Writing Contest VOTING - Heb Bastet 2020

[Mr. Pooka]

All of the entries for the Heb Bastet (2020) writing contest will be posted in this thread. Thank you everyone for entering! (-8


Please take some time and enjoy this years wonderful entries and vote for your favorite! (-8

Please use your main account for voting, not your roleplaying accounts, (-8 (if you do by accident, it's not a real problem, but most importantly there you may only vote once per person!)



PLEASE DO NOT POST IN THIS THREAD!!!!

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #1



They say you get nothing in this life for free i thought that wrong as i had managed to land on my feet so far.
I lost my parents when i was very young and was taken to a local orphanage. Or that's what i was told i don't really remember much about it.
All i remember was being put with a group of others around my age and given a simple name. Ember. I was named for my deep red and black eyes and mottled orange and black pelt. I was told when i was little i looked like a dying fire when i was curled up. Most of the time we were doing odd jobs like cleaning cloths for the wealthy families or looking after cats that were left with us.
It was hard work when your little but they looked after us well.
I always thought something was wrong with how we were raised it wasn't until today that i realised how odd.
There was always talking about snakes and they seemed to look after the orphans that showed snake traits slightly better.
But now there were talks about the ones not blessed being able to help.
I'm still not an adult but they said they needed the numbers. It was exciting to be going on a grand adventure with my friends.
Soon they were walking us in pairs across the dunes. It wasn't long until, in the distance, the great sphinx loomed into view.
Headed into a group by what appeared to be a door we were each was given a cloak with a hood and told to follow a guide.
My cloak was massive compared to the others and it took me a moment to tie the thing so i wasn't tripping over the thing as i walked.
As we entered i could hear a muffled muttering from the guide but the hood covered my ears as I wasn't big enough to fit my ears through the holes.
The others around me seemed to start moving slowly and strangely off through the halls.
I followed along as best i could but they kept turning sharply and I ended up getting lost when the hood fell over my eyes. When i looked back up i couldn't see the group and put my hood down to get a batter look of my surroundings.
Lights flickered at the end of the hall casting enough light down fo me to see just not as good as if it as daylight.
I didn't mind that much being left behind as I loved reading the hieroglyphics on the wall. Sure I couldn't work out what they were saying but they were nice to look out and they seemed to tell a story as I went deeper.
The Tunnels started to darken as the voices seemed to get further away and I decided to was best to at least try to catch up.
The light was getting brighter and the chanting louder as I rounded the corner and ran straight into a wall of light.
Looking through the wall I could see the others that I had lived and worked with just standing in front of a portal of blackness.
I banged on the wall as I watched one of my friends was commanded to walk through the portal as the command of the snake-headed Sorceress.
Her cloak fell away as I could do nothing as she padded forward and vanished into the darkness.
Tears fell as I heard her command another of my friends forward. I shouted and screamed at him to stop but his eyes were glazed and I watched as he too vanished into the darkness.
Movement caught my eye and I looked past the Sorceress to see on the other side of the room there was another passageway.
I could see a group of others who looked to be playing with some sort of light on the other side of the wall.
As the Sorceress commanded the next one forward the barrier wavered and the group from the other side flooded in.
The Sorceress screamed at the others around the room to stop them but i was more focused on getting to my friend and stopping her going through the portal.
Ditching the Cloak i was given i raced forward to grab my friend away from the portal before they too disappeared.
Before I could get close to them I was knocked to the side by a cloaked figure.
I tucked and rolled the best i could but the blow had winded me slightly. I saw many people fighting around me and just sat there wondering what was happening.
Then i felt a paw on my shoulder. I screamed and slapped it away at first thinking they were attacking me.
I heard someone shushing my softly and i looked at the one who had made me jump.
It was a dark pelted female with gleaming silver and green armour. The giant sword and wolf shield made me start to back away slightly as the looked me over.
But when we locked eyes i froze not able to look away from the deep blue orbs.
"your not with them or us. Escape that way," they said pointing towards the passageway they hade entered through before they darted back into the fight.
I moved back against the wall as all the ones that had brought us here were knocked out.
The sorceress was the last one to fall of all of them. She was fighting against another that looked even more snake-like then herself and it was a truly scary battle.
As she was losing consciousness the Sorceress laughed an evil bone-chilling laugh.
"your too late."
I didn't know what to do I knew i needed to run and get out of here.
