Catching Up: Part 2

 When I left off, we had brought a horse to life. I had to pause there because within the narrative, the next thing we knew, we were in a tavern. I had distinct memories of what had happened over the past six months, but something was off. There was a shaman there that told Virgil that we had been tailing the Hardee Boys for six months and that he had been trying to help us. Before I could get my bearings,  a pipe bomb was thrown into it. Ellis managed to throw it back out before it went off.  

We split up. I was shot going up the stairs. I was able wounded, but managed to throw a Molotov cocktail at a group of bandits that had gathered outside. Our posse teamed up to drive the bandits away. As we were leaving, a woman told Val that she had a sister that just stopped existing, and she had blamed the "magic from the South". Once again, the South is calling to us. 

This woman also was telling us about what we had apparently been up to in the past six months. Ellis was in a relationship with a woman named Lei who raised pigs in the desert. Virgil's mother had come and told him to go South. I was trying to get someone to translate the script that I carry around. Ravishers with Hell were apparently with the hardee boys. And then we were informed that we were not in Goldwater, but rather we were in Puhaimi. We were going to go South to investigate the Great Blackening, which was just fine by me, but I don't know how we were able to go from Goodwater to Puhaimi.

In our travels, we came upon a smoking pit. The smoke caused a tingling sensation in my chest, and I was temporarily weakened, but I recovered. The pit appeared to be some sort of impact crater. I recalled something that I had heard before that it was believed one would have to burrow under the earth to release the Ravengers and to begin the end times. Despite the ominous setting, we climbed down into the pit. Well, I fell, but Virgil caught me. 

Using magic, I was able to translate some of the writing that we found on the hatches at the bottom. It was very similar to the writings we found in the Cyclops cave. We find ourselves in a room that had a bunch fo chairs and these black screens in it. We also hear a pounding on the other side of a door. The screens come to life and asked for identification. I said I was a traveller who meant them no harm, which worked. I was asked about the Kamraj Federation, which I've never heard of it. There's a level five alert, which is more of the same for us.

The door opens and some human like thing came out. We were able to mortally wound it, and after that we could get back to the business at hand. 

The computer told us that there was a successful launch request some six months ago. I imagine this was when Virgil just pushed buttons at the Cyclops cave. The launch was successful, and hit the western continent. None of us knew this continent existed. Millions of people may be dead. I can hardly blame Virgil. Now, I never thought he should have been pushing those buttons, but I know he had no inkling that doing so might result in this. Even if he did not know this land existed, I can't imagine that he would willingly kill so many people.

I guess we don't know for sure that it did. This is all strange. 

We find out also that Peecan is a research center, like this one. This base could not connect to it. As we receive this info, we are also told that some war androids are approaching. The screens show us an image of them. The outfits are dated, but one of them looks like the head of the Hardee Boys gang. We decide to seal the tunnels so they can't get in.

So, the hardee Boys demand a code to get in, and show us a woman who is tied to a horse. Some connection to Ellis, but all of a sudden, we are at a table in a tavern, telling a bartender our tale. We're all confused. Some strange god is messing with us now, it's the only explanation I have for this.Or a gas leak, because after that brief scene, which we all experienced, we were back here. Maybe we are unstuck in time?

We explore the ship. We find more of the humanoid creatures and are able to communicate with them. They tell us to not tell anyone what we saw here. There's nothing good here. They take us to their elders who tell us that these androids came some 40,000 years ago, fighting some sort of ancient war.  The androids are seeking access to something called a fusion core on this continent. The weapons of these ancient war are still here. We cannot change the programming of these andorids, only beat them to this core, which is on the western continent. The elder asks if anyone we know is using ghost rock, a glowing rock. Val says her people are.

The elder believes that between the use of ghost rock and the awakening of this ancient machinery, that has opened up a passage to the spirit realm as well as causing tears in reality. We can prevent this, stabilize things, by going to the other continent via an underground train. That's where I am now with Virgil and Slim.

