Thief: The Dark Project

AULtooldqsign: "To Old Quarter"
AULunbindingglyph: "The Glyph of Unbinding. I must keep you here with me, secret, yes. Unbinder! You are the Undoer, the Unwriter! So easily can you destroy my stone warriors, so easily do you unwrite the glyphs that animate them! Why must you exist? You are like the Last of All Glyphs - a terror to me. But here, in my lair, my home, my den, here you can do no harm. Garrett would want to see you, take you, use you, yes! With your power he would fear my stone soldiers no more. One hit with his cursed blackjack, his bludgeon, to the back of the head of my minions, and they would crumble. But that will not happen. You, Glyph of Unbinding, you will sit unused, unseen, unsung."
AULwarupdate: "Dyan- Here bes my reportings. Twelve bes were lost in them Old Quarter. Five bes lost in them Docks. Them hammerheads more strongsy than we thinkered. We bes needing helping. Daisy"
BKRMbook1: "Contract on the life of Alcius, P. Brydecker, blackmailer, residing at the house at the end of Sootspire Road. As proof of his death, bring Brydecker’s Signet Ring to the Empty Noose Tavern. Drop said ring in the box, and the balance of payment will be dispensed forthwith. Signed X – (If you knew, I’d have to have you killed too!)"
BKRMbook2: "Friday I managed an invitation to the Pipperin party – or should I say lifted an invitation. Should be a good way to catch up with Lord Conniff, who’s late in his payment. I suspect his heart isn’t in it after all this time and money. I’ll have to remind him of what will happen if his wife finds out about his indiscretions. Lady Elizabeth is making a play for the Opal. Not sure what the Rutherford’s see in that thing, but unfortunately for them, a thief named Garrett nabbed it. She’s been a little sloppy, making inquiries about him in all sorts of places. Even asking if the poor fellow takes health potions. Wonder how much it would be worth to him to know about Lady E’s fondness for poisons."
BKRMbook4: "The Empty Noose is closed today due to a crime scene. No one is allowed inside."
CAScliveletter: "Dearest Lizzy, May I still call you that? I remember it from when you were just a child. I am writing to see if you know of any tincture to help our poor afflicted Clive. He is wasting away, barely speaking or moving, staring at a piece of treasure from his last excursion. The doctors are of no help, and I fear the worst. Little as I wish to, I must beg your help. If not for yourself, do it for Lord Ember, Clive's dear friend, and your, dare I say, betrothed? Or for the memory of your dear mother, whom I do remember fondly. Yours,

Lady Eleanor Warwick"

CAScookjournal: "Cook's Journal My errand in the city is done, but it's for nothing - Julian's medallion has been stolen! If Julian is fool enough to come now, I'll still open the side entrance for him, but I fear the outcome. He'll try to take Ember's medallion, and there'll be blood for sure. If Julian had treated me better, I'd have told him about the new portcullis protecting the vault, and the switch that opens it in Lord Ember's chamber. But I cannot carry on this farce of serving two masters. One way or another, the two dogs are going to fight this out, the scared poodle and the whipped cur. I only hope my part in this is never discovered. If it is, I'll say I never told Julian about the portcullis. Maybe that'll be enough."
CASelizabethjournal: "Lady Elizabeth's Journal, page 52 This house is not safe for me - my spy tells me Julian is planning a bloody return. I spend my evenings in the city to avoid this, but still I go armed day and night with blade and venom. If necessary I can flee at a moment's notice, with the little treasure I acquired from the armory. Until then, I have this sham marriage to make with a sham husband - I care not which of them it is now, the arsenic will do for either. Ember touched me again today - just on the hand, but it was horrible. Interesting letter from Lady Warwick. Ember's suffering must be exquisite. Watching his only friend slowly waste away to nothing - better than any poison I could deliver."
CASemberjournal: "Lord Ember's Journal The Opal is what's important. Julian will stop at nothing to take it from me, and I cannot become complacent. Even if he subverts the guards, they cannot get by the new portcullis - I alone control the switch, here by my desk, where I am safe. This castle is rotten with conspiracy. Were it not for dear Elizabeth I'm sure I would lose my mind. Even the portrait of Mortimer the Mad stares down at me from the stairwell balcony as if to name me unworthy of the Opal (those eyes! surely Arlek was the greatest of the Old Masters). I ought to guard it more carefully - it's worth all the other paintings combined. So quiet here tonight. Since Lord Warwick died there's no one left to talk to. My only friend! Why did you waste away staring at that abominable cursed stone! I'm certain there was some witchery involved. I hear they have donated it to the Wieldstrom Museum, and good riddance."
CASevilnote1: "Benwick - Ill news from the city - the medallion's missing! Julian cries treason, of course. Which of the cousins could have done it? Nestor PS: If it's you, tell me, and I am with you. It was cleverly done."
CASevilnote2: "At dinner tonight, if I wear my green gloves, do nothing. If I wear the red gloves, and hold the goblet with my right hand, then send payment. If the left hand, release the hawks. All of them."
CASevilnote3: "Nestor - I've had the sergeant-at-arms sacked...again! The gilded helm you won at the Summersday tourney has gone missing. Did Julian take it? It's worth quite a bit, sentimental value aside. Bertram"
CASevilnote4: "Benwick Julian's medallion is gone. Why would Ember steal it, and then construct a second lock? But if Ember didn't steal it, who did? What does he know? Bertram"
CASguardnotice: "All Guards Take Note! A portcullis has been installed in the basement, in front of the Rutherford vault, as added protection for the Bloodline Opal. Only Lord Ember has the ability to open the portcullis. Lord Ember expects his cousin Julian to try for the gem soon. Be on watch for anything suspicious. Captain Williams"
CASplaque: "Lord Mortimer Rutherford the Mad