I could feel something. That little prickle in the back of your mind that tells you to do something or not too.
This was now telling me something bad was coming and i needed to run and hide.
I got to my feet and skirting the edge of the wall of the room i made my way slowly to the doorway the female warrior had pointed me too.
Just as i was approaching the doorway there was a rumble behind me and the voice told me to hit the floor.
I dropped to the ground as a large snake demon came through the portal in the middle of the room.
Once again the group of others leapt into action and after only a few hits they managed to drive the snake back into the portal.
They then started to fan out with more sphinxes that had turned up. They seemed to be searching for something but I was more concerned about finding my friends, or the ones that were left.
Most had scattered during the battle so i went with one of the group to search for them.
After much searching, we only managed to find two of the ones that had been brought with me and two that i had seen with the group.
I got back to the main room just as they were talking about a library, i didn't know what that was but they said it was a place for storing books and scrolls.
Sticking with one of the others that had been searching the rooms with us. I think their name was Kirah, I think they were some kind of witch or something from how they were fighting. But they had cats with her and i liked cats so it seemed like a good move to stay with them for the moment.
We ventured forward into the Libary.
For not knowing what this place was it became one of my favourite things. Books, Scrolls and tablets all along the walls in piles and shelves so inviting. It seemed to call to me but when i went to pick one up i was scolded by one of the guards. Something about dangerous magic and nothing for kids to be looking at.
Hey, bud I'll have you know i am an adult, just small for my age. Is what i wanted to say but i just squeaked out a sorry and scuttled back in with the rest of the group.
God, when would i be able to stand up for myself? But in my defence, he was a big guy with a mask covering his face.
I rejoined the others as another puzzle had been solved and i saw part of the wall move backwards and a huge stone tunnel appears.
More excited than little kids the adults in front all cheered and charged into the hall.
Catching up with the group again I watched a white male messing with part of the wall and saying something about a battery. I wasn't close enough to hear him properly but as he moved something a glow came from one of the runes on the wall.
People in the group all rushed to the walls around the room trying different combos to solve the puzzle.
They must have done something as soon a bright light filled the room, i had to cover my eyes it was so bright.
When the light went away i looked around but nothing happened except the runes had changed slightly.
I was looking at them when someone opened up a sliding door and started to walk out. Not wanting to be left at the back again i hurried after the group we were now in a large, hollowed-out pyramid but with loads of different doorways. This hadn't been there before and the others showed their confusion too.
Soon the White male pointed out a door claiming the runes said Exit and soo a door was sliding open
Exiting the pyramid My eyes hurt and i squinted after being in the dark for such a long time. Stepping out after the others I looked around as best I could as my eyes adjusted.
Its an island with a city on it surrounded by water. Well, it wasn't home.
Apart from the Nile, I've never seen so much water. It made me feel a little uneasy but something was niggling at the back of my mind.
Movement from the side caught my attention and i realised it was a shole of fish.
My tail fluffed slightly as i realised we were underwater. I can't swim, or i don't know if i can swim I've never tried and i don't want to find out by being underwater.
The group in front of me were whispering and i realised that we were no longer alone.
On the opposite side of the waterway were more sphinxes gawking at us. I tried my hardest to move behind the biggest of the group and not to be seen.
That was short-lived as the group seemed to part slightly as something pulled itself out of the water in front of us.
It was a Sphinx i think, as quickly as they had moved back they moved back in cutting off my line of view.
The little voice in my head was telling me i needed to move forward and see this newcomer. But i was still too frightened to move forward. The little voice had never lead me astray before.
The Sphinx was saying something but it sounded a little garbled, I wasn't sure if it was just cause i was at the back or if they were speaking another language but it sounded like i had heard it before.
Then i hear her speak again and it seemed that she had changed the way she was speaking or had moved closer so i could hear better.

Moving forward i could now see not one but two. it must have been the second one that spoke.
bother were a lovely blue and white ladies but they didn't have back legs. Just tails.
For a moment i thought they were one of the Djet types but this was clearly a fishtail. They look so elegant. i thought to myself looking over both
The little voice trilled happily and I'm sure the blonde one looked at me and smiled.
"Welcome to the City of Atlantis."
The first one said causing me to jump slightly, i hadn't expected to her to start talking.
So this place was called Atlantis. I think i remember some of the other telling me about this place but i always thought it was a myth.

