Elara's Diary - Revision history

Baomont: Add archivist note linking ink devil to Scribe of the Underworld (consistency with Chronicles) (via update-page on MediaWiki MCP Server)

2026-02-26T12:55:17Z

Add archivist note linking ink devil to Scribe of the Underworld (consistency with Chronicles) (via update-page on MediaWiki MCP Server)

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:55, 26 February 2026
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			= Elara's Diary =
	= ~~Elara’s~~ Diary =
	''Selected Entries from the Faefall Era''		''Selected Entries from the Faefall Era''
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	If this is design, it is not one that asked for our consent.		If this is design, it is not one that asked for our consent.

			=== Archivist's Note (Avarian Scriptorium, 3rd Century TRA) ===
			Later tradition identifies the creature described here as a servant or emissary of the entity known as the Scribe of the Underworld, whose absence the fellowship was in time charged to address. Elara's contemporary account does not name the devil or its master; it reflects only what was said in the moment.
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	Natplio felt promising when we entered it, though that feeling did not survive long. After days on the road, the noise and movement almost felt unreal. We walked through the market trying to look purposeful, as though we belonged there, but the truth was simple: we did not have enough coin to remain idle. Between us we could afford food and perhaps a single night under a roof, but not much more. None of us has a name that carries weight in this city. We argued briefly about what to do next, though it was less an argument than a circling of the same obvious problem.		Natplio felt promising when we entered it, though that feeling did not survive long. After days on the road, the noise and movement almost felt unreal. We walked through the market trying to look purposeful, as though we belonged there, but the truth was simple: we did not have enough coin to remain idle. Between us we could afford food and perhaps a single night under a roof, but not much more. None of us has a name that carries weight in this city. We argued briefly about what to do next, though it was less an argument than a circling of the same obvious problem.

	The notice board provided the answer in a way that felt almost insulting in its simplicity. A bandit camp outside the city had been disrupting caravans and trade, and the merchants had pooled enough money to make its removal worth ~~someone’s~~ trouble. The reward was large enough that it silenced most of our hesitation. We did not discuss whether we were properly equipped to handle such a task. We discussed how quickly we could claim it.		The notice board provided the answer in a way that felt almost insulting in its simplicity. A bandit camp outside the city had been disrupting caravans and trade, and the merchants had pooled enough money to make its removal worth someone's trouble. The reward was large enough that it silenced most of our hesitation. We did not discuss whether we were properly equipped to handle such a task. We discussed how quickly we could claim it.

	While we were still standing there reading the details and calculating risk against necessity, a woman stepped forward and addressed us directly. She said she had intended to deal with the camp herself but had reconsidered after assessing the number involved. She suggested that cooperation would increase the likelihood of success and stated plainly that she would not require a share of the reward. Neacal immediately asked what she expected in return, and she answered that she expected nothing beyond the chance to deal with the bandits efficiently. She did not press us, did not attempt persuasion beyond simple logic. Desperation makes certain decisions easier than they should be, and we accepted her help.		While we were still standing there reading the details and calculating risk against necessity, a woman stepped forward and addressed us directly. She said she had intended to deal with the camp herself but had reconsidered after assessing the number involved. She suggested that cooperation would increase the likelihood of success and stated plainly that she would not require a share of the reward. Neacal immediately asked what she expected in return, and she answered that she expected nothing beyond the chance to deal with the bandits efficiently. She did not press us, did not attempt persuasion beyond simple logic. Desperation makes certain decisions easier than they should be, and we accepted her help.
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	The sound startled even me. It came out sharp and wrong, the kind of laugh that slips loose when nerves snap. I would have given anything to pull it back.		The sound startled even me. It came out sharp and wrong, the kind of laugh that slips loose when nerves snap. I would have given anything to pull it back.

	When I looked at the others, the damage I had done was not confined to the clearing. ~~Car’s~~ expression hardened immediately. ~~Neacal’s~~ silence settled like judgment. ~~Maive’s~~ instinct to soften the moment did not surface. Natsuko watched me with a seriousness that stripped away his usual warmth.		When I looked at the others, the damage I had done was not confined to the clearing. Car's expression hardened immediately. Neacal's silence settled like judgment. Maive's instinct to soften the moment did not surface. Natsuko watched me with a seriousness that stripped away his usual warmth.

