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[Gray Smythe]

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72 Aug. 375 21:47

Forward to the Reader

As I ponder this expedition, I sit keenly aware of the dangers ahead and the possibility that I may not return from this endeavor. Thus, I rest now in the comfort of the Library penning these words to any that may recover this work. For posterity's sake, and the sake of a deceased researcher's will, these works should be delivered to one Kaedence or Varrius, residing in Yew at their Apothecary (Coordinates 70º 19'N by 34º 27'W). Having prefaced this collection of my thoughts to span the rest of my existence, I prepare to rest for the evening. Tomorrow shall be a difficult journey.

73 Aug. 375 05:21

I pack light. My travels will bring me far from what I know as home and I dare not bring anything non-essential. A satchel of tools, reagents and potions shall be my companion for however long this project will last. I depart at first morning's light and make way for the lands of Ilshenar, my destination being the ziggurat standing tall past the city of Ver Lor Reg. Approximately 33 minutes from now my quest begins.

73 Aug. 375 13:39

We make good time on fair winds. The vessel I convinced my father to fund is small, but easy to sail. I look forward to arriving in Moonglow that I may begin this study. I find myself anxious and unsettled. For better or worse, I will see this through now.

73 Aug. 375 22:08

I have finally arrived in Ilshenar, at the shrine to Honesty. The ziggurat should not be far now, though it grows too dark to see, and I dare not risk progressing now. There is a small inn nearby, likely abandoned, I will rest there for the evening.

The moon over Trammel is a waxing gibbous, and high over Felucca is a wanning crescent.

1 Sept. 375 09:00

The heat is stronger than I had anticipated. Local fauna: Imp, Red Scaled Lizards, Golems of rock and earth. There is a small camp nearby, littered with tools and carts of ore. I cannot expect what to find within the tents so I believe I shall spend my morning investigating. It may prove useful.

1 Sept. 375 12:42

Searching the camp proved most hazardous. I disturbed a sleeping gargoyle, whom became quickly agitated by my presence. I just now find myself free of his chase. I've ended up in an odd ruin. All around me stand statues of gargoyles carved into beautiful marble stone. The grass has given way to a painstakingly paved approach, leading to a waterfall fed from the mountain itself. I can only surmise this once stood as a ground for ritual to the gargoyles inhabiting Ver Lor Reg, The City of Great Light. If I have time following my current project, I shall return here. It is peaceful.

1 Sept. 375 18:12

I am back on course, and I have stopped in Ver Lor Reg for the evening and rented a room. The desert was rather uncomfortable. A large swirling column of sand, debris, and bones seemed to chase me through the approach. It was quite remarkable, as I have never seen such a collection of energy. I wish it would have allowed a closer examination. Most of the creatures I meet are infuriatingly uncooperative to the progression of Science and learning. Confounding!

2 Sept. 375 10:29

A denizen of Ver Lor Reg follows my progression. I have made no indication of noticing him, I am curious to see what has provoked him onto my trail. Perhaps it is as simple an explanation as he has never before seen a human child. His motives may be more sinister than this, and I shall be on my guard.

He stands tall, of purple-hued flesh. There are no horns adorning his face contrary to most of his species, and his wings do not flex or move, they seem to merely sit upon his back like a cloak. A most perplexing member of his species. I am interested to find his cause for lending my party a second member.

2 Sept. 375 14:40

The ziggurat is within sight!

2 Sept. 375 21:09

The ziggurat is very dangerous! I've manged to accomplish nothing further than the preservation of my own life over the past six and a half hours. It is quite infuriating. The collection of creatures guarding this... citadel seem to be demonic in nature. I will have to devise some form of distraction if I am to reach the control panels at the four compass corners of the temple. My new, unwelcome, gargoyle companion has set up camp just beyond view. I have set up a perimeter, fougasse buried half an inch below the surface with vague marks so I will not forget their location. Should my camp come beset, my invader will be in for a nasty surprise. I will rest with one eye open this evening.

3 Sept. 375 04:55

I've got it! There is but one land bridge over the lava on approach to the ziggurat. Shape charges underneath it on timed detonator should be sufficient enough to cut a path for the magma flow. I will lure the guardians onto the land bridge to be fodder for the molten rock... This will take great timing and care, though I will prepare now under the cover of darkness. I have not the materials to waste on another watch and my timepiece is necessary for the facilitation of this schematic. My apologies in advance to whomever may be reading this for future neglect of time, and possibly date. It is for the sake of posterity.

