Letter Shipped with Artifact
Colleagues,
Our goal is now fully attainable. As I am certain you shall agree, the device packaged herein is precisely what we had hoped it to be. With it, we shall be able to open a direct channel to our Source.
Uncovering the device was not without cost. The Institute's Central American branch lost a great number of its exemplary members. It is worth conveying to you what occurred, as it suggests that the device could be used for ill ends, and we must therefore be on the watch for interested groups who may have goals less admirable than our own.
As we are all aware, recent repairs being conducted to the canal had opportunely uncovered an odd gape in the land, from which a yellowish fume arose. The unique alterations this fume made upon the unfortunate canal workers matched descriptions found in certain, aged texts. From these texts, we rightly suspected what lay below: the Untktoth. A rumored device said to be older than humanity itself. Research suggests that such an artifact was imported to Panama by the conquistadors in order to avoid the intruding eyes of the church. Once there, a notorious prison was supposedly built, within which questionable deeds are said to have been performed.
The Institute quickly used its resources to quarantine off the area from prying hands until we could organize our response. This was near 10 days ago.
On the morning of the day I write this letter, a team of over 30 heads was gathered at the site. A thick mist spread across the jungle, which kept visibility down and helped us to arrive more discretely. Although the harmful fumes had long gone, everyone was fitted with gas masks from the Great War, as well as equipment one would expect for a caving expedition. Luckily, a number of the group also brought along machetes or pistols, thinking there may be natural creatures nesting in the long-abandoned recesses. Having a useless leg and an elderly constitution, I held watch at the entrance, intending to use my influence to keep away both authorities and hooligans.
One by one the company pried their way into the exposure. From where I stood, I could hear the voices descend for some distance. Eventually shouts called out that walls of masonry had been touched. The voices soon faded after that, presumably finding quicker footing in man-made structures.
By regular attentiveness to my timepiece, I can say that near 40 minutes passed without event. You must believe me when I say that I had full control of my senses during the moments which came next. The Institute is made up entirely of educated members trained in the arts of observation and skepticism central to science. These are not the fancies of a susceptible mind.
The first strange occurrence was that of a low, rumbling of the Earth, paired with flocks of swallow-tailed kites rising from the heights of trees far beyond the exposed entrance. The world became motionless and vivid as I waited with heightened awareness for further cues. Eventually I could detect faint sounds far off, low and regularly spaced. Then the unmistakable sound of a firearm, though muffled by a subterranean layer. After which the faint, pounding noises became harsher and more frantic.
A sharper sound was heard, and I quickly realized it came from above ground. An entire section of the jungle far ahead was collapsing upon itself, the splintering trees falling inwards to form a grand indentation upon the ancient canopy layer like a ruptured sore. Shrill and maddening sounds from the throats of men escaped from the exposed depths, along with a chaotic mix of gun fire and crowds of quieter, inhuman groaning. Soon afterwards a waft of foul stench reached my nostrils, presumably from the newly formed sink-hole. Luckily I had my wits and made haste to fasten a gas mask then.
What I saw next I do not want to believe. Reason would suggest that the outline in the thick mist was simply that of clouds billowing up from the collapse, or perhaps an illusion of shadow played upon my eyes by the disturbed fog. Reason would suggest that what appeared to be the silhouette of an unearthly creature unfolding to heights above the jungle's ceiling was instead an act of nature. Reason would suggest these things, were it not for the sight of screaming members of the expedition being lifted aloft in its cruel, malformed appendages. These grasping limbs, bursting forth from gaps in other limbs, flailed wildly in unaccustomed freedom beyond the confines of its former prison. The behemoth seemed to be stretching itself apart and emerging from itself simultaneously.
The earth shook again, and swirling columns of the vile, yellow fumes burst forth from multiple locations across my field of view, including one not far off to my right which caused me to fall. What I can only describe as dark light then beamed from below the silhouetted monstrosity ahead, and it let out an expansive, bone-chilling, unnatural sound which we have since been hearing reports of from many kilometers away.
And then it was gone. As quick as that. No lingering signs of any sort, just an entwining chaos upon the senses one moment, and then nothing the next.
