Journal Entry of Vallen Dirthridir
By William A. Thorn
Huzzah! After days of toil, the Matrons and I have completed our collaborative endeavor and summoned the beast precisely as my thaumaturgic hypothesis predicted. Mastering the intricacies of the summoning ritual required painstaking awareness and adherence to all ritualistic minutiae, but our perseverance was rewarded with a magnificent beast the likes of which no participant had ever witnessed in these waters. So delighted was Lady Diaghne with the outcome that she immediately gifted me her treasured turtle shell necklace directly off her sun-beaten neck. Her ladyship explained that with a ritual of this nature, the Matrons could better defend the inhabitants of Marlquet Island from more committed and aggressive invaders, further securing their home and culture. Additionally, should I happen upon any new thaumaturgic discoveries in my future travels, her ladyship has bestowed upon me the honorary title of Friend of Marlquet, allowing me to return to the island at my discretion to share those discoveries with her and the Matrons. Truly her ladyship is a perspicacious and enchanting woman to be so appreciative of my talents and contributions. One could only wish to travel with companions so inclined. Until I return to Marlquet and her ladyship, I shall bear her gift with the utmost honor and pride.
With the core summoning formula proven, discovering a means to execute the ritual alone must be the following course of action. Owing to the fact that a considerable amount of arcane energy is required to summon any creature of worth, it is uncertain whether I alone possess enough energy to complete the spell or not, even taking into account the power stones at my disposal. Even then, would it be possible for the will of a single summoner to maintain control of the beast, or would it wrestle itself free, causing mayhem to foe and ally alike? A weaker specimen would certainly be less exhausting to summon and, perhaps, less demanding to subjugate. Regardless, answers may yet be revealed within the tomes used to develop my initial formulas, thereby necessitating further investigation. However, such research shall have to be done surreptitiously, not on account of the disapproval of my comrades but to maintain the soundness of the research. Delving into arcana unknown requires patience and adroitness, qualities my comrades seem to disregard in many, if not most situations. Whether or not a viable option reveals itself, it is uncertain my comrades could even remain still for the time required to complete the summoning.
Casting my gaze even further ahead, our success today naturally conjures up questions regarding the other type of beast explained in the tome, principally whether such a beast could, or even should, be summoned. If such a formula could be derived and a ritual developed, how could it be tested and perfected without the necessary protection? If the accounts in the tome are accurate, then the goggle modifications the craftsman are working on in port should, in theory, succeed in circumventing the curse. Nevertheless, adhering to proper protocols of experimentation require trials be conducted to verify the goggles properly protect the wearer before attempting to summon such a beast. Yet, how does one conduct such a trial without a source of the curse? This dilemma will need to be resolved before any trials can begin.
Enough on the subject for the time being. My spirits need not be dampened by contemplating potential difficulties on such a momentous day. Today my spirits are the highest they have been since I arrived in this wretched land, and I shall delight in the sensation until my weary body is overcome by slumber.
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