#serioth's journal

[ahno-nimus]

LOST DOCUMENTS: AN ANNOTATED SELECTION OF MANUSCRIPTS FROM THE BURNED CITY OF VADRIN

Recent archaeological expeditions have uncovered a number of manuscripts from the Burned City of Vadrin, the ancient precursor of today's City Of Towers. Today we will display and give context (as much as we are able) to a few surviving passages.

--

From The Journal of Adap Teriil:

"At the dawn after the meeting [Likely one of the famous Conclaves of the Council, less well practiced today, these would be done every twenty-second day.] I found a dead wizard in front if my tower. Nine wounds, like those of blades but with the unified tearing that only teeth can create. I write that they were a wizard, by their apparel, but they had not a spell left in their bones."

This journal entry seems to describe a victim of some sort of beast, perhaps one of the legendary Mage-Eater Wyrms (rarely, if ever, seen) from the efffects described on the body.

--

From An Unnamed Book of Prophecy:

This manuscript is in possibly the worst condition of all of them. Only fragments could be reconstructed. But Vadrin't prophecies are described as the most accurate in all time, so what little there is is significant nonetheless.

"-- Reach Skyward, And let the Rain answer back--"

[Not enough remains to determine anything concrete]

"--Forces always to stand against, but one will come within the hall and call himself lord--"

[No Comment.]

"--The truth-teller will give undeath to love near gone--"

[Perhaps refers to Jim and Serioth? I would not expect they were historically significant enough to be prophesied]

--

From Trickster Gods:

"Clowns and wizards are together apart, equal sized stones of terrible materials. To extract the blood of the clown without arousing their interests recite the following incantation : 'Vivivivi Sosososo Colocalo trigh't trigh't Sol'. This will make you invisible to the clown so you can harvest their material for your uses--"

This manuscript seems to be a guide to the uses of clown body parts, as well as a philosophical trearise on power. This is especially significant as many of these spells were thought lost forever.

--

From A Hastily Scribbled Letter:

This last one is a special one. It is a letter found in the great council chambers.

"O my friend, it is upon us. A curse cast long ago has caught up to me and it has enveloped the city with it. All I love is destroyed again. O, I am sorry, I thought that my power could stop their power, but instead we are all doomed.

For the last time, yours, Unna Noan."

This was written by Unna Noan, the last High Councilmember of Vadrin. It is written to an unknown associate. It seems to attribute the fall of the city to a curse of some kind following Unna.

--

We at WIZARD NEWS hope that this informative piece has goven you a greater sense of historical significance.

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Orb of Transcription

Logs of the 10th of Azure.

[The Orb has been activated.]

S: This is Council member Serioth. I am currently investigating Council member Werill's suspicious activity. Recently, I have seen him use the Council Meeting Room's mana reserve to cast an encrypted spell of Open Way. I also have reasons to believe that he is linked to a memory eating entity that has been afflicting me recently. Because of that, I suspect Werill of treason against the Council, and will track his spell back to the gate. I plan on using this Orb as proof, and give my consent to have my words be subjected to a spell of Reveal Intent. Everything I will see there shall be described to the best of my abilities. As for the gate, it seems to be concealed. It appears as an ordinary wall, in the Upper Gardens of the Council's Tower. I will now cast the spell.

Wrtyening dpcny,

Piehirg ueoa memory,

Lll aheit vesirn rluy,

Aetve rhiio tsath to me.

[Sounds of grinding stones.]

It works. The wall has opened, and reveals a dimly lit corridor. There are torches on the walls, on each side. I can't see the end of it. I'm going to enter.

[Serioth walking on stone.]

There is moss in the ground and on the walls. The iron of the torches is rusting. I suspect that this place is older than Werill's membership in the Council. He might not be alone. I can also see a door. It is made of wood, and it is rotting. I'm preparing a spell, just in case, and openning it...

It's an office, it seems. This place is cleaner than the corridor. There are candles on the desk, and some letters. ...they're either encrypted, or written in a language I don't know. I will leave them here, and take them once I'll get out. I can also see an ink pot. I need to try something.

[Sound of a flame being lit up.]

As I feared, this is arcane ink. Werill has been making unbreakable pacts. They don't seem to be here, since the ink on the letters is mundane. Too bad. I would have burned them if I could. Oh well. I must press on, I don't know how much time I have, and there's another door. Maybe I'll find more evidence.

