Trials of Incomplete Heroes: Forgotten Explorations
(Ported from Amazon Kindle Vella)

Author's Notes

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This is a companion piece to the main Trials of Incomplete Heroes. I recommend reading the first 4 books before this. Those familiar with the series through book 4 will be familiar with references to the distant past. Looks like someone stumbled upon a relic from that era. Many questions may be answered as others are raised as the story unfolds.

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Foreword

 

The following is a transcription, provided by Doctor Herbert Dixon of the League of Great Explorers and Historians or L.G.E.H. in the spring of 1922, of the late explorer/archaeologist Wilbur P. Hogenson’s 1920 explorations and findings in the Indian Ocean. This journal, along with pieces of wreckage of Hogenson’s ship, were found washed ashore along the Indian coastline on October of 1920 by Bertram Havard and handed to the L.G.E.H. archives later the same year. It is remarkable that the lock box containing the journal preserved as much as it did. Further investigations have failed to discover the location that Hogenson speaks of in the journal.

 

Hogenson was born to George and Harriet Hogenson on February 18, 1881. During his early childhood, he spent most of his time at his parents’ estate being privately tutored and reading books. At the age of 16, his family sold their estate to move to a small cottage in the country. Hogenson then spent most of his time touring and interning in various museums. At the age of 17, he was apprenticed to the famed British explorer Bertram Havard.

 

At 18, Hogenson is credited, along with Havard, with discovering the famed “Manuscript of the Lost Lands” and was officially inducted into the L.G.E.H. At the age of 20, Hogenson began leading his own independent explorations. Some of his more notable discoveries include: The Jade Sphinx, Lost Lands Map Archive, and the Shrine to the Lost Gods. Hogenson was known for insisting on hiring local experts and crews for his expeditions, as well as attempting to ensure everyone’s safety during the journeys.

 

Tomb of the Lost Lands Journal

 

March 19th 1920

 

Today we began to survey another shallow spot along the ocean floor. I am hesitant to remain optimistic. Like as not, this will result in the same thing as all other surveys. I have recorded more rocks, sand, seaweed, and water than I think I will ever want to see again. Some of the men seem optimistic that something will turn up. I wish I could share in their optimism. If we don’t find something soon, we will have to turn back empty handed.

 

I am beginning to wish those pottery shards had never washed ashore in India. If only they weren’t inscribed with some tale of a lost land in these waters. It’s probably unfair of me to blame these shards entirely. If it weren’t for that manuscript that Havard found, and that map room, I wouldn’t be looking here in the first place.

 

The manuscript said something about a land broken beyond repair; lost to the Seas of Knowledge. By all accounts, what we now know as the Indian Ocean is supposed to be the “Seas of Knowledge”. Thus far, I have been unsuccessful in finding any lands; broken, lost, or otherwise. It’s probably not entirely a bad thing for that manuscript to be incorrect. It also mentioned a few nasty curses upon those who find it. Not to mention the two great beasts that protect it from trespass from both sky and sea. These are the usual warnings and beliefs associated with ancient things that were lost for some mysterious reason.

 

The divers are now suiting up. I had better give them the standard encouragements. Who knows, something may yet turn up.

 

March 20th

 

It looks as though I may have prejudged this area too harshly. The divers have reported several stone structures with carvings on them. It’s not the first time that we have found rocks with strange patterns on them. It almost always turns out to be a natural formation of some sort. I swear, sometimes I think these divers could see anything they wanted to.

 

The second team is suiting up and preparing to go down. I have instructed them to bring back any potential samples they can. I’m partially hoping they find nothing so that we can return home.

 

After spending the better part of a year discovering nothing, I find I tire more easily. Both my patience and my optimism have been strained nigh to the breaking point. It’s been a long time since I have had a decent home-cooked meal. Sure, Reginald is a phenomenal cook, for a ship’s cook; but he seems to be limited in his culinary vocabulary.

