[Normal] Report: Operation 'Secrets of the Sands'

[Rhysand Sekker]

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Apprentice Zotam, and any others that might be reading this, hereby an overview and report of the Operation designated 'Secrets of the Sands'.

We assembled at the shuttle grounds of the Horuset Estate once the necessary information had been conveyed. Those assembled were:

• Myself, Apprentice Valeus Horuset, designated Operation Lead by Apprentice Zotam.
  
• Sith Sarias
  
• Sergeant Thymius 'Saviour' Rees
  
• Acolyte Sotal neglected to partake, though the objectives were completed regardless.
  

Arriving at the ruined library and tomb, Sith Sarias, Sergeant Rees, and I were welcomed by Doctor Dallows and guided through the IRS excavation site until we arrived at the barricade separating the site from the area to be cleared as a part of the Operation. We were informed that multiple teams had already gone missing, which was not surprising, considering outside reinforcements were called in. It should be noted that within the first chamber of the tomb stood a blood sconce as part of the puzzle for opening the first door, which had already been performed. Inscriptions lined the floor around it in what could be argued is a ritual circle: dried blood was splattered upon it, likely originating from Apprentice Sutta'Qo in the previous Operation taking place here.

Venturing past the barricade, we heard skittering in the dark, though when I ignited a fire to provide a light we saw nothing. Moving further, Sith Sarias and I went to look at a sarcophagus, engraved with, in High Sith, "Do not disturb he who keeps knowledge free."

This might be a reference to the original owner of the tomb/library, or to the guardian construct that we encountered further into the tomb.

Hearing blaster fire, Sith Sarias and I realized that Sergeant Rees was not with us: hurrying down a secondary corridor, we came upon the sight of her fending off multiple of the chitinous beasts that had appeared in the library before. The sergeant killed four and our arrival sent the others fleeing, which we pursued into a final chamber.

Here stood in the centre a massive, pyramidal monolith with a crystal embedded in it, and engraved thereunder, again in High Sith: "Sparks of Dark Genius will light the way." On the opposite side of the entrance, a Sorcerous Ward blocked the way, powered by a power source further into the tomb. It has not been disturbed, as per the directive of the Operation.

Sith Sarias solved the closed door by sending a burst of Force Lightning at the crystal, which began glowing, feeding the power source further within the tomb.

I moved through the opened door while Sith Sarias and Sergeant Rees went to inspect the Ward: within, I spotted a physical construct, an undead corpse likely as old as the tomb itself. Clad in a dark robe, it spotted me but only engaged (with a runic greatsword) once Sith Sarias arrived.

We bested it in a duel, and the tomb is, as far as I am aware, clear.

Signed,

Apprentice Valeus Horuset,

Assistant-Lorekeeper

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