tibia books
[{"Elven_Names": "Elven names are chosen in adulthood. Until they acquire a name, elves are called 'son/daughter of ___' usually naming the parent with the same gender. Upon reaching adulthood, the young elf gets his first name, divined by the elders who\nknow him in dreams. It is merely a single name, a description of the elf in the elven tongue. Usually elves love to add a translation of their name which is often mistaken for a second name by other races. Since the elven language is far more complicated and has thousands of nuances, often elves with the same 'second name' have a different first name, confusing the other races even more."}, {"Demonic_Invasions_Paragraph_IV": "Even before the creation of the humans, there have been several occurrences that can only be interpreted as attacks by demonic armies trying to stop the creation process. Inhuman sources tell of several armies that invaded our world in the course of many centuries.\nMost of these invasions could be tracked to some unholy centre of magic. From there immense forces were evoked to open a gate through which the demonic armies entered our world.\nThe gate was opened, an army passed through, and the gate eventually closed again. The invading armies had no supplies and were finally destroyed. The demonic leaders made only rare appearances on the battlefield, probably summoned by their minions for a while. So contrary to common belief, it seems possible that a large demonic army enters our world if certain conditions are met. It should be our top priority to find out what conditions this may be."}, {"The_Deraisim": "The Deraisim had become homeless in the wars. As nomadic wanderers they hid in the woods, setteling nowhere for a longer time. Their families joined each other to travel together for a while, only to disband again soon whenever an area could not supply them all any longer. Hunted by countless enemies and almost everytime outnumbered when it came to fights with 'neighbours' they retreated into the deepest woods where the greater number of their foes was evened out. There they created encampments they visited now and then. They had contact with many creatures and cultures. They adopted ideas and inventions that suited their nomadic lifestyle and begun even a very cautious trade with other races to aquire things they were not able to build on their own. As the attention of the other races turned more and more away from the elves and wars broke out between them, some of the elves begun to live at their up to then only part time ecampment on a permanent base. Adopting what they had seen from other races and things they vaguely remembered from their own past some trading posts were established in this way. Usually only one to three families lived there. After the reunification with the Cenath the majority of them could be convinced to give a permanent settlement a try and the biggest tradingpost became the settlement Ab'Dendriel. Some families refused to join their brethren and continued to wander the world, only visiting the city now and then, each vistit convincing them more that they have only little in common with the Deraisim anymore. So they begun to see themselves as Abdaisim and continued to be the nomads and restless wanderers of elvenkind."}, {"Minotaurs,_Past_and_Present_I": "Minotaur society rejects the raging of Blog. In the past, the berserker rage of the minotaurs was feared by all their enemies. But this rage had cost more than one life and some of the most promising warriors died young on the battlefields. Heavy casualties caused their numbers to decrease dramatically. The minotaurs withdrew from the wars, but in a world gone mad, skirmishes with other races were part of their daily routine. The demise of the whole race continued. As the minotaur race became nearly extinct in the fights, they found refuge in caves, adopting a lifestyle much like their ancient enemies the dwarfs."}, {"Minotaurs,_Past_and_Present_II": "The only minotaurs reaching old age in these times of war were those who were born with physical disabilities or who were crippled but not killed in battle. This class of minotaurs was the only one who could live long enough to learn skills not directly connected to war. Since they were almost always the only ones who could gather enough experience and wisdom to create new ideas and concepts, the younger warriors begun to look at them as parents and advisors. Slowly these elders were able to change the war culture of the minotaurs. One charismatic minotaur in particular, Akkor, who was born blind, became the founder of the new minotaurian philosophy. He shunned the rage as a curse of the god Blog. Consequently, the minotaurian religion, which due to the extremity of martyrdom and rage never had a real chance to develop, turned away from the raging one. Slowly new concepts were adopted and great efforts were undertaken to hold the rage at bay. Meditation and self-control became the foremost duties of any warrior. The minotaurian ideal turned towards role models who were in control of body and mind. Since fiery rage was in minotaurian nature, young minotaurs were trained from early on to control themselves. It was through meditation that the minotaurs developed art and soon philosophy. Complicated ceremonies for usually simple things of daily life were developed to focus the mind, to be aware of each second of life."}, {"Minotaurs,_Past_and_Present_III": "To become an educated warrior-philosopher became the goal of all minotaurkind. Uncontrolled rage was considered to be primitive from then on. A minotaurian warrior is skilled as an artist, often found conentrated drawing, reciting or creating poems and wielding a weapon with awarenes and cold hearted skill. The warriors of the uppermost class are usually so well educated they control some amount of magic, often used to augment their own strength and defense. They are the heroes and role models of the lower class. The minotaurs still have a warrior culture, but the understanding of a true warrior has changed dramatically.\nMinotaur cheese is a specialty, often envied by decadent human nobles."}, {"The_Manasphere": "The Manasphere\nby Rail Ashkil\nThe whole planet is surrounded by an energetic field called \"Manasphere\", produced by \"Mother Nature\". Nearly every living being is able to tap it and store a certain amount of this \"mana\". Even less beings are able to use this energy to produce light etc. In most cases the user will \"cast a spell\" - but only to concentrate on his natural abbility of mana-using. Some beings, dragons e.g., seem to use the mana more instinctively but nevertheless with great efficiency."}, {"The_Blood_Curse": "The Blood Curse\nSages claim that we owe vampires to the dark deeds of some gods or demons. Some say, Urgith created them as a new tool for his wars. Others believe that vampires are an undead variation created by some powerful but not godlike being, very likely by one of the Ruthless Seven. Some think vampires are made by the Lord of the undead, other see Verminor as their creator. Again others see vampirism as some kind of curse.\nIt is said that the first vampire was a powerful warrior king who successfully fought the undead in the Corpse War. Being promised forbidden power and unification with his beloved ones, a once loyal follower of the king became the pawn of the dark powers. He poisoned his liege, probably over several months, using some nasty mixture which was handed to him.\nAs the king became sick and no one was able to heal him, the traitor stepped forward with a strange medicine. Trusting in his beloved servant, the king drank the medicine which actually was the blood of some servant that had been murdered recently. The medicine seemed to restore the king's strength, so the traitor had no trouble to feed him with more blood. Soon the king's appearance started to change. His aversion to sunlight and his paleness were attributed to his illness, but also the king's temper and behaviour turned more and more violent and aggressive. Nonetheless, the people loved their king and put up with his moods.\nThe traitor fuelled the king's growing paranoia with lies, so it was easy to convince him to get rid of certain court members. One by one the loyal advisers were removed and replaced with dark cultists. When the king was cut off from any loyal support, they stopped to give him blood and his illness returned, even worse than before. When he convulsed in pain and agony, they presented him a peasant to drain blood from. Almost insane by his ravenous thirst, the king accepted this sinister gift. As soon as he realised what was happening, he went berserk. In a fit of rage, he slaughtered each and every cultist that he encountered, but in the end they trapped him in his castle. The survivors fled with the corpse of the peasant who soon rose as a vampire. They drained him of his dark blood and killed him. Then they drank the blood to become vampires themselves.\nThe king was finally freed by loyal subjects. He had turned into something he had fought his whole life - an undead. It is said he left his castle in that very night, some say to hunt the traitors, others claim to end his undead life."}, {"I,_Vampire": "I, Vampire\nOur race, if my dear reader allows me to use that term, is a rather curious one.\nOne might argue that we are a side strain of humanity. As far as I see it, the human body is all but a catalyst for a most formidable transformation. With the transformation an all new world of opportunities and impressions awaits.\nIt is an awakening. Several things, such as coldness and tiredness cease to exist for a vampire.\nThe focus of existence is no longer bound to tiresome daily routines and can be aimed at something bigger and more important. The weak and fragile mortal body becomes a sophisticated tool that does not lose its function due to illness or old age.\nSeeing the mortals suffer under such influences alienates a vampire somewhat from humanity and makes it ever more clear that we are different.\nHumans and vampires are set apart from each other. \nWe remember mortality and see its weaknesses. We mourn the mortals even though our highly evolved existence raises us high above them. The wisdom we gain with our age is great. Freed of the shackles of mortality we have a clearer view of things. Knowing the envious fear with which some greedy and selfish humans view us, we hide from the eyes of overzealous inquisitors and clergymen.\nBehind the scenes we guide the humans through history, supporting the worthy and eliminating threats to humanity. We are the unseen movers and makers that hold kingdoms together, furthering ideas that improve societies and boosting discoveries.\nNot for gratitude, but to fulfil the obligation of passing some of our fortune on to those that are not as fortunate.\nA selected few grasp our status and have the greatness to live with their inferiority. In their own meek way they try to help us in our noble efforts. They are worthy above all others to become one of us one day. We do not take new vampires lightly of course. It can be a challenging and long journey to join our ranks. With diligence and intelligence a human might eventually convince a vampire of his worth."}, {"Religion_in_Elven_Society": "Like most of the elder races, elves feel used and abandoned by the gods. The only gods some of them worship is Crunor, whom they call the \"Treefather\" and see him as bringer of life. Some of the elves prefer to pray to the raw elemental powers of earth and air. Mostly in the Kuridai caste the earth cult is more prominent than Crunor, and it is said that their complicated 'prayers' are more like summonings or invocations. It is believed by elvenkind that in their history seven elven lords acquired the status of celestial paladins and therefore are godlike beings. Worshipping them is a very personal matter though. It is certain that different high lords are more prominent in different castes but prayers and interpretation of the high lords is only shared on family level at best, usually each elf finds his own approach to some of the high lords, completely ignoring the other ones.\nMortiur - the ravager, prominent for some sects. The avenger, merciless against friend, foe and himself\nNera - the lady of spring (flowers, growth) completely replacing Crunor for some elves.\nDseyvar - the sworddancer, responsible for the grace of the warrior, elven warriors have to be graceful not chivalrous.\nPriyla - the daughter of the stars, mystery and magic\nKrynierr - the silver tongue, poetry, love and music\nAzmoda - the vieled one, mysterious figure. Mistress of schemes, cunning and deception.\nEvicor - the wanderer. Master of the hunt, the explorer"}, {"The_Seeds_of_Life": "The Seeds of Life\nSpring is the time when the powers of the vital force are strongest. It is this time of the year when everything is growing and nature is vibrant of life. But not only nature is growing and giving birth, also the pure force of life is pulsating with energy and the power of creation. This energy often enters in living beings, making them stronger, healthier, and more fertile. Sometimes it enters in seeds of the most diverse plants. No one can tell what kind of plant may grow from these seeds, but many creatures instinctively feel the vital force in the seeds and collect them. Some creatures of nature think of these seeds as holy relics. They cannot stand the thought that those who they regard as defilers of nature could gain possession of such seeds. Therefore, the activity of those who see themselves as preservers of nature is unusually high in spring.\nDryads and other creatures of nature who are hardly ever seen for the rest of the year suddenly appear in great numbers and often pose a threat to unwary travellers of the woods. The fact that the powers of the vital force infuse them with additional energy makes matters only worse. For some time, whole forests might be impassable while the trees seem to come alive. Roots try to snare and trap travellers, walls of rapidly growing tendrils and thorns block passages, and dryads and tree spirits ambush exhausted and tired travellers. Still, not all dryads are that hostile. Some of them are even willing to trade these special seeds for other items or help the finder to cultivate the seed into a magnificent plant. Sadly such helpful spirits are rare and as capricious as all dryads. So you never can be sure what exactly to expect from them.\nStories are abound in which dryads deal seemingly peacefully with humans only to turn them into trees once they have earned their trust. Other stories tell about dryads that kidnapped humans and took them into their homes in some ancient tree where they had to work as servants forever. There are even stories about people who went to the dryads to trade with them or get some advice, and when they returned from their trips which had only lasted a few days, years or even decades had passed in their hometown. Of course most of these stories are fairy tales, exaggerations or outright lies, but mortals are well-advised to be extremely careful when dealing with dryads."}, {"Feyrist": "About Feyrist\nFeyrist is mainly populated by Fae. Rumour has it that it is located north-west of Roshamuul, bordered between high mountains to the southeast and the sea to the other cardinal directions. Deep forests and lush meadows are mixing up on the peninsula, dotted with lakes, brooks, hills, ravines and groves. The coast of Feyrist is partly sandy beaches, partly grassy shores. Feyrist has a temperate to warm climate, which has led to a lush, verdurous vegetation. Rich green pastures with various wild flowers and thick deciduous forests are dominating the peninsula. Most of the Fae live scattered all over the woods, there is just one bigger settlement, consisting of many Fae houses, a magical fountain and a tree that seems to be some kind of temple.\nFeyrist arose from the mortals' pleasant dreams. The reclusive magical realm is among the most secret areas of Tibia, characterised by an enchanted environment and pervaded by ancient magic. The Fae's skills of shaping wood and stone as well as their magical talent are their greatest benefits. The woods of Feyrist hold some rare magical plants. However, Feyrist lacks almost all infrastructure, simply because the fae don't have any need for it.\nThe Fae of Feyrist are forming different courts. Although not all of them belong to a fairy court, many of them do. Usually, the most powerful female fae is the leader of a court. Sometimes she refers to herself as queen. The queen is supported by several knights, male and female alike, who are acting as her personal guards as well as the court's defenders. Within a court there may be disagreements among single members, but overt struggles are rather uncommon. The courts are independent from each other. Conflicts between two courts are seldom.\nThe Fae are benevolent but also flighty and unpredictable creatures. They are more interested in dancing, making music and playing tricks on each other than in fighting, studying or constructing. Fae like sweets, wine, glittering trinkets, lyrics and music. The highest purpose in a Fae's life is usually to have fun and to live a carefree life. Some Fae are suspicious of strangers and tend to welcome them with avoidance in the best case. They feel foreigners disturb the area's solitude. Lately, however, one of the courts has shown some interest in the mortals, how the Fae call all strangers.\nThe Fae also have a spiritual side and perform various rites to celebrate the moon cycle and certain weather phenomena. They don't worship gods or greater spirits but nature itself, which they regard as a kind of supreme being. Apart from that, Fae care only for the here and now. Fae possess a distinct talent for the arcane powers and they have highly developed artisanal skills when it comes to shaping wood and stone. It is unclear whether the Fae have to eat in order to survive. However, they obviously enjoy eating sweets and fresh fruit as well as drinking wine. So it can be assumed that they do it just for pleasure."}, {"The_Fae": "About the Fae\nThe Fae are secluded and mysterious creatures, living in forests, some of them also in caves beneath the earth. Their secret realm is the peninsula Feyrist. There is a less forested meadow area, which borders on the mountain chain, that seems to separate Feyrist from Roshamuul. A large forest is situated in the centre, here and there are small hills and clearings. Again and again one can discover bright crystal formations and in between, there are smaller rivers and lakes.\nThe Fae do not build any real cities, but inhabit trees, big mushrooms or huge snail shells. There are also tree houses and dwellings made of thick trunks. The Fae can shape wood and stone, so even large rocks may become houses. The Fae often decorate their glades and homes with flowers, tendrils and crystals.\nMany flowers, butterflies etc. indicate that the Fae are in close touch with nature. In addition, there are magical ponds and wells, mushroom circles and fairylike plants.\nThe Fae are mystical creatures that wield magical and elemental powers. They vary greatly in size and appearance. There are different kinds of fae like fauns, pixies, pookas, swan maidens and boogies. Most Fae are rather reclusive and live peaceful lives in their secret realm. They only leave this realm when it is necessary, i.e. in the case of existential threats to their island. In order to protect their home, they can get quite fierce and resolute. In Feyrist though they are mostly playful and cheery. They rarely use arms, but if they do, the weapons are made of wood and stone.\nThe Fae believe that they will die or that their secret realm will be destroyed if strangers enter the island. For this reason, they live very secluded and protect their realm with a magical barrier from the outside world. Strangers are rarely granted access. If at all, then only after proving their trustworthiness.\nThe Fae know much about humans, elves and dwarves, the beings from whose dreams they mainly arise. Therefore, these races are more familiar to them than orcs, trolls or minotaurs. They know them, but only very rarely they also arise from their dreams. Members of other races seem to be either unable to enter the island or immediately sent back through dream portals."}, {"The_Teshial": "The Teshial were never fighters. They retreated in the early days of war to hidden refuges, not as a whole caste but only in small family groups. Their hideouts were additionally protected by strong illusionary magic and offered them peace from the madness around them. These elves developed due to meditation and a special philosophy in the art of dream magic, dramatically enhancing their initial abilities in the decades. So they began to exist almost permanently in a state of dreams, only rarely appearing now and then amidst the other elves to give them advice and try to convince some of them to join their way of life. As the war grew more and more fierce these visits became less and less frequent until they were almost a myth, even for elvenkind. In the new awakening of the world they were some of the First to appear, apparently far less disoriented then other beings. Many races welcomed their help, but their teachings seldom found dedicated listeners. After they taught a part of their secrets to some humans they found worthy, they had to see their pupils tortured by developments they judged themselves guilty of. Also, other elves put pressure on the humans to give up the secrets of dreams. They withdrew from the world of mortals and it is rumored they have physically entered the realm of dreams. The Teshial are 'typical' in appearance for elves, but they could create the illusion of almost any appearance if they so choose. Some people even say that due to their enormous control of dreams they could shape their children as they wish, giving them human or even orcish appearance. On the other hand, even people who come up with such theories go silent when asked why an elf should choose to have a child that looks that way."}, {"Vampire_Hunter's_Handbook_II": "Vampire Hunter's Handbook II\nVampires can be immobilised, also for a very long time, if the right method is used. If their physical body takes too much damage, it will go down. Sunlight will dry them out and even turn them into dust. If you drive a wooden object into the heart of a vampire, the flow of the vampire's tainted blood is stopped, leaving him completely helpless. It should be mentioned, though, that if the heart is partly missed or if the object is not large enough, the vampire might still be able to move.\nSince a vampire is dead anyway, none of these methods allows to destroy a vampire for good. With enough time and blood, a vampire can recover from any of those seeming deaths. The only known way to permanently defeat a vampire is to kill him with a blessed stake. A blessed stake, however, is a rare object that cannot be obtained easily."}, {"Dream_Magic": "The elves are able to manipulate their unborn children by some kind of dream magic. This magic changes appearance and personality slightly, allowing elven parents to give birth to 'wish-kids'. In their shared dreams the elven parents seem to sculpture their child like a piece of art. Though most of the dream magic of the past is long forgotten, this rudimentary magic seems to be natural to the elves. It is possible to 'choose' things like hair or eye color and even gender. Even slight changes of the physique are possible, though considerable changes take place in the span of generations. Wise men assume this ability was a 'gift' of the gods to make more adaptable tools for the elves' war. But the mentality of the elves did not allow them to form their children in a 'convenient' way. Since most of this magic is instinctual, they form their children in an aesthetic way. On the other hand, what is seen as aesthetic is based on the philosophy of the parents and so their background changes this view dramatically. This is even more evident in the castes that were separated in the war."}, {"Orcs_and_Their_Community": "As intensely as the orcs hate all other races, they share a feeling of community. The orcs can sense, to some extent, the feelings of other orcs. The shamans develop this ability to such an extent, that they can sense the innermost potential of newborn orc whelps. All newborn are tested and the shamans decide a future function in orcish society. The whelps are fed differently, raised differently, and educated differently. Wise men of other races say that such behavior is similar to some insects, such as bees, and through their empathetic bond might share a kind of 'hive-mind', so they refer to orc communities as hives. The chief of a hive owns a big harem of women who have no other function than to pleasure him and give birth to new orcs. These orcish matrons are usually incredibly big and fat, almost not able to walk on their own. Where 'normal' orcwomen function as laborer and craftwomen and give birth to two to three orcs in their lives, these female orcs are only reproductive machinery, giving birth to about six whelps each half year. Orcs are usually contend with their place in orcish society and only the leaders fight each other on purpose. Rarely will an orc raise a weapon against another orc, even if they are not of the same hive. Rivalry between hives is usually dissolved through a fight of their leaders and the victorious hive absorbs the other one. Now and then, when a new strong warrior reaches maturity he challenges the old leader for a fight of supremacy. Sometimes though, when the hive becomes too big for the area it occupies, such a warrior senses somehow that its time to move on. Then he and a few other orcs leave the hive in peace to settle somewhere else. This unique culture, together with its fertility, makes the orcs the most formidable threat to all other tibian communities."}, {"The_Cenath_I": "The Cenath were the most lucky of the elves. They lived in a hidden valley in a handful of cities, far away from the rages of war. As things turned bad for the elves much of their artifacts, artwork and books were brought to these cities. Live went on as usual for some time, the elves minding only their own business, as if pretending there was no war at all. Of course the war found them at last. In an frantic attempt to rescue their lives and even their accustomed way of life the elves begun to weave powerfull spells. Many of their best magicians litteraly 'burnt out' in the process but finally the elves succeeded. The whole valley was torn out of the known world ... And this was bitterly needed in a world that was only stormy darkness around the elven valley. They created a artificial light and even created weather. There they lived for hundreds of years, studying and practicing magic, mainly to manipulate and reproduce efects of natue to enhance their lives."}, {"The_Cenath_II": "Then something happened. The dimension that harboured the elven valley began to collapse. Pice for pice their land was torn away and the wisest of the elves found out that the valley would ultimately 'fall' back in the world it belonged to. Great efforts were undertaken to prevent it. All were futile. As this was recognized it was almost too late. All magic was concentraded to preserve the lives of the elves. Protective shells were created, spells to deflect damage, enchantements to keep harm away. The 'return' was aweful. Almost half of the elves perished. All of the valley and its wonders were destroyed. Almost nothing remained. Artifacts and books shattered and burnt alike. The battered elves retreated and begun to wander aimlessly through the lands, until they encountered scouts of the\nDeraisim\nwho led them to the safety of their woods. At first they were disgusted by the primitive lifestyle of their brethren, but soon they decided they had to guide and lead them back to true values of elvenkind. So one of their encampements was choosen as new home for the elvenkind and the city of Ab'Dendriel was founded."}, {"The_Rise_of_the_Pumpkin": "The Rise of the Pumpkin\nAfter many wars and always new threats by the forces of darkness, humanity was afraid of many things. It was no cowardice but a gnawing fear that slowly eroded courage and faith. The servants of evil seemed to appear everywhere and in many horrible forms. Humans had grown accustomed to be afraid of the dark and the unknown. This weakened their resolve and with that also the forces of good. The gods came together to find a way to rise the spirit of humanity once again. They discussed and debated but could not come to an agreement because their views were too contrasting. And while they still deliberated, suddenly one of their least and minor creations stood amongst them. It was the lord of the rabbit race who had passed unnoticed by the mighty guardians. Without fear the little rabbit faced the gods who looked upon him in astonishment. Then the lord of the rabbits proposed his idea to the mighty and great gods. Since rabbits are tiny and their enemies are many, they are quite familiar with fear and how to handle it. So the lord of the rabbits came up with the idea to have the humans overcome their fear by learning to laugh in the face of evil. The gods were amazed by this simple but clever idea. So they chose the mightiest warrior of the rabbit race and bestowed magical powers upon him. The daring hare gained the protection of the gods and the power to disguise humans with hideous appearances of monsters. Each year, the hare would appear for some time and do his work. So the humans learnt to laugh and had fun while appearing as monsters, and the great fear that had darkened the souls of humans gradually vanished.\nThis enraged the forces of evil and so they called forth the most malevolent spirit from the realm of darkness. It was his task to spread fear among mankind once again. The spirit was sent to take possession of the greatest living hero among the humans and to wreak havoc in the name of darkness. Unbeknownst to them, the lord of the rabbits had anticipated that the forces of evil would strike back. So he had sent some spies to the realm of darkness and learnt about their plan in time. He warned the humans about the approaching danger and once again had the right plan to save the day. He asked the humans to build a puppet clad in a shining armor and to put it on a throne in the midst of their festivities. As the puppet's head served a pumpkin with a carved face. The clever hare had figured that a spirit from the depths of the realm of darkness was not familiar with humans and would assume the figure on a throne in the centre of festivities as humanity's greatest hero. And indeed he was proven right when the spirit arrived and tried to possess what he assumed a human body. But the spirit had immense powers and so he finally managed to take possession of the pumpkin head on the cost of nearly all of his powers. With hardly any power left, the spirit made the pumpkin move and began to attack the celebrating humans. But the humans had long regained their courage and were not afraid to fight back. They drove off the evil pumpkin that escaped to some remote place where he was finally banished from the world. It took the spirit one year to regain enough of his strength to fight his way back into reality. He re-entered the world at the place of his defeat and to his shock and dismay he was no longer a spirit but bound to a pumpkin-like body. The beast roared in rage but could do little about it. Again he tried to wreak havoc in the world but again valiant heroes stopped his rampage and banished him for another year. Since this day on, the spirit returns every year hoping that one day humanity will be weakened enough for him to finally take revenge."}, {"An_Amalgam_of_Carnage_and_Madness": "In the times of the god wars a blasphemous creature, an amalgam of carnage and madness arose from the blood soaked battlefields. It was a gigantic, self-aware blood golem, created by the magical powers used in the war, fused with the souls and suffering of the fallen. In it's madness the creature claimed godhood for itself and roamed the world, subjugating followers and devouring those who would not yield to its will. Its delusions of grandeur were such intense that it's hunger and arrogance stopped for no one. So at some point it and its followers came upon a great, pitched battle of the forces of good and evil.\nIn it's madness the self proclaimed god and his followers attacked the warring parties. The blood thing planned to devour them all as it had done countless times before. Yet the armies brought their battle to a hold and accessing the situations the commanders decided to join forces. In unison they struck against the army of the blood god which was only prepared to strike at confused enemies, fighting each other. Soon the blood army was scattered and in retreat. The blood creature, sensing the danger took flight too but the enemies did persist."}, {"The_Manasphere_Critique": "Manasphere?\nby Othis Ethna\nI don't want to minimize the value of <name of First author>'s work. But to me it lacks any proof! Thus Ashkil's explanation is as good as the idea that the beings are producing the mana themselfes! And what about the \"planet is surrounded\"-statement? How should he know without leaving this planet? Either there's another (now lost) book that deals with the experiments and their results, or the whole \"manasphere\" is only an unproofable theory!"}, {"Demonic_Invasions_Paragraph_I": "We confirm that the Ruthless Seven have occupied the place which is known as Pits of Inferno. With the help of divination, we were able to see that they channelled their dark essence to some remote place in our world for unknown reasons. We could not figure out this place, though. It cannot be emphasised enough that it is extremely important to find this place and if possible, to destroy it."}, {"Dwarven_Report_VII": "Dwarven report VII\nEnemy magic\nOur elemantarists have successfully unrevealed the the secrets of what is called \"dream magic\". It is a subconscious way of influencing the surroundings. It is mainly used by elven parents that want to shape their unborn child, but, this is the far more important threat, some elves, especially those called \"Teshial\" posess the ability to wander some kind of \"dream realm\" instead of the real world. This gives them the oppurtunity to appear somewhere out of the blue, but, fortunately, the Teshial never used this skill to ambush, and the other elves posess only small remnants of this magic.\nNever the less, the 2nd earthen chamber is evolving a counter spell for that, that increases the elemental signature of beings near, forcing them into the real realm.\nThe other kinds of their magics are limited to protective and growing spells, whicht yet do not prove any harm, but are very supportive for their strife. It is rumored that they have also a lot of illusionary and concealing spells, but investigations here have not yet led to final results, as well as we can only deny the existance of aggressive magic by an elven race od caste od unknown origin.\nFor further information refer to sub-report AX-27."}, {"The_Kuridai": "The Kuridai took refuge in a volcanic area, inhabited by vile monsters and ravaged by the eruptions of the mountains. Stripped of almost any possesions, they hid in the caves and learned to become very secretive. They had to work very hard, had to fight for almost any goods with nature and ferocious beasts. Most beasts that could live in such livethreatening circumstances were that powerfull that direct attacks proved to be futile. So the elves begun to develop a more devious way to fight, with assaults, traps and hit and run tactics. After over hundred years they had enough resources to leave the burning lands and adopted their way of live to their new enviroment. So they became the secretive people under the hills. They were fierce fighters whenever their new home was threatened. Some hundred years they fought off all intruders until their explorers made contact with the other remaining elven casts. Under the growing pressure of the more and more powerful waves of orcish attacks they left their homes to join forces with the other elves in an uneasy alliance. Their apperance had changed to a even more slender Version of the normal elves. Their skin is very pale, their hair pure white or pitch black. The younger members of that cast often color strands of their hair in unusual clors like red, blue or purple. Red, albinotic eyes are common, but in general all kinds of eyecolors are existent."}, {"Dwarven_Report_XII": "Dwarven report XII\nEnemy territory and settlements\nOur scouts recently discovered a great number of elven hideouts within the \"deeper woodlands\". They also have a great city, comparable to a capital, there, which is called Ab'Dendriel, and is mainly inhabitated by Deraisim and Cenath. The defenses are rather weak, and it seems like a lot of nomads and wanderers pass through the region.\nWe also found ruins within the hidden mystic valley, the structure of the buildings is typically elven. The ruins seem to be the result of a harsh thunderstorm of magic, but it was too long ago for us to find closer traces.\nMore interesting should be the fact, that the volcanic regions beyond the thundery mountains seem to be colonised by the elves as well. There dwells a race called Kuridai, and they seem to be the most aggressive and militant elves we encountered yet.\nSuggestions about possible assault targets if war will be at hand are envoiced in sub-report EY-01."}, {"Chelabdil_Massacre": "We could not confirm the extinction of the Chelabdil. On the other hand we found no living beeing in the area. We met strong orcish presence there. Some of the orcs we killed had elvish items on them so it might be possible that all of the so called Chelabdil were wiped out by the orcish hords. One proof more our way is the right one."}, {"The_Chelabdil": "The 5th elven cultural group are the Chelabdil. Their role in the war and their fate is yet unclear, but they have few contact with the other elven casts. They are usually a bit taller and stronger than elves of the other races, and there skin is silvery-white or in blue to greenish tones. Their eyes are often pale blue or green, sometimes a faint yellow. They have long black hair, or sometimes dark brown. They seem to live nowadays in the region northwest of Carlin and are seen quite often there. They have the keenest eyes of the elves, and the weapons of their choice are spears, knives and sometimes the short bow. They are fine hunters and sometimes trade furs, but the main part of their life remains yet uncertain."}, {"The_Blood_Queen": "Legends and myths surrounding a powerful creature known as the Blood Queen have persisted through the ages, often told in hushed whispers by those brave enough to speak of her. The Blood Queen is said to have been a being of immense power and beauty, able to control blood and command armies of the undead. Some sources claim that she was born from the ashes of a great war, while others suggest that she was a goddess of death and destruction. Regardless of her origin, it is widely believed that the Blood Queen was eventually defeated by a coalition of heroes from various realms. However, some rumors persist that she still lurks in the shadows, bidding her time until she can once again rise to power and dominate the world."}, {"Four_Winds_Meet_Here": "Four winds meet here,\nlonely tower by the sea\nthe undead crawl near\nand a lonely elf, will answer your plea"}, {"Old_Dragons_Mountain": "The story of old Dragons mountain...\nAuthor: Anonymous\nIt is said, that near the swamp of the damned there is supposed to be a dragons lair in the mountains north of it. Legends speak about dragons with red scales and a fiery breath, which store great amounts of treasure in their lair. But since nobody will have the courage to go there, it will never be known, if the legends are true."}, {"Codex_of_the_Stormknight": "Codex of the Stormknights \n\n&1 - The Light is your friend, 'cause thou art a child of Light. So fight all \nevil, and behold good. \n\n& - Friends are the greatest treasure to have in the world, so you should \nhonor, protect and help them in their lifes! \n\n&3 - Loyality is a virtue that should not be broken. So obey your higher \nranked members! \n\n&4 - The Crowd loves treachery, but it hates the traitor. So the punishment \nfor treachery will be death. \n\n&5 - This is a Codex, out of a better time, so honor it and the Light will \nenlighten your way,too."}, {"The_Fall_of_Spiritkeep": "The Fall of Spiritkeep \n\nDue to the great earthquake during the third age of Tibia, the Stormknights \ncastle Spiritkeep crumbled to pieces, by the shattering force of the \nrumbling earth. This was when Kalen Leah moved out, to find the Elves, and \nwhen he finally found them. He told them of his order and of his plans to \nguard the elven city of Alwasala. So the elves decided to build a new \ncastle for the Stormknights, with the name of Northwatch."}, {"Be_Cruel_to_Conquer": "Be cruel to conquer\nBe bold to impress\nBe even to pass\nBe fearless to kill"}, {"Key_to_Magic": "Guarded by fire and dark walls, a long forgotten secret lies.\nNever meant to be opened, yet now it awakes.\nKey to magic, wielded as a sword by those who fought.\nThe first and the last tease, creation and destruction."}, {"The_Uthun": "The Uthun, formed from our memories, is especially vulnerable to the Akh's dominion. It is always its first victim, the first to fall for its pathetic needs and its badly-chosen priorities. And so the Uthun falls prey to the Akh's temptations. Once the Uthun is tainted the Akh is sure to come next. The Akh is inadequately translated as 'soul' into this language. It is the unseen spiritual centre hidden deep in all that is alive, and it is each living creature's most prized possession. It is the very essence of being. And it is our most vulnerable part."}, {"Banished_Pharaohs'_Tombs": "So the seven were banished to the depths of seven cursed tombs. There they are waiting, imprisoned for eternity.\nOne was buried outside the city in the shadows of the south-eastern tower, close to the pharaoh yet forever banished from his grace.\nOne was buried in the ancient ruins far to the north, a tribute to her love for all that is old.\nOne was buried at the tar pits. Blackness engulfed his withering heart, and blackness shall engulf his final demise.\nOne was buried in the fields of stone. His will was as hard as a rock, so lifeless stone will cause his fall.\nOne was buried near the Mountain, between its eternal body and a small stony hill, so that his rest may be eternal and unrelenting like the mountain he loved so much.\nOne was buried somewhere on the peninsula to the south, so that his restless slumber might be soothed by the murmuring of the waves.\nOne was buried not far to the north of the oasis. He was the one who found it most difficult to part from this world.\nThe sands of the desert swallowed them all and sealed their fate. They are lost and yet they are denied the peace of true death.\nThis is the fate of those who draw the wrath of the pharaoh on themselves."}, {"The_Akh'rah_Uthun": "The Akh'rah Uthun is the unity of that which cannot be united. The flawed Akh, which is our anchor to this mundane world, is generally weak. By giving in to the needs of the physical Akh, the Rah and the Uthun become enslaved to this world, even though their potential is such that they could transcend the physical world. However, the greatest flaw the Akh suffers from is its mortality. Why should we seek to satisfy its puny needs and its trivial urges if we know it is doomed to die? Yet this is how the Akh holds our spirit captive. It slowly poisons both the Rah as well as the Uthun."}, {"Importance_of_Time_to_the_Dead": "Time is of no importance to the dead. To understand the concept of time is to understand the cruel trick the gods played on all mortals. Just because it pleased them to do so they stripped all living creatures of their immortality, thus turning anything they hope to achieve into futile ambition. For what is left to hope for if you know the sands of time are moving relentlessly in your hourglass, and that death will be the end of all? Whatever a mortal can hope to achieve time will take from him eventually, and all his hardships and his glorious achievements will be just a distant memory in an indifferent world."}, {"The_Akh": "Cursed be the Akh, for it diverts our attention to things that are but trivial and transitory! Too many fail in their quests for ascension because they give in to their akhs' temptations. If only they knew that ascension holds the key to all our grievances! Only by ascending can we redeem the akh from its mortal bounds and free the Rah and the Uthun to strive for divinity. For each mortal creature holds the key to divinity, to be a god of his own right.\nUnfortunately, the so-called gods are jealous. They do not want the mortals to take what they think is rightfully theirs. It is because of this that they have instructed their followers to condemn the sacred state which they call undead. Brothers and sisters, unite! See through the deceptions of the akh! Shed your mortal shells and embrace the death-that-is-not-death! Ascend and be reborn!"}, {"Poem_of_Praise_to_the_Pharaoh": "By the powers that remain and the powers of old,\nby the wisdom of the scarab and the kiss of the scorpion,\nby the infinity of the sand and the eternity of the mountains,\nby the life-giving powers of water and air,\nby the death-bringing powers of fire and lightning,\nby the blessing of death and the revelations of undeath,\nthis corpse shall rise from the grave,\nthis corpse shall break the shackles of life,\nthis corpse shall seek wisdom,\nthis corpse shall serve the one.\nPraised be our pharaoh!"}, {"Greater_Challenges": "The master of the games asked for 'greater challenges'. I cannot help the feeling that the fool is talking about djinns and demons. However, as long as I am chief advisor of the pharaoh this will not happen. If such a creature broke loose in the city, chaos would ensue. It would be a massacre. And I am convinced that certain elements would welcome such a 'misfortune' and even work towards it."}, {"Esuph_III_and_the_Tax_Collector": "In the 23rd year of the reign of Esuph III there was a tax inspector whose greed was unrivalled by any other mortal before or after him. He let the people bleed in the name of the pharaoh and amassed huge amounts of gold, most of which somehow ended up in his own private treasury. But Shehamin, the second wife of the pharaoh, was not a woman to be fooled easily. Using cleverness and charm she brought his schemes to light and told her husband about them. Esuph III was furious, and his verdict on the fraudulent tax inspector was as cruel as it was clever: The screaming tax collector was sunk into a cauldron full of boiling gold. The terribly distorted statue which as the result of this peculiar treatment was put up in the tax office as a grim reminder that fraud can seriously affect your health. The gold that was stolen by the tax collector, however, was never found, and to this day there are many who dream about finding the unfaithful tax collector's hidden treasure."}, {"The_Right_Honourable_Excreminator": "Since the contamination of the water reservoirs became more and more of an issue, Pharaoh Unklath ordered that the position of the right honourable excreminator should be founded. This position was decreed to be considered as honourable as that of the royal astrologer or the pharaoh's animal trainer."}, {"The_Snake_Chamber": "...we stood on a plank and beneath us was a pit full of hissing snakes. Worse, the plank was pulled back into the wall, and there was no way out. If it hadn't been for our good Alil who had stayed out of that cursed chamber in a rare moment of clear-sightedness, we would all have ended up as snake food. Just how he managed to find that hidden lever on the statue is still beyond me."}, {"Will_the_World_Never_Learn": "Will the world never learn?\nThat pompous coxcomb of an ambassador dared to speak as though his king was equal to our pharaoh! We were shocked by the sheer impertinence of his speech! The fool! How confused he looked when he realised our disapproving silence. I am convinced he had spoken to some of those filthy heretics before he went to see his majesty. I know there are some although none of them would dare to make his blasphemous opinions known in the public. How could the mighty pharaoh not ignore this ambitious fool and his futile plans. How haughtily he walked around in our beautiful Ankrahmun, mocking our true religion with his silly questions. Of course, he got nowhere and he seemed to give up in the end. But did the wisdom offered to him enlighten his blind soul? I think not. So full of himself was he, so firm in his heretic opinions and yet such a slave to his flesh - how could he understand that which is true and holy? People like him are both a curse and a blessing to us, the children of enlightenment. They may insult and provoke us with their ignorance, yet it is when we meet fools like him that we realise the full extent of the glorious state of enlightenment we live in. Far from ascension though we are, we have been granted the opportunity to achieve what will be forever denied to people like him - divinity!"}, {"Crime_and_Punishment_Under_Harrah_II": "Year 10 in the reign of Harrah II\nThe baker Thahon claimed that the wife of the merchant Habthi was guilty of witchcraft. Thahon could not bring forth convincing proof of her guilt and was sentenced to ten blows on his bare feet. The crafter Ziril claimed that the beggar Aukohl stole a cake from his open window. Although no proof was found there was a general sense of agreement that no proof was necessary since everybody was convinced of the beggar's guilt. In a rare display of mercy the judge sentenced him to a mere three years of work in the salt mines. The widow Zehmahil claimed that the travelling bard Todd Ballory had promised here mariage in exchange for certain services that have not been further elaborated on in the court's documents. The foreigner was found guilty without trial and sentenced to three years of work in the salt mines. The footsoldier Kamahl claimed his father Indril was guilty of witchcraft. Several obscure texts were found beneath the accused person's bed. Indril was banished from the city and his property was equally divided between the pharaoh and his heirs. The foreigner Todd Ballory was pronounced guilty of killing the overseer Barnak, a father of sixteen children and a respectable member of the local whipcrackers' association. The aforementioned convict was sentenced to a rather spectacular final appearance in the local arena."}, {"A_Witch_in_the_Rathal_I_Pyramid": "After thorough examination the Rathal I Pyramid was officially declared to be free of occult phenomena. The success of the ritual of purification performed by the responsible priests surpassed everybody's expectations, and the rather obstinate evil presence that was clearly the work of a person officially identified as one Ushu the witch by the authorities was dispelled. The suspect was traced to the mountains where she sucessfully hid from the agents of the witchhunting department. She is presently said to produce low-quality love potions in an unknown hideout somewhere in the western jungles."}, {"Ancient_Tombs": "In ancient tombs beneath the burning endless sands\nWhere neither sunlight reaches nor the pale-faced moon\nThe whispers of the long deceased traitors dance\nBloodthirsty creatures screeching an unholy tune\nDark are the mysteries surrounded by doomed cries\nUncurtained to the warriors of righteous mind\nWho well-prepared with magic, sharpened blade and eyes\nStep through the doors and leave their mortal fear behind."}, {"The_Tibian_Wonders_of_the_World_I": "The Tibian Wonders of the World!\nThe known and acknowledged wonders of the world are:\nThe colossus of Kazordoon\nThe black pyramid of Dracoria\nThe great lighthouse tree of Ab'dendriel\nThe thorntower of Shadowthorn\nThe underground city of Mintwallin\nThe black city of skulls in Hellsgate\nThe great lava falls in Hellsgate\nThe pyramid city of Ankrahmun"}, {"Rahmen_Tah_and_the_Vizier_I": "Rahmen Tah and the Vizier, Part I\nIn the second year of the reign of pharaoh Rahmen Tah there was a vizier who was said to consort with demons and to tamper with the powers of oblivion. He lived in a majestic tower that stood on a little island close the harbour. It was a marvel to behold, made of black glass and gold, and everybody who looked at it was filled with an eerie sense of foreboding. The vizier was rumoured to be so powerful that no one dared to bring him to justice. Even Rahmen Tah himself feared the power of his vizier, and he did not dare to send troops against the vizier. Finally he called for his chief astrologer and mathematician, the wise Athem, and asked him for advice. Athem listened quietly to the words of his pharaoh. After he had finished Athem ask his pharaoh for some time to think everything over. Reluctantly the pharaoh agreed."}, {"Rahmen_Tah_and_the_Vizier_II": "Rahmen Tah and the Vizier, Part II\nAfter a week had passed the mathematician returned. His advice was this: The pharaoh should order a huge celebration to be held, and all pyramids should be adorned with flowers and flags. The pharaoh who trusted in the wisdom of his advisor ordered his people to prepare for the celebration. While the people did as their pharaoh had ordered them to do Athem began to build a huge wooden machine on top of the royal pyramid. No one took much notice of it because of the preparations that were going on. On the fourth day when the celebration was scheduled to start the pharaoh sent an invitation to his vizier and asked him to join in their festivity. As Athem had foreseen the vizier declined because he suspected that there was a trap. Instead he sat in the observatory at the top of his tower and watched the city because he wanted to find out what the pharaoh was up to. Too late did he understand that the construct on top of the pyramid was in fact an enormous catapult. Suddenly a huge boulder was hurled in his direction. The shot had been perfectly calculated, and it hit its mark with amazing precision. The top of the dark tower shattered and the evil vizier was crushed underneath tons of basalt. His death caused the dark magic to disappear, and the tower sank into the ocean forever."}, {"The_Conspirators": "And so the conspirators met again in secrecy to plot the pharaoh's fall.\nThis time their target was to be their former leader and fellow conspirator, Arkhotep.\nThey met in an abandoned crypt they believed to be forgotten and unknown to Arkhotep.\nAnd once again, all were there. Once again, the seven were united.\nMorguthis, the never-defeated general. A lethal and merciless warrior consumed by irrepressible rage.\nThe vain Vashresamun, the pharaoh's notorious concubine burning to avenge her hurt pride.\nMahardis the mage, a pyromaniacal madman who fooled the princes of elemental fire to steal the secrets of the flame.\nDiptrah the high priest, master of the mind, wielder of secret powers, keeper of the oldest of rituals.\nRahemos, the greatest conjurer of his time. He recklessly summoned unspeakable abominations and made them do his bidding.\nThalas, the foremost alchemist, master of poison, death and decay. Chief tormentor of the realm. His ghastly experiments cost the lives of countless unfortunate victims.\nAnd Omruc, the dreaded hunter and assassin. None of his victims ever saw it coming, and none of them ever escaped."}, {"Tales_of_a_Stranger_I": "Tales of a Stranger, Part I\nIt was in a time of dread that a stranger came to our lands. More dead than alive was he when he was found in the desert, and the merchants who found him took pity on him and brought him hither. But how great was the amazement and the wonder when it turned out that he wore a birth-mark on his neck that looked exactly like a scarab! The crowd was struck with awe, and it was soon decided that he was to be taken to the priests, so that they might ask the gods for an omen. And so it came that while the man was still lying in a slumber full of delirious dreams the priests burnt incense and performed the ancient rituals to ask the gods for advice and for guidance. The high priest climbed the highest pyramid and called for the knowledge of the wind and the wisdom of the sand. For three long days the stranger was caught in the perilous lands that separate life from death, and for three long days the priest was haunted by visions. But when those days had passed, everything changed. All of a sudden the stranger opened his eyes and looked around in amazement, and it was that very moment that the delirious priest began to utter a prophecy."}, {"Tales_of_a_Stranger_II": "Tales of a Stranger, Part II\nBut since there were only acolytes there the nature of the prophecy was kept a secret by the priests. They called for the stranger, who seemed to have lost his memory, to be brought to the temple, where they talked to him and asked him all kinds of questions. But much to their dismay he could not give them the answers they sought, for his memory seemed to be blank like the surface of the desert after a sandstorm. However, the priests had the wisdom of the secret prophecy to guide them, and so they knew that they had to give the strangers five tasks to fulfil before they could reveal his destiny to him. And so they did, and the stranger swore he would fulfil all the tasks or die in the attempt. His first task was to travel into the desert and to find the eldest of the scarabs there, so that the priests would reveal their wisdom to him and fill his empty mind with recollections. The stranger descended deep into the burrows of the scarabs in order to face their judgement and to find answers that had been lost in the desert sand aeons ago. But the stranger never returned."}, {"Legacy_of_the_Tombs": "... were sealed with powerful magic. Only those were allowed to pass who sacrificed one of the peculiar coins that in ancient times were paid by those who came to visit their beloved dead. For this was the way of the Ritual of Sealing. Behind the seal, the mighty traitors were trapped forever. Such was their hatred and their lust for revenge that the very walls and stones became imbued with them and the lower tombs turned into places of utter doom, places where no mortal should venture to go. And to this day one of the traitors lurks in each of these tombs, surrounded by vicious traps and by powerful minions that serve both to protect them and to hold them captive. Woe to the fools who dare challenge the traitors in their prisons! For torturing and killing intruders is the only amusement that is left to these tortured souls."}, {"The_Great_Ankrahmunian_Escape": "While travelling to the lands of Thais the princess Tahmehe, who accompanied her father Uthemath on a diplomatic mission, fell in love with a young nobleman of the empire. Although it was a forbidden love it bore fruit, and seven months after Thamehe's return to the lands of her forefathers a child was born. Pharaoh Uthemath ordered that she and her newborn baby were to die in the arena. Four behemoths were let loose on her. But just before the raging monsters could put their claws on her a flying carpet swept down from the sky and rescued both the mother and her child. The Thaian nobleman - for who else would it be but him - somehow managed to evade the hails of arrows that greeted him, and so the couple managed to make their escape northwards. The pharaoh demanded that both the nobleman and his own unfaithful daughter be handed over to him, but the Thaian king claimed he had no knowledge of their whereabouts. So the trace of the traitorous daughter was lost."}, {"Treasures_of_the_Desert": "... After we reached the site we pitched camp. The next day we started the excavations. It was hard work. The sand was treacherous and obstinate, and for every bucket we took away two more seemed to take its place. Sometimes we hit upon something valuable by pure chance, but usually it took hours to find some lucrative spot because you could never tell if a site was promising without having performing extensive excavations first. And still the real thing eluded us. The remnants of the legendary cities of old seemed lost to the desert. But we carried on, working day and night, digging at the same spot over and over again. Progress was painfully slow, but in the end hit on something. What we found proved to be an adequate reward for our hardships."}, {"Mehrah_Asram": "Mehrah asram cha mehe than. Uth a'thul at cha there. Orum tha cha elik jahara. Udhun zah fahr mal. Chamek at uthul hatradek asram. Mehrem alir iktha at uthun. Kasin tha Ur ch helim doh. Mah dah direm. Athul as hathu, athul as dofah, athul as mereth. Cha ukhtu muhn dahra. Sethor mah amin dah. At meruhm cha me dah. Chamek persim kaharah bah tufi. Moh dah rah. Moh Udhin cha uthul. Meheth Zuhl tha berah."}, {"Researchpaper_74-08_G": "Researchpaper 74-08 G\nWe haven't yet managed to improve the 'find person' spell. However, we are still convinced that in theory it must be capable of divulging additional information such as the experience and power of the targeted persons as well as their general physical condition and the chemical composition of their last supper. There are numerous problems, though, and it is well possible that we have to start all over again. This would mean, of course, that we would have to create some spells to obtain information by means of magic which is plain to see when you are close to the targeted person. One might argue that it is a waste of time and resources to develop such a spell, but then I see no other way to create a similar spell that features enhanced range and a combination of effects."}, {"Researchpaper_35-22_D": "Researchpaper 35-22 D\nThe 'Foeburner' spell still is not working. Somehow it seems impossible to specify a group of targets to be excluded from the area of the spell effect. If only we found a way to use a spell or a spell-like ability to define non-target groups we could finally make the spell work. For now, however, we have stopped the research because we felt it is necessary to create the groundwork for future research in the field. The question is: Should we focus on working out a special definition spell, or is it actually possible to weave some sort of divination spell into the pattern of the foeburner in order to receive a satisfying result with a single spell. I am somewhat inclined towards the latter option because of the satisfactory results we have recently achieved in the field of divination magic."}, {"The_Lamp_of_Tazur": "The lamp of Tazur was made of finest gold by the most skilled goldsmith of the land. He bound one of the mightiest and most evil djinn into it. The djinn was forced to do his every bidding. Using his power the artisan defeated legions of enemies. He even travelled to distant Drefia which in those days was at the zenith of its glory, and he met many necromancers who were willing to share their knowledge with him. This way he became even more powerful. Using stolen lifeforce he lived longer than any man was meant to live, and with his own eyes he saw the might of his necromancer allies decline. Legend has it that one day the djinn of good decided to stop the outrageous cabals of Drefia. Other stories say that it was in fact the evil djinn who saw their power threatened by it. Whatever the true cause might be, one night a star fell down from the sky and smashed most of Drefia, breaking its evil power forever, and the goldsmith finally met his fate. His most prized treasure, the lamp of Tazur was lost that night. It is said that it is still there somewhere, hidden on the ocean bed, waiting for a new owner."}, {"The_Lost_Garden": "The lost garden\nPrincess Maharuh was said to be the kindest creature that ever walked the earth. She was dearly loved both by her people and by the djinns. One day as the princess wept because of all the pain and the evil ways of the world the djinns came to comfort her. And since they loved her so much they called upon their powers to grow a garden of magnificent beauty. From now on, Maharuh visited her enchanted garden whenever she was sad, and she never went there but a smile came to her face, and she found new strength to continue her work with renewed vigour and inspiration. But humans grow old and weary, and time did not fail to do its cruel work on fair Princess Maharuh. As she grew old her visits to the garden became less and less frequent and one day when she laid down to rest underneath her favourite tree she never woke up again. The garden was perhaps the most valuable thing she left behind, and it was certainly the one she had held dearest while still alive. But her people did not share her love for nature's beauty, and all they saw was a splendid example of horticulture that could be turned into money. Soon after her death a merchant caravan came, and the strangers offered great sums for the garden and for all that belonged to it. They dug out the trees and took the fruit because they believed they could rebuild the garden in their native land. However, soon after the caravan had left the city a terrible sandstorm arose. After the storm had cleared the caravan was gone and with it all that was left of the garden."}, {"Researchpaper_56-09_A": "Researchpaper 56-09 A\nWe lost three mages in our last attempt at performing a controlled demon summoning. It is still too difficult to predict in what way the fabric of time and space is affected by the breach of the sphere, and from what we have seen the backlash of nature against demonic incursion can range from a slightly offensive odour to a sizeable explosion such as the one we saw yesterday. I am personally disappointed to observe that the elemental protection spells we put up did not work at all. Perhaps there is some truth in the reports that the unleashed energy is of purely entropical nature. We have yet to decide whether or not it makes sense to create an entropic counterspell first, but I support the idea that the loss of manpower while trying to balance the spell is manageable. It is possible, though, that this will lead to no convincing result at all due to the uncontrollable nature of the demonic realm. If this should be the case the use of entropic countermagic is the only option left.\nBy the way: The summoning of lesser creatures, the so-called 'reds', progressed comparatively well. Of course, these creatures are mere borderdwellers and may consequently not be considered true demons. However, it may prove that the development of summoning spells for 'reds' will prove a rewarding spin-off of demon summoning research."}, {"Suns_and_Stars_I": "Suns and Stars, Part I\nIt stands to reason that the stars and the suns influence the flow of magic. The astral patterns wax and wane like the tides, and it is not possible to perform certain summonings on inappropriate days, to give but one example. The study of astrology is pointing at further influences that go well beyond summoning creatures, though. For instance, the influence of the stars and the suns seems to increase with the power level of the performed incantation or ritual. The more mana is used in a spell the more it is susceptible to extratibian influence. For this reason it seems quite safe to assume that certain powerful rituals are only possible when the stars are correctly aligned. We consequently hope to achieve through close observation and through careful calculation a measure of exactness concerning the right timing of rituals which we did not dare dream of so far. Several magic incantations we have never managed to reproduce until now might actually be achieved once we know the ideal stellar constellations. This would explain why all our previous attempts to achieve these effects were doomed to fail."}, {"Suns_and_Stars_II": "Suns and Stars, Part II\nVery basic rituals depend on the influences of dawn and dusk, or of night and day. Other, more complex rituals may only be performed at very specific times, perhaps even at a specific hour. Other rituals that are more complex still are bound to specific days, and to specific times as well. In fact, some individual spells can only be performed once a year or once every other year, while the most powerful of rituals may only be carried out during stellar constellations that are so incredibly rare that centuries may pass before the ritual can be performed again. Given the power and knowledge of the ancients it seems reasonable to assume that they have prepared rituals whose time has not even come to this very day. Since most of the ancient races have disappeared from the lands it is well possible that some of the rituals are still be buried in some long forgotten ruin, while others might actually be in the possession of some surviving heir of one of the ancient races.\nWho knows. The astrological knowledge of the ancients is yet to be rediscovered. We are perfectly positive that some of the discoveries we have made can be considered as the groundwork for further, more elaborate theories which one day might rival that of the ancients. Still, it would be an immense progress if we could rediscover some of the ancients' lost astrological writings."}, {"Legion_of_Slaughter": "The first of the legion of slaughter were some of the unique creations of the gods. For not only races were created in the god wars but also individuals of power. Though most of these loners followed the path that the gods had planned for them, some lacking restraint and company became driven made by their loneliness. Crazed they defied the gods and banded together, accumulating an army of the mad and the lost. This army they lead onto a rampage through the battlefields of their days. They caused havoc and destruction on both sides but ultimately they were crushed and thought dead. But some of them survived, hidden at unholy places and feeding on them. In time they grew in power and when they arose again they were horrible to behold. Their rise fell into a time of relative peace, after the reawakening and those relics of war disdained what they saw. Where others saw harmony they saw weakness. Where others saw love, they saw a lack of ambition. They renewed their old bonds and looked for fallen allies of days long past. They reformed the legion, which was a mockery of the power of the past. Yet their madness, hatred and ambition drove them forward. They began to look for the guidable, the power-hungry and baited them with poisoned promises. They are still out there, scheming, manipulating, looking to increase their power in clear defiance of all gods."}, {"Ancient_Mummies": "Ancient mummies are fiends of horrendous powers. Only the bravest warriors dare to challenge them, and most of these fools join the ranks of the mummie's undead legions all too soon. In life, each of these ancient horrors was a champion in his own right, but now that they have entered the dreadful state of undeath they have become truly formidable, for there is no way to kill them for good. No matter how hard they are hit the ancient powers bound to their mummified bodies will always make them rise again in all their horrifying glory to take revenge on the living."}, {"Researchpaper_33-16_H": "Researchpaper 33-16 H\nThe 'stoneskin' spell is still flawed. The test subjects complained about severe problems when moving, and some actually suffered from partial paralysis or even from acute petrification! However, I still believe the spell might be useful as some sort of emergency measure because I imagine that turning oneself into a statue for a while might come in handy when all other options have failed. Oddly enough it is quite simple to focus the spell into an object, preferably an amulet, so the change is still bound to an object that serves as a transmitter. Obviously the problem is related to the one we had when we tried to channel certain spells through runes. I'm afraid that while research covering spontaneous magic has made great advances since the early days we are still at the beginning when it comes to channelled spells."}, {"The_Larokhon": "The Larokhon are entities made up entirely of wind and of heat. They appear to be nothing but mere blurs in the sand, and those who are unfortunate enough to see them believe their eyes just played tricks on them. But then, the Larokhon are rarely ever seen by mortals since they shun daylight. They prefer those twilight moments when there is still some warmth left from a scorching day although night has clearly fallen. This is the time when the Larokhons' move from their secret hideouts to prey on unwary dreamers that are haunted by nightmares. Their sense of smelling fear is infallible, and once they have found their prey a mere crack in a wall is large enough for them to enter. Once they are close to their victims they feast on their innermost fears, evoking images of horror and despair that are so horrible that they often cause the dreamer's death. So take this word of warning, traveller: Beware the nights that are hot and windless, for a mere breeze of hot air may cause your demise."}, {"Morgathla_Reveals_the_Secrets_of_the_Mask": "...so Morgathla revealed to him one of the secrets it was guarding, a secret that had been thought lost for a long time. And Arkhothep forged the parts of a powerful mask and assembled it on a demon altar. He had secretly erected this unholy shrine underneath the great pyramid he had planned to use as the final resting place for his father. So strong was this altar's magic that it fused the parts to form the famous Helmet of the Ancients as soon as they were placed on it. Eight helmets Arkhothep crafted, one for himself and one for each of his allies. But he did not fully trust his fellow conspirators, so he inserted ordinary rubies into their helmets, while his own helmet was imbued with the eternal power of a soul ruby. This way those helmets had only a fraction of his own helmet's powers. But Arkhothep's precautions against his allies went further than that. He only revealed the secret to forge one single part of the helmet to each of them, and each of them was taught the secret to forge a different part. Arkhothep clearly saw through his allies' greedy natures. He knew they would never share their knowledge with each other, and he foresaw that their greed would make them plot against each other rather than against him."}, {"Margathla_Reveals_the_Secrets_of_the_Mask": "...so Margathla revealed him one of the secrets he guarded. A secret long thought to be forgotten. And so he forged the parts of the mask and assembled it on the demonic altar he secretly built in the centre of the complex beneath the great pyramid that was supposed to become the final resting place of his father. The magic of the altar was that strong, that its power could fuse the parts to become the famous helmet of the ancients, when they even came close to it. He crafted eight helmets for him and his allies. His own helmet was imbued with the eternal power of a soul ruby, but his co-conspirators had to rely on ordinary rubies to obtain at least a fraction of the power of their master's helmet. Each of them was granted the secret to forge a single part of the helmet. Arkhothep knew they would never share their knowledge with each other and their greed would lead them to diffuse their energies to plot against each other instead of working against him."}, {"About_Rewar_the_Bloody": "Rewar the bloody was a petty man of intrigue with the aspiration to become king. Through manipulation and deception he acquired a great deal of power. To raise his status he claimed several heroic deeds of others as his own. Though he silenced anyone who could put his exploits into question, suspicions amongst his knightly peers begun to rise. When he claimed the dragon slaying by a shepherd, who was assumed to have died in the fight, as his own, another knight confronted him with a wounded but alive shepherd and called his bluff. Rewar, seemingly infuriated, demanded a trial by combat, thinking that he would easily best a mere herder of sheep, unskilled in the use of arms. When he learned that not the shepherd but the accusing knight would be his opponent he fled the court the night before the trial and hid in a remote castle at the border. There he lead a life as a robber baron for a while until a force of the realm drove him out. He became a traveller, visiting many wonders of the known world and beyond. He served as a sword for hire for some time, but serving did not suit him well and he abandoned his employers often in the time of greatest peril. Often he did so, with a good part of the employers wealth. Some he betrayed for gold, others out of spite. With his reputation ruined his traveling intensified. As an old man he returned to the realm and bought himself a pardon by a young, new king with his ill-gotten wealth. While a few old knights who remembered him and his misdeeds tried to put him on trial again, through intrigue and bribery he dogged their accusations until he finally died of old age."}, {"Recovering_the_Secret_of_the_Mask": "The secret of the high mask of the ancients was thought to be lost in time forever. But with the coming of the undying pharaoh its secrets were snatched away from the scarabs and the sands. Once more, masks were forged that contained the secret energies of lost aeons. Their true powers remained a mystery, but from the little that showed at first glance it was clear that they were most powerful indeed. Unfortunately, the pharaoh decreed that their powers were not meant for ordinary mortals, and ordered them to be destroyed. It is said that it was necessary to combine the powers of different ancient idols in order to create those legendary artifacts."}, {"Resarchpaper_88-04_F": "Resarchpaper 88-04 F\nOn the request of our beloved pharaoh we have stopped the research on the XXXXXX spell. All research was destroyed, and although we had met with considerable success in XXXXX the XXXXX and even seemed to have a solution for the problem of the plasma leak the project has been discarded. Even the side reports were destroyed. An apology has been issued to the pharaoh for thoughtlessly researching in that field."}, {"The_Great_Pyramid_and_the_Undying_Pharaoh": "The great pyramid is the centre of our beloved city. It is there that our praised pharaoh resides, surrounded by his trusted servants. Far below the palace, hidden in the deepest dungeons of the ancient pyramid are the tombs of despair. The old pharaoh met his fate there, and it is said he still roams the hidden passageways, bound forever to his undead body. So great was the wisdom of Arkhothep that he granted his father eternal unlife, so that he may to atone for his sins and become worthy of ascension. Who knows? Perhaps one day he, too, will ascend, leaving both the curse and his tomb behind him and taking his place at Arkhothep's side. But I fear his folly defies all attempt to cure it. He has proved unyielding to the wisdom of his son's preachings for as long as I can remember. Long will be his road, and a million deaths he shall die before he will see the light of the wisdom that will free him from his prison."}, {"Researchpaper_77-04_D": "Researchpaper 77-04 D\nThe 'move earth' spell seems to be ready to enter the stage of field testing. The results so far were quite convincing, and the priests were pleased. The recent studies we have carried out together have proven that we can indeed learn from each other. I must admit I would certainly like to add this useful little spell to my personal repertoire. After all, shovels and pickaxes are heavy and pretty unwieldy, and I would very much like to leave them at home. I envy the priests for the elemental powers they are wielding."}, {"Researchpaper_44-33_C": "Researchpaper 44-33 C\nThe divination spell designed to specify the gender of an unborn child has been completed successfully after several tests using other divination spells. The lack of worthwhile studies in divination magic hampered our efforts considerably, but I'm convinced this spell will provide future researchers in the field with invaluable information to work on. We plan to use the techniques we have developed in order to detect the presence of hostile creatures and to recognise signs of life in the area of the spell's effect."}, {"Researchpaper_02-56_A": "Researchpaper 02-56 A\nThe work on the cat-eye spell is progressing well. Soon we will be able to reproduce this spell that is used by several of the elder races. Once this has been accomplished we will finally be able to see in the dark without attracting unwanted attention. The problem is to stabilise the spell so it can be maintained during a predictable period of time. Also, the hurtful effect of sudden light to the spell caster must be palliated."}, {"The_Sacred_Casket": "We are not far from revealing the greatest secret in the lands of Darama that was kept by a nomad tribe so far. They call themselves \"true sons of the desert\" and we managed to obtain their sacred casket by accident. What a great day for us. The right people will pay huge amounts of gold for it.\nSo far I found out that the strange substance in the casket has something to do with the rotworm species. It is strongly advisable to keep the substance in the casket. I opened it once and minutes later it swarmed with rotworms and carrion worms. Many of my people died in this accident. We presume that we deal with an attractant of a rotworm queen. No one has ever seen one but we are pretty sure that this species is organised by a queen. Maybe it would be possible to lure a queen with this substance but we don't dare to use it again. We need more time to figure out how this all matches and how to use the substance without being overrun by rotworms."}, {"Incompetent_Idiots": "Incompetent idiots! This isn't just a temple to a simple lizard god. A far greater, conceiled power rules here! For a while they may be useful to our ends, but when the time comes, we will get rid of these gormless lizards! Prepare for my arrival - I will oversee the rituals in person!\n- Master Tzumrah"}, {"Famous_Recipes_by_Ma\u0102\u00aetre_Jean_Pierre_I": "Famous Recipes by Ma\u0102\u00aetre Jean Pierre\nRotworm Stew\n- 2 Pieces of meat\n- 2 Vials of beer\n- 20 Potatoes\n- 1 Onion\n- 1 Garlic\n- 5 Ounces of flour\nHydra Tongue Salad\n- 2 Hydra tongues\n- 2 Tomatoes\n- 1 Cucumber\n- 2 Eggs\n- 1 Troll green\n- 1 Vial of wine\nRoasted Dragon Wings\n- 1 Fresh dead bat\n- 3 Jalape\u0102\u00b1o peppers\n- 5 Brown breads\n- 2 Eggs\n- 1 Powder herb\n- 5 Red mushrooms\nTropical Fried Terrorbird\n- 1 Fresh dead chicken\n- 2 Lemons\n- 2 Oranges\n- 2 Mangos\n- 2 Vials of coconut milk\n- 1 Stone herb\nBanana Chocolate Shake\n- 1 Bar of chocolate\n- 1 Cream cake\n- 2 Bananas\n- 2 Vials of milk\n- 1 Sling herb\n- 1 Star herb\nVeggie Casserole\n- 2 Carrots\n- 2 Tomatoes\n- 2 Corncobs\n- 2 Cucumbers\n- 1 Onion\n- 1 Garlic\n- 1 Cheese\n- 20 White mushrooms\n- 5 Brown mushrooms\nFilled Jalape\u0102\u00b1o Peppers\n- 10 Jalape\u0102\u00b1o peppers\n- 2 Cheese\n- 1 Troll green\n- 1 Shadow herb\n- 1 Vial of mead\n- 2 Eggs\nBlessed Steak\n- 1 Piece of ham\n- 5 Plums\n- 1 Onions\n- 2 Beetroot\n- 1 Pumpkin\n- 2 Jalape\u0102\u00b1o peppers\nNorthern Fishburger\n- 1 Northern pike\n- 1 Rainbow trout\n- 1 Green perch\n- 5 Shrimps\n- 2 Rolls\n- 1 Fern\nCarrot Cake\n- 5 Carrots\n- 1 Vial of milk\n- 1 Lemon\n- 10 Ounces of flour\n- 2 Eggs\n- 10 Cookies\n- 2 Peanuts"}, {"Famous_Recipes_by_Ma\u0102\u00aetre_Jean_Pierre_II": "Famous Recipes by Ma\u0102\u00aetre Jean Pierre\nCoconut Shrimp Bake\n- 5 vials of milk\n- 5 brown mushrooms\n- 5 red mushrooms\n- 10 rice balls\n- 10 shrimps\nPot of Blackjack\n- 5 sandcrawler shells\n- 2 vials of water\n- 20 carrots\n- 10 potatoes\n- 3 jalape\u0102\u00b1o peppers\nDemonic Candy Ball\n- 3 candies\n- 3 candy canes\n- 2 bar of chocolate\n- 15 gingerbreadmen\n- 1 concentrated demonic blood\nSweet Mangonaise Elixir\n- 100 eggs\n- 50 mangoes\n- 10 honeycombs\n- 1 bottle of bug milk\n- 1 blessed wooden stake"}, {"The_Little_Piglet_and_the_Isle_of_Evil": "The Astonishing Fairy Tale of the Little Piglet and the Isle of Evil\nOnce upon a time there was a little piglet named Ethan. But it was not an ordinary piglet but a piglet that wanted to become a detective. I, the cat Sandy, was his best friend ever and so we decided that his dream should become true. With our friends, Harry the owl and Monty the dog, we founded a detective agency. One day, while playing at the beach, we found some ominous footsteps in the sand. Ethan immediately knew that these were the footsteps of a criminal and we all decided to pursue the trail and catch the villain. After a while we reached a spot where the footsteps vanished in the sea. At first, me and my friends were clueless what to do, but then Harry's keen eyes spotted a harbour not that far away. By chance our old friend Wesley the weasel was working in the harbour and could provide us not only with a boat but also with some good advice. So we finally set sails and used Monty's amazing ability to follow a trail by scent to find our way across the sea. Eventually we reached an island that was thoroughly evil. It took all our courage and bravery to make our way through the dangerous territory to the dominating structure of the evil tower that loomed over the whole isle. We were well aware that the master of that tower had to be the epitome of evil and we had to enter his tower, regardless of the dangers involved. Only few had ever reached the isle and none of them had ever returned to tell the tale. But we were there and knew that it was our destiny to face the master of the isle. Retreat was not an option. We braved all the dangers that the isle seemed to throw against us and finally stood in front of the tower. Who would carry on our work if we failed? We knew if we did not stop the master of this isle then it might take decades until somebody else would find this isle, and then it might be too late to stop the fiendish plot that threatened the whole world. So we made it to the top of the tower and confronted its evil master! To our surprise it was no one else than our old rival Melvin the mouse! He switched on the lights which blinded Harry, threw a stick that Monty was forced to pursue, and then, to my shame, confronted me with a ball of yarn so huge I could not resist but had to play with it. But just as Melvin the mouse laughed evilly, Ethan, with an incredibly effort of will, ignored the mud the cunning mouse had just prepared to distract him and captured the culprit. With Melvin being caught, we others regained our composure and senses and returned to out little ship. We handed Melvin over to his mother and he was not allowed to eat any sweets for two weeks. This is the end of my little story about the isle of evil."}, {"The_Art_of_War": "The art of war by Brianna Bonecrusher\nTo win a war, or even a fight, one has to discard certain ideals of nobility and honour. While honour is a noble concept it is less noble to let your soldiers die because you follow some lofty goal. As a leader it is your foremost duty to ensure that as many of your soldiers as possible return home, unharmed, in tact and preferably victorious. This can't be done by open battles that follow some sort of code. Battles have certain dynamics that makes any code obsolete after the initial clash anyway. Therefore, the surest tactic for success is to weaken the enemy as much as possible before you even think about engaging them in battle at all. A hit and run tactic is a wonderful strategy for achieving this aim. This requires the army to operate in small groups, making the maximum use of the terrain, traps and distance weapons. Let the environment cause as much harm as possible. Force your enemy to seek its way through treacherous countryside, lure them into the lairs of animals and monsters and don't give them the chance to restock supplies. Don't grant them the comfort of an undisturbed rest. Harass and attack them constantly from afar so they never feel safe. Bleed them out and wear them down and don't let them retreat to safety because then they might return, and be better prepared as they are wise to the guerilla tactics you use. The main goal is always to keep your own casualties low. If the enemy has no or little distance attacks you might be able to pick many of his soldiers off without any meaningful retaliation. Let your distance fighters aim for key figures first whenever possible. If you face enemies with numerous distance fighters attack them under cover of night using your own shooters spread out wide and roughly aiming for the enemy's camp. When forced to fight in close quarters, use an ambush strategy whenever possible. If possible, be prepared for a hasty retreat when things turn out nasty. She who fights and runs away will live to fight another day."}, {"Whatever_Became_of_Leetha_Arnadette_II": "Whatever became of Leetha Arnadette? Volume 2\nThe editorial team charged with the task of editing Arnadette's writings was hopelessly overwhelmed. Not only did the man write unceasingly himself, he was also capable of dictating three books to scribes at the same time. He rested only to sleep and eat, and that infrequently. His Editor in Chief had the idea of turning to the sorcerer Eclesius to create a Scribe Golem to keep up with the stream of literature. Eclesius found the idea wonderful (and the monetary reward was probably not too unwelcome either) After many false starts and several fatal accidents (not for Eclesius or the Editor, obviously) the Scribe Golem was completed. Not only was this Golem capable of editing and writing down Arnadette's work at the same pace as the author, it was also capable of banding the books, leaving the editorial team with little more to do than distribute the end product to various libraries. (Eclesius also installed some improvements - for instance, pages in Tibian books no longer needed to be turned, the reader simply had to scroll down the text to read what was written, as Eclesius believed page turning to be a waste of energy and an interruption to the flow of a good book.) While this meant that Arnadette's works could finally be recorded without a backlog building up, Arnadette himself began to suffer. Whenever he wished to break to sleep, eat, or anything else, the Golem would go on the rampage screaming \"More Books! More Books!\" and start destroying the interior furnishings. Eventually, the editorial team left one by one, unable to help Arnadette, and in fear of their lives should he ever cease to produce literature leading to the Golem going fully out of control. Eclesius was also strangely uncontactable. The Editor in Chief stuck with his old master as long as he could, but even he, in his old age was forced to abandon him.\nThe libraries are still being filled by his books - so which version is true? A man held in thrall by a Golem, forced to write day and night without break for sleep nor rest or are unscrupulous want-to-be writers attempting to make a quick buck off the back of a literary legend? This book is a plea for help! For your childhood memories of good books, the brave adventurers who read this book, please find out whatever became of Leetha Arnadette!"}, {"Whatever_Became_of_Leetha_Arnadette_I": "Whatever became of Leetha Arnadette? Volume 1\nThere is not a Tibian who does not know of Leetha Arnadette, Tibia's most prolific author. He has written books in almost every genre, from horror to history, fact to fiction, children's bedtime stories to university textbooks. Which pupil has not groaned inwardly when told to learn by heart passages from Arnadette's \"Tibia - A History\" (Or even outwardly groand - an action that cost this humble author three days off school with concussion - how was I to know my teacher was a high ranking paladin and the champion of the Rat Hurling Guild and a deadly shot with a board rubber?) Which babe has not been lulled into sweet dreams by Arnadette's \"Nighttime tales for tiny Tibian tots\"? Who has not wished to be Gerrick, the hero of \"Jungle Adventure\", and which adolescent has not been terrified by the story of the \"Northwood Wolves\"? No tourist in his right mind would consider travelling without Arnadette's \"Rough Guide to Tibia\" and even some households would be poorer for the lack of \"Tibian Cooking Today, 1001 ways to serve Fish.\"\nMany have wondered exactly where he got his inspiration from. His writings cover such a wide range of topics to such depth of expertise, that in his former years he must have been a great explorer and a well read student. However, there are no records of him ever having studied at any academy in Tibia and even grandparent's grandparents talk of him as an old man - which has led to the rumour that elven blood runs in his veins. Those who used to see him on his monthly trips out to the shops in his home town reported that he would often stop dead in his tracks, emit sparks from his beard, then grab a notebook from his robes and scribble frantically. Indeed there is one story that stated that he took three days to make it down the street, and citizens of Carlin took pity on his scribbling form and made sure he had food and drink. It is these rare sightings of Arnadette that led many to believe that he was either blessed (or cursed) with Godly inspiration, that he had been selected by the Gods as their scribe. In a world with so many Gods, this is an unfortunate fate for one man to bear, and also leads to the interesting question of exactly which God was responsible for the book titled \"Why Rabbits Should be Blown up on Sight\".\nArnadette has not been seen for many years, although he continues to produce books with incredible speed. Rumours had begun to circulate that he was actually dead and other writer's were selling books under his name simply to earn money. However, an old man, apparently his editor, has spoken out, claiming to know the truth about his sad fate. Whether the following fantastic tale is a true confession or the ramblings of a senile man remains to be seen, but it is the author's belief that this story should be brought to the attention of the public, so people braver than I may try to save Arnadette from a fate worse than ... well ... a bad fate."}, {"The_Shattered_Isles": "The Shattered Isles\nNargor is a hostile rock surrounded by treacherous reefs. Since it is uninhabitable and almost unreachable it is of no interest.\nTreasure Island is not only desert-like but also quite deserted. The only people you meet are treasure hunters that travel there occasionally to try their luck.\nThe inhabitants of the town Liberty Bay live on the numerous plantations. The town has developed into a major trading center in recent years, and is under Thaian rule.\nThe Forbidden Islands to the north-west are dangerous not only because of the volcanoes that are found there but also due to frequent quara activity. Since there is no real reason to visit these islands, no regular shipping route was ever established.\nThe Laguna Islands are quite often visited by passing ships to refresh their supply of water and food. Still the isles are too desolate to establish a settlement there. It is rumored that a small tribe of savages calls one of the isles its home."}, {"Tibiantis": "Tibiantis\nSomewhere to the South of the city which nowadays is known as Carlin, could once be found an isle, believed to be the cradle of human civilisation. Here, the first Tibians saw the light of the two suns and founded the first Kingdom. It grew to be a place of wisdom and wonder. Under the guidance of the Gods, humanity prospered in terms of wealth and knowledge to heights that no other civilisation has reached before or since. This city was called Tibiantis, and it grew beyond the bounderies of the land, spreading into the sea itself. Wonder upon wonder could be found in this city of ivory and gold. Explorers from Tibiantis braved the oceans and built outposts in the farthest reaches of the world. It is said of the denizens of this wonderful city that the elements themselves were at their beck and call and that no foe was strong enough to oppose them. However, they grew complacent and self satisfied, forgetting that everything they were and everything they had built up had been done only because they were favoured of the Gods. Eventually, they forgot their Gods, believing instead that they were the masters of the world. The Gods were saddened as they watched those who had made them so proud turn their backs upon them, and turned their eyes from them. Without the protection of the Gods, the city of Tibiantis was doomed. Its wealth and arrogance made it an irresistable target for the forces of evil. Their day of reckoning came - the Isle was sunk, the beautiful sculptured architecture of the towers of ivory and gold crumbled and the citizens drowned, the achievements and inventions of the civilisation lost forever beneath the waves.\nOnly the highest tip of the highest mountain of the isle remained as a tiny island, a pitiful memory of the greatness that once existed here. Legends state that this isle cannot be reached by normal means. The versions of the legend vary - some claim the isle is inhabited by diabolic creatures ensuring Tibiantis may never rise again and others state that benevolent messengers of the Gods live there and mourn for the lost children and warn others of the fate that threatens those who forget their Gods. The city itself rests on the lowest point of the ocean floor, and those inhabitants who were unfortunate to survive were twisted into abominal sea creatures. The colonies and outposts of Tibiantis did not survive the downfall of their home for long. They fell prey to the numerous enemies their people had made and who no longer feared retaliation. Only a few of their inhabitants survived to found new cities in remote places. Though they forgot their heritage they finally grew in numbers and created new cities and kingdoms, some of which still thrive in the present day."}, {"The_Northwood_Wolves": "The Northwood Wolves\nThe woods north of Carlin were home to numerous wild beasts. Packs of wolves were only one part of the fearsome fauna inhabiting the forests. So when sheep and cattle disappeared, no-one paid too much attention. Hunters were sent and they killed some of the wolves, however, the numbers of livestock stolen did not reduce. However, it was when humans fell victims to the wolf attacks that people turned to the Queen for aid. The conclave of druids, however, intervened and prevented the people from hunting down and killing every last wolf. They promised to take care of the problem themselves. Four of their most knowledgable beastlords were charged with the task of ending the threat. Only one returned, wide-eyed with fear and unable to speak coherently of what he had seen. And now, the true reign of terror began - whole farmsteads were attacked and their inhabitants torn apart and devoured. The druids organised a force of hunters and spellcasters. They fought their way through the woods, facing packs of wolves who seemed to be fighting as organised forces with an almost human intelligence. Despite winning the battle they failed to win the war and the ultimate source of the evil controlling the wolves, and more people fell victim to the wolves' attacks. The following winter a blood smeared adolescent was found, wandering aimlessly through the woods. His name was Charles Farmer. Shaking and half mad, those who found him were able to piece together his confession. He claimed he had killed his mother with a silver candelebra to make the wolf in her stop doing evil things. The boy was given over to the care of the druids, who took him in and protected him and the community from his madness. After this incident, the attacks on the farms and killings in Northwood ceased from one day to the next."}, {"The_Flying_Venorean": "The flying Venorean is a ship that is cursed to sail the seas forever. Allowed to visit land only every seven years, the ghostly captain uses his shore leave to lure clueless sailors into his crew. Everybody that signs the contract becomes cursed like the captain and might only leave the ship if he finds a suitable exchange on one of his shore leaves every seven years."}, {"About_Duke_Krule": "Duke Krule was born into a zealous family of thaian nobility. His oppressive and pious upbringing suited him well and from early age he joined an order of knights, dedicated to erase anything they deemed heretic. It was not much a choice of heart but the only sanctioned opportunity to escape the control of his overbearing father. The knights run several campaigns against the orcs and minotaurs mostly. Picking easy targets they were met with little resistance and the already very loose organisation of the order begun to dissipate more and more with the members often following their own petty agendas. Krule lead several raids against renegade orcs and later human bandits. His claiming of the loot did not suit the victims of the robbers well so as an empty gesture towards them, Krule disposed captured criminals in a rather gruesome fashion, claiming his campaigns were rather aimed at discouraging other criminals, then reclaiming stolen goods. With a growing strength and order in the kingdom, his targets became less and less and so he begun campaigns far from the borders to strike any easy target that seemed suitable. Under the pretence of doing the god's work, he begun to plunder ancient ritual sites and burial grounds of what he deemed heathens. Over time he and his war band had degraded into little more than bandits and grave robbers. Although operating far from the realm and not facing imminent threats, his acts of cruelty continued. It's not known if these vile acts lead to some shaman to curse him or if he was cursed in some ancient tomb which treasures he stole. But it's safe to say that his later years were spent in campaigns of slaughter and fire to acquire the means to end at least some form of curse. The nature of the curse could never truly be determined as he and all who accompanied him were slaughtered by an orcish warlord and his army in an ambush. Some brethren of his order later reclaimed his remains and despite his deeds and reputation gave him a proper burial."}, {"Svargrond": "The city of Svargrond is not by chance called city of barbarians. It is a city of rough manners, and respect can usually only be earned by displaying strength and endurance. Befriending the citizens is not done easily. Trading with them can often be tiresome and even dangerous when looking at their temper in combination with alcohol. All in all, one could assume that Svargrond is rather an unlikely ally for our respectable Carlin but for strategical and economical reasons it is quite the contrary. Svargrond is one of the cities easily accessible by us that is not under the sway of Thais in some form. A dominance of Thais in Svargrond could severely hamper our seafaring and trade.\nThe harsh environment of the northern isles makes Svargrond an interesting trading partner from an economical point of view. Many of our goods cannot be created by themselves or would be extremely expensive if they were produced with their own resources. Although the mining operations have not really been running again yet, there is still an abundance of resources that we can trade for our goods as soon as Svargrond's economy has developed somewhat more. For now, we mainly trade amber, ivory, bones, furs, and meat. Later, we hope to be able to trade for ores, gemstones and even shaman-made potions and elixirs. Sadly the cultural differences still pose a severe problem for our trades or the expansion of our post here. Although our fighters gained some respect, the prominence of alcohol in that culture is a constant thorn in our side. Officially it has been declared not to make an issue of this difference, but sometimes this is easier said than done when facing some threatening drunkard. So against earlier plans, we maintain only a minor presence in Svargrond. This tactic seems to work well as he barbarians are not fond of intrusions in their everyday lives. Unfortunately, their constant war with their even less civilized brethren in the south hampers our ambitions to get a hold on the resources of the isles. On the other hand, it makes our wares even more valuable for the besieged people of Svargrond."}, {"The_Environment_and_You": "The Environment and You"}, {"Advanced_Druidism": "The close relationship with Carlin has served the druids quite well over the years. In Thais, the druids had only a minor role which was always overshadowed by the sorcerer guild and its close ties to the Thaian throne. In Carlin, however, the druids were seen as trusted advisers for the young city. This early cooperation led to the growth of Carlin in a more harmonic and environmental way than any other city. Right from the beginning, druids instructed the people of Carlin in the ways of nature and watched over the city's development. Moreover, there was a constant demand for the druids' help which resulted in the use of druidic powers in some practical ways that were never thought of before. Additionally, the need of the people led to experiments to expand the druidic powers in new ways. This lead to some significant progress of the druids' magic. Although critics call this approach too practical and too less metaphysical, it is undeniable that new magical practices arose in those days that shaped the druidic research significantly. With additional resources and freedom, the druidic art flourished along with the city, and the teachings of the druids reached more people now that they were always present and no longer hid in some distant caves. The dynamic aspect of the process helped both sides and led to a new boom in druidic magic.\nNow that some contact with Svargrond was established, there are even new chances to reintegrate what many see as early offshoots of druidism developed through contact with shamans. Even though it is a painfully slow process to leave behind prejudices and cultural differences, it is widely accepted that both traditions can learn from each other. The combination of two branches of the same magical teaching that took different paths for centuries might lead to new and unknown heights of druidism that might even herald in a new age of magic."}, {"Elven_Diplomacy": "The contact with the elves was mainly based on the mutual hatred of orcs and other monsters. In the past, the elves' acceptance of Carlin was founded on the fact that one of them was likely to be the next victim of another orc invasion. With Carlin's strength growing, the elves' opinion began to shift. Some even saw a threat in Carlin's growth, however, most agreed that in the case of an orcish threat both cities forces combined might be able to stop the green flood now. Still, there was only minor trade between Carlin and Ab'Dendriel since both cities strived for independence. Only when the orcish threat decreased and an invasion became unlikely, the trade began to flourish somewhat. Still, the alien culture of the elves makes it hard to have any meaningful negotiations. Particularly the complicated caste system with different leaders makes it very difficult to come to some kind of agreement that would please everyone."}, {"The_Amazons_III": "The Amazons Vol.3\nThis background of political conflict led to the ascendance of Amaza Saphira, an alchemist with an unusual talent for inspirational speeches and leadership. She claimed to have had visions of Banor and Elaine, informing her of the natural superiority of womankind. Although her political opponents attempted to discredit her, calling her delusional and stating that her visions were the results of noxious fumes concocted in her laboratory, Amaza'S speeches spoke to many people, and her radical viewpoint inspired many to join her cause. It was her belief that men were inferior beings and that Carlin was an acomplishment of womanhood. She wanted to drive all men from the city, or keep them in subjugation serving only in menial positions. She wanted to expand the army to demonstrate the strength of womanhood. Though she gained many followers, her radical position served as an example of the dangers of extremism and finally, the Queen felt pushed into a more moderate way of handling the army and its leadership.\nAmaza, however, was not content with the Queen's decision and continued to gather followers amongst the population, many of them in the Queen's own army. What Amaza possessed in charisma and oratory she lacked in subtlety and secrecy. So her plan to overthrow the Queen and become a warrior queen in her place was doomed to failure before it could even begin. Although parts of the army sympathized with her ideas, not all were convinced enough to abandon their duty and betray their oaths to their Queen. Amaza and several of her key-followers were jailed before they could make their move. In the night before their trial Amaza and her allies were freed by some of her remaining followers in the city guard and their escape turned bloody when forces loyal to the Queen intervened.\nHowever, Amaza and her women managed to escape the city. She now turned to the families who lived in the woods and the women who had abandoned the city after the army had been disbanded in search for new followers. These families had, over the years, taken on the structure of nomadic tribes and carried a strong warrior heritage which made them susceptible to Amaza's teachings. Many of the tribeswomen joined Amaza's forces, and over the weeks and months of her exile further recruits from Carlin arrived.\nPerhaps, given time, Amaza might have eventually led her forces against Carlin. Perhaps with the help of conspirators within the city her forces might have surprised and overcome the Queen's army. However fate had a different end in store for her. She was killed by an orcish arrow in a night ambush. Even today, there is some speculation as to whether this conveniant solution to Carlin's problems was truly an act of fate, or whether the Queen had a hand in Amaza's death. Other theories state that the Thaian King was more concerned about Amaza's cult threatening the status quo in his city than he was happy about the destabilizing effect it was having on Carlin. A final explanation is that the Druid COuncil itself was responsible for her demise. However, there is precious little proof that the orcish arrow was anything more than an unfortunate series of events that in the long run probably prevented a long, drawn out struggle for the people of Carlin.\nHer remaining followers named themselves Amazons in her honour. Though some of them returned to the city, most were too proud for such a move and stayed in the woods. Over the years outcasts from Carlin and desperate or vengeful women joined their ranks. So even when the original group splintered, the several subgroups and tribes managed to survive. Over the years they adopted various codes which can be more or less related to Amaza'S teachings. Those teachings have been passed on by word of mouth and are based on the rather unspecific speeches Amaza made. How much of the current practises of the Amazons is still based on the spirit of their founder is debatable."}, {"The_Amazons_II": "The Amazons Vol.2\nHowever, the threat posed by mercenaries loomed over Carlin for some years and the city was never fully able to disband the standing army. The core of the army was formed by the scouts and a city guard. This army was to be reinforced by a highly trained militia in times of need. Through many years, this militia became an effective force, so effective in fact, that as its reputation spread, those soldiers of fortune who may have been tempted to attack a city run by women decided they would be better off seeking their wealth elsewhere. Thus, the need for an army declined, and the cost of maintaining a standing army became too much of a burden for a city which was striving to become a major force in trading.\nThe army was therefore disbanded, and it was expected of the women that they return to their former occupations. This did not please many of them, who felt that they were being cast off and neglected and accused the Queen and her advisors of being short sighted and ignorant of the dangers to their city. When they failed to find support from the Queen they abandoned the city, setting up outposts in the woods to protect the militant way of life to which they had become accustomed.