ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG - 28 December 09

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?

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG - 16 December 09

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG

Date: December 16

Project Site: Phaedran

Archeologist: Shai Khalifa

I decided to go on another dive today to the cave, as the Museum needed a picture of the arches in situ. I've included the picture taken as you come out of the entry tunnel into the main cave area.

As you can see from this, the cave goes much deeper still, and I have yet to delve further.

I've also had contact from the Lady Freyja of Valinor and she confirmed that some of the ancient texts her people have make mention of a delegation which was sent to Phaedran. This delegation consisted of highly respected advisers, individuals powerful with Elven magic and several young people who were in training for one purpose or another. It isn't quite clear who these people were, but Lady Freyja is sure that more research will eventually provide names. I am hopeful that eventually I'll locate documents which provide identity to the Phaedrani we know survived the fall. It would be wonderful to be able to give the Elves a clearer idea as to the fate of their kind.

As an aside, I think the relationship with the Elves will provide a glimpse into more than just the history of the Phaedrani as a people, but also more understanding of the architectural styles which I've found so far.

Although I have only touched the 'surface', so to speak, on Phaedran, tomorrow I'm going to start exploring the lands of Zanith.

So as my campfire dies down here, I'm imagining what I might find there. From what I can see from the camp, the region appears to be different to Phaedran and I can't wait to see in what way, and how they're connected.

It's a beautiful starry night tonight with a hint of warm breeze and I know I'll sleep well knowing my twin guardian dragons are watching over me.

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG - 3 December 09

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG

Date: December 09

Project Site: Phaedran

Archeologist: Shai Khalifa

Unfortunately, I've had several months where it hasn't been possible for me to undertake a more extensive survey of the Phaedran region. This mainly was due to my involvement with establishing the new museum constructed to house the project collection and records.

It has been decided to locate the museum on Tropicana and is open now to the public, even while the exhibits are being added.

In the past week however, I've managed to get back to my campsite. Although I would like to explore more of the tomb and 'forum' areas, I decided to take a look at a region at the far eastern edge of Phaedran. There are a number of rocky outcrops here, and a small beach, so taking the boat over was a pleasant short trip. While standing on the beach, I noticed an oddity sticking out of the water - easily missed as what is visible is only a small piece of what appears to be worked stone. What drew my attention however, is that it's pure white, which definitely makes it something out of the ordinary.

I swam out over the reef and took a closer look. The object seemed to be embedded into the reef, but looked like it was part of a larger structure. I then decided that a dive in the area might prove interesting. Oh my, just how interesting it would be never occurred to me.

I began the dive from the beach on the western side of the beach going quite deep, around a coral outcrop. This outcrop gave way to an underwater 'valley' filled with a kelp forest and home to more of the colourful fish found around the 'forum'.

On following the valley further in, I came across some columns - different in structure from any I'd seen before. None standing, only fallen and broken. When I thought I'd reached the end of the valley, I came across a hole in the wall behind the kelp, and I entered a tunnel. Inside this were wall sections and more broken columns and the tunnel led me to a large cave which must be what's below the reef I'd swum over earlier.

What I saw there completely surprised me.

Recently, the Elves who reside on the Valinor regions came across an obelisk on the sea bed offshore. Once this had been cleaned up, they found an inscription on the base plate. The item had been given to their people by the Council of Phaedran as a symbol of unity. I then received photos of this find and the Lady Freyja Bailey of Valinor donated a scaled replica of it to the museum where it is now on display along with a picture of the obelisk, cleaned and now erected in a place of honour in the Square on Valinor. To one side of that picture is a very similar structure to those I found myself looking at in the underwater cave - an arch.

In fact, they appeared to be triple arches, however some had fallen. They also do not appear to be a complete building, but sections of one that are embedded into the rock or fallen around the area.

I ran out of time to explore very far into the cave, but there appears to be more further in. I'm now going to focus my exploration on this cave, as it looks to be an area which clearly shows there is a more current connection between the survivors of the fall, and the residents of other regions on Grid.

This is something I've now alerted the sociological team about and they are liaising with Valinor to find out more of the history of the obelisk. They have also promised to send me more pictures to confirm my theory. I just wish I had the time to visit the Elves myself - maybe soon though.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue here as the story of these people develops further. I hope we find more of the Chronicle or Journal entries. I'm always on the lookout for possible hiding places. The more information we get, the more we can piece the story of Phaedran and Zanith together.

