Rimalon
05-15-2009, 03:25 AM
Not posting for any reason, really. I know some people were curious, and I was going to throw it up here anyway.
Rim presented it by paging through a journal and reading selected passages.
He claimed he had discovered the journal while he still lived in Sharath, and that it was up to the reader to discern whether it was FACT... or FICTION!!!!
Enjoy, if you decide to read it. If you TLDR it, burn in hell.
--------------------------------------------------
7th day of Fashanos, year 4762, early evening
I made a most interesting discovery while exploring the local environs today.
I have stumbled across a species of lizard that is wholly unknown to our People. My discovery was largely by accident. I was about to head back to the lab when I heard a strange, high-pitched whirring sound coming from the west. Upon further investigation, and located at the bottom of a deep sinkhole, was the largest lizard I had ever seen.
Including its tail, it measures about 5 feet lengthwise. It weighs at least 200 pounds. Curiously, its body is covered with patches of a glowing blue substance. When the lizard is surprised (and it was, when it spotted me) the substance seems to expand outward from the patches to aid the lizard in escape. Within mere moments, the substance formed itself into a pair of blue wings and the lizard flew away. It is quite a fascinating creature.
It was getting late. I did not pursue. I plan to head out to the same area tomorrow with my colleagues and subdue this rare lizard for study.
8th day of Fashanos, year 4762, early evening
My lab is now home to a most bizarre colony of lizards.
My party journeyed out from the city to the jungle this morning. Once again, I spotted the huge lizard at the bottom of the sinkhole. It attempted to flee. The same two glowing blue wings sprouted immediately from its body. But a mere lizard (even an abnormally large one) is no match for me. I casually invoked a binding spell to hold it in place while my colleagues prepared it for transport back to the lab.
It was then that I noticed something else at the bottom of the hole: more lizards. There were dozens—perhaps hundreds—more. They were of average size compared to the winged one, yet these were not normal lizards, either. Their skin was drained of its natural color, they were barely mobile, and they seemed devoid of all life.
One lizard was unique among them. It was completely covered in the same blue substance the winged one seems to secrete and it was still writhing and thrashing about. I concluded that the large one was in the process of adding this lizard to the ranks of the lifeless and immobile. It seems to me that the blue substance drains something from the smaller lizards. As for what it drains and how it drains it, further study is required.
We have transported both the large one and all of the smaller ones back to the lab. We are keeping them in separate cages.
15th day of Fashanos, year 4762, morning
It has been an incredible week.
The study of the captured lizards has proven more fruitful than I could have ever imagined. Countless research opportunities present themselves for the future, but what we already have discerned is extremely promising. I feel that I will gain much from my discovery.
We have learned that these lizards have an amusing relationship with each other. The large, winged lizard is Master, and the others are akin to his slaves. The blue substance—we have been calling it the rha’sha’tor, the giver and taker of life—is generated biologically by the larger lizard. It is unclear whether this has been occurring since his creation or whether it was caused by external stimuli. It does not matter.
The rha’sha’tor, when applied to a living organism, seems to drain it of life energy. The “victim” becomes rather lifeless and cannot seem to function as wholly as they could before the application. Our hypothesis was that, in return, the being that applies the rha’sha’tor permanently absorbs a great deal of energy from the victim.
We tested this by slaughtering about fifty of the drained, lifeless lizards. The large lizard thrashed wildly about in pain for many minutes. He then shrank down to about half his current size. He is now just barely 3 feet long.
Our hypothesis was correct. We have begun to eagerly harvest the secretions of the substance from the specimen.
18th day of Charlatos, year 4762, late evening
A mere month of harvesting and storing the rha’sha’tor has left us with enough to last us for a century, perhaps longer.
As soon as we scrape it off the specimen’s body, more is generated. It is incredible. We have begun detailed examinations of the substance. Unfortunately the process is extremely slow.
In secret I attempted to apply the substance to a healthy lizard, hoping I could absorb some type of energy. It did not work. I am sure there is a critical step to the application process that I am missing. The research will continue. I will make sure of it.