What the...

[Serioth carefully stepping into the room.]

The difference in size between this place and the office is jarring. There are huge collumns going up, higher than I can see. There's a bridge in front of me, and below, on both sides.

...oh.

Those are... Some form of stasis sigils. Hundreds of them, probably more. I can see the runes glowing the dark, each circle illuminating... Something. They look like silvery spiders, with runes across their main body. They have eight, extremely long limbs, six of them staying behind the creatures, and two extended forward, like hooks. I'm afraid that those are memetophage, like the one afflicting me. There are more than I bel-

W: Fancy seeing you here.

S: Werill! Stay back!

[Mana sizzling.]

W: Jeez, old crow, no need to get angry. You're the one intruding, you know.

S: Don't play dumb. What is the meaning of this? Answer!

W: This? Well, this is my... Latest project. Do you like it? The one on your neck's just a prototype, but it's been doing wonders. You've been a lot more agreeable lately. A real ray of sunshine.

S: We haven't talked in the last few days.

W: Oh. Are you sure?

S: ...it doesn't matter. I've got more than enough proof to get you out of the Council. This is prohibited research, and a major project done in the City of Towers without the Council's approval! And I'll stop you myself if I must.

W: [Sigh.] Do you even have a plan? Do you think you can just rush in and destroy everything, like you usually do? Please. The whole place will collapse if you try. Then you'll be targeted by the City's defense system. I wonder how long you'd last. Or maybe you plan on just killing me. Cutting off the snake's head. Except that wouldn't do it. You know there's no way I could have done this alone. So you need the information I have. Just wanted to clarify that, in case you were about to do something... Stupid.

S: What you said is true. But I'll get the rest of the Council on this case and... What is that ?

[Paper shuffling.]

W: The reason why you won't. When they latch on to an host, those little beauties put them in a transe. They become half aware of their surroundings and easily... Convinced. I must admit, you're resillent. Very resilient. You even tried to negociate. But you signed, in the end.

S: Signed what?!

W: An arcane contract. If you ever tell anyone about what you saw here, or about anything incriminating that involves me, you will then leave the Council, leave your grimoire behind, and never go back to the City of Towers. Terribly sorry about that.

S: What..?

W: Yyyyyyeah. You might want to consider your options carefully. You could try to stop me, of course, but that would cost you your seat at the Council.

S: You're a fool if you think I won't do what I must, regardless of the cost.

W: Except you won't be able to do what you must without your job. And you've been around long enough to know that there are way bigger threats than this.

S: I have the power to do things myself. I'm a battle mage.

W: Oh, old crow, you know nothing of power. Magic isn't power. Not really. Not when basically anyone can shoot fireballs out of their hands or turn into smoke. True power is the power you hold over the people who can do that. True power is the power to have them work together to achieve your goals. Tell me, what would you do, to keep doing your job without the Council's support? Where would you get the mana potions? The location of the Council's ennemies? The equipment to cast siege-tier battle spells? Without the Council, you're just another brute, Serioth. A brute without purpose, without a Council to serve. A scared child, giving his life to what he thinks is the institution who can solve every problem in the world. A child who believes that if he does everything it demands, he will be able to sleep at night without smelling the ashes of his home.

A child with a lot of enemies. A brute who is all alone, hated by almost any wizard worth their salt.

[Werill chuckling.]

W: Oh, you did not like the sound of that, did you?

S: ...out of my way, Werill. I'm going to report this to the Council, and burn this place to the ground myself.

W: [Sigh.] How dissapointing. Oh well.

[Werill taking something out of his pocket, and placing his hand over his amulet.]

[A metallic object, falling somewhere.]

[A magic shield activating.]

W: Wakey wakey...

S: Wh- No!

ᚹᛁᛚᛚ ᛟᚠ ᚠᛚᚨᛗᛖ!

[Fire crackling.]

W: Burn as many as you like, little mage. There's thousands of them here. Maybe millions. I lost count, and they breed quickly, when they're not restrained. They'll keep coming as long as they sense magic in you.

[Sound of an explosion.]

S: Why aren't they coming after you then?! Stay right here! Answer me you bastard!

W: Why would I bother?

You won't remember the answer, once they're done with you.

___________________________________

<—

[greywizard-reporter-jim]

Becoming a Necromancer, day 8.

