the Father of the Sun, Amaunator
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Far to the northeast is a desert beyond the Gnoll Pass. that desert holds many secrets, one of which is a temple of the Sun. The Stonelands Ruins of Azamandar. Each room seems to be protected by a puzzle or riddle.
the first test is a riddle - Amaunator clergy, an old enemy of the sun named Kozah, a sapphire-eyed dragon, and a holy cauldron all under a magnificent mural of a priestess fighting another great warrior, with four giant Anauria Gemstones at each corner of the room.
This riddle is solved through the use of sonic, electrical, and fire magic on the skulls with a divine weapon on the cauldron.
beyond the first test, a long labyrinth of traps.. a clever eye will be needed to survive this trial.
After the labyrinth of traps there is a pyramid with a giant sun hovering above. At the top of this pyramid is a portal.
The Portal leads to a room with a throne.. the throne of Queen Anauria, belonging to Queen Alysha Thardresk. Be weary here, as her entire court hangs by the neck, awaiting her return...
Past the portal room is a statue which speaks of an old kingdom of a vast forest. Emissary Selifrey believes this to be an indication that the Stonelands was once, thousands of years ago, a wonderous land of growth and prosperity. The stone spoke of a family who united through marriage.
Our trail ended near the next riddle. A locked gate and four statues of bowmen. Many small flames beyond the door. It was discovered quickly once the doors were opened, that the bowmen were imbued with the flame arrow spell, and a wrong step would prove disasterous. The four placements on the floor are weighted runes. They must be 'pressed' to open the door. We also fired various flaming arrows and heated-sling rounds at the door.
After this a grappling hook and firing mechanism will be necessary to proceed. We are almost through brothers... We will recover the artifact of the Light soon.
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The Murderous Hands, Bewitched Corpses, and Figure Wrapped in Shadows and Ropes
Two days ago while doing an odd job on the corner of the Colinwood, a figure stepped out of a black abyss which formed over a layer of grass. It seemed to be wrapped in shadows and ropes. It spoke painfully, and reached out to touch my chest. The below conversation details what transpired:
"You reek of Amaunator" it began.
"-I- am the Light" I replied.
"Amaunator has fallen" I continued.
"NO! Amaunator still breaths! In the halls within the womb of my house!" the creature continued.
"You speak of lies. I have been to the heart of the old sun, and look-ed upon his fallen. Deep within the stonelands he is buried, though his sun reigns supreme." I was referring to the Caverns of the Sun in the Stonelands, a sacred place, which I believe is where Amaunator fell.
"Where is the Child of Maluradek... Warrior of Amaunator... Where?" The creature was wistful, fleeting.
"I know that name. How can I trust you creature of the Abyss?" I was not willing to give more information to what could be an agent of the White Witch.
"Fool son of Amaunator.. I am the last keeper of the Caul.. Destroy the child of Maluradek! I will bring you to the birthplace of your god.." The creature faded away.
I am left with nothing but questions. What is a Keeper of the Caul? Why does this creature seek to destroy Maluradeks child? Is this in some way related to the staff the White Witch carries? We have long thought that perhaps the Staff is the source of her powers, as it resembles the one in the ruins, surrounded by sub servant lesser humanoids.
I must have answers.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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Myself, Kirin, and Ottilie have made our way to what we believe is the end of the Ruins of Amazandar. There are surely extensive secrets hidden from our untrained eyes, however we found a large statue of a woman shrouded in the regal robes of a queen, two fountains of water dripping from here hands like an offering of life to the people she ruled. The room, damp and cold, felt empty even with my company. I will travel here again, and I will leave a gift for the old Queen, as I am sure it has been some years since tribute has been given.
I will also endeavor to bring trained eyes below, so that we might continue our exploration.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry.
