"The source of magic reminds me of the tale of the little girl, who, being asked on what the world stood, replied, "On a turtle." But on what does the turtle stand? "On another turtle, there are turtles all the way down." Such is the nature of magic; only madness lies in trying to discern the depths of its nature.
- Archmagus Dehlat
Lecture Series on the Principles of Magic"
The voices continued, chattering in their alien tongue. Min could feel the tendrils of their consciousness pressing against his mind. They would wait for him to relax, and flay his mind, body, and spirit again. He had to be ready for them, for they always did, and it never stopped.
He stared into the hearth fire of the Council Tower, tossing in the last page of the research that started all of this. Something he should never have seen. Something nobody was ever meant to see, not in this world or time. The page caught fire, the edges blackening until the damning note was consumed, the ancient parchment curling up in a plume of smoke.
All preparations were made, and it was time for him to depart. He penned one last letter before he left, completing it and sending it on - right before he was attacked yet again. A small bite and laceration appeared on his forearm, he looked closely and clearly saw the horrific creature dart away. The smaller ones are always impatient, but they herald the arrival of their much larger kin.
Rotep my friend.
I have precious few words left before I depart, but let me begin by saying: You were right.
The question of the origins of magic has always plagued my mind. Where did it come from? Is this some set of woodworker's tools left behind by apathetic deities? Why can we do some things and not others? The answers, I suspected, were not in this world.
I've been to many such places and times in my travels. The places I've seen range from breathtaking to the terrible. I've even met the negative planar impression of myself. If you want to know what kind of person you really are, I would recommend meeting your opposite. For all of his humility, kindness, and compassion, mine was a filthy liar.
I felt myself getting closer to *something*. I was sure that I was on the verge of a great breakthrough that would reveal everything I wanted to know about magic, time, and reality. I tried to find the truth, instead, I made a horrifying discovery.
Sadly, I cannot share the details my friend. I found an old text, that led me to somewhere else, and that led me to *them*. To see *them* is to understand what they are. To know them, means that they also know *you*. And then they can *find* you. Anywhere, as it turns out.
I spent enough time staring into the abyss, that it began to stare back. And now it has come to collect the toll. I must return to that place, and I will likely not return. I consulted the Meer Seers, and riddled with the Sphinx; I checked all possible outcomes and probabilities, and none of them end well for me.
You probably know exactly where I am going, I would counsel against your trying to follow me. The Council Tower will remain open in your care, my own will be shut and warded against the unlikely event of my return. I would consider it a favor if you could see to Aila's well being, she deserves more than I could ever give her.
- Min