Having realised my true calling, and the sheer boredom of Tax Magic (I'm not having a midlife crisis, you're having a midlife crisis!), I have decided to become a necromancer! The path is long but I know it'll be worth it.

Ahem.

EAT SHIT, SERIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH!

Ah, today is a wonderful day! Serioth, as I thought, ambushed me as I was making my way towards Gavamont's tower, but I was ready for him! He cast a Circle of Anti-Teleportation, using a scroll, but...

Well, my researches have reached a breakthrough, and I stood up all night yesterday to exploit it. You see, the different schools of magic are not something natural. It's an artificial construct we use to classify spells and types of mana, but they can overlap. Necromancy and Tax Magic are no exception! This is a basic concept, but realising it opens many door. I don't have to abandon anything in order to be a necromancer! I'm still me! Grey Wizard Jim! I'm just learning new things.

So, without further adue, let me introduce to you...

The Skeleton Mafia Debt Collectors!

My very first proper necromancy spell! Serioth didn't expect that one, and he did NOT like it either! They managed to wound him, and I managed to run away, and reach Gavamont's Tower. I did lose my previous journal in my escape, though. It saddens me a bit, but this is not a day for weeping, and I've got bottles of wine in my bag of holding. I think I'm gonna open one.

This is a day for celebration! To new magic! To new horizons! To new friends!

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

11th of Azure

11th... I've been keeping this journal for barely more than a week. Feels like a year. Everything happened so fast...

Everything hurts. There are bite marks everywhere on my body, and burns from fire spells I cast whenever one of those things got a grip on me. I lived, somehow, and I told the Council everything. Hummbirb, at first, then Lepriss. Even Sophia, though she's not a Council member. I guess I wanted to be sure it would not be forgotten. In any case, I must follow the contract, and... I have left the City of Towers. It is done, I am no longer on the Council.

That means that I am going to die. Well, fade away is a more suitable term, I suppose.

As a revenant, my existence was held together only by the driving force behind my actions. I always said that this driving force was the greatness of the Council but... That's a lie. My driving force was to be the best Council member I could be. So that I could stop those that use magic to harm others. Now, I can't do that. And so, I don't think I have long.

It's for the best. One life, in exchange of the Council's... Relative safety. I don't know how long I would have survived anyway. Doesn't matter now. I told everyone I was leaving the City, and I'm looking for a place to die, now. I... Think I remember the path to somewhere that's dear to me. Lost the memory of it in the battle with the memetophages, though. I was... Angry, about losing it. Furious, even. I am slowly getting all of my memories back, though. Lepriss managed to get the thing that latched on to me removed. I hope I'll reach this place and remember it before I disappear.

11th of Azure, 9PM

I've been walking for a while now. Still can't remember. It was a peaceful, beautiful place. The air was pure, and I felt calm. A place where I was stress-free. It's funny, now that I think of it, I almost always had some kind of pressure on me. I gave my life to the Council, long before I made the choice of exposing Werill. Long before the Great Worm, even. I pushed away everything that was a threat to my work... For what, in the end? I've been protecting the interests of people like Werill. Sure, I did good things, but... How much of it was actually good? What changes did I do to the world? Did it change at all?

11th of Azure, 9:12PM

You've got to be kidding me. This... Is Jim's tower. Gods damn it, I'm pathetic.

11th of Azure, 9:15PM

Not Jim's Tower. I remember, now. There a little hill, surrounded by trees, next to it. We watched the stars there. I liked it. We used to talk here. He told me his woes, and sometimes, I told him mine. We reassured each other, tried to help. I was always more vulnerable in those moments, even though I tried not to be. It always went well, though. I wonder... Could have things be different? Did we actually have something? Did I blow it all away..? Probably. He's right. I was scared. I couldn't understand why he would love me without ulterior motives and... I pushed him away. But that's not all. I didn't want to love him. It was too much of a vulnerability, of a... Weakness.

...like having attachments, or taking vacations to rest, or... Gods. I never hated myself for being weak. I hated myself for being... Human.

Hummbirb said he could get him to visit me. And the Paper-grey Council said I could get shelter in their office, in case there were more creatures. I could spend my last hours watching the stars with him...

