Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 21:10:24 GMT -5
This is a thread that explains the story behind the discovery of my main character. February 5
I have begun this journal in the hope of recording the discoveries and outcome of our venture. My name is Patrick McHart, I am an independent researcher. Among my peers I am considered the leading expert in ancient civilizations. I suppose that is why some crazy old coot hired me for this expedition. At least I assume he is some rich eccentric, after all no one on in our group actually met our benefactor face to face. We were all approached by a man in a suit. My first thought was to decline the mission of course. However, the man who approached me had an artifact unlike anything I had ever seen. My inquiries on the object revealed that his employer had acquired it from a vendor in a small coast town in western Greenland. My great curiosity caused a lapse in my better judgment and I accepted the request. Myself included, our party consists of 15 scientists and 6 rough looking fellows; I assume they are ex-military. Despite my persistent questioning, the rough looking fellows refuse to give an explanation of their role in this venture. The artifact I mentioned earlier is currently hidden deep within my rucksack. The existence of such an object fascinates me to no end. It is a small piece of stone. Its fragmented edges make it appear to be part of a larger tablet. Its surface is covered in runes. At first I believed these runes could be a variation of the old Viking writings found in the area. However, further investigation led me to believe that they come from a language unknown to history. It is the hope of our expedition to find traces of this lost civilization near the town the artifact was purchased in. I apologize for the poor hand writing contained in this passage. The roads approaching our destination are very rough and make writing near impossible. The driver claims they get even worse so for now I shall end my writing and continue at a more suitable time.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 21:29:22 GMT -5
February 7 We arrived in town yesterday in the early hours of the morning. Exhaustion was clearly painted on the face of every scientist present. Unlike the scientists, the soldiers seemed full of energy as they unloaded our bags and placed them in our rooms. After a brief rest we wandered around the village looking for any possible lead on the location of this lost civilization. However, the locals seemed unwilling to talk to any of us. The only references about the civilization we heard were from old woman whispering legends and warnings. The search seemed hopeless and we feared we would be forced to explore the harsh frozen wasteland that bordered the town without any clues. Just as we were beginning to load the snow crawlers with equipment a ray of hope shone upon the party. One of the old men in the village heard about our search and approached us with glorious news. He claims that as a young child he stumbled upon an ancient set of ruins under the ground north of town. He has promised to guide us to their entrance. However, he refuses to come within the ruins; he says that they should remain sealed. The expedition’s excitement grows. We leave in the morning.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 21:30:39 GMT -5
February 8 With the help of our local guide we have arrived at the entrance to the ruins. I am grateful for his help. I believe that it would have been impossible to find this entrance without him. Positioned behind a shelf of ice, the entrance is practically impossible to locate unless you know what you are looking for. We have begun to set up camp outside the entrance and I can feel my hair stand on end at the thought of what could be inside. I don’t know if it is my excitement that causes this reaction or the warnings of the old women before we left. The call for lights out has just gone out so I will write again tomorrow.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 21:49:58 GMT -5
February 9 Today I write with a mixture of excitement and sadness. The rising sun awoke me from my restless sleep. I find it difficult to find rest under such cold and harsh conditions. I suppose the other scientists do as well for many of them were already awake. After a brief meal we prepared to venture into the unknown. The entrance behind the ice shelf seemed like a mouth ready to swallow us up. If only I had known how close to the truth this would become. The soldiers entered first to make sure it was safe for the rest of us. Lighting our flares, the rest of us followed cautiously. At first the journey seemed simple and we made quick progress. However, we soon came upon an area of the tunnel that seemed to have unusual ice formations along the wall. The structure of the ice seemed to defy the normal rules of hydrogen bonding. Such an interesting sample could not be overlooked. One of the scientists, a fellow named Ratford, decided he would take a sample back to camp for further study. As he approached the unusual formation I began to feel uneasy. There was something unnatural about the ice. My unease was soon shared by the group. Ratford’s touch seemed to cause the ice to instantaneously expand into a long spear. We stood in horror as needle sharp shafts of ice shot through Ratford’s body. Blood began dripping from his mouth staining the snow floor of the passage a crimson red. In his horror, another of the scientist, I believe his name was Bradly, stepped backward and tripped over a rock. His fall was ended abruptly when he brushed against another of the ice crystals in his attempt to regain his balance. The ice shafts that erupted from his torso sprayed blood over the group; our looks of horror were painted in a red mist. Gathering our sense we proceeded with the utmost caution, careful to avoid all ice formations. After some time, the tunnel began to broaden and we entered a large cavern. Our way was once again obstructed by a seemingly impossible feat. An enormous gate made of jagged black stone towered over our party. The walls on either side of the gate were made of the same material. Closer