The purpose of this page is to uncover the stories behind Atlantis, as presented by Mythic in their game, Dark Age of Camelot. For the most part, there is very little storyline in the new expansion unless you look for it, and even when you find some story, it is often confusing or incomplete.
In Trials of Atlantis, players can find very special weapons and items called Artifacts. In order to "unlock" an artifact so it may be equipped and used, a player must find three scroll fragments for that specific artifact, combine them, and then use the magic of the scroll to activate the artifact. What many people do not know is that each completed scroll actually contains a story that you can read. You can read the story on completed scrolls by right clicking on the scroll and typing "/interact".
Unfortunately, many of the texts are not very carefully put together. Some of the stories on the scrolls are fragments, and others have the wrong stories on the wrong scrolls. There are many spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors in almost every scroll, and in some cases the story is written so confusingly that it is very hard for the reader to understand what is happening or who is speaking.
In order to make the scrolls more understandable, I have gone through each one I have seen and corrected what I could. I have fixed punctuation, capitalization and spelling, and even in some cases rewritten entire sentences so as to make sense of them. I have placed all the changes I have made in brackets. Additionally, I am giving a link to a screenshot of each scroll so that you can compare the original with my corrections. But of course, I make mistakes too and sometimes miss things, so I apologize ahead of time for any errors or mistakes.
Anyhow, I have not obtained every scroll from the Planes and it may take some time before I do, but I will update this page whenever I find a new story. If you have a completed tome that I do not, email me an image of its story so I can post it here. It is very interesting to read some of these stories, and I am begining to piece together an account of how and why Atlantis crumbled with each new completed book I get. I edited the text layout a bit for ease of reading, and have placed comments after some of them. But enough talking, here are the scrolls so far!
For more information on scrolls and artifacts from the Planes, check out the following sites:
Quicklinks - 60 complete, 1 to go!
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[Adnes’] Bundled Letters [read],
Letter One
“Palicus – I write to you because I know you share my feelings about a certain issue. A few of us have begun forming a group to discuss the issues of the trials and their difficulty and we wish you to join us. I have spoken with the others and told them that you have agreed with me more than once that the trials are too easy. Too many champions from other worlds are successful at them. Even our own champions can complete them with relative ease, and yet the kings do nothing! Now we must take matters into our own hands. We have a good list of things to propose to the kings to improve the trials, but between you and me, I am not counting on the kings to listen to our suggestions. I have an idea that should solve the problem. Come meet with me soon. – Adnes”
Letter Two
“Thanks to your help, my idea has borne fruit. I have completed the scepter and the first tests of it have been a success. I have had to be careful using it though, since I think the Arbiters suspect someone is tampering with the trials. There was one champion everyone was sure would succeed, but the scepter found him unworthy and sucked the strength from him so that he failed. Another that was struggling to survive in the trials was gifted with a great burst of strength after touching the scepter. I shall continue to use it, but must take greater care. Thank you for your help with it. – Adnes”
Letter Three
“Palicus – I do not know if this will reach you. I barely have the strength to write it. You must realize by now that something is not right. The ground shakes as if it is scared and the sky grows dark as night when it is day. I hope you have fled to a safer place, my friend. My servants have left me, and I have not the strength to move. When the ground began to shake, I decided to go to the Planes. Imagine my surprise when I picked up the scepter and it drained my strength. It is most ironic that I have been found unworthy. The walls are beginning to crumble and my strength fails me. I doubt I shall ever see you again, Palicus. May you always be worthy…”
[Alvarus’] Bundled Letters [read],
Letter One
“Dearest Everilda, my betrothed, I seek your council again. I know I can trust you to keep my problem a secret. I am constantly feeling the pressure to prove myself in the trials. I know even your father has been questioning why I do not join my friends as they participate. And I would, but I know I would fail in their eyes, my beloved, for my skills as a swimmer are not up to their standards. I have found a spell that would aid me in my swimming, but the other Atlantean champions would sense the magic and laugh at me for being weak. I believe that if we put our heads together, my beloved, that we can come up with a solution to my problem. Will you help me, dearest? – Your loving Alvarus.”
Letter Two
“My dearest Everilda, I knew I would do well [asking] for your help. As you advised, I gathered some kelp leaves. The nereids were intrigued and ended up helping me find the best leaves. I prepared the leaves as you instructed and then carefully sewed them together into a pair of leggings using the enchanted thread you sent me. It was so clever of you to think of using my swimming spell on the thread! I wore them around my friends to see if they could sense the magic we wove into them. Beloved Everlida, they did not! I shall be joining them in the trials on the morrow. Until I see you again, I shall [remain,] - Your loving Alvarus.”
Letter Three
“Darling Everlida, I am pleased to share my good news with you. I have successfully completed not only the first trial but all of them! As I completed the trial in Oceanus, the nereids who helped me cheered at my success. I believe I have made some friends among them! My friends and I spent the night celebrating in my success but it was not the same without you here with me. I plan to participate in the trials again soon. Will you come [watch,] my beloved? With your eyes upon me and these magical leggings, I know I cannot fail! – Your loving Alvarus.”
[Anthos’] Fish Skin reads,
Scale One
“I am [dying,] I know that now. I, Anthos, have lived a long life, even for a triton, but before I [go] I must record the truth. The stories that were started when I was a young triton are already becoming legend. That is why it is important that the story of Ossian be recorded somewhere to prove that the legends were once fact. I knew Ossian, son of King Alkara and brother to [Lady] Kalare. While his sister [also] had some magical skills, Ossian was by far the [most] talented one of the family. He would spend hours here in Oceanus with me and the other tritons, testing his magical skills against ours. He never grew tired of trying to best us and the trials that we would set up for him.”
Scale Two
“We tritons were not the only ones to devise challenges for young Ossian. He would bully his friends into devising challenges for him [as well]. Ossian had crafted for himself a set of armor imbued with his magical spirit. He would give a piece of his armor to either one of his friends or [myself] to hide, protecting it magically. Ossian would then use his skills to free the armor. I was always amazed at the trust he put in us when he would give us a piece of it to hide. Ossian’s friend Terysa designed the challenge that Ossian [was never able to face]. He gave her the sleeves from his armor and told her to shield them magically. She placed the sleeves upon a statue then used her magic to hide the statue from sight on one of the islands in Oceanus.”
Scale Three
“Ossian stood on the edge of Oceanus and immediately sensed the sleeves and the spells that protected them. He summoned magical winds and sent them out to seek the island that held his prize. While he was controlling the winds, a messenger arrived from the king, summoning Ossian back to the palace at once. It was only later that we realized why he wore such a look of terror as he released control [of] the winds and fled back to Atlantis [with] his friends following closely [behind]. Ossian is no more, but his magic lives on, seeking out the sleeves that remain hidden on a statue somewhere in Oceanus. I could have gone to retrieve them myself but I enjoy hearing the stories about the Arms of the Winds, as the young now call the magical sleeves. Perhaps one day one of them shall find it, but it shall not be me, Anthos of the tritons.”
[The Apprentice’s Work reads],
Part One
“The Silver Horn is beautiful. It’s made of the strangest and most wonderful [metals]. We have ten guards around it, for [there are rumors of a Dancing Thief who has his] eyes on the Silver Horn, [and this has] made the arbiters nervous, [although] I secretly wonder if Arbiter Achaius has put [his] guards there for fear [that] I shall play some other prank. [Which is] not likely after what he did to me [when] I [thought] it a good idea to put each of the ten bracers on the ten statues out in the Planes.”
Part Two
“Arbiter Achaius has seen me ['coveting'], as he called it, the Silver Horn, and now I am to research it. I do not enjoy research. Perhaps that is why he is so quick to assign me to that task. The Silver Horn is just a ceremonial [piece;] I see no real reason why I should research such a trivial thing. Yes it is beautiful, but [its] only real curiosity [are] the materials used in making it, [although] the magic that they say was used was an ancient primitive magic, not known by any of us today. I am not sure I believe that. How could there be a magic, no matter how primitive or base, that our scholars can’t unravel? It is probably some primitive tribal magic tied in to some ancient god that no longer even exists except as a distant memory in some old forgotten ritual.”
Part Three
“Well they [blew the] Silver Horn this morning. All of the ten kingdoms [must] have heard it. Arbiter Achaius is [furious; the] horn was not supposed to be used! Today was a rehearsal of the ceremony and it is going to be a hard task to explain that all is well and there is no reason for alarm. [Normally,] if the horn is [blown it is a call for aid to the Plains and an indication that something has gone wrong]. I see the ships from the Atlantean fleet approaching now! Ah, what a mess today will be!”
The Arbiter’s Personal papers [read],
Paper One
“The bracers meant for the bi-yearly celebration of the Planes creation have arrived today. I am unsure what to do with them. There are ten in all. One will be presented to each of the ten kings of Atlantis. It is a great event, and I have the honor of presiding at the [celebration. It] is quite a celebration, from the arrangements and details going into it.
Paper Two
I am unsure what to do with my foolish apprentice. The affront to the kings, to me, [and] to the ceremony! The mockery! I should hang him from his heels outside the Hall as a warning to any other who would be so foolish as to play such a joke! That boy has taken all the bracers and affixed them to the statues themselves!
[I] have ten bracers made [especially] for the ten kings by the greatest magicians and craftsmen of Atlantis, and [now] they are on the wrists of the statues in the Planes, and we can’t remove them!
Paper Three
I believe I have found a way to remove the bracers from the statues. Well, I have found someone who can aid me. I’ve also made sure that the foolish apprentice is regretting his antic. There is a master sculptor visiting the Hall of Heroes and he has kindly agreed to aid me. He will remove the bracers and repair the inevitable damage to the statues after.
It is no easy task, and I will owe him a great deal after, but I have no other real choice. He is going to remove them in the morning. My apprentice is to help him in the task. In all my years, nothing like this has ever happened, and I’ve ensured that my apprentice will never give me such concerns again!”
[Markings on Atlantis’ Magic Tablet read],
Part One
“The magic of this tablet can be used by even the simplest of minds. It is [merely] a matter of purpose and [of] calling forth the spells inscribed on this tablet. If you are unsure how to use the tablet, [simply] inquire at the temple or the library.”
