The Shadows of the Past
From Vanathul Wiki
About
Written by Logan McDowell
Description
This book is of medium length, and is usually bound in black stained leather, and is printed on good paper.
On a limited run of the first printing, the cover is decorated with a round red glass prism, set in polished brass. These editions are highly sought after, and fetch a good price at any auction. Rumors has it they differ from later editions not only in their binding, but also in content, and that a hidden message can be extracted by those who know how to look for it.
Contents
Recounts the story of his journey into The Triumph in great detail, as well as his travel through the Fellfen and Mistwreath going to and from the ruins of the Wellspring compound.
It has several illustrations and diagrams detailing architecture, objects and entities encountered.
Topics
- Overland travel on Orn.
- Introduction om the Mistwreath, and their mountainbound cities.
- Old Orn. Culture, architecture, and magic.
- Planes and planar travel.
- The Triumph and its flaw.
- Monsters, including the shadow mastiff, shade, shambling mound, fetchling, and the light
What is noticably missing from the recounting of the events described in the book, is any mention of "Dread". Rumors circulated during the release that not every find was included in the book, and that select few editions contained the entire story.
See The campaign summary for a detailed rundown, and Wellspring Compound for location descriptions.
Reception
The book was a huge financial success, hittig home among the rich and poor alike. At the same time it was condemned by the Mistfaith clergy as dangerous and subversive.
Logan McDowell enjoyed the fruits of his newfound fame after publishing his first and only book, but has on several occasions lamented how his status has interrupted his studies.
The book is banned in the Mistwreath due to religious reasons, because of some of its illustrations, and the subject matter presented in one of its chapters. The author has not given any sign of wanting to publish a sensured version.