Ancient Etchings

This article describes historical game content.

Ancient Etchings are environmental lore objects founds in the Lake of Kalandra. They are first-hand accounts created by Kalandra that tells the story of the lake and her time since she was trapped there.

I

When I first came to this land, there was nothing but the Lake. It was a barren, hot, and lifeless realm, bubbling with magma and primordial ooze. How then, was there a Lake? Curiosity was my undoing.

II

I do not understand my prison. Every time I attempt to leave the Lake, I find myself instantly returning, as if I am making the choice to turn around and come back. In some cases, if I build up enough speed, I can make the transition take several minutes. Yet, I remember nothing of my time outside. Is this a real prison, or one whose walls reside only in my mind? What happens to me in those moments I cannot recall?

III

I am the One Who Watches. I observe from afar as flowers blossom and fade, as trees shoot skyward and then fall, and as whole animal breeds populate and change. They are growing smarter, in small ways, and watching their antics keeps me sane. One day, they will understand what it is to be alive, and they will wonder why they are. I will give them guidance. More than that, I will not say. I will spare them the pain of knowing.

IV

I look away from Wraeclast for but a moment, and the scampering little ones have invented religion. What is a god, but a thief of virtue? The prey have no idea they are creating their very own predators.

V

They have started finding their way to me - some that imagine themselves grand heroes, some that are simply peasants to a lord, all in their time of greatest despair and need. I cannot help them, yet we talk, and they leave here with a new direction, ignorant of the cost they will pay. My latest conversation has given me much to think about. The problem is one of image; of a likeness cast by faith, of a reflection drawn by belief.

What you need, my little thief, is a shattered mirror.

VI

For a time, I truly had hope. For a time, I actually believed I was going to escape this place. Ones that scampered more furtively than most promised they would dedicate themselves to freeing me. They promised they would do whatever it took, no matter how many generations had to devote their lives to the effort.

But once they understood the truth of this place, they took steps to make it harder to find, and moved to erase me from recorded history. Then they burned themselves alive. Am I truly so forsaken? So untouchable, that none must be allowed to even know of me? In your fear, you consign me to oblivion! All I had to hold back the loneliness were my rare visitors...

VII

I have a plan... I will escape this place, no matter the cost... for now, I must simply bide my Time... sooner or later, one will come, even despite the barriers. One will find their way to me, setting the proper events in motion...