inspection of the gate proved futile. Our investigation showed no way to gain entrance. However, the walls seemed to contain engravings that depicted the deeds of the ruin’s ancient occupants. This discovery excited me to no end; I cannot fully describe everything depicted because you would not believe me. What I can say though is that if these engravings tell the truth, history as we know it will be changed. The history books will have to be rewritten. Despite the excitement caused by these engravings nothing could have prepared us for what we found next. After examining the engravings, our expedition split into smaller groups to try to find a way past the wall. My group followed the length of wall that merged with the natural cave walls to the west. This search failed to reveal any other possible way around the wall. Realizing further searches would be in vain, my party began examining the remaining area accessible to us. During our search one of our younger scientists, a girl named Beth, found some unusual flowers that did not seem to match any known flora. Excited by the find she began to collect some samples. While bagging the flowers she found a crevice in the natural cave wall that had previously gone unnoticed. One by one, my group stepped into the opening and made an astonishing discovery. Hidden inside the crevice was a large block of ice. Of course in such a cold climate this was fairly normal. What excited the group was the young teenage boy that was frozen inside this large block of ice. The party decided that we needed to move this specimen to our camp for further study. Hurrying back to camp we acquired a sled large enough to transport the block of ice and returned to the cavern. With the soldiers help we easily loaded the ice onto the sled and began dragging it back to our camp. During the process of loading Beth had cut her hand on one of the many jagged edges found in the cavern. At first the cut seemed negligible and she ignored it. After a short time she realized that the bleeding hadn’t stopped yet. In an attempt to slow the bleeding she leaned down and grabbed a hand full of snow. The air was quickly filled with an ear piercing shriek and Beth collapsed to the ground. Her body was twitching in the snow and foam streamed from her mouth. Closely examining the ground where she grabbed the snow, we found traces of the plants she had been collecting as a sample. Slowly moving forward, we managed to reach our camp without further issue. Tomorrow we plan to examine the boy trapped in ice and mourn those we lost. But for now I need rest.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 21:55:18 GMT -5
February 10
Last night was another sleepless night. However, it wasn’t the usual cold that kept me awake; this was something much more unexplainable. Late in the night I awoke to the sound of soldiers shouting and guns firing. I quickly rushed outside of my tent to investigate. When I stepped out into the cold night everything fell silent, only the sound of wind flowing through the barren land scape filled the night. Awaking the next morning I ventured outside and walked to where I had heard the gun fire during the previous night. Standing amongst pools of blood and inspecting large tracks in the snow, two of the soldiers seemed very concerned. Their brief description of what happened sent chills down my spine. Large ape like creatures had come into the camp last night and dragged off 4 of the guards. I fear that this expedition has caused too many deaths already. Unfortunately, I don’t think that this will be the end. I fear that at least half of our party will be gone before we have uncovered all of the secrets these ruins hold.
7 of our scientist are staying behind to study the boy. I, along with the remaining scientist, have decided to venture back inside the ruins with the hope of getting a look over the wall with one of our cameras. Both guards have decided to wait back at camp in case those creatures return in search of their next meal.
We managed to find our way back to the large cavern without incident, which was a great relief to the group. Upon arrival we set about attaching poles together so that we could raise a camera above the wall. Due to the substantial height of the walls it took three of us to hold the pole steady enough for the camera to take clear pictures. Satisfied that we could accomplish nothing else within the cavern, the team returned to camp to develop the photos and get an update on the boy.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 21:57:56 GMT -5
February 11
Early this morning we received the most remarkable news. Due to the frigid conditions making sleep impossible, one of our older scientists, named Blackwood, decided to observe the boy once more. Either inspired by insomniac fueled insanity or genuine curiosity, Blackwood attached one of our medical sensory machines to the block of ice. You can imagine his great surprise when the machine began to register vital signs. Several scientists double checked Blackwood’s observation by changing machines. Each time a machine was changed the results were the same. We have concluded that the boy inside the ice is in fact still alive. This is an incredible discovery. I believe that if the boy is freed from the ice he will be able to share many things about his culture. We shall start the process at once.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 22:02:54 GMT -5
February 12
The pictures we took two days ago have finally been developed. They contain the most magnificent yet haunting sights. The city within the walls is vast and intricately designed. The streets seem to be made of stone from all over the world. The buildings are positioned in such a way that the city appears to be one giant maze. Within the center of the city hangs an enormous ice diamond. I would be lying if I claimed that the ice was of natural formation. The edges are far too clean and symmetrical for it to have been crafted by anything other than the most advanced technology we have today. This diamond alone could be considered a new wonder of the world. The mystery of its creation is equal to that of stone hedge or the Aztec pyramids.