 

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One of the divers recently surfaced, shouting excitedly and waving an object aloft. We brought him back aboard immediately. As it turns out, he found the head of a tiny carved statue. Its features were worn down and smoothed over, but I clearly saw chisel marks through my magnifying glass. There are, reportedly, more carvings and statues down there. I took great care to place the statue head in an appropriate container for study.

 

I may be too hasty in proclaiming the discovery a carved statue head. It could be some pebble, idly chiseled and tossed overboard by a passing ship. However, the other divers returned with similar findings and claims of structures.

 

We finally seem to have found something worth studying. Morale on the ship has greatly improved. Many are already saying we have found the lost lands.

 

Captain Bhavsar, his crew, and I must now have a meeting to determine what happens next. I must argue from the standpoint of requiring more verification. I have been disappointed by promising locations before. If these are, in-fact, artifacts of the lost lands, then we must take great pains to ensure their preservation as we extract them.

 

March 21st

 

Last night’s meeting was more confrontational than intended. The captain and crew were prepared to send all sorts of devices down to rip statues out and bring them aboard. I had to be the voice of caution to ward them off of such foolish endeavors. I am not against bringing up as much as we can, but it has to be done carefully.

 

I have convinced them we need to fully understand what we are dealing with before we charge in to satisfy our treasure lust. If we aren’t careful, either priceless artifacts could be destroyed or we may toil for naught. So, it was decided that the divers would now work around the clock in shifts, exploring and mapping the area. I have urged extreme caution. If there are indeed man-made structures down there; their structural integrity must now be questionable at best.

 

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The divers insist that they have found some sort of airtight stone door sealing off an entrance to a cave in an underwater cliff face. My interest has been sparked. If we could find a way through the door without flooding everything beyond, who knows what we would find. The captain, crew, and I are finally on the same page. We all desire to venture beyond the door. Some of our engineers have insisted that they can solve this problem.

 

There may be many more such doors for us to open. We must be careful not to expend all of our energy on one such obstacle. Once beyond the door, we must be careful not to disturb the structure. A cave-in would be most unfortunate and, I fear, very much a possibility.

 

(March 22nd through April 6rd have been lost due to damage)

 

April 7th

 

I do believe our engineers have done it. Despite our early failure that flooded beyond the door, I am informed that the flooded parts are not as extensive as we initially feared. They insist that the chamber they have found is stable now. The tubes connecting to our air pumps are now properly circulating air through the cavern. Our divers say that it’s easy to swim through the opened doorway and follow the steps up until they reach the air pocket within the chamber. My own diving suit is now prepared for me.

 

Had anyone told me a few weeks earlier that I would soon be entering a chamber potentially belonging to the lost lands, I would have called them mad. I shall not waste this opportunity

 

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Disaster and disappointment have struck. As it turns out, our pump has stirred up several noxious fumes within the chamber. We lost one poor diver today and nearly lost another. I had not yet donned my own diving suit when the news came. Now come the unpleasant tasks of having to properly mourn our lost lad as well as sending word back to his home.

 

Adventure is not had without sacrifice. Our lad’s death will not be in vain. We must now wait for the noxious fumes to be pumped out before entering again. May this serve as a warning to us all.

 

April 8th

 

Today is a somber day. Many of our brave divers have insisted on continuing their explorations of the surrounding areas. As far as the chamber is concerned, we have to wait. Our scientists are monitoring the air flow and quality of air coming out of the chamber. They say that the chamber will be safe soon. I pray they are correct

 

In the meantime, I have busied myself studying the various artifacts brought up by the diving team. It’s quite the eclectic collection of odds and ends. Doctor Deshmukh, his team of experts, and I are perplexed. The stone head brought up originally almost appears Greek in origin. The sandstone slab from the chamber comes from ancient Egypt and depicts a setting sun. Pottery shards collected from the surroundings indicate a Phoenician origin. Sketches of runes on stones in the area indicate a more Norse or Viking origin. To say nothing of the Jade dragon found just inside the chamber door.

