Log Entry 1193: Letters from Caroban

Dearest Jade-Eyes,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirit, and that all is well in Xenea. I have just returned to the Collegia Esoterica on Caroban from my last expedition into the Wandering Roams, which provided many interesting artifacts and insights into the origins of some of Sinai's wildlife. You may have heard rumors about our having discovered the First Ones, but you should disregard these as unfounded. At best, we discovered the remains of a pre-Expedition alien survey mission which became stranded here.

I was alarmed to hear about riots and other apparent incidents following your disbanding of the Twelve and Twelve-Times-Twelve, and hope these are merely the exaggerations typical of rumor. I am curious to know, however, if your action was based upon your own decisions about the governance of the nation, or if it was at the suggestion of your angel? Regardless, I feel it was a good decision, as I have had misgivings about the reliability of the mages.

I intend to stay here at Caroban for a few more weeks, at least, in order to help the Collegia with some ongoing research. The sky island is currently some distance from Ai, unfortunately, so I do not know when you might receive this missive. If you retain the aid of some of your mages, however, please feel free to contact me by magical means if you feel the need. As soon as travel is convenient, I hope to visit Xenea again.

Your friend,

Dearest Willow,

I have just returned from an expedition into the Wandering Roams, and was alarmed to hear about disturbances in Xenea following Queen Jade-Eyes' disbanding of the Twelve and Twelve-Times-Twelve. I sincerely hope you or your Mission were not caught up in this, and that all goes well in your efforts to prepare people for the potential coming of a being claiming to be the Star.

I will be remaining on Caroban for some time, as it is closer to Ur in its wanderings than it is to Ai. Once travel becomes convenient, though, I had hoped to visit Xenea to see how things are doing, and then continue through the Nordikan countries towards Olympia. If you have no objection, I would be pleased to visit Dack Principality and perhaps explore some of Moltpaa.

While I am staying at the Collegia, I will endeavor to take your advice about exploring more substantial relationships and being more casually social. At the moment I am afflicted with an excess of local celebrity, and am trying my best to not be overwhelmed by it. It is very novel for me to have people actually interested in what I might have to say, as you can probably imagine from our past experiences together. It is very frightening.

If you get the chance, please try to find out if any of your more exotic relatives are experiencing unusual tension or stress, especially with regard to a certain group of Babelite siblings which may be using their influence a bit more boldly than the older families might care for. I would be very grateful for any insights you can share with me about such a situation, should you learn anything.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Dear Master Barabbas,

The expedition to the Wandering Roams, while not succeeding in its goal of capturing a living Goliath, nonetheless provided a wealth of information regarding the biological origins of several species. We learned that your theory about certain species appearing to be disparate elements of a larger structure were correct. We have collected samples and other information on the phenomena, and there may be an even greater store of data yet to be uncovered, although this is now in the hands of the Rephidim Temple.

I am certain the School of Life would happily sponsor you if you wished to visit the Collegia here on Caroban, and aid them in the research which you have in large part inspired.

Until I can meet with you again in person, I am sending along a small sample of inert cells from my own skin which demonstrate the general properties of my makeup as well as all of my major metabolic processes, including those based on nitrogen, sulphur, silicon and ultraviolet chemistries. Though apparently dead, they can be revitalized with a slight application of life magic. I am also including a simple chemical formula that should provide the needed elements for them to continue functioning. In my own researches, I have not been able to successfully induce growth and replication of cultured cells, but I believe you will find a way to do this via magic if it is possible.

I will try to arrange for the School of Life to keep you appraised of their findings in a timely manner, until you have the opportunity to involve yourself directly. I look forward to our next meeting.

Your humble student,

Dear Wynona,

It really has been too long, and our brief meeting in Rephidim hardly let us catch up on things. I'll be stuck here on Caroban for awhile helping the School of Dream with some research, and also since the island is still far from Ai and Rephidim.

If I get a chance I might visit Gigi or Zahirinee briefly, but I'll put off a good tour of Ashdod until after things in Babel cool down a bit. I'd really like to take a look at the Nordikan countries though, perhaps via the railroad system that Eve and Jynx have set up. I can't say when I'll have the time to do it, but I'd certainly like to know if you'd be interested in accompanying me! There might be a chance for a bit of adventure in Olympia or the subterranean realm of Moltpaa too! And we can probably stay at some manors and castles along the way.

I hear the Temple has taken over the ruins we found in the Roams, which is really just as well, all things considered. I hope they are paying our former guide well to not take people there, so that he can buy his Titan. Have youever been to Titania?

Please let me know what you've been up to! The last I remember was that you were going to be working in the Emirate while the Collegia was relocating to Caroban. And if you run into Veilanika or Rawrii on Rephidim, please say hello to them for me?

Until later,

Envoy, 10 Fox

PS: I know the mail is slow, but let me know if you want me to pick up any treats while I'm close to Ur!