Enlightenment Under the Stars/Investigation Notes

Prologue	Chapter 1	Chapter 2	Chapter 3	Chapter 4	Epilogue
Stone of Truth			Investigation Notes

Investigation Notes

Investigation Progress

The Investigation Progress rewards can be viewed at the following article: Investigation Progress

Story Chapters

Prologue: Star Sacrificer
1-1 Star Sacrificer	The serial killings in Wightlow seem to be intricately connected to D.M.
Chapter 1: Tower of the Dark Tempest
2-1 Cranial Diviniation	Auburn Duval's Cranial Divination is renowned, with most visitors seeking his teachings.
2-2 Victims	Strangely, the victims of the serial murders are predominately from families linked to the Mélodis family, yet the connection remains shrouded in mystery.
2-3 Trial of the Celestial Divine	This notorious prison, restored by the Astrologer, became the venue for tonight's ritual.
Chapter 2: Curse of the Sacred Words
3-1 Devout Lies	Everyone confused their intentions before the Stone of Truth, but I know that some wove lies beneath the mask of devotion.
3-2 The Amnesiac	As preparations for the ritual unfolded, the Astrologer asked everyone to rest in their rooms. Dr. Goodwin mentioned her husband's long standing amnesia.
3-3 Dark Fluorescence	During the blackout, strange writing appeared on the tower's walls, but the prime suspect turned out not to be the true culprit.
Chapter 3: Deception Concealed in Darkness
4-1 Enlightenment Ritual	The Clerk and I underwent the mysterious enlightenment ritual, and overwhelming memories flooded in, causing a splitting headache.
4-2 The Curse Unraveled	The phonograph revealed who caused the blackout and left the cryptic markings on the wall.
4-3 The Vanished Poet	The Poet vanished under mysterious circumstances and after a search, his body was found locked in a room on the tenth floor.
Chapter 4: Judgment of the Stars
5-1 Crime Scene Investigation	Fearing the rumors surrounding this room, I teamed up with D.M. to investigate this crime scene.
5-2 A Hidden Passage	A hidden passage was discovered between the tenth-floor locked room and the rooftop, a secret likely only known to the true culprit.
5-3 The Tragic Song of Fate	The former prodigy fell from grace three years ago, consumed by hatred, but fate played a cruel joke on him.
Epilogue
6-1 A New Puzzle	Months late, the true mysteries behind this case began to surface.
6-2 A Late Letter	Truth arrived only when it was too late, just like the letter that came three years too late.

Evidence

Evidence
Evidence	Description	Evidence	Description
	Manuscript with Ring Pattern Drawing A manuscript bearing a snake-like ring pattern, a mark of the Mélodis family.		Old Letters Letters brought by Ms. Herschel from school, addressed to Auburn Duval.
	Mysterious Writing on the Wall During the power outage, mysterious words appeared on the tower's hallway wall: "LIAR DIES," each letter slightly differing in form.		Testimony Records A heavily worn notebook, filled with testimony records, chronicling the details pertinent to the investigation.
	Wire with Wax Residue An old wire, melted by a candle, with solidified wax still clinging to it.		Gloves with Fluorescent Stains Gloves worn by Novia Aurore, stained with faint green fluorescent marks on the palms.
	Purification Water Purification water used in the ritual, its composition unknown.		Phonograph An elegant phonograph brought by Assaf, its corners faintly marked with fluorescent stains in the dim light.
	Forgotten Coat A coat, abandoned by Assaf and carelessly piled in a corner.		Bloodstained Letter Paper A letter with a special spiderweb print, with blood stains at the top left corner revealing fluorescent text.
	Sealed Vial A sealed vial found on Assaf, containing a pink liquid resembling purification water.		Notebook A notebook found in a hidden room, filled with dense and cryptic experimental notes.
	Scented Candles A candle holder atop the rooftop divination table, the extinguished candle still faintly scented with something unusual.		Bloodstained Dagger A bloodstained dagger, discarded in the hallway of the secret room.

