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Book Information Captain Nilail's Log
ID	8455
Collection	Solstice Summations

Captain Nilail's Log

by Captain Nilail

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Carapace Cavern: Day 1

Sealord Gandelec showed us the location of our new base: Carapace Cavern. We see signs of Hadolid activity here, but they appear to have moved on, as per their normal migratory patterns. We noted the Argonian architecture and speculate that when the Hadolids originally sought to make this a nesting ground, they most likely overwhelmed any Argonians living here.

We're not sure why these Argonians decided to build here, but perhaps the unusual bismuth that peppers Solstice's coastline has something to do with it. We see large amounts of it in these caves. I find it quite beautiful.

I currently have a bet with Captains Ancamos and Kaalelrith about whether these folk worshiped Sithis, Molag Bal, or maybe even Aedra—we've noticed the Argonians on this isle differ from those we've encountered around Murkmire, for example. They didn't exactly make it clear who they revere on their various altars. Perhaps they did this because they didn't have one specific entity in mind? At any rate, that's where my bet is: no specific deity or focus. Ancamos thinks Sithis. Kaalelrith is going with Bal. We hope the sealord will share what knowledge he has, though that's about as probable as these Argonians worshiping Banekin. He does love to keep information to himself as much as possible.

Day 5

We've been busy cleaning out the area and getting comfortable quarters set up for the crew for when we shelter here in the future. My fellow captains and I are finding our newfound powers quite helpful in this endeavor. Learning necromancy from Sealord Gandelec is a great honor, though we regret the lack of skeletons around here to animate. Apparently, the Argonians did not leave behind their dead when they vanished. Perhaps they left before the Hadolids showed up after all.

Sealord Gandelec already has the plunder trove vault set up and warded. Not one single coin can leave this place without his express permission. It's a prodigious ward, but then his magic-crafting abilities are prodigious as well. I will continue to ask him to share his expertise. I am, after all, his most intelligent student.

And I admire Captain Kaalelrith for providing all the portal support to move supply laden skiffs in and out of the cavern. A wiser addition to our team than Ancamos.

Day 7

Experiments with the bismuth shows that it has inherent abilities to dramatically bolster our magical work. I already have some ideas on how to utilize it in my own studies. Ancamos, being less interested in magic, just calls it a "pretty enough piece of work." Why Sealord Gandelec chose them to be one of his captains puzzles me. Ancamos has no ambition to make the most of our promised undying state.

Day 15

Sealord Gandelec called a captain's conclave to discuss further plans for the cavern, but mainly focused on the incoming Hadolid problem. Earlier today, some of their scouts entered the caverns and killed a laggard lookout. The sealord said, "I presume you've been studying the bismuth here as Captain Nilail has, correct, Ancamos? They have shown me a few properties of it that I plan to use immediately, along with the altars the Argonians built. I expect you and Captain Kaalelrith both to assist in a ritual we're designing that should protect these caverns from more than just Hadolids and bestow lichdom on all of us."

That's about what our sealord said, though I may have taken a few liberties. I admit that remembering verbatim what anyone says is one of my weak points. Regardless, being recognized by our leader is gratifying, and I'll take that to my—well, I suppose if the ritual works, a grave won't be in my future!

Day 31

We've been busy. The Hadolids are forming up outside the caverns. Our harrowing ritual is nearly ready to perform. We have to time it just right or we'll all likely die. Captain Kaalerith came up with the idea of tying the crew into it. The extra boost of their life energy should make it strong enough to create the necrotic build-up we need for the release of the energy.

I think that's risky. Given the bismuth, whose properties we don't entirely understand yet, we might end up with too much necrotic energy and destroy everything on Solstice instead of just the creatures within the cavern.

Sealord Gandelec doesn't have the same outlook as I do on this, so we're proceeding with the final setup. Each captain will stand ready at an altar while Sealord Gandelec stands on the plunder trove's altar and performs the ritual. All crew but the Shadowstorm's has already departed to their respective ships and stand ready to assist if any Hadolids try to escape the cavern.

I hope this works out as we intend it to. Soon, the sealord and his captains will be liches and the cavern will be protected. Or we'll all be dead. Wish us luck!