UruBlogs - Explorations in D'ni

Returning is what I have done.  It is an interesting cycle, this coming and going.  Places I have been.  Ages have I seen.  I must tell you what I know but now I must rest.  My journey has been difficult.  Oh yes.  Before I sleep you must know.  Dean has returned with me.  Of journeys he knows, and journeys he will tell.  I must rest now and place these shards of a tapestry into dream.

Posting from The Cavern Today's 'Hood...

Okay, I think I finally got this thing working right.

I haven't been visiting the cavern much lately. I think that's time to change.

There's still life down here. It's sparse and spread thin, but it's here. There's a lot of names I don't recognize...and not very many that I do.

The 'next generation,' I suppose.

There are things in motion. Little things, for now, but if we could get that old drive going again...

Maybe it's time to start a call of our own. Maybe it's time to open up D'ni for ourselves. Discover and explore new ages.

Maybe even write some of our own.

This reporter has some planning to do.

I got a message from Dean today.  His KI signal appeared only long enough for his message to send.

 It seems ages since we have spoken.  I can barely remember the last time I have been in D'ni, much less the surface.  The words of the least move me to journey.  My journey has taken me far and now I have an opportunity to share this journey with you.  Move fast, I do not have long before I must return.  I guarantee you will not regret it.  I will leave passage for you in Vamen District - I believe you know the place.  Should you arrive after I have left it may be possible to catch up.  You will understand soon.

Vamen District is across the lake from here and if he means the location I think he means I should leave soon to get there in time.  Difficulty is that I still have exams to study for and from his message it doesn't sound as if I'll be able to just Relto 'home' whenever I need to.  I know time is against me, but I must think this over.

So much as happened since my last visit to the cavern.  My exams, papers, and journal entries have kept me away.  I guess that's a valid excuse.  Fortunately, tomorrow is the last day of classes.  Tonight I'll start moving back into the cavern and hole up in the Baron Office to study for finals as I'm least likely to be bothered there.  I dunno.  Being in the cavern helps me focus sometimes and surface life can be equally dull or distracting when trying to study.  Just a week more and this balancing act will end for a moment and I'll be able to continue working on my various projects.

After the Ki had been installed I quickly returned to Bevin to meet with Esto to enter the city of D'ni. Once in Bevin we exchanged Ki IDs and from there Esto said that the next part he could walk me through so I understood other unique functions of the Ki but first, I needed to link into a most peculiar book, a book that contained the image of a circular room. Esto described how this place was named the nexus and through it I would be enabled to take a linking book to the Ferry Docks in D'ni.

Once within the nexus it felt strange, like being trapped inside circular prison in constant motion. Much to my surprise through my Ki I heard Esto's voice. My task was a simple one, proceed to the mailbox-like object and place my hand with the Ki inside, it will glow blue. From there you will be able to see a screen that showed the Ferry Terminal. Just click the insignia in the middle and the linking book will appear, then link, and you'll be within the city walls of D'ni. . .
The view from the Ferry Terminal are amazing! Before me lies the massive arch that how the D'ni created astounds me. The aftermath of the destruction is also apparent here as there is a sunken boat just off the shore. Another thing that perplexes me is why water glows....orange?
If linking is how the D'ni operate I can only imagine  how prosperous the civilization must have been and to see it in full day-to-day operation would be a sight to see. Yet to tread through these ruins one can also realize, not all is lost.

From below the staircase I can denote greater signs of the destruction. Eventually, I must discover what caused the annihilation of D'ni as history is important to everyone regardless of it is your native race, religion, or culture. In preparation of exploration tomorrow I will begin setting up camp. At the top of the staircase there is a tent along with an accessible, ancient building, Esto explained over the Ki that this is Tokotah II.

This is my new home, a new beginning, a new life. Full immersion in an ancient society, it is not fathomable to what happened or what yet there is to discover....tomorrow.

