Five years ago the Hand came to us, begging us to shelter the lost and wounded. As is our way, we granted them aid. But the Hand never told us what had happened on their world, until now. The documents they gave us in payment for Archive access shed light on what happened all those years ago.
— Archivist Pyaka
Excerpt of the description of the Cave of Caves, September 4, 2012
The Cave of Caves
Conspectus
Beneath the Earth lie caves and spaces that connect far-flung points on the globe and worlds on no terrestrial map. Beneath Australia, a great conflux of Ways wind like a spider's web to all corners of the cosmos. May our enemies never locate the nest we have made, at the conjunction of such a bolthole.
Knowledge
Traits: The Cave of Caves is a group of three enormous limestone chambers, separated from the rest of the cavern system by a long passageway barely large enough to admit a human (and far too narrow for one to safely pass). Radiating out from these central chambers are dozens of Ways that connect to other cavern systems.4 Most are on Earth, but some are on other worlds like the Ravelwoods and Miyetlapalintlalli. There is no ecosystem to speak of within the Cave of Caves,5 but there are beautiful rock formations.
Nature: We of the Hand have turned the caverns into both waystation and nerve center. Now buildings stand on poles within the caves, linked by a boardwalk with lanterns strung above it. Most are dwellings for wanderers who can't find other refuge or can't fake so-called "normality." Others are workshops or where we make our plans. Important information about each Way is posted at each passageway's entrance.6
The Cave of Caves is a stable place. No change in its nature has ever been witnessed.
History & Associated Parties: Only the Hand dwells within the caves and as far as we can tell, only the Hand ever has. Soyojoy found the first Way when exploring the caves and their cell was quick to join them.7 They created the safehouse8,9 and gathered others of the Hand.
Our enemies know nothing of the Cave of Cave's existence.
Approach: The Cave of Caves should only be entered through Ways. Do not go here if you are closely pursued by sapient foes, lest your enemy see you. No wireless devices or electromagnetic transmissions should be made within. We must not draw the eyes of the Bookburners to this place.
This place is not just a waystation, it is a home. Respect those who live here and those who will come after. Do not step off the path in the main caverns. The rock formations are delicate and only warded against environmental damage.
Communique to the Cave of Caves, January 8, 2017
Soyojoy:
The Bookburners' eyes are on western Australia. The recent raid on their Pacific headquarters was bold, but we've intercepted their communications—they saw your cell entering Melbourne's tunnel system and that was enough for their scryers to track your cell. You're not pinpointed, but they know what region to look in now. Their reinforcements are flooding into the country. They don't know where you are, but they're determined to find out.The Hand of the Sea Krait has offered to help you if you choose to stay and defend the Cave of Caves and take in anyone who can't help fight. They are many, and know many safe hidden places in the Indo-Pacific. You may have to help some of the others in Australia. The recent crackdown hit them first, particularly the ones in the coastal cities.
Most weren't caught, but we think that some had to flee and don't know a path back to the Library; the Nest is out of contact with them. If they make contact with you, ensure they haven't been compromised and send them to the Library. We have bargained with the Librarians for them to stay for an extended period, if need be. When the gaze of the Bookburners turns away from the red deserts we'll return to our haunts.
Burn the enclosed scale and coral under the full moon and in the light of the Milky Way in a place that's safely accessible but can be abandoned if need be. A member of the Hand of the Sea Krait is waiting on the other side of the bridge.
— the Serpent's Nest
Communique to the Serpent's Nest, January 10, 2017
To the Nest:
Those who need to flee have fled. Those who can't fight have been sent through a Way shown to us by the Hand of the Sea Krait. This messenger has the documents and artifacts we captured during the raid. Most aren't identified but we've removed or marked anything that seems to be truly dangerous. The wards have been reinforced with the help of the Hand of the Sea Krait, we've armed ourselves, and Jie has improved our aquaponics system to the point where we should be fully self-sufficient even if the caves are entirely sealed off. We are well prepared for an attack—and we suspect one will come swiftly.Last night, we sensed a vast presence methodically moving across the desert from the south, touching the minds of those below. The wards kept them from doing more than brushing against us and becoming dimly aware of our presence. They know we're here, though. We could feel their realization. Whatever exactly they were didn't seem to be too intelligent and we don't think they got much other than our presence behind wards, but we're almost certain they're some creation of the Bookburners'. Though none of us have heard the the Bookburners creating such things, right after noticing us the presence went straight to Laverton.
