L.T. File: 042: Shmoùl Nwaw-Black-boxes
The Black Boxes have been showing up since long before the Aulvi found their way back to the surface, though, they had been collected largely as novelties until The Tranquil Shadows took an interest in them. Each box is half a meter on a side, and is made of a strange, alien metal that cannot be found anywhere else on the world. At first glance, the metal boxes seem innocuous enough, if a bit alien in appearance due to the shiny, black-grey of the metal.
Upon placing a hand on any of the boxes sides, however, the box begins to show one of many views of an individual (depending on the side) varying from first person, birds-eye, third person, over-the-shoulder, front-view, and one side that is adjustable by interacting with the screen. Each side shows the same person, (albeit from different angles). The world in which the person lives is idyllic and beautiful, and the only conflict (which is sparse) occurs in relation to the other people who are occasionally to rarely seen as part of the continuously shifting images.
When the hand is removed, the screen continues to show the scene for exactly thirty seconds before going black. if a hand is replaced on the screen, it will begin to show the video, though as though time had elapsed within the space. The longer it is watched, the more clear it becomes that it is simply a continuous streaming of the same person going about a continuously lived existence, occasionally interacting with others.
One might wonder; what could make such a box work? To figure this out, some have opened these boxes. This is difficult due to the strength of the metal, but not, by any means, impossible for a determined individual. However, as one tries to do so, the figure on the screen begins to seem as though they are in terrible pain, often falling to the ground. If one stops at this point, the person within the screen will eventually recover. However, the more persistent the attempts to open the box, the more severe, and potentially permanent the injuries to the individual on the screen.
This might not be a problem for some, but what causes many to shy away is that when/if the box is opened despite the obvious pain from the figure on the screen, all that seems to be inside is a brain attached to some wires that, even upon close technical inspection, seem to have no purpose. When the box opens, the person on the screen dies in an instant, falling to the ground. When this happens, the screens all freeze and show that scene for the next thirty seconds then go black.
So far these boxes have been found only on Hechesoieh, but the creator of these boxes has not been discovered. Worse, some of the figures in the boxes screens have been positively identified as individuals who went missing, some as long as centuries ago. Many could be longer. Up to date The Tranquil Shadows have found 534 of these boxes, and have identified 114 of the individuals who went missing as people identical to those in the boxes. The boxes are kept in a safe section of the Sanctum of The Tranquil Shadows until the agents and their advisors can find a safe way to remove them from their boxes.
The inhabitants include 312 Human-Hechesoieh of varying ethnicities, 114 Aulvi , 30 Half-Aulvi, 70 Anadi, 2 Dwarves , 5 Goblins, and one Dhampir - Geɪ̯-îraje. The individuals range in age from one identified as the youngest, (by physical age) to be Orchid, a 42 year old Aulven girl (human equivalent of just over 5 years old) and the oldest being a Dwarven man Identified after much research into genealogies and records as being Hywel Emberbeard, a forgotten, who at his last known interaction was nearly 345, concerningly, this interaction had been nearly 600 years before the writing of this, in the year 498 (pre). Oddly, none of the figures within seem to age, nor see this as a concern, and the brains, upon examination post mortem were determined to have only perished at the time of the boxes opening.
At this time it is recommended not to attempt to open any boxes until a safe methd can be devised and/or the culprit of their creation can be found.
Case File 1
Filed under: Sanctum Archive 77-B/“Black Boxes”
Operative: Ashen Sky- Yssima
Date: 73 (post-surface calendar)
Incident: Ghost Manifestation – Box #417
Summary:
On patrol near the village of Veyar’s Fjord, locals reported “a wandering stranger” who appeared in their streets at irregular hours, often speaking incoherently or vanishing in front of witnesses. Tranquil Shadows reconnaissance confirmed the presence of a corrupted Box Apparition following the destruction of Box #417.
Observation:
- Apparition resembles subject later identified as Mira Tane, human female, missing 128 years.
- Subject’s image is unstable—height, clothing, and even facial expression shift moment-to-moment.
- Speech patterns are fragmented. Common repeated phrases:
- “It’s morning, isn’t it?”
- “I’ll try again.”
- “No—reset.”
Interaction:
When approached, apparition displayed awareness of operatives. Attempted to speak directly: “I see you—don’t look.” Seconds later, visual distortion (similar to mirage heat shimmer) and subject reset to neutral posture, repeating daily actions such as sweeping or watering crops.
Danger Level:
Moderate. No direct hostility observed, but prolonged exposure induces “phantom perspectives” in observers—agents reported seeing themselves from overhead angles during sleep cycles for three consecutive nights.
Resolution:
Operatives performed ritual isolation measures. Subject faded after thirty-eight hours without apparent external interference. Remains of Box #417 secured and transferred to Sanctum Vault Delta-Black.
