I’ll use this device whenever I am away from the laptop instead of being forced to jot down notes. Will says that if it can’t establish a web link, it will store the audiologs and upload them automatically as soon as it can successfully connect.

This is going to make things a lot easier! Too bad it’s going to require a lot of rechargable batteries!

Auto-Dictation software
© Ray Software 2009

…software version v2.3.7
…configured to user: PGiles
…special character dictation is OFF
…phonetic spelling parser is OFF
…auto-correct is ON
…auto-upload is ON

Auto-Dictation begun Feb 23, 2009 @ 18:56 MDT

Will has outdone himself this time! I’m using his dictation software installed on a small handheld device to post this! [unintelligible] This is a test of the device and it’s ability to correctly translate my speech into text and automatically upload it to my journal. If only I knew how to send transmissions between Ages. That aspect of the KI always fascinated me, [deep breathing] how the D’ni found a way to send text between worlds unknowable distances apart!

[deep breathing] I’m currently running towards the Great Library, it seems like the range of this thing is decent enough to record, transcribe and automatically upload to the journal anywhere in the cavern! This is fantastic!

Auto-Dictation ended by User Feb 23, 2009 @ 19:12 MDT

I’ve decided to seek out an artist much more talented than myself to assist me in concepting Luminesce. While I have a very clear image in my head of what the Age should be, I find it difficult to bring out. Will is close friends with a very talented artist named Christine James who specializes in landscapes. I contacted her recently via email to see if she would be able to assist me assembling the pieces. Of course, I didn’t tell her what the concepts were for. She thinks the art is for a children’s fantasy book.

The images she has brought back to me are absolutely stunning. Will was right, she has a true talent for taking instructions and visualising them. It’s exactly how I imagined it.

This is the real catalyst. I can see Luminesce. It’s more real than it has ever been.

I’m disturbed by the noises I am still hearing in the Cavern. I haven’t heard a Bahro cry, so I doubt it is them. Could it be other people? Could there be other people attempting to bring life back into this place? Or even to learn The Art?

If so, why in my months of exploring the City have I never encountered anyone?

If by some coincidence there were other explorers that had read the fine print on their exploration contract and interpreted it the same way I did, I suppose it would be possible to keep their access to the Cavern.

The question remains: If there are others. Should I seek them out or keep myself hidden?

Of course, all this speculation is probably pointless. I’ve caught myself talking to myself very often. I’m sure I’m simply imagining a populated Cavern to keep from loneliness!

Ever since I decided on the main themes of my first Age, I’ve struggled to come up with a name. At first I thought I thought creating a D’ni name would be a fitting tribute. I tried many different combinations, but nothing felt right. Nothing rolled off the tongue or implied the beauty of what I was trying to create. For a while I considered waiting until my Age was complete to name it, and in truth, there is some validity to the idea. I decided against it however. I want the name to be a part of the process. A part of the theme. If it changes upon completion, so be it.

I struggled with it for a great long time, but last night it finally came to me. Sitting in Eder Gira, bathed in moonlight.

Luminesce.