Part Two
“[These] tablets are not meant to be used by the creatures of the [Planes]. They are for Atlantean citizens only. Because of this, nereids and tritons are unable to access the magic of [this] tablet. Normally such a warding against the races of the Planes would be [unnecessary], but the tritons and nereids have proven to be relentless in their greed for all things magical, valuable and Atlantean.”
Part Three
“If you desire to have a [tablet] created with specific spells inscribed on it, you must seek a master of the magical arts in Atlantis. Most of the tablets available to the common Atlantean citizen have simple spells commonly [requested]. Often [however], tablets [are] obtained outside the Hall of Heroes with spells inscribed that would prove beneficial to champions and contenders, but the sale of these tablets are strictly regulated. They are available to Atlantean citizens only.”
[Bellona’s] Diary reads,
Part One
“I arrived today in the great kingdom of Atlantis. I still find it hard to believe that I [have] come to live in this great city and spend my time learning the [magic] that comes so easily to the Atlanteans. I know I shall enjoy living in this wondrous place! The waters of Oceanus remind me of the place where I spent most of my childhood. But we did not have these harpy creatures there. I am fascinated by creatures that bear the face of a woman and the body of a bird. I must [say,] they are quite nasty and enjoy tormenting the champions. I have been experimenting lately and [have] some ideas that may make use of the harpies. I must work out a few details first before I can follow through with my idea.”
Part Two
“I have worked out all the problems with my idea to make use of the harpies. I need feathers from them, but I am no warrior to go to Oceanus and remove them from the harpies. I have found a young Atlantean named Cyrillus [who will] help me. Cyrillus has succeeded in obtaining the harpy feathers, although I had to use some of my magical abilities to heal his wounds [when he returned]. I have taken the feathers and woven them into a cloak, sewing [spells] and enchantments to draw upon the magic of the harpies. I let Cyrillus wear it while practicing with his sword and he commented on the increased strength and accuracy of his strikes. I offered him the cloak but he refused, saying he wanted nothing that would lead the harpies back to him. He is a foolish young man!”
Part Three
“I woke up this morning with a strange feeling, as if something was not quite right in Atlantis today. No one [seemed] to notice anything strange but me. It is almost as if something bad is about to happen. I decided to spend the day in [Oceanus, atop one of the coral spires that grace the waves, so I could take in all the beauty of land and sea]. I brought a few of my things, including my cloak, just in case. I tried to get Cyrillus to come with [me, but] he still fears the [harpies I] suppose. I do not fear them. They have not bothered me once since I came to this spire. All has been calm [and peaceful, save the shrieking of a few birds] circling high above me. [Well more of a flock really], two more just joined them. [Eh,] why are they flying down here… oh no, it’s the harpies! They have found [me, they have found me,] they have [taken my] cloak and torn it in half! Here they come [again, circling, now diving…] I am doomed…"
-The main problem with this scroll is that, especially at the end, it would mention aspects of the story that needed explanation that had never been introduced at the beginning of the story, for instance, the spires. I went through and restructured the story just a bit so that it would make more sense to those who knew nothing about Oceanus, the spires or harpies at all. I think this way it is much more easily understandable.-
The Belt of the Sun [notes] read,
Note One
“I have come to the Planes to learn about the Belts of the Sun and [of the Moon]. They are a curiosity, for they are made in Atlantis, of Atlantean metals [and] imbued with Atlantean magic, but there [are other aspects] of these items which are very disturbing. [It] would seem the belts are items particular to some strange religion. I have been tasked with [determining] more about this religion, its gods and [goddesses, priests] and priestesses, and if it is at all harmful to [Atlantis’] ordered and progressive nature. If I determine that it is, then I have permission to enlist the aid of the Guards of the Ten Kingdoms. My other [task, and more interesting by far, is] to [obtain] the belts and study their magic and determine how the belts work. To this end, I have made some preliminary notes.”
Note Two
“I believe there are four islands [the] priests and priestesses [of the new religion] have taken refuge on in the Planes. I’m not sure, but I believe the [sandbars] were not intended to connect the islands. This is highly irregular. It is against all Atlantean law to set up residence in the Planes, much less build temples and structures unauthorized by the Ten Kingdoms. I believe I may need to call in the Guards of the Ten Kingdoms. The Planes are for contests and the trials only, [not for the architectural fancies of religious miscreants. The] belts themselves [seem] to be powers in their own [right], whether worn or not. The creatures here tell me the belts have some sort of warding magic that prevents any from approaching [their resting places]. Since the creatures of the Planes do their best to stay out of the Atlantean politics and matters of Atlantean law, they have simply avoided the island and refuse to be of any help in identifying any who could be associated with this strange religion. They profess no knowledge [of any priests, priestesses or worshippers of any kind]. It is very strange [indeed]. I may [need to] go to the islands [to see for myself].”
Note Three
“So far it would seem the Belt of the Sun is a dangerous and powerful item worn by the priests of the religion, [of whom] I still know very little. [The belt is most powerful during the day, as I had first imagined. I believe the Belt of the Moon is most powerful during the night, and worn by the priestesses. My] only thoughts on this are that the priests and priestesses perhaps can access power with no magical aid during either the day or night, but not both, and that these belts were made to augment their power during the [hours of a day when] they couldn’t access [their power] without any sort of magical aid. Thus the [priestesses], able to easily harness and use power [during the day], finding themselves powerless and with no magic [at night], can wear the belt and access the magic and power she is accustomed to [under the sun. And] so it would be with the priests as [well, who wield the Belt of the Sun during the day to harness the powers they normally exercise at night.] From studying the islands at a distance, I believe I have found another oddity. It seems the belts only appear dependant on the time. The Belt of the Sun I have only seen at night, and the Belt of the Moon at day. I have yet to see any signs of worshippers, however.”
-This is one of the scrolls in which I had to do the most editing and restructuring. The original scrolls were completely wrong, in that they said that the Belt of the Sun is used and night and that the belt of the moon is use during the day. Owning the Belt of the Sun, I know this is incorrect, for it can only summon weapons during the day and these weapons can only be equipped during the day, and the opposite is true of the Belt of the Moon. At the end when it mentions the belts only appearing at day or night, I am not certain if this is true or not, for I have won both belts at all hours of the day. I left it in, however, for I was not certain.-
[Bence’s] Letters to Helenia [read],
Letter One
“Dearest Helenia, the day you walked into my forge was the best day of my life. I could not believe that there could be anyone or anything as beautiful as you. And I am still amazed that you felt the same way about me when I confessed my love to you. I long for the day we can be together again, but the King keeps me busy and I do not think he will release me from service since he prizes my work. But you should come to me, beloved, and leave your life of crime behind you. I love you for who you are, not what you are. Come to me and we shall be together always. – Your Loving Bence.”
Letter Two
“Dearest [Helenia, here] is the vest I have crafted for you from the wings of the scarabs you collected. I have poured my heart and soul into its creation. I have placed enchantments upon it that will make your task easier to do. It shall help you sneak into the palace and acquire what you [need] for that young warrior. But be careful, beloved – I have a bad feeling about you going into the palace. I fear something horrible will happen to you. I have tried to make the vest as strong as possible to protect you. Come to me soon! – Your Loving Bence”
Letter Three
“To those who find [this,] know that I am heartbroken. In the midst of all this chaos and destruction, I have found the lifeless body of my beloved Helenia. The warrior she was to meet took the stones and refused to deliver her message to me. I think he has also stolen the vest I made for her, since she is not wearing it. As my beloved said, may the Setians feast upon the bones of that warrior! I call upon the powers of Atlantis to hear me! From this day forward the vest shall be cursed! Only the power of an object made from scarab wings shall have the power to remove the curse. Until then, it shall remain in the desert in loving memory of my sweet Helenia. By this I swear! – Bence”
The [Tale of] Bruiser reads,
Scroll One
“There is a story about a hammer forged by a mild mannered smith in Atlantis’ peaceful days. The smith often talked to his tools, as though they were alive. This quirk gave him an air of mystery. His patrons believed it was a sign of his great skill. His family believed it was a sign of his fading mind. He spent many years talking to his tools. He philosophized with them, and shared his beliefs and views. He believed [that the tool used to forge a weapon determined that weapon’s life]. A sword for a warrior would be taught the creeds of Atlantean warriors. A dagger for a lady would be told about charity and faithfulness and honor.”
Scroll Two
“Many of the items crafted by this smith were magical in nature. Over the years, the smith had developed a particular feel for one hammer, and used it over and over. So many magical weapons were forged with this hammer, that it began to take on many of the magic’s emanations. Soon, the smith began calling it Bruiser, but was never aware [that it had become his] favorite tool.”
Scroll Three
“The son [of the smith] did well in the trials, but he was not pleased with the hammer [that his father had given him]. Whenever he used it against [an] enemy, he felt a wave of regret. When he stared at it in the night, he felt a sense of longing sentimental memories of his father and his shop. The emotions seemed to get worse as time wore on. Eventually, in the midst of a battle in Volcanus, the son threw [Bruiser] far from his [hands,] cursing and swearing that the hammer wasn’t the hammer of a champion, but the tool of his mild mannered father with the soul of an old, aging smith.”
The Carved Stone Tablet reads,
Tablet One
“There is a picture carved into the stone tablet. It shows a young woman wielding a bow, a quiver of arrows upon her back, about to launch an arrow. She is surrounded by others with bows and quivers. The woman has a smug look on her face, as if she has just been bragging about her skills. Off in the distance an archery target is set up, an arrow piercing the center of it. A man surrounded by a glow stands nearby, watching the contest with interest. He appears to be speaking and holding his own bow and quiver. The crown looks at him with interest. Above the picture is carved, ‘The god’s challenge to [Karise’.]”
Tablet Two
There are two pictures carved upon this tablet. The first shows a man, surrounded by a glow, holding a bow he has just apparently fired. A woman holding a bow stands nearby, watching. An arrow sticks out of a target set very far away. The arrow is nearly at dead center. There is a smug look upon the man’s face. The second picture shows a woman having just fired a bow and the arrow touching the center of the target. The man is standing nearby and there is a look of anger upon his face. ‘The competition of the god and [Karise’,] is carved upon the pictures.”
Tablet Three
“There are three pictures carved upon this tablet. The first shows a man surrounded by a glow and a woman apparently fighting over a bow. The man has a look of both surprise and anger upon his face while the woman looks scared. Above this picture is [carved,] ‘The magic bow is [discovered’.] The second picture shows the woman, carrying the bow, running through a land where cities float upon the air. The man is following her. Above the picture are the [words,] ‘Karise’s Flight to [Aerus’.] The third image shows a beam of light pouring from the man’s hands towards the woman, who is standing in a circle of what appear to be statues. The man appears to be laughing. The [words,] ‘The curse of Karise’ are carved into the stone above this picture.”
