Lana Shadowsong's Journal and research notes
Calis
Entry 1: Success. Edward finally did it. A small wolf. The wolf has been named Calis, and I am in charge of taking care of it. It doesn't seem to be sick, and seems to be perfectly healthy. Alive. The method used is still unkown to me, Edward wouldn't show me.
Entry 2;
Calis doesn't seem to be suffering any negative effects from the process. She is thriving, and growing very quickly. She seems to want to be close to me, over the last few weeks I have noticed she seems very dependant on me. This might make it hard to release her when she is old enough to survive on her own.
Entry 3;
Calis is fully grown, we released her into the wild. She came back the next day. She didn't seem hungry, but seemed keen to return. She seems to have grown attached to this place. Wether if it is because of me raising her, or it was where she was born, I don't know. This may be the first abnormal behaviour she has shown, We need to keep a close eye on her.
Failed experiments
Entry 1;
Edward has been trying to replicate the results of Calis. He said she was perfect. All the subsequent experiments have failed, he still refuses to let me observe the process itself.
Entry 2;
Edward has decided to cease his attempts to create another like Calis. He has decided to try to make something simpler. He has begun his attempts to create a serpent. He said it would be simpler because there is much less structure to their bodies, less chance of complications. So far he has has no success.
Entry 3;
Edward's serpent project has failed. He has turned to small insects, becasue they are much simpler creatures. Still no success. Edward's behaviour is beginning to change, he is growing more desparate in his experiments. This may need to stop.
Negative Energy
Entry 1;
I've begun basic research into the subject. Edward says its far too dangerous to use, but we need to understand it in order to work against it. Our information on the subject is scarce, Edward says most of it is biased, written by fanatics who have forgotten what true necromancy is, or by scholars who fear it. Further resources needed to complete this study.
Positive Forms
Entry 1;
There are many things here which contain highly focussed positive energy. These purple, amythyst-like crystals are chock full of the energy, I have found several large natural formations, and the crystals seem to retain the energy even if peices are separated. The crystals have powerful curative properties.
I am unsure if the crystals themselves draw the positive energy, or if they are formed due to some sort of deposit of positive energy in the soil. I will attempt to learn this.
Entry 2;
Higher focussing the energy. Is it possible? There are beings mage entirely of positive energy which is cohesive enough to retain form. Would focussing enough positive energy create such a form? Would the form be alive? Something to be considered, for sure. Washugao may be able to shed some light on this as well.
Herbal Assistance
Entry 1;
Rithrade and Lakewalker have shown me much, taught me several things about plants. Some to destroy, some to aid. I have found some more on my own, plants with transmutative properties. It is my hope to find some sort of plant containing the positive. A living being, possessing the positive within it, which can release it without harming itself. If the plant can do this and survive, then I may have found my focus, a basic ground to build off of in the creation of life.
Entry 2;
No success in finding such a plant. The search continues, I am optimistic, but wary. Care must be taken to ensure the plant is unharmed. Oona should be able to assist in this matter.
Calis
Entry 1;
Such a beautiful pup. Edward really has outdone himself. I Don't know how he did it, but this is amazing! Edward Gave me the pup, I named it Calis. It's nice to have something to do other than clean. e wouldn't let me clean up after the experiment though. He told me to take care of the wolf while he did it. It's sort of strange, he always makes me clean up while he examines the things he makes, then tells me to write his notes. I guess he's just excited.
The other people my age still won't let me do anything with them. Edward says their parents are scared of what we study. We shouldn't blame them, he says. But now I have Calis, and we can be friends, so that's good.
Entry 2;
Calis is growing really fast. It's amazing. She really seems to like me, and follows me everywhere. We went wandering today, and she would run off sometimes, but kept coming back to me. I don't know, I've read about some animals thinking people are their mothers, Is that how Calis sees me? It would sort of explain a few things.
Entry 3;
I'm getting worried. She's old now, I didn't want to, but we released Calis, so she could be with other wolves. She came back to us though. We released her and she came back. Edward says she just likes it here, It's her home. But I'm worried. She doesn't seem to like being away from the home for very long, even when I'm with her. Could this have something to do with how she was made? Edward still won't tell me how he did it. I just hope everything will be okay.
Edward's Experiments
Entry 1;
Edward wants to make another wolf. Calis is perfect he said, exactly what he wanted to do, what could prove to everyone that necromancy wasn't bad. I think it's good that he was able to make me a friend.. Soon I'll have lots more friends. It's so exciting. Edward's excited, too.