\nSeveral years had passed after the death of Bella Bonecrusher, the valiant warrior who had roused the womenfolk of Carlin to protect themselves against the orcs, when the future direction of the army became a focal point for political conflict within the court of Carlin. Several conflicting groups jostled to influence the Queen in order to follow their own agendas, attempting to manipulate the army, its size, its composition and its aims for the furtherance of their own interests."}, {"The_Amazons_I": "The Amazons Vol.1\nWhen Carlin was freed from the shackles of Thaian oppression, the imminent threat of attempts to recapture the city loomed over the weary populace. Some families left the city to hide in the woods. Those who remained immediately began with the construction of fortifications. With the assistance of druids and helpful elves some of the younger women were trained as scouts and roamed the surrounding woods to warn the city in the case of an advancing army.\nHowever, it was at this time unknown to the people of Carlin that Thais was no longer in a position to launch another campaign to recapture the city. With the destruction of its biggest and best legion, the threat of rebellion loomed within the city's walls and advancing monsters at its borders were more than the remaining forces could handle. Still, Thais held on to its claim to the Carlinian lands and tried to incite mercenary bands with bounties to move against Carlin. Unfortunately for Thais, the lawlessness that had overtaken the countryside as a direct result of the conflict between the cities meant that the mercenaries found much more lucrative employment protecting merchant caravans and the homes of wealthy Tibians who chose to live outside the safety of the cities. Further, there was much speculation that the coffers of the Thaian King had been drained in the struggle with Carlin, and the mercenaries severely doubted Thais ability to pay up. However, there were still those mercenaries desperate enough for money, who were unable to find employment protecting trade caravans because their reputations as bandits rather than mercenaries preceded them. This motley bunch readily believed the stories about a defenceless city of weak women whose menfolk had been massacred by raiding orcs. However, these bands of so-called mercenaries were unable to organise themselves into a larger group. Unwilling to share the rewards from such easy pickings, the bands of mercenaries travelling to the North fought each other whenever they met.\nAt the same time as the mercenary bands were fighting each other on their way to the North, the scouts of Carlin encountered the remnants of the orcish invasion force that still roamed the woods. More often than not, the badly organised bands of orcs would be put to the sword and arrow and killed by the scouts. However, the orcs soon grew wise to these attacks and formed themselves into a larger group, posing a significant threat too large to be dealt with by the scouting parties alone.\nIt was Bella Bonecrusher, a young warrior, who saw the potential of the threat and, in a rousing speech, stirred the remaining women of the city to join with the scouts and fight the menace posed by the growing organisation of the orcs. Emissaries were sent to the Elves at Ab'Dendriel to alarm them of the danger that the orcs also posed to their borders. While diplomatic discussions were underway, the newly recruited warriors were armed with equipment salvaged from the battlefields and were hastily trained by the scouts. When the Elven reinforcements arrived in Carlin they were greeted by a ragtag army of untried women. Despite their lack of experience in the battlefield, this army faced the orcs and won against the odds. Soon, the woods were cleared of orcs. Bella Bonecrusher argued that in these troubled times a standing army would be a necessity, others pointed out that everyone was needed to rebuild the city and work on the fields. The discussions turned moot when the scouts reported the advancing war bands of mercenaries from the south. The new army was sent to intercept the advancing forces. The mercenaries, separated in several groups, never high in morale and heavily outnumbered were soundly defeated by the Carlinian forces whose losses were negligible, thanks to the healing magic of the druids."}, {"Behind_the_Veil_of_Ignorance_I": "Behind The Veil Of Ignorance I\nZathroth's shrouded hoard of forbidden knowledge is known by many names in many cultures.\nParts of this hoard of ancient knowledge were compiled by races long gone and creatures that were not meant to exist. Other parts manifested on their own by means so unfathomable, only some book hidden away in that library might tell about.\nMost of what is known about it comes from the scriptures of Zathroth of which many were destroyed in the great purge of the first Inquisition. Other information was gathered from sealed notes the inquisition took in their interrogations. Yet some parts of the compiled information was gained by whisperers in the dark that claimed to be on a mission of enlightenment. Most of what is complied here is old, fractured and incomplete - yet the best available by our means and efforts which were both substantial.\nIt is said that much of the hoard's knowledge was gained by divine insights of Zathroth. Some might just be the ramblings of madmen but still contain disturbing insights. Other parts are even more obscure and can't be reasonably associated with any kind of writer at all.\nMost texts are said to hold the secrets of acquiring more arcane power for oneself - yet to a terrible price. But to the people who ventured that far into the territory of dark knowledge, these prices seem trivial at best.\nSome of the knowledge centers on summoning forth unspeakable things from beyond the known worlds, out of abysses of darkness and madness. Others are supposed to bend elements, space, minds and souls to the will of the user.\nThe accumulated knowledge is immense and twisted to condense and enrich it even more in a way that words can't truly contain it any longer.\nMost books are encrusted with wards and sigils that try to contain as much of the knowledge as possible bound to the volume.\nThe knowledge is still so powerful and potent that it often gained a form of will on its own and maliciously preyed on the minds of the unwary. This knowledge acts like a parasite, draining its bearers soul and mind, whispering misleading and tainted lies, drawing them deeper onto forbidden paths.\nSecrets thought long lost and deceptively easy answers to tantalising questions are bound to lead scholars and mystics alike to treachery and the denouncement of all gods but Zathroth.\nIt is said the hoard is located at a place that 'one time might be' and that 'it is lost to the forever'. It is shrouded by magic, arcane wards, deceptions and ignorance. The key is said to be a state of mind and the lock is ready to break any key that is not strong enough to unlock it."}, {"Tibiantis_Critique": "Tibiantis: Fact and Fiction\nIn the light of progress made my modern science the tales of Tibiantis can be cheerfully disregarded as blatant myths. The author of this questionable history merely drew upon several myths and mixed them together to create a tale plausible to those given to believe such romantic nonsense. The recently discovered, or more accurately, recently rediscovered, city of Yalahar is very obviously a major inspiration for the story of Tibiantis. Aspects of the story can be found in actual fact in Yalahar - the city itself is huge, and also extended its borders beyond the land into the sea, and judging from what can be found there, was most definitely at some point in its past a city that was home to great wonders, whose inhabitants were in possession of great knowledge. However, one of the great mysteries of Yalahar is whether in actual fact those that live there are even human or another race, until recently unknown amongst the Tibian civilisations. The aspect of the story of Tibiantis referring to the downfall of a civilisation could be influenced by many different myths. One such source could be based upon the discoveries made far to the North of Tibia which suggest the possibility of a civilisation that was wiped out by an as yet unknown catastrophe of cataclysmic proportions. Equally, to the extreme south of Tibia can be found the Shattered Isles. These Isles were so named with good reason - geological studies conducted by the Explorers' Society reveal that these isles did not so much sink but were blasted by a phenomenal explosion of some kind. Relics found upon the Isles also hint that they were once populated by a great and most likely advanced civilisation. It is the sad fate of these isles to be the home of the infamous Quara. It is these twisted creatures who probably provide the origin of the myth's fish people. In summary, I believe I have gathered enough proof here to dispell any reason for believing the tale of Tibiantis, and have proven it to be nothing but a conglomeration of ancient stories and legends which an overly ambitious and half informed so-called historian has put together into a new myth of his own making, in order to gain cheap fame by hoodwinking a gullible and uninformed public."}, {"Dustbeard_the_Pirate_II": "Biographies of the Rich and Infamous\nDustbeard the Pirate Vol. 2\nThose crewmen who were capable of realising that what they had seen was not a drink induced mass hallucination, believed Brian dead, but soon thereafter a second flash of lightning revealed his seemingly unconscious body floating in the water. They were able to retrieve Brian, more dead than alive from the waves. Over the next few days, it became clear that Brian's brush with the lightning had not left him unchanged. His hair was completely statically charged and reacted to any contact with metal with violent sparks of lightning, and any contact with others led to them getting slight electric shocks. Brian reacted rather stoically and refrained from shaving his beard and cutting his hair. The static charge meant that his hair attracted dust - thus giving him the nickname of Dustbeard. When Jolly Jack went into retirement, Dustbeard's characteristic appearance, his golden tongue, his skills as a seaman and liberal amounts of homebrewed alcohol led him to be the natural choice of the crew as captain.\nUpon becoming captain he remembered his old grudge towards his hometown and began to harass the coastal towns of Carlin. When Carlin re-established contact to the town of Svargrond, Dustbeard was there to threaten the new shipping lines. Dustbeard and his men might not be the most skilled pirates but they are known to attack ships against all odds when they are drunk enough. Their unpredictability in battle often gives them the element of surprise, and often their victims are so astonished at the sight of the drunken pirates with their manically haired Captain, that Dustbeard's men more often than not meet with success. It is only a question of time though, before this kind of behaviour will lead to their demise."}, {"Dustbeard_the_Pirate_I": "Biographies of the Rich and Infamous\nDustbeard the Pirate Vol. 1\nThis is the sensational story behind one of our most notorious pirates, whose hairstyle has sparked a veritable fashion amongst the more rebellious Tibian nobility! It is the story of (who else could it be?) Dustbeard, the infamous and follicly advantaged Pirate! Dustbeard was born under the unassuming name of Brian Eagleston in the City of Carlin. Even in his youth he made a name for himself with the town's authorities, getting involved in brawls in taverns and vandalising public property. He was among the first to be banned from Karl's pub in Carlin. Before he could even grow the beard that was to become his trademark he was involved in the illegal production and trade of alcohol. After some of his customers suffered severe illnesses (hallucinations, memory loss, blindness) he was arrested and sentenced to forced labour in the woods and docks. It was in this milieu that he reinvented himself as a political activist and freedom fighter, demonstrating the skills in leadership and oratory that were to serve him so well in his later career. He convinced his inmates that his trade in alcohol was in fact a form of rebellion. He was not even 20 years of age when he led his fellow prisoners in a revolt in which they captured the ship they had just helped to build and set sail for Thais. Unfortunately, none of his followers were proficient in sailing or navigation, and his first outing as a pirate was doomed to end in failure. The ship was wrecked on a reef while they were trying to reach a village to pilfer food and water. However, he and his men made it to the shore, where they proceeded to relieve the terrified villagers of their food, while faithfully promising that they would be repaid for the loss in due course in the name of the Thaian King. This procedure turned commonplace - he and his crew roamed the wilderness, harassing towns, knowing full well that this questionable course would provoke and bring them into conflict with the authorities, should they ever show up in Thais.\nHowever, this career of pillaging villages and coastal towns was fated to meet an end when he attempted to capture the cargo of a trade ship docked in the harbour of a sleepy coastal town. The Pirate Jolly Jack and his men had beaten them to the town and in the ensuing battle the majority of Brian's men were killed or fled, and Brian, a survivor as always, surrendered. The survivors were given the choice to join Jolly Jack's crew or be left to face the fury of the townsfolk. Of course, Brian and his remaining men chose to join the pirates. The following years saw Brian bloom into a capable seaman and pirate. His popularity amongst his pirate brethren was assured by his skill in brewing alcohol from anything and everything which he could get his hands on. However, it was his brewing skills that once again get him into trouble. A storm struck the ship after a night of particularly heavy drinking from a particularly heavy brew - half of the crew was unconscious and the other half were feeding the fishes. It was on this evening that an air elemental chose to attack the ship. It focused its attacks upon the sails of the ship, hoping to break the mast and drown the drunken sailors. Brian, more drunk than sober, climbed the mast and challenged the elemental fiend. Although it is unlikely that the elemental understood the curses and insults hurled at it by the drunken Brian, it was angered enough to attack him. It left off trying to drown the crew, and focussed instead upon the hapless Brian. It grabbed him and carried him high up into the air, where they were struck by lightning."}, {"The_Silent_War": "The Silent War\nIt is no secret that Thais has always looked to our fair city of Carlin with envious eyes, claiming it as its own. It is also well known that, as the years have proceeded, and Carlin has gone from strength to strength that Thaian claims on Carlin's territory have become nominal, at best. Although the Thaian Royal line and the Thaian nobility are linked with some of the bloodlines of Carlinian families, the times of open hostilities are part of the past, to the benefit of both cities. The only reason that Thais has not discarded its claims on Carlin is merely that such a move on behalf of the royal house would be viewed as weakness.\nBut, I hear you ask, if this is so, why are we still suffering under unfair trade barriers? Why does Thais still use its not inconsiderable political power to hinder Carlin's growth and prosperity?\nThe answer, my fellow Carlinians and concerned merchants, lies in Venore. Reliable sources who do not wish to be named for obvious reasons, who have contact with the highest officials of Thais, have revealed that the Thaian manouvering to infringe our rights and growth originates with the Trade Barons of Venore. The profit motivated Venoreans use their influence, propaganda and wealth to influence decisions made in Thais to the detriment of their greatest competitor - Carlin. Venorean agents are known to hinder Carlin's expansion through any means possible, be it bribery, threats, lies, blackmail or intrigue. Although this maouvering has mainly been covert, the success they have met with is making them more brash and confident and their intrigues are becoming more open and apparent. There is little doubt that they would go to any length to harm us. In fact, Venore is like a spider, waiting to pounce on us should we show any sign of weakness! However, Venore is still too cunning or too cowardly to act openly against our city. Theirs is not the way of open and honourable confrontation, rather, they prefer to let others do their dirty work for them. Thais is merely a tool for them to achieve their devious aims, while we, my friends, concentrate our suspicions upon Thais. By so doing, we are playing directly into their hands!\nThais may still pose the actual threat, but they are not the source of the evil. Should any of you still doubt the truth of my words, then the final, irrefutable proof of the Venorean Trade Barons'ambitions can be seen in the fact that they intentionally undercut our prices, ban our wares from the markets they control and they are the key agents for smuggling contraband into our city, undermining our profit margins and aiding the growth of the black market. It can be assumed that Carlins Girls' Brigade (CGB) has gathered files about Venorean activities and it is a shame that such information is not made public.\nNext issue: The CGB - Has it been Infiltrated?"}, {"Marcia_Rugby's_Travels_in_the_North": "Marcia Rugby's travels in the north\nMarcia Rugby was the youngest of three daughters of a Trading house in Carlin. Her family was heavily involved in the establishment of a trading outpost at Svargrond before the years of the plague of sea serpents. Marcia was entrusted with the tiresome negotiations with the barbarians of the north. To gain their trust she had to pass the infamous barbarian rite of passage and lived with the shamans on the Isle of Okolnir. Her determination, her iron will and her willingness to adapt and learn their culture duly impressed the barbarians. It was during the time that she spent with the shamans that a growing threat raised its ugly head - the threat of the sea serpents. Although messengers sent by her anxious family reached her in time, informing her that the last ships were about to leave for Carlin, she made the fateful decision to stay with the shamans, in accordance with her agreement with them.\nUpon her return to Svargond the majority of the people from Carlin had left, unwilling to risk getting stranded away from their homes and families. It was apparent that the sea serpents were not a passing threat. Marcia, however, was the daughter of a Trading House, and not one to sit around and wait for fortune to turn. She took her fate into her own hands and continued with her family's aim of setting up the trading outpost, ready for when the sea routes would become safe for ships once more. In order to make her venture a success she decided to explore the icy lands to find out more about the natural resources to be found there and what goods could be traded with the natives. She ventured far and wide, amassing a great deal of knowledge. However, it was during one of her more ambitious forays into the wilderness that she was captured by barbarian raider tribes. Her fluent use of the native tongue which belied her foreign appearance amazed her captors and she managed to negotiate to meet their leader. She was taken before one of the tribe's ice witches. Once more, her considerable skills in negotiation enabled her to convince the witch that she had to see the high ice witch Yakchal herself.\nMarcia so fascinated Yakchal with her stories from different lands and their wonders that she kept her interested enough to not be killed. She even managed to gain her trust enough to live in relative luxury in her captivity. Although it is unclear exactly how many years Marcia was in captivity, she was there long enough for the sea serpents to have been driven from the waters around Svargond. Rumours of the reopening of the trade channels reached Marcia, even in the isolated camp where she was held. In order to escape, she disguised herself as an ice witch and left Yakchal's hideout without rousing suspicion. Her long internment in the camp and her contact with the barbarians had taught her the necessary skills for survival in that unforgiving wilderness and finally she reached Svargond. It was here that she was reunited with her sisters, who had given her up for dead. She left with them to Carlin, but, too long used to a life of travel, she was unable to settle for long before wanderlust overcame her.\nShe decided to set out on an expedition to the Shattered Isles - an expedition from which she never returned. Her family waited in vain for news of her and were left to speculate whether her ship had fallen prey to one of the vicious and sudden storms known to haunt that region, whether it had fallen foul of pirates or whether it had been the victim of a Quara attack. Although the rest of Carlin presumed Marcia dead, her sisters continued to light a candle in Marcia's room, in the hope that she would, one day, return."}, {"The_Folly_of_Man_V": "The folly of man volume V"}, {"The_Folly_of_Man_IV": "The folly of man volume IV"}, {"The_Folly_of_Man_III": "The folly of man volume III"}, {"The_Folly_of_Man_II": "The folly of man volume II"}, {"The_Folly_of_Man_I": "The folly of man volume I"}, {"About_Lord_Azaram": "The songs of Azaram were numerous and several of them lived on to be still sung in our days. His chivalrous exploits were the base of many modern fairy tales and three of the lections of the art of fighting still bear his name. All the more his fall from grace was more than tragic. It's a bitter and sad tale, recounted numerous times in different ways. Most of this tale still romanticise what has happened. Historical records thankfully give us a more precise picture. In one of his chivalric journeys he met a damsel of incredible beauty. Yet she was engaged to another, much older knight for political reasons. What exactly transpired is still disputed. Though the historical texts give us some plain fact. It cannot be ruled out that his love was indeed the result of a curse of a swamp witch coven. Azaram had certainly participated in several witch-hunts, albeit not in a more active way then his compatriots. It is still possible that he, as a prominent figure was chosen for a curse, to have a greater impact. Also it can't be ruled out, that the damsel in question had a more active and sinister role in the things that transpired. Though the stage play 'The poisoned love of noble Azaram' depicts her as an evil schemer there is little factual evidence to support that claim. Indeed though, she took an unusual road for her travel to her fiance and certainly not in a time that was suited to traveling. But the assumption she orchestrated the attack on her company and the timely rescue by Azaram seems a bit farfetched. For sure it's recorded that he accompanied her on her way from there on. What transpired on their trip together no historian can tell. When they arrived at the home of her fiance, Azaram stayed as honoured guest. When the wedding drew near he was more and more often found in a drunken stupor and susceptible to fits of rage. In the evening before the wedding, the groom took offence of his behaviour and scolded Azaram, reminding him of the knightly virtues. This lead to an outburst of Azaram in which he drew his weapon and swiftly slew his offender. Sobered up by the shock of his own action, he grabbed the maid and forced their way out of the castle, leaving several men at arms dead. The nightly chase lead them to the swamp. Perhaps he wasn't aware where he was riding or perhaps he hoped to lose the pursuers in the marsh under cover of darkness. When the hunters arrived they only saw a gnarled, armoured fist raising from the swamp. when they managed to retrieve the body, OOO was dead. The maid was nowhere to be found, supposedly resting in the swamp for eternity."}, {"The_Carlin_Druids": "The druids of Carlin are closely affiliated to the city and its leadership. From the earliest days of the fledgling city, when the druids helped to provide food and shelter, to the days of prosperity and stability when they offered guidance and healing, they have been a constant in Carlin's history. Because the druids have been rewarded with great respect and considerable influence as a result of their engagement in the city and their decisive role in its success, many druids have moved to Carlin. This has had the consequence that over time, Carlin has become a centre of druidic magic and teaching.\nWhen the looming threat of the Ghostlands was discovered it was the local druids who helped to erect a barrier that warded off the undead and the ghostly inhabitants. The prominence of druidic magic in Carlin has led to somewhat restrained relations with the Sorcerers' Guild that has close ties to Thais as is evident by the funding of the Edron academy. Over the course of time the more rigid guild members of the Sorcerers' Guild withdrew from Carlin and were replaced by freelancers and freethinkers with only loose ties to the Thaian guild so that over the years a form of acceptance between the local guilds was formed. The druids continue to be part of the everyday life of Carlin and heavily influence the culture and philosophy there."}, {"About_Nargol_the_Impaler": "Nargol the impaler was a disgraced knight of an unimportant noble family. Acts of cowardice and drunken violence had cost him any of the little reputation that his birth right and knighthood had given to him. In times of relative peace his attempts as a sellsword yielded too little money to sustain himself. When he had sunk so low as to have sold most of his family arms and armour he started working as a bruiser for local thugs. His fate turned once again, when he became the bodyguard of a spirit speaker. So he accompanied his employer to the court of king Zelos, who was strongly interested in speaking to the spirits from beyond. He was there when the king consulted the spirits with the help of the medium and witnessed some of the plans that took shape in such seances. Seizing the opportunity in a sober moment, he pledged his sword and service to the king, which the latter accepted. King Zelos had only a few loyal allies and some knight, up to anything the king might command, suited him well enough. Even to his own surprise Nargol proved quite effective and efficient in his new role. Soon he became the chief enforcer of Zelos, who soon would become known as the ghost king. For his faithful service to the king's cause, Nargol was awarded with the best weapons and armour available and even magic items found their way into his possession. With an iron fist and without mercy or remorse, Nargol carried out his king's will, in a mockery of true knighthood. The king liked that Nargol acquired a reputation of needless cruelty and violence. Even the threat of a visit of Nargol and his men brought villages and nobles back to the heel. In service of the ghost king the fallen knight took many injuries and was maimed several times. His king though had him stitched together again and again, sometimes replacing or 'enhancing' whole body parts with gruesome, magical substitutes. Over the years he became more and more a thing than a man. A walking magical construct of its own. In the end he seemed almost mindless. Fused with his armour and weapons. Inactive or lost in the dark abysses of his soul unless called to action. When the ghost king finally perished, Nargol simply stopped to 'function'. He was found standing motionless on his horse that strode into a small village. He was rather stored away at a secret place then properly buried, because it was feared he might rise again."}, {"About_Count_Vlarkorth": "Vlarkorth was a wandering hero even in his youth. Heroic quests lead him all over the world and perhaps even beyond. Sometimes in his travels, while he already was a well-known and established knight, he acquired the secret of eternal youth. It is said that it was granted to him as a wish by fairies whom he had helped. Some whisper he had to sacrifice his own heart to acquire this gift. At least all sources agree that he was a changed man in his later live. While friends of old one by one retired and died, loved ones came and went, he grew more and more bitter and jaded. While he perfected his knightly arts more and more over the decades that passed, his views on knightly virtues became cynical at best. He sought out more and more perilous challenges, as they say out of a death wish. Regardless what fighter or menace he challenged, he went out victorious. He begun to let the more promising opponents live, albeit scarred and disfigured by his hand. It was assumed that this was his way to groom new challengers, to endanger his own live to at least sometimes feel some form of thrill. He antagonized the mighty and had only spite for the just and religious. Yet no challenger could match his skills. He fathered many children over the years and raised them with an iron fist, putting them through rigorous trainings and humiliation. That way he was fostering new generations of opponents that might be worthy one day to give him a challenge at last. At last it was his halve-elven daughter that would be his downfall. While she was a promising fighter he mistreated her like he always did with his children. When she dared to question his attitude once he had her mouth stitched shut. When he held a dashing young adventurer captive in his hold, she rescued him and the two fled. Vlarkorth followed them dispassionately. The hunt was just a mild thrill for him but better than nothing. So he chased them from one end of the world to another. Over the course of their adventures the fleeing pair made new friends and gathered a party of merry men and women. Sometimes Vlarkorth caught up but his prey eluded him in the end, albeit not without casualties. At some point the couple decided they could not run any longer. Alongside their allies they made a last stand and faced the heartless Vlarkorth. In a fierce battle one by one of their companions were wounded or killed. In the end only the halve-even maid and her lover stood against the barely wounded Vlarkorth. It was apparent that they both were no match for the ancient knight. As he was about to kill his daughter, the adventurer impaled himself on Vlarkorth 's weapon and weightened it down. The women, using her refined reflexes to honour his sacrifice, dispatched her ruthless father with a swift blow once and for all. Vlarkorth was buried in shame at a remote place."}, {"Cityguide_Venore": "Cityguide Venore\nThe city of commerce built its wealth on four major factors. One is the freetrade agreement with the thaian kingdom to which they in theory belong. This ensures trade with all cities, cultures and lands, known or yet to be discovered. Often seen as a separate law but actually part of the free trade agreement is the gambling licence, that is unique in the Thaian Kingdom, because 'commercial' gambling is outlawed since the times of king Yorik I.\nAnother factor is the shipping dock and the woodcutting in the Venore area. Before the Edron colony was established, the Venore area was the major source for wood needed for constrution and tools. What seems odd at the first glance, given the swamp area Venore was built in becomes more understandable when considering the next factor: Until the Druids and mages drove away all those poisonous insects and creatures the area was known for its diseases and a criminal colony in the beginning. So the merchants had a steady supply of cheap workers that had to do every job appointed to.\nThe last factor was the discovery of the Spiceweed. A special swamp grass that was soon used by cooks and households all over the continent.\nSoon enough the merchants became rich and powerfull, rivaling most of Thais noble families in wealth and power.\nFor now the merchants seem content with their station and the place Venore takes on the continent and in the kingdom. There are voices that Venore might separate one day or use it influence to wrest even more rights and privileges from the kingdom that becomes more and more dependent on its economical power."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Orcs": "Puldraks wisdom about orcs\nAs intensely as the orcs hate all other races, they share a feeling of community. The orcs can sense, to some extent, the feelings of other orcs. The shamans develop this ability to such an extent, that they can sense the innermost potential of newborn orc whelps. All newborn are tested and the shamans decide a future function in orcish society. The whelps are fed differently, raised differently, and educated differently. Wise men of other races say that such behavior is similar to some insects, such as bees, and through their empathetic bond might share a kind of 'hive-mind', so they refer to orc communities as hives. The chief of a hive owns a big harem of women who have no other function than to pleasure him and give birth to new orcs. These orcish matrons are usually incredibly big and fat, almost not able to walk on their own. Where 'normal' orcwomen function as laborer and craftwomen and give birth to two to three orcs in their lives, these female orcs are only reproductive machinery, giving birth to about six whelps each half year. Orcs are usually contend with their place in orcish society and only the leaders fight each other on purpose. Rarely will an orc raise a weapon against another orc, even if they are not of the same hive. Rivalry between hives is usually dissolved through a fight of their leaders and the victorious hive absorbs the other one. Now and then, when a new strong warrior reaches maturity he challenges the old leader for a fight of supremacy. Sometimes though, when the hive becomes too big for the area it occupies, such a warrior senses somehow that its time to move on. Then he and a few other orcs leave the hive in peace to settle somewhere else. This unique culture, together with its fertility, makes the orcs the most formidable threat to all other tibian communities."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Elves_V.I": "Puldraks wisdom about elves Pt. 5\nThe 5th elven cultural group are the Chelabdil. There role in the war and their fate is yet unclear, but they have few contact with the other elven casts. They are usually a bit taller and stronger than elves of the other races, and there skin is silvery-white or in blue to greenish tones. Their eyes are often pale blue or green, sometimes a faint yellow. They have long black hair, or sometimes dark brown. They seem to live nowadays in the region northwest of Carlin and are seen quite often there. They have the keenest eyes of the elves, and the weapons of their choice are spears, knives and sometimes the short bow. They are fine hunters and sometimes trade furs, but the main part of their life remains yet uncertain."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Elves_IV": "Puldraks wisdom about elves Pt. 4\nThe Cenath were the most lucky of the elves. They lived in a hidden valley in a handful of cities, far away from the rages of war. As things turned bad for the elves much of their artifacts, artwork and books were brought to theese cities. Live went on as usual for some time, the elves minding only their own business, as if pretending there was no war at all. Of course the war found them at last. In an frantic attempt to rescue their lives and even their accustomed way of life the elves begun to weave powerfull spells. Many of their best magicians litteraly 'burnt out' in the process but finally the elves succeeded. The whole valley was torn out of the known world ... And this was bitterly needed in a world that was only stormy darkness around the elven valley. They created a artificial light and even created weather. There they lived for hundreds of years, studying and practicing magic, mainly to manipulate and reproduce efects of natue to enhance their lives."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Elves_III": "Puldraks wisdom about elves Pt. 3\nThe Teshial were never fighters. They retreated in the early days of war to hidden refuges, not as a whole caste but only in small family groups. Their hideouts were additionally protected by strong illusionary magic and offered them peace from the madness around them. These elves developed due to meditation and a special philosophy in the art of dream magic, dramatically enhancing their initial abilities in the decades. So they began to exist almost permanently in a state of dreams, only rarely appearing now and then amidst the other elves to give them advice and try to convince some of them to join their way of life. As the war grew more and more fierce these visits became less and less frequent until they were almost a myth, even for elvenkind. In the new awakening of the world they were some of the first to appear, apparently far less disoriented then other beings. Many races welcomed their help, but their teachings seldom found dedicated listeners. After they taught a part of their secrets to some humans they found worthy, they had to see their pupils tortured by developments they judged themselves guilty of. Also, other elves put pressure on the humans to give up the secrets of dreams. They withdrew from the world of mortals and it is rumored they have physically entered the realm of dreams.\nThe Teshial are 'typical' in appearance for elves, but they could create the illusion of almost any appearance if they so choose. Some people even say that due to their enormous control of dreams they could shape their children as they wish, giving them human or even orcish appearance. On the other hand, even people who come up with such theories go silent when asked why an elf should choose to have a child that looks that way."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Elves_I": "Puldraks wisdom about elves Pt. 1\nThe Deraisim had become homeless in the wars. As nomadic wanderers they hid in the woods, setteling nowhere for a longer time. Their families joined each other to travel together for a while, only to disband again soon whenever an area could not supply them all any longer. Hunted by countless enemies and almost everytime outnumbered when it came to fights with 'neighbours' they retreated into the deepest woods where the greater number of their foes was evened out. There they created encampments they visited now and then. They had contact with many creatures and cultures. They adopted ideas and inventions that suited their nomadic lifestyle and begun even a very cautious trade with other races to aquire things they were not able to build on their own. As the attention of the other races turned more and more away from the elves and wars broke out between them, some of the elves begun to live at their up to then only part time ecampment on a permanent base. Adopting what they had seen from other races and things they vaguely remembered from their own past some trading posts were established in this way. Usually only one to three families lived there. After the reunification with the Cenath the majority of them could be convinced to give a permanent settlement a try and the biggest tradingpost became the settlement Ab'Dendriel. Some families refused to join their brethren and continued to wander the world, only visiting the city now and then, each vistit convincing them more that they have only little in common with the Deraisim anymore. So they begun to see themselves as Abdaisim and continued to be the nomads and restless wanderers of elvenkind."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Elves_II": "Puldraks wisdom about elves Pt. 2\nThe Kuridai took refuge in a volcanic area, inhabited by vile monsters and ravaged by the eruptions of the mountains. Stripped of almost any possesions, they hid in the caves and learned to become very secretive. They had to work very hard, had to fight for almost any goods with nature and ferocious beasts. Most beasts that could live in such livethreatening circumstances were that powerfull that direct attacks proved to be futile. So the elves begun to develop a more devious way to fight, with assaults, traps and hit and run tactics. After over hundred years they had enough resources to leave the burning lands and adopted their way of live to their new enviroment. So they became the secretive people under the hills. They were fierce fighters whenever their new home was threatened. Some hundred years they fought off all intruders until their explorers made contact with the other remaining elven casts. Under the growing pressure of the more and more powerful waves of orcish attacks they left their homes to join forces with the other elves in an uneasy alliance.\nTheir apperance had changed to a even more slender Version of the normal elves. Their skin is very pale, their hair pure white or pitch black. The younger members of that cast often color strands of their hair in unusual clors like red, blue or purple. Red, albinotic eyes are common, but in general all kinds of eyecolors are existent."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Minotaurs_II": "Puldraks wisdom about minotaurs Pt. 2\nThe only minotaurs reaching old age in these times of war were those who were born with physical disabilities or who were crippled but not killed in battle. This class of minotaurs was the only one who could live long enough to learn skills not directly connected to war. Since they were almost always the only ones who could gather enough experience and wisdom to create new ideas and concepts, the younger warriors begun to look at them as parents and advisors. Slowly these elders were able to change the war culture of the minotaurs. One charismatic minotaur in particular, Akkor, who was born blind, became the founder of the new minotaurian philosophy. He shunned the rage as a curse of the god Blog. Consequently, the minotaurian religion, which due to the extremity of martyrdom and rage never had a real chance to develop, turned away from the raging one. Slowly new concepts were adopted and great efforts were undertaken to hold the rage at bay. Meditation and self-control became the foremost duties of any warrior. The minotaurian ideal turned towards role models who were in control of body and mind. Since fiery rage was in minotaurian nature, young minotaurs were trained from early on to control themselves. It was through meditation that the minotaurs developed art and soon philosophy. Complicated ceremonies for usually simple things of daily life were developed to focus the mind, to be aware of each second of life."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Minotaurs_I": "Puldraks wisdom about minotaurs Pt. 1\nMinotaur society rejects the raging of Blog. In the past, the berserker rage of the minotaurs was feared by all their enemies. But this rage had cost more than one life and some of the most promising warriors died young on the battlefields. Heavy casualties caused their numbers to decrease dramatically. The minotaurs withdrew from the wars, but in a world gone mad, skirmishes with other races were part of their daily routine. The demise of the whole race continued. As the minotaur race became nearly extinct in the fights, they found refuge in caves, adopting a lifestyle much like their ancient enemies the dwarfs."}, {"Activity_in_the_Underworld": "There has been recent activity in the local underworld. Nothing close to the usual power struggles but something far more sinister. Old faces are vanishing and new ones are showing up. Old contacts go silent and are either found dead or disappear. Others are in fear. It is hard to peek into the new darkness that enshrouds the crime world. Whatever is happening, it is happening fast and is masterfully executed. There is strong evidence that magic is at work, but certainly no magic your average mage for hire could supply. Experts from the mage gild are in awe of the evidence we have provided. They are sure that this is not guild-sanctioned magic, neither of the sorcerers' nor the druids' guild. And according to them, it is far more refined and powerful than anything some shaman or witch doctor could do. The few people we could interrogate seem to know nothing. They are afraid and confused and receive their orders from a newly established line of command, which we could not follow up very far yet. Strangely enough, crime rates have dropped significantly. But who would actively wrest control from the underworld and then not use it in a meaningful way? This leads to the disturbing conclusion that the recent events aim at something significantly bigger and far more dangerous. We have raised security measures significantly in all areas. We are also trying to re-establish our informant network and get some insight into what is happening at all. I strongly recommend spending more resources into the investigation of this matter and even more into new security measurements, especially in the field of magic."}, {"Death_and_Recreation": "Though those of powers know it and try to hide it, it is known that the end of the world is near. The world has grown more and more chaotic, whereas the fires of lives are waning. The world itself has become old and weary and we will soon begin to feel its death throes. The end is a natural and inevitable thing and those who work to prevent it, work against the natural order. The world has died before and will die again in the future. But each time, out of chaos and destruction it is born anew. This is the way of things. This is how it has to be. Yet, there are forces at work that cling to their power and status. They work to stall the inevitable for their own personal gain and thus, risk breaking the cycle of death and recreation. This is the time for the noble ones to rise to further the end. The few chosen will be there to help the birth of a new world. Know that each world reborn is a better version of the old. This is the way of things and this may not be stopped or tampered with. The chosen who embrace the end and help to bring forth the new world will become exalted amongst all creatures. Those who will carry the burden of birth helpers will carry the mantle of godhood in the world that is to come. Each of them will be rewarded with a status that is appropriate for the effort they put into their fight for rebirth. Those who oppose them will be denied a place in the next world and their essence will dissolve, screaming in the abyss of nothingness. Open your eyes and see the heralds of the end. Follow them and further their work to earn your place. Do not hesitate or falter. For only the dedicated will become the mightiest of gods in the world that is to come. There will be seers, blessed with insights in the needs of the world. Follow their words and orders and you are on your way into the world that is promised. Destruction is inevitable. Embrace it, cast away your fear and lust for worldly possession since fear is futile as worldly things that will be annihilated soon."}, {"Lost_Key": "This was a bad day!\nI lost my key to the crypts below while I was fishing in the port. This is especially bad because those trolls hid my precious trumpet somewhere down there."}, {"The_Hidden_Lord": "The hidden lord is the guiding hand that leads humanity to its destiny. Whereas the gods hold back humanity from reaching their full potential, the hidden lord wants us to prosper and rightfully take our place to rule the world. For too long have we suffered under the claws and teeth of monstrous beings. Given the strength and number of humans, it is obvious that no one could stand against humanity's might. Yet, there they are: the green-skinned, the horned, the one-eyed and all the others. These beasts are only relics of a time gone by but the gods allow them to live on a whim. They care little that humanity suffers under them. How many times will our cities burn and our people be slaughtered until humanity understands that we mean little to the vain gods? The hidden lord has patiently watched the games of the lesser gods and he has given them every chance to see their error. But no longer. The hidden lord will rise and cast down the gods and lead humanity to its destined greatness. He is the one true god and the only one worthy to be worshipped. The imposter gods just took over a world that was perfect and built to be shaped for the arrival of the humans so they would inherit the world as the true god had wished. Instead, the imposter gods used the lesser races that were meant to be the gardeners, miners and workers for humanity and corrupted them into vile beasts that ravaged and destroyed the world. An heirloom for humanity that was never intended for those false gods. The hidden lord, aware of his power, just let them be. In his nearly unending patience, he gave them every chance to turn back and regret their mistakes. But even his patience will come to an end. And the time is near. He will elevate humanity, the crown of creation, to its rightful state. Those humans who were wise enough to see through the deceptions of the deceivers will become his lords and kings in the new world that he is going to shape. He will bless them with his power and wisdom and they will lead humanity into the age of destiny. They will rule and judge in his stead. When the hidden lord will drop his cover, the imposter gods will tremble, the false priests will be smitten and the traitorous rulers will drown in their own blood."}, {"Theatre_Script": "Knight Brave: At last we meet face-to-face!\nDoctor Darkness: Too late, puny knight. You can't stop my master plan anymore!\n1st Knave: Watch out! It's a trap!\nKnight Brave: Don't quail, my faithful follower! We have mastered worse obstacles to get here!\nDoctor Darkness: Haha! You may not fear for your own life, but how about hers!?\n2nd Knave: Oh no! Look! It's Princess Buttercup! He's holding her hostage!\nDoctor Darkness: Indeed I do! Wouldn't it be a pity for such a beautiful young lady to die so tragically?\nPrincess Buttercup: Don't care about me! Save the world!\nDoctor Darkness: Keep quiet! Else your hair will make the acquaintance of these scissors!\nAll: You're such a monster!\nDoctor Darkness: Hahaha! Now drop your weapons or else...\n1st Knave: Never!\n2nd Knave: But what about the princess?\nKnight Brave: Trust me, my loyal minions. Drop your weapons.\nDoctor Darkness: At last! The brave Knight Brave in my hands! Your death is near!\nKnight Brave: Not that fast, Doctor Dumbness!\nDoctor Darkness: How dare you? Are you mad? I hold the princess hostage and you drop your weapons. You're all lost!\nKnight Brave: I don't think so, dear doctor!\n1st Knave: What's this? Behind the doctor?\n2nd Knave: Look! It's Lucky, the wonder dog!\nLucky: Woof! Woof!\nDoctor Darkness: Noooooo!\nKnight Brave: Get him, boy!\nLucky: Grrr!\nDoctor Darkness: Ahhhhhh!\nAll: Hooray!\nKnight Brave: Lucky, once again you saved the day!\nLucky: Woof!"}, {"About_Lord_Lokhem": "Lord Lokhem the pious was a good man. In his youth he aimed to become a priest of Banor but later decided he could serve his god better as a knight. He put high standards towards others and even higher standards for himself. Almost no one found his approval. There was always some taint or fault that appalled him in human beings. all the more, however, he was appalled by himself. Whereas in others he could only assume the faults and sins, in himself he was well aware of them. His own anger, envy and greed disgusted him to no end. He felt a great evil was growing deep inside of himself. He studied the teachings of the gods and being unable to find a solution he relied on more and more dubious texts and books. Eventually, drawing from elements of different fragmented texts he devised a ritual that would ultimately cleanse him. By this ritual he planned to cast out his malignant side and destroy it once and for all. The preparations took several years and used up all of his fortune. Eventually he was ready and prepared. On the top of a mountain he scribbled ancient symbols, sung in forgotten languages and consumed elixirs of unspeakable ingredients. Three times three days he endured. In the ninth night at midnight a storm engulfed the mountaintop, without touching it. Amidst darkness and lightning from the ashes of the ritual fires a grotesque creature arose. Lord Lokhems evilness had manifested. Yet to his utter horror it was by far more huge and powerful than the puny remnants of his goodness, in a body that was exhausted by the ritual. His evil mocked him, claiming that this outcome had been its plan all along, to finally be set free. Lokhem valiantly tried to fight back by his dark self only toyed with him. Bleeding from countless wounds Lord Lokhem fell to the ground, powerless. He was still alive when he evil claimed his face for himself. Then it mercilessly slew the good side. It left to lead a life of corruption, spreading mayhem where it went. It is said that Lord Lokhems evil side, driven by memories of his research, was searching a secret library that was rumoured to contain vast knowledge. There he planned to find the spell that would free all the evil in humanity at once and give it substance. But he was overwhelmed by the guardians of the library and met his end by their hands. To honor his accomplishment to find them, the guardians granted him a proper burial."}, {"Reliable_Mercenaries": "Dear Gesnar!\nThe minos are reliable mercanaries. Your advice to hire them proves right. My treasures are well guarded now. Last but not least I have enforced the treasure doors by magic.\nAlawar, Warlock of Senja"}, {"They_Are_Coming": "<the text seems to be a mostly ruined diary of some sort, found on the body of a dead monk. Most passages make no sense at all to you>\n... abbot still clueless about my ...\n...\nAfter all those perils and puzzles I have located the throne of darkness at last. I will lead ...\n...\n... crypts and monsters ... found one of the caged demons that seem to be leached as a powersupply of some sort ...\n...\n... switches on the end of the scorpion path and the lair of the wicked web ...\n... died but I could make it to the throne. My wards are holding the howling ghosts and spectres at bay for now and I prepare to unleash the powers of the throne ...\n...\n... still impossible! My wards are fading and the ancient spirits feel that they will soon claim another victory. I failed the brotherhood and will soon join the howling hords in their eternal torment and madness. ...\n...\nhas stopped. I KNOW they are coming after me now. I can see the flickering of the shadows as they aproach. THEY ARE COMING"}, {"Master_the_Snakes": "Play a flute to master the snakes."}, {"Impassable_Grass": "<you recognize a torn diary of some sort>\n... Now I have the information I needed so much. It cost me a fortune, but my \nlove is with it. The evil Minz hid my beloved Caramellia in a tower in the femur\nhills, I will travel ...\n... almost killed me but i made it to the tower. Sadly the druid enchanted the \narea with some nature-magic and the grass is almost impassable ...\n... met a wandering elf and bought a machete. Now I will be able ...\n... not possible! I am not trained enough to cut the fast growing grass away \nquick enough to clear a path to the tower ...\n... will hide for the night in a nearby cave I have spotted this morning while \npassing by and will tomorrow travel to the town to improve my grass-cutting-skill.\nI am sure if I am more familiar with that I will make it!"}, {"True_Love_Never_Dies": "Dear Caramelia,\nwhatever may happen, my heart will be yours and with you forever. And in the darkest of all hours remember one thing:\nTrue love never dies!\nYour Winfred"}, {"Famous_Inhabitants_of_Darashia_I": "PAGE 1\nFamous inhabitants of Darashia\n<You have found this very old book that seems out of place among the other books.\nAs you leaf through the yellowed pages you see the description of a person on each left side and the painted portrait of this person on the right side. One person catches your attention. Not only does he have an inappropriate title, also his appearance is strange - on the one hand, he looks friendly, almost funny - on the other hand, his eyes seem to look directly into your soul. Eye-catching is the amulet he is wearing. You read the following and feel very uncomfortable with the portrait staring at you. You tear out those two pages and take them with you after having made sure nobody is watching you.>"}, {"Famous_Inhabitants_of_Darashia_II": "PAGE 2\nLord Koshei the Curious\n-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-\nDate of birth: unknown\nAge: unknown\nHometown: unknown\nDate of death: unknown\nThere are not many things known about this man. He appeared out of nowhere and lived here for nearly ten years. Even though he was communicative, he never told anything about his profession or what he did for a living. First he lived in Darashia 2, Flat 11 for about two years. During that time he was roaming around, travelling the lands of Darama and often visiting the Bath of Dreams and the minotaur pyramid in the North.\nThen it was discovered that he had built a tower south of the mountains. It is unexplained how he managed to do that because no one has been seen to help him. Anyway, the remains of his tower are still there. ..."}, {"Famous_Inhabitants_of_Darashia_III": "PAGE 3\n...He often paid Drefia a visit which was a blooming haven during this time. Rumour has it that he has something to do with it turning into an undead city. These rumours are mainly based on his interest in the pyramid to the north, which is known to have been created by the bonelord race. Needless to say that these creatures are also linked with the appearance of undead creatures.\nHis interceders say that he was always a man of belief that never had anything evil in mind. He was often seen in the crypta of Darashia to pray to the gods.\nAs quickly as he had come, as quickly he disappeared and was never seen again."}, {"Flora_and_Fauna_of_Darama": "Flora and Fauna of Darama"}, {"Hunting_Sandworms": "About Hunting Sandworms"}, {"Last_Creep_Standing": "The events starts each 4 hours. You will get an information 15 minutes in advance.\nWhen the event starts, all participants will be teleported into the challenge area.\nUse your wand of tricks while standing on the white ground floor. You should do this immediately after your teleport.\nYou will be turned into a certain animal and only have a few seconds to reach the corresponding teleporter.\nIf you do not manage to reach the teleporter, you have lost your chance on that occasion and are out.\nIf you have managed to reach the safety of a room, you will be teleported back to the central chamber where the procedure begins anew.\nThe next cycle works the same but will grant you less time to reach safety.\nThis will continue for a given time.\nIn the end, at least one participant has to reach safety.\nIf no participant is left before the event ends, the event fails.\nA world needs a certain amount of successful events in order to succeed.\nAvoid slimes as they will slow you down.\nTake notice of the changing floor tiles which will change your movement rate drastically."}, {"Tales of 111 Mystic Nights": "Tales of 111 Mystic Nights"}, {"The_Godbreaker": "The Godbreaker\nThough the only sources of information about this artifact are the confessions of demons who were tortured by power-hungry demonologists, the number of different and independent sources alone grant them some kind of validity. The godbreaker seems to be some kind of myth amongst demon kind, forbidden lore even to them only to be breathed under the threat of death. It may very well be that the whole story is a lie told to demons to raise their morale, as there is no hint whatsoever to give the stories some form of cogency. The godbreaker, according to demon legends, was created at the dawn of time. It may have been a weapon used by Zathroth to kill Tibiasula, but most sources claim it was created much later, in the most heated phase of the godwars by Zathroth's own raging son, to kill his godly opponents once and for all; but then it was taken away by Zathroth and imbued with incredible enchantments and magics, never dared to be used before or later. It is said that Zathroth himself was amazed and scared by the outcome: a weapon so dreadful that even a god could not look upon it for a longer time. Zathroth ultimately deemed the weapon too strong, particularly fearing that his other half, Uman, might get hold of it and take revenge for the murder of Tibiasula. So Zathroth broke the weapon into numerous parts (most stories claim seven, others name three, four or even thirteen parts). He hid the parts at places so remote and so dangerous they never could be reclaimed by someone other than him. Should the forces of darkness ever have to fear defeat at the hands of their opponents, Zathroth would reforge the godbreaker and vanquish his enemies. Sometimes it is said he entrusted the Ruthless Seven with guarding the parts.\nSome stories even go so far to tell that Zathroth used the broken parts to create the Ruthless Seven with them, and that their unified power might be enough to kill a god."}, {"Theory_of_Ascension_I": "Theory Of Ascension I\nThe idea of ascension is not one that originated from mankind. Throughout the ages many races have toyed with the idea of ascension, for a number of reasons and with different levels of success. While many human cults argue that it is Banor's godly spark which is in all of humanity that is the key to ascension, the pre-human ascension attempts prove otherwise. Though it may be argued that this godly spark, if it exists at all, might help in an ascension process, it is, depending on the intended course of ascension, no required element. It seems that initial godly energies are inherent to all elements of creation and, as such, could be extracted and concentrated. If such a godly spark in humanity would give humans a head start in ascension, there would have to be more ascended humans than members of other races; but as it is next to impossible to classify or identify an ascended being this is still up for debate. For instance, it can't be verified if the so-called gods of the elves truly exist and if they do, whether they truly were living beings once. It becomes even more obscure in the case of vanished races or those hostile to humanity, where little verifiable information is available.\nAnother fact complicating the matter is that as numerous as the paths to ascension are, as numerous are the results. As far as humanity can tell, the major gods have been around since the time of creation. There were no additions to their ranks at all. This would leave ascendant beings with only little spheres of influence and question their success altogether. But as we are not familiar with the structure of ascendant beings in general, it is hard to make a qualified statement about their doings at all. As we don't feel the hand of the accepted gods in our daily lives, it might be possible that this is even truer for ascendant beings, and their influence might be extremely subtle. In addition, it is hard to tell if ascension something that immediately sets in. It is entirely possible that ascension makes it necessary to accustom to a new existence and to only gradually tap into the acquired powers. So all we have to work with are claims of ascension or apocryphal texts that might hint at one. Unless we find means to verify an ascended status, it is futile to concentrate any scientific research on this topic. All we can do is to look into the theories and means to achieve an assumed ascension. It is universally agreed in any ascension theory encountered that the most integral (yet not necessarily the first) step is the acquirement of enormous amounts of energy. What kind of energy is needed is already up to debate. Most theories base on the belief that it is a spiritual energy which has to be acquired. How it could be gathered and contained is of course nothing different schools can agree upon. Regardless of this fact, the amount of energy itself has to be enormous.\nThough it doesn't seem to be based on any real data, many ascensionists agree upon the fact that not everyone can ascend, but the individual has to be 'awakened'. This universal term has a variety of meanings in the different theories, however. Usually it is connected to some magic ability, where chances of success relate to the raw magic power someone commands. This implies that great mages are the most likely to succeed in ascension."}, {"Theory_of_Ascension_II": "Theory Of Ascension II\nAnother school of thought introduced the interesting concept that an ascended being must have some sort of anchor in the material world. Following this theory, an ascended being would enter a new kind of existence so different from what it experienced in life that at first, it would be extremely disoriented and confused, drifting through a sphere of gods and losing contact to creation in the limitless realm, before regaining its senses. However, as with all parts of ascension theories, the structure of such an anchor is hotly debated. Many see the beliefs of people as some sort of anchor, additionally providing some source of constant energy. Some go so far as to postulate that even the gods of creation might need such an anchor, lest they'd drift literally into obscurity. Others claim that the gods are bound to their creation and the part that they incorporate and do not need of other anchors, reasoning that in the beginning there was no one who could have believed in them to begin with. Though many texts assume a quite a rather fast, violent and critical process, others see this kind of transcendence as a gradual process which requires a lot of time but happens in a more natural way. If truly some of the bygone races managed ascension, the lack or loss of their anchor might explain their apparent absence from the affairs of modern mankind.\nAnother part, many of the schools agree upon, is the initial breakthrough. It is assumed that an ascending being has to somehow breach the walls that separate the world of the living from the realm of the gods. Sometimes this act is compared to a bird, hatching from an egg.\nWith the three parts in place we have a rough concept of ascension: the energy, the anchor and the transcendence.\nQuite a lot of the recorded attempts of ascension followed this basic concept. Though most seem to be based on a religion forming around the ascensionist, this might only seem to be so because such incidents are better recorded and more obvious.\nThe few recorded attempts of ascension seem to suggest that the ascensionist, shortly before starting the process, is at the height of his worldly power. At a given point of ascension those beings (who met some form of success) are beyond the powers available to man. Walking gods in their own right, they are no longer fully part of creation and seem less bound to its laws. In the process of transcendence, the entity is extremely powerful but not fully aware of its potential and partly distracted by the ascension itself. This is the moment when the process is in its most fragile state. It is at that stage when most attempts fail, sometimes with catastrophic consequences, depending on the chosen means of ascending.\nThough no successful ascension has been verified by science, it is strongly assumed that some ascensionists met with success. Considering that the outcome is likely to be affected by the means of achieving ascension, it is probably only a matter of time until a rather violent and active new god emerges who shuns the subtlety of his predecessors."}, {"Lion's_Rock_Three_Tests": "\"Still it is hard to believe that I finally found the mystical rock formations near Darashia, known as Lion's Rock. According to ancient records there is a temple for an unknown, probably long forgotten deity, built in the tunnels deep below the rock centuries ago. This holy site was once guarded by mystical lions and they may still be down there. But yet I haven't succeeded in entering the inner sanctum. The entrance to the lower temple areas is protected by an old and powerful enchantment. I studied the inscriptions on the temple walls and thus learned that the key to the inner sanctum is the passing of three tests. The first test is the Lion's Strength. In order to honour the site's mystical cats of prey one has to hunt and slay a cobra. The cobra's tongue must be laid down at a stone statue as a sacrifice. The second test is the Lion's Beauty. One has to burn the petals of a lion's mane flower on a coal basin. In the sand at the rock's foot I saw some dried lion's mane petals. Maybe these flowers grow somewhere upwards. The third test is called the Lion's Tears. It seems one has to purify an ornamented stone pedestal with ...\" At this point the records end because the parchment is destroyed. It seems that is was torn by a big paw ..."}, {"Sand_Cave_Project": "### SAND CAVE PROJECT ###\nReport #1:\nexploration of rocks without result -- just some useless bones -- should go deeper into the cave -- persistency and patience are the key"}, {"Monsters_and_Foes_of_Dawnport_I": "MONSTERS AND FOES OF DAWNPORT I\nIntelligent monsters\nThe troll - Though intelligent in a limited way, usually trolls do not pose a major threat to our outpost, though they are scouting the outskirts of our grounds and attack passersby. They are able to create and use some basic equipment, and are tough to lesser weapons and unskilled fighters.\nThe orc - The green-skinned orc is intelligent and able to use weapons and armor. They are warriors of some power and very dangerous in greater numbers. Luckily enough, there are not many of their more skilled fighters around, like the berserker or warrior. Still, a handful of them is enough to get an adventurer into dire straits.\nThe goblin - sneaky and devious, goblins steal everything that is not nailed down. Though small and relatively easy to fight, they don't shirk from attacking humans when they feel superior in numbers. They normally stay in their hideouts underground, where they hoard their loot.\nThe minotaur - a dreaded beast and fearsome fighter, the minotaur is a formidable foe for a young adventurer. Particular caution should be exercised when going to their lair underground, as they have some skilled archers and even some mages that may kill you very, very quickly.\nOther beasts - It is certain that other beasts live in the dungeons of our isle. But they are not numerous enough to be recognised yet. If you encounter any unknown beast it is certainly dangerous and a potential lethal enemy. Don't underestimate them."}, {"Monsters_and_Foes_of_Dawnport_II": "MONSTERS AND FOES OF DAWNPORT II\nUnderground and undead beasts\nThe rotworm - A creature of decay that lives underground like its small cousin, the earthworm. Its toothed maw is a formidable weapon, and rotworms have torn more than one adventurer to pieces. A horde of them could kill anyone, so great caution is advised when encountering them.\nThe carrion worm - They seem to be no species of their own but indeed just older, bigger and meaner rotworms. They are usually accompanied by a host of smaller worms which makes them even more dangerous. Carrion worms have some sort of tusks that can easily penetrate a good armor.\nThe skeletons - Skeletons are living undead, rumoured to be the bodies of dead adventurers which have been revived by some evil power. Cropping up in packs and occasionally accompanied by other undead creatures like ghouls or mummies, they are quite nasty opponents, particularly because they are able to drain the life energy of their opponents.\nThe bat - Often encountered in caves and ruins, along with other creatures, sometimes undead. Being little stronger than a rat, bats are rather a nuisance than a threat to an experienced adventurer. Their attacks on humans mainly happen out of self-defence. Bats often form a large swarm which is slightly more dangerous to face than a single specimen. Bats can be found almost everywhere as long as there is some close-by dark place where they can breed and sleep.\nThe rat - Whether humans brought this pest with them on the isle or whether rats are indigenous to every dark place in Tibia is anyone's guess. However, rats on Dawnport normally prefer to live underground and are mostly harmless, tending to destroy food supplies in cellars. They can become dangerous in greater numbers, though, to any badly equipped adventurer they corner."}, {"Monsters_and_Foes_of_Dawnport_III": "MONSTERS AND FOES OF DAWNPORT III\nPoisonous beasts\nThe salamander - A common creature of the swamp and warm earth of the marshes, the salamander relies on stealth and a little poison to ward off attackers. Normally living on a diet of insects, it seems that here on Dawnport some salamanders have developed a taste for the rare dawnfire herb. Those salamanders have often been sighted in the company of trolls and it is supposed that the trolls keep them as a sort of pet, though to what reason, nobody knows yet. Though relatively harmless, the poison of the troll-trained salamanders is not to be underestimated and can seriously injure or kill inexperienced adventurers.\nThe wasp - fast and deadly to the inexperienced, wasps will follow their enemy for quite a while, and their speed makes them dangerous, even more so in high numbers. Their sting hurts and can poison you, so make sure to finish a wasp off quickly when you encounter it. They can be found in warm areas such as woodlands, jungles or deserts; and if there is a heat source, in underground stone caves.\nThe poison spider - Though only slightly tougher than an ordinary spider, this one can poison you. Try to avoid being bitten by one, as they usually live far from our base and you might not make it to our local healer in time."}, {"Monsters_and_Foes_of_Dawnport_IV": "MONSTERS AND FOES OF DAWNPORT IV\nCreatures of the meadows and marshes\nThe dawnfly - A close relative of the emerald damselfly found in the swamps of Venore, it is supposed the creature may have found its way over the seas to Dawnport and adapted to the isle. Like the damselfly, their diet consists of plant matter and smaller insects though they too attack passersby, supposedly to guard their territory. Their bite is slightly poisonous, but poses a threat only to the wounded or completely unprepared wanderer.\nThe woodling - The woodlings could be the missing link between the swamplings and the haunted treelings. Half plant and half animal and at least partially intelligent, treelings love to ambush their prey and make use of the surroundings to drive it into a corner. Looking deceptively tree-like, a woodling will make a grab at any human that passes; supposedly to spice up its diet of rotting leaves and plants with something more juicy. Woodlings can slow down their enemies and are quite tough, which is why any inexperienced adventurer would do well to know the way back to the outpost in a hurry if venturing down to the woody plains.\nThe Meadow strider - A giant bird that stalks the marshes and meadows, the meadow strider usually feeds on small insects and amphibians. Being very territorial but short-sighted, it will attack any supposed rival of its own size, which includes humans, and peck at them. Though they are nearly as tough as woodlings, there's good eating on a meadow strider, and they often contain swallowed gold coins and other useful stuff."}, {"Monsters_and_Foes_of_Dawnport_V": "MONSTERS AND FOES OF DAWNPORT V\nCreatures of the woods\nThe wolf - There are some loner wolves roaming this isle. Wolves are fast, tough and dangerous. Often they are the hunters and not the hunted. It is a good decision to engage them in combat only with decent equipment and to fight a wolf one on one. If there's nothing else, you can always eat a hunch of wolf, and sell its fur.\nThe bear - Bears are hard to beat! Keep that in mind before challenging one. If you are inexperienced and don't have good equipment, retreat is the tactic of choice. Best kill bears in small hunting parties and use terrain to your advantage.\nThe deer - Deers are a fine supply for food and are non-agressive animals and try to flee on sight. It might be difficult to catch them and you might easily enter the territory of a local predator while chasing them.\nThe hare - Like deers, hares will flee upon sight and are an excellent source of food for any passing adventurer. They are a common sight in the meadows and forests of Tibia, though larger predators are never very far.\nThe squirrel - Swift and impish, squirrels will run from any human they see. Hunters avoid preying on squirrels, as there is a legend that says that the giant immortal Squirrels who ate nuts from Crunor's blessed tree take bloody revenge on each and every killer of their descendants. Squirrels are found in woody areas all over Tibia."}, {"Kazordoon,_the_Hidden_City": "Kazordoon, the hidden city\nIn the blocklike Mountain, known as the big old one, the hidden city of kazordoon is nestled. Its the last refuge of the ancient race of dwarves. Hidden and heavily fortified it was the last stand of dwarvenhood in the wars of creation and the last hope of that race to adapt to and survive the new ages. The famous giant statue, known as colossus guards its entry, alhough the narrow valley makes it difficult to see that fortress-statue and admire its beauty. Kazordoon is known for its safety and masterful smithery throughout the lands.\nSince some generations the dwarven city (whose ruler claims a title that might be translated as 'emperor') is allied with the thaian kingdom."}, {"Genesis_I": "Genesis I. The Awakening of the Gods\nIn the beginning there was only a big, gaping void. It was everywhere and nowhere.\nIn this emptiness two powerful entities appeared who were eventually known as the elder gods: Fardos the Creator and Uman Zathroth who combined in himself two unequal halves. One of these halves was Uman the Wise, a benign god who was gifted with divine intellect, while Zathroth the Destroyer was the other, darker half. These were the two halves of one single enigmatical entity, and even though either of them was perfectly capable of acting on his own just as if he had been fully independent, independent they were not. They were bound together by an eternal bond that could not be broken, and their destiny was one.\nNobody knows where the elder gods came from, or whether they had always existed and eventually awoke from the slumber of infinity. But somewhere along the way they decided to create a universe. Surely Fardos was the initiator, for he was driven by the need to create and give life. He was overflowing with creative power and impatient to release it, so he stepped into existence and began to unleash his powers. However, none of his attempts to create were successful. All of his creations were swallowed by the void before they were completed, and none survived.\nUman Zathroth regarded Fardos's undertakings thoughtfully. Uman was sagacious and held awesome magical powers. Most importantly, however, he was driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge and enlightenment. In his essence he resembled Fardos, but where Fardos worked openly and logically, Uman's domain was the realm of mystery. Still, he shared Fardos's interest in creation, whereas his dark half Zathroth was essentially corruptive. Zathroth was a vain god who was painfully aware that his own creative powers were poor. Because of this he looked at Fardos's work of creation with jealousy, and from the very beginning he was determined to prevent or at least corrupt it in any way he could. Fardos, who did not suspect this, asked him for assistance because he had accepted the fact that he could not achieve creation on his own, but of course Zathroth denied. Uman, however, agreed to help. And from that he and Fardos worked together on the great project that was creation.\nUnfortunately, their combined efforts were hardly more successful. Just like before, everything Fardos and Uman created was swallowed by the void as soon as it came into existence, and the two gods sadly saw their creation run through their fingers like water through a sieve. On the other hand, Zathroth, who had been watching their efforts with suspicion, rejoiced. He ridiculed their efforts. However, his glee changed into surprise and anger when he found that something strange happened, something which perhaps Uman and Fardos did not expect themselves. To this day, nobody knows precisely what it was that caused it. Perhaps the power that had been spent lured another entity out of the void, or it might be that it simply awoke another divine entity from its slumber. Some even claim that in some mysterious way the power that had been spent by Uman and Fardos actually created a new entity. Whatever the truth may be, a new goddess stepped out of the void like a new-born mermaid from her shell. The amazed elder gods watched her divine beauty in awed admiration, for everything in her was perfect harmony. They agreed to call her Tibiasula. Zathroth, however, stood by and fumed with silent hate. But cunning as he was, he hid his resentment well and feigned to share the joy of the other elder gods."}, {"Genesis_IV": "Genesis IV. The First Creatures\nZathroth watched the progress of creation with wrath and disgust. If he had had his way, he would have obliterated creation then and there. However, he knew that he lacked the power to do that, especially since Fardos and Uman were now well aware of his intentions and watched him carefully. He would have to resort to other means to bring ruin to creation. It was for this reason that he watched the concept of life with great interest, because he foresaw quite clearly that a lot of mischief could be done with it. Much as he loathed most of the gods that had been created, there was one who had caught his attention. Fafnar's base instincts and her destructive powers did not fail to impress him, and so a plan came to his mind. He flattered her with compliments and before long he succeeded in seducing her. Thus Brog the Raging Titan was conceived. An exceedingly ugly abomination that had only one eye in its huge head, Brog had inherited little of his father's cunning and none of his caution, yet he was strong and fierce, and his mother's furious heat burned wildly inside him.\nAs he grew up, Brog was pained by the fire burning inside him, until one day when it grew unbearable he summoned all his magical powers and released as much of the painful flame into the world as he could. The searing fire mixed with his rage, and from it rose Garsharak, the very first dragon, who later sired a whole race of intelligent, giant lizards, a race that would eventually bring terror and chaos into Tibia. Brog watched the terrible creature he had created rather accidentally, and he rejoiced when he saw just how fierce and powerful it was. Though he was rather stupid he, too, had the gift to create life, which in an act of vanity he next used to create the cyclopes in his own image.\nZathroth watched Brog's experiments with great interest. So far he had not held his son in high esteem, but here was something for which he himself admittedly had little talent for. Since he did not understand the laws of life himself he knew that Brog's gift could prove to be a great asset. He called his son to him and told him to go on with his experiments, urging him to create something more terrifying and destructive than cyclopes. Even though these giants were ferocious and strong, they were not quite as destructive as he wanted them to be. In fact, due to their love of mining and smithing the cyclopes were a creative rather than a destructive race. Worse, they were not propagating fast enough to make them a real threat to creation. For this reason Brog went on to create trolls and goblins, races that were weaker than the cyclopes, but propagated much faster. However, his undisputed masterpiece were the orcs, a race of fearsome, single-minded warriors who lived only to expand and conquer. Soon they had spread all over Tibia, and they were the scourge of all that was alive."}, {"The_Minotaurs_I": "The Minotaurs by Iregarn Pt. 1\nThe minotaurs claimed that they were once the marshals and favoured people of Blog, the raging one. In the wars over creation they were one of the most successful races. But as the war grew more and more fierce it were the wild and raging minotaurs that had to pay the worst blood toll. The berserker rage inherent to their race made them a formidable opponent but also very vulnerable.\nThough victorious in most battles, in the end the berserking warriors had to surrender to their wounds or were left crippled and executed and fed to Blogs lesser followers. Even worse, the raging minotaurs knew neither friend nor enemy. Brother slew brother, fathers slaughtered their sons in their rage. Then, one day a minotaur, named Tha'kull conquered his rage. He withdrew from battle and became a hermit. In his travels he met Akkor, the blind one. This minotaur was by fate not subjected to the rage inherent to the minotauren race and had aquired a tranquility and wisdom, unknown to his kind so far. Tha'Kull thaught the blind one how to improve his body and fortitude and Akkor in return teached the warrior how to improve his soul.\nHe looked upon the world and for the first time in aeons a minotaurean warrior saw the world without hatred. He saw the beauty in things, simple and complex. He saw the harmony in creation and the place the living had in it. He also saw the place that was meant to be taken by the sentient beings among the living. And he went back to his people to teach. Never a warrior of the minotaurs had neglected his rage and even though he was cautious the angry berserker warlords would not allow the words he spoke to be heard by their people."}, {"Intelligence_of_Orcs": "Orcs ARE intelligent. Though some dwarves mumble about a shared hivemind of the greenskins, there is no evidence for that. Orcs have speech and are capable to learn other humanoids language quite well ... if they want, what almost never is the case. They lack a written language though. Some of the more educated orcs use human letters to write down orcish texts. Its rumored that the orcs we encounter now and then are just barbarians of their own kind and that there is a more 'civilized' orcish culture somewhere. There are some clues that the orcs indeed had a written language, but the modern orcs is unable to read it as we are."}, {"Magic": "Magic\nThere are two kinds of spells: rune spells, and instant spells. Rune spells are cast on blank runes and some mana is used up in this process.\nThese can easily be carried around and store the specific spell. It can be used at any time, and only some require further investment of mana.\nInstant spells are cast in the heartbeat they are needed and take effect instantly. Some of these spells Instant Spells heal while others are agressive and some even have more astonishing effects, such as invisibility."}, {"Combat_Tactics": "Combat Tactics\nMost monsters are far more dangerous when you're attacked by more of them. Keep in mind that no more than two enemy attacks can be blocked at a time. Use this to your advantage and attack single monsters with help of other heroes. Don't get surrounded by monsters - that might be your death even if the monsters are not that powerful."}, {"The_Troll_Adventure": "As we traveled through the dungeon tunnels we came to a big cave. In the light of our torches we saw several eyes glowing in the darknes, then the trolls attacked, silent as usual. We imediately dropped our torches and raised our shields to block the first attack, then we counterattacked. Soon the floor was wet with blood, ours and theirs. They were verry skilled in blocking our blows and I am sure with inferior weapons we would have hacked on this beasts for an eternity."}, {"Tactics_for_Close-Ranged_Combat": "Tactics for close-ranged combat\n- Use the terrain to your advantage: always know the way to the nearest ropespot, and make sure you are not surrounded by enemies - that can be a death trap!\n- Use narrow passages to make sure not more than one enemy at a time can sneak up.\n- Avoid being close to more than two enemies at once if you can, because you can only block two at a time.\n- Be careful while chasing an enemy: you might run into his allies or other monsters.\n- Target the closest enemy, or you'll become confused and might not be able to defend yourself against other attacks.\n- Different enemies require different tactics. While some are best to be fought in an agressive combat mode to finish them off quickly, you might want to defend yourself more against others. Choosing between your combat modes also depends on your equipment - play your strengths!"}, {"Genesis_VII.I": "Genesis VII, ii. Tibia's Renewal\nThe humans have availed themselves well of this opportunity. Under the wise guidance of the Thaian kings, who were direct descendants of Banor, the race is living through a golden age. The arts and the sciences prosper, and many a thriving city has been founded. To be sure, the humans' expansion has met with fierce resistance, and in fact the dauntless heroes who still enter this world from the mysterious Portals of Souls are busy enough to fight the constant threat posed by all kinds of hostile creatures. But so far the peace has lasted, and under its protection the human race has finally asserted itself as the dominant species in Tibia. However, there are disquieting signs that this glorious era might slowly come to its end. For the old enemies have never been vanquished, and now it seems that they are growing increasingly restless. The fierce orcs are stirring once more, attacking human settlements and sometimes even major cities in vicious, well-coordinated attacks. The undead have again started to walk the land, striking fear into the hearts of the living. There are even disconcerting reports that the fearsome dragons who have lain dormant for centuries are again leaving their hidden lairs to prey. Worst of all, the humans, that curious race, have started bickering amongst themselves, and more than once tensions have led to armed conflicts. In the course of time, some humans even renounced the Thaian kings' rule and founded own cities and empires.\nIt may be that this is yet another one of Zathroth's wicked ploys. It is well known that his most diabolic minions, the gruesome demons, are lurking in the shadows, biding their time. Who knows - perhaps Tibia is on the brink of another cataclysmic war, and a new twilight will fall on the world. Fate alone knows what the future has in store for Tibia. Let us all hope and pray that the humans' unity will not break just when it is needed most."}, {"The_Age_of_Chaos_I.I": "V.i Part 1: The Age of Chaos\nUman looked with sadness at the damage his evil half had done to the creation Fardos and he had worked for so hard. He felt that Zathroth had finally gone too far. In his desperation he turned to Fardos for advice. Together, they decided that it would be best to sever the bond between Uman and Zathroth once and for all. They set about to this task with great energy, and their efforts soon enough appeared to be crowned with success. However, the weaker the bond between Uman and Zathroth became, the weaker Uman himself grew, and in the end they realised that the duality could not be separated without endangering Uman's very existence. At last the invocation was aborted. Uman had to accept the fact that the duality between Zathroth and himself could not be broken, and that their fate and indeed their very existence were intertwined for eternity.\nHowever, Uman's and Fardos's joint efforts did not remain entirely without consequence, for during the unsuccessful attempt to separate the double god a small part broke away from it. This tiny shard grew and expanded until it took shape and eventually became a sentient creature of its own. This was the hour Kirok the Mad was born. Owing to his peculiar ancestry this strange god has a twisted or, as some say, a schizophrenic nature. He inherited Uman's creative mind and his inquisitive nature, so that he eventually became the patron god of all those who follow the path of science and research. However, the one trait Kirok is really famous for is his twisted sense of humour. He adores bad taste and ingenious pranks, and this peculiar characteristic makes him the favourite of bards, jesters and of all other kinds of suspicious people.\nWhile Fardos and Uman were working hard on their spell, Zathroth's minions went on to lay waste to the elder gods' precious creation, and the devastation continued without pause. It seemed as though the whole world was doomed to perish. However, some of the lesser gods who were tired of just standing by while their beloved Tibia was ravaged. They decided to put up resistance against the reckless hordes. Bastesh the Mistress of the Sea created huge, mysterious creatures that were both elegant and fierce, and she populated her beloved ocean with them to make sure Zathroth's minions would never defile its pure waters. However, there was little she could do to help her cousins who lived on the dry land. Of all her creatures the only ones to survive on land were the dextrous and venomous snakes. Crunor and Nornur, too, created creatures to fight against Brog's and Zathroth's hordes: Crunor the Lord of the Trees created fierce wolves, while Nornur equipped his beloved spiders with deadly poison to make them more powerful."}, {"Plunderpurse_Affidavit": "This is written proof that Captain Plunderpurse gave away all the cursed gold to the little kiddies, bless his generous heart. No torture, extortion, cut off limbs, manipulation or embezzlement at all was involved in my testimony, I swear! And I am very thankful not to make the acquaintance of the Captain's pet sharks, lovely beasts though they are. Signed, Triomon Tangleweed, certifying notary."}, {"The_Age_of_Chaos_I.II": "V.i Part 2: The Age of Chaos\nHowever, for all their efforts, the gods could not create creatures that were a match for the ruthless, well-organised hordes that roamed the land. The wolves' hides and the spiders chitinous exoskeletons could not resist the steel of the orcish blades, and for every troll that was brought down by poison two others came to take his place. In the end gods' children withdrew to areas that were easy to defend: The wolves fled into the depths of the forests, while the spiders hid deep in caves. There they continued their fights, defending their realms against the onslaught of the superior enemy. These little pockets of resistance were the only sanctuaries in a world that sank deeper and deeper into chaos. And the worst was yet to come, for now the dragons felt the time had come to take what was theirs by right!\nFor centuries they had propagated and expanded in silence, largely unnoticed by all other creatures. But now that Garsharak, the very first and strongest of their race, sent them into the world they knew neither restraint nor mercy. The orcish armies were routed by the relentless flames of magical dragon fire, and soon that proud though barbaric race, who until then had not known the meaning of the word defeat, was driven into the shelter of subterranean settlements. Their allies, the mighty cyclopes, fared no better. Although they won a number of notable victories using their powerful weapons and armour, they, too, had to yield to the superior power of the dreaded dragons. They joined their former allies, the orcs, and their weak cousins, the trolls, in their subterranean exile. Their proud cities that had been built in the course of centuries were burnt down to the ground, and their renowned forges were lost forever.\nThus the dragons had taken over the rule of the land, but the war was by no means over. Their bitter enemies, cyclopes and orcs, resented what they felt was an imprisonment in the bowels of the earth, and they continued the fight from their subterranean hideouts. And in fact the dragons, who had already been weakened in the course of the previous battles, suffered serious losses. But now war also erupted among the former allies, as cyclopes and orcs competed for food and space in their subterranean abodes. And even though no side was strong enough to overcome the others the war went on with undiminished force, and all of the races suffered greatly in the epic struggle. The land was scattered with bodies, and while it seemed that life itself would be wiped from the face of Tibia the losses of all races that were involved daily grew in number. It was as if the living would drown in the bodies of the slain."}, {"The_Age_of_Chaos_II": "V. ii, The Age of Chaos\nThe elder gods watched as the cataclysmic battle went on. They felt no pity for those that were slain because they cared little for Zathroth's creatures, but they knew that something was missing, that somebody was needed to take care of the bodies and souls of those who ceased to live. They began to look for a solution, and finally Uman proposed that a new god should be created, a god who should see to it that the dead would be taken care of. They decided that earth, which in a way was the giver of life, should have a part in taking it back, and that Uman should be the newly created god's father. But alas! The elder gods were not as cautious as they should have been, and so Zathroth the Destroyer learnt about their plans all too soon. He was fascinated by the idea of death from the start, because he saw in it a new chance to bring further havoc and destruction into the world. Soon he had devised a vicious plan. He posed as his good half Uman to fool earth, and with it he sired another god: Urgith the Master of the Undead. This hideous deity was devoted to death just like the god Uman and Fardos had in mind, but he was not the benign guardian of the dead they had envisioned. Instead, Urgith was a cruel god who strove to infuse the bodies of the dead with unholy energy, dooming them to a state that was neither life nor death. Thus, the hour of Urgith's birth marked the beginning of undeath.\nSoon enough innumerable undead roamed the world. After all, Tibia was still covered by countless bodies of slain orcs, cyclopes and other creatures - the legacy of the many years of ceaseless war. These cadavers provided Urgith with the ideal recruitment pool, and he eagerly transformed all carcasses he could lay his hands into his gruesome servants. The gods watched in horror as a new scourge ravaged their beloved creation. They hurried to finally put their own initial plan into practice, and Uman united with earth in order to sire Toth the Warden of the Souls. It was to be his mission to safely guide the souls of the dead to the otherworld, where they would safely rest in the peace of an eternal dreamless slumber, while the worms, his faithful servants, swarmed out to devour their bodies that scattered the face of Tibia. But the damage had been done, and even though Toth and his servants did the best they could Urgith's ghastly creations continued to roam the land. All the other creatures, who were already greatly weakened by their endless wars, could put up little resistance to the new enemy who increased in strength with every loss they suffered. It looked as if Tibia was forever doomed to be a world that was inhabited by the living dead.\nThe elder gods looked at what had happened to their world, and their hearts filled with sorrow and resentment. They knew that if they did not act now Tibia would be destined to become a grave, and so they started looking for a solution. Eventually they agreed to try to create a sentient race of their own, a race that would be strong enough to take up the fight against the hordes that ravaged their beloved world. And so they created a race and sent it into Tibia. But alas! Urgith's minions were too strong. Their race was defeated within a generation, and it was wiped from the face of Tibia. So Uman and Fardos created race after race, and race after race was overwhelmed by the vicious abominations that Urgith had released into the world. Most of these races disappeared from the face of Tibia forever, leaving little but melancholy legends and mysterious ruins. Today, this sad era which is commonly known as the Corpse War is largely shrouded in mystery, and the unfortunate races that were destroyed in it are now referred to as the ancients."}, {"My_Travels": "My travels.\nAs the orcs approached I've hidden myself in the bushes near the lake. I did hardly dare to breath as they met only some inches from my nose. I thought my wild beating heart might betray me to this murderous beasts. I overheared the greenskined brutes. 'charach' (or so) one said and the other responded the same way, then they began to chat in their strange language, certainly talking about some gruesome plot against mankind. Talking they wandered away and after they vanished from my view I quickly got up and headed to Thais as fast as I could."}, {"You_Cannot_Even_Imagine": "You can not even imagine how old I am. In your wildest dreams you won't see the things I have seen. I am the last of my race and even though I am several centuries old I am not immortal and will eventually die. I fear that day. Not for me - I am weary and I don't care much about if I'm alive or dead. But I fear for all these memories that will die with me. For all those who no one will remember anymore.\nWords can't truly preserve their essence so I will leave no books or stone tablets. If I die, everything I have witnessed will die with me as if it has never existed. I was there when Rorak slew Tingil at the stairs of the seven temples. I was there as Riik led his peaceloving people to the far north to find refuge from the war. I was there to witness the betrayal of Asric for the whims of a female that was long dead by then. I fought with the last Frdai a futile battle on the plains of Weskurt against the unseen legion. I witnessed Ss'rar making his move on ascension to become the serpent god. I watched the first elves struggling to form a nation with the help of the lightbearers. It was me who assisted the great calculator to assemble the bonelords language. And you come here to this mountain and ask me how to win the heart of some shepherdess? This world has become a ridiculous mockery."}, {"Personal_Log_Book_of_Mr_Morris": "Personal log book of Mr Morris. (The following lines are written in a code that you cannot make out. It seems Mr Morris is a very distrustful person.)"}, {"The_Dreamfortresses_Fragmented": "The .........\nSome of he ancients formed .......amlands. They build mighty fortresses to ........................, conscious or not. It was then, when the mysteri............... and his anger shook the foundation of .....................................awakened screaming in fear and pain. And after the ................................................................................ were gone! All of them with all ..........................................................ost their best men in theese days and never recovered from the ........................................... for the other ancients and so the time of the first dreammasters ended.\nFrom this time on ............. manipulate little of the matter of the dreamlands to ................................................. others in their .................... and prophecy, but not to .........."}, {"Strange_Language": "(It is covered with a strange language that you cannot make out.)"}, {"Cooking_Recipes_for_the_Wildlife": "Cooking Recipes for the Wildlife (excepting Squirrels!), by Richard"}, {"The_Age_of_Chaos_III": "V. iii, The Age of Chaos\nHowever, not all of the ancients were eradicated in the fierce struggle. At least two of the races created by the elder gods in the course of this epic struggle somehow managed to escape destruction and to survive until today. One of them was the elves, delicate creatures who could handle bows and musical instruments with equal skill. The other was the dwarfs, a stout race of gifted miners and smiths. Both of these races fought bravely, but both of them had to yield to the vicious power of their enemies, and it was only by fleeing into safe places of refuge that they managed to survive. The elves after many hardships sought shelter in the unfathomable depths of the forests, while the dwarfs barricaded themselves in their impenetrable fortresses deep in Tibia's mountains. There, these races waited for better times, bitterly deploring the cruel fate that had sent them into this dreadful world. But at least they had survived. All the other ancient races were seemingly sentenced to oblivion, although it is occasionally claimed that there are other survivors.\nFor all their strength, these races had one important flaw in common: They lacked flexibility. And this proved to be fatal in the war against the relentless enemy they were facing. Those who were not annihilated succumbed to Zathroth's temptations. More than one of the ancients fell for Zathroth's cunning promises of power and knowledge, and legend has it that the wrathful elder gods brutally punished many of them for their treachery. There is even a persistent theory that some of these ancients later on were formed by the devious Zathroth into the very first demons. Be that as it may, all the ancients failed to live up to their creators' expectations: One by one they were overwhelmed by the enemy, and still the hordes walked the world. But the elder gods had learnt from their mistakes. Their next creation was to be well suited for the task. And they called them the humans."}, {"Thoughts_and_Notations_on_the_Noble_Craft_of_Potion-Making": "Thoughts and Notations on the Noble Craft of Potion-Making, by Grandsieur Haruvan of Drefia (the way of writing and the pages look very, very old)\nThe Gods gave their gifts freely, but bestowed them not on all creatures alike. Some ancient creatures were possessed of a far-reaching will to conquer and subdue all others through their thoughts alone, while the newer beings could weave magic in defense or had strength and swiftness to defend and escape the wiles laid out to ensnare them. Some animals and plants, simple though they may seem to us, yet are deadly poisonous in order to ward off their hunter.\nBut only the more intelligent beings - and of those, only a select few - possess the art of making powerful concoctions that enhance their faculties.\nThe humble woodman or wanderer will never be able to fulfil the complex rites, or even grasp the concept, of the trimagical umbralistic principle of the equinox formula that is crucial to the craft of magical potions.\nBut still, they can drink, and appreciate, the brews we make to keep a warrior's body alive in a fight, the mage's mana when drained, the paladin's spirit when they need to gather holy force. ... (you lose interest and close the book)"}, {"The_Corpse_War": "...\nThe elder gods looked at what had happened to their world, and their hearts filled with sorrow and resentment. They knew that if they did not act now Tibia would be destined to become a grave, and so they started looking for a solution. Eventually they agreed to try to create a sentient race of their own, a race that would be strong enough to take up the fight against the hordes that ravaged their beloved world. And so they created a race and sent it into Tibia. But alas! Urgith's minions were too strong. Their race was defeated within a generation, and it was wiped from the face of Tibia. So Uman and Fardos created race after race, and race after race was overwhelmed by the vicious abominations that Urgith had released into the world. Most of these races disappeared from the face of Tibia forever, leaving little but melancholy legends and mysterious ruins. Today, this sad era which is commonly known as the Corpse War is largely shrouded in mystery, and the unfortunate races that were destroyed in it are now referred to as the Ancients.\n..."}, {"Hiding_the_Amulet": "(You can barely read the following words on this soiled piece of paper)\n... growing weaker by the minute. I should have... bad feeling about this!\nThe cyclops ...\n... too many of them. No help. I must...\n... hid the ancient amulet beneath the sand, before ...should have listened to ...\nMust hide... paper, hope an adventurer will...\n... amulet will be washed ashore if not found...\nTo any adventurer friend: ... shovel... beach...\n.. dig there. ... take it to Morris, maybe he ... decipher the engravings.\nSigned\nDormovo the Impetuous"}, {"Famous_Necromants": "Famous Necromants by Muriel."}, {"Fools_from_Beyond": "Fools From Beyond\nMany of the dead leave some kind of unfinished business behind. Some of them manage to stay in the world of the living as some form of ghost or undead, but most of them simply move on to the afterlife. But even there, some of them simply don't give up. And as there is little in the world as persistent and diligent as a bad entertainer, many of them stay at the border between the two realms and contemplate their ill fates. They mourn the fame they never acquired and which they feel was unjustly stolen from them. They partner with similar minded individuals and complain to each other how cruel the world has treated them. Of course none of them is actually listening to each other because they are too absorbed with their own misery. So they grow louder and louder and over the course of time, their monologues are heard everywhere in the plain of death.\nSadly, one of the things even more persistent and diligent as a bad entertainer is a whole bunch of them. In the end, they grow that loud and annoying that the guardians of the gates of death themselves lose their patience. So once a year they throw the annoying fools out and banish them to the realm of the living, knowing that they would not stay there for long given their annoying nature.\nSo once a year hordes of undead jesters raid the cities where they once were seeking fame and glory. As undead, they try to terrorise the living, however, as they are even worse as undead than they are as entertainers they pose only a minor threat. Usually they find themselves back in the afterworld quite soon, and for another year, they dream of greatness that was never theirs."}, {"The_Network_of_the_Shapers": "The network of the Shapers was a marvel of magical science. It is certain though that it was completely useless to anyone lacking the magic senses the Astral Shapers possessed. This network seems to have been some kind of communication device and knowledge storage. Almost like a library, the Shapers had access to it as long as they were close enough to certain transmitting towers. At the height of the Shapers' power those towers must have dotted the whole world. The Shapers became not only highly dependent on this network but also highly addicted to it. Even more, most of their communication was handled via this network. When it was destroyed, the single Shaper was overwhelmed by loneliness and lack of information. Moreover, they had lost the ability to teach younger generations without using their network. It was reported that some Shapers that found refuge by other non-hostile races became passive and depressed, sometimes they even refused to drink or to eat. This explains the swift vanishing of the race. When something that had been an integral part of their culture all of a sudden no longer existed, they were unable to cope with the changed circumstances."}, {"Misleading_Myths": "Misleading Myths\nThe veiled hoard of Zathroth is obviously only a myth. Ancient sages used it as an allegory to a certain state of mind. To reach the hoard is to unify the greatest and most complex secrets of the world. It means to understand them in such a natural way they can be weaved into a universal pattern that allows understanding the inner workings of the world. This would be an amount of knowledge that could only be called 'godly'. Of course no mortal being could reach such a level of understanding. The followers of this path strife for it nonetheless. This knowledge is by definition only limited, a mere stepping stone to the next level of understanding on a never ending staircase. The assumption that a hoard would actually need a physical representation of knowledge on the other hand, seems rather blasphemous. Why would a god need books and why would a god of secret knowledge risk to accumulate all forbidden knowledge at one place I ask? The story about Zathroth's hoard of knowledge is just that, a story. Everything else is a ridiculous theory of past days of unenlightenment."