The Cloudsong [scrolls] reads,
Scroll One
“I speak for the last great magic of Atlantis. I speak a short tale of one who was worthy of this magic. I speak for the Cloudsong, and for Jahonis. Jahonis wanted a magical pendant made, one that could transport him anywhere in the ten kingdoms. It was a simple piece, made of diamond, made in the shape of the cloud cities he loved so much. The piece was beautiful, and Jahonis wore it in constantly. He was a singer of romance, but his love was for Atlantis only.”
Scroll Two
“The night came when Atlantis fell. Jahonis saw the destruction from the cloud city, and sang a tribute to Atlantis. He sang of the world he knew, and the great loss it would soon forget. He then jumped from the cloud city, unable to bear the sight of Atlantis’ destruction. The pendant, sensing Jahonis’ intent, activated its magic as a protective measure. But the magic of the pendant failed, and had no choice but to seek out other magic. It found the magic of the Planes still intact, and reached for it. The trip was not smooth, and when it was over Jahonis was near death. The pendant, sensing this, played all the music Jahonis had ever sung, plus one he had never heard.”
Scroll Three
“The tune the pendant sang was the last song Jahonis ever heard. It filled his head with images of Atlantis in all its glory, her armies, her cities, her kingdoms, and her beauty. Jahonis died with a smile on his face, the pain and sadness gone. With Jahonis’ last breath the Cloudsong changed form and became the cloak that wrapped Jahonis’ dead body for centuries, until it was discovered by a centaur who, moved by its beauty, took it as his own.”
The Completed Dichorotory’s Dissertation reads,
From Dichotory the Gamesman’s journal:
Part One
“The Oracle is a functionary item that many dignitaries and commanders of Atlantis used. It is a multi-purpose item. Why they were ever brought to the Planes I will never know. The creatures of these Planes covet the oracles. Four in Oceanus have been reprimanded for attempting to use them against champions in the trials! Always the same troublemakers! I dare think what would happen to the trials if we were not here to keep them in line. I am suggesting that the oracles be banned from the Planes altogether. They can be held for visitors in the Hall of Heroes.”
Part Two
“All the oracles have been removed save [one.] It seems that an oracle has been removed from one of the temples. I suspect that it has been purposely removed, not merely misplaced.”
Part Three
“I have to leave the [Planes!] I have received strange rumors. I’ve been instructed to close down the trials for now, and send all Atlanteans home, but I haven’t time to reach the orbs. I have decided to leave them. I’m told there is a chance the planes may be destroyed. I can no longer worry about the missing Oracle. It is only a functionary item, what harm could it do here?”
-This one is an example of a scroll introducing itself more than once. For instance, it would say, “The scroll reads,” then start the text, starting with the scroll saying, “You read the scroll and it says:” or something to that effect. Well we already know that what we are reading is on the scroll so its kind of annoying to be told again. Anyhow I arranged the text in a way so it made more sense and had only one introduction. As for the story, the only part that is not explained is in the last scroll, when it mentions the “orbs”. Knowing the encounter, there are no orbs that I know of involved in getting the staff. So unless this was written from the perspective of a fellow writing to an audience who knew what these orbs were and needed no explanation, it leaves us wondering. I couldn’t restructure that part because I had no idea what the orbs were.-
The Complete Egg of Youth Scroll reads,
Scroll One
“The winged creatures were beautiful, Macalia most of all. Her wings glittered as she soared over the seas of Atlantis. Her eternal youth ensured eternal [beauty, only one immortal] born every thousand years, the scholars said. Macalia laid many eggs, but only twelve jeweled eggs. Of those twelve jeweled eggs, nine hatched to be the winged beauties Atlantis prided itself on, three of which died. Two of the twelve eggs Macalia dropped into the sea, since they did not hatch. There was one other jeweled egg, and of this egg, there is an interesting tale.”
Scroll Two
“Macalia dwelt on islands in the sea. A jealous harpy fought with Macalia. She wanted the island, she hated Macalia for her beauty, and the jeweled egg caught her green eye. Macalia and the harpy fought for several days until finally the younger one overtook Macalia. Macalia fell to the island [floor] with one last cry and the harpy matched the death scream with one of victory. She saw the jeweled egg glint in the sunlight and grasped it in her talons, claiming the island as her own. As the days [passed], the harpy noticed something different, and spent a long time brooding over the mysterious changes that had come over her. She stared hard at the jeweled egg, and as realization dawned on her small shrewd harpy mind, she took to guarding her new treasure obsessively, even to go as far as seclusion from her own kind.”
Scroll Three
“What this [harpy, known by the name of Sililia,] realized was that the jeweled egg itself was what granted Macalia her eternal youth and beauty. Alas, its effect was not as pronounced upon the hideous Sililia, but she would not give up hope and continued to guard her treasure fiercely. As the destruction of Atlantis began, Sililia took her precious jeweled egg and fled to the planes, seeking someplace safer where she could guard the magical egg.”
[On the Completed Wooden Triptych are seen the following images:]
Part One
“On the wooden triptych is carved a picture of a man forging a ring. On the [reverse] is an image of the goldsmith Adiran forging a magical ring for King Darius. The ring was said to have magical powers, but the true nature of those powers [were known only] to King Darius and Adiran. Rumors about the ring varied. Some said the ring granted long life while others said it granted great strength. It was even said that the ring would allow the wearer to draw upon great magical power.”
Part Two
“On the wooden triptych is carved three pictures. The first picture is of a man presenting a ring to a King. The second picture is of the King hiding the ring away while being watched by a third man. The third picture is of the third man sneaking away into the desert with the ring while the King sleeps off in the distance. The writing on the back reads: ‘This is Adiean presenting the ring he forged to King Darius and the King hiding it away from [sight].' He did not wish any others to see it, although the thief Onyan saw it very clearly. He stole the ring from King Darius and fled to Stygia to hide.”
Part Three
“On the wooden triptych is a single image of a man living on the sand, being attacked by scorpions. His arm is raised as if he has just thrown [a] ring that hangs in midair. There is writing upon the back of the triptych. It reads: ‘On the reverse is an image known as ‘The Death of the Thief’. [It depicts the thief known as Onyan] set upon my scorpions. Onyan, thinking he could use the ring, fought instead of running and was stung many times. The other thief, who wished to remain nameless, fled as Onyan tossed the ring into a mass of scorpions. The thief thought a scorpion named Terkari picked it up, although he was not sure. Although King Darius sent guards to search for Tekari and the ring, neither was [ever] found.’”
-The problem with this one, like the King’s Vase, is that there are few words on these “scrolls” for they are drawings for the most part, but instead of just describing what you see on the wood pieces, the scroll begins to give you history of characters and what happened to them and so forth. However if it was just a drawing and you were seeing it for the first time, you would have no idea what happened to Darius, Adiran or Onyan, or even know what their names were, so there is no way you would be reading what the scroll is telling you. But of course if I took away all of the story that could not be seen in the drawing, there would be no story left. It is discrepancies like this that are most frustrating, but I just left it as it was instead of altering it drastically.-
The Crafter’s Pages on Lightstones read,
Page One
“The [lightstones] allow citizens to carry a small gem or stone to light their way at night. Also, these gems and stones [can] be placed where many travel at night, to light their paths. The lightstones can be made of the most precious gems or the most common of stones, making it affordable and practical for all Atlanteans. They are easy to make and should replace the larger crystals that currently are common.”
Page Two
“I have been making lightstones for oh, five years [now, and] in my five years never have I failed so awfully at the making of one. Oh yes, there were those lightstones that were not crafted well enough in the first days, but that is to be expected. [But this], this is just strange. I have made a lightstone that takes light! What a miserable failure. I’m embarrassed to even confess to my crafter’s pages that I made such a thing! What a strange property!”
Page Three
“How ironic that a lightstone would take all the light from a room unto itself! I have brought it here, to the planes, and I have tossed it into a dark place. I shall toss the pages of my journal [there] as well, lest anyone discover my pages and learn I am the one who crafted the lightstone that would swallow light.”
[Dianna’s] Tragic Tale reads,
Scroll One
“My Dianna, I have failed you. I [thought…] I thought I was ready for the trials. I never imagined I would fail! I am a great warrior, my love, from a great people! Where did I fail? What attributes do I lack? I have not seen any, but if I were to name it, Dianna, I would say [that] I have but one weakness, and one strength.
You, Dianna. I failed the trials for love of you, my weakness. I will thrive though, with your love, my strength. I have been banished, and must leave Atlantis, and return to my land. How that weighs on my heart, to be parted from you, without even a final word, a final kiss. Know though, my love for you will carry me on.”
Scroll Two
“Dianna, I am outraged! The treasures of Atlantis are not to be given on the whim of some romantic infatuation! How could you give the Goddess’ Necklace to one who failed the trials, who is not even worthy of Atlantis? You love recklessly and foolishly. He is a mere fancy. You [cannot] love this wretch. I forbid it!
As for this gift of yours to him, that shall be returned to you, and you are forbidden to keep it in your rooms, lest you decide to give it to some other undeserving meddlesome fool. You [cannot] be so careless with the treasures you hold, Dianna, for they are not yours to give to whom you would please.
They belong to Atlantis. You merely are the caretaker of these treasures. No Dianna, child, there is so much you have yet to learn. I did not expect such foolishness from you. You must stay in your rooms until I have resolved this matter.”
Scroll Three
“Dianna, my love, treachery, such treachery of your father! I have been beset upon by many enemies and foes here! They have stolen the gift you have [entrusted] to me, which I was to return to your neck on our wedding day! Instead, now, I write with my last breath as the seas here begin to swell and rise, of the treachery and lies of your father!
I have the letters you sent me, and I’ve stolen a letter from the arbiter, and yes, even as I read the letter from your father to you, I knew you were warning me, but I was blind with hope that his anger had truly abated, and that he loved you enough to treat me honestly. Forgive my foolishness Dianna.
I only wanted to win you as a champion of Atlantis, not a failed warrior banished from the Planes and your great kingdom! My love to you Dianna, I cry knowing this letter will never reach your beautiful eyes, and your sorrow will be great when you learn of my death.”