The Darker haired Mer seemed to be talking to someone else for a moment but it looked like the other didn't hear her speak.
I wasn't sure what she had said i just knew she had spoken to someone.
She seemed to be waiting now for them to get back. I'm hoping that she hasn't called for guards or something like that.
After all, we did look like we were going to attack. The group was armed for battle and some of them had cuts and bruises from the previous fights.
I had a graze on my arm from where I had been knocked back by the portal, it was sore but not bleeding or anything. I've had worse before.
More had started to gather on the opposite side of the waterway as we waited and i could see if they decided to attack we would be outnumbered.
But most seemed to be old or very young. Not what i would have called fighters.
I tried not to look at them too much as i felt it was rude to stare and instead looked outside the water dome.
More buildings like the ones in the inner ring were in ruins and covered in corals and waterweed.
Multi-coloured fish sawm in sholes in and out of the old building dancing in and out of the light beams dancing through the water. I wasn't sure if it was sunlight or some sort of magic as you couldn't see the surface of the water.
As i watched the fish swimming i saw the male that had run off coming back over a bridge.
He has a tail too, like a dolphin, but he also has all four paws.
Slowly he moved around the group and i pushed my paw forward between two other to get a what he was handing out.
It as a blue gem that seemed to shimmer in my paw. One side was curved and one side was flattened slightly.
I looked up from the pretty stone in my paw as noticed the others were sticking them to her forehead.
Following their example, I placed my gem flat side against my forehead. It seemed to pull from my paw when it was close enough had stick firmly to the fur between my eyes.
I couldn't see it but i could see on others is seemed to shimmer slightly.
The blue female started talking again and i now found i could understand her clearly.
She was saying that the gems would allow us to talk with other creatures. Wait does that mean i can talk to the cats back home? I would love that.
I know an animal tamer that used to swing by to drop off meat would often talk about the gossip of the town cats. If i knew what they were talking about i could make some money.
As the group talked I must admit i lost interest, they were talking about the magic that had brought us here and the pyramids but i had no idea how that all worked.
I focused on the gem on my forehead and the feeling that was building in the back of my mind.
As the talking started to slow down i looked back at the mere and She closed her eyes. I swore i heard her talking to someone but her lips didn't seem to move at all.
I must have been imagining it as when she opened her eyes she said, out loud this time, that she had called a guide.
Soon yet another dolphin tailed sphinx turned up. This one was a female black and white. She held a trident but I think that was more for show at the moment than using it.
I bowed her head towards the blue met as i went past, I had to be polite, before following the guide through the city.
So much to see and hear. I often caught a few whispers but when i looked i couldn't see who was talking.
I loved listening to the history of the place i had only heard about in snippet of stories.
Then i saw it the cutest thing Ever.
It was called a turtle. i have never seen anything so cute in my life. Several others in the group felt the same as i heard them go awww. Even one of the big males even seemed happy to see them and the octopi.
though one mentioned making some sort of soup and he was promptly smacked over the back of the head by one of the others before he claimed he was only joking.
I could almost feel the shopkeepers joy that we were taking a liking to her pets. Two seemed almost attached to some others in the group and she gave them over.
If i could i would have to come back and have a look later and see what i could barter with but again the group were moving onwards.
As i was looking around i noticed that the group had seemed to have grown a bit.
Several of the original group members had one or two from the city that had joined them.
"So your an Empath from Ahket." a voice sounded from my left though it could have been from my right.
It was like it was straight in my mind. it made me jump as i looked around.
Walking near me, though not close enough to count as creepy, was a white-haired male.
"Oh, I'm sorry i thought you knew about your powers," he said more verbally this time as i saw his mouth move.
"whats an Empath?" i asked raising an eyebrow as we slowed down to talk. I didn't want to lose the group and be alone in a strange place but i was curious to why he thought i was an empath. whatever that was.
"forgive me i seem to have confused you. I'm a sensitive. the male version of an empath. we are more in tune with what's around us. Not a full psychic but more like were training though some never get past this level."
the way he spoke and smiled put me at ease though i didn't know he i did feel safer around him then when we had started.
"you feel safer because that's one of my skills," he said causing me to misstep and nearly face plant into the stairs we were walking up.
"you can read my mind!" i looked at him shocked and a little worried that others would be able to.
"oh no, I'm not that high. I can fell you relaxing and i simply mentioned it. I give off a calming aurora that often helps with those nervous or scared. I get called to the doctors a lot. That's why I'm with your group. some need healing and I was told to go with you."
It was at that moments i realised we had come to a stop near some buildings that looked like it could be a hospital.
"I'll see you inside i need to go help the doctor. We can talk later if you like." He said as he kept moving through the group towards the door.
"Ok " was all i could say as he vanished inside.
After one of the doctors looked at my arm and putting some stinky paste on my grave that said i would be fine i moved to one of the cots they had set out to be used as a bed.
I had no idea i was so tired but thinking back to that start we had come through a lot.
I was almost sent to my doom through a portal of nothingness, i shuddered hoping that my friends hadn't suffered any pain. I was lost in a hidden temple and then transported to a new land of legend.
My eyes lids started to become heavy and i soon fell into a deep sleep filled with snakes fish and some giant tentacle monster. who knew what tomorrow would bring.

