Desert Crypt

### Overview

The Desert Crypt is an underground build beneath a naturally generated Desert Temple. Below the base area with the chests, there was a descending spiral staircase, leading to a small entrance with a lava wall to the right and an opening to the left.

The small entrance opened up to a very large, open room supported by sandstone, lapis, and gold blocks. The room was lined in soul fire and adorned with various decorative aspects, including statues kneeling on one knee toward the center of the room. At the back of the room was a small structure that looked almost like an altar or tomb, with a front-facing entrance. Inside, there were chests with various artifacts.

### Journals

#### Researcher's Journal

##### Overview

This journal has 10 pages and appears to be written by a single person.

The writer seems to be a researcher who has been warned by The Guardian about the extent of their studies. They think that The Guardian is being ruled by the fear of the people becoming more powerful than them. They talk about beacons, abilities granted by beacons, and the use of souls.

After a short break, there is indication of political pressures from domestic and foreign realms. The writer seems to be upset by this, as others are able to come to their own realm for resource extraction. They do not feel like they should have to explain their trips to other realms. Piglin clans have issued warnings about using the power of souls, which the writer attributes once again to fear.

After another short break, the writer reveals that a war has broken out. It is seemingly with their own realm and the Piglin clans against the writer and their supporters. The writer states that they've found the key to summoning a new king. There is also mention of Typhoon, which is possibly a reference to Foniás.

##### Pages

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10
##### Transcription:

> The Guardian will not stop me this time. Their warnings come from a place of fear, a fear of the power we unlock and seek to obtain.
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> With every beacon we break new ground, performing miracles beyond even the Gods. Flesh that stitches itself back together, stamina everlasting, strength beyond the capability of any regular mortal.
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> This new power will usher in a new age in our world. We will even rival the power of the Great Arcanium. The Occularium will seem like a childs play. Their secrets, their hidden ventures, will mean nothing. Not when meassured against the power of the beacon and the magic of a soul harnessed.
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> Research Continues
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> Preliminary results are promissing. However, we have run into a problem. The Great Houses have begun to apply pressure to Theylar. They demand answers for our tresspassing into the other realms. But if El-Varda doesn't need to explain their resource extractions we do not have to justify our ventures. No matter what their precious Randir espouses. His fraternization with the Piglin clans has weakened his mind.
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> They warn him of beasts left long undisturbed in their realm. Of the "dangers" of bending souls to one's will. They only truly fear what will become of them and their ilk. The portals have let us in, and we shall ravage them for the utopia to come.
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> Research Continues
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> War seems to be upon us. It seems our endeavours have been uncovered and the great houses support those Nether Brutes. Nevertheless, even the full power of El-Varda and the Arcanium will fail to compete with what we unleash. I've located new scripts from our recent raid upon the bastions of Zarock-Tal. It seems we've finally got our key.
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> Our key for summoning forth a new King.
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> A King that shall truly see equality in our time. A King that shall usher us into a new age.
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> No Guardian shall stop us and Typhoon himself shall cower.
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> Formatting and spelling have been preserved to the best of my ability. While there are minor misspellings, they should not hinder readability.
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#### Scholar's Journal

##### Overview

This journal has 13 pages and includes the writing of at least two people from different time periods.

In the first section of time, the first writer described the release of an unholy horror, possibly the 'King' mentioned in the Researcher's Journal. This was contained in the Nether until the Piglin Clans and their 'Blood God' drove it out. There is also a reference to someone named Meretis, likely the author of the Researcher's Journal. He is dead by the time this journal is written.

The second section is indicated by a blank page separating the entries, with some passage of time. The writer apologizes to their lover, Sarina.

The third section is also indicated by a blank page separating the entries, with some passage of time. This entry is frantic and incomplete, saying to run and hide.

The first three sections are most likely written by the same person, but it is possible that there are multiple authors.

The last section is indicated by five blank pages, seemingly to indicate a much larger passage of time. This is consistent with the presence of a new writer, with an entirely different approach to the journal. The new writer says that the previous owner of the journal was a scholar of the early years of the ongoing war. They mention the need to push against the 'Ebony Pulsar', speculated to be related to the End Dragon or End Spikes, and an alliance with the remaining gods. Randir is mentioned again, most likely the same from the Researcher's Journal, and the Occularium.