[Dysis’] Tablet reads,
Tablet One
“I cannot believe Father! He has denied me access to our family vault! I do not know how he [expects] me to pay for the new bracelet I bought today. He told me that I have enough jewelry and I must wear what I have! It is too bad that Father missed the gold I took to pay for it. He [thought] one of the servants stole the gold from his room. They pleaded their innocence and had the nerve to accuse me of taking it! There was so little gold though so it’s good I have found a new place to get gold. Tonight we dined with some friends of Father’s. I slipped a sleeping potion into their wine. Tonight I shall sneak back into their house and take the gold I need.”
Tablet Two
“I was so stupid to wear that bracelet all the time after I enchanted it to aid me in sneaking around. I know I designed it only to work at night, but I could not resist wearing such a beautiful piece of jewelry. One of the servants saw it and told father, who proceeded to take it from me. He gave it to my cousin to hide somewhere in the trial planes. How dare he? I must find a way to persuade my cousin to tell me where he hid it [so I can] get it back.”
Tablet Three
“I always thought my cousin was smarter than most men, but with a little flirting he told me what I needed to know. Perhaps that’s how that nereid persuaded him to give her the bracelet. Of course I find it very humorous that she is now trapped with it. Now I just need to figure out how to move the rock that traps her. He told me the rock is very heavy. I’m sure I [can] find some people to help me move it. If Father ever lets me out of this room I shall try it!”
-How did she have a chance to flirt with her cousin if she was locked in her room? Regardless… that’s just nasty >_<-
Eirene’s Journal reads,
Part One
“It was five years ago today that I completed the trials for the first time. Father was so proud of me that day, as he should have been to have a daughter as brave and strong as I! He was waiting in the Hall of Heroes with the breastplate I had wanted before I entered the trials. [He] dared to tell me I had to earn it! Me, his own daughter! It is a beautiful piece of armor, though not as beautiful as me! The craftspeople that made it did very good work, but I wouldn’t expect less. And the magic in it has not faded over the years. I can still feel my strength increase when I put it on, and although I rarely sustain an injury during the trials, if I [do] I [heal] much faster while wearing it.”
Part Two
“I cannot believe the boldness of certain residents of the planes. As I completed the trial in Oceanus yet again (I really am good at that one), one of the tritons had the nerve to speak to me! I can understand his wanting my attention since I am so beautiful and strong in my breastplate. He told me he was in love with me and then asked if I could possibly feel the same! After I got over my initial shock I began to laugh as I haven’t laughed in a long time. The triton at least had the decency to look embarrassed before he mumbled something at me and swam away. Kalie, my maid, told me I should be ashamed for laughing at the poor triton’s feelings. I could not believe the audacity of the girl. I dismissed her immediately.”
Part Three
“I am thankful that I am even able to write this. Even after seven days I can still feel the effects of the poison that nearly took my life. I was in the middle of the Oceanus trial again when the impertinent triton approached me. Before I knew it, he had scratched my exposed hand with a small dagger. Within seconds I could not move and had to watch helplessly as he stole my breastplate, muttering about ‘teaching me a lesson’. Then he swam away, leaving me for dead. Thankfully another [Atlantean] rescued me. My father hired the best healers around to cure me but even with their help, I barely survived. That triton shall pay dearly for his treachery!”
[Enyalios’ Boots scrolls read],
Scroll One
“Enyalios was a minor war god worshipped by a people [that a great military commander] had conquered. Like most Atlanteans, [the commander] had no regard for the gods, and named [his newborn son] Enyalios in irony, for he was born skinny, underweight and sickly. No one thought that [the boy Enyalios] would survive childhood. He grew to be a tall, lanky, skinny man who, much to his father’s surprise, became a war hero, a great champion in battle and a superior commander.”
Scroll Two
“The war god, angered by the insult, sought to make Enyalios strong, so that his name would be connected with strength, honor and courage. There was one problem, however. His namesake was strong and honorable, but he lacked courage. When he had to fight, none could defeat him[.] When a plan was needed to evade the enemy or carry out a siege, Enyalios could come up with the best of them, but his first reaction was to flee. His father, angered by his cowardice, banished Enyalios to the [Planes], and told him to return only when he completed the trials. Enyalios went to the [Planes,] and fled every encounter. He was a fast runner, and could never be caught.”
Scroll Three
“…it releases seeds into the soil. When the seeds take root, they begin to feed off the dead plant. As the different seedlings grow, they begin to intertwine, and take on the appearance of only one plant.”
-Scrolls like this are the most annoying. Not only was the story patchy and confusing, it was incomplete, and spoke absolutely nothing about boots of any kind. I had to do a bit of guesswork to make that one little paragraph make any sense at all, and that’s where it stops, it doesn’t mention his boots or what the real war god did about it or anything. It wasn’t even split into three sections to match there being three scrolls. Of course, many other scrolls are split into 5 or 6 sections incorrectly. Bah.-
***
-This scroll has since been updated. When I first recorded it here, it only had the very first paragraph, thus my confusion and frustration. The story becomes more clear with the addition of the second scroll, and lets us know why his boots are so important (he could run away fast). However, the third scroll is just another fragment from an existing scroll, the Eternal Plant Guide, and thus adds nothing more to the story and is useless. This happens often, and adds to my theory that Mythic has little snippets of story floating around in the game and that the computer automatically organizes them and displays them (often incorrectly) on the specified scroll when read.-
The Erinys’ Charm [scrolls read],
Scroll One
“Erinys is the most beautiful woman in Atlantis, I, and every other muse decree [it]. This charm she wears round her neck, these evanescent beads that change with every gown she dons, they were made for her, a gift from the gods, I speculate, for no other jewels in Atlantis do what these beads do, and who, upon seeing the beauty of Erinys, would not wish to grace her with a gift, the gods surely are not immune. Will you help Anselm rescue his sister?”
Scroll Two
“Ah, to be the lucky artist that painted the neck of this lovely creature, the one portrait before she was given the charm. I would love to find that picture, but it is hidden away by some secret collector who fears it’s theft no doubt! I will not blame the owner, but oh, one look at that work! It is said to be the most priceless!”
Scroll Three
“Oh I have been to dinner at the palace, and I have spoken with Erinys! Those beads round her neck, how they change to match her gown, and somehow I swear I see them in her eyes! Many women must envy her beauty, but just as many surely envy that charm she wears round her neck! Oh what magic it must posses, what power to woo men’s hearts!”
-Well despite the explanation mark at the end of nearly every sentence, what does the last sentence of the first scroll have anything to do with Erinys or her charm? Who is Anselm, and who is his sister? Is Erinys his sister? If so, why does she need rescuing? My good muse, for being a poet you certainly don’t tell a very comprehensive story.-
The Eternal Plant Guide reads,
Scroll One
“The Eternal Plant grows in the western lands of Atlantis. It’s been used for many years as a medicinal cure for fevers and chills. Occasionally, in battle, those of the north were said to drink a tea made from the plant, which would aid them in battle against diseases or poisons. This is mostly myth, though if those warriors were ill, the tea would have probably aided in their recovery. The plant grows well in warm locations and can survive in both water and soil, making it a unique specimen to study. They will not root in water, however.
The plant’s life is exceptionally long, with a life cycle that spans many more of our lifetimes. Because of the [plant’s] strange nature, they are almost impossible to cultivate and grow. When a plant dies, it releases seeds into the soil. When the seeds take root, they begin to feed off the dead plant. As the different seedlings grow, they begin to intertwine and take on the appearance of only one plant. If a piece is cut off from this system, it will not take root. Removing the seeds as a plant dies and re-seeding them further apart will only kill the seeds, since they need to feed off the dead plant. Because of this, the Eternal Plant is left to grow in its natural environment and healers must travel to the plant if the herb is needed. There is, though, another property of the plant that bears mentioning.”
Scroll Two
"There is a commonly known property of the Eternal Plant. It has a strange influence on the people who use it and imbibe it. They begin to crave it somehow, to depend on it and seek it out. There are reports of individuals who seek it and would pay a king’s ransom in pursuit of the non-medicinal benefits of this plant. The problem is the non-medicinal benefits seem real. Those who use this plant for non-medicinal properties gain great benefits toward health and strength. They have a greater ability to weather illness and poisons and have no worry about succumbing to old age, as the plant seems to grant them some sort of benefit of longer life. There are many other myths about what this plant can do, but those have not been proven.
It is commonly known, however, that many of those that seek to accomplish the trials of Atlantis bring this plant with them, in hopes that it will aid them. There are reports that some have brought the entire plant with them, to ensure they would not use up their own supply without being able to replenish it. Upon learning of this, the [Ten Kings] of Atlantis got together and have banned the use of this Eternal Plant in the trials. All the plants in the planes have been removed, though a few [apparently disappeared before the Kings could get to them]. It’s believed they have been hidden in the dungeons of the sea”
Scroll Three
“It would seem some of the plants have fallen into the hands of the Sobekites, creatures of the dungeon in Atlantis that are involved with the trials. It would seem the plant has an even greater effect on Sobekites than on any normal land-race. Because of this, the dungeon has been impassable by those attempting to get through the trials. The small population has become dependant on the plant, are guarding it jealously, and refuse to let anyone into the dungeon. That trial has been currently excluded while the Ten Kings and Arbiters determine how best to proceed.”
The Flask [scrolls read],
Scroll One
“The flask contains my best recipe yet! Oh it burns the throat, but how it heals! It’s an ancient recipe from my mother’s mother’s mother’s grandmother’s grandmother’s great-grandmother. Or so I’m told. It’s an expensive brew, and I expect it will take a while to sell. Few can afford it. ‘Course that’s why I’m out here in the Planes heh heh. Many who would never think of buying my brew suddenly clamor for it when they are near death!”
Scroll Two
“Ah this brew, I have sold so many, and in one [instance,] out of pity, have poured it down the throat of a dying warrior. So do not judge me as callous when I turn [away those who cannot afford the price]. This is a brew for kings and their favored champions. Rarely do healers sell it. I am one of a few that take this pricey brew to the common folk. But I’m not just here for profit you know. No, there are other reasons. Truly, I am a healer at heart, not for profit, but for the art itself.”