3 Sept. 375 approx. 10:00

The plan was a success, though barely. My estimation of timing was slightly off, and I was thus nearly hoisted by my own petard. A success nonetheless. What creatures did not incinerate are trapped on the approach to the citadel. It should give me plenty of time to negotiate another way across and proceed with my research. There is a cliff face to the north, and I am possessed of some rope and wit. It should not be difficult to find my way into the citadel's yard. No sign of my gargoyle stalker.

3 Sept. 375 approx. 13:30

I've made it across and I am not under immediate assault. Success! I plan to investigate the control panels at the corners of the ziggurat; I am anxious to explore the secrets of this citadel long buried after the destruction of Exodus.

3 Sept. 375 approx. 21:00

Remarkable. The spires set at the corners of the ziggurat serve as control panels for the electrical flux control to the entire citadel. The creatures, it seems, were not the only defensive measures installed for this system. The power levels are staggeringly high and some of the ports in the control system are intentional misdirections. Pure energy is the catalyst to the reaction formulating the creation of a more refined power source, and improper manipulation of these devises will more than likely prove fatal to one of my stature. I shall have to take great care in my further analysis and functional manipulation of these puzzle-esque control systems. This is simply astounding! I will work through the night... I have no cause to believe the creatures I have trapped are not, even now, attempting to procure escape to return to their guard duties. Now with cause to believe something amiss, no less.

*Below is a highly detailed drawing of the control panel.*



Addendum: My gargoyle stalker managed to finally follow my footsteps. He sits calmly past the reach of immediate concern, watching me intently. Why is it that he follows me? I continue the charade of having no knowledge of his presence.

5 Sept. 375 approx. 04:00

It is early morning and I have been working for a day and a half straight. Time is running short however. Even now I hear the creatures slowly making their way across the gap. Though, I have been met with tumultuous success. All four spires are operational and I have now moved my expedition into the center spire... the ziggurat itself. The controls are vast and unending. Decades this place has rested, unseen by human eyes and untouched by human hands, now the controls hum between my fingers. I am at a loss for words. The shields closing off the very lower level have proven tricky, though I am not about to abandon my attempts when I stand so close to the knowledge lost in these halls. I must persevere, I must continue and triumph over these security measures. In the name of posterity, for the sake of science.

6 Sept. 375 approx 00:00

I managed to lower the shields with no time to spare. They came like water through a bursting dam, ravaging, hungry, and with death in their eyes. With nowhere to run to escape their wrath, I ran into the lower level. I had hoped to locate a panel with which I may, once again, close the shields. I was remiss to be met with nothing. The ground level was empty save a pit in the center of the room. I tied off a rope and began my descent, hoping I was not expediting my own end. As sure as you read this, I reached floor. A sub-level to the citadel. I found myself in a great main chamber, no sign of the rope by which I entered. Nor did I enter from the ceiling as one would imagine, but simply found myself standing on solid ground, with another large pit at my rear. The only explanation I could devise was some sort of teleportation technology had carried me to my current bearing. I am certain it seems absurd to you but I assure you as a scientist, there is no other explanation. The wonders I have seen leave no doubt in my mind that this is entirely probable. When I dare return to the antechamber, I will perform further tests. For now I am safe. A few of the creatures followed me through to this side and I was made to flee further into the citadel's sub-level. Directly into the dwellings of a most agreeable controller. He procured, for me, a manner of escape. In as much as he killed my pursuers. He has spoken very little to me as of yet, but watches me, even now as I write, with a keen interest.

Addendum: I have no evidence to believe my gargoyle stalker is still on my trail or that he even still lives.

Second Addendum: There is no light from the surface here, and no distinguishable way to keep the time. I am curious to see how formidable my psyche proves in this odd situation.
_________________
SCIENCE!!

[Gray Smythe]

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7 Sept. 375 approx. 05:00

I awoke this morning feeling rather well rested, considering how little I have slept the past few days, and how uncomfortable it is to sleep on steel plating. My only hypothesis is the sheer energy present here. The walls, the floors, the very air hums and buzzes with an unmistakable and undeniable electrical presence, the likes of which I have never experienced. I surmise my parting from this place may leave me quite drained for a short time.

7 Sept. 375 Late evening

I have no grasp of what time it is currently other than the fact that some time has passed, though a day has not yet turned. The controller has finally spoken with me. It appears he was monitoring my progression top-side and was not infuriated, as I would have concluded, but instead rather impressed. Ryzdak was how he introduced himself, informing me I was not the first human child he had seen. I was bewildered, but he would not answer my questions regarding the other children. Perhaps it is a sign of my undoing, though he has not killed me yet. I believe I have little to fear from this man, shaped by his own technology. He has requested I stay with him in apprenticeship and tutelage. Though, in actuality, I believe I have little say in the matter either way I have agreed for my part for now...

