate, I found it unnecessary--the Erga's envoy already was nodding. The Princess continued, "Stranger-guests, be welcome in our abode, drink mold-beer with us and be at ease. And let your Erga know of this munificence of the Princess Zaharxa, that all who come humbly to her will be treated likewise, however great she may become."

This speech we all felt was good and dissembling, true regardless of our ambitions, and the delegation seemed to take it well. ... 

Many speeches and counter-speeches follow, promising mutual friendship and aid, and goodwill all around. Izlutzl, the author of the account and the main translator-dore for the Princess Zaharxa in her audiences, maintains that the Princess was exceedingly crafty in her exchanges with the envoys, and was able to glean more about their purposes than reveal about her own--though both seem to amount to little in his telling of events.

The most significant item in the exchange, in light of the other accounts, was a set of "navigation coordinates" given by the envoy to the Princess. According to Izlutzl, this was gained by most devious diplomacy on the Princess' behalf (aided by Izlutzl, of course), in which, using the discoveries of Itzkatl Xhoa she feigned mastery over the "translation pad" and its uses.

... "So of course you have explored [coordinates redacted], then," the envoy declared. "As that is most easily discovered. But perhaps we could exchange knowledge of other places, if the Princess deigns it to her liking."

At this, the illustrious Zaharxa breezily dissembled. "It is no account to me what else you have found, as I'm sure my dores have already found the same, or gone beyond your Erga's own dores."

It was shortly after this that the Princess began to show signs of weariness, and called for her slaves to come and bear her out of the audience hall. She bade the delegation remain as long as they wished, enjoining them to the mutual hospitality that they had all harped on for so long; but the envoy admitted exhaustion as well, and declared that the entourage of Erga Chondrias would return to the Erga that night for rejuvenation. So the audience was broken with little ado ...

The Accounting of Xixitlatzali on the Exploration of the Life Manufactories

After the audience with the strange grey envoy of the Erga Chondrias, Princess Zaharxa ordered her natural-philosopher Xixitlatzali to gather scouts for exploration across the "translation pad", and to convene with Itzkatl Xhoa for briefings on the use of the device.

Despite Itzkatl Xhoa's natural jealousy--his crew had found the device, why should he not be the one to first explore "through" it?--the Princess' orders were of course to be followed, and Itzkatl Xhoa duly showed Xixitlatzali its use; and Xixitlatzali entered the coordinates inadvertently supplied by the envoy into the device and thus "sent" and "received" the same object without incident. After that, a scout was sent through and retrieved, and she returned without any obvious injury. A period of cautious experiments and explorations followed (all while Itzkatl Xhoa's crew continued cutting zortrium and sending scouts into the interior).

What was ultimately discovered was a great cavern-complex far below the surface of Ardha, with strange dome-structures built into the space:

... They found huge domes in the cavern, built up with what seemed to be metals of strange alloys--seemingly translucent? There was no obvious ingress.

A stair found carved into the cliffs to the west led down into narrow caverns, and though these at first seemed promising, they only issued ultimately onto another large cavern with equally inaccessible domes.

At last, after much exploration, the first cave on the right hand side was found to contain a similar translation pad--though only activated by a curious medallion found on the husked corpse of an ancient creature. By this device we were finally able to penetrate into the secrets of the domes.

What we discovered is a cornucopia of lost knowledge! ...

The text goes on in rapturous language about the wonders that Xixitlatzali will bring forth from the ancient lore, and all the secrets stored in the domes. They are found to be some kind of "life manufactories" where life can be created in various vats, and stored in magical sarcophagi, &c. &c. Untranslatable glyphs cover everything, and there are strange magic mirrors abounding. Signs associated with the demons of the Fortress Moon are also everywhere, and some of Xixitlatzali's scouts encounter strange shadow creatures that seem demonic.

So Xixitlatzali has a demon-codex brought to him, and dubiously identifies the "shadow-demons" as "notules", flying shadows that seek living-warmth, and has ember-fires built to attract them away from the Klackon explorers.

Then, discovered within the depths of the strange domes:

... Klackosn and Hlyss of ancient stock, suspended in strange not-death. I see the likeness of the ancient Doulii in them, great warriors who swept all before them!

This must be the place where they were originally created--bred? built? nurtured? But all those in the sarcophagi we open putrefy shortly after their release. The magic here is strange. Difficult to parse. So I have sent my scouts and apprentices to look for other clues.

Fortunately, one Droxa has returned with other reports--smaller creatures, fellow arthropods, in eggs that are yet well preserved. I am certain--this must be where the ancient Heroes devised our glorious ancestors, as well as their fleshy counterparts, and from here they set them on Ardha to walk in glory. But we have degenerated, as is obvious--and so we must begin again with the smallest of our fellows, and see how the Heroes (the Gods themselves?) devised our glorious ancestors.

The work begins forthwith. Droxa and her scouts are already hauling the great eggs up to the laboratory, along with other specimens and materiel. As soon as all is ready, I shall put knife to flesh and look behind the veil of mere materiality ...

Some of Xixitlatzali's research is already known to the Survivors, in the spellbook The Pale Beetle Under the Knife, and the many biological notes that were translated along with it. And, of course, the fate of the Sixth House is now known to all--cursed by a strange parasitical plague, brought on by these delvings into ancient secrets better left unknown, which brought utter devastation to the House and almost could have destroyed the rest of the Spire-Klackons if not checked as it was.

But there's still so much to puzzle out! Surely our heroes won't succumb to the same hubris as Xixitlatzali and the rest of the Sixth House. Surely not! ...