A note on a neatly folded piece of parchment. Written in Ancient Anadi.
Dazi,
Thank you for your concerns, and I appreciate you bringing them to me directly rather than spreading misinformation among our people (which, of course, helps no one). In regards to your points:
1. Please remember that Vi Talas and the others exist to serve, protect, and guide us. Doubting them has no purpose other than making you anxious.
2. To that end, trust the directions with which you were provided. Just because the map seems wrong to you, doesn't mean it's wrong. It just means you lack context.
3. Don't worry about the "events" mentioned. If you (or, for that matter, any of us) were in any danger, we would know about it and be well-equipped to deal with it.
4. I understand it seems unnecessary to send a tablet to Greyhawk given that he and the other Archons are more than aware of our presence, let alone to send one to ourselves. However, I insist that you inscribe them regardless. Vi Talas instructed that there should be a tablet for all six civilizations that call this land home, and it's imperative that we do so.
In regards to your living situation, I understand that it's not ideal but don't worry. That station is explicitly designed for its purpose; as soon as you're done with the inscriptions and everything looks right, just place them in their slots and the slab will give you your next assignment.
On behalf of all of the realm, thank you for everything you've done. You're a great man, Dazi, and I've been happy to call you a friend.
~ Arteshe an-Drasda, Master Rex of the Realm of Zahras
Dazi's Journal
The last entry in a short leather-bound journal. Written in Ancient Anadi.
Day 13
Master Rex has replied to my concerns but, to be honest, his words haven't assuaged my fears in the slightest. I appreciate that the warminds were designed for a specific purpose (and, yes, they have proven useful already), but this "mission" just makes absolutely no sense. Why am I inscribing tablets in some dank wet barrow 200 miles away from my home? Could I not have done this in my own workshop??
Not to mention the content of these tablets. The messages contain references to some "event" that the Master Rex insists has nothing to do with us, and yet will somehow wipe out millions of people across the continent? Or maybe already has? Gods above and below save me but I hate the damned warminds. Why are we suddenly writing letters to civilizations that we've (successfully, mind you) avoided for over a thousand years? Why are we writing ones to OURSELVES? Or to Greyhawk?? I mean for fuck's sake, I've MET Greyhawk myself, probably almost a dozen times! He doesn't need a "revelation" to learn about our people!
And don't even get me started on the maps. The maps scare me the most. Why is there so much water? I asked for clarification three times before Arteshe told me to "just draw the damn maps, Dazi." This "river" that the tablets mention absolutely doesn't exist, and why the hell am I drawing a pyramid over Talas? There's no pyramids in Talas, and I highly doubt they plan on building any!!
. . .
I'm tired, Nadia, and this job is... I don't know. Something about it seems unlike the others. I've always trusted Master Arteshe, and he's always been good to me, but for some reason I can't shake this bad feeling about this one. I'm finishing up the last touches on the tablets today and then I can come home. Maybe I'll resign from the Master Rex's service, and we can finally move out to the south like we always wanted?
I miss you, and I can't wait to see you again.
Dazi
The Tablets of Dazi
Six perfectly-carved stone tablets, with the same message carved on one side of each in a different language and a map of Mustatra printed on the other side. One each is inscribed in the ancient Mustatran languages: Rasu, Shiska, Elvish, Kayal, Anadi, and Yabis.
Greetings,
We hope this message finds you in good health. This communique serves several purposes, which shall be listed below:
Firstly, we happily reveal ourselves to your humble personage for the first time in this land's long history. Though you may well have had suspicions, you may now happily report to your superiors The Expanse is in fact not a lifeless wasteland and is, indeed, inhabited. Included with this tablet will be a map of Bahariya containing corrected, up-to-date information on the civilizations of the continent. We hope such a revelation does not cause any undue stress; we hold no ill will regarding any settlements or sites erected before this message's reception.
Secondly, we would like to cordially invite you and your people to come to us in your time of need. Given the... events, we expect massive casualties among your population, upwards of 95% within the first year alone (whenever you're able, we're sure your own estimates will be similar). Luckily, thanks to some mistakes on the part of others, we have a solution to offer: a river valley capable of easily supporting up to half a million people, with potentially double that maximum if given the right conditions. We've included the location of the river valley on the map as well, and we encourage any and all surviving refugees among your people to make the journey.
Thirdly, we hope that this tablet may help facilitate communication between our peoples in the future. Although you do not know us and might feel trepidation at the thought of being forced to live aside those you once called 'enemy,' we must insist that you take this message seriously, else the survival of your species be left to chance.
Finally, we have included on the map this location and the location to which this message is being sent. We carefully selected these locations based on their relative size (and, to be blunt, usefulness), as well as their proximity to our own preparation site. We hope that these locations help you in your immediate futures.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and please do feel free to keep both the message and the map for your own records. They are to be inscribed on a special material to ensure their strength and durability. May the gods and mortals of Alyabis protect you.
~ Respectfully inscribed by the office of Arteshe An-Drasda, Master Rex.
