The Void Within: Perceptive Paleographer

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Perceptive Paleographer

With the release of chapter 9, comes a new Fearles Deed to complete. Taking on this Fearless Deed might be a little challenging, but that’s all part of the fun! Hidden within the comics are secret reading materials waiting to be discovered. There are 7 in total, scattered throughout the story—can you spot them all? Finding all seven awards the Perceptive Paleographer Fearless Deed.

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Chapter 9, Page 1

In the 5th panel towards the center of the comic, click the book to the left of Tavi's foot. A purple pop-up will appear with some text to read.

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Chapter 9, Page 5

Look in the 1st panel by Luxinia's foot. Clicking on the piece of parchment will present another purple pop-up with some text to read.

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Chapter 9, Page 10

This scroll is a bit hard to see. You can find it in the 1st panel in the bottom right corner leaning against the stone table. Clicking on the scroll will reveal a purple pop-up with more text to read through.

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Chapter 9, Page 15

The next material to find is almost invisible. It can be located in the first panel all the way in the top left corner of the page.

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Chapter 9, Page 20

Next you're looking for a checklist. This can be found at the bottom right-hand side of the altar/podium that Baelia stands in front of.

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Chapter 9, Page 25

Your next reading material to find is a plaque and it can be found just the the left of Luxinia's hand in the final panel on this page.

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Chapter 10, Page 4

The final material to find to complete the achievement can be found hidden ever so slightly behind the right-hand side of the statue of Gourmandizer (or so we think...)

Discovered Messages

This section is not necessary for completing any steps within the plot. However, they are little tidbits of information that could be interesting to read.

This notebook is inscribed with the initials “F.J.S.” and contains research once written in an elegant script. A quill with a broken nib has been stuffed between the pages.

Day 34: Oswalde’s ancient tablets led us to an enormous wall of boulders. Despite the impediment, I have faith in my scholarly research and will not abandon my quest. I commanded the excavationists to shift the face of the mountain. They grumbled until I invoked the name of our king (and carted off a dissenter for ‘sabotage of standard fieldwork’). Now, they dig.

Day 37: Fortuitous day! I have discovered the rumoured tunnel on behalf of our king. It is pitch-dark and unreachable, but I have compelled the excavationists to clear the way. They delve day and night. My colleague Oswalde now mutters to himself all the while; delirious from excessive exuberance, no doubt. To think Elderus may be more than myth… it would necessitate its very own archive!

Day 39: I identified the original entry point in the rubble. The tablets depict a set of challenges, once a rite of passage, deep within. I would speculate with Oswalde about the best route forward, but he has been acting strange. I could have sworn I saw his eyes flash with anger when I told him to quit that incessant music-playing. Even now he plucks at a lyre, neglecting the literal mounds of work ahead of us. Indolence.

Day 41: I caught Oswalde composing a poem about the ruins’ whereabouts, despite my pleas for the utmost secrecy. He has been carted off to the Court of Knowledge for ‘endangerment to research confidentiality’. May his lyrics die in the dungeons. They were pitiful anyway, as most poems are.

Day 42: I am the first in centuries to get this close. And I have ensured I shall be the last; I have demolished the tablets. The rules have been recorded on wax-sealed papyri for his majesty’s eyes only. Henceforth, the Ruins of Elderus shall be under Brightvale’s guardianship, and all discoveries therein shall be sealed in my our royal archives.

[Undated] The next half of the journal contains a scribbled map of tunnels, sets of hastily written letters, and failed attempts to decode a message.

[Undated] Blast this door. Blast this blasted word door. Blast Oswalde and his poetry. Blast that monstrous mutt who hunts us still. I refuse to submit these findings to the University. I WILL make other discoveries. I WILL name an archive. MARK. MY. W

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A set of ancient, brittle papers with neat, faded handwriting.

Trial of Brush and Brawn, Cohort C
Fabius – Eating nuts in the corner, not participating. Failed.*
Palma – Chewing nervously on her feathers. No confidence. Failed.
Marcella – Bullied Palma in the hallway. Made a mess. Recommended for Banishment.
Titus – Actually attempted the trial this time. Close, but no talon. Failed. Cato – Flew through colours, struggled with weight. Passed.
Tullia – Passed. Predictably.