}, {"Demons_Stealing_Relic": "The demon boasted about the exploits he achieved in his life which already lasted a few millennia. Though most of it is probably nothing more than shameless exaggeration and outright lies, there may be some truth behind some of those stories. In particular, he insisted to have fought and defeated a race 'far better and noble' than us humans ages ago. I was able to provoke him to reveal some more information on that issue. In the end it seems a group of demons found some race that had taken refuge from the wars of the gods in some remote place. Several times, the demons attacked that race to steal some powerful relic or something like that from them. In the end the refugees or the force of the demon attack destroyed that item which resulted in a disaster in which the race and also most of the demons were wiped out."}, {"The_Great_Book_of_Firemagic": "The great book of firemagic"}, {"How_to_Learn_Magic_Easy_I.I": "How to learn magic easily. Level 1: For Knights and non-Vocation people (Part one)\nMagic is life, life is magic. Well, life is sex too, but this is a book for little children, so we won't talk about that here. But never forget that magic is a jealous lady, and if you try to get her out of your head she will be sure to take revenge.\nThe first thing you must know about the Noble Art of Magic is that not all Tibian inhabitants or monsters of the underworld have the exact same way with magic. Only the civilised people who live on this world have the same magic style, no matter their race: humans, the elves in Ab'Dendriel the Beautiful and even the dwarfs in their underearth city, Kazordoon. There is only one spot that is completely isolated from magic in the whole world, and that is the island known as Rookgaard, where no magic can be cast - perhaps some Dark Ritual made it impossible, who knows.\nIn the civilised world, not all have the same skill with or amount of magic power, commonly known as 'mana', but this will be explained in the next book."}, {"The_Witches'_Grotto": "The Witches' Grotto\nOn a remote isle in the South there is a grotto where all witches come together to celebrate some demonic festivity once a year. They teach each other new malicious tricks to torment other beings. The legend goes that everybody that dares to disturb them is put to death or faces a fate even worse than death. But if you manage to step into their dancing circle at the height of the ceremony, the witches have to fulfil you a wish."}, {"The_Ghostlands": "The ghostlands\nThe ghostlands where already cursed since ages even in the founding days of carlin.\nUnease befell those who wandered there and the area was avoided when possible.\nAfter the female reign of Carlin was established and the independent city tried to expand its influence settlers were sent there to claim the nearby area.\nSoon they where troubled by nightmares and bad omen. People hallucinated and became agressive if not even outright mad. Serial killings, berserk rages and strange but lethal accidents became commonplace until the people moved back to the city. The queen was displeased but their citziens won't make another try. So the Queen sent the druids to cleanse the area. As their returned weary and wounded and three of them missing they, explained that the area was cursed, haunted and lost for humanity. The queen argued but the druids where adamant in their oppinion. The conclave of druids decided to seal the area with magic wards and maically erected a hedge which they empowered with magic. The queen was not happy but did not intervene to stop them. Since then the area is known as the ghostlands (and several other nicknames suggesting the same)."}, {"Knightly_Successor_Orders_of_Tibia_I": "Knightly Successor Orders of Tibia, loose pages I\nAn abridged version of a book concerning knightly orders by former knights of King Xenom, father of King Tibianus.\nIn the first year of the young King's rule, the siblings Oberon, Kesar and Scarlet Etzel fell out with each other. Their quarrel over knighthood under their king and the search for more purpose in their knightly duties drove them far away from Edron. Each of them founded a seclusive order but little is known about their paths during the following years. This book tries to summarise all facts known to Tibian historians as of this day.\n(the book goes on about the orders and their founding figures, some specific passages draw your attention)\nThe leader of the Order of the Falcon (Oberon Etzel) was the first to found his own order. He saw himself and his men as true successors of King Xenom. Dismay over the King's opinions and politics led the dedicated knight to build a new order. On the foundations of law, extreme loyalty and dedication to chivalric virtues, the Order of the Falcon was established, not least as a strong signal in King Xenom's direction. Oberon Etzel's following was devout and dedicated to an extreme. Tolerated by the King at first in honour of the knight's former service, they were soon sidelined and ultimately their decisions were seen as those of of outsiders. Soon, the notion \"Trapped Falcons\" or \"Falcon Cage\" (referring to their Edron stronghold) was shaped by nobles and common folk alike. It is widely assumed among historians that these circumstances led to a self-imposed exile by the angered Oberon Etzel.\n(the book also contains excerpts from an Edron report of the assumed dissolution and exile of the Order of the Falcon, commissioned by the late king Xenom himself)\n(...) Among a multitude of other questions, stemming from the seclusive and secretive nature of the successor order, what makes this case most interesting in historical debates is the seemingly immediate disappearance of Oberon Etzel and his knights. The stronghold was reportedly abandoned over night with no trace of the order itself or any hints concerning their whereabouts. Eyewitnesses confirmed vibrant lights and unnerving sounds originating from the top of the stronghold during many nights. Not many dared venture close enough to the perimeter to catch a glimpse of what really happened there. Reports are varied and inconsistent. Apparently lights were also seen in the night before the one that marked the disappearance of the honourable order. It is worth mentioning that the order hosted several guests and workers almost all the time. Despite their dispute with the king and the other Etzel siblings, the order was generally considered honourable and trust-worthy. No notable suspicions have been raised during the time and until the disappearance there have been no noteworthy incidents. The disappearance seems to be connected to several high ranking officials from various cities which have been reported as missing during or around the time in question. Aside from various personally delivered invitations, no real connections could be made. (...)"}, {"Knightly_Successor_Orders_of_Tibia_II": "Knightly Successor Orders of Tibia, loose pages II\n(the book goes on to deal with the orders of the other two Etzels)\nKesar Etzel reportedly fell out with Oberon but kept his connection to Scarlet. Kesar led his loyal group of knights under his own banner, the lion, out of Edron to found his own order. They reportedly went to Darashia after the falling out and established a foothold. Many knights of the order were known to go on pilgrimages to the mystical rock formations known as \"Lion's Rock\". It is rumored that Kesar believed the mythical lions to hold the key to true chivalric virtue. However, there have not been any pilgrims of the Order of the Lion for many years. (...) Scarlet, leading her own group of loyal knights, submerged and is sometimes connected to a presumably large underground operation known as \"Order of the Cobra\" or \"Cobra Crests\"/????\"Cobra Unit\"???? a rag-tag band of hedge knights and men-at-arms. Their motives remain unknown.\nAside from the sudden disappearance of the Order of the Falcon, it is unclear how long these orders (or remnants thereof) have been active or if they are still operating to this day."}, {"Knightly_Successor_Orders_of_Tibia_III": "Knightly Successor Orders of Tibia, loose pages III\nAccording to the last official records of the whereabouts of several old orders, Kesar Etzel may have been a driving force behind the falling out of several old orders with King Xenom. Reportedly he not only had a dispute with the King, he also fell out with the leader of the Order of the Falcon, Oberon, over how to guide the now exiled orders into a righteous future. While Kesar wanted to protect the known world from dark forces, Oberon was determined to explore foreign lands and discover more of the world, the knights swore to give their lives for. Traveling into the unknown and uncovering evil whereever its roots may be, was a prime goal for Oberon and the Order of the Falcon. Oberon was stubborn and impossible to control, even for his elder brother. Their sister Scarlett would not have any of this and neglected both her brothers ways. She had confidence in her knights, especially her strategist and loyal companion Galthen and wanted to go her own way after leaving Edron. Yet even she would have liked to see Kesar and Oberon to burry their differences and instead join in their endeavours. A consent was never reached, Kesar was the first to leave Edron and King Xenom behind. He avoided Oberon but remained in contact with Scarlett for a few years.\n(someone has scribbled a small note under the text:)\ne2-e4, d7-d6 (1/4)"}, {"The_Ferumbras_Files": "The Ferumbras Files\nThe followers of Ferumbras believe that in his early career, the ambitious Ferumbras acquired access to the shrouded library of Zathroth. They disagree, however, in the details on how exactly the vile Magician managed to do this. While some claim he was the favoured of Zathroth, others argue that he breached the library's defenses and somehow stole a part of the knowledge. Even in this the specifics are debated. An intriguing variant claims, Ferumbras once was the head librarian of the shrouded hoard. Once a kind and caring man, he became more and more obsessed with the knowledge in his care and the insights he gained turned him cynical and jaded. At some point his ambitions and power became too dangerous and he was expelled from the library. The most outlandish tales even make him a physical manifestation of forbidden knowledge. The story goes that Zathroth, who obsessively accumulated knowledge, did not care about it's containment. The knowledge was powerful though that mere books could not keep it and it seeped into the library, absorbed more and more forbidden knowledge until it became sentient and created itself a physical vessel that fled the library, later becoming known as Ferumbras. Based on the the few sources available, sages of that topic suggest that Ferumbras was the descendant of a member of the brotherhood of bones that fled and got into hiding after their forces suffered a major defeat. Ferumbras was supposedly raised in secrecy and taught in the ways and secrets of the brotherhood. Since this would not explain his immense power in one way or the other, Zathroth's library seems an all too easy and convenient explanation for his stellar rise to power. Others attribute this to his bloodline, which included the likes of Goshnar and dates back to the first magician kings of Ankrahmun who unified their people against the lizard threat."}, {"What_Runes_Are_Made_Of": "What Runes Are Made Of\nby Muriel."}, {"How_to_Manipulate_Runes": "How to Manipulate Runes\nby Muriel."}, {"Puldrak's_Wisdom_About_Minotaurs_III": "Puldraks wisdom about minotaurs Pt. 3\nTo become an educated warrior-philosopher became the goal of all minotaurkind. Uncontrolled rage was considered to be primitive from then on. A minotaurian warrior is skilled as an artist, often found conentrated drawing, reciting or creating poems and wielding a weapon with awarenes and cold hearted skill. The warriors of the uppermost class are usually so well educated they control some amount of magic, often used to augment their own strength and defense. They are the heroes and role models of the lower class. The minotaurs still have a warrior culture, but the understanding of a true warrior has changed dramatically.\nMinotaur cheese is a specialty, often envied by decadent human nobles."}, {"How_to_Create_Spellbooks": "How to Create Spellbooks\nby Muriel."}, {"How_to_Increase_the_Potency_of_Herbal_Substances": "How to increase the potency of herbal substances - basic thoughts and notes\npotentiator - reagent (herbal or chemical) that enhances the efficacy of a substance \npotentiation - must take place at any part of the distillation process\nreagent - substance or compound added to a system to cause a chemical reaction\nUse the following reagents -\n[Underneath the last article, you spot two hastily drawn symbols: a crescent moon and a circle with a dot in its centre. \"In powder form!\" is scribbled underneath the symbols. Besides those two symbols you can read the word \"Shadow Bite\".]"}, {"Golem_Creation_Rituals": "My dear friend,\nas your former teacher and mentor I am pleased by the eagerness you show for your researches, but there are certain things I want to remind you about. First of all, the magic the Yalahari used for their golem creation might as well be based on a entirely different magic system. Just like we cannot use the magic of the mysterious voodoo with our scholarly magic, it might be similarly impossible to use the Yalahari ritual if we were able to get hold of it. It is far more likely that we will have to understand what the ritual does and then try to recreate its effects with our own magical approach. I do not need to point out what a tedious and time consuming process that would require. It is entirely possible that the process would last more than a lifetime to be accomplished. Even if we stumbled on the original ancient rituals involved in the process of golem creation and found the used magic to be similar to our own, we would still face the problem that we were playing with forces which we do not really understand which involves certain risks that better be avoided (but I know that I am talking to deaf ears here given your eagerness to follow your ideas).\nAt a last point I want to remind you that magic as the predominant science in our world has made most other sciences almost obsolete. So we know certainly less about metallurgy and mechanics than the Yalahari did. I strongly recommend to consult the dwarfish technomancers on this issue. They possess the most knowledge concerning these subjects in our world and though they are not known to share their knowledge with outsiders, they might be the only way to gain a glimpse of understanding the nature of the mechanical golems.\nAs long as we do not get help from the technomancers, I strongly recommend to concentrate your researches on the rituals, and to use parts of old and destroyed golems you might acquire one way or the other for your studies. It would not be useful for your researches to wear out your mental and physical resources by trying to solve both problems at once.\nI will continue my own researches as good as possible from here and keep you informed of every progress I make.\nYour friend M."}, {"Yalahari_Worker_Golems": "Yalahari Worker Golems - A Treatise\nThe specific golems that are used by the Yalahari have certain features that distinguish them from the more commonly known elemental golems. While certain physiological features are quite obvious, the most important difference is their mind function. They certainly possess some degree of intelligence that surpasses the instinctive level on which lesser elementals operate. Yet, they seem to lack a great deal of impulsiveness and individuality that is common among elementals. Like other golems some basic tasks can be implemented into their minds, and like parrots they can learn some basic phrases which they, unlike parrots, can use in an intelligent and intentional way. Actually their level of intelligence is only rivalled by certain necromantic golems and constructs that have been created by implanting existing spirits into the constructed body. Their lack of individuality makes it quite easy to control them, which by itself would already classify them as the most useful minions. However, what really lets them shine in the area of artificial servants is the composition of their brain (if the centre of a golem's consciousness can be called that way). Their brain is a certain crystal structure, not too different from the one of the rare crystal golems. Now, the most impressive breakthrough the Yalahari accomplished in the area of golem creation is the duplication of brain patterns from one crystal to another. That way the Yalahari were able to duplicate a certain behaviour of a trained golem into newly created golems. For this reason, newly created golems were almost instantly useful and ready for work. As an interesting side note, the same or at least a quite similar technique was used by the Yalahari to operate certain apparatuses and their so-called factories in which highly modified golems created objects in mass production. The usage of crystals by the ancient Yalahari must have been enormous.\nFor their golems they used the easy controllable mindset of their crystal-stored mind patterns with an endurable and easy producible body of rather cheap metal. For that, they constructed basic metal castings that worked like enormous metal puppets. Using complicated but standardised clockwork mechanisms, they enabled these bodies to use certain forms of movement that usually followed the patterns of natural movement. The movement was amplified by the ingenious usage of physics and metallurgy as well as miniature steam engines.\nSo far the creation of Yalahari golems is comprehensible, even if the mechanic of a golem's body is not fully understood and not reproducible with ordinary metal and alloys. What really baffled the scientific community was the way the two parts, the crystal core or brain and the mechanical clockwork body, worked together. It is quite certain that it has to do with magnetism, electricity and heat but the details are completely unclear. There certainly exists an overall enchantment on the golem but it seems so minor that it is supplementary at best.\nIt seems that in our days no new golems are created anymore, so we must assume that the secret of golem creation might be lost. On the other hand, there is still a great number of existing golems and Yalahari artefacts that can be studied. This might be a chance to either recreate or emulate the process of golem creation which would lead to a tremendous breakthrough in the magical sciences."}, {"Your_Golem_and_You_III": "Your Golem and You Volume 3\nThe second kind of known golems are necromantic golems. Some scientists of high renown question the relation between the two groups of golems but certain similarities hint at a common source.\nTo create a necromantic golem a special vessel is created and prepared. Then a spirit is forced into the body. In a third step the body is animated and becomes some sort of prison for the bound spirit.\nThe similarity lies in the preparation of the body. The following ritual that forces a spirit into the body shows a striking resemblance of the ritual to create a consciousness in elemental golems. While in an elemental golem the created consciousness is by nature bound to the condensed core, the consciousness of a necromantic golem is the spirit that is bound into the golem.\nThe form of the necromantic golem is almost neglectable as the bound spirit is usually that of an humanoid who would have difficulties operating a body that has other physical features than a humanoid. The spirits bound by the ritual are usually old and drained that have lost conciousness long ago. Those souls are weak but connect best with the enchantments of the prepared body. Even if some malignant spirit is drawn into the construct, it usually becomes not the core consciousness but technically possesses the original weak soul instead.\nSometimes the creator of a necromantic golem manages to use the head or the brain of a deceased as focus to force the original soul to become the core of the necromantic golem. As this is already possible shortly after death, the anguish that originates from the reconnection with the world of the living causes severe damage to the sentience of the creature and leaves the construct usually mad and demented. Though the whole practice of necromancy is questionable at best, the latter experiments are only frivolous flirts with disaster and are doomed to failure.\nEven if the creation of necromantic golems can also be seen as another form of raising undead, it has become a science of its own. Skilful necromancers created fascinating variants of the basic ritual to bind animal spirits into corpses that can come in different shapes and sizes, and some even managed to create golems out of single body parts like hands.\nThe secrecy and prohibitions from which necromancy suffers led to an imbalance between a very small number of competent scientists and a large amount of self-styled necromancers that mess around without the necessary skills. They experiment with incomplete rituals and poor material substitutes resulting in much trouble and many accidents. Even if they live long enough to move further in theirs studies, those self-styled necromancers show neither knowledge nor respect to the roots of necromancy."}, {"Your_Golem_and_You_II": "Your Golem and You Volume 2\nThe most common materials for golems are closely related to the element earth. Here the basic material follows the rule that the less hard the material in question is, the more easy it is to condense it to consciousness. The common assumption that softer materials are more prone to burnout, power failures and malfunctions is a misconception. Technically, the \"soft\" golems are not more faulty than their harder counterparts. Everyday praxis though shows that much less skill is needed to create them, so less skilled enchanters usually choose softer materials for their golems, leading to the great number of failures. Still, there is an issue with durability as the softer material is more vulnerable to the ravages of time than harder one. This can be compensated by the skill of the caster though. In theory, a caster that creates the easier \"soft\" golems can put more effort into the perfection of the durability of the enchantment. When creating a harder golem, he has to put more attention to the condensation of the consciousness and can spent less effort on durability. Given the different inherent durability of softer and harder golems, all in all the durability should be roughly the same.\nThe most common material for a golem is clay. It is quite easy to activate and the material allows easy additional, supplemental manipulation like the engraving of runes and glyphs that enhance the control over the entity or add certain capabilities. Clay is closely followed by certain forms of stone, though here significantly more talent is needed for the rituals. This is followed by various forms of metal. The manipulation of metal is not trivial though and the rate of failure rises tremendously. The most difficult creations are those made of crystal or gems. Already the creation of a gem huge enough to create a golem, let alone its modelling, is beyond the grasp of ordinary sorcery. Giant crystals are more common. However, the stability of such crystal formations is often lower than desired, and often, tremendous effort is wasted only to learn that the crystal was flawed from the beginning.\nOther variants of elemental golems are speculated about, but yet, there is no solid proof about their existence. Given the scientific knowledge about problems that would have to be overcome, their existence is more than questionable."}, {"Your_Golem_and_You_I": "Your Golem and You Volume 1\nScientists distinguish between two kinds of golems: elemental and necromantic. Elemental golems consist of primal elements and are magically that condensed that a elemental consciousness is formed. That way a quasi-elemental is created, sharing several characteristics with true elementals. In the process of their creation, such artificial elementals only possess a rudimentary consciousness. Sometimes, if the concentration of elements is not sufficient and no consciousness is created, it leaves the creator with nothing than an empty hull and a burned-out elemental core. Even if activated successfully, a careless ritual might leave the golem flawed, which sooner or later leads to a similar burnout of the core. A flawless golem will exist for many years, probably outliving its creator by far. This might not be desirable, though, as a golem's consciousness might grow over the years, giving him a certain sense of intelligence and unwanted individuality.\nEven though in theory all elements qualify to 'spark' the necessary consciousness in a golem, their physical restrictions make certain materials more suitable than others. It is almost impossible to form a body out of air or fire that exists long enough to have the correct enchantments placed upon. Further, the lack of a physical body makes the magic charging of the hull next to impossible. Technically, air and fire golems are beyond the grasp of mortal sorcery. I only include these possibilities of golem creation because we knew it has been done under certain conditions and by gifted individuals or groups with tremendous resources.\nWater golems are similarly difficult to create, though this can be compensated by freezing water and giving it a solid form. Ice golems can be created, enchanted and manipulated by the usual rituals. The drawback is that a a thawing water elemental's core is subject to destabilisation and water, or better, ice golems are only of limited use. The climate to sustain ice golems is usually that uninhabitable to its creator that the effort of their creation is questionable, particularly considering the fact that there are golems made of more reliable material available."}, {"The_Art_of_the_Technomancers_II": "The Art of the Technomancers Volume 2\nBoth kinds of technomancers work on inventions and improvements. It is usual practice to built something to prove it can be done without any regards to applicability. For instance the technomancer Sileas built a fully functional artificial arm - which was 30 metres long and had a service tunnel for repairs and adjustments.\nLater, efforts are made to improve the own work or that of a predecessor. With the patience of a dwarf that spans his whole long lifetime and even longer, they work on a project as long as it takes to finish it. The former mentioned Sileas commented on his finished gigantic arm that it might take only somewhat over 1000 years until an arm might be constructed that could be used as a prosthesis. The whole technomancy circles around inventions and improvements. Most technomancers concentrate on a single project. This is not necessarily part of the technomancy per se, but probably rather a product of the dwarven nature. Though technomancy has established a lot of formal rules that should ensure the safety of the technomancers and their surroundings, it is not uncommon that technomancers get injured by testing their machines. Aged technomancers often have lost limbs, their hearing or even their eyesight to their experiments. Astonishingly enough, death is a rare occurrence among these accidents which might proof that the traditional safety measures are elaborated enough to prevent the worst. Still, other dwarfs who are not exposed to risks in their own professions usually see the injuries of technomancers as sign of their carelessness which is only a prejudice given the existence of the technomancers' code.\nAs it is common that an invention is worked on over several generations, technomancers gladly share their knowledge among their own people. However, they are more than reserved when it comes to share this knowledge with an outsider. Only a few secrets are actually considered off-limits to outsiders due to some secrecy code, but most technomancers are unwilling to share even the most basic knowledge. It is assumed that this behaviour results from the fact that technomancers had to become outsiders of their society to learn these secrets, so they are not willing to simply share their hard-earned knowledge. Another reason for this secrecy is based on the fact that most technomancers consider even the most complete and polished invention as just not ready to be released to the public. No proud dwarf would ever share an invention with the public that is not absolutely flawless. Others again fear, and with good reason, the harm that could be done if their knowledge would get into the wrong hands and for this reason refuse to share their knowledge."}, {"The_Art_of_the_Technomancers_I": "The Art of the Technomancers Volume 1\nWhile most dwarfs cling to the principle of earth or fire, some individuals break with this tradition and rather follow the principles of what they simply call 'the machine'. This breach with the traditions is a rare act in a society like that of the dwarven race that knows hardly and changes or surprises. One might argue this is the only way a dwarf can do something extraordinary and it might rely on dwarfs with comparatively rebellious mindsets, but all technomancers encountered seemed genuinely interested if not obsessed with their technomancy. It might be debatable if it is rather a religion or a philosophy, for most technomancers it is the only profession they pursue. Unlike other dwarfs that follow the paths of earth or fire, technomancers usually only pick a profession that is directly related to mechanics. Even a farmer that followed the ways of technomancy was known to apply all kinds of self-made machinery to his profession, but this, as previously stated, is a really rare occurrence. Technomancy is not overly popular in the dwarven society. Only a handful of technomancers exits and perhaps a good dozen of apprentices. Other dwarfs respect the technomancers, but usually think of them as at least a bit odd. On the other hand, the dwarven society welcomes technomantic inventions now and then. For the dwarfs the adaption of such new technology is a slow process and it takes often years of testing and getting used to the new tool until it is truly accepted by dwarven society. Some of the more extraordinary inventions never leave the workshops of the technomancers. In particular, inventions that seem to have no direct, practical use and a considerable advantage compared to 'the old ways' have a hard time to be accepted. This leads to two kinds of responses by the technomancers: some just give in and try to built just what the community is ready to accept. Those are usually the more sociable technomancers that sometimes have extensive contacts outside their own society. Others bury themselves deeper and deeper into technomantic knowledge becoming more and more strange over the years. Those technomancers are often far away from the usual thinking processes of a dwarf, as they only think in formulas and numbers. Sometimes their grasp of communication becomes so different that they cannot communicate with dwarfs anymore that are no technomancers."}, {"Bleed_the_Snake": "And you shall gently bleed the snake for it oozes life eternal.\nAnd you shall bathe in its lotion and be girdled in youth.\nAnd you shall relinquish the binding shackles of this world.\nAnd you shall rejoice."}, {"Buried_Forever": "Buried forever that he shall never return. Don't remove this seal or bad things may happen."}, {"Mahatheb_the_Vizier": "Mahatheb was the greatest vizier the city of Ankrahmun had ever seen. His counsel was prized and his wisdom legendary. He served the pharaoh Ashmunrah dutifully and faithfully. The wise Mahatheb had ever been wary of the studies of the pharaoh's dark son, Arkhotep. But Arkhothep whispered lies into the ears of the pharaoh and poisoned his mind and heart. In his wisdom, Mahatheb saw the futility of his attempts to destroy the mists of treachery that clouded the pharaoh's vision. Instead, he planned to help his liege in another way. Knowing that Arkhothep was using dark sorcery to gain power, he decided to gather more might himself in order to fight him. Being no sorcerer, the vizier looked to the powers of the legendary djinn, and studied ways to bind them to his will. After long research, he learned that even the djinn had to bow to someone who knew their true name. He pondered his options, when seemingly fate smiled upon him and provided him with an opportunity too good to pass it by. The well-known king of thieves, Qual'Jehari, had fallen in love with Xetharis, the beautiful daughter of the vizier. When he asked for her hand in marriage, Mahatheb presented him with a condition: to steal the true names of the djinn and give them to him. Qual'Jehari, love-stricken and blinded by arrogance, accepted without hesitation. He left the court at once, promising to return soon. Years passed, and the thief was not seen or heard again, while the vile Arkhotep grew in power and assembled his co-conspirators. Running out of time and options, the vizier tried other ways to stop the pharaoh's son, but to no avail. When Mahatheb was desperate and almost ready for a deed of desperation, a ragged pauper appeared in his chambers. The vizier was about to call the guards when the pauper revealed himself to be no other than Qual'Jehari. He was gaunt and marked by his quest, having lost both his eyes and his youth. With shaking hands he presented Mahatheb some scrolls of paper that had the names of numerous djinn written upon them. But the vizier's joy was cut short when he recognised that in truth only a tiny fraction of all the djinn names had been acquired. In his anger he had the thief flogged and thrown out on the streets. He studied the names of the djinn he had acquired and wondered how to put them to best use. But luck is a treacherous lover, and it had already betrayed the good Mahatheb. The thief had withheld one of the djinn names, and used that djinn to steal the beloved daughter of Mahatheb. This caused so much attention that the evil Arkhothep became aware of the vizier's actions and put his own plans into motion. Mahatheb however was wise enough to see the threat coming, and used the powers of the djinn to flee Ankrahmun, to a foreign land, taking all of his servants and riches with him. But he had underestimated the great heights of power that Arkhothep had already climbed to. The vile prince used his sorcerous might to cast a death curse on him, and all the might of Mahatheb's bound djinn was not powerful enough to protect him. All he could do was to prolong the inevitable. He used his remaining might not to build himself a palace as he had intended, but a tomb in which he planned to endure the passing of time until the one day he would rise again. His djinn erected the tomb, and Mahatheb was embalmed by his servants, who were then put to death by the djinn so they could join their master in the afterlife. Only I, his chronicler, was allowed to live a little longer to tell his tale. When this book is finished, I too will drink the poisoned wine that the guarding djinn will serve me to fulfil my destiny. May we all one days rise again by the power of the wise Mahatheb."}, {"Old_Pirate_Poem": "Set the sails to the carved tree\nthe head of a dragon south shall it be\n34 feet in the line to the west\nthe next one goes under arrest\nthe master's secret must be revealed\nto open the path that once were sealed"}, {"Offline_Training": "Information on Offline Training:\n1. You need to have a Premium account in order to train here.\n2. Choose a skill you'd like to train. Shielding is ALWAYS included.\n3. If you're not sure which statue trains what, read the inscriptions.\n4. Use a statue to be logged out of the game and train the skills associated with that statue.\n5. When you log back into the game, your skills will have improved depending on how long you trained.\n6. You have to be logged out of the game for at least 10 minutes in order for the training to take effect.\n7. After 12 hours of constant offline training, your skills will not improve any further. Similar to stamina, your training bar will regenerate if you are not training offline."}, {"Scientific_Contest_(Deprecated)": "I am currently pursuing an interesting scientific contest in the jungle of Tiquanda. Still on vacation, however. All fungus deliveries directly to my \"home\" address please.\nSane Mage"}, {"Deity_Anecdotes": "A collection of anecdotes about various deities. Strangely, some of them seem to be completely fictitious."}, {"End_of_the_World_Depictions": "Various depictions of the end of the world. Read backwards, it makes for an enormously comprehensive genesis."}, {"Creature_Encyclopedia": "\"An extensive encyclopedia of all manner of creatures roaming the lands of Tibia\" Unfortunately it is heavily outdated."}, {"The_Life_and_Deeds_of_King_Xenom": "An abridged version of \"The Life and Deeds of King Xenom\". It contains many commentaries on the failings of the then young king and his struggle against the orcs."}, {"Knight_Errant": "This book tells a long and convoluted tale about a knight errant."}, {"Falcon_Bastion_Access": "This page seems to be part of a book about ancient rituals, mystic incantations and far away places. Besides a very prominent symbol, embedded in the text, a spell can be deciphered from the strange script:\n~ As daylight fades, mix chalk or bone meal with your own blood and water ~\n~ Draw with it a circle in the middle of the room ~\n~ Stand in this sphere when drawing the symbol \"Of Night And Day Intersecting Ostensum Est\"\n~ Utter all of the following words loudly with clear voice: CERTAGIA SALABANTHR DANNHE GENT'HO\" ~\n~ Looking upward, repeat the incatation and you shall teleport the periphery of your body ~"}, {"Various_Rituals": "Notes on various rituals. Some of them seem very morbid, others are very trivial."}, {"A_Piece_of_Cake_II": "The second stage will need many hungry players.\nThe cake has several layers. Players will have to eat a complete layer in a given, short period of time. Else the cake will regenerate itself and reset.\nCertain edges are not edible and don't count for the success.\nWhen a layer is not eaten in time, it will regenerate itself and all participants will be moved to safety.\nWhen a layer is eaten, the upper layers will come down, though the participants will be moved to safety.\nIt is advised to wait until enough hungry people have been gathered and then wait until the cake resets again. Then start to eat the cake as quickly as you can.\nRemember you will not get hungry while logged out.\nThe quest will succeed if the participants manage to reach the isle and to eat the whole cake in the few days the event lasts and after which the isle vanishes for another year."}, {"How_to_Make_Trees_Come_Alive": "How To Make Trees Come Alive\n(Browsing through the pages filled with strange symbols, you get a dizzying feeling that your bark should burst, your branches snap and refold, and your roots retract... you close the book with a snap.)"}, {"May_the_Mirror_Guide_You": "May the mirror guide you. May its reflection bind the power of the righteous to lead the way to the sanctity of the sacred. May its shining light be your salvation.\n(The following note has been scribbled under the cryptic text:)\nSome of the mirrors broke, I do not know which one of you was responsible for that but I altered the mechanism. The mirror's aren't even needed anymore to get the light on its way."}, {"The_Moonshadow_Temple": "The Moonshadow Temple\nIf some old legends are true, many centuries ago a big temple was built underneath the island of Grimvale. A spacious subterranean building, whose purpose is unknown nowadays. It was incidentally rediscovered a few years back when one of the village children got lost in the tunnels underneath the island, and found the temple ruins. We made some inquiries in the libraries of Edron, Thais and Carlin and found out the following: once this site bore the Name \"Moonshadow Temple\". It served as a place where, through crevices and by wisely arranged mirrors, the full moon's rays were conducted deep into earth's interior. Whether they served magical or cultic purposes down there or whether the full moon itself was an object of worship, is no longer known. Built of black granite and partly of white marble, the temple is of considerable size. Lately, since the were-sickness plagues Grimvale, the were-creatures have withdrawn to the tunnels and constantly descend down to the old ruins. At the times of the full moon they come up to the surface to haunt men; but more often they dwell inside the old temple ruins. Whether their interest in this site arises from its connection with the full moon or has different reasons remains a secret for now."}, {"Were-Transformation": "About Were-Transformation\nScholars call it the were-sickness or the Curse of the Full Moon - but whether it is a disease or a curse is still unclear. Some claim it is similar to a contagious malady; others take the view that it is a curse in the classical magical sense. But about one question, the sages are in agreement: the taint is caused by a bite or a scratch of a were-creature. Were-creatures are humans who transform into savage beasts, mainly at times of the full moon. These humans assume the forms of wolves, for example, and may look like common wolves or like a cross between wolf and man. As long as the moon is not full, they seem to be normal humans, and act in a completely ordinary way. But in the light of the full moon, they show their true face. At an advanced stage however, the transformation may take place at other times as well. There are also other forms that afflicted humans assume: bears, boars, foxes, badgers or weasels, depending on an area's wildlife. There are even tales that in other parts of this world, humans assume the forms of local carnivores there, such as lions, tigers, panthers or even crocodiles. Besides humans, elves, dwarves and orcs can also be affected by the were-transformation. So, in short, the following traits are typical of the were-transformation:\n1. The transformation into a wild, at least partly carnivorous, animal. The person assumes either a common animal's form or appears as a cross between animal and man.\n2. The transformation is caused by a were-creature's bite or scratch.\n3. The first transformation takes place at the time of the full moon. During the transformation, the affected have no control over themselves and turn into ferocious beasts. In this stage, they attack even their own relatives, though no other were-creatures. However, espacially strong-willed individuals may resist this gruesome urge at first.\n4. If persons are affected by the sickness or curse for a longer time, they are able to transform themselves beyond the times of the full moon.\n5. In the early stage, the were-transformation is curable and reversible by a very rare plant, the purple nightshade. It is said that it blossoms only at full moon in subterranean tunnels where the moon rays are falling through fissures in the surface.\n6. To weaken a powerful were-creature, silvered traps are very useful. Liquid silver is needed to create such a trap, but this rare metal may only be found underground and at full moon."}, {"Botany_Almanach": "Rabaz' Unabridged Almanach Of Botany\n----------------------------\nFirst Edition\nRabaz, Farmine\nAn unfinished passage of the almanach reads:\n'Dreadcoil': Probably the most salient out of the manifold variations of plants befallen by corruption in Zao. (...) Strangely deformed but majestically developed, often aculeate. Blind. It twines constantly to find and catch small insects and even pollen foreign to the species. (...) those found in dry regions or steppes (often underground) are corrupted but still physiognomically intact and ideal for gathering samples. (#133, D, very rare, no sample)\n'Giant Verminous': These mutations of various common deciduous trees are usually quite high. Leaves and branches are generally bound upwards (periwinkle, non-weeping) which makes them nearly impossible to gather. (...) some specimens grow subterranean (broad crown, tendriled treetop) and should be easier to reach. Typical locations are dry and secure from animals. (#137, A, very rare, no sample)"}, {"The_Fall_of_the_Lizards": "Tzuzak VII was known as a weak leader and for this reason the various factions in the land decided to let him live and rule. They considered him as a tool that could easily be manipulated. Moreover, it was unlikely that he would intervene in their schemes. The land was full of corruption and intrigues. Several of the ruling families were feuding each other for reasons that had been forgotten in the course of time. The great snake looked at its people with disgust as they had stopped worshipping it for the benefit of gaining profit in the mortal world. The great snake was displeased and so it let a drop of poison from its right fang fall down on the land. Just like a plague, the poison killed half of the population to teach them humility. But greed and treachery had deep roots in the civilisation, and despite the priests' warnings and prophecies, those in power continued their heathen ways, and even tried to use the punishment of the great snake to their own advantage against their enemies. And the great snake hissed in anger. And its hiss stirred the minds of the lesser creatures, and so all the soft skins and horned ones grew anxious and drew their weapons. Like a flood, this horde swarmed the lands of the lizards, killing thousands of those who had survived the plague. Instead of listening to the priests of the great snake, the lizards forgot their noble heritage and hid in fear in their cities, hoping that the ravaging horde would devastate another city.\nThen the deceivers came from the north. They were only a few but full of spite and malice. They sensed the greed and treachery that now ruled all the lizard people and they saw that they had more in common than just scales. They saw an opportunity to exploit this weakness and fed upon the depravity of the society. So they maliciously decided to help the lizard people but only to lure them into enslavement. And all those blind lizards were so soaked with greed and lies that they they turned away from the great snake and began to worship the dragons. And the great snake turned its head from the lizard people of Zao and never looked back. The great snake abandoned the lizards just like the lizards had abandoned the great snake. But now some of the lizards felt a sudden emptiness and their fear grew. They felt that they had lost something vital and valuable. They suddenly saw their mistakes and the treachery of the dragons. They united to overthrow their reign. This rebellion was the last chance for the lizards to regain the favour of the great snake. This was the only chance of redemption. But after all those years of neglecting the great snake, they could not muster the faith needed to succeed. And so they failed. The vile dragons though would not allow another rebellion and bound all the lizards by dark magic to their will once and for all."}, {"The_Secret_Door": "Go to the secret door to the north"}, {"Rebellion_Against_the_Dragons": "Year 30 Tzuzak VII\nOur forces are ready to strike now. We are only a few but we are dedicated to our cause. The dragons must die or everything is lost. I know they had arrived in desperate times. Although some of them looked weary when they arrived from the north, they were powerful and majestic beasts indeed. I assume they are the survivors of some great catastrophe but they did not want to talk about that and nobody wanted to push them. With all the losses due to plague and war, their promises to lead us to victory over our enemies sounded too tempting to resist. Moreover, there was no other option left. Which each victory their support amongst the people grew stronger. Tzuzak soon called for them and they nourished the king with favours like someone is feeding a pet snake with rats. Their influence over the court grew steadily and many of the officials were eager to please them to gain their favours as well. It became more and more obvious that the dragons had turned into the actual leaders. Some of us could no longer stand this situation. We gathered in secrecy to form an alliance against the dragons. Treachery is abound in this land, and we have to act now or all will be lost. We will strike this night at several key positions and hopefully not only cause considerable damage but also lead the people to oppose the remaining dragons. Tomorrow night I will know if our rebellion has been victorious."}, {"Saviours_from_the_North": "In the year 21 of the reign of Tzuzak VII, a great plague spread over the land. While the children of the serpent perished by the vile orcs, minotaurs and humans flourished. It did not take long until most of the southern lands was lost to the barbarians. The army was dwindling and civil unrest growing. Even when finally the cure for the plague had been found, the barbarians advanced. Too much territory had already been lost, too many soldiers had fallen victim to the plague and the initial attacks. It seemed as if the plague had clouded the minds of our people. Instead of fighting the common enemy, certain elements conspired against the king and each other. Without unified resistance of our weakened forces, the end of civilisation seemed inevitable. But some lizardmen who no longer listened to the lies of the prophets who believed in false gods started to pray for salvation. And even though they were only a few, they were heard. Our saviours came from the north. They abandoned the paradise that they had ruled to save our kin. On mighty wings they came with the north wind. Their wrath was like fire, they crushed our opponents and sowed fear into their vile hearts. They gathered our troops and led them from victory to victory. They blessed the lizards of true heart and led those lost in the darkness of lies to the light of truth. Those who refused to see the truth were eradicated by cleansing fire. They healed the wounds of the land and the wounds in the heart of our people. They burned the curtain of lies that had prevented our people from seeing the truth for so long. When they saw that the realm was safe once again, they got ready to return to their godly realm of perfect harmony. But the lizard people desperately begged them to stay. They offered them the leadership over the whole nation as they knew they would be unable to rule and secure the realm without the help of the divine dragons. Reluctantly the mighty dragons accepted. They gave up their paradise to save our people and adopted us as their children. The mightiest of them all became the dragon emperor of our realm."}, {"The_Corruption_Has_Started": "I am nothing than an old lizard and I feel my time is coming. No longer I will shed of my skin, this time it will be my whole body. I was never overly religious but when death is knocking at your door, your attitude is changing and your perspective shifting. I have seen much in my long life. I worked many years as a scribe in the palace of King Tzuzak VII until I fell into disgrace due to an intrigue some higher officials played on each other. In retrospect I think it was for my best. Not only did I find a never known tranquillity and peace in my new life, but I also was spared by the great changes that turned the whole realm upside down. In my seclusion not only the plague passed me without causing any harm, I also missed the arrival and the rise of the dragon kings. Of course there were legends about dragons, but no one had seen any for the last few thousand years. Since their arrival a few years ago, I have only seen a few of them from afar but I can imagine the awe they are causing in each being that faces them. I heard only little about the changes that came along with them. I cannot say it is a bad thing that Tzuzak stepped back for a new ruler. For all I have heard, the dragon kings are not much worse than the bureaucrats that preceded them. What troubles me more is the change of the land that came along. Perhaps you need to be as old as me to notice this change. Each of the youngsters I made aware of some of the changes just shrugged them off. But I can see that they are there. I see that the fields yield less and less each year. Plants and animals grow in strange and unhealthy forms and colours. And it turns worse with every year. The source of this all seems to be somewhere in the north. I fear what the land will look like in a few decades. Alas, I won't be there to witness it."}, {"Disillusioned_Blacksmith": "Blacksmith's Note.\nThey asked me to build stronger chains, cages and bolts. None of us workers were told anything about the purpose of certain \"renovations\" either. The whole plague thing may have gotten to them. Are they desperately trying to protect us all by building stronger fortifications. I had an argument with the masons, we were piecing the bloody scraps of this stinking puzzle together ourselves: they want to hunt and catch something. A dragon. They must have lost their minds an eternity ago. And now? I never set foot outside the bastion. They hired me and led me here under the condition to not let anyone else come, to cut my ties, not that there were any for me anymore... To live a new life as a paid, well-fed blacksmith. It's something else, working for an order of knights. Something better than clubbing together any old rake or a set of horseshoes for a farmer. But this? I don't know who I'm working for anymore. Nor what purpose the things that leave my forge may serve for the lords in the halls above. Trapped on this island of plague and madness with an oath I swore, my days are long counted. These days I long for my old life, there's nothing bad in forging tools for villagers... now is there.\n(Some faded scribblings on the back of the note seem to be directed to the blacksmith's apprentice:)\nRemember to use up the remaining patches of fine cloth and bring the regular falcon shields with you. I will heat up the forge to make more escutcheons later in the day."}, {"Dragons_Ought_Be_Tamed_II": "Dragons Ought Be Tamed II\n(A complete treatise on several types of dragons and various methods of taming them. It ranges from putting eggs and honey under your pillow before going to bed to building a giant cage with animals as lure. The book seems to be more of a fantasy than a real guide and it's unlikely that any of these instructions would actually be successful. However, someone added numerous notes and comments on"}, {"Falcon_Bastion_Stables": "Letter to the Guild\nToday the other masons, woodworkers and the smith were to gather in the lower quarters posthaste. The task at hand being for us to take care of a remodelling of the complete northern wing in the basement: they want stables. Neither did they explain to us what they are needed for nor why we should scurry the process in such manner. It's an island for crying out loud! I demand a better explanation, without the exact purpose these stables may not be suited for what ever they want to put in there. I am hereby requesting additional help in the negotiation of this matter with the Order.\nWith regards,\n(illegible)"}, {"Fragment_of_The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_IV": "Knightly Successor Orders of Tibia, loose pages II, adendum\n(these pages have been copied in crude writing over pages from another book it seems)\nThe Grand Master of Verbal Debate IV\nA counter spell:\nSEHWO ASIMO, TOLIDO ESD\n(the book goes on to deal with the orders of the other two Etzels)\nKesar Etzel reportedly fell out with Oberon but kept his connection to Scarlet. Kesar led his loyal group of knights under his own banner, the lion, out of Edron to found his own order. They reportedly went to Darashia after the falling out and established a foothold. Many knights of the order were known to go on pilgrimages to the mystical rock formations known as \"Lion's Rock\". It is rumored that Kesar believed the mythical lions to hold the key to true chivalric virtue. However, there have not been any pilgrims of the Order of the Lion for many years. (...) Scarlet, leading her own group of loyal knights, submerged and is sometimes connected to a presumably large underground operation known as \"Order of the Cobra\" or \"Cobra Crests\"/????\"Cobra Unit\"???? a rag-tag band of hedge knights and men-at-arms. Their motives remain unknown.\nAside from the sudden disappearance of the Order of the Falcon, it is unclear how long these orders (or remnants thereof) have been active or if they are still operating to this day.\nFacing villainy of the utmost caliber, your riposte:\n\"Are you ever going to fight or do you prefer talking?\""}, {"Grey_Plague_Research": "Druid's note.\nOur Grand Commander has ordered me to do more research on the Grey Plague. Books, experiments, studying, learning - it takes time. Time we do not have. We need to hurry up but within reason. What Oberon wants me to do is nothing short of superstition. I am to conduct ancient rites, rituals. Spells older than most things you see around you in this world today. I refused when I was asked to start rummaging in the entrails of a being I could not even classify. It seems they caught a type of lizard and want me to dissect it. Not to simply see its inner workings, no - to use its blood and bowels to conduct another ritual, a dark and spell directly drawing from blood and reeking of pure evil! No more. I know that our honourable order wants to find a cure to this and that Oberon can get quite 'persistent'. But this is just not what I was made for. I literally can't perform it, my hands are shaking and I am seeing the most vivid images of demons and devilish trickery. I handed my research over to the Preceptor, knowing that Lazare will handle this issue with utmost caution. May he be the better man. Oh I know I have have failed, my flesh is weak."}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_I": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate I\nFacing villainy of the utmost caliber, your riposte:\n\"Are you ever going to fight or do you prefer talking?\""}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_II": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate II\nEnduring a great deal of hubris, your riposte:\n\"Even before they smell your breath?\""}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_III": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate III\nHaving to endure a great threat, your riposte:\n\"Too bad you barely exist at all!\""}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_IX": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate IX\nReceiving a doubtful word of wisdom, your riposte:\n\"Dare strike up a Minnesang and you will receive your last accolade!\""}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_V": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate V\nDealing with a forboding warning, your riposte:\n\"Excuse me but I still do not get the message!\""}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_VI": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate VI\nBoasting with strong words, you riposte:\n\"Then why are we fighting alone right now?\""}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_VII": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate VII\nBeing confronted with vile accusations, your riposte:\n\"How appropriate, you look like something worms already got the better of!\""}, {"The_Grand_Master_of_Verbal_Debate_VIII": "The Grand Master of Verbal Debate VIII\nFacing a profound threat, your riposte:\n\"Then let me show you the concept of mortality before it!\""}, {"Rebellious_Peasants": "Contrary to the claims that have been made, the overall health of the peasants is sufficient. Of course this greedy bunch is complaining about the food rations, but it is not our intention to have fat and lazy subjects. When the regents see it fit, they might reward some of them with extra rations but usually we are rather forced to punish the peasants. The most common transgression is indeed the theft of food. Usually a whole village is punished for that as this will teach them to watch over their own kin more closely. Ungrateful as they are, the peasants often complain about the privileges they enjoyed in the past. It is indeed a sad thing that the regents of old lacked the responsibility to their position and did not work hard enough to further the riches of the realm but wasted resources on the ungrateful and greedy masses. The punishment for spreading such stories is a difficult thing since those who are guilty are mostly old and rather fragile. If they do not survive their well deserved whipping, the peasants are enraged and sometimes attack our officials. I therefore strongly suggest to relocate some of the funding of the army to local forces to keep a closer eye on imminent rebellions."}, {"Scheming_Priests": "The few remaining priests of the great snake try to gather some form of resistance to overthrow the new rulers. I was never a religious lizard. With my grandfather being a geomancer, my family followed older teachings about spirits and ancestors and did not feel that the fanaticism that most followers of the snake god displayed was appropriate. I even doubted some of their essential doctrines and I remember tales from the dawn of time that made no reference to a great snake at all. Yet, those priests might be our last hope to get rid of the new rulers. The priests did not like my independence in the past, though, and I am not sure if I am welcome in their ranks. Together we might stand a chance."}, {"The_Plague_I": "Blight and sickness are spreading. The great plague has not been forgotten yet and so sickness is something people are accustomed to. But I can sense the taint that is spreading, and the spirits of earth, water, and wind tell me about some presence that is poisoning the soil and the springs. I can feel it also when I am fully attuned to the land. The new regime does not like if people talk about such things, and I was removed from my position in the ministry of agriculture. My abilities made me a precious member of the order and I used to be influential and respected. And now they strip me off like an old skin. I don't understand what is happening and the spirits can offer me little help in this matter. I retreated to my old home, banned from the gardens I loved so much. The spirits are still with me but my lifetime achievement was taken away from me. I could have understood the decision if I had supported the resistance in the civil war in any way but I was never a politician and did not take part in that rebellion. What is wrong about warning people of something bad that is happening? The dragon kings can't see that as an act of rebellion or spread of unrest. I just want to help with all my power. Why would they want to keep such a blight a secret? Is it perhaps their fault in some way? I fear the worst. I have talked to several of my old friends about that issue and they just won't listen. Even the most open-minded seem to have changed since some time. It is almost as if they were replaced by someone else. All they say is 'the dragon kings want this ...', ' the dragon kings want that ...' as if that were the only thing that is of importance to them. Perhaps I was too reclusive, too absorbed with talking to the spirits, and I don't understand my fellow lizards anymore. But there is still hope. I was called to the court of one of the dragon kings. I will probably speak to one of his highest ranking followers. I guess they have heard about my concerns and will give me an opportunity to speak about my concerns. Surely they will finally recognise the importance of my observations. Perhaps I will regain my old position and will soon have access to the gardens again."}, {"The_Plague_II": "Only parts of the military are willing to support us. Their spirit was broken long ago in the fights against the orcs. Our once proud army was reduced to an inflexible behemoth that reacted sluggish to any problem. And this behemoth was beaten into shambles by the orcish hordes. Only the dragons' interference turned the tides of war. Now most generals fear what would happen if this support were withdrawn. Could we repel another attack of the orcs? Would a civil war not only make us more vulnerable with no winner at all? I fully understand and share these views. Still, it is our only hope. If we bow to the dragons now, they will rule us once and for all. We have to act here and now. Yet, I am afraid not many will join us and the temptation to betray our cause for some better position in the hierarchy is a constant danger. Our best hope is to form a resistance in secret and then strike at the dragon kings at once. None of them shall survive and we have to avoid fighting other parts of the army. We must save every strength that is left for the time ahead, for a time when the dragon kings are gone. With a beheading strike we will free our nation."}, {"The_Plague_III": "The treatment of sick peasants has lost more and more importance in the recent years. The local governors have grown accustomed to rather shunt infected people into the provinces of their rivals than to pay for their treatment. People are cheap and plenty, medication is not. As a physician I cannot agree to such an attitude, but I am in the employ of a governor and have little influence on his decisions, and even less on those of others. The nobility in turn values its health quite much. Even the most minor symptoms have to be treated with the most expensive and powerful potions at our disposal."}, {"The_Plague_IV": "I have been informed by the local governors of the north that they will not be able to send any additional troops to help out with our orc problem. They claim that the diseased are threatening to invade their fortresses in the hope of finding some cure or nourishment there. Therefore, they need every men at their disposal. I will gather the local guards that are now on their way to stop the spread of the plague by burning infected villages and join them with my remaining soldiers. Considering our might and expertise, the orcish raiders are of course no threat. I will take the rejection of support as an opportunity to prove my superior strategical and logistical skills. There has not been any glorious battle for decades. Even though I fear that the reports of panicked peasants exaggerate the number of the orcs, there is still hope that they will be enough to give my soldiers some exercise. The captain of the local border patrol has remained silent for quite a while now. I assume he is still figuring out how to explain that he had let slip some of the orcs. I will not accept the decimation of his ranks due to the plague as an excuse. The plague is something we all have to deal with. It is even possible that one of my rivals has paid him for his inattention in the hope to disrupt my control of my province in these hard times. I think it will be the wisest decision to have said captain executed as soon as I have dealt with the orcs."}, {"The_Plague_V": "With the orcish hordes in our lands, many of my colleagues have recalled their troops from the borders and patrol duties to fortify their cities. Only me and a few others still maintain some form of patrols. It seems that due to the lack of resistance, the orcs roam quite freely in our lands. Ironically the calling back of troops seems to have brought the plague into the fortresses. So the reinforcement actually turned into weakening the positions. When the emperor learns about this, I am sure some heads will roll. Without any force to restrict them, hordes of infected peasants flee their villages and spread the plague further. From all what I can tell, the plague has spread everywhere by now and even the fortresses are no longer safe. I think once the orcs retreat, we will have a big task of rebuilding at hand. With the obvious failure of certain governors, I will gain more power and influence. Perhaps I can even convince the emperor to merge some of the bordering provinces with mine."}, {"The_Plague_VI": "The plague is not much different from those we have encountered before. In fact in ancient texts I found a report of an occurrence some generations ago with almost identical symptoms. The plague of these times was only local. The village was put under quarantine and the best physicians and supplies were sent. Over the course of a month, the plague had passed through and from over 100 infected less then 20 had died. It seems the plague in our days was ignored by the authorities for quite a while. Later a local governor tried to cover up this mistake and kept the plague secret. To ensure that, he chose a rather aggressive approach and had the village burnt down with all its inhabitants. It seems that some of the villagers had escaped though and fled to relatives in neighbouring villages. As the word of the extermination of the village spread, many peasants fled their villages as soon as the first symptoms of the plague showed up. Still, it seems the plague is hitting the peasantry harder than it had in the past. I think I will have to investigate their living conditions to get a better insight."}, {"Farmer_Zuan": "The farmer Zuan was found guilty of heresy for speaking bad words about a spawn of the great snake that has crossed his field. He was sentenced to death and his tongue was cut out. The tongue will not be given a proper burial but will be thrown into the sea. The village has to pay the temple 20 sacks of their finest rice as compensation. Praised be the great snake."}, {"Treasonous_Tazar": "The governor Tazar was found guilty of treason in three cases and was executed at sundown. He was found guilty to have withhold money from the local taxes to fund a rather dubious private army of mercenaries. Secondly, he had used said mercenaries to sabotage the property of a neighbouring governor. Further, he was found guilty of belonging to a cabal of three governors of his family line that planned to assassinate the emperor and to replace his house in regency. His belongings were confiscated and his family was dispossessed, his co-conspirators were arrested."}, {"Jekhr_Numbers": "The Deepling Language, Volume II: Exercises\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nExercises, Chapter III: Numbers\none/first=hon\ntwo/second=rau\nthree/third=du\nfour/fourth=qo\nfive/fifth=rei\nsix/sixth=tau\neight/eighth=kri\nnine/ninth=lod\nten/tenth=emm"}, {"The_Swimmer_I": "The Swimmer Part I\nTranslation from 'Jekhr' (language of the Deeplings)\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nAnd when the Swimmer reached the bottom of the sea, he was enlightened by the beauty of the deep. The lively cities of the Deeplings greeted him from the bosom of the ocean. Drowning in colour and light, the Swimmer reached the sea's moist bed, surrounded by guardians of the deep. But their welcome was of little warmth. They did not see a foreigner nor a stranger, not a visitor but a threat."}, {"The_Heart_of_the_Sea": "The Heart of the Sea\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nThe Deeplings seem to be fond of the colour red. Otherwise, I cannot explain their obsessive dedication to mine and process rubies while widely ignoring the other gems that can be found in the rocks and cliffs of this subaquarian world. Extraordinarily large rubies are refined even further. The most valuable and perfected is the blood-red \"Heart of the Sea\". Once I witnessed the stone being inserted into an impressive statue during some kind of ceremony at the large central passageway they call Apex of Worship."}, {"Jekhr_Advanced_Vocabulary_II": "The Deepling Language, Volume II: Exercises\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nExercises, Chapter II: Advanced Vocabulary 2\nall=jeyon\navenge/avenging/avenger=nuijan\nbalance=runjh\nbattle=arjak\nblind/blinding=jalgi\ncourage=hounth\ndark=faoti\ndefy/defies=oljent\nenemy/enemies=grum\nfallen=oskijah\nfame=glie\ngaze=githn\ngod-king=reykhn\nkeeper=hidor\nmaster=bayl\norder=qna\nour=jedo\nrepulse/repulsing=tobaj\nstrike/struck=djou\nsolitary=tehon\nsupreme=enijen\nto=dh\nweapon=nakk\nwith=kut"}, {"Jekhr_Pronouns": "The Deepling Language, Volume II: Exercises\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nThe Deepling language is not yet understood to its fullest. However, it mostly consists of nouns and basic, infinite verbs.\nExercises, Chapter I: Pronouns\nI/me = jh\nwe/us = jey\nyou = na\nthe/that/this = jeh"}, {"Excerpt_from_\"Deep_Thoughts\"": "Excerpt from \"Deep Thoughts\", personal comments of Chronicler Lagatos to his unfinished work \"Encyclopedia Terra Subaqua\":\nBefore the oceans that formed on Tibia took the shape they hold today, the underwater world of Tibia was already a diverse, busy and sprawling place. Ruled by the one god of the deep: Qjell*, Deus Profundis. Guarded by three depth lords: Obujos, Defensor Profundis, Jaul, Protektor Profundis and Tanjis, Expeditus Profundis, he dwelled on the very bottom of the deepest ocean. (*These names have been repeated excessively in almost all of the few writings discovered of this old civilisation so far and were extracted as the names of the three main individuals around Qjell.)\nAlthough violent and often primitive in nature, these creatures of the deep are strangely interconnected and should be considered intelligent beings. They communicate and interact with each other on a higher level than most inhabitants of the Tibia oceans. However, each of their existences is mostly focused on specific tasks. As each Deepling has to play its role, the social structure of their society is clearly structured and layered in strict castes. From what is known through collected studies and vague interpretations of writings in the foreign language of higher Deeplings, higher castes suppress members of lower classes systematically. This is achieved by radical control of everyday life of lower Deeplings and strict classification. Besides fear and oppression, higher classes especially utilise limitations to reach these goals. Parts of the society will not be able to access specific religious sites, sacred writings or even habitats of higher members. It is not possible for the majority of Deeplings to acquire the knowledge necessary to breach their social status for their entire life. Members of the upper class hand-pick other Deeplings for their future role as they see fit. Effectively destroying their former social life, family ties and former duties. From what is known to this date, the selected members accept their fate for a \"greater good\" of which it is unknown whether it defines worshipping their God King Qjell or simply living in service for the upper castes. It is highly possible that this system of control is maintained to reduce the risk of riots and keep the general mood and morale at a manageable level. It is not known how old (or young) this civilisation was when they decided to \"reduce\" their society to cattle and shepherd, but it is possible that they found this to be the only form that guarantees survival of the race as a whole. So far this concept did not fail.\nLower castes consist of scouts, various kinds of warriors and simple workers. So far it is assumed that the main tasks of female Deeplings, while being valued very highly in all layers of Deepling society, focusses on creative or supportive tasks as well as their offspring. Though it is unknown whether there are specific roles for females in higher castes."}, {"The_Swimmer_II": "The Swimmer Part II\nTranslation from 'Jekhr' (language of the Deeplings)\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nHeld captive for two lifetimes he became one with the stone and coral that bound him. He longed for the world above. Wandering the skies again in broad daylight. Roaming the deserts, mountains and vast plains of the world like he used to. Floating a drop above the rain and dodging beams of the twin suns, he would embrace the disembodied freedom of his true self.\nHe was a spirit and a ghost. His soul moved into the very walls and fences of every house and court. Claiming the very foundations of this watery city as his own.\nThe Swimmer now lingers in shadowy corners, damp and dark and hollow. Chasing flickers of light touching the ground like a cat born of fog. When the creatures of the deep fell for the first visitor, he mourned the loss of the good in their souls. When the colour finally fled from its last enclave, he longed for redemption.\nWhat is left of the light once brought to us, what remains of the fires once thriving us, it is he."}, {"Jekhr_Basic_Vocabulary_II": "The Deepling Language, Volume II: Exercises\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nExercises, Chapter II: Basic Vocabulary 2 (F-W)\nface=thn\nfrom/of the=ho\ngreet/greeting=lhnjei\nguide=neta\nhand=roff\nhim/he=ku\nin=um\nintruder=kenh\nlet=jul\nlibrary=giotja\nlight=fie\nmarch=shum\nnarrow=dakn\nnot=ro\nobey=qohn\nover/up/on=gou\npath=kweh\npeace=dividej\nperseverance/endurance=lorkulh\nprotect=jau\nreach=lume\nrise=cie\nsea/water=jhli\nseabed=jhlimeh\nseven=laek\nshall=to\nsit/sitting=toky\nsmile/smiling=solesteh\nstatue/figure=bost\nsurface=gouthn\nvisit/visitor=buhel\nwalk=motom\nwatch=afar\nwhat=gonn\nwhen/if=el\nwho=hon\nwill=krum"}, {"Jekhr_Basic_Vocabulary_I": "Exercises, Chapter II: Basic Vocabulary 1 (A-D)\nAdditional notes: Most complex words are constructed of smaller basic vocabulary. For example: 'surface' ('gouthn') consists of 'over/up' ('gou') and 'face' ('thn'). Ligatures appear as consonants only as in 'Qjell' ('Qjell'). An 'i' at the end of a word will always be pronounced as 'ee'. A verb is negated if it is followed by 'ro'. For example: 'lume' ('reach') followed by 'ro' ('not') means 'not to reach'.\nalive/life=kejh\nand=ut\narmed=tanakk\nascend=forfai\nbe/is/was=en\nbed=meh\nbefore=kon\nblack=flou\nbook=giot\nbow=ly\nbring=bur\nbringer=buron\ncolour=yill\ncoming/arrival/come=jarkh\ncreature=corej\ndeath=brok\ndeep/depth/profound=nja\ndeepling=njey\ndefend=obu\ndestruction/destroy=jakhn\ndo=lh\ndown=osk\ndweller/dwell=naumpi"}, {"The_First_Coming_of_Qjell": "The Book of Qjell, The First Coming\nEdition II, Translation from 'Jekhr' (language of the Deeplings)\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nWhen the creatures of the deep were born under the eternal suns, a great evil befell the seas. An evil never described in writing nor mentioned by a scholar for it was blackness incarnate. Chaos and darkness reigned and the deep suffered direly. For centuries our world was shattered and occluded from light and warmth. Those born under a weak tide were abducted, captured, eaten by fiends of the void. The strongest would prevail, but their numbers were small. Our race was facing extinction before they were touched by even a single beam of light. It was in these darkest of nights and the deepest of depths that a Deepling would rise to face the unlight. It was Qjell who was the first, the one to stand against these vile odds. He lived as one of us, he suffered among us. He reached for the surface and brought the light, his gift, to undo the deeds of the wicked. To cleanse the deep and to wash our faces for we were to expect the twin suns. And he drove away the evil and was light incarnate. This was the time known as the First Coming. We shall await the Second Coming. And for we are given time on this world, we shall use it to erect walls and pillars, temples and towers, gardens and cities. For we shall prosper and grow to await the Coming of our God King Qjell."}, {"The_Second_Coming_of_Qjell": "The Book of Qjell, The Second Coming\nEdition II, Translation from 'Jekhr' (language of the Deeplings)\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nNote: The texts I discovered that deal with the time after the First Coming seem to be in a younger tongue and written entirely different from the older works. The newer passages are more like chants to be recited and memorised.\nAnd Qjell rose and brought light.\nAnd Qjell conquered and became light.\nAnd we awaited the return of our God King Qjell.\nAnd in the darkest of nights,\nin the twin sun's nadir,\ntheir touch fading from the ocean's bed,\nHe returned.\nThis time shall be known as the Second Coming.\nAnd Qjell spread word of the light.\nAnd Qjell pointed upward beyond.\nAnd Qjell united us to obey.\nAnd Qjell marched onward.\nAnd follow we will."}, {"Deepling_Book_5": "~-\"->, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 LO\"\n\n-( <OB-J LO J-L \"J^ )O\"~^->L J-L B^C J^B->L J-L LO\" J|\"J^ -\" J-L =(^L LO ~-\"->, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 -( J-L JC>\" LO B^C J^B->L )JOC, ->C (O\")-| JL(| CUL- 8(|-\u00c2\u00b0 BOC\" ->C (C8J- J-L UOL, ->O(-> LO BOQOL\" -\" (OC)JOL <- J-L J^(O| JL(|\u00c2\u00b0 ->C >O(UOL J-L ->U-|J CL ~OJ^( J-L B^C J^B->L\u00c2\u00b0 J-\\ (\\ LO \"^ CU ^BJ^-> ~-\"->, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0"}, {"Jekhr_Basics": "The Deepling Language, Volume I: Basics\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\n\nTo begin studying the language of the deep, one should start with learning the characters and practice basic vocabulary. The first volume of this work will address the former.\n\nAlphabet of the Njey\n\nA ^\nB V\nC <\nD )\nE -\nF =\nG 8\nH T\nI |\nJ J\nK X\nL (\nM W\nN \"\nO O\nP ]\nQ Q\nR B\nS ~\nT L\nU C\nV >\nW U\nX ->\nY \\\nZ /\n\nFullstop/Exclamation Mark = \u00c2\u00b0\nQuestion Mark = :\n\nNote that when spoken aloud, a 'T' (as in 'h' or 'H') will be pronounced 'aa'. It is only pronounced 'h' if at the beginning of a word. The word 'jakhn' (to destroy/destruction) will be pronounced: \"jakaan\""}, {"Jekhr_Advanced_Vocabulary_I": "The Deepling Language, Volume II: Exercises\nBy Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nExercises, Chapter II: Advanced Vocabulary 1\nboil/boiling=jaloi\nby=ce\ncarcass/cadaver=kolk\ndawn=flah\nembrace=donsakh\never=teth\nflame=jalan\ngift=jinja\nground=moh\nherald/heralded=sojal\ninto=umte\ninvasor=daijei\nnonbeliever/not obeying=roqohn\npave/paved=bolmoh\nswallow=loudjou\ntide=jubn\ntouch/touched=lugje\nturn/turned=londei\nway=kweij\nwere=en\nwhere/wherever=roun"}, {"Deepling_Book_4": "TO\" (T \"^ QOT\": QJ-((\u00c2\u00b0\nTO\" \"^ J-\\: QJ-((\u00c2\u00b0\nQJ-(( VCBO\" =|-\u00c2\u00b0"}, {"Deepling_Book_3": "CL QJ-(( =OB=^| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( WOLOW J-T 8OCLT\"\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( VCB J-T =|-\u00c2\u00b0 (OBXC(T CW VBOX\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( XBCW <|-\u00c2\u00b0 J-T B^C J^BXT -\" BO==\u00c2\u00b0"}, {"Deepling_Book_6": "~-\"->, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 B^C\n\n^=^B J-\\ ->CL L-LO\" 8|LL\"\u00c2\u00b0 J^(8| J-\\ ->CL LOC\"LL CL 8(|-\u00c2\u00b0 LO\" -\"|J-\" >^\\( CU ^BJ^->\u00c2\u00b0 ->C O(J-\"L J-\\O\" 8BCU LO J-)O B-\\->L\" QJ-((\u00c2\u00b0 ->C -\" J-)O \"^->-> CU J-L =^OL|\u00c2\u00b0 L|)OB LO OB)-B CL BC\"JL\u00c2\u00b0 LO>^J ->-\"L CL \"C|J^\" J-L O~->|J^L\u00c2\u00b0"}, {"Deepling_Book_1": "~O(-~L-T\u00c2\u00b0\n<OB-J J^BXT TO 8OC\u00c2\u00b0 J-T 8OCLT\" J^BXT CW )|>|)-J\u00c2\u00b0 J-\\ JC( XC (T\u00c2\u00b0 XC -\" VCT-(\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( ~O(-~L-T\u00c2\u00b0"}, {"Deepling_Book_2": "L^\"J|~ L^\"^XX TO \"J^ CL QJ-(( ^=^B\u00c2\u00b0\nOVCJO~ OVC TO \"J^ CL QJ-(( (T\"J-|\u00c2\u00b0\nJ^C( J^C TO \"J^ CL QJ-(( ~O(-~L-T\u00c2\u00b0"}, {"Deepling_Book_1_Translated": "Original:\n~O(-~L-T\u00c2\u00b0\n<OB-J J^BXT TO 8OC\u00c2\u00b0 J-T 8OCLT\" J^BXT CW )|>|)-J\u00c2\u00b0 J-\\ JC( XC (T\u00c2\u00b0 XC -\" VCT-(\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( ~O(-~L-T\u00c2\u00b0\n\nAlphanumeric:\nSOLESTEH.\nCOREJ JARKH HO GOU. JEH GOUTHN JARKH UM DIVIDEJ. JEY JUL KU LH. KU EN BUHEL. UT QJELL SOLESTEH.\n\nPronounced:\nsolesteaa.\ncorej jarkaa ho gou. jeaa goutaan jarkaa um dividej. jey jul ku laa. ku en buaael. ut kjell solesteaa.\n\nSubstitution:\nsmile/smiling.\ncreature coming/arrival/come from/of the over/up/on. the/that/this surface coming/arrival/come in/into peace. we/us let him/he do/let. him/he were visit/visitor. and QJELL smile/smiling.\n\nInterpretation:\nSmiles.\nA creature came from the above.\nThe surface dweller came in peace.\nWe let him stay.\nHe is a visitor. And Qjell smiles"}, {"Deepling_Book_2_Translated": "Original:\nL^\"J|~ L^\"^XX TO \"J^ CL QJ-(( ^=^B\u00c2\u00b0\nOVCJO~ OVC TO \"J^ CL QJ-(( (T\"J-|\u00c2\u00b0\nJ^C( J^C TO \"J^ CL QJ-(( ~O(-~L-T\u00c2\u00b0\n\nAlphanumeric:\nTANJIS TANAKK HO NJA UT QJELL AFAR.\nOBUJOS OBU HO NJA UT QJELL LHNJEI.\nJAUL JAU HO NJA UT QJELL SOLESTEH.\n\nPronounced:\ntanjis tanakk ho nja ut kjell afar.\nobujos obu ho nja ut kjell laanjei.\njaul jau ho nja ut kjell solesteaa.\n\nSubstitution:\nTANJIS armed from/of the deep/depth/profound and QJELL watch.\nOBUJOS defend from/of the deep/depth/profound and QJELL greet/greeting.\nJAUL protect from/of the deep/depth/profound and QJELL smile/smiling.\n\nInterpretation:\nTanjis arms the deep and Qjell watches.\nObujos defends the deep and Qjell greets.\nJaul protects the deep and Qjell smiles."}, {"Deepling_Book_3_Translated": "Original:\nCL QJ-(( =OB=^| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( WOLOW J-T 8OCLT\"\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( VCB J-T =|-\u00c2\u00b0 (OBXC(T CW VBOX\u00c2\u00b0 CL QJ-(( XBCW <|-\u00c2\u00b0 J-T B^C J^BXT -\" BO==\u00c2\u00b0\n\nAlphanumeric:\nUT QJELL FORFAI NJA.\nUT QJELL MOTOM JEH GOUTHN.\nUT QJELL BUR JEH FIE.\nLORKULH UM BROK.\nUT QJELL KRUM CIE.\nJEH RAU JARKH EN ROFF.\n\nPronounced:\nut kjell forfai nja.\nut kjell motom jeaa goutaan.\nut kjell bur jeaa fie.\nlorkulaa um brok.\nut kjell krum cie.\njeaa rau jarkaa en roff.\n\nSubstitution:\nand QJELL ascend deep/depth/profound.\nand QJELL walk the/that/this surface.\nand QJELL bring the/that/this light.\nperseverance/endurance in/into death.\nand QJELL will rise.\nthe/that/this two/second coming/arrival/come were hand.\n\nInterpretation:\nAnd Qjell ascends from the depths.\nAnd Qjell walks the surface.\nAnd Qjell brings the light.\nEnduring even in death.\nAnd Qjell will rise again.\nThe second coming is at hand."}, {"Deepling_Book_4_Translated": "Original:\nTO\" (T \"^ QOT\": QJ-((\u00c2\u00b0\nTO\" \"^ J-: QJ-((\u00c2\u00b0\nQJ-(( VCBO\" =|-\u00c2\u00b0\n\nAlphanumeric:\nHON LH NA QOHN? QJELL.\nHON NA JEY? QJELL.\nQJELL BURON FIE.\n\nPronounced:\nhon laa na koaan? kjell.\nhon na jey? kjell.\nkjell buron fie.\n\nSubstitution:\nwho/one do/let you obey? QJELL.\nwho/one you we/us? QJELL.\nQJELL bringer light.\n\nInterpretation:\nWho do you obey? Qjell.\nWho do you belong? Qjell\nQjell brings light."}, {"Deepling_Book_5_Translated": "Original:\n~-\"+, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 LO\"\n-( <OB-J LO J-L \"J^ )O\"~^+L J-L B^C J^B+L J-L LO\" J|\"J^ -\" J-L =(^L LO ~\"-+, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 -( J-L JC>\" LO B^C J^B+L )JOC, +C (O\")-| JL(| CUL- 8(|-\u00c2\u00b0 BOC\" +C (C8J- J-L UOL, +O(+ LO BOQOL\" -\" (OC)JOL <- J-L J^(O| JL(|\u00c2\u00b0 +C >O(UOL J-L +U-|J CL ~OJ^( J-L B^C J^B+L\u00c2\u00b0 J-\\ (\\ LO \"^ CU ^BJ^+ ~\"-+, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0\n\nAlphanumeric:\nSENX DAIJEI NJA. TON EL COREJ TO JET NJA DONSAXT JET RAU JARXT JET TON JINJA EN JET FLAT TO SENX DAIJEI NJA. EL JET JUVN TO RAU JARXT DJOU XU LONDEI JTLI UWTE GLIE. ROUN XU LUGJE JET WOT XOLX TO ROQOTN EN LOUDJOT CE JET JALOI JTLI. XU VOLWOT JET XWEIJ UT SOJAL JET RAU JARXT. JEY LY TO NA UW ARJAX SENX DAIJEI NJA.\n\nPronounced:\nsenks daijei nja. ton el corej to jet nja donsakst jet rau jarkst jet ton jinja en jet flat to senks daijei nja. el jet juvn to rau jarkst djou ksu londei jtli uwte glie. roun ksu lugje jet wot ksolks to rokotn en loudjot ce jet jaloi jtli. ksu volwot jet ksweij ut sojal jet rau jarkst. jey ly to na uw arjaks senks daijei nja.\n\nSubstitution:\nSENX invader deep/depth/profound. TON when/if creature shall JET deep/depth/profound DONSAXT JET two/second JARXT JET TON gift were JET FLAT shall SENX invader deep/depth/profound. when/if JET JUVN shall two/second JARXT strike/force XU turn/turned JTLI UWTE fame. where/wherever XU touch/touched JET WOT XOLX shall ROQOTN were LOUDJOT by/with JET boil/boiling JTLI. XU VOLWOT JET XWEIJ and herald/heralded JET two/second JARXT. we/us bow shall you UW ARJAX SENX invader deep/depth/profound.\n\nEvolved Words:\nTO = HO = from/of the\nDONSAXT = donsakh = embrace\nJARXT = jarkh = coming/arrival/come\nFLAT = flah = dawn\nJUVN = jubn = tide\nUWTE = umte = into\nXOLX = kolk = carcass\nLOUDJOT = loudjou = swallow\nJTLI = jhli = sea/water\nXWEIJ = kweij = way\nWOT = moh = ground\nVOLWOT = bolmoh = pave/paved\nARJAX = arjak = battle\n\nEvolved Substitution:\nSENX invader deep/depth/profound. I\nwhen/if creature shall the deep/depth/profound embrace the two/second coming the first gift were the dawn shall SENX invader deep/depth/profound. when/if the tide shall two/second come strike/force him turn/turned water into fame. where/wherever he touch/touched the ground carcass shall non-believer were swallow by/with the boil/boiling sea/water. he paved the way and herald/heralded the two/second coming. we/us bow shall you in battle SENX invader deep/depth/profound.\n\nInterpretation:\nSenx, book one.\nWhen the creatures of the deep shall embrace the second coming, the first gift will be the dawn of Senx the invader of the deep. When the tide of the second coming strikes he'll turn water into f(l)ame. where he touch the dead bodies of those that don't obey will be swallowed by the boiling sea. He paves the way and heralds the second coming. We shall bow to you in battle, our profound invader Senx."}, {"Deepling_Book_6_Translated": "Original:\n~-\"+, )^|J-| \"J^\u00c2\u00b0 B^C\n^=^B J-\\ +CL L-LO\" 8|LL\"\u00c2\u00b0 J^(8| J-\\ +CL LOC\"LL CL 8(|-\u00c2\u00b0 LO\" -\"|J-\" >^( CU ^BJ^+\u00c2\u00b0 +C O(J-\"L J-\\O\" 8BCU LO J-)O B-+L\" QJ-((\u00c2\u00b0 +C -\" J-)O \"^++ CU J-L =^OL|\u00c2\u00b0 L|)OB LO OB)-B CL BC\"JL\u00c2\u00b0 LO>^J +\"-L CL \"C|J^\" J-L O~+|J^L\u00c2\u00b0\n\nAlphanumeric:\nAFAR JEY XUT TETON GITTN. JALGI JEY XUT TOUNTT UT GLIE. TON ENIJEN VAYL UW ARJAX. XU OLJENT JEYON GRUW TO JEDO REYXTN QJELL. XU EN JEDO NAXX UW JET FAOTI. TIDOR TO ORDER UT RUNJT. TOVAJ XENT UT NUIJAN JET OSXIJAT.\n\nPronounced:\nafar jey ksut teton gittn. jalgi jey ksut tountt ut glie. ton enijen vayl uw arjaks. ksu oljent jeyon gruw to jedo reykstn kjell. ksu en jedo naksks uw jet faoti. tidor to order ut runjt. tovaj ksent ut nuijan jet osksijat.\n\nSubstitution:\nSENX invader deep/depth/profound. II\nwatch we/us XUT TETON GITTN. blind/blinding we/us XUT TOUNTT and fame. TON supreme VAYL UW ARJAX. he defy/defies all GRUW shall our REYXTN QJELL. XU were our NAXX UW JET dark. TIDOR shall ORDER and RUNJT. TOVAJ XENT and avenge/avenging/avenger JET OSXIJAT.\n\nEvolved Words:\nTO = ho = from/of the\nXUT = kul = with\nXU = ku = he/him\nJET = jeh = the\nNAXX = nakk = weapon\nUW = um = in?\nRUNJT = runjh = balance\nXENT = kenh = intruder\nTOUNTT = hounth = courage\nREYXTN = reykhn = god-king,\nOSXIJAT = oskijah = fallen,\nHIDOR = tidor = keeper\nTOVAJ = tobaj = repulsing/repulse\nTON = hon = one/first\nTETON = tehon = solitary\nGITTN = githn = gaze\nVAYL = bayl = master\nGRUW = grum = enemy/enemies\n\nEvolved Substitution:\nSENX invader deep/depth/profound. II\nwatch we/us with solitary gaze. blind/blinding we/us with courage and fame. first supreme master in battle. he defy/defies all enemy/enemies shall our god-king QJELL. he/him were our weapon in the dark. keeper shall ORDER and balance. repulsing/repulse intruder and avenge/avenging/avenger the fallen.\n\nInterpretation:\nWatching us with solitary gaze.\nBlinding us with courage and fame.\nFirst supreme master in battle.\nHe defies all enemies of our god-king QJELL.\nHe is our weapon of the dark. Keeper of ORDER and balance.\nRepulse the intruders and avenge the fallen."}, {"Letter_From_Jaul": "Original:\n8OCLT\" \"^CW\\]|\u00c2\u00b0 J|T -\" BO 8|T( OT 8OCLT\"^|\u00c2\u00b0 J-\\ XBCW (TCW )JC J-T )JOC TO J-T JT(^|, J-\\ XBCW <|- TO JT(|\u00c2\u00b0 J-T B-\\XT\" XBCW -\"|=^B\u00c2\u00b0 JT XBCW J^C CL C~X XC =|J\u00c2\u00b0 JT(|X^ CW =(OC 8^LT\" TO VOB8-|^ OT LT(| =|-LT\u00c2\u00b0 JT JT(O J-T VOJT VBOW-T TO JT JT(O~X CW ^BJ^X J-T TO\" 8UOV\u00c2\u00b0 JT WOLOWT )T JT 8OCLT\" )T )OJT JT 8OCLT\"^ VOJT CW \"^| LOXJT(| TO JT =|-JT| TO\"8OC J-T -\" JT(|\u00c2\u00b0 \"J^| XCL JT| ~CWJTXT QCXT\u00c2\u00b0 JT XBCW V^J^B\u00c2\u00b0 QJ-(( ^=^B 8OC J-, J^C(\n\nAlphanumeric:\nGOUTHN NAUMPI. JIH EN RO GIHL OH GOUTHNAI. JEY KRUM LHUM DJU JEH DJOU HO JEH JHLAI JEY KRUM CIE HO JHLI. JEH REYKHN KRUM ENIFAR. JH KRUM JAU UT USK KU FIJ. JHLIKA UM FLOU GATHN HO BORGEIA OH THLI FIETH. JH JHLO JEH BOJH BROMEH HO JH JHLOSK UM ARJAK JEH HON GWOB. JH MOTOMH DH JH GOUTHN DH DOJH JH GOUTHNA BOJH UM NAI TOKJHLI HO JH FIEJHI HONGOU JEH EN JHLI. NJAI KUT JHI SUMJHKH QUKH. JH KRUM BAJAR. QJELL AFAR GOU JEY JAUL\n\nPronounced:\ngoutaan naumpi. jiaa en ro giaal oaa goutaanai. jey krum laaum dju jeaa djou ho jeaa jaalai jey krum cie ho jaali. jeaa reykaan krum enifar. jaa krum jau ut usk ku fij. jaalika um flou gataan ho borgeia oaa taali fietaa. jaa jaalo jeaa bojaa bromeaa ho jaa jaalosk um arjak jeaa hon gwob. jaa motomaa daa jaa goutaan daa dojaa jaa goutaana bojaa um nai tokjaali ho jaa fiejaai hongou jeaa en jaali. njai kut jaai sumjaakaa kukaa. jaa krum bajar. kjell afar gou jey jaul\n\nSubstitution:\nsurface dweller/dwell. there were no/not safety for humanity. we/us will press against the/that/this strike/force from/of the the/that/this waves we/us will rise from/of the sea/water. the/that/this god-king will reign. I/me will protect and serve him/he well/good. bathe in/into black sand from/of the BORGEIA for count/countless day/days. I/me wade the/that/this blight/plague/pest swamp from/of the I/me Undersea in/into battle the/that/this who GWOB. I/me travel to I/me surface to wipe I/me human blight/plague/pest in/into their ship from/of the I/me sun/sunlight mirror the/that/this were sea/water. together with my brother/brothers-in-arms prevail. I/me will return. QJELL watch over/up/on we/us JAUL\n\nInterpretation:\nSurface dweller, There is no safety for humanity. We will press against the force of the waves and rise from the water. The god-king will reign, and I will protect and serve him well. I will bathe in the black sand of Borgeia for countless days, and wade through the blight swamp of Undersea, in battle against Gwob, the One. I will travel to the surface to wipe out the human blight on their ship, using the sunlight reflected in the mirror of the sea. Together with my brothers-in-arms, we will prevail and I will return.\nQJELL will watch over us, JAUL."}, {"The_Drowned_Library": "The Drowned Library\nPersonal notes of Lagatos, Chronicler and Scholar\nThe once bright centre of the Deepling community has been given up ever since the days of the Second Coming. After their leaders were convinced that their future lied above sea level, more and more of them stopped maintaining the archives and tending for the books. With the Deeplings rallying for war, the great halls of the library were soon abandoned. The culture of these creatures is complex enough to produce a significant amount of literature. I have found several works about sea animals, food, architecture and even early philosophical theories. However, progression of the Deepling culture in this direction has long been abandoned in favour of war preparations or social oppression of lower castes."}, {"The_Hive_I": "... The journey has been uneventful so far and the weather is fine. Faltugios suggested to run the ship with full power but I decided it is better not to take even the slightest risk on our mission. I am still convinced that IT will not allow us that easily to continue with our plans. Admittedly, I am extremely nervous, but this is no surprise considering the circumstances. Our knowledge is a burden not easy to bear. Therefore I keep these notes, knowing I'll have to destroy them when the time has come. I'm a bit nervous but I'm also anxious to learn what we will be able to do for the best of the world. Time will tell.\n... A sea serpent has attacked our ship. Could it be IT's doing? Though the serpent was quite huge, it was no match for our ship's weaponry. Still, could IT know our power? Or the strength of IT's tools? Even if IT is not working consciously against our efforts, it might be an instinctive reflex like an animal that flicks flies. If it was an effort to stop us, it would mean that IT is aware of our movements. Could it be? We still know so little about this enemy, which ironically is also our only defence and hope. Faltugios should be glad that the circle spared him of the tainted knowledge. Of course he is not and blames me for holding back information. If he only knew what a gift his ignorance is.\n... Today we had to sink two Treluvian ships which attacked us. They still hold a grudge against us for not supplying them with weapons, but they really should have known better. Still, I felt uncomfortable ordering their destruction. On the other hand, knowing what I know, to bother about it is pointless. They'd be dead, one way or the other, anyway.\n... It is hard to let no word slip my lips by accident. They do not have to know what I know. Actually they probably already know too much for their own good. Or the good of the world that is. I try to blend out my knowledge as good as I can. Can IT perhaps hear my thoughts about IT somehow? The thing is that we know that there is some kind of dependency. But knowing about it only makes things work. I get a headache just thinking about it or even trying not to think about it. \n... With the weather that bad and several people seasick, I finally get some rest from their constant demands.\n... The weather gets better and the demands and hidden accusations are already increasing again. I was not prepared for such a thing. I am accustomed to my own studies in loneliness and not to care for the needs of several spoilt and eccentric scientists. I wonder if I was a good choice for that position. But now I have no choice.\n... The closer we come to the isle, the more it becomes clear what a responsibility lies on me. Sometimes when I try to sleep, I can feel it like a stone on my breast. What if the others refuse to work if they do not learn more about our agenda? What if we run into unexpected complications? What if we find out, our project is going to be a failure? What if IT knows more about us and our world than we assume? There are so many things that need to be considered. Would a good leader be as nervous as I am?"}, {"The_Hive_II": "... We have finally arrived. The isle is dull and barren but this fits our plan. The members of the expedition are anxious to learn more about our mission. As ordered I will present them the version of the secret research facility for biological experiments. Of course they will see through the obvious ruse. The morale is not that good anyway, with this half-hearted excuse it will only get worse. I wonder if IT will use this to our disadvantage. IT might try to influence the behaviour of the team members and pit them against each other. We can only assume what IT has learnt about the psyche of the inhabitants of our world. But I should not allow myself to get distracted from the goal. 'If' and 'when' do not help here. Our only hope is the outcome of our mission - even though it means our annihilation.\n... The lack of comfort allows tensions to grow. I have to admit, I am glad when they fight each other and leave me alone for a while. When they come to me for a decision, though, and both parties want me to decide in their favour, things become complicated. I wish we could concentrate on our research instead. If only the base were ready. \n... The worker golems have finally built a rudimentary base. Our priority is research and not comfort. There is still some unrest amongst the members of the expedition. They vent their anger about the obvious lie in complaints about the lack of comfort. Sometimes they slack in their work and are far too unenthusiastic in their researches. They are like spoilt children. I know they could do better but they are sabotaging our efforts by intentional laziness. I wish I could tell them. Then again I wish I would not know. What if IT uses the dissatisfaction of a researcher to sabotage our work? What if IT's agent is working right now while I am writings this? \n... Today the base was under attack. Not that this handful of sea dwellers posed a threat, but alone the fact that there was an attack at this remote isle makes me wonder if it was a coincidence or IT's work. I ordered to strengthen our defences and had some of the golems reconfigured for war purposes to boost our defence forces. That reminds me about the recent malfunctions of golems though. Although it is nothing extraordinary to have such a quota of malfunctions. I keep telling myself that such a rate is not unusual, not even in Yalahar and our golems here are working under less than optimal conditions. Yet, it might be that this subtlety is a trick of IT. Perhaps he is eroding our mission from many vantage points. All for itself might be of little interest and waved aside, but aren't that IT's fingerprints? Isn't that what we should expect from such an opponent? I will have to remain vigilant. I will register the slightest imperfections in our mission and analyse them thoroughly. I will not allow IT to triumph.\n... Several members of the expedition seem suspicious to me. Faltugios is the most vocal of them of course. He was criticising me right from the start and I wonder if he is an unwilling - or perhaps even a willing - tool of IT. Yes, perhaps some of them know more than they admit. It has been always our nature to be inquisitive and sceptical. What if one of them has learnt more than he was meant to know? What if he'd become tainted by the knowledge and perhaps was seduced with lies and promises? Well, I should probably not assume too much. Such things, though not unthinkable, have never occurred before. As far as we know, IT has no allies in this world, so my speculations regarding this are probably pointless. Yet, on the other hand, the responsibility for this expedition rests on my shoulders. So shouldn't I be prepared for the worst? However, I will have to improve the discipline somehow. I will grant privileges to some of the more cooperative ones and put restrictions on those who oppose me."}, {"The_Hive_III": "... The fishmen have attacked again. This time with a significant force and quite coordinated. I can't say I'm sad that their attack had cost the lives of Dregiz and Jurkoa. They have been consorts of Faltugios from the start and were causing more trouble than their research had helped us. Yet, the attack has proven we are in danger and I have called for reinforcements. Though the fish creatures were no match for our weapons and magic, our defence is too weak and we have too few capable fighters in the expedition team. Until the reinforcements arrive, I have to apply a more strict regime in the base. I can't allow my authority to be undermined. Our project is too important. After all, it is not some fancy research but the only hope for this world to survive. At least sort of. But I should not doubt our plan. This would only play in IT's hands for sure.\n... The attacks of the fishmen continue. The more we kill, the more they seem to call from the depths of the sea for their next attack. This can't be a coincidence anymore. It has to be IT's work. Nothing else makes any sense. Faltugios suggested to capture the creatures to try to communicate with them to learn their motivation. But this can't be allowed. If they do IT's bidding, they might know too much and their knowledge might taint the researchers. Also, regardless of their reasons, we cannot give in anyway. The first specimens are growing and show promise. We can't allow to be distracted.\n... The reinforcements still did not arrive. Actually, they were not even sent. I wonder what is happening in Yalahar. I heard about some quarrels in the circle and civil unrest. All foreigners are put under greater surveillance and the defences are strengthened against an attack that the circle can not specify to the masses. The tension in the city is growing and I fear that we might have to wait for reinforcements for quite a while. I have to issue stricter rules for the base, even if this will alienate some of the researchers even more. I'm sure the majority will understand that it is for the greater good.\n... No reinforcements and the attacks become more and more frequent. The situation is far from desperate but our efforts are hampered so much that we have almost no progress. Distractions, distractions, always distractions. I hardly get any sleep with all this responsibility lying on my shoulders. Faltugios is a constant thorn in my side. All of his actions seem to aim at undermining my position. This can no longer be seen as a coincidence considering the things I know. He must be a, probably unknowing, pawn of IT. Regardless if he knows what he is doing or not, he is a threat that has to be eliminated for the best of all. It would be best if the fishmen got him.\n... Finally word arrived that a small military force will be sent to assist us. We had another casualty in the fight against the fishmen. Not to mention the golems we have lost or those who were left running only with rudimentary functions. Most of us are great in wielding magic but none of us has any prior experience in battle. Still, our equipment and magic is ridiculously overpowering those primitives. I knew we were powerful compared to other races but I did not truly understand it until I saw the hordes of fishmen perish at our meagre defences. What could we have done for our world? But our days are numbered. Our existence will come to an end and with the great cleansing we will allow the world a new beginning. This is what IT fears and this is why IT throws us these hindrances in our way. IT has minions, I am sure of that now. Faltugios is but one of them. The fishmen are others. Who knows who is working for IT?"}, {"The_Hive_IV": "... The military expedition has finally arrived. They brought two of the newest heavy war golems and about a dozen ordinary war golems. With them commander Traks and two scholars from the exalted college of magic arrived. This Traks seems to assume he is responsible for the base from now on but I cannot allow some clueless strongman to endanger our efforts with his ignorance. We need to get a definite decision from the circle in that matter. Given the unrest in Yalahar, it might take a while to hear from them. This might be another plot of IT to stop us, to stop ME! What if IT is aware of me, because I am aware of IT? That is the way it works, right? That is the whole idea behind the great cleansing. IT is probably aware of me and plots my demise!\n... I knew it! Traks and Faltugios are becoming closer and closer every day. Although the attacks of the fishmen could be stopped and now our forces are pressing to the inland of the isle to route out the creatures, the knowledge that two of IT's pawns are operating right under my nose is an insult. I am responsible for this base. I am responsible for the experiments. I am responsible for the fate of the world!\n... IT is plotting. IT's minions are stalking me. The experiments finally make progress and show some promising results concerning all those disgusting creepers, but I know that IT is observing that, too, and IT is preparing to strike. Traks and Faltugios are avoiding me. My suspicions have long become a certainty. They are traitors of the world. It is my duty to stop them before they stop us. The unrest in Yalahar is growing. I am on my own. I wonder if there are contingency plans? Am I expendable? Is my project already deemed a failure due to the whisperings of IT? I cannot allow them to succeed. It is up to me to stop them. I alone can do it, stop them. I will save the world!\n... It is done! I locked up Faltugios and that stupid brute in a chamber and let some of the experimental specimens free. As expected the creatures perished, but they distracted this duo of traitors long enough to flood the room with gas. The others seem shocked by 'the accident'. If they only knew! If they only knew! But only I know it, know about IT. \n... What have I done? What if I was wrong? What if Faltugios and Traks were innocent. No, no, I was right. They were in liege with IT. Certainly even knowingly. But even if not, I had no choice. I have the responsibility. Only I know! This burden. It haunts me in my dreams. I hear their cries. Could I have stopped this from happening? Pointless. I have to do what I have to do. Everything else is pointless. Only the mission is important. If the mission succeeds, we'll be dead soon anyway. If not, we'll wish we were and the two should be grateful that I spared them this fate. I haven't done anything wrong. The lives of a few does not matter. They, no we, are dead already, but only I bear the burden to know this.\n... Can't sleep. Another night without sleep. At least it keeps the nightmares away. The scholars report that the fishmen seem to dwell in some caves on the isles. Though I fancy the idea to drown them in acid or something like that, it would require too much effort and resources. I hope they have been scared enough to stop their attacks. The blood toll they have paid is enormous. Yet, they did not stop. This should be prove enough that they are doing IT's work. Faltugios had some obscure theories about holy places and such. I know not much about this foolish religion stuff. We had abandoned the so-called gods for a good reason after all. I doubt, though, that they would be willing to sacrifice themselves for some imagined hex or charm. No, there must have been some power that forced them to die for IT. This is prove that IT's grasp on the world is growing and we have to stop IT."}, {"The_Hive_V": "... It seems, the attacks of the fishmen have finally ceased. The blood toll has only to be high enough, so that even those primitives notice that they are no match for the power of the Yalahari. Enlightenment due to pain and suffering. I feel a bit sad that I have not learnt about these aspects earlier. Perhaps I could have convinced the circle to change their approach to spread enlightenment. There is so much I could have taught the world!\n... As the book of Dgjuna teaches us, I have put my new insights into good use. I use the war golems and some fishmen we have captured from the caves to improve our experiments. The idea is as simple as brilliant. The newly bred creatures are pitted against the fishmen or the war golems. If they fail, they are killed and fed to the other experiments. If they show at least some success, we try to improve them further. I will outsmart IT! My weapon will break IT's grasp on this world. I will send IT tumbling back into the abyss it came from. I will teach IT fear. Yet - am I truly safe? What if there are other conspirators around? The scholars could be some of them. They ask curious questions about the death of Traks. IT is probably whispering to them. IT tries to use them against me.\n... The scholars behave more and more suspicious. Sometimes I see them watching me. I know they talk about me. Of course I could be wrong. But why take the risk? They will die anyway as we all will. Why not getting rid of them? The project - it is more important than them. Their need is expended. I will take care that nothing stops me from rescuing the world. \n... Faltugios is alive!!! He sneaked into my room while I was sleeping and whispered something into my ears. I can't recall what. When I switched on the light, he was gone. Perhaps IT has saved him and granted him ghostly powers. Or was it his ghost? Has IT turned him into a ghost? I am so shaken, so tired. I don't understand. We have some apparatus that should prove effective against ghosts. Tomorrow, I will set some of them up.\n... The others are eyeing me suspiciously. I know I look tired and act nervously but perhaps they know what I have done. Perhaps the ghost of Faltugios talked to them. Or he is truly alive. I have activated some ghost traps but with no success. Still, I am sure I can see him sometimes just vanishing when I focus my sight on him. But regardless of these attacks on my resolve, we make some progress. We established six stable species of the creepers. Now we can begin to add the suitable traits to them as planned. Later we will breed those species together to a single new race. My creatures will become our final weapon.