27th day of Lormesta, year 4763, morning
It has almost been a year since the discovery of the rha’sha’tor.
I just received word that my colleagues have abandoned the research, claiming it will yield nothing. I do not agree.
I have conducted every test known to me on the substance. It is still largely a mystery. I have attempted application on every manner of creature and there is no effect. My colleagues would have you believe that the substance is rendered inert and useless once it is isolated and removed from the host, thus rendering our efforts during the last year meaningless.
They are fools. I will continue the research alone.
27th day of Phoenatos, year 4763, daybreak
It has now been almost six months since I began my own investigation into the rha’sha’tor. I know nothing now that I did not know then. All of the data I have gathered does me no good. My colleagues laugh at me. They say I am wasting my time, and that the path I am on is the wrong one.
So I am left with only one option.
I ingested a substantial amount of the rha’sha’tor with my breakfast a few minutes ago. I plan to force the same amount into my body at each meal until I achieve some sort of substantial result.
We will see what happens.
29th day of Phoenatos, year 4763, evening.
I grew a third hand this morning.
A day ago, I noticed that a blue patch was forming on the right side of my chest. It looked similar to the patches from which wings had sprouted on the lizard. I was relieved that my desperate plan seemed to be working.
As I was preparing my breakfast but a few short minutes ago, a jar slipped from my grasp and went tumbling to the ground. Before I could process what had happened, sharp pains shot through my body. The side of my chest began to grow extremely warm. To my amazement, a glowing blue hand tore a hole through my robes and grabbed hold of the jar in midair. As I recovered from the sudden pain, I realized that a slender blue arm was protruding from the blue patch on my chest.
I then discovered that, with small mental commands, I could control both the arm and hand to perform any task I wished. I put the jar down, picked it back up, and even had the hand throw it against the wall. The jar was thrown ten times as hard as I could have thrown it normally.
My progress astounds me, even after such a short time. I will continue to ingest the substance regularly. With any luck, this is merely the beginning.
4th day of Imaerasta, year 4763, afternoon
I have a new theory: the substance can only absorb energy from members of the same species.
I cannot absorb energy from lizards, goblins or even the Khanshael. I have tried. I am able to cover their bodies completely with the substance that I generate from the multiple patches on my body, but there is no effect. They simply suffocate.
The last few days have been a blur to me. More patches have appeared, and with them has come power and possibility. If I can imagine it, the patches can make it reality. For instance, I held some of my more reluctant test subjects in place with glowing blue shackles and chains. I summoned a glowing blue glaive to separate their limbs and head from their torso for ease of disposal. It was an incredibly sharp cutting tool. The excessive heat of the weapon cauterized the wounds on contact so as to not make a mess.
Unfortunately, I am now at the point where I require a Dhe’nar test subject. I have been thinking about this dilemma since lunch. Life is precious to us, as a People. Our numbers have not yet reached a satisfactory level. But if my theory holds, I will not be taking any lives; I will merely be merging them with my own. There will be no net loss. As proof, the original group of lizards (both the large one and the smaller batch) are still alive and well in our lab. I am convinced that death will in no way enter the equation.
I have calculated that it would not be efficient to attempt to subdue a fully grown and trained member of my race. That would be unnecessary. Draining our children is the simpler possibility. To that end, I have applied to become a Conscriptor, so that I may officially bring children back to my lab to “test their potential for placement in a Caste”. Of course, instead of actual testing, I plan to drain their essence and add it to my own.
The children may have been the future of our race at one point, but that is no longer the case.
I am the future of our race.
18th day of Imaerasta, year 4763, evening
My new theory was correct. I have successfully absorbed energy from a young child.
I can feel the power coursing through me as I write this. I feel as if I could effortlessly crush and rend metal with my hand. I feel as if I could run for miles and not have to stop for breath. It has been at least twelve hours since the absorption. I am not tired, hungry or thirsty. All of these effects, after just one child! It is imperative that I repeat this process tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.