Val and Ellis have decided to go after the androids. The woman they held captive was known by Ellis. A lover? I do not know. He was afraid for her and I had no time to ask questions. We are now hundreds of miles apart. I can only hope that we will meet again.

Catching up: Part 1

 Journal, the things that I have seen.

I am currently on some sort of train...but I don't think that's quite correct. Our mission has taken some turns as of late. Hence the neglect. For the matter of prosperity, I will record what I can. Currently, I am headed for a new continent, something I did not think existed until moments before. Should I perish, I hope this journal will give clues to whoever or whatever comes next.

When I left off, we had just gotten out of the Cyclop's cave. Months ago. My memory is hazy, but I do recall that we went back to the town that had been sent to the spirit world. It took a few attempts, but I was able to bring back the town. In case I forget it, I did say the phrase, "Ahvashat khaburasa khlebutum" in order to bring the town back.

As soon as the town had come back, there were gun shots. The Hardee Boys Gang was attacking. I think they may have been attacking when the town was sent to the ghost realm, but I'm not sure. Anyway, they were attacking then. During the gunfight, my magic somewhat failed me. I summoned a viper but it was ineffective. I cast a fireball and all it did was kill my viper. I was very ineffective during the battle. Ellis got some shots. I feel like Ellis is coming into his own out here in the desert. I hope all is well with him. He took off in a hurry, but I'm getting well ahead of myself. Still, he is my countryman. I just hope...

Anyways, we ended up winning in our fight against the Hardee Boy's Gang. As we rode out to their den, there was clearly some difference in vegetation. Like, difference in years. Something is messing with time.  

Hope in this new land there's something about Hoyle's Book of Games, a spell that can fix this. Set it right. How can I free those enslaved when time can just stop or freeze or whatever it is doing.

Anyway, we handed the bandits over to the magistrate. I do remember Ellis wanting to cut out the guy's tongue for making fun of him. Luckily we persuaded him to not. I suppose given the circumstances, I should be fine with vigilante justice, but still, some things I just can't stomach. 

After bringing the town back, we headed back towards Goodwater. We were attacked by giant tumbleweeds, and I nearly died. Recovered, obviously. But, that night, I did have an interesting conversation. Some voice in the darkness called to me. I think Virgil heard it too.

But, the voice said, "You’re on the right path. Keep going. You’ve stumbled on some secrets that no one else has. Goodwater is only the beginning.”

“There are secrets under the earth...relics of another age or relics of an age to be. Things changed after Peechem.”

I was told we have to go South and find the faux shaman. The spirit identifies itself as Maar. Overwhelmingly, I am being called South. Undoubtedly, my destiny lies there.

We do head south and found Goodwater. I tried to "reset" it, like I did the town earlier. I spread out the flowers and said the phrase, but all that did was bring a giant horse statue to life.

I must collect myself before resuming the tale. I have never seen my posse so scared as that moment. I can only hope to see them again, now that we are scattered somewhat.

January 28, 2021

We are free now, though we may have done...something. It's hard to tell what exactly we did. I have a bad feeling about what has transpired in the labyrinth that is the cyclops lair. Of my companions, I think only Ellis shares this sense. But, we shall see what transpires.

We found or Cyclops friend deeper in the cave. Other than crossing a cavern or ravine, it was rather uneventful to get there. We did see evidence that the cyclops civilization was grand. This was a magnificent temple. I almost wish I could see it in its full glory.

I tried to cast charm person on the cyclops. I was hoping that he might fall under my spell and then just let us out. No need for violence or anything like that. But, no luck. I felt my cast was good, but...perhaps the cyclops was resistant to magic? Unsure. Must find an older version of Hoyle's Book of Games to become stronger.

The Cyclops tells us we are in the Temple of the Holy Eye, which has not been used in 300 years. He himself, (or I guess "I" as that is I's preferred pronoun...so I's self?) came across it. Picham buried it, apparently.

With that done, the cyclops gave us a task, to retrieve something interesting from down below. We went back the way we came to the cavern and climbed down a ladder to a door. With a key the cyclops gave us, we made our way inside. It was very bright in there, something reflected a lot of light. But, there was nothing of interest in the front room, so we moved on. 