This time the silence was too much to bear. I waited nervously, all the while looking for signs of life, finding none. After too long, footfalls came to my eager ears, signaling that life was still to be found and was returning up through to the entryway just in front of me. However, of the original militia of over thirty able bodies, only four emerged back into daylight. Those who remained were not themselves. A number of them were visibly shaking, incoherently muttering to themselves even hours later as I write this letter. One of the Scholars of the Institute staggered my way, hurling off his gloves which were covered in a strange tar emitting thin wisps of the yellow fumes. Removing his mask, his eyes conveyed astonished terror. Between labored breathing he stammered out the following: "We think that was the last of them, it might be all clear now. We better ride over to the crater, it'll be easier to load it up from there." As he passed, he then paused. Only half turning his head to add three simple words which carried with them so much more: "And... it *WORKS*."
That is my account. Also included are phonetic translations of the Device's runes. These translations were found in the wreckage, written by a Spaniard's hand. One of the passages, at least, has been verified to be effective. If something has been called up, it is our testimony that the passage to send it back shall illuminate itself on the Untktoth. Assuming, of course, that the proper passage is even exposed. We also have reason to believe that the device can be "charged" by way of human sacrifice. How much charge it currently contains is hard to discern, and the notes imply that much sacrifice is required for only a little charge. We shall offer further details as our research continues.
There is, among this all, very good news indeed. As you are aware, the whole reason we have been considering Nes-per-n-nub as an option is in order to gain his knowledge of containment. From the included notes and translations, we can be certain that the Untktoth itself includes a passage for containment. This saves us the trouble of needing to raise the Egyptian. Which, frankly, comforts me. As I had earlier expressed to the Institute, reuniting Nes-per-n-nub with the Untktoth can not be a wise action for the safety of the world. He was a feared priest, and he knew of cases where mummies had been reanimated as slaves. I wouldn't put it past him that he may have prepared for such an attempt.
Good luck with your efforts. The whole of the Institute is proud of the great achievement it's North American branch is about to make.
Signed,
Warden of the Institute of Hidden Eyes, C.Amer.
Colleagues,
Our goal is now fully attainable. As I am certain you shall agree, the device packaged herein is precisely what we had hoped it to be. With it, we shall be able to open a direct channel to our Source.
Uncovering the device was not without cost. The Institute's Central American branch lost a great number of its exemplary members. It is worth conveying to you what occurred, as it suggests that the device could be used for ill ends, and we must therefore be on the watch for interested groups who may have goals less admirable than our own.
As we are all aware, recent repairs being conducted to the canal had opportunely uncovered an odd gape in the land, from which a yellowish fume arose. The unique alterations this fume made upon the unfortunate canal workers matched descriptions found in certain, aged texts. From these texts, we rightly suspected what lay below: the Untktoth. A rumored device said to be older than humanity itself. Research suggests that such an artifact was imported to Panama by the conquistadors in order to avoid the intruding eyes of the church. Once there, a notorious prison was supposedly built, within which questionable deeds are said to have been performed.
The Institute quickly used its resources to quarantine off the area from prying hands until we could organize our response. This was near 10 days ago.
On the morning of the day I write this letter, a team of over 30 heads was gathered at the site. A thick mist spread across the jungle, which kept visibility down and helped us to arrive more discretely. Although the harmful fumes had long gone, everyone was fitted with gas masks from the Great War, as well as equipment one would expect for a caving expedition. Luckily, a number of the group also brought along machetes or pistols, thinking there may be natural creatures nesting in the long-abandoned recesses. Having a useless leg and an elderly constitution, I held watch at the entrance, intending to use my influence to keep away both authorities and hooligans.
One by one the company pried their way into the exposure. From where I stood, I could hear the voices descend for some distance. Eventually shouts called out that walls of masonry had been touched. The voices soon faded after that, presumably finding quicker footing in man-made structures.
By regular attentiveness to my timepiece, I can say that near 40 minutes passed without event. You must believe me when I say that I had full control of my senses during the moments which came next. The Institute is made up entirely of educated members trained in the arts of observation and skepticism central to science. These are not the fancies of a susceptible mind.
