The Athenaeum of Hollow Song

By now, I am sure all of you have heard the rumors of bards and mages disappearing in the night, tormented by a terrible song. Over the past several months, I and several of the bards and scholars of Travance have learned all we can of these dark bards, whom we once called Dischordians. Over the past three ages, they have gone to great length to go unnoticed, to leave no trace, to destroy all knowledge of themselves. They thrive in the darkness. It is my intention to drag them into the light.

The first records of the Athenaeum date to the Second Age, though this could be due to a lack of records from the First. They were all once members of the Lorestri, an ancient order of bards who's purpose was to safeguard knowledge and song. The Lorestri accomplish this purpose through their mastery over the orange strand of the Weave; simply put, they can walk through time. So, too, can the Athenaeum. Further, they can perform any spellsong which a bard is capable, and also the reverse. We know for certain that they can create prisons out of music, cause grievous harm to an individual, and inflict great pain. Their greatest weapon, however, is a song that first suppresses the magical effects upon all nearby, dealing damage dependent upon the number of these effects suppressed, then paralyzes all those affected. This is an extremely powerful effect; the strongest of Valence protections will stop it, but only for about 5 seconds, after which you must either call upon another, equally powerful defense or succumb to the song. We know for certain that you do not actually need to be able to hear this song to be affected by it; deafening yourself will not save you. More disturbing yet is the fact that their powers, especially their time-walking, destroys the Weave. In this new Age, with our new, resilient, inviolable Weave, there still exists a power that leaves tears that do not recover. After our last encounter with the Athenaeum, it took five sorcerers half an hour to repair the damage they did.

We have evidence suggesting that the Athenaeum have used their abilities to destroy as much knowledge about themselves as possible, including any records of their names and the names of the Lorestri. While the historical records shows many instances of lost knowledge or unexplained damage to the Weave, there's simply no way to know how much they have interfered with history. They have been equally successful in concealing much about their power, but we have managed to discern one very important facet.

Each member of the Athenaeum bears a brand upon his skin. It appears to be a broken treble clef, combined with runes of pain and suffering. Just below this is a few bars of music. Each Athenaeum bears a song specific to him, but each song is perverted with the same dark runes. This brand appears to be invested with dark energy, and it is the source of their power. Should any come into contact with them, do all in your power to find their brand and memorize the song. It could provide us a vital clue.

I have personally seen two members of the Athenaeum. One appeared to be a jester by the name of Julius. He is known to be skilled at disguise and an expert in torture. Another was a drow male. At my wedding, he was the one who sang the paralytic song. He was able to resist a mage's Counterspell, nor will damage interrupt his singing. His other skills are unknown. Another of the bards in town has come into contact with a female Athenaeum who could use her song to create a prison from which he could not escape. We know the Athenaeum to utilize minions, including gargoyles and true werewolves.

While I do not know what they hope to gain, we have learned that they seek the Temporis Scrolls, fey-made scrolls containing every song and story that ever has been and ever will be. Of the ten Temporis Scrolls, they have eight of them. They also need a carved wooden flute known as Wellora that is in the possession of Travance. Once they have these items, they can use them to destroy Song. Forever. If ever you have enjoyed a song, a poem, a story; if ever you have called upon the power of the Weave, whether for good or ill, light or dark; if you value joy, hope, love, or life, the Athenaeum of Hollow Song is your enemy.

Should any of you have any questions, please ask me. I will not publicly answer questions of strategy for fear the Athenaeum will read these words, but I will tell you anything I know of our foes.

I request that a Baronial Officer copy this to the Baronial Notice Board so that even those who cannot read may be informed.

Tobar, while I know what a traditional treble clef, looks like, many may not. I also know there are many different styles of them. Would you be able to discribe or draw a treble clef that they have, or better yet an example of the brand on their arm so that we know what we are looking for?

Thank you,

If what you write is true, then their very existence is a blasphemy and malady on all that Chronicler holds dear.

I may be very inexperienced compared to many in Travance, but if my blade can be of any help in eradicating this scourge that would dare destroy knowledge, you need but speak the word.

A student of the world,
Illyrin Soral

Do they read this?
Do they know our strengths?
Do we truly know theirs?
How do they do what they do?
Can it be reproduced?
If so, can it be reversed?
Can they be contacted?
Drawn out?
Confronted?
Things to think about.

-S

Caelvan,

The brand is not necessarily on their arm. We learned of this brand when our ally, Maja, gave us a strip of skin carved from the back of one of the Athanaeum that he killed. I do not know if it is always on their back, or if the location varies. I will attempt to draw the brand, but my artistic skill is not in that area, and it may take me several attempts.

Illyrin,

This is a sentiment that every other Chronicler I have spoken with has expressed to me. Your assistance would be welcomed.

S,

I am certain that they read this.
I am certain they know our strengths.
Everything strength of theirs I mentioned is something either I have observed myself or I have heard of through a very reputable source.
Their power comes from the brand upon their skin.
I imagine it could be reproduced, though any who do so has made themselves my enemy. Their power undoes the Weave. Even necromancers should call the Athanaeum their enemy.
We are currently looking into reversing it. I will say no more here, as I do not intend to discuss our strategy where interlopers may happen upon it.
I know of no way to contact them.
If they could be drawn out, I would not speak of how on this board.
I fully intend to confront them. At this stage, a confrontation is inevitable.