\n... I shouldn't have done this. Or I should have left as ... I don't know. Now I'm in it and can't get out. It is up to me to finish this experiment. Yalahar is in uproar. I think the knowledge is spreading somehow, making things only worse. I have spoken to Tjule of the circle and he claimed to have no knowledge at all about my mission. What is happening here? Is it not the will of the circle what we are doing here but the work of a splinter group? Whatever! The plan is right. It is our only hope. It doesn't matter who came up with the plan. The crawler army is the only way to stop IT once and for all."}, {"The_Hive_VI": "... The creatures are growing stronger and stronger. Finally we see some success. Still, we are far from a breakthrough. To achieve our goal, the crawlers have to become unstoppable. Though we breed them to sustain themselves with almost any matter available and gave them a reproduction rate that pales those of any known crawlers, the rate of reproduction will not be sufficient to endure the final battle. And though they are more resilient and stronger as it should be physically possible, they are still not the ultimate tool they were meant to be. It will require some hard work and effort to improve them further. If I could only concentrate better. But they are haunting me. It is not only him but also others. Or is it him taking other forms? Some faces of my past, some faces I don't even know. I see them in the corners of my eye, only to vanish when I look at them.\n... They are after me. The ghosts and the others. I sent the scholars into the fish caves again and again but they do not die. They even brought me a living fishman as I requested. Now I have this creature here in my laboratory and it seems, it is eyeing me, too. Does it know it is only the pawn of a power it can't nor shouldn't comprehend? But strangely enough, his presence seems to keep the ghosts away. Or does it only distract me from the ghosts? Could it be that it was only my imagination that played tricks on me? No, I am too tired for these \"ifs\" and \"whens\". I have to stay focused on my tasks. The breeding goes fine, yet, the creatures lack the desired abilities. We have set some of them free on the isle to see how they can cope with the environment. \n... Our creatures do quite well in the wilderness. Some of the researchers suggested to breed some additional traits into the creatures. At least I think they did. It is hard for me to concentrate these days. All the stress, the strain, never some peace, no solace. I am talking to the fish-thing in the cage quite often as if it could understand me. It curiously watches me while I am experimenting with the magic of the chrimaerogizer. I find it amusing how the thing sometimes mimics my gestures and even moves it's lips as if it could speak. Or should I rate this as creepy? The thing that does not understand me has become my only confidant. When I am amongst others, I usually lose track of what they are telling me and I start to see things. Faces, people, suspicious shadows. It has to be my tiredness. It must be. There are no ghosts that could have escaped my traps. I must try to sleep more.\n... The situation in Yalahar seems chaotic. I can't talk to any of the higher ranking members of the circle or the Jagadah. The only ones I can reach are clueless foreign henchmen. It seems they recruited a lot of them since we have left. The others want to leave and look after their families and friends. The scholars are heavy supporters of this idea. Why can't they just die? As if there weren't enough trouble and problems already. We are so close to another breakthrough. Just recently one of the researchers bred an astonishing new ability into the crawlers. Before, they were able to produce certain organic material. Now he added a trait that allows special workers to melt with the material and give it some living and perhaps sentient abilities. But if we stopped here and now, everything would be lost. The perfect tool for the plan is so close. I cannot allow IT to triumph. IT tries to beat me and to stop the project. I know it all too well, I am IT's foremost enemy in the world. It is a battle between us. Between my resolve and IT's hunger."}, {"The_Hive_VII": "... The unrest is growing. Now that I can see possible progress at all fronts, they want to abandon me? The traitorous scum is doing IT's will without knowing it. Or do they know? I need time. I need to forge the crawlers into the weapons that we need. They will have to purge the world. Without anything that could know about IT, IT will lose its grasp on the world and the world will be free of IT's influence once and for all. It was our fault to have lured IT here and it will be our glory to defeat IT! Sacrifice is necessary, that is how the world works. Sacrifice. I will have to stop them from leaving, somehow. Yes, this is my task.\n... What have I done? The sabotage of the ship went horribly wrong. Instead of not working at all, the ship left the isle. I was desperate when I found out that my tinkering with the engine had not worked as planned, but I was horrified as the ship exploded shortly after it left. There were no survivors. But I had no choice. They forced me to do it. It was their fault, not mine. It is IT's fault. I will have my revenge. I will avenge those who died today! I will continue with the experiments. \n... Only two others decided to stay here with me to continue the experiments. But I think they are suspicious now after the accident. I will have to be very careful. The ghosts have returned in the night, now joined by those who died on the ship. They are accusing me, mocking me. I must continue, though. I must succeed or everything was in vain.\n... The experiments with the creatures have become more random, less planned. The others stick to the original plans, but with the lack of resources, I have to take chances. Perhaps we will randomly get an advance that would have cost us years of planed breeding. Experiments we see as failures are released into the wilderness. Hopefully this will keep the fishmen away. \n... We are short of food. I will have to rely on eating dead experiments. \n... Rehus was attacked and killed by one of his experiments today. My only concern upon learning this was that he might join the ghosts that haunt me. The captured fishmen seems to be mocking me, too. I know what he is thinking. He thinks that my experiments will fail, that I have been unsuitable to lead such an expedition at all. He seems motionless and untouched when I yell at him, but I know he is snickering when I leave.\n... Failure after failure.\n... No one here to take care of the machines. No one here.\n... Tired. So tired. No idea what Hiona is doing. We rarely speak. I wish she had left with the others. No word from Yalahar. The others. They are dead, aren't they? Something with the ship."}, {"The_Hive_VIII": "... Breeding new queens.\n... Today the last worker golem stopped to function. Things are complicated.\n... Hiona is gone. No idea when I last saw her. Was it yesterday? Has it been a week ago? A month? The fish-thing is gone, too. Its prison must have been cracked as I threw things at him in a fit of rage. Now I am alone? No, I have been alone since the beginning. The fate of the world upon my shoulders. A silent war between IT and me.\n... When something happens to Yalahar, then I am the only creature with an intellect worth to mention that is left on this world. \n... So alone. Only the ghosts to torment me. My crawlers are with me. Mindless as machines but they are mine. A great destiny awaits them.\n... Why did everyone leave me alone?\n... They have to kill everything. That is the plan. Still they are so weak. Nothing should be able to stop them though.\n... So little time left.\n... I feel weak, sick, old. I hope Faltugios or Ramiar take care of the labs for a while.\n... Hungry. Where are the others? They left me? It's so hard to remember. So hard to concentrate.\n... I am the creator of a new race. Does this make me a god?\n... The others are dead I think.\n... I create life and fight an evil entity for the fate of the world. I am the only sentient being on this world.\n... I am alone and the guardian of the world. I am a god. A god does not have to explain his actions. A god knows no guilt. I know what's best. Yes, that's good.\n... So many crawlers on the loose. They attacked me. Me, their creator! I will strike them down with my godly wrath and the chorus of ghosts that accompanies me will sing a hymn of my vengeance! All will die. I will cleanse this rotten world and create a new one!\n... I am dying. They wounded me. But this is fine. When they can kill a god, they are strong enough. In the end I succeeded. But will the world not end when I die? I am the creator, the centre. Time will tell."}, {"Memoires_of_the_First_Dragon": "My memoires as dictated by the First Dragon:\nWhen I arrived in the lands of the scaleless, I already had a life of adventures and excitement behind me and so I was looking for a cosy play to stay. Eventually I found a little cave that had just the right size to serve as a small but decent hoard. Also the cave's acoustic would enhance the screams of my victims in a most pleasing way. Young dragons usually prefer a volcanic and hot environment. At my age, however, the heat is relatively harmful for my scales and the sulphuric fumes may lead to spontaneous stomach combustions. The new cave, though, had all the gloom and dankness an old dragon could wish for. Despite the cave's closeness to one of the few human towns that awakened in these days, the younger dragons had passed on because the town lacked a princess who could be kidnapped for amusement. Since I had no nerves for weeping, screaming and sad love stories anyway, the cave was the perfect choice for me, and quite a bargain, I might add.\nBeing a good neighbour, I refrained from burning and plundering the city. However, anyone who entered my lair was fair game of course. Oh and they came! At first there were only a few. The first ones were some farmers looking for a lost chicken. What an irony - they tasted just the same. In my eagerness for a meal I have to admit I behaved like some newt. I had completely forgotten about my manners and let no one escape. Of course that way no one could spread the word and so it took a while until the next humans stumbled into my realm. Soon a healthy ritual established in which I pretended they had some chance to slay me - then I ate them, occasionally letting escape one.\nWhenever I recognised the flow of adventurers was waning, I invented a new vulnerability to give them some hope. In the years to come I pretended all kinds of things, something amusing like not being able to see through their laughable invisibility spells, something more desperate like pretending to be afraid of flowers or parcels, up to the absurd like acting that I was unable to walk through fire. My human admirers believed it all. They were all great sports and tasted quite well. The surprise on the face of those invisible sorcerers when I finally turned towards them to roast them for dinner - just priceless. You must have been there to fully appreciate it.\nHowever, too much tin food, like we call those armour-clad humans, is not very healthy for a dragon in the long run. Yes, it's temptingly delicious and easily prepared but molten cheap metal does not go well with stomach acid. Moreover, we all know that one gets fat while being on a human diet.\nAnd fat I got and the stomach problems started. Also my hoard had grown so much that it did not fit into my humble lair anymore. Moreover, all the fights had lost their fun and turned into a tedious chore. So I made up my mind and started looking for a retirement home. A former pal of mine hinted me at an affordable island cave - that was just the place I was looking for.\nI felt bad for my humans, though. Whom should they feed all those pesky heroes to when I was gone? So I asked a dragon clan to move into my cave when I was gone. Only later I learnt that they did a very lousy job. One by one they got killed. Well, the damage was done and it did not really bother me much.\nSince then I've been living a life in peace on a strict no-human diet and I feel healthy and energetic to last for several more centuries."}, {"The_Medusa_and_the_Blind_Maiden": "The Medusa and the Blind Maiden - A Love Story\n*This book tells the story of a medusa who falls in love with a blind woman. Neither the medusa nor the young woman are mentioned by name but the story has a familiar ring.*"}, {"Flora_and_Fauna_of_Kilmaresh": "Kilmaresh - Flora and Fauna\nAnimals that live in the steppes of Kilmaresh are mainly lions, hyaenas, goannas, crocodiles, hippos and some clomps. There are also some smaller reptiles like cobras and tortoises as well as partially poisonous vermin like burrowing beetles, sandcrawlers, scarabs and scorpions.\nKilmaresh's flora mainly consists of palm trees, sequoia trees, cactuses, succulents, steppe flowers, banana trees, orange trees, dragon fruit trees and reed."}, {"Spiderweb_Clouds": "Spiderweb Clouds\nSpiderweb Clouds are a phenomenon which apparently exists only on Kilmaresh. Tangled strands of a spiderweb-like substance fill the sky like clouds do. It is unknown how those strands come into existence but it is a fact that airborne creatures which fly into a spiderweb cloud can become entangled there. This is why the Anuma detest this wheather phenomenon. Sometimes the clouds fall from the sky and cover the Kilmaresh steppe. Touching them is dangerous because the strands are poisonous and whoever passes the cloud rests can become entangled easily."}, {"Geography_of_Kilmaresh": "Geography of Kilmaresh\nEast of the strait that separates Kilmaresh from Krailos, there are mainly dry steppe regions. At the peninsula's centre lies a large mountain range and one will always discover small oases and tombs scattered over the steppe. In addition, there are many rock formations, interveined with blue ore. This ore can be magically crafted into a rare and precious metal that Sapphire Blade members use for their blades. A large river, the Nykri, rises in the central mountains and forms a fork halfway to the sea. Here lies the big city Issavi, the heart of Kilmaresh. The original capital Nuur was destroyed by Suon's Wrath.\nKilmaresh has a warm, dry climate. The temperatures are very high, especially in summer, and it does not rain much. However, this part od the continent is not plagued by the lack of water that crusts the lakes and rivers of Krailos with salt. In addition to the river Nykri, there are oases in the steppe, which house smaller settlements or stations for travellers.\nKilmaresh is mainly populated by humans. They have lived on this continent for several millennia and developed into the high culture, which now forms the eponymous Empire Kilmaresh. In the past, numerous enslaved ogres lived in Kilmaresh, but since Suon's Wrath and the collapse of the old empire, the ogres are found almost exclusively on Krailos. A single tribe still lives north of the ruined city Nuur. In addition, the magical creatures who call themselves the Anuma live in Kilmaresh since forever. These include sphinxes, manticores, lamassu and griffins."}, {"History_of_Kilmaresh": "History of Kilmaresh\nA thousand years ago, a human civilization existed on the then still connected land mass of Krailos and Kilmaresh. They had built large cities, engaged in advanced seafaring and stood at a high scientific, arcane and cultural level. The people worshipped the two sun gods, Suon and Fafnar, and attached great importance to the fact that the worship of both deities was always in balance. However, there came a time when a group of Fafnar's adherers became more and more influential and aggressive until this sect postulated the sole worship of Fafnar. This resulted in a civil war between the Fafnar followers and those who fought for the duality of the two sun gods. Ultimately, the war was ended by a major natural disaster that split off the eastern peninsula from the western part of the land mass. This event was seen as a demonstration of divine wrath. It was believed that Suon had shattered the continent in his anger about the humans' misdeeds. From that day on, the old empire was in shambles and split in half. While the ogres revolted on Krailos, slew their former masters and destroyed the entire human culture, the empire's remains could be preserved on Kilmaresh and a second, new empire was established. However, this was not achieved by humans, but by the Anuma. The magical beings had lived on Kilmaresh much longer than the humans, but had been very withdrawn and barely maintained contact with the ancient empire. After Suon's Wrath they freed the enslaved ogres and took most of them to Krailos. Then they took control of the new empire and established several laws (carved into a large obelisk) that all humans had to comply with. A wise sphinx, lamassu or gryphon has been taking on the role of empress or emperor ever since. However, the Anuma administrate the realm rather than ruling it.\nAfter the great catastrophe, henceforth just known as \"Suon's Wrath\", Fafnar's worship was banned and prohibited. However, there was still no unity among the humans of Kilmaresh. Some now demanded the sole worship of Suon, while others insisted that there must always be a divine duality. This group believed that the worship of Suon and Fafnar, based on the tradition of the Genesis, had been a delusion from the start as Suon had cast his wild sister out. Instead, they regarded the sea goddess Bastesh as his true, new sister, because Suon had once protected her from Fafnar's jealousy. New religious fights impended due to this question - however, the Anuma intervened immediately. They decreed that both - the sole worship of Suon or Bastesh as well as the worship of both gods together - should be allowed. Only the worship of Fafnar remained prohibited. Nonetheless, a Fafnar cult outlasted in the hiding and is hoping for the return of the Wild Sun for centuries."}, {"Faith_and_Religion_in_Kilmaresh": "Faith and Religion in Kilmaresh\nFor the people of Kilmaresh, the faith in Suon, Bastesh or both plays an important role in their lives. On the other hand, there are human groups that orientate themselves strongly by the Anuma. They form circles and groups that are often led by a sphinx or lamassu and the human members adopt the Anuma's world view and customs.\nThere is some friction between the group, which calls for the sole worship of Suon and those who worship Suon and Bastesh (as his new sister) as a duality. Additionally, there is also the forbidden worship of Fafnar which flourishes in obscurity. Some of the Anuma rather support the sole Suon cult, fearing that a new duality might lead to war again. However, they tolerate the Suon / Bastesh cult, but watch closely what they do. Yet other Anuma actively support the worship of Suon and Bastesh."}, {"The_Golden_City_of_Issavi": "Issavi, the Golden City\nIssavi's buildings are made of solid stone, mostly beige-yellow sandstone, and look massive and edgy. In addition to the smaller, mostly two- or three-story, residential buildings, there are magnificent temples, palaces and government buildings, five to six stories high and built up in stages. One of the cityscape's defining features are the colors red and blue: decorations in the form of tiles, mosaics or frescos predominantly have these two colors. Red / orange represents the sun god Suon and blue the sea goddess Bastesh, both of them worshipped in Kilmaresh. Statues of these two deities can be found in many parts of the city, as well as portraits of sphinxes, manticores, lamassu and gryphons. Sun and wave motifs are the dominant theme in ornamentation. The banks of the river Nykri are paved with massive stone blocks and there is a lively ship traffic. The city has a large marketplace as well as smaller shops on the ground floor of some houses. Overall, Issavi is prosperous, lively, clean and imposing."}, {"The_Cult_of_Fafnar": "The cult of Fafnar\nOnce, the inhabitants of Kilmaresh worshipped the two sun gods Suon and Fafnar and attached great importance to the fact that the worship of both deities was always in balance. However, there came a time when a group of Fafnar's adherers became more and more influential and aggressive until this sect postulated the sole worship of Fafnar. This resulted in a religious war between the Fafnar followers and those who fought for the duality of the two sun gods. Ultimately, the war was ended by a major natural disaster that split off the eastern peninsula from the western part of the land mass. It is beleived that Suon had shattered the continent in his anger about the humans' misdeeds. From that day on, the old empire was in shambles and the worship of Fafnar is now forbidden in the new empire.\nBut the cult of Fafnar still exists on Kilmaresh, albeit in secret. Her followers go to great lengths to strengthen Fafnar's influence and try to re-establish her worship. To achieve their goals they are not above using either infiltration or violence. The Burning Gladiators are a special part of the the Wild Sun's cult. They are fierce warriors who seek to enforce Fafnar's will with a vengeance. If necessary they also protect the Priestesses of the Wild Sun on their rather subtle missions.\nThe Priestesses of the Wild Sun are a special branch of Fafnar's clerics. They serve the Smiter with great devotion but other than the Burning Gladiators they seek to restore Fafnar's worship by intrigues and scheming rather than brute force."}, {"Sphinxes": "On Sphinxes\nSphinxes have a leonine body, big feathered wings and human heads with their faces being a mix of humanoid and feline. The enigmatic creatures are a subspecies of the Anuma and were created by the sun gods Suon and Fafnar.\nIt is said that the entire continent was once given to them by the gods. But the Anuma conferred the dominance over Kilmaresh to the humans, in an effort to let them take responsibility of their own. However, after the religious war between the worshippers of Suon and Fafnar and the cataclysm that severed the continent, the Anuma took the reign over Kilmaresh back.\nAs all Anuma, sphinxes are highly intelligent and allegedly immortal, though they can die by lethal violence. Some of them love riddles, others are more interested in stories, poems or songs. Many sphinxes are benevolent, yet some are rather merciless and dangerous. All of them can be short-tempered if they feel that a human being will not accept their well-meant guidance. Sphinxes are physically powerful but possess inherent magical skills as well. They tend to test the worth of those seeking their help by asking them riddles or intricate philosophical questions. Mortals will encounter sphinxes in the vast steppe of Kilmaresh as well as in the ruins of ancient sites where they guard the treasures and secrets of the lost empire."}, {"The_Anuma": "The Anuma\nThe magical Anuma are mainly benevolent towards the humans but the wild manticores can also pose a threat. After the catastrophe the humans brought over the old empire and the crushing of the continent by Suon, the Anuma took over the reign of Kilmaresh. They want to prevent the humans from foolishly causing a disaster again. However, the humans are not oppressed but rather seen as a group that needs to be protected and guided. The Anuma see themselves as the humans' mentors and patrons and treat them a bit like parents would treat their children. As long as the humans do not make political, military or religious decisions that the Anuma disagree with, they will not intervene and let people go about their business undisturbed."}, {"Lamassu": "On Lamassu\nLamassu have the body of a bull, feathered wings and a human head. The noble and stern creatures are a subspecies of the Anuma and were created by the sun gods Suon and Fafnar.\nIt is said that the entire continent was once given to them by the gods. But the Anuma conferred the dominance over Kilmaresh to the humans, in an effort to let them take responsibility of their own. However, after the religious war between the worshippers of Suon and Fafnar and the cataclysm that severed the continent, the Anuma took the reign over Kilmaresh back.\nLamassu are willing to assist mortal creatures in combat, if they are convinced that those under their protection are worthy and pure of heart. They never shy away from a conflict and will fight to the last breath rather than to retreat or surrender. Lamassu are capable of flight yet prefer to stay on the ground, roaming Kilmaresh's steppe and - more often - ruins. They prefer deserted cities and abandoned temples as their homesteads. Some lamassu even live underground to guard old graveyards and catacombs. They regard themselves as wardens of those ancient sacred sites and won't tolerate any disturbance or sacrilege."}, {"Manticores": "On Manticores\nManticores have the body of a lion with a human face, leathery wings and a huge scorpion tail. The sting carries a kind of paralytic venom. They are lethal predators which have a preference for human flesh. Manticores devour their victims with triple rows of teeth, leaving behind not even the bones.\nOther than most Anuma, manticores are ferocious and savage. Nonetheless they are intelligent, if not as much as their benign sphinx sisters or gracious lamassu brothers. They have an ancient and lasting rivalry with the gryphons for reasons that are unknown to most mortals. The sages of Kilmaresh are researching this question for centuries but by now every story is just mere speculation. The best theory is that the manticores, favourite Anuma of the sun goddess Fafnar, hate the gryphons as they are Suon's favourite children. When Suon cast his wild sister out, the manticores accepted his sentence as all Anuma did, but bear a grudge against the gryphons ever since.\nManticores roam the vast steppes of Kilmaresh, hunting for prey and defending their territories. Interestingly, they are able to interbreed with common lions. The progeny of such a mating is a special kind of very strong lions with poisonous fangs but they are rarely encountered."}, {"Gryphons": "On Gryphons\nGryphons are hybrid creatures, part lion and part bird of prey. They have the body, tail and back legs of a lion but the forelegs, head and wings of an eagle.\nIt is said that the entire continent was once given to them by the gods. But the Anuma conferred the dominance over Kilmaresh to the humans, in an effort to let them take responsibility of their own. However, after the religious war between the worshippers of Suon and Fafnar and the cataclysm that severed the continent, the Anuma took the reign over Kilmaresh back. It is said that out of all Anuma, the sun god Suon loved the gryphons most whereas his wild sister Fafnar favoured the manticores.\nGryphons mate for life and if either partner dies, the other will continue the rest of its life alone and never search for a new mate. They live very reclusive and love the high mountain peaks of Kilmaresh. In very rare cases, a gryphon will forge a bond with a human it regards worthy. If this happens, the gryphon will agree to carry the mortal on its back which is considered the highest possible honour by the people of Kilmaresh.\nAs gryphons are Suon's holy animals, the sun god's temples are decorated with gilded gryphon eggs. To get the rare egg shells, chosen members of a temple will undertake a pilgrimage to the gryphon nests high in the Kilmaresh mountains. If they find a pair that recently hatched fledglings, they will offer presents to the parents and ask for the leftover egg shells. Mostly the gryphons benevolently agree and gift their now empty eggs to the human priests. The mortals will bring the egg shells to the respective temple, where the eggs are blessed, gilded on the inside and filled with onyx sand. Mostly they are used to hold incense sticks that are burned in the temples or gravesides."}, {"Goannas": "On Goannas\nGoannas are large predatory lizards with sharp teeth and claws. They have thick skin with camouflage that ranges from bands and stripes to speckles and circles. The skin colour changes as the creatures mature, with juveniles being blue and adult animals being bright red. Goannas lay eggs in a nest or burrow, but sometimes also inside termite mounds, which offers protection as well as incubation. Additionally, the termites provide a meal for the young as they hatch. Goanna eggs are a sought after meal for the human population of Kilmaresh. But as getting them is a dangerous task, they make a rather expensive menu.\nGoannas are found throughout the steppes of Kilmaresh. They prey on insects, smaller lizards, snakes, birds, mammals and also humans if they have the chance to do so. But they are also eaters of carrion and thus attracted to rotting meat. There's a debate whether goannas are venomous or not. It is a fact that goanna bites cause incessant bleeding and many sages assume that this is because of toxin-producing glands in the lizards' mouth."}, {"Hippos": "On Hippos\nHippos are large, mostly herbivorous mammals who live semiaquatic in the river Nykri in Kilmaresh. The large animals have stocky, nearly hairless bodies and wide-opening mouths revealing large canine tusks. The territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of several females and young. Despite their rather cute appearance, hippos are among the most dangerous animals of Kilmaresh as they are highly aggressive and unpredictable. Yet, they love balls made of reed flour and appreciate to be fed with those treats."}, {"Fafnar": "Fafnar, the Wild Sun\nFafnar is the wild and relentless daughter of Fardos and also called the Smiter or the Scorching Sun. Unlike her brother Suon, she observes creation with hate and jealousy. Her worhip is forbidden in Kilmaresh since the downfall of the old empire as her followers once caused a religious civil war that led to the old empire's destruction. But the cult of Fafnar secretly survived and the cultists still plague the new empire. They cause plenty of trouble in Issavi and in all of Kilmaresh."}, {"Suon": "Suon, the Benevolent King.\nSuon is a kind and gracious god, a son of Fardos and also called the Life-Bringing Sun. Unlike his sister Fafnar he observes creation with love and blesses all creatures with warmth and growth. The worship of Suon and Bastesh grants Kilmaresh the stability and growth that the empire needs to prosper and flourish."}, {"Bastesh": "Bastesh, the Keeper of Wisdom\nShe Who Knows is the patron of the oceans and sea creatures. Bastesh, the calm and mystical daughter of Uman and Sula, is also called The Mistress of the Sea. She was once attacked by the wild Fafnar, out of jealousy and pride. After the religious war between the worshippers of Suon and Fafnar, Kilmaresh adopted the world view that Suon's true sister isn't Fafnar but Bastesh. So the people startetd worshipping her instead of the Wild Sun. Thus, Bastesh has a firm place in Kilmaresh's religious life since more than thousand years."}, {"The_Sapphire_Blade": "The Sapphire Blade\nThis group consists of elite warriors who all carry blades made of the blue metal tagralt. They are often in conflict with Fafnar cultists and the remaining ogres on Kilmaresh.\nreputation: high among humans as well as Anuma\ninfluence: high among humans, medium among Anuma\nmembers: mainly warriors and fighters, some wizards\nsize: 700 - 1000 members\nenemies: Fafnar cultists, ogres\nallies: cults of Suon and Bastesh, the Empress of Kilmaresh"}, {"The_Midnight_Flame": "The Midnight Flame\nThis group is a small circle of chosen oracles led by the lamassu Arishum. To honor the blinded lamassu, all members of the order tie gauze scarfs around their eyes. Sometimes, they are in conflict with the Fafnar cultists but in most cases they leave those fights to the Sapphire Blade.\nreputation: high among humans as well as Anuma\ninfluence: high among the Anuma, medium among humans\nmembers: mainly seers/oracles, some knights\nsize: less than 200 members\nenemies: Fafnar cultists\nallies: Arishum, priesthood of Bastesh"}, {"The_Circle_of_the_Black_Sphinx": "The Circle of the Black Sphinx\nThis group is a dark mage circle that apparently has expanded to other continents long ago. It has strong necromantic tendencies and seems to be in contact with Fafnar cultists, from whom the circle has received undead gladiators. The \"Black Sphinx\" was a powerful yet evil sphinx, cast out by the rest of the Anuma.\nreputation: very poor among the Anuma, poor among humans, high among Fafnar cultists\ninfluence: low in the empire, apparently medium (and growing) in Rathleton\nmembers: mages (mainly necromancers), warlocks, renegade knights, undead\nsize: unknown\nenemies: Midnight Flame, Sapphire Blade, Cults of Suon and Bastesh\nallies: Fafnar cultists\nknown members: \t- Master Eliphas, First Circle Master\n- Mistral the Beautiful, Second Circle Master\n- Maeve the Dark Serpent, Third Circle Master\n- Ewart the Cold-Hearted, Fourth Circle Master\n- Lady Uquora the High-Handed, current Circle Master\n- Lady Tenebris (allegedly turned against the circle)"}, {"Laws_of_Kilmaresh": "Laws of Kilmaresh, as ordered, adjudged and decreed by Emperor Ashkur in the name of all Anuma\nEvery kind of slavery is prohibited in all of Kilmaresh.\nThe worship of Fafnar is forbidden under pain of death in all of Kilmaresh.\nThe penalty for bothering an Anuma is exile.\nThe penalty for plotting against a noble, a priest or an Anuma is exile.\nThe penalty for spying is exile after being branded.\nThe penalty for wounding a sheep or a hunting dog or maiming a hunting bird is a considerable fine.\nThe penalty for smuggling wine, spices or potions is the loss of social status.\nThe penalty for stealing spell components is a brief imprisonment.\nThe penalty for committing blasphemy is the loss of privileges.\nThe penalty for a soldier or guard accepting bribes is imprisonment.\nThe penalty for kidnapping a courtesan is imprisonment.\nThere is no penalty for stealing food. Food is a fundamental right of every citizen of Kilmaresh. Those who have no food must be given nourishment for free."}, {"Yro_Mem_and_Phir_Runes": "The rune Yro is formed of five lines in roughly the shape of a fish. It is associated with a victory and stability. Inverted, it is associated with betrayal and sin.\nThe rune Mem is formed of six lines in roughly the shape of a hearth. It is associated with light and preservation. Inverted, it is associated with sloth and discord.\nThe rune Phir is formed of six lines in roughly the shape of a cat. It is associated with mystery and creation. Inverted, it is associated with vice and sorrow."}, {"Kilmaresh_Superstitions": "Notes for a treatise about superstition in Kilmaresh\n- Finding a turtle in a grove of mahogany trees often is an omen of a heroic deed.\n- Anyone wanting to curse a enemy should slay a raven at a crossroads after the first stars light the sky on the spring equinox and also needs the following: serpent heart, ginger roots, rose petals, hare skin and yew bark\n- Priests wishing to divine the future must sacrifice a white goat upon an altar at midnight after the first thaw.\n- Don't pray near a patch of veldt flowers at dawn."}, {"Gulliver's_Merchandise": "trade goods for next shipment of captain Gulliver:\n- 50 amphoras of spice oil\n- 400 ounces of black pearl powder\n- 120 copper ingots\n- 30 crates of incense\n- 350 rubies\n- 60 coral figurines\n- 100 crates of papyrus\n- 40 ounces of hummingbird feathers\n- 60 bales of silk"}, {"Slavery_Prerogative": "There are some scribbled notes on the parchment: \"The fact that sphinxes partially enchant and thus kind of enslave people is seen as their prerogative and is not questioned here in Kilmaresh, even by most humans ... Those outrageous conditions ...\""}, {"Tagralt_Withheld": "You read some hastily scribbled notes: \"Second interlocution with Lord Eshaya ... still unwilling to sell tagralt ... unacceptable to withhold such precious resources from Rathleton ...\""}, {"Xandriosis'_Scrolls_of_Mythology": "A set of scrolls wrapped in linen cloth. They were written by the wizards and sages of the Academy of Nuur."}, {"X_Marks_the_Spot": "X marks the spot..."}, {"The_Unearthly_Shard": "An old parchment bound by a fine chain. It once belonged to the sorcerer-knight Blesco, former leader of the Sapphire Blade."}, {"The_Kilmar_Tablets": "A tome written upon thin ivory sheets and bound in gemmed glass plates. It is sealed by holy wards and can be opened only within Suon's Temple of Eternal Light."}, {"The_Grimoire_of_Flames": "This libram is written in golden ink. When first opened, it unleashes a cloud of red smoke."}, {"The_Dark_Esoterica": "A locked tome bound in steel plates. It is said to be cursed and all who read it are driven to madness."}, {"The_Book_of_Thriasima": "A cryptic book written in luminous blue script upon silk pages. Many of the pages are marked with indecipherable scrawls."}, {"The_Apocrypha_of_Niti": "Several obscure books, written in black wax upon vellum. Many of the pages are marked with drops of blood."}, {"Star_Constellations": "Star Constellations\n\nTen bright stars that form the shape of a stallion: This constellation represents the remnants of a folktale from the old empire. It is most significant during spring, when it appears setting towards the Eastern horizon. It is opposed by the constellations representing a castle and a weeping man. Those born under it are believed to be highly independent."}, {"The_Writings_of_Iniv_IV": "The Writings of Iniv IV.\n\nAnd so came the day of the highest joy and honor for me. When I had entered the splendid Issavi, I had been but a girl from beyond the desert. But now I held gold and jewellery, house and garden, husband and children, and I was even to be granted the divine honors. And I became a priestess in the eyes of Suon. Oh, how could I have guessed that I had become a servant of the Benevolent King in the darkest of hours? For Suon's Wrath was already upon the venerable city Nuur, the capital of Kilmaresh was destined to fall. The wisest and most erudite priests came together, and I had the undeserved honor of being called into this high circle. Since many days and nights we are praying now. The suns sank in the west and rose in the east, many times already, without seeing Issavi safe. But today Suon sent us a portent. Tomorrow will see the fate of Kilmaresh. Only my few sisters and brothers stand with me between life and death."}, {"The_Writings_of_Iniv_III": "The Writings of Iniv III.\n\nAbundant with fountains, the city was full of scents from all parts of the continent: cinnamon and cloves, red and white pepper, rose oil, amber and myrrh, incense, ginger and nutmeg. And the wide road that lead from the Gate of Dawn to the palace was lined with dozens of statues, made of marble and gold, each a hymn to the King Suon, whose blessing let Issavi flourish. And when I reached the Hanging Gardens of Meketre, it was with great humility and awe that I saw the glory of the city, which they called the King's Golden House and which had survived all the fires of destruction."}, {"The_Writings_of_Iniv_II": "The Writings of Iniv II.\n\nSo I called at the gates of Issavi. And behold, the golden gates opened and I was granted admission to the great city, the home of the Benevolent King, blessed by himself, the often sung about city Issavi, the glowing star of the steppe. And as I entered, my eyes became aware that the songs and poems had not betrayed me. With alabaster and white marble the streets were paved, each lined with date palms and pomegranate trees, heavy under the weight of their fruit. Each house measured more than three floors, from silk the curtains, which protected the inhabitants from sun and dust, like petals in all colors."}, {"The_Writings_of_Iniv_I": "The Writings of Iniv I.\n\nAnd when I reached the gates of the city they praised in so many songs, I was covered in dust, emaciated by the desert's heat and at the end of my tether. I had escaped death and destruction and the horror that Fafnar's followers had brought upon us. I struck against the golden gates and shouted: \"O people of the great and mighty Issavi, let me enter the green paradise in the heart of the steppe! My dusty feet are unworthy to touch the white alabaster of your streets. Nor are my lips worthy to taste the sweet water of your wells. Yet behold, I am just a girl from beyond the desert, without fortune, without parents, without house, without husband and children, without jewelery or divine honors. Without the smallest piece of silver, without the most modest ring on the toes of my feet, I come to the gates of the Golden City. But even though I don't hold any riches, I am rich in spirit. I know the glyphs and the old songs, I know the legends of the Anuma and the secrets of Aankhef Mhenet. Just give me papyrus and reed and I want to serve you and your glorious city as well as the spice merchants from beyond the saffron coasts.\""}, {"On_Nagas": "On Nagas\n\nNagas have the lower bodies of enormous snakes with a humanoid torso and head. They possess four arms and are able to use all of them simultaneously - be it to fish, weave, wield weapons or perform special gestures called yukti to cast spells. They typically hold their heads and torsos off the ground while moving, but they can increase their speed by lowering their bodies. On their torsos they like to wear beautiful silken clothes or ornate armour as well jewelry like rings, bracelets and bangles on their arms. The lower snake body is usually free of clothing, but will be protected with armour if necessary. Nagas are resistant to poison and have a natural affinity for spellcasting, being born with an inherent understanding of the art of magic. Much like most snake and reptile species, they dislike cold climates.\n\nNagas are an old, powerful and proud race who live on the jungle island Marapur since several millennia and built up a remarkable culture there. Their cities are said to be filled with gems, gold and other earthly treasures. Their power makes them potentially dangerous to humans. However, many of them act rather benevolent towards the two-legs, as they call the humanoid races. If they are hostile and aggressive, there is always a good reason, be it obvious or not."}, {"About_Marapur": "About Marapur\n\nSouth of Roshamuul, inmidst of warm currents of the ocean,our explorers recently discovered a new island: Marapur. When nearing the island, high mountains are the first shapes that become visible on the horizon. Lush gras and jungle-like vegetation covers the lowlands. On the coastal lines, the land is partially flooded by water. Small islets surround the island, just like ice floes surround large icebergs. Cause for this partial flooding is the very slowly rising sea level that has been going on for centuries. The island provides the prefect living environment for the Nagas. Nagas are devided into two factions: On the one hand, there are nagas living in the coastal regions. They have integrated the rising sea level perfectly into their way of living. They call it the Rising and take advantage of the moist and watery surroundings rather than trying to prevent any flooding. On the other hand, there are nagas living in the mountains. They have not been affected, yet, by the Rising. Due to the different living conditions, there are some cultural and religious differences between these two groups. The different lifestyle results in different customs, as well as different food preferences. These difference are no reason for any open conflict, though tensions do occur."}, {"Note_for_the_New_Library_Assistant": "Note for the new library assistant: Please don't forget to feed the book monsters beneath the library with some ink and old parchment every day."}, {"Compendium_of_Cerebremancy": "An impressive compendium written upon paper. Several of its pages appear blank, unless viewed by the light of elemental fire."}, {"War_of_Welcome_Introduction": "Introduction of the War of Welcome\nThe War of Welcome took place near the southern bridge, that the humans call 'the dwarf bridge'. The southern territory was once inhabited by a mighty orcish tribe and the few dwarves brave enough to stick around the mountain were constantly being hasseled by these orcish people and some were enslaved by the vile orcs! To the Northwest lie Carlin, a place inhabited by humans who struggled for survival on their own and could not help the dwarves in this matter either. As time went by the dwarves who called for war against the orcis raiders grew in number and voice. They felt they had a right to reatake these lands from the orcish invaders."}, {"Orc_Society": "As intensely as the orcs hate all other races, they share a feeling of community. The orcs can sense, to some extent, the feelings of other orcs. The shamans develop this ability to such an extent, that they can sense the innermost potential of newborn orc whelps. All newborn are tested and the shamans decide a future function in orcish society. The whelps are fed differently, raised differently, and educated differently. Wise men of other races say that such behavior is similar to some insects, such as bees, and through their empathetic bond might share a kind of 'hive-mind', so they refer to orc communities as hives. The chief of a hive owns a big harem of women who have no other function than to pleasure him and give birth to new orcs. These orcish matrons are usually incredibly big and fat, almost not able to walk on their own. Where 'normal' orcwomen function as laborer and craftwomen and give birth to two to three orcs in their lives, these female orcs are only reproductive machinery, giving birth to about six whelps each half year. Orcs are usually contend with their place in orcish society and only the leaders fight each other on purpose. Rarely will an orc raise a weapon against another orc, even if they are not of the same hive. Rivalry between hives is usually dissolved through a fight of their leaders and the victorious hive absorbs the other one. Now and then, when a new strong warrior reaches maturity he challenges the old leader for a fight of supremacy. Sometimes though, when the hive becomes too big for the area it occupies, such a warrior senses somehow that its time to move on. Then he and a few other orcs leave the hive in peace to settle somewhere else. This unique culture, together with its fertility, makes the orcs the most formidable threat to all other tibian communities."}, {"Extended_Vision": "Extended Vision\nMost dwarves have a excellent eyesight even in dark enviroments but this spell will one day allow you to see nearly twice as far as you currently do. What's needed is the fire of a fire element, the head of a ghoul,the essence of a red royal blossom, some water from Blood Bay and the laugh of a mute sinner. Light a fire with the flame of the fire element. Pour the water from Blood Bay into a cauldron and place it over the fire. Throw in the head of the ghoul and the essence of the red royal Blossom and mix it untill a grey myst emerges. Take some of the potion and mix it with the laugh while cooling it. Now we only need to find out the missing catalysts and the magic words to imbue it with energy."}, {"Hammerfalls_Tales_of_1001_Wife": "Hammerfalls tales of 1001 wife"}, {"Technomacers,_Heretics_or_Geniusses?": "Technomacers, heretics or geniusses?"}, {"I,_Ghoul": "I, GHOUL\nBy Himhor\nWithin this obscure essay lies a remarkable study of a dwarf who poses as a ghoul to view what life is like from the Ghoulish point of view. A particular emphasis of the work is the fascinating ghoulish healing habits, which the author presumes to be, unlike many warriors thinks nowadays, an effective romantic ritual which ghouls aims to the creatures they do found appealing somehow."}, {"Dwarven_Guide_to_Warfare_VI": "Dwarven guide to warfare\nLesson VI\nLuring elves with carrots has proven to be an ineffective tactic."}, {"Goldfinger": "Goldfinger"}, {"You_Only_Mine_Twice": "You only mine twice"}, {"Golden_Mine": "Golden mine"}, {"The_Mine_Never_Dies": "The mine never dies"}, {"The_Mine_Is_Not_Enough": "The mine is not enough"}, {"Blood_God_Worshiping": "In ancient times, a god of blood was revered by a cult of fanatical followers. This cult was said to have performed gruesome blood rituals and sacrifices to appease their deity and gain access to its immense power. Some sources claim that this god of blood was responsible for creating the first vampires, imbuing them with his own power and granting them immortality. Others suggest that the cult's rituals were simply an attempt to emulate the power of the blood god, rather than a direct channeling of his power. Regardless of the truth, the cult eventually fell out of favor and its practices were suppressed by the ruling powers of the time. Yet, whispers still persist of secret blood cults that venerate the blood god and seek to tap into its otherworldly power."}, {"The_Prisonisle": "The Prisonisle\nMost of the rebelious dwarves who betrayed us and allied themselves with the cyclopses and some dishonorfull human knights were prosecuted and thrown in jail on the prisonisle Dwacatra. They now have to live or fight the captured Minotaurs, Orcs, and Cyclopses they seem to like that much.\nJustice is served."}, {"Interesting_Facts_About_Kazordoon": "INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT KAZORDOON issue 1\nAuthor: John Barrel\nOnce upon a time there came a horrible snakelike beeing to the deeper mines. It killed many miners, because that 'snake' was a bassilsk horrible beeing with a gaze that could turn living beeings into stone. Many heroes tried to kill it but none suceeded, some fled, most died. One day a wise man which name is forgotten. (I did many studies but i looks like for some reason none wrote down his name) He had some knowledge about theese horrible creatures. He advised the miners to cover the minewalls with torches and lamps. Scared by the dispised bright light the basilisk retreated deeper and deeper into the mines until the mines managed to create a cave in behind him. If the miners I talked to did not make fun of me we have to assume that the basilisk is still there..."}, {"Dwarven_Magic_II": "Dwarven Magic II\nBy Marokin\nFloatation\nThis spell will one day allow any dwarf that may not be a good swimmer the ability to almost walk on water. What we found out you would probably need are the remains of a slain stone golem, the branch of a willow, the wing of a wasp, and a flask full of slime. Pour the slime into a cold cauldron and add in the other ingrediants into the cauldron and boil it. This seems to be the base of a powerful potion, though the finalization and the spells needed to enchant it are still a riddle to be solved."}, {"Dwarfish_Beer_Ingredients_and_Brewing": "You read in big red letters: <TOP SECRET! ONLY FOR YOUR EYES!> Dwarfish Beer ingredients and brewing"}, {"Dwarven_Magic_I": "Dwarven Magic I\nBy Marokin\nMost of the other races look down upon the Dwarves because we seem to lack in magical abilites. What they don't understand is that our best mages concentrate on the magic of earth and fire, the give and take. They come up with some magic that might give us the upper hand. In theese books I will reveal some of their findings."}, {"Dwarven_Guide_to_Warfare_II": "Dwarven guide to warfare\nLesson II\nNever wash yourself before combat - it will only lower your natural protection!"}, {"The_Great_Book_of_Earthmagic": "The great book of earthmagic"}, {"The_Art_of_Peace": "The art of peace"}, {"Mining_Made_Easy": "Mining made easy"}, {"Mining_for_Dummys_and_Elves": "Mining for dummys and elves"}, {"From_a_Hole_to_a_Mine": "From a hole to a mine\nA step by step guide to mining"}, {"To_Give_and_to_Take": "To give and to take\nstorys about earth and fire"}, {"War_of_Welcome_Begins": "War of Welcome Begins\nIt happened suddenly one morning. A group of Dwarves were passing by the Orc territory outside their mountain. They were on their way to Thais to sell off some of their jewels of the mountain. The orcs tried to ambush them but falied. The dwarves reacted quick and by valor and superior equipment defeated the raiders. This ensued the War of Welcome. After this incident the dwarves who claimed that the time had come to stand up for their beliefs and their treasure got the proof they needed to convince their brethren and sisters of their cause. The orcs would not retreat though and prepared themselfes for war. After a year of battle the orcs were finaly crushed and the tribe scattered. The dwarves now again claimed dominance over the heart of the continent and all the land that 'where under the shadow of the big old one'. The humans of the thaian kingdom became allys to the dwarfen empires soon after theese wars and trade flourished."}, {"Archdemons": "The principle of opening a gate for a demonic army is the same as summoning a demon. You need to accumulate some critical mass of synergistic energy and open a rift between the worlds. The needed ingredients consist of some of the negative energy that is similar to the essence of the demonic realm.\nThe first part of the summoning ritual opens only a small rift to the demonic realm. Through this rift demonic energy enters into our world infiltrating into the ingredients and filling them with more power. With stronger ingredients, the ritual opens a larger rift this time, letting more demonic energy in to strengthen the ingredients. This ritual is repeated over and over again until the ingredients are strong enough to open a portal through which the demons can pass.\nThis ritual can also be initiated from the demon side. Sightings of Orshabaal and similar entities clearly show all characteristics common for such rituals.\nOnce the gate is open, demonic minions appear and boost the negative energy of the place by their sheer presence. Later, the demonic master is following. His appearance causes a drop of the negative energy as the demon lord is feeding on it to sustain his existence in our realm.\nAs long as there are enough minions to boost the negative energy of a place, demons can exist for a very long time in our realm. So in theory, it would also be possible that the gate between the two realms is kept open, allowing more and more demons to enter our world that can easily form a demonic army causing mayhem and havoc.\nThe archdemon Shervad the Destroyer wore an armor made of an unknown material that allowed him to stay in our realm for at least three centuries. In his last battle, he lost his strength, even though he was not physically hurt - his enemies had destroyed his armor. It is said that the armor was made by some ore found in the old mines."}, {"Elves_I.I": "Elves by Iregarn Pt. 1\nThe elves are able to manipulate their unborn children by some kind of dream magic. This magic changes appearance and personality slightly, allowing elven parents to give birth to 'wish-kids'. In their shared dreams the elven parents seem to sculpture their child like a piece of art. Though most of the dream magic of the past is long forgotten, this rudimentary magic seems to be natural to the elves. It is possible to 'choose' things like hair or eye color and even gender. Even slight changes of the physique are possible, though considerable changes take place in the span of generations. Wise men assume this ability was a 'gift' of the gods to make more adaptable tools for the elves' war. But the mentality of the elves did not allow them to form their children in a 'convenient' way. Since most of this magic is instinctual, they form their children in an aesthetic way. On the other hand, what is seen as aesthetic is based on the philosophy of the parents and so their background changes this view dramatically. This is even more evident in the castes that were separated in the war."}, {"Horrible_Screams": "(most pages of that book are unreadable, stained with blood and parts are burned)\nHorrible screams ..blinding light....pain...happening???....No one ....The light ...closer.....brighter...no visibility....Farewell..."}, {"Dwarven_Guide_to_Warfare_V": "Dwarven guide to warfare\nLesson V\nBoats are malevolent."}, {"Dwarven_Guide_to_Warfare_III": "Dwarven guide to warfare\nLesson III\nDragon scales make up for good armor and protection. Unless the dragon is still alive!"}, {"The_Dark_Woman_III": "The Dark Woman III\nStumbling out of the mausoleum, he found himself in the ruins of a once-proud city. It did not take him long to realise that these ruins were the remnants of his own capital. It appeared that he had lain in an unholy slumber for a very long time. And now his kingdom was lost, run over by his enemies, and his former subjects were enslaved or dead.\nStunned with shock and disbelief, he wandered aimlessly through the ruins. To his own amazement, however, his heart did not race as furiously as might have been expected. In fact, it did not beat at all. Stricken by panic and confusion, the king went on and on until he came across a small group of travellers, who had sought refuge in the ruined city. The meeting was not a coincidence because he had felt their presence for quite some time and purposefully directed his steps towards them. In fact, all of a sudden a hunger had taken hold of him such as he had never experienced before. He rushed towards the strangers as fast as he could, his mind inexplicably clouded by this weird hunger. When he finally returned to his senses, the travellers lay dead before him, their bodies twisted and mutilated. He was confused and aggrieved to find that the only living beings he could have asked about what had happened were dead, but at the same time he felt strangely intoxicated by a feeling of mad triumphalism. The weird hunger that had troubled him was nearly gone and he felt stronger and more alive than he had ever done before. He fled the city that very night, running away from his painful memories. He made it his habit to travel only by night as he found that daylight caused him insufferable pain.\nToday, little is known of his fate or of what is driving the creature that once was a king. Some say the demon he devoured has taken control of this new form, while others claim that the accursed king is driven by guilt, looking for redemption from the sins he committed against his people, distorted though his vision of redemption might be. Yet another group of scholars claims that the accursed king is bent on revenge against the dark gods who plotted his downfall or perhaps against the gods of light who let him down in the hour of need. What is certain, though, is that he fathered many others like him who share his curse, and that he has lived longer than any mortal creature should, enduring the aeons and watching the ever changing world frozen forever in the moment of death that did not lead to true death."}, {"The_Dark_Woman_II": "The Dark Woman II\nHowever, the demon that was his wife was not prepared to give in. She began using her dark powers to entrance him whenever he lay down to sleep. That way, she managed to secretly drink his blood to sap away his strength. Having fallen out of the true gods' favour because of his sins and excesses, he had grown vulnerable to the darkness, and he could not free himself of the evil that had befallen him. With every day that final battle grew nearer and nearer the king grew weaker and weaker. And yet not all was lost. The king was still in his prime and his strong will, which was without equal among mortals, kept him going. For a while it looked as if he might be able to turn the tide and to lead his armies to victory even in his weakened state. It was then the accursed thing that posed as his loving wife made a fatal mistake. Having become desperate or perhaps simply overwhelmed by greed, she took too much of her husband's life force, revealing her dark nature at last. As the spell that lain upon him for so many years broke and the king awoke from his dark slumber, he surprised the thing he had thought to be his loving wife feeding on his very blood. In a heartbeat the veil of years of deception was torn, and the once-proud king saw the terror that had befallen him for what it was.\nHis despair knew no bounds. Blinded by feelings of rage and guilt, he slew the accursed creature that was neither demon nor man with a single mighty stroke. When he saw the unholy creature whom he had loved so desperately lying in her blood he sunk unhappily to the floor. He wept with sorrow and despair, while outside the drums were beaten and the trumpets of war were sounded. The generals came and tried to call him to battle, but he would not move. Tortured by feelings of remorse and guilt and hate and despair, his mind was close to madness for a long time. Eventually, an idea took hold of his mind that defied sanity. If his strength had been taken from him by stealing his blood, could he not get it back by drinking his accursed wife's blood? And laughing madly, he turned to drinking the dark blood that had poured from the shattered beast.\nAlas! His hope was in vain. The tainted blood weakened his body instead of making him stronger. Before he knew it, he had passed out. However, when he awoke, he seemed to be strangely invigorated. Feeling ten times stronger than he had ever felt in his life, he tried to get up, only to find that he was surrounded by complete darkness. The air was stale and cold, and not a sound was to be heard. Mustering up all his strength, he pushed against the low ceiling of his stony prison and managed to lift the lid. When his eyes had accustomed to the twilight he realised that he lay in a dusty mausoleum. Stunned and bewildered, the king rose. Everything around him was marked by time and decay."}, {"The_Dark_Woman_I": "The Dark Woman I\nIn the olden days there lived a king that was unlike any other king amongst humankind before and after him, except for the divine Banor himself. His light shone upon his subjects and gave them enlightenment.\nThe dark gods looked at him in malice and hatred, but he was blessed and protected by the gods, and nobody could harm him. The dark gods were furious. They held council and discussed how the good king could be undone. Finally, they came up with a diabolical plan. They took a thousand mortal slaves as well as the most vile and cunning of their succubus demons and went to create an entirely new being. They created a woman and sent her into the realm of the great king. She was human by all appearance, but she was evil to the core.\nHer exquisite body and her soft voice were of unsurpassed beauty. She was met with rapture and admiration wherever she went, and many a man lost his heart merely by looking into her gentle eyes that seemed oh so innocent. Soon the king himself had heard of her breathtaking beauty. Intrigued, he summoned her to his court. Nobody was surprised when he fell for the graceful girl the minute he cast his eyes on her. Within a day he proposed to her, against his counsellors' better advice, and within a week the kind king had made the pale, dark-haired beauty his queen.\nThe king was madly in love. He soon accepted his newly-wed wife as his confidante, preferring her opinions over those of his former counsellors. At first it seemed that her advice was thoughtful and prudent, and so it came the good king relied more and more on his beautiful wife's opinion. He closed his eyes and ears to other people's good advice and blindly followed her evil counsel. Little did he realise that she purposefully taint his views of the world with darkness. Using honeyed words, she sowed the seed of distrust in his ear, until he started seeing enemies everywhere. He grew suspicious of his advisers, who dared to challenge his beloved wife's wisdom, and turned away from his former friends, who tried in vain to warn him of her wicked influence. In the end, he even started questioning the authority of the true gods themselves, blinded by his wife's promises of power and glory. She made him believe that the country needed a firm hand and a more determined, efficient rule, flattering his vanity by envisioning the immortal fame he could win as such a glorious king and warrior. The enthralled king followed her advice, not realising that he was about to lead his country into tyranny.\nHe became greedy and ambitious, extending his privileges wherever he felt it necessary. He grew more removed from subjects every day, indulging in feasts and orgies while his people suffered. While his armies struggled in futile, pointless wars he chose to stay behind, claiming that he owed it to his people remain alive rather than to risk his skin on the battlefield. In fact, he very much preferred to indulge in debauchery, surrounding himself with flatterers and sycophants, and there was no greater joy for him to impress emissaries from other countries with the splendour of his palace and, above all, the breathtaking beauty of his wife.\nHowever, the good life was not to last. The tides of war turned against his leaderless armies, which had never failed to win the day when he had lead them himself. After a series of disastrous defeats, a decisive battle became more and more inevitable, and the king finally realised the danger that he and his whole country faced. Remembering the man he used to be, he finally decided to lead his forces. The queen protested. She wailed and threatened and begged him on his knees, but for once he would not listen to her. For a last fleeting moment it looked like all was not lost for the good king and his realm."}, {"Human_Tongue": "Human Tongue (title)\nSpeaking it. (short text)\nby Dnobagev"}, {"Elven_Tongue": "Elven Tongue (title)\nCooking it. (short text)\nby Dnobagev"}, {"Thousand_Ways_to_Cook_Rotworm_Meat": "Thousand ways to cook rotworm meat"}, {"Miners_Encounter_the_Basilisk": "Miner's Entry\nWhat it was I cannot say! But its horrible! Horrible! We heard rumors of such things before but we just ignored them ...Im the only survivor ..that...THING...they couldn't move...they were helpless...oh why ...what....what is that..something is coming...my feet....stone..."}, {"Create_Beer": "Create Beer\nNo Dwarve can resist a good mug of Jimbin's beer and this spell will one day allow you to create such beer with a few simple ingredients. Collect the hair of a troll, a mushroom of any sort, a small amount of soul from the mad mage valley, some water from around the mad mage valley and the silence befire dawn. Place the ingredients into a flask of the mad mage valley water, cork it and boil it. Remove the cork and pour a small amount of the potion into a cup and shake it. Now we have to find out how to bring in the silence gefore dawn in an appropriate way. You should then have a full cup of beer if all works as calculated so far. We estimate one potion should be a weeks suply of beer if you minimize your drinking to 7 mugs a day.\n(Oh, and don't tell jimbin about this spell)\nThose are the findings. It was also found that the water that flows by the mad mage valley is quite magical. One of our mages suggested that it is the \"soul of the sea\"."}, {"The_Brighteyes_Legend": "The Brighteyes Legend\nBy: Damius Weirgroth\nLong ago, long before the lands of Tibia were known by this name a dwarven fellowship was founded, holding a destiny of fame, power and tragedy. These Individuals were known as the brighteye fellowship. Those who crossed them or did something to anger them never saw the light of day. It is said when enraged these dwarve's eyes grew in light that could be seen a towns distance away and they went into a bezerk frenzy killing all that opposed them. Loosing all control and compassion in that frenzy they became unbearable even to the fellowsships of the savage axes and the dragoneaters. So after great debates between the fellowships they left Kazordoon and the big old one for unknown new lands. Though some setteled at remote spots on the continent the trail of the others was lost. They are considered the lost fellowship in theese days and no britghteye was born since then in the halls of Kazordoon."}, {"Miners_Journal": "Miners Journal (title)\nWe've dug that deep, that even we dwarves can hardly see. Fruzek told us stories of a monster making odd sounds from below the earth.These frightening tales of the basilisk have halted our mining schedule, forcing us to double the guards protecting the miners.\nA Tired Miner\nMelc"}, {"Vampire_Hunter's_Handbook_I": "Vampire Hunter's Handbook I\nThe vampire is a beast created by evil, a parasite that needs the blood of the living to sustain his own parody of life. It is also a plague that spreads quickly if not fought by adequate means.\nA vampire is no longer a living being. When turning into a vampire the soul of the former living being is destroyed and with it also its emotions and certain values. They are replaced by something evil and malignant. Where there was love, there is now desire; where there was valour, there is now cold-heartedness. Every positive aspect of life is transformed into a mockery, just like the whole vampire is a mockery of life.\nThe bite of a vampire is infectious. Sometimes, the now poisoned blood spreads through the body of the victim and raises it from the dead as a new vampire. This happens mostly when the vampire drains the victim slowly of it's blood.\nThere are cases in which a vampire visited its victim over several weeks or even months, slowly stealing their strength and leaving their evil stigma. Such victims raise much more likely as a vampire than victims that were robbed of there blood in a few minutes.\nA vampire depends on the blood of others. If a vampire is not able to drink blood on a regular basis, it will wither and dry out, until it finally crumbles into dust.\nVampires are nocturnal creatures. They fear the sunlight because it evaporates the tainted and stolen blood in their veins. Sunlight greatly accelerates the process which lets vampires dry out. Only a well-fed vampire is able to resist the sunlight for a while.\nThe senses of a vampire are sharpened similar to those of predatory beasts. Still, just like these beasts, it is possible to chase them with the appropriate skills. Garlic, for example, is able to overload a vampire's senses. For this reason, vampires avoid garlic whenever possible.\nVampires also seem to have a special bond to certain animals. Wolves, rats and bats are often found in the company of a vampire. They are even able to shapeshift in such an animal. As the transformation into a bat is the most common one among vampires, it is assumed that it is also the most natural one for them.\nOther animals, however, are rather scared by vampires. Horses sense vampires very easily and express great fear near a vampire's grave.\nEven though vampires usually keep their human appearance, they share the physical strength of other undead. By applying this strength more conscious than other undead they are even more powerful. Their unliving body is able to withstand a large amount of damage, depending on the amount of blood that they've consumed recently. The body rather soaks the damage than to repel it. This can probably be explained with vampires being rather shadows than true bodies, for the same reason they lack a mirror image. However, it is said that vampires can manipulate the mind of others, making them believe that they see a reflection.\nSome vampires are able to use this shadowy state of their body to become a cloud of darkness that is completely invulnerable to physical damage. However, all reports of using this special ability tell about very old vampires. It seems that vampires grow more and more powerful with each decade or century they live their undead lives."}, {"Novel_on_Vampire_Hunters": "I've been hunting vampires since the days your grandfather's grandfather was an infant. So you better listen to me, otherwise you might end up dead. Even if you listen to me, there is a good chance that those beasts will get you. I don't care why there are vampires and when they came here. The only thing that matters is that we will outlive them!\nDon't think about them in terms of beings. They're nothing than beasts, trust me. They are cunning and deceptive, but still beasts.\nDon't fall for their nonsense of being the rulers of the night. There is no dark curse, it was their own choice to become a vampire. They feed on humans because they are placing their own stinking existence above all else, and as I said, this was their own choice.\nVampires came to the mining colony in which I was living with my family. There were many of them, they were clever, they knew how to use magic, and they wielded dangerous weapons. My people had nothing. They killed some to still their thirst for blood, and many just for fun. We fought them in the tunnels, armed only with a few tools. At last we managed to let the tunnel collapse to kill the majority of us. This way they were at least no longer able to use us as source to satisfy their thirst for blood.\nIt was my curse to survive. It took me three days to dig myself out of the tunnel. Then I was found by the inquisitors that were chasing the vampires. I stayed with them for a while, accompanying them on their vampire hunts. But they were humans and their lives were short, so they attended other matters at some point. I left them and joined other hunters, and travelled the world.\nI have killed my share of vampires in all those years, some weak, some strong. I learnt to fight, I learnt to run, I learnt their weaknesses, and I learnt their strengths.\nWhenever you think you know all about a trade, you learn something new. If you fail to learn, you'll die. I've known many good people that died while hunting vampires. It took a few hundred years until I considered myself as quite good in this trade.\nThere is one weakness all vampires have in common: they're cowards. They proved this already when choosing the life of a vampire instead of facing the feared death. They prove this at each sundown when they rise again instead of ending their miserable existence. They prefer to spread their curse than to stop it. Selfishness is their main motive. Even though they form packs just like other beasts, they know no loyalty or support when danger arises.\nListen, I'm supposed to train you in the art of vampire hunting. But that's not how it works. If you are a fool, I cannot train you to be a genius. I suppose you know how to fight, else they would not have sent you. To learn the tricks of my trade, arm yourself with a blessed stake and hunt some vampires. Bring me their dust to prove your worthiness."}, {"The_Shadows_of_the_Vampires": "The Shadows of the Vampires\nThe vampire plague had its origin in mortals dabbling with the dark arts.\nIn the wake of the Corpse War, several humans began practising forms of necromancy for one reason or another.\nSome saw the seemingly overwhelming powers of the undead and desired them for themselves. Others desperately tried to discover some countermeasures for the undead threat.\nResearching for either good or evil, a small cabal of people studying necromancy became infected or cursed, slowly turning them into ghouls themselves. The change was slow enough for the necromancer fledglings to try to avert this change with any means possible. They came up with several methods, mostly based on alchemy. At long last they turned distilled human blood mixed with several forbidden ingredients of demonic origin into an effective potion. Not only did the potion end the rotting transformation, it also revitalised the drinker, making him feel healthier and stronger than ever before. It seemed to be an immediate success.\nAfter the entire cabal received the 'cure' it quickly became obvious that the success was only temporal at best. Soon they began feeling weak. Human food offered them nourishment no more. Again and again they were forced to revert to their potion. Trying desperately to find a permanent cure, they varied the original formula, to no avail.\nTwo of the brightest minds of the cabal finally joined efforts in their research, refusing to let others participate. This slowed them down in their experiments. At long last they came up with a theory that the blood of one of their 'kind' just might be the cure they need.\nInstead of carefully draining themselves and exchanging the blood, they started an argument over who should be the first to be cured. Soon the argument got out of hand, resulting in a fight about who had made the discovery and who deserved the praise. A fight of words turned into a fight of fists, one of them ended up dead and the unwilling donor of the much needed blood.\nThe survivor indeed felt cured, even better than before. He disclosed his research to his fellow necromancers, declaring the death of his colleague an accident. The others were too interested in the cure to truly care, eager to be cured themselves. Though blood was gathered and exchanged it did little to cease the transformation, let alone stop it. The 'cured' necromancer soon figured out the blood had to be taken from a living donor in such a mass and speed that the victim would surely die.\nSecretly he shared this knowledge with his most trusted brethren. They slew the others by night. After the initial shock the victims fought back. More than half of the cabal met its demise in this fight. Only few escaped, doomed to become nearly mindless ghouls.\nThe others learnt soon enough that the supposed cure only stabilised their semi-undead state in some way. Though no longer dependent on complicated alchemical potions, they knew that only the blood of the living would quench their thirst. Also, they were able to infect their victims with some strange strain of their own illness, making them the first true vampires with the attributes and vulnerabilities that are known to us today. It was not possible to recreate the original illness or curse that in combination with several not documented potions initially turned the cabal into unliving things."}, {"Deed_of_Ownership": "Deed of Ownership\nHaving opened this chest enables you to receive a very special present from Santa this year. Deed does not need to be presented and will not have any effect for other adventurers if passed on."}, {"Isle_of_Evil": "Eventually we reached an island that was thoroughly evil. It took all our courage and bravery to make our way through the dangerous territory to the dominating structure of the evil tower that loomed over the whole isle. We were well aware that the master of that tower had to be the epitome of evil and we had to enter his tower, regardless of the dangers involved. Only few had ever reached the isle and none of them had ever returned to tell the tale. But we were there and knew that it was our destiny to face the master of the isle. Retreat was not an option. We braved all the dangers that the isle seemed to throw against us and finally stood in front of the tower. Who would carry on our work if we failed? We knew if we did not stop the master of this isle, it might take decades until somebody else would find this isle and then it might be too late to stop the fiendish plot that threatened the whole world."}, {"Resolute_Emperor": "Dear diary,\nmy son Kruzak is constantly nagging me to resign as emperor and pass the leadership to him. \nWhat does this youngster of a few hundreds years think?\nI rather shave my beard then to step back!"}, {"They_Will_See_My_Genius": "Now they call it madness, but generations to come will see my genius. I will proof them wrong once and for all. ALL of them! I will find answers to questions they don't even dare to ask. I will open doors to mysteries never even imagined by them. I WILL learn even the secret of death. I will rule supreme over the land. I will bring peace, death, justice, and fear. I will ..."}, {"Tfel_Thgirtfel": "Tfel thgirtfel tfelthgir thgir"}, {"Mirror_Mirror_on_the_Wall": "Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the crazyest of them all?"}, {"Fruit_Sacrifices": "I will become a GOD! YES A GOD!\nI will be a better god then the others!\nThose who whorship me will have to make sacrifies for me! Yes, they will have to!\nWhat will I ask for? Not much, perhaps food. But i'd be a good god so I only accept plants. No! Better fruits! I love fruits! They have to sacrifice a melon for instance. Oh and then a banana!! But I love cherrys too! So they have to bring them too, yes yes!\nThen they have to invoke a ritual, involving an apple, and and and ... grapes! Grapes are important! Yes indeed! And for the last sacrifice I demand a coconut from my faithfull. Only then they are allowed to ascend to my throne! Oh, yes what a joy for them!"}, {"Doing_It_the_Mad_Way": "Doing it the mad way!"}, {"Book_of_Funny_Letters_I": "Book of funny letters I\n\u0102\u00a4\u0102\u00b6\u0102\u013d"}, {"Ljkhbl_Nilse": "ljkhbl nilse jfpce ojvco ld\nslcld ylddiv dnolsd dd sd\nsdcp cppcs cccpc cpsc\nawdp cpcw cfw ce\ncpvc ev vcemmev vrvf\ncp fd vmfpm xcv"}, {"The_Book_of_Foolish_Jokes": "The book of foolish jokes"}, {"Dtjfhg_Jhfvzk": "dtjfhg\njhfvzk\nbbliiug\nbkjjjjjjj\nxhvuo\nfffff\nzkkbk h\nlbhiovz\nklhi igbb"}, {"Snow_White": "Dear diary,\nthis nice ol' woman brought us some fine beer.\nI guess its ok to help her with this apple mailing service she wants to start. If only this human girl would shut up. We all regret to have granted her hospitality. This gal has the appetite of a rotworm and if ye' don't watch her every second she'll drinks all our beer and starts throwing things and demanding for some 'prince'."}, {"The_Fox_Is_Out": "Looks like the fox is out!\nMore luck next time!\nSigned:\nthe horned fox"}, {"Trollbreeding": "Trollbreeding made easy."}, {"The_First_Creatures_I": "The First Creatures BOOK ONE\nZathroth however was delighted by the destructive potential, which Fafnar showed, and he looked upon her with delight. He flattered her with compliments, and he succeeded in seducing her. Thus they conceived Brog, the fiery raging berserker. Brog possessed only little of his fathers wisdom, and the heat of his mother burned only deep inside of him. There however the fire became more ravaging and more hurting, and the rough titan raged and cried that the elements were shaken. Inexpressible pain troubled him, until the blocheaded Brog compacted his magical powers and hurled a major part of the fire far away from himself. From the fire, which did not want to cool down, however immediately the first dragon, called Garsharak, rose and he bore many further lower dragons in the course of the centuries from his fire and his magic, of the like we know today."}, {"The_Birth_of_the_Elements_I": "The Birth of the Elements BOOK ONE\nSchocked Uman and Fardos tried to grab hold of the dispersing being of Tibiasula, but it was about to slip out of their hands like their creations before. They wove a powerful spell, the spell of the creation, in order to bind Tibiasulas essence to the column of time. As Zathroth laughed loudly, in his vain triumph, he did not understand their words, and so the secret of creation and life stayed hidden from him forever.\nThey however wove the fleeting elements to powerful strands. Althought they did not succeed in uniting them again but the individual parts became something new, the first real creation. Thus the living part became Tibia, born from the element earth, Sula became the sea washing around it. Air rose over the creation and layed itself like a protecting blanket over the creation, and the fire seeped under it and began to warm it up.\nBehold: Each of the separate parts of the god was full of life and divinity! But none of the elements possessed the spirit of the Tibiasula, but they were wild and impetuous, following always the impulses which corresponded to their nature."}, {"May_Banor_Bless_Our_Souls": "May Banor bless our souls.\nMay the kiss of Kirok bring us inspiration.\nMay Fardos give us the force of will to forge our souls to tools of good.\nMay Crunor protect our health and essence.\nMay Uman teach us to use his gifts and use them wisely.\nMay the archangels guide and guard us."}, {"Captain's_Log": "Captain's Log"}, {"Nautical_Studies": "Nautical Studies"}, {"Flags_of_the_World": "Flags of the World"}, {"Raiders_of_the_Lost_Barge": "Raiders of the Lost Barge"}, {"Rum_-_the_Essence_of_Life": "Rum - the Essence of Life"}, {"A_Pirate's_Memoir": "A Pirate's Memoir"}, {"The_Parrot_and_Me": "The Parrot and Me"}, {"The_Great_Sea_Serpents": "The Great Sea Serpents\nThe Sea Serpent is as huge as a house and can swallow a small ship in one bite. Its scales are almost impenetrable and its teeth, which are as big as a cyclops, are coated with a corrosive poison that will dissolve human flesh on touch. In their undersea lairs they hoard treasures that would make a dragons hoard look miserable."}, {"The_Wolves_of_the_Sea": "Most pirates started their career as smugglers and reavers at the beaches. With the help of small shipping boats, they boarded ships in remote bays where they restocked supplies. Often whole villages made a living from such acts of banditry. At some point they decided that they had become strong enough to take over the ships and raid the seas. Another source of pirates were the mutinous crews that took over ships and who were hunted by the navy anyways."}, {"The_Lighthouse_in_the_Middle_of_Nowhere": "The Lighthouse in the Middle of Nowhere\nSailors claim to have travelled as far as the end of the world where the water pours down into nothingness. Although it is easily recognizable during daylight it poses a special threat at night. To make matters worse, a spooky lighthouse sometimes appears out of nowhere to lure ships over the edge of the world. Whether it is really a lighthouse or some other source of light differs from story to story and remains to be determined."}, {"Mermaids": "Mermaids are vain creatures of magical nature. Dealings with mermaids are dangerous to some extent. Many men have fallen in love with one of them, bewitched by their beauty and magic. Fortunately, mermaids are easily distracted and lose any interest in their enthralled victims as soon as something or someone else draws the attention. Since this is often enough another man that was foolish enough to get close to them, one elflock-stricken victim is replaced with another one. It is almost impossible to escape this vicious circle since unbanning one victim often means to sacrifice another man's live or at least his freedom."}, {"The_Quara,_Curse_of_the_Seas": "The Quara, Curse of the Seas\nNo one knows where they really come from. It seems the murderous quara are living deep down in the ocean in unknown numbers. From there, they plot their raids on the surface in which they cause havoc and mayhem. The quara consist of several subspecies whose relation to each other is still unknown to men. Given their hostile disposition, it is unlikely that we will ever learn more about them. For most humans it is sufficient to know that a quara means danger. Those who are able to fight them should kill them, those who are too weak should avoid them by all means."}, {"Monsters_of_the_Sea": "Monsters of the Sea"}, {"Treasure_Hunter's_Manual": "Treasure Hunter's Manual"}, {"The_Golden_Whale": "Since sightings have been reported by many respectable seamen the\nexistance\nof the golden whale can no longer be dismissed as a fairy tale. It is said that this whale is as huge as an isle and its body is made of purest gold. Even though many of the reports were made by seamen in the southern seas sailors of the north also claim to have seen this creature. All over the world the sighting of the golden whale is seen as a good omen. No one has yet been able to even hurt the beast; however, several inventors and mages have come up with ideas for the creation of a weapon that might pierce its golden body."}, {"The_Animal_Kings": "The Animal Kings\nIn ancient times the Shattered Isles used to be one huge isle. A peaceful and highly advanced civilisation prospered there. With the help of magic and breeding, they refined the very essence of all creatures on the isle. So even the animals became incredibly healthy and practically perfect beings of their species. They even acquired some intelligence that improved from generation to generation. After a catastrophe that destroyed the whole island, only a few of those animals survived. Over the years, other animals added to these special creatures, and soon only a fraction of the animals still had the attributes of their ancestors.\nThese noble animals chose one of their kind as their king and with the knowledge of their ancestors they acquired immortality. Nowadays, those animal kings still live at remote places, though some of them might have left the isles for more hospitable areas.\nIf someone succeeds in catching one of them, he might learn their secret of immortality along with other secrets that were thought to be lost with the destruction of the isle."}, {"The_Blades_of_Darkness": "Three pirate kings of old made a pact with the powers of darkness and were rewarded with three dark blades of immense powers. No enemy survived an attack with one of these blades. It is said that they allowed their owners to know whenever other ships where near and that storms and wind could be called with the blades to assist in the evil plots of the pirates.\nThe end came on the day these pirates decided to betray each other.\nIn a sea battle, they called for storms of such intensity that all of their ships sank. None of the pirates survived, and the blades vanished.\nIt is assumed they lie on the ocean floor."}, {"The_Demon_Fiddler": "The Demon Fiddler\nA legend tells about a man, a sinister traveller that booked a passage on a ship. \nIn a stormy night he began to play a ghostly tune on his fiddle. The tune drove\nthe helpless sailors into madness and forced them to sail their ship laughing on the next reef. The traveller though had vanished."}, {"The_Astral_Shapers_Punishment": "The so-called Astral Shapers were godless people. They mocked the gods and even tried to outdo them in the arts of creation. They created many powerful items which they used to bend the other races to their own will. One day though, they decided to build a device that allowed them to look into the realm of the gods. The gods became aware of this blasphemy, hence they sent a messenger to the Shapers. It was Huodin, the blessed servant of Kurik, who warned them not to cross the line. The vain Shapers, however, were mocking him and chased him away. Then the gods sent a second messenger. Anadron, the voice of Uman-Zathroth, brought them the wisdom to abandon their false ways. The Shapers, however, denied him entry and discarded the wisdom, casting it into the deepest well in one of their cities.\nThen the gods sent Dratur, the adamant sword of Banor. He just walked into their capitol and stood there without any motion, without saying a word, his weapons sheathed. At first the Shapers were fearful, but soon they began to mock the unmoving warrior. Three and three days he stood there while the artefact of the Shapers was almost finalised.\nAs the project was just a few heartbeats away from completion, Dratur drew his sword, blessed by all the gods. In three and three minutes he had slain the entire city. Every Shaper older than three and three years lay dead in their accursed blood. When Dratur sheathed his sword, the gods let fire, toxic slime and brimstone rain upon the cities of the blasphemous Shapers for three and three days."}, {"The_Fire_Walkers": "The Fire Walkers\nOn one of the isles I witnessed an utmost unusual occurrence. The natives gathered to some festivity. After some singing, dancing and drinking, they started to jump through some of the bonfires. They started screaming insanely and then started to walk over glowing logs of wood. I am wondering if this has something to do with the stuff they are drinking. It would be interesting to see if it can be used to cross lava streams."}, {"The_Ghost_Ship": "The Ghost Ship"}, {"The_Klabautermen": "The Klabautermen\nThe klabautermen are a race of impish, mischievous beings that live on ships. Using invisibility and other magic, they remain unseen most of the time. But be warned, if you antagonise the klabauterman of a ship, his harmless pranks will turn dangerous.\nIn general it is a smart move to keep your klabauterman happy with little presents\nand a lot of rum."}, {"The_Maze_of_the_Lost_Souls": "The maze of the lost souls\nCenturies ago, our ancients build this maze to protect our city Demona from bandits and warriors.\nWith the help of our loyal trolls they finished this giant maze within 1 month!\nThis maze has been protecting us for centuries and we hope that it will be the same for many following centuries too."}, {"The_Secret_Guardians": "As long as the four guardians are alive, the door that leads to the inner sanctum won't open. Only the blood of the guardians opens the lock. The crucial point is to locate the guardians. They are hidden at spots where no one would suspect them, disguised as ordinary creatures that inhabit this world. The Eye of Xandalos might be of help to locate and identify them.\nIf close enough to the guardians, it works like the \"find person\" spell. Considering the cost of its usage, it is out of question to use it without further thought. The construction of an Eye of Xandalos is an entirely other issue though."}, {"A_Piece_of_Cake_I": "This quest has two stages.\nIn the first stage, cake golems will attack certain cities.\nOnce they are slain, they can be looted for a vital ingredient which should be given to one of the bakers at the cake extractor machines.\nIt is IMPORTANT though that a certain amount of cake golems will be disassembled in the cake extraction machines. To do so, they have to be lured into the cake extractors where they will vanish. Since it is much easier to kill them, it is advised to begin with the luring part.\nIf the first stage has been completed successfully, a bridge is built south of Cormaya after a certain amount of time.\nThe second stage will take place on an isle south of Cormaya and explained in a book found there."}, {"Become_a_Pirate_in_a_Week:_Ten_Easy_Steps": "Become a Pirate in a Week: Ten Easy Steps"}, {"A_Pirate's_Life_for_You": "A Pirate's Life for You"}, {"Plundering_Made_Easy": "Plundering Made Easy"}, {"Seasickness": "Seasickness or Why the Gods Don't Want Us to Travel the Oceans"}, {"101_Sailing_Songs": "101 Sailing Songs"}, {"Parrot_Training": "Parrot Training"}, {"Catalogue_of_Hooks_for_the_Stylish_Pirate": "Catalogue of Hooks for the Stylish Pirate"}, {"Treasures_of_the_Southern_Isles": "Treasures of the Southern Isles\nQuite a few pirates hoarded up treasures in the past. It is known that pirates tend to hide their treasures on deserted islands for some unknown reason. They just bury them on some remote place and then forget about them. This similarity to the behaviour of squirrels was never scientifically verified. However, since pirates love to dress lightly they also love the south. Therefore, it is only natural that they hide their treasures there. Some of the southern isles are so popular among pirates that there is hardly any free space left to bury new treasure.\nIf anyone ever is looking for treasures, then those isles are the best place to start with."}, {"The_Legend_of_the_Swimming_Isle": "The Legend of the Swimming Isle"}, {"Crystal_Gardens": "I did it! I reached the crystal gardens! What beauty and splendor I have seen down there. Even more: I discovered a small subterranean lake - but Harry was there before me. And he did something strange: He ringed a small, transparent looking bell and immediatly a big whirl appeared in the water. I suppose this is the mysterious way deeper into the caves we sought after for so long. But Harry, the coward, didn't dare to dive into the water. Instead he left the caverns and heeded back to the surface. I have to go after him tomorrow. I must have this bell!"}, {"Sacrifice_Notes": "Sacrifice Notes\nWhite and dark can never be neighbours. Dark and brown are facing each other. The mushroom is always greener on the right side."}, {"5159564611": "51595646114145190584521765219727830464879636612527578967212778894388727857261185764217614588952196180031651288899751121615127215196805970"}, {"A_Shrinking_Potion": "A shrinking potion\nTake 2 powder herbs, a stone herb and a orange star. Cut them into small pieces and put them in a pot. Add a bottle of snake blood and boil it.\nIf you've done it right, the potion should be thick.\nWait until it's cold and then add the last ingredience, a 2 inch piece of a swamp plant.\nThis should make the potion green and much thinner. Fill it up in bottles and it's ready to be used"}, {"Beware_of_the_Bonelords": "Beware of the bonelords!\nThe bonelords are an ancient race of underground dwelling necromancers. Although they can 'speak' like humans using some membranes, their native 'tongue' consists of a blinking code with each eye, where a blinking could mean some syllable, letter or word. It is by far the most complex speech we have ever encountered and it is almost impossible to comprehend. As far as we can tell it is not only a language but also some kind of mathematics. This combination makes it tedious even to try to understand that language.\nThe books the bonelords write contain only numbers and the code behind them is incredibly complex. This race was one of those which were part in the creation wars and therefore its peak of civilization and power is long gone. There are rumours about still existent bonelord settlements where they try to improve their unspeakable necromantic rituals and create an army of undead.\nIn general they seem malicious but without any ambition to do more than to claim some lairs and to defend them. They seem to have no ambitions in conquering or allying with other races in a bigger style other than bonelord mercenaries who occasionally join forces with other entities for private reasons."}, {"Heresies_of_the_New_Age": "Heresies of the new age\nSome people claim that the soul vortex was not a creation of the gods. They argue that the sheer concept of souls from 'beyond' entering our realm is by all means very random and could not be planned at all. They suggest that it's a lot more likely that the vortex was actually some damage that was caused to the fabric of reality. Through this hole in reality souls that were never meant to be entered our realm and, so they assume, it's additionally a leak that leaches away the power of the gods. They suggest that war for creation was NOT interrupted\nbecause the gods wanted to heal the wounds of the world, but because this powerleak frightened them that much. They further speculate that the withdrawel of the world was more an act of panic, an attempt not to lose complete control over\ncreation, and the process known as awakening is by no means the working of benevolence, but the gods losing grip of the things they tried to hide away from the intruding souls. The theory goes that as there is an ascension for the souls from beyond to achieve some form of godhood, there is a constant descent for the powers of the gods of old due to the power that is leaking away into nothingness and the power the living claim for their own. Of course this heresy is very popular in the ranks of certain ascension cults. More so since it takes care of the more common fear in those conclaves, that the jealous gods may strike back\non those who try the ascension."}, {"The_Lair_of_Xemal_Xoth": "The Lair of Xemal Xoth\nLiches are creatures of power that instill terror even in the hearts of the bravest heroes. The lich Xemal Xoth was one of the more notorious of his kind. He was superior to most of the liches and several of them had to follow his orders. In his early days, he enslaved the whole area of Drefia. He reigned supreme until a fraction of the liches tried to overthrow him. They were defeated and put to eternal torment as a warning to enemies and minions alike. Still the forces of Xemal Xoth were weakened and his ranks thinned out. Seizing that opportunity, a mighty circle of necromancers attacked Drefia and the lich had only a narrow escape. Seeking refuge in the pyramid city of Ankrahmun, he served under the Pharaoh and God-King Arkhothep as an advisor and court magician. But serving did not suit the taste of the vain lich and after some years he left the city to follow his own dark agenda. It was at this time when he secretly started to construct his lair. At first it served as a depot for the knowledge and treasures he had rescued from Drefia and acquired in Ankrahmun. Later he began to station his most powerful undead guardians and creations there. Still he was looking for some other centre for his power. A place where he would reign supreme once more. But by and by, his efforts concentrated on his secret lair with which for some unknown reason he became more and more obsessed with. He waged an half-hearted attempt to overrun Darashia with the aid of a handful of vampire lords and their minions. But after the tides of battle turned against them and seemed to favour the pious citizens of Darashia and the heroes that came to help, he abandoned Darashia without further thought. Several other incidents, involving undeads from all over the known world, can be traced back to Xemal Xoth but none of them seemed serious enough to pose a real threat. As the construction of his lair made further progress, he withdrew more and more from the world. So it is no wonder that his name has almost been forgotten today. The motives of Xemal Xoth can only be guessed, but they are certainly nothing good for the people of Tibia. Whatever he is concocting in his lair, it can only be hoped for that he is stopped before he succeeds in his evil plans.\nThe search for him, however, appears to be almost impossible since no living being seems to know where to find that secret lair. It can only be guessed that he learnt about some place of power and somehow keeps it under control. There are no real clues that can help us in this matter."}, {"The_Liberators_of_the_Spark": "The liberators of the spark by Sericos\nAlso known as liberators of light and several similar names this Banor sect is dedicated to the so called 'liberation of the godly spark' from the unworthy. In theory they agree upon the doctrine of the Banor cult that each human and probably some of the non-human races are born with a part of the divine essence in them. Whereas other cults are dedicated to make this spark flourish for the good of the individual or civilisation, the liberators argue that certain persons are not worthy of the godly spark and it is better to set the divine essence free by killing them in ritual combat. Certain splintergroups of the liberators go even further and claim that a person can claim the divine essence of those slain to strengthen themselves. So this heresy led to two equally dangerous and forbidden subsects of the banor cult. While the original heretics killed only criminals after their foundation, the term 'unworthy' soon became more widely defined, and they began to slay cowards and everyone they considered weak. The so-called 'new liberators' brought this heresy to another equally mad degree. They argue that if you can claim the divine spark of others by killing them you should not target the weak, but the mighty. They 'honor' their victims in duels and admittedly more then one new liberator met his well deserved end at the swordtip of an opponent far superior to him. Still there ARE a considerable number of new liberators around and doing their perverted work for their god. The church of Banor in turn has outlawed both heresies and affiliation with either of those sects is punished with lifelong laborcamp or execution."}, {"My_Travels_by_Ploch_Pridestride_XVII": "My Travels by Ploch Pridestride (Volume 17)\nAfter stocking up supplies in Port Hope we immediately focused on the next step in our plans. It was our goal to reach the haunted ruins of Drefia using small boats that would allow us to stay close to the beach which had some major advantages: while exploring the coastline we could gather food and water in the jungle and avoid the dangers of the treacherous reefs of the northern coast at the same time.\nOf course this would still be a dangerous and daring enterprise - else it would have been done before -, but we were sure that it could be done. Indeed the voyage started smoothly. We grew accustomed to the difficulties of the coastline quite fast and none of the giant sea creatures that were rumoured to plague the reefs were sighted. The first actual threats we faced were quite ordinary beasts of the jungle which - although dangerous - did not turn out to be of greater danger than the animals we had encountered during other travels. However we did not expect at all the very jungle to turn against us. We were setting up camp on a clearing that seemed peaceful, even idyllic. With hindsight this fact should have alerted us, but we were exhausted from a lengthy trip and relieved to get some rest without having to drive some beasts away first. All of a sudden, thorns shot all over the clearing and the previously calm jungle ground came to violent life. Plants we had never seen before were biting our feet with the ferocious greed of a rabid hyaena. Complete disorientation and panic took over and there was yelling and running everywhere. When we finally made it back to the boats, most of the equipment we had carried with us was lost and there was no one among us who was not injured, some were even poisoned. We spent a hard night directly on the beach and woke up drenched, covered with sand and salt all over, our wounds burning like fire. Yet we decided to continue our expedition."}, {"My_Travels_by_Ploch_Pridestride_XVIII": "My Travels by Ploch Pridestride (Volume 18)\nBandaged as good as it was possible under the prevailing circumstances we continued to follow the coastline. We reached an area where the reefs made it almost impossible to stay close to the shore and thus forced us to make a decision. We could either try to continue our voyage through the treacherous reefs by boat, or head for deeper water and travel across the dangerous ocean for an indefinite time or, as third alternative, continue by foot along the beach with the boats on our backs until it seemed safe enough to use the boats again. Under normal circumstances I would have opted for the latter, but me and my men were wounded and tired and the jungle had already shown us its ugly face in a way which made none of us want to see more of it. Heading for the ocean was no real option either. Not only that our small boats were not built for that kind of travel - reaching Drefia via the high seas had already been accomplished before and doing so would contradict the intention of the whole expedition. Thus we dared to stick to our original plan as closely as possibly and to try finding a path through the reefs. Shortly after we were rewarded for our bravery with a breathtaking sight."}, {"My_Travels_by_Ploch_Pridestride_XIX": "My Travels by Ploch Pridestride (Volume 19)\nUnexpectedly, pyramid-like ruins appeared at the horizon breaking the eternal green of the jungle. Already half taken over by the all-devouring jungle vegetation but still clearly recognisable there was an actual city - ancient, but obviously populated. Having heard about the pyramids of the southern desert we instinctively related the jungle monuments to the same culture and to the people settling in the city of Ankrahmun. While we cautiously steered our boats closer to the beach and wondered about the mysterious origins of this jungle city, more and more apes showed up on the beach, yelling at us in threatening poses. Strangely enough, they were wearing various kinds of equipment - actually wearing it, not randomly strapped to the body like some mindless beast might have done. Due to the obvious hostility we stayed far enough from them to avoid the coconuts and stones they hurled in our direction. I was left solely with the option to examine the strange apes and the ruins through my spyglass and was able to spot different kinds of apes which wore sparse clothing and equipment such as weapons in a way that made clear they knew what they were doing. However some - if not most - equipment looked odd on them, as if made for creatures of a completely different build. A closer look at the ruins revealed that they were not as ruined as I had thought at first, in fact most were only overgrown by the jungle. The visible remains displayed impressive work and art. Oddly, most patterns on the walls showed serpents and lizards of some kind which for sure did not fit the hairy humanoids inhabiting the city. Then I saw the first statues. Although obviously damaged on purpose and turned into almost unrecognisable heaps of stone, some of them showed features of two legged, upright walking lizards complete with weaponry and other equipment. Instantly I remembered the stories of intelligent, yet savage lizard men which were rumoured to live somewhere in the deepest jungle."}, {"My_Travels_by_Ploch_Pridestride_XX": "My Travels by Ploch Pridestride (Volume 20)\nI recognise a mystery when I encounter one, and this was a mystery for sure. Although a good mystery can fascinate me a lot more than most women I met in my life, I was responsible for this expedition and for my men which stopped me from changing our plans right there and then. Instead I started to make up a plan for a later expedition which would lead me to the area where the lizard people possibly could be found in order to learn more about them. Thus we left the strange pyramid city behind us for now and continued our passage through the reefs. Shortly after, we eventually made it and the shoreline became safe once again. We decided to take a break and set up camp, even more careful than usual, securing it with everything we had at our disposal since we needed some time to repair our boats and equipment as well as to heal our wounds. We camped there for two days and - thanks to the gods - had to face only minor nuisances. During the night the same jungle which could turn dangerously silent in the daytime became a symphony of screams, screeches and howls of creatures no one of us could even imagine. When the sun set, the sky seemed to explode with massive rain as if the gods were pouring down a whole ocean on us. Even with our full equipment we would have had a hard time to keep ourselves comfortable and with a significant amount of our stuff lost to the jungle, it was almost impossible to actually recover. As we took off for the sea again we were all glad to escape this green hell once more. We followed the shoreline to the next impassable reef formation, however, this time the reefs were close to the beach, so it was easy enough to find a way around while keeping the land in sight as well as avoiding the depths of the sea. Using my spyglass, a wooden structure blending almost perfectly with the jungle caught my attention. It reminded me of an enormous fortification of some sort, yet there seemed to be no defenders, just thickest jungle surrounding it."}, {"My_Travels_by_Ploch_Pridestride_XXI": "My Travels by Ploch Pridestride (Volume 21)\nSince there was no reasonable possibility to reach this structure at this time or even just the shore, we continued our voyage through the night. It was about midnight when a roar of some sort interrupted the cacophony of the jungle, and then silence remained. The waves of the sea and their gentle lapping against our wooden boats were the only sounds still audible. From what I can tell, the cause of this roar must have been something we had never encountered before. We had seen and heard dragons, even the majestic dragon lords, but this had to be something which would dwarf even them. I am not ashamed to admit that my hands were trembling when I took my spyglass and searched the night for any sight of the creature we had just heard. Of course I did not really hope to actually spot something in this darkness, so again I was more than surprised when I indeed detected a shadow moving through the jungle. I hardly could have overlooked it since it towered even above the giant trees of the jungle. I was not able to see anything more of it than its rough shape, but for all that I saw I swear to the gods it was the shape of some brutish humanoid. No one of us felt prepared to investigate this mystery in that night, and as the sun rose once again we had already left the sandy part of the coastline and followed the jagged mountain range which seperated Drefia from the rest of the continent. Our destination was near."