Painted by Master Arlek"

CASpoisons: "Personal stores arsenic - sufficient

atropine - sufficient

belladonna - gone stale

cyanide - sufficient

hemlock - running low

jimsonweed - require new source"

CASportcullisletter: "Cousin- Ember's efforts to protect the Opal go beyond reasoning. He's installed a new portcullis in the cellar, in front of the vault door. As for the mechanism that controls it - my men have searched everywhere with no results. Everywhere but Ember's own chambers, that is. If you find out anything - let me know. Ember readies himself for Julian's return. He keeps his Rutherford Medallion always nearby, and not just because of its value in gold. Lady Elizabeth must have sensed what is coming. I'm sure you've noted her absence as well? As for us - we must play to whomever is the victor. Our time will come. Above all, beware.

Cousin C."

CLKcoalPlq: "Coal Dispenser"
CLKforemanPlq: "Foreman's Office"
CLKfurnace: "Take heed: If thou must halt the gears, then thou MUST slow their speed before thou use the Halting Mechanism. NEVER use the Halting Mechanism with the Coal Dispenser Lever thrown and the Steam Pressure Valve closed, or the gears wilt be thrown from their track. The gears art powered by the steam of the boiler. If thou must start the furnace cold, pull thou the lever for the coal dispenser, only until such coal as needed hath fallen. Leave not the dispenser open, or the furnace wilt burn too hot and the gears spin too fast and mark the time too quickly. The Steam Pressure Escape Valve shouldst be closed only when thou dost clean the mechanism. Closing the valve wilt prevent excess steam from escape, then the pressure wilt build greatly. Therefore, thou must not close the valve whilst the gears art turning, lest they spin too fast and mark the time in error."
CLKhaltingPlq: "Halting Mechanism"
CLKmemo: "Brethren:

Thy time is not thine own – it needs must be devoted to the great work of our Order. When thou taketh thy repast, have care that thou dost not congregate with thy fellows, lest thou lure thyself and thy fellows into delay. Proper time for prayer mayst be taken at dawn, at noon, at eventide, and at night."

CLKprayers: "And then came the Builder to the forge of the smith, and watched He and listened.

Didst then the smith put an ingot upon his anvil, and lift his hammer, and didst then the Builder breathe upon the ingot, that it became gold. Then didst the smith cry out 'What hath become of my good and fine iron? How canst I forge a blade, or a tool? This hath much worth, but no worthiness.' And didst then the Builder breathe upon the smith, that he lay down his hammer and his body, and didst come to stand by the right hand of the Builder for all time."

CLKrepairs: "Iron three-gauge gear, central pendulum control, stripped.

- Hath replaced. Iron piston, second counterweight, bent.

- Hath replaced. Single high chime, untuned.

- Hath retuned. Iron three-gauge gear, central pendulum control, stripped.

- Iron unsuitable for pendulum control. Replaced with diamond gear. Alto chime reported by striker as too soft.

- Hath cleaned and increased hammer speed Emergency steam valve, corroded.

- Hath replaced. Bass chime, untuned.

- Hath retuned."