We had company this weekend.  A good friend of mine came by for a birthday party but sometimes I just have to get away.  D'ni is an easy solution, but Ae'gura is not always the right choice.  Sometimes it's best just to explore where no one can find me.  This time I grabbed my climbing equipment linked into Ae'gura and began climbing.  Eventually I came to the cavern wall and began to climb.  I'd been here before so the path needed was clear, just requiring focus and patience.  Should I fall I would still have my Relto, but I needed to be careful.  Eventually I came to my goal.

Fehnir House it's called and it belonged to a D'ni man who stayed behind during The Fall to ensure that his family would survive.  Places like this, I'm glad few know how to reach. This place is so incredible and the truth that is written here just helps put everything in perspective.

It’s amazing how easily I can walk the ferry terminal without seeing a single soul… The weekend-warriors have all gone home…

It's raining here on the surface, and for a time everything has become quiet.  I hear the water falling from the sky and the slow roll of thunder in the distance and everything seems as it should be.  Calling this is relaxing does not even come close.  Therapeutic is closer, more, it's almost religious.  This rain.  It's life falling from the sky.  Rejoice and be glad that things are as they should be.

I ran across my recording of Crooked Jack a few days ago.  Listening back to it reminds me that it was a rough run.  Perhaps in a few days I may go back a work up a recording and more, I may make a few more arrangements of other songs too.  Kind of funny though.  Normally I find myself thinking I don't have enough time to do all that is needed of me and here I am making plans to increase my load.  I guess we make time for the things that are important to us.

This past week on the surface has been hectic to say the least.  Stack that with a resurgence of interest in various hobbies of mine has made if difficult to focus on my studies. Tonight I find myself sleepless in my Relto with an odd feeling in my stomach and a struggling clarity of mind, despite a growing desire to sleep.  I may consider moving my work to Sharper's office as I'm running out of room here with a cot, a desk, and an increasing number of books - some in D'ni, some about D'ni, and some about Cell Biology.  No matter.  I'll relocate tomorrow.  The change of scenery will do me good.

Tonight I'll keep working on this passage.  This one passage has had me stumped as how to exactly describe it.  Realizing how delicate rehgehstoy is, I find myself slaving over issues like this again and again, despite knowing the ink and paper I'm using is regular.  It's the 'words' themselves.  They're too powerful - almost too specific; the slightest mistake could lead to a completely different age than intended - not to mention that it could be unstable.  I realize now why the D'ni rarely set out to write a specific age.  It's difficult enough to describe a stable age without any inconsistencies.  I'm sure I will have to write many ages before I can write this dream into the pages.

Consciousness returned to me slowly from the initial link. Once I was on my feet I began to get a feel for the new surroundings and immediately started to compare their differences to what previously was known at the surface.  Most notable of these things include the fact that no one else seems to exist in this reality, alternate dimension, and paradoxical area except me. Whatever governs how linking works I cannot imagine this is far too complex to comprehend. Next, I opened the book I copied and noticed the image was link back to my home. Travel simplified how extraordinary! Though, if I return will my family still remain? Will the world alter or change because I have linked to this place in the middle of nowhere, stranded on an island, an island that I can call my own?


Now I believe I was prepared for yet another link. Another link...even further from home such disastrous thoughts of being stranded. No, I had no choice but continue now I would not fail my friend. So I picked up the only other book in the bookshelf and linked. Linking the second time was easier though the charge still surged through my body and the image of Bevin expanded around reality with time and space being warped by stars and heavenly bodies until I landed, safely, on my feet inside the Bevin.




There I met Esto where he then explained D'ni was just one un-broken link away, however, due to the fact Cell-Phones are incapable and unreliable means of communication while in D'ni that there was one last task ahead then, together, we could explore D'ni. The task was amazingly a simple one: go to Gahreesen which sounded similar to "Garrison.". There I could place my arm in a machine and it would provide me a device that could contact, take photos, record ages visited, you are able to contact people who are in different ages. Technology like that far surpasses anything I have known on the surface in the sense that the device transcends the gap of time and space between links. So quickly set out in Gahreesen to retrieve my Ki.