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #2


A mighty ship appeared in the air

The captain a proud lady of dare

Off the coast, a ship a ship of the deep

The captain made barely a peep



A power source sought

The search for naught

Many venues sought

All turned up naught



The long journey wrought

With much forethought

Finally to the deep did they go

The journey to the depths was slow



A power source sought

The search for naught

Many venues sought

All turned up naught



Mythical Atlantis was found

There much mystery did abound

Was here the power source long sought

Perhaps after the Kraken was fought

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #3




The record below is a transcription from the recordings of Mr. Maxwell Silver, owner and lead craftsman of Silver Clockworks, the leading purveyor of custom made clocks and timepieces in New London up until his mysterious disappearance ten years ago. These recordings cover the last year before the artisan vanished. The additions in parenthesis have been added for the clarification of the reader.

John Whitwell
Chief Archivist, New London

January 27, 1882

Emma (Westinghouse) is gone. She’s gone. We laid her body in the cold ground today… or what was left of it after the explosion.

Why?! Why wouldn’t the council let me oversee the construction of the new generator?! I could have made it safe! I could have regulated the pressure! I had all the plans drawn up! Three people need not have died!

Why?! Why?! WHY?!

The answer is always the same. It always comes back to money. The man they chose for the job was more established as an inventor and had connections to members of the council. What are three lives compared with well lined pockets?

The most amusing part is that they had the gall to offer me their condolences… as if they could ever make amends. They cannot bring my fiancée back from the dead, and I will never forgive them.

January 30, 1882

It’s been three days. The ache is still there, and I move around my – what should have been our – house like a ghost.

The apothecary came to visit me today, to check on me.

He prescribed laudanum for the headaches that keep occurring and left me with a bottle.

February 3, 1882

The laudanum dulls the pain, but it cannot get rid of it. As soon as the medicine wears off, the headaches return, and I keep seeing things out of the corner of my eyes.

The wonderful thing about the laudanum, though, is that with it flowing through my body, I can pretend that Emma is still alive, that we are still planning our wedding.

It’s a rather nice illusion to indulge in.

Simon (Leggett) stopped by this morning to ask about the clock for the Ashworths since it’s due to them in two weeks’ time.

I didn’t give him an answer.

February ?, 1882

I don’t know how much time has passed or what day it is. I’m not even sure when I last partook of food. I’ve been living in a laudanum induced delirium for days on end.

It must stop.

But, oh, the visions that heady drug induces, visions of Emma here with me now.

Still, she would not wish me to live like this. I cannot live like this.

Emma is dead. She’s gone. That’s the end.

I am a man of science, of math, of numbers, not a sentimental fool that plans to waste the rest of his life at the bottom of a bottle.

February 26, 1882

I threw the bottle away right after my last recording. I have put myself on a regular schedule again. I am clean, shaven, and dressed.

I will get through this.

February 27, 1882

I went to the shop today. The Ashworths were rather incensed that I had not completed their order on time. Heartless people! I told them that if they were so unhappy they could take their business elsewhere. I still have plenty of clients.

