Summerking 30 – 5784 A.A.
The Kingsdawn Portal,
Lemuria
I made it. Another world. Lemuria.
At least, I think it is.
As the sun set on Kingsdawn Eve, the portal to the temple awoke. First minor sparks drifted like embers from a campfire, but before I knew it the roar of green flames filled the ancient stone alcove. Swirling smoke crept its way around the pillars and as the final beam of light dropped below the canopy of trees a surge of arcane energy radiated out of the stone, blasting chunks of moss and detritus from all the shrinestones in the grove. The hum of energy vibrated the entire courtyard. Power crackled from runes engraved millenia ago.
Through the shimmering mist of the portal’s event horizon I could see a jungle. Warped and distinct, the forest on the other side of the portal was not the same swampy temperate bushland I was leaving. Thick vines and ancient trees intertwined in a dense tropical rainforest on the other side of the dancing mirror.
I stepped through, grasping my two bags of supplies tightly so as not to lose them. The feeling of being magically transported is a unique sensation that I have felt before, but never as powerfully as this. Usually the process is long and drawn out as the tingly arcane sensation absorbs into your body from the caster, but here there was no delay. Stepping through the stone portal was as instant as stepping through a doorway into a hall. Just like that I was in the jungles.
Taking to heart Leyandra’s very real fear and warnings I immediately sought a place to conceal myself lest any lizard people came wandering by. I am glad I did for almost immediately a scouting party of small squabbling serpentine creatures came riding up. Some kind of species a little bit lizardish like Kobolds and not quite bulbous and blobby like frogkin. Almost chameleon shaped in nature, these strange creatures had mottled colours that shifted with their mood. Their mounts were giant spider like creatures, black and furry with sharp fangs as long as a short sword. They dismounted and scampered through the portal. It was only a few minutes before they returned. One of them blew a horn, high pitched and nasal. It let out a trumpetting that expressed the disappointment the creatures also demonstrated with their body language.
They mounted up and rode straight down the ravine that lay behind the portal. After a few more minutes I took the liberty of assuming I was safe for a moment. I got out from my tree hollow hiding spot and took a proper look around. It was dark still and the moon barely gave enough light to see far at all.
Luckily the Portal was built on a raised ziggurat on this side of the journey. The higher vantage point gave me the briefest of glimpses into the region.
To my south, a large depression ran from the west to east. This canyon will make it hard to travel that way on foot and I may have to.go the long way around. On the other side of the canyon lights from what appeared to be some kind of city could be seen. The buildings did not appear to be entirely intact however. At least not from this distance. To the west more canyons but some kind of road lead through it. At the road’s end was another ziggurat poking out of a swampy marshland. To the north a dense mass of forest but in the north west a clearing of plains and dry landscape. In it the silhouette of a castle was illuminated by the white light of the moon. A small village was not far further to the north, glowing with the signs of active life. In the north east a large body of water seemed to feed the village. Similarly in the south east more water bordered the ruined city. The forest cleared slightly to make room for marshlands and mangroves dampened by the wetlands.
Just as I was taking in the surroundings I heard more horns. These were deeper and coming from the north east. I took no delay in securing myself back into my hiding hollow. Larger more gruff lizard people appeared this time. Their bulky mass akin to crocodiles. Their heads with crested fins like that of a triceratops without its horns. They were riding even larger lizards. They looked like giant salamanders but with frilled necks. These beasts thought nothing of the vertical terrain and easily clambered up the side of the ziggurat without slowing for gravity or delicate precise footsteps. The warband charged through the portal and tore off deep into the forest on the other side.
The terror they struck came from the glee in their eyes. These warriors were on their way to cause harm and revel in their suffering. I see now why the old witch feared them so.
I wanted to run. I wanted to flee for safety but my mind wouldn’t let me. I reconsidered the whole expedition but I know that if I went back through that portal my life was forfeit. That raiding party was on the hunt and anyone in their path would be sacrificed to their debauchery.
So here I am hidden in my hole. Scrawling as much of this into my journal as I can lest I meet the end of a crocodile snout. I will wait for their return tomorrow and the sun to rise so that I can begin to survey this land properly.
I know not where my journey will lead me yet. Only that for now I am stuck crawling Lemuria.
Revenby Longcroak
Archaeological Society Cartographer.
((Arjade))