Right now, I'm sitting here on my beach by the campfire waiting for my evening meal to cook. It's so beautifully peaceful with the sounds of the waves as my background music, in the evening light as the sun has dipped below the horizon, and looking over toward where I've found yet another piece of the puzzle - a puzzle that is both fascinating and frustrating. But exciting and very intriguing.

Translation of Journal entry found in Forum

I have just now received the translation of the document I found in the central altar-like object of the Forum.

I cried when reading this - it's so sad that these people were so lost, and must have been desperately lonely. If only I could have known them. What an amazing tale they could tell and what incredible knowledge they could impart.

Anyway, enough of my blithering - the Journal is much more interesting.

__________________________________

Day 93 ATF (after the fall)

Dated for the purposes of this journal

We have decided to maintain a composite journal to document what has happened - to try to make sense of it, and to assess what the effects of our mistake might be. As the scribe assigned to document the dimension ritual, it was logical that I be tasked with maintaining the record.

It is uncertain how much time passed between the rip forming and our awakening in this place. We are in fact uncertain how time is measured in this place as it seems to be many times at once.

But I get ahead of myself - let me begin at the beginning - or maybe it is at the end, for it is possible that life in our own dimension has ceased to exist with our creation of the rip.

We are all desperately sad about losing family, loved ones and friends, but our most pressing concern is that the group of us who have fallen through the rip represent the most powerful or gifted magic weavers, our most revered philosophers and our most talented technicians. The loss of these people will be terribly hard for those we have left behind to overcome. Our civilisation will be set back many many decades - if not longer. This is made all the more devastating in that most of our sacred and powerful icons, relics and technical apparatus also seems to have fallen with us. Some now broken or damaged beyond repair. These items are irreplaceable. The are now lost to our people for whom they are critical in the practice of magic and technology.

All is not desolate for our surviving group however. This place seems to be abundant in wildlife of all sorts, some strangely familiar, but most beyond anything we have experienced before. The races that inhabit this place are almost as diverse as the wildlife and there seem to be a number of different versions of language spoken, though most communication seems to be by the written word.

We have used our magics to conceal our whearabouts from the inhabitants of what we have learned is called "Grid". It has been agreed by concensus that this is the wisest course of action. In this way we can learn how to adapt and blend into the population of 'residents'. This is an easy task it seems, as Grid is sparcely populated and many times in our wanderings we have encountered vast tracts of land devoid of any signs of life. Whole cities or complexes without a living person to be seen.

At other times they seem to be closely packed together in groups - and although seemingly alive, do not interact with each other or any passerby.

By our estimation, we have been here on what we have called Phaedran (after our beloved home world) for 93 cycles of the day. It is difficult to accurately assess this however, as it seems to be a simple matter to change the course of time in a forward direction on Grid for we have seen residents doing this, and overheard them discussing changes they are making - trying out Sunrise or Midnight.

Upon awakening from the fall, we discovered that 48 of those who were in the complex at the time the dimension rituals were invoked, have survived with us. Sadly, 26 others either died almost immediately, or succumbed to injuries or shock within days of the event.

Of the surviving 48, I am the sole Master Scribe to have survived. There are 11 Magicani (4 Initiates, 6 Karel and 1 Master - myself), 18 Philos (8 Initiates, 7 Karel and 3 Masters), 4 Technogica (2 Initiates and 2 Karel) and 14 sedante. The loss of our Master Technogicans is a bitter blow as this Guild is the one we rely upon to construct our sanctuary here - they were our best architects and engineers. Their knowledge and wisdom is now lost to us at our time of greatest need.

The most disastrous blow to Phaedran prime is that Cabir Thorn fell with us. As the elected leader of the Phaedrani population and Most Revered Technogican his loss will take many months to overcome. He does not fare well since the Fall, having sustained severe injuries and sadly, we do not expect him to survive for much longer. We will attempt to inter his spirit into a Cryocryp. The cliff which now severs our main Plaza will serve a good purpose in holding what Cryocryps we can construct. As long as his spirit glows, there is hope to resurrect him.

The Magicani report that their stocks of magical focus materials are solely what they carried on their persons through the rip. Only 3 books have come through with the Philos, and none of the training materials and apparatus has survived for teaching. In addition, much of the equipment and tools needed by the Technogica is either completely destroyed or is damaged. Few of the raw materials for magic or construction seem to exist on Grid, and we may have to explore more for alternate means to continue our work - and hopefully return home.

