[Hymn #61] ~Diminuendo~
It would probably be best if I began detailing everything that I remember in the event that I'm required to submit a formal report following my return to Auldrant.
I'll copy these entries into proper form and substitute appropriate terminology once that happens; for now I'll record them informally to save time.
...
When we arrived in Akzeriuth, the conditions there were horrible - most of the villagers had fallen ill. After speaking to Pyrope who was filling in for the mayor, we headed into the mines through Tunnel 14, the source of the miasma. Before we could get far inside, an Oracle Knight, Hyman, informed me that the location of the Seventh Fonstone had been found. Because that was my original assignment, I left the party in order to confirm the discovery upon the Fon Master's request. However, the fonstone was a fake. It was a trap set by my brother to quickly remove me from Akzeriuth... because he was going to have it destroyed. Though I attempted resistance, I was outnumbered.
In any case, my brother's plan to have me kidnapped was foiled. Asch leant me assistance and I alerted the Colonel as to what was happening. We headed further into the mines. Apparently Van had convinced the Fon Master to erase a seal in the wall, and upon entering, we found ourselves in a room that incorporated Dawn-Age technology not unlike the Yulia Road or that which I remember seeing in the location where we defeated Van. In fact, this room was extremely similar in appearance to the latter. Both Fon Master Ion and Luke were lying unconscious on the floor. The device in the center of the room had been heavily damaged, and the very ground beneath us had started to tremble. Van took the opportunity to call upon several monsters and retreated along with Asch (whom Van took with him by force). Before he left, he reminded me about the fonic hymns and told me to use them. As the ground began collapsing, I sang the second hymn and shortly thereafter we fell.
We awoke in the Qliphoth, not far from the Tartarus which had somehow remained intact during our descent. After failed attempts at procuring survivors, we boarded the Tartarus and set course for Yulia City. Luke awoke during that time and started spouting nonsensical things, trying to displace the blame onto someone else. It was obvious even then that he was scared and ashamed of what Van had deceived him into doing, but Luke's fussing wasn't helping matters at all and he refused to listen to reason. We abandoned him there on the deck of the Tartarus and returned to the cabin to discuss docking preparations.
Upon arrival in Yulia City, I suggested that we consult the mayor, my grandfather. Everyone agreed to this course of action, but Luke was still lagging behind. When I turned back, Asch was standing there. Asch had managed to free himself, yet despite my request that he stop, he proceeded to explain to Luke the true nature of his birth. The two dueled, and in the end Asch was the victor. Luke once again lost consciousness, and we moved him to a bed for the time being. After the meeting with Grandfather, the others (along with Asch) decided to return to the Outer Lands in order to seek out information in Belkend. Since I had no further reliable intelligence to go on in regards to the true location of the Seventh Fonstone and thus no immediate business in the Outer Lands, I declined joining them.
It was some time later that Luke awoke and told me that St. Binah was in danger of falling just as Akzeriuth had. Though I'm uncertain as to how it works precisely, Asch and Luke seem to be able to communicate telepathically as a result of Luke being Asch's replica. We decided to ask Grandfather about the possibility of more of the Outer Lands falling.
[Public.]
It's been rather quiet since the new year started. I suppose that's not so surprising, given the temperature.
I've been reading again and had a question: Is snow commonplace in other worlds, and, if so, how is it handled? What I mean is: do people participate in activities and games when there's snow, or do they merely clear it out of the streets and move on?
Suffice it to say, in my hometown, we don't have snow. Although we do have lightning.
[OOC: Major tl;dr, I know. I was bored at work again. 1% on the "hair divorce" as some people like to call it. 3% remaining, 24% total used.]