I extracted the first child from his school in the northwestern corner of the city. His teachers assured me that he showed promise in the elemental arts. With credit to the child, he seemed to fear nothing about our encounter. He did not speak, but I could sense his excitement. He has that inborn craving for knowledge that we all have. He wished for me to approve of his talents and to send him off for specialized study. But I had a greater purpose for him.
I conducted the first two tests normally. He was able to easily manipulate mana and conjure flame. I told him he had passed the tests. He looked pleased. For the third test, I explained to him that it required complete sensory deprivation. I blindfolded him, plugged his ears, and stood him up against the far wall of my lab.
With a simple mental command I had been practicing, dozens of blue tendrils emerged from the patches on my body and escaped through the sleeves of my robes. They traveled toward the child and first wound themselves tightly around his abdomen. Next, they proceeded to slowly spiral outwards toward his limbs. They began to harden as they wrapped around his skin, encasing the areas completely.
He began to scream as if the pain was unbearable. The sound was quite irritating. For a moment, I felt a twinge of uncertainty. A moment after that, I magically silenced him and continued my work. He was soon cocooned in a large mass of the rha’sha’tor. Before I could ponder what my next move was, a flash of bright blue light filled the room. I shielded my eyes, and I heard the same high-pitched whirring sound I had heard originally in the jungle. Then, in an instant, I felt the transfer of energy from the child to myself. The child was then freed from his bondage.
He had the same vacant look in his eyes that the lizards did. His motor skills were intact and he was reactive to both light and sound, although he could not speak. I believe that his mind is completely active but his body cannot respond to his will.
I told the child that he had failed the third test and led him back through the streets to his school. One of the instructors stopped me and asked me why he seemed so different. I replied that my testing methods were nothing if not unique, and that the child was proven to be weak and not yet ready.
I have an appointment with another child tomorrow.
25th day of Jastatos, year 4763, late evening
To date, I have drained 30 children.
With each child, I feel my strength growing exponentially. I cannot wait until I drain the next one, or the one after that. The power is exhilarating. I no longer even bother to silence the children’s screams. Their pain will be my glory.
I have heard that there have been rumblings about me in the some of the schools of Sharath. Questions are being asked about what I have been doing to some of the students. I had thought that I had been avoiding suspicion. I never drain children from the same school if I can help it, and I assure their instructors that their odd condition is simply a side-effect of my unique testing process.
My research must remain secret.
26th day of Jastatos, year 4763, late morning
It turned out to be an interesting morning.
My latest project was a female child who was touted as a promising mentalist, and I did not foresee the consequences of this. She had linked her mind to one of her instructors. I assume they wanted to discover just what it was I was doing to these children.
Shortly after I had begun the cocooning process, the fool instructor and two of his associates burst into the room. The appearance of the three men surprised me for a split second. It is too bad they had no chance against me.
They loosed an array of flame, lightning, and mental energy at me. The attacks charred and mutilated my flesh. Thankfully, I do not have much flesh left. The rha’sha’tor now covers the majority of my body. It cannot be damaged by petty rote magic. I laughed at them, mockingly, and quickly began to generate twelve blue javelins. One by one, the javelins zoomed out of my body and pierced the intruder’s limbs to the wall. All three were soon prone, helpless and moaning. I felt an urgency to finish the job. I made sure the child was watching.
I decided to have a bit of fun with the first intruder. I transformed my entire left hand into a viciously sharp stiletto. I cut off the intruder’s toes, one by one. Then his fingers. Then his feet. Then his hands. Then his ears. Then I gutted him with one slash, from his neck to his bowels.
Shifting my focus to the second man, I summoned thousands of small, sharp blue needles and sent them barreling toward his body. They all struck at once, and he began to bleed. Slowly at first. Then the floodgates opened. I was amused by this display. He died in under a minute.
I gave my creativity free reign with the last one. I crafted a small glowing blue orb, held it in my palm, and shoved my fist into the man’s stomach. The flesh parted like I had stuck my hand into a bowl of water. I released the orb and took a few steps back. The powerful device I had just implanted exploded after a few seconds. The resulting shower of gore and bone was glorious.