Testimonies

Testimonies
Testimony	Description
Descending Order Elsa Goodwin's Testimony	Although the building was in a blackout, Dr. Goodwin believed there were no other people on the first floor at the time, as she confirmed that everyone else had gone downstairs after her. The Boxer, second to descend, came from the fourth floor. The Sheriff, Mr. Inference, and the Clerk followed in the third group. D.M., accompanied by Ms. Herschel and the Seer, descended together. Lady Aurore was second-to-last. The Poet, who stayed on the second floor, was the last to appear.
Night Blindness The Poet's Testimony	The Poet, suffering from night blindness, remained in his room during the blackout and heard the others descend in the order described by Dr. Goodwin.
Old Wire The Sheriff's Testimony	An old wire, melted by candle wax, was discovered in the basement.
Fluorescent Substance The Sheriff's Testimony	The Sheriff, while heading to the basement, unknowingly touched a fluorescent substance, matching the color of the writing on the hallway wall.
Fainting from Poisoning Issac Goodwin's Testimony	Mr. Goodwin fainted from poisoning during the ritual, halting its completion.
Unusual Smell Issac Goodwin's Testimony	While performing the rooftop trial, Mr. Goodwin detected a strange odor.
Knocking Sounds Issac Goodwin's Testimony	Before losing consciousness, Mr. Goodwin heard rhythmic knocking sounds from below the rooftop.
Auditory Hallucinations Issac Goodwin's Testimony	Aside from the Astrologer, Mr. Goodwin did not hear anyone else speaking during the ritual.
Health Concerns The Clerk's Testimony	The Clerk also displayed symptoms of poisoning but recovered shortly after.

Character Background

Issac Goodwin	The reserved and taciturn Mr. Goodwin also made his way here. Tracing Light is the alias he uses among strangers. He had passed the Trial of Truth and was staying with his wife on the third floor. Mr. Goodwin seemed repulsed by the scent of the scented candles in the room. Though the cause of Mr. Goodwin's amnesia remains unknown, he had been haunting by the same nightmare for years. During the enlightenment ritual, he suddenly collapsed from poisoning.
Elsa Goodwin	Dr. Goodwin arrived at the gathering in a simple, yet refined blue dress. Here, she is known as Everlasting Dream. Dr. Goodwin arrived in search of a treatment for her husband's persistent amnesia. Dr. Goodwin and her husband underwent the Trial of Truth and took residence on the third floor. To better care for her husband, Dr. Goodwin left her previous hospital position. They were the first to notice strange markings on the tower walls, recording the order of the descent during the blackout.
Astrologer	Auburn Duval, before taking on the mantle of the Astrologer, was once a prodigy in mathematics and philosophy. Cranial Divinations, a spiritual practice Duval developed after the tragic loss of a loved one, became widely known. Duval transformed an abandoned prison into a sanctuary for divination and enlightenment In the old letters handed over by Ms. Herschel, it seems there were no letters of interest to Duval. Fueled by hatred toward the Nine Families for his sister's death, Duval orchestrated the serial killings under the guise of divination.
Bard	A melancholic poet who delights in poetry, music, and celebrity gossip. He came here seeking treatment for his psoriasis and to reunite with an old friend. The phonograph in the first-floor hall was a gift from the Poet to the Astrologer. The Poet, burdened by excessive luggage, swapped rooms with Ms. Herschel, who had initially stayed on the first floor. The Poet was found with fluorescent substance on the palms of his hands. He mysteriously disappeared after ritual. His body was later found locked away in a room on the tenth floor.
Lady of Dawn	A noblewoman with a passion for stage performances, Lady Aurore hails from the prestigious Aurore family of Mayotte. She arrived to investigate rumors surrounding "Goatee." She passed the Trial of Truth and stayed in a room on the eighth floor. Taking advantage of being the last to leave the hall, she secretly descended to the basement, melting wires with candles to cause a power outage. As a result, fluorescent substances stained her gloves. During the blackout, she ventured to the tenth floor to investigate the "Goatee" cell. There is no "Lady of Dawn" in Mayotte.
D.M.	A mysterious and dignified nobleman—according to the Benefactor, a special formula developed by D.M. is intricately tied to a series of grisly murders. D.M. kept his true purpose a secret but revealed an unexpected answer when faced with the Stone of Truth. He immediately recognized the spiderweb pattern on the letterhead as the crest of the Ulliel family.
Seer	A slightly haughty and knowledgeable Seer, well-versed in astrology. She passed the Trial of Truth and stayed on the seventh floor.
Boxer	A silent, reserved boxer, fiercely competetive. He passed the Trial of Truth and stayed on the fourth floor.
Dispossessed Worker	A bankrupt clerk with an isatiable desire for wealth and success. He passed the Trial of Truth and stayed on the sixth floor. He was the first to undergo the enlightenment ritual that night.
Astrology Student	A timid astronomy student who greatly admired Auburn Duval. She failed the Trial of Truth but came merely to meet Duval and deliver some old letters. After swapping rooms with the Poet, she stayed on the seventh floor.
Sheriff	A burly sheriff, seemingly kind-hearted but deeply committed to rules. He had been investigated the "Star Sacrificer" serial murders. The Sheriff passed the Trial of Truth and stayed on the sixth floor. After the power outage, he rushed to the basement to resolve the issue, discovering severed wires and contaminating his hands with fluorescent substance.

