Nexus Cavern

### Book 1

I was too bold to think I would make it out of this unharmed. I was intercepted by a hooded figure on my way here, a blade of obsidian glass in their hand. They stabbed me deep and left the blade inside. I stumbled off, and they must have thought me a dead man, for they did not follow me. The worst part is that I think they are right. I am no medic, but I believe that if I removed it now I’d simply bleed to death in mere minutes.

Alas, the longer it stays in me, the more I feel what it is doing to me. It is a shard of Corruption, no doubt, and I fear it will infect my blood and kill me slowly… painfully. But I cannot divert from my holy duty. I can only pray the Corruption lets me live just long enough to finish my project… then I may finally succumb.

From my vision, Katharos showed me what I must do. It pains me to know that the ritual requires the sacrifice of four lives. But I suppose salvation cannot come without great sacrifice, as Katharos did so long ago with Elysium and His fellow gods.

I know that I will only have long enough to complete the Nexus ritual’s design, and not to use it. I have no other lives to spare and I know that mine is slowly leaking out of me every day I spend in this dim cavern. But I suppose… It’s not the worst way to go.

### Ritual Instructions, Book 2

The three-tiered Nexus must be placed with the source of Corruption at its center. Not one block can be out of place, or the ritual will cease to work.

Four willing lives must be sacrificed, though individuals with more life force may sacrifice more than one of their own to fulfill the conditions. Those whom shall be sacrificed must stand at the outer prongs of the lowermost level of the Nexus, unarmored and exposed to the elements to receive their divine fate. [OOC Note: A singular person may sacrifice more than one of their canon lives]

One of the sacrifices must then read the ritual scripture, with Blade of Katharos in hand. When the final words are uttered, the Light of Katharos Himself shall then descend and cleanse the taint from this land.

### Book 3

I believe this is to be my final entry. The shard in my lung leeches my lifeforce from my body with every hour, to the point that I can now no longer walk and my breathing grows weary.

But at last, the Nexus is complete. I can finally rest easy knowing that my work here is done. I can only lament that I will never live to see my project put into motion.

But even as my blood grows toxic with Corruption and my vision fade..s, I have faith in Katha..ros to find a way. I can… onl..y hope that some..day, a valiant hero will fin..d this place …and ful..fill my life’s w..ork… Please… hero, if you are …re..ading thi…s…..

Please… do not le..t my… work be…in v..ain…

Signin…g …off,

Hig..h Prie..st… Gor..mund

### Book 4

“By the glory of Elysium, I bring to thee the Light. In darkness thy may lie, but no longer shall we be cowed by thy unholy grasp. For thy are Corruption, a taint upon our lands, of which we want nothing more. We unite here to rid of thee, spirit of the Damned, and see thy never return.

Behold, four mortal souls, true is their eternal Light.

We welcome thee, Katharos, to trade our lives for our holy purpose.

We welcome thee, Katharos, to cleanse this Corruption by which it came.

We welcome thee, Katharos, to return our land to one of peace, touched only by Thy purest of hands.

For we are one, and in our purpose we are righteous.

Begone, to Light!”