[!] A new book has been placed on the shelves of the library. Though this one seems to be incomplete - often being added to and with many loose papers sticking out!

This will be a formal record of the incidents involving and regarding the Wishing Well that has appeared within the town on multiple occasions.

For brevity we will simply refer to the Wishing Well as the Well.

-----

Firstly, we shall address the two firsthand accounts we have, and then move further into accounts gathered by those interviewed after the fact. More information will be compiled as interviews are conducted. 

The First Encounter

A late night conversation at the tavern was interrupted by whispers that tickled the peripheries of the mind. Mention of a parade coming to town. After a number of said whispers, the Well appeared - seemingly out of nowhere. The construction laughed in the face of reason, as though the construction of the very tavern had been done around it. Where before there was structure and foundation, now there was naught but a chasm aligned with magical runes (the runes themselves shall be discussed at a later point of the report).

There was a compelling nature to make a wish, and the three initial witnesses all wished for information about the aforementioned parade.

I will share my experience regarding the wish, and while it seems from an exterior perspective that the others suffered similar experiences - they will later be verified with interviews if possible.

Upon tossing the coin into the well, the very fabric of my mind was interwoven with new threads - thoughts supplanted with feelings. It was nothing so coherent, nor was it conscious thought - but the base understanding underlying consciousness. The same way an animal knows to feed, I felt these things. While it is impossible to put such things to words - I will try my best.

I felt deceit, both sides of it. To lie, and be lied to. To hide. To betray and murder. Such thoughts, such aspects of reality formulated in the peripheries of my mind.

Furthermore I saw/felt/understood yearning. The nature of existing amidst the ancient and reaching outstretched arms towards that which is not mine to have.

I felt the breath of a song within my lungs, cradled within my arms as puppets marched along in a parade.

Mind you, dear reader - these are abstract ideas and thoughts placed (rather poorly, I admit) into words. Even so, this is my account. Hopefully the account of others will offer more.

Shortly after these experiences, two more figures stepped into the tavern and saw the well. One lady (who has been masterfully drawn, though such a drawing has since been destroyed by unrelated means), made a wish. The exact wording is lost to me, though upon her (hopeful) return I shall include it in a later addition. The well bubbled in response, and a paper instructing her to step inside rose to the top. She listened, and disappeared with the Well itself moments later. The tavern returned to its previous state - as though the Well itself never existed.

The Second Encounter

The day after the initial encounter the Well appeared again, this time at a crossroads not far from the hospital's entrance. This time, there were seven total in attendance. Once more - wishes were cast into the well, though the most notable being that of Leokas, the Doctor, and the Master Smithy - as well as an adventuring sort of fellow who wished to be 'stronger'. We will address the latter-most first. The fellow's wish was answered with another paper - another invitation into the depths. Like the one before him, though with some sense of self-preservation daring to bubble up, he disappeared into the well.

Leokas wished to ascertain the whereabouts of the first lady (I never got her name, and therefore she will be referred to as Grouchy Red-Eyes, the second fellow who disappeared will be referred to as Eager Adventurer). Leokas's wish was answered with a splitting headache, and his account will be added in a later addition. The Doctor wished to know of the origin of the well, and was overwhelmed with what he experienced - soon after falling unconscious. It should be stated that the Doctor appears to be in fine health, and that the momentary bout of comatose was little more than a fleeting side-effect.

The master smithy wished to understand the runes that lined the interior of the well - he was answered with copies of the runes being carved onto his flesh. A rather graphic, if not useful, resolution.

The Unconscious Man

The next day, three figures beckoned the master smithy to the hospital, for a figure that mumbled of the parade was comatose in the upstairs dwellings. I followed (invited, of course, I do have my manners dear reader) and witnessed the following events that I will retell here. The master smithy utilized some sort of arcane spell (the details of which I am currently unfamiliar with - though hopefully will be further explained in a future addition), and connected their mind with the near-comatose man. There - the two seemed to switch places, the man awoke in a start, and the master smithy fell into a similar state of limbo.