 

While our experts believe these objects share similarities with the places of origin indicated, they somehow appear to be older, cruder, and less developed forms. Could these cultures have originated here? I would like to have all of these objects tested for age as soon as we return. What we see here makes little sense to us.

 

There is the possibility that these objects may have been placed here recently to fool whoever finds them. Had we not found the chamber, I would be apt to agree. However, the chamber indicates otherwise. All evidence points to it having been sealed for thousands of years. I must see this for myself. The experts and I are now very much intrigued.

 

(April 9th through April 15th are lost due to damage)

 

April 16th

 

No amount of description prepared me for when I first surfaced in the chamber. It’s difficult to describe just how large it really is. To enter, you must first swim through a dark opening in an underwater cliff face in the murky waters. Had there not been a guide rope, I surely would have been disoriented.

 

Directly through the door is a small, flooded chamber. On either side are three tall black statues of hooded figures, half of them still holding remnants of torches. The other half have lost one or both arms. Straight ahead is a wide stone stairway leading upward.

 

Swimming above stairs is quite an odd feeling. The water rises nearly to the top of the stairs a good twenty to thirty yards up where you finally breach the surface to find yourself in the main chamber.

 

The other divers had to help steady me as I stood shakily at the top of the stairs. It took some time to remove my helmet and hook it up to their makeshift rack by the entrance. They took great care not to tangle the hoses leading back to the ship. I must say, I was a little nervous at the prospect of removing my helmet in there as this was how we gained our first casualty. Fortunately for us, the air pumps were working well.

 

The cavernous chamber is astounding. My parents’ entire country cottage could fit within the cavern. Every wall is scrawled with engravings of languages found across the ancient globe. A long stone slab walkway leads right down the center toward an imposing six-yard tall stone figure standing a couple yards from the back wall.

 

The figure is carved in the likeness of hooded and cloaked man with his right arm outstretched. The arm and hand itself are expertly chiseled so as to appear as if they were draped in a cloth. An indentation in the palm of the hand indicates that something may have at one point been held there. No face seems to have been carved on the figure. Perhaps the intent of the sculptor was that the face was shadowed by the hood. Directly behind the figure, the longest continuous engravement of words covers the wall.

 

Just before the figure stands a stone podium with several words carved into its flat angled top. On either side of the stone slab walkway lie several other smaller stone slabs laid perpendicularly to the primary walkway.

 

Another stone doorway stands sealed along the right wall as you enter via the water. The first chamber is a remarkable enough find. The idea that there could be much more is almost too good to be true.

 

Not all here was joyous for everyone even in those days it seems. Behind the statue, sitting with his back against a wall, are skeletal remains of an ancient man, shreds of cloth still clinging to the old bones. An old hammer and chisel lie at his side. Was he sealed in here? Was he doomed to chisel out his story as he died?

 

I spent most of my time examining the writings on the wall. Just about every ancient language is represented here, including one I don’t recognize. This new language seems to be symbolic or runic in nature. At first, I simply passed it off as decorative swirls and scratches, but the more I looked at it, the more I began to think these were actual words. We’ll have to have our experts examine these.

 

After taking several photographs and painstakingly copying a few inscriptions, we returned to the ship. Our experts and I immediately set about attempting to decipher these writings. I hope to have at least a few of them deciphered tomorrow after another examination of the chamber.

 

April 17th

 

I awoke to discover that our air pumps had broken down. This meant that there would be no diving or chamber explorations today. Our engineers have assured me that they will fix the pumps before tomorrow.

 

While the lack of pumps prevented us from further explorations, it did provide me with greater time to devote to deciphering what we already discovered. These findings are quite intriguing on their own.

