[center] [h1] [color=FFD700] [b]Katelyn Smith[/b][/color][/h1][/center]

The gunslinger wasn’t a tad bit surprised at the skepticism she encountered. Going on a dangerous journey into the Kharakhi desert wasn’t something to take lightly. It was a conscious decision to risk your life and it was only normal that everyone at the table wanted to have some assurances that it would not be for nothing. Katelyn knew the origins of this book. She knew it was the real deal but did not want to share how this diary came into her possession at this moment.

The woman looked around the table, first at Jake as he was the one who first voiced his concern that the book might not be genuine. For a moment Katelyn looked at Jake before she started to talk in a calm and assertive tone. [color=FFD700]”I do understand your skepticism. When I gained possession of this book I doubted that it was real too. I went to the national library in the capital and compared the handwriting, writing style and word usage of several of the handwritten books from Hadrian Augustus and some known forgeries with the book in my possession and found it very likely to be real. Or it is the highest quality forgery out there.Or at least everything except the last page. That seems to be written by someone else.”[/color]

Katelyn knew that just telling a story of doing the research would not be enough to satisfy the people at the table. They were all smart people and would not be convinced by words alone. She understood that they needed to see it for themselves, have the opportunity to form their own opinions and make a conscious decision to join her undertaking. 

The gunslinger turned towards the older gentleman. Vilhelm was asking if he could take a look. Katelyn had little problems with the people at the table inspecting the diary. She needed people with their skill sets and knew that the only way to convince them was letting them convince themselves. If a few of her guests realized that this book is genuine, the others would likely follow. [color=FFD700]”Of Course you can have a look, mister Lundstrom. I do understand the desire to see it for yourself. In fact you are all free to study the book here tonight and see for yourself.”[/color] Spoke Katelyn in her confident and resolute tone while she placed the diary in front of him. [color=FFD700]”Please make sure to give the others time to look at the book as well”[/color]

[hider=General observations from the Diary]
The notebook is in solid condition at first glance. There is some minor wear on the leather cover at the front and the back has a bit of a weird stain. However the imperial seal is clearly visible and has all the correct dimensions and shapes. On the inside of the cover is some information about the company that produced the book and when. It reads Carnegie Papermill, Iridia City, March 1834.

The diary starts on the day of the decisive defeat of the imperial forces, June 1st, 1834. The first few pages detail the events of that day and how the emperor felt about it. It quickly moves on to his preparations for the journey south. The diary is particularly specific about who is joining the emperor on his faithful journey. Emperor Hadrian Augustus, his wife Adriana, his then 20 year old daughter Aurora, his personal assistant mister Kinsley, the imperial cook chef Remsay, two chambermaids of the empress, four other retainers and General Vestus of the Imperial guard with around 30 men.
General Vestus is a rather controversial figure. He is credited with pacifying the border region. A rather fancy word for exterminating tribes on the outskirts of the Kharakhi desert. 

The diary is also rather detailed about the treasures the Emperor brought with him. The book speaks of the 2,5 million imperial gold coins, the imperial crown and scepter, several family heirlooms, paintings and a lot of artifacts stolen from the different peoples that the empire subjugated. The description of artifacts and treasures continues on the next page but that page seems to be ripped out. The missing page probably had more details about what treasure was brought along. 

Another peculiar observation of the diary is that the emperor did not name any places at all. Instead he used elaborate descriptions of landmarks he saw on the journey, making it harder to figure out what route he took. To find the treasure you’d have to find the first landmark described by the Emperor and work your way from there.

The final observation is that the last page and the inside of the back cover contain a description of where the next diary is hidden. This description is about a rock formation in the desert where the spirits find no rest. It is written in a different handwriting.
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[hider=Jake]
If Jake touches the diary he will learn the following about the book.

The notebook was produced by Carnegie Papermill in Iridia City in 1834 and delivered as part of a larger batch to the Imperial Palace.

It was definitely carried around by Emperor Hadrian Augustus and much of the writings in the book have been done by him in 1834.

There is only one instance of violence connected to this book. The emperor used it to squash a venomous kharakhi desert scorpion that was hiding in the supplies. This scorpion is only found in the Kharakhi desert.

Jake gets a vague feeling that the book changed hands at some point 50 years ago.The next person carrying it was definitely the one who wrote the final pages about where the next volume is hidden. It’s not really clear who this person is but Jake’s gut tells him that the person is female.

The missing page was ripped out many decades later. There is also a peculiar lack of history in between the extra person writing it and the page getting ripped out. As if the diary remained untouched for decades. Jake’s gut feeling tells him that the person that ripped out the page is likely to be female as well. Could be the person that had written the final pages or it could be someone else.
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[hider=Vilhelm]
When Vilhelm reads the diary, he will recognize the handwriting of Emperor Hadrian Augustus.

He does not recognize the handwriting of the final pages but based on the shape of the letters and the used grammar he can tell that the person was very likely to be from high society. The letters are graceful and the grammar spot on for the specific time period of 1834. No mistakes can be found. The person that wrote this had superb teachers.
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