Excerpts from the journal of Keeper Sosia, detailing the discovery of the portal to Messummur

"Searing Season

Copia, Spellstay, Dawnbreak

After a long year of training, I am finally embarking on my first mission. Leaving the Guild Halls of Copia behind, I find myself aboard a small fishing vessel headed for Black Hill. There I am to investigate a discovery made there recently, deep within the mines. Some sort of unknown script along the frame of an ancient looking door. Possibly a portal? One could only hope! I know the Guild gets a lot dead end reports like these, but what a find it would be for my first report!

Black Hill, Dusk

I have arrived. And I'm beginning to see why I was chosen for this mission. This place is nothing more than a scuffed up, two bit miner town full of bad mannered blockheads! I doubt I'll find anything tomorrow but black dust and dirt. Ah but the forests surrounding the black hills are a nice respite from the chaos of Copia. If anything, I can get some much needed rest out here.

Black Hill, Actstay, Dawnbreak

Well so much for sleep. These guys are up and clanking away... already! I haven't even heard a single bird chirp yet! Frogdogger! Well no bother trying to avoid it, the lanterns are lit and I suppose I'm off to the underground.

Black Hill Mines, Mid Dawnbreak

These mines are intriguing. Smooth black rock all around and a cool, almost moist air about us. My escorts are leading me to the far depths of a newly dug chamber, a might hesitantly I've noticed. They mutter amongst themselves as we descend into smaller, tighter shafts. I overheard one of them whispering to another, speaking of sounds they'd heard in the chamber. Warring sounds and those of unknown animals. Warring sounds? Surely this was a case of miners minds playing tricks on them.

Black Hill Mines, Chamber Of Sand, Sunhigh

This is astounding! Up until now it's been nothing but black rock and soil the whole way down. But here... everything is different! Golden sand! Mounds and mounds of it amidst sandstone walls peppered by the black rock. The chamber is tall with a mixture of stalactites formed along the ceiling, all pointing downward with an occasional stream of sand falling from them. It is much warmer here than the rest of the mine. Which I can already see, is making my companions uneasy. Only one has volunteered to accompany me down to the wall where the markings were found, despite his reluctance and cursing under breath. Only a few hundred steps down..

Carts of rock and mining tools came into focus as we reached the base of the wall. Instantly, I realized how large it actually was! Ten giants high, the sandstone seemingly goes on into the darkness above. And before me, at the center of it all. The outline of an archway, surrounded by archaic carvings and script, the likes of that I've never seen. These carvings depict a recurring theme of wind and hills along with some type of sword or dagger blade protruding from a crudely carved city. And there are... wait! What was that? We just heard a loud rumbling from within the wall! It shook the ground beneath our feet! Ah! Blast it! My only companion has run back to the others who are all probably half way back to the mines entrance by now.. But wait... is it getting even warmer in here? There's a strange sound too... It sounds like someone speaking. What is that? I can't understand! Whispers are getting louder and I can hear the sounds rhythmic movements!

I'm detailing a report of my findings to be delivered in haste to the Guild Quartermaster in Copia. Even as I sit here before the evidence of what is most undoubtedly a new discovery. I know there still may be skepticism by the elder Keepers. I'm a rookie on a rookie mission, so they may only send another rookie to verify my report. Hmm.. the sounds have have faded. The chamber has become quiet again, save for the occasional sandfall... It's getting colder in here...

On the other hand. They may dispatch a troop of Keepers to investigate this place. Maybe even Ingsmith himself! Oh I can see it now! My name recorded and placed alongside those in the halls of discovery! What a whirlwind that would be! Hey! It did it again! The wall is rumbling. And there's a weird wooshing noise. Wait! Something is illuminating the chamber! Ah! There is a strange symbol above the archway... It's glowing blue and getting brighter! Looks like a beetle. Those whispers have returned too! They're getting much louder this time... Something is happening! The mounds of sand around me a shaking violently! I think it may be time for me to leave now...

What is that?? The archway stone is glowing! I was right! It's opening! The portal is opening! Wait.. something is in there.. Oh no! Oh I've got to go! I musssfgo ooo o._____"more

released August 4, 2023

Transcribed during the summer of the year Twenty Three, Two Thousand by Guild Master Ingsmith

Artwork: Ingsmith