This is unreal! I am very anxious for us to begin our work tomorrow.

Lab Notes:
The entire citadel is off center of the main ziggurat. The antechamber in which I entered is set fourteen clicks East of the origin teleporter (My hypothesis was correct.)

Progressing further we have come to a generator, and the source for the energy I have felt. Three large pipes wider and easily taller than I, or my tutor, stand and feed a type of furnace. This, I am told, is what I had activated top-side.

Creations abound, intricate cog-work, gears and fashions.

Pipes span entire citadel. Pressure indicators, valves, levers, switches, panels, buttons, exhaust manifolds, inlet and outlet piping all with electricity coursing through. This place is alive with energy.

The most fabulous thing of all. Incubators. Biological sentients fused with mechanical augmentation, monstrous gargoyles with pipes and gear work on their flesh digging into their bones of metal. Mechanical creations, brought to life with biological augmentation. The organs and blood of a dragon to power a large, floating machine which feasts on meat. Mechanism and Biological chemistry fused together to create life.

Week 1

My tutor grants me little time for personal reflection. I shall now begin to keep a weekly journal. I was given time enough to augment a nonfunctional device into a form of a clock working off the gravitational fluxes in the citadel. They are fairly drastic here. It shall alert me every seven days and my tutor has agreed that this is when I shall sit to reflect upon my thoughts, and update this field journal. Until such a time I will keep this work as updated as possible with minor lab notes. I am afraid I do not have the time, nor the space, to include all that I learn in this field journal. My apologies forward to the reader; it is for the sake of posterity.

Lab Notes:

The Incubators. Deceased, decaying flesh even, may still undergo the augmentation process. The viscous fluids in the incubators are laced with restorative chemicals, rebuilding the decaying and even lost proteins. The energy flux in this place is no longer nonsensical, it takes great amounts of energy to... jolt... the creations to life after the restorative incubator has reformed the lost tissue. The entire citadel sits in quiet serenity for a few moments following an Awakening. There are no lights. The hum of the energy is gone from the steel housing about us. It is perfect and absolute quiet. As the lights reengage and the incubator reboots the fluids drain into an outlet pipe and the door is opened revealing the result of the investment of effort and power. I, under the guidance of my tutor, have just created life. We must go finalize the process and ensure all is functioning.

Week 2

All was not functioning. The wipe of the memory of the creation did not function properly and the binary systems executing in the mind agitated the creation to hostility. Ryzdak informed me of this possibility and effaced this fact as the reason we start with small creatures. We worked with a mongbat, though even such a week creature became formidable with our augmentations, and we sealed it inside the incubation laboratory. The reaction occurring in the mind of the creation was rampant throughout its entire anatomy and it was not long before it suffered complete systems failure, organ failure, and biological ruin. My instructor verified my hypothesis that the organic tissues began to refuse the mechanical augmentations after the mind had reached its state of aggression over the process. The mongbat, in essence, reasoned itself to death. Its biological defense mechanisms began assaulting the foreign bodies in its anatomy, and its systems simply shut themselves down. Quite remarkable. We move on to a larger creature tomorrow. A drake-like beast, which I am informed is classified "Vollem." I look forward to working with this physiological specimen.

A brief moment of reflection:

The process was a complete success. I have banded a small strand of my biological signature to the Mechanically augmented companion, before the reformation process was complete within the incubator. When the processes reached finalization, the creature was placid, docile and cooperative. The banding of my biological signature bonded the creature to my person immediately, and so strongly that only complete absolution could lose the bond. I've made a friend.

Id Machina, I have named him. I am Machine.

Week 3 +4 days

I have been enraptured of my work, my apologies for this late entry, and a short one it shall be. Id Machina is progressing well. He is strong, able, loyal, and intelligent. I take a moment to thank my tutor, the Controller Ryzdak, without whom none of this may have been possible.

Addendum: Still no sign of my gargoyle stalker. I believe I am finally free of his shadow. Though I find myself curious still over his motivations to lend my expedition chase.
_________________
SCIENCE!!