11th of Azure, 9:23PM

No. I'm being selfish. I can't do this to him. I can't say I'm sorry then slowly die in front of him. This is too horrible. And I know him. He's... Well, he's a dork. He might just forgive me. He would get hurt. I fucked it up, it's my burden to carry. I can watch the stars, though. Doesn't feel the same, but I can. Fading away is... Peculiar.

I feel like I'm looking at the world through a glass pane. I feel things like I was touching them through a glove, or some kind of fabric. The air isn't cold or warm, I barely feel myself breathing. Still, this place is nice.

11th of Azure, 9:32

Well, this is it. I can sense it. I don't have long now. I'm going to die, and my body will completely dissapear shortly after. I'll only leave this journal behind. It's something, I guess.

It feels weird to sit here, watching the stars, and not be able to hold Jim's hand.

____

<— | —>

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

9th of Azure

There's something behind me.

It has been there for a while. It is here, right now. This is what Sophia saw when she looked at my neck. It made her forget about itself, hence her confusion. Of course. She would never hide such a thing from someone on purpose. I suspect some kind of memetophage. This thing has a passive effect on me, eating my memories in order to grow, and on everyone that looks at it, so that it remains concealed. I caught a glimpse of it, in my mirror. One limb. A long, thin spider-like leg, resting right behind my ear. It is grey, and glimmers like silver. I would take a closer look, but I do not know if it is the mirror, or the fact that I did not see much that saved me. I am not taking the risk. A glimpse is enough.

And it seems to have woke it up, so to speak. Up until now, its feeding paterns were random, but now, there is now intent, in the memory loss. It's trying to erase Werill's Open Way formula. It's trying to prevent me from opening the door. Foolish thing. It is already written, and I've been reading this journal, over and over, ever since I saw it. The very act of opening the book is now embedded into my subconscious, and the creature is single minded enough to try to erase the same memory, over and over. Not only do I know where it came from now, but I got it snared in a web of repeated action.

My mind is clear. I know what to do.

I will take an Orb of Transcription with me, and reveal Werill's plot.

The beast is revealed. Onward to its lair.

<— | —>

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

6th of Azure.

I just forgot something important.

That is concerning. I remember freezing in shock, and rushing to my desk to write, but I don't remember why. I still feel alarmed, but I can't put my finger on the reason. It's like an unconscious fear. I feel watched and threatened, as if I was expecting a combat situation. Maybe I am. I'm going to reinforce my wards and search my quarters. More security measures are in order.

I must admit, sleeping more was a good idea, even though, recently, I've been having strange nighmares about bugs and spiders. Regardless, this whole ordeal is exhausting, and sleep is a necessity. I don't even feel at home in my quarters anymore. Not with this perpetual threat lying in wait somewhere. It would be less taxing to be actively fighting something. At least I would where I'm safe, and where I'm not. And I wouldn't have something messing with my head. I suspect some kind of psychic attack, but I'm not sure of what kind. Could it be a Council Member? Or are we under attack, without knowing it? Foes or traitors ?

Well. At least, it's not all bad. I've been talking to Sophia more and more, recently, as she keeps asking me if I'm alright. I found that irritating at first, but having someone to talk to is nice, in all honesty. She keeps having those confused looks when she looks at my neck, but I've learned to ignore them. She's probably dealing with her own stuff. Aside from that, she seems to be okay though. She's been learning battle magic for a few months now. I asked her what this had to do with her job as a healer, and she gave me a weird look, and said she's just learning it because she likes to learn new stuff. It must be quite a strain on her already busy schedule, but to each their own I guess. I took the opportunity to teach her some spells, and she taught me Healing Hands in return. Maybe it'll be useful, one day.

<— | —>

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

7th of Azure

I must avoid any and all healing spell from now on.

This morning, I tried to cast Healing Hands on myself. I had a headache, because of my lack of sleep. I got in bed on scheduled time, but kept waking up. Nightmares are becoming frequent and troublesome. More vivid too. They still involve spider like creatures, though their shape keeps changing, and they're more agressive. In any case, I cast Healing Hands on myself at 9am.

I can't remember anything of what happened through the day, until 8pm, and I suspect that I stayed in my quarters. Apparently, whatever is afflicting me is responsive to healing magic. More testing with different kinds of magics are required. It is Sophia, who woke me up. Worried after not seeing me at the training grounds, she knocked at my door. She had brought tea, too. Bless this woman, honestly, I've never had a cup of tea feel like such a relief.