Strangely though, the dimension machine itself has survived completely intact, and light continues to flow through the planes of the crystals. The Technogica are unable to explain this, but the Philos are of the opinion that this fact alone indicates that the rip still exists, and that it poses a danger for everyone in Grid and on our home world.

We have already experienced periods when Grid seems to disappear completely (what we have termed a Grid Event), to reappear shortly thereafter with some subtle change. Items which we had in our possession prior to going to sleep will be nowhere in sight when we awaken - but may appear again exactly as when last seen following the next Grid Event.

At times, when we set out our tools or other objects they fail to appear instantly, sometimes taking up to 10 seconds to form - or not forming at all. Other times we notice that the local people - and in fact each other - are flat grey in colour. This is a very strange and disturbing event and tends to substantiate the theories of the Philos.

We have secured a number of places around our new Phaedran, hiding them with magic, or trying to ensure that they are difficult to find or enter. It is critical that this Journal be kept safe, along with our remaining books, relics, icons and technologies. If they should be found by unknowing people, they could cause changes to the society that would be irreversible and fundamental.

I will attempt to update this missive as often as possible, but as I am one of the surviving Elders, I may soon have to entrust the task to younger hands and eyes.

Cor'Zanth Aren

Master Scribe of the Guild of Chroniclers

Elder to the Council of Phaedran

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG - 29 July 09

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG

Date: July 09

Project Site: Phaedran

Archaeologist: Shai Khalifa

I've made the most amazing discovery.

After finding that most of the site seems to be underwater, I've spent many many hours happily exploring and as yet haven't had to go much further than just offshore from my camp.

I decided to start by concentrating on the circular structure which appears to have been either a meeting area or some sort of worship place as there appears to be an altar of sorts in the centre and stone benches arrayed in a broken circle around it. I've decided to refer to it as the "forum" for no other reason that I need to give it a reference name. It has occurred to me also, that it is not a dissimilar structure to the one over on Zanith Island. I wonder if they're linked. I'll follow that line of thought at a later date though when I extend my research over there. I have plenty to occupy me here on the Phaedran Islands for now though.

Anyway, as to the amazing discovery - it seems that there's a common device that the Phaedrani used to store and protect their records. I was poking around the altar area and noticed a similar device to the one in which I found the Chronicle document in the bridge support. It was thick with marine growth but I managed to pry enough of it loose that when I pushed it hard it slid open. Inside was another document.

Now I know what you might think. I know, because I did too. "How can a document survive underwater?" and "OK now I've opened the seal and the whole things wet and ruined". But remarkably, these documents aren't on any paper I'm familiar with and water doesn't seem to effect them. In fact I'm confounded by the technology itself - that it's still operating. What a remarkable civilisation they must have been.

All this did was make me more curious than ever and more determined to find out what all this is about. Who were these people, why were they here and where did they go???

The document seems to pre-date the Chronicle that I found - by a number of years. Well lots of them really.

I've sent it off for transcription and won't go into detail on its contents here, but I can tell you that the story is most remarkable and urge everyone to read it once we publish it. Oh yes. The transcription of the Chronicle has been complete and is now back within the device in the bridge support. We decided that once copied, the documents are to be put back in their repositories. This is because we have no idea how the various pieces of technology interact with each other. The documents are written by different people though. The one I've just found was written by someone named Zanth Aren and is dated Day 93 AFT (after the fall). These poor people were stranded here by some sort of cosmic event. I'll leave it for you to read yourself though.

I've also found what seems to be the remains of a road system, but I won't explore that for a while yet, I'll stick with this corner for now, and the areas closer to land before I venture further offshore.

The arched structure that can also be seen from the forum I'm going to refer to as the "Portico" because it seems to be the front area of what must have been a much bigger structure. Unfortunately all that remains is the wide stairs and most of the arches - although some have fallen down. There are also some very very strange "pods" that appear to be embedded in the rock face. I have no idea what they are and will have to get some expert advice in to help I think. The weirdest thing though, is that there seems to be something moving in them, and they seem to be lit from within.

My exploration is now painstaking as I test everything to see if there are any more document repository devices. They could be anywhere, and the story is too important to miss any part of it. These people obviously thought it of consequence to lock away their story in sections. My theory is that by doing this, at least some of it will survive. I'm certain the whole story will change the way we think about our existence.