The man was alarmed, and feared returning to the state that they had just escaped. Talk of a paper lantern was mentioned, of which we have not heard of thus far. They, most notably, did not see a well despite their mumbles of the parade. This would be the first instance recorded that the two are not directly or closely related. They spoke of a deep darkness, and dark waters. Beyond that, little was gleaned - aside from the panic in their expression. There was mention of rats, though I admit that my mind was elsewhere at the time, and cannot recall the specific verbiage used (in future bouts of revelations I ought be more attentive).

The master smithy soon awoke, and the man returned to his comatose state. The smithy gasped for breath, seemingly having experienced the terrible water that the man spoke of. He spoke of drowning, and I cannot help but speculate the details of such a trading of consciousness. For now, however, I will leave such speculations out of a formal report.

At the point of writing, the unconscious man remains within the hospital.

The Runes

Upon my first encounter with the Well, I was graced by the sight of the (aforementioned) runes that lined the interior of the structure. It is clear that the very nature of the Well defies what is generally agreed upon to be 'reality'. However, to decipher them was no easy task. They seem to be an amalgam of tongues/languages/ideas long since lost to time. Therefore, any translations shall be taken with a grain of salt (or heap, if it is your prerogative).

However, what I witnessed were ideas near or pertaining to the following things.

Coffins. Shackles. Mist. Animation.

I am no expert in the theory behind such things, though my research into runes and such in my youth certainly did pay off in spades. However, it is the master smithy who certainly seemed to be far more familiar with the ideas and their potential meanings.

For those who recall details of the second encounter, the master smithy's wish led to the runes themselves being carved onto his flesh. His own interpretations more or less confirmed my translations - but also a valuable interpretation that the Well itself may be a coffin of sorts, and that it binds those within for purposes unknown.

Conclusion

After all has been said and recorded, it is not without warrant that this individual suggests that any encounter with the well is to be taken with caution. While I admit that I, too, am curious as to what lies within - the master smithy's interpretation cannot be disregarded and I beseech any 'adventurer' (i.e. fool) practice even a drop of self-preservation and avoid any invitations to 'step inside'.

This record is incomplete - and further accounts will be added as they become available.

[!] The final page of this volume is signed with a single letter, followed by what can only be assumed to be a representation of a mask.
'P. (o o)'

((Poo))

[!] A second installment has been added to the initial report - a set of new witness statements added! Furthermore - the signature at the end of the initial report has been scratched out (rather aggressively). What once read as 'P. (o o)' has now been replaced with a simple depiction of the mask! A simple '(o o)'

Leokas's Testimony

Considering the untimely disappearance of Kindly Leokas, I will recount what they did share with me some nights prior. Those who read my initial report will remember that their wish was to know the whereabouts of the first disappearance: Grouchy Red-Eyes. He was struck what seemed to be a massive headache, or perhaps a migraine (the differences between the two may seem minor, but I assure you, dear reader, that the two are leagues apart).

Unlike the first individuals whose minds were seemingly melded with thoughts and ideas - Leokas's words suggested that the fellow was gifted a true and proper vision. Their words on the account are the following - though fair warning, dear reader, I took a measure to make their vernacular more appropriate. You are welcome in advance.

"[I] felt like I'd blinked [and] I wasn't standing in the street, but a forest - buried in undergrowth, and... [I don't know]. I wasn't [myself], neither."

When I inquired if he believed he was our missing Grouchy Red-Eyes within this vision, he responded with the following:

"No, wasn't her. Fairly certain I wasn't nothing human-like neither. Either way, I felt certain. More confident [a]bout any other decision I'd ever made [in my] whole life."

It should be noted that the feeling of confidence may be within the same sort of projection of feeling that the initial three witnesses received.

Olivier's Testimony

Olivier, who has kindly counseled me in changing my signature style, was of the first three that were present for the initial encounter with the Well. Though she departed a few moments before Grouchy Red-Eye's disappearance. Like myself and the other present (one whose account I hope to acquire and document), she wished for knowledge of the parade itself.

Her account is as follows, though her quotation begins after I inquired into the nature of the projected thoughts. 