I had taught these “instructors” a lesson: my research is not to be interrupted.
20th day of Lormesta, year 4764, morning
A curious thing just happened. The lizards have died.
I went to their cages to feed them about fifteen minutes ago. It is usually the first thing I do when day breaks. I no longer need sleep, of course. I no longer need to eat or drink; but the lizards do. When I arrived, it looked like the smaller lizards had broken out of their cage and forced their way into the cage of the larger one. There were signs of a long struggle, and the lizards were all dead. Interestingly, I could not differentiate the single large one from the others.
I have a theory. It is likely that he killed his attackers, weakening himself, until all of his absorbed advantages were gone. It is a shame that lizards cannot think rationally. He could have avoided his fate.
I have made official note of this incident, but it does not overly concern me.
8th day of Fashanos, year 4764, morning
The children. The children are coming.
I do not understand it. They must be afflicted by the same phenomenon that stirred the lizards to action. I can hear them shuffling into the bottom floor of the building as I write this. There must be dozens of them; I have all but lost count of how many it has been.
I had not accounted for this. It is one thing for this to happen with lizards, but not my subjects and I. What am I to do? Destroy them? I would be sacrificing all of the power I have gained. Let them kill me? That is not an option, either.
I can hear them clambering up the stairs. I should not have underestimated the will of young Dhe’nar.
Perhaps they are here not to destroy me, but to join me? Yes. Of course, that must be it. Their minds are joined with mine. They must realize how close I am to Ascension. I will convince them to let me continue my work, and they—and all our People—will benefit.
The door to the lab has just been breached. I can hear them in the next room. I believe they sense my presence, just as I sense theirs. I will not harm these children. They are the source of my power, and my future depends on them. I will convince them of this. I must convince them of this.
I will make an entry tomorrow, detailing our encounter. The children are but a few feet from me now, and getting closer.
They are quite fascinating creatures.
(a gruesome mixture of blood, ink, flesh and bone is strewn across this final entry in the journal)
Rim presented it by paging through a journal and reading selected passages.
He claimed he had discovered the journal while he still lived in Sharath, and that it was up to the reader to discern whether it was FACT... or FICTION!!!!
Enjoy, if you decide to read it. If you TLDR it, burn in hell.
--------------------------------------------------
7th day of Fashanos, year 4762, early evening
I made a most interesting discovery while exploring the local environs today.
I have stumbled across a species of lizard that is wholly unknown to our People. My discovery was largely by accident. I was about to head back to the lab when I heard a strange, high-pitched whirring sound coming from the west. Upon further investigation, and located at the bottom of a deep sinkhole, was the largest lizard I had ever seen.
Including its tail, it measures about 5 feet lengthwise. It weighs at least 200 pounds. Curiously, its body is covered with patches of a glowing blue substance. When the lizard is surprised (and it was, when it spotted me) the substance seems to expand outward from the patches to aid the lizard in escape. Within mere moments, the substance formed itself into a pair of blue wings and the lizard flew away. It is quite a fascinating creature.
It was getting late. I did not pursue. I plan to head out to the same area tomorrow with my colleagues and subdue this rare lizard for study.
8th day of Fashanos, year 4762, early evening
My lab is now home to a most bizarre colony of lizards.
My party journeyed out from the city to the jungle this morning. Once again, I spotted the huge lizard at the bottom of the sinkhole. It attempted to flee. The same two glowing blue wings sprouted immediately from its body. But a mere lizard (even an abnormally large one) is no match for me. I casually invoked a binding spell to hold it in place while my colleagues prepared it for transport back to the lab.
It was then that I noticed something else at the bottom of the hole: more lizards. There were dozens—perhaps hundreds—more. They were of average size compared to the winged one, yet these were not normal lizards, either. Their skin was drained of its natural color, they were barely mobile, and they seemed devoid of all life.
