A Dark Paradise [Research DTA]

Rolled into a palm sized tube is a piece of nondescript parchment, and a copy of a map. The parchment is written in a mix of common, symbols, elvish, and draconic.

ASSIGNMENT REPORT #22

Body:

Follow up from Assignment Report #21.

Had a debrief with Jaezred Vandree (drow, noble, pact mage), then proceeded to do further research following the other lead from my initial findings. The following outlines all information gleaned from discussions with Vandree, read from the books recovered from the Lighthouse in the Shadowfell, and the research conducted over the past several days.

Shadow Corruption

• The very shadow matter of the Shadowfell can seep into a creature and change it
• It is a slow process → taking place over at least one moon cycle before the effects can be visible
• Time spent in close proximity of creatures or high levels of Shadow Magic are other sources of corruption
• Shadows are known more to drain the emotions and feelings from a creature → turning one cold-hearted
  
• In rare cases the shadows can grant additional powers/magic to a creature
  
• Notable creatures to be dramatically affected: dragons
• Corruption can be reversed → prolonged exposure is theorised that reversal is impossible

Shadow Magic

• Most notable source of shadow magic is the Raven Queen (goddess of Fate) → the most prominent user of this magic
• Any god that aligns themselves with shadows have the ability to grant this magic

Other ways to get Shadow Magic include:

• A creature obtaining shadow matter of the Shadowfell within themselves either through unwilling exposure or voluntary corruption
• Granted power by more powerful creatures native to the Shadowfell/also corrupted
  
  
• Such creatures include: shadow demons, aberrations, older shadow dragons
  
• There are variations/ways to figure out which source the Shadow Magic comes from however the source book has degraded too much for the answers to be found in it’s pages

The Obsidian City

• A journal, found and transcribed with comments and speculation → possibly done by Billy but not confirmed
• Begins with a brief history
• City was originally an obsidian mine though for who or for what purpose are unknown
• After many years the workers abandoned the mines, again, for unknown reasons
  
• Shortly after that, the six towers that mark the city’s surface appeared, again mysteriously
• The author theorises the miners awoke/unleashed shadow spirits or creatures that resided in the obsidian itself → could never successfully prove this theory
• Picks up again with their delve into the underground part of the city → it fails to describe anything useful, becoming more the writings of someone’s descent into madness
• An intense focus on the shapes in the darkness, always dancing in the corners of their eyes and the overwhelming number of whispers they heard but could never understand
• Eventually, the journal becomes too hard to decipher as the writer fully loses all grip on sanity and the writing becomes entirely nonsensical
• The transcribing author eventually also seemingly gives up trying to decipher the writings of the insane

It should be noted, before reading the below information, the days spent researching the team of thieves who allied themselves to the cult of shadow demons belonging to Fraz-Urb’luu turned up an interesting and all too coherent picture for such chaotic entities as demons. Plying the Researchers with gold to even bring a book ‘loaned’ from the Academy helped the most. What follows are the highlights of the research and the key things of note.

(Not) Fraz-Urb’luu

• Someone was playing games with the thieves
• The powers they were receiving may have, in fact, been coming from devils using Fraz-Urb’luu as a cover to deceive them
• Along with this is a mention of an ascension ceremony for the leaders and most powerfully shadow imbued members of the thieves
• The ceremony saw them step into a portal and ‘receiving a place in paradise’
• However, none of the thieves who pass through this portal have ever returned

Several theories come to mind with these last pieces of the puzzle, as do even more questions. I thought the tool I could find in this city of shadows and whispers would help me end Lady Neramorte once and for all. Now I see I was a fool to place my hopes on an unknown.

It may be that I am successful in ending the life of the man who calls himself The Benefactor, my father. Or it may be that he captures my soul to use in what very well may be a ritual that brings him to an unknown paradise, or even some other unknown end I have no way of knowing. If news of my demise should reach the Queen, my one request I would make is that Lady Oziah Daybreaker be given aid should she ask for it in the pursuit of her goals.

May the stars bless her Majesty’s rule for aeons to come.

Report passed on 1 day of the Claw of Winter.



Neh diis lus’a, lus diis’a.