}, {"The_Lizard_People": "The Lizard People\nIt seems the lizards we encountered in the jungle are some sort of civilised culture. When I speak of culture, I relate them only to primitive orcs and minotaurs of course. During our expeditions to the jungle we learned that they are hostile to humanity like most of the vile creatures of this new land. Their animosity also spreads to most other races we encountered here. They seem to be a warlike race, searching for conflicts and fights with each and everyone they encounter. Obviously this mindless aggression leaves little room to develop a culture like the human one, achieved due to a long history. It is unlikely those primitive brutes even know the very concept of history at all.\nThis leaves one to wonder who supplies them with their exotic weaponary and armor. Perhaps they are some minor race of a greater dark power that lurks in the deepest depths of the jungle. The magic I have seen performed by those lizards was far from impressive. They use a very limited variety of shamanistic tricks that are insignificantly more powerful than the powers those average orcish hive shamans hold.\nTo sum things up, the lizard people are another hostile race that might be seen as a hindrance for humankind but they do not pose a threat. On the other hand they are of no use to us and a timely elimination could only be helpful."}, {"The_Ghosts_of_the_Jungle": "The Ghosts of the Jungle\nEven though it is true that many people who have not returned from the jungle have fallen prey to animals and other natural dangers, it is quite sure that not in all cases this explanation is applicable. For all we know it is quite certain that there have to be other dangers in the jungle than such mundane ones. How can it be explained that several watchmen of expeditions have vanished over night while none of the people asleep in the camp was harmed? How is it possible that well armed and seasoned adventurers got lost in the jungle? Considering the expertise of some of the victims this jungle has taken, it would be highly ignorant to assume that a simple beast of some kind could be the source of their ultimate doom. In conclusion we have to assume that 'something' is out there. A malicious, unseen power. Never seen but often felt. Noticed only by the 'inner eye' but never actually seen. Everybody that has ever set foot in the jungle knows this eerie feeling of being watched and traced. Sometimes you can almost imagine the movements of something invisible in the bushes.\nAnd do all those glowing eyes in the darkness belong to animals? I don't think so."}, {"The_Pyramids_of_the_Apes_I": "The Pyramids of the Apes Vol. 1\nHaving experienced the apes as a very primitive culture, the rumors and stories about them living in a pyramid city, not unlike that of the far away Ankrahmun, seemed unbelivable at first. On second thought though we have to admit that we have seen stranger things than this in our lovely world. But how could those primitive apes build a pyramid city like this? How could they aquire such heights of architecture while they can hardly wield a weapon and have only a remote grasp to the concept of clothing? The answer is quite obvious though.\nWe know that the pyramid architecture of Ankrahmun has been used for its spiritual value long before the reign of Arkhotep. We also know that Ankrahmun is a city of the dead. As a matter of fact it is also true that in Ankrahmun the wisdom of many ages has been gathered and philosophy and science prospered like nowhere else in this world. It is obvious that the pyramids are linked to death and to wisdom somehow. If you put two and two together, you can easily figure out that those pyramids act as a collector of spiritual energy and probably even literally as houses of the dead. Imagine a civilisation that could have conversations with its dead ancestors and draw from the enormous source of their wisdom! Would such a civilisation not prosper like that of Ankrahmun? For sure it would.\nBut how is this connected to the apes and their pyramids one might ask. The answer is simple: being the primitive beings they are, the apes are unable to build such structures but some spirits of the past with the wisdom of millennia might have that knowledge. We all know that a primitive mind can be easily controlled. So it would be easy for such a spirit to take over control of the simple mind of one or more apes and give them orders. Without knowing what they were doing such mind-controlled apes could have built this city of pyramids. Of course the apes would have no need for such a city, but surely the ghosts or spirits would like to call such a place their home."}, {"The_Pyramids_of_the_Apes_II": "The Pyramids of the Apes Vol. 2\nAfter obtaining their base, the spirits must have stopped controlling the apes which resulted in random raids that are too well known by the inhabitants of Port Hope and that formed their opinion about those creatures. The lack of organisation and control in those attacks makes it obvious that there is no higher power behind them. It seems that the spirits have now left the pyramids since the rare reports we receive from that place, tell us that the once grand structures are now overgrown ruins. Would the spirits allow their home to decay in such a way? I would highly doubt that. There are only two explanations for this phenomenon. The first possibility is that the spirits have left our world. This would be reasonable if you assume that taking control over a living being costs some powers and might have drained all energy from the spirits. But wouldn't those pyramids cancel this effect? For sure they would. So another reason for the spirits' departure could be that the spirits gathered enough energy through the pyramids that allowed them to travel to another dimension or reach a new state of being (or death). So the spirits have no use of the pyramids anymore. The second theory for the spirits' disappearance is much more worrying: the spirits are only asleep. Perhaps the process of becoming one with the field energy of the pyramids was so exhausting that the spirits had to take some rest. If this is the case, they could wake up anytime. And nobody can foresee how they will react to us living intruders who could pose a dangerous threat to their spiritual home."}, {"Wondrous_Plant_Life_-_Jungle_Edition_I": "Wondrous Plant Life - Jungle Edition Vol. 1\n(In memory of Mandol the priest - Sadly this work was left unfinished due to his untimely end by a carnivorous plant.)\nThe threadlike vegetation of the thread tree can easily be cut off and, if woven with moderate skills, can be used to make ropes. These ropes are especially useful when it comes to simple constructions that only have to last for a short period of time.\nThe jungle dweller bush is quite a common plant. It's the home of a variety of insects and small animals.\nThe green wig bush is mainly known for its long, threadlike roots. Although those roots are edible it is not advisable to actually do so. They have an extreme bitter taste and need to be boiled to reach an edible state. The green wig bush got his name from the sad fact that sometimes the murderous dworcs use its roots to bind them to their heads as some kind of camouflage during their sneak attacks.\nThe lizards tongue is quite an unremarkable plant. It grows quickly but there is no real use for this resource and it does not please the eye enough to be worth growing it. It can be easily recognised by the slimy coating of its leaves which partly led to its name.\nThe jungle crown is somewhat rare. Still it's quite an unremarkable plant considering its majestic name which probably originates from its unique ringlike growth pattern.\nIt is unknown if the name of the green fountain bush was chosen deliberately or rather accidentally, but the name is well to the point for two reasons. Firstly, it does indeed resemble a frozen green fountain and secondly, like a cactus it is able to accumulate a substantial supply of water in its thick leaves."}, {"Wondrous_Plant_Life_-_Jungle_Edition_II": "Wondrous Plant Life - Jungle Edition Vol. 2\nThe dragons nest tree is neither a real tree nor does it even remotely have something to do with dragons. Probably the first explorers were shocked when they first saw the thick round blossoms of this giant flower. Obviously, those explorers knew little about dragons and even less about plants, naming it a tree.\nThe purple kiss bush is a plant that pleases the eye and the nose alike. Sadly it seems impossible to cultivate it yet and so we have to live with the fact that we will only meet its beauty by chance.\nThe jungle umbrella in its many varieties is extremly common and only the fertility of the other jungle plants prevents it from becoming a pest. It grows faster than bamboo but lacks its usefulness. Its wood is thin and breaks easily when dried.\nOn touch the chill nettle injects a very mild poison that let the skin feel somewhat numb and cold. Although some people try using it to fight the heat, it actually does not prevent overheating and also the production of sweat is not reduced. Given the threat of possible long-term damage, it's not advisable to use the nettle for this purpose.\nThe monkey tail plant is most likely related to the chill nettle. It is also possible that one plant is disguising the other one for some unknown reason. Before the monkey tail blooms, the two plants almost look alike. Only when the monkey tail reveals its purple blossom does the difference become obvious, even to an amateur.\nThe fairy queen is one of the most beautiful plants in the whole world. Unfortunately it needs an insane effort to grow them away from their natural habitat. To grow one, expensive supplies and a group of specialists are needed that only kings and queens could afford. Therefore, the fairy queen will only be found in company that fits her royal title."}, {"Wondrous_Plant_Life_-_Jungle_Edition_III": "Wondrous Plant Life - Jungle Edition Vol. 3\nEven though, one could assume that the crane plant obtained its name because it looks remotely like a crane, it was named after its discoverer Malcom Crane. Crane used to be a rather unremarkable student of mine who tended to overestimate his abilities and who flattered himself by giving this plant his name. Fittingly, the crane plant is a rather pompous plant.\nJungle bells are lovely, small plants that need much light and water. Still it is possible for a dedicated botanist to grow one or two of them if he really puts effort into it. Unfortunately, the jungle ants are as eager of this plant as the forementionend Malcom Crane was eager of some recognition.\nThe dawn singer is a plant that opens its blossom by the first sunbeam in the morning. Its blossom looks very close to an open mouth which probably led to its name. However, one might wonder if a less flattering name would have been more appropriate considering the awful odour that emanates from it in the morning hours.\nThe turtle sprouter can be cultivated quite easily since all it needs is much sun and warmth which can be easily provided in an environment like the jungle. It is somewhat more difficult to grow them in other regions although not impossible if mainly grown indoors. The name was derived from its sprouts that have the shape of small orbs.\nThe bees ballroom does not only attract bees but all kind of flying insects with its strange but not unpleasant odour. Usually you hear this plant before you actually see or smell it because there is a constant buzzing and humming of insects around it.\nThe jungle rose is a relative of our ordinary rose. Unlike the known roses, some plants of this species can reach impressive proportions while others do not exceed the size of an ordinary rose. It has not been discovered yet if this giant version is some subspecies or if its tremendous growth is influenced by other means."}, {"Wondrous_Plant_Life_-_Jungle_Edition_IV": "Wondrous Plant Life - Jungle Edition Vol. 4\nThe titans orchid is rare and quite a sight. I have no idea how long it takes until a plant reaches its full size which even dwarfs some trees. I have not been able to grow one to its full size yet, and I begin to wonder how old those full grown plants we encountered might have been.\nThe purple cardinal is a plant that looks very different from any other plant. It grows to enormous proportions and it is the only plant that jungle ants avoid in their ravenous hunger. If we could figure out how the plant protects itself, we might be able to use that knowledge to cultivate the area.\nThe witches cauldron is quite an eye-catcher. It is extremely big and has its own beauty. The traveller should be warned that it is not advisable to drink the rainwater that gathers in the big blossom. The plant seems to poison the water in some way and severe stomach pains are the most harmless ailments that occur after drinking it. So the conclusion can be drawn that the whole plant is uneatable due to its poison.\nThe velvet petal is another giant plant of the jungle. Its smell is surprisingly unremarkable but the plant's colourful petals catch easily the attention of the wanderer. They are somewhat hairy and soft and indeed feel like velvet to the touch. The plant is very fragile though so caution is advised. How such a plant manages to survive in the harsh jungle remains a mystery.\nThe devils tongue flower is another remarkable species of Tiquanda. A man feels quite dwarfish next to this impressive flower. The fact that its leaves, after being dried and grinded, give a spicy substance has led to numerous attempts of Venoran traders to cultivate this plant. It must be feared that they start harvesting that plant in the jungle and destroy the complete species if their efforts in growing this plant stays unsuccessful."}, {"Enemies_of_the_True_Faith": "Enemies of the True Faith\nFirst of all there are the heretics. Those are probably the most dangerous enemies because you hardly notice them. They undermine our society and the belief in the gods by their actions and their words. Some of them are crazy enough to think that they are true believers themselves. Their words erode the fundamentals of faith. They must be eliminated from our society. \nAs practitioners of dark and forbidden arts, witches are dangerous enemies as well. They must be avoided by all virtuous people that swore faithfulness to the gods. Witches are godless beings that even sacrifice evil creatures to get hold of their dark magic.\nThen there are the damned, the undead. There are two types of them - ghosts and the walking dead. Both are insults to the teachings of the gods, and both were denied eternal peace, surely for a good reason. They try to kill all living beings. They must be destroyed on sight.\nThe worst enemies are demons. They are malicious creatures of immense power that plot the downfall of mankind. With all our power and might we have to oppose these servants of the dark one.\nAll of these enemies pose a threat on their own. We have to be aware of all their evil intrigues to be able to protect our souls. Only a devout and brave heart can triumph over their dark temptations. Those who fail and stumble, even only once, are at risk to become heretics themselves. Therefore we must not only watch ourselves but also our brethren and sisters to see if they might have fallen and turned into enemies. \nThe best weapons to fight evil are bravery and faith. They are not only the best available arms but also the prerequisite to fight evil at all. Brave followers of the true faith might of course arm themselves with additional weapons. A vial of holy water often works wonders when it comes to clean desecrated places and to drive out unholy entities. Often, a believer needs nothing than a holy symbol combined with his unwavering faith to ward off some of the less powerful evil beings.\nThe holy ground of temples dedicated to the good gods is a safe haven for everyone as it cannot be entered by the servants of evil. Certain holy relics in the possession of these temples are able to harm or even to defeat the mightiest servants of darkness.\nWe are all sinners and we should neither be proud of our faith nor be smug about it as pride and vanity are the first steps to heresy. We should be aware of our failures and plead for forgiveness every day."}, {"Report_13XAH07:_Ape_Attacks": "Report 13XAH07\nThese ape men have been causing turmoil once again. Their raids have become more frequent with each month since the rain season has ended. I guess they don't like showers. Given their savageness and unpredictability it is not easy to come up with a counter strategy. It is obvious that the majority of the apes are trying to distract our guards while others sneak in and steal equipment of all sorts. Some of them are agile like ... well, like monkeys. Hard to catch - and they are sort of escape artists and might hide right under the ceiling. I even had one report of a citizen finding a monkey hiding in his depot box after a raid. Given the number of men at our disposal it is impossible to defend each and every side of the settlement. No sort of barricade would be of any help considering the nature of our attackers.\nThey get into and out of our fort just as it pleases them, and even the upper levels of the town that have proven to be safe against other beasts of the jungle are no hindrance to them. I see no real option to stop those attacks unless an army is sent here to find the apes' base of operation which seems to be somewhere in the north eastern jungle."}, {"Report_67ABFG33:_Increased_Pirate_Activity": "Report 67ABFG33\nCaptains report an increased activity of pirates on the routes from Port Hope to Thais and Venore. I support the traders' demand that the king should intervene. A well armed warship with some experienced fighters would not only secure the routes, but also boost our line of defence in Port Hope. With their support we could fight back such enemies like the ape men - or even capture Trapwood, an area rich in bamboo that is populated by those murderous dworcs."}, {"Report_27AAF36:_Tail_Hunting": "Report 27AAF36\nAlthough offered with the best intentions, the reward the tradesmen from Venore had put on monkey tails was revoked after a while. Even though many adventurers and soldiers of fortune had been able to pick up their rewards, the situation was worse than ever as the ape raids came even more frequently and ferociously. The loss of lives and the senseless destruction of property had increased enormously. Sadly Jorgin Beargin, the spokesman of the Venoran traders, was called back to Venore to report about the recent losses.\nThe traders are now asking us to keep adventurers from provoking the ape men in any way. I fear we cannot offer much assistance in that matter since those \"tail hunters\" are numerous and usually well armed but we will try our best."}, {"Report_78ACFF04:_Drunken_Sailors": "Report 78ACFF04\nThe usual turmoil when the QUEEN GENOVEVA is in town - the sailors, drunk as always, stood out with their usual misbehaviour with the result that one of them spilled the beer of a local dwarf. In the following fight a lot of property was destroyed and even lives were endangered. I sent word to Thais that such events destroy the peace of our colony and that we would probably do better to rely on the more disciplined seamen of Venore who are more accustomed to the hardships of long journeys than the men of the Thaian marine. A letter written by the local traders strongly supporting my point has been enclosed."}, {"Report_67ZUFL90:_Antidote_Monopoly": "Report 67ZUFL90\nDeath caused by venomous local animals and by enemies using poisonous weapons against us are becoming more and more common. The traders of Venore gladly offered a vast supply of antidotes and suggested forming a monopoly to ensure the quality of the products and to stop scammers before their adulterated potions cause the deaths of innocents."}, {"Report_34DFOO12:_Oliver_Holmes_Disappeared": "Report 34DFOO12\nWe still cannot figure out who or what caused the disappearance of Oliver Holmes. Aforesaid mage from the Noodles Academy of Magic Arts came here to study the different cultures of the area. After three days of preparation and planning, his room was found empty. His bed was unused but his clothes lay neatly folded on a chair as if he had undressed. There were no signs of a fight and the door had been locked from within. It is a complete mystery why or how he disappeared."}, {"Report_56IOLP56:_Jungle_Fever": "Report 56IOLP56\nThe respectable mage Borsoz was able to provide us with a cure for the so-called 'jungle fever'. People repeatedly reported some kind of 'out-of-body experience'. While sleeping, they suddenly stood beside their own body and watched over it. The magician proved that the 'fever' actually was caused by a small bug. This bug injects a mildly toxic hallucinogen into the body of a sleeping person causing the mentioned phenomenon. Borsoz developed a paste that, when applied to the walls and the floor, keeps those bugs away. All settlers were provided with the paste and the \"fever\" has been efficiently eradicated."}, {"Appearing_Human": "How to take on and keep a beautiful human appearance\nBy eating the powder of the purple kiss, the blue lotus and the pearl flower, with cinnamon and honey, an asura becomes lovely in the eyes of mortal men.\nAn asura may also carry with her the bone of a peacock or of a hyena covered with gold. This makes her hair silky and her skin fresh and vivid.\nThe application of a mixture of jungle rose petals, a flower from a fresh grave and peacock bone powder produces the same effect.\nDrinking mare's milk is also a good way to keep an appealing human form for an asura. Thereafter she should take black sesame seeds and soak them with the eggs of sparrows, boil them in milk and mix them with sugar. If she drinks this mixture and eats three fruits of the dragon nest tree she will keep her human form for five days.\nBut if she takes a bath in a young man's blood she may keep a lovely human form for the time of a full month."}, {"Asuri_Weaknesses": "\"My curiosity and my urge to explore have driven me too deep into these vaults. Asuri everywhere - in their true form even more powerful than in their human disguise. I fled down here, apparently they do not visit this remote cave. But I am afraid it will also become my grave. Still, I made an interesting discovery and I am writing it down in hopes that it may once be useful to another soul. The asuri are led by powerful princesses that are virtually invincible if confronted unprepared. However, even they have weaknesses. For example, the midnight asuri abhor heavy scents and the dawnfire asuri detest the sound of silver bells. In turn, the frost flower asuri can't stand anyone wearing red fabrics (not metal) near them. I have strong reason to believe that these weaknesses - as I call them - sufficiently weaken the otherwise powerful asura princesses, so they can be wounded. However, this will probably remain a theory I can't verify anymore.\""}, {"Dworc_Misadventure": "(You see a scrap of torn paper. The writing on it is blood-stained and barely legible)\n...evaluation of the variety of local poisons and their medical use.\n... dworcs' poison and antidote expertise is unrivalled, but contact ... most inimical due to the dworcs' unfortunate belief that humans taste rather nice.\n...Two of our group, the youngest, have been infected by the careless handling of toxin samples from strange flowers, and are hallucinating badly. ... no time to search for an antidote. Still, I owe it young Jenkinson and Abrams to at least try to find some help.\n... saw and heard a ritual close by.\n... are watched by the dworcs, but so far, they have not attacked. Maybe I can come to some sort of arrangement.\n... trapped. It seems part of the ritual to let us anticipate the worst...\nWaited for him to die of that slow poison before sacrificing Abrams to whatever god it is they believe in, and his heart is now being devoured by the disgusting ...\n... must warn anyone who reads this not to make the same mistake I did. ... too late."}, {"Explorer_Journal_of_Wilmot_Dustheart": "Explorer journal of Wilmot Dustheart, record 241 -\nIt's hard to believe but I actually discovered an iceberg at the shoreline north of Port Hope. First I was astonished: As this iceberg surely originates from Svargrond, so why wasn't it washed up north of Carlin or at least Thais? A study concerning the Tibian oceans' current conditions brought it to light: A strongly westward directed current of the Nordic Ocean prevents even a rather big ice bulk to be washed up north of Carlin. Instead it channels the iceberg through the passage between the islands Folda and Senja, past the Ghostlands west of Carlin. The current conditions of King's Gulf then direct the ice bulk through the strait between Fibula and Thais rather than channeling it into the bay. From there the drift would have directed the iceberg past Meriana as far as to the coast north of Darashia. But quite recently a heavy thunderstorm has torn it out of the current and washed the iceberg up here at the shoreline north of Port Hope. As it has already covered a long way, a part of the iceberg meanwhile surely has molten away. So the original size of this iceberg must have been vast. A chakoya clan inhabits the iceberg, but until now they are peaceful, yet curious. This is an extraordinary discovery! We already had knowledge about the Tibian oceans' current conditions, yet thus far it was unknown that bulks as big as this iceberg can travel so far by these currents. Thanks to this discovery I will be a renowned explorer soon! Yet, I'll have to stop my research for a short while and take a break in warmer surroundings, if I don't want to freeze completely ..."}, {"Jungle_Gold": "We built our camp far away from those greedy scammers in Port Hope that are planning on stealing our gold as soon as we have found it. I know it is here. I am a dwarf, I must know. The others get impatient like silly elves. Until now we have found only little gold but at least it proves that the gold is here and we will defend it fiercly against everyone that tries to steal it. We have already chased away those apes and lizards that used to prowl around here. Too bad there are no dworcs around whom me and the boys could teach about the sharpness of our axes. We have already killed some adventurers that came here. As if we did not knew that they are after our gold. I can see the greed in their eyes. They would kill for a nugget, so they get killed for a nugget."}, {"Lloyd's_Journal": "Lloyd's Journal\n#345: It seems to become a habit for me to start each entry with my brother, Boyd. They call him the \"mad mage\" now. They say that's what he has become - mad. The problem with mad people is, they are simply misunderstood by everyone else. Of course he's completely sane. He showed me how to protect myself, how to use metal and magic to build a line of defense against everything and everyone from the outside world. He used servants made of iron, gold and even diamond - and I was allowed to \"refine\" them. But I'm afraid... it's not enough. I need...\n#443: I was lucky, very lucky. A dungeon... no, a fortress underground. I found a large - facility of some sort to give me shelter. Vast amounts of energy flow through its system of rooms and corridors. I need to find out how made this, how to... use this.\n#456: This whole construction was not used for a very long time. I found traces of its occupants but it's not clear whether they lived here or only used it for something, as I am about to do...\n#512: It's done! I found a way to harness the energy of this place. It works like a focus, binding extreme amounts of energy for a purpose which is still beyond me - but it matters not. As my brother did in Edron, I will now declare this my base of operation. My lair. My source of power AND protection. Protection is the most important thing. I will not make any mistakes - this will be my bastion against EVERYTHING.\n#612: Didn't get outside very much. Not at all. Didn't hear much about Boyd. The \"mad mage\" had an experiment gone wrong it seems. He's nowhere to be seen anymore. Not even in his fortress. I will follow in his footsteps. They just don't understand.\n#632: I am holed up in my fortress. I harness its energy. Cosmic energy way beyond anything I have ever seen. I use the lower chamber to build an indestructible armour of power around me. Nothing can touch me. I don't need food, I don't need sleep. Now I can think. I can reflect on the world without it being any nuisance anymore. I don't care who built all this or what its purpose was.\n#667: It was built... for me."}, {"Raid_on_Banuta": "We raided that ape city but there was nothing that would have been worth to be taken. Seems those apes did not build that city after all. They are just primitive idiots. When we went to that river area southeast, we saw the lizards' settlement. Given the fact that they live in shabby huts but also built a huge stone structure similar to the ones in the ape city, I would bet the apes have driven those losers out."}, {"The_Peacock_Ballad": "The Peacock Ballad\n*Written on this parchment are the text and notes of a florid ballad about the beauty of peacocks.*"}, {"Tragic_Accident_in_the_Factory": "Due to a tragic accident we lost two of our workers today. Some unforeseen power spike lead to the release of superheated glooth steam. Three workers were caught in the cloud. One of them died immediately, another suffered severe injuries. The third man was barely hurt and put back to work despite his protest from him."}, {"Thomas_Complaint": "Worker Thomas is still complaining that the machine at the glooth steam accelerator 'talks' to him. 'In his head of him', as he said. As a matter of fact he has been found sleeping between the machinery repeatedly, and one time even wandering aimlessly and probably under the influence of alcohol, wielding a sledge hammer. I request his removal and replacement."}, {"Shougust_Tronkil_Goes_Missing": "While under attack by the minotaurs, the leading scientist Shougust Tronkil has gone missing. The possibility that the minos got him can be dismissed. The minotaurs never made it that far and Tronkil insisted on continuing his work at the other end of the plant. With everyone distracted, something must have happened to him. Strangely enough the only thing that was left were his entire clothes at the place where he was working. There were no traces of a fight and considering the plant was locked up due to the attack, there was no place he could have gone. With Tronkil gone, his work on the glooth discharger frequency is stopped until we find a suitable replacement."}, {"School_Class_Visits_The_Factory": "Today a class from the Rathleton public school visited the plant. We raised security to the highest standards and even got lucky with a break in the constant attacks. Ironically, one of the youth was yet hurt as he was bitten by a tiny spider that hid in a canister with highly experimental glooth. Of course it has been nothing threatening and the kid is fine but it gave us all a good laugh."}, {"Power_Output_of_The_Plant": "Again we have surpassed the expectations in the power output of the plant. There has been a lot of praise from the administration and the leading staff of the plant was given a bonus. We will continue to inspire our workers to give their best and set one new record after the other."}, {"Power_Conduits_Under_Pressure": "The power conduits are under constant high pressure but yet they keep working. The request to run half of them only on 3/4 power and switch between 3/4 and full charge was denied. I won't accept any responsibility for possible consequences. How the harmonious dischargers can stand this constant strain is beyond me. Even more how their arrangement amplifies the energy even further. From all what I learned from my old master, this should be impossible. But somehow parts of the plant seem to bend what is impossible and what not. Yet it is obvious that the machinery is put into severe stress by all that power and the whole material is not capable of enduring that king of strain for a prolonged time. We frantically exchange parts in the rare downtimes of a sector, but I wonder if this will be enough to keep things going."}, {"Glooth_Factory_Investigation": "As far as I was able to study the plans for the plant and watch things in work, I have to admit that its function is beyond my comprehension. Larger parts of the glooth application are done in formerly unseen ways. Most designs are so far apart from classic design that I wonder who in the world would come up with such concepts. I consider myself an expert in glooth machinery and yet I can't figure out how any team in Rathleton could create the designs which where used. Much of the work is attributed to the late professor Larington's team but I knew Larington, and though he was prominent with the city administration he was too much of a traditionalist to harbour such revolutionary ideas. Even more strange is the silence that is met with when you ask former team members about their work with Larington. At best you get some secrecy phrases but it's quite obvious how nervous most of them become when further pressed. Most of them are not as experienced and brilliant as I am anyway. So how could this old geezer and a bunch of dilettantes could create some plant that even I don't remotely understand? And what are they hiding at all? Some officials 'informed' me I should stick to my own business and my tasks at hand. It was suggested that further investigation would do no good to my scientific careerer. This makes me wonder even more, although I will keep my investigations less obvious from now on. One of the new workers is eyeing me suspiciously. I might become paranoid, but better safe than sorry - I will try to evade him in the future, and better hide these notes somewhere."}, {"Hazardous_Glooth_Dust": "Meldry continues to claim that the glooth dust is hazardous to the health of the workers while it is obvious that the decline in health in the workforce is attributable to the misuse of self-distilled alcohol. In reaction to his protest from him, I ordered a swipe through the worker quarters and the confiscation of brewing equipment. This indeed silenced Meldry's complaints about him. Although he might only be silent for a while, because he recently had a not work-related accident and showed up for his shift bruised and limping."}, {"Attacks_on_the_Glooth_Factory": "The attacks on the plant are becoming more and more of a threat. While the plant was in construction they were only a nuisance but now that it is up and running all kind of wierd creatures seem to be drawn to it for what reason ever. In the case of the minotaurs it is easy to see what they are up to. They want to hurt the city badly and perhaps even overtake the plant and use it for their own. But they seem to be mostly motivated to deny the plant to Ratleton at all cost even if it means that they sacrifice their invading force to blew it up. The other creatures though - we have no idea what drives them into such a frenzy to attack the plant. Probably some of the machines it making a noise or vibration or whatever that drives them mad. Even more unsettling is the organized way of the attacks. As if even there is some driving force behind it. That might even be seen as possible for the automatons. Indeed someone could be creating and leading them from a distance, but why and how eludes us. But what of the beasts? What drives them to their ferocious attacks? Another question is how long we can stand those constant attacks and what might happen if we ultimately fail to repel them some day?"}, {"Georgia_Rainbird's_Scientific_Research_Report": "Scientific Research Report by Georgia Rainbird:\n\nThree months ago I discovered it for the first time: A strange kind of glooth, deep purple in colour and of a slightly different consistency than the glooth variant we knew until now. There are some pools or ponds of this glooth in the upper mushroom caves in the east of the tunnels. At the time of my researches these were the only ones, but I fear they are spreading. I assume, it is a kind of mutation that caused the glooth to change this way. I was very careful about my researches as I don't yet know all possible side effects of this mutated glooth variant. What I was able to determine is the following: The mutated glooth is a dangerous thing. It affects its environment in a clearly negative fashion. Some plants wither and rot under its influence, others mutate into toxic, sometimes even animated variants. Smaller cave dwellers as rats, toads and bugs are likewise affected by the side effects of the mutated glooth. They also evolve into poisonous, bigger and stronger variants of themselves. They show an increased aggressiveness and seem to infect other animals with their bite. These first observations lead me to believe that the glooth mutation down here has to be stopped. If it spreads out the danger for Rathleton or even Oramond could be immense."}, {"Note_About_Astral_Shapers": "Note\n\nShapers: old race, once important, good at magic, died out at some point, left artefacts behind, should be retrieved and studied."}, {"Last_Will_and_Testament_of_Dr_Henry_Eugene_Merlay": "Last Will and Testament of Dr Henry Eugene Merlay"}, {"Laws_And_Ordinances_of_Rathleton": "Laws And Ordinances of Rathleton"}, {"Terrence's_Memo": "Memo:\n- Remind magistrate to send more volunteers\n- Send overdue guard payrolls to Ezebeth\n- Supplies list for guard home\n- New schedule for guard duties\n- Train new recruits\n- Report on minotaur activities\n- Better armor for patrol guards"}, {"Terrence's_Payroll_Checklist": "Payroll Checklist:\nCommander Dorian Coligny - died in combat, send payroll to parents Lieutenant Gorundo D'Orville - died on patrol, send payroll to sister Lieutenant Thorvald Grufflow - died on patrol, send payroll to widow\nPaul Greystone - promote to Commander Ernest Dolby - promote to Lieutenant Hortense Fribulla - promote to Lieutenant"}, {"Rathleton_Classes_I": "CLASSIFIED CONFISCATED PAMPHLET- AUTHORISED READERS ONLY\nThe poor without much rights try to make a living by being hired and fired, collecting reusable junk and selling it, fishing stuff out of the canals, killing creatures in the canals, some fishing, doing illegal jobs. Some of them might have a permanent job like providing cheap energy via treadmills in the factories.\nThe working class works under gruesome conditions in unhealthy environments. Most are replaceable manual workers without much knowledge. They are poorly paid and only seldom replaced by expensive and repair-intensive automatons. Some extremely heavy work is done by automatons with workers that serve like drones to make the automaton work. An individual worker can easily be replaced by another. \nCrafters, specialists, town clerks enjoy a somewhat more comfortable life. They possess knowledge, skill and/or talent that makes them somewhat unique. The lowest work in factories as overseers and mechanics and recruit their apprentices from talented workers. Some artists can be counted to that class, when they have some skill or renown that allows them to earn a living with their profession, rather than\npractising\ntheir art as a hobby in their limited spare time. Medics, surveyors, magic users, private teachers and the like often fall into that category. They usually come from specialised families that pay for and oversee their education.\nThe upper class is usually recruited from younger heirs of the factory owners who only inherit some money and monthly allowance. Since this money usually won't suffice for their own children and the allowance is not inheritable, they are often at the mercy of their families. Usually, they get leading positions in the factories and are urged to learn some useful skill. Others end up in key positions of the city's administrative hierarchy. Certain extremely well-liked artists and specialists may advance into this class. They have comparatively much spare time which they spend on social events like formal parties, meetings and more or less exclusive clubs."}, {"Rathleton_Classes_II": "CLASSIFIED CONFISCATED PAMPHLET- AUTHORISED READERS ONLY\nThe high class consists of the factory owners, owners of important patents and their direct relatives. Usually, only the eldest heir, his spouse and their firstborn heir are counted to this class. They own the factories or will own them one day, and the whole family fortune is at their disposal. They undergo a rigid training for their destiny and are schooled in reading, writing, magic and other important matters, depending on the tastes of the heads of the family.They are rarely seen in their factories and don't mingle with less than the upper class; and even this might be rare in some cases. The high class considers itself an elite, important for the city and irreplaceable. Since many town officials are relatives and somewhat dependent on their good will, their influence is sometimes bigger than the importance of their factories might suggest. They are subject to only a few rules and laws of the city, and are the only ones 'important' enough to vote on them.\nWhile in theory it is possible that one of the poor does so much for the city that, through his earned votes, he might become important enough to vote on rules that affect even the high class, this is practically impossible. Everything a poor person can do will grant him only a handful of votes at best, whereas simply owning a factory for a few months will generate enough votes to elevate someone to a status of importance. \nThe high class is quite eager to use their votes in a most efficient way, so they rarely vote on things that won't affect them at all. This gives the lower classes some autonomy in issues that affect only them. Since changing labour conditions and the like is considered a more important decision, only a few of the lower classes are allowed to vote on them at all and are easily overruled by the sheer number of votes a single factory owner owns. Therefore, they rarely waste their votes on such issues at all and leave it to the higher classes.\nThe upper class has the least votes in comparison, but the most privileges. Since the secondary heirs rarely rise to enough importance to vote about their own class, they sometimes sell their votes to interested higher class members who want to influence lower class decisions without wasting their own more valuable votes. Others generate some considerable amount of votes by working as city officials. Their importance allows them to influence matters that affect the city as a whole, and they are often flattered and ultimately bought by the higher class, mostly of their own family, to vote in their interest. Those officials lead a relatively comfortable life, and some may gather enough wealth to invest in a factory, or to support an artist or inventor. Sometimes this investment pays off, and sometimes this is how the second branch of the family surpasses the first."}, {"Dissolution_of_the_Rathleton_Lord_Protectorate": "By the rules of the lord protectorate itself I, Humlin Otherford, sentence the reigning Lord Protector Iridin Steelson to death by burning, for being guilty of witchcraft, blood magic and murder. Furthermore, in the name of the people I declare that the title of Lord Protector is no longer. Having seen the atrocities that always corrupt and defile any leadership eventually, we, the people, declare that henceforth no single ruler shall be granted the right of reign over our realm.\nFrom now on a body of chosen spokespersons will rule over city and realm. In their decisions they are obliged to follow the vote of selected people that have proven their dedication to our cause through their actions."}, {"The_Glooth_Plant": "The glooth plant\nThe construction plans for the glooth plant are considered top secret and only parts of it are available even to the scientists that are part of the crew. The finest minds of Rathleton have worked on this project for years and finally we will be able to reap the rewards of this hard work. Due to the use of natural resources and new, revolutionary ways to put the glooth to use, we will be able to provide the city with glooth power for years to come.\nAs an example of Rathletons progressive spirit and a proof that our city is the most progressive and successful in the whole world. Under the guidance of our administration we make progress formerly undreamed of by humanity and we shape a better and brighter future.\nThis monument of Rathletons ingenuity will become a shining example for the whole world. The plant will not only provide our beloved city and its factories with even more glooth power but it will be also more efficient, cleaner and more safe.\nBy locating it directly under the city center it can provide glooth power wherever it's needed.\nBy using natural resources of the cavernous systems the plant can be provided with everything needed without complicated transportation systems and even use channelled underground rivers for cooling.\nBut this prestigious project is yet far from done!\nMany challenges still await us and this important project is under constant threat from the enemies of our beloved city.\nTherefore each citizen is asked to do his best to keep this new heart of our city beating. Our administration and each citizen is grateful to those heroes that work in the plant. We cheer those repairmen that are fixing those machines and keep them running. We feel grateful for those brave channel workers that keep the cooling water flowing. We adore those scientists down their overseeing all those gauges and machinery. We celebrate those fearless fighters that protect the plant from any danger at hand.\nWith unity and ingenuity we will make Rathleton a better place."}, {"The_Big_Book_of_Glooth_I": "The Big Book of Glooth Pt.1\nIt's hard to imagine how life was before the breakthrough discovery of the glooth. Some hundred years ago, the first timid attempts were made to harvest and use the slime of the gloothworms. It was known it could be used to distil a strong glooth wine and in dire times, the substance was thickened and used as food by the poor. But only when inventor Baribar Glooth began his experiments and met with success, the usefulness of the worms and their product became apparent. The unassuming worms and their slime were named after that great man and soon others followed and discovered even more ways to manipulate, change and use glooth to the prosperity of all.\nBaribar had studied glooth for years and tried to manipulate it by heat, magic and the like with moderate success. Following a hunch, he used lightning magic on the slime and therefore changed the fate of Rathleton. The first experiments yielded only a solid but brittle substance. By changing the duration and intensity of exposition to energy, he managed to give the substance he created entirely different attributes. First and foremost his efforts concentrated on creating a substitute for metal. On his way to create what later would be known as gloothal, he discovered the elastic gloothy that today is produced in several standard elasticities that found a wide range of usage in the crafts and in daily life.\nHis assistant Dagomir pushed the research into discovering the properties of more liquid forms of glooth. By mixing the application of heat and lightning, he produced several by-products that were at first discarded, but used by later generations of inventors to expand into new areas of glooth usage. His final discovery, many years after the death of his former master and mentor Glooth, was the gloothomir, a substance that burned with a strange greenish flame that produces almost no heat compared to normal fire but burns for an extremely long time. Later generations refined the gloothomir to the gloothine that has similar properties but produced a lot of invisible smoke, while using itself up quicker than the gloothomir."}, {"The_Big_Book_of_Glooth_II": "The Big Book of Glooth Pt.2\nFirst dismissed as useless, Hergis Brunt, inventor and visionary in the field of mechanics, used the properties of gloothine in the creation of his first brunt-machines. With the spread of glooth usage the demand for the slime grew to an extent where the worm farms could not keep up. Progress was stunted for several decades before a group of scientists made a breakthrough in breaking down garbage of glooth products into the basic slime they were originally made of. Others dedicated their research to finding some use for the by-products of glooth creation. Glooth spice and glooth pudding found their way into the homes of even the poorest to supply them with new glooth-born strength.\nWith increased reusability and more efficient worm farms and better worm breeding, the supply of glooth was once again secured, but it showed that overdependence was a danger. Efforts to gain other resources were renewed and increased. Still, the glooth inventions flourished even when experiments with other catalysts than energy and to some degree heat, met with little substantial results and ended up as an often mocked side note of science.\nIn our days it is hard to imagine what a world without glooth would look like. Our day begins when we clean our teeth with a gloothbrush and ends when we lay down in our beds with a glooth casting. This is something the glooth critics readily ignore in their unfounded rants against glooth, whenever they come up with their horror scenarios in which the glooth suddenly reverts back to its slime state, drowning each and everyone in Rathleton in a wave of slime. Those ungrateful enemies of progress just argue for argument's sake and shouldn't be given the attention they are desperately looking for. The glooth has led us to an age of prosperity and progress, and there is no way for a sane person to go back into the dark ages before the glooth."}, {"Nightmare_Knights_Explore_Oramond_I": "When we arrived here by means I'm not allowed to mention, we found not an abandoned isle and save haven to build a secret base, but a populated and civilised kingdom. Unsure it we were to continue with our initial plan nonetheless I sent word to the other dreammasters for a decision. Meanwhile I sent scouts to watch the strange inhabitants of this new land and get as much information about them as possible. After verifying that they were at least not openly in league with demons or the brotherhood, I decided to make contact. The people we met were seemingly completely human, albeit somewhat pale and of an tired and disinterested attitude. Although they obviously had never encountered a dwarf, they paid my right hand man only little more attention then anyone else. And that was little enough. This already made me suspicious and as we were invited by their leader to dine with him as honoured guests I told my men to be on guard. I postponed the invitation under the ruse of affairs I had to attend before, so I could use the time to see if my dream would grant me some insight and wisdom. As it is known those dreams are never direct, neither prophetic but with all this screams, carnage and bloodshed in my dreams there was little to be mistaken. Yet I refrained, as dreams are treacherous if threatened with ignorance. How easy it is to cause all that you dreamed about by your own actions because of your dreams. So we prepared potent antidotes and runes to deflect any attacks or traps that might await us. King Julas as he was called was a gentle enough host and the feast if not splendid was appropriate. Yet at the serving of the wine the magic amulet I had donned warned me about poison. I silently informed my men as I had told them in advance. Each of us secretly used an antidote rune on himself while others of us distracted our host and his retinue. As the evening turned to night our host was becoming more and more nervous, obviously waiting for his poison to take effect. Smiling inwardly I turned the polite discussion to the ways of our order, casually mentioned that we were known to reward our friends well and deal with traitors and their ilk swiftly and without mercy. More and more that Julas became nervous and more and more my talk became more stern and threatening. Only thinly veiled I finally had told him that I was aware about his treachery and were prepared to retaliate. Finally he broke in and with a shrieking voice he ordered his guards to attack. I and my men were accustomed to fight enemies more fierce then those men who where numerous but trained as militia or city-guardsman at best. We made sort work and soon most of them surrendered. King Julas though had retreated already. I interrogated the men at arms and learned that Julas as his father before him ruled the island with an iron and oppressive fist after years of freedom and prosperity. We searched the castle for Julas, fighting through some of his remaining men who offered only half-hearted resistance before giving up."}, {"Nightmare_Knights_Explore_Oramond_II": "As I mentioned we were no strangers to battle and the gruesome sights of war but none of us was prepared for when we found Julas, after hacking through the doors that guarded his personal quarters. Let us just say he had done 'things' to his servants and his own body. The walls were smeared with blood in patterns that reminded me on magic symbols. He was barely alive, more then could be said about his poor servants, a dozens or so. And there was madness in his eyes. A madness that was so deep and intense that you could not stand the look of his eyes for long. He was babbling incoherent sentences and giggling and laughing all the while spittle dropped uncontrollable from his mouth. With his mutilations he might not have survived the night anyway but I was taking no chances. I had a pyre constructed and got rid of him before the turn of midnight. None of his subjects objected. That alone was proof I was right to do that.\nI assumed now things would take a turn for the better now. I assumed reign over the city awaiting the people to show some rightful successor I could accept and planed to go on with the construction of a base for our order. But perhaps I should have read my dreams better then that.\nAt first it became obvious that each and every night I tried to enter the dream realm I became trapped in nightmares of blood and soon sensed a presence of something malignant, evil but completely elusive that was stalking me. And more! There was something, not yet a voice though, that seemed to urge me to do even more vile and abominable thing as Julas had done.\nTo make matters worse each and every pretender for the throne the citizens half-heartedly presented seemed to be the descendant of the same degenerate branch of a family that hat two generations ago slaughtered any other of the royal lines to the last man. I sensed that non of them was to be trusted, each of one more depraved then the other.\nSo I was in a dilemma. Through the malignant presence the isle was unsuitable for us as a base. No chance to create a dreampath here or to have dreams not tainted by whatever lurked here. On the other hand those people were in desperate need of leadership and something had to be done about whatever haunted this isle.\nSo with no resistance from the citizens who seemed rather glad that not another ruler of that degenerate line would be instituted I assumed the title of lord protector of the realm. Though I had to sent most of my men away to fight in other battles and the other dreammasters showed concern about my decision I think it was the right thing to do. I will lead this people to new prosperity and will see that the evil of the isle is contained while I work to find a way to destroy it once and for all."}, {"Investigating_Oramond_Folklore_I": "Since my arrival on the isle I have learned a lot of interesting things. Most of it is folklore of course, as the people sadly had little use for record as it seemed. What I found out, from ancient tales and crumbling tomes as well as from my explorations of the isle, granted me some insights. First of all, before men settled here some ancient race left its mark on the isle. From what I have seen, the remaining ruins indicate some advanced civilisation that pre-dated men. They commanded some technological knowledge beyond what I've seen anywhere. Perhaps those ancient ruins are all what's left from the mythical civilisation of Yalahar. Perhaps while strolling through Rathleton I've walked through what the ravages of time left over from the famous city itself? However, when the first humans arrived, the city had been abandoned and lain in ruins since long ago. The humans, wherever they might have come from, settled for a simple life in the ruins, in ignorance of the marvels ans wonders around them. Curiosity led them to some minor rediscoveries of ancient knowledge, but it seems they made little out of it. Some forages were made into the area of forging and the use of steam, whereas architecture was oddly neglected and people rather sook shelter in caves.\nIt is uncertain what exactly happened, but I assume at some point their digging and exploring awakened some ancient evil, something so powerful that they stood no chance of resistance. They were overwhelmed and enslaved by an entity that was drawn to sacrifices, and especially blood. But if any of the ancient fairy tales are worth something, it was not some vampire, perhaps not even a physical being. Nonetheless, dark times of servitude began for the people of the isle. Slavery and taxes in blood was their lot for many generations.\nThis did only change with the arrival of 'princess' Ramora. Now this person is shrouded in mystery, too. Though each story claims highest nobility for her, there is no record at all about such a princess in any archive that I had access to. This might mean nothing though, as it is entirely possible that this princess and her conquest date back to the last days of the mythical Corpse Wars. Though native lore and that of the invaders mingle here, it is often mentioned that things took place in the time when 'dead men walked'. Given the constant threat of the Corpse Wars, it seems likely that those incidents triggered the exodus of said princess and her people. Still, the nobility of this princess is disputable. Granted, there is next to no record that survived from those times. It is entirely possible that the princess was some tribe's ruler or something like that. The key here is that no heritage or title but that of 'princess' in her name connect to her in any existing lore. Knowing to what an end the nobility goes to preserve their family names, at least ist must strike one as odd that no traceable surname survived in all those tales. The next thing are clashing reports about how the exodus took place."}, {"Investigating_Oramond_Folklore_II": "While some stories claim that the princess ruled over a realm besieged by an endless stream of enemies (the undead perhaps), and that she ordered her remaining people to board their ships and set sail, others tell of a long journey through besieged lands, of endless battles that took their toll on her people until they reached the coast where they 'boarded the ships' and set sail. Now, the latter version suggests a perhaps darker version of the story, since the boarding of foreign ships would not have taken place without some force and warfare on its own. Yet in even other stories it is said that the 'goodly seapeople' took pity of the plight of the princess, and that their ships came from the mists to carry her people away. Interestingly, the 'seapeople' are a consistent element in various tales about the exodus. In one version, closest to the basic one, the king of the seapeople became smitten with the brave and strong princess and agreed to save her people if she bore him a child. Upon arrival at their destination, the pregnant princess denied the sea king his child and he therefore cursed her people to never be able to traverse the seas again. In several other stories, the seapeople at least encountered the princess and for some reason or other agreed to guide her through the sea that was in turmoil due to violent storms and savage sea creatures. Most descriptions of the seapeople picture them to be tall, slender, with pointy ears and bluish skin. I believe here the natives mixed up the seapeople with the elves from the stories of the newly arrived settlers.\nBe that as it may, the princess and her men finally ended up on an unknown coastline. Stories tell of an attempted ambush on her and her forces. It's entirely possible though that they already arrived as would-be conquerors. Regardless of this, it seemed certain that the populace of the isle was oppressed by some creature so that the princes did not have to fight the human population in any significant way. Instead, they fought the 'other minions' of the blood lord, often described as beasts entirely made up of blood and gore. It is likely that having fought in the Corpse Wars and having survived them, Ramora and her followers had weapons, tactics ans magic available to fight even such abomination, without running away screaming at the first confrontation. Finally they cornered and slew the beast that oppressed the isle. Probably in a gesture of unification she married (? the stories here a irritatingly vague) a local man that was declared to be some hero in the whole affair. Bringing with them more determination than the natives had and possessing some knowledge that was alien to them, the new arrivals changed the isle's civilisation significantly. Houses were built, the crude machines where put to a more efficient use, and more effort was put into understanding the relics of the past."}, {"Investigating_Oramond_Folklore_III": "This led to a rise of steam technology which to the simple-minded must have seemed like magic. Though far removed form the accomplishments of the fabled Yalahari, their progress in those years must have been remarkable whereas in the present it has come to a crawl. Perhaps there are only so many secrets to be unlocked in the mundane world, but only the secrets of magic are endless. But I'm getting carried away.\nIt seems that even with the destruction of the blood lord, some of his rituals prevailed. Perhaps there has always been a circle of trusted collaborators, who knows. When my order arrived here, that cult prospered again and had intoxicated the royal line. So when our detachment arrived here, the isle was again in the grip of a ruthless dictatorship and alliance with some gruesome blood cult.\nThe destruction of the cult led to a power vacuum that had to be filled. Two generations of lord protectors have until now overseen the well-being of the native people, and although it is increasingly hard to keep contact with the mainland, our protectorate flourishes. I consider myself fortunate that my superiors in the order allowed me to do my research here. I will prove to them that even without the abilities of dreamwalking I'm a useful member of the order. I've already planned several expeditions with the help of the natives, using old folklore as guidance. With the gracious help of the current Lord Protector, everything seems possible. Who knows what secrets I might discover. Perhaps I can prove that here is indeed what is left of the once proud city of Yalahar."}, {"Archived_Tax_Payer_List_A-L": "Archived Tax Payer List A-L"}, {"Archived_Tax_Payer_List_M-Z": "Archived Tax Payer List M-Z"}, {"Civic_Litigations_I": "Civic Litigations, Ledger 1."}, {"Civic_Litigations_II": "Civic Litigations, Ledger 2."}, {"The_Perilous_Adventures_of_Captain_Caveworm_I": "The perilous adventures of captain caveworm Pt. I\nThe saga of captain caveworm begun with a daring couple of cave explorers. After their wedding the two scientists decided to go on a rather unusual honeymoon trip and to explore some recently discovered caves together. Venturing into the unknown depths beneath Rathleton they became cut off from their return route by a cave in. Using their unique knowledge of the subterranean flora and fauna they managed to survive and build a shelter to await some sort of rescue. Because they were assumed dead this rescue never arrived though. As time passed they became aware that they would have to work on their rescue all alone. This became more complicated by the pregnancy of the wife. They decided to focus on survival first and to find a way to escape later on. The husband begun the capture and training of caveworms, a more social and less dangerous cousin of the rotworm. They were used as means of digging, hunting for food and providing some protection against the more aggressive rotworm colonies nearby. For a while some sort of stability was achieved and the woman gave birth to a boy. Due to unforeseen complications in birth the wife never fully recovered from pregnancy. So it was up to the husband and his caveworms to provide them nourishment and shelter. The attacks of the rotworms continued and became even more fierce. The couple did it's best to raise their child and give it the best education they could provide under this circumstances. At some point the wife's strength finally failed her and she died in her sleep. The grief stricken husband was ridden with guilt and his spirit broken. So one day he let his guard down and their shelter was overrun by rampaging rotworms. He sacrificed his life to allow his son to escape, accompanied by their most trusted caveworms. That much could be deduced by later excavations and reading some remaining notes of the couple and also due to remarks of captain caveworm to some of the people he met and befriended. What then had happened to the boy is a wild mix of myth, speculation and deduction.\nIt seems the caveworms kind of raised him as one of their own and he learned to live in the caveworm way. It is said that the caveworms discovered a small colony of worms that were closely related to the goothworm and yet astonishing different on several regards. The kid used them as one of his food sources what begun to change him even more than the environment and his foster parents already did. He developed uncanny senses and his teeth and fingernails became incredibly hard and sharp. He also acquired a high grade of agility and a flexibility of his body to wind his way even through the narrowest and winding tunnels.\nFor some years he lived the adventurous life of a caveworm until one day the rotworms found his new home. This time though the youth would not flee but use his new found powers to fight back. He managed to slay the murderous worms but his new shelter was destroyed and his foster parents were killed."}, {"The_Perilous_Adventures_of_Captain_Caveworm_II": "The perilous adventures of captain caveworm Pt. II\nHe lonely roamed the caves for a while but eventually the youth begun to long for human companionship and used his skills to search for the people of his parents. It seemed the first people he encountered were some simple glooth farmers in some remote caves. They befriended the shy kid and took him in. He once more showed his ability to adapt and soon grasped the concepts of human society. But not all he learned though appealed to the youth who had grown up with the lectures of his scientific parents and the simple but just way of the caveworms. The kid got himself into some fights against what he saw as unjust and oppressive and he had to flee once again. This time he returned under the cover of a made up identity and kept a low profile. Since his sense of justice had not been diminished he created yet another identity, that of a masked freedom fighter whose uniform bore the likeness and symbolism of the caveworms. For a while 'the worm' appeared out of nowhere, where the weak were severely mistreated, to bring them freedom and punishment to their oppressors.\nThis culminated into a battle against a powerful factory owner who not only abused his workers but also secretly planned to take over the city. After years of battles in the shadows this lead to a desperate attempt of the factory owner to hastily use his private army to overthrow the government before his schemes were revealed to the public. He might have succeeded if not for the masked figure who managed to lead a huge army of caveworms and other subterranean beasts against him.\nThe factory owner was defeated and his mysterious opponent disappeared into the darkness of the caves once again. In the gloothpapers he first had many new names like 'the worm general' but soon the public begun to call him captain caveworm instead.\nIn the days to come the mysterious man would switch more and more to fighting powerful criminals who he saw as a more immediate threat for the people. And indeed there seemed to be no shortage of freaks, mad scientists and criminal masterminds to keep him occupied. Some of the most notorious arch enemies that Captain Caveworm acquired over the years were the nefarious Dr. Dentist, the seductive Minowoman, the sinister Mean Green, the lethal Glooth Fairy and the powerful Pulverizer.\nThe captain never made a public appearance and his existence is shrouded with myth and rumours."}, {"Runes_and_Spells": "Runes and Spells, an Introduction for the Practical Mage. By Professor Mordecai Stanton."}, {"The_Uses_and_Possibilities_of_Glooth": "The Uses and Possibilities of Glooth - by Dr Henry Merlay"}, {"The_Foundations_and_Principles_of_Slime_Science": "A Short Introduction to the Foundations and Principles of Slime Science, by Baribar Glooth"}, {"The_Elements_and_Their_Impact_on_the_Manipulation_of_Glooth": "The elements and their impact on the manipulation of glooth, by Robert Macrenelle."}, {"Satirical_Notes_on_the_Hierarchy_and_Traditions_of_Oramond_and_Rathleton": "Satirical notes on the hierarchy and traditions of Oramond and Rathleton, by Rodoy F."}, {"Map_of_the_Old_Sewers_of_Rathleton": "Map of the old sewers of Rathleton, by Jules Fortescue"}, {"The_Rare_Fauna_and_Flora_of_Oramond_III": "The Rare Fauna and Flora of Oramond, Vol. III, by Alaistar Stanton."}, {"Salves_and_Balms": "Salves and balms for inflammation of the skin, druidic soothing rites and meditational music, by Azalea of the Red Root."}, {"Merlay's_Transformation": "(You see what appears to be a large diary. It is covered with giant scrawls that are often blotched and nearly unreadable, as if written by hands unused to holding a pen)\nDay 4 - I have contacted the Stantons through my loyal messenger Maro. Maybe a spell, a rune, a potion can heal me? I hope Emily is fine and does not worry too much, I have been gone for several days now... Perhaps I should write to her? But what do I tell her? That this... hide is covering my skin as to make me unable to touch her? Oh no no, I cannot do this. I cannot let her see me, imagine me like this! Better to leave her in doubt than this horrible knowledge. Alaistar has promised to look after her. That must be enough for now. Oh, how I long to shed these vile scales that cover my skin!\n...\nDay 35 - The Stantons know of no potion or spell that can cure me. I am doomed to stay here until I find an antidote. Luckily, I have, at least for now, all I need to conduct the necessary experiments; it was a lucky hunch that led me to build the particle accelerator here instead of in the factory! Who knows, maybe this transformation put me on the lead to a new invention? But if yes, which one, to what end? I cannot think why anyone should wish to look and feel as grossly confined in this massive, ogrish body as I do. Oh, to be human again!\n...\nDay 46 - At least I do not need sleep in this brutish form, but how I wish there was some human company! And what about Emily? ... I must not dwell on these thoughts. I must find a cure. I must!\n...\nDay 61 - The salve only thickened this horrible hide that covers and deforms my body. But I cannot give up. I must think of Emily. I have written some letters to make sure our family fortune will not be withheld from her, but will my family, will Carefew have accepted those letters as my own? I must ask my messenger about the news from above.\n...\nDay 65 - This is disastrous! Maro says that my letters were not accepted, that Carefew said they were frauds! FRAUDS! How dare he! He cannot deny it is my sigil, but he says my writing has been forged. FORGED! By the gods above and below! Has he lost all decency, to leave Emily bereft of what is rightly hers? Oh, the infamy! But I see how it is. Carefew has never been a friend of mine, and seeks revenge through vile attacks on my dearest. If only I could ascertain that my writing IS still unchanged! Oh, if only someone had old writings from me that I could study! But with these enormous hands, what is there to be done? Would devising a writing golem help? But oh no no, the golem could still not copy my style. This is wretched, wretched indeed!\n...\nDay 243 - I am near desperation. Maro has informed me he can no longer be my messenger to the world above. Will this torment never end?\n...\nDay 352 - Another failure. I can't get the recipe to work. Oh my dearest Emily, will I ever see you again?\n...\nDay 456 - I am on the lead of something. I think it may be the mixture of gases that caused the chain reaction in the factory. Maybe if I can reverse the effect?\n...\nDay 581 - After weeks of endless tests, I must conclude that gases were a dead end. Nothing worked. Maybe not a potion, but a slowly dissolving pill or lozenge? If the ingredients were to release their effects step by step, internally, would they reduce this thick, hideous hide? Must research.\n...\nDay 876 - Maybe tonight I will finally have the breakthrough, I feel it is within my grasp! The latest experiments have been very promising. Oh Emily... wait for me, my darling.\n...\nDay 1001 - I must not, I cannot give up! There must be a way to undo this! Maybe I have been wrong to indulge in this diary. I shall leave the days uncounted from now on, and only think of my goal. All I need now is a messenger. Time will show me a way, I am certain of it. Oh Emily, my love. My thoughts are with you, always."}, {"A_Venture_Through_the_Oramond_Fields": "A Venture through the Oramond Fields, by Doctor Alaistar Stanton.\nThe Oramond Fields that surround the city of Rathleton hold many a marvel to behold. The grasslands are home to many small and larger animals, peaceful like the gloothworms and aggressive like the devourers. Indeed, glooth is what has given the fauna and flora of the isle its particular shape.\nStudying old carcasses in the deeper earth layers have led me to believe the creatures may have looked differently in earlier centuries. Glooth residue varies in the bones, indicating the creatures absorbed it somehow and were changed by it - the bones are similar, but not quite alike those of today's animal inhabitants.\nThe flora of Oramond is less developed than the fauna. Again, I believe the glooth to be the reason. Though in earlier days, maybe the climate was milder too before the mists closed in. The few trees that grow in the shelter of the city centre are the last remnants of forests that must have once covered the southern grasslands. But when the weather grew colder and darker through the mist clouding the skies and keeping off the warm winds, they must have retreated. The gloothworms, revelling in damp and cold earth, spread, and I believe their soaking the earth with glooth residue must have prevented the tree seeds from growing again. The grazing animals consequently chose to eat more of the glooth-imbibed grasses, and adapted to the changed environment, while the carnivores, feeding on them in turn, absorbed the glooth through their prey.\nThough much of this is still theory, I am confident that through ongoing research I will one day have a reliable amount of data on the natural history of Oramond to prove my assumptions right."}, {"Beauty_and_the_Mino": "Beauty and the Mino. A novel by A. N. Onymous"}, {"Diary_of_E._M.": "Diary of E. M. (The book is sealed with a little padlock)"}, {"Finger_Flights_to_Musical_Heights": "\"Finger Flights To Musical Heights\" - Piano lessons, advanced level, grade 2."}, {"Four_Wishing_Statues": "I discovered a buried temple or shrine, that must once have been part of a much bigger complex. I don't know what ancient culture could have built this nor whether it was a sanctuary, palace or something completely different. The main part of these ruins is a small place, accurately built of black and white tiles. In the centre is a big black stone figure, surrounded by four different statues. Each of them has an inscription, which gives a hint on what the statue wishes. I assume if one can fulfil all four wishes, something will happen, yet I don't know what this 'something' could be. I also noticed that the inscription on one of the statues became unreadable over time. Based on an old legend I assume, the last request could be: 'Adorn me.'"}, {"Mutated_Glooth": "My esteemed colleague,\nwe are very pleased to hear that your activities near Rathleton are flourishing. To be honest, at first we were more than suspicious as we learned that you are hiring a gang of criminals and have them do the more inconvenient tasks for you. But seemingly you are able to keep away from them the important information about your actual goals and intentions. Furthermore your succes in establishing a makeshift laboratory in the tunnels under Rathleton and even acquiring some novel glooth based weaponry speaks for itself. The mutated glooth you mentioned in your last letter is an interesting matter. Perhaps it is useable in an arcane way to enhance spells or improve potions. Even the creation of yet unknown artefacts could be possible. We think your endeavours are taking a good path.\nWith best regards\nUquora the High-Handed of the Circle of the Black Sphinx"}, {"Oramond_Observer": "Oramond Observer\n(You see a closely written newspaper, full of minutiae of Rathleton civic life and names you don't know)"}, {"Rathleton_Gazette": "Rathleton Gazette\n(An elegant paper, with some painted pictures of apparently important people, some gossip, an episode of a novel and articles about the glorious works of the magistrate)"}, {"Tassondis's_Discoveries": "Cannos, Planegazer and Coadjutor of the Scriptorum\nThe Scriptorum has put much effort in the stones at Site XIV, however, even they could not completely lift their secrets - they needed us! Our valued assistant Tassondis, whom I always held in the highest regard, had a remarkable idea - replicas! We established Site XVII and rebuilt the two exhibits the other researchers found - near perfect copies - so both our teams could study them separately! Of course we had the advantage of being able to work in a practically ideal environment as well as in secret. We used this to our advantage and, due to the help of Tassondis, managed to decipher the second relic in no time! The results have been added both to the current research documents, as well as our own records (note: Compendium Site XIV and XVII, edited) and will be removed from this document for obvious reasons.\n<the next pages of this document have been removed, the last page has some notes scribbled on the back>\nGetting to the bottom of walls VB and VC was pretty obvious, Tassondis wasn't even the first one to understand them. Both engraved walls are part of the larger Ab'Dendriel exhibit, very similar to the smaller one, which is located on the surface. The other two sides on the back of the exhibit, VA and VD, are not even part of the solution. And when I told him that both walls are probably interconnected with a single unique meaning, he reacted quite surprised and immediately got to work. He made quick progress and suddenly HE was the one who saved the day. He didn't even mention me! And I doubt he would have even perceived the engravings on the stones at all! He called all exhibits they found \"magic stones\"! Magic stones? What is this! He clearly has no idea what he is talking about, nor how significant our work here actually is. Careful observation of the Ab'Dendriel exhibits would have shown him that there is more to the surface of these strange menhirs than meets the eye. Who could have known that a considered researcher like him would literally only get a hint if it jumped right at him?\nIf you ever take the time to read this, Cannos, don't just let Tassondis get away with this. This discovery was a team effort, you of all people should know this.\nKhuun"}, {"The_Apprentice_Pieces": "\"The Apprentice Pieces\", advanced level, grade 1."}, {"The_Blood_Grail": "Still the blood grail eludes me. I know it's there. Somewhere. In the darkest nights I can hear it calling. Yet I fear I have sacrificed too much of my humanity to truly connect to its call and read its meaning. But that is only a temporary hindrance. In the end, it will be my power that controls the grail and bends it to my will! I wonder if I should put more effort into reviving that blood lord. I still think it's possible, but given what little information we have we can't be sure what it truly is, and if we can bind it to our cause. Then again, a puppet blood lord might be just what I need to find the grail. It certainly shares strong connections with this artefact. Yet I wonder who was the master, and who the tool. The others seem to think I'm only on a mission to recruit another legionnaire, and are oblivious to the existence of the grail - for now. As soon as the word spreads, they will come for its power. I cannot allow any of them to best me in this bid for power. The grail might increase my status in the legion tenfold. I might be called to serve under the master himself. Yet, what if the power of the grail is great enough to rival that of the master? Will he allow me to keep it? Hardly. Thinking of it, he might even bestow it on one of his champions. That I cannot allow to happen. I must acquire the grail, bend its power under my will and confront my peers and superiors from a position of power! The grail has ever been a source of corruption. And all that while remaining hidden and unused. What power will it have if used directly? Kingdoms may crumble under my will. I can subvert them from within. And the power over blood - I'm sure the grail was used by the blood lord to create his minions. If I had such a tool I reckon it could elevate me over some of the most powerful monster makers of the legion.But I have to be careful. The legion is not to be underestimated. They are not such fools as the Brotherhood of Bones was. To think I once associated with them is deeply embarrassing in hindsight. It is a good thing I cut off all connections before their demise. However, the legion is a completely different beast; and the master, well, as shrouded in mystery as he is, to hold such a diverse group of powerful individuals together and bind them to a cause shows how much power he commands. Though perhaps it might be possible to challenge him with the power of the grail - but on the other hand, it may be wise to take the grail into hiding and study it thoroughly before making my move. I'd better make my decision once I have the grail in my hands and can assess its power somehow. For now, I have to focus on my current task and play along with the legion."}, {"The_Book_of_Stars": "The Book Of Stars\nThe Tellings Of The Stars\n * *\n\n* * \n * *\n\n\n* * \n\n * \n\n *\n * * * *\n\n\n *\n\n *"}, {"The_Fauna_and_Flora_of_the_Isle_of_Oramond": "The Fauna and Flora of the Isle of Oramond, by Doctor Alaistar Stanton.\nChapter I: Ruling Species of the Fauna.\nThe flora and fauna of Oramond are, maybe, very ingrown in comparison to unknown lands where our own ancestors may have come from in the days before the mist. However, they form a beautiful and complex whole. The isle of Oramond shows signs of long-dead creatures that have arrived at different times here and, sometimes, strove for supremacy, leaving only inexplicable ruins, as well as signs of younger creatures that arrived maybe only some generations ago. However, the different species do not mingle and are often very reluctant to make peaceful contact.\nI.i. Of Minotaurs and Men\nAmidst the newer species, one must count the minotaurs and the humans. While the minotaurs are the newer arrivals, both have been settled here long enough to vie for supremacy of the island, trying to eradicate the other. Yet while our own origins are still shrouded in mist, there are ancient ruins on this isle that seem man-made. The minotaurs seem to have evolved on another island or continent though. They are not natives to this isle who left and returned when the mist lifted, but are new arrivals on this isle, which they immediately claimed as their own. Closer examination of their camps and habits led me to the hypothesis that they may have followed a call of some bold chieftain or supreme ruler of theirs, searching for a holy, paradisical land, which led them to the isle and which they must defend from the grip of barbarians, the humans."}, {"The_Key_to_Chamber_Music": "\"The Key To Chamber Music\" - Piano primer grade 1."}, {"The_Layers_of_the_Worlds": "The Layers of the Worlds. A treatise on Life and Death, the Stars and Oramond. By Barnabas Dee"}, {"The_Movement_of_the_Stars": "The Movement of the Stars. By Barnabas Dee"}, {"The_Old_Man_and_the_Sea_Serpent": "The Old Man and the Sea Serpent. A novel by A. N. Onymous\nDay 88\n... He scanned the horizon. The turmoil of the waves that had lasted these three days now seemed to settle down, the sea not seething anymore, but instead, merely tossing and turning as the body beneath the waves lashed out less and less violently at the fishing line. \"Ah, brother\", the old man murmured, \"you and me both.\" Perhaps not even he himself knew what he meant, but he felt a moment of closeness to the wild animal, not only connected by a fishing line, but by a far more insubstantial, and yet, more tangible thread. Blinking at the sun, he felt cold."}, {"The_Scales_to_Success": "\"The Scales To Success\" - Piano primer grade 2."}, {"The_Uses_of_Glooth_in_Modern_Oramond_Pharmacy": "The uses of glooth in modern Oramond pharmacy"}, {"Downfall_of_an_Empire": "This old parchment is brittle and riddled with holes, so the ancient text remains fragmentary: \"... And in their blinded delusion the most passionate followers of Fafnar destroyed the balance between the two suns. They commited sacrilege against Suon, declaring Fafnar the only true goddess. ... fierce battles among the citizens ... causing the downfall of an entire empire ... But in the end Fafnar's disciples ... punished and cursed. The priests who caused this nightmare were transformed into nightmarish creatures themselves. The elite sentinels of Fafnar's temples, called the Burning Gladiators, had to endure eternity as undead warriors. The ogres were slaves in this ancient empire, freed by the downfall ... I'm writing down these insights with my last ... Many of them still here in the ancient ruins ...\""}, {"Geography_of_Krailos": "Geography of Krailos, by Larek the Wayfarer\nKrailos is mainly populated by ogres. It is located north of Oramond, bordered by high mountains to the south, a wild sea to the east, huge cacti forests to the west and rocky hills to the north. At the rugged shores of Krailos one may find many shipwrecks, as the area is surrounded by treacherous underwater shelves.\nKrailos itself is mainly covered in sandy plains and has a rather hot climate, which has led to a sparsely spread population. This means most of the ogres live in small tent villages. There is just one bigger settlement, which is home to the Bloody Skulls tribe. Also, some ogre tribes still have nomadic tendencies. The country's landscape is harsh: rocky beaches, dried-up salt lakes, rugged rock formations and dry, barren fields number among the reasons why the area is avoided by foreigners. Another reason of course are the ogres themselves."}, {"Goblin_Mountain": "(You see a mouldy book of some sort. Only one passage on a page is still readable.)\nSugatrap mighty goblin. Him one day hear Frog God voice in sleep.\nFrog God tell Sugatrap, \"Go to mountain high and low, where my frogs live under stone. There stay and found city of new goblinkind!\"\nSugatrap woke up when scout threw stone at his head, warning of humans. Sugatrap go and tell his dream. At first all goblins laugh but when Sugatrap hit them dead, laughter died.\nRemaining goblins went with Sugatrap and quarreled all the while they search for mountain with frogs.\nOne day, scout goblin Swordfish fall over stone and find bog frog. He go tell Sugatrap and Sugatrap say, \"Have found right mountain! Will stay!\"\nSo founded city, where all goblins free and live on holy bog frogs."}, {"Ogre_Society": "Upon Ogre Society - An ethnological essay, by Larek the Wayfarer\nBuilt upon the violent battles and wrongdoings of its past, Krailos is now among the most unconnected countries in its corner of the world, characterised by bitter struggles and a harsh environment. The ogres' hunting skills and physical strength are among their current greatest benefits; and the mountains of Krailos hold some rare minerals. On the other hand, Krailos lacks a lot in infrastructure and clean water.\nKrailos is a tribal nation, divided into several different clans. Leader of a tribe is usually the strongest male ogre (although in some cases a particularly violent or domineering ogress claims the title). The chieftain is supported by an ogre-shaman. If the shaman is female, the two are often, but not necessarily, a couple. The chieftain is responsible for all decisions concerning the hunt and martial matters while the shaman is responsible for all affairs spiritual and social. Within a tribe, there may be a couple of opposing individuals against the current chieftain, but overt struggles for leadership are rather uncommon. Each tribe is independent of the others, and conflicts between two tribes occur frequently. However, the greatest threat to the ogres actually is the desiccation of the lakes and rivers. But the current chieftains are too preoccupied with their tribal conflicts to seek solutions for this issue.\nThe ogres are simple, warlike people, more interested in a fight and good food than in politics. Elimination of competitors is an accepted way of moving up in the ogre ranks. Ogres like conflict. They are impulsive, quick to anger and do not hold back their opinions regardless of who might take offense. Ogres prefer to solve conflicts through combat rather than words. Yet, an honorable death is not the highest purpose in an ogre's life, but rather a fulfilled life, which primarily means enough food and a comfortable hut. Ogres are distrustful towards strangers and tend to welcome them with avoidance in the best case. Lately yet, a tribe called the Bloody Skulls has shown a sort of interest in trade with other peoples.\nA kind of spiritual shamanic animism holds a certain importance in the ogres' lives and each tribe's shamans are always renowned members of the society. The common ogres are moderately spiritual and have rites of passage and annual rites concerning the seasons and certain weather phenomena. Ogres worhip The Great Hunger, a kind of spirit being they believe will eat up the entire world if not fed regularly. Therefore they often perform rites of sacrifice (food but also living creatures) to feed this entity. Otherwise, ogres care only for the here-and-now.\nContrary to common prejudices, ogres are at least a little more than mindless brutes. They possess a talent for animism and have certain artisanal skills. For example they have developed passable methods of curing and tanning hides, so their leatherwork is quite convenient. Despite their great passion for eating the ogres don't have a reputation as outstanding cooks as their meals seldom match other peoples' taste. Ogres eat especially meat - of hunted animals but also the meat of humanoids, mainly humans and elves. This is the reason they also are referred to as \"maneaters\". It is important to mention that they never give in to cannibalism. Besides meat they also love sweet tasting things, such as honey combs or cakes, although they don't get the latter too often."}, {"Pillaging_Krailos": "Captain Blackteeth's log, first day of the 345th week of our voyage.\nAnchoring some 2\u00c2\u00b0 northwest of the 15th latitude of Fafnar. Sea's a bit rough and the wind's choppy. Quite a bit of fog in the morning.\nWell, old Jack Rumbone's map seems to be right, there is indeed land here. This island is quite uncharted on any other map I've seen of these seas. But judging by the wrecks I made out along the coast, there's good loot to be made, so I reckon I'm the one who has the last laugh, even if Jack grinned evilly when I won the map off him at the Washed-Up Mermaid.\nTomorrow, we will land and see what there might be worth pillaging. The boys are eager for some celebrating and looting, and so am I."}, {"Stranded_Miserably": "Well, I should have known better than to try for a life at sea. First I completely misjudge the nature of that 'friendly captain' who 'welcomes a fellow explorer aboard'. Then I need to share a bunk with three other smelly men! And then the shanties every night! But the rum is okay I guess. But I have a bad feeling about this undiscovered land. Not only do we crash upon this supposedly still shore, but there are wild beasts and giants that feed upon us! This spider bite just won't go away! It gets bigger and bigger and I get weaker and weaker. And everywhere we dig to store our loot, more and more bones are dug up! This is a cursed land. I will join those dead bones soon, I feel."}, {"The_Northern_Lands": "The northern lands proved to be a worthy object for our studies. After exploring the northern seas and verifying the absence of the sea serpents, we have no little part in reestablishing the contact with the Svargrond community. Now that ships will sail to Svargrond on a regular base, we should be able to use the gratitude our society has gained to get some necessary support for our explorations. The news about the reopening of the shipping lines will spread and adventurers and soldiers of fortune will surely arrive to seek fame and treasures. Perhaps some can be of help, though vital missions should only be entrusted to people who are already members of our noble explorer's society."}, {"Hostile_Chakoyas": "Diary of Captain Ogden Brewboiler\nDay 1:\nIt is a miracle that we survived this hurricane last night. After several hours of fighting against the elemental forces, the gods decided to bring us here, wherever that may be. We are glad to have solid ground under our feet even though it only seems to be sea ice. Everyone is exhausted so we will start to explore that area not before tomorrow.\nDay 5:\nWhat a mess! Every morning, since the day we stranded on this cursed piece of frozen water, one of my crew members disappears or lies dead in his berth terribly battered. Something evil is going on here and I swear to find out what that is... if I stay alive long enough.\nDay 7:\nLast night, we have been ambushed. About two dozens of small, furry creatures launched a well organised attack against us. The rest of my crew was without the slightest chance. I managed to hide myself here in my cabin without being recognised. I am such a coward, it would have been better if I had died with my crew.\nDay 10:\nIn the last three days, I continued to explore the area around here and made an exciting discovery. To the south, there is a small ice cavern in which one of those beasts is hiding. It behaves quite differently than its fellows. As far as I can judge, this one is not hostile. Maybe it is possible to get in contact with it and gather some information about its species.\nDay 13:\nI found out that they call themselves \"chakoya\" and the only thing they really like is fish. Nothing but fish. However, the one in the cave is very picky and doesn't like the 'usual' type of fish. The creature seems to be hunted by its species but I don't know why. I have to be careful. After I left the cave, I saw a few of its fellows which were patrolling the area. I hope they didn't see me."}, {"The_Frostspire's_Secret_II": "Hard to believe but those miners from Carlin did actually something useful for my research. Through my apprentice I learned that their mining uncovered ancient caves and passages in the ice. They also found strange creatures frozen in ice. That creatures could either be the ancients themselves, that got trapped in the ice, or remnants of the invading demon army that laid siege to the frostspire.\nMy apprentice gets restless more and more. Her lust for power is as disgusting as her body is alluring. Both have little importance for a man of science like me though. Let her be occupied with her petty struggle with those druids on Nibelor. As long as her followers bring us a sufficient amount of shards, I don't care about her private plans. I have to get a better access to the mines. Any confrontation with Carlin authorities, backed up by the druids there, would cripple my researches. There has to be some other way.\nWhat a waste of time! I remember a quite exotic ritual I've learned in my youth from a lizard snakecharmer that I'd captured in the Tiquanda jungle years ago. Although the idea to modify it is ingenious, it will take an incredible amount of time to prepare a complete and useful ritual. In the meantime, I heavily rely on the help of my apprentice."}, {"The_Frostspire's_Secret_III": "My little witch begins to manipulate more and more of her people to oppose Carlin's presence here. She proves cunning and easily picks up new magic I'm teaching her. If she have been sent to a good magical college, she might have become a magician of some renown. On the other hand, she is much more interested in worldly affairs and less in research. However, her influence on her people is growing and the spells I taught her earned her great respect. Only the old fashioned clique of druids still oppose her, despite of her obvious power and the knowledge she had gained from me. Some things are seemingly always the same, everywhere in the world.\nThe Carlin miners are a thick-headed and stubborn bunch. Can't they see that they are not welcome here? Why don't they just leave? However, there are more important things to do. I have unlocked some of the secrets of the frostspire shard. After all these centuries that have passed and the shattering of the frostspire, that released all the contained cold all over the isles, there is still power in this shard. I manipulated some of it's essence to slow my ageing process! What a triumph of science! That alone will make me the greatest magician of all times! But I am sure there is more about this shard! My apprentice sent some of her loyal followers to find more of the shards. The shattering of the frostspire must have produced thousands and thousands of them.\nAfter the first success, the research got really slow. I am able to tap the powers of the shards and drain them for my purposes but that is not very sufficient. One of the few direct effects, I can derive of the shards, is the slowed ageing process for me and my apprentice. Other things progress similarly slowly. There seems little left of the ancient civilisation that once retreated here. I begin to assume that they did not only use the frostspire to bind all that cold to create a hospitable environment, but they also used the contained cold to build their settlements. What a sight it must have been, a green and warm isle with cities of crystal gleaming ice! The shattering of the frostspire probably let this architecture erode over the centuries. This is truly a shame."}, {"The_Frostspire's_Secret_I": "I finally arrived at my destination. The isles are as cold and inhospitable as expected. I see this as a good sign though. All my investigations strongly hint that there is more about the myth of the frostspire than my ignorant colleagues want to believe. And it will be me who unlocks that secret.\nI made contact with some of the primitives that live here. Considering that my investigations here will bind me to these ice islands for some time, it might be a good idea to take some of them into my servitude. Yet, the primitives behaved quite unfriendly and it is questionable how I should be able to repay them for any services. However, pressing them into servitude is no true option. I have not the time to oversee a bunch of rebellious slaves that know the lands far better than I do. There has to be some other way.\nIt was easy to lure this greedy shaman witch into an alliance. Some display of my abilities combined with blandishments and empty promises and she was mine. Time will tell if this primitive will make a useful apprentice. Her influence among her people is undoubtedly considerable though.\nMarvellous! It was so easy to find the remains of the frostspire with the help of my local helpers! Of course it has become a place of importance in their primitive myths. Everything I encountered is true about the ancient myths! Sadly all-too-true. Not much is left from the magnificent frostspire itself and all signs of the ancient civilisation seem to be wiped out. But there is so much to be discovered and we just started.\nToday my apprentice gave me a holy item of her people's faith. At first, I was annoyed to be disturbed with such primitive nonsense but to my amazement the object was obviously a shard of the shattered frostspire itself! A short investigation showed me that it will take months to unlock the secrets of its inherent magic. I will need a more suitable base and more resources. In the meantime, settlers from Carlin have arrived. Some prospectors must have find ore in the mountains. Damn them, they are disturbing my research."}, {"The_Frostspire's_Secret_IV": "Things are going smooth and well for me. I was able to investigate the mines and caves. It seems that most creatures that are frozen in the ice are part of the demon army that fought the ancients. To my surprise, some of the demons are quite alive when they are freed from the ice. So I had to kill a handful of them. Unfortunately, now my barbarian helpers are too scared and won't enter the mines anymore. It is no great loss though. As far as I can tell, there are no significant shards hidden in the ice and I have no use for any rampaging demons. The chances to discover one of the ancients dead or even alive, are slim at best. Most likely, the majority of demons were frozen in ice at that moment the frostspire shattered. It is highly unlikely that any of the ancients was amongst them at that time. So after verifying some of the myth behind the frostspire, I could return to my actual work. The secrets of the shards will be mine, now that all distractions are eliminated.\nI am a bit absorbed in my studies. Everything else does not matter. I have spent more than two lifetimes in investigations of the shards. My results so far are amazing, though of little practical value. But it already raised the boundaries of my perspective of magic as a whole. My apprentice is growing more and more restless. She demands more knowledge, more power, more of everything. If I would not need her to maintain things here, I'd get rid of her one way or the other. But the way things are now, I have to live with this nuisance. I have no time to teach her new tricks. She knows enough to impress and frighten her superstitious people. I don't care about her fight with the people of Nibelor. I will not allow her to provoke a war that will further hinder my studies. There has been enough delay already."}, {"The_Frostspire's_Secret_VI": "Finally the ritual is complete. It will take all my skills and strength and even the power of several frostshards but I am positive it will work. Then I will be finally able to return to my actual researches.\nIt worked! It took a while for the sea serpents to arrive but they could not resist the lure of my spell. Now we will see how brave those sailors of Carlin are. Even if they try to break through the sea serpents, they will lose a ship now and then, which will make it impossible to continue their presence here for a longer period. The climate does not suit those serpents too well, so they are not in a very good mood, I'd suppose. Carlin's presence in this area should be history soon.\nToday my apprentice surprised me when she and her followers took over the mines. The remaining Carlin miners fled to the city they have built with those barbarians. Though the mines are ours now, I can only hope the people in Svargrond will not try to retake the mines without backup from Carlin. A war is the last thing I could use for my researches."}, {"The_Frostspire's_Secret_V": "I think my apprentice is up to something. Probably a raid on Svargrond or even Nibelor or something foolish like that. After all those years, I know this little scheming snake well enough to smell that something is cooking.\nThe ritual of binding gets closer. It's hard to believe another seven years have passed. As soon as I have recovered enough strength from casting another spell to lure the sea serpents, I will have to get rid of my apprentice. I almost feel some melancholy after all those years but it has to be done. I probably just freeze her for some decades until I have finished my researches and leave this isle. Then she might become the queen of all her barbarians and kill the druids on Nibelor or die trying. I don't care."}, {"The_Frostspire's_Secret_VII": "... figured out at least some of the secrets of the ancient artefact I have found. Its purpose was to focus the power of some other structure, probably the destroyed frostheart spire. However, the shards of the frostheart, which can be found in this land, seem to have enough power remaining to fuel the powers of the sarcophagus. At least I was able to unlock the healing and restoring abilities of the artefact. The annoying part is the function of the sarcophagus itself. I put much effort in figuring out how to open it. It seems that starlight is the key! The sarcophagus is easily accessible by starlight. At sunrise it seals itself and only opens again when the stars brighten the sky. Since my first tries in some dark ice cave, the sarcophagus won't open at all of course. My first experiments with the sarcophagus left me with a claustrophobic feeling. What if a cover of snow makes the sarcophagus inaccessible while I am inside? I will have to trust my apprentice to see that I am freed in such a case. It's a good thing my vain apprentice is very concerned about conserving her youth and beauty. For this reason, she has a vital interest in opening and accessing the sarcophagus on a regular basis. Still there is a slight risk, but that's a risk a scientist like me has to take I suppose."}, {"The_Holy_Coffin": "The foreigners have taken us by surprise. They used evil magic to overcome our men and we finally had to retreat. If the mighty Yakchal had not been in her regenerative sleep at this moment, we would have beaten them for sure. But to make matters worse, the holy coffin, in which Yakchal is sleeping, has been stolen during this attack. Our scout reported they have dragged it into the mines. They probably plan to use its powers for their own purpose. The good thing is that it won't open at all as long as it is not touched by starlight. The bad thing is without starlight Yakchal might be trapped in the coffin eternally."}, {"Gone_Missing": "Two days now that I fell into this cave, and still no help from the base. Did they not notice my gone missing? Surely the others were able to reach the camp and tell of our findings in the ice? I hope that my notes will not be lost and that someone found my satchel with the shards, and can make something out of it. ... Three days now, and food for maybe one other day. It is cold, and I can barely hold the stylus. ... I believe I am not alone. I see strange things moving, behind the walls. Am I hallucinating? Maybe there is a way through to somewhere else, somewhere warm, if I could only break the ice. But my sword broke trying to reach the strange glitter and movement, and I am without hope."}, {"Shearing_Operation": "... tracked the witches to their hideout. They had several giants magically enslaved, who worked for them. They are running some shearing opperation. So far our plans seemed to have worked well. We enticed the radicals trying to start a fur trading on their own. Although now it might be easy to drop a hint to the barbarians to detoriate their relationship with Carlin, it might be possible that the witches are more efective in their operations then we are. Therefore I decided to scout their cave and try to kill them so we can rather overtake the operation as a whole instead of busting it. Sadly the damned giants have better noses then eyes and I got caught. The witches forced me to drink something and I lost consciousnes. I'm quite sure I told them everything whle they had drugged me, because they never bothered to ask me anything after I woke up again. Now I'm trapped in a frozen cell. But those witches can't hope to hold someone of my legendary skill for long! I will find my way out and have my revenge."}, {"Cult_Communication_I": "Dear brother,\nit's a good thing that you were able to build a base in the mountains. Don't worry, the passing of you and your followers did not raise too much suspicions. Our agents in Carlin made sure to distract all attention and whatever the barbarians in Svargrond might think is of no importance. We managed to acquire a ship which we will be sent with reinforcements to the meeting point, remote enough from all possible observers. I expect that the camp is prepared and the area scouted at the time our forces arrive. The master expects a swift and precise strike to take over the mines. The fools in Svargrond will probably not even notice the change there since they are busy to be wary of the other barbarians. Our agent in Svargrond will do what is possible to further divert any attention. As soon as the mines are taken you will begin to defrost our new allies. Make sure they learn whom they owe their freedom.\nPraised be the Triangle."}, {"Cult_Communication_II": "Dear brother,\nwe are not pleased about your progress. The reports about 'the ice working against you' are pathetic.\nDon't disappoint our masters, I warn you. Instead of embattling a veritable army, you just freed some minor troops - by far not sufficient for the plans of our master. With the growing presence of Orshabaal in the realm of mankind, it is likely the seven will make their move soon. We must do everything to be faster. This army is pivotal for our success. For this reason you were chosen to lead the operation. However, everything you achieved in the past will mean nothing if you fail now. Make sure the lord of blades won't decide on his next visit that it is time for an ... extraordinary punishment.\nPraised be the Triangle."}, {"Cult_Communication_III": "Dear brother,\nyour additional resources have been granted. All resources of the cult are at your disposal to ensure the success of this critical operation.\nPraised be the Triangle."}, {"Cult_Communication_IV": "Dear brother,\nwe are glad to hear that our plan was a success. On the other hand, considering how many resources of the cult this venture has taken, failure was not an option of course. The master will be pleased that you could take over the mines of these barbarians. The powers the master grant us make us invincible indeed. It's not surprising that you faced no retaliation of the barbarians. Their superstitions keep them from fighting for a place like the mines. Surprisingly that they took the effort to capture it in the first place. With the forces you already freed from the ice, you will be more than prepared for any attempt to retake the mines. However, keep a low profile there. We need a considerable army before we do anything. If the followers of good learn too early about our plans, everything would be put at stake. The master needs a great army, truly worth to fight for him and able to help him to fulfil his plan. Rest assured the master himself will see after you now and then, even if its just to keep all those demons in line. The lord of blades will soon unleash his anger upon the world and it will be us that raise out of the ashes of mankind as the rulers of a new age.\nPraised be the Triangle."}, {"Cult_Communication_V": "Dear brother,\nthank you for ..."}, {"Sea_Serpents": "A ship from Carlin confirmed our assumptions. The ship was also attacked by sea serpents and only managed to arrive here badly damaged. We have no clue why those vile beasts are even here in the northern seas. They usually live in the South and are never seen in such great numbers. If the presence of the sea serpents persists, we can do little but to give up our mining operations here. We have lost too much already and there seems to be no way to fight the serpents effectively."}, {"Missing_Ships": "I think we could make out the reason for the missing ships. A lone survivor almost frozen to death was rescued by a local fisherman. He reported the ship was attacked and sunk by two giant sea serpents. I think we can say we certainty that the other ships met the same fate."