One lizard was unique among them. It was completely covered in the same blue substance the winged one seems to secrete and it was still writhing and thrashing about. I concluded that the large one was in the process of adding this lizard to the ranks of the lifeless and immobile. It seems to me that the blue substance drains something from the smaller lizards. As for what it drains and how it drains it, further study is required.
We have transported both the large one and all of the smaller ones back to the lab. We are keeping them in separate cages.
15th day of Fashanos, year 4762, morning
It has been an incredible week.
The study of the captured lizards has proven more fruitful than I could have ever imagined. Countless research opportunities present themselves for the future, but what we already have discerned is extremely promising. I feel that I will gain much from my discovery.
We have learned that these lizards have an amusing relationship with each other. The large, winged lizard is Master, and the others are akin to his slaves. The blue substance—we have been calling it the rha’sha’tor, the giver and taker of life—is generated biologically by the larger lizard. It is unclear whether this has been occurring since his creation or whether it was caused by external stimuli. It does not matter.
The rha’sha’tor, when applied to a living organism, seems to drain it of life energy. The “victim” becomes rather lifeless and cannot seem to function as wholly as they could before the application. Our hypothesis was that, in return, the being that applies the rha’sha’tor permanently absorbs a great deal of energy from the victim.
We tested this by slaughtering about fifty of the drained, lifeless lizards. The large lizard thrashed wildly about in pain for many minutes. He then shrank down to about half his current size. He is now just barely 3 feet long.
Our hypothesis was correct. We have begun to eagerly harvest the secretions of the substance from the specimen.
18th day of Charlatos, year 4762, late evening
A mere month of harvesting and storing the rha’sha’tor has left us with enough to last us for a century, perhaps longer.
As soon as we scrape it off the specimen’s body, more is generated. It is incredible. We have begun detailed examinations of the substance. Unfortunately the process is extremely slow.
In secret I attempted to apply the substance to a healthy lizard, hoping I could absorb some type of energy. It did not work. I am sure there is a critical step to the application process that I am missing. The research will continue. I will make sure of it.
27th day of Lormesta, year 4763, morning
It has almost been a year since the discovery of the rha’sha’tor.
I just received word that my colleagues have abandoned the research, claiming it will yield nothing. I do not agree.
I have conducted every test known to me on the substance. It is still largely a mystery. I have attempted application on every manner of creature and there is no effect. My colleagues would have you believe that the substance is rendered inert and useless once it is isolated and removed from the host, thus rendering our efforts during the last year meaningless.
They are fools. I will continue the research alone.
27th day of Phoenatos, year 4763, daybreak
It has now been almost six months since I began my own investigation into the rha’sha’tor. I know nothing now that I did not know then. All of the data I have gathered does me no good. My colleagues laugh at me. They say I am wasting my time, and that the path I am on is the wrong one.
So I am left with only one option.
I ingested a substantial amount of the rha’sha’tor with my breakfast a few minutes ago. I plan to force the same amount into my body at each meal until I achieve some sort of substantial result.
We will see what happens.
29th day of Phoenatos, year 4763, evening.
I grew a third hand this morning.
A day ago, I noticed that a blue patch was forming on the right side of my chest. It looked similar to the patches from which wings had sprouted on the lizard. I was relieved that my desperate plan seemed to be working.
As I was preparing my breakfast but a few short minutes ago, a jar slipped from my grasp and went tumbling to the ground. Before I could process what had happened, sharp pains shot through my body. The side of my chest began to grow extremely warm. To my amazement, a glowing blue hand tore a hole through my robes and grabbed hold of the jar in midair. As I recovered from the sudden pain, I realized that a slender blue arm was protruding from the blue patch on my chest.
I then discovered that, with small mental commands, I could control both the arm and hand to perform any task I wished. I put the jar down, picked it back up, and even had the hand throw it against the wall. The jar was thrown ten times as hard as I could have thrown it normally.
My progress astounds me, even after such a short time. I will continue to ingest the substance regularly. With any luck, this is merely the beginning.
4th day of Imaerasta, year 4763, afternoon
I have a new theory: the substance can only absorb energy from members of the same species.
