Danno’s Guide To Reubadh

Day 102

Hello there, traveller, treasure hunter, or fellow neach-meas of the beautiful. If you read this, I can only assume that either I have returned to the light in one piece or that you have stumbled upon this notebook left behind in a grotto — in which case I hope that my remains are nearby and that I did not carelessly drop it along the way.

The path I am taking, and that I presume you are to follow, is one of many dangers and even more riches waiting for us at its end — albeit those riches are not to be understood monetarily as I don’t think they can be removed and sold. It is not my imperative to do so at least, for the beauty we are about to find is one best left untouched and one that could be more dangerous to life on this planet as a whole than the War of Independence was.

I am looking for the deepest place in our mines where my brother has returned to speak of Reubadh, a fracture in the stone itself that showed him the beauty of a thousand galaxies. Now mind you, my brother is prone to exaggeration, and he was quite deep into his second bottle of mead when he spoke of this, but he is not stupid and he is not a liar. Therefore, I set out to see for myself what he had found. If I could have, I would have taken him with me, but sadly he was called into battle the very first morning after his return and to wait for him... well I do not have the patience.

Day 103

The beginning was simple enough, assuming that you have not found this deep in the mines at least... you must find the entrance to the Mèinn Uisge Dubh, the Black Water Mine. It is not that hard to find if you know where to look — you must cross the Ledicwag to the East, with a small boat, no wider than ten feet and no longer than thirty feet. You will thank me for this warning when you navigate our canals. In the East, find the largest mountain, and keep right until the water turns black. Now look for the entrance to the canal, dark and a bit overgrown at times, and about twelve feet wide. Do you understand my warning about the width? Take it seriously, I tell you. If you are overly tall you might need to duck, but the cavern that you are entering will soon be taller, give it a moment. The entrance is dark, but it’s straightforward and the soft current will carry you where you need to go.

After about five minutes of slow travel through darkness and then you will come into the small town that I call my home. There will be light from lanterns that are always refreshed from the upper streets, and looking up you will see rows of homes hammered into the stone, connected with a bridge-like path. It’s usually very quiet, but if there’s guards patrolling, be friendly, and be prepared to meet the General. He is my uncle, at least as of writing this, so do not worry — he looks stern but he is a very kind man, and one who appreciates the sciences. If you explain that you are on an exploration for an academic interest, he will let you pass, but do not lie to him... he can always tell a liar in his office.

Day 104

When you are allowed to travel further, let the current take you down deeper, even as you leave the lights behind you — be advised to take a lantern now because you will be dependent on your own light for the foreseeable future. You might look at me now and say “but we want to go to the deepest place in the mine... why are we just going straight ahead.” Give me the benefit of the doubt for now and remember two things: the stream goes downhill albeit slowly so you are traveling down already, and the steep descend will come in a few hours. Enjoy the soft stream while it lasts.

After about ten hours you will come to a little alcove that leads into a mine entrance supported by wooden beams and that has a little lantern dangling from the support beams. You can make camp here, and you should, as it is the only alcove with enough room for up to six people or eight dwarves to lay next to each other and sleep for the night for the next 10 miles. Take advantage of it, please, the ten miles will be difficult enough as is.

Day 105

Well-rested and with another check to see that you have enough food for at least two weeks, you can move down the stair-like mine, and feel free to light any lanterns on the way. They will not last forever, but spares should be available everywhere, and it can help with orientation if you don’t wonder if you’ve been there before. Although the path ist quite straight forward for a good while, for now it’s down, down, down you go. Imagine you are water running down the hills — that’s what you have to be. Down, down, down .... and ... if you are not quiet here ... the ghosts will catch you. And it will be a brutal death. You can protect yourself if ... but do not ...

The rest of the pages is torn and soaked, rendering it unreadable.