	I tried to explain that I had misjudged the force I was channeling. The words felt thin against the smoke rising from the ground.		I tried to explain that I had misjudged the force I was channeling. The words felt thin against the smoke rising from the ground.
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	What lingers instead is the shape of us.		What lingers instead is the shape of us.

	The distance around me is subtle but undeniable. No one has accused me outright since Natplio, but the shift remains. Car watches me with the same attentiveness he gives unfamiliar ground. Neacal has taken to angling himself slightly between me and others when tension rises, whether he realizes it or not. Maive is still warm, still ready with half-formed melodies, but he does not lean into my space as easily as he did before. Even ~~Natsuko’s~~ curiosity now includes glances toward my hands before I raise the staff.		The distance around me is subtle but undeniable. No one has accused me outright since Natplio, but the shift remains. Car watches me with the same attentiveness he gives unfamiliar ground. Neacal has taken to angling himself slightly between me and others when tension rises, whether he realizes it or not. Maive is still warm, still ready with half-formed melodies, but he does not lean into my space as easily as he did before. Even Natsuko's curiosity now includes glances toward my hands before I raise the staff.

	I do not resent them for it. I startled myself that day.		I do not resent them for it. I startled myself that day.
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	Viri has not changed her manner toward me.		Viri has not changed her manner toward me.

	She moves easily within the group, speaking with Car in low tones about terrain, trading dry remarks with Neacal, answering ~~Natsuko’s~~ questions about regions we pass through. She does not hover near me, but neither does she avoid me. When the road narrows, she falls into step beside me without hesitation, as though it is the simplest arrangement available.		She moves easily within the group, speaking with Car in low tones about terrain, trading dry remarks with Neacal, answering Natsuko's questions about regions we pass through. She does not hover near me, but neither does she avoid me. When the road narrows, she falls into step beside me without hesitation, as though it is the simplest arrangement available.

	Two evenings ago she asked whether I had practiced with the staff since the bandit camp. The question was straightforward. I admitted that I had not. Avoidance is easier than confrontation, even when the confrontation is with ~~one’s~~ own skill. She observed that leaving a conduit unexplored after such a surge invites repetition rather than prevents it. There was no reprimand in her tone.		Two evenings ago she asked whether I had practiced with the staff since the bandit camp. The question was straightforward. I admitted that I had not. Avoidance is easier than confrontation, even when the confrontation is with one's own skill. She observed that leaving a conduit unexplored after such a surge invites repetition rather than prevents it. There was no reprimand in her tone.

	Yesterday at dusk, while the others were occupied with camp, I tested it again at her suggestion. I focused on narrowing the channel rather than widening it, on feeling the pressure gather before release. The response was different when I approached it deliberately. She watched from a short distance and corrected my grip once, adjusting my wrist slightly lower. There was no tension in her posture while I worked.		Yesterday at dusk, while the others were occupied with camp, I tested it again at her suggestion. I focused on narrowing the channel rather than widening it, on feeling the pressure gather before release. The response was different when I approached it deliberately. She watched from a short distance and corrected my grip once, adjusting my wrist slightly lower. There was no tension in her posture while I worked.
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	=== ~~Archivist’s~~ Note (Avarian Scriptorium, 3rd Century TRA) ===		=== Archivist's Note (Avarian Scriptorium, 3rd Century TRA) ===
	Several folios between this entry and the next surviving page are damaged beyond legibility. The parchment shows tearing along the inner binding and significant ink loss. Based on references in the subsequent entry, it is believed that this missing section recorded multiple road engagements east of Natplio, as well as the arrival of the individual later identified as Trix into the fellowship. No reliable reconstruction of these pages has been possible.		Several folios between this entry and the next surviving page are damaged beyond legibility. The parchment shows tearing along the inner binding and significant ink loss. Based on references in the subsequent entry, it is believed that this missing section recorded multiple road engagements east of Natplio, as well as the arrival of the individual later identified as Trix into the fellowship. No reliable reconstruction of these pages has been possible.
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	We are better.		We are better.

