Thief: The Dark Project
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M5WALLS: "Lord Ramirez - The reinforced walls and steel door have been duly installed about your counting room, but I must warn you that we cannot guarantee them against burrick tunnelling. If you do not move the creatures out of the basement into a more distant area, we cannot be held responsible for the potential damages. Tol Camrick & Sons"
week has been kidnapped by members of the Order of the Hammer. The woman is apparently being held in squalid conditions in Cragscleft prison. Whereas the Hammerites did not cite any official reason for the incarceration, one of the Order was quoted, saying, "She hath sinned in The Builder's eyes, and thy slothful laws hath touched her not at all."
Tatyana's Flowers These flowers grow primarily in the icy mountain caves of the Esse range. By way of defense, they have evolved a method of warming and swirling the magical energy of the sentient plants and rocks discussed in the last chapter, lulling them to sleep. The flowers are named after archemage Tatyana Yokobik who pioneered their use in the temporary negation of magical spells and systems."
I do hope that our final renovations have met with your approval, and I would again like to thank you for your business. As one of the few lay architecture houses in the city, we've found that we have quite a bit of proving ourselves to do, and the patronage of someone such as yourself is always appreciated. If there's anything else that you would like built or modified, please let us know. Please also rest assured that we have no objections to taking further payment in this form, though we are, of course, deeply curious as to where you obtained such a quantity of raw gold. -Lionel Karthman"
The one who trespassed your Greenhouse is chastised. He did not know the rules, but spies there no longer."
wielding enchanted materials, retains the secrets of commanding the powerful sorcery found in the world of nature. For it was from listening to the hidden whispers of ancient oaks, of creeping vines, of desert sandstone pillars, that civilized people first learned the abstruse ways of magic."
longer fit for men. The doors are sealed, to protect us from that which lies within. Do not remain here."
We have received word of your fears, and we understand and indeed share them. We did not lightly take the decision to involve ourselves in this matter. However, we believe that we were compelled to act. Were the Trickster not opposed, he could bring destruction upon the entire city, and upon us as well. We have endeavored to conceal our efforts as best we can. I can only hope that we have been successful. With respect to the Hammerites' possession of the Talismans of Earth and Air, we believe that they have taken great pains to keep them secure. Yours in knowledge, Keeper Andrus" M7KEEP2: "Keeper Andrus, We are relieved to hear that you have successfully contained the destruction. It was for just such a contingency that the Elemental Wards have been saved these many years, and we support your decision to use them now, as the peril that you have described is grave indeed. We urge you to hide the Talismans with great care, as their discovery could lead to another such catastrophe. It concerns us that the Hammerites have insisted on retaining two Talismans. Can they be trusted to guard them well? We worry also that your actions have exposed the truth of our existence to the world, which we must not allow. Yours in knowledge, Keeper Lukas"
I have to go haul his ass out of the pub to get him to unlock the maintainance cell for the Market Street power grid. If he wasn't the Baron's nephew they would have fired him months ago." M7LIGHT: "Department of Public Works, Work Order The power grid control box for the neighborhood around southern Rubin St. is located inside a residence. It should be in a Public Works station like all other power grid control boxes. We may need to build a new maintenance cell in that neighborhood. If so, be sure to contact the Census Bureau so that they can update the map. It is important that all Public Works stations be marked on the map with the gear icon, but we haven't been vigilant enough about this."
unlock the Wards placed upon the cathedral door. Their locations are recorded here in the event that we may one day find it necessary to re-enter the cathedral. The Portal Key must be used to access the Talismans of Water and Fire, and is kept in the library. The Talismans of Earth and Air are held by the Hammerites and can only be obtained with their consent." M7TIP2: "Those who fight undead fall into two groups - the resourceful, and the slain. The well-prepared knight will arm himself well with holy water. However, a more convenient tactic, as well as one much less taxing on the purse, is to take advantage of the zombie's antipathy for all living creatures, and look for other convenient targets to divert a pursuer. - excerpt from the Journals of Morgan, declared anathema by the Smith-in-Exile." M7TORC: "The foolish old man who currently owns the Serpentyle Torc lives on a barren sidestreet west of the Cathedral Street drawbridge. I visited his small but wealthy residence last week in order to purchase the Torc from him, but he obstinately deflected my arguments and offers. He says it is a custom of his people to present a gift of such beauty to their brides-to-be before marriage. At seventy years of age, I don't know what sort of maiden he thinks will be tempted to wed him." "I'm not sure if I should now proceed to use force, or perhaps find a way to pilfer the Torc from him. I understand that there is a thief one can hire who lives nearby, close to de Perrin street."