 

The podium appears to be inscribed with “To the faithful of Sér, that his blessing shall be received. May misery (or sorrow) be your blessing. May pain (or suffering) be your strength. That the world may be yours. That your progress (or technology or advancement, experts are not quite sure) may dominate.” Seems a bit dark to me. I wonder what possessed them to write such a thing? As to what it means, we are still unsure.

 

We do believe we know who this “Sér” fellow is. The base of the statue is inscribed with, “Sér, the ninth of the (gods, masters, or lords).” While we are not sure exactly of the title, we do believe that the statue is supposed to be Sér and that this Sér was an important figure of some kind.

 

The main inscription on the back wall is still being worked on as it appears to have been written in many different languages at different times. However, we did decipher an inscription on one of the other walls. This reads, “Sér casting down Nemesis Halun.” Just below this is a carved image of a cloaked and hooded man with right arm outstretched, apparently tossing another robed and winged man down.

 

My assumption is that the winged man is this “Halun” while the other is “Sér”. Now as to who this “Halun” is supposed to be, we have no idea yet. Was this another god? Is Sér supposed to be a god? If not, then what exactly is their prominence? Whatever their significance, the two apparently didn’t get along.

 

April 18th

 

Our Engineers have radioed for new parts as our pumps are malfunctioning again. A resupply ship will be sent to us soon, bringing us the new parts and a few extra for good measure. We will have to hold off explorations until those parts arrive.

 

Our divers engaged in a radio conversation about some new mixtures of helium and oxygen in development. They seemed excited by it. I didn’t understand what it was about. Why replace our perfectly good systems? From what I understood our diving gear is already state-of-the-art.

 

We were able to put the time we had to good use. We believe we were able to fully translate the main inscription on the back wall. I’ll do my best to do it justice and place notes in where translations could go multiple ways. The inscription is as follows:

 

“The Decree of Sér (or alternatively “The History of Sér”)

 

Before the founding of the great city there was one of two. Halun and Sér were together as one. They gazed upon the world and saw humanity and were intrigued. Humanity had the capacity for great joy and happiness, as well as great misery and sadness. And yet, humanity marched on; building great structures, ever widening their reach upon the world. Halun declared that humanity must have peace, joy, and happiness and thus he shone for them as the sun.

 

Sér scoffed at Halun’s brightness. He thought that humanity would become complacent. Happiness and joy would only breed stagnation. For in his eye, humanity grew stronger under adversity and misery. So, he shadowed the world in darkness and brought great pain and suffering to all who walked upon it.

 

Halun grew angry at Sér and demanded that he relinquish his hold upon the earth. Sér refused. For under his guidance, humanity would achieve (or “was on the verge of achieving”) greatness.

 

Chaos cursed them, and so they fought. What was once one, were now two halves. Both halves fell from the sky and landed upon the earth that they had watched. Though Halun was the stronger, Sér was more cunning. And thus, Halun was cast from the great city that humanity had built. But Halun was determined to regain his stature and thus waged war against Sér.

 

The great city was nearly destroyed before it started (or “before it reached its height”). Back and forth they fought, neither giving quarter. They battled until each had given the other grievous wounds. Halun was cast into the stars and shrouded by a deep slumber. Sér was banished from the world and fell into a lightless void (or “The Rift” or an abyss).

 

While Halun slept amongst the stars, Sér remained vigilant. For he was cunning and would not give up so easily upon his world. And thus, from the great rift into which he was cast, he freed a small piece of his strength (or “power”). He granted it to the council of the great city. And thus, with the blessing of Sér, they became the first Titans.

 

The Titans ruled for many years with Sér’s gift. But many of them soon forgot where their blessings came from. In their arrogance, they declared Sér’s gift as their own and began to grant portions if it to others. The Titans grew content in their power and believed those to whom they had gifted power would ensure their rule. In their stagnation, dissent grew throughout the city. Those to whom the Titans had granted power sought Sér’s gift for themselves.