CLKsteamPlq: "Steam Release"
CLKwar: "In the coming days, the Builder's wrath shalt smite the pagan heretics. Some wilt go to Fort Ironwood in Old Quarter, some wilt remain here, that the clock lose no second of marked time. 'Tis a worthy thing to strike for the Builder, but 'tis also a great and worthy thing to shoulder the burden of two, when thou do His work."
CLKwinejournal: "Journal of Father Debole

Any smith canst divide an ingot into twenty and four pieces of equal weight. Any forger canst split a rod into sixty shavings, set them to a bolt. 'Tis good work, but common. Only these brethren, in mine keeping, canst split a day into twenty and four pieces, canst split an hour into sixty shavings of equal time.

He hath set his will, not 'gainst our success, but 'gainst our sloth. So must we be shaped ever stronger in His forge. But 'tis at times overmuch for me, and I seek the remedy I hath purchased for myself at great cost. The alchemy of time hath made of the grape a solace for the Builder's trials - none but mine own lips shalt taste of it.

To name myself, His tool, as greater than the work - 'twas Karras's folly and sin, and I shalt not follow that path. 'Twas also the folly of Greidus, and 'twas punished for it, for no sooner hadst he issued invitation to all to witness as he drank from the Chalice, then wast it stolen away."

DOC3captainslog: "Captain's Log

Day 42-

Cook outdid himself tonight. A fine meal. At least at the officer's table. And why not? We've done well on this trip, and tomorrow morning I'll announce to the men that we'll be steering for home. I'm looking forward to seeing my Edwina. I guess a scarf of hers is just as good a lucky piece as that telescope of mine.
Day 43-

Weather's been fine. We got a full hold and are headin' for home. Should be there in less th"

DOC3manifest: "Ship's Manifest Been a fine take, but nothing real exotic like the last trip. Like that golden slab with the strange symbol - now that's a once in a lifetime thing. Couldn't seem to make a dent in it or split it up, so I took the whole thing home with me. Captain's prerogative. Edwina doesn't know. Wouldn't want her to. She'd just ask questions – and she wouldn't like the answers. That I'm less of a merchant ship captain - and more of a pirate. And we only found that gold slab because we saw a cave that looked like a good place to hide some of our haul. And lo and behold someone else musta thought it was a good hiding place too, because there was the treasure. Some traps around it too. Lost a few good men that day. Edwina doesn't have to know all that, does she? Heck, she'd just fret and worry. Like that time she found out about the secret boathouse near the cliffs by our home. I had a real time of it trying to explain that one."
DOC3mateslog: "First Mate's Log

Day 44-

The captain's got us hauling out the cargo searching for something. Whatever it is, can't it wait ‘til we're back in port? We'll be out of food in a few days, and water's short. We don't have time for this. And I told him so. Didn't even answer. Not like Moira. Not like him at all.
Day 45-

Moira's search went on through the night. He's tossing our cargo overboard after he's made sure it ain't what he's after. The men are tired and confused. Don't want to question his orders in front of the crew, but that's our profits going in the water! Cook says he ain't been eating, so I sent him topside with a tray of the captain’s favorite. I ain’t never seen anyone look so deranged. Poor ol’ Cook, he’ll be missed.

Day 46-

The captain is out of his mind! Once everything was over the side and he still didn't have what he was lookin for, he started screaming! - Where is it? Do you have it?! - None of us have a clue what he's on about. My duty now is to get the remaining men home. I never thought I'd be one for mutiny, but there's no other way. We got the knives ready. It’s now or never."

DOCblessedground: "Hyssop You wills get them saplinger tree! Bes a rare centuried plant that will helping us. Whens you having the sapling, bringer it to them abandoned Inn – heres in our territory in Docks. There bes a patch of ground there I blessed. Plant them sapling there, and it bes will bringer us them powers rooted in them deeping earth. Dyan"
DOCcobbletonnote: "D- Walter Cobbleton ain’t shown up for work in a while. You should go over to his place and check on him and his wife. I think her name is Harriet. B."
DOCdoomedvessel: "The City Chronicle - Extra Doomed Vessel Arrives in Docks

The merchant ship Abysmal Gale floated into port on Sunday with its captain and crew of 28 either missing or dead. Witnesses say the vessel, formerly under the command of Captain Robert Moira, seemed to steer on its own. Now under City Watch investigation, the curious are warned to keep their distance from the boat. Officer Dirk Lemar explains:

'With this here cursed ship, you got your zombies, you got your ghosts, plus all the dangers of a regular ship, drowning, splinters, what-have-you.'

With that said, this is one reporter that will indeed be keeping her distance. Additional reports indicate the possibility that undead who disembarked from the vessel may be congregating in or around the sewers.