Scroll Three
“Ah this brew, I have sold so many, and in one [instance,] out of pity, have poured it down the throat of a dying warrior. So do not judge me as callous when I turn those that can’t afford the price away. This is a brew for kings and their favored champions. Rarely do healers sell it. I am one of a few that take this pricey brew to the common folk. But I’m not just here for profit you know. No, there are other reasons. Truly, I am a healer at heart, not for profit, but for the art itself.”
-And here it repeats itself. I don’t think I need to say much else, although I would really like to read the third part, if possible. I’m starting to think that the fine folks at Mythic have a few snippets of story and feed them into a computer, which spits them onto objects very formulaic. Ah well.-
The Fool’s Bow Tale reads,
Part One
“Brakus is an archer of great renown. All who strive in that profession dream only to be almost as good as he. Now, in his later years, and at his greatest skill, he has taken up a new bow. It seems the wood is warped, but Brakus, when told the wood in his bow is warped, just laughs and says [‘aye, a fool’s bow for a fool!’] Most are amazed that Brakus can strike with such accuracy wielding a bow of such inferior quality. It is attributed to his skill, just as his fondness for the bow is attributed to [his] growing madness.”
Part Two
“Thinking of Brakus’ madness brings to mind his bow. He wasn’t mad before he found this bow. Or perhaps he is not mad at all. Perhaps this bow is something in itself. I have seen him wield it, and it does not appear to have the weaknesses a bow so warped should. I suspect there is some magic involved in the crafting of that bow, but I am not sure. I think there was once a legend about a bow so warped. I will have to look into this. If this is a bow of some legendary tale [then] there is quite a story in how [Brakus] now possesses it.”
Part Three
“It turns out I was right! The bow Brakus uses, now called the Fool’s Bow, was a magical creation made for a court fool. The fool was a great warrior who was said to want revenge on his former captain, a member of one of the Atlantean king’s family, [but] which one [it is] has been lost in time. To this end, he took up the profession of court fool and his act made a mockery of warriors. He had this bow crafted by a stranger from one of the further regions of the ten kingdoms.
This stranger’s name was never mentioned. The bow is crafted to appear warped, when it is not at all warped. The fool used the bow in many performances, and he became famous for it. His former captain attended many of these performances, and the fool never seemed to pay him any attention. One night, however, during his performance, the fool turned the bow towards the audience like he always did, aimed and fired. Rather than flying over the heads of the audience harmlessly, as [usually happened], the arrow stuck the royal commander in the heart. The fool ran off in the confusion and was never seen again. [Ahh, how] I wish I knew how [Brakus] got this bow.”
The Foppish Sleeves [scrolls read],
Scroll One
“I speak for the last great magic of Atlantis. I speak a short tale of one who was worthy of this magic. I speak for the Cloudsong, and for Jahonis. Jahonis wanted a magical pendant made, one that could transport him anywhere in the ten kingdoms. It was a simple piece, made of diamond, made in the shape of the cloud cities he loved so much. The piece was beautiful, and Jahonis wore it in constantly. He was a singer of romance, but his love was for Atlantis only.”
Scroll Two
“The night came when Atlantis fell. Jahonis saw the destruction from the cloud city, and sang a tribute to Atlantis. He sang of the world he knew, and the great loss it would soon forget. He then jumped from the cloud city, unable to bear the sight of Atlantis’ destruction. The pendant, sensing Jahonis’ intent, activated its magic as a protective measure. But the magic of the pendant failed, and had no choice but to seek out other magic. It found the magic of the Planes still intact, and reached for it. The trip was not smooth, and when it was over Jahonis was near death. The pendant, sensing this, played all the music Jahonis had ever sung, plus one he had never heard.”
Scroll Three
“Oh what a pity, a sad day, the old fop has died. It is with great sorrow [that] I must place these enchanted sleeves on his grave. Martena begged me not to have them buried with him. She felt, to the very end, that [its] brilliance was best left untampered with, so instead I place them here, under this rock, on his marker, to be left to the fates that took him so soon before his time.”
-No, you did not read that wrong and no I didn’t mess up. On the actual scroll are components from the Cloudsong’s story. They basically copied the two first scrolls of Cloudsong and gave them to Foppish Sleeves, then added a third part to kind of tie the story together. Doesn’t make any sense at all. I very much hope it is a glitch and was not intentional. If it was… booooo.-
[Helenia’s] Letters to Bence [read,]
Letter One
“Dear Bence, soon we will be together always. I have been offered a great deal of gold to help a young warrior succeed in the trials. The gold will allow you to leave the service of the King and open your own forge. All I must do is acquire a certain set of stones for the warrior. Before you shake your head (as I know you are doing), know that I do this for us, so that I will not have to ‘acquire’ anything ever again. It will not be hard to get into the palace and remove the stones if you can craft me the vest I asked for. I wait for your response. Until then, I remain your beloved Helenia.”
Letter Two
“Dear Bence, [thank] you for my vest. It was rather helpful in performing my task. I have acquired the five stones and they are tucked safely away in my belt pouch. I didn’t even need the enchantments since I could just walk into the palace. Everyone is distracted by the ground shaking. I am to meet the warrior soon, before he travels to the depths of Stygia. I hope he come soon since the ground is shaking harder. In fact the wall behind me has begun to sway dangerously and it looks like it might tip over…”
“Dearest Bence, I do not know if this will ever reach you. There are no messengers around and I am in no condition to travel since the wall fell over on me. Your premonition has become reality. Thankfully the fine craftsmanship of the leather vest you made for me kept me from being crushed but did not protect the stones. Only one of the Stones of Atlantis, for that is what I stole, has not been crushed into a fine powder. The warrior arrived but quickly fled to Stygia with that one remaining stone. I begged him to carry this letter to you but he refused. May the Setians feast upon his bones! I [will not linger much longer in this world], my beloved. Please know that I shall always love you. I remain your faithful Helenia.”
-All I can say is, it must have been a very strange sight to see poor Helenia standing before a toppling wall with paper and pen in hand, writing about how fragile that very wall looked… heh, but really, this and Bence’s Letters to Helena are some of my favorites because they tie in two artifacts so well. But I thought she said that the vest he made for her saved her from being crushed by the wall? Why then did she die?-
The History of the Golden Spear reads,
Scroll One
There is a drawing of a spear upon the scroll. Around the drawing are the following notes:
“Ruia - these plans look great! The spear itself must be magnificent. I can't wait to see it. I shall bring the spells you requested right away. The spell against djinn will be a nice touch to an already fantastic spear. Your messenger couldn't stop talking about how true your spear flies when you throw it. I believe you've quite astounded the little lad. I cannot wait for you to give me a demonstration of its powers!"
Scroll Two
A page from Ruia's Diary [reads]:
“Something has gone terribly wrong, although I do not yet know what. The ground shakes so much and buildings have begun to collapse. I fear [for the] safety of all our lives. My father has refused to leave his home but has sent me away to the Planes in hopes of finding shelter and safety there. He barely gave me time to gather up some food, my precious golden [spear, a] few bits of clothing and armor to sustain me before he pushed me out the door and locked it. I shall do as he wishes, but I cannot help fearing for his safety."
Scroll Three
A tattered papyrus containing an account from a Mau of Stygia:
“A warrior-maiden I have seen before has arrived here, carrying only a few belongings including the delicate golden spear I had seen her with before. She was torn between staying in the relative safety of Stygia and returning to her father in Atlantis. In the end, she chose her father. But before she left she said she could not bear for the spear to be destroyed by the forces at work upon Atlantis. With a mighty toss she threw the spear out into the sands of Stygia then stood watching it, expecting it to land within sight of where she stood. Much to her surprise and mine, it flew beyond our sight. While the warrior-maiden returned to Atlantis, I went in search of the spear. I managed to track it for some time, but when I saw the collection of djinn around it, I chose not to pursue it. If the maiden survived and returns, I shall tell her the fate of her spear."
The Journal of Public Notices reads,
Scroll One
“All champions and contenders of the [Planes are] welcome in [the] search for the most notorious and dangerous thief. All who join in this search will be outfitted and equipped courtesy of the kingdoms of Atlantis. [The thief] is believed to have magical aid. The man or woman has been sought after for several years. Reward for retrieval of the thief and magical aid will be a king’s ransom.
Guards of the Ten Kingdoms of Atlantis have followed and tracked the infamous Dancing Thief throughout each of the kingdoms. The thief has infiltrated and robbed each of the kingdoms of Atlantis, making off with great treasures and artifacts. The Dancing Thief has been condemned as a traitor of Atlantis and is to be brought before the court of the Ten Kingdoms. The Guards have been unable to catch the Dancing Thief, and believe the Hall of Heroes to be the next target. If the Dancing Thief should be killed in an attempted capture, the Guard requests the body to be searched for magical aid, and for both to be brought to the court of the ten kingdoms.”
Scroll Two
“More is known about the Dancing Thief, though whether the traitor is man or woman, none can say for sure. The Dancing Thief is known to wear a midnight blue hooded cloak and wield a dagger with a white metallic blade. The Dancing Thief’s face is covered in the cowl of a black tunic, and climbs with the aid of magical boots, also black. Any contender or champion of Atlantis who sees someone matching this image should challenge this traitor. If at all possible, capture the traitor and remove the primary magical means of the traitor. It is believed this item is a ring.”
Scroll Three
“The Dancing Thief carries a magical item, a ring. The ring has been identified as an ancient, forbidden artifact known as the Ring of Dances. This ring makes the Dancing Thief extremely dangerous. The Dancing Thief will be swifter, quicker and harder to kill or capture. It is believed the Dancing Thief is in the Planes, seeking refuge on an island inhabited by harpies.”
[Julea’s] Story reads,
Scroll One
“My daughter Julea has always fearlessly followed her heart and nothing I have said or done has discouraged her. Even when she was very young, her heart led her to studying the animals and creatures that surrounded us. When she was old enough, I allowed her to venture into the Planes. First just to Oceanus, [then after a while I allowed her to go on to] Stygia. But always I feared for her safety, even more so now that she has taken up studying the iaculi. I had a talented [weapon-maker and an] enchanter work together to make a weapon for Julea that plays a sweet, enchanting music. It will allow her to charm the iaculi and keep them under control, and if the charming should fail it would allow her to protect herself. I have given it to [her; now] I can only hope that Julea will use it when she is out in Stygia.”
