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In any city, in any country, there's a mental institution or halfway house you can try any of these in. There were 2538 of these, but 2000 were lost. They must never come together. Ever.

"Hidden around the world are numerous Objects, seemingly chosen by some higher power in an arbitrary fashion. Some say that when the Objects are brought together, the world as we know it will end; others say the world will truly begin. Whatever the purpose, a random sampling of the population has been driven to find these things, either to protect them, destroy them, or reunite them. These people are gifted from birth by a preternatural desire - an obsession, some might say - to go forward with this plan. Many would die to accomplish their goal; many more would kill. These are the Seekers. Their gift is their curse, their only lot in life to find the Objects. Anyone who comes into contact with an Object with knowledge of what it is runs the risk of becoming a Seeker. The lucky ones are satiated by a single, simple Object. Others spend their entire lives searching. The Objects themselves can be anything, from something as simple as a thumbtack to something as complex as a living creature. Though some are used by Seekers whose wicked souls taint the Objects (some say the opposite is true), all of them can be used for the greater good or for personal gain. There are rules behind the Objects, though; A Seeker can never give an Object away. It can only be taken by force, earned fairly, or its owner must have died a natural death. :An Object can never be tossed away. If it is, it will find its way back to the owner through a series of coincidences (the Legend of the Black Pearl is a tale of one such Object). :A Seeker must take care when handling an Object, or run the risk of becoming insane. They then become a Holder. A Holder is an immortal shell of a Seeker, forever protecting their precious Object. A Holder will ask a question, series of questions, or present a riddle or puzzle of logic to the Seekers that encounter it. Anyone who completes the trials is deemed worthy of the Object, and those who are not free the Holder and become the new Holder... if they are lucky. A sampling of known Objects follows: :


The Coin: When placed under the tongue, it gives the gift of languages. The markings on it are of an unknown civilization, and the face it bears is of an elven creature. Despite its unnatural markings, it appears like any other coin minted in the common age. The Coin is said to also grant the gift of understanding the language of animals as well as humans. The Coin is even able to translate written languages, including ciphers. The language of the
Objects themselves, however, is immune to the Coin's power.

The Pin-and-Tumbler Key: The Pin-and-Tumbler Key fits into any pin-and-tumbler lock and creates a portal to any other door with a pin-and-tumbler lock. No secret is safe from the one who possesses the Pin-and-Tumbler Key; any door or briefcase that uses even a similar lock is open to them. The key is almost indistinguishable from any other similar key, save for the presence of lettering along the top of it. The letters appear to come from the same language as the Coin.

The Knife: Able to cut anything cleanly, the Knife is powerful enough that, if dropped onto a slab of titanium, it will bury itself into the metal up to the handle. Even with the most powerful microscope, no tool marks can be found. The Knife appears to be a simple kitchen knife, free even of the letterings of other Objects.

The Chain: When both ends of the Chain are touched to an object, the two objects cannot be pulled apart from each other. Only its current owner can remove the objects; if the Chain is won in one of the above methods, the objects will detach automatically. It is a simple iron chain, a yard in length, with twenty-three links.

The Mirror: Creates a dopple-ganger of a chosen individual, including its original Holder. The dopple-ganger is identical in every way to the original. The Mirror itself is plain, frameless, and hardly larger than a hand, yet is polished to a perfect shine.

The Cup: Once filled by a liquid, it can never be dry. Any liquid can fill the Cup, and once another liquid is poured into it, it replaces the original completely. The Cup is a simple glass, no different from any other save for a single chip on the ridge that leads down into a crack in the glass.

The Notebook: Anything written in the Notebook will be remembered by the one who possesses it; when won, its contents will immediately be remembered by its new owner. The Notebook can call forth any knowledge written in it by any of its owners, but to anyone else it will call forth insults and curses. The Notebook looks ordinary enough, but on its blue cover is the same language as the Coin and the Pin-and-Tumbler Key. Parts of the language have been tentatively translated as "200 pages" (though this is only a guess by one of its previous owners). The ruling of the pages within the Notebook is different from any current ruling, and the inside front cover is covered in the Language. Another guess claims they are the full rules of the Objects.

The Wolf: A living Object with the power to sense anyone with malicious intent towards its master, the Wolf is loyal to a fault. It's not actually a wolf; it can be more accurately described as a green-furred, wolflike creature with a mouth that opens in three places instead of the usual two.

The Photograph: An undeveloped Polaroid photograph that acts as a window that extends one's field of vision almost infinitely in any direction. The Photograph's window of vision is limited though; it cannot pass through matter, and it cannot reach into space, despite its ability to extend vision across the surface of the entire planet.


