Posts from 🍁Nine Ancient Obelisks Auto-translated

– Theoretically... we can try to find the exact location from which the cursed energy emanates in the house, but... – Camistella sighed, – judging by your story, it is most likely the point of the murder. After all, what happened to us... it is something more than just a fatal blow to the mortal body. I was cut in half at the moment of teleportation from the Guild of Wonders' baths. The archmage also died there. Perhaps there is now a source of cursed energy in the baths as well. On the other hand, it may have already been cleansed by other mages. After all, it is a crowded place.

—I thought he killed me in the hallway... But maybe it was a literary inaccuracy? – the young man chuckled. – I agree, you should scan both the bathhouse and your own home, just in case. Ah, yes... How can I find you if I find out something? If something happens to me, the fate of all the cursed victims will be in your hands.

- No, brother, I don't work and never have. I just like cars, and I've been lucky enough to be wealthy. The man's thoughts and words matched.

- And you really are lucky. I'm not there yet, so I'll keep working. going to the market

Erika's Premium Asugukh Diary ("Blue"). Entry 3.


04.01.1001 - 11.01.1001

Got a good night's sleep at the capital administration building. Went to the Lunarian community again. Wasn't let in...
Went to the hospital. Had nothing to do there, so after doing everything required "for work", I went to the bulletin board.
The board had only one notice on it: "Seeking information about a knight clad in black. Linshi, Community of Theologians". Don't know who this Linshi is or what "knight" she's looking for. Probably some lover who dumped her...
Went to the artisans' guild. They said they don't trade anything, only fulfill orders. Wonder if their delivery service reaches Shingen?
At the adventurers' guild, I asked the head Gonhu what kind of "Storm" they're assembling a raid for. Seems like they don't even know where they're going themselves...
Visited the Church of Anuzish. May glorious Zhyusyiksidzire forgive me...
Went to the university. A cursed place, as it turned out. Didn't see any "Linshi" in the Community of Theologians, but I did meet some suspicious guy who reeked of curses from a kilometer away. Should mention that in my report. Either a Harran spy, or just someone recruited... Let the "appropriate agencies" deal with him...
Went to the Tailwind. Saw nothing interesting there.
In Gura Gura, nothing that would be needed by anyone not into gambling and auctions.
At the library, I wanted to read about Zulait and Anlak, but the new librarian Milaha couldn't find the right books. What kind of staff do libraries have these days...
But I did read about Dzird and Zinch. They're located in the desert Bosom of Haulia. Horrible places. But interesting...
The last unvisited location is the transport station. Heading there now to depart for Niniamat.
Arrived late at night, so I'm going to the Niniamat administration for lodging...

In the morning, something happened that can neither be told in a fairy tale nor written in a diary... Jack is no more... And the cause is that very "student" from the university... I'll go to the tournament at the Stronghold. I think this experience will serve me well when I face that student. Though no, not a student. A "creature from the university," that's it... And in the future it'll also be useful against the Harran conquerors.
Visited the temple of Zhyusyiksidzire. Brother Brother helped me learn underwater breathing. Now I'll be able to feed the fish dishes made from fragments of the "creature" across the entire depth of the Haulian Bay, to the glory of Zhyusyiksidzire: from the surface all the way down to the bottom.
Stopped by the shop "Cold Steel". Bought brand-new shoes and a shield. The saleswoman, whose name I unfortunately don't know, gave me a free portion of Bento.
"Tung's Goods" still exist! Bought a little book called "The Life of Gijo Naoya" for 10 rems. That's about the husband of Luka from ???. Suspiciously cheap compared to the 500 rems in the "question marks".
All I learned from this "work" is that Noi Giji hails from Hachimia, but fled to Minjin, then to Karnia, where he met Luka. Also learned that the author of this scribble is "Muskus, husband of Paritsa and father of Lyubyusha". I see — a cheap fake... Still, it's a book, and books are good!
Returned home to Shingen. Put the figurines from "Alastia" back in their places and headed to the guild headquarters to turn in my progress report. Neither Misty nor the miracle workers were there, so I had to hand the report to one of the sorceresses named Neoria. Report submitted, received 4 wonderful scrolls!
Heading to the tournament...