Scroll Two
“I am happy to say [that] my Julea has inherited some sense along with her fearlessness. She has mastered using the weapon and controlling the enchantment upon it. She uses it every time she goes out to study the iaculi. The sound of the weapon mesmerizes the iaculi, making them quite tame. Julea also told me they follow her around while she is using the weapon, skittering and almost dancing across the sand, but as soon as she stops they try to attack her. I fear for her, but I know she will take the necessary precautions to stay alive.”
Scroll Three
“Forgive me, my beloved daughter. I know you shall most likely never read this, but in case you do, I want you to know the truth. I am a selfish old man and I could not bear to face the eternity of death alone. Since your mother’s death, you [have been the only being] I still love in all this world. I shouldn’t have sent the message saying I was sick. I knew you would come running back from the safety of your studies in Stygia to the destruction and chaos that shakes the very ground, all for the love of the only parent you’ve ever known. I am so sorry that your beautiful weapon is now gone, lost among the sands of Stygia, so that you do not even have the comfort of its music to guide us both [onto] what lies beyond. If we should meet again in another lifetime, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive your loving father [of] his selfishness. Goodbye my beloved daughter, Julea.”
[King] Kiron’s Notes to Cyrell [read],
Part One
“Cyrell – You know that I consider you more than just my most skilled smith. Over the years you have become my friend, which is why I make this request of you. As you surely know, my beloved son Chiron is working on completing the trials. [He] is soon to face the dangers of Volcanus and alas, he is [neither] the brightest [nor] most skilled competitor. [Cyrell] I ask you, not as a king but as a devoted father, craft for my son a pair of boots that will protect his feet from the lava. Chiron doesn’t pay attention to where he is walking. The last thing I want him to do is burn his feet. Money is no object. Let me know when they are done. – King Kiron”
Part Two
“Cyrell – Thank you for sending over the boots as soon as they were done. You have surely outdone yourself this time! They fit Chiron perfectly and he says they are so light he feels like he has wings on his feet when he wears them (although that is the last thing [the] boy needs since he always has his heads in the clouds!) [You] have finished them just in time. Tomorrow Chiron begins his journey to Volcanus to continue his trials. I shall still worry about him, but I know he will be better protected [wearing] the boots you have made him. I shall send my steward down with your payment today. You have my thanks, Cyrell. – King Kiron”
Part Three
“Cyrell – [I want to] thank you for joining the search parties [that looked] for my son. I know that you loved Chiron as your own son and will miss him as much as I will. I have decided to have a statue of the boy made and placed in Aerus for all to see. The centaur that returned Chiron’s body to me has agreed to collect volunteers to stand guard over the statue. I am planning on having the boots you made [placed] upon the statue in honor of all the years of service you have given to me. Come to my throne room and we shall toast my son, Cyrell. – Your friend, Kiron.”
[The following markings on the King’s Vase are seen:]
Shard One
“You see three images. The first is of a smith forging a bracer of gold. On a table next to him lie nine other bracers, each made of gold that has been enameled a deep midnight blue, with gold stars shining through the blue. What appears to be a magical aura surrounds each bracelet. [Inscribed] under the image are the words, ‘Forging the Bands’. The second image is of a smith handing a king a deep purple pillow [upon which rests] ten midnight blue and gold bracers. Under this image are the words ‘Receiving the Bands’. The third image shows the king trying on one of the bracers and smiling at the smith. A magical aura surrounds both the King and the bracer. Under this image is [inscribed] ‘King Cadmus Approves.”
Shard Two
“You see three images. The first image shows a well-dressed man taking the bracers from the king and placing them into a box. [Inscribed] under this image are the words, ‘Deodatus Prepares the Bands’. The second image is [of the same] man standing in the Hall of Heroes, an empty box at his feet. He is surrounded by trial participants, ten of them wearing a midnight blue and golden bracer. The words [inscribed] under the image read, ‘Choosing the Worthy’. The third image is of the ten from the [previous] image, kneeling before a king in the Hall of Heroes. Each [of them] looks tired but happy. The bracers are now in the box at the feet of the well-dressed man. The king is smiling at the ten. [Inscribed] under the image are the words, ‘King Cadmus Congratulates the Triumphant!’
Shard Three
“You see three rather poorly painted images, as if they were [hastily scribbled] in a hurry. The first image shows buildings in flames and people running in a panic. In a window above the chaos, a man and a king stand over an open box containing midnight blue and gold bracers. The king is pointing towards the Hall of Heroes with the box full of bracers, except for one upon the wrist of a lone warrior [standing nearby]. The third image shows [a man] looking into a great mirror attached to a crumbling wall. In the mirror is the warrior from the Hall, though now he is [crossing] a desert. The bracer is now seen sticking out of his pack. In the distance, a group of winged cobras await the warrior, poised to attack. There is no writing under the images.”
The [Maddening] Scalars [scrolls read,]
Scroll One
“I, Carnaxa, am quite the sly one, if I do say so myself! No one will ever suspect that a champion such as I would do such things as steal great treasures. And no one will ever miss those two fools who thought they could stop me from obtaining those treasures. I would have killed them faster if the gloves I want were done. The gold I obtained from the sale of these treasures will provide me with the means to obtain the gloves before too long!”
Scroll Two
“Ah, I cannot believe the gloves are done! They are so very beautiful – crafted by the finest smith in the land using the best materials the treasures I stole could buy, and enchanted by the King’s very own enchantress! [I cannot bear to have them off for they are so beautiful, and yet I cannot stand to slip even one finger into them!] Every time I do, I am overcome with this feeling that I have done something wrong… that someone angry and hateful is watching me, whispering to me. I have reluctantly let others try the gloves on, and they claim to feel nothing of the sort. I think they are lying to me. I think everyone is lying to me.”
Scroll Three
“I know the others can hear the voices and feel that awful feeling when they put the gloves on. They just will not admit it! How can they not hear the voices of the two fools I killed talking to them as they talk to me? One voice tells me how he misses his brother, the finest smith in the land while the other prattles on and on about his beloved enchantress-wife. They also tell me how they got their loved ones to curse me through my gloves… they will not stop talking! All I hear is their voices, over and over… it’s driving me mad!”
Malice's Axe [scrolls read],
Scroll One
“All my life I’ve been a temperamental man. In my childhood I could often be found rolling on the ground with another boy that had enraged me, or pummeling my little brother. If I wasn’t fighting, I was cursing. If I wasn’t cursing I was fuming and stewing. Oh there were the other temperaments [as well]. On a good night with a good drink you could find me red cheeked and grinning, about to burst into a laugh at any moment.
I’d be dancing and laughing and holding court with locals in the city pubs I frequented. But as I aged, I realized my temperaments were too extreme. I was unable to think without joy or anger having a say [in everything I did]. So it was that in my youth I made not one sensible or smart decision. Oh yes, you can make as many poor decisions when you are happy as when you are fuming and angry.”
Scroll Two
“Ah, but there [was] a solution. I learned the basics of it from [a master smith], and honed it into an art. I found smithing to be an honest craft suitable to my temperament. When I was happy, I could make the most delicate and lovely of blades. When I was angry, I could make a hammer or broadsword that matched my mood in appearance and my skill in combat. It’s just a matter of focus. Focus love into a dagger for a lovely bride, and hate into a sword for the captain of an army. Doing this controlled my temperament. I become ever-keeled, and found to my surprise that I was making sound decisions.”
Scroll Three
“Ah, my little brother. How gifted he is. How talented. All my life I envied him. The envy turned to disgust. The disgust to hate. I didn’t want to hate him. All [that] time I spent learning to control my temperament, [and] I couldn’t control my jealousy over him, until that axe. I hated hating him. I hated all the malice I felt for him. I had never felt something so strongly. All the extremes of my youth were serenity to this! So I forged [an axe].
Such an axe it was! I did not realize that the jealousy, loathing, disgust and anger could be channeled into such a finely crafted piece of workmanship! I had never forged anything quite like it. The quality exceeded anything I had made before, or would make again! When it was finished, I visited my little brother, and embraced him. [My] malice was gone. We became close after that. The [axe], well, I sold [it the] first chance I got, to some strange warrior from another land. [He said] he was off to the trials. I’m off there myself. My brother is going to try to pass them, to impress a girl I think, crazy fool. Well, I will be there with him, to see what I can do to help him.”
[Mariasha’s] Wall Section reads,
Section One
“I do not know how much time I have to finish this. The world is falling into pieces around me and I do not know why. My guilt forces me to record my deeds. It began with a pair of gloves I, Mariasha, made for myself to aid me in my archery skills. I crafted them from sharkskin to take advantage of the strength and accuracy of a shark’s attack. When I wore those gloves, I could not be defeated in the archery contests we held every month.”
Section Two
“During one of the contests, the skies darkened and the ground began to shake with a terrible fury. Many fled to what they hoped was the safety of their homes. An unnamed dread filled me as the building around me shook. I fled to the trial planes, hoping to stay safely there until the shaking ended, but I found no safe haven there.”
Section Three
“I was wearing my sharkskin gloves and they seemed to aggravate the sharks as I [swam] past. I took them off and put them in my pack, but the sharks continued to harass me. Finally I dropped the gloves to the bottom of the ocean and swam away, leaving the sharks swirling around them. I finally felt safe, but with that safety came a feeling of guilt. I had abandoned my family, my friends and my home to save myself from whatever was happening to Atlantis. So I left the safety of the [Planes] and returned here to my home, now destroyed and [with many people dying around me]. I have returned and I shall face the same fate that awaits them. My end rapidly approaches. Goodbye, my dearest family and friends, I shall miss you. – Mariasha”
[Marricus’] Journal reads,
Scroll One
“I’ve stopped to rest for the night. I’m sure my brothers expected me to turn down the challenge, but I did not! They were heading off to yet another competition. I shouldn’t have begged them the way I did; I’m sure they thought it was babyish and weak, but I could not be left behind yet again. I am thirteen years old! They wouldn’t let me go, they said, until I proved myself by traveling here to Stygia and getting a tooth from a crocodile. They do not think I can do it, but I shall prove them wrong!”
Scroll Two
“Day broke after an uneventful night. I rose early and spent some time sharpening my dagger. My brothers mean well I think, because they tried to get me to bring along many weapons. But I told them all I needed was my dagger. They do not know that my dagger is all I need. It is now approaching the middle of the day and I have spotted the crocodile whose tooth I shall carry home with me. It shall be easy enough to sneak up to it and pry its mouth open while I use my dagger to cut the tooth out. Once I have it I shall return to my brothers and prove that I am worthy of the competitions.”
