Greetings Adelia,

I'm Jullias Webber, a scholar with a hands-on approach to learning about our surroundings. That is to say, I intend on exploring as much as possible. This past day, Vruuk, Jack Pickles, Delius and I ventured below a black door in the Canal Ward that leads into deep and dark waters. Among many interesting things, we encountered a set of three grates, or barred gates, that blocked our way into pitch-black shafts leading to parts unknown. Sort of a good thing; there is a strong current there and if anyone got sucked down without a rope, he would be unable to swim back up. Our tentative plan is to force one of the grates open, anchor a rope to a nearby spot, probably another grate, and send one hardy person down there that can brave the current on the way back. This intrepid person would tell us where the shaft leads. I am currently in the process of locating "water lung root" and "bubbleberries" (Vruuk showed me these) so we can get all of this done at once without resurfacing for air.

I am wondering if you can give insight as to what might be down those shafts, or offer advice regarding the soundness of our plan. I realize the extreme danger surrounding of all of this, but my curiosity bids that I find out first-hand--if possible--what is there.

May your own search for knowledge prove fruitful, Jullias Webber Rock Bottom

*resent*

Mr. Webber,

I am fascinated by your discovery and very curious to learn what you might find beyond.

One of the things I've puzzled over during my time in Sanctuary has been the exact nature of the machine that seemed to have absorbed the attention and energies of the gnomes that came before us. One of the properties of this machine that I've observed is the enormous complexity and size of the parts which seem designed to have handled water -- the immense sewers (which I believe to have been designed to handle more than simply biological waste), the complicated pumping systems, and so on. Were I to hazard a guess, it would be that the shafts you've discovered were designed to allow for a flow of great quantities of water into the Machine for the purpose of... what, I can not say.

Please do keep me informed as to your findings.

Adelia

[Jullias forwards a copy of his letter and Adelia's reply to Treldor Krestorrin at the Blue Mushroom, adding:]

Treldor,

Would it interest you to discover what is beyond the place detailed in these letters? Although the plan is laden with dangers, it may succeed. A vendor at Fort Mur sells an ample, continuous length of rope. I know of a trader at a kuo-toa settlement that deals in bubbleberries and water lung roots, although at the moment I have not the funds to afford more than a single root. Vruuk's renowned strength and hardiness would be ideal for bending the grate's bars, anchoring the rope, and should he be willing, being the first to see what is below. Should we all go down at some point and find ourselves in the heart of the Dunwarren machine, your mechanical know-how and the lore of your reclusive and little understood people would be invaluable for making sense of the machine's inner workings.

I'd like to hear your opinion. What do you suggest?

Jullias Webber