As we pressed on, we found what looked like a desk. Pushing some buttons on the desk gave us paper that crumbled upon contact and dried pens. We didn't think this was of any use to us, so we pressed on. 

At the back of this chamber, there were four hallways. We chose one at random, and we find crates with a cloak from an ancient grey cloth. Virgil gave me the cloaks, I still have one. Just past that, we found a door with some sort of writing on it. It was a language unknown to me, but I cast Comprehend Language and could read:

“Stop. Five level entrance. Personnel. Halt. Guidance Seek. Check with Lord.”

Unsure of what it means. I'm wondering if syntax got mixed up a little. A level five entrance? Wondering if check with lord was telling whoever was here before to get permission from their commander? Master? Unsure.

Further on, we found a metal stairway that descended into a larger room. There was a large green tube in the center. It hummed with some sort of magic, though not a magic I was familiar with. It pulsed with light. It also had messages. These trouble me, so I will put them down as best as I can remember them:

3115 11 test 1 complete 

3115 12 test complete 

3115 13 test complete 

3115 14 test complete 

3115 15 test complete 

3115 16 test complete

run secondary level plus lord. split and divide. recombine.

3115 17 test complete

sensory plus double good. recombine.

word pass lord plus five

3116 18 test pause

pause cycle

pause cycle

pause cycle

pause cycle

At this point, Virgil and Val began pushing buttons. The machine, though no machine I've ever seen stated:

3116 19 test complete

3116 20 test complete

3117 20 test complete

3118 20 test complete

recombine double plus good lord check

cycle complete

section A B C activated

Section A B C D Activated

Section A B C D E Activated

Tube pressure released. lord check

lord check

lord check confirmed

3118 test commencing

Exit hatch encumbered pause test?

Exit hatch encumbered pause test?

Section A B C D E Activated

Lord Check Confirmed. Test continuing.

3119 test continuing.

3119 Test failed.

3120 Test Start.

3115 16 Test A15 Start

3115 16 Test A16 start

The light began to pulse. More button pushing from above. I didn't know what was happening. I told the to stop, this didn't feel right, but they continued.

3115 16 Test A17 Complete. Success. Launch?

Launch commencing.

Sector A3165 Communciation with Lord check complete

Sector A3165 In communication.

Sector A3165 Booster activated.

Sector A3165 Booster launching.

Sector A3165 Launch Success.

Upon this, Virgil said "We won!" Reflecting on it now, that seems like a simple minded thing to say.  Launching something you don't know what it is does not make for winning.

Slim was not as bothered by this and we continued our examinations of the other tunnels. Down another was a big black screen. Button pushing from Val revealed some sort of map. It looked like a map of our world, but not quite. It also looked like some sort of war game was displayed.

Down another hallway were sleeping chambers full of skeletons. It was a dreadful sight. Someone in the group commented that they appeared to have been sleeping, as it looked like they were in beds, but the never awoke.

In another hallway we came across the Diary Lord Personal Aesmith (at least, that's how I read it. I assume that it meant the Personal Diary of Lord Aesmith) I read the first few pages.

“My dearest Laevial, Long have I been locked here in war. I long for you but fear you might have perished...

They not will tell us how the war fares on surface.

I keep troop morale up but sad they are saddened too. our connection with machines above are not alive.

Our fight is lost - what use are scientist military personal in this world?

I have been told by lord above that the fight goes well and we will be our secret weapon. I don't think thats true anymore. I will order the soliders to hide in the tube and prepare to sleep.

I will sleep too - i hope it does not come to that....

We decided to give this to the Cyclops, and for it he gave us our freedom. Still, I wonder if that book might have been some handy research for us to have. At least maybe I should have skipped to the end. Probably no sense in asking the cyclops for it, but I know it is here, and perhaps we can revisit this issue again. I know pushing some buttons releases the stone wall. So, if it comes to that...

At any rate, we will journey out of here soon. I don't know what will come of us or what we have launched into the world. (If anything...a lot of what were in those chambers was old. Though, the tests were successful...)