Scroll Three
“I am forced to dictate this journal entry to my faithful scribe because I can no longer write. I did as I said I would and cut out the [tooth,] which then fell upon the sand. Before I could remove my hand, the crocodile shut its moth, cutting off my hand and swallowing it and the dagger whole! I snatched up the tooth and ran. As I ran, I was suddenly surrounded by a mass of winged scarabs that took the tooth from me and gave it to the djinn that controlled them. He thanked me for the tooth and left me to die. I barely made it back to my brothers who felt awful that I lost my right hand. They think that the crocodile may have been cursed. They are going to get the tooth back from the djinn and give it to the crocodile in exchange fir my hand and dagger. They are leaving now, but what is that rumbling noise I hear? I must go see.”
[Nailah’s] Diary reads,
Scroll One
“I have made a new friend today. Her name is Heqeht and she is one of the Mau that live in Stygia. I must admit that I find her intriguing, mainly because of her [beliefs]. Many of the inhabitants of Atlantis have no time for the worship of gods and [goddesses], but that is not so with other races and cultures. Although I am one of that many [who have no such time], I have always had an interest in learning about the beliefs and faiths of others. I wish I could have stayed longer speaking with Heqeht, but I had to return to Atlantis. She has invited me to come speak with [her] again soon.”
Scroll Two
“Many weeks have passed since my first discussion with Heqeht about her belief in her goddess. She and I have had many discussions since and we continue to learn much from each other. But Heqeht is worried about me. The last few times I have visited her, I have noticed groups of Setians watching me. I do not fear them, but Heqeht does not like them watching me. She worries that they may attack me. To protect me from them she gave me a special tunic made out of scarabs. She begged me to wear it the next time I [visit her], although I doubt the Setians would be foolish enough to attack.”
Scroll Three
“I cannot believe the audacity of those vile Setians! They dare to attack an Atlantean? They shall soon wish they had killed me, [for I will come back and unleash] the full force of my power upon them! I must calm down and record these events properly. I went to visit Heqeht to present her with a set of delicately woven robes [as a gift]. I carried the scarab tunic with me; I planned to put it on when I was just out of sight of Heqeht’s settlement. But as I [crossed] Stygia, a group of Setians sprung out from behind some rocks and attacked me. As I lay there stunned they stole everything from me! I shall have my revenge now. But wait, why does the ground shake and the skies darken although it is nearing mid-day? I must go find out what is going on.”
Oglidarsh the Half-Giant’s Story reads,
Part One
“I see Atlantis. They are a proud people. But of the hills, that is my people. We have been here since before Atlantis. But we will not be here after Atlantis. Already the tribes divide. It is of no big thing. Time comes. Time goes. It is my [tribe’s] time to go and it is time for Atlantis’ people to come. I am not a giant of many words.”
Part Two
“But of Atlantis I have some good things to say. I fight sometimes. Sometimes in battle. Sometimes in contest. I was a champion to a king, I remember. That is how I got my belt. The king liked me. I won him a great bet.
My belt is fitted just to me. It makes me stronger, stronger even [than] the greatest of my tribes. I know no fear when I wear it. I use it often. Why should I not? It is the gift of a king to his champion. I would rather have its magic, than see it given to some other through accident or design.”
Part Three
“Would it not be funny, after all, if my belt were given by accident? Ha ha, I imagine my belt flowing out to the seas [upon] my death. I imagine a great shark swallowing my belt. Would that not be funny? A shark stronger than all other sharks, bolder even than sharks already are? One that lived longer, and knew not why? Ha ha ha, yes, it would be funny if a shark were to eat Great Oglidarsh’s belt!”
[Remus’] Story reads,
Part One
“What greater thing in life can there be than sport and contest? What greater joy is there next to finishing the trials in victory? I know not one thing. Not even Remus, friend and fool of mine, could find any greater joy. I know no one who has completed the trials more times than Remus. He was bored after the army. [‘How many lands could one conquer,’] he often asked. It was true of him, as well. No land ever stood before us. So many [have] been taken, and so many [were] Remus a part of. There was no challenge, Remus [often] lamented. [Our enemies] see us, we have a short fight, and [then they give up]. But sport, well, none admit defeat in contest, for all who show up only want victory. [‘So to the trials I go,’] said Remus.
[‘Enough of the easy way of life,’] he said. [‘A challenge, we all need a challenge.’] Remus, the fool, ever so boastful. His father was of a like mind. I remember the challenge thrown by him. The laughter in the hall rang louder than the calls for drink. ‘None [are] greater at sport than my son,’ he cried. ‘Ah,’ laughed my father. ‘You would have us believe Remus that good? Ha! You would have us think he could do the trials with one arm tied round his back!” We all laughed. Even Remus found it humorous. But as we laughed, we caught a look in his father’s eye. It gave us [all] pause.
’Ah, old friend, but he could do the trials with one arm tied round his back.’ The hall was silenced. What a boast! In the silence Remus looked at me and turned to face his father, standing speechless in a hall full of stares. ‘Done,’ he cried. ‘One hand tied round my back.’ I pulled him close. ‘Remus,’ I said, ‘you are mad.’ ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘But worse than mad, my friend. I am bored.’”
Part Two
“Bored! Remus was bored! And so for that reason alone Remus risked his life and every limb and welcomed me along for the fun of watching him, and as a witness that indeed, his arm was tied behind his back every moment of the trials. Well, it was quite a thing to witness. [Ah,] to have that skill, or be it luck. Sometimes it was [comical!] I couldn’t stop laughing at the image he cast fighting many of these creatures off with merely one hand, barely keeping his balance at times.
More often than not, I held my breath for fear that he finally had taken on a task too great, one that would be the end of him. But, in the end, Remus, one arm tied round his back, prevailed. That was a spectacle! When he determined his victory, he leapt about with such zeal that he forgot one arm was still tied, and losing his balance, tumbled down a hill! Such a victory cry I’ll never forget, for never before has my name been yelled in the final moments of victory!
[Ah,] so then the return to his boastful father, my father, and the hall of disbelieving champions and warriors, all, like me, thinking Remus a fool for accepting his father’s foolish boast. ‘But was it well worth it, in the end,’ I asked Remus, ‘for now, accomplishing this, [will you] not still suffer boredom? What else [can you] do?’ ‘It matters not,’ he said. ‘For no other can say they have done what I have just done!’”
Part Three
“So we returned home, and Remus received great praise. But his father, either in pride or abashment at having made such a drunken boast of his son, had a gift worthy of a king waiting for Remus. It was a shield like none I have ever seen. The greatest smiths were hired, and the craftsmanship of they shield was without rival.
It was named Aten, and was the image of a golden sun. When Remus held it up, indeed, it looked like he was holding the sun itself up, and it shone brightly in the room, as though its rays were not mere glints off the golden shield. And this was Remus’ shield. Oh the legends they made of this shield! [‘Remus is invincible so long as he holds the shield,’ they said. ‘Oh,’ others said, ‘none are that powerful. No, Remus is invincible so long as he holds the shield by day,’ they said, ‘for that is not too powerful.’]
[‘Every man has a weakness. Remus’ weakness is only at night.’ ‘Oh but even then,’ others proclaimed, ‘even then, his shield lights up the darkness, bringing daylight into night, as if in absence of the day’s sun it must take up the task on its own.’] Ah. The fools they are. But Remus did take a lot of pleasure in these stories. And now, here I am, in the planes, wielding Remus’ shield myself, and how I wish even a mere hint of the legends were true!
Still, it was good of Remus to lend me the shield. But I am a fool in my old age as Remus was a fool in our youth. But I am not content to suffer in my final days in illness. No, I would die in sport or contest. Not in a sick bed. [‘Take Aten, my old friend,’ said Remus. ‘I can not go with you, but I can not leave you without my friendship, so Aten is yours.’] Ah, so Remus, my old friend, would have me die with his greatest prize, to be buried here in the trials with my weapon and his shield. Truly a hero’s burial. I will miss old Remus.”
-This one is probably my most favorite tale, but it was very poorly constructed. The problem is that there is so much dialogue, and the author never distinguished between dialogue and narration. It was often hard to tell. Instead of starting a new paragraph whenever a new speaker spoke, as he should have, the author just strung everyone’s speech into one paragraph with absolutely no punctuation. I had to read it many times before I decided on who was speaking which part, and which pieces were dialogue and which pieces were narration. I considered giving dialogue separate lines, but that would have made the scroll very long indeed, and since then narration switches to dialogue so swiftly I figured it would be much more clear to the reader if I left the paragraphs intact, only adding quotations to each speakers sentences so as to distinguish who was speaking. Besides, theoretically, this was written by a primitive giant, and so I suppose a giant wouldn’t bother much with doing dialogue right anyhow.-
The Ring of Fire [scrolls] read,
Part One
“Forged of Ice.
These are the words written by some untalented fool. There is a ring, this is true. It was worn by a creature related to the minotaurs but from a far off land of ice and snow. In the cold depths of some glacial forge, this ring of ice was made. Its properties are not known, and it’s rumored to be with the minotaurs. Many Atlanteans have tried to find the ring while participating in the trials, but none have found it. Many don’t even believe the ring exists.
It is too legendary, and the story too far-fetched. This tale speaks of a visitor to Volcanus when the trials still occurred. This visitor from the north related to the minotaurs held a ring feared by the Chimera. The visitor through some accident or [misfortune] died during one of his visits. His ring passed to the minotaurs. The minotaurs could think of no use for the ring.”
Part Two
“The magic of the ring was known to the visitor from the north, yet he never shared its properties. When the minotaurs wore the ring, the magic never made itself known. After years of trying to understand the magic of the ring, and failing too, the minotaurs decided it was a useless trinket, and decided to destroy it.
Nothing they did would destroy the ring however, fire didn’t melt it. No hammer could smash it. The forges didn’t burn hot enough to affect it. The attempts to destroy the ring were fruitless. This inability to destroy the ring [frightened] the minotaurs enough that they are still after all these generations, trying to destroy the ring. They are aware of the Chimera’s fear of the ring, and so, to avoid provoking her and enraging her, they are careful to keep it out of her presence.”