This project really needs more than just me here, although I enjoy my solitary ramblings. There is far more than I can truly uncover properly on my own and it seems there is a much bigger story that needs to be uncovered and deserves to be.

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG - 25 May 09

ARCHEOLOGICAL LOG

Date: May 09

Project Site: Phaedran

Archaeologist: Shai Khalifa

This project is proving to be nothing sort of fantastic (in the truest meaning). Every day seems to uncover more wonders never before seen.

The huge dragons on the western end of the site were always something that inspired awe and wonder in anyone who saw them, and we're hoping to find out more about their origins as we continue the dig. There are 2 smaller ones above the bridge that joins one mountain to the other on the southern side of the site. I have still to make the climb up there.

Somehow I don't think the gaily painted wrecked combi van is anything to do with the ancient race that lived here. More likely it's a relic from some hippy hermit who found his Nirvana and left. I have set my camp site beside it though as it's quite comforting.

I was swimming the other day and decided to do a short scuba trip. To my astonishment I immediately saw huge structures beneath the sea - mostly of stone and obviously old.

The largest is some sort of portico with wide staircases from the front and sides. it's as if the cliff face just pushed up and cut the structure in half - very strange. There are also some extremely odd pod-like structures embedded into the cliff. And they seem to have life in them - well there's a swirling light within each anyway. I think they need closer attention. Next dive perhaps.

There's a sort of forum structure as well - made from stone and metal. Have no idea what sort of metal would survive underwater like this though given the obvious age of the structures. The main feature of this structure is a huge pair of wings which rotate around a shiny ball - on top of the metal pipe dome. This feature is echoed on top of the roof circle and also on top of what appears to be some sort of central plinth.

I had to return to land far too soon - but I think that maybe most of my project is now going to entail hours underwater. This is far more exciting than what's on land. Well so far anyway.

More later - lamp is running out of gas.

_______________________________________

This is the Project Log for Shai Khalifa - Chief Archaeologists for the Phaedran Archeological Project.

The first chronicle

It seems so long ago - in the mists of time and space - since we were cast from Phaedran. Much has happened since that time of confusion and chaos, some happy and even joyful times - but much of it has been filled with a sense of sadness and loss.

I have decided, as the last of the Chroniclers, to try to document some of what has come to pass. Why it happened. Indeed, what happened.

I will start with a little history of my people ...............

Phaedran is a wondrous place where time and experience have matured all races so that they live together under the same sky in peace and harmony. Our philosophers and magicians worked together to uncover the secrets of the multiverse as they understood it. The combined races championed the pursuit of knowledge and greater meaning. The philosophers, technologists and magicians were regarded as the wisest of everyone - they were revered and lauded.

In their research across time and space they discovered other parallel dimensions.

This was knowledge of the greatest magnitude and the when the races were informed across our world, great debates raged about the philosophical and ethical problems with exploring other dimensions. Much like the debates that accompanied the discoveries of time and space travel.

Finally, it was decided that as the issues of time and space had been settled and everyone agreed on how they should be used, then exploration of other dimensions could be successfully and peacefully achieved.

The technology was built and the rituals undertaken.

... but the consequences were catastophic....

There must have been something wrong with the incantations because in a blinding flash a rip was created not only between dimensions, but also in time and space - a hole into which the most advanced minds of Phaedran fell, along with all the land on which they stood.

There were 74 souls who survived the entry into what we have come to regard as 'Grid'. By the reckoning of our wisest, it has been almost 200 years since that time, and although our races are long lived, many have completed their lifespan on this lonely place. Although we attempted to contact the other residents of Grid, alas we were not always successful, and in the end it was decided that we would withdraw behind a veil - a magical curtain through which the other residents could not see.

And so we have lived out our existence, although the glimmer of hope that was begun 46 years ago still continues to flicker.

I will continue this story in sections, but as I'm sure that the residents of Grid will find our location once our ability to maintain the veil is depleted, I will hide the separate sections.

If any of the Phaedrani homeworld races should manage to find this place, they will know from my clues where the remains of this chronicle and the elder's journals are hidden.

__________________________

This is where this document ended. As it appears there is much more to find, we're going to make sure the project team members are constantly on the lookout for other objects that may contain documents.

This is a very, very exciting discovery and justifies our continued funding each month.