It was comfortable to get back to my gears and springs. The rhythmic ticking and grinding is soothing to my soul.

March 7, 1882

I fear I may not have disposed of the laudanum before it laid permanent affects upon my mind. I saw her! I saw Emma here! She was standing at the foot of my bed!

I must calm myself and be precise in this retelling.

I retired to my room at my usual time. However, only a few hours after I fell into a troubled sleep, I awoke to a biting chill. It was as if winter had entered my bedchamber with its icy fingers despite the fact that spring is nearly upon us, and I had a blazing fire going before I retired.

The fire was now out, and there, standing – or perhaps floating may be a better description - at the foot of my bed was a transparent facsimile of my departed fiancée. I called her name, but she did not answer. I asked her why she had come, but I was again met with silence.

She gradually faded into nothingness, and the temperature of the room returned to normal. I immediately went to my workshop to record these happenings.

I do not know if what I saw was real or imagined.

March 13, 1882

I have seen Emma every night now for a week. I know she must be real for I show no other signs of madness. I am still able to concentrate on my work and carry out the routine demands of my life.

I do not know why she is haunting me. For, that is what I must call it despite my reluctance to do so. I have never believed in the supernatural or anything that could not be measured or studied. Yet… she visits me each night.

She never speaks though I have seen her lips move. No sound can apparently make it across the veil that separates this world from the next.

I am loathed to admit it, but I may have to seek the council of one more skilled in this particular realm. The very idea causes a shudder to traverse my spine. Me! A man known for being a sound logical mind in this city, seeking the assistance of those I have often mocked as charlatans! Emma, I am sure, would find the irony amusing. She often teased me that I was comprised of nothing but figures, but she understood.

March 18, 1882

Emma continues to visit each night. I do not even try to sleep until after her visitation at two AM each morning. Then I try to rest as best as I can before heading for the shop.

The lack of sleep is taking its toll on my work, however, and Emma seems to be growing impatient with me.

Last night she seemed agitated and moved much more than normal, and she glared at me the entire time. It was the same look she had when I told her I would never write her poetry.

I will start my search for someone who can assist me tomorrow.

March 21, 1882

I have suffered through three days of making humiliating inquiries. I have tried to be subtle, but I am well known through the city. More than one person has had a very good laugh at my expense. Still, I have made significant progress, and Emma’s spirit has quieted down.

Therefore, I must conclude that this is the right course of action.

I have an appointment with Madame Zarisa (Hester Sparks) – even the sound of her name causes me to flinch – in two days’ time. We shall see if the supposed madame lives up to her reputation.

March 23, 1882

I have just returned from my consultation – I think the jargon amongst their set is “reading” – with Madame Zarisa, and I am forced to admit that I was rather impressed with her prowess or rather her natural talent as she seemed to have little control over what occurred during my visit.

Since I have no intention of ever visiting the woman again, I must describe her shop. For it was quite the sight. Dark purple and red fabrics and beads… There were strings of beads hanging everywhere and from everything. Some sort of incense was burning, which made me choke upon first entering, and my eyes continued to water the entire time I was there.

The woman herself was dressed in several layers of light fabric, obviously from foreign parts. She was younger than I assumed, probably in her mid-thirties, and strangely blonde. I say strangely only due to the fact that all the other women that I have recently spoken to in this craft have dark hair.

She greeted me politely and carried herself like any well bred lady of high society. She spoke in normal tones instead of quiet whispers, which did not seem to suit the atmosphere her shop created. When I questioned her regarding this oddity, she merely laughed and replied that people that regularly visit such establishments have expectations that must be met.

I can only determine that she must know her craft as well I know mine.

She offered me tea, which I politely refused and then began polite conversation about the weather, the state of the roads, and my journey thither. In the middle of a sentence regarding the unusually cold weather we've been experiencing, she suddenly slumped forward with her eyes rolled back into her head.

Fearing that she had suddenly fallen ill, I rose to fetch a doctor, but her hand shot out and gripped my wrist as tight as any iron manacle could have done. She then looked up at me with unseeing eyes and began to speak… in Emma’s voice.

I cannot begin to describe the resounding joy or the acute pain of hearing my beloved’s voice again. Those gentle sweet tones were as music to my ears, the only sound I have ever loved as much as the ticking of my clockwork creations.