Linking the third time became much easier, however, it maintained the exhilaration of the journey. Locating the machine only took moments in then I calmly placed my hand in the machine. Moments later, my Ki had been successfully retrieved!

Esto and I began our ascent together. During the ascension he described D'ni culture, religion, guilds, and other noteworthy things. I didn't hesitate to jot them down in my journal to have a better understanding in preparation of seeing D'ni. It didnt seem like long before we completed the ascent and were at the Cleft. Esto then quickly described the Journal that had the Island on it as a Relto, a home that is "mobile" in the truest of senses. Before linking away, Esto handed me a vial of pitch-black ink. No other ink holds the power of this ink, be careful do not lose it. Then he placed the palm of his hand on his Relto and then vanished into thin air. My original thoughts were how dangerous the art of writing must be for the D'ni.

Alone, being 50 miles from the nearest city of Carlsbad I felt stranded on this desolate rock. How could I return from this place? So I started heading to the Cleft to reprieve to my lonely thoughts.  All seemed lost until I heard the sound of a vehicle from a distance. The driver, Jeff Zandi, mentioned that he had been away to get some supplies though normally he watches for any new travelers who hear the Call and the best news of all he could take me the 50 miles to Carlsbad where I could then take a bus home!


So we set out on our Journey for me to return home. I dared not look back at the Cleft for there was pain in knowing that the pathway down was broken any person is pulled into D'ni by the Call could not take the journey by foot all the way but hope of seeing D'ni kept my thrill of exploration alive.

Jeff Zandi explained how is father, Elias Zandi, died of a heart attack while funding and restoring D'ni. How his father believed those who felt the same need to explore, discover, and learn new things would be D'ni even if not by blood. Jeff also explained that his philosophical views of D'ni being that restoration should be primarily spiritual and how that lead to disagreements before his untimely death. Lastly, he described a D'ni Restoration Council (DRC) that had been funded by his father's death and the council has contributed to rebuilding D'ni.

We arrived at Carlsbad in no time. I felt sorry for Jeff for he lost his father in a great historical undertaking but I knew that I needed to participate in reviving the civilization and even help rebuild it, if possible. After catching the bus I had a two days journey home though every mile seemed like an eternity though hours inched onward.

Home! I unpacked the ink, carefully, and started copying the text from the one book into the blank linking book. Although, I was eager and the work progressed quickly I desired to know what the symbols and calligraphy meant. How do they function? Why is my home location pivotal to having this work correctly? What will happen next?

While in deep contemplation I finished my task and then immediately called Esto via telephone. My next task was quite simple: Link to the Relto while holding the copied book then place the book in the bookshelf, lastly meet at the Bevin which would be the only other book inside. From that point on I could visit D'ni on my time.


Linking...it took sometime to gather the courage to touch the image that lay before me. I witnessed what happened to Esto so I was slightly prepared but still could not fathom the result. After placing both of the books in my pocket I was ready to Link. At first, I felt a small charge pass through my body then my home surroundings vanished and the image on the page began to grow and consume everything in reality wrapping and twisting itself until eventually I found myself on the ground on island, gasping for breath from the exhilarating journey. Linking had been successful.

Last night I had a dream.  The sky grew dark and winds grew strong in the desert.  Yeehsa appeared at the cleft and told us to close the doors.  The war had come.  The cries of the Bahro and the Nekisal grew loud outside and the winds continued to grow.  The sky cracked open and the rains fell, threatening to flood the cleft.  From a window of the cleft I could see the Bahro fighting in the sky.  Yeesah kept repeating her mantra: "destruction is coming."  Suddenly a person linked into the cleft wearing a strange garb.  On his shoulder and glowing stone with a hand, but different from Yeesha's journey.  The Bahro linked in around Yeesha as if to protect her, but with a swipe of his hand this dark figure made them vanish.  As he grew nearer to Yeesha I found myself unable to move; try as I might I could not help.
I awoke with a cold sweat.  I know this was a dream, even so...  I'm going to have to sneak back to the cleft after classes today.  Just to be sure.

