Maelshyve Expedition Field Notes (short story)/Field Notes - Part One

You carefully open your plum velvet notebook, revealing the smooth pages of parchment within.

The page, written in Common, reads as follows:

Today is Tilamaires, day 8 of the month Imaerasta in the year 5120, and this begins an interesting journey of discovery.

The Argent Mirror herself has called a meeting of scholars, people from across the known world, to speak of a profound matter. There are ambassadors of many races in the room.

Apparently, there have been stirrings in the deep. The ground has shaken around Maelshyve, and artifacts are being uncovered. A huge waraxe with a rim of rhimar is in the room, encase in a box of veil iron and what appears to be some kind of crystal. The gathering is invited by Ambassador Tredohal Hashier Faendryl to examine the area further.

Curator Zenlynn states that this venture will be a catalyst to bring the races of the land together. As such, we have a purpose. A focus. A magical barrier will be raised to shield the gathering, but the hows of it is in question. It is suggested that an illusion shroud be used, but the idea is rejected. Wild magic, and breaks in the valences are a true concern.

The question of what to do if powerful artifacts come up, but it seems to only be a concern if the person locating such is weak -- which could be considered to be a concern in itself. There is also the question of ownership, however it appeared that the find was more important than the politics at this time - collectively, it is deemed an important find for scholars the world over.

The idea of constructing a barrier with the use of a feystone as a power source was discussed. Akenna mentioned that her procedure of forest magic had held back Nazhor in the past.

I suggest that we attempt to make a stronger version of a minor sanctuary. There is the risk of a demon breaking it, but if it is reinforced, there might be a chance it will hold. It is suggested that we attempt to have elemental magic linked to spiritual magic and I mentioned that the Cascade effect might cause an issue.

Archious stated that the spheres of magic are not so different, but that when the Faendryl ended the battle, they drew an unknown valence close, tangling it with ours. The instability comes from the mingling. Anchoring the magic with physical items, such as the empathic paintings that were mentioned by Ysaeril, we might be able to create the barrier we need.

A candle made with hedge-wizardry was mentioned by Faerinn. He said that it could drain the mana from an area. When several are gathered in an area, the warding effect of them becomes more powerful, nearing levels of rote mass elemental wards.

The Curator suggested that he had heard our proposals, and that we had the expertise to perform the expedition. He warned that one person can handle a great deal of power - at a cost.

Raelee offered concerns, not so much about the 'what' of the barrier, but it's nature. Its shape, and purpose. Would it be a dome, or flat. These things must be considered.

Xorus expounded on the Fall of the Kannalan Empire, a thousand years back. He mentioned that their descendants wished to bring the lapis dome down from the sky, but did not know how. Pooling power, they amplified magic and it was reflected back at them, placing them between life and death - in this, he warned of power fluctuation.

Ultimately, his message was that we should harness the mana storms of the area, make the site the 'eye', and use what is there to do our work through sorcery; 'Manipulating the Maelstrom'.

It is suggested that a spherical barrier of elemental and spiritual magic be built, then observed to see how the environment handles it.

All of the ideas discussed were considered. It was truly a collaboration and cooperation the likes of which may have not been seen in a great while, if ever. No approach to how the barrier would be handled was discounted out of hand. The keen interest in the air was palpable.

Two days hence, on the Eve of the Huntress, everyone will gather again. All the expertise in that room, and perhaps beyond, will be combined so that we may travel forth onto the ancient battlefield.

You gently close your plum velvet notebook, taking care not to bend any of the pages.