construction of this great Wall, which now begins to shield us from the dangers behind it. We know of the hours of backbreaking labor you have already given us, but regret that we cannot yet allow you any rest, as the work is of greatest urgency. You have our deepest sympathies at the loss of your workers Barton and Adan to the zombies, but you must know that your men number among the legion lost to this evil. As we regain our city, with the undead put down and the wounded given succor, we have freed a watch of the Guard to accompany" "your men as they finish, so do not let fear stop your efforts! The City counts on you - do not fail us in our hour of need. -Lord Whitsimmon" "'The knowledge of those who came before could neither be disseminated or destroyed. Its power would be a dangerous tool in the wrong hands, but would also insure against future cataclysm. At that time we chose to maintain it with writings preserved in extant locations.' -- Keeper Annals" M9BENIIR: "Beniir has been informed that you ordered the sacrosanct parchments moved to the archives beneath the great temple-palace, lest they be destroyed by the angry and fiery breath of the earth. On the morrow's eve we shall move ourselves there as well. Do not tarry." M9BOOK2: "Deven decided to separate the two Talismans, but I argued that it may not be the most wise thing to do. Nevertheless, not more than a few hours ago, Shanti led a group back the way we came to examine an area we passed by. She was more quiet than usual, but accepted the task. With them, they took the Talisman of Water. We could bear it no longer. If the heat of burning rock around us were not enough," "the Talisman of Fire was nearly untouchable. We had just come upon a tall and sturdy tower, and it was agreed upon that we should deposit the Talisman there. The staircase to the top floor had collapsed some time ago which made ascension difficult. Aeric had pointed out the ledge circling the tower, suggesting that one of us place the Talisman out there. I laughed at his comment uncaringly. This disturbs me."
shall head back the way we came. I assume Shanti and her company had little trouble in finding a suitable spot for the Talisman of Water, but I cannot keep myself from wondering why the burning elementals stood at bay as we passed. Will they still now that we no longer carry the Talisman of Fire?"
our sojourn, but today we've taken a serious blow. From out of nowhere, a number of them assaulted the troupe. We fended them off with our remaining supply of water crystals, but the price was heavy. Hodge was relentlessly burned and may not live through the night. Both Yannis and Abner are dead."
him, but to no avail. He was delirious and gibbering and he cried out in pain, clawing the alien abysmal ground beneath him. I tried to calm him, but when he grabbed my hair and pulled my ear close to his lips, he said but one thing before expiring... burning water."
lass. I visited the Emperor's colosseum. Such a spectacle! The colosseum is bigger than our village! The cheer is deafening when they extend the bridge from below the royal balcony. Great doors open and the combatants enter the battlefield, a raised island in the middle of the arena. Hundreds of magical fires float on the surface of the water. I saw there a gladiator who wrestled with a pair of lions, and the Emperor's son himself tossed him a bag of gold! I will tell you more later, but Cherok calls.
To: Keeper of the Keys Fuquan It is spoken that Va-Toran has closed the coliseum for reasons other than piety. In a year and a day of mourning Toran may devise a way to make money from the building. As cheering crowds were to his father, is the clink of coins to Toran. To inter the key with Va-Taraq is genius. None will touch it, yet should it serve, it can be "lost" to grave robbers. Our new master is wily. This humble servant fears for Karath-din." M9RAIN: "Fire rains upon us from the sky. At the Temple of N'Lahotep, four hallowed geldings were offered to appease the acrimonious earth. The sanguine overture has done nothing to pacify her."
to the Guild of Enlightenment. The priests tell the ignorant that the earth is crying for her departed brother, Va-Taraq. We know that these tremors signify something more ominous. Taraq would have listened to us and evacuated the city, but his son is less enlightened. The Guild must protect what we can, by whatever magical and mundane means we posses. The tower must not fall." M9SCHOLR: "Despite hardships, I have welcomed this opportunity to study the city of the precursors. Their society was remarkable, stratified like the bedrock, and seemingly as stable. Above all was the Emperor, a divine figure, answerable to none but their gods. Emperors were seldom seen by the common people and this distance gave rise to a powerful and politically charged bureaucracy."
have been different, an unprecedented man of the people."
Let me know if you ever come across any good antiquities in your, ah, explorations. I'd be particularly interested in any ritual headresses and masks. The gold and enamel work from Cyric is increasingly rare, and I needn't point out that if you ever found something dating back to the Precursors, I'd make you a rich man. -- Bram Gervaisius" M9TOMB: "Let the tomb be dug deep into the earth, and filled with all manner of things which are pleasing to serve him in his nether days. Splendor shall follow our beloved monarch to mark his glory. And woe to those who would disturb his sleep! They shall be imperiled from below, from above and from that which is directly before their eyes." M9VATORN: "To honor the life memory of our departed father and king, Va-Taraq, Son of the Sky, the coliseum he built for his people will be closed for a year and a day. Let the gates be locked and none make merry while the sky and earth themselves do shake and cry for their departed brother. This I decree
Son of the Sky" M9WATER: "We must soon find a supply of water here in the city. The Talisman of Fire needs to be cooled, and our attempts to use the Water Talisman for this purpose have come close to destroying both of them. We have reached a point where we must decide whether to drink or carry the Talismans. Our water crystals have been saved for emergencies, but we may soon be forced to rely on them."
