As Antioch sat, enjoying a time of relative peace, strange sounds began
to come from the southern desert, nearing the Paran mountains,
reminiscent of digging. After dismissing such happenings for a few
weeks, a few Antiochians decided to explore the area, and came across
the horrific sight of animated skeletons, digging into the sands to the
southwest.

After killing the diggers with relative ease, the Antiochians consulted
first with Bina, then with Carman, the scholar in Whistlerock, and
finally Mathardan, the Loresage to piece together some possible answers.
Though none of the three had conclusive details, it was mentioned that
at some point in the distant past, a magicker sought to wage war on
Antioch, completely assured that he would be victorious. Despite his
arrogance, he had been soundly defeated, and ultimately mocked and
humiliated by the Antiochian victors, bringing about the magicker's
ultimate disappearance. While neither Bina, Carman or Mathardan knew of
what happened to the magicker, Carman mentioned that history shows
occasional rumors as to his reappearance, whether it is simple bumps in
the night, or things much less conclusive.

The next month, it was discovered that the skeletons had re-emerged and
made steady progress with their diggings, unearthing another small
segment of the desert. After killing the diggers yet again, the citizens
of Antioch were still perplexed as to the origins of the animated
skeletons, but could find out little more about their purpose.

The perplexity turned to horror later in the month, as a legion of
undead skeletons raided Antioch, killing dozens of citizens in their
path, and making their macabre presence felt all too acutely. The
citizens were outraged and again consulted their mentors and peers, but
to little avail. Indeed, Drillian, Lalaith and Nerva just narrowly
managed to defend Whistlerock and Carman from an attack, proving that
the skeletons were not confined to bringing their tainted onslaught to
Antioch alone.

As it stands now, Antioch and those who care about such things are at a
loss to find the origin of the skeletons, and can only guess at the
reasoning. Some speculate that a small pyramidal stone near Anhir may be
a link, while others simply huddle within their city, fearful of what
dark forces may throw themselves at the gates.

Only time will tell how this situation will be resolved.

Penned by my hand on the 6th of Halitus, in the year 486 AD.