None of these Objects can be destroyed, though some say each Object has one other that can destroy it. If this is true, they are capable of returning. No Object rumored destroyed has stayed that way for long. These are only a sampling of the Objects that are known; I have run out of time. They have caught up with me. Soon I will be killed, but I will leave this testimony behind. It is your doorway into the world of the Objects. If you believe that you can bear this responsibility, I laugh at you but this information is now yours. Along with the Seekers, those who seek out the Objects, and the Holders, those driven insane that guard an Object, there is another group. They have no name, and thus I will call them The Lost Ones, for they have become lost in whatever goal the Objects represent to them. They are the ones after me, but you have no reason to fear, for I have omitted the information they are hell-bent on retrieving. I only issue this warning: DO NOT SEEK THE DIARY, THE LETTER, OR THE--"


The diary these words (and many more, albeit less legible) reside in is now sitting on the coffee table of a very rich man (with a very interesting assortment of items). At the surface he would appear to be nothing more than a normal self-esteem raising philanthropist but underneath his carefully created exterior lies the heart and soul of a kindred spirit, one who is just like you (this being the only reason he even let you in). The drive to collect has caused him a great deal of grief, but also a great deal of wealth and as you sit there reading this blood-stained testimony of an unnamed soul, you begin to feel the urge as well.
Perhaps it's time you stood up, and perhaps he won't notice if you take the diary with you.
Perhaps you should run away from this place as fast as you can and forget you ever heard of these objects.


No?
Well, maybe it's time to start your journey...

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house in you can get yourself to. When you reach the front desk, ask to visit someone who calls himself "The Holder of the End". Should a look of child-like fear come over the workers face, you will then be taken to a cell in the building. It will be in a deep hidden section of the building. All you will hear is the sound of someone talking to themselves echo the halls. It is in a language that you will not understand, but your very soul will feel unspeakable fear.

Should the talking stop at any time, STOP and QUICKLY say aloud "I'm just passing through, I wish to talk." If you still hear silence, flee. Leave, do not stop for anything, do not go home, don't stay at an inn, just keep moving, and sleep where your body drops. You will know in the morning if you've escaped.

If the voice in the hall comes back after you utter those words continue on. Upon reaching the cell all you will see is a windowless room with a person in the corner, speaking an unknown language, and cradling something. The person will only respond to one question. "What happens when they all come together?"

The person will then stare into your eyes and answer your question in horrifying detail. Many go mad in that very cell, some disappear soon after the meeting, and a few end their lives. But most do the worst thing, and look upon the object in the person's hands. You will want to as well. Be warned that if you do, your death will be one of cruelty and unrelenting horror.

Your death will be in that room, by that person's hands.

That object is 1 of 538. They must never come together. Never.

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house you can get yourself to. When you reach the front desk, ask to visit someone who calls himself "The Holder of Eternity." A sigh might escape the worker as they look upon you with the utmost pity. They will take you down a flight of stairs into what should be the basement of the building, yet isn't.

As you press deeper and deeper into the underbelly of the institution, you will begin to hear a chorus of screams. At first it will be barely audible, as if originating from a point a great distance away, but the closer you get to the end of the hallway, the louder it will become until it drones so loudly that it seems to consume all other noises. Soon the din will become so painful that you will feel the unrelenting urge to claw at your own ears to escape it; it is advisable to resist this impulse, or else it will be impossible to complete your quest. The worker will show you a door, covering both their ears as they do so. As swiftly as they can, they will unlock the door and run, leaving you alone in this cramped, dark hallway.

This will be your last chance to run. If you decide to continue, open the door; the piercing wail will then end abruptly, leaving your ears ringing. The room you will enter will be coated in an almost tangible, all-consuming darkness but for the far end of the room. There, manacled to the wall, is an emaciated figure, covered in raw lashes. He will stare directly at you, with a maniacal grin plastered to his face despite festering wounds and a scalpel still half-protruding from his chest. Now will be your only chance to save yourself, and the only way is to ask, "Who created them?”

He will cackle in a manner befitting the death throes of an animal before responding. His will be the most horrific tale you have ever heard, beyond such primitive concepts as pain and death. It will delve deep into the very essence of evil; those of weak mind go mad at the man's story, so remain strong, no matter how fragile your mind may feel.

When he finishes, it will be up to you to end this man's life, releasing his terrible burden. Remove the scalpel and he will shudder once in agony before falling silent... forever.

That scalpel is Object 3 of 538. It is up to you if the rest should be protected or destroyed.