}, {"Mining_Operations": "The mining operations are progressing promisingly. Regular shipments to Carlin are established and we get along with the locals decently. Some of the northmen are still opposing our presence but most are supportive and appreciate the wares that our agreement brings to their lands. The small landing place for our ships has grown into a small settlement and I think we can pride ourselves on being witnesses of the birth of a town."}, {"Downfall_of_Svargrond": "This is a sad day. We will abandon our mine. Which was once the pride of Carlin will now sink into oblivion. Some of the miners decided to stay here in the settlement the northmen have built. They know that no more ships will arrive here. Carlin is giving up this venture for good and as long as there is the threat of the sea serpents no contact will be made.\nPerhaps the serpents will be gone as quickly as they appeared. At least that's what some of the people who stay behind are hoping I guess. Others have found the love of their life here and will stay for that reason. Be it as it may, my days here have come to an end. I can just hope that our ship will make it through the serpents and that we will all arrive safely in our old home."}, {"Floor_Plan_of_the_Formorgar_Mines": "The map shows the original floor plan of this mine. You recognise your position and that the shaft to the south actually would reach much further.\n(In the lower right corner someone scribbled a note how to use the hoist on the first mine floor.)"}, {"Instructions_to_the_Formorgar_Mines_Hoist": ".... the lever points to the left, the hoist will bring you one level higher. If it points to the right you will go one level deeper.\nThese are the construction plans of the hoist. You now understand the mechanism and can use it according to your wishes."}, {"Perchts_I": "On perchts - Part I\nWhile superstitious men of past ages saw the percht as somewhat of a magically enhanced natural disaster, modern scholars managed to figure out more about their true nature. In popular belief the winter opens doorways to the home realms of the percht through which they enter our world to haunt its inhabitants. Through diligent research, however, solid proof emerged that the percht are denizens of our own plane. What we know as percht are not entities on their own but rather a shape of other spirits, that inhabit our own world. The origin of the percht are usually invisible minor spirits that inhabit our world since the dawn of time. Is is theorised that those spirits are randomly created as byproducts of creations of the gods. Therefore old texts describe such spirits metaphorically as sparks of the forges of creation. Such spirits are usually insubstantial and of minor power. Over time they adopt features and traits of their surroundings. Some may become attached to a spring or a clearing in the woods, while those in cities might become attached to houses or families. While some might manifest as pranksters, they usually are protective of their object of interest. Yet they might still develop their own view on things and might punish aberrations from their ideals with more or less malicious pranks. They are the source of tales of woodcutters, haunted with bad luck while trying to fell a particular tree or a sloppy baker that fails to clean up his bakery to receive a beating by unseen assailants in his bed. Most of those spirits are never noticed, though, and some are even helpful and benevolent. The problem arises when the cold of winter creeps into the land. Like water changes to ice, the cold turns those spirits into something entirely different. Their frozen form is by far more material and visible. Also their usually harmless attitude changes vehemently. The more the cold takes hold on them, the more they become one of the percht. In their frozen percht stage many of them become malignant and destructive. Also they become obsessed with cold and want to spread it over the whole world for all eternity. Percht are usually afraid of warmth and fire. It's also known that certain loud noises can cause them discomfort or even make them shatter. Some folk tale claim that they are afraid or ashamed by their own mirror image, although they seem not to care much about the presence and appearance of other percht. They are not really accustomed to their solid forms and usually try to fly and hover, which leads to an awkward jumping movement. Their senses are limited or they are just not used to them so they can sometimes be fooled by a disguise. They seem to have some holy places that they protect with powerful magic wards that dull the mind and cause nausea. One of those places is the lair of their powerful leader, others are just hideouts or ritual sites for their ghastly ceremonies to dull the sun."}, {"Perchts_II": "On perchts - Part II\nThey usually carry some shed of their former selves and might still be obsessed with certain places or things like tidiness. This can only be deduced by their behaviour, however, since the percht seem unwilling or unable to communicate and some are known to repeat some phrases again and again. This seems more like the behavior of parrots then actual patterns of speech. Some percht are strong enough to retain a good portion of their former self and realise their predicament of been trapped in a solid form. Most of those percht are quite old and lived through numerous such transformations. With the coming of summer the percht begin to melt and eventually the originating spirit is set free again. Violence against a percht's solidly frozen body is another way to free the trapped spirits and so even the still sane percht might entice someone to attack and destroy them. In their percht state those spirits that embraced their new state are destructive and mildly dangerous. Their ultimate goal is to postpone or even better prevent the coming of spring. To this end they swear fealty to the oldest of their kind. The oldest tales predating mankind call her by many names. The frozen crone, the hag that rides the winter storm, mother death-chill or the matriarch of winter. In our days folklore simply calls her the percht queen. As such she has found her way into myth and faerie tales, usually as the antagonist, although a select few tales attribute her with some redeeming qualities like the admiration and even rewarding of diligence and duty or admitting her defeat in the face of true love. Though some assume she is just some old spirit that got trapped in the percht state for all eternity she herself gave other accounts. To some of her unwilling guests she claimed to have always been an entity of winter and cold and it was her who wove her spells into the cold that entrapped spirits to become her percht servants. She claimed that is is her who dulls the light of the suns and that there were ages in the past in which she ruled uncontested and the fiercest winter imaginable held the land in it's grip the whole year on, without any spring to be seen. She claimed that the coming of the next age of her regency is inevitable and eventually the work of her and her percht minions will succeed. While of course such outrageous claims of an age of ice are absurd at best, the threat of the queen and her percht is a real one and only vigilance and diligence can ward her off for another year."}, {"The_Bear_and_the_Percht_Queen": "The bear and the percht queen\nIn the land of Ollre lived an old and wise bear. The land was lush and it's streams full of fish on which the old and wise bear fed well.\nBut one year the power of the percht queen was growing and the autumn turned chilling cold. Snow started falling and the streams froze over.\nThe hungry bear was unable to catch any fish at all, growing more and more desperate.\nWhen he was trying to break the thick ice in vain, he was mocked by the evil percht queen.\nShe taunted him about how her cold would cause him to starve.\nThe bear looked at her without any anger and was lost in deep thought.\nWhen the mocking triad of the crone had ended, he finally spoke to her.\n'Hear me glorious mother winter, praised be your reign. I would gladly be your servant until the seasons change but sadly I'm too weak and hungry right now.'\nThe flattered crone considered his words and the bear continued.\n'If your majesty would stay her hand until the moon tuns, I will happily enter your service until the end of winter.'\nThe ice hag pondered the idea and ultimately agreed that having the mighty bear as her humble servant would not only be useful but also emphasise her own status.\nWinter withdrew until the moon turned and the bear eagerly went fishing, catching and eating as much fish as never before.\nWhen the moon turned the bear had not shown up in the palace, the percht queen got furious.\nWith an entourage of percht she traveled to the lair of the bear to demand her due.\nBut the bear was soundly asleep and nothing the queen and her minions did could wake him up.\nThe bear had eaten so much that his hibernation was unbreakable.\nThe percht queen angrily retreated in defeat.\nWhen the bear awoke in the spring though he learned that the tries of the percht had coloured his fur as white as snow.\nThus, he became the father of all ice bears."}, {"To_Challenge_the_Queen": "To challenge the queen of coldness arm yourself with a torch from the upper bonfire.\nBe aware though that it will only scare her minions and does not harm herself.\nGet the blessing of nature and carry it to the spot where it may sprout.\nGather wood to fuel the lower bonfire after you lighted it.\nFuel it as much as it's required to fall forth the warmth of the flame and guide it to the queen of the percht.\nDo this until her shield of ice cracks and it becomes vulnerable to your attacks.\nBe aware though, that the coldness of the percht queen and the attacks of her traps and minions will freeze you.\nThe presence of the percht queen in the northern halve of the cave is extremely cold.\nFor protection, light yourself at the lower bonfire before you enter her presence.\nIf you become frozen, you will be lost.\nOnly the upper bonfire can ward off the coldness, visit it regularly and stay a while."}, {"Monsters_in_Rookgaard_I": "The rat - I fear we brought this pest with us on the isle and they soon increased in numbers. You might encounter the rats nearly everywhere, though they prefer to live undergound. Mostly harmless, they tend to destroy food supplies and can become dangerous in greater numbers to the bad equiped human.\nThe snake - The poisonous snakes hide in the woods and near the northern swamps. They usually can be found at the shores more often then in the isles centre. They are not too dangerous to a adventurer with some basic equipment. If poisoned it is a wise decision to run straight to the monk who guards the soul vortex, where everyone enters the world of Tibia, and ask for healing.\nThe spider - Similarly dangerous as the rat, the spiders were found by the first explorers of the isle and are native to Rookgard. They live above and beneath ground and tend to live and hunt in packs to increase their danger.\nThe wolf - There are some smaler wolf packs on this isle. Wolves are fast, tough and dangerous. Often they are the hunters and not the hunted on this island. It is a good decision to engage them in combat only with decent equipment and try to fight them only one on one.\nThe troll - Though intelligent in a limited way, the cowardish trolls are not a threat to our small outpost. They are able to create and use some basic equipment and quite tough to lesser weapons and unskilled fighters. Follow the advise to have mastered some basics in shielding, before you challenge even one of them.\nThe bear - Bears are hard to beat! Keep that in mind before challenging one. If you are unexperienced and have no good equipment, retreat is the tactic of choice. Best kill them in small hunting parties and use terrain to your advantage."}, {"Monsters_in_Rookgaard_II": "The orc - The green skinned orc is intelligent and able to use weapons and armor. They are warriors of some power and very dangerous in greater numbers. We are lucky not to have encountered any of the more dangerous orcs like warriors or berserkers on this isle.\nThe poison spider - Roughly only slightly tougher then the ordinary spider it can poison you. Try to avoid such fate since they usually live far from our base and you might not make it to our local monk for healing.\nThe bug - The bug is not that dangerous. More an annoyance then a threat to an adventurer of some experience. It might become a lethal threat to a perfect rookie. With some preparation they should not be worth to bother about.\nThe deer - Deers are a fine supply for food and are non-agressive animals and try to flee on sight. It might be difficult to catch them and you might easily enter the territory of a local predator while chasing them.\nThe rotworm - A creature of decay that lives underground like its small cousin, the earthworm. Its toothed maw is a formidable weapon and rotworms have torn more then one adventurer to pieces. A horde of them might kill anyone, so great caution is advised while encountering them.\nOther beasts - It is certain, that other beast live in the dungeons of our isle. But they are not numerous enough to become recognized yet. If you encounter any unknown beast it is certainly dangerous and a potential lethal enemy. Don't underestimate them.\nThe wasp - fast and deadly to the unexperienced. Their speed makes them dangerous, even more in high numbers."}, {"Dungeon_Survival_Guide": "Dungeon Survival Guide\nDon't explore the dungeons before you tested your skills in the training cellars of our academy. You will find dungeons somewhere in the wilderness. Don't enter dungeons without equipment. Especially a rope and a shovel will prove valuable. Make sure you have a supply of torches with you, while wandering into the unknown. It's wise to travel the dungeons in groups and not alone. For more help read all the books of the academy before you begin exploring. Traveling in the dungeons will reward the cautious and brave, but punish the reckless."}, {"Tactics_Handbook": "Tactics handbook - Use training to your advantage. Avoid fighting more than one enemy at once. Be careful while chasing an enemy, you might get hurt by his allies or other monsters and can't defend yourself while trageting him.\nTarget only the closest enemy, or you'll become confused and might not be able to defend yourself against other attacks.\nDifferent enemies require different tactics. While some are best to be fought in an agressive way, you should encounter others in a defensive way. Choosing between your attack styles also depends from your equipment - if you have only little defense at your disposal, there is likely no point in fighting defensively and vice versa."}, {"The_Flora_of_Rookgaard": "The flora of rookgaard.\nOne of the native trees of this isle is the rookiepine. This tough tree grows almost everywhere and can withstand the common storms in the harsh winter.\nAnother tree you can find is the dwarfenoak. The smaller cousin of the tibian oak is a fast growing tree and so the most common wood supply on rookgaard as well as on the continent.\nOnly botanists can distiguish the dwarfen oak from the strange rookgaard bananatree. On rookgaard there is an oak-like plant which fruits resemble bananas in shape and taste. No one can make out the difference of the fruits. To all people without knowledge in botanology: the only hint to find a bananatree is the white blossom flower that often seems to grow in a kind of symbiosis with the cherry tree.\nThe dragon tongue plant is easily spotted by its deep red blossoms and rumoured to be an useful reagent in various alchemical potions.\nThe swamp plants appear in such large number and variety that we didn't have a chance for extensive classification."}, {"The_Knights": "The Knights:\nKnights are unparraleled in close combant. They are masters of most weapons and the shield. A skilled knight can inflict enormous damage even with the lesser weapons."}, {"The_Druids": "The druids\nDruids conenctrate on the magics of nature and acquire great healing powers. They also adept in the use of some offensive and protective spells."}, {"The_Paladins": "The paladins\nPaladins are great archers and also their spears hardly miss their marks. They are able to cast some minor spells of healing and protection."}, {"The_Sorcerers": "The sorcerer\nSorcerers are masters of magic. They posses an enormous arsenal of spells of protection and destruction."}, {"The_Cities_of_the_Continent": "The cities of the continent:\nFibula is a small village on an isle southwest of the mainland. Its under the rulership of the Thais monarchy. Its rumored that beneath this isle are caves and dungeons of unknown but certainly ancient origin.\nOn the mainland is the city of Thais, ruled by the wise and just King Tibianus. His explorers found the new soulvortex on this isle and build this base to protect and train the incoming heroes.\nIn the far northwest is the city of Carlin, that is ruled by amazons. The stuborn so called queen refuses to accept the rulership of the Thais monarchy over the whole continent.\nAt the great bay, east of Thais lies a rotten town of criminals. Little is known about it and only the most ruthles people even think about travelling there.\nThe dwarfen town, north of mount sternum, the central tibian mountainmassive, is the home of the tibian dwarfs. If you are looking for smiths of unparraleled skill you should travel there.\nFarer north, at the northern shores you find the elven city of Ab'Dendriel.There live the elves, masters of nature and masterhunters."}, {"The_Soulvortex": "The Soulvortex\nIts said that in ancient times, the gods created a great vortex to allow the souls of spirits from 'beyond' enter the realm of Tibia. Through this vortexportal many great heroes were able to manifest themselves on Tibia. In their new bodys they fought againt the forces of destruction. But also agents of destruction and evil entered the world through this portal. More and more the dark forces used the portal to spread over Tibia and to annoy, disrupt and subvert the brave people of the world. Some of the evil spirits remained long enough in this world to wreak even more havoc on the good people of Tibia. Destruction of all that others had built, slaying of new manifested souls as soon as they left the vortex.\nThe gods watched in grief what had become of their great accomplishment. And one day Uman and Banor combined their awesome forces and split the vortex.One strand now aimed to the isle of rookgaard, the other one remained aimed on the temple of Thais.\nFrom this day on the newborn heroes awakened on the holy and protected isle of rookgaard and only the stronger and better prepared souls could travel to the continent.\nGuided by omens an expedition of brave warriors from the thaian order of the knights of noodles traveled the perillious seas the the remote isle of rookgaardand discovered the new soulvortex.\nSoon this base was built and this fine academy founded.\nPraise the gods and our King."}, {"The_Awakening_of_the_Gods_I": "The Awaking of the Gods BOOK ONE\nIn the beginning there was only the big gaping void. It was omnipresent and nowhere. Into this desert entered Fardos, the creator, and Uman Zathroth, incorporating magic. Nobody knows where they came from or whether they always have existed and just awaked from the deep slumber of the infinity. Fardos fulfilled by the need to create and give birth. He stepped into existence and began immediately with the act of the creation, because he was fully creative power and impatient. His godly powers emerged from him and created, formed. But all his works slipped out of his hands as the void was everywhere. No single work was to last. Everything that he devised dissolved in the void even before it was completed. Uman Zathroth regarded his undertakings thoughtfully, because Uman Zathroth was wise and fullfilled with magic powers and insatiable hunger for knowledge, comprehension and enlightenment. He was a creature similar and nevertheless different to the clear working of the Fardos, because mysteries and secrets were the aspects of his being. Uman and Zathroth were two entities and nevertheless one. Uman was the light, bright aspect of the magic strength. His was the gift to work benign wonders. Zathroth however, his different - dark - side, was corruptive urge, the vain self purpose of magic, destructive and a desecration! This entity, which was two and one nevertheless, observed now the works of his companion in infinity."}, {"The_Awakening_of_the_Gods_II": "The Awaking of the Gods BOOK ONE\nFor a long time Fardos exhausted his enormous powers in futile activity. Finally he asked his companion for support in his attempts. Uman consented only too readily, but Zathroth, the dark one of the twins, refused himself. Thus Fardos and Uman strived together to attempt the CREATION - however their laborings were not rewarded with success again. Just like before everything was drained away as soon as they created it, and Zathroth laughed full of contempt. The power however, which Uman and Fardos spent, did seep away in the universe-filling void. Nobody knows whether it was this power that lured another entity to them, whether it aroused this godly being, or whether in a mysterious way it created this entity. In any event, suddenly the enormous entity Tibiasula rose from the void and examined the two other godly beings. Fardos and Uman welcomed Tibiasula as their sister and admired her, because she was the perfect unity of the elements. Zathroth however fumed with silent hate, as he didn't want to share the void with one more entity."}, {"The_Great_Creation_I": "The Great Creation BOOK ONE\nUman in his wisdom recognized the possibilities, which revealed themselves to them here, and he asked Tibiasula join in the circle of the creators and help them with the task of the creation. Tibiasula agreed, because she also was fascinated by the idea of the creation.\nUman, whose nature was to win secrets and gain insights, had relized what their error at the receding attempts had been:\nWithout a fixed pivot point there was no existence possible, and everything had to diffuse away as it was without direction and target. And to remedy that he invented TIME!\nIn order to create the time, the Gods united their powers. Even Zathroth was fascinated by the idea of his other half and contributed a tiny proportion of his strength to the effort. The wise claim that it is to be due to his working that all time strives in the long run to decay and destruction. The powers of the godly bundled themselves to an enormous power greater than any in existence before. It began to crystallize itself in the void to an enormous spiral. Higher and higher it mounted up, became firmness, pivot point, direction andaim of existence! And in such a way the crystal column of time grew upwards and was from then on the unmovable center of creation."}, {"The_Great_Creation_II": "The Great Creation BOOK TWO\nBut even at the culmination point of the creation Zathroth bundeled all his destructive powers to a weapon and pushed it with all the strength that he could muster into the heart of Tibiasula, whose existence he did not want to endure any more. And as the divinity was weakened by the creation and without suspicion and resistance, the deadly attack penetrated to the core of her being and destroyed her.\nThe elements - fires, water, earth and air - were jerked out of their harmony and landed at the base of the column of time."}, {"The_Birth_of_the_Elements_II": "The Birth of the Elements BOOK TWO\nAnd Uman and Fardos were chagrined about the dastardly deed or Zathroth. They decided to create from the elements something new, similar to Tibiasula. For a long time they looked for a way of achie this end. Finally Uman found a solution: the birth, which created live from live. One of the Godly had to unite with one of the elements and could thus create a new entity. Thus Fardos and the Fire united, and the Fire bore two children, Fafnar and Suon, the Suns of Tibia. Suon of calm and considerate nature. But Fafnar, its sister, was self-willed and stubborn. She rose vainly over the elements and began to scorch them. Therefore Suon also rose up in order to stop his sister. A wild struggle started and pretty soon it turned out that Suon was the stronger one of the two. So Fafnar fled under Tibia into the parental fire, but Suon wanted his sister to promise him never to scorch the other elements again."}, {"The_Birth_of_the_Elements_III": "The Birth of the Elements BOOK THREE\nThus he followed the vain sister and sought her it. She however was quick and escaped from him again. She escaped on the other side and again rose over all elements, and began anew, to scorch these. When Suon followed her now, in order to punish her, she didn't let it come not a further test of strength and escaped the brother immediately. He followed the teasing and aggravating sister tirelessly into the embrace of the fire. But Fafnar was a step ahead of him and had already fled again onto the other side over the elements ... and in such a way this continues to go on even today.\nUman united himself with the earth, which we know as Tibia. And the earth bore him Crunor, the first tree. Crunor was full of charm and vitality. Also he loved his own shape, but he was wiser than Fafnar and possessed the gift of modesty. Inspires by the creation he bore from itself all the plants, small and large! And they spread out on the body of mother Tibia, like a dress - it was a delight to see."}, {"The_Birth_of_the_Elements_IV": "The Birth of the Elements BOOK FOUR\nFardos connected himself with air, and its child was called Nornur, fate. Nornur envied the brother Crunor because of his shape, as he was hardly more than wind and nebulae, and he asked he brother for assistance in creating a shape for him. But no matter how hard the brothers tried, Nornur couldn't appear to be much more than a shadow of a ghost.\nThus Nornur decided to create creatures in order to reveal himself. Thus the spiders came into the world, which are able to web their ghostlike spiderwebs, which copy Nornurs shape, and thus praise and honor him.\nAlso Uman and Sula, the sea, found together, and they conceived Bastesh, the unfathomable one. She was exceedingly beautiful, and the Godly were astonished. But Fafnar, the sun, looked upon all this beauty full of envy! When the newly born Bastesh looked up to her, she attacked her with fiery claws in the face and scratched it readfully. Probably Bastesh would not have survived the attack of her sister, had not the other Gods hurriedly come to help and driven away the ravishing Fafnar.\nBastesh however was frightened and disfigured. Full of fear she fled into the embrace of her mother Sula. In the depths of the seas the unfathomable one hides herself since that time, and little is known about her and her workings. Only the fact that the sea has been populated since that time by numerous creatures, may tell us that Bastesh seems to create these in the depth. In addition it is said that since that time the water of the seas is salty from the tears, which the disfigured Bastesh sheds out of anguish and pain."}, {"The_First_Creatures_II": "The First Creatures BOOK TWO\nBrog however laughed over the dragon, which he had create, because he roamed over Tibia and was a terror to the few other creatures. Brog was fascinated by this created being and its terrible children, although they showed him neither loyalty nor respect. Thus Brog created further life, imitiating his shape, in order to please him, and so the cyclops entered the world. Zathroth however was angered, because he thought the cyclos stupid and awkward. Too little trouble did they spread in the world, because they quarried in Tibia for metals and enjoyed to process it with fire and force. They were too few for his likes, because they hardly grew in numbers. Thus Zathroth reprimanded his blockheaded son and ordered him to create new life. For he himself still could not understand the secret of life. Under his guidance the first trolls, numerous and vexatious, developed but still without the malicious cunning, which Zathroth desired. Next father and son therefore created the orcs. And the orcs turned out just like the dark God wanted them. They flowed over Tibia, spread out and began to devastate it."}, {"The_War_over_the_Creation_I": "The War over the Creation BOOK ONE\nUman was distressed by the actions of his dark side, and he asked Fardos to help him with his attempt to separate from his bad side. For a long time they manipulated and pulled on the essence of Uman-Zathroth, but only to detect that this unitity was destined for eternity. But a small part of Uman-Zatroth, a godly fragment separated itself due to this pulling and strugglig, and it assumed the shape of Kirok, which one would call the crazy one. Kirok was from precipitous, scizophrenic nature. On the one hand he was brilliant and creative, on the other hand one he was ludicrous and full of folly. Thus Kirok became the protection patron of the scientists on the one hand, and the jesters and jokers on the other hand.\nMeanwhile the gruesome children of the dark gods raged more and more savagely,and the devastation of the world continued without cessation. Some of the other gods did not want to witness anymore, how their creation was troubled and subjected by the creatures after the spirit of Zathroth, and some decided to do something about that. Crunor created the wolves in order to protect his forests against the orcs, but these were too numerous! Only in the deepest forests and in wild herds the wolves learned to defeat their bipedal opponents."}, {"The_War_over_the_Creation_II": "The War over the Creation BOOK TWO\nBasteth wanted to come to aid her cousin, but her creatures, large and dreadful as they were simply could not walk ashore. She was only able to send the snakes, but they were too weak, and the orcs too powerfull. Thus she gave them pus from her festering face wounds as dangerous poison. But too bad! Still the bad orcs, equipped with cyclop weapons, were too powerfuland too malicious. But when the Orks threatened to cover Tibia almost completely, the dragon came! They had decided that only they themselves were to be the true and absolute rulers of Tibia. They did know no mercy in their rage! With fire and magic they annihilated the orcs, devastated their cities and drove them into the underworld. Even the cyclops, which hurried furiously to the battle, and auxiliary troops from enslaved trolls were no match against the fiery anger of the dragons. Enormous cyclopic cities were laid into ruins, unbelievable forging factories were lost for all eternity, and until today the cyclops are upset about the orcs because of these losses."}, {"The_War_over_the_Creation_III": "The War over the Creation BOOK THREE\nBut on the other hand, many dragons fell due to the onslaught of the enormous hordes of orcs and their allies. Until today none of the old peoples has recovered from the great war. Tibia was completely scattered with the corpses of the great battle,and all life threatened to be suffocated thereby. There the gods decided that Uman should unite with the earth in order to create a godly being, which would take care of the dead. But Zathroth used a deception and appeared to the earth as its other side,Uman, and conceived in his place a being. This was the birth of Urgith, the master of the undead. And immediately the dead ones began to raise themselves on his calling, and they all were his creatures. Like the orcs before them, now the undead covered the body of the mother Tibia, and his children, the rats, were Urgith's messengers and scouts. Then however Uman and Tibia united, as it had been agreed upon, and Toth was born. Toth became the guardian of the dead ones and sent his large worms which began to devour the undead. For a long time the struggle lasted and again no end was to be foreseen."}, {"The_War_over_the_Creation_IV": "The War over the Creation BOOK FOUR\nThe good Gods created and threw race after race into the struggle about the world. All of them were defeated! Almost everyone of the old races, which we know only as the Ancients, was defeated and buried by the sands of the time, because they were no match to the aggressive rage and the emotionless intrepidity of their opponents. According to our knowledge, only the delicate elves in their cities deep in the forests and the dwarves in their fortresses deep under the mountains survived the corpse wars, although at some campfires rumors are spread about other races, created by both sides for this unholy war, and of which some individuals are said to still be around. Just as strong and powerful as these peoples were, they were one-sided and of little flexibility. Worse still: Some creatures succumbed to the temptations of Zathroth about power and great knowledge. They switched sides, and rumor has it that the most powerful of the Ancients were hurled out of this world by the good Gods for their betrayal to suffer eternally in the sphere, which was created in order to punish them for their misdeeds, and changed to what nowadays is called the daemons. All their magic, which was probably given to the old peoples in excess, could not make them victorious, and they and their buildings disappeared gradually from the face of Tibia."}, {"The_Creation_of_Humans_I": "The Creation of Humans BOOK ONE\nThere the Gods created the first human, Banor, the godly warrior! This entity was filled by the godly power and was full of courage and responsibility. After his image and with parts of his body the Gods created him attendants, Humans. Nobody knows, which Gods brought their powers into the recent creation, and some say that Zathroth spoiled also this creation. Yes, some even state that the good Gods created a twin for Banor, which should embody the powers of magic, whose raw form however was stolen by Zathroth, and he had manufactured from it the first daemonic lords to lead his attendants from hell. Whichever it might be, in any case the humans took on the fight against the crowds of the undead and probably against the dragons, orcs and their unholy attendants, too, and Banor was a glorious leader for mankind."}, {"The_Creation_of_Humans_II": "The Creation of Humans BOOK TWO\nThus the age of the wars of the unliving began. The battles were furious and bloody and for along time no side was apparently winning. Uman gave humans the art of magic and instructed them in the magic crafts. But even the sorcerers could not turn the tables. Some of them turned thereupon away from Uman and called Crunor their lord, in order to serve from then on as druids for the forces of the life. Together with the godly world tree Crunor they created many of the creatures, that populate the wilderness today, although a variety of these creatures was extinguished in the wars of that time. Banor however chose the noblest of the mortal ones, Kirana, as its wife, and she bore him Elane, which possessed as much virtue as combat and magical powers. And she became the first of the noble paladins. Until our times the leader of the paladins is in honors to her a woman and assumes the honorary name Elane."}, {"The_Creation_of_Humans_III": "The Creation of Humans BOOK THREE\nAll this however could not turn the war luck against the dark hordes. Whereever Banor appeared personally to lead the armies of humans, they triumphed, but on the other battlegrounds they were too often crushed by the dark crowds. Thus Banor asked the gods to help him and the gods in their infinite wisdom created the portal of the souls. By means this mystic of gate souls from planes of existence far, far away of Tibia could be called in order to assume the shape of heroes. With these champions as leaders the humans turned the tables in the great war. \nThey alone under all the mortals had the possibility of becoming similar to Banor, uniting power and cunning. Thus the hordes of undead and their terrible leaders were slowly but inexorably overwhelmed."}, {"Tibia's_Renewal_I": "Tibia's Renewal BOOK ONE\nThe heroic powers were just about to seal the defeat of the darkness by steel and manapower but the wars had persisted for too a long time. The world was fragile, the boundaries between the worlds cracked by the enormous powers, which had been employed. Already the armies of the older races were readying themselves to recapture from the humans what the old ones regarded as theirs. Already the children of the darkness, hardly troubled by the undead, risen again to new powers, were waiting to spread chaos over the world. Already the dragons sharpened their talons on their rock, in order to rise again into air to devastate the world in a fiery nightmare. Already the victorious armies of humans threw possessive looks on new targets. Already the daemons hammered on the walls of their breakable prison."}, {"Tibia's_Renewal_II": "Tibia's Renewal BOOK TWO\nThere the Gods on both sides stopped. They looked down upon the desintegrating world, and they decided an armistice, because they all wanted power over the creation, not its complete destruction. Thus the Gods threw the charm of the new beginning over the world! Only gradually the recovering sections of the old world started to rise from the nebulas of time, awakened the old races and old frights back to life. It is said that the city of Tibia was the first to rise again, barren of almost all life, without all magic, on a tiny island, deserted and almost devoid of life ... and nevertheless full of age-old secrets. And soon\nafterwards life returned to the world. Also via the portal of souls old and new heroes found their way to Tibia. Gradually larger sections of the old world emerged from the nebulas, further natures and miracles. But the world is still far from its former splendour and size, and we live in times of change. What today is still natural, may as soon as tomorrow be only a legend, what today is still fantasy, may already tomorrow be reality. But hear ye and listen: Bad spirits also arrived and still arrive by the portal in our realm, in order to do mischief in human shape. Thus one has to face many dangers, and often the world appears to be cruel and hostile."}, {"The_Greedy_Gnome": "Once upon a time there was a little gnome.\nAnd as all gnomes he was a treacherous, greedy coward (and that's pretty treacherous, greedy and cowardish). One day in the middle of a deep forest the little gnome met a little girl wearing a pretty red cap. As the greedy gnome saw that she was carrying a bag full of finest bread and a flask of wine, he pretended to be starving and begged the little girl for food and water in a way anoying as only gnomes can be (and that's pretty anoying). But the girl was warned of treacherous gnomes by a valiant huntsman she met before and she quickly ran away from the greedy little gnome. The gnome became angry but was afraid to steal from her, because she might have been stronger than him. So he wandered into the woods cursing as only gnomes can curse (and that's pretty ugly). By chance he almost stumbled over a sleeping bard. Quickly figuring out the magical nature of the flute lying near the sleeping bard, he stole it as quickly as only a gnome can do (and that's pretty quick). Using the magic flute he lured a pack of wolves to the little girls grandmas house and let the beasts chase both into the wilderness and laughed wickedly as only gnomes can laugh (and that's pretty wicked). Laughing the gnome gulped the wine and swallowed the bread as fast as only gnomes can (and that's pretty fast). So he lived in the woods and molested squirrels happily ever after."}, {"Advanced_Hunting_Tactics": "Most monsters are far more dangerous when you're attacked by more of them. Keep in mind that you can defend only two opponents at a time. Use\nthis to your advantage and attack single monsters with help of other heroes. Don't get surrounded by monsters, that might be your death even if the monsters are not that powerful."}, {"Amber's_Notebook": "Hardek *\nBozo *\nSam ****\nOswald\nPartos ***\nQuentin *\nTark ***\nHarsky ***\nStutch *\nFerumbras *\nFrodo **\nNoodles ****"}, {"Fishing_Master_Certificate_(Deprecated)": "Fishing Master Certificate\nAwarded to Santiago Fuentes by the Tibian Fishing Association TFA."}, {"Huv_Stollan_Match_Stuf": "Huv stollan match stuf from humutown. But never wull fund us."}, {"Mystic_Portal": "The mystic portal remains unstable so reinforcements from Mintwallin seldom arrive here. The royal mage managed to impress the primitive local orcs though and we can use them as slaves and runefodder. The trolls surrendered immediately and can be used for lesser services. The human base has to be destroyed since more and more arrive there. These enemies are not strong but their number might cause some problems. As long as they will be revived at this mystic vortex even they can ruin our plans. We have to figure out how to destroy the vortex first. The mage locked himself up in his quarters and wants not to be disturbed anymore. He entrusted me with the duty to coordinate all our actions here."}, {"Omark_Ikem_Goshak_Ba_Batuk": "Omark ikem goshak ba batuk\nBooz karek utash gort mora\nouk bota bana ikem"}, {"Ork_Porak": "Original\n:\n5 5 5 5 2 charcha\n5 burka\n5 burka bata\n2 batuk\n5 1 aka bora\n3 tulak bora\nTranslation\n:\n22 sabres\n5 short swords\n5 swords\n2 bows\n6 leather armors\n3 studded armors"}, {"Taka_Arash_Ouk_Karak_Minotaur": "taka arash ouk karak minotaur\nbatash ferut ouk taka\nminotaur karakim kiskesh\nORC BUTA BANA\nBUTA BANA"}, {"Treasure_of_Captain_Iglue": "Treasure of Captain Iglue"}, {"Minotaur_Lookout_(Deprecated)": "Still no sign of a ship yet.\nEven though I am looking out since days, now.\nNever again will I swear in the presence of the holy mage, in order to avoid such duties in the future."}, {"The_Dreamers_I": "If this book is ever to fall into the hands of my people, I am as good as dead. Although I would flatter my people with the assumption that mere death was all that would await me. I would have done the same thing to others a few hundred years ago. But now I'm tired and would almost welcome death to halt this never-ending cycle of intrigue and bids for power. I never imagined how hollow all those things would become that I carved for so long. But after losing and winning all over and over again, it all grows stale. All my accomplishments are only adding to the amount of reasons why I have to watch my back. After gaining all this power, you have to invest a considerable deal of it just to secure it. Though you then have the power to make decisions, the good ones only lead to envy and minions undermining them, and the bad ones might give a rival the chance to strike at you. However, this should not turn into a philosophical treatise of some sort; neither become an excuse for what I have done. I have committed all atrocities deliberately and freely. I feel no regret; but seeing the futility of our ambitions, I feel incredibly tired and disgusted by our trivial ways. Perhaps I have outlived the timespan I can endure. With stolen life-force and dreams I prolonged my life for so long that I often cannot tell what really happened and what I might have imagined, or what is a lie told so often and casually that I forgot the truth. While I watch the newest bid for power of my people, I write this down to tell the people of other times about what happened here.\nWhile I feel that the recent plans of my people will not play out well, I think they will add to all the futility in my lifetime and our people's, and that whatever happened here will be completely forgotten to all but the uncaring gods and, perhaps, some of our surviving enemies. I write this down in the tongue of the gods, hoping that their vanity alone is enough to ensure that this gift to their followers be preserved. I write this down on mere paper instead of using the dream crystals of my people. This way it might escape the watchful eyes of my colleagues long enough to outlive them.\nMuch could be told about my people. It would fill volumes and yet only scratch the surface. But this is nothing I could accomplish at all, and nothing I'd even care to try. If I am right, my people will be dead soon enough and just another side note of history. I somewhat relish the thought that we will be the subject of speculation and myth, so it suits me well that those who will come after us are not too familiar with our doings in history. That being said, a few things should be mentioned just in case we are completely wiped out from not only existence, but history as well.\nFirst of all, the name of my people is nothing meant for vocal chords. It is a thought pattern, half a dream and untranslatable into any tongue.\nAs is the language we use with our own people. It was a hard thing to learn to communicate with others. It is somewhat disgusting , having to rely on grunting and gasping to communicate with our allies. The latter gave us many names, rarely though to flatter us. Dreamstealers, dreamvampires, dreamshapers and so many, many more that I've forgotten them. Most of the times I preferred to refer to us simply as the dreamers."}, {"The_Dreamers_II": "My people were always proud and cruel. Not entirely inhabitants of this world; only the passing to and fro other realms was always natural for us. We were no great warriors, but we served in our own ways in the god wars. In the service of the gods, we helped those allied to Zathroth. We were spies, messengers, advisors; and we manufactured weapons of war in our own, special way. I was one of the first. A leader, a priest, a prophet. Yet I always let others do the outstanding things. I fancied pulling strings and being the secret initiator of many things; but I'm not sure now how much of this is true or some kind of paltry excuse I convinced myself to believe. All the great achievements of our race were initiated by others. But I have been there, and outlived them all. Early on, my people developed a mastery of dream, unparalleled before. We shaped dreams, and dragged them into reality. We constructed dreams, with the only purpose to use them as facilities to forge other dreams in them. The concept has become so natural and trivial to me that it is hard to explain. It is like explaining colours to a blind man.\nSuffice it to say that we used dreams, both self-made and stolen, to shape the world and provide us with shelter, sustenance, tools and weapons. Dreams soon became the currency and life blood of our society. We were never numerous though, and managed to convince the leaders of our side that we were too valuable to be wasted on the battlefield. So we dwelled in our city made of stolen dreams, and schemed. Sometimes against our mutual foe, sometimes against our allies, and sometimes within our own. For several centuries this kept me occupied and entertained. We built the great dream catcher, our greatest accomplishment. A monument of our power. With its might, incomprehensible to people bound only to one world, our might was amplified in unimaginable ways. We rose in power, higher and higher; rivalling that of Zathroth's favourite pets, the demons. This led to a few clashes between them and us. We managed to hold our own until now; and this is what probably will lead to our downfall.\nA short while ago, the council was approached with the request that we use the arts of our race to construct something entirely new: a prison made of dreams, using the veils and barriers of other worlds to dampen the power of all creatures, and lock them in and torture them for all eternity. We did not question this request. It was much too tempting to grow even more powerful, and so we consented. Little did we know that everything was staged and we were purposely misled."}, {"The_Dreamers_III": "My people dived into this new venture with ambition. Resources were sent by other races, even knowledge was reluctantly shared by them. Prisoners and renegades were sent to us to do tests and experiments with them. Little of what we requested was ever denied. Even I was mildly thrilled for a while by the sheer novelty of the enterprise.\nThen strange things began to happen. Plans were slightly changed, requests added to projects and the advisors led certain researches onto different paths that were not agreed upon. I would not have lived that long if I had not developed a sense for things going amiss. It became more and more obvious that we were not aware of the full truth. The increase of power levels for the prisons, for example, had, step by step, risen enormously. These were no longer prisons meant for some minor captives - these prisons were powerful enough to even give a lesser god some trouble. And there was more. Additions brought in by other races, things we did not even understand, were added. More and more demon 'advisors' stayed in the city all the while we heard about an increased fierceness of the battles elsewhere. I knew something big was happening. I was just undecided what to do with the knowledge. My first impulse was to run and hide, to watch from safety. But then I realised how tired I was of scheming and hiding. Yes, this was new, not home-made as usual; but for all its novelty it was still the same. I decided not to run but to stay and watch, and face what might come.\nSoon I was more and more convinced that I was right; and when some of the demons approached us for a secret meeting, I was only mildly curious about what might be revealed. However, I can't tell what happened then and there. Gods were involved and binding vows were spoken, so that even now I can't go into details. I can merely circumvent it through stating that most of the secret things spoken about have already happened by now and are common knowledge.\nI had been right that the prison was more than just that. It was meant to be a trap. And it was meant not primarily for our enemies, but our allies. Well, at least for the traitors amongst them. And who the traitors were, well, that was earth-shaking news."}, {"The_Dreamers_IV": "A cadre of the most powerful demon princes in existence, actually all of them, were declared traitors. Seemingly they had not defected to the enemy but a third power, of which nothing was related. All we had to know was that we had to take out the most formidable force on our own side. The sheer power of these beings had always been something we feared and coveted. We were assured we would have all the assistance that we could. We would be supported by the next finest batch of demons at the disposal of our gods. I was sceptical that the pupils of the very creatures we planned to capture might be of any help. But we were assured of their loyalty. Much of the plan and its detail were based on a wretched thing of a demon who called himself Bazir. This Bazir and his about two dozens allies were handpicked from the demon armies; chosen for their diverse talents and unwavering loyalty - and very probably for their lust to replace their former masters.\nWe could do nothing but comply. In this stage, no one could have walked out in possession of such information and just stayed out of the whole thing. Now we were bound. Bound to an uneasy alliance at best. We had always competed with the demons; we never were close friends and in certain areas too similar to get along with each other at all. But we needed their magic, their knowledge, their sheer power for the trap to work.\nEven while we were talking about what we had just learned, my people began to plot and scheme. I kept quiet. I could imagine the demons we just allied with a few moments ago doing the very same thing, at the very same time. That was when I knew we were all doomed. Not one of us was going to get out of this alive. Treachery was so natural to us and our allies that there was no other way, no other possibility.\nThe weight of stolen centuries and cycles of treachery almost crushed me when I first realised this.\nThe sweet thing was that the ever-turning wheel was about to break, that all would finally come to an end. That was why I stayed, in the end. \nI stayed to await the end of all things that I knew. I might have had a faint hope of escaping the catastrophe, that something new and fresh would rise out of the ashes, and that I could be part of it.\nBut in my heart I knew that I would never be fresh and new. I would always be the same old dreamer, trapped in cycles of schemes and treachery.\nHowever, things progressed impressively. With the knowledge of the demons and plenty of fresh test subjects, we made advances unhoped for.\nThe whole thing sometimes frightened even me; this trap, the only way to take these entities out without losing legions and opening a gap for our enemies.\nThen the day came."}, {"The_Dreamers_V": "The prison was ready and the demon princes were sent to 'oversee' the integrity of the important construction. They arrived in all their hellish power and glory. And we were prepared to let the trap spring. Of course we suspected treachery and double-crossing. I knew the plans to secure the remaining allied demons in other, secretly built prisons. They would be as weak and vulnerable as never before. With the princes gone and their most powerful loyalist demons taken out, we would rule undisputed. After all, we held the keys to the prisons.\nOf course the other side plotted, too. My people were so engrossed in their own schemes they ignored the possibility that the plans of their rivals might be as dangerous as their own.\nThey were wrong to do so, of course.\nWhen the trap was sprung - the oaths even now prevent me to go into details - the demons did not show up at all. I had never trusted this Bazir, but I thought that at least some of the others, more furious like Apocalypse, Lurin, Infernatil and Vazrok, would be too eager to test their might, to hold back.\nThe first prince was caught completely unaware when the trap sprang. This was almost too easy. But then, hell broke loose - literally. Our nightmare creatures were no match for the princes and their retinue. They were so powerful! We had kept ourselves out of most direct battles of the war and were completely unprepared for such a display of power and cruelty. Within seconds all seemed lost, when the demons finally intervened, obviously in panic that everything was at stake now.\nBut it was almost too late. The princes had cut a good part of my people into pieces and alarmed their minions in the city. There was slaughter everywhere.\nI saw demons being ripped apart by the princes. Sheldrax and Ashfalor were both shredded to pieces before my very eyes by Sephorath, prince of agony. Several parts of one of the demons crawled away, obviously animated by some magic to preserve its life; but there was hardly anything left to be preserved.\nTulax the mighty, Jebborn, Semir, they all fell like flies swatted away.\nHere and there, a prince succumbed to the sheer number of allied forces; but the fight looked desperate for our side.\nThen the great nightmare beasts were unleashed. Though not truly rivalling a prince in power, still they were unknown to them and hard to defeat. Although no match in a direct confrontation, they managed to distract them long enough for some of us to desperately unleash all the stolen dreams from the dream catcher.\nAll our wealth, the essence of our existence and the harvest of centuries, blown away in less than a minute.\nBut the devastation on mind and body was enormous. Everyone caught in the blast was weakened if not unconscious. I saw the minds of several people I had known for years as rivals go blank forever.\nI was blind, too. Not only physically, but also mentally.\nWhen mind and sight became clear again, a considerable time had passed."}, {"The_Dreamers_VI": "The nightmare creatures, fed with the sheer energy unleashed, were literally burning with power. The energy was too much for them. Several had fused into even more grotesque creatures, some of them spawning lesser horrors over and over, until they dissolved. But their increased power had brought down many of the subdued princes. Demons who had previously fled the carnage caused by the princes closed in, like Zitraks smelling blood. They swarmed over the fallen princes with ravenous force.\nNot more than ten or so of our treacherous allies had survived the slaughter, but their minions were seemingly in endless supply. I had not been aware they had brought so much backup forces into our city.\nI was confused. Still I could not feel anything and stumbled through the streets that were distorted by what I imagined a storm of unbound dreams. \nWhen I found shelter, the sound of battle in the city already grew fainter.\nI looked down to see that my body was mutilated and my life force sapping out. But that was something I welcomed.\nMy tiredness in mind is now shared with this body. I would not create a new one, even if I could.\nI will allow things to run their course. I will sink into the eternal dream.\nTo finally let go.\nOnce again be one with the dreams, riding above the plains of nightmare on the howling winds.\nIt is so long ago that I have done that.\nThere was always something to do, something to take care of, an ambition to be fulfilled.\nIf I'd only had dreamed a bit more. Instead of chasing goals that were not even mine.\nEverything is futile.\nBut this is not.\nI imagine this text will survive the ravages of time. It will find its way to people who can understand.\nIt is not that futile when it is preserved.\nI'm so tired.\nI will rest now. Finally."}, {"Council_Dispute": "Cannos, Planegazer and Coadjutor of the Scriptorum\nAbbridged report of council meeting (a strange number or sign you cannot quite decipher follows), held with selected audience.\nThere is a dispute among the council and headmaster Dolis. The council advised prudence, to stay vigilant as we always have. The head seems to want the contrary. In the time between this meeting and the last, he ordered to built at least two additional forges already and demanded Cannos to copy all of our previous records at least twice. It's not manageable anymore, I already contacted one of my suppliers but it's just not possible to press any harder. Furthermore, it does not look like this dispute is going to end well, the council will not have anymore of these escapades. As was evident by several open remarks or to quote Sentif: \"If headmaster Dolis conceits himself to be some kind of benevolent autocrat, that's fine but that would also mean the end of his role as the head of this society. We are not a... (loud interjections) ... please, we are not a royal household, Dolis is not a king and this is certainly not a war! (louder and impertinent interjections)\".\nThe general consent was that if Dolis continues to press the research, the council will be forced to take steps. The headmaster defended himself, and I quote: \"We do not yet know what awaits us and we cannot afford to take this lightly. The more we know about the this entity, the better and the faster we learn, the safer we can sleep. (very loud and sometimes mocking remarks, several rebukes from council-members towards the audience) We have evidence that (laughter) ... evidence that this being is sentient and watching us - but for how long? It may be watching us, following our every word, every snide remark of yours and everything we plan - right now! (abrupt silence in the audience, the headmaster paused). Now, I will bow to the council but you cannot stop me in taking my own precautions. In the interest of this whole society and everyone's future we try to protect, we have to contain the Planestrider. (Dolis leaves, the council members jump from their seats with harsh remarks, the audience bursts into loud discussions).\nPersonal comment: the Head Planegazer is growing weary of waiting, he demands results. His reckless behaviour will endanger the whole society as well as himself. He could jeopardise everything including everyone's safety, he so valiantly tries to protect. We can only hope he will abide to the will of the council. We all share a common goal, this is no group you can just leave, nor can we put any reprisals on our members. Our credo is to prevent panic, not to give it more room. \"Canvas your knowledge, veil the end.\" Dolis should remember what this is all about.\nPreliminaries: I will talk to forgemaster Logur to continue analysing the replicas and enhance our equipment. We will see what we can do but it's not possible to go any faster, we're working day an night as it is."}, {"Dwarf_Note": "Note\nWe are in serious trouble down here.\nThe attacks are becoming increasingly aggressive again. An all-out attack is to be expected soon, if nothing is done to prevent it.\nI cannot even tell if they are beasts or... something else. All I know is that they are dangerous and their numbers seem not to diminish at all.\nThe gnomes provided us with some vital information about the enemy. I don't even try to understand how hey acquired it - something about crystals and undercover mushrooms.\nIf the gnomes are right, and they don't tire in telling you they are, then the monster hordes are the least threat to worry about. They are seemingly pumping up the lava and plan to fry us all alive.\nIt's outrageous for any true dwarf but the term of our treaty allowed the gnomes to tinker with our weapons and defences. Granted, until now that had not all of us blown up - yet. However, I don't trust in such modern, experimental stuff and would prefer our old tried and true stuff, even if it seemingly was less efficient, in the long run it had prevailed.\nThose Gnomes know a thing or two about mushrooms and their crystal stuff. However, that never could replace solid, good, old metal.\nFancy new stuff is for those who never knew something truly good. Of course, they need new stuff, considering the junk they call their own. True masterwork never needs to be replaced though."}, {"Field_Report_I": "Field Report I\nOur prospectors claimed another promising mining area in the depths of sector 3DA. The whole area seems promising and rich on various valuable and rare ores. The ores seem highly concentrated and should provide an abundance of resources with relatively little effort.\nThe prospector's estimations suggest that the ore veins stretch over a wide area so that a permanent mine seems feasible and profitable.\nThough we were warned by gnomish sources that the area had an increased activity of hostile forces, we encountered nothing out of the usual yet.\nSince we found none of the also mentioned open cave systems yet, it seems possible that the reports were referring to an entirely different area.\nI have to emphasise, that it is vital to better coordinate our knowledge for our cooperation to be of any use at all. The gnomes should soon adapt to our sector categorising, a system that served us well in the last thousand years.\nGiven the favourable situation at hand we will continue to establish an outpost and begin mining operations as soon as possible.\nThe first crews are expected to arrive within the next week and a provisional base should be up and running by then."}, {"Field_Report_II": "Field Report II\nAfter a first test dig hit a system of natural cave system we have to reconsider our stance.\nSome of the prospectors were leading first mining operations on a smaller scale to verify the direction of the most prosperous ore veins.\nBy doing that, two of them hit huge caves that seemingly stretched through the whole area. We easily found obvious signs of previous occupation by the usual array of subterranean creatures that could be expected in this depths but strangely enough encountered nothing alive nor found any bodies.\nTaking the gnomish intelligence reports into consideration, I decided to keep things save and established defensive perimeters, switching a whole crew of miners to guard duties. I have ordered the prospectors to survey the area for any form of hostile life. My experience tells me things down there are too quiet to be trusted."}, {"Field_Report_III": "Field Report III\nA whole scouting party has gone missing. Given that no tectonic activity was noticed, it has to be assumed that they encountered hostile forces and security measurements have to be enacted according to dwarfish standard procedure. The miners were pulled back and provisional camps have been disbanded. We established defensive holds at several chokepoints and secured the base. Everyone is switched to guard duties and word was sent for reinforcements.\nAs soon as the reinforcements arrive, a well equipped scouting party will estimate the situation and look for survivors of the lost team."}, {"Field_Report_IV": "Field Report IV\nWhile the reinforcement of our position is in progress, the scouting party begins sweeps of the cave system. Right now they only encountered some lonely formerly unknown creatures that were highly aggressive but posed not too much of a threat. Especially none that could explain the disappearance of a whole experienced and well-armed team of prospectors and miners. We have to assume that the creatures encountered are only stragglers and part of more numerous and formidable packs. I have secured some corpses of those beasts and sent them to our gnomish allies for examination. Perhaps they already encountered such creatures."}, {"Field_Report_V": "Field Report V\nClashes with more subterranean forces have become more common and fierce. Indeed the creatures encountered seemed to be part of a larger group. It even has to be assumed that the different species encountered in one form or the other work together. This gives more credit and weight to the initial gnomish warnings about this area. In addition to the species new to us, our forces also clashed with some creatures that were already known from past encounters in the depths of the world. All this strongly hints that the gnomes are right and that this is all orchestrated by what they ominously call 'those below'.\nThe pressure they put on our forces is growing considerably with each day and there is no telling if it might ever stop. In the contrary, I'd think that the real coordinated attacks are yet to come.\nEven with the abundance to ores in this area, I recommend to abandon and seal this area once and for all."}, {"Field_Report_VI": "Field Report VI\nAfter we encountered the accursed 'lost' in the ranks of the enemy, I'm fully in support of the emperor's decision to make a stand against the forces opposing us. We must not allow those living mockeries of all that is good and dwarfish to push us true dwarves out of our claimed areas. I'm pleased to hear out gnomish allies pledged their support to our course and sending resources and experts to our aid - as long as they don't get in the way of my warriors.\nI reached an agreement with the gnomish emissary that we dwarves oversee the military aspects of the campaign, while the gnomes assist us with supplies, logistics and intelligence - I still don't get it, what about this makes the gnomish emissary giggle uncontrollably every time I mention it."}, {"Field_Report_VII": "Field Report VII\nThe attacks of the creatures are massive now. I'm glad we prepared our defences that well and reinforcement came in just in time to save the day. At first it seems the increasingly numerous and frequent waves of enemies swarming our lines would eventually overrun us. These gnomish crystal-resonators they brought with them bought us some precious time by scaring away some of the monsters, bringing their advance in significant disarray. When our troops arrived, they were still at the brink of overrunning us. Only a valorous charge into their midst broke their momentum. With the lack of the enemy's discipline, their ranks were lacking any cohesive formation and our forces could push through to inflict massive damage. Our vanguard managed to identify some individuals that would be called leaders in armies that are more formal. They even cornered one of them and under heavy casualties wounded them severely which forced them to retreat. Sadly the remaining vanguard got cut off from our forces in the fight and was completely wiped out by the enemy forces."}, {"Field_Report_VIII": "Field Report VIII\nThe standstill we earned is obviously only temporarily. The attacks have been reduced in frequency and ferocity but continue. Whether the enemy is gathering new forces or waiting for new orders, now is the time to act. We have to use that little breathing space we won by fighting back to bring the battle to the enemy. The gnomes managed to gain vital intelligence on the enemy and we made our own observations in the fights. The major figures on the hostile side are seemingly several leaders that, aside from being a lethal threat on their own, served as some kind of rallying spot for the enemies armies.\nA certain three of them have been identified as crucial for the efforts of 'those below'.\nLacking proper alternative names the boys have named the incomprehensible creatures after likewise incomprehensible titles of human nobility. They are identified as the Count of the Core, the Duke of the Depths and the Baron from Below. As long as we can put enough pressure on them, the attacks might be kept at a manageable rate. It is vital though, that we strike soon and strike hard.\nThere are several more formidable creatures in the ranks of the enemy but they seem more like loners and encounters with them are rare. It seems wise to avoid them when possible and let special strike teams handle them if the need arises.\nGiven that the gnomes are more familiar with the enemy, it might be possible that they are not exaggerating when they claim that the enemy is prepared to utilise even worse methods to annihilate our defences. If they are right, the enemy plans to flood our tunnels with lava and that is a threat no axe nor steel could hope to fight."}, {"Gnome_Report": "Report\nThe dwarves did not heed our advice and headed straight into the danger we warned them about. They did surprisingly well - until they got into the inevitable mess we expected. Since they stubbornly insisted to remain in the midst of trouble, we had to come to their rescue of course. The dwarves proved astonishingly capable in fighting the threat but in the long run they would have succumbed to the constant onslaught unless we brought in our ingenuity and expertise. Since the dwarves were somewhat reluctant to let go of their proven tactics, we had to figure out how to reinforce them in the best way possible. Naturally we came up with some solutions that fused our expertise and equipment with those of the dwarves to a solid defence. \nNow we seem somewhat stuck in the fight, no side gaining the upper hand. Experience tells us, however, that those below won't be idle for long and the next waves of attacks will be more fierce and long. Eventually even the best defences will wear off.\nFurthermore, our sources tell us that the real threat is even more sinister. We located several sources of tremendous heat in the depths. We encountered something like that some time before: it always preceded the rise and eruption of large lava steams into a confined cave system. It seems that our old enemy is using old tricks once again. The location of the heat sources seems easy enough, yet to get to them and possibly destroy the mechanisms they use to raise the lava is the hard part.\nWe do agree with the dwarves that only swift and decisive action can win the day. We have to strike at the heart of the invasion force."}, {"Lone_Gatekeeper": "Diary of Luis, Gatekeeper of the Planegazers\n(most entries are personal thoughts about working in silence and life in isolation)\nDay 34: I maintain this little patch of soil now and the pig and sheep are quite happy now. The rice I have sown this afternoon will make for a great meal some day.\nDay 36: The mechanism to access the headquarters is now complete. It will take some time for everyone to adjust to the procedure but it was necessary. For the cause.\nDay 56: Not everyone seems to get used to how the gates work. I refrain from making this any simpler, our security and safety is at risk. Not to mention the whole operation. You just need to have the right coordinates in your sphere. It's not hard and I certainly won't give them any hints.\nDay 68: A great day down here today. That is... if it is actually daytime. I really hope I didn't miscount or something. At least I know which day it is. Note: ah I forgot to write down if it's a weekday or not, I'll have to ask some of the other Planegazers next time they come through here.\nDay 131: Rice and vegetables, every day rice and vegetables. I cannot... I just don't want to eat the same stuff everyday. My trusty Erna here will be a tasty change on the menu.\nDay 187: No pig on the menu this year, Erna will be spared. Since I don't like sheep meat eather, I'll just have rice and vegetables today. Again.\nDay 225: Nobody came through this week. Maybe next week, it's getting quite boring here.\nDay 269: I wonder if I can ask for a day off? Nobody cam through for over a month now, guess I will just stay here. Someone needs to secure this entrance.\nDay 342: I couldn't bring myself over eating Erna. She was pregnant and... well it's more pigs now! So at least I got some new company. The sheep did produce a lot of wool this year.\nDay 378: Nobody comes. I wonder what everyone's doing? Where is everyone? Should I leave my post? I don't know what to do. I'm not authorised to just enter and take a look. But what if I'm forced to one day? When will that day be?\nDay 425: I cannot leave my post. I decided to stay here and wait for whatever happens. There must be a reason for this, a serious reason. These halls were bustling with fellow Planegazers and I bet they still are. They just won't come out for... some reason. I will stay here and hold out.\nDay 426: I cannot wait here any longer. I need to go in myself and take a look, something's not right. I will leave my diary here for... well, I guess it won't be of much use to anyone, since I didn't write anything about how all this works! Ha! Oh yes, I kept this secret entrance well and I will continue to keep it. Now to grab some vegetables before I leave and off I go."}, {"Research_Notes_of_Dolis_I": "Research Notes of Dolis, Headmaster of the Planegazers\n(the paper seems to be extremely old and some parts are hard to read)\nWe successfully sped up the process, disregarding the council's suggestions. I ordered my team to focus on the places we already know as being visited by the Planestrider. The original sites of its arrival are probably the most visited, yet not very well documented. If we find the origin of the cubes, we find the origin of this being itself. Yet all the cubes we found so far seem incomplete.\n(extensive maps may have been drawn here, time has rendered them completely unreadable, what is still there seems to not make much sense)\nComments on active projects:\n(the first 20 or so notes are mostly uninteresting and common observations)\n#26: Dimensional Beings\nWe found evidence of what we assume to be visitors from another dimension. A whole race of interdimensional beings has been traced to an uncharted and unexplored content approximately far to the north-east. Travellers have confirmed sightings of hideous creatures with multiple lags, mouths and eyes, devouring or carrying large amounts of energy. All reports described very unnatural beings appearing out of nowhere.\n#26/2,addendum: Successful Capture\nOne specimen was found bound and half-dead on a ship. The captain abandoned the remainder of his crew on this floating coffin only shortly after it arrived in the Venore harbour so we do not know who captured it or how it got onto the ship. It must have been a truly daunting task, however, for as we tried to pull it out of the ship's hold, it came alive and started attacking us immediately, causing a lot of damage. We managed to contain it using one of the advanced holding cells our craftsmen designed. Studying this thing may bring us one step closer to the truth. What are these things and are they the origin of all this?\n#26/3,addendum: One Step Back\nWhile we can confirm the specimen from 26/2 is not from our dimension, it is not in any way connected to the being we're after. I conclude that the Planestrider may not even be a \"being\" in the actual sense. All things considered it may be more of a \"concept\" but to what end? What is the purpose and why this trail of unmistakable evidence on its existence? The words it offers us are a part of something it wants us to know. It must all be connected to form a meaning, a message. It is clear that we are close to decipher it but what if it is not even in our hands anymore, what if it never was? Note: I should keep trivial or personal thoughts in a diary or something, I will leave these in here for now."}, {"Research_Notes_of_Dolis_II": "Research Notes of Dolis (#28-#54), Headmaster of the Planegazers\n(the paper seems to be extremely old and some parts are hard to read)\nComments on active projects:\n#28: Uncovered Planestrider Site\nInvestigating every old hag's tale, local folklore and thread of sailor's yarn we could find has finally paid off: we found at least one site of the Planestrider's presence underwater in what appears to be a sunken city or temple (reference area 28/VI). It was completely empty but we cannot deem it safe as we had only very limited time to explore the area. Note to the craftsmen: we NEED to find a way to stay underwater for a longer time-span. Any progress on this issue is paramount.\n#28/2,addendum: Aquatic Danger\nTrying to dive deeper into the sunken area has lead us to heavy restistance. We expected some form of resistance but weren't prepared to encounter intelligent beings with weapons. One specimen could be injured and was successfully captured. All further excursions have been withdrawn until we have recovered from this skirmish. Work on analysing the creature and adding to our existing research continues in the safety of our laboratories. Note: this is quite a collection now, I will order some of these species to be transferred soon.\n(the next entry is full of personal notes and many parts are underlined)\n#29: The Cubes\nAll cubes seem to be imperfect. I have yet to find a complete exemplar. They MUST be the key. One of my coadjutors assumes it is some kind of map, I would say it is a weapon but it may also be a key. If the map theory is true, however, there could be a way to get to the origin, we just have to look hard enough for a complete cube. An incomplete cube seems to not have any function at all.\n#29/2, addendum: Missing Pieces\nWe cannot find a complete exemplar. In a joint effort we managed to secure several more cubes to analyse but not a single one was perfect. I ordered every cube that is discovered to be brought directly to me. I keep one cube with me all the time now. We have (the writings go on about the necessity of a breakthrough and the cube's potential).\n(all other entries are studies of the cubes, all reaching the same conclusions)"}, {"The_Travelling_Savant": "The Travelling Savant\nA savant from Edron once travelled our world far and wide. He took seven journeys to the highest reaches and deepest depths.\nOn his seven journeys, he visited Fiehonja, the Ice Islands, Oramond, the Plains of Havoc, Razachai, Roshamuul, and Tiquanda.\nHis souvenirs included a painting of a gozzler, an opticording sphere, a tin key, a basket with puppies, a werewolf amulet, a pillow backpack, and a ghost detector.\nHe obtained those things in various ways: from a fresh corpse, through fishing, from a dustbin, through a magic experiment, from a food crate, from a forgotten loot bag, and from remains of a bonfire.\nHis dreams were once caught in shreds:\n1. His journey to Tiquanda took place before he found something in the remains of a bonfire. He discovered something in the remains of a bonfire on a trip that happened before he got hold of a painting of a gozzler.\n2. Once, something in a fresh corpse caught his eye. This neither happened on his journey to the Ice Islands nor when he visited Oramond.\n3. The werewolf amulet was not the result of a magic experiment.\n4. The savant found the opticording sphere neither in a forgotten loot bag nor in a dustbin.\n5. He obtained something through fishing on the journey that took place right after he had returned from Fiehonja and directly before he set out to the place where he acquired the werewolf amulet.\n6. The ghost detector was neither a souvenir from Razachai nor from Roshamuul.\n7. He acquired the tin key on the trip that directly followed the expedition on which he had found something near a fresh corpse.\n8. When he obtained the ghost detector, he had already found something in a food crate one of his previous journeys. His discovery in a food crate happened at a later point of time than his visit of the Plains of Havoc.\n9. He headed for the Ice Islands directly after the expedition on which he had acquired something as a result of a magic experiment.\n10. It was not in Roshamuul where something in the remains of a bonfire caught his attention.\n11. On his seventh and last journey, the savant came into the possesion of a pillow backpack. His first expedition led him to Oramond.\n12. He did not find the basket of puppies in a forgotten loot bag.\n13. He did not obtain the tin key through fishing."}, {"Those_Below_I": "Those Below, What We Know (I)\nSince the enemy that we know as 'those below' seem to only act through vassals, it is hard to say when they were encountered first. Seemingly random events in the past might have been more or less their doing unbeknown to anyone. In the light of recent events theories have spread that link disasters of the past and monster incursions to the doings of 'those below'. In fact, since no one was expecting a guiding hand behind those events, there is no evidence to support that. The great cave-in of the starsilver claim is cited the most amongst such instances. Indeed the few tunnels that remain from these mines are overrun by creatures that are counted to the forces of those below. Still, it's possible that they are simply lured by seismic activity and just moved in. The gnomes were the first to make out patterns in certain events and attacks on their deepest hold. When their counter efforts were met in kind and often countered, they began to suspect a guiding force behind all of this. Their concentrated efforts were answered by massive counterblows that required massive coordination and logistics, not available to the mostly primitive creatures they fought. Even countermeasures against cave-ins and volcanic activity were sabotaged. Despite all gnomish efforts the enemy activity just grew until the gnomes had to pull back when the effort and casualties were no longer worth the gain from those bases. At first only random holds in the deepest of regions were lost. The frequency of occurrences did rise and at some point establishing new outposts did no longer cover up the losses. The gnomes retreated from the deeper areas and put more efforts into new bases closer to the surface to compensate. With their somewhat nomadic lifestyle the gnomes were able to handle the new situation quite well but since the threat is spreading more and more, they see themselves under pressure. With the deep mining on the rise for the last several hundred years, the dwarfish forces on the other hand are beginning to encounter more and more of the minions from below on their own. Mining technology that was safe and reliable for millennia have started to fail, due to the unnatural seismic activity and rise of lava levels."}, {"Those_Below_II": "Those Below, What We Know (II)\nWith all the efforts to scout the enemy, little could be learned. Especially since behind the enemy's frontline the earth temperature is rising at an alarming rate and former deep territory that was once settled by gnomes is now immersed by lava. It seems that whatever is leading the attacks is living behind or even in that lava.\nWe do know that the enemy makes use of numerous creatures. Often the creatures they control are commonly dangerous but rare and display far less aggressive behaviour. They don't gather in hordes, let alone they'd attack with any coordination or in league with other creatures. It is unknown how exactly those creatures are controlled or guided but there seems to be a connection to the mighty leader-like creatures they employ amongst their minions. If they are eliminated, coordination and aggressiveness levels drop almost immediately.\nThe fact that a lost tribe of dwarves has been enslaved and bred for war purposes hints how they might have attained control over other subterranean races, sentient or not. There is strong evidence that they actually breed their minions actively and there is some sort of indoctrination involved. Given that they breed the lost dwarves to creatures of low intelligence and high aggressiveness, it is likely they have similar procedures for other creatures as well.\nTheir choice of generals gives other hints abut heir nature. In at least one case they employ the assistance of a fallen gnome. His mind and body were heavily altered in unknown ways. Though in charge of leading their troops he displayed behaviour that usually would be considered mad. Also even he was somehow linked to the coordination of the hostile forces. Although as a gnome he didn't previously display any kind of telepathic ability. So it can be assumed that the other so called generals they employ are also heavily altered specimens of their kind. They probably don't resemble the appearance of 'those below' which leaves us with no clue how they look."}, {"Those_Below_III": "Those Below, What We Know (III)\nThe only enemies that could be captured and questioned were some of the lost. They displayed a tremendous pain tolerance and lack of fear but their intelligence levels seemed seemingly frighteningly low. With limited vocabulary and interaction it seemed that they see 'those below' rather as some form of primal gods of fire and pain than as creatures. It seems likely they never saw or interacted with them directly.\nConquered territory saw an increase of heat levels. This went hand in hand with the level of occupation of the territory. Where they could be repelled, the heat level did not rise significantly, so a natural cause can be ruled out. What is unknown is if the heat comes with the presence of those below or they need it to move into an area and raise it in some way.\nThe nature of 'those below' still remains an enigma. From the little we know only some assumptions can be made. They seem to need or enjoy extreme heat levels and they actively expand their territory, not accepting or attempting any form of negotiation. Their minions behave and communicate (as little it may be) in an entirely enigmatic and alien way so that the reasoning and thinking of 'those below' can't easily be predicted.\nThe need to spread their territory hints at a rather numerous race that constantly needs more room or resources.\nThe dominance over powerful beings they employ as generals points at an immense personal power level of the individuals or the race as a whole.\nThey can manipulate and transform individual beings somehow, perhaps even for breeding those transformations into species.\nTheir minions, like the lost, require crude, self-made weapons that rather rely on the little skill that race has left than outside sources. Other forms of equipment, as few as have been found so far, hint at even more alien origins and are dissimilar to commonly known tools or machinery. Even those objects, however, might be the remainder of a craft that one of their subjugated minion races once possessed and is probably only a mere shadow of the craftsmanship those races were previously capable of.\nTheir forces show no regard to themselves or others. A retreat can only be enforced when they deem an effort no longer viable. What is viable or not follows no discernible pattern. Whereas sometimes a brimming ore mine was left in peace after a rag and tag band of defenders fended off some invaders, they sacrificed legions of minions to conquer some abandoned cave, far away from anything of importance.\nIn this state of the war it has to be mentioned that 'those below', their origin, their look and their motives continue to be an enigma. As their attacks and the pressure they put on other races rises, the importance of such information becomes more and more a priority. How this information can be acquired though, is still something that is desperately debated upon."}, {"Desert_Storm": "(You see a page from a diary, barely legible. You decipher the last passage:)\nWell, I should have known this was a stupid idea. But when Rotem Valos said that he needed some desert-proof men for that cartography job of his, I like the old silly fool I am didn't hesitate to volunteer. Now I've lost the other two in this stupid desert storm, and my water bottle's empty. And then these strange statues and ruins the storm revealed. They give me the creeps.\nI went to see if there was water, but those creatures there are like out of my worst nightmare! And they almost had a good bite out of me, too. They swatted me like a fly. I barely made it back to here. But the heat outside is unbearable. I guess I'm safe here, at the entrance. I'll just have to sit it out and hope someone finds me in time. And I must make sure nobody goes further in. No-one can survive this."}, {"Graveyard_Dungeon_Entrance": "Royal Archives - 960 p.g\nConcerning: Graveyard rumours\nHRH has issued orders that the continuing rumours about a dungeon entrance at the graveyard be publicly denied and then ignored as they are obviously untrue.\nNo further action is to be taken."}, {"Royal_Execution_Archives_900_-_950_p.g": "Royal Execution Archives 900 - 950 post genesis\n900 p.g Hanging of Isaac Brewton for claiming satanic influences rule the course of history. Especial notice is drawn to his assertion that all objects stay in place or move due to lucifer's plans.\n912 p.g Execution of Hamilton Fush on the stake for his continuing support of Brewton's thesis. Additional punishment for his claim that child sacrifice could change the course of satan's plans.\n913 p.g Hanging of Gabriel Fush, brother of Hamilton Fush, for his public support of his brother.\n943 p.g Execution of Alistair Cropwell. Originally in his majesty's service sent to further HRH glory by exploring the world, he became mad and claimed the existence of another empire besides that of our glorious sovereign. Because of his past services he was buried honorably in the graveyard dungeon."}, {"Royal_Execution_Archives": "Royal Execution Archives"}, {"Graveyard_Expansion": "Royal Archives - 943 p.g\nConcerns: City graveyard\nHRH has ordered an expansion of the city graveyard to the east, due to the increased demand for resting places. It is hoped that the eastward expansion will avoid problems with the undead experienced with previous graveyards closer to the city entrance."}, {"Court_Visit": "Dear Flora,\nI just returned from my visit to the kings court in Thais. Along with other nobles I was invited to a diner with the crown prince of Thais Rodmund II. He seems a rather shy and reclusive boy. We had not the chance to talk much to him but if it were not for his advisors, the brothers Wisbert and Madol, the heads of the church of Uman and Zathroth respectively, I'd fear for the wellbeing of the realm. The boy seems pale and unhealthy. He had obvious problems to follow any conversation and word at the court is that the untimely death of his father made the boy even more timid then he was before. We were assured though, that the council of nobles and the two grand priests of the both most influential churches were guiding him and leading his hand. The brothers Wisbert and Madol were indeed impressive men of wisdom and charisma. Their eloquence was almost intimidating and beyond their calm demeanor I sensed some kind of animosity between them. Perhaps it was just their way though and their witty remarks and retorts fooled me. They are brothers after all. Both are men with vision though and when they both fully agreed on how our realm should handle the challenges ahead I'm confident these brilliant men will grant security and stability for our beloved country.\nI also visited the royal stables and let me tell you, that you'd might be in for a nice surprise when I return home.\nCount Allstio sends his regards. He feels sorry that he won't be able to attend our summer feast but he'll be on an expedition to some foreign land by then. You know Allstio and how secretive he can be (I even heard he built some sort of cryptlike retreat in that awful Greenclaw Swamp) so this is all of information I can offer you.\nI hope you and the kids are well,\nyours,\nDargen"}, {"Asmalat_Ovrir": "Royal Archives\nAsmalat ovrir gogenol amabat hulut a sese sokol. Gogenol faresmal a sese ican."}, {"Mysterious_Ruins": "The dwarfs, who are well versed in the depths of the earth, know strange tales of weird places and creatures they encountered in the bowels of Tibia. Some of them might be discarded as fairy tales (of course not in the opinions of the dwarfs), but I dare to say that most of them are true. There is one kind of story which you can hear by all kind of dwarven tribes, all describing the same things. These stories tell about some vast structures underground that seem to be the remains of an ancient civilisation. The long-abandoned structures in these stories share striking similarities. Oddly, these structures are found at places in totally different environments and often also far away from each other. Some widely travelled dwarfs claim to have seen similar things in remote continents and isles. Sometimes only a few bricks at some odd place hint at one of these ancient structures. Others, however, are well preserved ruins in which even some rooms are still recognisable. Obviously, the ancient race that once lived in these structures had colonies all over the known world. Some theories try to link these structures to the extinct Morad race - a race of nomadic builders that supposedly left their traces all over the world. The recent researches of Fordworth, though, seem to prove that the Morad used a fast growing crystal substance for their buildings. These crystals, however, only lasted for a dozen years. So nothing the Morad had built would have endured until today. If we compare the aforementioned dwarven records with those of several dungeon crawling adventurers, however, we learn that some of these ruins, sometimes separated by continents, were inhabited by a brutish race of savages. It seems likely that whoever built those structures brought these creatures with them to serve as guardians and workers. When the creators abandoned their structures, they left their servants behind. They, however, were unable to maintain them properly. But who are the ones that built these structures? It seems unlikely that there was another nomad race. Why would they leave their servants behind when moving to another location? My theory is that the structures were used to gather resources. Just like the dwarfs, this race sent out many prospectors to look for a specific resource. Whenever they encountered a vein, they stationed some constructors and their workers. Since there are still workers left at some of these places, the race must have abandoned them in a haste. This of course suggests that valuable information and artefacts might have been left, too, some of them probably in the hands of these brutish workers. This is certainly worth an expedition. If I were to find a sponsor, I would helm an expedition of my own into the depths of Tibia."}, {"Inhabitants_Log": "Royal Archives - Inhabitants Log 900-950 p.g\n(incomplete due to fire damages)\nHomer Vason, 905-939pg Sunset Homes, Flat B\nAlison Farmer,931-942 pg, Sunset Homes, Flat A\nThrepwood Guybrush, - 911pg, Sunset Homes, Flat C\nAlistair Cropwell, 919-930 pg,942-943 pg, Sunset Homes, Flat A"}, {"Criminal_Offences": "Royal Archives Criminal Offences 900 - 950 p.g\n900 p.g. Theft of duck by Threpwood Guybrush. Fine of 10 gold.\n911 p.g. Attempted assault by Nostradamus Untru. Fine 20 whippings.\n911 p.g. Robbery by Homer Vason. Prison sentence of 2 years.\n912 p.g. Robbery by Angus Krome. Prison sentence of 3 years.\n913 p.g. Assault by Nostradamus Untru. Prison sentence of 1 year.\n920 p.g. Burglary by Winston Roper. Prison sentence of 3 years.\n925 p.g. Theft by Alison Farmer. Fine of 30 gold.\n935 p.g. Poaching by Winston Roper. Fine of 70 gold."}, {"Demonic_Army": "The principle of opening a gate for a demonic army is the same as summoning a demon. You need to accumulate some critical mass of synergistic energy and open a rift between the worlds. The needed ingredients consist of some of the negative energy that is similar to the essence of the demonic realm.\nThe first part of the summoning ritual opens only a small rift to the demonic realm. Through this rift demonic energy enters into our world infiltrating into the ingredients and filling them with more power. With stronger ingredients, the ritual opens a larger rift this time, letting more demonic energy in to strengthen the ingredients. This ritual is repeated over and over again until the ingredients are strong enough to open a portal through which the demons can pass.\nThis ritual can also be initiated from the demon side. Sightings of Orshabaal and similar entities clearly show all characteristics common for such rituals.\nOnce the gate is open, demonic minions appear and boost the negative energy of the place by their sheer presence. Later, the demonic master is following. His appearance causes a drop of the negative energy as the demon lord is feeding on it to sustain his existence in our realm.\nAs long as there are enough minions to boost the negative energy of a place, demons can exist for a very long time in our realm. So in theory, it would also be possible that the gate between the two realms is kept open, allowing more and more demons to enter our world that can easily form a demonic army causing mayhem and havoc."}, {"The_Three_Wizards": "The Complete and Unabridged Story of the Three Wizards\nThe Wizards were friends once. They still are, in a way... however, they are always arguing, complaining about each other and trying to outsmart each other whenever possible. Each of them basically has the exact same qualifications, goals and methods, but in completely different areas.\nBefore this time of unending quarrel, they were all working together on a complex experiment. Its goal was to create an ever-burning source of energy, fluid magic concentrated in a gigantic vessel. Ultimate, pure and self-replenishing power. They combined their talents and unique features, working together as a whole. Fern of Nature drew unfathomable amounts of energy from the life roots of the world, channelling all forms of energy created by living, moving things and even nature itself to Furb. Furb of Fun created a magic device, capable of conducting this stream of force to Feiz. Feiz was bending the planes of time and the laws of the whole physical realm of Tibia to form and sustain the vessel. The combined might of three highly trained and completely focussed wizards, who spent almost all their life concentrating on this single purpose, was necessary to keep this power at bay.\nThere were days of doubt, however. Days of recreation, days of training and focus. Days when they were weak and felt broken, even destroyed. It was on one of those days when they were first contacted by Carlotta. The wizards did not cherish many contacts to the world of men. Living high above in a small realm of their own magic, host to the clouds and secluded from even the eyes of dragons, they did not exactly get out much. When they learned about a fellow sorceress by the name of Carlotta, who somehow found out about what they were doing and who wanted to take part, they were actually enraged, even angry. As they saw no harm in what they were doing, however, they did not see any threat to their work in a person who suddenly took their plans seriously. Still, they were reluctant and turned her help down.\nThat was when Fern received a more... personal letter from Carlotta. The author of this story does not know the content of these writings, the consequences, however, are crucial to this tale. The problem was, Furb did not receive such a letter - neither did Feiz. When a second, a third and several more letters arrived, Fern had already stopped opening them in front of the others. And he wrote back. Their focus weakened.\nAs the weeks passed by, the results of their efforts were more often than not unsatisfactory. Around this time, the letters to Fern stopped. Fern never said a thing to the others. The project went on.\nEverything went smoothly until Furb received a present. From Carlotta. Fern had never received anything else than written words. He would have even understood Carlotta turning to Furb for one reason or another, but a complete set of unique Zaoan jade figures changed everything. Fern loved Zaoan chess. He was heartbroken when he saw Furb playing with what was rightfully his. And Furb was writing letters now. Their focus weakened again. Furb and Fern were literally competing about even the smallest component of their everyday life. Finding out who was actually worthy of the sorceress changed their ways fundamentally.\nWhen the project reached a critical state, Feiz cut the connection to the outside world completely. Isolated and in complete dismay, they continued.\nThey did not hear of Carlotta again. The experiment failed. Feiz' remarks about losing grip because of petty differences over the teasings of a woman made all three of them rivals. They now spend their time creating tests, riddles and even competitions to let the outside world decide what they, in all their equality, cannot.\nWhat happened to Carlotta? Will the three ever declare a winner? And who is that distant relative Feiz suddenly has to visit from time to time?"}, {"Shervad_the_Destroyer": "The archdemon Shervad the Destroyer wore an armor made of an unknown material that allowed him to stay in our realm for at least three centuries. In his last battle, he lost his strength, even though he was not physically hurt - his enemies had destroyed his armor. It is said that the armor was made by some ore found in the old mines."}, {"The_Origin_of_Vampires": "The Origin of Vampires\nSince the vampiric curse is spread through infectious bites, many vampires know only little about the origin of their kind. Then again the longevity or even immortality of vampires makes it possible that they have even existed before the creation of mankind.\nOf course such beasts are hard to capture and they do not like to share their knowledge. Even if you are lucky enough to be able to talk to one, you cannot be sure if he is telling the truth. In fact, most questioned subjects were making up stories and boasted about their importance, age and accomplishments.\nLacking historical knowledge, such individuals can usually be cornered by accurate historical questions. This leaves a few sources that can be seen as credible to some extent. Still, their reports are diverse and share only a few facts. These common facts are the most reliable information we have these days.\nThe vampires claim that the eldest of their kin still remember a time when humankind was still divided in nomadic tribes that suffered in the wars of the gods. Some see this as a reference that the creation of the first vampires took place before the Corpse War.\nThe majority of vampires agreed that there was only one shrouded forefather vampire, though few mention also a small coven from which the vampire plague was initiated. The most reliable sources tell about some 'lost kingdom' where the first vampires ruled over a herd of humans that they treated like cattle.\nAt some point in history, the younger vampires rebelled against the elders who suppressed them. Others claim the rebellion took place to gain power in this static aristocracy in which the older vampires would have never made room for the next generation due to being near to immortal. It is unknown which side won. In fact the discrepancies in the single stories are so large that we assume that the vampires themselves are unsure about the happenings in these obviously chaotic days. Some claim the rebels won and chased the aristocracy away, others say the ruling cast won and met the rebels with such brute force that the few survivors could only flee. Then again there are stories that the fight between the vampires awakened something evil which drove the surviving combatants off their once safe haven. A few stories even claim that the humans used this opportunity to rebel against their cruel oppressors.\nThere are no hints about the location of this lost vampire kingdom. It is assumed that it was somewhere overseas, though. Some historians suggest Edron, but, the ruins in Edron are said to origin from much earlier times. Others assume it might have been on the mysterious continent Darama, either in Drefia or in Ankrahmun. However, the destruction of Drefia took place much later and there were no reports about undead activity, except for the works of several local necromancers, before this time. Ankrahmun, on the other hand, has a very accurate historical library and there is no such thing like a vampire kingdom mentioned at all."}, {"8_Commandments": "Thou shalt not kill!\nThou shalt not lie!\nThou shalt not speak falsehood!\nThou shalt not steal!\nThou shalt not commit adultery!\nThou shalt praise thy king!\nThou shalt obey thy king!\nThou shalt pay thy taxes!"}, {"20_Tricks": "20 Tricks to Get People's Money\n..."}, {"Accountancy": "Accountancy"}, {"Alistair_Cropwell's_Travel_Notes": "Alistair Cropwell's Travel Notes\n...strange things I saw today! A mighty city, inhabited with fearsome beings. Dark rituals, the reason of which I could not discern. Are these people friend or foe? I do not know. I remain in hiding and observe.. and what is the meaning of this strange talisman that I found? The symbol appears everywhere, I fear it may have powers that could cause damage in the wrong hands.\nI have been travelling so long, I can hardly remember the features of my beloved ones. Will they recognise, will they remember me? What will they make of my tales? Oh, that I be back with them, walk the city again..."}, {"A_Pirate's_Death_to_Me": "You have to man all three decks at once and compete in the mission there for success.\nIt is advised that the fourth member joins the crew on the lowest deck but other approaches are possible.\nOn the upper deck, vampire bats will attack from the north. They must not collide with the ship. Each collision will add one destruction point to the ship. If a certain amount of destruction points has been reached, the mission fails.\nAdditionally, the spectral core of the ship is located on the upper deck. Due to the strains of your journey, it will take damage at random times. If it is 'killed', the ship will take a significant amount of destruction points which will almost certainly lead to a failure of the voyage.\nOn the middle deck, the spiritual movement and energy source are located. The ship gains energy by discharging elemental forces that have to be brought to the corresponding elemental shrines. When someone approaches the purple flame, he will be charged with a certain elemental energy and change his appearance accordingly, though only for a limited time. This person has to reach the corresponding shrine and use it to discharge his energy. This will revitalise the purple flame. If the purple flame ever goes out, the ship will take considerable damage. Avoid the spectral vortexes and the grates. They will discharge you of elemental energy or confuse you temporarily. The flames will hurt you but neither stop nor discharge you. Sometimes sloth wraiths will spawn that can slow you down considerably. They are invulnerable but will disappear when lured on a spectral vortex.\nOn the lowest deck of the ship, you will find an emergency kit and a ghost duster. Both items are ESSENTIAL for your task. The appointed people should take them as quickly as possible.\nOn the lowest deck, ghost rats will spawn constantly. Use your ghost duster to destroy the rats. The rats' gnawing will occasionally destroy parts of the floor. The floor is destroyed in several stages. As long as no water is leaking, someone with an emergency kit can fix the holes, though the rats are able to gnaw through the fixed spot again. Each floor tile through which water is leaking will add destruction points to the ship. It is advised that one person uses the ghost duster and another the emergency kit, although groups may decide that they might need some more help on one of the other decks.\nThe journey will end with a failure once the ship has reached a certain amount of destruction points, or with success if the limit of destruction points has not been reached after a given period of time."}, {"Chronicles_of_the_Realm_XXI": "Chronicles of the Realm XXI\nIn the third year of the reign of prince-king Rodmund II it was exposed that the priests of Zathroth planned a coup to assassinate the young king and usurp the kingship. Hastily but in secrecy the first Inquisition was formed under the helmsmanship of grand priest Wisbert from the temple of Uman who was chief advisor of the uncrowned, 15 year old Rodmund. The traitorous elements were exposed and routed out. In the whole land Zathroth's temples were seized and the conspiring priesthood put in jail. Interrogations by the Inquisition unearthed the massive extent of the treachery and the church of Zathroth fell in irredeemable disgrace with the crown. Within a year under the guidance of Wisbert, the Purger, the worship of Zathroth was forbidden in the whole realm and their temples where destroyed or cleansed and reclaimed by the churches of the other gods. The grand priest of Zathroth, Madol, the Defiler, was burned at the stake, north of Thais. Even after his coronation in the year after the purge had begun, king Rodmund II had to live reclusive and under the vigilance of the Inquisition and the church of Banor since several attempts on his live were made by remaining Zathroth cultists. To honor his efforts and wisdom, Wisbert was named chancelor of the realm. In his tireless efforts he spearheaded the purge and managed to rout out several traitorous nobles that were in league with the Zathrothi. In his renewal and healing of the realm, a significant amount of lesser but pious houses were elevated to positions of honor and influence and the realm prospered by their wise, divine inspired guidance in the years to come."}, {"Imprisoned_Cyclops": "I've managed to imprison two cyclops in my secret dungeon under the lighthouse. I forced them to create some magic equipment. Soon I will be the mightiest warrior \nin Tibia."}, {"Lovers_Questionnaire": "Questionnaire\n1. What's most important in a relationship for you?\n2. What's your ideal date location?\n3. What physical attribute should your ideal partner have?\n4. Tell me something you love.\n5. Tell me something you dislike.\n6. What's an important character trait for you?\n7. What's your favourite colour?\n8. What's your greatest fear?"}, {"Maximal_Farming": "Maximal Farming\nChapter One - How to exploit the soil."}, {"The_Movement_of_Objects": "Isaac Brewton, 908 pg\nOn the movement of objects\nAs everyone knows many objects do not remain static all the time. But what causes them to move? In some cases this is clear, if I punch a ball I am the cause of the movement, but whatabout an object falling?\nFalling objects head downwards, but what is \"down\", what is below us? The answer is simple: Hell! And who rules hell? Satan! So, obviously Satan is the cause of these movements, Satan is among us all the time. But if he causes these objects to fall, what reason is there that he should not be the cause of all other movements?"}, {"Something_Wrong_in_the_Cesspool": "There's something wrong in the cesspool below the stable. I think there is a hole at the end. I have to fix that as soon as possible"}, {"Tales_of_Tibia": "Tales of Tibia"}, {"The_Good_Farmer": "The Good Farmer"}, {"Time_Travel_Dungeon": "It worked. I actually did it. The time machine I designed is now functional. Many years of planning and consideration, so many hours of headache ... Not just once have I been on the verge of giving up. But now it is done. And it is more than just a time machine: It also takes the user into a dimension far from here, where Tibia's past unfolds in a unique place.\nThe Professor"}, {"Troll_Bar_Specials": "This week's specials:\nHot dog (real dog-meat! no fake!)