Domigorgon's page

I rewrote the Professor's Journal and changed the timeline a bit. I also left out the outright mentions of the Whispering Way and 'hid' them in an acrostic cipher (read the first letter of each entry):

This is a journal of Professor Petros Lorrimor, kept infrequently over the past six years or so in a neat, yet barely legible shorthand. Interestingly, most of it was written in black ink, but some entries are written in red. Perhaps the Professor deemed them more important, or perhaps he was merely out of black.
Kendra has learned long ago to decipher her father’s notes, and has provided you with a transcript:

13th Erastus, 4705 AR
Woefully, as I start this freshly bound book, my hand trembles. The age has caught up to me, and I no longer feel so sure that I can protect my daughter. She has grown into a wonderful young woman, and I am most proud of her scholarly accomplishments. And yet, it grieves me that she does not look for a husband, one who could take over my protective duties.
Yes, I am old. I keep forgetting things – especially faces of my students. Just the other day, I addressed a new student by name. Only it was not his name, but that of some student from a dozen years ago. I cannot allow myself to provide further embarrassment to the University. It is time for retirement, perhaps.
I am getting older, and this city is not getting any safer. There is talk of The Beast on the rampage again. Kendra does not seem to be afraid – indeed, she seems fascinated by the subject. I must take her away from such macabre musings and to environs better suited for a lady.

16th Rova, 4705 AR
Here, everything is arranged. I finally have a buyer for the property; I trust Embreth to deal with the legalities and bureaucracy. There have been thirteen deaths in the past three months attributed to The Beast. I shall wait no longer; the University is already looking for my replacement.
Everything is arranged, except Kendra. She refuses to leave Lepidstadt. I would understand it if she wished to remain for the theatres, fancy balls, or even a man. No – she will miss the University’s libraries and archives, and discussions with my colleagues, of all things! It makes me equally delighted and irritated.
Once she sees our possessions being loaded onto the carriage tomorrow, she will face reality. I will strive to make our life in Ravengro as pleasant for her as possible. Multiple carts will be arranged to bring our library along. That should keep her entertained for a few months.

28th Rova, 4705 AR
I never envied Esphel’s life of a simple farmer, but he sure did not live in discomfort. The “Lorrimor Estate”, as the locals call it, is almost a lordly manor. I could see that even Kendra was impressed upon our arrival; after all, our Lepidstadt home was barely half its size. I will have to get some furniture and bookshelves, perhaps convert one of the parlors into a laboratory. But I can definitely see spending my last years here.
Oh, I do hope I still have a journey or two left in me. To see the monuments of Magnimar or the coral spires of Yashabaru, to ride with the Velashu Horsemen or drink with an Ulfen berserker.
Such fancy. Petros, you are an old man. No grand adventure for you anymore.

3rd Abadius, 4706 AR
Somehow, this retirement in Ravengro grows on me. It has never been this quiet in Lepidstadt, and I find my concentration is much improved. I do keep forgetting things, though. The other day, I forgot it was Kendra’s birthday. I have decided to write down even the less important events.

6th Desnus, 4707 AR
Perhaps I spoke too soon. Ravengro seems a peaceful village, and for the most part – it is. Its people, however, are a most superstitious lot. Rumors have reached Kendra’s ear that her father is some sort of vile necromancer! What irony, for one who has dedicated their life to rooting out evil.

1st Kuthona, 4707 AR
Evidence shows that there may be some truth behind local beliefs and superstitions. Just this morning, on the Eve of Zon-Kuthon, my instruments began shaking. One of my alchemical concoctions flew off the shelf and shattered on the floor. It was no earthquake, as traces of ectoplasm pointed to malevolent spirits! I invoked the runes of protection and made sure to fortify the entire house. Should I tell Kendra of the incident? Better not. But this does seem a promising venue of research. And I thought Ravengro would be boring!

9th Arodus, 4708 AR
Results! There is no doubt: all psychic activity in the area is centered on the ruin. The vicinity is saturated with negative energies, and great pain is felt in the air. The great fire must have caused immense suffering.
I need better instruments. My equipment is too rudimentary, and I have never been much of a diviner. And there again, irony strikes. Kendra would make an excellent assistant on this project. And yet I have sworn to myself never to endanger her in such a way!
I shall do it myself. It will take time, but I shall make it my life’s work.

5th Lamashan, 4709 AR
It is a grand day! My good friend Abraun Chalest has delivered! A most magnificent cart has arrived, filled to the brim with the ingredients and laboratory equipment that I sorely needed. He expects regular reports, and I am confident they will not disappoint.
Finally, I can put my theories into practice.

19th Calistril, 4710 AR
New success!
I have captured Korhaga the Highwayman!
Unfortunately, in my excitement, I dropped the device and he immediately escaped. But no matter, I shall get him again, eventually.
Time to send my report to Abraun! Oh, will he be surprised.

20th Abadius, 4711
Grim tidings. A man in Abraun’s service came to Ravengro today. He wished to take a few prototypes, so that they could be Archived. Abraun told me nothing of this in his letters, and I was most upset. I told the man off, and perhaps threw a few careless words at his back.
I will not allow interference, or worse – plagiarism! Though I may trust Abraun, I cannot say the same for his friends in Caliphas, that den of vipers. No; my work will be published when the device is proven safe, reliable and easier to manufacture. Producing one per month is too slow; I must improve on the design. And I must conduct additional field testing.

22nd Abadius, 4711
WHAT!? STOLEN!?
Two of the prototypes have been stolen!
Now why do I suspect the man of ereyesterday!?
And it was done most cunningly, too. No clues, no evidence, no trace of any breaking and entering. In retrospect, perhaps the man was lying about working for Abraun. Does that mean our correspondence has been intercepted? Or is Abraun really desperate to get his hands on my research?
Tomorrow I shall hide the equipment and the remaining devices (curious that they only took the two!).
Kendra suspects nothing, even though I frantically searched the whole house for a whole day. There is still the faint possibility that I’ve misplaced the items, what with my failing memory… but it has never failed me this badly. I hope it is not that. I really hope it is not.
Reminder to self: tomorrow is the anniversary of Esphel’s death. I must pay my respects.

24th Abadius, 4711
All things considered and the circumstances being what they are, I have decided to be more careful. I surprised the Council with my visit today and had a new Will drawn.
Perhaps I am being paranoid. Well, if that is the worst-case scenario, so be it.

30th Abadius, 4711
Yet more grave news. Kuelen, the forest ranger, is apparently missing. The townsfolk are full of strange rumors, even more so than usual. Even Zokar is running out of jokes. I can feel those strange energies again, whistling on the currents. They have moved or even spread. I shall have to take measurements first, before attempting to use the devices. They may help, but I have to be sure.
I must prepare some excuse and leave Kendra with plenty of errands around the house. Here, at least, she is safe.