From the Journal of Elech Nor<br/><br/><em>[Elech Nor was, prior to this writing, a friend and contemporary activist tot he Exalted named Madder.  Some readers may know her as the Ecstatic Grace, the first and foremost of the scholars of the strange architecture beneath Chiaroscuro and administrator to Madder's affairs in the city. -- The Editor]</em><br/><br/><strong>Resplendent Fire 16th, 767<br/></strong><br/>Tzlikha passed away today.  No, that's the wrong way to say it.  Tzlikha killed herself today.  We found her hanging in the basement of the Black Tap; it was a grim sight.  We're going to get her a proper funeral, but beyond that, who can say?  She doesn't have much family to survive her, and her death is going to go unmourned beyond our circle.  These are dark times we live in.<br/><br/>We found something in her palm; a sigil, an emblem, but we don't know what to make of it.  I don't understand it.  Tzlikha was always a good person, and enthusiastic -- she supported our cause as fervently as any, as my earlier entries show!  Lately, though, she had been pallid and morose, and I hadn't given it a second thought.  I checked; there is no mention of it in any earlier entries.  I should have looked into it sooner.  We will have to look into it -- some of the others don't agree, but I know there's something more behind this.  There has to be.  Tzlikha cared too much to do something like this.<br/><br/>...<br/><br/><strong>Resplendent Fire 21st, 767<br/></strong><br/>I think the walls are moving.  They aren't where they were the night before, or the night before that.  It's strange.  I don't know what to think.  This demands attention, too, but the others are telling me I'm just seeing things.<br/><br/>Maybe so, but I don't think so.<br/><br/>...<br/><br/><strong>Descending Fire 14th, 767<br/></strong><br/>Madder is back.  We didn't expect to see her again, after the thing we found in her room.  She's different than she was those years ago.  I spoke to her briefly.  She's angry that the resistance has fallen apart.  How can she blame us?  When she left us -- went into hiding -- she proved that fear would drive away the best of us.  It was her fault, but she blames us.<br/><br/>My room is round.  It was not round when I moved into this place.  This room is carved from stone.  I do not understand, but I will.<br/><br/>I mentioned the changes I have been seeing for the past few weeks to Madder; she visits the Black Tap from time to time.  She said "It is part of the plan."  What is she planning?  What is causing this?  I must know.<br/><br/>More are dead.  Suicides and murder-suicides.  Some murders.  Not just our little group, either, but throughout the Undercity; some up top, too.  It can't be normal.  I'm going to investigate.<br/><br/>...<br/><br/><strong>Descending Fire 22nd, 767<br/></strong><br/>There is a group of people who share the mark on Tzlikha's palm.  They wear it on rings and on pendants.  I met one of their members in the markets, and we spoke for a time.  He says that they are members of an organization; he said they were called the Followers of the Halcyon way.  I asked about Tzlikha; he said he had known her, and mourned her passing.  He said the Halcyon Way regretted her decision but played no role in it when pressed; I do not believe him.<br/><br/>He invited me to one of their gatherings.  I accepted, and will see him and his people next week.<br/><br/>...<br/><br/><strong>First Day of Calibration, 767<br/></strong><br/>There was blood on the walls.<br/><br/>The walls were round.<br/><br/>...