In lighter news, I have pants again. They are even magical to some degree. 

January 1, 2021

There is a chance that this will be the last entry I make. We are currently trapped in a cave with the threat of cyclops to eat us. This is connected to our fight with the wargs that we had at the end of the last entry.

Shortly after the last entry, Virgil and I noticed a storm coming in. There was lightning n the sky and a heavy rain. Very unusual for the desert. Given that we were in a low-lying area, we thought that it might be a danger of flash flooding. Virgil and I awoke the rest of our party, and began to evacuate camp.

We headed south, as there were some foothills there. The heavy rain though caused the sand to become muddy and the horses lost their footing. Ellis slipped off of his horse and I had to save him. The tables were turned shortly and I fell from my horse. In the mud, I found myself stuck. At first just a boot, but later I sunk into it fully. It took the rest of my companions their full effort to get me out. I have lost both my boots as well as my pants.

Ellis asked if I had extra pants, though I believe it was Slim that pointed out that I do not. My clothes are worn, unlike his. I am unsure of how I will acquire another pair. Perhaps if we get out of this mess, I will be able to bring that town back into this realm and be rewarded with pants. Imagine the look on the townspeople when they are brought back to the realm of the living to find their savior pantsless.

Oh journal, I should not laugh at a time like this. After I got out of the mud, we climbed a hill and found a cave. It appeared safe and so we camped there. The rest of the watch passed peacefully, or so I thought. When day should have begun, the cave stayed dark. There had been a cave-in or a boulder had been shoved in. How I did not hear this, I do not know. Cyclops don't have magic, none that I know of anyway. Ours does not appear to be particularly stealthy. Whatever the reason, we found ourselves trapped in the cave.

The cyclops the wargs had discussed lives here. Its name (do cyclops have genders? Unclear) is Parthas. Parthas was fairly intelligent. He could sense that we are not a harmonious group and our attempts to bluff our way out of the situation were rebuffed. Not that the truth sated him any more. I told him about the town and the magic and he scoffed at us for getting involved in these sorts of things.

The cyclops is from the south and may have even been from around Picham. His names for the cities there do not match my own, but upon me mentioning Picham he seemed to know it. Apparently there is a tower that disappears at times there. If we make it out of this, I hope that it will come in handy.

Our parlay went on too long and Slim and Ellis both took shots at the cyclops. Virgil hid during this, to gain an advantage. But, Slim and Ellis could not hit the cyclops because the storm had made their guns dirty. Neither had cleaned their weapons. I believe mine is lost to the mud.

Now that I think about it, I wonder if that storm was the work of a shaman. I believe we will need one to bring the town back...or perhaps I can muster the spell by myself. Still, if it was a shaman, hopefully, we can escape and find him.

I tried a bluff of my own, sensing some apprehension on his part about the magic in the south. I said that I was a powerful sorcerer that knew of the magic there and would use it to reign hellfire. I felt convinving to me, and I think even my companions were a bit taken back by it. I can't do that, of course, not yet. I know a few attack spells, but nothing that major. Still, it did not work. I think Ellis was less shocked when I claimed to be a powerful sorcerer than when I had told the cyclops that I was committed to ending the practice of slavery in my lands. That much was true, and I was hoping the cyclops had an altruistic bent to him. Not the case. Wonder why Ellis looked so concerned about me wanting to free people.

The cyclops laughed at our attempts to kill him, or even to harm him. He seems overly confident, and left us to our own devices for awhile. We have tried to hatch a plan. I am unsure if there is any way out of this cave other than the entrance that is blocked off. So, I don't know that we should kill him. I offered to blind the cyclops with magic. Val has sai we could hide amongst the sheep the cyclops has while he's blinded and run out. My spell though only lasts a minute, so I'm not sure it would work. Ellis wants to kill it I think. He is intrigued by the gold that is down in the cave. The cyclops doesn't care for it, it seems. I wonder...

The cyclops seems unworried about us. I wonder if we might discourse with him more, try to stretch this out while others in the party search for a way out of here. Maybe we use the cyclop's hubris against him.

