ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG
Date: December 28
Project Site: Phaedran/Zanith
Archeologist: Shai Khalifa
I took the boat over to the large island on Zanith today. The mountain there is steep and awe inspiring, rising above the trees as it does. There’s a splendid waterfall that can be seen cascading down one face of the cliff.
I found myself looking up into the clouds as I neared the region. There appears to be something either in or above them - it’s hard to tell from here. I didn’t seem to have packed my binoculars today which was silly of me. Never mind. I’ll remember them next time.
I beached the boat and headed up into a tree-covered parkland, listening to the sounds of the birds, the wind in the trees, the soft sigh of the water, and the muted roar from the waterfall. There seem to be a number of small islands surrounding this larger landmass and I’ll get the boat out to them all in time, but for today I wanted to explore the land a little.
Well I thought I did. One of the first things I found was a vine-covered signpost. This is something new as there is nothing like this on Phaedran. On touching it, I found myself transported and had no idea where I was. I was however, astounded to find myself in what appears to be an abandoned village - well the signpost did say ‘Zanith Village’, so I’m assuming this is it.
There’s a huge tree in the centre of a stone ‘square’ with some small and some larger buildings around it, and an old blacksmith’s stable. I spent a very pleasant hour wandering around looking into doorways and poking around. Oh. I did find that one of the houses has signs of occupation, and there are 2 shops open. And the blacksmith’s looks like someone was here recently doing some potting.
As I made my way around the square, I realised that this village was only a small part of a remarkable ‘more’. There are 2 bridges that go off to what appear to be other areas. But the most remarkable thing is that the whole thing - all of it - is floating above or in the clouds.
When I realised this I sat down hard on the dirt in stunned amazement. I knew from the writings I’d found that the use of magic was part of the Phaedrani everyday, but this goes far beyond anything I could have imagined. As I’m writing this I am still a little shocked I think.
I headed up one of the bridges - not an easy task as it’s quite steep and involves a lot of stairs - and at the top was delighted to find a walled park. Very wild and unkempt, but a lovely and peaceful place.
Then I made the mistake of turning around to see the way I’d come. Oh My Goodness. I again had to sit down. I hadn’t realised just how high up I was and here I was now looking out over the village, and several other of these floating islands, and looking down - a long way down - to the landmass below - in fact to the top of the mountain below.
It took me a while to catch my breath and stop from shaking, and I sat in the park near an old well for a while. Lucky I’d remembered my flask of tea - forgot the binoculars, but remembered the tea.
Once the nerves had calmed down, I thought to myself that either I can try to walk back down the way I’d come, or I could follow the next bridge which again went up, but at least wasn’t down.
So off I went again, and found myself in what seems to be a little more up-market end of town. The houses here are a little better kept, though the general feel is of abandonment. I wonder what happened? There’s a lovely little rockpool feature near the set of downward stairs at the far end of this section. I must go there again as it was quite magical sitting dangling my feet in the cool water.
I decided to brave the ‘down’ stairs, and found to my delight that they weren’t so bad and in fact led to a small landing island before heading down another bridge to the next landing. Standing at the head of the next downward bridge I saw a remarkable sight (if anything else could be more remarkable that that I was standing solidly on a small island floating in the air).
There is a most beautiful glossy white building on the next island, and a larger white building with a glass arched roof. I had to explore these, even though it was now past noon and I still had no idea how I was going to get back to the ground.
There are signs out front of these buildings - they name the buildings as Guilds. There is the Guild of Magic, Arts and Time (the glossy white building), the Guild of Merchants & Trade, the Guild of Chroniclers and the Guild of Constructors.
I have to go back over the documents we found, but I recall mention of Guilds. I wonder if these were part of what fell through the rip. They don’t seem to be though. They are not dissimilar in style to some of what I’ve found underwater on Phaedran, but they are in a remarkably good state of repair.
One thing that is very striking is that the arches used on the Guild of Magic, Arts and Time are very like the arches I found in the cave and which have now been verified by the Valinor Elves to be a feature used by their architects.
I hope I can find more of the writings. There are now more questions in my head than I can possibly find answers for in our current knowledge. The fact that these islands float is proof that something very ‘otherworldly’ is at play in these regions.
There’s also a very strange feeling about these islands - almost as if there are barriers - as if you’re looking at something that’s there, but you can’t see it. It’s very very strange and not a little unnerving.
It’s like things are only partially here - “here” as in “in our world”. I need to come back if only to see if I can figure out what this feeling is.
The last bridge took me back to the original village site. So it’s a round trip, and a wonderful way to spend several hours. I’ll bring the binoculars next time as the view is spectacular and it’s an ideal vantage point. I wandered back over to the blacksmith place and there’s another signpost the same as the one I touched on the ground. So I thought “why not. It bought me here, maybe it will take me back down”. The signpost also said ‘descend’ so it was a pretty fair bet. Anyway, it worked and I found myself back again in the park with the waterfall in the background.
I headed over to the beach and looked up. There were the islands - in the clouds with long vines and old plants hanging from them. I’d been up there, and I’d go again soon.
I turned to look at the mountain from this vantage point and as I was already looking up, saw the most wonderful structure - tall and glossy black - and seemingly attached to the cliff face. But it was late by this time and I still had to head back. As I have to navigate around some rocky shoal water, I didn’t want to leave it too late. And I can go back.
So again, it’s the end of a day I’ll always remember, and my guardians are peacefully watching over my campsite. I have the binoculars next to my pack for tomorrow, the billy has nearly boiled for my cup of tea, and I just had dinner of fresh fish and the last of my fresh vegetables. I’ll have to go back to civilisation soon to re-stock.
Tomorrow - oh damn. I’d forgotten. Tomorrow I have to head back to Tropicana. The museum people want me to ok some more material. They’ll die when they hear what I’ve seen today, and see the pictures I’ve taken.
I also know I’m going to get ticked off because these logs are becoming more of a personal diary and commentary than proper factual logs. It’s hard to be factual though, when there’s so much I’ve seen that defies what I know as fact.
Never mind. We’ll see what tomorrow brings shall we?
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