Entry 2; Edward isn't very happy. He's tried six times now and it's not working. Edward doesn't know why, he says. He seems really upset. We still have Calis though, so it's not all bad. He really wants to make another. I don't really know why. I asked him couldn't we just show people Calis, to show them the beautiful things necromancy can create? He said no, he needed to know how to make them everytime, so he could show people, so nobody would think he was a fake. I don't really understand... why would anyone fake this?
Entry 3 ;
He's giving up... He doesn't want to make a wolf anymore. He seems sad. I tried to cheer him up with Calis but he just sent us out of the lab and locked the door. He's trying to make snakes now.. I don't really like snakes, but he says they are easier to make because they have less bones and things.. I guess.. I just hope he does it so we can have the old Edward back.
Edward is slipping
Edward"Lana, I want you to listen to me. Life for us is nothing but a path towards our dreams and goals. A path full of traps and holes, Especially for our dreams, Lana. It's especially important we are never alone. In our study, if we get stuck in one of these traps or fall in one of these holes, we need someone who is there for us to free us or pull us out. Otherwise the darkness and the pain will change us for the worse. Do you understand?"
These were edward's words to me when I was old enough to help him study. Now that I think about it... I've always been there for him, helping him. I think I've pulled him out a few times. But now He's pushing me away.. Is he falling in, or has he already changed? I just hope it's not too late to help him.
Entry 2;
He's gone, I've lost him. I saw him using it, Negative energy. I tried to stop him, to remind him of the promises we made to each other... He hit me. He's never hit me, ever. Something is really wrong with him, he's changed so much. He says we're leaving tomorrow, going to some ruins. We've gone travelling before, but this time is different. It doesn't feel right. I'm scared.
Possible Progress
Conjuration. Positive energy. I've been able to summon one. Not quite what I want to do, but it brings me closer. I just brought it here from somewhere else, but it is positive energy, and it is alive. I just wish that mephit would leave me alone..
Alot of new theories about positive energy. Will research them more. So much has happened.. All in this dark place.
Friends
Entry 1; Tarn brought me to the cave. It's amazing. I never thought this dark place could have something so beautiful in it. Tarn and I sat and talked, He's a really interesting person. He introduced me to some of the druids, Rithrade and Lakewalker. They took me to another cave.. Probably more beautiful than the first. Rithrade taught me all kinds of things about the plants. It's amazing, I never thought plants could be so interesting. I really want to learn more.
Entry 2;
Senestia. She's a preistess of Sune. She's really beautiful, and everyone seems to like her. I'm sort of jealous. I've never really had anything like that, the friends she has. I don't really want to tell them what I do - It always makes people upset. Sal, Komero. He's really strong, but I don't think he likes me very much. There's something wrong with his hand, he has an extra finger. I'm scared to ask, incase it makes him mad. Redbeard, he's sort of creepy, but He really likes Senestia. I feel sorry for him, I think he tries his best, but she's just not interested. He wants to talk to me in the grotto later, I wonder what about..
Entry 3;
[The entry is ripped away from the book]
Isolation
Entry 1;
I guess it's what I deserve. I told Rithrade what i study today. I wanted her to hear it from me, instead of from someone else who didn't understand. Oona was there, she understood, I think. Rithrade didn't. She's like everyone else, but I hope I can convince her otherwise. She's a really good teacher and friend. Senestia knows now, too. Her reaction was the same, at first. I think she understands though. I hope she does, at least.
Entry 2;
More of the druids have found out. Lakewalker made me leave the cavve, he told me not to come back.I felt horrible.. This cave felt more like home then I've ever felt. I hope I can convince him to let me back in soon. I guess I still have my friends in the city, until I can reason with Lakewalker..
Entry 3;
Alone. I'm pushing them all away. I can't help it.. this wine, it's making them all hate me. I want to stop. I really do. But I've got nothing left now. My home, my friends, they are all turning against me.. All I have left is you, Edward. You'll keep me out of the holes. I need to find a job.. I'm running out of ways to pay for this wine..
Teachers
Entry 1;
I've found two teachers. Washugao is going to teach me more about necromancy. He can do it. He can create life. Small maggots, and he can conjure a branch, a branch that's alive. It's still conjuration but.. Is he conjuring it then giving it life, or is he maybe creating it then conjuring the life? Or maybe he just conjures it as it is.. I'm not sure.. But I really want to find out.
Oona also said she'll teach me. She taught me how to make food from mushrooms. She said she will teach me more about surviving in the underdark, More about her ways, the ways of the druids. I really want to learn. I just hope I'm able to. I don't want to disappoint her.
Slipping
They're trying to help, I know that. But it's not working. I think this is something I need to do myself, but it reminds me of what Edward told me about being alone.
I think I'm starting to slip, and I don't know how to stop it.