• 
  C. Mavenstock"
  

DOCdyanletter2: "Garrett- My visionings show that it bes was you who takered them Jacknall's Paw from us. This crime bes punishable by deadings! But, we bes knowing Viktoria woulds want to finding another way. We offers you this deal: first you doers some things for us, then we lets you live. We have enchanting your bow, so you cans do us these favors. First, bes many cornerstones in them city that we have readied for you to make greening. You bes will know which cornerstones because they have greensy markings. Use your mossing arrows on them, then our magicer vines bes will grow there. Second, we bes have Elemental Cocoons in our territories - shaped like the crescent moon, and bes the height of a man. Fire yours elemental arrows into thems, one of each type per day, and bes will add to their strengthings. When you do one of these favors, your standing with us bes will improving a little. You bes not attacks any us Pagans, or we bes decreasing your standing with us! Now you bes our enemy, and you bes attacked by any Pagan who finds you on them cityhead streets. Bes you do us enough favors, we bes will not attacker you on them streets. But, bes you do us very many favors and you bes our friend and ally... we bes lets you into our territories. Bes your choice. Dyan, Woodsie Priestesses"
DOCdyanletter: "Garrett- My visionings show that it bes was you who takered them Jacknall's Paw from us. This crime bes punishable by deadings! But, we bes knowing Viktoria woulds want to finding another way. We offers you this deal: first you doers some things for us, then we lets you live. We have enchanting your bow, so you cans do us these favors. First, bes many cornerstones in them city that we have readied for you to make greening. You bes will know which cornerstones because they have greensy markings. Use your mossing arrows on them, then our magicer vines bes will grow there. Second, we bes have Elemental Cocoons in our territories - shaped like the crescent moon, and bes the height of a man. Fire yours elemental arrows into thems, one of each type per day, and bes will add to their strengthings. When you do one of these favors, your standing with us bes will improving a little. You bes not attacks any us Pagans! Or steal from our territories, or we bes decreasing your standing with us! Now you bes our enemy, and you bes attacked by any Pagan who finds you on them cityhead streets. Bes you do us enough favors, we bes will not attacker you on them streets. But, bes you do us very many favors and you bes our friend and ally... we bes lets you into our territories. Bes your choice. Dyan, Woodsie Priestesses"
DOCelijournal: "Yup. I see more in a day than I reckon most folks ever do. Like when I was guttin that mackerel. Bet nobody will believe what came out of its belly. Nobody believes old Eli. Guess they think the salt air shriveled my thinkin cap. Well, maybe it did. Reminds me of the time I was working my scrimshaw when that metal whale came floatin by. Made a sound I won’t never forget. There was even words on it. Cetus Amicus. You don’t forget a thing like that. Breathed fire too. So scared I nearly whittled my thumb off."
DOCinventorylist: "Misc. Machinery – Packed in crates. Brother Sledge of the Hammerites will pick up. Balance due! Little Tree – Keep a good watch on it, by order of the Captain. Wood Frames – To be packed and delivered to curator over at the museum."
DOClandingplaq: "First Landing Marker

Venerates the Location Where the First Settlers are Believed to have come Ashore"

DOCnowarehouse: "Timmy- We ain't got room in the warehouse right now. Boss says not until Friday. Your best bet is shipping it all out from there, and hoping it don't rain. Hope there's nothing too valuable in that cargo. Anyways, sorry about the mixup. Bill"
DOCpagannotes: "Hogsbean- Bes gettering drinksy waters. Juniper- Bes gatheringed foods. Cowslip- Bes on watching."
DOCsaplingnote: "Juniper

Them sapling tree bes held by the cityfools on the docks. Nows we just needering a plan to getsy past them guards. And soon! Dyan bes making a place readies for them saplinger to grow.

