This Weathered Journal is the the possession of High Magistari Valkin Mulgin, however some of these entry's are also in another tome valkin placed in the library of Tarkuul.


== Mythallar's Blood & Magic ==

By : Valkin Mulgin

Journal entry 1 The First Age

From what texts i have managed to located not one seems to go beyond -3859, thus i determine that this was the official "beginning" of the Netherese empire's recorded history. Some ancient scrolls i located seem to date back to around this time an were scribed by one known as Tarakis. It advised of a time known as Freeman's Reckoning something i have cross referenced an determined also refers to the time period of the Dale reckoning during the year of Sunrise. A importance period of human advancement when the humankind was to expand by the ancient elven kingdoms. From what i can gather the dales folk of the time consisted of human fishing villages or small settlements that banded together out of the necessity to ward of lesser race attacks such as orcs an goblins.

Journal entry 2

Having visited further dig sites and ruins i have located several more ruined tomes an ancient scrolls that have allowed me to gain further incite into the beginnings of Netherese empire, it seems that of the original villages that banded together there was a shaman or king of sorts it seems that he was referred to as Nether, or Elder Nether, tho i know not if this is his name or a title, i speculate that this man was the founding leader of the Netherese empire an thus why his name such.

Journal entry 3

I have located some notes in the library of the living city that speak of the villages of Seventon an a great celebration for the new king Nether, such has given me pause an lead me to believe that the original name for the empire was Seventon an after examining such further i located texts that suggested that the Shaman King Nether had grown extremely powerful an thus renamed his lands to Netheril, Nether being his name an il ruffly translated to Land. Though some texts suggest that Nether was unloved, an considered a tyrant to many. I have been unable locate any further information pertaining to his works thus i conclude that he met an untimely demise an such records of his existence were purged as the price for his tyrannical rule.

Journal entry 4

I found it somewhat interesting that the Original name of Seventon was not returned after Nethers demise however it seems that despite the history i have uncovered the kingdoms new name Netheril remained, tho it seems the dictatorial government system did not, some texts indicate that the Netherese empire was governed by a type of democracy, tho it seemed not entirely fair it was far less oppressive than the rule of the Shaman King. It seems that each village had some kind of representative each with voting power an Summits were held were matters of importance were discussed an voted on.

Journal entry 5

I have maid a somewhat staggering discovery, after locating an ancient relic an a withered tome during on of my expeditions to some Ancient ruins. I seem to have located a strange item, magical in nature tho nothing more than what is require to preserve the item. I was shocked to find that it was crafted by elven hands but what was more astonishing is that this item seems to date back to around -3559 or around this period an was engraved with a ancient form of low Netherese.

I was at first dismissive in my findings, however after locating further ancient scrolls an cross referencing with tomes in the library's of the living city i have discovered that the Netheril empire had some kind of trade agreement with the ancient elven kingdom of Cormanthyr. But the most astonishing or shocking speculation is that at the time the elven kingdoms maid use of magic regularly intact it was extremely common as i found cross reference historical writings of the period, an this suggest that the Netherese people first gleamed the use of arcane from the elven people of Cormanthyr.

Journal entry 6

I have studied what little information i can locate from the first age of the empire, tho it seems that little more can be located, it seems that during the next thousand or so years of development, nothing of importance took place beside the occasional war with the lesser races.

Journal entry 7 The Nether Age

After locating further texts within the living city an in my expeditions i have uncovered what i believe to be the turning point or the birth of the "true" empire that most know of today. It was referred to as the day of the gift, when the nether scrolls were found. It seems tho that despite my search i have never learned who created the scrolls some speculate ancient races beyond even the elevens time or the gods themselves but nothing can support such claims.

I had heard of the nether scrolls prior, in-fact it was one of the reasons i originally traveled to Amia, after learning that a set of stolen nether scrolls may have survived in Amia, i believe said scrolls were stolen by the founder of Tarkuul as many records indicate a set was tolen in the year 776.

However there is no proof that it was Tark an it is in-fact possible that such records were political an such an event did not occur at all. Having said this, the chance to uncover magic lost of many ages is a worthy pursuit for one such as myself.