Arrived in Shina. My fellow travelers, besides the already familiar Ushumgallu, Sheila, Iliman, and Gonor, included some 4 other types with strange names: Zibaba, Sisyandra, Zenus, and Black Jack. The latter, however, was taken off the train at the border — he couldn't confirm his "identity" because of that very mask I saw in ???. Strange that Sir Kir isn't here...
Should take a walk around town before the tournament. Besides the transport station, where we naturally arrived from Asugukh, there's the Church of Arselia, a flower shop, the Southern Beacon, and an equipment store. The city administration is located in some pyramid with the odd name "Abode of Sand". Then again, given the local "weather conditions", nothing strange about that...
Didn't buy anything at the equipment store yet and went to the "Beacon". Met Ushumgallu there...
Saw two memorials. On the first were inscribed the monarchs of Kaltsit. Yes, yes, exactly "were". Due to age, nothing on the memorial could be made out except the last one: Akkada Babbar sin Zababa mer Lahara...
On the second were listed the cities of Kaltsit and their rulers:
Neft — Zizyus III
Kairi — Zinobis
Saria — illegible...
Rapi — Xenos
Karin — Diadria
Serri — Kusarikku
Shina — Ginza
Shakal — Liiazor
Barsina — Kingaludda
Iksaba — Gnev
Ramulus — illegible...
Kafka — illegible...
Kier — Fyr
Ravshan — Iisher XI

At Baldr's School, I saw a type with the strange name Lampr. From his conversation with Ushumgallu, I learned that Baldr's School was founded by a certain Lua Saint-Luna, whom he subsequently killed...

Lampr also talked about some Air, for whom he abandoned his wife and children, about some Renold and Ilva, Imelda and Anselm, Veserod and Kalentiya, Gulveig and Alessia, Anders and Ryohae... Understood absolutely nothing, but it was very interesting...

He also gave Ushumgallu a book, which he passed on to me.

In the short time I had, I only managed to read about the unknown land of Serberia, located somewhere in Visteria, and its provinces. Whether it's about some region of our vast Anuzish, or whether it's an entirely different world located who-knows-where... I should stop by later sometime and read in more detail... For now, I know that their king was once a certain Albert.

Came to register for the tournament. The entrance was through some beer tavern. Nothing interesting, but I noticed three of my fellow travelers. Those who went from 4 to 3. They'd just arrived together from Asugukh, yet behaved as if they hadn't seen each other in ages. Strange, that...
The registration sheet already had 25 warriors out of 32. Besides my familiar companions, there were certain Arunza, Gigagon, Ginza, Ziridion, Lezedi, Asura, Hyattata, Siriphius, Scar, Fagot, Giladrion Esiem Irikius, Dindiridion, Silurius, Phiris, Sound, Mirkossi, Noddavariz, Tylo Bocci, Ussar, Bibis, and Bivis.

Next to the Stronghold are the information broker's office, a betting bureau, a paid hospital, a public bathhouse, and a workshop.
Nothing for me to do at the bathhouse, nor at the hospital either. At least for now... The betting bureau isn't open yet. In the "office", some suspicious character offers info about the warriors for 50 rems. Wonder if info about me is already on sale?
Heading to the workshop...

Days: 8 (no idea how days are counted here, but since the tournament is "tomorrow", today should probably be January 11)
Locations: 19
Characters: 62
TOTAL: 89

Taking +2 to faith and double damage with water element.

Added 43 minutes later
Erika's Tung Notebook. Entry 2.

Skills

Underwater Breathing - granted by the Lady of the Depths, queen of seas and oceans, Zhyusyiksidzire.

Known Beliefs

Yanagi and Ikigaya - some Margel beliefs. Learned about them while reading an article about the tsar. I know nothing else about them.

Rinze - never heard of this one, but Cherry mentioned it in a conversation with Kamistella. Or was it Kamistella in a conversation with Cherry? Anyway, doesn't matter...

Known Countries

Lauria - one of the former provinces of Velfern. The ex-wife of the tsar-father is from there. Don't know where it is...

Karnia - homeland of Luka, the seller from ???

Marcell - also one of the former provinces of Velfern. Victim of Harran undead, like Tung and Larsidan.

South Zimivia - homeland of Alastia, owner of the studio of the same name.

North Zimivia - since there's a southern one, logically there must be a northern one somewhere...

Hachimia and Merjin - places of birth and wandering of Gijo Naoya.

Serberia - a state located who knows where...

Skills: 1
Beliefs: 3
Countries: 8
TOTAL: 12

Added 26 minutes later
Erika's Premium Asugukh Diary ("green"). Entry 2.


Cities of Kaltsit: Neft, Kairi, Saria, Rapi, Karin, Serri, Shakal, Barsina (so that's where the Obelisk of Darkness turns out to be), Iksaba, Ramulus, Kafka, Kier, Ravshan.

Other Cities:

Kororat - a city in southwestern Marcell
Elize - a city near Neft (it wasn't on the memorial, meaning it's not Kaltsit, but somewhere nearby).
Shikho, Exia, and Tung - turns out these aren't just states, but cities too...

TOTAL: 17

- So, in total, we know slightly more than nothing. Well then, let's improvise.- You know, once before we managed to pull off something exactly like this, back when we were young. We didn't fail then, and now here we are with the whole crew and experience on our side. We'll figure it out.

Genza tries to estimate how long it would take him to get from the reserve into the main group.

- For now I'll sign up so I can get familiar with things. When does it start — today or tomorrow?

- The start is scheduled for today. 

