The Dream Tome: The Burning

Fourteenth Day, Third Moon
25 YRA

In accordance with the will of Her Majesty and in upholding the duties charged to me as Junior Chronicler, I hereby submit the account of The Dream Tome: The Burning.


A strange occurrence began at 8 Late Bell of Moon's evening, as a flicker of the castle was experienced by a number of denizens. This chronicler had made her way to the Courtyard when she ran into Initiate Kaori and sera Gamble, who were both looking for the source of the flicker. This chronicler felt it prudent to stay with them, and so, on a hunch, they traveled to the Solitary Passage, and the Dream Tome.

Other denizens seem to have come to the same conclusion, as the Solitary Passage was quickly filled with people. A cursory glance into the tome confirmed those suspicions: A new page had been unlocked, named the Burning.

After some discussion, two separate groups decided to investigate this new chapter in the castle’s memories. The first group was made up of Initiate Kaori, ser Izrith and Yeoman Khalea. The second group consisted of Mistress Filusae, ser Melle, and seras Mizuki and Milani.

Dame Eeva appeared to stand watch with Watchman Kvalhion and Yeoman Vaden. Initiate Kaori would send word to the Watchman from time to time, to give brief updates on the first adventuring party One of the most intriguing of these updates was that, at some point, both groups had met up after a battle with fiery creatures, in spite of a considerable length of time between the first and second’s departure. Ultimately, both groups were able to return unscathed.

Concerning the new chapter, it begins with the viewer appearing in a large room, decorated in cerulean. This is, apparently, the Inner Bailey’s council chamber. Shortly thereafter, the figures of Sir Alrik, Mistress Blodwen, Master Orson and the then Captain Galatea appear. It seems the conversation itself is already in progress. Master Orson explained how, through various means, he was able to get information about the Philosopher’s Stone from Moe, the construct that had been featured in earlier chapters. It was determined that one of the reagents that was needed to put the Stone together was the Essence of a Dragon, which is, apparently, more or less analogous to a soul. This Essence is used as a catalyst for the other ingredients, allowing it to draw from the Elemental Realm’s core power. This essence needed to be from Elder Dragons, specifically.

Master Orson continued, explaining that the mountain where Castle Marrach sits used to house two such Elder Dragons, Desborne and Rhumielle. Due to their nature, they were able to have a part of themselves become like other intelligent species that they encounter, while their bodies, with their essences, would go into deep slumber. This very thing happened to these two Elder Dragons, and after a battle between the Lord Consort and Dresborne, a spell caused them to be stuck in human forms, as well as forgetting where their true, dragon, selves were.

According to Renart’s journal, where this information was found, his plan was to find these human forms of the dragons, and have them drink from the River of Mnemosyne. Mnemosyne is an enigmatic character on her own; she was referred to the Goddess of Memory, and it said that the waters from her river would restore any memories lost; a counterpoint to the waters of Lethe.

The group within that the best way to tackle Renart’s plan was to enact it themselves, even though the validity of the claims made in the journal was not clear. As their plans were beginning to form for this venture, a loud sound is heard, and the door to the chamber begins to creep open.

It is at this moment that the memory freezes. Denizens may travel through the door to be taken to the next part of this memory: The Outer Bailey courtyard.

An attack seems to be underway - Lieutenant Adahn had tasks for those gathered. These tasks included fighting the monsters, putting out fires and leading other denizens to safety. The monsters themselves, called salamanders, were various shades of red in appearance, the darker shades appearing to be the strongest of them. The creatures were both serpentine and humanoid in appearance, with embers glowing up from under their scales.The areas explored were the central Courtyard, the Dining Hall and Kitchens, The Gate Courtyard, the Sunset Room, the Practice Room, the room where the Duelists Lounge now sits as well as the Gardening Suite. Along the way were barrels full of water with buckets, so that people may assist in putting out fires. A number of rooms that are not usually open in our waking days were accessible as well. Thoroughly exploring these rooms allow those gathered to help, until the task is completed, and the memory is finished.

This chronicler would like to especially thank Yeoman Kobe and ser Melle in their assistance with escorting this chronicler through the memory.

Those who gathered to witness the initial opening of the new memory include Dame Eeva, Mistress Filusae, Initiate Kaori,  Yeomen Kobe, Vaden and Khalea, Watchman Kvalhion, sers Izrith, Melle and Venture, seras Mizuki, Milani and this chronicler.

***

This chronicle will be subject to changes and corrections. I humbly ask all readers to please indicate to me discreetly, any falsehoods I may have mistakenly communicated. It is by means of the conservation of the Past that we continue to serve Her Majesty and give substance to those that follow.

In service to Her Majesty Queen Vivienne, The Office of the Chronicler, and the Denizenry of Her Majesty's Realm.