Of course, the cyclops said the wargs were here as well. Would they recognize us? Things to discuss with the others. Until then...




Edward.

December 19, 2020

 We have the flowers. 

Given the slave patrols and other things we've seen in the basin, I thought that gathering them might have been more of a challenge. But, the actual collection was fairly smooth, though weird as things often are here in the desert. 

We found ourselves on the trail after a relatively uneventful evening. Val had been muttering in her sleep about needing to find the way south. Along the way, the non-Brethoreans hounded Ellis about his family and his past. Eillis seems a bit uneasy about his past, and it clearly made him uncomfortable. He clearly comes from the upper class of Brethore. His family owned a plantation with slaves. Ellis claimed to have worked the fields with them, trying to show that he was not afraid of labor, though I fear he only made his standing worse with some of our....hmmm...not entirely sure what to call ourselves. Our group for lack of a better term. I almost stood up for Ellis a bit. Say what you will about his dress and his background, but it seems he has turned his back on that. Perhaps he too wishes to see an end to the slave trade? With the plantation owners though...it's very easy to say one thing, but not live it out. It is always harder to live out our ideals. 

Listen to me talk as if my family didn't own slaves. Not a plantation, but still. Servants. Though without them, perhaps I wouldn't be so enlightened to this cause. If I weren't a witness to their suffering, did not hear their cries...I must remember them. 

We came upon the oasis. It was surrounded by an encampment of 30-40 people there, with wagons all around. The wagons were overturned, some of them at least. It seemed like a festival, with music and food. No one was in charge. Val was the one to spot the flowers first and I followed her to the water of the lake to collect them. We were offered food and drink. I declined, being wary of food from strangers. Of our group, only Slim partook. After finding out that the bread was made with the flowers, I am glad that I did not. 

Virgil played his flute with some of them, and I must say that he was a decent musician. I did feel myself missing my guitar that had been with me in Goodwater. It was an indulgence to carry, but a reminder of home. Perhaps I will find a guitar out here in the desert...perhaps there will be one in the town we will bring back. 

I was collecting flowers most of the time, but I could tell by watching the others that most were uncomfortable with the people encamped here. Virgil, after playing some tunes, joined Ellis at the wagons. Ellis found some moldy bread, cloth, and some nice coats in one of the wagons. The people said we could take them. After Val and I got enough flowers, we joined our companions. Slim wanted to stay and partake in more food, but the rest of us wanted to go. Something about these people gave us the creeps. They were too....jolly to be in the desert. Also, they couldn't seem to tell us how long they had been camped here or where they were from. I remembered the shaman from before who warned us not to consume the flower. It seems to take away their inhibition. Not a good thing in the desert. At least these people are at the oasis. They do seem to have a field for wheat at least. So, they aren't starving themselves. 

We saddled our horses and left. They did not seem to care that we left. No harm befell our group, but still...I do wonder what it would be like to stay with them and observe them.

We traveled back towards the town. It will take multiple days to get there. On our watch the first night, Val and I heard growling and howling noises. The second night, they were closer. I risked magic and cast dancing lights so we could see the source, and it was wargs. They were beastly. A skirmish ensued. For my part, I summoned a viper to fight for me. I do have a revolver, but I loathe to use it. The viper seemed to do some good damage, and after some gunshots from the others, the wargs fell back, one calling out to the others that they should fall back, "to the lair of the cyclops to defend the treasure." 

I was gladdened to see that there were no takers in the group. Given that they could not see the town before, I half expected them to want to chase after wargs in search of gold. But, they seem to want to press on and continue our mission. 

December 3, 2020

 My pursuit of magic was almost better when I went it alone, but now surprised with people ignorant of the powers around us....

Oh journal, you are the only one I can write this out to. Though perhaps I shall censor it slightly, in case one of these companions of mine rifles through my pack and discovers what I furiously scribble by the light of our campfire. 

You have been neglected too long, so here is a recap of what has happened...