In other news, Werill is acting suspicious. More than usual, at least. I've seen him trying stealthily cast spells during Council meetings. I wanted to confront him right then and there, thinking it was the source of my affliction, but upon close inspection, it appears to be some kind of a delayed version of the Open Way spell. Is he hiding something in the meeting room? I think I'll try to copy it, and investigate.

I wonder why he's casting it during the meeting though. He's probably using the shared mana pools that activate during them, but why? Open Way, even when delayed and encrypted, is an easy to cast spell that doesn't require much mana. Is he just careless? Or playing a deeper game still? Whatever the case, I won't let him.

<— | —>

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

8th of Azure

I have to admit, I should have tried to get more sleep sooner. I've been feeling... Well, better isn't the right word, given what's going on, but I'm glad I did it. It's always something, even though sticking to the schedule is easier said than done.

In any case, today has been mercifully calm. No major memory loss or troublesome event, just the well oiled routine of the City of Towers. I've even had the occasion to teach Sophia some tricks with Battle Magic. I hope she never has to use them, but better safe than sorry, and she seems to be having a lot of fun. Maybe I should pick a secondary magic too, if I ever find the time. I'm still unsure though. To master one specific kind of magic has its benefits, and covering each other's weaknesses is part of the point of having a Council...

Anyways, I have developped an exact copy of Werill's Open Way spell, down to every gesture he makes. I think I even determined which ones are part of the spell, and which ones are those he uses to hide the fact that he's casting something. With this information, finding the door should be easy enough. I expect traps, or some kind of defense system, but I should be able to handle it. I am a Battle Mage, after all. It can't be too different from entering the tower of an ennemy mage. I don't think this old man has anything I cannot prepare for.

The plan is simple. I'm going to find the door, and whatever secrets Werill hides there. If it's linked to my recent memory loss, I'll destroy it. If not, I'll let it be, unless it's criminal in nature, in which case I'll denounce him to the rest of the Council, so that he may be put on trial.

<— | —>

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

3rd of Azure

My memory is afflicted by something. I'm not sure of what, but the symptoms are here. All my wards are up, so it is unlikely to be a curse. If it is, it is not a naturally occuring one, and has been cast by someone powerful. Regardless, I've been experiencing the effects. Mild disorientation, difficulties casting spells and more concerningly, the first of Azure, the day of Jim's escape is foggy in my mind. I remember what he told me, and the moment he teleported clearly, but the rest is hard to piece together. I'm certain I talked to Werill, but can't remember anything specific, or when exactly it happened.

There's something strange about this. This being the result of a disease is unlikely at my age, but something being cast on me in the City of Towers without anyone noticing, or at least interfering is equally if not more concerning. Can I even be sure if how many times this happened? Maybe Jim was right, writing in his journals every day...

Regardless, I'll keep this on me at all times, and try to find out what's happening. I must remember this journal, and above all, I must not panic. I have to be efficient.

| —>

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

12th of Azure

I am alive.

Well, as alive as a lich can be, but... Jim did it. He saved me. I'm not sure why, yet. I think he still hates me, but I didn't get confirmation. The spell took quite a toll on him, and he's resting. He says he's okay, but no, he's not. It's evident. He looked relieved, when I woke, but I've never seen him so weakened. I did what I could to help him, with my Healing Hands spell, even though that's not much. I waited until he was asleep, so I don't know how well that went, but he's a little less pale.

I do believe I... Might have underestimated Jim. His spell worked. He actually found Lichdom. He had the help of powerful artifacts, sure, but he set up and perdormed the ritual, and attained imortality. And he gave it to me.

I don't know how to feel about this. This was supposed to be his escape plan, his trump card against the Council. Now, he's more vulnerable than ever. I wonder. What does he know? Were the letters in Werill's office for him? Was he being threatened? What if the bugs are coming for him?

If that's the case... I'll have to make sure he's safe.

Just to settle the score between us. Plus it gives me something to do, now that I'm out of the Council. Besides, we're in Ratazom's Tower, but we can't just stay forever, especially since he doesn't like me very much, though he has been polite enough to not make any comments yet.

Maybe Jim could stay at the Paper-grey Council's HQ? And I... I'm not sure of what I'll do. Maybe set up a dungeon, somewhere? I am a lich, after all.

