15th of Methril, 544 I.E

 

It seems the repercussions of the unforgettable events of the Emperor's project have begun to creep back in on us. Though I am but a furrikin, a simple farmer of the Bluetail clan, I will do my part to protect my people and ensure our legacy continues.

 

Magnagora has begun stirring again, after a long sleep following the...what could I call it? End of hope? End of sanity? No...I must not give in to despair. Mutated creatures were spotted leaving the great gates, though not in a shambling mass...to my fear, it was reported to the council that they were marshaling in what seemed like a platoon heading out to battle. Oh Mother Lake...if you can still hear us now, wherever you have gone, let this not be true.

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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12th of Ashtar, 544 I.E

 

The scouts sent out to look for harvestable land returned today, with yet more bad news. It seems in their journey, they encountered dwarves of the once Dwarven capitals, campaigning against one another. Their previous king seems to have fallen during the madness of the Taint, and what is left is but a divided capital. How could they fight one another when there are already so many enemies so close to us? I simply do not know.

On their journey back, they came in contact with some dracnari traders. It seems they offered some seeds to help with our crops, and helped train one of our scouts with the art of silk weaving. Perhaps they feel a communal connection, with us both being left homeless..

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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20th of Nifil, 546 I.E

 

Life has continued in relative peace, perhaps things may get better. Whispers have floated down from across the land that merian survivors have begun to rebuild Celest, far across the inner sea, upon the shores. Their numbers are far fewer than what was once celest, but they are pushing forward. Could this be a sign of things returning to normal? Spirits let it be true.

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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3rd of Elohian, 547 I.E

 

The songs of war ring across the Basin, as soldiers from competing nations charge into one another. Magnagora seeks to dominate all under its banner as 'the Engine of transformation' and sees this 'New Celest' as a threat that must be destroyed. New Celest, still suffering the wounds struck by the taint, sought vengeance as they strike back at the twisted forces. When will this madness end?

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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22nd of Gorgani, 548 I.E

 

We met with ambassadors from Serenwilde this evening...if I can even believe they were from Serenwilde. How hard they have become...hateful and angry. They stated they are marshaling their troops to help quell the spread of the hand of Magnagora's undead, as well as negate the rise of civilization again, and have asked...or should I say insisted, that our able bodied enlist and join.

 

We attempted to calmly explain to them that we do not seek war, and that there has been enough violence as is, and that all we seek is to live in harmony as best we can as we once did. This seems to have set the ambassadors in a rage, claiming us to have turned our backs on the old ways and the spirits and walking off. Oh Mother Lake and Brother Bear...only you know how our hearts still belong to you, and it is by our act of seeking harmony that we are truly devoted to you.

 

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2nd of Shakinel, 549 I.E

 

Our scouts returned in tears today, a shambling mess, their numbers reduced by two. They had been within what is now known as "The Blasted Lands", attempting to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, until suddenly the ground begun to rumble beneath them. Giant monstrous furry creatures shot up out of the ground, like a fish from water, and grabbed one of them, pulling him down into its pit, his screams echoing behind him. As they rushed away, another was suddenly swept below as well, disappearing from sight, as if by illusion magicks. They shot straight for home ever since.

 

We've ordered all scouts no longer to journey near Magnagoran territory.

 

What were those monsters?? ....Has Magnagora released some new destructive fiend to protect its borders? Spirits save us.

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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15th of Shakinel, 549 I.E

 

Blood continues to litter the Basin, as the nations war for claim of the shattered pieces of the Empire. They do not even seem to realize that their own feuding seems to be destroying most of the lands they seek to take. The fall of several locations have whispered in to Estelbar, those villages that joined a side...or refused to.

 

Reports of strange activity near Estelbar have begun to flood in as well. Talks of strange creatures, resembling orclach but more stunted, have begun heavy constructions nearby. The orclach have been near worshipping the taint since its arrival and cannot be trusted...we must be vigilant.

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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4th of Raziary, 550 I.E

 

A raid! Sweet Honeysap, What have we done to deserve their fury?? These strange creatures, apparently known as 'orcs', have broken through our barriers in a rage and pillaged our homes. We tried to defend ourselves but it seems they these barbarians live up to their namesake... thankfully the Tae'dae warriors were able to hold them back some, but we were still outnumbered. They made off with several of our farmers and left us in shambles.

 

The villagers...or what's left of us, met and conferred. Several insisted we take up the alliance with Serenwilde and strengthen ourselves by doing so. Others whispered we should appease Magnagora in hopes of pulling these brutes off. One strange astrologer mentioned somehow using astrological magicks to repel violence from our lands, but few believed such a claim, as even he wasnt sure how to initiate such an undertaking.

 

I simply look around silently at the desperate faces. Is this the only path we have? Do we just turn away from our teachings to follow the new order?

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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5th of Raziary, 550 I.E

 

Luerna Hopekeep, a robust tae'dae woman, proclaimed to the village today that she will be leaving to find another location to reside in and thus keep to the old ways until the sacred day of Returning. The dismissal was near instant by some...but who could blame them? We have lived in fear for near 7 years now... this option of leaving relative safety and roaming and wandering in these now dangerous lands would not be taken easily. Luerna however was not deterred, and stated that she shall continue on the sacred path bestowed upon them, and will leave at first light to find a location close to where once Ackleberry resided, much like Estelbar now. Several felt inspired and began to go with her. With a soft goodbye to my friends, I gathered my belongings and headed out to follow Luerna at dawn.

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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8th of Raziary, 7 years After Fall.

 

We've been three days on the journey now, having made camp in some dell nearby. We are few in number and the wind has a howl to it, as if the spirits of the recently lost are still screaming in despair at the atrocities that have passed. Luerna keeps our hopes up, with old songs and stories of Ackleberry and comforting words of the home we shall have. I take comfort in them, especially after the recent sight I had the misfortune of resting my eyes on. A merian, still fledgling into manhood, was pinned on some sort of heinous looking crucifix, with words charred into his flesh: "This is the end of those that trifle with the Engine".

 

Luerna speaks of remembering the past, but looking to the future for guidance, and accepting this new page in our lives. I have to agree with her, and so from henceforth, I shall forget the years of the imperial empire, and begin anew with it's fall.

 

- Arduff Bluetail

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10th of Raziary, 7 years After Fall.

 

Journeying deeper into the dell, we've found a nice clearing, past some trees and bushes that would perhaps give us some peace of mind. After initial construction on some quick structures for housing, Luerna gathered us few and lead us into a small hidden glade that was concealed from view. Gathering around, she unveiled a secret: A small vial, holding a translucent liquid that I would instantly have guessed was just water...if not for the strange blue aura infused in it. With a smile, she claimed it a gift from the Mother of Lakes and Rivers Herself, an item passed down from generations, and taken care of for when the members of Ackleberry needed it most. Gesturing, she pointed towards a small pond in the glade, and stated that Ackleberry will not be forgotten nor its people discarded.

 

Luerna uncorked the vial and approached the pond, as I watched with trepidation. The small amount of mystical water poured out into the pond. At first...nothing happened, and I am ashamed to say I lowered my head in grief, but then...a  light began to emit from the waters, shining a cerulean blue. We suddenly felt a wash of energy...a familiar power...not sensed since Ackleberry. Turning to us, Luerna smiled and claimed we will be protected by these waters, and we shall also protect it from this day on.

 

We then constructed a font for the waters, and it was dubbed the Font of Lollabrilla, in honor of the individual that first awoke the Honeysap of old. We came to name the valley Tolborolla Valley, and made sure to live in the harmony we once knew.

 

We are home.

 

- Arduff Bluetail.

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