Musings of Mistera - The Atrocities!

(Two in one)

I'm sad to leave Cypress behind.

He's been with me for most of my journey, but the water is not a suitable place for one such as he. I've been visiting him as much as I can between our voyages out to sea, but I don't know how long we will be out on the water this time, in search of the temples that house unspeakable evils, yet house the means to salvation.

I hold him close, rubbing up against his fur and planting a gentle kiss upon his head.

"I will return for you, I swear it."

He doesn't even have to nod - he knows.

---

I must be careful how I present found treasure to the paladins.

It turns out that part of the deal that was struck with the Gnomes for safe passage was that a percentage of the treasure found would go to them. During one of our forays into the depths, I stumbled across a beautiful gem. I carefully picked it up with a piece of cloth, and then later showed it to Hrefna. She identified it as a Gem of True Seeing. She then told the paladins of the find, who quickly appraised it at some gods-high value.

Dear gods, either we need to give them the gem or give them ample compensation for the find.

That is, if it doesn't go missing.

---

We've encountered a very interesting sea elf on our journey - fashions herself a princess. I'm not sure what lineage she actually is, although she is delusional enough to be royalty.

I wonder if she rides a sea pony.

---

May her soul be damned.

We found her beyond the obsidian mirror, a true sight to behold. What evils there are beyond the dark reflection, enough for Princess Precious to almost throw herself off the cliff.

And worse! There I beheld a true atrocity against nature! It was a otter, but not - pustules covered its body, dark sores lay underneath its matted fur, open wounds oozing. It was horrible to behold! And so I had to do it, Artemis, I had to try and release its soul! Burn its soul away from the wretched flesh! Let it return to the cycle of life anew, to be reborn!

But damn the necromancer! She raised it from its ashes! To regain its same form, but now with wretched burn marks! Looking into its eyes was heartbreaking, so I did it again! It must be released!

Why does it keep coming back!

Artemis, save this poor creature!