Having everything prepared the night before saved me a great deal of time. It was the break of dawn as the sun was just peaking over the mountains when I began my journey to the caldera I brought a backpack with some food and tools. Upon reaching the tip of the caldera I quickly noticed what looked to be a worn circular path along the inner rim of the volcano spiraling downward into an abyss of darkness. I slowly proceeded downward and retrieved my flashlight just from a first glance I could tell the journey would be long and harsh.

Hours it seemed past but I kept pressing on unsure of how long I was walking or how late the day had progressed. I then started to question if there was an end to this madness, eternal darkness, or if anything could even survive in a wretched place. A reprieve at last! I found an indention on the descent that contained some space from the chasm along with a cot to rest. After eating exhaustion took me and I fell into a deep dreamless sleep.


Time, essentially I have lost time down here as there is only the impossibly black darkness. At first I had forgotten where I was located when I awoke and fear went through my veins as I felt trapped in a cage. It was only then did I remember the journey I started so I grabbed my flashlight and decided to once again look down into the abyss to see how far I had progressed. . .


It is truly a majestic site to see a great shaft that is both architecturally astounding and still maintains the integrity of the entire shaft. Eagerly, I quickly proceeded further down to the ground floor of the shaft there I could start documenting symbols and textures of such an irreplicable design.

Upon reaching the ground floor of the shaft, to my amazement, I found Esto. He said his reason for being here was to think as there has been a lot of issues rising from the ashes of D'ni and that he had to protect his home as best he could. After spending sometime documenting the shaft I was ready to set forth on my adventure to D'ni.

It was then that Esto said there was some devastating news; the link between D'ni and the surface had been broken during its collapse and to continue any further on foot would eventually lead to a dead-end. I was heartbroken at the mention of this as there would be no way of progressing and actually visiting what I could only imagine a marvelous and beautiful place. Then Esto said this, "All is not lost when one link is broken another link can be made and the two halves can forge a new whole." Once again I was left confused as no physical path remained. Then Esto asked if I retrieved the book in where the water flows from the Cleft. I explained how I found and kept the unexplainable journal or book that had a moving picture inside and that I dare not use it until I received more information about it and its functions.

Esto then said this take these two books, one is blank while the other contains text. Return to your home and only then must you copy the one with text to the blank one then open the book you retrieved from the Cleft and place the newly copied book inside the bookshelf. That will be your link home whenever it is required and remember to have the copied linking book on your person before you touch the image in the Relto. When you are finished with this task contact me and I will explain how we can meet again and then visit D'ni.

I've been spending some time on Payiferen today in hopes of catching the Sand Scritt, but no luck as of yet. It's hard to believe it's already Sunday.  Maybe it's just me, but this weekend has felt shorter than usual.  Tomorrow I will be returning to the surface.  School beckons.  I suppose I should also grab some supplies.  I need to resume my experiments in rehgehstoy.  It seems so long since I last picked up a pen for purposes of gahrohevte; of course I've only been practicing on regular paper.  For so long I've only been able to visit.  Intervigilum in my dreams, but when I finish my work I'll be able to explore it with others.  It is an encouraging thought.  Perhaps after my test this Wednesday I'll be able to begin learning again.

It has been an exhausting three days of little sleep during the storm but now the desert conditions really are showing. My progress on the inscriptions on the back side of the door has been a success! In the same room contained an odd-looking device that also contained a mix of similar symbols. After readjusting the symbols to match the door I was welcomed by a hologram of someone by the name of Yeesha.



Yeesha mentioned that the great D'ni civilization that thrived for thousands of years and then died. As a guide there are designated "Journey Cloths" to lead the way. Lastly she described the D'ni civilazation as having the power to create worlds? This statement contains no rational logic but I am determined to witness the D'ni civilization before I make any final decision so it shall remain inconclusive for now.




The heat is intense and the storm caused massive damage. The walkways between the cleft are mostly shattered and even the best ones are missing planks, however, I am grateful that I am not trapped and can travel above ground. In preparation to explore above ground I decided to gather some fresh spring and trust me this is by far the best water in the world.