Texts seem to suggest that the founder of Tarkuul Tark had been exiled from the empire due to his...zealous pursuit of the more "darker" or misunderstood arts, an as a response to this Tark stole a copy of the Nether scrolls to found his own empire, an so Tarkuul was built.

Journal entry 8

It seemed around -346 -326 was the exact time frame when the Nether scrolls were located, an i have found a great deal of conflict as to the number of scrolls that were originally located, some have suggested twenty, others fifty an another source implied that there were at least one hundred of these scrolls maid of gold an platinum. It seemed that the scrolls themselves did contain different arcane lore, however there was no limit as to what was in an individual scroll. I can find no mention as to who the individual was that located the scrolls other than he was referred to as the "finder", an that said scrolls were located in ancient ruins that belonged to an unknown race of creatures never before seen by any then an from what i can gather now.

Journal entry 9

After locating some obscure lore within the library of Tarkuul i compared it to some findings from another dig site an it seems that there were only fifty scrolls, however there were two copy's totally in one hundred scrolls. it seemed said scrolls were not like normal valium scrolls of our time.

One can not simply read the texts an know them but rather study an attempt to understand the vast arcane lore within. Furthermore it seemed the scrolls were split into sub categories, tho as yet i have been unable to locate what these are.

Journal entry 10

I have located something astonishing, a Ancient Artifact, a tablet that advised the categories of the Nether Scrolls, it seems they were split into five categories.

Arcanus Fundare was the first, this contained basic of spellcraft such as cantras, components an the schools of magic known as Inventive, Metalism and Variation, however these have since been broken down into the schools of magic we are familiar with today such as Evocation an Necromancy.

Another categories seemed to refer to as Maior Creare an was essentially golem craft. The third was known as Magicus Creare, this was the art of creating magical items, it seem the advanced knowledge the thayan nation posses for crafting magical items was not doubt acquired from this set of scrolls.

The forth was known as Planus Mechanicus an discussed the mechanics of all the planes in our existence, it would be most excellent to acquire some of these an to finally put to rest some of the age old augments of planar interaction an phenomenon.

Lastly there was the Ars Factum scrolls an apparently was a guide to creating artifact of extreme power, tho due to the required knowledge needed from the other scrolls not a great deal of these were uncovered.

It is my hope that i might some day gleam at some of these scrolls, if only to learn the path to immortality so i might continue my own research, but in reality i would gladly spend my existence protecting an studying these scrolls

Journal entry 11 Mythallar era

After some rather lengthy conversations with Arith Tinnari my interest to the workings of Mythallar has been peaked, an thus i have decided not to focus on what the Nether Scrolls contained but rather the lore that was built around there study such as the creation of the Mythallars. Seeming Tarkuul is powered by the last remaining Mythalar in existence, or at least to my knowledge i also think it would be prudent to ensure i know as much detail as possible about there creation repair and uses.

It seems that the Mythallar discovery was discovered by the Archwizard Ioilaum who i believe was born sometime between 544 and 546. By all accounts Ioilaum was one of the most influential arcanist of his time an without him, his nation may never have achieved the grandeur it once had.

I found some reference that spoke of a General Ioilaum i believe both are one in the same man, he apparently rose to power a fame by leading a war campaigning against the orc hordes that had so plagued his people, there is reference to the "Excursion Into Extinction" a campaign that apparently slaughter 140,000 thousand orcs.

Journal entry 12

I met a creature rightly named "the shadow" as by all accounts appears to have shed his mortal flesh an become a shadow himself. This individual seemed to posses a great deal of knowledge regarding the rise an fall of the empire as well as insisting he has allies that also posses said information, he spoke of a mythal shard that could perhaps repair the Mythallar of Tarkuul an how the cities revitalization might aid in his personal goals. Said goals appears to be the reaching of an ancient sanctum of knowledge the citadel of Sun, tho i find such interesting at this current point in time i am not interested in such aims an care only for my research. Tho if what he says is true perhaps i can prove myself to the city an gain further incite into the workings of the mythalars.

