The Search for Answers

After settling into my new desk and gaining full access to the library, I knew I had to get a solid grasp of Babel if I wanted to unravel the mysteries surrounding my uncle and the strange events I'd encountered. My first priority was to familiarize myself with the city, its aristocracy, and the political landscape.

I started in the library's historical section, pulling out volumes that chronicled Babel's history. As I read, I jotted down key details:

1. The City of Babel:

- **Founding and History:** Babel was founded centuries ago by the legendary Duke Redon Blackthrone, who had earned favor from king Zankeil Godwin for his loyalty, and under Duke Blackthrones rule ever since. Over the years, it evolved into a bustling metropolis, known for its impressive architecture and rich culture.

- **Geography:** Positioned at the crossroads of major trade routes, Babel was a central hub for commerce and politics in the Aleantris kingdom.

- **Culture and Society:** While not as developed as the capital city, Cyrus, Babel had a vibrant arts scene, with numerous theaters, galleries, and academies dedicated to various forms of expression.

2. The Aristocracy and Noble Circles:

- **The Royal Family:** The reigning king was Alaric Godwin, known for his wisdom and fairness. He had three sons – Lucian, Thaddeus, and Roland – and one daughter, Princess Elara.

- **High Noble Families:** Four high noble families wielded significant power in the Alentris kids: the House of Blackthorn, the House of Sage, the House of Giaria, and the House of Valor. All four holds the position of Dukedom, and rules the different regions of alentris under his majesty - Arthur Godwin.

3. Neighboring Kingdoms:

- **Kingdom of Eryndor:** Located to the north, known for its harsh winters and the sea that separates it from Alentris.

- **land of solace:** To the west, famous for its contrast between half covered desert and half fertile lands.

- **Principality of Veldora:** To the south, characterized by lush forests and expert hunters.

As I pored over these details, I became increasingly curious, but the Geography wasn't my immediate concerns, so after getting the gist off ot, i made a note to investigate further and continued with my research.

Hours slipped by as I immersed myself in the texts, only taking breaks to eat and stretch. The more I uncovered about Babel, the more questions I had. It was clear that I needed to dig deeper to reveal the hidden connections and secrets lurking beneath the surface.

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After hours of digging through the library's archives, I finally had a clearer picture of Babel and its complexities. The city's political landscape was a tightrope walk between the royal family and the high noble houses. There was also a parliament and an appointed prime minister, but from what I gathered, the major decisions were ultimately made by the king and his four dukes. Babel's history was rich and full of legends that hinted at deeper truths.

But the absence of New Aveion still gnawed at me. I couldn't find any mention of it anywhere, which only deepened the mystery. I made a mental note to dig into older maps or talk to local historians to get to the bottom of this.

With so much new information, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. The path to understanding was fraught with uncertainties, but I was resolved to keep pushing forward. The answers I was searching for were out there, waiting to be discovered.

As the library's bells rang, marking the end of the day, I gathered my notes and headed back to the inn. The setting sun bathed the city in a warm, golden light. My journey had only just begun, but I was prepared for the hurdles ahead. The secrets of Babel, my uncle, and the mysterious golden card would reveal themselves in time. If not I'm already on my way.

After getting a handle on the basics of Babel, I turned my attention to a topic that both intrigued and unsettled me: the strange and unexplained phenomena that had plagued the city. I pulled out a stack of books detailing unusual cases, many of which were unresolved and often discussed in hushed tones. With a mix of eagerness and trepidation, I dove into the accounts.

I started with the most recent cases, hoping to spot patterns or clues that might shed light on my own experiences.

1. The Disappearing Merchant:

- Summary: A well-known merchant vanished without a trace one evening after closing his shop. His belongings were left untouched, and there was no sign of struggle.

- Details: Investigators were stumped since the merchant had no known enemies or financial problems. Some locals reported seeing a shadowy figure near the shop before he disappeared.

- Though unsettling, I suspected foul play rather than anything supernatural. It seemed likely the merchant had crossed paths with the wrong person.

2. The Haunted Mansion:

- Summary: An abandoned mansion on the outskirts of Babel was rumored to be haunted. Families who attempted to renovate the place reported hearing whispers and seeing ghostly apparitions.

- Details: The mansion had a tragic history, with the original owners dying under mysterious circumstances. Subsequent owners experienced unexplained phenomena, leading to its abandonment.

- This one specially garner my attention, since it all had begun becuse of my foolishly couragious visit to the dr.trust hunted mansion. But remembering what i had gone through there, i dismissed the ide to visit another hunted house.

3. The Silent Street:

- Summary: Residents of a particular street reported waking up to absolute silence one night. No sounds could be heard, not even the usual city noise. The silence lasted until dawn.

- Details: Investigators found no physical cause for the silence. Some suggested it was an atmospheric anomaly, while others believed it was a supernatural event.

- That one's puzzling. I thought. The silence could have been due to a natural, yet unknown, phenomenon. However, the absence of a scientific explanation left me uneasy.

As I sifted through these accounts, it became clear that many, while strange, lacked substantial evidence of genuine extraordinary activity. They were more likely the result of human actions, psychological effects, or natural events misinterpreted as paranormal.

Still, a sense of unease lingered. I knew from my own experiences that something truly otherworldly existed and could really manifest in unimaginable ways. I couldn't entirely dismiss the possibility that amidst these more mundane cases, there might be genuine supernatural forces at play.

Determined to uncover more, I continued my research, knowing that the answers I sought might be hidden in the most unexpected places.

I spent hours poring over more than twenty accounts of strange occurrences, carefully sorting through them. Just as I was about to close the final book, a sudden jolt of energy shot through me. My left pocket started to sear with heat.

"What the—" I muttered, fumbling with my pocket. I yanked my hand out and cursed under my breath. The Fool's card was burning hot! My curses spilled out as I struggled to regain my grip. In my haste, the three books I'd been about to return slipped from my hands, hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

"Damn this cursed card!" I spat, crouching down to pick up the books. As I reached for the first one, it fell open, revealing an entry that immediately caught my eye. Despite the discomfort from the card's heat, I read the text intently.

The entry read:

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Case File: The Crossroad Inn Incident

Victim: Jasmine, 23 years old

Location: Crossroad Inn

Summary: Jasmine, a women around 23 years old, was found dead in her room at the Crossroad Inn. Initial investigations deemed it a suicide, but no concrete evidence was ever found. The case remains unsolved, with numerous unverified sightings of her spirit reported since.

---

A chill ran down my spine as I read the summary. Crossroad Inn—the name sounded familiar. Isn't that's what the toothless oldman had called the inn I stayed at? It's old name. My mind raced, linking the name to the terrifying night I'd experienced. This felt like more than just a coincidence.

As I processed the information, my thoughts raced with connections and implications. I glanced at my left pocket, where the Fool's card now lay cool but still heavy with its previous heat. Was it trying to tell me something? Was this the lead I'd been searching for?

"Is this why you burned me?" I muttered to the card, half hoping it would provide an answer. "Is this where the answers lie?"

The synchronicity was too precise to be a mere coincidence. The Fool's card had guided me to this case, and now it seemed I needed to follow this lead. A mix of dread and determination settled over me. There was no turning back. I had to uncover what really happened to Jasmine at the Crossroad Inn and unearth the secrets hidden there.