While observing the massive diamond, I noticed an oddity near the top of the gate. There appeared to be some scribblings. These scribblings were not only in the script of the ruin’s ancient inhabitants, but also the languages of many known civilizations. I hope this will serve as a window into their language. It may even serve as the key to deciphering any future texts that are extracted from the ruins. This could very well be our Rosetta stone.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 22:06:43 GMT -5
February 13
Today is colder than most yet my excitement is not dulled in the least bit. Once we discovered vital signs from within the boy we filled the tent with heaters and lamps. We have made remarkable progress in the thawing and we hope to have the specimen free by nightfall. One minor concern has been living in the darkest abysses of my mind since this morning. You see, I was so excited by the discovery of multiple languages on the gate that I immediately set about making a translation. At first it was tedious work; it has been many years since I read the languages in question. However, the longer I worked the easier the task became. My first translation was quite startling and I was sure I had made a mistake within the text. Of course being the thorough scientist I am, I worked carefully over each language in an attempt to correct my mistake. No matter how many times I retranslated, the same message always appeared. “Those who seek death need say but one word; Gelhaim.” The full meaning behind this phrase is not yet clear to me. Perhaps in the deepest parts of my mind I have thought of a meaning. It wouldn’t be that hard if you pieced that phrase together with the etchings on the wall. But for now I am too afraid to even consider such a thing truth.
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Shoni
Joyeuse Insurgency
Posts: 191
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Post by Shoni on Oct 7, 2015 22:13:28 GMT -5
February 14
If ya be readin this I reckon you have noticed the change in writing. I’m never gonna forget what happened last night. It weren’t till this mornin that I dared come back into that cursed camp and search for survivors. The only thing worth savin that I found was this journal, which I removed from Patrick McHart’s cold dead body. The camp was a blood messy. If I told ya how it got so bloody I reckon you wouldn’t believe me. But for my sanities’ sake I’m gonna try anyways. I forgot to introduce myself. I am the local man McHart often called his guide. If I knew this was gonna happen I never would have shown them the way.
Late last night them blasted fools had nearly freed the boy from that there ice cube. I reckoned this wasn’t a good idea. Whatever has been frozen that long and lived shouldn’t be played with. I thought that maybe a walk would calm my nerves. So I left. Those scientist fellows swore they knew what they were doing. I still think all that book learning had made them stupid. After I had walked for a fair ways, I thought I heard screams a comin from that blasted camp. I guess I had done crazier things in my life, but runnin back toward that camp is pretty high on the list. When I showed up it weren’t no pretty sight. I was drinkin a bit but not too much, so I don’t reckon my eyes were a foolin me none. The ground was already covered in blood. I could barely tell there was snow. Most of the scientist’s bodies lay in hideous heaps. I’m pretty sure that fella’s legs ain’t supposed to bend that way. I reckon he was one of the luckier one though, a few of the scientist and one of the guards were missing several body parts. Where I stood the rest of them scientists seemed like ants trying to run away from rain. One by one they fell dead. One of them fools was lookin right in my direction when an ice shaft rip a hole straight through his chest. He seemed to be lookin at me for help or something. I woulda been damned if I took even a single step toward him though. Blood soaked his coat and dripped into the snow. One second that scientist was a standin like he didn’t know he was dead, the next he just kinda collapsed in a heap. Behind him was that boy; no not boy, demon. The ice shaft looked like a part of his arm, like it just kinda grew there. I’m sure he was holding it though.
At this point the only scientist left was McHart. He just stood there a shakin in his boots while that demon of a boy slowly walked toward him. I thought for sure he would have the sense to run, but no he just stood there with his tail between his legs. The thing that haunts me the most was the smile on that demons lips as he grabbed McHart’s face. I reckon it was the most blood crazed look I had ever seen. I think my body had forgotten how to move cause I couldn’t look away. I heard a shriek; I couldn’t tell if I made that girly noise or if McHart did, as red needles of ice just erupted from his body. I feared I was dead next cause that boy seemed to notice me as McHart crumbled to the ground. That cursed smile still taunted me as he walked forward. He seemed to enjoy the taste of the blood he licked from his face with each step he took. I willed my legs to move but the damn things refused. I ain’t sure if it was the moon light playin trick on my old mind or the snows reflection, but the boys eyes seemed to turn from grey to an ice blue. At the same time he stopped, just kinda stood there like he forgot what he was doin. Then he turned around and walked away.
All the research is gone. That damn boy took it, and all the better. I’ll be happy if I ain’t never lay eyes on that boy again. Hope no more scientist get too curious. I ain’t never guidin no one here again.
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