Editing Game-Summaries:1/12/2018 Recollections (section)

==Recollections by Ci==

What seemed a simple investigation proved to be not so simple at all.. After attempting to enter the training dungeons, and instead finding a warped refection of that place... after facing a host of Abominations, being captured and freed, and destroying the being that seemed to mold this place to his twisted will, we still know very little. Some wisdom was gained... I will petition the Elder Masters to add these True Words to the Book of the Mountain:  "Never, Never talk to [[Mindflayer |Mindflayers]]" and "A Bear on the Stairs is worth two in the Room." However, we are still blind to much of the truth of the disturbance, and indeed its ultimate cause and eventual goals still elude us. It is perhaps this truth that gives me the most pause as I reflect on our adventure.

In fact, I am still somewhat shaken by our the encounter. Master Fēng says my mind lacks the "still calm of the lake at dawn, before the geese and fishermen have awoken." Zifu Poe, who hears not the words of Master Fēng as I do, would simply say I am disquieted. Which Master is right I know not. The dust of truth swirls, and seeks its own cracks of entry. For myself, I worry for the implications of what we experienced. The creatures we faced were certainly reason enough for worry. They were Horrors which, should they ever be loosed on the world, would doubtless cause untold chaos and death. But no, it is what these monsters represent that causes wide ripples in my calm: Beasts a mere hair's breadth from the [[Magistery]] itself... Beasts poised to strike at the Magistery's most vulnerable members with a vast intelligence seemingly directing it all. That intelligence, in the form of an aberration with the ability to turn our very own hands (or claws in the case our intrepid shape shifting Ember) against us. An intelligence with a clear purpose and a clear place in larger scheme, with both the ability and the resolve to oppose Magistery agents and turn Magistery devices to it's own will. A troubling shape emerges, like a shadow through thick fog, when one examines these discoveries along with some of the others uncovered by our brethren of the "Eternal Order": hints of a "list" of enemy possible enemy agents (some now eliminated)... a mysterious listing for The Magistery with the name Kaanyr. These hint at a dark plot to strike at or subvert the very heart of the Magistery. We know precious little of this possible threat, and cannot seem to make one of the heads of the Houses acknowledge the danger.

Before I finish, I must first say a few words of our companions. I have begun to feel a close kinship to them all, especially to brave [[Cassio]]. We have often found ourselves together in the heat of battle, his brash boasts hiding a fierce determination and almost foolhardy disregard for personal safety. [[Cassio]] truly is, as the Book of the Mountain says, "a room full of Life" with "no door for death to enter." Shape shifting [[Ember]], protector of [[Cassio]] and foe to Honey and Salmon... powerful [[Sakura]] who brings thundering Doom in the form of delicate cherry blossoms... Strange [[Rezik]] - a being of staggering strength of Mind... and [[Amon]], our timely saviour and wielder of the wild magics! Even terse Yevelda, who despite her grumblings fought valiantly and loyally. These companions become have become closer to me in our short time together than many I spent years with at the monastery. As I write these words, Master Chōuyān whispers "a swordsman prizes the blade gilded in blood above even the one forged of gold" How much stronger the blade that has shared both blood and gold? I hope only to be worthy of their company, and in their company I am sure we can root out the evil that seems to stalk us. But I only walk the Path... I know not what lies at its end.