A City Without Dawn

Paradallax personnel were conducting an extended survey of the buried Sharren archival complex when operational priorities temporarily diverged.

Chief Operations Officer Flint Duskbourne remained within the recovered library to examine surviving Charon historical and theological records, while Chief Science Officer Quill Varon concentrated on documents concerning divine and mortal lineages. Director Onix maintained observation from an elevated structural position near the excavation. Elsewhere, Fenn, Reggie, and Kant returned to the original descent zone to recover usable material from the wreckage of the Hammer & Cog, a previous expedition asset lost during access to the site.

The salvage operation produced one item of immediate scientific interest: Chief Engineering Officer Kant Vixit isolated a minute residual grain from a shattered Starshard. Although the fragment no longer possessed the structural integrity of the original material, instrumentation continued to register an energetic residue inconsistent with ordinary mineral or reactor products. The sample was secured for controlled analysis.

During the same interval, Director of Special Acquisitions Cass extended reconnaissance beyond the known library perimeter. A faint but persistent air current led him down a sloping natural passage and toward what appeared to be a deliberately constructed terminal wall. Inspection revealed that the barrier's visible surface did not correspond to its physical boundary. Cass proceeded through the occlusion layer and emerged onto an elevated stone platform overlooking a previously undocumented subterranean city.

The urban complex extended well beyond the illumination range of available equipment. Its streets, towers, and public structures appeared substantially intact and were composed in part from a dark material exhibiting a subdued green luminescence. No active population was visible.

Cass's initial survey was interrupted by an unidentified gaunt humanoid entity with gray skin and a flowing garment. The entity appeared without a detectable approach vector, physically seized Cass, and drove him backward against a mineral formation before disappearing with comparable abruptness. Cass sustained a moderate penetrating injury and conducted an immediate independent withdrawal to the archival complex.

Following his report, Fenn and Chief Security Marshal Reggie entered the concealed passage to verify the discovery and determine whether the newly identified area represented an active threat to the excavation. They crossed the same occlusion boundary and descended into the abandoned city by way of an extensive spiral stair.

The city showed little evidence of conventional decay. Streets remained clear, structures retained unusually precise surfaces, and the green-shimmering construction medium appeared largely untouched by the passage of time. The absence of occupants was therefore considered more significant than simple abandonment.

Fenn and Reggie proceeded to a prominent ceremonial structure dominated by a marble figure of a robed woman. A large decorative panel above the chamber displayed a pair of eyes surrounded by seven stars. An anomalous-spectrum scan conducted by Fenn detected active energetic behavior within what had previously appeared to be an inert site.

Immediately afterward, architectural features absent moments earlier began to manifest inside the chamber.

Translucent doors formed across the temple entrances. Silver-robed figures entered and assembled as if participating in a historical service. A priest followed and delivered an address in an archaic Primordial dialect praising Selûne and warning the congregation of an approaching eclipse.

The manifestation initially behaved like an environmental reconstruction or preserved event. That interpretation became untenable when an initiate identified as Shanara Nayalara approached the podium.

Nayalara's eyes developed a pronounced red luminescence. She openly declared allegiance to Shar, generated two large violet crescent-shaped energy structures, and used them to kill the presiding priest and the assembled congregation.

The historical sequence then acknowledged the presence of Paradallax personnel.

Nayalara and additional violet manifestations redirected their attention toward Fenn and Reggie and began producing repeated high-velocity crescent attacks with measurable physical effects. Both personnel sustained significant laceration injuries during the initial contact.

Fenn initiated an emergency short-range displacement procedure, relocating himself and Reggie to a neighboring rooftop. The maneuver created temporary distance but did not terminate pursuit. Multiple spectral entities emerged throughout the surrounding district, while additional armed figures carrying curved blades began occupying likely escape routes.

Reggie assumed primary responsibility for physical extraction. While shielding Fenn from incoming attacks, he carried him across one of the city's larger structural gaps using high-impulse mobility equipment, then continued the withdrawal through elevated streets and stair systems as manifested personnel climbed surrounding structures in pursuit.

At the upper access level, Fenn and Reggie crossed the original occlusion boundary under a final concentrated attack.

All pursuing manifestations and emitted crescent structures terminated immediately upon reaching the boundary.

The two personnel returned to the Sharren archive with moderate-to-severe injuries and substantial new information regarding the site's lower strata.

Their arrival coincided with an escalating dispute between Captain Dark Eye and Flint Duskbourne. The Sharren security commander attributed recently observed disturbances within the ruins to unauthorized Paradallax activity and asserted that Fenn and Reggie had, in practical terms, 'awakened the dead.' Proposed disciplinary measures included execution under local heresy provisions.

Flint stabilized Reggie's condition using available field medical equipment before addressing the jurisdictional issue. He invoked Paradallax diplomatic standing, the expedition's existing authorization, and the authority of Nightseer Vauthry to prevent immediate punitive action.

Local security ultimately accepted de-escalation.

Paradallax personnel were escorted from the subterranean complex using the excavation's manually operated lift system. Sharren medical personnel treated and cleaned the injured staff at the surface installation.

Further entry into the concealed city was suspended pending review.

The expedition relocated to the Broken Blade Lodge for recovery and analysis of the findings.

During departure, Chief Science Officer Quill Varon also secured a satchel containing several Sharren archival volumes for off-site examination. Available documentation indicates that the transfer was performed discreetly and without introducing unnecessary administrative dependencies.

Paradallax Initiative continues to classify this as an exploration success with unresolved environmental complications.