Journal entry 13

I have now met with the shadow on a number of occasions he has confirmed some of my speculations about the past of the empire an how the cities mythalar might work, an has arranged for me to meet with a man named Fel"Bin who should be able to further my understanding of the mythalars designs an workings. However i have since learn of some interesting facts regarding the the mythallars abilities through my own research, after locating what appears to be financial records of some kind during the year of 845 that suggest that with the implementation of the mythalars that magical item prices dropped drastically, i speculate that a fully operational mythalar enhances or makes such crafting of items far easier.

Today i also met with a strange man, calling himself the Herald of the Rider from beyond. I am certain that he is no mear man, his eyes glow green an his flesh is much the same as Lord Frey, i assume he may be a lich or some kind of Sentient Undead. I will no doubt meet with him again, i offered my assistance during his stay, perhaps he will take me up on such once he is more accustomed to our city's workings.

Journal entry 14

After meeting with This Fel'Bin i learn through a little probing that the shadow was in-fact the Grand Master of the three steps academy of shadow-scape, such has re-enforced the shadows motivations as he has learn of the lore of the citadel of sun from those in the shadow plane, as it is apparently held in a demi plane connected to the plane of shadow.

Fel'Bin confirmed my beliefs that the mythallars in-fact harness raw magic or rather channel the raw magic of the weave so it can be used to enhance magical creations properties such as the relics no doubt still withing the city that allowed it to fly like all the cities of the golden age of the netherese empire.

Thus if the mythallar was fully operational it would then be able to empower these relics an once again rise above Torils surface. Further discussion lead me to believe that said repairs will require further work than just the repairs to the mythallar such as the removal of the sands an in-fact repairs to the city's structure an spell form, as without a intact spell form the cities energy can not be correctly dispersed around the city to achieve flight, as well as other perhaps hidden ability the city may posses.

Journal entry 15

According to writings i have located within the guild of knowledge an the libraries of Tarkuul the Mythallar is usually a crystal or orb of some kind that is in-fact crystallized weave itself, Fel'Bin also advised this is the case thus confirming my findings, other note worthy discoveries suggest that physically touching the Mythallar would cause instant death or utter destruction, thus if further mythal or mythallar shards are in-fact located we need to ensure they are properly handled.

Journal entry 16

I have conversed with the city on my plans to empower the city's mythallar while also repairing the city's spell form, an the city appears to approve of my plans, i have also been approved to locate this lost or hidden mythal shard that may hold the key to the repairs to the city, an after meeting again with the shadow an other associates i we have narrowed down the possible locations of said shard by using geographical information in combination with the sea of swords water flow.

Today i also met with the herald of the rider from beyond, it seems herald philip is what i suspected, after casting a few spells before out meeting i examined him an learnt he was certainly undead, an after a polite line of questioning i learnt that he was a lich, of course i did not let on at first my interesting in such things, but he has expressed to me the need to gather a military force for his master. I see an opportunity hear i can not pass up.

Journal entry 17

I have located the mythal shard it was about the size of stone pedestal an purple in color it glowed brightly despite its age an its surface crackled with what appeared to be red an purple lighting.

It was not were we essentially expected by after altering our path an following it we believed that the original resting place of Tarkuuls after its fall would perhaps be the best location to look further an so we descended into the deep an searched for many hours.

Having studied the Mythallar shards or Mythal shards extensively i maid use of locate object spells, tho they did not tell us the exact location they gave us an general direction an allowed us to search quicker.

I must say the ruins we entered were extremely unstable, i gathered what tomes items an trinkets i could from the ruins in hopes of furthering my research, however it was not long once we had located the ruins that we located the giant Mythal shard once we had located such tho we assessed it an ensure it was safe to handle an immediately transported it to the city.

Such was handed over to the city for safe keeping, an the city requested i be present to aid the city in making use of the mythal to empower it, such i find most exciting as i have wanted to set eyes on the mythallar of tarkuul for many a year.

Journal entry 18

Extensive research into Archwizard Ioulaum has lead me to believe it was in-fact him that also created the means by which that netherese did raise the cities to the skys.