[Gray Smythe]

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Week 5 +/- 1 day

I've mostly lost track of time. I am unsure as to whether or not my method of keeping the weeks has already dinged or is about to sound the close of another seven days. Regardless, the past week and a half has been entirely eventful. Given my latest successes with biomechanical engineering and re-animation, my tutor has decided to expedite my studies. After giving analysis to the differential factors present in the experiment concerning the mongbat as opposed to the experiment concerning the Vollem we moved onward. Ryzdak believed me ready and capable, to delve into biochemical engineering beginning with the restorative agents present in the incubators. It is quite a simple process actually. Tissue samples from the creature to be restored are gathered and distilled into a solution of vitriol, mandrake root and caustic lye. The tissue is dissolved rapidly in the solution and inserted into an injector. The incubator is then filled with a solution base of biological oils, primarily composed of animal fats and an agent to allow water solubility, and the subject is inserted. At which point you discharge the injector, which adds the previous chemical restorative directly to the flesh of the subject. The entire process takes implicit measurement and precision. It is a sheer wonder that it works at all on any scale.

Addendum: Dragothien has a device similar to this in his lab, primarily for the purpose of preservation and restoration of matter. We shall have to compare notes!

Week 6... I believe.

It has become much easier than I first imagined to miss entry dates and lose track of time, even with mechanical aid. Ryzdak and I have been busy. We have moved past biochemical restoration and into an intricate, highly complicated pursuit; that of Biochemical weaponry. We have barely begun to scratch the surface of my perceived applications of this study and already I find myself enamored of the science. As of yet, the most successful imagined devision I have been allowed to facilitate has been highly concentrated snake venoms in accord with a necrotic agent composed of vitriols. It is to be injected by means of dart or syringe. I continue to strive for the best method of forced ingestion, whether it may stand to best introduce the weapon as a gas, or a hand-held propulsion mechanism to provide facilitation for the darts.

Week 7

If I may be so bold as to coin a colloquial cliché... eureka! Alloted some moments by my instructor I have managed to create a wrist-mounted device to facilitate the utilization of the darts I have previously discussed. Hydraulics proved to be too heavy to operate as an effective propellant so I resigned to an electrical powered spring/catch system. The dart itself functions off kinetic energy. The immediate cessation of movement upon striking a victim causes the chamber to expel its contents through the mounted syringe immediately. With some testing I should manage to get my aim down. I shall have to give consideration to formulating the application of a device similar to this in arrows. Perhaps using a pressurized spring release delivery system.

A note for personal consideration: a gas dispersed directly into the blood will spread more quickly and invariably prove more lethal.

Week 7 +1 day

I shot a rat! It shrieked, collapsed, and then quickly began to shrivel as its skin melted away! It was fun! I must return to my studies now, however. I will report in a week's time.

Week 9

I failed to report last week. Stride after large stride have been made by my tutor and I. He informed me my lessons are complete, though I am slightly remiss to leave. It is quiet here, and there is so much time I may devote to my studies and my inventions, I give consideration to remaining here, practicing my science alongside my new found friend and once tutor, Ryzdak. He grows somewhat distant, however, almost as if he is pushing me out. I know there is nothing left for him to teach me, though there remains plenty for us to learn together. I hold vast gratuity for the information he has alloted to my progression in my field, and I will abide by his wishes if he bids me leave.

Addendum: I saw my gargoyle stalker today... He was sitting upon a log behind an alternator's exhaust manifold. I am quite convinced I have simply gone irrevocably mad and that he is entirely fictional. There is no other explanation to such absurdity. A log in a laboratory 30 clicks below the surface. Preposterous!

Week 10

The Controller Ryzdak has requested my parting, and I shall honor his wishes. I have left in his possession the wrist launcher I fashioned though I retain the schematics to facilitate construction of another. I feel I owed him some form of gift for his training and host to my stay. We said our parting words already and I prepare now to depart through the teleporter from which I entered. Ryzdak informs me that he will set the relay to bring me just outside the approach to the citadel, clearing my path of those, likely very contemptuous, demons that tormented my early expeditions of the ziggurat. I am remiss to say goodbye. Though I left suddenly, and there are people in my life I do wish to see. I have a long and difficult journey home. I rest, one more night, in this citadel of splendor. First... I construct a new timepiece.
_________________
SCIENCE!!

[Gray Smythe]

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72 Nov. 375 05:45

The teleportation sequence has been prepared and in a few moments I will depart my impromptu home. As a parting gift, Ryzdak has offered me the schematics for a personal device similar to the portal device at the entrance to his lab. When I garner the materials for the creation of the device, its facilitation should prove quite helpful. I keep them securely on my person and prepare for the journey home, for in a few moments I shall be sent to the outskirts of this grand place. Never shall I forget my benefactor nor his Laboratory. Perhaps I shall come share a visit with him when my skills improve further.