The first strange occurrence was that of a low, rumbling of the Earth, paired with flocks of swallow-tailed kites rising from the heights of trees far beyond the exposed entrance. The world became motionless and vivid as I waited with heightened awareness for further cues. Eventually I could detect faint sounds far off, low and regularly spaced. Then the unmistakable sound of a firearm, though muffled by a subterranean layer. After which the faint, pounding noises became harsher and more frantic.
A sharper sound was heard, and I quickly realized it came from above ground. An entire section of the jungle far ahead was collapsing upon itself, the splintering trees falling inwards to form a grand indentation upon the ancient canopy layer like a ruptured sore. Shrill and maddening sounds from the throats of men escaped from the exposed depths, along with a chaotic mix of gun fire and crowds of quieter, inhuman groaning. Soon afterwards a waft of foul stench reached my nostrils, presumably from the newly formed sink-hole. Luckily I had my wits and made haste to fasten a gas mask then.
What I saw next I do not want to believe. Reason would suggest that the outline in the thick mist was simply that of clouds billowing up from the collapse, or perhaps an illusion of shadow played upon my eyes by the disturbed fog. Reason would suggest that what appeared to be the silhouette of an unearthly creature unfolding to heights above the jungle's ceiling was instead an act of nature. Reason would suggest these things, were it not for the sight of screaming members of the expedition being lifted aloft in its cruel, malformed appendages. These grasping limbs, bursting forth from gaps in other limbs, flailed wildly in unaccustomed freedom beyond the confines of its former prison. The behemoth seemed to be stretching itself apart and emerging from itself simultaneously.
The earth shook again, and swirling columns of the vile, yellow fumes burst forth from multiple locations across my field of view, including one not far off to my right which caused me to fall. What I can only describe as dark light then beamed from below the silhouetted monstrosity ahead, and it let out an expansive, bone-chilling, unnatural sound which we have since been hearing reports of from many kilometers away.
And then it was gone. As quick as that. No lingering signs of any sort, just an entwining chaos upon the senses one moment, and then nothing the next.
This time the silence was too much to bear. I waited nervously, all the while looking for signs of life, finding none. After too long, footfalls came to my eager ears, signaling that life was still to be found and was returning up through to the entryway just in front of me. However, of the original militia of over thirty able bodies, only four emerged back into daylight. Those who remained were not themselves. A number of them were visibly shaking, incoherently muttering to themselves even hours later as I write this letter. One of the Scholars of the Institute staggered my way, hurling off his gloves which were covered in a strange tar emitting thin wisps of the yellow fumes. Removing his mask, his eyes conveyed astonished terror. Between labored breathing he stammered out the following: "We think that was the last of them, it might be all clear now. We better ride over to the crater, it'll be easier to load it up from there." As he passed, he then paused. Only half turning his head to add three simple words which carried with them so much more: "And... it *WORKS*."
That is my account. Also included are phonetic translations of the Device's runes. These translations were found in the wreckage, written by a Spaniard's hand. One of the passages, at least, has been verified to be effective. If something has been called up, it is our testimony that the passage to send it back shall illuminate itself on the Untktoth. Assuming, of course, that the proper passage is even exposed. We also have reason to believe that the device can be "charged" by way of human sacrifice. How much charge it currently contains is hard to discern, and the notes imply that much sacrifice is required for only a little charge. We shall offer further details as our research continues.
There is, among this all, very good news indeed. As you are aware, the whole reason we have been considering Nes-per-n-nub as an option is in order to gain his knowledge of containment. From the included notes and translations, we can be certain that the Untktoth itself includes a passage for containment. This saves us the trouble of needing to raise the Egyptian. Which, frankly, comforts me. As I had earlier expressed to the Institute, reuniting Nes-per-n-nub with the Untktoth can not be a wise action for the safety of the world. He was a feared priest, and he knew of cases where mummies had been reanimated as slaves. I wouldn't put it past him that he may have prepared for such an attempt.
Good luck with your efforts. The whole of the Institute is proud of the great achievement it's North American branch is about to make.
Signed,
Warden of the Institute of Hidden Eyes, C.Amer.