have not much further to go to the Tower." "'Having pledged our honour as shield over Earth and Air, we must be ever mindful. Let them be locked away and safe, but ever in view of the faithful. Future generations are hostage to our care.' -- Sermon of the Talismans" M10DALE: "Here lies the unhappy Brother Dale: buried here as a symbol of lessons not learned." M10HallPass: "As approved by his Eminence, the High Priest Markander, we deliver unto you this Novice, under the standard agreement of service. The Novice is sent with full status and training as such, and should serve with humility and vigor to the best of his skills. He will endure a standard three-year contract of service, at the end of which he will be considered for indoctrination as an Elevated Acolyte. The novice has been instructed in the rules and strictures of the Order, has sworn his warrants to be silent in his vigils, and knows to maintain the marked privacies (as indicated by the standard inverted red hammer sigil)." "Please remit periodic evaluations of his conduct, as warranted or at six-month intervals. May the Hammer fall on the unrighteous. Officially, Brother Sachelman" M10Instructions: "The cage containing the Talismans can only be opened when the five locks have been released; the lock-releases are placed in various locations about this Temple. One resides with Brother Mason. One is behind the Skull of St. Yora. One is in the kitchen, by the oven. One is behind the rack which loosens men's tongues. One is behind the Keystone Tree. The locks must be released within the span of five minutes; when all of the locks are released, the Talisman Cage can be opened. Then, he who removes the Talismans must first recite the Prayer of the Wallbuilder."
to enter restricted areas for any reason. (These areas are to be designated by the standard red inverted hammer.)
function." "Temple Priests will be issued keys to most areas, and are allowed in restricted rooms when authorized by the High Priest. They are also, of course, allowed in their own quarters, but not in those of other Priests.
the Holy Symbol of the Temple." M10Kitchen: "Terrence: We are almost done converting the old kitchens into the new treasury. All of the kitchen stores have now been moved up from downstairs, and some of the church valuables have been moved down. Work should be completed within the week. - Nolman."
mold. It was brought into the world by Father Tennor, now sainted." M10NOTIC: "In light of the recent break-in at Cragscleft, all Temple patrols will be doubled until further notice." M10oldham: "'The First Hammer,' symbol of our ascent from the Trickster's shadow." M10SKULL: "The sacred Skull of St. Yora, a builder of vision and devout keeper of the faith." M10TERR: "Here lies Brother Terrence: he fought the unrighteous to his last breath." M10THEO: "Here lies Father Theol: a teacher without peer, yet ever a student of discipline." M10TIP1: "Novices aren't allowed to carry personal weapons except on campaign, so you'd better keep yours under your robes unless you need to use them."
shall do good all my days" then did the master strike the thief's hand from him with a blade. And the master said "Go now and do good, for thy repentance has been paid." M10VO7: "Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct, Vol. 7 When the Builder walks before thee and builds for thee a fortress, wilt thou go inside and shut the door? Or wilt thou say "Yes, and now I shalt raise one of mine own!"
work of it or thou mockest His gifts." M10VO36: "Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct, Vol. 36 Time once past, the harlot did say to the priest "Tarry a while, and wait upon thy duties" and the priest did tarry." "And then was the harlot scourged with birch branches, and was the priest crushed beneath the great gears, for the path of righteousness leads ever upwards, to where it is perilous to fall." M10VO39: "Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct, Vol. 39 Hadst I a hammer, wouldst I hammer in the morning. Wouldst I hammer in the evening, all over this land." M10VO53: "Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct, Vol. 53 To use thy chisel is to blunt its edge 'gainst the stone. To not use thy chisel is to waste its edge." M10VO77: "Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct, Vol. 77 What is a tree but a tower that withers and dies? What is a pond but a cistern that stagnates and fills with muck? What is a patch of ground but a road which cracks and washes away?"
jackablade. Guard thy hand from misdeed as thou gardest thy house from firelighters."
tools from corrosion, for thy faith and thy tools are the best that thou hast."
beginning thy endeavors, look to thy material, both physical and spiritual."
thou dost not make from fear is a worse flaw. Be not cautious - be correct."
hath spoilt this work?" then didst his errant son answer "I do not know." Then didst the Builder cast down his son and smite him with his hammer. For is it not known that a mistake may be mastered, but a lie lasteth forever on the tongue?" M10VO170: "Hammerite Compendium of Precepts, Regimens and Rules of Conduct, Vol. 170 The proof of the wall is that it stretcheth above the height of a man, and lasteth beyond the span of a man. Our greatest works exceed us in all ways."
harbors the termite. A flaw in a man's righteousness encompasses his death."
and age to age. Let my walls stand, while families toil, armies march, and empires fall. I am a Wallbuilder, and my walls will stand always as a shield against evil. This I pray, that will the Master Builder grant." "'And he did say, "Shall we not use this power, as our enemies used it unto us? Do we not carve their wild forests into our beams and boards? Do we not tame their raging streams to carry our boats?" And in their youth and foolishness, did his brothers say, "Yes, let us."' -- Collected letters of the smith-in-exile" Yüklə 1,35 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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