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house you can get yourself to. When you reach the front desk, close your eyes and ask to visit someone who calls himself "The Holder of Light.” You will be guided to a single door leading to a long, winding hallway. You will be told to open your eyes. The hallway will be pitch black, narrow enough only for you to feel the walls and move yourself forward.

If, at any moment along the way, the hall is suddenly bathed in light, shut your eyes immediately and quickly make your way back to the door you came in through. If your eyes stay open for more than a second, what you see will force you to instinctively tear them out.

If the lights stay off long enough for you to navigate the entire corridor, you will reach another door. If you can see any light escaping from the crack beneath the door, flee immediately, for what you seek is not there. If no light can be seen under the door, carefully turn the handle and enter.

The room beyond will be completely dark aside from a single, dimly-lit candle in the center. What little light it issues will reveal the outline of a cloaked figure huddled over it. The man underneath the cloak will seem to remain perfectly still. There is only one question that the man will respond to: “What can protect us from them?” Say anything else and the man will tear out your eyes and devour your soul; you will then be forced to take his place under the cloak for the rest of eternity.

If you ask the above question, a piercing scream will ring out from the candle and a series of lights will illuminate the room, revealing images of the most horrifying thoughts, fantasies and memories from all consciousness throughout history. Most people cannot handle this event; they will either go insane or die instantly. However, if you should somehow manage to survive the ordeal, the cloaked man will rise slowly and put his hands to your head. You will be forced to gaze upon his face. He looks like a young man, but his eyes are merely empty sockets. At this point you must not look away, lest you be stranded in this room, forever forgotten in time. He will then open your hand and place a small, round object into your right hand. From this point on you will feel no pain (unless you are in the process of obtaining another Object, for the pain you feel then is nowhere close to normal), but the horrifying images you witnessed in that room will be burned into your memory for all eternity.

The eye you hold in your hand is Object 5 of 538. The awakening has begun; they must not be brought together.

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house you can get yourself to. When you reach the front desk, ask to visit someone who calls himself "The Holder of Wealth." The worker will raise one eyebrow, as if puzzled by your request. Ask a second time, and the worker will shrug and take you across the street, where an opulent mansion awaits. This mansion was not there when you started your quest, but it's best that you not preoccupy yourself with the mansion's origin. Its owner would rather not scare you away.

Inside the front door will lie a grand staircase, spiraling up across the foyer. The walls will be covered with fine paintings, and a large marble statue will rest on a pedestal by the base of the stairs. The statue's eldritch features will evoke an image of a truly horrific beast, at once both alien and evil. Admire it all you want, but don't touch it, unless you wish to awaken this starved monster.

Ascend the staircase. As long as you touch nothing, you will be in no danger. Don't panic. At the top of the stairs will be a small, unassuming wooden door. It will open for you, so long as you are not afraid.

You should see a man with a pointed goatee and short, cropped, gelled hair standing behind a large desk of what will appear to be mahogany. His suit will appear to be made of both human flesh and Italian silk. He may speak, and at great length. He will talk about his amazingly beautiful house and the lovely statue of his concubine resting downstairs. Do not interrupt him, and do not answer any questions he may ask. When he is finished, steel yourself and confidently ask, "May I have my salary?"

He will proceed to explain to you, in great detail, the value of life. He will talk of things worse than death, and he will tell you exactly what he expects you to do. The fabulous interior of the room will rot away, and the floor will turn from French weave to feces. His own appearance will become unimaginably cyclopean and horrendous. He will then fish out a small bank note from the inside of his human suit and hand it to you.

That note is Object 8 of 538. Its Holder is counting on you to spend it.

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house in you can get yourself to. When you reach the front desk, ask to visit someone who calls himself "The Holder of Forbidden Tongues". The worker should bow before you, and then give you an urn. Now walk into an empty place inside the institute, preferably an unused supply closet. There, where nobody is watching you, open the urn and look into it.

Raise your head again. You should find yourself on a wooden stairway that leads downwards into a corridor. Go down the stairs, as there is no turning back now. After a while, you will hear something that sounds like a chorus, sung by monks, speaking a foreign language. Immediately cover your ears with your hands. If you hear too many words, a hideous creature will haunt you for the rest of your mortal existence. As soon as you reach a door, the chorus should stop. If it doesn't, quickly turn around and shout "TACITE!"- This is the Latin Word for "Silence". Now the chorus should stop at last; if it doesn't, pray to every god you have ever heard of for a quick death, and hope they listen, for if they don't, the singing will grow louder and louder until it drives your soul insane.