Alas, I am becoming distracted.

To continue, the lady before me spoke in my Emma’s voice. She said that she didn’t have much time to speak so that I should just listen for a few moments. She said that she had no desire to travel to the place that other spirits go without me, but she could not remain by my side indefinitely without a vessel of some kind to tether her to this world.

Madame Zarisa then fell forward once more. When she opened her eyes again, she continued our previous conversation as if nothing had occurred. She seemed to have no idea or recollection of the preceding moments.

I concluded my visit with her by receiving a rather generic, albeit clever – the lady had obviously done her research prior to our meeting – “reading”. She offered words of comfort, and I imagine that such false statements are a balm to most. They meant nothing to me. Still, I paid her exorbitant fee with a smile on my face for the information I had truly received.

Let her think what she wishes.

March 28, 1882

I attended a dinner party tonight at the Chamberlains’. It was my first venture into society, now that I am officially out of mourning. I find it ironic that I, as a man of science who believes that all things can be measured, heavily disagree with society’s ideas on the measurements of grief. As if I, or any reasonable man, could overcome something so easily in three months.

The dinner party was nothing worthwhile. It was simply a mix of people that were acquainted and those that were not. The dinner itself was well enough. The conversation was insipid at best. The only real notable happening was that every unattached female under the age of thirty seemed to be placed before me either by the hostess or by said female’s mother.

I suppose, now that I am out of mourning, of course, I am considered quite an eligible bachelor once more.

Society is the most hypocritical of masters. We all adhere to its rules, thinking we are everything good, polite, and well behaved, but in reality everyone is motivated by avarice and greed covered in a sickly sweet layer to hide their true intentions.

It is truly sickening, and yet, I continue to follow society’s dictates just like the rest of them. If I did not, they would not come to my shop, and it is all I have left in this world.

Little do they know that I have no intentions of marrying anyone other than Emma.

I must figure out a way to keep her here with me.

March 30, 1882

It has been a week now since I met with Madame Zarisa and received Emma’s request. I have done little else but contemplate the problem that has been presented to me. Yet, I cannot conceive an answer.

Emma still visits me every night, and each day more invitations to dinner parties and balls appear. I cannot say no to them all, unfortunately, but I will not attend any of the balls. Dinner parties, at least, only last a few hours, but to have to devote myself to entertaining brainless young women who are only after my fortune for an entire evening seems like the worst kind of purgatory to me.

I will not do it.

April 4, 1882

Every day I grow more frustrated with myself, and each night I can only offer useless apologies to Emma’s spirit. I do not know what to do. The best vessel for her would be one of flesh and blood, but a living person obviously does not meet the requirements. Even Madame Zarisa, who obviously has some strong connection to the realm where spirits dwell, only offered a temporary housing. I imagine that this is due to the body already being occupied, and I could never forcefully subjugate another spirit, even to provide a vessel for Emma.

I do not even wish to mention my second thought. I am no grave robber.

There must be a way. I just cannot see it.

On another topic, the Norringtons invited me to a demonstration later this week. It is of a new model of automaton that is supposed to be much more dexterous than our current models, which can only perform a single simple task such as open a door or carry laundry. George, having known me since our school days, knows my passion for innovation.

I will most likely attend.

I may even enjoy it.

April 9, 1882

I attended the demonstration today with the Norringtons, and I must confess that I was rather impressed with the subtlety of the automaton’s movements. Like most of the current models, the base of the machine is a square housing unit that hides all of the inner workings, but the limbs on it were much more sophisticated than anything I have seen before. The automaton was able not only to make tea but also to pour and serve it without damaging any of the precious china.

It was truly remarkable.

The inventor, a Mr. (Henry) Oliver was also most accommodating in answering my questions, which I found very refreshing. Most innovators enjoy keeping their discoveries secret, but Mr. Oliver was more than willing to speak to me about his improvements. It seems he already has a patent for the improved technology. I suppose, then, that he has no worries regarding people pilfering his ideas.

A most extraordinary day…

April 11, 1882

I believe I may have stumbled upon an idea for Emma, but I must start with my day at the shop.

