The Key to Deciphering Seraphic

Date: 713-714 GY
Location: ancient ruin in Kyr, College of Twin Horizons, and the West Gograzh desert
Outcome: Ancient Seraphic encoded texts discovered; Ceremony performed to temporarily clear the West Gograzhi sky and gain the necessary astrological clues to decode the discovered texts; a battle against a dark, powerful foe.

In the year 713 GY, three researchers: Sova Sonam, [an antiquities expert], and (Saleem H.), a researcher specializing in ancient Kyr History, studied at the Academy of the Rising Winds. The Kyr Historian unearthed a tome from the Archives of the Azlet Library that mentioned a shrine in the remote mountains of Kyr. This was the first time they had seen it referenced, and so they sought out the expertise of the other two. The Cartographer scoured maps of old Kyr settlements, but found no references at all to this shrine. The antiquities expert, however, did recognize the symbol of the shrine as being the same as one on a tablet located in the Academy Museum.

The group was very excited about the potential of a lost discovery. They contacted Oja Dulin, a research and lecturing professor at the college. Recognizing the potential, and as giddy as they were, she assembled a team to help them seek out this shrine. Anayat, Orenna b’Khalo’Zerhadda, and [up to three more historians/cartographers/antiquities experts] were hired for their expertise and their abilities to help locate the shrine. [Three members of the Wardens of the Endless Road] were hired to protect the team. The antiquities experts knew where the tablet in the museum had been created. Working with the cartographers and information from the text, they began to narrow down possible locations of the shrine.

After weeks of preparation, they set out into the old wilderness of Kyr. The Wardens acted as scouts for potential locations that the cartographers directed them toward. Systematically, they eliminated their incorrect guesses until only one possible location remained. Working as a team, they looked for any signs of any kind of past settlements. [1 historian from above] found a small stream coming down a series of mountains, noting that potential water sources are ideal locations to begin their search. Following the stream back into the mountains, they found the shrine carved into a cliffside.

Inside, they found remnants of old Kyr, pottery and other relics that Oja insisted be given to the College for preservation and study. They also found something odd, a series of documents that were in pristine condition. They were preserved so well, they one would assume it would have been created that day. Among them were writings in Seraphic, yet the texts also had other symbols that the historians weren’t familiar with.

They took great care in their excavation and transportation of their findings. Upon the return to the college, Oja immediately began to look into the mystery of the preserved documents. She gathered some of the most knowledgeable people from around the world to help piece together this puzzle, including [PCs may take a role as one of these students/teachers or scholars].

Oja announced to the assembled scholars, "My fellow colleagues, we have discovered something truly odd: writings which appear to be protected against time. They are Seraphic runes transposed against other symbols. From what I can deduce this might be a coded translation of Seraphic.”

Naia b'Ilaida'Hiram noticed something strange. Some of the symbols were based upon constellations. They believed that the key to the code was based upon astrology, so it could survive for a long duration of time. At this realization, a spark of understanding lit up in [a historian with a specialty in Magical Artifacts from the different ages]. They recalled tales of an ancient artifact. According to them, there was a quill that had the power to make its writing eternal, to weather the world and make its knowledge available for all time. It does this by encoding in a language that future generations would be able to decipher. It is the language of math and of stars.

Zebulon Annan however could not completely decipher the code. Angles of the stars were odd. The stars weren’t aligned based upon their location. They needed the right calculations. They conjectured a team of Astrologers might be able to decipher the code, if they went to the location that it was created, which they postulated was in the West Gograzh desert.

Oja Dulin set up another expedition. They were accompanied by a larger team to both guide them and protect them from the Gograzhi. This included [up to five combat focused characters], known for their martial prowess, and [A Scout with first hand experience in Gograzhi desert], who would act as their guide through the treacherous desert. [Any number of people with Astrology], and Mitzli, Sova Sonam, and [one other person with Cartography] informed [The Scout] of the approximate location they believed was the correct location.

