by Lord Blackthorn
*This journal appears to be ancient, and has many gaps throughout; Only a handful of entries are still intact, and they seem as if they may not even be in order haphazardly written.*
It vexes me greatly that even now, in my friends absence, still the throne has not been rendered unto me as should be my right. It is not as if I expect to hold the position forever, but in the absence of Cantabrigian someone is needed upon the throne to hold the realm together. I fear that if there is no ruler, that we shall fall like chaff and Ive yet to see any others who think themselves capable as rulers; perchance it is only a matter of time but as I’ve written this waiting vexes me.

In the course of my friend’s quest to reunite the shards, despite my misgivings about his plan and all the consequences it entails, I felt that it would be entirely idiotic of myself not to perform more research upon some of the magicks that Nystul and Cantabrigian’s claim will be utilized. Much of it seems somewhat similar to Gilforns research, but he prattled on about using my connection with Cantabrigian to try and force Nystul to tell him everything he knew. It seems that Nystuls distaste for me is more of a private matter than I imagined, or Gilforn would probably not have bothered asking.

A few assurances that Id try however, and he told me more about moongates and the teleportation technology than anyone but perhaps Nystul and the Stranger know. He was particularly interested in using moonstones in the process of creating permanent moongates. I feel that had I continued to ask questions, he may have spoken to me until both of us died of old age; I wonder if he is not obsessed over it in the same way that Anon is with those mongbats of his. Hopefully Heckles has had some success with speaking with Chuckles about the current state of things with Nystul, and if not, I can at least send him to the Lycaeum to pick up some more research materials for me.

This new land that theyve discovered could hold untold levels of power, but its most peculiar that it already contains shrines to the virtuesand even a shrine to the idea of Chaos. Imust admit that I am at a loss as to what to make of such a thing. I have theories butis this Ilshenar the ruins that is left of a Sosaria, fallen prey to ever escalating fighting between the zealous forces of those who followed my philosophies and those who followed my friends? A world where Chaos was incorporated into the virtues? Or a place that somehow, by its own means, came to the same virtues we have and the idea of chaos entirely on its own and developed? Or could it be something even more fantastic than I could possibly imagine? I find myself stricken at once with anticipation and anxiety, curiosity and dread, and while I hope that this land will hold enlightenment to a great many thingsI fear that like our own, there may lurk untold horrors within its depths.

I have discovered somethingsomething drastic and terrible. A creature that goes by the name Exodus. I can tell that its power is familiar to me, and it reeks of Minaxs power and yet is subtly different but worse, I can sense just how powerful this Exodus is. Without Cantabrigian here I dont know who I can trust with this information; Nystul and Dupre have rarely ever been fond of me. There is a possibility though if only I can secure what I need. The creature thinks itself powerful enough to offer me Sosaria under my rule…but it means to do so by conquest. Any who read my political call to anarchy would know that freedom is something I believe all should have and exercise but I think I can convince this monstrous being otherwise and perhaps by tricking it, put myself in a position to stop it. I have already led it to believe I will return to it and allow it to place me into a different body some hideous amalgamation of flesh and machine. It then returned me to my own castle to prepare myself for conversion, but I know what I have to do.

I dont have much time as the creature expects me to return or will spirit me away again at anytime; at great expense and effort I managed to trace the flow of the spell used to summon me and correlate it with Ilshenars known geography to locate where this creature seems to be drawing power from. By removing or destroying this area, I should render it incapable of such feats, but I have no idea how well it can detect these things. In a position where all choices are fraught with danger, I can only choose the one that presents the least to the lands even if it may present the most to my own person. I may not be as powerful a mage as Nystul, but I have not let him far surpass me either. Gilforns ideas of moonstones, perhaps combined with blackrock and my own abilities its possible. It was difficult to obtain blackrock, but Heckles didnt fail me and nor has he ever. I hope that he realizes how essential his services were. If I cannot eliminate Exodus entirely and still have access to the blackrockthen I will destroy everything I can to prevent it from manifesting.