Journal of Sage Kae'Tanan

The journal of Sage Kae'Tanan can be found within the observatory of Seethe Naedal, along with the sleeping figure of a woman, seemingly suspended in some form of stasis. Below is their story.

                         Journal of Sage Kae'Tanan

                                   by

                          Sage Boronin Kae'Tanan











                                 PREFACE

Herein are the journalized notes of one Boronin Kae'Tanan, Sage of
Ta'Illistim.  I write these journal pages in hopes that some day one
may come behind me and finish where I have started.



Reading:                              Table of Contents


CHAPTER 1
The Beginning.................................................... Page 1

CHAPTER 2
Gift of a Dying Mother........................................... Page 3

CHAPTER 3
Plight of Sorrow................................................. Page 4

CHAPTER 4
The Search....................................................... Page 5

CHAPTER 5
Despair.......................................................... Page 6






Reading:
                               The Beginning

First of Ivastaen, 4894
The Observatory is nearly complete!  The great hand-tooled coraesine tube
arrived only yesterday, and the entire group was most excited.  My wife
Shara, expecting our first-born, sat quietly whilst I bustled about making
sure that nothing harmed the magnificent structure, or the great telescope
itself.  I could see her amused look out of the corner of my eye as I fussed
over each detail  Only she could see my obsession as amusing.

Thirteenth of Ivastaen, 4894
Success!  The eyepiece is finally calibrated and attached to the rest of the
instrument and we were able to make our first viewing today!  The view was
breathtaking.  Since it was daylight I merely tilted the telescope downward
and gazed upon the magnificent scenery below.  Shara complained that I was
spying, but it wasn't my fault that the spring festival just happened to be
going on at the same time and direction I was looking!

First of Lumnea, 4894
What a glorious heaven we live under.  Stars twinkle just beyond my eyesight.
The Great Moon shines as brightly as the sun, and I can make out distant
features never before seen.  There is so much to look upon I don't know
where to start.

Page #1

Fifteenth of Lumnea, 4894
Shara has been quiet lately.  Perhaps she waits for my excitement to ebb.  I
must try to make more time for her, but there is so much left to do and see.

Twenty-ninth of Lumnea, 4894
Oh I am a fool.  Shara's quiet is not considerate respect, but instead marks
some other problem.  She appears listless and tired, yet her skin is flush and
healthy, and the baby grows and moves within her yet.  I will send word to
the healers that there may be trouble.  Perhaps they may help.

Fifth of Koaratos, 4894
The healers are no help, and Shara's condition worsens.  The baby is due soon,
and we hope that its arrival will enable her to begin her recovery.  I fear
the worst, but try not to show Shara that I have doubts.

Twentieth of Koaratos, 4894
Today marks the beginning of the life of my daughter Beth, and the end of
the life of my love, Shara.  I will cherish and treasure thee all my days,
and treasure your gift to me all of my life.


Page #2

                     Gift of a Dying Mother

Twentieth of Koaratos, 4898
It is four years my love.  Four years ago today you bestowed your gift
to me.  Our Beth grows strong and fine, looking more and more like you
each day.  Her bright smile brings me through each day we're no longer
together.

Seventh of Imaerasta, 4900
I named a constellation after you today.  It is deep within the northern
sky in winter, and low on the horizon.  Shara'Naesta, the breath of Shara.
Beth continues to grow fine and strong.  She helps around the observatory,
and is showing an uncanny aptitude at pointing the telescope in just the right
spot.  I am very proud of her.

Eighteenth of Eorgaen, 4904
Beth grows so quickly, it is hard to imagine so many years have passed.  I
must try to find a way for her to meet other people however.  She is beginning
to ask questions that I have no answer for, and needs to know the world a bit.


Page #3




                      Plight of Sorrow

Twenty-Sixth of Koaratos, 4914
Beth returned home today from her studies abroad.  My heart was swollen
with pride as I gazed upon her walking up the path.  But as she grew near
I saw it then.  That same tired, listless look I saw in her mother.  That
terrible, life eating disease had come for her, as I feared it would.

But this time I was ready.  I have not yet found a cure for the disease,
however I can slow its advance.  I know that there is no way to keep the
symptoms at bay, so my only course is to attempt to arrest the disease
in its course.

Thirtieth of Koaratos, 4914
Beth has reviewed my notes and has reluctantly agreed in the undertaking.
We will work together in determining the correct mixtures and incantations
required to make the potion of stasis.  Already my early works are showing
promise.  I have successfully safeguarded many of my more delicate papers,
including this manuscript, from the passage of time.  It is my hope that
whomever finds my research material after I am gone will be able to continue.

Page #4




                             The Search

First of Ivaesten, 4916
Beth and I could no longer delay.  The disease has begun to spread and is
now affecting her motor nerves and ability to balance.  With great sorrow, we
administered what we believe to be the correct dosage of potion to place her
in a suspended state.  I then spoke the Words of Sealing and it was done.  My
daughter now is between time, and I renew my search for the cure.

Eleventh of Eorgaen, 4921
She lies yet still, and seemingly unaware of the passage of time.  I hope that
her dreams are pleasant, and she wants for nothing.  My search has led me to
many distant lands, but I have found very little information from the cultures
I have visited.  The disease attacks the nervous system somehow but the key
bit of knowledge I need still eludes me.  Perhaps it is right in front of me,
waiting for me to see what is in front of my face.  But so far, nothing.

Sixth of Olaesta, 4923
I fear that the number of mornings I have seen far outnumber the mornings I
have left to see, and I still have not made the progress I had hoped for.
Beth still lingers in her stasis, so I at least am comforted in knowing that
she will live on past my own mortal failing.  Perhaps someone may come behind
me and finish my work.  But until the last morning, I will continue to search.



Page #5




                               Despair

Twenty-second of Jastatos, 4955
I have failed.  The twilight of my last day is upon me, and I am no closer to
Beth's cure than I was over thirty years ago.  I am deeply sorry my child.  My
only hope in your restoration is to leave what notes I can and hope that
someone continues in my work.  I will scatter my writings as far and wide as
I may, so that if this great observatory should perish, the work will not
be totally lost.

I will seal the observatory so that only the most learned will reach this
place, for it is the scholarly that I will beseech from beyond the grave.

I beseech thee...

Save my child.