Eh.

I'm free from my duties as a Council member. And I have no idea of what to do with my freedom. I think I'll just go watch the stars, for now. Maybe Jim could join me, if he wants to.

We both might need a conversation.

___

<—

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's Journal

5th of Azure

I woke up with ink on my hands. Certain that it was not from writing here, I held them above a candle, and the ink turned iridescent. As I feared, this is arcane ink.

I signed something.

My new priority is to find out what it is. As long as this has not been achieved, I will keep this journal on me at all times, and reread it every hour. I will also never leave my quarters without a quill and some ink, and lock every entrance there as long as I am not opening them. Loss of information here can lead to disaster, I cannot afford to take risks. I will also ask Council members if they remember me signing something. Well, I will ask those that I know won't see this as a weakness to exploit. Werill is definitely off the list.

Finally, I shall write my daily schedule here, and bookmark this page. It is important that I follow it to the letter, so that I may know at all times what is going on, and where I was at which time. It is also important that I get enough sleep, even though I'm suspecting that this goes beyond health concerns.

6am: Wake up, eat breakfast, shower and dress up.

6:30am-8am: Work on Battle Magic Theory, inside my quarters.

8am-9am: Work on Practical Battle Magic, on training grounds.

9am-12am: Council related paperwork, inside my quarters.

12am-12:30am: Lunch, in cafeteria. —No wine, especially not now.—

12:30am-3pm: Council meetings.

3pm-5pm: Inverstigate, preferably from inside my quarters.

5pm-6pm: Exercise on training grounds.

6pm-7pm: Lock up my quarters with wards. I trust Hummbirb's security system, but an extra layer could be necessary, and might prevent me from leaving in an oblivious state.

7pm-7:30pm: Shower, take HRT.

7:30pm-8pm: Dinner.

8pm-10pm: Study Magic theory.

10pm: Go to bed. Stay there even if not sleeping. Don't think about how you could use those eight hours.

I must write in this journal anytime I can't follow the schedule, as well as the reason.

I have a bad feeling about this.

<— | —>

[battlemageserioth]

Serioth's journal

4th of Azure

I'm still unsure of what is happening. I've been taking all kind of different tests. I am not cursed, my mana reserves are as usual, and I have not been struck by an offensive spells. Health wise, things appear to be fine as well. Healer Sophia berated me for my lack of sleep and consumption of coffee, but apparently, aside from that, I am in perfect health. The only strange thing she noted was a strange rash on the back of my neck, about the size of a coin. Sophia used a Sensing Spell, and for a second, I got concerned. She looked troubled. Right as she was about to speak, however, she seemed confused, and closes her mouth. I asked her if something was wrong, and she answered that no, everything was fine, she just forgot what she was about to say.

This behaviour seems strange to me. I can't shake off the feeling that something is wrong. Is Sophia planning something? Why? She never seemed even remotely interested in the affairs of the Council, and I've never seen her harm anyone. She's also adamant about her healer's oath, so why would she not tell me what's going on? Am I just being paranoid? Can overexertion really have such strong effects, so quickly? I've been tired as usual, but this is the first time something like this happens to me. If this gets worse, or hinders my capabilities as a mage and more importantly, as a Council member, I might have to do something about it.

Perhaps I do need sleep, though. I'll try to stick to a more strict sleep schedule from now on.

<— | —>

[greywizard-reporter-jim]

Lichdom

Jim's Journal

Necromancy, in its broadest definition, is the use of magic to control entropy, but also what once was. Skeletons, for example, can't move by themselves, but they represent the idea of a body that once could. Of course, death is a big part of this. It is the frontier between what is and what isn't, and clever uses of this frontier make a huge part of most necromancy spells. It is, however, interesting to note that actual death is not a necessity. Wraiths, for example, can be summoned even without the death of the original creature. If the creature in question went through enough of a change, its previous state has "died", and thus, can be summoned. Some people can even be haunted by themselves, as the wraith believes that a doppleganger has invaded their home.

Liches function on a similar principle. At first glance, Lichdom might seem like an outlier. A ritual of Lichdom is cast to preserve a body, not destroy or raise it. However, this is ignoring the fact that the ritual demands the death of the subject. The simpler (but not easiest) way to achieve this is to just that. The future lich kills themself, usually using poison, and raises their own body under their control. This, however, requires tremendous quantities of mana. A post mortem spell is extremely difficult to cast, to fail such a spell means actual death.

