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TSP Logbook, Entry 0.00
Current As Of: 27JUL2023
World: Bantam Planet
As the sun sets on the horizon, I find myself amidst the uncharted expanse of Bantam, a tiny and enigmatic planet whose occupants are daring and combative. Its rugged beauty captivates the senses, yet danger lurks within every shadowed valley and treacherous peak. From what I’ve heard, the planet is made up of five continents, each boasting its own distinct realm of technology and mystique. The five continents are isolated from each other, some being entirely unaware of the other’s existence and inner machinations. The small planet contains an extremely dense core, making the gravitational pull stronger than that of Earth. The increased gravity and oxygen have a curious effect on all organisms on this planet.
Struggler MALIC and the Ice Ring
I am extremely intrigued to conduct further analysis. Amidst the intrigue and grandeur of this untamed world, a peculiar phenomenon known as Struggler MALIC casts a pervasive influence for all of this planet’s inhabitants to see. From the planet’s surface, I observe an ice ring encircling this tiny planet, similar to the rings of our very own Saturn. The Citizens of Midland believe it to be the animal companion of Struggler MALIC, which is a world serpent. Each time the “giant snake” completes a full rotation, it reveals a temporary breach. The cause of this is unknown. It is during this fleeting moment that I may receive and transmit interplanetary radio signals from and into the cosmos. Otherwise, the ice ring acts as an unforgiving barrier, disrupting all wireless communication and rendering what little modern technology I’ve brought to this planet entirely futile.
Exploring Midland's Realm
The first continent I encountered is a realm of innovation and ingenuity: Midland. Gunpowder fills the air, mingling with the rhythmic hiss of steam and the faint hum of early electrical contraptions, all of which are powered by the Strugglers. The Strugglers were raised and unified under Pillar TAU to form the Midland religion of Annihity. Guided by a fanatical love of labor and innovation, progress and invention intermingle, shaping the society with a technological revolution well underway. However, other than a shallow understanding of the continent that neighbors Midland to the south, Midland remains oblivious of what lies beyond their borders, driven ever onwards by a unsympathetic raptness to create and expand at any cost.
Unraveling the Secrets of Casca
Venturing to the northernmost reaches of Midland's southern neighbor, I immersed myself in the dense jungles of the second continent known as Casca. Here, within the Cascan Territories, nature reigns supreme. Ancient contraptions, intricately powered by the elemental forces of nature and the revered Totems, stand as the foundation of Cascan society. Edged and blunt weapons, expertly wielded by skilled hands, become the instruments of choice. Yet, beyond conventional weaponry, secret forms of magic, entirely unknown to the Citizens of Midland, weave forces into the very fabric of life in Casca. Even after a bloody 20-year war against one another, Midland and Casca remain oblivious to the intricacies of each other's existence, separated by a border with a seemingly impassible jungle to the south and extreme cultural discrimination to the north.
The Mysterious Land of Nil
As my journey unfolds, an insatiable yearning drives me to seek the fabled existence of a mysterious location—Nil. Tales echoing through the realms of Midland and the reverberating sermons of the Annihilists weave a narrative of a pristine, frozen plane concealed within a glistening shroud of ice. Whispers of Nil being the true gateway to the Nether, a deadly labyrinth of subterranean tunnels and caves that lies beneath the very crust of Bantam, ignite my curiosity. Legends, shrouded in mystique, tantalize the imagination with the possibility of the enigmatic Pillar TAU manifesting in a form of immortal flesh, dwelling within this ethereal realm and welcoming the Apaths to the afterlife. The wonders and perils that await me in the depths of Nil remain shrouded in the mists of uncertainty, fueling my desire to embark on the audacious expedition.
With each passing day, the allure of this unexplored world grows stronger, beckoning me deeper into its heart. Armed with determination and a spirit of adventure, I embrace the unknown, eager to unravel the mysteries of Bantam.
To whoever may be reading this…
Wish You Were Here!
TSP Logbook, End of Entry 0.00
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