Whatever this being was, they had no material form. We could only perceive them through their telepathy. If you've heard of such beings, please tell us.
— Soyojoy
Botanist's log, January 16, 2017
It's been a week since we were found by whatever construct the Bookburners had searching for us, but there's been no further sign from them. Some of us have started to hope that we were wrong about what they were, or that they mistook us for something else. But none of us are willing to risk being wrong. The Nest sent a message; they've never heard of anyone like that either. For once I'm not happy to hear that we're encountering the strange and unknown. I don't believe this isn't some creation of the Bookburners, and that means they're a threat we don't know anything about.
I don't want to be here. We should be running. But the caves and the Ways that end here are too important to give up, as far as Soyojoy is concerned, and they've convinced the others. Besides, they're certain we can hold the place against attack. Prevent teleportation in and trap all the entry tunnel; we don't really need it. Let the caves do the rest of the work, picking off any stragglers. It's true that we turned this place into quite the deathtrap over the years. But if the Bookburners know this is a safehouse now, they're not going to send a few soldiers they'll lose and then decide to not go further. They'll send their best troops, and they won't stop trying. Sooner or later they'll wear us down.
I have to admit that the preparations the Hand of the Sea Krait have helped us make are impressive, though, and they will help us hold out longer. They're some of the most skilled magic-users I've ever seen among our number. The very stone of the caves has been reinforced and under the influence of the elementals they had with them, it can flow like water. With the supplies they brought with them and my own skill plus a few spare parts, we were also able to rig up a aquaponic system in one of the vacated buildings. The thing takes up the entire space and grows half a dozen species of plant as well as fish. It shouldn't really be necessary, since we've got the Ways, but if they are able to cut us off somehow, food, air, and water won't be issues.
The more optimistic ones are saying that once the Bookburners give up we could supply other cells who can't get food legitimately. Or, better yet, try growing some of the magical plants we recently got ahold of. I don't think we'll get the chance here but it's a good idea for other safehouses. Don't all have healer mages as part of a cell. If anything good come of this, it'll be that.
Communique to the Serpent's Nest, January 20, 2017
To the Nest:
The Bookburners assail us, yet we stand firm. They'd tried to send in drones before they sent people, but no radio escapes the caves' gullets. At first they sent a token force of soldiers, assuming that we'd just flee before the fires of their ignorance and brutality. Even now they lie entombed within the rock. Since then, they've launched two more assaults. The second were slain in the same manner. Several members of the third managed to escape.Morale is high. The Bookburners will surely send more soldiers, but we've had no fatalities yet and have continued reinforcing the caverns. Lim Jie has greatly improved our aquaponics. We may be able to force them to leave this safehouse alone if they keep losing soldiers like this. The problem is what lies at the other end of the Ways. At least one has been compromised. When Alex went to Melbourne for a supply run, he came under fire as soon as he exited the Way. He was barely able to get back. Based off reports from our other Australian members that some of their number were captured, other Waypoints may not be safe for long. Of course the Bookburners can't hope to access the Ways, but the safehouse has no purpose if the only safe Ways connect to other worlds. Our cell and the Hand of the Sea Krait have talked it over, and we aren't confident in sending scouts to see if the Waypoints are compromised. If the Nest can scry on them, we'd appreciate it.
— Soyojoy
Botanist's log, January 21, 2017
Disaster. The wards against teleportation we erected were less solid than we thought. We'd warped and bent a thin layer of space until humans couldn't get in. But there were holes, and they were big enough for drones--with bombs. Our first sign of them was an explosion taking out the water purification system. It was only then some of us noticed the buzzing.
One of the Sea Kraiters was able to take out the rest with an EMP. It broke the aquaponics too, but the reactor was shielded. I was able to repair it quickly enough to save some of the fish and most of the plants, but I had to use parts from the water purification system to do so and link the two together. Now we've got something that does both jobs but doesn't do either well. Still, it should work well enough to support us until we get new supplies. In the meantime I raised the water temperature and adjusted the day length to try and get the fish to spawn.