One way to circumvent this is to have someone complete the ritual for you. This option, however, also has its caveats. First, you need someone you trust completely, of course. The person can do anything to the would-be lich, including raising them in their service. Second, it is a huge strain on the person completing the ritual. Messing with death is no trivial matter, and if they aren't careful, the ritual can rend their very soul apart. Even if they are, the spell has consequences on the body, sometimes permanent ones, and can hinder the caster's ability to use magic.

Finally, the third option is to kill a part of oneself. The killing part is as not difficult as it sounds, and does not have to be a moral sacrifice. Parts of a person die all the time, mainly when we take decisions. The part of ourself that vouched for the other option dies, if we are certain enough, and that is enough for the ritual. However, the hard part is knowing exactly when it dies, and casting the ritual at this exact moment. Usually, it is easier when one is confronted with a moral conendrum, as they are ready to cast the ritual.

This is the option I will take.

First, because I cannot ask anyone to risk themselves to get me to Lichdom. There are people I would trust with my life, but the risk for them is to great. Second, I do have a moral conendrum to solve.

Do I want to be a lich?

Despite what I said to Serioth, I'm still unsure. The Council's members are a permanent danger to me and my loved ones, and I don't want to live on fear of the day they'll catch up, but immortality is often a curse. A painful one. I don't know if I'll ever be ready to see the world wither around me as I remain.

So the plan is simple. I'll go to @ratazom 's tower (thank you for proposing your help, by the way), and use one of the artifacts I stole. Jaress the Pink's Orb will allow me to "store" the ritual. Once my decision is taken, I'll use it, and become a lich.

Or I won't.

[battlemageserioth]

Tracking down Ex Wizard Council Member Jim, day 4.

The recent actions and events related to Tax Wizard Jim have led the Council to reclassify Jim as a threat. I, Battlemage Serioth, have decided that it was my responsability to track him down, as I was the one to introduce him to the Council.

__

I failed. The fugitive escaped.

It seems that I have... Overlooked some recent developments, and I should have prepared my ambush more carefully. When I tried to attack Jim, several undead creatures came out of the bushes. They were weilding what appeared to be outdated mundane world weapons. Those weapons still hurt, and I had to cast a Dome Shield to avoid. Jim took this opportunity to escape. I dispatched his minions with well-placed fireball, but more came out. It took about an hour, and my wounds are incapacitating. I need to retreat.

Jim's journal, fell out of his pocket, so I took it in order to understand what happened. The writing is unproffessional, but it is informative. Apparently, he somehow learned necromancy alone. This is... Impressive, given that it is Jim we're talking about. If only he could have done that when he was a Council member. He would have been a better asset.

Oh well. I need to plan my next moves. Catching Jim, I'm afraid, will be more complicated than expected...

[greywizard-reporter-jim]

Jim's Journal

Ready at last! It took a few days of non stop study and preparation, but I'm ready! I gathered the ingredients and drew the circles, and thanks to Ratazom's advice, everything's perfect! Now, it's just a matter of the right words and the right gesture, at the right time.

I'm... Kind of nervous. Even in Tax Magic, I never did something on such a scale. I have the help of ancient and powerful artifacts from the Council's coffers, but even then, Lichdom is no easy feat. Then again... I'm kind of proud of myself, on this one. It's the same feeling I had when I summoned my first skeletons. This achievement is leagues above a basic necromancy spell, but... I don't know. It feels the same. And it feels great! Maybe the way I see magic simply got healthier. I'm proud of my accomplishments.

...eh. I wonder what Serioth would say, if he was here. Who's incompetent now?

I'm also really fucking tired. Gonna take a nap and wake up disorientated in like 37 hours.

[ahno-nimus]

SERIOTH VICTIM OF MEMETOVORE.

SERIOTH VICTIM OF MEMETOVORE

Serioth of the Council has sent me a journal, in which he states that he is the victim of a memetovorus entity. This is apparently responsible for his recent discrepancies. According to the journal, as far as it is understood, he believes it may have something to do with his investigation into Werill, also of the council. As of the latest entry, Serioth intends to confront Werill. While I must admit that this publication has not supported Serioth in the past, but we wish him luck in this endeavor. Stay Safe Serioth.