Chapter One
Another conquest at a Plegian fortress, another celebration of fervor at renewed supplies and a place to rest. Miriel found these spikes of fervor fascinating at first, but it had become routine, as with Robin's expertise these battles were becoming easier to handle. At times. She fought back a yawn as she attended the feast, only half paying attention to the performance Olivia was putting on; The dancer's fluid motions making Miriel uncharacteristically sleepy. Perhaps Olivia's swaying and movements were a subtle form of hypnosis? She would have to delve into this line of thought, later.
Deciding then and there to shake off this boredom and fatigue-the sun hadn't even gone down yet- Miriel quietly excused herself from the festivities to wander about the fortress, making sure she left a small trail of magic lights to lead her back to the main hall in case she got lost. The sun was setting by the time she came to a pair of large, wooden doors. The writing of the split sign on them saying "Library," and Miriel felt a small thrill build in her stomach. Pulling hard on the knobs, she coughed as she was met with a massive amount of dust; this room had gone unused for what must have been years.
Casting Elwind to blow the dust away, Miriel couldn't help but be underwhelmed at the collection. Sifting through it, all the books she saw were ones she read already, and taken notes on.
All but one. This one was not covered in dust like the others, but it looked pristine. Brand new. The binding was not a thread out of place, and the color had not faded over time due to exposure. She pulled the book out, her curiosity thoroughly piqued. Her slender fingers traced over the symbol on the front cover. She then opted to bring the book back with her, and it would not be unfamiliar for her to come into a room with the rest of the Shepherds with a book under her arm.
Miriel reveled in her furtiveness as she went past the festivities, and into the barracks to further read upon her newest acquirement. For once, she had slipped past everyone's attention, much like Kellam did. Even Kellam's surreptitiousness addled the mage's mind, as he continuously slipped past her thoughts. Cringing at her own pun, she carefully opened the book, greeted by a written language she did not know, nor understand.
But then, the writing shifted, the mage watching on in curiosity as the writing turned into the language she knew. The Common Language. Now able to read the contents, she pulled out a small bound notebook, putting writing to paper as she proceeded to write her thoughts.
Entry One
I have come upon a most captivating discovery. After us in the Shepherds having captured a Plegian fortress, I took to meandering about the massive halls, and have found a pristine book amidst a collection of dusty, and clearly worn tomes. This magic symbol is not one I have seen before. It takes the form of a pear-cut gemstone, with sigils I do not recognize peppered throughout the spaces of the symbol. Now upon the first page, it was written in a language I did not recognize. Perhaps from somewhere far away? But the writing shifted on its own into the Common Language. Truly a tome to be reckoned with if it can shift languages depending on the view of whomever reads its pages.
The writing details a power confined within the symbol on the front, a creature called a 'djinni'. Most unfamiliar. This djinni is outlined as being a type of demon that is confined to enchanted containers such as oil lamps, or bottles. Whomever chooses to touch, or rub against these containers shall release the demon, and be allowed wishes to grant.
It grows late. I shall continue these notes later, when I have more light.
Entry One, cont.
It is early in the morning as I write this, but my fervor in learning more about this wish granting demon still burns. So I must press on.
Djinni seem to be prisoners in these containers they are in, and yet they are granted this massive power to fulfill the desires of whoever was lucky (or unlucky) enough to stumble across them. Their natures seem to vary, but the one in this book seems most peculiar.
"She" as is detailed, possesses a docile nature, with flashes of mischief. Most uncharacteristic of any sort of demon. And yet. Perhaps it is a conditioning of her position as a djinni. Forced into submission, even as she holds such powers at her fingertips. Able to destroy the world, and cannot, bound by the rules of who her new master would be. Bound into servitude for forever. Should she be ever given autonomy, Naga knows what havoc she would wreak. Perhaps an eternal revenge for being enslaved all those years. Centuries. Perhaps even millennia if she is that old. Ah, it seems that should she be given autonomy, and she is of a most malicious temperament, her own powers would consume here, and she would cease to exist. A gruesome end, to be sure.
Further pages seem to be notes, or journal entries of previous masters of this demon. I find it most advantageous that they chose to keep notes of their experiences with this djinni. It aids in my desire to know more.
The magic symbol on the front, I have now noted, is the summoning ritual to obtain the djinni's attentions. How bizarre that to obtain the djinni, one must summon the container first. Of the container, there is a crude drawing of the bottle the djinni is confined in. Thankfully, there is written details of the bottle next to the drawing. Most ornate, metal (perhaps with a painted black finish) with inset ruby stones. Pear-cut, just like the magic symbol on the front, the stopper made of red painted glass.
No description is given of the demon herself, but if previous notes were of clue, she most likely has snake like features. As to how much, the entries do not disclose. However, it details that the demon can walk on two legs just like a human. Shifting forms would not be unfamiliar to supernatural beings. But it rouses my curiosity as to how much of her is truly snake like, and what part could potentially be human. Does she prefer the form of a snake, or the form of a human? It would be more advantageous of her to take a human form, so as to not frighten whoever summons her. Though, that is based on first opinion, and not on anecdotal knowledge, or facts. Would that be the sort of "common sense" Stahl gets praised for? I shall look into this, later.
The temptation to summon this djinni continues to mount, but I would need to speak to the other Shepherds before commencing with it. Research calls, but I must have discretion regarding this, as it would be quite delicate. Ah, our leader calls. I shall return to my research, later.
-Miriel.