The Recorder Stone of Oerianna Vaas

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 4:

Phoenix:

Spoke with Rev representative - and asked for his support in the Hive- or more specifically, a lack of interference. We had a heated debate, hurled assumptive accusations about the other - were almost at each others' throats at one point. At the end, we decided that our vision was the same - safety and liberty for every innocent. Decided to work together.
Impression: I don't like his methods, but I think I like him as a person, and on a degree can relate to where he's coming from. Regardless for my respect of the man, I told him plainly that if the Revs are found to be behind the arsons, then I'll publish. He claims he has nothing to hide- with respect to my particular investigation. Warned him about working with La Meor.


Later that Night.

Attempted kidnapping by Blue Stiletto merc, Quorrit was supposed to meet me in my room to talk over things - found me missing- managed to locate the portal to the assailent's kip- then killed him.
Impression: I feel terrible about this whole situation - first for the Death of the merc - who likely did not do anything wrong himself, but was just involved in a corrupt organization that I'm trying to bring down with a war of words.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 5

The Blue Stiletto have pulled virtually all of their mercs from the Hive, due to recent losses - which I suspect local Hivers and perhaps the Revs are behind.

Impression: With the Blue Stiletto out of the picture, and the Revs giving me their word to not interfere, only La Meor's newfound influence in the Hive might hinder my investigation. Not sure how influential she is in the Hive - but if I can't conduct my investigation without interference, I will have to bring her down with my pen sooner than I had planned.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 5:

Aside from a half-hearted confrontation in which I duly ignored him while he went on about how half of Sigil thinks he is a monster, Rith Fiddler has left me alone - for the time being. I think my article galvanized his superiors into telling him to behave.

Good Dog.


Note: I think I might have damaged Nero's 'stone' which allows me to communicate over long distances. I believe the magic that wards me also has a disruptive effect on the item.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 6:

Had a long discussion with Dom about the opening of a new school in the Hive. We bounced a few ideas off of each other and came up with a contingency in case the E Now initiative falls apart - or worse- is sabotaged from within.


Ilia warned me about Rith Fiddler putting on a show in public by speaking to a former Cartel member named Raven. Apparently they were feigning some kind of conflict so everyone can see that Rith has no more ties to the Cartel. She thinks he's about to do something egregious soon.


Strange dreams. The Dream-Phantom was in them once more- talking about strange, strange things.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 7:

I spoke to Alathra, a Harmonium officer about Rith Fiddler. She wasn't too knowledgeable about the matter, but she approached me later on and offered me an item of great power that would help me in case Fiddler ever tried anything. She seemed genuinely concerned for my safety.
Impression: A decent hardhead is a rare treat, and I was pleasantly surprised by Alathra. She and a random human male standing in front of Khazeet's bar offered their help to protect me. I ignored the male. Why does everyone think I need protection just because I'm reporting the actions of a madman? I can't complain too much, though - I guess it's best if I'm underestimated.

It happened again, as I was walking through the Hive at an area near the Bottle and Jug. This time, I was with Calliope. She confronted me about it as we took a promenade through the gardens in front of the Gatehouse and I told her everything. She, also shared aspects of her life about me, and told me why she had come to Sigil.
Impression: I like her a lot - potentially a good friend. She speaks her mind, too, which furthers my respect for her.

The oddest thing occured during our conversation: a Gatehouse worker approached us to ask if we were new recruits. I could have sworn I've seen this woman before. At any rate, she left just as abruptly as she had shown up. I wish I would have asked for her name.

*****
When I returned to my Inn room, I found a note from Phoenix tucked into one of my clothes. He has something planned, and wants me to play a pivotal role. I believe it may have to do with the E Now initiative.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 8:

I retrieved Chardon's journal from the Hall of records. I was so moved by reading it! The struggle and the heartache! How difficult it must be to lose a loved one! I had originally planned on using the item for leverage in extracting information from him, but I ..I just couldn't! I searched it over for clues that might tell me more about La Meor or Phantom, but was unable to find anything obvious, neither was Dom. I returned the journal to him after assuring him that I'd never tell another soul. I really do hope he is reunited with the one he loves.


I spoke to Phoenix, and shockingly, managed to convince him to take a non-violent approach to resisting any oppression in the Hive - E-NOW or otherwise. I also asked for his non-interference with the building of Dom and Kelth's school. He suggested that I take personal accounts from Hivers and publish them in SIGIS. That is exactly what I, too, had planned.


In the bazaar, I met a woman named Krystha - who Dom apparently told me was an officer of the Red Death. She and another individual unknown to me named Lily were planning to kidnap me until Nero and Dom took me away to safety. There, I told them both that I would vanish from the bazaar for the next week as I hoped to throw the tailers off my back. Once my trail went cold, I would re-emerge incognito in the Hive, and continue my investigation without being bothered.

Dom, Nero, and I found a sneaky way to keep in touch. I will ask them to tell Quorrit and Calliope of my safety and my plan during our first correspondence.

I then moved quick, for I knew what was to come, and that I'd be in grave danger. I told Jerek at one of the secret, transient SIGIS locations in the Hive to publish as me for the next few weeks. I would stay in touch with him and submit my accounts that he would edit and publish. I gave him my final article before I vanished, the one that would set all my plans into motion.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 9


I strode deeper into the depths of the City, I must have descended a vertical kilometer as I kept working my way down into the ancient parts of Undersigil. There is an undeniable sense of foreboding here - as if some unseen entity watches me.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Deeper I delved, into catacombs as ancient as the City itself. Etched upon the walls were insignia which resembled faction symbols - except I could only recognize two: The insignias of the Dustmen and the Doomguard, along with several others which likely belonged to groups that had long been extinct.


During the first 2/3 of my trip, I encountered various brigands, feral creatures, and restless dead. I also had this uncomfortable feeling of being observed. But now.... that feeling no longer persists I truly, truly feel alone. I'd prefer the former.

After stumbling upon a mausoleum, I made my way into an inconspicuous sarcophagus that had long been looted, replaced the airtight lid on the tomb, and closed my eyes. Folding my arms across my chest and closing my eyes, I resolved to lie there for a week's time.

I silently pleaded with no one in particular: "Please... no more nightmares."

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Dreams... Vivid.


I saw Phantom once more, the inverted triangle mask, long, flowing cape.... except his eyes were different, and he looked older- with more wrinkles and his armour rusted.


He spoke of me being a pawn in his plot for destruction, and he kept speaking of fire and flames. He reminded me of a cursed mage I met several years ago in the Smoldering Corpse Bar in the Hive - named Ignus. Obsessed, disturbing.


I don't usually have dreams, but when I do, he's always in them.

[*The Lady With the Pet Dog]

Day 11... or 18

Spent the day following randoms in the Hive, saw Charles talking in hushed tones with some short chit, I think she was either elf or tiefer. Also saw an orc that I ..I could have sworn I saw before. I tailed him into the Night Market before he got lost into the crowd.


I was headed away from the Night Market ...and the next thing I know, I'm being roused from the gardens in front of the Gatehouse once more.


...Strange