Not long after we rode out of Goodwater, we came across a slave caravan. Detestable business that it is, but it's the nature of Brethore. And mother wonders why I didn't want to serve. Serve what? Imperial ambition to subjugate the masses? Does she think that only those in service are the slaves? When I become a sorcerer, I will free them all. Alas, they were too heavily guarded and we are too few in number. I'm sure on his own, Ellis might have shot at them. But, we let them pass. I wasn't shocked by the sight, I knew it happened, but some of the others in our troop seemed outraged. My memory is hazy, but I feel Val especially felt sorry for the slaves. I am gladdened somewhat that they are angered by the sight. At least that is an injustice they will fight against.

That night, a ghost caravan went through our camp. I foolishly ducked out of the way. I really should have been able to sense or detect that it was not from our realm and stood to face it. I cannot balk in the face of magic if I am to understand it. 

We continued on to the oasis when a strange man ranted at us for being on his land and pleaded with us to take the road. Given that we had not seen a road for some time, this perplexed us. In his lunacy, there seemed to me a kernel of truth, and so we went back to where the town was supposed to be. Slim "paid" the man with some rocks for his trouble. You meet all sorts out here. The man did tell us about the ghost caravan and said it had to do with a curse.

There was nothing there, but I cast a spell to allow me to see invisible things and I did find there to be a town there. My companions could not see it, and I believe they think me mad. I led them to a graveyard to try and find the resting place of a man the raving maniac had mentioned. Indeed, I did find an open grave. A man calling himself Ellis was at the bottom and he pleaded with me to kill him. Given that my companions could not see or hear him, or that I could not touch him, I doubted I could do so. When I told Ellis (from our group...too many Ellis's around) that the man wanted to die, he handed me his gun. Brathorian compassion at its finest. 

Ellis in the ground explained that the town had been sent away, a spell gone awry. He was ashamed of his daughter's marriage and only meant to send her and her husband away to the spirit realm, but the spell backfired. And instead of sending just the two people, it sent the whole town to the spirit realm. 

The horror of that, all those people trapped there. I was informed that through the use of a flower, yellow tipped with a red center, this curse could be reversed. When I informed my companions of this, they seemed disinterested in helping these people. It was only when I reminded Ellis that in the spirit world, the whiskey had no flavor that he took pity on those people. 

Ellis in the ground did say that there was a chance that bringing the town back might kill him, as he is trapped between the realms. He told me to find a particular shaman to help. This shaman was different from the shaman in Goodwater. The one that affected this town was well dressed and spoke gravely. Ellis in the ground said to be wary of shamans bringing gifts. Apparently, his town had been offered a kangaroo. Perhaps the shamans don't know the region and the kangaroo was their first guess at what might be a tribute. But...there are none to be found here. 

Assuring the man that we, or perhaps I should have only said I, would help, we continued on our way. That night, we were visited by pookah, strange shapeshifting creatures. They visited us looking like miniature versions of us. Ellis, true to his nature, decided to shoot at them. He missed the pookah that looked like him, but Val shot the same, splattering Ellis with its remains. Seeing the others fight their tiny versions of themselves, I thought this might be futile and I cast a spell to put the creatures to sleep. While I intended to maybe question the creatures (they seemed somewhat intelligent and could at least mimic speech it seemed. I may be wrong but I wanted to know) Slim and Ellis took this time to execute three of the four remaining ones, including the one that looked like me. That was disconcerning. I hope Slim didn't get a feeling of satisfaction watching the head of the tiny "Spooky kid" get blown off. 

Val to her credit did not want to kill the one that looked like her. Over the protests of Ellis and Slim, she adopted it as a pet. I think this is a good approach. Seeing the pookah lad in its more natural form, I think it may be useful to have a tiny creature that can steal be on our side. Ellis and Slim wanted to kill it. Virgil I believe advocated for tying it up and leaving it, which seemed cruel for him. I saw no reason to kill it. The creatures came to us, but they didn't attack until fired upon. No need for senseless violence, and I am glad that Val spared it. I hope the creature, who is named Aeliss, is not used as target practice by some in our party. 