Part Three
“The Chimera’s fear of the ring is strange. [Its] presence in Volcanus is polemic to its character, but this alone shouldn’t disturb the Chimera. There is some magic in the ring itself that makes the Chimera cringe so. This is why the Minotaur keep it from the Chimera, and why they have a slight fear of it. Not only can it not be destroyed, but the Chimera herself loathes the ring. I have come here to find it, but have failed in all my attempts, and now, I must return. The skies have turned dark and the Minotaurs are acting panicked. Even the lava churns madly.”
The Shield of Khaos [scrolls read],
Part One
“This is a tale of the gods folly! We built cities in the sky, and the gods were not too happy. The gods felt the sky to be their domain only. They felt the sky cities were in a realm the mortals should never claim. The gods sought to teach [us] a lesson, and set the winds to buffet the city.”
Part Two
“Well, we are no fools. We knew the patterns of the winds, and these were no natural winds. After months of being buffeted by these high winds, after [many] attempts to make these cities livable, we got tired of the gods and their absurd games. We built weather shields, small, [black,] magically engraved shields that would channel the winds to our favor. But we were patient. We waited [until] the gods looked away, satisfied that we would soon give up our task. Then, we put elaborately designed shields in place and soon, we were channeling the winds to our favor.”
Part Three
“One day the gods looked back and saw that there were many cloud cities prospering despite their winds. They were furious! They set the winds back and spent years brooding over their failure. The shields were taken down, and placed into safe places in case they were ever needed [again.] A few have been bought, at high prices, by the warrior classes of Atlantis, for their magical enchantments give the warriors a great advantage over their enemies.”
The Spear of King's Tale reads,
Scroll One
“The Eternal Plant has caused great problems in the dungeons with the Sobekites. The solution has gotten worse. The only thing left to do is use force. The arbiters are furious that the plant has even been allowed in the planes and have insisted it be banned outright, which the ten kings have agreed to. The next step is to now send in a division of the Atlantean Army to forcefully take control of the dungeon and arrest the Sobekites! They will probably be tried and executed, if they even survive the army! This is an outrage. In all the years of the trials, something like this has never happened.”
Scroll Two
“Atlantis. The spear was forged of the finest materials and then dipped in the purest gold. It was made for King Alkara and in it went the finest of his qualities and skills. This spear was King Alkara’s only weapon in the Trials of Atlantis, and his favored weapon in contests of skill and strength. He was famous for spearing apples on trees half a mile away! It is fitting this spear be in this temple. Look upon it, champions of Atlantis, [and…]”
Scroll Three
“[…be] proud. This is the symbol of kings, the symbol of greatness, the symbol of all that is Atlantean! Look at the proud statue that holds this spear! Look at [its] bearing! A true Atlantean image made for a true Atlantean hero and king. This spear is the spear of heroes!”
-The first scroll seems to have nothing to do with the Spear of Kings, but rather the Eternal Plant Guide. I think there was a goof up here. The second scroll seems to be cut off. It starts with the word “Atlantis” which doesn’t make any sense at all, so I guess that the first scroll has been inadvertently lost and a discarded part of the Eternal Plant Guide was placed there instead. Hopefully by accident, but if done just because they didn’t care, then bleh. -
The Staff of the Gods Tale reads,
Scroll One
“The early years of the reign of Jarlos of the Seventh Kingdom were auspicious, but the gods grew to be an annoyance. How dare they demand of Atlantis any servility or worship? For what of Atlantis has been blessed [by the gods and not by the hands of the people of this great race?] Do they make the rivers flow where we wish them, or is it not the craftsman and the engineers of our kingdoms that do this? Do they answer the pleas of mothers crying over the sick beds of their young, or do our doctors answer them? And so how else is King Jarlos to answer the mocking sea god Mephis but with a challenge?
Mephis would say that Atlantis owes the gods fealty. Our King says the gods are, admittedly, a match to our race, but no longer are these gods needed in Atlantis, for Atlantis can do more without their aid and are indeed, of a match for the gods. And Mephis took offense, and was outraged. So how else to answer the offense and outrage but with a challenge, to [prove] a god is but a mortal [compared] to Atlantis? And so Mephis took the challenge, and attempted the trials of Atlantis. Mephis is well served through the magic of the gods, though, and our King Jarlos took offense, and taunted the sea god. [‘How are we to believe in a god,’ our King cried, ‘when the one god that dares speak with us would use magic to win the trials that even the Atlantean champion surpasses with skill?’] And Mephis agreed to leave [his] trident behind.”
Scroll Two
“Mephis entered the trials with little fear of failure. He was a god of the sea, and no mortals could touch him. The beasts of the trial were little things, of no real threat. Mephis despised the Atlanteans. They made a land above his sea and neglected him. They weathered his storms and [rebelled against his] demands. As he went into the seas in the Planes of Atlantis, he thought of what he would do to King Jarlos and the Atlanteans when he completed the trials.”
Scroll Three
“Deatrys waited for Mephis in the first areas. He knew the god would spend as much time as he could in the water, and [so he] swam to a cave waiting for the god to pass. Deatrys held little regard for the sea god Mephis, and thought his death to be a trivial matter. Perhaps it was the way Mephis died that caused the strange occurrences after. [Deatrys], aware that Mephis was ignorant of his presence, hurled [Mephis’ own] trident through the water as [he] passed, striking [him] through his back and piercing upward, through his throat. Mephis didn’t even have the time to roar a death cry or turn and see his assassin. His body fell and Deatrys, sure [the god] was dead, [went] to retrieve the trident. He cut the head off of Mephis’ body and swam to an island nearby. There, using Mephis’ hair, he cleansed the blood off the trident. He then buried Mephis’ head and the trident close by, and left the Planes.
Twelve days after the murder of Mephis, the sea god that offended Atlantis, Deatrys had a dream. He was standing on the island where he buried Mephis. As he watched, a strange bush began to grow. Soon, Deatrys recognized it as a lemon bush. In his hands he held the trident. The blood of Mephis wouldn’t stop flowing from the trident. Desperate to stop the blood, Deatrys picked a lemon, and rubbed the juice over the trident. Finally, the blood stopped flowing, and Deatrys woke, sweating and smelling of lemon. Later, Deatrys received word that a lemon bush had grown on the island. Deatrys [laughed. Was] that all a murdered god could do?”
[Tarin’s] Animal Skin reads,
Piece One
“I cannot let the memory of sweet Jacina be lost to time. I shall never forget the time I found her hiding near our camp, watching us. She was so tiny that I thought she was but a child and sought to protect [her,] not only from our powerful hooves but [also] from the cyclopes that roam the [land,] by bringing her into our camp. Jacina was so charming and beautiful that soon every one of us was wrapped around her little finger. She begged us for rides, and unable to resist her charms, we took turns taking her [galloping through the trees. I remember the day she first had to leave us. We spent all afternoon amongst the grasses and trees, just running.] As night finally approached, I [rode] her back to the safety of Atlantis. She hugged me and promised to visit again.”
Part Two
“It was a few days before Jacina came to visit [me again,] but when she arrived [at] the camp it was like a breath of fresh air. In hopes that she would [continue] to visit [me,] I had collected small gifts for her. Each gift was received with squeals of delight and many hugs. By her third visit she had completely stolen my heart, which led me to worry for her safety [when] crossing the lands to reach our camp. I gave her an enchanted stone so she could summon me to carry her across the dangerous lands so she would not be attacked by the cyclopes. She laughed at me, saying I was worrying too much, but I did get her to use it for many of her visits.”
Part Three
[Tarin’s] Animal Skin reads, “I must force myself to write [the end of this story.] After these many years I thought the pain would fade, but it has not. It was early one morning when I heard Jacina’s desperate cries for help through the enchanted stone she carried. She had decided to surprise me and hadn’t called for me to escort her. The cyclopes, who had been waiting for such a time, attacked and mortally wounded my sweet Jacina. [They] fled as I arrived, carrying a long, fluttering sash [away with them]. With her last bit of strength, Jacina told me of the gift she had made for me – an enchanted sash that would boost my natural strength and skills. She made me promise to get it back from the [cyclopes,] then left the world forever. [Oh,] I shall [so] miss my beloved Jacina.”
-In the first scroll, the narrator began to fall out of past tense into present tense, and soon started talking about an event he was reliving instead of remembering. I had to put in that one sentence in order to explain how the two characters got from one point in the story to the other so quickly.-
[Vara’s] Medical Log reads,
Scroll One
“This is the first entry into my healer’s log. Although it is not about a specific patient, I feel I should record how I came to be a healer. After my people won the trials, I came here to Atlantis. I studied with the wisest healers of their land and gained great knowledge. I traveled into the Planes where I became friends with the Mau and healed their wounds. I feel honored to have learned such knowledge from the Atanteans.”
Scroll Two
“I healed a young warrior of my people today. He came to prove himself in the Planes, although our people have already been accepted by the Atlanteans. Although he was wounded he had still managed to defeat four iaculi and gather their wings. He gave me the wings and I have sewn them into a beautiful cloak. I was very surprised to find when I wore the cloak it increased my healing powers. I must go now and use those healing powers on a Mau that has been injured in Stygia.”
Scroll Three
“I have been with my patient for two days. He is badly injured and it is taking all my skills to treat his wounds but he is finally starting to get better. But I am faced with a dilemma. I have received word that something horrible has happened in Atlantis and many are injured and in need of my skills. But how can I leave this poor creature alone in the desert with the lions circling us? I know! I shall cast my spells and cover him with the cloak. Hopefully it shall speed the healing process and he will recover before the lions come closer. I cannot leave my adopted people to suffer from their wounds. I must go now!”
The Wing’s Dive [scrolls read],
Scroll One
“There was a challenge every year from the cloud city in the Planes. The greatest athletes would dive from the cloud cities, buffet themselves off the air currents and ride them back to the top, aided by magical enchantments set about to prevent anyone from missing the strong currents and plummeting to their deaths.”
Scroll Two
“Often, the athletes wore enchanted protective clothing, to give them a bit of an advantage over other competitors. One competitor, Erastus, had armored leggings that he wore every year. One year, he added a new enchantment, and intended to test it at the challenges.”
Scroll Three
"No one knows for sure what happened, but as Erastus took what was called the Wing’s Dive, the enchantments that kept divers from falling to their deaths failed. Erastus plummeted far beneath the cloud city, and all assumed he died. As it turns out, he lived, saved by the new enchantment on his armored leggings. Unfortunately, he was murdered for those leggings a few years later by an overly competitive opponent.”