During the 1653 year known as the golden age was the birth of the Chronomancer, an the beginning of what some seem to have called the Golden age.

It seemed that during this period the empire went about raising all their cities into the sky, each archwizard held their own city an created there own lores as set out by the example of Archwizard Ioulaum rule. Tho it seems this period was not all grandeur as it was also marked by some kind of first "Failing" were a further 24 of the nether scrolls were stolen an supposedly destroyed.

Journal entry 19 age of Discovery

Some recent research i discovered when research the age of discovery i found somewhat shocking, as it seemed that it was the Netherese empire that first discovered Ioun stones.

An arcanist by the name of Elorian discovered the ability of some gems to store spells they referred to them as chardalyns gems, an i believe that these were the first Ioun stones ever discovered an harnessed. There are extensive records of great sums of gold being spent to mine an research these stones.

There were also some interesting notes regard the discovery of Realmspace and the spheres outside of our own, tho i have been unable to locate any extensive documentation as to what was gained from such ventures an at this point see know reason to research such further as my studies are more related to lichdom an mythallar workings at present.

After meeting once more with the herald i maid some agreements to ensure certain organizations support for his masters siege, if i am able to gain the support of the enclave the banites an the horsemen i will finally have what i have seeked for so long, the transformation to un-life. I have already arranged meetings with all of the organizations leaders an suggested some interesting rewards that should suffice to satisfy their curiosity.


Journal entry 20 The fall

It seems the most material i find is in-fact all related to an age known as the Fall age, or the Age of shadow. This shadow age was detailed in a number of ancient scrolls withered tomes an journals i located in various expeditions as well as within the living city's library's. It is said that an arcanist by the name of Karsus was born in the year 3163 an it was his folly that would ultimately turn the empire to dust. Tho it seems during this age many travesties had befallen the empire.

It seems that around 3520 any records of the archwizard Ioulaum ceased, there is simply no mention of him at all, an such has lead me to believe he was removed or something took place that stopped further recording of his exploits. Tho i have found some texts that suggest that he left Toril to peruse greater magics, tho i ultimately believe that he had foreseen what was to come an had tried to stop Karsus, either he failed an was destroyed or he failed an fled to hide fearing his death as his life was sustained by magical means.

It seems that Ioulaum disappears had caused a great deal of panic an problems for the empire, an the young in comparison Karsus felt he had to act to ensure the empires survival in the absence of its great leader, tho i believe that he had infact planned this all along having removed Ioulaum from the equation he moved to take power an had developed magic to ensure there could be no one to challenge him, he had developed a spell supposedly of the 12th circle of magic, tho i am highly skeptical of such the texts imply he was an extremely talented arcanist an the spell did in-fact do what it was supposed to however its side effects it seems was the end for all.

This spell known only as Karsus's avatar was supposed to infact steel or harness the powers of another diety. It is said tho that when this spell was used something went terribly wrong, as he had in-fact chosen the god of magic Mystral she lost control of the weave as her powers were sapped away. my research suggest that Mystral knew that what was taking place was causing the weave an its power to fluctuate in a way that could cause irreparable damage, so she sacrificed herself to stop such from happening.

Unfortunately her death caused all magic to cease for a moment in this time anything sustained by magic lost all power including those who had transformed into liches or other forms of magical sustaining life, as well the mythallars themselves lost there bond to the weave an all the cities of the empire plummeted to the ground utterly destroyed.

It is said that not all of the cities wear destroyed however, it is said that as Mystral fell Mystra was born an so she swooped in to save the empire tho only three were saved i believe that they were Anauria, Asram, and Hlondath as there is more extensive texts an such that seem to have come from these city's that all the others. However even these city's did not last much longer it seemed without there great leaders an empire at hand they scheme to plague lack of food an also the crown wars seemed to have a great impact on the fall of the last three cities.