Unfortunately, the Nest says it'll be in a couple weeks at best before we get new supplies. Last meeting, Soyojoy said they're starting to wonder about the wisdom of trying to keep this safehouse active if the Ways are blocked off. A few Waypoints on Earth aren't compromised, but only a few.
I tried to convince the others to go. They wouldn't have any of it, though. Much as I hate to say this, it's because none of us have actually died or even gotten maimed so far. Only the Bookburners' blood's been shed; they feel invincible. It makes me wish I'd been hurt by one of those drones at times. Then they might at least take my warnings more seriously. Instead, all this did is make them want to strike back.
The earthquake ritual will happen at dusk.
Intercepted Bookburner distress call, January 21, 2017
This is an emergency automated message.
Facility: Laverton Outpost, Western Australia, Australia
Timestamp: 18:24 AWST
Status: Severe structural damage to lower levels (B1 and B2). Basement levels rendered inaccessible from surface. Top level partially collapsed. 23% of friendly forces deceased or injured. Casualties concentrated in lower levels. Seismic sensors detected magnitude 5.3 earthquake with epicenter directly under outpost. Enemy action suspected, but no hostile presence detected.
Communique to the Serpent's Nest, January 23, 2017
To the Nest:
One of our enemy's dens is gone. The Bookburners of Laverton are dead or fled. Two nights ago we performed a great ritual and made the very earth tremble around their outpost. Now it is but ruins. We've scryed on it and it seems they've abandoned it fully.They're surely still watching around the Waypoints. We know they'll never be as safe as they once were. But we think that if we can increase the pressure on them, they'll move on. Their attempt to crack us open failed and they only know the general area where the Ways exit and can't keep watch over all those places all the time. Please pass us word when their activity around the compromised Waypoints changes.
— Soyojoy
Communique to the Cave of Caves, January 24, 2017
Soyojoy:
Bookburner activity around most Waypoints has declined, but there has been increasing activity in Melbourne's tunnel systems. A convoy escorting a cargo truck arrived yesterday and the Bookburners have set up around one of the entrances we often use. Those of the Hand have not been able to determine what they plan.— the Nest
Botanist's log, January 25, 2017
I still can't believe that worked. Soyojoy is never going to let me hear the end of it.
With the worst over, I've been asked to move to growing magical herbs rather than food. I refused, which Soyojoy didn't like, but they can't really make me and I promised I'd do it once the blockade lifted. It's too hasty to assume the Bookburners will just go away now that they don't have an outpost in Laverton. It's not a bad idea once this siege has truly ended, though, so I've started planning out our setup once it changes over. I'll have to split the system up in order to grow the full range of species we'd like to supply; the red dryad can't be grown alongside food.
I am worried that we missed a drone. There's been weird sounds from some of the tunnels. The others are pretty sure some bats got in when the Bookburners tried to invade, which I have to admit is plausible, especially because it doesn't actually sound like a drone. On the other hand you can smell bats.
We did check, but we couldn't find anything.
Communique to the Serpent's Nest, January 26, 2017
It's been five days since the ritual. Three of us are dead.
Initially we'd thought the attack went off without issue, which none of us really expected—we were making a localized earthquake; we had to reinforce the cave for our own safety. We had no problems but I guess the Bookburners didn't build their outpost very well given that it fell on them. We'd assumed they'd just try to bomb us. Laverton the way it is, it's not like anyone would notice. But instead, nothing seemed to happen.
All of us thought we'd wrecked a Bookburner outpost. Even me. But on the fourth day, we found Soyojoy dead in one of the outer tunnels, mauled nearly beyond recognition and with bloody tracks leading away from him. We followed those tracks as far as we could, but it didn't take long before they faded to nothingness. Whoever had left them was no kind of person any of us knew, though. They were upside-down triangles and whoever left them moved in a sprawled posture.
It was only once we regrouped that we realized Erin had gone missing too. And at that point we knew--the Bookburners hadn't given up on killing us. They just set whoever this was on us. Likely some being the Bookburners wanted dead; they have their sell-outs but they would never accept a being like this. With the defenses we'd set up, there was no way we could find and kill the being and if talking was an option two of our number wouldn't be dead already.
So we left. We abandoned the place we got into a fight with the Bookburners to protect. Now, only whoever killed Sovojoy and Erin lives there. The Bookburners are gone. But it doesn't feel like a great victory; we're gone too.
At least fewer of us died.
— Lim Jie