A letter to Alejandro of the Balladeers

[WriterX]

My Friend,

 I have finally received an answer from the Grand Academy of Baz'eel, or to be more precise, the Seventh Muarakh of the Minor Chronicles, from Afez al-Marrabat.

 The vast majority of the records from that era appear to be missing entirely, but he did mention a few things that were I think keenly important to me, namely, the terms for our "awakened" predicament, or at least the one that has appeared now.

 These creatures were called "Devils of Thirst" or the "Tormented". Unfortunately no further details are offered, aside from, " who stalked the Yalis of the notables in the night, and wrought terror in the Gardens of the Summer Palace.". The Scholars of the Grand Academy, naturally, believe the creatures to be a mere myth.

 It would appear that these creatures, specifically, made their home here, in the Summer Palace, possibly using the tunnels of the Machine as their refuge during the day. It may also explain why the rulership of the Caliphate was lost so often and rapidly during the Centuries of Thirst. As the Summer Palace was the capital of the Caliphate most of the administration would be hosted here, which of course offered natural hunting grounds for the beast. Weak and frail administrators make for easy pickings, especially if they cannot fight back.

 The being does not target rulers or nobles specifically, as I thought at first, it simply stalks whatever is closest to its lair.

 What however worries me, and the Janissaries, is that the beast is intelligent, or at least semi-intelligent. We have strong evidence both of its cruelty and apparent ability to write. I was presented with calligraphy that it created, and it was written in Low Formorian.

 I fear that the only way to find more answers is to go deeper. Any scraps of knowledge must be recovered and studied. An answer must be found. These beasts were released once, and then sealed once more, there must be a way.

Legate Marcellus Saenus

[Don Nadie]

My friend,

I shall add this information to my notes. I thank you - as well as the Grand Academy.

I, too, fear that the only way to face this threat is to dwell deeper. I shall set some of the College's resources towards this endeavour, and attempt to reach the "fourth" layer  - though I shan't rush. There's no need to either provoke further bloodthirst on the monsters nor to risk the lives of those under my charge.

In my conversations with Daoud, I was led to believe there are numerous texts in there, which none managed to translate completely. I have not been made aware even to a glimpse of their contents, but I hope that we could gleam, from them, an answer to our present tribulations. And I know that I, with one of the sagely Acolytes whispering their Revelations in my ear, am certainly the best translator currently operating in the Well.

I will seek my contacts and try to see how the path below may become open to us. I will also see if I manage to speak with the Apothars and gleam some useful information. Their Tale has, so far, endless gaps.

In other news, I may have a few more proposals of services the College is able to perform for the Well - services which a larger share of the Allotment would make possible. I am not certain Fate will let us speak of them anytime soon, but one can hope.

One can hope, too, that a more peaceful day will come. For now, I may well be at liberty to share with you some of the most fascinating historical insights from the "third" layer of the Gutters.

Yours,

Alejandro

[Don Nadie]

[A hastily written note is sent after the last one]

My friend, forgot to ask.

The note.

The Beast's note. In Low Formorian.

What did it say?

[WriterX]

*A reply is eventually penned, briefer than the first one*

Alejandro,

 The calligraphy presented to me said something akin to, "Freedom" or "We are Free".

Legate Marcellus Saenus

[Don Nadie]

My friend,

Let us talk when you are availible. I am working on what you mentioned, trying to figure out how to stop the Beast, but I would rather operate with the full support of the Pyramid... And a document to prove it, should the Janissaries come to cause trouble. I never mind teasing Janissaries away, but in this particular matter, I'd rather not lose any time with unnecesary questions.

Yours,

Alejandro