\nChien chaud a la Trolloise\nPizza dog e salmone\nDoggi Goreng\nDoggenwurst with Sauerkraut\nDog Suey\nT-Bone Dog"}, {"New_Hero": "Brave adventurer,\nthe Adventurers Guild bids you welcome as a new hero of the land.\nWe are a fellowship which endeavours to help new heroes such as you taking their first steps in a hostile and sometimes confusing world.\nPlease take this adventurer's stone as a gift and first part of the help that we provide.\nYou can use the stone in any greater temple of the main cities of the land to instantly travel to our guild hall.\nThere, we will humbly provide you with some basic services and information.\nThe city guide, whom you should find near the place of your arrival in the city of your choice, will provide you not only with valuable advice but also with directions, so it should be easy to find a temple in any town.\nIf you should ever lose your adventurer's stone you can replace it by talking to a priest in the temple.\nI hope you will be visiting us soon.\nKind regards,\nRotem, Head of the Adventurers Guild"}, {"Book_of_Sermons": "Book of sermons"}, {"Travora_Map": "(You see an unfinished map of the waters around Travora, obviously just in the making. The outlines of the old island and its sunken buildings have been roughly marked out, as have some new reefs. Some notes on the map refer to nautical stuff, the meaning of which stays a mystery to you.)"}, {"Ancient_Treasure": "You can find the ancient treasures in the Adventurers Hall."}, {"Destroyed_the_Key": "We have destroyed the key. It is of no use now."}, {"Dungeon_Excavation": "We finally made it to trick the foolish dragon and advance to some better part of earth. Here it is easy to dig a new dungeon. I hope we will find a new way out.\nThe way is long. We are digging for about 30 days.\nWe made it to advance to a stone wall! Tomorrow we will break it! The day we will see the sun again is close! Palker will be proud of me!\nYeah! This was the final blow. The wall is broken! But, what is that? Behind the wall, there is a human warrior. He seems dangerous. He has a glowing sword, a blue armor and green pants made of dragon-skin. He screams something like \"Tataah!\" and attacks! I don`t understand the humans! What does that mean?\nHE KILLS MY MINO-GUARDS! And now he turns towards me ..."}, {"First_Dragon": "The First Dragon ... Many call it a myth, a legend, a fairy tale. And yet I was always convinced that the stories could be true. I indeed believe there was once a powerful lone dragon who was the first of all. He wandered our world thousands of years ago and then disappeared. Was it Garsharak himself? Or was it his first child? Has this ancient creature really left this world or is it still there, hiding somewhere, perhaps sleeping, perhaps waiting? These questions preyed on my mind for many a year. Finally, when I joined the Explorer Society, I decided to do my own research. I visited many libraries all over Tibia and studied many books. I travelled to remote and dangerous places to do excavations. But I never found the smallest hint that the First Dragon ever existed. I was ready to give up, I just wanted to visit just one last site. And incredibly, I discovered something! An ancient inscription, nearly invisible, buried in the walls of this small cave underneath Thais. I uncovered it and began to translate the old runes which had been used centuries ago. Only single fragments are still readable:\n\"... First Dragon ... thousands ... ago. ... four descendants ... different kinds of dragons. ... Gelidrazah, Taz... disappeared. ... cemetery? Or ... Yal...? ... trials ... incitements in order to find the lairs of ...\"\nIt is very hard to translate the heavily weathered inscription. I feel I should hurry because more and more frequently I'm hearing scratching steps and a roaring from afar. There could be a dragon living down here and that would be my perdition for sure."}, {"Heavily_Injured": "So many evil creatures!\nI'm heavily injured.\nThese are my last words ...\nRevenge my death!\nGygil"}, {"Hidden_Button": "I won't manage to climb up the hole, because my legs are broken. But I hope someone will read this. While the rotworms were asleep, I searched the ground to find something of value. And suddenly I stepped on a hidden button. A trapdoor slided open and I felt to the floor. And so I'm sitting injured at this corner waiting for help.\nI write this because I think that I must die now. A dim light comes up this tunnel. And I hear loud noise.\nOh my god, I can't ...\n(The book is full of green slime)"}, {"Minotaur_Outcasts": "Diary of Palkar, leader of the outcasts\nWe found this cave - hidden in the labyrinth - and made it our new headquarter. I think it is save.\nMore deep in the cave is a tribe of cyclops. We made an alliance with them. They will fight with us and guard the key to the secret laboratory.\nKing Markwin protected the entrance to the lab with a dragon, but my druid could convince it. So we can use the lab to increase our power.\nWe were digging a new tunnel to the city. Markwin locked the hidden entrance with a rock.\nYeah! The tunnel is finished and we were able to attack king Markwin within his own walls. They weren`t prepared at all and we killed many of those creepy bastards.\nSoon we will be strong enough to convince the other dragon and reach the surface.\nToday I send a group of diggers to make a new way up to the light of the sun. They really have a hard job to do, but I think they will do it.\nI haven`t heard anything of my diggers since a whole month. I hope this is no bad sign."}, {"Stolen_the_Key": "We have stolen the key to the large ancient temple hall under the city of Tibia. But the key is useless now, because the temple has been plundered by the humens. The temple is free, also for us, the trolls. The entrace is outside\nthe humen city."}, {"Two_Enemies": "Now we have two enemies!\nBeing defeated by the evil humans we are forced to retreat into new caves. Our plan to create a tunnel to the eastern caves of this world is nearly completed!\nBut the dark minotaurs will protect their caverns. And our tunnel will go straight through their homes. So we must fight against both humans and minotaurs."}, {"Alatar's_World_of_Pure_Magic": "Alatar`s world of pure magic - the arcanic power.\n..."}, {"Combine_Magic_Power_with_the_Sword": "How to combine your magic power with the sword?\nTen ways to use the spell \"invisibility\"\nby Cipreii\n..."}, {"Conjure_Monsters_That_You_Don't_Need": "How to conjure monsters that you don`t need?\nby Prophet\n..."}, {"Crypt_of_a_Great_Mage": "If you want to enter the crypt of a great mage, you should seek the answers to some of these questions.\nWhat was his name?\nHow old was he?\nWhich color had his hat?\nWhat was his banner?\nWhat was the name of his favourite dragon?\nWho was his assistant?\nWhich spell killed him?\nIn which city he was born?"}, {"Magic_Fields_and_Walls": "How to use magic fields and walls in combat?\nby ishara.\n..."}, {"Perplexed_and_Purple": "The most perplexed and purple way to see your world Tibia\nby Perplex\n..."}, {"Strange_Glyphs": "<you cant read this strange glyphs>"}, {"Sudden_Death_Rune": "The rune \"sudden death\" - how to put it in which bag? - how powerful is it really? - And how to fire it as quick as possible?\nby Medrok"}, {"The_Riddle": "The riddle\nOnce upon a time, there have been a knight, a druid, a paladin and a sorcerer that survived the great battle upon the fields of glory. Some of them were wounded, some not. All were deadly tired. They had to escape from a hord of orcs, a whole tribe with more then 35 fighters. Late in the night, they came to a huge bridge, or at least the rest of a once mighty bridge. It was small and seemed to be not very save. The sorcerer screamed some loud and mighty words and for a second the bridge glew in a blue light.\n\"I see\" the sorcerer said, \"that this bridge will break down and fall into the water within 60 minutes. So we have to hurry up. It will only hold two of us at the same time and it is a long bridge. The wounded knight will need 25 minutes to go over the bridge, and it will take me 20. The paladin can go faster, so he will be on the other side within 10 minutes.\"\nPointing at the druid he said: \"And you can use your spell to move faster. You will need only 5 minutes.\"\n\"Ok then, let`s go! Don`t waste time\" shouted the knight and started to go. But then he stopped. \"I can`t see anything. The bridge is dangerous. We will need your magic light wand to cross it. Without light we will fall down in the cold and deep water. So always someone has to return to bring back the wand of light to the others.\"\n\"What shall we do now?\" asked the paladin \"How can we all reach the other side before the evil orcs will get us? I have no arrow left and we can`t fight them! In which order we have to pass the bridge? Who should go first?\" The druid started to grumbel: \"Let me say k for knight, d for druid, s for sorcerer, p for paladin. hmmm.... and now let me thing:\ndk-d-dp-\nand hmmmm nonono.\nHmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.\"\n\"Got it!\" the sorcerer screamed. \"Let`s run!\""}, {"Use_a_Bow_Instead_of_Runes": "Don`t be surprised!\nYou could also use a bow instead of runes.\nby Galadriel\n..."}, {"Chronicle_of_Mintwallin_I": "Chronicle of Mintwallin - the city of the Minotaurs\nwritten by Markwin, king of all Minotaurs\nVolume I\n( burned out )"}, {"Chronicle_of_Mintwallin_II": "Chronicle of Mintwallin - the city of the Minotaurs\nwritten by Markwin, king of all Minotaurs\nVolume II\n( burned out )"}, {"Chronicle_of_Mintwallin_III": "Chronicle of Mintwallin - the city of the Minotaurs\nwritten by Markwin, king of all Minotaurs\nVolume III\nWe finally managed it to escape from the evil daemon. We had to give up most of our land. Only the city Mintwallin is left. Many good warriors died. We blocked the way out of the city with a drawbridge. I hope that will keep the daemon out. Now the only way out of the city leads to the labyrinth.\nPalkar gets more and more influence in the city. Mostly the younger Minos listen to him.\nPalkar sows discard. He wants to form a new army to investigate the labyrinth and to get back to the surface. I prefer living right here in peace.\nHe is too strong. I had to allow him to lead some small groups of our Minotaurs to fight against the orcs and trolls. He is a very good commander - and so he is a danger for me.\nWHAT THE HELL MEANS \"KAPLAR\"?!?!?\nPalkar conquered most of the tunnels and dungeons. He drove the trolls back. Perhaps he is right. Perhaps - someday - I will see the light of the sun again."}, {"Chronicle_of_Mintwallin_IV": "Chronicle of Mintwallin - the city of the Minotaurs\nwritten by Markwin, king of all Minotaurs\nVolume IV\nOur excursion is at the end. Today many of our best warriors died. Palkar encountered a dragon that killed many of my minos. It was Palkars fault. He will never lead an army again. And I will never see the light again.\nI can't calm Palkar. He is full of energy. And I can't calm my own people. Many don't listen to me but to him. He wants to fight.\nA human made his way through the labyrinth! How could he find us? I wanted to get that out of him - but I could not understand him. I have thrown him in the jail. He will never come out of it!\nThe black day of out chronicle. We had a fight within the walls of my beloved city. Minotaurs fought against Minotaurs - brothers against brothers - sisters against sisters. Palkar and his knights nearly won. But me and some others were able to defeat him. Now, he and his men are outcasts.\nDay of sorrow.\nThe outcasts stole the key to our secret laboratory! That is worst of all. Now we can't make our milk, the source of our power.\nI managed to bring a dragon from the dragon-pit at the outer entrance of our secret lab to guard it. He hurt me very hard. I needed much more power than I had. I am deadly injured. I hope this coughing will have an end.\nThe orcs and trolls conquered some caves back. Dammit! We are too weak now. We can`t defend ourselves. And my coughing gets worse and worse.\nSome of my men blocked the way from the secret lab to my chambers with a big rock. I think we are safe now.\nThe outcasts made an alliance with a tribe of cyclops. Now our former brothers are our worst enemies. They are hiding somewhere in the labyrinth.\nThe oldest Minotaur of the city told me that my written words have many mistakes and that I would write in a terrible form. I killed him. I am a fighter - not a teacher!"}, {"Chronicle_of_Mintwallin_V": "Chronicle of Mintwallin - the city of the Minotaurs\nwritten by Markwin, king of all (?) Minotaurs\nVolume V\nI don`t understand it, but the outcasts must have a way into our city Mintwallin. Today a group of them murdered my son Ian and some of my guards. I am deadly ill. I am coughing blood. I am full of sorrow. And I am tired. So tired. I can not defend my own city.\nMy mage told me the coming of another threat. Some humans have killed the dragon and are advancing to our gates. I hope they won`t find the way through the labyrinth."}, {"Reconstruction_Plan": "Reconstruction Plan"}, {"How_to_Summon_Black_Demons": "How to summon black demons,\nwritten by Dago the mage."}, {"1001_Usages_of_Poison": "1001 Usages of Poison"}, {"Sabotage_Made_Easy": "Sabotage Made Easy"}, {"The_Lie_and_You": "The Lie and You"}, {"Close_Combat_for_Experts": "Close Combat for Experts"}, {"User_Guide_of_Concealed_Weapons": "User Guide of Concealed Weapons"}, {"Spycraft_Guide_VII": "Spycraft Guide Vol. 007"}, {"Assassination_for_Dummies": "Assassination for Dummies"}, {"Assassination_of_Dummies": "Assassination of Dummies"}, {"How_to_Scam_People": "How to Scam People"}, {"Indoctrination_and_Disinformation": "The plans are making good process. The method of indoctrination and disinformation is very successful. Each week we can send out new students to further our course. Caution is still needed of course. Our enemies are numerous and powerful. Should they ever learn about our plans and this facility, the whole project would be endangered. It is far too early to go public with our plans. Therefore I suggest to build a second base at some remote place. It is important that we have an emergency backup, regardless of the resources it would take."}, {"Captured_Priest": "That captured priest should be eliminated as soon as possible. It is far too dangerous to hold her captive for several reasons. I understand that the headquarter wants her interrogated but I am sure we did our best and this woman knows nothing of value. Regardless of my superiors' fears, I am convinced that she was investigating on her own here and not on some mission for our enemies."}, {"Brotherhood_Mole": "The attempt to place a mole in the Brotherhood of Bones has not been successful yet. The major problem is that the brotherhood usually contacts promising candidates itself and not the other way around. The only success in arousing their interest led to the elimination of our hired necromancer by some local heroes. Seemingly the brotherhood stole the corpse later and reanimated it. I hope they did nothing with his spirit, else unwanted information might have leaked to them."}, {"Fake_Priests": "Our fake priests were able to discourage another troop of adventurers from entering the ruins. Although the efficiency of this outpost is admirable, I somewhat regret that my students did not get a little training in disposing of these curious nuisances."}, {"Lab_Accident": "The recent accident in the laboratories did not interrupt the poison brewing in a considerable way. The loss of the head alchemist makes it necessary to ask for a replacement though. Although the remaining alchemists have to work twice as hard as before, everything went fine so far. Still, I have to admit that working overtime makes new accidents more likely, but I decided to take that risk until a replacement arrives."}, {"Assassin_Initiation": "The so-called tradition among the students to send a newly promoted assassin on some foolish quest has taken another life. The young Roland fell to death while trying to steal the flag from the Thaian castle. Not only that we lost the time and effort we put into his education, the whole affair did draw some unwanted attention on our organisation. It is quite certain that the young fool used some of our highly specialised equipment in his silly stunt. As far as we know the whole affair is still under observation by the local authorities. We have to find a way to draw their attention in another direction before too many questions are asked. I had two of the senior students eliminated to make an example for the future. Such occurrences must stop once for all but I fear the harm has been already done and is irrevocable."}, {"Port_Hope_Contact": "Our contact in Port Hope claims that he has not yet been able to make contact with the dworcs. I bet this coward has not even tried it. For the sheer distance it is not possible to punish him in an appropriate manner. If we would send a specialist, he could take care of that dworc contact. On the other hand, a local helper who is familiar with the jungle would probably prove more valuable than sending one of our assassins to a likely death by the hands of those cannibals."}, {"Scammer_Scammed": "I had Malicious eliminate this thrice cursed agitator that let himself been scammed by some con artist. He wasted our money supporting a fake revolution. I can't belive this stupidity, a scammer scammed! Malicious was ordered back for more important business though and lower ranking operatives consigned to find the scammer."}, {"Mole_Discovered": "The TBI knows about our mole. It is quite certain that some recent actions and disinformation was only to bait him. He is now in some hiding place and I'm afraid he we will not be of much use for us in spying on the TBI's activities for a while."}, {"Unreliable_Smugglers": "We have to find a better way to resupply us. The smugglers are unreliable and it takes far too long until an order of goods even gets into their hands. Let alone how long it takes until they finally deliver it here. I am aware that a supply route via land is no option but there has to be some magical way to keep up our contact with the smugglers. However, they must be severely controlled by a handful of specialists with some skill in 'convincing'. I am aware of the smugglers' usefulness and their role in our plans, but their unreliability is a constant threat to us. Of course they have no idea what we are doing here but they are curious and would sell their own grandmother for a mug of ale. Perhaps we could simply replace them with more trustworthy followers. Not all are that suitable as asassins or agitators but all of them are able to follow orders and how difficult can it be to do some smuggling. Yet, the superiors insist that their contacts are needed. Although nothing like this was mentioned, I am sure that they serve as a connection to certain pirates but I have not the slightest idea what their role in the big plan could be."}, {"Disappointing_Noxious": "Dear master,\nI write to inform you that the targets were eliminated as requested. I still regret that you decided to entrust that mercenary Ned Noxiuos with the task and I was only a mere spectator. Although efficiently done, there was no finesse or skill displayed in their elimination. The fallen paladin Ned Noxious simply provoked the said individuals in a tavern. As soon as one of them was stupid enough to draw a weapon, they were disposed by a combination of energy bombs and fireballs. Of course the authorities did little about it since the tavern's patrons did swear the others attacked first. It seems unlikely that Noxious has those abilities in stealthiness and subtle assassination that the stories grant him."}, {"Noxious's_Accomplishments": "TBI File 006ZAH8\nName: Ned Noxious\nReal Name: Unknown\nOccupation: Former Paladin, Assassin\nPlace of Birth: Unknown\nResidence: Unkown, seems to travel from city to city\nAffiliation: None\nIt seems Ned Noxious has appeared out of nowhere. The first reports about his activities date back to the pirate conflict that threatened the Venore merchants council. Noxious obviously was hired along with other mercenaries to get rid of some pirate captains that held the usually unorganised pirates under their control. Altough there are no specifics about the affair, Ned Noxious was the only one, out of of the twelve hired mercenaries, that returned to claim his reward. Afterwards he was employed by different persons or groups for undocumented and rather insignificant jobs. His next notable apperance was the elimination of the bandit queen Leerah within her own camp full of renegade amazons. It is assumed that Noxious used invisibility to get to her and quickly killed her before any guards could react.\nFurther accomplishments that are probably related to him:\nThe assassination of the last Thaian mayor of Venore.\nThe assassination of the mage Haramun in Darashia.\nThe assassination of the Mixton Family.\nThe sabotage of the 'Queen Torviva' in the harbor of Carlin.\nThe poisoning of the Edron wells which led to five deaths.\nThe killing of at least six noblemen in provoked duels.\nWe cannot be sure for which felonies he was paid by an unknown party and which of these acts he fulfilled out of sheer morbid pleasure. Still the lack of any proof makes it impossible to punish him adequately.\nAt least three assassination attempts on him have already failed."}, {"Two_Bases": "Concerning your suggestion to train our agitators at a different place to ensure your safety: We have discussed the pros and cons and came to the conclusion that it would be inefficient in the current state of the project. If we spread our risk, we would also spread our resources. The agitators, as you call them, are only useful if also trained as assassins. It is more useful to pick some promising students and teach them elocution and manipulation. If someone proves unsuitable, we can simply put him back into normal training. If we had two bases, the risk that possible captives know about them both is high enough to diminish the advantage of another base to zero. Rest assured that we are aware of the danger of the base being assaulted. You know that in such a case it is your job to destroy anything that could point to us and escape on your own. Those whose training was good enough to be of any value for us will be able to escape on their own and will be contacted and informed at places that were allotted to them for cases of emergeny."}, {"Dead_Merchant": "We were pleased to learn about the untimely death of the merchant mentioned in our last letter. Your operative proved to be cunning and skilled in arranging this little accident in the harbour. Send him our best regards. We are sure we will hear more about him in the future."}, {"Noxious_as_Touchstone": "It is sad that you had to inform us that the individual known as Ned Noxious wants only to cooperate with us as a freelancer. We do not suggest his elimination. He has proven his usefulness in the past and I fear even your pet assassin Malicious is far from having acquired the skills that Noxious possesses. Noxious is efficient yet expensive, but if it comes to really important missions, money matters little. Still, it is a sad thing to see that a freelancer outclasses the specialists who we invested a great deal of money in to train. Take Ned Noxious not as an obstacle but as a touchstone."}, {"New_Recruits": "...send Almur with the new recruits to the dream master. If they can pass the test they are worthy to become Nightmare Knights. I don't think the Dream Challenge is too difficult. We must keep our standards even in these times of despair in which our enemies are numerous and our ranks are thinned out! We..."}, {"Dark_Prophecies": "The prophecies in our dreams become darker and darker with each month. The sages interpret it as omens about the falling of our order. If that is true, I only can hope that the world will remember us and our fight with gratitude and the people will have the heart to continue our work in some way."}, {"New_Generation": "It is certain now! We are doomed. I have not the heart to tell it our remaining brothers and sisters, but the dreams were clear as seldom before: our order will be wiped out by the hand of time soon. But at least there is also some hope. The same dream that told us about our doom, hold a promise. In Tibia's darkest hour our order will return and once again battle the forces of evil; and a new generation will lead our order to greater glory than\never. May those who will come not fall prey to the same evil as we did."}, {"Expenses": "...\n115 gold food\n5000 gold runes and fluids\n4205 gold equipment\n3789 gold weapons and repairs\n1000 gold 10 fire bugs for Dream Challenge\n355 gold ammunition\n4000 gold books and paper\n..."}, {"Death_of_Falnus": "For our deeds for king and country, the king granted our order the Eastern lands. The city under our protectorate is growing and will soon be as big and as beautiful as our capital. But there is much work to do and countless monsters to slay to bring peace to the green planes. Some days ago, Falnus vanished and we must reckon that he is dead, probably murdered by the brotherhood. Of course even a mage of his power could have been slain by a greater number of creatures as dangerous as giant spiders that still roam these plains. It's a hard blow to our researches in the arts of healing and recreations and the loss of a great man."}, {"Minotaur_Puppetry": "Today our scout party returned from the city of the minotaurs. As we were told in our dreams, they are not our true enemies. There is a secret power behind their attacks, filling their hearts with lies about the other races. Someone or something is abusing them. Even though their attacks are surly just a diversion for something far more sinister and dangerous, our dreamers can't figure out the true cause for all these fights. I think it is crucial to parley with high ranking minotaurs about a truce. If we don't stop to waste resources on this useless war, we won't be ready for the real attack of the enemy."}, {"Facing_Goshnar": "The time of war is at hand. At last we will face Goshnar the evil one! The man that was formerly known as my brother Falnus betrayed our order, humanity and the gods. We will punish him and his unholy allies. Now there is no truning back. We will fight and there is just death or victory. Surrender or truce is no option! Even if the seven are on his side we will win at last and may it cost the lives of all of us! No mercy for evil! With sword and magic, with honour and virtue, for king and country!"}, {"Beginnings_of_the_Nightmare_Knights": "We changed this remote monastery into a small fortress to guard our new secrets. There is much to learn and by now we only understand little of the secrets the elves have taught us. Our dreams are not bright and revitalising as the ones the elves told us about but full of dark omens. We have to learn how to interpret them adequately. The green plains in which we reside are sometimes dangerous. Therefore, we will soon allow fighters to join our group. Some suggested to form a formally order to further our cause. The conclave will discuss this in the next meeting."}, {"Knightwatch_Tower": "The sorcerers insist that the Knightwatch Tower is a powerful tool for our order. I don't understand what they are talking about but the conclave has ordered to spend more of our resources in the construction of the tower. I think the whole idea of building our bases here and not near the city is a bad idea. Regardless of what they think, the dreams might tell about the significance of this place. I don't see anything to guard here and I wonder if there is something to guard at all. Our presence here just draws unwanted attention to this place. Settlers have already built a little outpost west of here; as if we had not already enough to do without the extra burden to protect them."}, {"Dream_Challenge_Completed": "The Dream Challenge is completed now. I am glad to be a member already, I doubt I could pass this test myself. Although most problems have to be solved by intellect, the demons they summoned frighten me to death. Maybe we had to add something like this to ensure that no one passes the tests just by being told how it works. Still, adding a bunch of powerful monsters seems like madness to me. As if Hugo wasn't dangerous enough already!! I wonder where this all might lead us ..."}, {"Fermubras_Hides": "We tracked Goshnar's daughter to the gates of Carlin but lost her within the city. Of course we got no help by the 'authorities', so I think she could hide there somewhere. It's likely that the brotherhood of bones has agents in the city that gave her shelter. We think she doesn't know her father's secrets though. Her magic tricks seemed quite ordinary to us. I can't say whether the rumour that she is pregnant is true. If so, nothing is known about the father of this child. Considering that Goshnar was allied with darkness we must fear the worst. So the search for Fermubras continues."}, {"Mysterious_Dreams": "Our studies on the source of our dreams are not conclusive. The elves are no help in this matter. I doubt they even understand what we are asking them about because their dreams are so different from ours that there are almost no similarities. Some of our dreams are prophetic and a great help in fighting the evil. Some are so dark and desperate that they ruin the moral of the dreamer. Others are seductive and evil and try to lure the dreamer to the dark side. Only the weak fall prey to that seduction and that makes efficient testing of candidates important. So we will continue to use the dreams as guidance but have to remain vigilant for the sake of our spirits and souls."}, {"Warrior-Mages": "The weapon trainer is not pleased with the progress of the mages. The bodies of the sorcerers and druids are not trained enough to stand his lessons as long as they should to improve adequately. On the other hand, the knights and the paladins adopt to the ways of magic too slowly to see any progress above a certain given point. So we will stick to the concept of the four ways and drop the idea of the warrior-mages for now. Perhaps in the future we might find another way to combine the skills of arms and magic in some way."}, {"Hugo_Trapped": "At last we trapped Hugo in the dungeon cellars! The beast killed two dozen of our members in a wild chase. After a painful and long hunt, our mages kept Hugo occupied with some summoned dragons that distracted him long enough to prepare the trap. When Hugo followed the 'track' we laid for him, our druids trapped him with plant barriers and then moved earth around him. Now the beast is trapped. May Fardos, Uman and Banor give that we can keep him satiated and calm by using the trick the druids figured out. Our aspirants will have a hard time to pass the test that was created around this beast."}, {"Dream_Challenge_Too_Easy": "The Dream Challenge is far too easy, all riddles can be easily solved if you have some knowledge about our ways, are a good observer and use your brain. Therefore, the conclave decided to add some real danger to the test to make it a real challenge. The major problem by now is the Circle o.L. since it often requires a quest for the candidates, but that will change soon if the monsters are added as the conclave decided. I guess the knights who cried for this kind of challenge will get more than they bargained for."}, {"Selfmade_Skeletons": "Selfmade Skeletons By BH"}, {"1000_Alchemical_Uses_of_Urine": "1000 Alchemical Uses of Urine\nby Yorin."}, {"Stylish_Wizard_Robes": "Stylish Wizard Robes\nby Sonne."}, {"The_Astral_Shapers": "The Astral Shapers are an extinct race that is mentioned in several texts of other races that also existed back then. Usually they are referred to as greedy imbuers which suggests that the other races harboured no love for them. Yet, their skills in charging items with magical energy must have been of some value to the others. It seems they prospered for a while, selling their craft. At some point though, the other races decided to take what they needed by force and thereby destroyed the entire race. Some texts hint that the Shapers preferred to sacrifice themselves and to detonate their forges, rather than letting them fall into the hands of others. Other forges were destroyed when trying to lift their secrets. Again others were dismantled by Shapers in order to protect them from the wrong hands. Some were simply stolen, only to learn that all but the simplest of them had stopped working. As for the Astral Shapers, they were used by their captors as some kind of magical truffle pig for a while. However, since their spirit was broken, the race as such perished and eventually died out."}, {"The_Undead": "The Undead\nby unknown."}, {"How_to_Conjure_a_Lag": "How to Conjure a Lag\nby C.I.P."}, {"The_Ruthless_Seven": "The Ruthless Seven\nby unknown\n\nThis confusing text seems to\ndescribe the demonic rulers\nof a place called the Pits\nof Inferno."}, {"Death_-_an_Improved_Form_of_Life?": "Death - an Improved Form of Life?\nby anonymous."}, {"The_Dragons": "The Dragons\nby Slygor."}, {"Famous_Necromancers": "Famous Necromancers\nby Muriel."}, {"Fun_with_Runes": "Fun With Runes\nby an unknown jester."}, {"The_Magic_of_the_Ghouls": "The Magic of the Ghouls\nby Paramor."}, {"Spells_above_MAG_30": "Spells Above MAG 30\nby Lord Braggart."}, {"The_Secrets_of_Rune_Magic": "The Secrets of Rune Magic\nby Muriel."}, {"Magic_of_Nature": "Magic of Nature\nby Marvik."}, {"The_Language_of_the_Wolves": "The Language of the Wolves\nby Ishara."}, {"My_Life_as_a_Spoon": "My Life as a Spoon\nby a victim of a bugged chameleon spell."}, {"Rings_of_Magic": "Rings of Magic\nby S.\n\ndeath ring\npower ring\nenergy ring\nmight ring\nlife ring\ntime ring\n..."}, {"Forbidden_Secrets_of_Magic!": "Forbidden Secrets of Magic!"}, {"Flower_Power": "Flower Power\nby Cipreii."}, {"Strange_Things_Can_Happen": "Strange Things Can Happen\nby Magicus."}, {"Tales_from_the_Crypt": "Tales from the Crypt\nby an unknown necromancer."}, {"Vivisection_Made_Easy": "Vivisection Made Easy\nby unknown."}, {"Demons_I": "Demons\nBook I."}, {"Demons_II": "Demons\nBook II."}, {"Secrets_of_Zathroth": "Secrets of Zathroth\nThe Forbidden Book!"}, {"The_New_Necromant_King": "I can't figure out how to reanimate\ndragons and other monsters yet. \nI am sure the secret was hidden by \nthis ancient knightly order after they \ndefeated Goshnar. \nI am also sure that the 'thing' called \n'necromants nectar' is crucial to \nfind the secret entrance to the Pits \nof Inferno. And what is the meaning of \nthe phrase 'feed those in need', which \nI discovered in the ancient scrolls of my \nformer master, before he hid them from me. \nI have to find them or figure out the secret \non my own. I will never share my secrets and the success with the brotherhood, \nbut now \nthat the summoning of Urgith went wrong I \nhave to spend to much time in fighting the \nundead back that are out of control. \nBut now, after all what I did allready to \nbecome the new necromant king, I can't give \nup and i will not. Never!\nThe secrets of death will be mine! MINE!"}, {"Traps_and_Hidden_Path": "....... set up the traps and hid the path to the vaults and the seven pits ...... dragons ..... undead ..... death to ..... they can never again retake .... vortexes of negative energy ....."}, {"Open_the_Path": "Know this traveller:\nBefore you rest, you\nhave to find the place\nwhere you can open\nthe path."}, {"Powerful_Protection": "... figure out who built the Shrine of Wonders. It seems older than anything else here and has powerful protection against evil .... those holding a Tible ca..."}, {"Unreadable_Diary": "This is an old diary but you cannot decipher any of the handwriting that's left. Sun, rain and wind made sure that the contents of this book remain forever a secret."}, {"Cyclops_Complaint": "Uhgly bonelord stollen ki we gut from slain humi nigt. Tohk it to stinky place, no one will go thare fur guud king of cyclops. Bonelord bat und ughly, to manni eyes!"}, {"Diary_of_Hengis_Wulfson": "Diary of Hengis Wulfson\n...\nI can only hope I can escape the \ncyclopes someday. For now I have \noccupied their chief with an attempt \nto learn to read and write, but for \nhow long?\nI'm so desperate. \nWhat a foolish idea to travel here to \nsearch the famous treasures of this \nancient, knightly order. \nI wish I had never heard about it. \nI wish I never had sung thant song.\nNo clue how many unfortunate souls I have lured to death with it."}, {"Proud_Cyclops": "how we gut mity cyclops beet humi nigts. \n...\nfom abave wit clup \ntuk al deir stuv\nhehehe!"}, {"Cyclops_ABCs": "aaAA\nbbBB\nccCC\nddDD\neeEE\nffFF\nggGG\nhhHH\niiII\njjJJ\nkkKK\nllLL\nmmMM\nnnNN\nooOO\nppPP\nqqQQ\nrrRR\nssSS\nttTT\nuuUU\nvvVV\nwwWW\nxxXX\nyyYY\nzzZZ\n\nme smaat cyclops\nhehehe!"}, {"Warm_Milk": "Dear son!\nDon't forget to drink your warm milk if the nights are too cold. And don't trust the one-eyed brutes! Be careful.\nWith loving Moohs,\nyour Mom!"}, {"All_is_Lost!": "All is lost!\nPorgol assassinated my beloved husband. I could flee him here using my secret knowledge of the entrance. The lever is crusted with rust and does not work, but if I return Porgol's undead will rip me into pieces. May the gods forgive me, what I will do now. At least I will be reunited with Arcian soon."}, {"Banor_I_Praise_Your_Name": "Banor I praise your name.\nBe with me in the battle.\nBe my shield, let me be your sword.\nI will honor the godly spark in my soul.\nMay it flourish and grow."}, {"Porgol's_Strange_Behaviour": "Dear Muriel!\nMy apprentice behaves strangely lately.\nI fear he has something evil in mind.\nHe must have stolen the books about\nnecromancy you were missing after\nour last visit but I have no proof yet.\nThank the gods he does not know about\nthe fountain of life and the caves of\ninferno yet. I will send Laira to town in\nsome days. I think she's in danger\nif I'm right about Porgol.\nYour friend,\nArcian"}, {"Devious_Dragons": "This is the Journal of Krendorak,\nthe last of the Nightmare Knights:\nI tried to discover the secret of my ancestors, but I failed. \nThe damned dragons tricked me! \nI escaped but I know I'm mortaly wounded. \nEven if I could get out off here, I will never make it to Knightwatch Tower to \nuse its secret to resupply.\nSince now that Camdrek is dead I will never be able to open it...\nIt is so hot, my sight is fading...\nMay the gods forgive my failing..."}, {"Ms_Mahlzahn": "Ms Mahlzahn\nKummerland"}, {"Camdrek's_Last_Hope": "... the dreammaster retreated to the world behind the curtains of\nawareness, I cant reach him, now that the last hall of dreams is lost to the \nforces of evil. I sealed Goshnar's grave so noone can enter the pits without \nknowledge of our secret. I will try to retreat to knightwatch tower and wait for a \ndreamer in possession of the key, so we can travel one of the dreampaths to a \nsafer place to regroup and plan a counterattack. I fear we have to recruit new \nmembers and there is only little time left to train them. I hope Taciror will not \nwaste our last forces in a futile attack on the ruthless seven. Our order has \nnever truly recovered from the losses in our war against Goshnar and his undead \nhordes. Now with the death of our leaders and best warriors in the attack of the\ndemonic forces we don't stand a chance against our enemies. Our only hope is to \ngather new forces and retake the chamber of dreams. Of couse I know the right \nmethod to distract hugo long enough to get past him. The dreammaster is important \nto teach our recruits in the old ways and the art of dreamwalking. We need a \nleader for our cause and we need him bad. Headless we will fail and fall. It's \nalready uncertain who took the nightmare chronicles out of the pits and I have no \nidea where they hid them. They are fighting about power and influence but unity is \nthe key to success. Our whole order is centred about unity. All our rituals and\nprocedures rooted on unity and sharing, they can't neglect it."}, {"The_Holy_Tible": "The Holy Tible:\nBanor I praise your name.\nBe with me in the battle.\nBe my shield, let me be your sword.\nI will honor the godly spark in my soul.\nMay it flourish and grow."}, {"The_Plains_of_Havoc": "...\n...ut we have to ...\n...\nNow that the Plains of Havoc are\nto dangerous for a safe passage,\nwe will leave the Isle of the Mists\nand abandon this meeting place.\nHopefully we will be able to reclaim\nit in better times. If any ...\n..."}, {"Tricking_Hugo": "I am doomed! I know that Hugo lurks somewhere in the bushes in the North. I won't survive his deadly breath which would kill even the mightiest warrior! I have no clue how to trick the infamous Hugo but there has to be a way! Perhaps alchemy is the key to success. I will mix these two potions I bought from the travelling dwarf. We'll see what is going to happen. Perhaps it makes me invulnerable to the deadly breath! Then the secrets of the Nightmare Knights are at my grasp."}, {"We_Failed": "We failed!!!\nWe thought us lucky, that we had not to fight the ruthless seven face to face, but their traps and minions killed nearly all knights of our squad. We made it not even to one of the thrones. I will send the survivors to one of our remaining castles to save the key. I ordered them to let me die here in dishonor, since i failed my order!\nTaciror,\nthe last highlord of the nightmare knights."}, {"Note_to_Any_Late_Arrivers": "Note to any late arrivers:\nThis island was officially abandoned by the Royal Army after the Commander's newly-built house sunk into the swamp after the Gods suddenly shook the earth.\nThe Commander himself was apparently in the cellar of the house at that time, and did not make it out of the sinking structure in time. We deeply regret the loss of this great man, our leader - may he rest in peace!\nBe aware, the area is unstable! The islands in the swamp will most likely not carry heavy weights like full beercasks or horses."}, {"Black_Knight_Journal_Day_1": "Day 1\nThere was an earthquake today, and it seems that the house sunk into the swamp. All people left in panic - there's noone left to open the locked cellar door for me and let me out! I tried yelling for help and smashing the door, but to no avail...\nI decided to try to dig a tunnel to the surface.. luckily there are food and water supplies here, so I can survive for a few weeks. I hope I can make it."}, {"Black_Knight_Journal_Day_5": "Day 5\nI can't dig to the surface! I'm afraid that if I dig in the wrong place the swamp water will flood my tunnel and I will drown instantly! I'll try to dig a little further to the east before I try it again. Luckily the natural caves I found help me a lot."}, {"Black_Knight_Journal_Day_9": "Day 9\nI think I hear someone else digging somewhere here. I hope it's my men, coming to rescue me... I will dig the direction of the sound.\nMy water supply is low."}, {"Black_Knight_Meets_Bonelords": "What I thought to be digging men are in fact strange green creatures with many arms or eyestalks, who can dig very fast. I think they are called \"Bonelords\".\nThey did not attack me yet, although I am sure they can sense me. Who knows, maybe they have no interest in me, and I can use their tunnels to get out of here? I will not attack them, unless I have to defend myself.\nI stopped counting the days, because I lost all feeling for time down here.\nOh, how I long to see humans again!"}, {"Black_Knight_Gives_Up_on_Humans": "There is a whole family of those Bonelords here. They do not seem to mind me..\nI often have strange dreams in which those creatures talk to me using their eyes. But those are only nightmares for sure.\nI found a small underground stream where I can get water from, so I can survive down here.\nI've given up hope for my men to come looking for me. Pah, humans.. they are probably not even thinking about me anymore."}, {"The_Black_Knight's_Last_Moments_of_Sanity": "I hate all humans! I will build a home and stay underground forever, they don't deserve my return!\nThe Bonelords are my only friends. They respect me. I belong to them now. In my dreams they have shown me the path to this underground base. When I sleep I can hear them whispering in my mind promises about eternal existence and immortality. My friends can feel my hunger for revenge on humanity and will supply me with the means to punish them and all living beings.\nNever again I will wear that fancy armor and black shall be the color of my revenge."}, {"Black_Knight_Forsakes_Thais": "Damn you Thais! Damn you TBI! I am no longer an agent or a noble but a black knight. A dark avenger that will have his revenge!"}, {"Herbs_and_Plants_I": "Herbs and Plants of the Swamp, Volume I\nOrange Star (stella flava)\nA rarely found star-shaped orange-colored flower of amazing beauty. Commonly seen as a symbol of love.\nMushrooms\nMushrooms come in many different colors and shapes, at least ten different kinds are known.\nThey are documented in the newly published booklet \"Mushrooms, nature's little jewels\"."}, {"Herbs_and_Plants_II": "Herbs and Plants of the Swamp, Volume II\nBlood Herb (herba budinia)\nA plant with large, dark red-colored blossoms.\nIt is nearly extinct due to its lack of strength - the herb can only survive\nin the shade, and often only by draining nitrates from trees, which die in the \nprocess. Therefore, those plants can been found near or sometimes even on the \ninside of dead trees.\nGoat Grass (flos capre)\nA low, nearly always four-leaved plant with yellow blossoms that grows in warm \nclimate. It used to be the main source of food for the goats of the continent. \nHowever, later it was discovered to have a previously totally unknown poisenous\nlong-term effect on the animals, and all goats died within two months."}, {"Wyrd_Sisters": "Wyrd Sisters\nby Terry P."}, {"Bewitched": "You will have to fill the witches' cauldron with the supplies needed for the brew.\nThe ingredients needed in each phase will be displayed on the altars left and right to the cauldron. Only these items will be accepted. They will be only accepted as long as the amount of needed ingredients has not been reached.\nTo contribute an ingredient, use the cauldron's lower, right edge and then 'use' it on the ingredient.\nAll possible ingredients will be displayed separately in a room upstairs.\nIngredients will be random for each phase. It is possible that an ingredient is needed several times in a row.\nAt the fixed end of each phase, the needed ingredients will have to be supplied or the quest will fail.\nThe clocks near the cauldron should help to estimate how much time is left.\nWhen a new phase starts, evil spirits will attack the room beneath the cauldron.\nYou can use the wood looted from the evil spirits to fuel the fire of the cauldron. To do so, 'use' the wood on the chute.\nContributing items and wood used on the chute will earn you favour that can be turned in for rewards by talking to the witch Minzy."}, {"Diary_of_E._R._Grossom": "Diary of E. R. Grossom"}, {"Holy_Book_of_Swamptrolls": "This most holy book of most smart swamptrolls is! \nNot use it on troilet, don't!\nIs book of holy thingy that came from heaven while me spying on big living \nplace of mean humans. \nBlack and white thingy gift from gods must be! \nWill make humans tremble soon.\nWe whorship thingy and give sacrifice!"}, {"How_to_Curse_a_Soul": "How to curse a soul\nTo curse a soul brew up a mixture, using the following ingredients:\n- the skins of seven toads\n- a skull inscribed with runes\n- one demonic essence\n- the powder of a crushed black pearl\n- oil extracted and kept in total darkness\n- three snake tongues\n- a black monkey's paw\nAnoint a rod of oak wood with this concoction and adorn it with thirteen rubies. Thus you create a magic wand able to curse a soul. With the energy of a hereby tainted soul you are able to create mighty artifacts and powerful spells.\nA tainted soul may only be redeemed with a sacred talisman. To create such a talisman you need a part of a peaceable animal, for example a deer's antler. First entwine it with star herb and then besprinkle it with holy water.\nwritten by Ekatrix the Black"}, {"ID_Card": "Identification Card\nSir Fred Mothbone\nRoyal Explorer for the Kingdom of Tibia\nunder HRH Tibianus II.\nSigned:\nMaldir, town guard"}, {"Rituals_of_Trolls": "Mystic Rituals of the Ancient Trolls"}, {"Surviving_in_the_Swamp": "Surviving in the Swamp,\nby E. R. Grossom"}, {"My_New_Life_as_a_Guided": "My new life as a Guided\n(This seems to be some kind of diary, there is a note on the first page)\n\"I decided to dedicate my life to the cause of the Guided. The power, influence and wealth of the Guided is limitless. Our cause just. To guide others, to gather and spread knowledge, for knowledge is power, this will be my mantra.\"\nDay 1: I joined the Guided after I learned of a hermit in a forest ruin, none other than the Exalted himself, who promised a completely new view on the world. There will be a ritual soon, for now I will have to wait and listen to the words of my guide. Today, I was reborn.\nDay 2: My guide brought me food, new clothing and helped me in taking the first steps to become a Guided. Perhaps someday a Guide myself. And after that, who knows?\nDay 3: Today my Guide showed me a glimpse of the power of the Exalted. I felt, for the first time, the meaning true control. We rejoiced at the sight of the wealth, the Exalted had amassed. My head spinned at the sheer thought of how much influence this fortune could buy.\nDay 4: The wealth of the Exalted must have impressed me quite much, as my had continues to spin. I also learned all the principles of being a Guided. Such as to help others find true insight. And to... what was the...\nDay 5: Together we- (this part has been erased). After being allowed to take another look on our most sacred (this part is illegible), I was led to this part of the caves, the entrance of our primary hideout. I was also give a task, a very important one. To guard this part of the cave and... to let no person in... or out. I cannot remember if it was in or out. But I have to remain here. Tomorrow I will ask for more instructions.\nDay 6: I was led to this part of the caves, the entrance of our primary hideout. To... I have to remain here.\nDay 6: I was led to this part of the caves, today. I will have to remain here, to...\nDay 1: Someone wrote into my diary but it's alright, probably another Guided before me. On this day I was led to this part of the caves. I have to remain here.\nDay 1: I have to remain here.\nDays. I have to remain here.\nI have to remain.\nMe.\nDays."}, {"What_Dreams_Are_Made_Of": "What Dreams Are Made Of"}, {"The_Irony_of_Necromants_Nectar": "What an irony, the necromancers' nectar is the key to our doom and to our victory. Only he who feeds those in need will gain entrance, which is ironic too, because the forces of evil will never consider to do such a thing, no matter how gruesome it truly is.\nThere is no way that the entrance is revealed but by treachery. Therefore, we have to keep the number of people who know about the secret as low as possible. Only the most trusted members will learn about the ritual. I can only hope there is no other high ranking traitor like Goshnar."}, {"In_the_Realm_of_Dreams": "In the realm of dream, dreams literally can become true. So mind your thoughts when entering the dream realm. A uncontrolled thought can easily bring disaster upon you. Self-control is most important for any dreamwalker. Calmness and clear thought will guide and shield the dreamer. You will encounter in the dreams what you take in there with you. Don't try to enforce a prophecy, it won't work. Wander the dreams and if a prophecy comes to you, take it as a gift.\n."}, {"Sleepwalking_for_Fools": "Sleepwalking for fools"}, {"Dreamwalking_for_Beginners": "Dreamwalking for Beginners"}, {"Dreamwalking_for_Experts": "Dreamwalking for Experts"}, {"The_Dreamfortresses": "Some of he ancients formed realms in the dreamland. They build mighty fortresses to seize control of everything that walks in the dreamland, conscious or not. It was then, when the mysterious Lord of Dreams revealed himself. His anger shook the foundation of the dreamland. Dreamers all over the world awakened screaming in fear and pain. When the void came to a rest and the first dreamwalkers returned to the dreamlands, the fortresses were gone - all of them and with them all the ancients who manned them. The Shaig'laar lost their best men in these days and never recovered from the loss. So weak, they became an easy prey for the other ancients and so the period of the first dream masters had come to an end.\nFrom this time on, all dreamwalkers manipulate the dreamland as little as possible, only as much as it is needed to fit their needs. Also they never use their power to endanger others in their dreams. Dreams are meant to be an instrument of self-finding and prophecy, not a weapon."}, {"When_They_Killed_the_Youngster": "When they killed the youngster I didn't help him because I didn't know him.\nWhen they killed the young knight I didn't help him because I had not much in common with that guy.\nWhen they killed the local hero I didn't help him because it was his business, not mine.\nWhen they killed the monk, who just lived to help others, I didn't help him because he should have been more warily.\nWhen they killed my friend I didn't help him because I thought I should not risk my life for him.\nWhen they killed my brother I didn't help him because I hoped they would at least spare me for not interfering with their business.\nWhen they killed me, there was no one left alive who could help me."}, {"Evil_Often_Seems_Invincible": "Evil often seems invincible, but even the longest journey begins with a first little step. It is up to us to say 'NO' to evil and to deny it the space it needs to blossom. We might fear it, but it cannot scare us. We might be weaker, but in the end evil will lose. Evil is hollow and self-consuming. Nothing can warm up the cold hearts of evil beings, nothing can fill the loneliness. A life so centred on itself cannot be shared with others. If you do not share your life, you deny it. Life is sharing. No one can cope with life alone. You have to share your life to give birth. You have to share to feel your life. Evil beings do not feel life, so they destroy it. Evil cannot understand life, and things that cannot be understood are feared."}, {"Greed,_Selfishness_and_Hate": "Greed, selfishness and hate are the soil that gives birth to evil. You can't neglect these feelings since they are part of you. But you can understand them. To understand why you hate someone will give you a deeper understanding how to cease to hate. Sometimes, you may have to kill someone. Do never kill somebody out of hate. Only kill to prevent a greater evil.\nYou also have to understand your positive feelings. They are your shield to protect you from the assaults of negative emotions. They are the blanket that keeps you warm in desperate times. As long as you follow the path that these positive emotions show you, there is nothing that can harm YOU. They can hurt your body but your immortal soul is beyond their grasp."}, {"The_Art_of_Dreamwalking": "It is important for a dreamwalker not to get lost in his dreams. To accomplish that you have to train your senses. You must become aware that you are dreaming without waking up. To train this, get accustomed to asking yourself : 'Am I awake?' Do this at daytime as often as possible. But be careful! Do not conclude too quickly that you are awake. Try to 'fly' just on your thoughts, try to change the world around you by sheer imagination. Take some time to test reality.\nAt some point of that training you will use this routine in your sleep as well. Then it is essential to come to the conclusion that you are asleep! If you have accomplished that, you will have a hard time to balance between dreaming and awakening. At first you will often slip back in the dream state but that will change quickly. Then you can begin the art of dreamwalking."}, {"Nightmares_Are_Not_Your_Enemies": "Nightmares are not your enemies. Make them to your teachers. Learn about them. Understand them. If it is a repeated nightmare, think about it while awake. Think about a good ending for that dream, imagine this ending again and again, feel comfortable with this happy ending. Enjoy it. Have fun with it and the nightmare will lose its sting. This way you can train yourself to dream the positive ending.\nSometimes it is helpful to write your dreams down. Don't try to analyse them. You will get used to understand them just by reading and reliving them. It's not necessary to force something. This could even be harmful! Understand them as a nice story someone told you. Enjoy them and think about how they could continue. Imagine what would have happened if something like this happens in real life. Your dreams are your friends. All of them!"}, {"The_Weapon_Was_Hidden_Well": "The weapon was hidden well. We ensured that only a hero of courage and an unstained soul can find it.\nThe unholy place will be guarded by our order. If its necessary, we will guard it eternally.\nNo magic will be able to discover the secrets now.\nWe used powerful enchantments and all the tricks our brightest minds have came up with. There will be no way to trick our wards or to disenchant them. I am confident that, combined with the riddles and traps, our forces will fight back all evil that might challenge us. Even the Ruthless Seven themselves if necessary."}, {"Excalibug_Reborn": "When the tower falls,\nwhen the cold loses its sting,\nwhen the small walks the halls of the great,\nwhen the lord of murder loses his nobility,\nwhen the ice kisses the fire,\nwhen the arrow will not fly twice,\nwhen the thunder silences the mute,\nwhen the red meets the green on golden ground,\nwhen the ivory is broken by the blood-stained hand,\nwhen the dead walk on earth and laugh at the gods,\nwhen the names will be erased and the vanished return,\nwhen the forbidden twin no longer exists,\nwhen the one-eyed king dies in fire,\nwhen the traitor meets his fate,\nthen excalibug will be reborn in the flame of justice."}, {"Imminent_Doom": "He, who commands those who should have left the world, will come and claim the lives of those who walk two worlds. The twice fallen will fall a last time to seal the secrets and the imminent doom. Evil beings will feast on weak ones, not knowing that this is just the beginning of their own destruction.\nThose that are sleeping will be awakened to dream again.\nThose that are dead will live longer than the killers do.\nMany eyes will see the coming of the light in the thickest darkness and the fisher will be the king.\nThe unborn will cheer for the reborn. Where no way exists, the heroes must fall. Where blood runs red, destiny awaits the wanderer. Where many ways are obviously, the wise chooses another one. Where one falls, four are victorious. Where the forces meet, the path will be revealed. Hope only arises from the highs and lows of the true path and the warrior will die in agony."}, {"The_Nightmare_Chronicles_VII": "The Nightmare Chronicles Volume VII\n... and when the dead feast at midnight\nthe ancient enemy will no longer guard\nthe place of his unlucky heir and the\nliving will walk the paths of the old way.\nDeath awaits the greedy and the brave\nalike and many will be mourned until\nthe long lost treasure is unearthed..."}, {"The_Necromancers'_Nectar": "What an irony, the necromancers' nectar is the key to our doom and to our victory. Only he who feeds those in need will gain entrance, which is ironic too, because the forces of evil will never consider to do such a thing, no matter how gruesome it truly is.\nThere is no way that the entrance is revealed but by treachery. Therefore, we have to keep the number of people who know about the secret as low as possible. Only the most trusted members will learn about the ritual. I can only hope there is no other high ranking traitor like Goshnar."}, {"Today_the_Last_of_the_Elves_Returned": "Today the last of the elves returned to their home town. They left us alone to battle the undead hordes. What a cowardly race! Without their aid, many of our best men will die. I don't understand these sages that asked me to see also the elves' point of view. All I see are the the mothers and fathers that will ask me where their children are when they have died in the upcoming battle. It is almost certain that our messenger, who was sent to the dwarfs and the king, is dead. There will be no reinforcements. We will have to fight on our own. I am sure we will win, but at what cost?"}, {"Know_This,_Lord_Protector": "Know this, Lord Protector, yours is the power and privilege to grant the permission to wear an outfit appropriate to someone's status.\nPut a small diamond on the northern altar and pull the lever. An enchanted scroll will appear. Used by a member of the rank Novice, the document will grant him the right to wear the armor of the Nightmare Knights.\nPut a small diamond on the western altar and pull the lever. An enchanted scroll will appear. Used by a member of the rank Initiate, the document will grant him the right to wear the headgear of the Nightmare Knights.\nPut a small diamond on the southern altar and pull the lever. An enchanted scroll will appear. Used by a member of the rank Dreamer, the document will grant him the right to wear the regalia of the Nightmare Knights.\nChoose carefully who is worthy in your eyes."}, {"Sorceress_Misses_Ronur": "I wonder how Ronur is doing. I miss him.\nBut its my duty as sorceress of the nightmare knights to protect our bases here far away from home. Soon I will visit him and we will be reunited again. If all works like planned our marriage will take place in the end to this year.\nI hope this bitch Shandra will be kept busy by her studies in the mage guild and does not try to use my absence for one of her dirty tricks. She does not deserve a man like Ronur."}, {"Transplaner_Semimatter_is_Polymorph": "... we see the transplaner semimatter is polymorph and the time constant is a contradiction in cases of subliminal manafocusing of the first grade. This implies that the vector of interisomatic transfixture has a mana to semimatter ratio of t*m-RM. So if the hyperelasticity of NM is defined as shown in previous volumes, we derive a transpeherical aethertransfixion of t-RU. This is no surprise to even the most simple minded rune user but the real implication of this is ..."}, {"Roll_the_Barrel": "Roll, roll, roll the barrel\ngently down the road!\nDrinking, drinking, drinking, drinking,\ndrink until you're bloat."}, {"Snoring_Dwarf": "Banor bless me with deafness!\nThis snoring dwarf is driving me nuts. Will this ever stop? One day, I will kill either him or myself. I can't believe the others can sleep, dream training or not!\nI wonder if I would become deaf by putting my head in a cauldron and using an explosion rune. Then again, I should perhaps put HIM in a cauldron and use some explosions ...\nI am sure he will lure a dragon here that thinks this awful noise is a mating call.\nTomorrow, I will try to get an assignment at Knightwatch Tower. Even that windy hole is better than THIS!"}, {"Book_of_the_Lost_Heroes": "Book of the Lost Heroes\nAskuro\nMantar\nIldoni\nMaxmof\nXemodo\nOxanti"}, {"How_to_Seduce_Women_in_Seven_Steps": "How to Seduce Women in Seven Steps\nChapter One:\nHow to Become a Member of a Young Male Bard Group."}, {"Telmur's_Debts": "Telmur\nIf you don't repay your debts 'something bad'\nwill happen to your family.\nD."}, {"Ratmeat_Attacked_Castle": "The necromancer called Ratmeat has led an attack on the castle.\nThese undeads used the sewers to launch a surprise attack. Our reinforcements arrived last-minutely and we were able to kill Ratmeat as well as the ones known as Maggotfeast and Wormskin. Only Ratfeast has shown signs of the transformation. So I conclude that the others must have been members of no importance and without any real powers. They used the same runes we have seen on members of the brotherhood before. It is likely that they got them from higher ranking members that traded their souls for forbidden secrets."}, {"The_Secret_Diaries_of_Emanuelle": "The Secret Diaries of Emanuelle.\n... he lowered his head and inhaled the scent of the seductively brown body beneath him. It was so firm, so inviting. His mouth watered in anticipation of the pleasures that awaited him. The young and shapely tights exposed the promising flesh between them. He wanted this body more than anything else before! His hands trembled and he closed his eyes for a brief moment to fantasise about what was going to happen now ... then he lowered his knife, carefully sliced the delicious body of the hot turkey into little pieces and started to eat. Emanuelle, the cook, had done a masterpiece again!"}, {"Coalblack_and_the_Seven_Elves": "Coalblack and the Seven Elves.\nOnce upon a time, there lived a beautiful dwarven girl in a humble settlement. The girl was called Coalblack. She was so pretty that seven elven men travelled to the settlement to see her beauty. But the girl feared that the elves just wanted to steal her underwear to dance around in it in the morning mists. So she asked her friend, a big wolf, to help her. The wolf put on boots and a red cape and ate some chalk to smooth his voice. Impersonating little Coalblack, he lured the elves into the darkest woods. But the elves dropped their clothes in the woods to be able to trace back the way they had taken. In the middle of the forest the elves found a magic mirror. They asked the mirror: 'Mirror, mirror in the forest, tell us whom you most adorest' And the mirror spoke 'You naked elves are pathetic!' The elves turned around and were deeply offended. 'What a bunch of incredible bums!' the mirror said. The stupid elves misunderstood the mirror and felt so flattered and cajoled that they built a gingerbread house around it and lived there happily ever after."}, {"Securing_Orc_Forest_Camp": "You read in orcish:\nSecure this area and make sure that no enemy can enter our land. In case of an heavy attack call reinforcement by using the drum."}, {"Stolen_Whelps": "Some days ago I brought down a wolf with three still very young whelps. I didn't kill the puppies because I heard that the orcs are paying a nice little sum for young wolves. They are training them to serve them as war wolves when grown up. Unfortunately one of them escaped and ran into the woods. I didn't go after it, I didn't want to risk losing the others, too. One day later I could spot a female wolf who had adopted the lost puppy. I recognised it by its unusual fur pattern. I didn't chase it because I was short of supplies and thus on my way to Edron. I would have missed my ship. The second whelp died shortly after. Given its weakly condition I assume the orcs wouldn't have paid for it anyway. I skinned it and sold the fur in Venore to a trader who was interested in fabrics and pelts. I can't remember her name but she was quite a poppet. Now I'm on my way to Ulderek's Rock and hopefully will make a mint of money by selling the third puppy to the orcs."}, {"Tenebris's_Betrayal": "This is a letter to a woman who is referred to as Uquora the High-Handed. It seems to be a report about the activities of the group that has occupied this old masonry. The group calls itself the \"Circle of the Black Sphinx\". The letter's author also reports that one of the local leaders, Lady Tenebris, obviously has turned against the circle. He is writing about so-called broken shapers whom she is using for her own ends, sending them against her former comrades."}, {"The_Black_Sphinx_Circle_Codex": "The Black Sphinx Circle Codex"}, {"The_Ghostsilver_Lantern": "The Ghostsilver Lantern - Scientific Research into Arcane Artefacts\nSome months ago I found a clue leading to an ancient artefact in one of the oldest tomes in this library: the Ghostsilver Lantern. Many centuries ago some of these magical artefacts were created by a powerful mage. They are made from magically treated silver and glass coated with ghostly ectoplasm. Nowadays unknown runes are engraved into the silver braces of the lantern. Thus the artefact is able to reveal hidden doors when lit. It even uncovers entrances that would otherwise be completely invisible to the naked eye. As the mage sadly didn't (or couldn't) pass his knowledge on to posterity, we can't create Ghostsilver Lanterns without further ado today. Yet I'm convinced that at least one of these lanterns still exists in the old masonry my circle has chosen for its current homestead. In the course of my explorations ofl the rooms and hallways, I discovered a separate chamber, only reachable by a stairway on the lowest floor. High in a corner there was a thick spider web and something was glittering in the sticky strands. I could catch a glimpse of a silvery and blue object that could very well have been one of the said lanterns. I couldn't reach it (not that I was afraid of the big spider guarding the web) so I had to leave empty-handed. Later on I could not return because this time the lowest floor was flooded with the creepy shapers that suddenly showed up here. I hope we'll drive them back soon so that I'll have a chance to obtain the precious artefact. With a treasure like this I could probably gain the favour of the Circle Master Uquora herself. (And I hope that before we defeat them the shapers will have made short work of the huge spider that was between me and the lantern. ... Of course it was the lack of a ladder that hindered me from taking it, as I already noted.)\nZegrath, Novice of the Circle of the Black Sphinx"}, {"Awaiting_Gordon": "Gordon,\nwe managed to stabilise the new type of teleporter.\nHow about you come over and take a first try?\nI'm awaiting you\nDr. Kleiner"}, {"History_of_the_Augur_I": "History of the Augur, Part I\nWe, the families of the Augur, have been living here for many generations. In the course of time, we acquired certain insights in the ways of our masters, the Yalahari. Many years ago, things used to be very different in this city. Once it was a marvel to behold, but then it started to decay slowly and steadily. This process of deterioration begun in the far past, long before our ancestors came[ here. At the time they were brought here by the Yalahari as helpers and workers, the city already showed signs of decline. Despite their claim of having great power, the Yalahari could do little to stop the catastrophes that should occur. Neither did they do anything to restore the damaged parts of the city. Still, it took many centuries until the city had reached the pitiful state that you can witness today.\nSome decades ago, a group of Augur suspected that we all were lied to by our masters. They started to look for clues that proved their assumptions, and secretly gathered parts of the puzzle one by one. For all we know, there had been indeed a powerful race called the Yalahari that built this city to distance itself from the wars of some capricious gods. So far the tales that our masters had told us, have been true. These Yalahari were served by a group of Augur such as us. They were their helpers and workers, and the Yalahari shared some of their luxuries and achievements with them. The Yalahari concentrated on research and art, and left the more manual work to their servants, who often only knew what they had to do without understanding their tasks. At one far-away point in history, the Yalahari seemingly vanished. Certain clues that our ancestors gathered, hint that they locked themselves in the city's centre and cut off all contact to their helpers. When the Augur sometime later dared to enter the inner city, the Yalahari were all gone - vanished without a trace. After getting over the initial shock, the Augur assumed the role of the Yalahari themselves. For a while they tried to get familiar with some of the secrets of their lost masters, but they were only able to understand the most basic concepts of the Yalahari's knowledge. They stuck to their usual tasks to keep the city running. Still, they were too few to keep the enormous city, of which they understood so little, in shape.\nSo they decided to recruit Augur on their own. This way most of our forefathers came to Yalahar. In the meanwhile, the former Augur retreated into the inner city."}, {"History_of_the_Augur_II": "History of the Augur, Part II\nThey brought more and more people to Yalahar. Not all of them became Augur, a good part of them lived in Yalahar as ordinary citizens. At some point, the city had reached a much larger population than under the rule of the true Yalahari, and it became difficult to provide food and shelter for everyone. Time and overuse took it's toll on the city. Over the years, more and more parts of the city were lost due to ignorance, lack of resources, or catastrophes. The new Yalahari were unable to restore broken machines and devices, and their efforts to retake certain parts of the city with the help of the Augur caused only more disaster. So the new Yalahari decided to stay in the city's centre, letting the Augur care for the rest of the city as well as they could. Still, their image as Yalahari allowed them to claim supremacy and to rule over the whole city. This all did not matter too much to our ancestors. The new Yalahari were neither cruel nor overly abusive, and they still wielded the powerful weapons and armors of the true Yalahari. So they stuck to the status quo and continued to work for the Yalahari despite everything they had found out. This worked quite well although the city was still declining and great parts of it had been lost to chaos and anarchy.\nLately, though, things started to change. It is not a dramatic change but it can be recognised gradually at many places. Some of the known routines in the orders of the Yalahari have altered. There are more and more orders who have a dubious purpose. The most frightening thing is that some orders obviously hint at a person with Yalahari knowledge that had been considered as lost for centuries. The overwhelming majority of the new Yalahari still clings to their ignorant and self-centred ways, but perhaps one of them or a small group has discovered some hidden secrets of their vanished masters. It is also possible that something completely different is happening, we simply don't know. But these new orders that seem to aim at restoring order in the city have some bitter taste. They are somewhat oppressive and destructive, not in an obvious way, though. Taken together, they paint a dark picture of Yalahar's future. A future of oppression, betrayal, and a much stricter rule by the Yalahari."}, {"Manifest_of_the_Yalahari_I": "Manifest of the Yalahari, Part I\nThe city has been neglected for far too long. We concentrated on our research and spiritual evolution and have turned a blind eye on the needs of the people that are our subjects. We have too strongly relied on the help of the Augur who in turn did little but the same routines for many generations. We have decided it is time to take initiative. The experiment to give people too much freedom and too little guidance has to be stopped before all is lost. We have a responsibility for this city and the people living here. Only with our help, they will be able to flourish and to overcome the shadows of the past. The city can be rebuilt and restored to at least some of its former glory when we diligently work for it. It will be hard and it will take the help of determined individuals to assist us in our efforts. However, in the long run, order will be completely re-established and Yalahar will once again be the magnificent city it used to be.\nOnly with drastic decisions and changes, this great goal can be achieved. We will have to get through hard times and prepare for them as good as we can. Most importantly, a good city needs a solid base. For this reason we have to start at the bottom to clean things up. We have to be precise and consequent in our decisions and actions. This way we will be able to create a solid base for the city.\nTo some extent, we have to work like a gardener. The rotten parts have to be cut off, and the healthy parts have to be cherished. The city has to be retaken. Then order can be restored and the actual rebuilding can begin. In the end, the city will once again be a centre of prosperity and a shining light in a dark world."}, {"Manifest_of_the_Yalahari_II": "Manifest of the Yalahari, Part II\nIt is obvious that such greatness comes not without sacrifices, but we will make sure to keep them to a minimum. All of our decisions serve a greater good, of course. Even if this is not always obvious, in the end things will work out and provide us all with a better life and a bright future.\nBased on the ruins of our former glory, it is hard to imagine how magnificent this future will be, but we, the Yalahari, still carry the vision of what we want to accomplish in our hearts. To bring this vision to life is our greatest goal which we all work towards.\nThere are elements that see their power and influence waning in these days of change. They are afraid of the things to come, and in their ignorance they cling to the rotting reality they know all too well. They created their own little niches of power and influence and feel guilty for neglecting their duties, and with that also for the decay of the city. They are surely already approaching unsuspecting outsiders to poison their minds with selfish lies. For generations the Augur, once the pride of our people, have done things the same way they had known for generations, and everyone can see where it has taken Yalahar."}, {"Tunnelling_Guide": "Tunnelling guide\n----------------\nby Gromward Hammerfist\n'The art of building a tunnel lies in the nature of dwarfes.' That's what my grand grand grandfather used to say. First of all I'd like to give you a small historical review of tunnelling. .....<you skip the first 1000 pages containing dwarfen tunnelling history>.\nRepairing collapsed tunnels:\nEquipment: Pick, tree or bricklayers kit\nBefore picking away the rubble you need to place a buttress otherwise the tunnel will collapse over and over again. If you don't have a matching tree at hand you could still build a brickwall to stabilize the tunnel. Good luck!\nRepairing gaps:\nEquipment: Wood, wooden ties, hammer, nails, metal fitting\nFor each missing part (on the basis of a standard rail) I recommend to use three pieces of wood. Lock them in position by at least 6 nails. For the rail itself use a saw on a piece of wood to build your wooden ties. Then place two metal fittings on them and you can make your first ride on your new rail. Congratulations!\nBuilding a rail on lava:\nI advice not to try that until you have at least 20 years experience in rail construction......<Well, seems like you don't match the premises.>\nAdventuring old tunnels:\nBe aware that our kind mastered the art of tunnelling. It may take you a whole life to understand the techniques that are used and it takes generations to know all the tunnels of a mine and all their exits. You even may find an exit that you never expected to.\nTo sum up\nIf you are no dwarf don't even try to think that you have a chance of mastering the art of tunnelling. If you are a dwarf I wish you good luck and don't abandon faith. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.\nYours\nGromward Hammerfist"}, {"Arthei's_Descent_into_Vampirism_I": "II. 28th\nToday my brothers and I are leaving from Carlin to find a new place for us and our families. None of the great Tibian cities have made us feel at home yet. There must be something else, and we will find it.\nIII. 5th\nWe've been at sea for a few days now. Time seems endless, and so does the ocean. We have supplies for 3 more weeks. Should we not find land within the next week we will cancel our expedition to make sure we get back home safely.\nIII. 8th\nStill nothing... but the screams of seagulls and the sound of the waves... we are still hoping.\nIII. 10th\nWe've spotted land! It's still a day away, but it seems to be a really large island. Not only that, we can also make out tall towers in the distance. Strangely though, this city - or whatever it is - can't be found on our map, despite its obvious size.\nIII. 11th\nWe've arrived at the harbour of Yalahar, as the inhabitants call it. Obviously large parts of the city are destroyed and closed for the public. We will stay in a tavern tonight - finally, a bed again! - and then try to find a place to live in.\nIII. 14th\nFinding a house seems to be harder than expected. The inner city of Yalahar which seems safe and rather wealthy has almost no place left, especially not for outsiders as us. Maybe we can live in one of the outer quarters, close to the city walls at least.\nIII. 18th\nLersatio found an unoccupied house not too far away from the centre. It is close to an alchemical lab. Maybe we can even find some work there. Things are looking great!\nIII. 20th\nWe've settled down and started the repair work on the house. This may take a while, but we are sending note to our families to come after us. Arthei's wife Kala insisted to come with us right from the start, so they are already together, but I am starting to miss my girl immensely. Oh sweet Melava, I hope you are well.\nIII. 21th\nThis place is not as good as it seemed. The closeness to the alchemical laboratories proves to be a constant menace and now I understand why they didn't want it in the centre. Frequent explosions are startling us during the whole day, and even at nighttime there is a lot of noise from the facilities. Due to these circumstances we will probably try to find another place, luckily we haven't put too much work into the house, yet. Also, our families won't come, yet.\nIII. 30th\nOh god... something horrible happened and I've not been able to write for a while... a week ago there was a HUGE explosion in the night... fire spread upon almost all houses nearby... we barely escaped the flames... my hands are burnt, because I pulled my brother out of the burning house and we all are still coughing grey substance... Boreth and Lersation got out with some scratches and burns, but otherwise we three are fine. It's just Arthei... he got burnt really badly... I barely recognise his face... Kala is sitting at his bed 24 hours a day with red swollen eyes and praying for his life. When she falls asleep in exhaustion we are keeping watch.\n<from here on, all of the pages have been torn out, only the last page remains:>\nTHE FIRST DAY OF ETERNITY\nI CAN SEE NOW. FOOLS. ALL OF YOU. HAHAHAHAHA."}, {"Arthei's_Descent_into_Vampirism_IV": "<this is a ripped page, probably from a diary>\nIV. 8th\nThis is not good at all. At first we were all so happy about the miracle of Arthei's recovery that we didn't care about anything else, but now, some... side effects have appeared. Arthei has never looked as pale as now and he hardly speaks a single word. At least he still knows that we are his brothers, but he doesn't seem to recognise Kala, his wife. This is incredibly hard for her because she was really doing anything in her might to help him get better. And now that he is well again, he is very distant. He calls her 'that woman' and doesn't let her into his room. God, this is so bad. We are hoping that this is only a mood swing or some sort of amnesia that will pass over time...\nIV. 12th\nKala is gone!! Oh, what horrible times are those. In her sadness, and confronted with Arthei's constant rejection, she must have left the house last night. She left almost all of her belongings. We are so worried about her... and hope so badly that she didn't decide to throw her life away as desperate as she has been. Arthei didn't even notice... and when we told him, he just shrugged his shoulders. She doesn't deserve this... she is such a sweet and caring woman. We have been looking all over the city for her - in the accessible parts that is - but couldn't find her. I will look for her later again.\nIV. 13th\nKala remains missing... and Arthei seems to sneak out at night too, although he is always back in the mornings. I only noticed because I was getting up from my bed to fetch a mug of water, when I saw him closing the front door. What is he doing outside at this time? And, come to think about it, he has never left the house or even his room during daytime ever since he recovered. What has happened to him?"}, {"Arthei's_Descent_into_Vampirism_V": "<this is a ripped page, probably from a diary>\nIV. 20th\nSince we've moved into this house, we barely had any contact to the other citizens of Yalahar. However this has changed during the last week. People are getting suspicious of Arthei - some saw him after the explosion and know that his sudden recovery can't have happened in a natural way. And they are starting to talk... what makes matters worse is that some murders have occurred since Arthei's recovery. I don't know any details or what exactly was the cause for their death, but I can't stop thinking that Arthei might have something to do with it. His nightly excursions... the state he is in... and it seems that I'm not the only one who thinks that way. As I said... people are starting to talk...\nIV. 22th\nI don't know how long we can stay here. People whisper with each other and stare hatefully at Lersatio, Boreth and me when we cross the street. I really want to protect my brother, but I'm very scared.\nIV. 25th\nOn the ocean again... this night, we were almost killed by a mob who banged at our door with the obvious intention to remove what they consider a threat to their lives. Well... I can't blame them... we pulled struggling Arthei out of the house and with us, and now we're out at sea on the small boat we arrived in. Luckily they didn't destroy it before they came for us. Please, let us find land... I guess that means back to square one."}, {"Arthei's_Descent_into_Vampirism_VI": "<this is a ripped page, probably from a diary>\nIV. 26th\nFinally, luck is on our side again! Just a few hours to the east we found another island - and it's beautiful! Grass, flowers, mountains in the distance and enough natural resources for a fresh start.\nIV. 28th\nThings are getting even better - on the hill east of the grassy area we found what seems to be an abandoned mansion. We spent some hours clearing all the spider webs and now it is quite a good place to stay in. Fate smiles on us! Ever since we found the mansion, Arthei has locked himself into one of the rooms, though. I hope that he will eventually recover in this peaceful environment.\nV. 2nd\nWe made ourselves a home in the mansion and try to farm the land. I think if we can cultivate crops and vegetables, this place will be simply perfect for us.\nIV. 10th\nNot much success yet. The land is very dry, drier than it seemed when we arrived. We also haven't seen Arthei for a few days.\nIV. 20th\nThis must be... a curse? The grass is withering... the water is getting muddy... even the hill seems stonier, although common sense tells me that this is not possible. What's going on here?"}, {"Arthei's_Descent_into_Vampirism_III": "<this is a ripped page, probably from a diary>\nIV. 7th\nEverything is so strange... two nights ago the weirdest thing happened... I fell asleep during the night watch at my brother's bed, must have been only for a few minutes, but when I opened my eyes, I saw a black... being... hovering over Arthei's bed, getting closer and closer to him. I wanted to jump to my feet and scream, but I was unable to move. All I could do was dig my nails into my own flesh. Then suddenly, the being looked directly into my eyes. I remember thinking 'how strange', because the creature had no face and thus no eyes, yet I knew that it was looking at me. Then I couldn't bear the cold of its look anymore and passed out. I don't know what happened afterwards. All that matters now is that Arthei has recovered. And with recovered I mean that there is not a SCRATCH on him anymore. He is completely well, I'm not able to explain why, but I don't care. Kala is crying for joy, I think the black being wasn't evil, but a god."}, {"Recipe_of_the_Day": "Recipe of the Day: Virgin Colada\nIngredients:\n- Virgin, preferably female and young for the best taste\nBite. Squeeze. Shake. Enjoy."}, {"Arthei's_Descent_into_Vampirism_VII": "<this is a ripped page, probably from a diary>\nV. 25th\nI'm incredibly tired. Each day we work until the sun sets, trying to farm the land but it seems impossible. I'm sure we all have lost a few pounds. Lersatio even had to disguise himself to sneak back into Yalahar and get some supplies. The water on the island is almost swampy now... the grass is brown almost everywhere.... the trees are losing their leaves... jagged stones have formed from the once green hill. We are not speaking of it often, but I know that my two brothers and I are thinking the same... it's a curse, and it sticks to Arthei.\nVI. 2nd\nAnother week lost. Not much more to say.\nVI. 5th\nWe have made a grave decision. We will deliver Arthei, the land and us from this curse. Tonight this will end. It has to end. It's our brother, but I'm sure that this decision will be the best for all of us."}, {"Arthei's_Descent_into_Vampirism_II": "<this is a ripped page, probably from a diary>\nIV. 3rd\nArthei is not getting better... neither is he getting worse, his state has been the same for the last days. We have established a regular watch plan now during the night so that Kala can get some rest. I have not given up hope, yet, but things are not looking good. It is hard to believe that the poor creature in the bed is my brother. I fear that only a miracle can help him now.\nIV. 5th\nI cannot put into words yet what happened last night... and neither do I know whether it is good... or evil? I have to think about it..."}, {"The_Kha'labal_Chronicles_III": "The Kha'labal Chronicles III - Banor\nWhen no prayer was answered anymore and no sacrifice rewarded it became evident that the gods had indeed left the human race so that it would find a destiny of its own. But they did not leave the humans without guidance. There was Daraman, the gods' chosen prophet, who carefully prepared them for the spiritual and ethical challenges that awaited them in a world full of treachery and evil. And there was Banor, the very first human, a champion of superhuman might and life span, who taught his people how to fight on the battlefield. On his advice the pharaoh of Ankrahmun built a strong army, and it was Banor who designed the plans for Ankrahmun's famous fortifications. And soon enough the new human armies proved themselves in fierce battles against their undead and orcish enemies. Their kind paid heavy prices in these costly battles, but they learnt to accept sacrifices, and it soon become apparent that the human race was here to stay. Eventually only the fearsome djinns posed a real threat to the human race. They defeated the humans in several important battles using their fearsome magic and their skill with the scimitar. However, just when the situation appeared to be most dire Daraman, the revered human prophet, entered the scene and helped to neutralise the djinn threat in a way nobody had foreseen."}, {"The_Kha'labal_Chronicles_IV": "The Kha'labal Chronicles IV - The Exodus\nThrough the force of his convictions Daraman managed to lead Gabel, the djinn's famous king, onto the path of truth and redemption. It has been insinuated that he acted purposefully to sow the seeds of disunity among the djinn race, but considering his personal integrity this seems unlikely. Whatever his motives, though, Daraman's teachings caused a bitter controversy among the djinns, and eventually a fierce civil war broke out. This did a lot to ease the situation for the humans, but Banor was clear-sighted enough to know that his race would sooner or later get involved into the conflict. It was not hard to work out for him which side to support. Under the influence of Daraman's teachings Gabel, his former enemy, openly propagated peaceful coexistence between humans and djinns. Banor accepted this offer in the name of all humans and formed an alliance with the Marid. It was only logical then that the Alliance fought side by side in the battle of Ankrahmun against the Efreet who had secretly allied with the Drefian necromancers. The victory of the Alliance was overwhelming, but it came with a heavy price. A cataclysmic firestorm unleashed by the Efreet set the whole Kha'labal ablaze, forever turning what used to be a paradise into a barren wasteland. Countless human lives were lost in the magic inferno, and the survivors found that their homes had been destroyed. Faced with a choice of slowly starving to death or leaving their native land forever, a large group of survivors followed Banor on his quest for a new home. Their exodus triggered a chain of events that eventually resulted in the cataclysmic wars of the unliving, but it was also the fateful moment when the humans' slow, but steady conquest of the whole of Tibia started. But that is a different story."}, {"Legends_of_the_Kha'labal_IV": "Legends of the Kha'labal IV - Drefia's Downfall\nMany are the legends concerning Gha'Zuul's cometlike career in the necromancer city. Working with superhuman resolve and ruthlessly exterminating all real or imaginary competition, Gha'Zuul managed to rise to the top of the Drefian hierarchy within a few decades, and when a bizarre accident happened to the president of the High Council, Gha'Zuul took his place. He was the first necromancer to take this position while still being alive. However, being the foremost necromancer was still not enough to satisfy Gha'Zuul's thirst for power. He had great plans for Drefia. Under his rule the necromancer city would expand and conquer, taking over control of the north and perhaps of the whole of Darama! It was his idea to propose an alliance to the Efreet, and when the decisive battle drew near he personally raised the necromancers' troops to march against the Marid.\nThe rest is well-known. Drefia's troops suffered a decisive defeat in the battle of Ankrahmun. Those undead who were not destroyed during the futile siege of Ankrahmun were pulverised in the searing heat his own allies had summoned. Gha'Zuul realised soon enough that his career in Drefia was rapidly drawing to an end, for if the Marid did not kill him his fellow necromancers surely would. And so he disappeared...\nToday, there are nothing but rumours as to what happened to Gha'Zuul after the failed campaign. However, many believe that Gha'Zuul is still out there, waiting for an opportunity to take revenge just like he used to do when he was still a little nomad boy."}, {"Legends_of_the_Kha'labal_II.I": "Legends of the Kha'labal II - The Wailing Bride, Pt. 1\nPrincess Theripat was the beautiful daughter of pharaoh Karkhaneses II. She grew up in the pharaoh's palace, living a seemingly careless life amidst the proverbial luxury and splendour of the Ankrahmunian court, and when her father arranged for her to marry a well-proven northern nobleman her happiness seemed complete. But things were not quite the way they seemed. Theripat, who was a headstrong and idealistic girl, had always despised life at the court, and with the help of her nurse she had made many forays into the city, concealing her true identity. On one of these excursions she had fallen in love with a handsome officer from the pharaoh's guard. The young man requited the love of what he thought was a simple woman, and eventually the two lovers had even married. When the pharaoh finally decided it was time for his daughter to marry she was already 6 months pregnant, and she knew that soon the truth could no longer be hidden. Frightened and confused, Theripat went through the wedding preparations without saying a word, but when the day had finally come she fled the court. The whole extent of the scandal soon became obvious."}, {"Legends_of_the_Kha'labal_III": "Legends of the Kha'labal III - Gha'Zuul the Necromancer\nGha'Zuul grew up a simple boy among one of the northern nomad tribes. A frail and meagre child, he was frequently the target of the other childrens' jeers as well as of his despotic father's scorn. Hurt and angered by the constant humiliations, Gha'Zuul developed a bitter, unforgiving personality. He took notes of all the indignities he suffered, and he was determined to take revenge for every single one of them. One day, when his camp was attacked by an undead raiding party he decided it was time to get his revenge. Taking advantage of the general hullabaloo, Gha'Zuul sneaked up on his worst tormentor and quickly cut his throat. However, he had made a mistake when he thought that his crime would go unnoticed. One of the necromancers who was part of the raiding party sensed the evil of this deed, and since he was impressed by the young boy's obvious ruthlessness he ordered his undead troops to kidnap him. And so Gha'Zuul was brought to Drefia."}, {"Legends_of_the_Kha'labal_II.II": "Legends of the Kha'labal II - The Wailing Bride, Pt. 2\nKarkhaneses, a ruler who believed that his absolute power depended on the fact that no treachery should ever go unpunished, decided to show no mercy. Both Theripat's nurse and her true husband were arrested and publicly drawn and quartered. Theripat herself had escaped into the desert with her new-born child, but her unforgiving father sent half his army after her. She was found soon enough, but just when the troops were about to arrest her, the unexpected happened. Clinging her baby to her breast, the desperate mother fell into a piercing, bloodcurling wail that quickly expanded into an unearthly sound to which nature itself seemed to respond. All of a sudden a sandstorm erupted, fiercer and stronger than anybody could remember, and within minutes destruction rained down upon the pharaoh's terrified troops. When the storm cleared the soldiers were severely shaken, and many of the pharaoh's best chariots lay shattered in the sand. Theripat and her child, however, were gone forever, and nobody has seen them ever since. But each time the storm rages over the Kha'labal the superstitious people fall into a silent prayer to appease the wailing bride's fury."}, {"The_Kha'labal_Chronicles_II": "The Kha'labal Chronicles II - Shadows from the North\nSadly, the bliss that marked the humans' early hours was not bound to last. The shadows which in those days held the rest of the world in their cold grip became aware of the humans and of their riches, and soon enough they began to plot the young race's destruction. Ferocious orcs built fleets and started raiding the south-western coastline, while the north was threatened by eerie undead who began to spread their insidious poison among the terrified humans. Worse, the corruption slowly found its way into many of the humans's hearts, and strife and armed conflict erupted within the community. Some humans even fell for the morbid attraction of undeath. They formed an evil cult of necromancers and went to the north to found a city of their own. This city was called Drefia, and it soon became a source of the foulest corruption.\nThe humans, who were not used to such challenges, were full of sadness and despair, and many cursed the gods who apparently watched their plight in apathy. Little did they understand that all this was part of the gods' plan. It would take the humans a long time to understand that the very purpose of their race was to fight evil, and that their fate was not eternal bliss but endless struggle."}, {"The_Kha'labal_Chronicles_I": "The Kha'labal Chronicles I - The Creation of the Kha'labal\nEvery child knows the sad fate of the Kha'labal. Once it was brimming with life, a verdant paradise filled with lush forests and countless freshwater springs. The gods created this paradise and gave it to their newly-made race, the humans, as a present. Protected on all sides by the sea or by insurpassable mountains, the Kha'labal was the perfect environment for the young, vulnerable race to flourish. And flourish and thrive it did. Guided by their leader Banor and endowed with amazing technical skills and knowledge by their creators, the humans managed to settle the whole Kha'labal within few generations, and beautiful buildings rose to the sky, the mightiest of which were to be found in the majestic city of Ankrahmun. These early humans, who today are called the Founders, were a friendly race who lived in peace and harmony with each other, ignorant of the horrors lurking in the outside world. And the gods, who watched them from their thrones in the Kha'zeel, smiled on them."}, {"Legends_of_the_Kha'labal_I": "Legends of the Kha'labal I - The Hyena King\nDeep in the heart of the Kha'labal the dreaded hyena king has its lair. This legendary beast is much larger than any other specimen of its race, surpassing lions and even elephants in size, and it can tear a man apart in seconds with its enormous, razor-sharp teeth. What's more, the hyena king is said to be truly immortal, for it has been sighted time and again by numerous travellers and merchants. Many a caravan is said to have fallen prey to this ferocious beast, and it is widely believed to have amassed untold treasures over the centuries. The legend goes that this beast was once a common hyena that was born in the time when the djinn war was at its peak. Somehow it had managed to escape the cataclysmic firestorm unleashed by the Efreet during the battle of Ankrahmun, and when the slaughter had finally ended it fed from the bodies of the fallen djinns, consuming large amounts of magical energy in the process. Perhaps these magical energies were responsible for the fateful mutation that turned a common hyena into this frightful beast."}, {"The_Chronicles_of_Daraman_I": "The Chronicles of Daraman I\nThat was the time when Daraman was captured by the djinns while he was fasting and meditating in the desert. They put him in heavy chains and brought him before Gabel's throne. There the old man stood, all haggard and torn, amidst the splendour of the djinns' court. And the djinns started teasing and tormenting the human with a thousand malicious tricks, trying to strike terror in his heart. But frail and crippled though he was, Daraman never so much as flinched under the pain, and his will could not be broken. Finally Malor, who was the most vicious and godless of the djinn, lost his patience and raised his hand to strike the final blow. But lo!, just when his deadly scimitar was about to strike the prisoner down Gabel's voice thundered through the hall, ordering Malor to stop. And though mighty Malor trembled with anger and spite, he did not dare challenge his king's authority."}, {"The_Chronicles_of_Daraman_II": "The Chronicles of Daraman II\nGabel was curious about the strange human who did not seem to know pain or fear. He approached him and asked him if he did not feel any pain. Daraman answered that the pain of the body was nothing compared to the pain of the soul. So Gabel asked Daraman if he was not afraid. And the prophet said the famous words: \"The fear of death is but a trifle compared to the fear of life.\" So Gabel, who was more and more intrigued by the human, asked him whether he did not care at all about his life? Daraman just looked into the mighty djinn king's eyes, and a brief smile shone on his lips. And after a long pause he spoke thus: \"I am an old man and I have but little to lose, mylord. But your race has much to gain, for it lives in darkness.\" When he said those words many djinns were outraged by the human's apparent lack of respect. And if Gabel had not stopped them the prophet would have been killed on spot."}, {"The_Chronicles_of_Daraman_III": "The Chronicles of Daraman III\nAnd so it came to pass that Gabel, the mighty king of the djinns, took interest in Daraman. Here was something that he, who had seen so many things, could simply not understand, and he was determined to find out more about it. In the beginning he was still convinced that the prophet, like all other humans, was driven by a secret weakness, and he tried to use many other temptations to test the prophet. He clad the old man in silk and offered him a thousand gifts. But Daraman was as unimpressed by the djinns' fabulous wealth as he had been unimpressed by their tortures, and he politely rejected all gifts. And when Gabel finally asked him if he did not appreciate his gifts Daraman answered \"Mylord, I am an old man who has little use for pretty baubles. And truly I have never valued a thing that could be bought for gold.\" It was then that Gabel realised that Daraman was indeed a holy man."}, {"The_Chronicles_of_Daraman_IV": "The Chronicles of Daraman IV\nSo it came to pass that Daraman, who had come to the djinns' court, became the king's guest and confidant. And even though many djinns disdained their king's new favourite Gabel increasingly sought Daraman's company. Every day they went to the Gabel's personal garden and talked for many hours. It turned out that Gabel, the mighty djinn king who had been the terror of the world for such a long time, was plagued by a terrible feeling inner void, and Daraman's infinite spiritual strength became a source of joy and of redemption for him. And so, day by day and week by week, their relationship slowly changed from one between prisoner and a king to one between a master and his disciple."}, {"The_Chronicles_of_Daraman_V": "The Chronicles of Daraman V\nGabel told Daraman of the visions and dreams that haunted him and asked Daraman for advice. So Daraman asked him to open up his soul for him to see. And Gabel opened his heart and soul to him. When Daraman had seen deep into Gabel's soul he understood the pain and the confusion that lay hidden deep inside it, and he wept bitter tears of pity for Gabel and for the whole of his race, for he saw that the djinn were a forlorn race that had been cast away by its creator. So full of divine compassion were his tears that they froze into immaculate gemstones of pure blue crystal as soon as they left his eyes. It is said that that springs of clear freshwater sprang forth from the earth wherever one of them hit the ground."}, {"The_Chronicles_of_Daraman_VI": "Daraman's Chronicles VI\nAnd finally he spoke to Gabel: \"Alas! Truly thy race hath suffered! But there is hope, mylord, hope even for your race that has been deserted by its reckless creator!\" And he went on to teach him the ways of abjuration and of enlightenment. And Gabel listened and learned, and when he saw the wisdom in Daraman's words he decided to renounce the old ways. And soon many others of his race embraced the holy words and became proselytes of Daraman's creed."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_I": "The Djinn Wars I - The Insurrection\nFor a long time Malor had plotted and schemed in secrecy, using promises and threats to recruit followers and to form alliances. Many djinn refused to betray Gabel, but the majority of the strongest djinn warriors rallied to his cause, and since Malor had been plotting his insurrection for a long time the rebels were well-prepared. When Malor finally gave the signal his minions attacked the palace in full force, planning to kill Gabel swiftly. Their attack was deadly effective, and the palace guards were quickly overwhelmed. However, Gabel, who had received warning about the conspiracy was saved in time by his trusted aide and friend Fa'hradin. He managed to flee in the darkness, and that very night he started to gather his troops in order to take revenge on the usurper. Malor, on the other hand, had to acknowledge that his plan to get rid of Gabel quickly had failed. And he ordered his followers to prepare for a long-term military engagement. Neither he nor Gabel realised then that this was the starting point for a war that would last for eons."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_II": "The Djinn Wars II - The First Years\nThe war took a long time to unfold. Both Malor and Gabel tried to win over as many followers as they could, and the need to take a choice war weighed heavily on many a djinn's conscience. Still, few of them managed to remain neutral in this terrible war, and so a deep rift opened within the djnn race. Families were torn apart as children turned against their parents and brother fought brother. Worst of all, it soon turned out that both sides were roughly equal in strength, so that even though a number of vicious battles ensued it become more and more apparent that victory could not be won easily in this war. In fact, it appeared more and more likely that even if one of the sides could win it, it would so be crippled by the endeavour that the very existence of the djinn race would be threatened. Still the war raged on relentlessly. And the mutual hatred between the two fractions, who began to call themselves by the distinct names of Marid and Efreet, increased with every battle that was fought."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_III.I": "The Djinn Wars III - The Great Battle, Pt. 1\nAt last, Malor prepared for a decisive strike. He sent a messenger to Gabel and challenged him to a personal duel. Gabel, who was prepared to do anything to stop the fratricidal war, accepted the challenge. The enemies agreed to meet in the fertile plains of Kha'labal. There they stood, face to face, the old king and the usurper, and so did their armies, because neither of two was gullible or foolish enough to come on his own. It was the greatest gathering of djinns in recorded history.\nEventually Gabel stepped forward to meet his opponent. This was the moment Malor, who had never intended to fight honourably, had been waiting for. All of a sudden the earth opened in a thousand places, and hordes of vicious undead attacked Gabel and his army. For Malor had secretly formed an alliance with the dreaded necromancers of Drefia and it was them who controlled the undead hordes that fought for him. Faced with an overwhelming enemy, Gabel and his army turned to flee."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_III.II": "The Djinn Wars III - The Great Battle, Pt. 2\nA number of Marid was caught and slaughtered on the spot, but much to Malor's disappointment the majority of Gabel's troops managed to escape southwards in what appeared to be a well-planned strategic withdrawal. And how much greater was his surprise to find that the Marid fled to the city of Ankrahmun where they appeared were expected! It was then that he realised that Gabel had suspected a ruse all along, and that he had prepared a counterstrategy. Malor immediately ordered his troops to abandon pursuit, but it was too late. The undead marched against Ankrahmun with all the determination of a mindless killing machine, and the Efreet, blinded by rage, did not lag behind, only to be met by ceaseless barrages of arrows and catapult stones. A cataclysmic battle ensued.\nWave after wave of undead and Efreet stormed against Ankrahmun, and wave after wave broke at the huge fortifications of the ancient city. Both the Marid and the humans were well-prepared for this battle, and even though Malor's army wreaked havoc they never yielded."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_III.III": "The Djinn Wars III - The Great Battle, Pt. 3\nAt last even Baa'leal, who led the Efreet in battle, had to admit that the Marid and their despised human allies fought valiantly. However, despite the heavy losses he was determined to decide the war there and now. He summoned the most powerful Efreet wizards and ordered them to unleash a huge column of magic fire onto Ankrahmun in order to render the city and all those in it to cinders. The Efreet wizards' followed his orders and soon a wall of devastating fire rose up to the sky. However, when they tried to move it onto Ankrahmun they soon realised that it did not move into the desired direction. The Marid had soon seen through Baa'leals plan, and Fa'hradin and his fellow Marid mages used their own magic to turn the devastating flames against their creators. A fierce battle of wills ensued between the mages from both sides, and the whole battle came to a halt when the two armies watched in horrified fascination as the terrible pile of flames wandered seemingly undecided to and fro. But then, all of a sudden, the pile made a sudden leap to the north, and within seconds those who had summoned it from the sky were reduced to smouldering ashes. That was the turning point of the great battle."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_III.IV": "The Djinn Wars III - The Great Battle, Pt. 4\nThe fire, now entirely out of control, turned northwards, driven by a gently breeze coming from the south. Its devastating flames fed on plants and animals alike, and as the inferno slowly spread to the north the Kha'labal was scorched and marred forever by the magical flame.