Progress was slow, but [The Scout] knew their trade, and eventually they made their way to the estimated location. There was one problem that they knew about ahead of time. The haze of Gograzh would prevent their team of Astrologers from viewing the stars. To counteract this, five members of the company—one from each nation (Saleem H.), [a Vonori, a Raziri], Tusinami, and Zebulon—prepared to perform a ceremony, one that would pierce the veil in the sky for a few brief minutes. Shielding the Ceremony was critical, for it would surely draw the attention of any nearby Gograzhi. Dhergey, Akash Ullu, and [five other experienced scribes] sketched a Glyph circle into the sands of the desert, as a last line of defense for the 5.

The Ceremony began, the participants offering up something of themselves. Waves of magic were sent out as a light slowly began to light up the area. Scutters came in herding creatures similar to giant pangolin. As the scutters charged, the pangolin burrowed into the sand, approaching the group unseen. The defenders immediately took action. Orno loosed bolts into the charging scutters, dropping several. [Up to three characters with shields] took the front, determined to protect the scholars. The three acted in perfect unison, a wall between the scutters and the ceremony. Then, a giant pangolin emerged from the sand behind the shield wall. They were forced to scatter. [A Wizard], holding high their focus, sent blasts of water against the creature, forcing them back under the ground. As the defenders continued their fight, the light from the ceremony grew brighter and brighter.

A figure clad in a shadowy cloak emerged from a nearby dune. He began to utter, “What exactly do you think you’re doing? Why would you want to pierce the haze, and disturb what took so long to create?” The man took note of every individual performing the ritual, staring at them with pure hatred.

Wielding two daggers, he slithered his way toward the front lines. Remiel b’Finwe put themselves between the man and the ceremony, issuing a challenge to the menacing individual. They fought undisturbed for several minutes, Remiel landing several blows. Eventually the shadowy figure channeled hatred through his daggers, striking down Remiel. Before falling they swore an oath of vengeance.

Kanuwodi regardless of their own safety, rushed forward to care for their fallen companion, knowing full well they would be struck down as well. The shadowy figure paused for a moment, as if confused why someone would offer up their own life for another. He shrugged and once again began to channel magic into his daggers. Suddenly a crossbow bolt pierced the man’s hand. Turning he saw Orno aiming another bolt.

Simultaneously [A member of the Pallas Adine] put themselves between the figure and the healer. They took up a battle chant, rallying their companions. Those that joined in the chant felt a surge of rejuvenation. [The Shield users] reformed their wall, barring the individual from progressing. Remiel b’Finwe, completely recovered thanks to Kanuwodi, rejoined the fray. Working as one unit, they attacked the shadowy figure, causing him to retreat into the night. The other Gograzhi, seeing their leader flee, followed in suit.

Meanwhile, the light of the ritual reached a crescendo, blazing away the remaining haze. Abruptly the light went out, revealing a beautiful night sky. It was the first time the stars had shone here in hundreds of years. Before the haze could once again cover up the skies, the scholars hurriedly scribbled down the positions and angles of the celestial canopy. It would take time and effort to fully decipher, but in their hands they had all the information they needed.

In 714 GY, the last of the Seraphic text was decoded. Scholars all over the world now had a greater understanding of Seraphic, allowing for the translation of other ancient texts. It was especially exciting for the Scribes. Before this discovery, most spellscrolls and other Inscription magical workings used phonetic spellings of Poetic Script, but this discovery revealed the translation of many true Seraphic words. This made the enchantments not only more stable but more powerful.

PC Roles

  • Anayat: Adelaide S.

  • Naia b’Ilaida’Hiram: Katherine K.

  • Zebulon Annan: Matt B.

  • TBD: Saleem H.

  • Dhergey: Daniel D.

  • Orenna b’Khalo’Zerhaddai: Kimberly D.

  • Akash Ullu: Alaska C.

  • Remiel b’Finwe: Chris J.

  • Kanuwodi: Sean S.

  • Tusinami: Laura M.

  • Mitzli: Katriel J.

  • Orno: Dustin V.

  • Sova Sonam: Chris V.