I cannot absorb energy from lizards, goblins or even the Khanshael. I have tried. I am able to cover their bodies completely with the substance that I generate from the multiple patches on my body, but there is no effect. They simply suffocate.
The last few days have been a blur to me. More patches have appeared, and with them has come power and possibility. If I can imagine it, the patches can make it reality. For instance, I held some of my more reluctant test subjects in place with glowing blue shackles and chains. I summoned a glowing blue glaive to separate their limbs and head from their torso for ease of disposal. It was an incredibly sharp cutting tool. The excessive heat of the weapon cauterized the wounds on contact so as to not make a mess.
Unfortunately, I am now at the point where I require a Dhe’nar test subject. I have been thinking about this dilemma since lunch. Life is precious to us, as a People. Our numbers have not yet reached a satisfactory level. But if my theory holds, I will not be taking any lives; I will merely be merging them with my own. There will be no net loss. As proof, the original group of lizards (both the large one and the smaller batch) are still alive and well in our lab. I am convinced that death will in no way enter the equation.
I have calculated that it would not be efficient to attempt to subdue a fully grown and trained member of my race. That would be unnecessary. Draining our children is the simpler possibility. To that end, I have applied to become a Conscriptor, so that I may officially bring children back to my lab to “test their potential for placement in a Caste”. Of course, instead of actual testing, I plan to drain their essence and add it to my own.
The children may have been the future of our race at one point, but that is no longer the case.
I am the future of our race.
18th day of Imaerasta, year 4763, evening
My new theory was correct. I have successfully absorbed energy from a young child.
I can feel the power coursing through me as I write this. I feel as if I could effortlessly crush and rend metal with my hand. I feel as if I could run for miles and not have to stop for breath. It has been at least twelve hours since the absorption. I am not tired, hungry or thirsty. All of these effects, after just one child! It is imperative that I repeat this process tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.
I extracted the first child from his school in the northwestern corner of the city. His teachers assured me that he showed promise in the elemental arts. With credit to the child, he seemed to fear nothing about our encounter. He did not speak, but I could sense his excitement. He has that inborn craving for knowledge that we all have. He wished for me to approve of his talents and to send him off for specialized study. But I had a greater purpose for him.
I conducted the first two tests normally. He was able to easily manipulate mana and conjure flame. I told him he had passed the tests. He looked pleased. For the third test, I explained to him that it required complete sensory deprivation. I blindfolded him, plugged his ears, and stood him up against the far wall of my lab.
With a simple mental command I had been practicing, dozens of blue tendrils emerged from the patches on my body and escaped through the sleeves of my robes. They traveled toward the child and first wound themselves tightly around his abdomen. Next, they proceeded to slowly spiral outwards toward his limbs. They began to harden as they wrapped around his skin, encasing the areas completely.
He began to scream as if the pain was unbearable. The sound was quite irritating. For a moment, I felt a twinge of uncertainty. A moment after that, I magically silenced him and continued my work. He was soon cocooned in a large mass of the rha’sha’tor. Before I could ponder what my next move was, a flash of bright blue light filled the room. I shielded my eyes, and I heard the same high-pitched whirring sound I had heard originally in the jungle. Then, in an instant, I felt the transfer of energy from the child to myself. The child was then freed from his bondage.
He had the same vacant look in his eyes that the lizards did. His motor skills were intact and he was reactive to both light and sound, although he could not speak. I believe that his mind is completely active but his body cannot respond to his will.
I told the child that he had failed the third test and led him back through the streets to his school. One of the instructors stopped me and asked me why he seemed so different. I replied that my testing methods were nothing if not unique, and that the child was proven to be weak and not yet ready.
I have an appointment with another child tomorrow.
25th day of Jastatos, year 4763, late evening
To date, I have drained 30 children.
With each child, I feel my strength growing exponentially. I cannot wait until I drain the next one, or the one after that. The power is exhilarating. I no longer even bother to silence the children’s screams. Their pain will be my glory.