After scouring the area for a great deal of time I eventually started locating the Journey Cloths Yeesha mentioned. The first time I found one I had no earthly clue what to do but only after a few moments it seemed the palm of my hand was drawn like a magnet to its worn cloth-like surface. Then, it suddenly glowed a teal blue which shocked my mind as it initially perceived it as dangerous. Eventually, I found all seven but I had to go back to the Cleft for water a few times since the heat made me sweat but this was an incredible undertaking and nothing could stop me from completing the task at hand.
I will rest after today's work and now that I have started cataloging my surroundings I feel the correct precautions are in place to begin inspecting the caldera. Many of my questions have already been answered but it has left a fog of mystery in its place.

When Esto visited the surface last, he contacted me about a great archeological find in New Mexico. Astonished by whatever could have been there I decided to what was recommended for those who heard The Call, grab a shovel and dig.  To catalog any findings I decided to bring my camera to document whatever ancient artifacts lie beneath New Mexico.

        To my original dismay it seemed like there was nothing out in the middle of the desert. After all how could life thrive under extreme circumstances? After viewing topographical maps of all possible dormant volcanoes to help with the search I was certain I found what Esto mentioned.

       Three weeks past and luck had not been on my side. So, as a last desperate attempt I began asking town locals if they had heard of a Cleft located beside a dormant volcano. After another week I succeeded! An old man said he knew of such a place and could take me to its border. I was overjoyed for I did not know what mysteries lay ahead.

              Unfortunately, upon reaching the cleft a storm had brewed and to make the climb to investigate the volcano would have to wait. After a few minutes of searching I discovered the cleft. It wouldn't be much of a place to lodge but it is more than adequate shelter from the storm.






       After closing the door behind me I discovered strange markings on the door.
The markings do not appear like any language I have ever seen before! They do not resemble Egyptian or any other hieroglyphic language I have ever studied. This must mean whatever is buried must relate to a lost civilization!



      I will continue to study these markings for a few days while this storm continues to rage. Perhaps tomorrow will bring answers and when the weather changes I will make preparations for a journey into the caldera of the volcano.

Two nights ago I found myself in the Museum on Ae'gura.  Zyxia and I spent some time observing the light in the center of the building.  It was lit up and spinning.  I'm not sure how many times I've been to the museum and never noticed that the orb was lit up or even spinning for that matter.  On that note, I've been wondering if someone hasn't been climbing around fixing things like this.  On the other hand, if this has always been like this it just goes to show how many 'hidden' secrets this place has.  There are so many things we may see from day to day, but very rarely do we see them for what they are.

Truly the gift of the URU has been that we are allowed to visit the cavern despite all that has happened.  Yeesha hasn't been seen in years, yet her memory is strong lest we forget that it is by her that our cavern is safe.  I don't want this post to be preachy; I only wish to make it clear that this is a gift - to explore together.  In that spirit I have decided to bring a few of my friends here to this webspace.  With a little bit of company we can create and chronicle various projects we may be working on, it will give us another means to stay in touch as well as be a means to express ourselves to the community. My hope is that in this manner the blog will be more active and more diverse.

Again, the expedition has gained new members, more than 30 interns and explorers joined us in our efforts.
That means, we can work on even more ages and areas to tidy up and restore them.

Work in Risoahl is nearly finished – the age will stay private for the time being, though. The expedition has decided we need a refuge, a recreation age only accessible by us.

My personal opinion? I don´t think, areas and ages should be claimed by individuals or organisations – they should be open to all, if they are safe enough. But the council has decided, and I can´t argue with that.

My own ages, Afelahn, Ahnoto and the third age I´m writing (without a name yet), will be open to all, that´s for sure.

Again, we found traces of strangers in some of our ages. Someone has access to at least seven ages. They stole equipment, food, and even sabotaged some of our projects. Who are they? Why are they interfering with our work?

All we´ve found out, that they are humans, surface dwellers from our very own earth. Their motivation is still shrouded in mystery.