GENERIC VARIANT UNKNOWN RARITY
This journal was once expensive, bound with the finest leather and engraved with magical patterns. Now, it has seen better days. Its pages are worn and crumbling, covered in smeared ink and what you can only assume is blood. Blood has been used to draw a counterclockwise spiral in the inside cover. The entries inside start off in an elegant script, but slowly grow rushed, messy and hard to read.
Strange. I don't recall purchasing this book. Yet here it is, buried among the tomes and scrolls purchased in my last trip to Westgate's undercity. On first look, its contents resemble a surgeon's guide to anatomy... if anatomy guides were written entirely in prose. It's undoubtably arcane in origin; reading the lines, even to myself, makes me feel like my very bones ache. If I bring this to the War Wizards, those pompous fools will just confiscate it for their own uses. Further study is required. This might be exactly what I was missing for my magnum opus.
Those fools in Waterdeep don't know the opportunity they're missing. There's been many studies into the extension of human life, but they've always run into the same roadblock: we are limited by our vessels, by the very flesh our minds inhabit. Liches don't interest me, as the process of becoming immortal through undeath can't be reliably duplicated by anyone except the most powerful of wizards. To be truly revolutionary, the ability to live forever must be available to anyone, regardless of magical talent. And what do all human beings have in common but the flesh that imprisons and rots us away?
The book doesn't appear to require any arcane talent to use. Preliminary studies on rats and dogs have shown that a remarkable degree of precision can be achieved, if I am careful with my words and intent. A greater understanding of anatomy is required; while manipulation of flesh and bone is easy, there are many unintended side-effects leading to premature death. No subject has so far survived longer than 6 hours post-procedure. It's a little nauseating, I'll admit I've been sick several times already. But I can't entrust something this valuable to anyone else, so persevere I will.
Note: Have the maid fetch stronger disinfectant; the smell is nearly strong enough to reach the main floor.
The subject has passed the 48 hour mark without expiring. It has done little but cry during that time, but this is still a brilliant success. Now that I've proven it is possible to harness the flesh for a greater purpose, I can begin work on enhancing its natural capabilities.
Subject passed away. I'm missing something important.
Another failure. Over a month without meaningful progress. I need to know what (scribbles) I'm missing. (spiral shapes) in my dreams, I know what it means, but I've come too far to stop now. He has the knowledge I need, I just need to be brave enough to claim it.
Working with small animals is posing unnecessary challenges; their bodies are too frail. I need more durable test subjects. No one will miss a drunkard from the slums.
I hear my bones. They won't stop screaming. Make it stop (The last sentence is scribbled through so violently the page is torn)
Subject continues to show strong vitals post-procedure. It appears to have lost the ability of speech. Damaged vocal cords during spine removal, perhaps. More research is required, as well as more test subjects. Would an elven heart make for a more robust cardiovascular system? Or dragonborn perhaps? There aren't many to be found in Marsember, I may have to make due.
The double-jointed arms are fascinating. What other combinations of limbs would work?
So many ideas. They're (unintelligible) inside of my skull.
(The entire entry is unreadable past the scribbles, spilled ink, and blood stains)
I've reached (scribbles) I can accomplish here. Marsember is not short of vagabonds and miscreants whose absence won't be missed, but the Purple Dragons have begun to finally take notice. Given the amount of test subjects the next phase of research will require, there's no way for me to continue to operate discreetly. Bogbrook seems ideal, as isolated as that backwards little village is. Their old tower will make for an excellent hub for the next phase of research.
The book demands to be used. I will give it the flesh it desires, and Tharizdun will grant me eternity.