* Trial halted; Fabius lodged a pellet of nuts deep in the gears. We will resume in twenty moons.

Overall Assessment: Deeply Unimpressive
Advisement: Reevaluate curriculum. These ‘champions’ are woefully unprepared, unmotivated, and uninspired. Where is their zeal? Their ambition? Do they not desire the Gift? Our diminishing supplies are no excuse. We MUST continue the trials as we await His Imminent Return.

Employ any means necessary to reach the final trial of worthiness with this set of contenders.

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The scroll is old, but not yet tattered. Deep red blotches mar the edges. The writing is rushed and lopsided.

HIKER BEWARE!! this isn’t a game for children, don’t be fooled by the old song. It’s a test of merit, and they look for perfection. this society was VERY smart, must’ve traveled a lot. I’ve tried everything in the room, but I’m stuck. the items are too old & broken & don’t work. ugh.

I can’t move. don’t know if I’ll ever get out. turn back if you can. outsiders not welcome. don’t try to solve it. It’s not worth it. don’t be stupid like me.

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An archaic script spirals down along the stairwell walls. Some places have been worn down, chipped away, or split up as the stone has settled over time.

The steps you take now must be yours alone,
Directed by the sweet song of the Muse.
Now prove yourself more perfect than the stone.
The worthy will ascend, or else shall lose
This glorious chance to test their aptitude.
You’re clever, sharp, and gifted; are you swift?
A nimble artist finds what tools to use.
And thus hail Vocivus! Who entered through a rift,
Prepare your worthy self for His superior Gift.

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Various comments have been crudely etched into the table. While the first are dull and faint, the rest are clearer cut, as if scribed relatively recently.

ha-ha ez XD
b/c we all stink. they rigged the trials, stupid
only fabus stinks ~
It’s those spoiled nuts!

titus was here
STOP VANDALISING! BE HONOURABLE!

literaly dont respect any of u~!
~* hope voci eats evryone *~
As if you’re the worthy one, Marcella.
OR HONOURABLE. You should’ve STAYED banished!

Followed the song!
Professor A.C. – Y1
Casey – Y3
Jake – Y4
Almas (AH♥) – Y6
Roy AKA “Sunshine” – Y8
“Turdle” – Y10
Awakened One – Y12
Blue ♥ Red – Y12
Tooty Fruity – Y14
“Omelette” (Colwyn) – Y15
Rust and Arrow – Y17
“Nom Nom” – Y20
Fiddles – Y20
Eyrie Eye – Y22
Tavi – Y27

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A long list of Champion names, ordered by time measured in “sands.” The surface has deteriorated over the years, so only the first and last sections are legible. At the very end, a more recent name has been rudimentarily scratched into the stone.

HONOURABLE CHAMPIONS WHO SUBMIT TO THE FINAL TEST OF WORTHINESS
Claudius, child of Lucius – two sands
Tiberia, child of Appia – three and an eighth sands
Aulus, child of Calpurnia – four and a quarter sands
. . .
Tullia, child of Tiberia – eight and a third sands
Renatus, child of Calpurnia – nine and a half sands
Cato, child of Gnaeus – ten sands
. . .
OSWALDE, CHILD OF VERSE (NÉE BRIGHTVALE) – FASTER THAN FINNEUS

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Encased in an ornate cylinder, a delicate scroll has been shielded from the elements for generations. In the margins, you can just barely make out three hurried scribbles, faded with time.

The Final Trial
THUS IT IS SPOKEN that a Champion most worthy
shall invoke the great Gourmandizer with a swift
and singular act demonstrating Three Insights:
Acceptance of His Gift;
Confidence in His Return;
Freedom from Life’s Trials.

His arrival shall lift the wind beneath the wings
of the worthiest, who shall RECEIVE HIS BOON.
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so uhh... he’s not coming, is he? we’re doomed, aren’t we?
CLEARLY not for YOU. BEHOLD: PALMA, WORTHIEST of the GIFT!
Fly, flee, and forget. We’re banished either way. - Tullia