the rotten archive

To whomever this may concern, as I’m writing this, I’m working my way through the rotten archive. This is a task I’m not sure that I was ready to take on when I decided to do so. But hence the agreement we came to, I have no choice but to conquer the amount of information at hand. I will do my best to bring sense into this world. Whatever comes of this. Signed by the current holder of the rotten archive. shai

[therottenarchive]

Elegius Trajan

"First known holder of "the rotten archive", rumored to be following the forests tracks for centuries. Chosen Familiar of the current Spiravit protecting [erased] - Forest. Witch of the [erased], with higher knowledge of earth magic with specialization in potions, herbs and healing. Former Master of young Witch [erased], prior to the happenings of the [erased], as of right now [erased] place of residence is unknown. Father of "the gold eyed fawn", holds close bonds with the nymphs of the [erased]- Lake. The town folks murmur about him, he is said to help the lost and punish the ones who hurt the forest. If you come with ill intent, pray to whoever may hear you, that he won't share a path with you this century."

signed by unknown, secured in the rotten archive,

translated and transcribed by current holder of the rotten archive, shai

[therottenarchive]

frustrating. that's what i mainly feel while working in the archive, every piece i figure out opens another alley deeper into what needs to be known. it is tiring. i am tired. my concerns and responsibilities from outside the archive are creeping up on me. they're nesting inside my brain clouding what i thought i had to do. the archive keeps calling me, and everything else keeps holding me back. it is truly frustrating.

signed by current holder of the rotten archive, shai

[therottenarchive]

the fog

"thick wafts of fog, hanging between the houses, almost cuddling up to the windows, searching, longing for a small crack. asking to somehow be let in. something is changing in this town. it lingers in the air, you can feel how the breeze changes. the winds aren't the same as before. something has happened to this world. something so colossal, yet so marvelous. even i wouldn't believe, if you had told me. if only you could see through my eyes. as if the fog has brought changes with it. "

signed by unknown, secured in the rotten archive,

translated and transcribed by current holder of the rotten archive, shai

[therottenarchive]

my mind indulged by the forest

"One day I’ll go there as well. I’ll see the bugs, climbing up the trees, which must be giant for them. I hear the quiet songs of the dryads. Further, in the distance. I hear the splashing of water, but once I turned the last corner to see the pond, they disappeared. My offering will lay upon the water's edge. I know they’re waiting for me to leave. So they can look at their gift. I feel uncomfortable under the watching eyes of the forest. It almost feels like home.

I know he will be here, to guide me out of the thicket in case I get lost. The children of our village are talking. Of the tall creature looming in the woods. Tired but kind eyes. Where he walks, the flowers bloom and the folk of the forest share their path with him. The children sing of him. How he will appear to guide you in the darkening hours of the day.

Back home, out of the forest. My mind indulged by the forest. It's too late to return, it's already spreading its roots in my life. Forever we'll be bound. " signed by unknown, secured in the rotten archive,

translated and transcribed by current holder of the rotten archive, shai

[therottenarchive]

soon, i'll go

"it's been years. day to day, my longing grows. the eyes of the forest, carved deep in my soul.

I feel I belong there, I'm part of it now. in my sleep, I wander through the overgrown. rough on my bare feet, soft on my soul. the nettles they sting, but my longing still grows.

I can almost smell the dew that drops off the leaves in the morning. feel the breeze that is singing, softly whispering, calling my name.

I belong to the forest, for it claimed me. my body, my spirit, my soul. I shall go where it calls me, for it will be the everlasting rest of my being. in life and death, that's where my place is. I will wander and once my body has given up, that is where I shall lay. I know I must go, leave behind what I know. for the forest has claimed me. I am but a mere familiar of its grace. its eyes burned into mine. forever bonded into two tight souls.

my mind wanders to the falling leaves. to the pollen, glistening. I am one with the breeze. I'll be there soon. day to day the longing grows. soon, I'll go. becoming one with the woods. the forest. the spirit of it all. chained to the roots of it."

signed by &, secured in the rotten archive, translated and transcribed by current holder of the rotten archive, shai This was the last document, which was found with the "&" sign as the author's symbol. I don't know what to make of this, all I can assume is that they left, became one with the forest. The deeper I get to know the rotten archive, I get this feeling. Maybe I too shall go? My thoughts are getting off track, I apologize. Will we ever find out what happened to this author? What became of them? Is this where the longing begins?

[therottenarchive]

the forest came first

"The forest came first. Folktales told of it. Long before land turned into fields. Farms into villages. And people into civilization. The forest came first.

And with the forest they came.

One with the forest, one with the creatures. Bound to every little critter that lives there, that calls this place their home. That's at least what they told us. Have I seen one?

I was a barely 8 years old, when my father send me to the edge of the woods to collect sticks. Evening was setting in faster than I recalled, and somehow I had wandered off into the thicket. The lingering smell of herbs and haze seemed to call me deeper towards the heart of the forest. Above me the pale moon, silently looking down on me, neither warning me of what's to come nor urging me to follow the unknown path. As if I was always meant to come here, the forest pulled me into an embrace. There was no way of telling where I came from, or how I could find home. The quieter it got around me, the louder the heartbeat of the forest got. Pounding along with mine. And still, I wasn't scared. That's when I saw him. Staring at me. And while the dryads sung me into deep slumber, his mask would forever leave a mark on my soul. How did I get back home? Why did the forest, let me leave? Or am I still forever trapped within its intricate web? Do you ever truly leave? In my town, they tell stories. Of the forest that came first. Old tales say it will be there until the end of time. I know I won't be able to leave it behind. " unknown author, secured in the rotten archive, translated and transcribed by current holder of the rotten archive, shai

[therottenarchive]

Far deep in the woods In mountain ash bark they rest Old forest spirits

the rotten archive