\nThus, the great battle was won by the allied armies of the Marid and the humans. However, for the winners there was little left to feel triumphant about. The losses had been great on both sides, and the Kha'labal, that beautiful garden given to the humans by the gods, had been turned into a barren, hostile desert. Also, the destruction cause the fire had allowed many Efreet to escape, so it seemed unlikely that the war would end now. However, for the time being Malor and his troops were much too weak to pose a serious military threat, so Gabel decided to abandon pursue. Instead he ordered that his army should move northwards towards Drefia. It seemed time to settle old scores."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_IV": "The Djnn Wars IV - Drefia's Fall\nAfter the disastrous battle of Ankrahmun Drefia's necromancers knew the end was near. The Marid would never forgive them their treachery, and this would be a battle the necromancers could not win - after all, many of them had already perished in the battle of Ankrahmun, and their Efreet allies could provide no assistance. So the necromancers prepared for the inevitable with the defiant cynicism of those who have been familiar with death all their lives, performing evil rituals and indulging in morbid orgies.\nFinally, the end came swifter than they expected. Unwilling to take any risks in the unpredictable halls and passageways of Drefia's dungeons, the Marid performed a fearsome ritual. The tortured earth underneath Drefia started moving like a giant whirlpool, and slowly the unholy city was pulled inside the maelstrom. Within half an hour it was gone completely, and all but the highest buildings were completely covered by sand and by rubble. None of its inhabitants have ever been seen again, but rumour has it that deep beneath the surface the unholy city is still intact, brooding like a vengeful animal in its prison."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_V": "The Djinn Wars V - Fa'hradin's Trick\nEven though many djinns had lost their lives during the fateful battle of Ankrahmun, the war was still undecided. Malor had lost many of his bravest warriors, but so had Gabel, and they both knew that another epic battle like that would bring the whole djinn race to the brink of destruction. In his desperation, Gabel turned to his trusted friend Fa'Hradin for advice. The old djinn suggested using a trick to eliminate Malor. Without their leader, he reasoned, the Efreet would end the rebellion. Gabel, who wanted to avoid further bloodshed, agreed. And so it came to pass that the magic lamp was created and, by means that are unknown to this very day, secretly placed in Malor's private chamber. The mighty Efreet never had a chance. When he went to sleep in what he thought was his private lamp he was trapped inside the lamp, which was soon enough smuggled out of Mal'Ouquah, the Efreets' fortress, and brought back to the Marid. Fa'hradin's trick had worked - Malor was Gabel's prisoner."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_VI": "The Djinn Wars VI - A War in Suspension\nWith Malor imprisoned, many Marid hoped that peace would finally come. Gabel immediately contacted the Efreet to let them know their leader was his prisoner, but his hopes that the rebellion would collapse without Malor were disappointed. The Efreet hated their Marid cousins too much to yield, and so the war continued. Nonetheless, both sides tried to avoid open conflicts, so there was next to no combat action for a long, long time. In fact, both the Marid and the Efreet planned to wait until their ranks would be replenished. But the losses they had suffered were great, and the djinns are not a fertile race. Century upon century passed and still their numbers had increased little. And while elsewhere the human race rose to power, building beautiful cities and establishing powerful empires, the djnn lived quiet in their remote fortresses. Malor, however, remained imprisoned in Fa'hradin's lamp, oblivious to the strange land his guardians had taken him."}, {"The_Djinn_Wars_VII": "The Djinn Wars VII - Malor's Liberation\nGabel had decided to hide Fa'hradin's lamp and its powerful prisoner in a forlorn place far to the north because he thought it would be safer there than in Ashta'daramai, his own fortress. Little did he know that these were very the lands where many centuries later a race of goblinoid barbarians called the orcs chose to erect a mighty fortress. One fateful day the lamp was found and brought to the orc king. It did not take the king's shamans long to work out that a mighty spirit was caught in the lamp, and soon enough the reckless king released the mighty djinn that had lain dormant for so many centuries. Little is known about what happened next, but even though to this day the orcs claim their king is still alive there are no credible witnesses who confirm that they have seen the orc king ever since. Malor, however, freely roams the world again, and many scholars agree that he will try every trick in the book to rekindle the fire of the djinn war."}, {"The_Finoa_Formulas": "The formulas of Finoa\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Ajina_Formulas": "The formulas of Ajina\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Zonoa_Formulas": "The formulas of Zonoa\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Titaina_Formulas": "The formulas of Titaina\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Urina_Formulas": "The formulas of Urina\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Dokia_Formulas": "The formulas of Dokia\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Lexis_Life_Ring_Formulas": "The formulas of Lexis - Energyflow of the life rings\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Lexis_Death_Ring_Formulas": "The formulas of Lexis - Energyflow of the death rings\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"Battletactics_for_Mages_I": "Battletactics for Mages [I]\nWritten by Zun Su\n*It describes the advantages and disadvantages of the usage of the different fieldrunes against various enemies. You notice the detailed appendix where nearly all the field runes are listed*"}, {"Cartikus's_Magic_Web_Maps_I": "The Magic Web - Maps - Book 1\nWritten by Cartikus\n*You can see several maps of Tibia with red lines and golden points on it*"}, {"Cartikus's_Magic_Web_Maps_II": "The Magic Web - Maps - Book 2\nWritten by Cartikus\n*You can see several maps of Tibia with red lines and golden points on it.*"}, {"The_Janias_Formulas": "The formulas of Janias\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Konios_Formulas": "The formulas of Konios\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Loxenos_Formulas": "The formulas of Loxenos\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Minaja_Formulas": "The formulas of Minaja\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Lineos_Formulas": "The formulas of Lineos\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Geran_Formulas": "The formulas of Geran\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Lexis_Time_Ring_Formulas_I": "The formulas of Lexis - Energyflow of the time rings\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Lexis_Time_Ring_Formulas_II": "The formulas of Lexis - Energyflow of the time rings\nBook 2\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Lexis_Time_Ring_Formulas_III": "The formulas of Lexis - Energyflow of the time rings\nBook 3\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"The_Lexis_Time_Ring_Formulas_IV": "The formulas of Lexis - Energyflow of the time rings\nBook 4\nWritten by Herion\n*You see several strange formulas that you dont understand*"}, {"1001_Ways_to_Use_Energy_Beams": "1001 ways to use energy beams.\nWritten by Hrmumundus Grofrukle\n*After reading the whole book (which takes you almost an hour) you suffer from headaches. You remember only one thing and have to laugh as the memory returns. It's the 647th. way to use an energy beam: a venerable wizard who grills meat with his deadly spell.*"}, {"Dianscher_Coordinates": "Coordinates for the area around Dianscher\nWritten by Mathemicus\nI think I found out some coordinates for the Island Dianscher.\np3,q9,0o and p3,23,0t.\nYet, we must wait until we can control the destination gates and open them without problems."}, {"A_Teleportation_Through_the_Magic_Web": "A teleportation through the magic web\nWritten by Zuania\nI was one of the first who was allowed to teleport through the magic web.\nI could easily open the gate with the power of my will. But after I was in the magic web I lost control. So I came out near Carlin although I wanted to come out near the east gate of Thais.\nAll others made the same experience.\nIt went all so quickly when I was in the magic web. I could only see a red light and some other gates far away for some seconds. And then I was already in Carlin.\nMaybe one day we can just teleport into the magic web and stay there. I would love to investigate it."}, {"The_Magic_City_Demona_III": "The magic city Demona\nWritten by Danae, historian of the warlocks\nPart3\nIn the beginning, our ancients lived in total isolation. They thought, that they can survive down here without any contact to the outside world.\nBut after some years they realised that they cant cast enough food and water for all warlocks.\nThey also realised, that it was necessary to be under the free sky to cast some spells (Like the spell \"Path of the Stars\", that only works if the caster can see the stars in the night).\nSo they made a direct tunnel to the surface.\nAll seem to work well. But after some years new problems appeared."}, {"The_Dragonlords_of_Tibia": "The Dragonlords of Tibia\nWritten by Tekvorian, Knight of Tibia\nWe dont know much about the mighty leaders of the dragons. But we found out that they love mushrooms of all kind. Maybe the old dragonlord on Dracona can tell us more.\nFurthermore, we found out that many Dragonlords carry a strange book with them. We dont know why,yet, but we are working on it."}, {"How_to_Control_the_Lava": "How to control the lava\nBy Jonea, ancient council of the warlocks\nThe lava was since the beginning our friend.\nWe always possessed the power to \"talk\" to the lava and to form/move it for our purposes.\nBut this ritual requires complete concentration and only with many warlocks it was possible to build this city out of the lava.\nHere is how it works:\n*The rest sheets of the book were pulled out.*"}, {"The_Magic_City_Demona_II": "The magic city Demona\nWritten by Danae, historian of the warlocks\nPart2\nOur world of Tibia is filled with various kinds of magic. Until now, we dont know much about this magic. Only a small part of the whole magic power is under our control.\nOur goal is to research into the magic web of our world and to control it, so we can finally reach our purpose: the immortality.\nBut before we could start with the research, our ancients had many problems to solve."}, {"The_Magic_City_Demona_I": "The magic city Demona\nWritten by Danae, historian of the warlocks\nPart1\nWe dont know exactly when this city was build.\nBut it must have been centuries ago.\nI have collected the few information we have from the past and tried to reconstruate the birth of this city:\nOur ancients used their mighty magical power to control the lava down here. With the help of our loyal trolls, they somehow build this city.\nA city only for serving one goal: The investigation of the magic in our world Tibia!"}, {"Fields_of_Glory_Map": "*You see a map of the surface of the Fields of Glory. There are many red lines and two golden points on it. You wonder what their meaning is.*"}, {"The_Magic_City_Demona_IV": "The magic city Demona\nWritten by Danae, historian of the warlocks\nPart4\nWild monsters and human adventurers found the tunnel from Demona to the surface and tried to conquer our city.\nOnly with much luck and under many casualties we could defend our city.\nBut what was to do now? We had to go to the surface but we must somehow protect our city from enemies.\nWe had many ideas. But the best was to create a giant maze. We would know the right way but our enemies would have to search for months and maybe they would starve or go back to the surface and never come back.\nSo the works on the maze began."}, {"Magic_Web_Maps": "*You see a collection of maps in this big book.\nSome have strange red lines on them.\nYou can read the words\n\"known parts of the magic web in red and known gates in gold\"\nat the bottom of those pages*"}, {"The_Magic_City_Demona_V": "The magic city Demona\nWritten by Danae, historian of the warlocks\nPart5\nWith our mighty magic abilities and the help of our new friends, a tribe of trolls, we could create the maze within one month!\nAfter it was finished nearly nobody found out the way to our city. The few who found it were killed by us.\nWe hired some mercenaries too. We pay them good for protecting parts of the maze against enemies.\nAnd thats how is was for centuries until today.\nWe could make our researches in silence and without fear of an attack.\nOne day we will reach our main goal. And then we wont have to fear anyone.\n<End of the five books History of the Warlocks>"}, {"Tibia_Map": "*You see a map of our world Tibia*"}, {"The_Magic_Web": "The magic web around our world\nWritten by Heronias\nFor centuries we have been doing research into this magic web in our world of Tibia. And the more we try to understand how it works the more I think that we will never solve its mysteries.\nBut we havent give up hope yet. Maybe we will find somehow someday by chance a key element that will help us to open many doors in the magic web.\nUntil then we will keep on trying to solve as many riddles as we can."}, {"Might_Rings": "Information about the might rings\nWritten by Doneos\nOur ancients got somehow some might rings.\nThe magic power of those rings is incredible.\nWe must be very careful while we investigate those rings.\nIf we release the power of the might rings without being able to control it, then this power will destroy our whole city immediatly.\nBut the progress goes well. Soon we will be able to control the power. And we will be then one step closer to our main goal."}, {"The_Teleporter_to_the_Surface": "The teleporter to the surface\nWritten by Zhandramon\nGreetings brothers and sisters!\nTwo centuries ago, I created this teleporter so that we can do our experiments much more faster.\nIn the old days we had to walk all the way back out of the maze and then in again.\nNow you only step in the teleporter, that is located near the resting rooms and you will be teleported on the surface.\nOf course we cant risk to build a teleporter on the surface because of our enemies. So you have to walk the way back through the maze. But since you know the right way it shouldnt take very long.\nGood luck!"}, {"The_Power_of_the_Talons": "The power of the Talons\nWritten by Doneos\nThe Talons are the most mysterious gems that we know of. We dont know much yet, but we are working on it.\nFact is, that each Talon contains a mighty magical power inside. We must only find a way to set this power free and more important to control this power so that we can use it for our purposes.\nRecently, a fellow warlock found out, that you can release the power through lava.\nYet, we havent found out how to control this released power."}, {"Life_Crystals": "Information about the life crystals\nWritten by Doneos\nOur ancients killed some dragons and suprisely the dragons carried some life crystals with them.\nThey researched into it and found out, that the life crystals obtain the same kind of magic that the life rings have.\nBut there is a slight difference:\nThe power of the life crystals seem to be ten times bigger then the power of the life rings.\nThats why the life crystals glow a little (you can see it in the night) and life rings not.\nWe couldnt solve its secret yet, but one day we will."}, {"Investigation_of_the_Red_Light": "Summary about the investigation of the red light\nWritten by Donina\nYet, we havent found out what the red light does or stands for in the magic web. But it definitly has a main role into this whole system.\nIt seems that it somehow controls the gates of the magic web. If Im right, then we will be able to control the gates one day.\nWe are working on it."}, {"The_Donina_Formula_II": "The Donina formula\nWritten by Donina\nPart 2\nds(%)=\"[tr3->12\\32p-q]\"\ngh/3u->32=<%sd>\n.\n.\n."}, {"The_Donina_Formula_I": "The Donina formula\nWritten by Donina\nThis is a formula based on the honeminas formula.\nIt should help to understand the pulsate of the red light in the magic web.\nft:=E[3,2,3]*fd(3.2),as->20\nio=g[i,u]->2\n.\n.\n."}, {"The_Tridiag_Formula": "The tridiag formula\nWritten by Donazia\nThis formula bases on the honeminas formula.\nIt is not completed yet. But here are our results until now:\na=3er*8g->99k\ng[a_,l_] :=e*g[1,1]->9g*3a\nh:=3pe-34u\n.\n.\n."}, {"Teleportation_Through_the_Magic_Web": "The research into the teleportation through the magic web.\nWritten by Notigeus\nWe used a part of the honeminas formula\nto open some special doors in the magic web.\nThose special doors have the ability to teleport the caster to any part of our world. We tried it a few times and we succeded.\nThough we must be very careful because the teleportation through the magic web is very dangerous.\nUnfortunately, we arent able to control the destination doors. So we can only teleport into random areas. And this could end deadly.\nUntil we know more, every teleport is forbidden."}, {"The_Honeminas_Formula": "The honeminas formula\nWritten by Mathemicus\nThe honeminas formula is one of the basic formulas that describe how the magic web was made by the gods.\nIt is not completed yet, because honeminas itself died by 2 intruders who found out the way into our city. But we are trying to finish his work.\nAnd Im sure that one day we will finish it and then we will be a big part closer to our goal.\nAs far we solve the following formulas:\n(Note: g stands for gate, g [a_,x_] for the coordinates of the gate in the 2-dimensional-area and e for the strengh of the magic energy that flows into this gate.\nFor all other formulas look in your collection of formulas)\ng[a_,x_] := a g[3,2] + (4,3,1,5,3).(3,4,7,8,4)\ne=3m*2g->3p\n.\n.\n.\n."}, {"Life_Rings": "Information about the life rings\nWritten by Doneos\nWe found out that many of the undead own a life ring. We researched into it and found out that the life rings obtain a kind of magic.\nIt seems that the ring has the ability to resuscitate dead persons/monsters.\nWe havent found out yet how to release and to control the magic of the life rings.\nBut the time will come when we will find out its secret.\nAnd it could be the key to our major goal!"}, {"The_World_of_Tibia": "The world of Tibia\nWritten by Unaris, adventurer of the warlocks\nThese maps of our world Tibia could help us to understand how the magic web of Tibia was made by the Gods.\n*In the following pages, you can see many maps with parts of Tibia*"}, {"History_of_the_Ancients_V": "History of the ancients\nBook 5\nWritten by Zhandramon\n*You try to read and understand the words but it is written in an unknown strange language. Seems that this language is very very old.*"}, {"History_of_the_Ancients_IV": "History of the ancients\nBook 4\nWritten by Zhandramon\n*You try to read and understand the words but it is written in an unknown strange language. Seems that this language is very very old.*"}, {"History_of_the_Ancients_III": "History of the ancients\nBook 3\nWritten by Zhandramon\n*You try to read and understand the words but it is written in an unknown strange language. Seems that this language is very very old.*"}, {"History_of_the_Ancients_II": "History of the ancients\nBook 2\nWritten by Zhandramon\n*You try to read and understand the words but it is written in an unknown strange language. Seems that this language is very very old.*"}, {"History_of_the_Ancients_I": "History of the ancients\nWritten by Zhandramon\n*You try to read and understand the words but it is written in an unknown strange language. Seems that this language is very very old.*"}, {"Battle_Tactics_for_Demona_-_Mazeforces": "Battle tactics for Demona - Mazeforces\nWritten by Zhandramon\n*This book is......EMPTY! All sheets are blank!\nBut you can feel a strange energy flowing through the book.*"}, {"Battle_Tactics_for_Demona": "Battle tactics for Demona\nWritten by Zhandramon\n*This book is......EMPTY! All sheets are blank!\nBut you can feel a strange energy flowing through the book.*"}, {"Maze_of_Lost_Souls_Maps": "Written by Zhandramon\n*You can see some maps of the maze. But unluckily you cant see the right way through it. Furthermore, the maps are incomplete. So it is impossible to make a whole map of the maze out of all small maps.*"}, {"Summoning_Creatures": "*This book is made out of an odd leather and it's covered with strange symbols. You are not able to decipher the title but according to the pictures you guess it is about summoning creatures.*"}, {"Wand_of_Might_Research_Progress": "Mighty Zhandramon\nOur progress is very good! If we continue like that and without any problems then we will be able to close the investigations on the wand of might within 1 year!\nIm sure we will succeed!\nYours,\nAuterius"}, {"Twinkiller_Rune": "Dear Gelunidas,\nI request that you send me the twinkiller-rune I ordered some months ago immediately. If I am convinced that they work as promised I will order them in greater numbers. They might be handy in my next schemes. As this letter should show you, the tales of my death are wildly exagerated. I hope you and your warlock brethren did not think you get off the hook that easy? If you don't work on the stuff I ordered and I do not receive the stuff I ordered in time, be prepared for a visit. You won't like my new friends that I would introduce to you.\nFerumbras"}, {"Gargail's_Magic_Web_Maps": "Maps of the magic web\nWritten by Gargail\n*You see several maps with red lines and golden points on them*"}, {"Battletactics_for_Mages_IV": "Battletactics for Mages [IV]\nby Zun Su\n*The last Book of Zun Su's famous Battletactics for Mages deals with the combination of field runes, offensiv runes and spontanous spells (both offensive and defensiv). All known spells which could (at least theoretically) be learnt by a mage are listed at the end of the book.*"}, {"Battletactics_for_Mages_II": "Battletactics for Mages [II]\nby Zun Su\n*It deals with the proper usage of offensive runes like magic missiles, all kinds of fireballs, explosion or the mighty sudden death rune. It shows how to aim and fire at a quick rate. As usual it has an appendix where all the mentioned runes are listed with detailed description.*"}, {"Battletactics_for_Mages_III": "Battletactics for Mages [III]\nby Zun Su\n*The book is about the various spontanous spells. It deals mostly with the destructive spells like fire wave, energy beam and the deadly energy wave. It shows how to hit a moving target with high precision. The various healing spells and the importance of the magic shield are also mentioned. It also has an appendix.*"}, {"Legends_About_the_Wand_of_Might": "Legends about the wand of might.\nWritten by Herion\nThis book is about the origin of the wand of might.\nFirst of all I want to say that nobody is sure who made it and how it was made. But it contains a powerful magic energy of unknown kind.\nSince we lost most books written by our ancients we cant say how the ancients got the wand in their hands.\nHowever, we are very happy that we own it because it helped us and it will help us to understand the magic web around Tibia.\nFor example, only with its help we could find the gates of teleportation of the magic web.\nWe are making right now some experiments with several magic stuff and we hope that the wand of might will react to some of them somehow."}, {"Wand_of_Might_Accidental_Finding": "Sortaje Auterius!\nYesterday it happened something strange that I must report you.\nWhile I was studying the magic powers of the talons I accidently dropped one talon to the ground.\nIt rolled over to the lava and fell into it.....\nAnd then suddenly the wand of might began to glow....\nFor 5 minutes the wand spread a mighty aura and then it suddenly stopped.\nI will investigate this....\nYours,\nTardimen"}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_I": "Dangers of Adventures\nby Netlios\nVolume I\nAn adventure is an exciting thing to do. Nevertheless it might be rather dangerous,\none may even die during his journeys through the lands!\nI wrote the following books in order to show the fates of 5 men who devoted themselves\nto discover new parts of Tibia. Each of them was a brave warrior and a superior explorer\nand they all went through exciting adventures. Their journeys were of different duration -\none ended after 66 days, another after 100 days. Each journey ended in a very dangerous\nsituation; one situation even ended deadly!"}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_Critique_Adrenius": "Book review of Netlios opus:\n\"Dangers of Adventures\"\nby Adrenius\nA lot of people have read, and of course will read in the future, Netlios popular series of Books \"Adventurers Guide Through Tibia. I-VI\". But could this book really be a guide for adventurers? I am not quite sure. It is rather confusing to read these books. A lot of stories were told, but do these stories really belong to each other? Could these people really exist? I doubt it! Once a traveller came to me, who wanted to convince me that Netlios stories are real. I asked him to tell me the names (in alphabetical order), the ages, the reasons why they stopped their journeys and the length of their adventures.\nAt the beginning, I wanted him to give me the first name, his reasons and all this.\nHe wispered:\n\"Anaso, 38, troll attacked, 66 days\".\nI asked him to tell me about the next person:\n\"Elaeus, 40, steped into fire, 100 days\".\nI also asked him about the last three persons, and he gave me his answers.\nAt the beginning, his words seemed plausible to me. But after thinking about it and reading parts of Netlios' stories again, I noticed, that this can't be true.\nA lot of people came to me, bringing \"their\" versions of (wrong) solutions to my questions. There was never someone, who was able to give me a correct answer...\nDoes an answer exist? If it does: How does it look like?\nI decided to give a reward to the first one, who is able to tell me the correct answer."}, {"Remarks_on_the_Legend_of_Lake_Amros": "Remarks on the legend of lake Amros\nby ...\nSome weeks ago, I spoke to my friend Othmor. Somehow, we spoke about the nearby Lake Amros.\nOthmor visited Carlin some time before we met each other, and he said, rumors are going that it is somehow possible to raise parts of the lake, such that the water isn't as deep as it is now. This way, it should be possible to reach the little island in the middle of Lake Amros...\nIt is told, that there is something of value on this island. I never was able to reach it; my magical powers didn't last to get there..."}, {"The_Origin_of_Species_by_Means_of_Natural_Selection": "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection\nby Dave Charlwin\n\nAfter years of research, I believe I have found the origin of of any living creature that exists in our dimensions. First,\nshortly after our world was created, the were just stones and earth. There were small stones, big stones, gray and brown\nstones, sharp and round stones. Some of these stones looked very much like today's seeds; that isn't just per chance.\nObviously, some of the round, small, brown stones,which were somehow placed some fingerlength deep in the earth, started\ngrowing in the directions of the sun - in the opposite direction of hell. That is how plants and trees were created\n- big trees came out of big stones, small plants out of small stones.\n\nNow one may ask oneself (or me): How did animals come into the world?\nI thought really long about this question, and I obviously found the correct answer.\n\nOnce there were plants existing they started \"mixing\" with stones:\nPlants are living objects (just like\nanimals are), but they can't move very fast (animals move fast). Stones on the other hand do not live, but they can\nmove very fast (think about stones falling down a mountain).\n\nThat's how animals and monsters started to exist."}, {"The_Adventurer's_Guide_to_the_Dungeons_-_Troll": "The Adventurer's Guide To The Dungeons.\nTroll: Trolls are some kind of strange monsters. They run around without having a target, telling stories no one can understand because of their unclear pronunciation (which results from the fact, that trolls do not have teeth at all). Trolls can easily be identified by their appearance: red skin, not too big, mostly in groups, often carrying a spear and a wooden shield to fight (of course, they do not know how to use these things properly...). Some Trolls (they are supposed to be the leaders of troll-groups) carry ropes and money with them - reasons are not known, but it is believed that they use ropes to climb down wells, what does surely not explain why trolls need money..."}, {"Potion_of_Invisibility": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of Invisibility\nThis potion is one of the most difficult potions to mix. Besides you need lots of time, you also need great magical abilties.\nThe ingredients you should have are:\na rat's tail\n2 teeth of a dead troll\na piece of a ghouls robe\n2 ghoul-breads\na dragon's eye\ngreen slime\nPut these things together in a pot and cook it about 25 minutes. Afterwards, speak the magical words: \"Munga Mungos\" towards the pot.\nNow the potion is ready for use. Good luck and happy cooking!"}, {"Mixing_Potions": "On mixing potions.\nNow, being a really old magician, I decided to write down some of the formulas of potions I invented during my lifetime. First I thought it will be best to give clear advices for everyone to mix them. But after some days of crucial thinking I had a vision - everyone would be able to mix these powerful but dangerous potions within minutes without being aware of the consequences! It needs lot of wisdom and willpower to become a experienced and responsible magician. This doesn't mean to be cowardish - it means that you know your powers and that you exactly know your limits!\nSo, to prevent misuse of this knowledge i will write down these formulas in ****, a very old language only known by the wisest sorcerers."}, {"Important_Facts_from_Galactic_History_II": "Important facts from galactic history, number two\n(reproduced from the \"Sideral Daily Mentioner's Book Of Popular Galactic History\")\nSince this galaxy began, vast civilisations have risen and fallen, risen and fallen, risen and fallen, that it's quite tempting to think, life in the galaxy must be (a) something akin to seasick -- space-sick, time-sick, history-sick or some such thing or (b) stupid."}, {"Potion_of_Happiness": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of Happiness\nThis potion causes the user to become as happy as he never was before. Mix the following things:\na stamped letter\na dead fish\na bone\na diamond\nan inkwell\nYou'll also need an empty potion to throw these things in.\nSpeak out the magical words: \"Lomba Niff\" and drink the fluid, and you get your happiness again!"}, {"Potion_of_Flight": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of Flight\nDrink this potion and fly like a bird! All you need is listed below:\ntwo wings of a wasp\nan eye of a dead body\na rope\na potion of lemonade\na watch\nand, of course,\na rapier to stir with\nand finally a pot to cook in it.\nPut all things except the watch into the pot and cook it for 24 minutes. Cast the spell \"Flifli Bor\" on it and drink it.\nDon't forget to have an eye at the time! This fluid lasts for 12 minutes.\nOnce the time is over, you are not able to fly anymore... you'll fall down like a stone.\nTherefore, never forget the time and always wear a watch when using the \"potion of flight\"!\nGood luck and may the birds be with you!"}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_IV": "Dangers of Adventures\nby Netlios\nVolume IV\nThe important topic I will now examine is: How can I be sure to drink enough? Where do I get a drink? Well, there are not very many sources of drinks: First, you can take some potions of water with you. Second, you can \"find\" something on your way. For example, you might cross a river or perhaps it might rain one day or the other. And maybe you can even find drinks on your way, but be careful! You never know what is inside the potion you find. Let me again give you an example to illustrate this:\nOne of our five men travelling through Tibia (his name was longer than the name of the adventurer, who was attacked by a troll and therefore had to stop his exploration) one day found a filled potion on his way. He was very thursty, and so he drank the liquid inside. He didn't know (how should he?) that it was poisoned. After some moments he noticed, that he felt worse and worse. At this moment, he had to stop and return to his house. By the way, the name of this man (the poisoned one) was shorter than the name of the man, whose journey was over after 83 days."}, {"Different_Fluids_II.I": "\"On different Fluids, 2nd publication, part one\"\nby Arisophlus\nThe second kind of fluids are brown. There are several types of brown fluids.\nThe first one is called \"beer\". It is, to say, one of the real bad substances in our known world: It is tasty, it smells well and everyone likes it. But beware! It makes addicted! Once you drank a potion of it you won't be able to control your senses anymore!\nYou won't even be able to walk on a line! So, if possible, avoid this fluid. Just imagine you were hunting and your life depends on your reaction, on your movement, and on your visual impressions!"}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_II": "Dangers of Adventures\nby Netlios\nVolume II\nThe adventurers, whom we will have a look at, were all born in different years and were therefore all of different ages when they started their travelings through Tibia. The oldest among these men was aged 42; the youngest was 38, when he started to discover new areas of our land. None the five was as old as anyone else of them. One journey ended after 83 days, one after 117 and finally one after 134 days. Anaso, one of the explorers, was a very brave sword-fighter. His brother Elaeus, who started an expedition just like his brother, never wanted to use a sword - instead he was an excellent magician. Hestus, another explorer whom i will tell about, always wore green trousers, so no-one saw how dirty it was and he never had to wash it."}, {"Potion_of_Silence": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of Silence\nDo you have friends, who are nice but who can't stop talking and talking and talking....?\nMake them stop it by drinking this potion!\nThe ingredients are as follows:\na dead spider\na potion of wine\na potion of beer\ntwo cans of water\na piece of gold (silence is golden!)\nan apple\nand, of course,\na rapier to stir with\nand finally a can to put it in.\nYou don't have to cook it (unless you want to serve it as a hot drink); you just need to cast: \"Silentiam\" on it.\nYour friends will love the taste of this mixture, and they will be silent for a greater\namount of time. We suggest, that the reader himself does not drink this fluid, too.\nGood luck and enjoy the silence!"}, {"Gharonk_Journal_Day_3": "Notes about gharonk language\n... On the third day in this city, an adventurer came back from his travellings. He looked like he hadn't had something to drink for days; his cloth were dusty and full of sand. I can only guess, what happened to him or which places he visited during the last days.\nAs soon as I saw him (I was the first to find him - what a luck, what a honor! Without my help, I think he would have died of thirst!) I tried to communicate with him, but he always just repeated the words:\n\"Orzog! Nag Orzog! Atul! Atul! Nag mob mula! Atul!\"\nI didn't know, what he meant, but it wasn't of importance at this moment.\nAfter giving him something to drink, he recovered quickly. Maybe I try to talk to him again tomorrow..."}, {"Gharonk_Journal_Day_5": "... Five days in this city and under these people, and I'm still not able to communicate with them.\nBut I do not resign - on the contrary, I get more and more interested in the language. I found out some more words, for example how they count: \"umog\" seems to be \"one\", and for each number more, they just put a \"tu-\" in front of \"umog\". Thus, five would be called \"tutututumog\". It doesn't seem to me as if they would have highly developed mathematics, but the way to count seems sufficient for them. I wonder, how they were able to build this town...?\nMaybe an answer is, that they do not speak about numbers, but have short signs for writing them down.\nIt was surprising for me to find out they have a word for \"zero\", namely \"mog\". I hope to find out more in the next days.\nStrangely, they use words for numbers in each context they use numbers. So, \"umog\" stands for one, but also for \"once\", \"one time\", \"first\", ..."}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_III": "Dangers of Adventures\nby Netlios\nVolume III\nThe first potential source of danger I want to discuss is fire! Of course fire is necessary to survife wilderness - to cook our food, to have light, to warm ourselves in a cold and dark night ... But always take care: fire doesn't help us all time! Let me give you an example: One of our explorers was wounded badly, because he steped into an open fire he made himself to cook some fish he just cought in the nearby river. Of course, this was the end of his journey; it was shorter than the travelings of the joungest among the five adventurers."}, {"Potion_of_Fast_Movement": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of fast movement\nThis potion makes the user run faster than the fastest known creature. It is not known, if there is a brake once the effect disappears.\nYou will need the following things:\na tail of a very fast creature\nsome mud\na piece of wood\na flower\nand, of course,\na rapier to stir with\nand finally a pot to cook in it.\nCook this fluid for 9 minutes and cast the words \"rurnum maelis\" in the direction of the cooking fluid. Put a drop of it on each shoe you wear and run!\nGood luck, happy cooking and beware of obstacles!"}, {"Gharonk_Journal_Day_2": "Notes about gharonk language\n... On my second day here, I found out, that this language isn't that difficult to learn. The grammar seems to be a simplified but quite usual grammar. I try to find out some of the words. One day, after killing a lion, one of the inhabitants of the town returned, telling everyone: \"Nag narat umog yargoth!\" I tried to figure out, what the single words mean, but I had not enough time. Maybe I can do that later on..."}, {"Different_Fluids_IV": "\"On different Fluids, 4th publication\"\nby Arisophlus\nNext, I will write about pink fluids. There are two kinds of pink fluids: wine and mysterious mana-regenerating fluid. What I told before about beer is exactly the same for wine. The other pink fluid seems to be very magical. Some people are able to produce this liquid; what a pity, all of these people sell it for horrendous prices!"}, {"Gharonk_Journal_Day_4": "Notes about gharonk language\n... It's now the forth day here in this town. I wasn't able to find out, how the town is called, but that doesn't seem important to me. More important seems to me to find out more details of gharonk language. I found out that they use some words for some different but similar expressions. Gharonk doesn't seem to distinguish between the word for \"I\" (nag) and the words for \"mine\", \"my\", \"me\", and so on. That makes the language more simple, and I think it's always clear what it means from the context. Of course, that are only speculations, I'm not quite sure about it at all..."}, {"Gharonk_Journal_Day_7": "... It's now my last day of the first week here. From day to day, I am able to talk more and better with the people living here. I like it, the people are nice, I get food and drink. The king, or I'd better say their leader, showed me his \"throne\". It's more like a place on the floor, where he sits when talking to his people. He pointed with his finger at this place, saying: \"Nag mogurz, nag mogurz\". I guess, it means something like \"my place, my place\". I found out many other words, I wrote them all down in a table. Maybe I'll teach this language one day to someone, who is interested in...."}, {"Potion_of_Hallucination": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of halluzination\nThis potion causes the user to get different halluzinations. The nature of these halluzinations is regulated by different quantities of the ingredients:\n1-5 eyes of a demon\n2-5 hairs of a dead human\na potion of green slime\n4-5 potions of beer\n4-5 potions of wine\nMix these ingredients together, and just drink it. No need for cooking or casting spells...\nMay the halluzinations be nice!"}, {"Potion_of_Regained_Vision": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of regained vision\nDrinking this will give you back the abilty to see for some time. It does not last too long...\nAll you need is:\na roll\nflour\ndough\na rose\na cherry.\nPut all these ingredients into a mug and heat it for 31 minutes. Speak out the words \"nalus murtu\" to finish the potion.\nNow drink it. You will see again - and you will be able to read this book!\nMay the world become clearer!"}, {"Important_Facts_from_Galactic_History_I": "Important facts from galactic history, number one\n(reproduced from the \"Sideral Daily Mentioner's Book Of Popular Galactic History\")\nThe night-sky of the planet Krikkit is the least interesting sight in the entire universe."}, {"Tibiaball": "On the game \"tibiaball\".\nHere are some secret rules you should consider when you think about playing a match.\n1. Grow at least three extra legs. You won't need them, but it keeps the crowds amused.\n2. Find one good Brockian Ultra-Cricked player. Clone him a few times. This saves an enormous amount of tendious selection and training.\n3. Put your team and the opposite team in a large field and build a high wall around them.\n(The reason for this is that, although the game is a major spectator sport, the frustration experienced by the audience at not actually being able to see what's going on leads them to imagine that it's just a lot more exciting than it really is. A crowed that has just watched a rather humdrum game experiences far less life-affirmation than a crowd that believes it has just missed the most dramatic event in sporting history.\n4. Throw lots of assorted equipment over the wall for the players. Anything will do -- cricket bats, basecube bats, tennis rackets, skis, anything you can get a good swing with.\n5. The players should now lay about themselves for all they are worth with whatever they find to hand.\nWhenever a player scores a 'hit' on another player he should immediately run away and apologize from a save distance. Apologies should be concise, sincere, and, for maximum clarity and points, delivered through a megaphone.\n6. The winning team should be the first team that wins."}, {"Potion_of_Demonic_Transformation": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of demonic transformation\nTake good care of this potion. It is very dangerous, since it transforms anyone who drinks it into a demon!\nThis transformation isn't reversible...\nThe ingredients are:\na potion of red slime\nthe eye of a demon\na piece of paper with a footprint of a demon.\nNow put the eye and the slime on the piece of paper and wrap it. Cast the words \"urtuo sinium\" on it.\nTake this object and place it for 24 hours next to any drink. Afterwards, this drink will transform the\none who drinks it into a demon.\nI again warn you: It might happen that you accidently swallow this drink yourself!"}, {"Gharonk_Journal_Day_1": "Notes about gharonk language\n... On my journeys, one day I found a nice, little city. Not too many people lived there, and they spoke a strange language.\nAfter trying to speak to some of it's inhabitants, I found out, that they call this language \"gharonk\".\nIn the next days, I will try to figure out, how this language works - I really wish I would understand what they try to tell me!"}, {"The_Adventurer's_Guide_to_the_Dungeons_-_Rope": "The Adventurer's Guide To The Dungeons.\nRope: A rope is a long thing in most cases. It is useful to climb up holes and to pull up heavy objects, such as dragons, empty potions or spiders. Sometimes, in special cases, it is used to pull up demons or giant spiders. A rope consists of many rat-tails tied together. Such a thing should not be missing in an adventurer's backpack!\nIt is not known, how it works in some cases - for example, no one found out until now, why one has to put a rope on the floor in order to climb UP a hole. Especially it is strange, that this rope does not get lost, but is found in the backpack of the adventurer again..."}, {"Different_Fluids_II.II": "\"On different Fluids, 2nd publication, part two\"\nby Arisophlus\nI am not quite sure, but I suppose, this \"beer\" does not have human root. No one is able to produce it. Nevertheless, there are hundreds, thousands of potions arround this world? Where do they come from? Who is interested in drunken hunters? The answer is quite obvious: The demon! Beer is an invention of the demon!\nThere is another very mysterious fluid here in Tibia. People tend to call it \"oil\". I really don't know what to do with it. It smells strange; if you know how to put it on fire, it burns quite fine (it's not easy, but once it burns it is very hot!).\nAvoid steping on a pool of oil - it's very slippery. That leads me to an idea: My watch doesn't work anymore since yesterday - maybe I should try to throw it in a glass filled with oil? If I succeed, I will write another book on this topic.\nThe last known brown fluid is \"mud\". It is a very familiar fluid; it doesn't smell, but it is dirty. I do not know, how this mud fits into our world, but it is just here. Nobody knows where it came from, nobody knows its use..."}, {"Different_Fluids_III": "\"On different Fluids, 3rd publication\"\nby Arisophlus\nThe most common fluid is water. It's a blue and opaque, you can't miss it. you can drink it, usualy it does not have any affections on the human body, but if the water comes from a very special place it is said to have healing powers!"}, {"Different_Fluids_V": "\"On different Fluids, 5th publication\"\nby Arisophlus\nBlood and a revitalising fluid are the two kinds of known red fluids. Blood, the \"fluid of life\", is a strange thing. Everyone will agree with me, that it is the \"fluid of life\", even though there are numerous living forms which do not have blood! Instead they seem to use some kind of slime (have a look the corresponding chapter to find out more about it). The life-restoring fluid is a strange fluid, too. I never was able to find out if it works on humans and on animals. I tried more than hundred times to heal my dog with it - but he does not want to drink it. As it seems, it only works for humans...\nLast but not least, there exists one single white fluid in our world: People call it \"milk\".\nThere are rumours that it might increase one's magical abilties if swallowed - I never could verify this claim. As it seems, someone had dreamt about it and afterwards wasn't able to distinguish between reality and dreams..."}, {"Potion_of_Recall": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of recall\nOnce you forgot the recipe of this potion, it's hard to remember. To remember it, you should drink this potion, which of course could cause problems if you haven't something of it left or you forgot that it was this potion.\nAll you need for this potion is:\na dead rat\n23 pieces of gold\na rose\na fishbone\na watch\na peel of a banana\nand, of course,\na rapier to stir with\nand finaly a pot to cook in.\nThrow the ingredients together into the pot and cook it for 28 minutes. After that, cast the magical words \"murana nur\" on it. Drink it, and you will gain your full memory again.\nBEWARE: This potion does not help undeads. In order to work, this spell needs a brain in the concerning body. Without a brain, it's useless.\nIt also should be mentioned, that this potion only brings back one's memories for a short period of time. It does NOT last very long....\nGood luck and happy cooking!"}, {"Potion_of_Future-Vision": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of future-vision\nOnce drunk, this potion allows you to see the future for some time. Since this potion is so mighty and powerful, the ingredients are very rare and therefore difficult to get.\nYou'll need at least the following things:\n2 potions of clear water\na teardrop of a demon\nfire from a dragons breath\na sting of a wasp\nsome hair of a gigantic spider\na nail of a finger of a king's child\nthe nose of a royal rat.\nThis potion is cooked in a golden pot and stired with a heroic sword. It needs to be cooked for two hours and a half, and you have to cast the words \"murman thusis nalbo\" on it.\nGood luck and happy cooking!"}, {"The_Adventurer's_Guide_to_the_Dungeons_-_Dragon": "The Adventurer's Guide To The Dungeons.\nDragon: This is a well known species in our lands. Dragons once were very shy and there didn't exist many of them. And there's the paradox thing about it: Because they were hunted more and more, and more and more of them got killed, the dragons population increased! It's a very mysterious thing, that a species's population increases the more they are killed, but it's what happend with dragons...\nSo the conclusion is obvious, that many monsters want human population to increase and therefore try to kill as many of them as possible!"}, {"Strange_Mechanisms": "About strange mechanisms\nIn the last few years, people began to use strange mechanisms to do different kinds of things. For example it is popular nowadays, to open or unlock doors by switches. However, there are different ways to realize such a switch, e.g. by using hydraulic pressure. Only a few persons have the knowledge to construct such switches."}, {"The_True_Nature_of_Objects": "About the true nature of objects\nby ...\nWhat are all objects around us made of? Do they consist of the same things?\nCould we divide things infinitly many times? The answer is quite obvious to anyone, who ever tried to cut a grain of sand into pieces. I tried it with the sharpest sword I own, and I can tell for sure: It is not possible to divide a grain of sand! Therefore, everything around us is made out of sand.\nYou might say: Hold on! How could a hard thing like a stone be made out of sand? Well, again we can find a simple solution: Take a big hammer and destroy the stone! What you will get is: sand, again!"}, {"Different_Fluids_I": "\"On different Fluids, 1st publication\"\nby Arisophlus\nThere are some kinds of different fluids in our known world. I will try to categorize them in respect to their color.\nTo begin with, there are green fluids. I did not find many different kinds of green fluids.\nIn fact, I just found one. It's a mysterious thing, known as \"slime\" to the ordinary population. This \"slime\" has strange properties. On the one hand, it is nice to look at, on the other hand, it is poisonous, it doesn't smell nor taste well and it is sticky."}, {"Gharonk_Journal_Day_6": "... This is the sixth day. It seems, the inhabitants start trusting me and begin to communicate with me.\nI found out about colours and their words in gharonk.\n\"Red\" means \"narz\", the word for \"green\" is \"buzgob\", \"orolu\" is \"gold\", \"shura\" stands for \"blue\" and \"urbum\" is the gharonk word for \"yellow\". Furthermore, I found out the words for \"yes\" and \"no\". \"Yagla\" means \"yes\", \"glub\" means \"no\", but it's also the word for \"none\", \"not\", and so on.\nI just wonder why they keep on calling me \"gar\". Did they give me a name?"}, {"Potion_of_Living_Dead": "How to mix magical potions\nPotion of living dead\nLost a friend? Your pet died? If it is like that, there's a solution for you!\nJust follow the instructions. You'll need some ingredients:\nthe head of a (dead) dog\nsome oil\na rat's tail\ntwo teeth of an orc\nflour\na fishbone\n2 potions of fresh green or red slime\na piece of wood\na bone of an undead\nand, of course,\na rapier to stir with\nand finally a pot to cook in it.\nIf you cook these things for 32 minutes and cast the magical words \"maldan liflif\" upon it, your potion is finished. Put some drops of it onto the dead body you want to resurrect.\nGood luck and happy cooking!"}, {"Armaments": "Armaments, Chapter Two, Verses Nine to Twenty-One.\nAnd the Lord spake, saying:\n\"First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then, shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shalt be three. Four shalt thou not count, nor either count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thou foe, who being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.\""}, {"Strange-Looking_Stone": "I found a strange-looking stone in the desert. It seems very brittle or hollow to me. Maybe something is hidden in it ... but the lions scared me away before I could examine it more closely"}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_Critique_Farmer": "On Netlios VI books about adventurers\nI think Netlios is a liar. I followed all tips given by him in his books, but i didn't become a great adventurer.\nI really don't know what to do - but I think, becoming a farmer instead of an adventurer is a good choice. Sheeps are not as dangerous as dragons are, and it's better to drink a glass of milk than a glass of green slime!\nMaybe it would help to find the last two parts of \"Dangers of Adventures\", because i only read the first four parts... the others are vanished a long time ago... if I could only find them, but how should I without being an adventurer? I need the books to be an adventurer, and to get the books, I need to be an adventurer!\nBeing a farmer is really better for my nerves..."}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_V": "Dangers of Adventures\nby Netlios\nVolume V\nThe next thing, maybe the most important topic these days, we will closer examine,\nare monsters. Most adventurers die through monsters - be it because people are not \nwell enough prepaired, be it because some people are surprised by eighter the \napperance or the powers of a monster, be it because suddenly there are 20 monsters \nwhere you have expected only one. Always be aware: Our land is in fact dangerous \nand you always have to take into account that arround the next corner some \nmonsters await you - monsters which you have never seen before!\nOf course, I have a little story on this topic:\nOne adventurer of the five - his trip was at least 18 days shorter than the trip\nof Hestus, who was one year jounger than him - climbed down a ladder, not thinking \nabout the danger he might be in. When he finally touched the ground again, he saw \nhimself eye in eye with a fire-spitting dragon. He tried to flee - too late. His\nbody was found weeks after his death...\nJust to mention it: none of the two explorers mentioned above (Hestus and the man \nwho was killed by a dragon) were 41 years old. The journey of the 41-year-old man\nwas longer than the journey of the man who died during his adventure."}, {"Dangers_of_Adventures_VI": "Dangers of Adventures\nby Netlios\nVolume VI\nBecause this topic seems the most important for me, I decided to write another\nbook to warn people of the danger of being attacked by monsters. Two more of our\nadventurers (the ones I always tell about) were attacked by monsters:\nElaeus and the man, whos journey ended after 66 days, both were attacked by \nmonsters. Both were jounger than Gadinius and the man who only barely escaped from \nthe attacks of a mother-bear, who defended her babies. Heso, who too was one of\nour adventurers, never saw a bear in his whole life.\nOne of the five adventurers was attacked by a pack of trolls!"}, {"Library_Key": "Diary of Morrin\nIt seems, I found the entrance to the library. Unfortunately the door is closed, but somehow i have to get in. I searched around, but everyone I met claimed he hasn't got the key... I believe this guy with the red shoes and the blue trousers, who eats rolls with ham all day long, has it; he seems suspicious to me... he didn't seem to trust me, and I think, that is the reason why I didn't get the key. Maybe somehow I can show him, that he can trust me...\nYEAH! I got it! I got the key to the library, and I hope, I can find a solution for my problems there! Somehow I convinced the old man to trust me, and finally we were real good friends! What a pity, I had to leave the library before dawn..."}, {"Strange_Desert": "Expedition diary of Erin Cropwell\nDay 1: After visiting my fathers grave, I headed northeast to explore the world \nbehind the great vulcanic mountains.\nDay 2: I sneaked through a great cave full of cyclopses. After hours of \nwandering and climbing I reached the other side.\nDay 3: Following the coast to seek signs of life.\nDay 4: Found a strange desert. In the middle there seems to be a ruin, I will \nexamine this at night, because it's much too hot now.\nDay 5: DAMN!!! I fell into the deep hole and broke both legs and a rib. All I can \ndo is...\nclimb up spider poison\nTell my wife I lov..."}, {"Stuck_in_a_Hole": "Seems I can't get up the stairs, because I broke my leg. Even worse a scorpion has stung me and I feel my strength failing me. What have I done to deserve this? What?"}, {"The_Different_Uses_of_Human_Earwax_for_the_Dark_Rites": "Comparative Notes on the different uses of human earwax for the Dark Rites. (This seems to be an ancient memo from a student)"}, {"Altered_Vampire_Hunter's_Handbook_II": "Vampires can be immobilised, for a very long time, if the right method is used. If their physical body takes too much damage, it will go down. Sunlight will dry them out and even turn them into dust. If you drive a wooden object into the heart of a vampire, the flow of the vampire's tainted blood is stopped, leaving him completely helpless. It should be mentioned, though, that if the heart is partly missed or if the object is not large enough, the vampire might still be able to move.\nSince a vampire is dead anyway, none of these methods allows to destroy a vampire for good. With enough time and blood, a vampire can recover from any of those seeming deaths. The only known way to permanently defeat a vampire is to kill him with a blessed stake. A blessed stake, however, is a rare object that cannot be obtained easily."}, {"Drefia_Mathematical_Formulae": "\\frac{1}{2} ab\n\nA_G\\cdot h\n\n\\vec{P} = \\begin{pmatrix}p_1\\\np_2\\end{pmatrix}"}, {"Drefia_Chemical_Formulae": "C12H22O11\n\nC3H6O3\n\nCH4N2O\n\nCH3COCH3"}, {"Jugular": "Brat Smoker: \"Jugular\". A novel. (This book seems to have been read multiple times)"}, {"Incantations_Yesterday_and_Tomorrow_Revised": "Incantations yesterday and tomorrow - a comparative study on the evolution of rituals. Revised 155th edition with a preface by His Dark Excellency, Tarkeolos Blacksand."}, {"Encyclopedia_Necronomica_Mor-Ti": "Encyclopedia Necronomica, Mor-Ti\nMorbid - Titillation"}, {"Encyclopedia_Necronomica_Ab-Er": "Encyclopedia Necronomica, Ab-Er\nAberration - Error\nAbnormal\nAbraxys"}, {"Anatomical_Chart_of_the_Human_Body": "Anatomical Chart of the Human Body\n(The paintings in this book are of such macabre detail that you slam it shut after a horrified glance.)"}, {"Tableau_of_the_Constellations": "Tableau of the constellations of the stars and planets\n(A long spreadsheet, closely written with numbers and unfamiliar names.)"}, {"Study_Trips_to_Ankrahmun": "Study trips to Ankrahmun, by Imdi Joons"}, {"Historic_Sites_Underneath_the_Plains_of_Havoc": "Historic Sites underneath the Plains of Havoc, by Imdi Joons"}, {"Dance_Macabre": "Danse macabre. Evolution over the centuries."}, {"Relics_of_Unholy_Power": "Relics of unholy power, an archeological expedition, by Imdi Joons"}, {"Incantations_of_the_Dead,_Dark_Rituals_and_Danses_Macabres": "Incantations of the Dead, Dark Rituals and Danses Macabres, by Arch Priestess Lenora Ovarra"}, {"Holy_Rats": "From the Annals of the Priestess of the Dark Lands:\nRats are the Dark Lord's most favoured pets. These holy dark creatures must not be touched upon lest we incur the wrath of the Dark Lord. Sisters, do not let unholy creatures touch upon these, and always perform the Rites of Midnight, Blood Chains and Skull Music at their specified times."}, {"Summoning_Ghosts": "On the Practical Use of Ouiya planes, atmospheric bells and wind chimes to summon ghosts, by Achirro de Alba"}, {"Fertile_Darashia": "(This book looks like a torn diary. Most pages are torn out, the whole document is blotched and stained, as though through fire, blood and gore. Only a page from an early chapter is still legible, but large spaces are blotted out by diverse stains.)\nforays found Darashia to be fertile and full of animal life, even if a little hostile. Settlers were sent to establish a colony... welcoming people of all cultures and beliefs, Drefia was wild with new and unheard-of ideas, and a haven for all sorts of strangers, wanderers, outcasts, all mingling\n... especially in its first days constantly plagued and raided by nomads and barbarian hordes living in the surrounding wilderlands. The neighbouring Djinn in Darama proved to be\nanother substantial, and even graver, threat to the city ... sworn to extinguish human life, but I believe that it is\nNow, it is rumoured that in order to defy and overcome this formidable enemy, the local government invited... subjects of bad reputation... come to the city... some say they were n... ...\n... began investigating all means of ending or prolonging life, studying\nspying out the djinns. ... Some say that secret, evil pacts were made with the djinns to grab the power over the city, but we cannot rely on\nstill a young man when a morbid spell seemed to have been cast over the city, and the original families perished or vanished, one by one. I lost my.... I decided to hunt down the cause of the mysterious .... Revealed... dangerous, but I persevered... cult, blood is their... fresh corpses... underground, large premises were... constantly need supplies of living\nLike a drawn-out death rattle, the city bled dry... only the most obscure folk\nLike the furtive figures I hunt, I stay and skulk in the onetime splendor of the wide palaces and high houses of my family... now haunted by living dead and ghastly creatures that should not be named in daylight. I will end this, I\n(Here the texts ends with a black stain)"}, {"Places_and_Times_of_Power": "Places and times of power in the cycle of life and death"}, {"The_Nature_of_the_Undead_Preface": "On the Nature of the Undead, Vol. 1\nPreface\nThere are several forms of the so-called \"undead\". Indeed, it is a most natural phenomenon, and we have to discern thusly between the natural undead, appearing out of a natural course, e.g., out of some supreme will inherent to the late inhabitant of our world of the living; and between the scientific method of inducing undeath , and creating undead through an outside, e.g. OUR, will. Of the natural undead, little use can be made, for they obey their own strong will and will not be bended or made to pursue more noble fashions after our own will; so the most noble art of a necromancer lies in besting the natural course, indeed, in perfectioning it, and in bringing back life in death, and creating able-bodied subjects to carry out the most noble purposes of our order."}, {"The_Nature_of_the_Undead_II": "On the Nature of the Undead, Vol. 2\nChapter 1\nThe first category, the natural undead like ghosts and vampires, having been breached upon in the first chapter, we will now proceed to discuss and classify the categories and uses of the technical undead.\nThe second category, that of the induced undead and practicable servants, is, at the moment, unfortunately still somewhat smaller, and it remains to unearth the undeathly secrets of practical necromancy by our most ingenious student corpus. Much still is to be explored in the realm of necromancy, and undoubtedly, future generations will bring more practical and skilled specimen to light. It remains the task of the excellent professoral body to already lay the foundations for this grand undertaking and helping science along.\nTo the category of the technical undead, we will count the following:\n1.\tskeletons\n2.\tlich\n3.\tzombies\n4.\tundead beasts of the animal persuasion\na)\tcanines\nb)\tfelines\nc)\tbats\n5.\tHybrids:\na)\tghouls\nb)\tmummies"}, {"The_Nature_of_the_Undead_I": "On the Nature of the Undead, Vol. 1\nVol. I, Chapter 1\nAs I have said in my preface, we have to discern between two main categories of undead: the \"natural\" and the \"technical\" undead. The natural undead make up for most of the undead types; and we have but to wonder at the mean understanding of the outsiders to our art not seeing this. I will begin my dissertation with categorizing the undead, beginning with the natural undead in this first chapter, followed by a categorization of the technical undead in the second chapter. The means of resurrecting the undead will be studied and an ample introduction be given by my honoured colleague, professor rer. mort. Arrazul Alhazri in his book \"An Initiation to Practical Necromancy\".\nThus, to return to our study: the nature of the undead. The natural undead, like ghosts and vampires, are indeed abundant on this world. Many have been spotted in the different locations in Tibia, and all seem to pursue a singular goal, which they have been denied in life and which they therefore seek to achieve in undeath. As many of the lesser mortals that inhabit the lands of Tibia are not able to reach their goals in life, one must not wonder at the abundancy of the natural undead.\nTo the natural undead, we count the following specimen with their sub-classifications:\n1.\tGhosts:\na)\tspectres\nb)\tspirits\nc)\tphantasms\nd)\t apparitions\n2.\tbanshees\n3.\treapers\n4.\tvampires\na)\tvampire bats\nb)\tvampire brides\nc)\tvampire lords\n5.\t Special consideration must be given to the hybrid classes:\na)\t lesser forms of demon spirits\nb)\tGhouls\nc)\tmummies"}, {"The_Vital_Essence": "Blood - the vital essence, by Prof. Dr. Dr. Horr. Med. Noc. Tis. Sang."}, {"Body_Fluids_and_Their_Uses": "Body fluids and their uses, by Prof. Dr. Dr. Horr. Med. Noc. Tis. Sang."}, {"Gods,_Demons_and_Famous_Black_Magi": "Gods, demons and famous black magi - a reference guide"}, {"1001_Recipes_Against_Sweaty_Hands": "1001 Recipes Against Sweaty Hands"}, {"Elements_of_Tibia_and_Their_Alchemical_Order": "Elements of Tibia and their alchemical order\n(A spreadsheet densely covered with strange symbols, numbers and signs that do not make any sense to you)"}, {"Pentagram-Drawing": "Pentagram-drawing, a beginner's guide\nRequired items:\nmagic chalk (charm it with the spell of spirit-binding first!)\nOptional:\nblood tincture for an incantation\n5 human tallow candles"}, {"Incantation_to_Summon_Asdphodelic": "Incantation to summon Asdphodelic, the lesser two-headed Hound of the Night\n(The symbols and words, imbued with dark meaning, writhe and dance before your eyes. Your eyes begin to water, you have to close the book.)"}, {"Incantations_Yesterday_and_Tomorrow": "Incantations yesterday and tomorrow - a comparative study on the evolution of rituals"}, {"Spirit_Guidance_and_Body_Preservation": "Embalming fluid, chants and holy preparations required to guide the spirit to the next world and preserve his body in the intermediate world, by Rames-Seni Osi-Atun-Ra-Heton, enlightened embalmer and humble servant of the Lord of the Seven Sandy Seas, may his spirit rule in the afterlife forever."}, {"Mummification": "Mumification, a case study"}, {"Necromancy": "Necromancy, a Philosophical Essay, by the Dark Brother Alonso de Iverra\nBrothers, why does the ignorant world still consider death their enemy and end of life? It is not folly? Death is but the portal, not the end; it is but an artificial hindrance to ward off the lesser spirits from the realm of the mighty; and the gods put it up to prevent us Chosen from ascension to their own powers, and threaten their dominion. These shackles to our existence are unnatural; but it is natural to rebel and to seek power, yes, to gain power, to exert power! Brothers, we must overcome this hindrance set up by the jealous gods and claim our rightful place! We are the masters of the living and undead, the true lords of the created, and nothing shall stop us from achieving what we seek."}, {"Darruk's_Tricks": "Letter to Darruk, the practical joker.\nDarruk,\nI will have you know that those tricks you played on the more gullible of our fellow brothers have been entertaining for a while i admit. However, they severely interfere with my instructions, as the fake chant syllables distort the fabric of our songs. Continue, and we shall punish you.\nSister Gurriven."}, {"The_Hierarchy_of_the_Demon_Lords": "The Hierarchy of the Demon Lords."}, {"Singing_Instructions_for_Novices": "Singing instructions for novices.\nStart with humming, deep in your throat. Chant syllables that have sacred meaning. If you feel curious, you can practice on what is to follow. Read the following out loud:\nOrruk ah'tanri, anvi ra shuk ta\nOshkulc parr ak k'tis, kandushta marrikto\nNow read on. If you stop the chant for longer than a breath, horrible shadows will stalk you and whisper foul dreams in your ears while you wake, the undead lord will raise his putrid hand to squash you, and the demons shall feast on your intestines while you still live to see it. now sing the following:\nParri dusk tvan vi\nant'haxi gar m'rassti\nPrarush forassim\nDroruk urgithan.\nThe Chant is hopefully completed by now. If you hit the right tune and inflection, you might live for another fifty years. If not, you will soon find out that your life has become a lot more interesting. And shorter, possibly.\n- Greetings by Darruk the Redscarred."}, {"Light_and_Its_Origins": "Glows, shades and hues - light and its origins: natural and artificial"}, {"Words_of_Power": "Words of Power: The complete and Unabridged Encyclopedia Terrifica"}, {"How_to_Preserve_Body_Parts": "How to preserve body parts for further use in magic rites (an enormous list of ingredients, complex diagrams and close handwriting fill the pages)"}, {"The_Different_Potent_Names_of_the_Dark_Lord": "The different potent names of the dark lord, their use and meaning."}, {"Star_Constellations_over_the_Centuries": "Star Constellations over the Centuries"}, {"Houses,_Ascendants_and_Phases_of_the_Moon_in_the_Different_Dark_Orders": "Houses, Ascendants, Phases of the Moon in the different Dark Orders. A comparative Chart Analysis by Antaly of Drefia"}, {"Triamon_Has_Passed": "This is to certify that Triamon, pupil in the arts of vivisection, has passed the final comparative anatomy trials and is hereby awarded the full rank of a necromancer. Signed, Antrurios of the Deep Seam, head vivisection and anatomy teacher, in the House of Howls."}, {"Places_of_Gathering_of_the_Diverse_Undead": "Places of gathering of the diverse undead. A practical map through Drefia, by Imdi Joons"}, {"Natural_Toxins_and_Venoms_in_the_Darashian_Desert": "Natural toxins and venoms in the Darashian desert. Revised version, by Dark Priestess Hyllissa Wolfsbane."}, {"Runes_and_Sigils_in_the_Necromantic_Arts": "Runes and sigils in the necromantic arts, by His Dark Excellency Grurion Nighthound."}, {"Circular_Canon_of_Eternal_Darkness": "Circular canon of Eternal Darkness\n\n...\n- - - \n:::\n- - - \n\n* * *\n:::\n* * *\n...\n- - - ::: - - - \n. . .\n . . .\n. . .\n . . .\n- - - ::: - - - \n...\n* * *\n:::\n* * *\n- - - \n:::\n- - - \n..."}, {"Experiment_Memoranda": "Memo: need more diverse specimen samples and further trials of bone dust dosage in Carpeyr'Fuatha rite. Running short on female mammals. Memo: Ask head priestess for more virgin subjects. Question: different heat/ combustion method needed? Alternative to lava pit? Place query with head skull builder."}, {"Tarberi_Pledges_His_Services": "I, Tarberi of House of Winter, hereby pledge my services to the Lord of... (the rest of the document is stained and burnt)"}, {"The_Fountain_of_Youth": "The Fountain of Youth. An excursion, by Imdi Joons."}, {"Incantation_Notes_for_the_Revised_Rite_of_Ontorren": "Incantation notes for the revised rite of Ontorren. (stained scribbles and strange symbols follow. Your eyes itch, you have to stop to read.)"}, {"Phases_of_the_Moon_and_Their_Influences_on_Living_Organisms": "Phases of the Moon and their Influences on Living Organisms, by Dark Priestess Antirra Grayhound."}, {"Suspicion_of_Observation": "Though it is very subtly done, I am being observed, I know it. I know whom to suspect, as well, and he will pay for this. He and his gang! This aberration in our ranks must stop. However, still all is proceeding as planned. The new projects develop well, and when I have finished my plans for... (the text ends suddenly)"}, {"The_Means_of_Renewable_Youth": "The Means of Renewable Youth. Fact and Fiction."}, {"Research_on_the_Various_Disorders_of_the_Heart": "Research on the various Disorders of the Heart"}, {"On_the_Nervous_System": "On the Nervous System."}, {"Channeling_Lightning_and_Other_Natural_Magic": "Channeling Lightning and Other Natural Magic"}, {"The_Seven_Sermons_to_the_Undead": "The Seven Sermons To the Undead, by Antarides of Drefia."}, {"Oh_Torrivan,_Love_of_my_Life": "Oh Torrivan, love of my life, why did you have to go into the Dreaded Swamp to fight the evil spirits? Now we will never again be united under the light of this sun, your unborn son will grow up without knowing the wisdom and courage of his father, and the years of my life will pass in shadow and sorrow. I can but hope the gods will have mercy on us, and let us embrace again in the next life."}, {"Reuben_Has_Gone_Mad": "I don't care who finds this, or robs our corpses. It will all be too late anyway. Reuben has gone mad and refuses to give me the shovel to dig our way out after the tunnel collapsed.\nMaybe he got hit on the head there? Since then he has kept to himself, and when I approach, he stares at me as if he did not recognise me. ...\nHe's getting stranger all the time. I think it's these... gems he found. He keeps cooing over them like a hen. He hisses and snarls! I believe I must get used to the thought that the last thing my brother cared about in this world was a heap of glowing pebbles. Whoever finds this I hope has the good sense to grab a shovel and dig free of this place."}, {"Travel_Expenses": "To Captain Starbird, Port Hope, Juggling Mermaid's Inn.\nRodney, ye hairy ol' walrus, I hope this finds ye in good health and spirits and a fair maiden in each arm, too, I wager.\nAs we had to scarper from that last and somewhat heated appointment with the fleet, I took the liberty of deducting my travel expenses from the contents of this here treasure chest. Shiver me timbers, what a blow my ol' Red Ruby took! It's three months' repair at least before venturing out for the next likely booty for us.\nWell, take the rest for a merry round of quaffing with the boys, and we'll meet at the usual place at the usual time.\nYohoho,\nCaptain Jack Rumgut"}, {"Women_Seduced": "Polly, barmaid in Port Hope (likes shiny things, doesn't like beer)\nSally, seamstress in Venore (never paid for that coat she made)\nDorothy, shipwrecked in Cormaya (cute, naive, definitely waiting)\nAngelica, Laguna Island (memo: get my cutlass back from her)\nTricia, Liberty Bay (has an angry brother, bring pistol)\nSuzanne, Drefia (tastes of cherry, have to visit again)"}, {"5611457278": "561145727857261185764364672435345275601928895219735364672496847560\n199684770908895219727816705121648561145191991180036468895219911800\n65128"}, {"1800364688": "180036468895219911800651288952364672119118003576513534783046467972\n783967340579282758576512527570584521765219727830464876515956461141\n451988997"}, {"7830203118": 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"546003646711800140152551751911801894452295345274770909673470920128\n571972783040421585765943442159560421830203118065719189434346465180\n099673405792827585765197278894388721512889521961800311457278572611\n857642197096805796366125275705845217652197278304648765159564611414\n5198"}, {"8952197278": "895219727816705121648006586114312889500362496847560199658550649967\n046726114580036904220464845191188952197712889521959457655236467211\n91180"}, {"1801894452": "180189445229534527477090967347092012857197278304042158576594344215\n956042183020311806571918943434646518009967340579282758576519727889\n438872151288952196180031145727857261185764219709680579636612527570\n584521765219727830464876515956461141451988997511216151800595372434\n8562510"}, {"Poems_of_Rathon": "Poems of Rathon"}, {"The_Superiority_of_Males": "The superiority of males - a fantasy tale"}, {"The_Iks": "The Iks\nA Disquisition (abridged) by the venerable Sir Galthen\nThe tale of Iksupan, the City of Gold, is of a vast kingdom of old. Once prospering and shining in the radiance of its own glory it did not sink to perish like many a lost world: it was taken. To grasp the full magnitude of this most peculiar end, one has to understand the lore and culture of a very ancient part of this world. Due to a lingering fear of the wrath of Kopakhn, god of the balance of life, the people of the Tribe of Iks have been building vast underground cities and palaces. Kopakhn was thought to be the bringer of a cleansing storm, sweeping over the face of the known world. Destroying man, animal and growth alike. So the Iks saw their only salvation in taking to the innards of this earth while forestalling the cleansing by conquering as much of their known world as possible. To appease him, the Iks amassed a wealth of treasure, conquered all the lands of their ancestors and built intricate structures of stone and gold deep underground. Their sincere worship of Kopakhn was also a gesture of gratitude towards his might and divine judgement. Feeling safe in their untiring contributions towards the great goal of the propitiation of their powerful god, their civilisation thrived. The more kingdoms they seized, the more wealth they hoarded, the further they would reach.\nWhen conquerors came from distant parts of the world, the Iks prevailed. Lured by the gold and wealth of their sanctuaries build in the name and spirit of their gods, many foreign knights and mercenaries would invade their sacred grounds. Driven by the lust for riches and glory, the invaders would come ever further and soon roam the lands of the Iks in great numbers. Fending off the foreign aggressor month after month, year after year, the Iks grew angrier and more relentless. They blamed their gods and even Kopakhn became a subject of their ire. The people lost faith in their deities and blamed their priests and sages. In fear of losing control, the highest caste of the Iks tried to uphold order by demanding sacrifices to Kopakhn as well as Tikatl, god of lightning, rage and war. And sacrifices where made. The steps of the great sanctuary of Kopakhn ran red with blood. The worshippers of Tikatl built large outside structures with high beams made of pure gold to attract his mighty thunder and sweeping lightning. Man and animal alike where presented and delivered to the wrath of the furious priests and their angry gods. Their victims in battle would suffer dark rituals and wild ceremonies to feed their souls directly to Tikatl, presenting the hearts to the ever watching Kopakhn.\nThen came the time of the iron haze. An otherworldly mist fell on many settlements and underground sanctuaries. The day the mist arrived would mark the end of any such habitat. Inhaling this haze seemed to have a strange benumbing effect on every living creature and even the walls and the very gold and stone the Iks built their mighty empire upon. After the mist cleared, the iron silenced the few Iks still able to stand. Like leaves brought by a swift wind, sharp blades and quick knives danced through the golden chambers. Room after room emptied of life, torches choked, the fires dead like the people of the Iks lying scattered amongst unfathomable riches. Priest, guard and worker alike, all betrayed, their bones shattered and their souls hurt in disbelief, doubting their gods. Word of these occurrences travelled through the Ikian world and its remaining people fled their homes, temples and sanctuaries. During a long and burdensome time of nomadism far away from their ancestral realm, the Iks all but disappeared. They never recovered and ultimately died in exile."}, {"Addendum_to_The_Iks": "Conquerors and adventurers from all corners of the world tried to find and occupy the lost cities of the Iks but no expedition bore fruit, all attempts failed. The Ikian civilization has indeed been wiped clean from the face of the world. Was it the cleansing storm long prophesied? Or did their rampant lust for blood cost them their lives and legacy? Was the ultimate sacrifice of their souls over challenging the fear of the wrath of a vengeful god their downfall? It will probably never be known.\nLegend has it, that the last remnants of the exiles once again built a home under the earth, deep down, made of stone and gold and filled with riches beyond belief (a scribbled note says Iksupan and \"Ik'kal\" after this sentence) . The final exiles are believed to have never returned to the surface. A lost tribe, forever wandering their golden city in the deep, the entrance sealed shut for no god nor man to ever find them again."}, {"The_Fall_of_the_Astral_Shapers_III": "The Fall of the Astral Shapers by Teruvax Tristem - Part 3\nSlavery did the Shapers no good. It is said that some of them just withered away and died within a few months. Also, the birth rate dropped dramatically. Two generations later the race of the Shapers was no more - or so it seemed. Some of them had managed to flee to remote areas filled with magic. The strong fluxes of magic there allowed them to erect secret forges to harness their power without being seen by the other greedy races.\nFor the hidden Shapers these secret bases became a beacon of hope. While the rest of their civilisation perished, some elite survived in hiding. However, since their network was utterly destroyed, most of their vast knowledge was lost forever.\nEven worse, the Astral Shapers had been so accustomed to access the network that they found themselves unable to handle the knowledge of their ancestors. Access to recourses necessary to operate their complicated artefacts had been lost as well. Often lacking important skills needed for day-to-day survival, the whole race seemed doomed. Many hideouts became death traps that turned into tombs for those who had hoped to find salvation there. Only a very small number of these colonies managed to survive for a significant amount of time. The harsh environment of the hideouts took a heavy toll on the survivors and slowly moulded them into new beings who only remotely resembled the noble figures of their ancestors.\nThe Shapers have been forgotten for a long time and their accomplishments seemed to be lost. Recently, however, the great archaeologist Darama Smith uncovered some ancient tomes which led him on many adventures. On his expeditions he rediscovered two of the underground complexes which had been thought to be lost forever. Astonishingly, one of them was still populated with the degenerated descendants of the Shapers. Unfortunately, both facilities were destroyed in fights between the adventurous archaeologist and the minions of the evil mastermind Professor Maxxen. Some knowledge, however, could be salvaged and some insights into the history of the Shapers could be gained and shared."}, {"The_Fall_of_the_Astral_Shapers_II": "The Fall of the Astral Shapers by Teruvax Tristem - Part 2\nThe Astral Shapers relied more and more on their slaves' workforce as well as on their knowledge network. This situation worked well for them for a while. But then a new powerful warlord arose. The wars were often a back and forth like the tides of the sea. This was the way things were and the races had grown accustomed to it. This new warlord, however, was tired of that game. He decided to eliminate the one advantage that turned the tides of battle once and for all. Instead of fearing to lose the support of the Shapers by fighting them, he speculated on bolstering his own strength if he managed to steal the Shapers' powers somehow.\nThe Shapers were no longer prepared for war. Their slave troops, equipped with magically boosted weapons, were labourers not fighters. Moreover, they harboured no love for their masters. The more remote communication towers were the first to fall. This led to confusion and fear among the Shapers. The gaping holes in their communication were highly disturbing, leaving blind spots all over the realm. In this state of disarray, the first cities of the Shapers fell quickly.\nAs word spread about the actions of the warlord, another flaw became evident. Greedy as the Shapers had been, they had made some humble customers but never friends. When the other races heard about the warlord's success, they feared for their own power. To show the warlord their good will, they started to attack the Shapers, too. Things snowballed as even the more benevolent races decided to join in. After all they could not afford to leave all of the Shapers' knowledge and powers to their enemies.\nSoon the Shapers' cities were razed to the ground by a tidal wave of armies. In a last-ditch effort some of the Shapers used their quickly dwindling knowledge to forge themselves into living weapons. This, however, only led to more severe retaliation against the Shaper populace. Within less than a decade the cities of the Shapers lay in ruins. Their people were enslaved and deported into remote realms.\nThe enslaved Shapers lacked most of the knowledge they had once shared. In an effort to recreate the lost knowledge, several of the captor races squeezed out each bit of knowledge from their captives and compiled them into so-called Shaper records. The fragmentary knowledge they acquired was hardly of any practical use. Moreover, the different races were unwilling to share the records with each other. For this reason, a reconstruction of the Shapers' work was impossible.\nDuring this time, a vast number of Shaper records was created and even copied. However, when the astral forges fell into disrepair, the records were considered worthless. Instead of gathering and comparing the records, they were soon forgotten.\nUnable to operate the Shapers' forges, most of them were destroyed by the conquering races. They did not want to risk them falling into the wrong hands."}, {"The_Fall_of_the_Astral_Shapers_I": "The Fall of the Astral Shapers by Teruvax Tristem - Part 1\nNowadays the beings commonly known as the Astral Shapers have largely been forgotten. Back in the days, however, they were one of the most important races of the God Wars. Favoured by Uman and Zathroth alike, they were blessed with a unique kind of vision that enabled them to see magical structures and flows. Their speech was a mixture of verbal communication and magical emanations. Their true name was a mixture of barely pronounceable syllables and magical symbols. For this reason, the other races of that time referred to them as Astral Shapers or just Shapers.\nTheir keen understanding of magical structures was oddly paired with a very structured and logical way of thinking. Therefore, the Shapers were never really fond of spontaneous magic based on spells. From the beginning, they preferred to imbue objects with magical effects. While this might have been only a preference in the earlier days of their civilisation, it later became an integral part of their culture, going so far that spell magic was frowned upon as something primitive, dangerous and offensive.\nIn their earliest days the Astral Shapers were relatively insignificant. Some of them were enslaved or hired as advisors for all kind of magical matters. The creation of enormous, magical towers in their cities was their first major accomplishment. Those towers somehow connected the minds of all Shapers in a city and enabled them to access some sort of hive mind in which they stored and shared their knowledge.\nWith these shared insights the Shapers' technology made vast progress in a short amount of time. The advances that they made in terms of technology led to a rapid growth in their power and status. This allowed them to construct more towers which were increasingly technologically advanced. Eventually all of the Shaper cities were connected via a network of Shaper towers. Having access to the shared knowledge of a whole nation, the progress to advance the science of bound magic gained momentum and seemed unstoppable. Focusing on knowledge, the wars that ravaged the world became a tedious annoyance for the Shapers. Eventually they assumed a neutral position. When the other races realised that the Shapers were willing to provide their knowledge to everybody who was willing to pay the right price, they grudgingly accepted the Shapers' new status. This allowed the Astral Shapers to explore the depths of magic freely without having to deal with the bickering of the other races of their time.\nFor a while the Shapers prospered. However, their special status and the constant flattering of the other races that wanted their favours turned the Shapers vain and greedy. Seeing themselves as higher beings, they increasingly relied on slaves for the more mundane tasks. Often the Shapers were paid in slaves for their services. These unfortunate slaves served under their uncaring masters until they died."}, {"Ruined_Book": "<this old book was ruined by time and thoughtles readers>\n... of madness ... decoy ... avert ... from the obvious ..."}, {"The_Book_of_Morning_Sermons": "The book of morning sermons"}, {"The_Fall_of_the_Astral_Shapers_Critique": "The Fall of the Astral Shapers - A Comment\nAgain Tristem delivers us a half-baked compilation of half-truths. Just as with his former works, he omits sources for most facts. This means the reader can only rely on his words. Even worse, obvious speculations are presented hand in hand with the few verified historical facts without any distinction. He even goes so far to omit any historical facts that do not fit into his own theories.\nIf you like to read a book about fiction instead of solid facts, you might find his work entertaining. However, for everybody who is really interested in science, the lack of validity is simply underwhelming."}, {"How_to_Seduce_Women": "How to seduce Women"}, {"Imperial_Scripts": "Imperial Scripts\nTranscribed by the Royal\nscrivener, Sir Acrothet Simfus\nCommittee Meeting XVII\nInsofar as we have yet to\nascertain the needs of our\ncitizenry in comparison to those\nof our benevolent leader and\nother high ranking officials,\nIt has been deemed forthwith\nthat a committee should be\nformed to handle such concerns,\nand will hereafter report its\nfindings to this committee once\nevery cycle.\nOf matter pertaining to politics,\nit has thusly been found that\ndespite egregious wrongs\ncommitted by here-to-for\nunknown assailants, both afield\nand afoot, we should, in due\ntime, attempt to develop a plan\nwhich results in less of our\ndeaths, and more of theirs.\nA committee will be formed\nand henceforth be titled\n\"The diplomatic committee\"\nand will report to us twice\nevery cycle, and include their\nfindings, which shall hope-\nfully include less corpses on our\nbehalf\netc. etc.\n~"}, {"Cooking_Venore_Style": "Cooking Venore Style"}, {"The_Lost_Caste": "The lost caste by Iregarn\nWe could not confirm the extinction of the Chelabdil. On the other hand we found no living beeing in the area. We met strong orcish presence there. Some of the orcs we killed had elvish items on them so it might be possible that all of the so called Chelabdil were wiped out by the orcish hords. One proof more our way is the right one."}, {"Logs_and_Leaks": "Logs and Leaks, the Daily Life of a Captain"}, {"Excalibug_Reborn_Fragmented": "When the tower ......\n.......... its sting,\nwhen ....... walks the hal.........\n.......... of murder loses .......,\nw.... the ice ......\n...............ll not fly t....,\nwhe......... silences ......,\n.........red meets t.............ound,\n.......... is broken by the ..........and,\nwhen the dead walk ......nd l........,\nwhen........ will be erased and .........,\nwhen the for.......win no longe........,\nwhen the one ey..........re,\n..hen t...rai...et...is...te,\nthe...alib...ll be ..............tice."}, {"Old_Adventurer's_Song": "Oh lay me to rest\nIn Thais graveyard\nTo know it's the best,\nThat's not so hard\nI've been to Carlin\nAnd met a fair lass\nBut to sleep in their graveyard?\nI think I will pass\nYou may think I'm a fool\nYou may think I'm a liar\nBut I heard there's more there\nSome say a vampire\nBut I digress and cajole\nAs is your common luck\nPlease bury me not\nIn the Plains of Havoc\nFor while an adventure\nIs a wonderful track\nOnce I'm done, I'm done,\nNo desire to come back\nAnd while many will quip\nWhat's got in your head?\nI say I prefer death,\nAnd not the undead.\nEdron is pretty,\nCormaya is fair,\nBut I haven't the money\nTo be buried there.\nSo lay me to rest\nWith a Thais tombstone\nI've seen all the rest\nThis one feels like home.\n-Old Adventurer's Song"}, {"UMO_Abductions": "UMO Abductions by Teruvax Tristem\nAbductions by unknown magical objects (UMO) have been reported from the earliest days of mankind and even before. Above all, fertile races have been targets of these abductions. Orcs lead the statistics of known abductions by UMOs, followed by mankind. This suggests that breeding purposes are the main reason for these abductions.\nOnly about one third of the abducted beings return, albeit with a lack of memory. Their relatives often report that the personality of the abducted has 'changed' in a disturbing way.\nThe UMOs are often described as floating, colourful lights accompanied by a phenomenon that resembles a paralyse spell. Even if a group encounters such an UMO, only particular individuals are abducted. Several of those who had been returned became victims of such abductions repeatedly.\nConsidering their abilities, it is obvious that the UMOs are somehow connected to the magic forces. Furthermore, the UMOs seem to be entities rather than vehicles or something like that. Some scientists believe that the UMOs have developed from pure magic to sentient beings, probably caused by some experiments by an extinct race during the God Wars. According to another valid theory, the UMOs are actually souls of an extinct race that has been banished into the astral realm by some catastrophe. Since they do not have a body of their own, they abduct beings in order to create new host bodies through breeding.\nTaking into consideration for how long the abductions have been taking place now, the UMOs must have made some progress. Their might even be agents of them among us in a human or orcish body who work hand in hand with their bodiless brethren. These agents infiltrate society to further their own cause, either by looking for appropriate breeding candidates or by discrediting or withholding records about UMO activities. They might also initiate smear campaigns to ruin the reputation of researchers who are close to uncover their dark secret.\nSince governments are a major target of infiltration, one wonders who is the driving force behind certain secret services and their activities.\nDid the Venorean trade ship in the far north really have an accident, or was it an attempt to prevent that the ship discovered a hidden UMO base?\nThe more we ask for answers, the more silence we find. Is this evidence that infiltration is real and that the minions of the UMOs are amongst us? I think, yes it is! Be aware! Always look up to the sky when it's dark!"}, {"The_Book_of_Helpful_Prayers": "The book of helpfull prayers"}, {"The_Howling_Grotto": "The Howling Grotto\nThe Howling Grotto of Nargor used to be a hideout for criminals in the early days when colonisation just started on the isles. Those criminals were probably the first pirates although is unlikely that they had more than a few fishing boats at their disposal. They built some rooms in the caverns but supposedly they found evidence of prior attempts to use the grotto in some way and some of the caverns seemed to be not natural. For some reasons they were attracted to the lower caves where the howling of the wind was that fierce that people said it could drive a man crazy. Be that as it may, those first pirates were known for their bloodthirst, their frequent infightings and for torturing their prisoners. It is assumed that they all killed themselves in their madness. The grotto is rumoured to be haunted by the ghosts of these pirates and those of their victims - but those are is only unconfirmed speculations. Nowadays, nobody knows the treacherous passages through the dangerous reefs to reach the isle of Nargor."}, {"The_Godslayer_Races": "The godslayer races\nAs with the ascensonist movement, the godslayer cults are incredibly old. Although the term 'races' is usually applied, this generalization is not a correct one. Indeed the first of those cults where founded by ancient races, most long forgotten, that suffered greatly in the creation wars. Most of those races only barely escaped complete extinction and none ever recovered from the blood toll of the wars. In fact some of those 'races' are rumored to have been reduced to a handful of beings or even a single entity. However some of them tried to gain converts from the younger races to bolster their ranks. The methods to keep their races and cults alive over the centuries differed and most tries were in vain. It's assumed that in our days only a handful of godslayer cults exists and perhaps another handful of single entities that follow this agenda. Be it as it may, for sure is that the name godslayer defines and summarizes their philosophies, or at least the ends of these philosophies. Their\ngoal is nothing less than the extermination of the gods (or in some cases of a specific god). The means through which this goal is to be achieved differ, if they are clear at all. Most cultists are probably content with hating the gods and\nspreading discord among their worshipers. Some might have very specific plans as the last of the Rardor, Tel'Chac Agur, who tried to take over the soulvortex in the early new ages. In most cases a godslayer cult surfaced, it was handled by human worshipers of the gods without real divine interference. It's said though, that the destruction of the isle Molinora was caused by the dark magic\nof Zathroth and his demon armies and the last of the dark race of Souleaters (also known as the Noshar) were annihilated with their dark temple and forbidden secrets they had collected in this last retreat of that cruel race."}, {"Behind_the_Veil_of_Ignorance_II": "Behind The Veil Of Ignorance II\nThe concentrated knowledge is said to be that strong, that it can absorb even the mightiest, turning his essence into another few pages of one of the books. \nThe endless library knows no limits or bounds. Zathroth's teachings say that knowledge is infinite and so is his library.\nIt is said in the beginning the library was only the virtual shadow that was cast by Umans hallowed halls of enlightenment, but the shadow grew with each secret that was kept, each piece of knowledge that wasn't meant to be known. And so dark secrets gave birth to even more twisted insights.\nSince its creation the hoard feasts on secrets and knowledge. It grows and spawns new rooms and chambers, hidden passages and halls of displaced geometry. \nIn the case of the hidden library, the phrase that 'knowledge is power' becomes reality in that the power of the accumulated knowledge manifests in reality bending ways that seem to mock the very concepts of time, space and existence. \nFanatics of Zathroth claim that the library also contains at least parts of 'the true speech', the first and only true language, the syllables the gods whispered at the dawn of creation. Each word, eons long, containing the power to create or destroy, shredding its speaker out of existence.\nKnowledge hidden in lies, truth gained by insanity, enlightenment by force of will combined with greed and selfishness that leads to power: these are the hallmarks of the shrouded hoard.\nThough they enviously protect the hoard, Zathroth and his minions tempt the powerful with glimpsing visits of the hoard. If they prove ruthless and powerful enough to force their way into it. The reward is of course a poisoned one since one shed of forbidden knowledge is never enough. The taste of knowledge seeds a hunger that becomes unbearable to overcome. Everything but more dark knowledge loses its worth and the tainted view of the world becomes cynical and dull. Things once held in value don't matter anymore and the only pleasure one can experience is gaining more knowledge - and even that has to be more substantial yet obscure with every time. This spiral into mad-stricken greed leads many to compile knowledge on their own, figure out forbidden things and bind them into new tomes that one day mysteriously make their way into the hoard with their author vanished under curious circumstances."}, {"Orcs": "ORCS! by Silvius\nOrcs ARE intelligent. Though some dwarfes mumble about a shared hivemind of the greenskins, there is no evidence for that. Orcs have speech and are capable to learn other humanoids language quite well ... if they want, what almost never is the case. They lack a written language though. Some of the more educated orcs use human letters to write down orcish texts. Its rumored that the orcs we encounter now and then are just barbarians of their own kind and that there is a more 'civilized' orcish culture somewhere. There are some clues that the orcs indeed had a written language, but the modern orcs is unable to read it as we are."}, {"Zathroth's_Library": "Zathroth's library was the major temple of the cult of Zathroth in ancient times. Though supposed to be secret, it was unavoidable that such a place became known through rumors and gossip. There the high priests of Zathroth compiled all knowledge they came into possession. Some of it was written by themselves, others were donations of worshipers and others simply bought. When the great purge came, the hidden library as it was called, was seized and destroyed by the Inquisition. The books were secured and given to the priests of Uman to be reviewed, along with any artifacts that were found. Everything that was deemed blasphemous was destroyed by them. The worldly possessions such as land, gold and jewelry fell to the crown. The library was dismantled stone by stone and its caverns filled with earth. No sign of the library remained, though desperate Zathrothi still claimed it was not the real hoard of their divine patron that was destroyed but only an insignificant mimicry of the true place. Since the Inquisition could not prove these claims to be true, all of them have to be assumed wishful thinking of desperate Zathroth worshipers and propaganda for their underground movement."}, {"Imminent_Doom_Fragmented": "He who commands those w............................................................................ The twice fallen will fall ................... the coming doom. Evil will feast on the weak to bring an end, not knowing that it was just the beginning of their own destruc...........leeping will be awakend to ...........l live longer than the .........\nMany eyes will see the coming of the light in......................king.\nThe ...........ill cheer for the .....................e heroes must fall. Where blood runs red ...... awaits ........ Where there are many .............................. will be victorious. Wher.................... be revealed. Hope only arises from ............................................."}, {"About_Magnor_Mournbringer": "Magnor Mournbringer was more a mystic and philosopher than a knight. It is said he was forced into knighthood by his father, albeit himself aspiring to become a sorcerer. He was more a man of the books than of the sword, more often found in the study then on a jousting field. He was permanently banished from tournaments for the usage of alchemical concoctions. Still obligated to fight in battles on behalf of his king he relied more on sorcery then on his physical prowess. He enchanted and inscribed first his armour and weapons, later even his own body. He enhanced his skill and fortitude through powerful potions and brought his enemies down with runes and spells. The other knights shunned him but the 'witch-knight', as they called him, had his uses for the king. Giving little for chivalrous staples and being very pragmatic, the witch-knight was the one that the king called upon, when a dirty deed had to be done, something sinister to be accomplished. As times were dark and dire, the call for his skill was frequent. His fame and notoriety grew. On the height of his might and favour of the king he was nigh untouchable, reigning freely in his realm. Dubious visitors from all corners of the world frequented him. Rumours grew even more then his legend. When his patron, the king surprisingly died and not his sickly child was crowned but his pious cousin was made regent of the realm, his enemies made their complaints heard loudly. Soon the inquisition investigated in the case and it came to a direct confrontation when they tried to size Magnor's vast library for examination. Blows were traded and in the end the keep of Magnor was besieged by the regents army. With no other way to escape, the witch-knight summoned winged demons to carry him into safety. But the priests, accompanying the army, banished the creatures and Magnor fell to his death. When the regency ended and the king's son became ruler, Magnors honor was reinstated to some extent in memory of the dead king that cherished him. So he was given a proper funeral."}, {"The_Great_Book_of_Heraldy": "The great book of Heraldy"}, {"Elves_I.II": "Elves by Iregarn Pt. 1\nElven names are chosen in adulthood. Until they acquire a name, elves are called 'son/daughter of ___' usually naming the parent with the same gender. Upon reaching adulthood, the young elf gets his first name, divined by the elders who know him in dreams. It is merely a single name, a description of the elf in the elven tongue. Usually elves love to add a translation of their name which is often mistaken for a second name by other races. Since the elven language is far more complicated and has thousands of nuances, often elves with the same 'second name' have a different first name, confusing the other races even more."}, {"The_History_of_King_Zelos_I": "The History Of King Zelos I\nKing Ottremar was a wise and pious ruler. Through his lifetime the realm went through numerous changes and reforms that benefitted the realm as a whole. His prodigous son Paron was destined to follow him as a competent ruler to lead the realm to further prosperity. Yet the king's younger son Olbret was as ambitious as jealous. He plotted the assassination of his sibling, in league with sinister forces. With promises of the restoration of former grandeur he allied himself with elements of the secret church of Zathroth. However, by chance or divine intervention of the gods, the inquisition discovered the plot and arrested Olbret. But by then he already managed to place a potent poison for Paron to which the latter succumed within a week, despite all efforts of healers and clergery. So a distant cousin of the brothers, Zelos, was named successor of the old king. This decision did not suit well with some of the most powerful nobles in the realm. This dispute overshadowed the last years of Ottremar, now a broken man, becoming more and more fragile with each passing week. When Zelos took the mantle of kingship, the boiling anger erupted. With reluctant nobles disputing the new king's right to rule, the once prospering realm was on the brink of open rebellion. Zelos was well aware of his shortcomings in regard of ruler ship. After being named successor he had dedicated himself to the studies of the kings that had come and gone in the past. When he became king and with civil war on the horizon, he decided that books weren't efficient and fast enough to teach him the needed skills. He decided to learn from the source itself instead. He consulted spiritists, shamans and even necromancers to summon the spirits of the kings of old to act as his advisors. This again arose the suspicion of the inquisition and even increased inner tensions. More and more desperate, Zelos turned not only to the advice of some reluctant ancestors but almost any spiritual entity that was willing to listen to his plea and to teach. Some of those spirits were more persistent and did not leave, once called into the world. So Zelos was soon hearing voices and whispers all day and even in his sleep. It is hard to say which of his later decisions were entirely his and which were the result of such dark whispers or even his own growing insanity. Yet his first steps proved to be a success, at least from his point of view."}, {"Legends_About_the_Blood_God": "Legends that predate the rise of humanity tell of a god of blood, revered by an ancient race of vampires. Supposedly the progenitor of their race, it became old and bloated, only fed by its offspring through sacrifices.\nIn the god wars, its reverence reached a high, as all the blood from the countless battles could be used to feed it. It grew immensely in size and power, eventually bursting out of its hideout and crawling over the battlefields, devouring and consuming the fallen and wounded alike. As the battles raged, the god of blood was widely ignored by the warring parties. Eventually, the creature became so bloated on blood and corpses that it could no longer sustain its form and just burst into disgusting remains that littered the entire world. These splinters infected other creatures and gave rise to new generations of vampires. However, these vampires are seen as abominations by the first pure and true vampires."}, {"The_History_of_King_Zelos_II": "The History Of King Zelos I\nAfter provoking the orcs to attack the realm, he mustered all forces to march against the common foe. With his enemies and their forces occupied and being oblivious of his true intentions, his state troops seized their families and brought them as hostages into the capital. The nobles were outraged but powerless against this threat. Zelos was unmoved by their threats and pleas. After an execution of certain family members just as an example the nobles grudgingly gave in. With raised taxes and tariffs Zelos raised more troops and began to rule with an iron fist. He crushed the orcs and two minor rebellions which he used to justify a demilitarisation of the nobles to quell their strength even further. Zelos also became a collector of magic artifacts, with knowledge of their whereabouts provided to him by his spiritual guides. His insight into the plans of his enemies grew more and more by either spiritual informants or scrying devices he acquired. He now regularly consulted spirits and manifested ghosts as advisors, messengers, bodyguards and even assassins. More and more though, instead of ruling, he could be found mumbling to himself, lost in inner dialogue or arguing with unseen spirits. Soon he became known by his subjects as the ghost king. More and more he withdrew into his tower in the palace, relying more and more on ghostly messengers to communicate with his court. Oddly enough he was a strong supporter of the inquisition, though most claim it was just his reluctance to share his power with anyone. Under his reign the inquisition became twisted and changed, cutting many ties to the churches and been more and more responsible to king and crown. The purges of this inquisition often targeted the very same sources on which he himself once so heavily relied upon and many confiscated talismans and objects found their way into his hands. At some point he shut himself off from the public completely. Yet while he received food and water, his only contact with the outside world took place via ghost messengers or him attending council meetings remotely, due to arcane devices. In the 98th year of his unnatural long reign a still pious branch of the inquisition b