During my portion of the watch, shared with Virgil, a man approached our camp. We were weary of him, but he claimed to be a shaman. He warned us not to consume the flower. I assumed he meant to not eat it, but sometimes shaman speak in trickery, so I will think on it. He also told us we needed to travel into the heart of the desert, to Piccham. He made it seem that Piccham was a town...which, I had never thought of. The town where magic came back? What happened there? Too many speculations for right now....losing track of the important things here. The shaman said that the forces above were trying to bring about the end times, that Goodwater was a poorly executed plan by them, but more would come. We must save Goodwater, and then travel to the heart of the desert to Piccham. 

In my travels and study of magic, I have often found that voices from the dark bring the best information. Virgil seemed to trust him as well. I must admit that this gladdened me. I have been so swept up and eager in the past as to get hoodwinked. 

Oh journal, how fortunate we are that this shaman came when I and Virgil were on the watch. Had it been Ellis or Slim, I fear he would have been shot at or dismissed. They know NOTHING of magic, and seem to not believe in it even though there is magic all around us in the desert. The Great Basin tingles with it. If only they could have seen the town. It was nothing much, but a whole town there, invisible to the unaided eye. But journal, they HAVE seen...they saw Goodwater, they saw the ghost buggy, they have been in the spirit realm themselves. How can they think this the stuff of legends and kiddy stories when they are living it? I do not fully comprehend what is going on, but I feel I have a firmer grasp of the bigger picture than they. Hopefully, they will become more amenable to belief before it is too late.

We ride for the oasis. Val learning the name of her pookah had me thinking about my own horse.  It is time I named it. He is a beautiful horse, worthy of a name. I was thinking after the shaman left of the stories of the sorcerers of old. How powerful they were, the battles they fought, the legends they created. I remember one in particular, a sorcerer from the north.Vodican the powerful. He rode upon Mairama. While I do not pretend to be worthy of his titles and legends, I hope that I may honor him and the legends of old. Thinking of all the names of the sorcerers of old and their horses....Gnonaym, Trefrund, Boots...it is a great history, but of all those famous horses, the one I ride upon seems to be a Mairama. I shall honor the sorcerers of old by naming my horse after one of their steeds. May I prove worthy of being able to ride such magnificent a horse. Someday, they shall tale the tale of how Edward Aquino rode from Picham to free all the enslaved in Brethore on the back of Mairama. 

To the oasis we go. To glory we go. To the legends we go. 

November 5, 2020

 I am not sure that I can adequately put down the level strangeness, the power of the magic that I saw today. I can only try. 

I was at the saloon. I had been called there by some mysterious force to play poker. While Ellis was more than willing to play, cards were not my style. I only observed. After some time, a local came in and said, "You have to see this!" and encouraged everyone in the saloon to come outside.

Outside, a shaman was bringing in a very large metallic horse. It was a strange sight to see. We asked the locals the purpose of the gift and we got evasive answers. It was a celebration of some sort, a gift, but as to what I could not tell. The locals all seemed very excited though. With some effort, the shaman set the horse into the foundation of the town. 

Afterward, the locals began to reference a war outside of town that had torn the world apart. The horse kept them safe, they said. Horrors had been inflicted upon the world, but the horse kept them safe. Stranger still, they seemed to indicate that they were a year in the future from when we actually were. Myself, Ellis, Virgil and the others believe it to be year 382 after the Picham Catastrophe. The locals said it was year 383. Most curious.

Attempting to flee the town, the sky turned a vicious color. Clearly, a change had occured. Was this a vision? A reality? I did not know. In talking with Ellis, Virgil, and Slim, none of us have seen or even heard anything like it.

We managed to get out of the town, where we procured some horses. I have an appaloosa. A gorgeous horse.  Outside of town, the world was back to "normal", at least as we knew it. We have decided to try for an oasis that we had heard of. The locals swear it was destroyed, but we hope it will hold the keys to this mystery.

Still buzzing about the magic that I have witnessed. I am excited by this. I feel as if I may be on the cusp of something great. What the others feel, I cannot say, but for now we rode for the oasis.