	=== ~~Archivist’s~~ Note (Avarian Scriptorium, 3rd Century TRA) ===		=== Archivist's Note (Avarian Scriptorium, 3rd Century TRA) ===
	A significant portion of the manuscript between the Highland Pass account and the following entry is missing. The folios appear to have been partially burned or water-damaged prior to preservation. Several pages are entirely absent; others survive only in fragments along the margins. Based on cross-referenced chronologies, this section likely contained the record of the ~~fellowship’s~~ involvement in the destruction of the lich later identified as Ori the Hollow King.		A significant portion of the manuscript between the Highland Pass account and the following entry is missing. The folios appear to have been partially burned or water-damaged prior to preservation. Several pages are entirely absent; others survive only in fragments along the margins. Based on cross-referenced chronologies, this section likely contained the record of the fellowship's involvement in the destruction of the lich later identified as Ori the Hollow King.

	The entry that follows is preserved only in partial form. Words and phrases in brackets indicate areas where the parchment is illegible or destroyed.		The entry that follows is preserved only in partial form. Words and phrases in brackets indicate areas where the parchment is illegible or destroyed.
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	The air within the Spire does not move. It presses against the lungs as though the walls remember every breath ever taken here.		The air within the Spire does not move. It presses against the lungs as though the walls remember every breath ever taken here.

	Viri did not hesitate at the threshold. I expected some visible sign of what this place once was to her, but she walked forward without ceremony. The stone has been altered by long corruption. Even the light from ~~Natsuko’s~~ lantern feels wrong against it.		Viri did not hesitate at the threshold. I expected some visible sign of what this place once was to her, but she walked forward without ceremony. The stone has been altered by long corruption. Even the light from Natsuko's lantern feels wrong against it.

	Car has spoken very little since we began the ascent. Twice now I have seen him standing apart, facing corners of empty hallway as though listening. When I approached him earlier, he said he was considering the structure of the tower. I am not certain that is true.		Car has spoken very little since we began the ascent. Twice now I have seen him standing apart, facing corners of empty hallway as though listening. When I approached him earlier, he said he was considering the structure of the tower. I am not certain that is true.
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	I remember Viri saying his name. Not as a curse. Not as an accusation. Simply as though speaking to someone she had known.		I remember Viri saying his name. Not as a curse. Not as an accusation. Simply as though speaking to someone she had known.

	There was no grand exchange of words. The ~~lich’s~~ voice sounded… tired.		There was no grand exchange of words. The lich's voice sounded… tired.

	[ink loss]		[ink loss]
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	Car has not met my eyes since.		Car has not met my eyes since.

	=== ~~Archivist’s~~ Note (Avarian Scriptorium, 3rd Century TRA) ===		=== Archivist's Note (Avarian Scriptorium, 3rd Century TRA) ===
	Several final folios of the manuscript are absent. The damage appears to be from long-term exposure rather than deliberate removal. References in external chronicles suggest that the missing pages described the ~~fellowship’s~~ return from Blackmane Spire and events immediately preceding the departure of Elara and Virilian from Faeloria. The entry below is the final intact page of the diary.		Several final folios of the manuscript are absent. The damage appears to be from long-term exposure rather than deliberate removal. References in external chronicles suggest that the missing pages described the fellowship's return from Blackmane Spire and events immediately preceding the departure of Elara and Virilian from Faeloria. The entry below is the final intact page of the diary.
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Baomont: /* Entry — Natplio, Later */

2026-02-26T12:51:27Z

Entry — Natplio, Later

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:51, 26 February 2026
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	Natplio felt overwhelming at first. The smell of bread and livestock and river water nearly made me dizzy. After days of forest and dust, the noise felt unreal. I caught myself watching ordinary people as though they might vanish.		Natplio felt overwhelming at first. The smell of bread and livestock and river water nearly made me dizzy. After days of forest and dust, the noise felt unreal. I caught myself watching ordinary people as though they might vanish.


	~~=== Entry — Natplio, Later ===~~
	~~I did not write the rest of the day earlier because I was too angry with myself to look at the page.~~

	Natplio felt promising when we entered it. It did not take long for that feeling to dissolve. We had coin between us, but not enough to secure lodging for long, and none of us possessed the kind of reputation that earns credit. We argued briefly about what to do next. The argument was quiet, practical, and unproductive.

	~~The notice board solved it for us.~~

	A bandit camp had been harassing caravans outside the city. Merchants were losing enough coin that the reward offered for clearing the camp was generous by any standard. Generous enough to ignore the fact that we did not truly know our own limits.