72 Nov. 375 09:28

I have just arrived at the approach to the ziggurat. It is quite odd, however. There seems to be some inconsistencies regarding the teleportation device. I entered the chamber at 0600, and yet it is nearly 0930 when I now find myself in my current position. More than three hours have passed, yet it feels as though the entire teleportation took less than seconds. I find myself at a loss of hypothesis, save the possibility of disruption to the projection of my form. There is much power in this place which may have caused such a slow transport. My mechanical companion was already awaiting me on this side, though he was sent into the teleporter after myself. It is most curious. The entire process has left me slightly nauseous and thus I shall rest before continuing home.

72 Nov. 375 12:51

Resting at the exact point the teleporter produced me was a horrible idea. My gargoyle stalker quite literally fell into my lap. The entire event was quite uncomfortable for both of us, though I am glad to finally know I have not gone insane and that he is not an entirely factitious manifestation of my mind. He spoke to me and requested the boon of my services.

"To follow the child. To know what he is doing in this place. To try and understand the logic of the child. To wish the child aid this one in the creation of a servant. To see the child useful to this one." It was slightly difficult to follow his logic, and it seemed as though he wished to use me for his purpose. Though after much speaking on his part, and writing on mine, we managed to come to an agreement. He wished I would construct a mechanical lupine for him. I agreed that as soon as I made my way home, I would gather the materials and begin construction for my newly acquired gargoyle friend. He agreed and departed to Ver Lor Reg to await my word...

My first job!!

72 Nov. 375 17:32

I was beset by a small party of Imps. At first they glared at me and Id Machina menacingly, and my faithful companion seemed rather unwilling to dispatch of them before they made the first move. One of them hit me, and it hurt. Then my Mechanical Companion killed it and the other two. I obviously cannot speak to him, so I will have to be clever with this. I have watched him attack rats and small vermin without any hesitation or questioning morality. I believe taking a sample of the pheromones in these rodents and formulating them into a spray or a dart should prove sufficient in coaxing my friend into attacking on command. For the moment I begin to set camp and will work on formulating a spray of these pheromones. I will test the concoction in the morning for effectiveness.

73 Nov. 375 07:15

My fougasse proved useful once more. I awoke in the middle of the night to another pack of detonating wolves. It was really cool! Regardless, I prepare to test this pheromone marker. My companion has been attempting to open the bottle all morning, so I have no doubt it will work perfectly in drawing his aggression and attention to a target of my choosing. For insurance in wind direction, I have tested a small bit on myself. Enforcing my hypothesis my friend did not mistake me for a rat, nor did he attack me wantonly. I'm going to seek out a deer... or something delicious, to try this in affect.

73 Nov. 375 10:47

Facilitation of the spray proved haphazard and difficult, though it was effective nonetheless. We wandered upon a hog in the woods and after some attempts, I managed to get the spray on it's greasy skin. My companion ripped it apart promptly and without hesitation. It worked perfectly, though I shall have to formulate a dart for the scent tracker. The delivery system will prove much easier than this spray.

On an aside... We're having pig for lunch. Finally something other than stale bread, or pure nutrients.

73 Nov. 375 22:31

It feels wonderful to be back in civilization. I have rented a room for the evening in Moonglow. In the morning I will reclaim my ship and sail home to the isle of my birth. In spite of this adventure, its magnitude, and all I have learned on this expedition, I look forward to sleeping in my own bed once more.

Though, it strikes me as odd, now that I have departed from the company of my benefactor Ryzdak there stands to reason a great deal of past familiarity we have shared. It did not strike me at first though, the more I consider the possibility the more likely it seems that this is not the first time we have met. In fact, I think back to a time when I was much younger, and the entire time from my birth to my fifth year is cloudy in my mind, as though my thoughts are working against me in remembering any of this. It is quite curious and I shall have to look further into this matter. I am not sure if it means anything or not though it is slightly unsettling. For now, I rest in the comfort of a civilized world and look for serenity to my mind.

1 Dec. 375 05:00

I awoke early this morning and set off to the docks. It feels wonderful to have the crisp ocean sea on my face once more. Though it is with trouble I shake the thoughts of last evening, I find myself in moderate conflict over the issue. Some investigation into my past may serve to enlighten me, and shake the clouds in my mind.

1 Dec. 375 14:59

Home... I have not decided if this journal will follow the remainder of my days, or if I abandon it now to whomsoever may read it. I lend the subject more consideration. Perhaps it may stand as my first publication. Whatever may be its fate, it has served my thoughts well these past months.
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SCIENCE!!