Journal entry 21

Tho it seems that all records of Tarkuul an Tark were stricken from the texts an records located outside of the living city i have discovered extensive information within the library's of Tarkuul that suggest how Tarkuul came into existence, as i have already speculated i believe Tark was exiled due to his elitist views an desire to peruse magics an research that were forbidden, an that it was in-fact him that stole or came into the possession of some of the Nether scrolls. Such is evident in the quick erection of the city an its mythallar as well as the city's other properties that have set it aside from others.

It seems that tho the city is not fully operational it still has many benefits such as the "sun shield" as i have named it, a barrier that seems to encase the city allowing undead such as shades, vampires an others who cant not normal exist in direct sunlight to survive.

Of course the most astonishing of all the powers the city possesses that i am aware of is its sentience supposedly granted to it by Archwizard Immastus who was trying to rebuild tarkuul in the image Tark had intended.

The city's sentience is a true marvel an is another supporting factor that suggest that the Nether scrolls were in the possession of the city as even archwizard Ioulaum himself would have surly considered such things to be grand, an as Ioulaum had studied all the Nether Scrolls to create his marvels such as the original Mythallar an the flying Artifacts one would assume a feat such as sentience would also require extensive studying of the Nether Scrolls.

I am admit that at least some of the Nether scrolls are still in the possession of the city itself, an perhaps were once handled by velsharoon himself seeming he felt it fitting to repair the city an the mythallar an rise it above the sea of swords. Perhaps they still remain or perhaps they do not regardless the city still posses many secrets of the arcane an most defiantly the secrets of the mythallar.


Journal entry 21

I have ensured all the organizations will be invested in the Riders plans, it seems there will be a siege in the days to come of a citadel in the ruined city of Malagard in the seventh layer of the nine hells. It seems the Rider is making a bid for power of said layer, an he would not have gotten thus far without some assistance from higher devils, i assume there is more at play hear.

Journal entry 23

It is done, Baalzebul has been dethroned. I was correct as no sooner than the moment of his defeat did Martinet the messenger of Asmodeus himself appear an advise that the Rider had his lords support, much myself an the horsemen had assumed as it was evident that he would not be able to take the throne without further assistance from a greater power. I located a few relics during the siege of the citadel, an must say was quite pleasing to be involved in such a play for power.

It is done now, all i need to do is meet with the herald to learn the secrets i have sought after for so long.

Journal entry 24

It seems there is defiantly something of worth within the city apart from the mythallar itself, i have for some time now has suspicions some of these fueled by Ittire's an Lord frey's warnings of the Puppet master, an others by the secrets prophecies tarkuul an amia

He comes an his blessing i do have, i have spent my life reading old tomes an researching ancient texts, i never would have thought i would have had the chance to meet one, an it seems things will only move forward from hear now, i will not write of what more i know in my journals, i am so close to gaining the means to finish repairs to the city an so close to ensuring my ongoing service indefinitely.

Journal entry 25

I have what the herald promised me, now all i must do is complete said ritual an i shall be no longer haunted by the specter of death that has chased me for so long, an finally i can continue my research an service to the living city indefinitely.

Everything is coming together, the city's repairs are moving along quickly an my research has lead me to some great discovery's an given me direction that will no doubt lead to either my name being remembered by many for my triumphs or i shall fall into darkness. only time will tell, an soon time is all i will have.

Other works, or associate works.

Origins of Undeath "general guide to the creation or birth of undead" (http://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=56054)
The Deathless Art "A general guide to the rituals of Pale Mastery" (viewtopic.php?f=80&t=55890)
Libris Mortis Vol1 "A basic outlook on undead" [url](viewtopic.php?f=80&t=55639[/url])
Mystran Conspiracy "The Amian conspiracy against Thay" (http://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=55638)
Mythallars Blood & Magic "The ancient empire of Nethril" (http://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=55637)]
Undead Variates "Basic undead types via associate apprentice Lucian Blackwater "(http://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=58204)
TOME: Grafting, The evolution of the flesh Vol: 1 " Basic concepts, procedures and protocol of grafting "http://www.amiaworld.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=61397

_________________
If i am not about when you are, but you would like to RP with Valkin, chose a time in red (GMT+8) / add character name PM me ICLY/OCC :http://teamup.com/ks662ccbfedda01eb0/