Recommendation:
Further destruction of boxes must be strictly prohibited. Apparitions present cognitive hazards even when nonviolent. Strongly advise Sanctum Council to allocate more containment wards for broken samples already retrieved.
Signed,
Yssima → Ashen Sky
Case File 2
Collected from reports, hearsay, and incomplete transcripts
Source: Sanctum of the Tranquil Shadows, Restricted Access
They say the Black Boxes are prisons. They say they are sanctuaries. They say they are mirrors of a life that might have been.
What is true:
When a box breaks, sometimes a figure comes out. Not in body, not in flesh, but in a shimmering, uncertain outline. These are the “digital ghosts.” The Tranquil Shadows refuse the term, but those who’ve seen them know no better word.
One farmer swore he saw his long-lost brother, alive and laughing in his orchard, though the man had vanished fifty years prior. The brother asked, “What day is it?”—then repeated the same phrase again, each time with a little less voice, a little more static, until he disappeared into the trees.
Another report tells of a child’s ghost who played with village dogs until dusk, then froze in place mid-laughter. The next day she returned, picking up the laugh as though no time had passed. The dogs, however, whined and would not approach.
The Sanctum teaches us not to pity them. But it is difficult when the apparitions sometimes recognize those around them. One operative recorded an apparition staring directly at her and whispering, “Get me out of here,” before the words scrambled into nonsense.
We are told the ghosts fade with time. But no one has yet proven where they go.
Diary of Elthira Vey, confiscated following her termination
Annotations by Operative Halwen - Silent Bough
Case file 3
Diary Entry, Day 1
I acquired three more of the marvelous boxes today. The little faces inside are enchanting—like dolls come to life. One even looks at me when I place my hand on the glass. I laughed and waved, and I could swear she waved back.
→ Annotation: Subject is likely Orchid, the Aulven child identified in Box #092. Prolonged exposure led to interactive hallucinations.
Diary Entry: Day 31
I have learned to keep the boxes near my guests. They marvel at them, press hands against their sides, gasp at the lovely illusions. Some say they hear the figures whispering to them. I watch, and I smile—oh, how I smile.
→ Annotation: Early signs of auditory hallucination. Likely contamination spread through group exposure.
Diary Entry, Day 52
One of my slaves dropped a box. The man inside screamed and clutched his chest until I covered the box again. It was… delightful. I made the slave drop another, just to see it happen. The second man broke apart like a puppet whose strings were cut. His ghost wandered the hall for days—so polite, bowing at guests, though half his face was missing.
→ Annotation: Strong evidence of deliberate cruelty. The apparition described matches ghost signatures catalogued after box ruptures. Confirmation that Box Apparitions may persist for multiple days in high-density trauma events.
Diary Entry: Day 55
I ordered another one opened today. The screams were dreadful—delicious. The thing inside looked like a brain, but when I reached for it, I swear it pulsed like a heart. I placed it in a silver dish for display, but by morning it had shriveled to dust. The ghost remained, circling the halls, bowing like a servant. Very loyal, very amusing.
→ Annotation: Confirms link between box contents and apparition emergence. Matter degradation rapid post-extraction.
Diary Entry: Day 174
The child, Orchid, has grown bold. She mouths words when she thinks I do not watch. Sometimes I almost understand: “Stop,” “Why,” “Help.” It amuses me to answer aloud, though she never responds. Still, the way her little lips tremble is priceless.
→ Annotation: Cruelty evident. Strong indication Orchid has some residual awareness of external reality. Requires careful containment.
Diary Entry: Day 237
Last night I awoke to find one of the ghosts lying beside me in bed, watching me. It did not vanish when I screamed. It only smiled and reached for my hand. My maids tell me no such thing was there, but the sheets were damp with something that looked like ink. I do not sleep anymore, not properly.
→ Annotation: Marked escalation. Possible early-stage possession phenomenon. Ink-like residue noted in similar incidents.
Diary Entry: Final (fragment, scrawled; Date unknown)
They will not stop watching. In the glass, in the dark, in the—
(entry ends in smears)
→ Annotation: Diary ended days before Sanctum intervention. Collector found in her chambers, eyes ruptured, surrounded by thirty-two intact boxes and one open. Ghost unaccounted for.
Final Report Annotation Operative Halwen (Silent Bough):
Boxes secured. Slaves freed. Collector disposed of. Ghost not contained. Remaining 27 boxes secured in Vault Gamma-Obsidian. One box found open upon arrival; ghost not recovered. Mansion contained additional contraband (human slaves, relics of Below). Investigation ongoing. Recommend higher-tier wards around Vault Gamma-Obsidian. Elthira’s “bed-ghost” may have persisted beyond her death. Recommend alerting the zmèrpaw shmɞùl to ghost activity.
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