You notice a bulbous tome, with various pages and documents wedged between numerous pages. It appears to be a journal of some kind, belonging to the monastery's occultists. You flip through the pages.
Experiment Log No. 224, as transcribed by Overseer Thorton
Our efforts into making contact with the white void (referred to as Bythos in some ancient texts we've translated) continue apace. We've made significant advances on numerous fronts, though any real breakthrough has yet to be observed.
Distortions have been observed and logged from experiment B-65, using a new rune pattern in an attempt to enhance their results. Additional distortions have been recorded from experiment C-63, with the use of cattle marrow as the new medium.
Group A continues to work with refined ichor, yet no additional results have been observed since experiment A-72, and group D has yet to achieve any results at all in their experimentation with artifact rituals.
I will consult with the other senior members to discuss potentially dissolving and reorganizing group D into the other groups.
Experiment Log No. 237, as transcribed by Overseer Thorton
After deliberation among the senior members, we have decided to give group D one week to produce results, or face punitive measures and reorganization.
They did not take kindly to the news, and have begun to double down on their efforts with the newest artifact they recently uncovered, which appears to be inlaid with black, crystallized ichor. Perhaps this new artifact, as well as their fervent desperation, will finally yield some useful results.
Groups A, B, and C continue their work, with only group A achieving new results this round of experiments. Experiment A-92 has been logged as successful and minor distortions have been recorded.
Experiment Log No. 240, as transcribed by Overseer Thorton
They actually did it. Experiment D-109 has finally yielded a successful outcome, and it's more than I could have ever expected. Major distortions have been observed around the artifact, with only minor injuries on the part of the participants.
I'm beginning to have some misgivings, as the injuries seem to be consistent across all participants, but the other senior occultists have assured me that the danger to ourselves and the monastery is minimal, and the high overseer has ordered continuation.
Further experiments will begin post-haste, and I will henceforth devote even-numbered logs wholly to group D's results.
Experiment Log No. 242, as transcribed by Overseer Thorton
Something's wrong. Three of the occultists are out of commission after Experiment D-110, with their torsos and forearms lacerated and burned.
I still wish to uncover the secrets of Bythos, but I'm increasingly worried about the cost we'll have to pay. High Overseer Blanche is insistent that the experiments continue still, and I'm not about to defy her.
Experiment Log No. 244, as transcribed by Overseer Thorton
This is getting far too dangerous. Two of our members are now dead, with another five grievously wounded. Whatever this artifact they uncovered is, it's far too volatile for us to handle.
I told Blanche that this is getting out of our control, but she rebuked me, and questioned my loyalty. My loyalty has never been in question, and I am as devoted to this group as ever, but I can't bear the thought of the needless deaths of our members in pursuit of a goal that may very well kill us all.
The High Overseer herself will supervise experiment D-115. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I hope for all our sakes that the experiment fails.
Experiment Log No. 246, as transcribed by Overseer Thorton
High Overseer Blanche is gone. Seven of our acolytes and three senior members are dead. I'm putting a stop to these experiments immediately. I can't let this continue, even if it means taking drastic action myself.
Even if it's the last thing I do, even if the others see it as a betrayal of our grand mission, I will see this end. As soon as I finish this log, I will steal away the artifact and consign it to the abyss. It's too dangerous to be used by anybody, so let it be forgotten in the depths below.
Experiment Log No. 247, as transcribed by Overseer Gram
The death of the former High Overseer is a tragedy, and the subsequent betrayal of Overseer Thorton is inexcusable. He has been summarily put to death. Unfortunately, the artifact is unable to be recovered, lost to the abyss as it is.
Under the guidance of Ramona Seager, Blanche's successor, I will see a new group D assembled from the survivors and reorganized members of other groups, and task them with experimentation on new artifacts. Hopefully they'll be able to produce half of the promising results that we observed prior.
(These people are crazy. Whatever they were trying to achieve here nearly killed them.)
You close the book, taking its lesson to heart.
Markers currently shown on the map (1)
- Books and notes - Occultist Experiment Log - Books and notes