Step through the door. Inside a person is waiting for you. A masked monk in a red cloak. He will greet you in Latin with "Salve!” Do not say anything and wait a few seconds until he puts on the light. There will be inscriptions on the walls, on the floor and on the furniture. The Monk will stand at the wall on the other end of the room and wait for your question. Don't try to read the words on the Walls. If you do, you will, within seconds, go insane. Walk to him and ask him only one question. "In which language were they speaking?" That and nothing else. He will then hand you a book and disappear. Do not open the book. If you do, you will release horrible demons that will torture you for an eternity. After you get the book, turn around and there should be two urns on the table. One will take you back to the place you call home. The other one will drag your soul into pitch darkness.

The book is object 10 of 538. As for the urns, it’s up to you if you pick the right one or not.

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house in you can get yourself to. When you reach the front desk, ask to visit someone who calls himself "The Holder of Death". The worker's face will turn white as if he just saw a ghost. He will then guide you to a wooden door and leave you afterward. You will have to knock thrice.

Should you hear an old man saying "Come.", you may enter and will find yourself in a forest. If you hear a young man saying "No, thank you.” run. Run and leave the city, the country as fast as you can, for unspoken evil will haunt you, should you stay.

Now that you are in a forest, look up to the sky. If it is day, follow the sun. If it is night, follow the moon. Follow them, and do not leave the path you have taken, no matter what kinds of beauty or horror you might see. Should you ever leave the path; your soul will be tormented for eternity after the body has died a horrible death. You will, after some time, notice that you are walking to a mansion. Ignore it; keep walking, for it is an illusion made to confuse you.

Finally, you will reach a small wooden hut. Enter the hut and immediately turn around, should you desire to over live the sheer horror you will experience by looking at the man who now is behind you. Ask him a question. "What will end them?" He will begin to talk with a voice that is gentle and kind as well as brutal and deadly. Listen carefully to what he says, as you might soon be the only one knowing their destiny. As soon as the man finishes his small tale, he will ask you to turn around, as he wants to give you a gift.

Do not do this. Instead, walk backwards until you reach something hard, a desk. Close your eyes and partially turn your body so you can reach out to the man and take the gift. When it touched your hand, close it and walk back to the door you came from. As you open it, say the words "We will meet another day" and walk out. You will be back in the mental institution.

Now, open your hand and look at the gift. The bone-finger is object 12 of 538.

In any city, in any country, go to any mental institution or halfway house you can get yourself to. Reach for the reception and ask if you may visit someone who calls themselves “The Holder of Dance.” The clerk will shrug it off while telling you to go to the next theatre down the road. If you obey her, you’ll then discover she has sent you to see “The Lord of the Dance”, and that she hasn’t understood properly your question. So ask for it twice. Her face will at last light up as she gets it right. “Silly me” she’ll mutter, and then “fool of you, too” when she starts walking toward a long hall. You’ll pass through the garden, onto a small brick-built reserve, while being gazed upon by the mental patients around you. Heavy chains will be running athwart the rusty metal door. A key will be handed to you, and everyone will back up into the building, closing doors and windows and shutters. You’d be left in the silence of your own demise. You can still go away, but from the inside now raises an appealing sound. Calling you, tempting you. Your mind must not flicker, or it will be lost, forever swallowed in a false sense of bliss while you’re left to be shredded alive.

As you control yourself and enter the place, a wide descending flight of stairs awaits to be taken. Echoes of commotions reach your ears in troubled moans, where you can’t tell if they’re from pains or pleasures. You’ll come to an underground level, with fluttering or broken neon’s lights. It would look like a corridor, with multiple doorless rooms. Then, they’ll start coming out. Shallows and diaphanous figures, slouching aimlessly. They’ll be ghosts of different shapes and different ages and different sex and in different states of decay. On the other side of the room, far away – but it won’t be far enough, you’ll think in panic – stands a shape with a point of light. It will be your only chance to ask “What makes them dance?”

You’ll then see the dead all around you shaking nervously, and the silhouette afar coming near. The naked body of a female will be walking toward you, half-beheaded, her throat pumping and gurgling blood. With her head bent to the side she will begin speaking in a disembodied voice of the mayhem she witnessed and accomplished. You will see slaughter and rotting battlefields full of corpses as a rhythm grows in you. You’ll want to dance with the dead all around, but you must not yield into it. You’ll have to suppress the beating of your foot. And take heed to not let your heart go in cadence, for when the dance ceases, so will it. The bare bloody lady will tell you more as she approaches you, tales of carnage and torture that were their joys when they were one. In her left hand she’ll be stroking her turgescent manhood at you, while in her right flagging hand will hang an old square lantern, shining a pale blue.

The Lantern is object 14 of 538. Its holder will not let it go easily.