"It was certainly abstract. It felt very [...] imminent. Inevitable. Sort of familiar, but in ways that I do not miss. Like death, but not in any way we would usually think of it, I suppose."

They discussed, like myself, difficulties in putting to words such abstract thoughts. There was also a mention of a coldness, and when asked to elaborate the following was shared:

"Like a hearth, but the fire's gone out and no one is around to light it."

Furthermore, they spoke of a sort of uncanny feeling that overcame them - likening it to a mirror where your reflection was too real. Their final words on the matter was that it felt ancient and familiar in a way they were unable to put to words.

Current Thoughts and Theories

The situation evolves, and now more disappearances have occurred. Whether or not Leokas's disappearance is tied to the Well, finding him and the others remains our current objective. A theory offered by one clever individual by the name of Elion was that instances of the Well's appearance would certainly leave a magical signature of sorts. Given that no other evidence is left in their disappearance - it is not unreasonable to believe that there would be trace amounts of an identifiable magic.

The only problem with such a theory is the town's current (assumed) lack of a mage capable of tracking such a thing. Should any capable mages read this, I urge them to find myself or others and begin a thorough investigation of the Well's previous locations. Such may be the key to locating our missing townsfolk.

Further accounts will be detailed as I acquire them.

[!] Like before, this installment would be signed - though it would match the adjustment made on the previous set. '(o o)'

[!] Another installment has been added! This one seems to have been put together rather hastily, as though the information within seemed to important to be kept from the town!

Revelations have been shared with me, grave tidings made known that are of the utmost import. Therefore, I share these findings with you, dear reader, in hopes that you may further put your minds to the matter.

The following findings have been brought forward by a figure who shall remain anonymous and from here be referred to as Ellira. Any attempt to garner the true identity of this source will be met with mockery and rude gestures. Also - to keep the identity of this kindly source safe, I will not offer direct quotations akin to my previous testimonies, instead utilizing the format of my initial installment.

Ellira's Testimony

It was my description of the unconscious man that brought them forward (I thank the Lady that what I did manage to glean despite my wandering mind proved worthwhile). They believe the man is trapped within the Nocturne - what has been described as a hidden realm which holds dreams, desires, unspoken thoughts, and the figments of people once known, but lost to time.

It is my understanding that this, then, is a realm of the subconscious and all that lay within the frayed peripheries of one's mind. Such would also connect it to the impressions given to the initial three witnesses. Speculation aside - let us continue.

The same source has made it clear that they, given their knowledge of such a place, intend to venture into this realm and free the fellow from their status. The results of such an endeavor will be documented once concluded - for now we might only ask whatever deity we choose for their safe deliverance. (Of course, if you are like myself and prefer the sweat of the brow as opposed to divine intervention, you might instead do something productive.)

Furthermore, and perhaps of interest to those who seek out Kindly Leokas (though I feel it necessary to remind the town that there are two others missing in our ranks, perhaps Leokas is simply the most popular of them all), they had news regarding his sudden disappearance.

The following information was revealed to me through the eyes of the source. Leokas, as many have already predicted, has indeed been taken by the Well. He is injured, skin tainted with fresh lightning marks. Those who are familiar with the arcane may know that an attempt to cast gone awry can lead to the scarring of the flesh in such away - though we must not rule out the possibility that this could have been due to something else.

Furthermore, in their vision they did see him near a glass structure - hues of purple and blue illuminating him. He appeared to be attempting to drive his foot through the structure itself - and the source revealed that deeper into the glass still was the Well itself. Tendrils of shadows did seem to claw in all directions, both against glass and Kindly Leokas himself.

While the situation does seem dire, we must not lose ourselves to despair or fall into a blind fury. There is still hope that our leads regarding the well's residual energy may prove fruitful.

Furthermore, should Ellira be able to free the unconscious man from his stupor, it is likely that he may have information needed on saving our wayward compatriots.

Given the dire nature of this addition, I expect there are those who may try to pursue myself or Ellira for further information. Therefore, I remind you, dear reader, that any attempt to breach the confidentiality trusted with me will result in a rude gesture.

Further accounts will be added as I acquire them.

[!] The installment is signed like before. '(o o)'