Keyes Lab Memory Gems

Document

Max writes: These are the memory gems we've recovered so far.

Gem 217

(A scientist is briefing a meeting...) "Quarsis is an illithid elder brain. Some call them the Patient One, because they're known or suspected of executing plans that take decades. We extrapolate that Quarsis wants to master ceremorphosis on dragons, believing that this will allow the illithids to reclaim their empire. They had some initial success: they created drathids through the ceremorphosis of dragonborn. Quarsis may have secretly been guiding the Brotherhood of the Shroud in their experiments with adintech on fey."

Gem 317

(A scientist is recording a voice memo…) "They have taken the primary airlock and the decontamination station. We have sealed the modules but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes… drills, drills in the deep. We cannot recall the sub. The silver moves in the dark. We cannot recall the sub. They are coming."

Gem 805

A scientist is writing a report on a computer...) "Quarsis wanted Adinzar built, because it would draw out the Wyrm Princes of the Celestial Circle to stop our lord, the Grandmaster Nicol Bolas. Quarsis used reverse psychology: they ensured that Gerzil learned of adintech and learned that the illithids believed it was too dangerous to pursue."

Gem 464

(A scientist is writing notes on an iPad...) "The Circus Divergia is finding and kidnapping seed bearers. Theory: this is why Bree Ambersheaf cut ties with the Circus. Theory: This is the work that Ambersheaf's son, Ordin Zarn, participated in, when he was tricked into serving the Circus while seeking his father."

Gem 988

(A manager is recording a video memo…) "Quarsis may have taught the Reaver Combine how to steer Adinzar with lures. Quarsis' motive in doing so remains unclear."

Gem 427

(Two managers are talking in an office…)

First manager: "So the Reavers want to get to Earth, to get to Cryos. But Earth is hard to assault, because they have so many Unbound and fairly-advanced tech and magitec. And the Rational Ascendancy would view Reavers as a categorical threat."

Second manager: "Right. So, let's game it out. Suppose the Reavers pose as Planters. They offer to protect Earth and the other worlds of the Closeness from Adinzar. Earth gives them something modest…"

First manager: "Yes, yes! This is good. Suppose it was just one city. But they can deeply infest it and prepare to move out from there to conquer the planet."

Second manager, shaking his head: "It would only work if the Rational Ascendancy felt truly desperate. We need to recommend that our agents seed distrust of all insectoids, both Planters and Reavers, and that they promote the idea that the Rational Ascendancy doesn't need to take the bargain."

First manager: "Hmm. Yes, I'm with you. Maybe we can get a majority of the Council to put their trust in that new team that Nails is putting together."

Second manager: "Oh, that's good. Especially since the Master has an agent already embedded in that team."