The Present That Enables a Future

 It seems that we have a future. I wasn't certain that would be the case. 

After consuming a holy feast, we flew toward the center to face the great adversary. In his current form, he is literally part of the terrain. The only weapons of any use are cannons and spells. Even with those, we're plinking away at a mountain that can crush half the ship with any blow that hits. We manage to chip a hole in his chest giving us some small bit of access to the core of his being. Hector valiantly sacrifices his Gailatian heart, which Cole-Bay catapults into the adversary, and we ride the shock wave of its explosion until we hit hard enough to ground us (but not hard enough to kill us). 

Unfortunately, that was not the last of him. From the distance, he strode toward us at a much more reasonable size. Nor was his "body" the only thing we had to contend with. He summoned prism crystals (like the ones used to fell me weeks ago) and tentacles of stone and dirt (very disconcerting). After a hard-fought battle, we eventually triumphed, and eradicated every trace of his corruption from the world.

It is my understanding that Hector has only a few hours of functionality left, but that some time in the future, if a new heart can be crafted for him, he may yet be revived. Nevertheless (or perhaps consequently), She and he wish to have the wedding that was interrupted so long ago. Since I am a priest of Her church, I humbly agree to officiate. The order has no formalized wedding rites, but I'm sure I can come up with something. With the bones of an idea, I scoop up a couple stones from the ground as we make our way to the ship. We gather everyone to witness the happy (but short) event.

"Do you, Fiona Sterling, wish to be with this man -- to love him, to guide him -- until the end of time?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do you, Hector Cogsworth, wish to be with this woman -- to love her, to guide her -- until the end of time?"

 "Yes, I do."

"These two stones are, like you, individuals. Separate." I then use a simple mending spell to fuse the stones together. "Now, they are, like you, one. Together, a single unit, until the end of time. Congratulations."

With that, we sail the Falcon's Blade back toward the sky, as the land so long lain asunder begins to drift back toward its natural state of unity. We deliver Aerathor to his home, and bring the body of Hector back to Unitopolis, the one island to remain airborne -- a symbol of the power of the One who reunified the land. There will indubitably be some who work to create a new heart for his Gailatian chest. I, myself, want to see if something can be done to mend the rifts in the world left by its sundering. Who knows, perhaps the elders will allow me in their counsel to determine what focus the Church should have in the years to come. I feel it vital that we begin to unify the people, as we have done with the land that sustains them.

Perhaps it is silly to think they will listen to me, a mere priest -- not much beyond acolyte, really -- but I've actually walked and talked with Her. That has to count for something! Ah, we'll see. The future will be what the future will be. 

A New Old Friend

 She (They?) guides and protects us through the Maelstrom. It was a harrowing experience. At one point, we are spotted by a Ship-breaker Behemoth, and we DIVE. Just cut the float crystal and ride the drop. We arrive at the core, shaken but unscathed. It is a barren, dark, crimson, rocky orb. We land near a house-sized metal structure. We have found Hector's capsule. Some yards away, maybe 1/4 mile, there is a small, tattered tent. As we slowly approach, a figure emerges. Hector is an automaton?! He and She reunited! A beautiful moment, somewhat marred by the urgency of the situation. We have only days before the adversary awakens. Fiona does something, and I find myself refreshed, and stronger, and with some interesting new ideas rattling around my skull. Interesting, indeed.

My Final Entry?

 This may be the last entry in this journal. I guess it depends on how this goes, or does it? Do I make an entry after a success? I guess that depends on what follows success? Again, I get ahead of myself. Indubitably a consequence of such heady, overwhelming occurrences and stakes. 

Mimi's sextant leads us to a tiny cottage on a tiny island on the very edge of Vorathis. It's obviously been abandoned for centuries. Nature has almost completely reclaimed it, even the interior. Inside, there is a field of a flower that is strange, but somehow familiar? As if it was used as a symbol by people I've only read about. Of course, I'm pressing a couple examples into this journal. Even if I am unable to return to the temple, someone will have the opportunity to study it. Apart from the vegetation, there is a large brass ring set into the floor. It looks similar to the hatch we found under the lake on Titan Prime, but as a seat for something rather than access to somewhere. Aerathor, bless his eyes, finds a letter on a bookshelf. It is dated 9 years after the last we've found. In it, Hector describes creating a capsule to traverse the Maelstrom, realizing that Fiona IS the aether that tries to hold the world together, and discovering another "that roams these skies" -- Zephyr, who he says is also her. This letter makes clear that Hector took his capsule into the Maelstrom, expecting to never return, but nothing remains to enable us to follow.