Shaman Hyssop"
DOCtooldqsign: "To Old Quarter"
DOCtosqsign: "To South Quarter"
DOCwarehousenote: "L- Watch that odd little tree real careful. Seems like everybody wants a piece of it. The Hammers want to burn it up in some sort of special furnace, and the Pagans want to plant it in a place they got picked out. Way the captain figures it, when folks want something that bad, could mean money for us. We should be able to move it and the rest of that cargo into a warehouse soon. In the meantime, it don’t go nowhere with nobody. Got it? M."
DUNbegats: "Count ten for King and Crwwn. Gruliac the Great fell and lost his hand and wore the crwwn til he died. Gruliac spawnd Grustam, brain feverd to serch for upper world. Spawnd Grenderic the Generos, shared the crwwn to frends at Hatchling Day who kild him and kept for ther own. Stop line of Blood Kings, start lesser-Kings. Kurshok sufferd King Orpet who spawnd Orpetolia who ruld for 50 but knew nothing. King Boramin took Crwwn, scolar who trid to save the learnings but faild. Pertok spawnd Bergamis spawnd Gruvat (kin of Grenderic) spawnd Formak spawnd Moriac. All wore the crwwn, but say no more on its power. The crwwn not loved Kurshok. The last Kings are Tormac, Fromulat, Bisit, and Merdiac, then chaos times come. The crwwn waits until we have a great King to offer, until we learn all that is forgoten, until there are foes to battle, until there are new thrones. And scolar and Kurshok named of Turish, who writes this, will be gone past counting."
DUNdiamond: "Shaman - I bes thinkering an idea - when we bes dones here, we should takesy them diamond lights with us. It bes near them glowings crystal here in our base, where them Kurshok theater used to bes. I thinkers those cityfools trading much with us for it. They lovers shiny rocks, and it bes doesn’t look too heavied to carry. Willowtail"
DUNfirstexp: "Monday

This is my first expedition into this citadel, but hopefully not my last. There is little here, though some might see value. In a hallway leading up and up, I saw a gold-woven tapestry, the scene perhaps part of their history or mythology - difficult to tell. Books they can no longer read, or so it seems, as they are strewn about and left to decay. But there are still secrets that these Kurshok keep, that we will discover.

Tuesday

We are no further along than we were yesterday. Neville has tried to communicate, but has only a wound to his leg to show for his efforts. I believe we must go back, get supplies and reinforcements to suit the task, and come back refreshed. The council will surely agree and wish to retrieve the glyph key quickly. We will return soon."

DUNhistory: "Four clicks for the pride of existence. We are Kurshok. Most bold, most brave, most clever among all the world's creatures. Scholars and adventurers most favored in the eyes of Him, the Leaf Lord. Five clicks for Gruliac, most favored of all and King of the Kurshok. Human and tree bow before him, and we bathe in glory. Three clicks for the vanity of pride. Our people built towering castles and mighty ships. Among all the Leaf Lord's creatures, we were most favored. Still not content, we wished to be set apart. But still we were favored, and the Leaf Lord gifted the King called Gruliac once more with a golden crown of power. Two clicks for the folly of vanity. Gruliac donned the crown and felt its power. Gruliac the beautiful. Gruliac the strong. Gruliac the mighty spoke: 'I am greater than the Leaf Lord himself!' But dark and terrible is the Leaf Lord, and as great was his love for the Kurshok, now twice as great was his anger. One click for the doom of folly. The Leaf Lord opened the earth and banished us beneath it. Here we dwell forever with no lord or ally, no sun or moon, no rain or wind. The Leaf Lord reached out for the gift he had given us. Gruliac fought him bravely and kept for us the crown, but his hand was destroyed. As are we."
DUNhorn: "Bes a message to them Shaman Cornbriar

Shaman, I bes want you helpings in findering my them Battle Horn. I bes losted it nears them Kurshok hatchery. It bes them ivory horn with them rubies. Them red rubies, like them bloods of our enemies! Maybe some herbals or them Shaman magics could helping us finder it. Please be helper me.

Willowreed"
DUNkeepjournal: "Saturday

I encountered the Kurshok. Luckily, I did not reveal myself, turning back before the Kurshok guard saw me. Interestingly, the creature was keeping watch over a crown, possibly gold, though it was tarnished with age. No doubt valuable, for those concerned about such things. Alas, the crown isn't what I seek, or I would be on my way home - to rest and food.

Tuesday

I have set more glyphs to guide me home when I find the key. All proceeds well. But why did Keeper Gadwall refuse me expedition status? Why did the council not vote? When I return, there will be answers, but for now I must wait. Notes and map are incomplete - why could I not use the journal from the last trip?

Thursday

I have found the glyph key! But the Kurshok spied me, and they are relentless in their pursuit. For the moment I am safe - I have found my way into an ancient library, and secured the door. Apparently, these beasts could once read and write. Perhaps living in these caves for generations has eroded their faculties.

Monday

Every hour the Kurshok try the door. Sometimes I wish they would break through... No other exit. Why was the key so important? So hungry. If I could eat and drink glyphs... Will they rescue me? No one comes. I think I was sent. They hoped for this. Why don't they want the key? What do they fear? So tired..."