 

And thus, the first great war began and many Titans fell in their arrogance. But one servant of the Titans remained loyal and was thus granted power, becoming their champion. With a new champion, the Titans prevailed. Word of the Titans’ might spread through the world. Many came from far and wide to pledge loyalty to them.

 

But the Titans’ victory was short lived. Their very champion grew jealous of their power. Those who had come to pledge loyalty to the Titans were displeased with the Titans’ apathy. Thus, the Titans’ champion turned upon them and slew them. He then took Sér’s gift as his own. With this gift he granted his Beloved the power of the Titans. To those who followed him, he granted fragments of power. Yet this champion had not been Sér’s chosen and thus the gift drove him to madness.

 

In his madness, he devoured Sér’s gift whole. Not content with that, he turned upon those who had followed him, to those whom he had granted power. And he began to devour them all. The remaining tried to fight but were ill matched for their new foe. Together, the Usurper and his Beloved raged across the land. She as a storm of madness from above and he as the shaking of the Earth below. The great city and the surrounding lands were broken and consumed by the seas. Those who survived scattered across the world, ever fearful of the Great Devourer. In the deep dark, the Great Devourer, the Usurper of Sér’s gift, lies in wait; ever trying to catch the scent of those he had gifted.

 

Sér watches from the abyss, waiting for the time humanity is yet again worthy of his gift. The day shall come when Sér shall drag the Usurper into the abyss and take back what was given.”

 

Hopefully, we have adequately translated this. It was quite challenging to translate as each sentence was written in a different language save for the last three paragraphs. It also appears as though each paragraph was written in a different time period. The story becomes more and more recently chiseled as you read down through it. What the time difference is, we aren’t sure. We will need to examine it more thoroughly in person.

 

The final three paragraphs are written in the same language (ancient Greek). However, they appear to be carved by different people at different times. Doctor Deshmukh was most intrigued by the last two paragraphs. He mentioned something about “melted words.” I am positive that he will elaborate further as he continues his studies.

 

The story itself seems ... depressing? To be fair, how many carved inscriptions of everything being butterflies and rainbows do you find in ancient religious sites? If this Sér fellow is supposed to be some sort of god of misery; that seems like the god you don’t want to worship. This Halun seems to be much more archetypal of the benevolent yet strong deity that people want to be on the good side of. Sér? What does being on his good side mean? He makes you sad? What about being on his bad side? Dead?

 

I suppose the whole idea is that Sér was the embodiment of hardships and struggles and overcoming them made us stronger. Halun, I assume was seen as the embodiment of being content and lazy. The “Titans” may represent those who recognize hardship made them stronger yet forgot about that and then grew content and lazy? I will have to think upon that more.

 

This Devourer or Usurper fellow? We think he is intended to represent attempting to go through hardship without appreciating or recognizing what it does for you, so it breaks you? Seems to be a roundabout way of stating things. I should be careful how much of our speculation I jot down. I am certain that we haven’t discovered everything yet. There are still more inscriptions to translate. Maybe there will be more explanations to find.

 

I have found some interesting similarities with this main inscription and what we now know as “The Manuscript of the Lost Lands”. The two beasts that protect the area as described by the manuscript could well be the same as the Usurper and his Beloved as it mentions him being on the ground and her being in the air. I suppose if they broke the place, it corresponds with the manuscript describing a land “broken beyond repair”. If this land was a collecting area for all the cultures of the world as we have seen, then perhaps this is indeed the “Sea of Knowledge”.

 

Also, in my previous expedition to what is now known as the “Shrine to the Lost Gods”, some of the imagery engraved in those stones seems to match the appearances of these Sér and Halun fellows. That shrine contained nine pillars, only the ninth of which (I will call the Sér pillar) still had a recognizable carving on it. And it showed an image resembling Halun attacking it. Could the story told there have a connection with what we see here? When I shared these thoughts with Doctor Deshmukh he seemed to agree with me that there could be a link, but was reluctant to adamantly say so. I don’t blame him, that shrine could be completely independent and just happen to contain similarities.