	~~We accepted.~~

	~~That was when she approached us.~~

	She did not appear from shadow or watch from a distance. She walked directly toward us as we were reviewing the notice. She said she had intended to deal with the camp herself but had reconsidered when she assessed the number involved. She suggested that working together would increase the likelihood of success.

	~~Neacal asked what share she expected.~~

	~~She said she wanted none.~~

	That alone should have made us suspicious, but desperation makes strange allies acceptable. She did not press for trust. She did not attempt to charm us. She simply stated that she could help and that it would cost us nothing.

	~~We agreed.~~

	The road to the camp was short. Too short, perhaps. We had time to discuss tactics but not to test how well we worked together. I remember thinking that this would be the first true measure of whether we could function as a unit.

	~~The bandits did not give us time to reconsider.~~

	~~They saw us before we saw them. Several broke from the tree line and charged immediately, blades drawn, confident in their numbers.~~

	~~It happened quickly. Faster than thought.~~

	I remember lifting the staff I had purchased earlier that day. I remember believing it to be a simple conduit, something to focus a firebolt through and little more. I did not examine it as closely as I should have. I did not ask the right questions.

	~~I aimed at the ground in front of the charging line.~~

	~~What left the staff was not a bolt.~~

	~~The air compressed with a sound I felt in my ribs. The light was blinding and immediate. The heat followed a heartbeat later.~~

	=== Entry — Natplio, Later ===		=== Entry — Natplio, Later ===

Baomont: /* Elara’s Diary */

2026-02-26T12:41:32Z

Elara’s Diary

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:41, 26 February 2026
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	= Elara’s Diary =		= Elara’s Diary =
	''Selected Entries from the Faefall Era ~~— Part I (Revised)~~''		''Selected Entries from the Faefall Era''
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Baomont at 12:41, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T12:41:06Z

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Baomont: Create literature page for Elara's diary (archives of Ix) (via create-page on MediaWiki MCP Server)

2026-02-26T07:32:00Z

Create literature page for Elara's diary (archives of Ix) (via create-page on MediaWiki MCP Server)

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= Elara's Diary =

'''Elara's Diary''' is a private journal attributed to [[Elara]], the infernal-blooded Sorcerer who travelled with the fellowship of the [[Chronicles of Faeloria#Chronicle of Faefall|Chronicle of Faefall]] and later crossed into the Infernal with [[Virilian Steadmane]]. The volume was later recovered from the archives of [[Ix]], the Free City where it had been deposited or found. It is preserved in the city's scriptorium and in copies held in [[Avaria]].

== Provenance ==
How the diary came to the archives of Ix is not certain. Some accounts hold that it was left in the care of the shrine of Natsuko before Elara and Virilian departed; others that it surfaced among effects brought to Ix by pilgrims or merchants in the years after the Return of Alcor. The hand and style are consistent with a single author writing across the period of the Faefall quest and its aftermath. Entries are dated only intermittently; the final legible pages appear to have been written shortly before or during the decision to cross into the Infernal.

== Contents ==

=== The Line Concerning Virilian ===
The passage most often cited appears in the midst of reflections on the journey and the bond between the two women. It reads:

: ''"She calls herself cursed, but when I am near her, I feel nothing but grace."''

The surrounding lines describe shared watches on the road, conversations in the ruins of Alcor's temples, and the weight of Virilian's fear that her nature would bring harm to those she loved. The diary does not name the Infernal directly in the surviving portions; it speaks of "the threshold," "the flame," and "the choice to go where she must go."

=== Other Surviving Passages ===
Earlier entries record the awakening in the temple, the first meeting with Virilian in Natplio, and the growing trust within the fellowship. One fragment describes "a woman who wears shadow like a cloak and yet steps into the light when it matters." Another speaks of the purification ritual and Natsuko's sacrifice: "We did what we had to. He lived. The world turned. And now she and I must decide what comes next."

The final pages are fragmentary. They mention "no path back," "her hand in mine," and "if love is the only country we have left, I will take it." The last legible line is believed to refer to the crossing: "We go together. There is no other way."

== Preservation ==
The original diary is kept in Ix under conditions that limit handling. Transcripts and scholarly editions are available in the archives of Avaria and in the scriptorium at Norin. Quotations from the diary appear in the [[Chronicles of Faeloria]] and in studies of the Faefall era.

== See Also ==
* [[Virilian Steadmane]]
* [[Chronicles of Faeloria]]
* [[Ix]]

[[Category:Literature]]