##### Pages

Page 1 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 2 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 3 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 4 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 5 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 6 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 7 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 8 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 9 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 10 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 11 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 12 of the Scholar's Journal.Page 13 of the Scholar's Journal.
##### Transcription:

> What have we done. Unleashed unholy horrors. This war has taken unimaginable tolls. At first, it remained contained to the realms of fire. But the Piglin clans were stronger than we'd ever thought possible. They'd never shown us their true strength, never told of their Blood God.
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> Star Weaver protect and forgive us all. We did not know what our transgressions would awaken.
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> Meretis was a fool, he played with power he did not understand. His death was too early in this conflict for him to ever face the futre he sewed.
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> [Break]
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> Sarina, my love, I'm sorry.
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> [Break]
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> RUN FLEE HIDE none shall be safe NONE can escape what we ha-
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> [Long Break]
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> This journal seemed to once belong to a scholar of old. It speaks of the early years in this unending war.
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> We seek a final push against the Ebony Pulsar a last alliance of the arcanian old and gods that remain. Many great & ancient heros have fallen now. Time grows dark
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> We depend upon the works of Randir. We must find and acces the Occularium.
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> We must.
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> We Must.
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> Formatting and spelling have been preserved to the best of my ability. While there are minor misspellings, they should not hinder readability.
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#### Crypt Journal

##### Overview

This journal has 4 pages and appears to be written by a single person.

It starts as a plea to Guardian, most likely the god of the same name, to keep people away from the "vault" and the evils within it. The vault is most likely the Desert Crypt itself. The Great Cataclysm has happened in the past and the people of the present still feel its effects greatly. There is mention of Varu-Kall, someone who the writer thinks has been sullied, but his descendants are still alive and are being looked for. It is unclear why they are being searched for, other than to be captured and sealed away, but the contents of the journal seem to imply that they might be able to amend some of the effects of the Cataclysm.

The writer mentions how the world is awaiting new heroes, and evokes the Guardian to help guide them to the right path. They then go on to mention an "assylum of damned souls" that will eventually be breached, and express hope that it will bring about a better age.

The writer then addresses the reader specifically, offering a warning. They say that the reader stands at a great precipice and to only follow the path if they are worthy. The message is cryptic and most likely references the End Portal.

The last page is written in the language of enchanting, with only a few recognizable letters. The translation is below, within the transcription of the pages.

##### Pages

Page 1 of the Crypt Journal.Page 2 of the Crypt Journal.Page 3 of the Crypt Journal.Page 4 of the Crypt Journal.
##### Transcription:

> Guardian protect this vault and guide souls well away from its evil.
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> The Great Cataclysm still shakes the world and mars the grown. Varu-Kall has been sullies but his line endures beyond the veil. We chase them now. We shall keep them sealed until new heroes arrive. Until such a day may come. Guardian hear my plea. In this temple to your majesty we ask only that you guide the one to this path.
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> When this assylum of damned souls be breached. May it be to the beginning of a bright new Age. Set them on the path.
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> And to you. Hero or Fool whomever reads these words. Hear me now.
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> You stand at the precipis of all that was, is, and will be. Follow this path if ye be worthy. Focus your eyes upon this goal. Know when to venture into fate's open gateway.
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> ⎓╎リ↸ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ᓭℸ ̣ ⚍↸II. O!¡ᒷリ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ∷ᒷᔑꖎᒲᓭ 𝙹リᓵᒷ ᒲ𝙹∷ᒷ. Rᔑリ↸╎∷ᓭ 𝙹ᓵᓵ⚍ꖎᔑ∷╎⚍ᒲ ⍑𝙹ꖎ↸ᓭ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ꖌᒷII. O!¡ᒷリ II𝙹⚍∷ ᒷIIᒷ.
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> Find the study. Open the Realms once more. Randir's Occularium holds the key. Open your eye.
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> Formatting and spelling have been preserved to the best of my ability. While there are minor misspellings, they should not hinder readability.
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