A large but already middle-aged-looking man walked past Genza; first he said something to whoever was handling participant registration, and then he addressed everyone present — Shina's guests and tournament participants alike.
- Today's incident serves as a clear example of why events of this kind have no place in a civilized world. Therefore, as the one responsible for this city, in the name of Queen Felicia Lungworth, I declare the closure of the Stronghold of Merriment. At the same time, I wish to avoid even greater disappointment for the foreigners who arrived from abroad, so this order will take effect tomorrow morning. Nevertheless, participation will be permitted only for them.
 
Following that, he went around to the information broker, the betting bureau, and the workshop, forcing them to cease operations. 

The updated list of participants looked like this:
1. Lezedi
2. Asura
3. Shram
4. Giladrion Esiem Irikius
5. Tylo Bocci
6. Gonor
7. Sheila
8. Iliman
9. Zenus
10. Bibis
11. Bivis
12. Erika
13. Zibaba
14. Sisandra
15. Black Jack
16.

- ... What... Is happening?.. - Asked Jack, appearing behind Zibaba's back.

Ushumgallu won the tournament, defeating half of the participants in a single match.

-- Ugh, what a disgrace. It’s better to hide in the basement, like my uncle. And even better to fight for the old order and die heroically, like my father. -- Ushumgallu said very quietly -- partly because his ribs still hurt, but even more so because outsiders shouldn't hear it. -- And what next? Will they release him on bail, or with a guarantor? Otherwise, the prisons won't be enough to hold everyone after each brawl.

- Next... Bail is unlikely. Felicia ordered a few years ago that money shouldn't play a role in such matters, hmm, I think it started because of the Asuguh tourists. Their crown would buy out arrested people from us, which made them more and more brazen, feeling their impunity, so they shut down that business, and along with it, they also cracked down on us locals. We'll have to wait for Ginza to decide on our case.

Added 6 minutes later

Shiho, Exia, and Tung are not only states, but also cities...

City-states...

3. Ginza
14. Phiris

"What kind of imposters are these?" Gen exclaimed, reading a couple of names. After reading a couple more, he thought, "Damn... well, of course."

- ... What... is happening? - asked Jack, who appeared behind Zibaby.

- Some guy beat up the bartender and started causing a ruckus. It seems that's what happened," he explains to the familiar voice (but not a very familiar face) over his shoulder, as if he had been with them all along, and not just appeared from the darkness half a second ago.
Then, he writes in clumsy handwriting, or has an employee write, his name from his passport in the 13th position.
He indicated his "combat abilities" as "I can cut people up."

Ushumgallu, champion of the tournament, defeated half of the participants at once.

a true son of his ancestor

Camistella thought carefully and remembered an unpleasant detail. “Back then, I lived in one place, now I live in another, and I died in a third, but in any case, who Camistella Lane is and where she lives in Enlil is quite well known. I have a mansion in a prestigious district,” the lunar elf shared her address. “However, there is a more pressing issue. What should I report to the guild? Lying to mages is a bad idea. And telling the truth... who knows what decision the Guild of Wonders will make. I think my superiors will want to take possession of the pendant. Because otherwise, no mage will be able to solve the problem, and no one is likely to turn a blind eye to you anymore, especially since they sent an investigation based on the first suspicion.” Camistella, unfortunately, did not know that Asmidul was friends with King Asuguha himself. However, even if she had known, it probably wouldn't have helped to hide the young man from the eyes of the kingdom's best mages.

-- Felicia is Felicia, but this Ginza seems like the type who would sell his own mother for money and a comfortable life. Okay, let's wait. Does he happen to have any cards or anything else with him? Or at least a cigarette?

- I really got lucky, but it's still too early for me to get to that point, so I'll just keep working.

- Hey, hey! You! Yes, you! - A suspicious-looking man grabs a person by the sleeve in the Ferus market. - I have something you'll like, only 20 rem, are you interested?

- Today's incident is a clear example of why events of this type have no place in a civilized world, and as the person responsible for this city, in the name of Queen Felicia Longworth, I declare the closure of the Citadel of Merriment.

In the name of comrades like Ushumgallu, who cannot survive a single day without a brawl, the Citadel of Merriment is being moved... somewhere else. To Sugar, for example...

Erica gains +1 to Strength.

The tournament bracket will soon be announced, and the arena staff is preparing for the start of the battles.

Erika has a good chance to fight Beavis first, and then Bibis. Scrymes, let's go! High physical stats should help her win!

-- Felicia, Felicia, but this Ginza seems like the type who would sell his own mother for money and a comfortable life. Alright, let's wait. Does he happen to have any cards or something else with him? Or at least a cigarette?

- Nope. If I had known things would turn out this way, I would have definitely brought some with me, although then the guards might have confiscated them.
After some time, the aforementioned guards lead Noddavariz away. Ushumgallu remains alone.