As adventurers far and wide prepared themselves for the coming Ascension
Trials, the rest of the Basin continued in motion, the Soulless threat
looming over them like a dark shadow. In Magnagora, a geomancer
researcher named Rasebal i'Xiia, long wrapped up in his research on the
Taint and its effect on the earth, stumbled out into the city, ranting
about dreams as he made his way through the city streets. Arcanis rushed
to Rasebal, curious about his cries, and learned of the nightmares that
haunted Rasebal. Rasebal told the geomancer of the figures that came to
him in his sleep, pushing him towards the mountains not far from the
city. He asked to be brought to Snaikka, a fellow i'Xiia, where he told
her of his dreams, and his desire to take his research to the mountains.
Snaikka quickly tired of his ramblings, taunting the young i'Xiia for
his failures to the family, but with the help of Arcanis, was convinced
to give in to the crazed researcher.

Snaikka summoned Jezebel, tutor to the Geomancers, in hopes that she
would be able to understand the cryptic message hidden within Rasebal's
dreams. Jezebel and Rasebal talked through the confusing images that
haunted him, but Jezebel was of little help. Snaikka, tired of dealing
with the situation and busy with her own work, granted Rasebal
permission to take his research to the mountains. He and Jezebel
returned to the guild halls of the Geomancers with Arcanis, but was
quickly chased off by the advances of the Mistress, disappearing from
the city for a few days.

Suddenly, an earthquake shook the city of Magnagora. The tremors
continued, stretching out into the Blasted Lands, and then reaching into
the mountains that surrounded the city. Shaken loose by the moving
earth, a rockslide fell down the slopes of the Southern Mountains, and
soon, the adventurers saw why. Rasebal had cleared out a laboratory from
the side of the mountains, and Arcanis quickly greeted him in his new
study. He was the first to be asked for help by the researcher, tasked
with scouring the mountainsides nearby for a strange creature which he
called a gulagoyle. Arcanis quickly set off, seeing out and slaying the
creatures, retrieving the samples needed for the scientist. Kregarn and
Selenity, of the Serenwilde, stumbled into the laboratory, curious of
the geomancer and his research, but ultimately decided not to assist.
Tridemon, curious of the rumblings in the mountains, would come to
possess one of the samples, holding onto it while he questioned the
researcher. Assuming his research would eventually come to fruition
whether he helped or not, Tridemon handed over the ingredient to Rasebal
and waited.

Rasebal was quickly flooded with his requested samples, but the
gulagoyles provided just more mystery. Rasebal tasked the adventurers
with retrieving other tainted beings from the Blasted Lands to which he
could compare them to. His request granted, Arcanis returned the last of
these samples, unlocking the secrets of the gulagoyles for the
researcher, rewarding Arcana for his assistance.

Rasebal, intrigued by his findings, quickly returned to his research in
hopes of mass producing this gift for the city of Magnagora, always in
need of assistance from any who proved themselves a willing test
subject.

Rasebal quickly called upon Arcanis once more, still haunted by the
dreams, and sent him out to investigate. Pushing more boulders loose
from the mountainside, Arcanis uncovered a glimmering jewel. HIs
treasure was quickly lost as incorporeal figures descended upon the gem,
manifesting a presence just long enough to retrieve it. As they laid
their hands upon the jewel, their forms solidified, but the presence did
not last. A look of disappointment upon their faces, they took to the
skies once more, leaving Arcanis to return to Rasebal once more. Rasebal
was no long plagued by the dreams, and decided that to bring honour to
his family, he would continue his research into the gulagoyles, in hopes
of bringing their gifts to the city of Magnagora.

What had happened to the researcher's crazed dreams, which seemed to
have suddenly faded? And who were these figures that descended so
quickly upon the mountainside to steal this mysterious jewel? Answers
would surely come in time, but for now, the adventurers returned to
their preparations, readying themselves for the upcoming trials to
repair the damaged Seal.

Penned by My hand on the 16th of Klangiary, in the year 402 CE.