Glossary

Glossary
Term	Definition
The Wightlow Gazette	Once a popular penny press that circulated through the streets, this well-known newspaper from Wightlow has since evolved into a serious publication, now focused on pressing social issued and matters of public affairs.
Cranial Divination	Developed by Auburn Duval, this personal doctrine draws from theories on brain function localization, blending elements of Hermeticism, classical archaeology, and other mystical traditions. It is said to offer a form of spiritual therapy, capable of curing mental and some physical ailments. The doctrine has gained widespread popularity, amassing many devoted followers.
"Star Sacrificer"	A series of mysterious deaths in Wightlow and surrounding areas have stunned the public. The victims were found in eerily similar circumstances, with their torsos and limbs covered in a glowing substance resembling starlight. Police reports suggest the substance may have been part of a rare and ancient ritual sacrifice.
"Black Storm"	A towering structure located 50 kilometers outside Wightlow, known for its resemblance to a massive black tornado. Over a century ago, this place was a notorious prison that held the most dangerous criminals.
Astrolabe	Also known as a celestial chart, the astrolabe originated from Babylonian astronomical observations. It is a diagram depicting the celestial positions based on an individual's birth time and location, used to analyze the connection between a person and the cosmos. Over time, it blended astronomy, mathematics, and symbolism, becoming an essential tool in astrology.
Astrology	Rooted in ancient Babylonian traditions, astrology is intricately tied to astronomy, politics, and calendars. It flourished during the Roman Empire, where it was used to guide agricultural and religious activities by tracking the movements of the stars.
Aurore Family	A prestigious noble family from Mayotte County, founded by Edward Aurore, who was granted his title after his heroic feats in battle. Over centuries, the Aurores have amassed immense wealth and influence, maintaining close ties with political elites.
"Goatee"	One of the most notorious criminals to ever emerge from the Black Storm Prison, "Goatee" was a man of many talents. An expert in medicine, biology, architecture, and law, he even contributed to the design of the prison. After committing a string of heinous crimes, he was finally incarcerated.
The Night of the Black Storm	A satirical stage comedy inspired by the infamous criminal "Goatee." The play gained popularity for its clever mix of humor and dark, ironic metaphors, drawing a wide audience with its biting commentary.
Nightingale Royal Opera House	Located in Mayotte County, this renowned opera house attracts the finest artists from around the world. Its exclusive performance of the classic opera, The Nightingale's Song, regularly captivates the attention of influential figures.
Nine Families	Over two centuries ago, a group of powerful families, led by the Mélodis family, rose to prominence in the competitive business world, collectively known as the "Nine Families." Though many of these families have since declined due to infighting, some continue to operate in the shadows. The families' once-glorious reputations have dimmed, but the recent deaths tied to the "Star Sacrificer" case have strangely brought them back into the spotlight.
Planet X	A mysterious planet theorized by astronomers to exist beyond Neptune. Due to its elusive orbit, it has never been directly observed, earning it the nickname "The Phantom Planet."
Four Elements	In astrology, the Four Elements—fire, earth, air, and water—are derived from ancient Greek philosophy, which proposed that the universe is made up of these four basic elements. These elements represent universal life force and form the foundation of astrological belief.
The Devil's Cell	A notorious cell in which the criminal "Goatee" was once confined. Known for his cruelty, Goatee took pleasure in tormenting his fellow prisoners, often filling the night with horrific scenes. After his mysterious disappearance, the prison warden took his own life in the same room, earning the cell its ominous nickname: "The Devil's Cell."
Hydra	An empty vial discovered on a secretive desk within the prison. Although the vial has aged, faint traces of the word "Hydra" are still visible. This suggests the vial may have once contained a mysterious substance.
367 Amicitia	An asteroid discovered by French astronomer Auguste Charlois on May 19, 1893, near Nice, France. It was later designated asteroid 367 (367 Amicitia). Amicitia is Latin for Friendship.