Alchemist's Journal (Translated)¶
Description¶
Hermes Trismegistus' Journal, recovered from his tomb, describing an ancient and terrible weapon.
Second Age Common translation by Marus Daergel.
On the 3rd day before the Kalends of the second moon
A task has been given to me by the Council, to inspect an arcane artefact recovered from the Catacombes beneath the ruins of the Old City. It is my understanding that the artefact was found deep within the bowels of a most terrible vault and guarded by mechanisms which claimed the lives of half the expedition sent to retrieve it.
It would appear the device emanates a loathesome radiance that has consumed those whom fortune has tasked with its guardianship. As with all arcana, the radiance can be eliminated by a protective shielding of lead. I shall have my staff prepare a suitable chamber immediately.
On the day before the Kalends of the second moon
The artefact has arrived and been safely esconced in the leaden chamber. A cleric of Torm was fetched to ward off the effects of the radiance.
The artefact is composed of a dark-gray metallic outer sphere some 60 inches in diametre, with a square pedestal extending the height of the artefact by another 40 inches. The outer shell appears to be made from overlapping curved plates, much like those of plated armor, riveted together to protect the inner mechanism.
the entire artefact weighs an astounding 10,000 pounds, yet it rings hollow when struck, indicating some substantial material must be hidden within.
I have tasked Stywyrt with the careful examination of the composition of the outer armor. Father Tohmys believes his wards should hold for an hour or two between castings, which should provide adequate protection for my apprentice.
On the 3rd day before the Nones of the second moon
Stywyrt has made excellent progress with the artefact’s armor. The plates proved simple to separate once we discovered the rivets are in fact screws. The whole assembly was taken apart over the past four days, with each piece cataloged and recorded for reassembly.
The Inner mechanism is obviously arcane and certainly alchemical in nature, and given the intricate gold and silver runes inscribed upon the ring of emerald tablets within, it must channel a tremendous amount of energy. The tablets are littered with small stones, jewels and charms, sometimes arranged chaotically and others regularly. A seething mass of enameled wires of every color connect the tablets to pustules that cover an inner sphere of metal, which has begun to rust and flake at places.
Stywyrt has confirmed this inner sphere is composed of a high purity carboniferous ferrite, which chipped four of my best chisels before itself fracturing. I do not understand the purpose of this second armor shell, the contents must be precious indeed to warrant such protection.
On the Ides of the second moon
It has taken many sleepless nights for Stywyrt to catalog every rune upon the tablets. They are like nothing I have ever seen before. Even more confounding is the construction of the tablets themselves, being too light and opaque for gemstone, but made of no wood or stone familiar to my artificers.
What we initially believed to be jewels and precious stones are nothing of the sort. Given their overall arrangement I can only deduce they must help focus and amplify the arcane energies, but by which manner I know not.
Stywyrt is to remove the inner armor tomorrow and report his findings. I am more and more certain that the artefact contains an alchemical egg of tremendous size within. A large portion of the mass must have already transmuted to gold, hence the artefact’s immense weight.
We must proceed with extreme caution, a single drop of alkahest or spirit of mercury could prove a lethal hazard. More terrifying still, we cannot rule out the possibility of demonic contagion. Father Tohmys has agreed to find a cleric of Selune to prepare a banishment rite.
On the 19th day before the Kalends of the second moon.
It is not an alchemical egg.
The inner armor holds yet another sphere, composed of hexagonal waxen brown plates interlocked like the honeycomb of a bee’s hive. The pustules on the inner armor to which the enameled wire connected appear to be mirrored on the inner surface as well, with each waxen plate centered beneath a pustule.
Stywyrt carefully scraped a small amount of wax from one of the plates, and had yet smaller samples analyzed by Tymahns, a second-year apprentice. Had it not been for Father Tohmys’ presence, we could have found ourselves in need of a new Tymahns.
The wax is explosive, detonating with a force unmatched even by the mixture of coal, sulfur and saltpeter. A small shaving of the substance reacted energetically when struck with sudden force or rapid friction. Subjecting a small shaving to all manners of flame produced a brilliant flash of concussive energy that shattered nearby glassware.
I shudder to think what 10,000 pounds could do.
On the 13th day before the Kalends of the second moon
Logically, the artefact is a weapon. There can be no other purpose. Judging by Stywyrt’s analysis, 10,000 pounds of compositio baratrum, as we call the waxen substance, would instantly level the walls of any city or fortress standing today. But so would 1000 pounds, or 100.
Such a massive weapon would be impossible to sneak up to an effective distance. The mule train needed to haul such a load would immediately be assaulted long before the weapon could be set in place. There must be a reason to create a weapon this massive that has as of yet eluded me.
Stywyrt believes he can safely remove the outer set of honeycombed plates, perhaps there is more to discover within.
On the 11th day before the Kalends of the second moon
It is an alchemical egg.
Stywyrt removed the compositio b. plates, and discovered yet another armor sphere of a dull gray metal in two hemispheres, within which lay our prize: a sphere of lustrous gold, polished to a perfect mirror. Most troubling of all, the egg radiates an unnatural warmth that can be felt a few inches away.
We dare not touch the surface. There are many things a mirror can be used for, and sealed within a sphere, looking at oneself is not one of them. Only the most potent spells, far beyond even my capabilities, require a perfectly polished mirror, and nearly all relate to dark powers I dare not name.
On the 10th day before the Kalends of the second moon
Stywyrt has fallen ill. He cannot hold down solid food and his strenth has failed. I have ordered the weapon’s chamber sealed until we can identify the cause of his affliction.
On the 6th day before the Kalends of the second moon
Father Tohmys can only seem to dispel the affliction for a a few hours before the symptoms return. Stywyrt’s hair is nearly gone. A cleric of Kelemvor has been summoned.
There is no doubt in my mind, the egg is powered by a terrible demon trapped within.
On the day before the Kalends of the second moon
Stywyrt’s condition is much improved. Though it has taxed Father Tohmys, each cycle the symptoms are weaker than the last. We hope the disease will break by the Kalend.
I have given much thought to the artefact. Though I remain convinced of a demonic presence, as Stywyrt’s infirmity can attest, I am troubled by the purpose of the explosive shroud. Stywyrt believes the explosion is meant to be focused inwards.
I had an artificer construct a crystal lens of the same proportions as the compositio b. plates. It concentrates light where the center of the shroud would be.
On the 4th day before the Nones of the third moon
Stywyrt has nearly made a full recovery. Father Tohmys suggests depositing the artefact in the deepest pit of the ninth hell where even Asmodeus dare not tread. I am loathe to disagree with him.
On the 2nd day before the Nones of the third moon
A dreadful dream came to me last night.
A wave of infernal fire, fueled by the destructive force of the shroud, reaches the golden sphere - and rebounds. The egg, empowered by the demonic spirit within, feeds the wave as it expands again - now multiplied a thousandfold. In a flash, the city is consumed, leaving in its place a hellish landscape of sulfur and brimstone. From afar, a rising column of ash and smoke billows as an inferno rages on below.
I understand the purpose of the weapon. It is not meant to breach a city. It is meant to level it.
On the Ides of the third moon
Mary came to me as I prepared to destroy the weapon. She has foreseen it, too. And she brings most unwelcome news.
Another weapon exists, retrieved from a vault more ancient and deadly than the first by forces under a dark banner.
Our age is at an end. Though it may be centuries more, the world will fall to flame and sword. The fallen weapon will sear its frightful mark upon our world.
As its counterpart will doom our age, this weapon may yet save the next. It must remain hidden, lest it fall into the grasp of ruinous powers.
I must make preparations.