Sigil: City of Doors

wrote: To: Lucian Gervase, Mover
From: Hograth Thorn, Measure IV

Sir,

regarding to attacks  on the outposts and the nature of the scrolls I have some questions and suggestions I want to forward to you.

First, has it been considered that the scrolls are a portal like device, able to allow possession of the user and/or allowing creatures  to enter our reality?

What measures, if any, protect our scroll stashes from being found by somebody else who owns some scrolls as well?

Has our research team tested the effect of the scrolls on mindless beings like some kinds of undead (Zombies, Skeletons)  or some kinds of constructs? If yes, what were the results?

As I am no reasearcher myself those questions might sound naive but so far I was missing any answers to them in our official protocols and reports.

As for my proposals I suggest the following:

I suggest  to split up the scroll caches and locate them on moving caravans, spell jammers or other mobile assets.  Hunting down mobile targets is a lot harder than nonmoving ones and as our experiences show our bases are vulnerable to be found and attacked from within anyway- which also supports my theory that the scrolls are parts and bits of a larger, portal like device.

If possible I suggest the use of mindless constructs or undead to handle and guard the scrolls, should those prove to be immune to their effects.


To find chaches of the scrolls themselves a search pattern of volunteers activating those scrolls might be useful. However to be able to size them an according law must be passed in the Hall of Speakers and I suggest the Harmonium will support any motion brought forward in the Hall of Speakers concerning a law like this.

Hograth Thorn, Measure IV

<a seal showing a dragon claw and an arcane mark showing something similar>

wrote: Measure Thorn,

In regards to your questions:

1) There has been no evidence to suggest that the scrolls are portals. Their ability to sense each other, and the consistency of the dreams they produce, however, suggests some sort of intelligence either in them or manipulating them, however.

2) The scrolls are kept in vaults; no more than five are stored in the same place. The vaults are secured by the best of magical means. This does not completely negate the pull the scrolls have on each other, but it is virtually impossible to detect outside the walls of the outposts they are secured within.

3) No. The scrolls have not been tested on undead.

As to your suggestions about using moving vaults and undead, I raise two objections: 1) it is more difficult to defend a caravan - Truehold's scrolls would have almost certainly been lost if they had been on a ship or a guarded wagon; 2) Our factol holds a rather dim view of the widespread use of undead.

If you have intelligence on general locations to search for more scrolls, then we could adopt your suggested search pattern.

In Harmony,
Mover Gervase

wrote: To: Mover Gervase
From: Hograth Thorn, Measure IV

Sir,

following your letter I made contact with the Fraternity of of Law and invited them to cooperate with our researchers. The offer was accepted, Administrator Arnders and hopefully Administrator Defeign will exchange research notes with our own personell.

Concerning the attacks on our outposts I have another few questions:

Have those places been warded against dimensional travel or was teleporting, planeshifting and summoning or calling creatures into this areas possible?

Was only Harmonium personell present when the attacks occurred or have there been any visitors to our outposts at the time of the assault or perhaps a few days before?

I will keep coordinating my efforts with other Factions and will try to start some own research soon as well if I get the permission to do so.

As always I will keep you informed,

Hograth Thorn, Measure IV

<a seal showing a dragon's claw and an arcane mark showing something similar>

wrote: Measure Thorn,

I am glad to hear we can still rely upon our allies in the Fraternity in matters like these. As to your questions:

Our outposts are not usually warded against dimensional travel. It is theoretically possible to summon or planeshift within the walls.

The outposts were Harmonium personnel only.

You are cleared to begin research into the matter.

In Harmony,
Mover Gervase

wrote: To: Mover Gervase
From: Hograth Thorn, Measure IV

Sir,

I strongly advice to have the outposts or at least the vaults being warded with a Dimensional Lock immediately. Not only might it prevent the assault of those creatures but it will also make stealing the scrolls a lot more difficult as dimensional travel like teleporting is wide spread.

As by your permission I will aquire a scroll from our official stash to begin with the research.

Hograth Thorn, Measure IV

<a seal showing a dragon's claw and an arcane mark showing something similar>

wrote: Measure Hograth,

You have my permission to start research on one scroll. I trust you are aware that regulations state that the scrolls should not be kept in groups larger than 5.

Dimensional locking spells are already on all of our vaults. We do not blanket our outposts with permanent warding spells, however, for reasons of cost and practicality. We are not elves.

In Harmony,

Mover Gervase