The Malcolms brought in a clock for repair this morning. It is the one that I created for their daughter’s tenth birthday with the ballerina that dances each hour on her birthday. I recall how difficult it was to get the weights just right to calculate the leap day every fourth year. Still, I was happy to accept the request and began work on it immediately.

While trying to repair the intricate cogs that make up the small ballerina’s inner workings, it occurred to me that if one were to combine such knowledge with the newer technology of Mr. Oliver for better dexterity in movement, it might be possible to create a rather lifelike automaton that could move as smoothly as any human.

I know only the basics of the human form, however, and must do further research on the various muscles, how they move and stretch, how the joints fit together, etc. if I am to be successful in this greatest of endeavors.

April 15, 1882

I purchased several scientific volumes detailing the movements of the human form today. It is the first day I have had a moment to myself long enough to visit the book seller’s. The information contained therein is quite fascinating. I only hope I can use it for practical application.

Last night, when Emma visited me, I told her of my ideas, and she seemed pleased.

Therefore, I will move forward.

April 22, 1882

I have begun making the molds. I wished to build everything on a smaller scale first, but I fear I will not have that luxury. To get all of the intricacies of the clockworks correct, I need to work with the correct housing from the start.

I have never built such a large scale mold before, and I am beginning to doubt my abilities. However, when I spoke to the blacksmith that I usually frequent for such requests, he eyed me with some suspicion, and I eventually left his shop after several awkward moments.

I must be careful. What I am attempting would, I believe, be highly frowned upon by society as a whole.

Delving into the realms of deity is never acceptable.

May 24, 1882

I have not recorded anything in over a month, and I have nothing of worth to say even now. The molds are a disaster. I spent every free moment I had on them, but the human form apparently is simply beyond my grasp in such a large scale undertaking.

The pieces are not proportionate and do not even fit together properly! I do not know what to do!

There have been whispers lately. The servants must be talking, or perhaps it is the shop assistants as I have been forced to undertake some of the work in my workshop there late at night.

I am adrift in a sea of bitterness.

May 29, 1882

The gowns that I ordered for Emma months ago arrived today with the original measurements that the modiste was given.

The soft fabrics and lovely shades of pale blue and purple would have looked stunning on her.

I cannot give up. I must begin again.

June 30, 1882

Success! The second batch of molds has worked splendidly! Using the modiste’s measurements, I was able to make the pieces proportional and by overlaying the connecting pieces, they fit together perfectly. Now I must begin the inner clockwork and steam powered joints. I only hope I can match Mr. Oliver’s mastery of dexterity of movement.

The whispers still continue.

I may have to dismiss the servants.

July 20, 1882

I am ready to cease this fruitless venture! The clockwork mechanisms are in place, but I cannot get the steam powered joints to work the way they did in Mr. Oliver’s automaton.

Fortunately, I learned today that the automaton will soon be available for purchase. I have already ordered one so that I can dissect it to see what vital piece of information I am missing.

I have dismissed my entire household except for my valet, butler, housekeeper, and cook, who are all exceedingly loyal to my family, even if that is only me now.

August 18, 1882

My new automaton arrived two weeks ago. After quickly dismantling it, I soon discovered my error. I have reconstructed the entire inner workings and only have a few more adjustments to make before everything is complete.

I must be careful, even with my own recordings as the rumors are starting to grow and spread. I fear some of them may be closer to the truth than I wish to admit, even to myself.

September 4, 1882

I have finished the last of the adjustments. Everything is ready. I have moved it to my room for her arrival.

Now, I can only wait.

September 6, 1882

I have failed. It is over. There is still nothing to tether her here. I must find something and quickly. She is fading.

Suspicions are growing. I have not been going to the shop. I must prepare for the worst and begin destroying my thoughts. I must keep these records for now, however, but I must hide them.

September 17, 1882

I have seen the Madame again and discovered that I must obtain an arcane crystal. It will provide the tether and the power source for the free will of movement once the steam powered joints and clockwork have been prepared for the day.

From my research, these are extremely rare and mostly located in the Far East countries.

I must prepare.

October 5, 1882

Everything has been completed and prepared now to house the crystal once I have it.

All of my documents have been destroyed along with the molds.

Everything rests on finding that crystal.

October 20, 1882

I have written my will. Everything is being left to Simon (Leggett). He will do well with the shop, and he has a fiancée of his own now. I hope they will be happy.