I have heard that there have been rumblings about me in the some of the schools of Sharath. Questions are being asked about what I have been doing to some of the students. I had thought that I had been avoiding suspicion. I never drain children from the same school if I can help it, and I assure their instructors that their odd condition is simply a side-effect of my unique testing process.
My research must remain secret.
26th day of Jastatos, year 4763, late morning
It turned out to be an interesting morning.
My latest project was a female child who was touted as a promising mentalist, and I did not foresee the consequences of this. She had linked her mind to one of her instructors. I assume they wanted to discover just what it was I was doing to these children.
Shortly after I had begun the cocooning process, the fool instructor and two of his associates burst into the room. The appearance of the three men surprised me for a split second. It is too bad they had no chance against me.
They loosed an array of flame, lightning, and mental energy at me. The attacks charred and mutilated my flesh. Thankfully, I do not have much flesh left. The rha’sha’tor now covers the majority of my body. It cannot be damaged by petty rote magic. I laughed at them, mockingly, and quickly began to generate twelve blue javelins. One by one, the javelins zoomed out of my body and pierced the intruder’s limbs to the wall. All three were soon prone, helpless and moaning. I felt an urgency to finish the job. I made sure the child was watching.
I decided to have a bit of fun with the first intruder. I transformed my entire left hand into a viciously sharp stiletto. I cut off the intruder’s toes, one by one. Then his fingers. Then his feet. Then his hands. Then his ears. Then I gutted him with one slash, from his neck to his bowels.
Shifting my focus to the second man, I summoned thousands of small, sharp blue needles and sent them barreling toward his body. They all struck at once, and he began to bleed. Slowly at first. Then the floodgates opened. I was amused by this display. He died in under a minute.
I gave my creativity free reign with the last one. I crafted a small glowing blue orb, held it in my palm, and shoved my fist into the man’s stomach. The flesh parted like I had stuck my hand into a bowl of water. I released the orb and took a few steps back. The powerful device I had just implanted exploded after a few seconds. The resulting shower of gore and bone was glorious.
I had taught these “instructors” a lesson: my research is not to be interrupted.
20th day of Lormesta, year 4764, morning
A curious thing just happened. The lizards have died.
I went to their cages to feed them about fifteen minutes ago. It is usually the first thing I do when day breaks. I no longer need sleep, of course. I no longer need to eat or drink; but the lizards do. When I arrived, it looked like the smaller lizards had broken out of their cage and forced their way into the cage of the larger one. There were signs of a long struggle, and the lizards were all dead. Interestingly, I could not differentiate the single large one from the others.
I have a theory. It is likely that he killed his attackers, weakening himself, until all of his absorbed advantages were gone. It is a shame that lizards cannot think rationally. He could have avoided his fate.
I have made official note of this incident, but it does not overly concern me.
8th day of Fashanos, year 4764, morning
The children. The children are coming.
I do not understand it. They must be afflicted by the same phenomenon that stirred the lizards to action. I can hear them shuffling into the bottom floor of the building as I write this. There must be dozens of them; I have all but lost count of how many it has been.
I had not accounted for this. It is one thing for this to happen with lizards, but not my subjects and I. What am I to do? Destroy them? I would be sacrificing all of the power I have gained. Let them kill me? That is not an option, either.
I can hear them clambering up the stairs. I should not have underestimated the will of young Dhe’nar.
Perhaps they are here not to destroy me, but to join me? Yes. Of course, that must be it. Their minds are joined with mine. They must realize how close I am to Ascension. I will convince them to let me continue my work, and they—and all our People—will benefit.
The door to the lab has just been breached. I can hear them in the next room. I believe they sense my presence, just as I sense theirs. I will not harm these children. They are the source of my power, and my future depends on them. I will convince them of this. I must convince them of this.
I will make an entry tomorrow, detailing our encounter. The children are but a few feet from me now, and getting closer.
They are quite fascinating creatures.
(a gruesome mixture of blood, ink, flesh and bone is strewn across this final entry in the journal)