My New Job[]
Well, today’s the day. In a better world, I would be off to a career among the masters of Helia. But instead, I’ve been assigned the duties of a Vault Warden! Disgusting. I was top of my class; I deserve better than this.
I can still amuse myself with this inferior assignment, I suppose. It is now my responsibility to assess and catalogue the sundry artifacts and tomes safeguarded in our Vault. I have only glimpsed at the architecture, and already my mind boils with new possible improvements.
I’ll show these Wardens what a sharp mind can accomplish in this profession!
- Grael, Warden of Thresholds
Mere weeks into my tenure, and already I’ve witnessed a lethal encounter with a Vault object. According to its documentation, The Heart’s Key must be turned in its companion lock every thirty-nine hours. Outside of that time, it may be used to open any locked object. The Wardens, however, have the disappointingly lazy practice of using it to navigate the maze of Vault chambers while on duty!
Warden Alms failed to return the key to its place in the Vault and turn it at the proper time. True to its name, the key sought the nearest heart--Alms’ own--and turned. What it unlocked, we may never know, for the experience caused Alms to perish.
I have begun drafting expanded documentation on the Key’s use and maintenance. Alms died needlessly, but if we can learn from his failure, some good may come of it
- Grael, Warden of Thresholds
Had another lethal encounter with a Vault object. Why do these happen so often?
Warden Petryn confused the Biting Book with the Eating Book. Their passing is tragic, but this really shows the value of precise documentation and proper categorization, doesn’t it? I’ve requested that Warden Yalanda--who was there at the time--please take some time off from grieving to document what she saw.
These objects defy reasoning and often exhibit their most dangerous traits only through observation. We can mitigate the need for test subjects by thoroughly documenting our observations--and keeping those records in a central, well-catalogued location! And not losing those records!
I must rest. These fatal failings are driving me to frustrated distraction!
- Grael, Warden of Thresholds
The Vault’s contents are a hierarchical mess. As Wardens, we must be able to locate and describe any object in our care, and I cannot in good faith say that this is currently the standard.
I’ve begun drafting sample documentation for one of the Vault’s older artifacts. It is a nameless tome, large and dusty. Prior documentation suggests it is “evil” and “whispers your own darkest thoughts."" Anyone can see that this sort of vague descriptor is without value and far beneath the quality bar a Vault Warden must set for themselves. What is a “darkest thought”? And is the book whispering, really? It has no lips. With a tome this dangerous, precision is crucial!
I have taken it upon myself to study the book’s effects properly. I am of sound mind and already find it quite simple to ignore the book’s effects. I will use this to establish a baseline effect category, radius, and intensity with which we may categorize all such objects.
- Grael, Warden of Thresholds
Damn him--Head Warden Rastofir rejected my proposal for studying the Nameless Tome. He even threatened to demote me for keeping it overlong in my quarters. As my proposal was without flaw and demotion is an unreasonable reaction, I suspect Rastofir’s actions here have a double intent. He clearly plans to usurp my research and my proposal for his own prestige!
I have arranged for a more persuasive argument, by way of another powerful artifact which was woefully miscategorized. While Rastofir’s death will be tragic, it will serve to nudge the Wardens’ thinking into a safer... more pragmatic direction.
- Grael, Warden of Thresholds