I do not know how much longer I have before everything ends.

November 3, 1882

The S.T.E.A.M ships have are scheduled to arrive in a few days’ time. I do not have time to waste. I must speak to someone. Surely, as much as they have traveled, they will know something of the crystal that I seek.

November 12, 1882

I have just returned from visiting S.T.E.A.M. An alchemist aboard, who I will not name, also dabbles in the arcane. She has agreed to help me.

I must return in two weeks as it will take that long to prepare it.

November 26, 1882

I have it but must wait until the next full moon.

December 5, 1882

The S.T.E.A.M delegation is leaving tomorrow. The constable came to the house today and will return tomorrow with a search warrant.  It seems they believe I am a danger to myself and others.  I am out of time.

(A long pause of more than two hours occurs here in the original recording. The next part is assumed to take place later the same day as no date is mentioned.)

It worked. She’s here.

December 6, 1882

My… let… ready… trunks are pa…. catch… ip… going to… Ahk…

The final record from December 6, 1882 was heavily damaged, and this is all that was able to be saved from the recording. Based on the information presented here, there are many theories as to what happened to Mr. Silver.

Some believe that he simply went mad with grief and took his own life.

Some believe that he was trying to bring his fiancée back from the dead using illegal methods.

Some believe that he was kidnapped and subsequently killed.

Some believe that he never gave up his dependence upon laudanum.

Some believe that he left with the S.T.E.A.M delegation that year to start life anew.

When his home was searched, all that was found were the general instruments of a clockmaker, these recordings, several empty dress boxes, and Mr. Silver’s will, which named Simon Leggett as his successor.

Thus the case remains entirely open to speculation.

This is a faithful transcription of the recordings that were found in Mr. Silver’s home, which were later donated to the City Archive by Simon Leggett of Silver Clockworks, which still remains the leading purveyor of custom clockworks in the city of New London.

These records were donated July 6, 1892 and were transcribed and submitted for review July 14, 1892.

John Whitwell
Chief Archivist, New London
July 15, 1892

[Mr. Pooka]

Entry #4



Excerpt from a water-logged journal. Some of the pages are illegible.



[Date illegible] We landed our airship safely today with much luck,

in the sands of a land called Ahket.

My crew's afraid our crafts will be stuck,

I keep telling them not to worry, we'll be in the air again yet!



The people are friendly, and the weather is hot, but here we sit working,

Answering questions and giving tours while our vessel is under repair.

With all the cogs, and gears, and steam, my men's duties they are shirking.

Something called the Heb-Bastet, has them stirring to see this festival rare.



We should be sailing among the clouds, in airships grand and true.

But here we are, in Ahket, enjoying the sun and the Heb-Bastet,

Where fun and friendship in abundance grew!

I must admit, I will be sad when sail we must soon set.



Now, these Sphinxes talk of places they've seen or received visitors.

Sometimes I wonder if these tales are true or just shared dreams.

For every story they've told, my crew makes such great listeners!

If they're true then this place is not quite as it seems.



They talk of going to Atlantis, a place of myth and stories.

My crew wants to follow along, never mind the talk of a monster called the Kraken.

They seem to not listen at all when I express my worries,

If this beast shows its head how will we fight it I reckon?



I miss the steam and heat of the engines on our airship true.

I miss the sounds of pistons pumping, gears turning, and the wind through my hair.

The sights we'd see I also miss as we soared the skies so blue.

Now here we are in the sea, and I can see the Kraken's lair!



The fight is on for Mer and Sphinx as we must fight this beast!

With our weapons not working, we must use wits to survive!

This Kraken means to make us its feast,

And we know it must be slain for our ocean friends to thrive!



This journey is almost at an end, and I can hardly wait.

For the ship to be repaired and once again be in the sky.

But on helping Atlantis me and my crew have begun to fixate,

I can already see the tear-streaked faces when we have to say good-bye.



My crew is sad to leave this place, It's one thing I'll too regret.

I continue to tell my crew that we can always come back.

For every year our desert friends will celebrate the Heb-Bastet,

So they will see the crew again, and yours truly, Captain Black.



A note is scrawled at the bottom: Why in blazes does everything I write seem to rhyme? Ah well, it's past my bedtime.