In a bolt of lightning, Zephyr stands among us again. She says that she remembers him. Suddenly (and yet gradually somehow?), the One also graces us. They both talk of their fondness for the flowers. They say they are two aspects of the same being. I notice that they wear identical engagement rings. Have I never noticed? Or were they never there until I was ready to see? The captain asks how they can both manifest if they were one being?

  "We sealed the adversary away and thought that would be enough. But he fractured the world on our wedding day. So I tried my best, used all of my power to contain the fracture and hold the pieces. I had to be everywhere on the planet. That fractured me into the aether (and these two beings). The spires have been absorbing the aether and weakening me."

Zephyr suggests that they can work together to get us to the center, maybe find Hector (?!?!), and try to defeat the adversary once and for all. (How we might expect to find him after more than a millennium is anyone's guess.) They grasp each others' hands and, in a flash of light, fuse into one Fiona Sterling. She looks like a mortal woman now. I struggle to grasp what that even means. Is she still divine? Was she ever? I don't know. I'm not sure those words have the meanings I once attributed them. I pledged my life to Her when she was merely an idea -- a concept I couldn't quite encompass in my head. How can I give less when she stands before me in literal flesh and blood?

In any case, I must send this journal to the temple. If we, or I, do not return from this trip, the Order should know all I have learned thus far. 

Finally Some Rest

 After weeks of constant travel and trials, it feels odd to tarry in one place, but needs must. We cannot travel without the ship, and the ship cannot travel without repairs. So, we wait on Vorathis.

But, though we do not progress physically toward our destination, we still progress emotionally with each other, and that may, in the long run, prove to be the more important journey. Mimi and I confronted Captain Averyn about her self-destructive demeanor. A few things that came to me in the moment: 

    "If Zephyr sees the good in you, why can't you?" 

    "Good is not an attribute; it's a choice. You have to continue to choose to do good." 

    "If you let yourself die early, you limit the amount of good you can do."

I have hope that we have gotten through to her and that she can find the acceptance in her own heart that already exists in others'. 

Over the course of a couple weeks, I tried to battle the curse that afflicts the captain's arm. With repeated sessions, I was able to slow its progression, but not halt it (never mind removing it). Given that failure, she had the arm amputated and grafted on a Gailatian replacement.

After three weeks of this, Mimi has a new reading on the Sextant that leads to a small island on the edge of Vorathis. 

TWO

   Thankfully, my friends were able to prevail in the battle and revive me. As She says, "no island floats alone." We are all dependent upon the people and the world around us. As it should be.

    I have received a letter from Sister Isolde. Upon her return to the temple with our notes, she joined the research effort -- specifically about aetherite crystal. It would seem that the Adversary Fragment that we most recently battled exists because of the aetherite. Aetherite relates to the spires, which their research seems to confirm are at the very least related to the Adversary (as Hector claims in his writing). Aetherite seems to have some level of sentience; it doesn't merely attract aether, it attracts AND repels subservient to some will. She also notes that the notorious pirate Sorren Starcaster is roving in an area somewhat near where we are. 

   As I sit on the deck, the Storm Lord Zephyr manifests herself! Even more incredibly, she addresses ME! She scoffs at my quest. Not just at my dedication, but to the very IDEA of reuniting the world. She is aware of the letters we have found, but has no interest in them. I, of course, am not swayed. Soon, The One ALSO manifests! These are not just visions, incidentally, they are physically manifest for all the crew to see. They argue for a bit, as they obviously do not see eye to eye. Zephyr, naming me Champion of The One, offers a prize to the captain to duel me, but thankfully, she seems uninterested in doing so. She also calls me weak, but I know that defending others is the epitome of strength. After She leaves, The One commiserates that the two of them don't get along. But that is no surprise to me. "The storm is always chaos, and rarely welcoming." Oof! Two deities arguing at me! If this keeps up, I'm going to start feeling important.

   Apart from her tattoos, the captain has been hiding a black spot curse. She is persuaded to disclose it to the party. From what we know, atonement will slow, halt, and with enough, even reverse the effects of the curse, which are beginning to be significant. She says merely, "you cannot bring people back from the dead." She seems resigned to a painful demise, but atonement is not merely (or even commonly) an undoing. It's a payment -- usually not back, but forward. Mimi suggest maybe the captain could adopt a child. After that is answered with a glare, I say simply, "atonement is always a path that can be chosen." Captain asks Mimi how much truth she can handle. Her reply is "I would prefer to help save you than let you die like you seem to want to." In response, the captain reveals enough of her tattoo to be recognized, and Mimi lapses into an uncomfortable silence.

   In any case, we have a new heading from the sextant, and we continue on our way. As our luck would have it, our trail takes us right into the path of Sorren Starcaster. We make our way to weapons, as the captains communicate. Starcaster seems to be stalling for the time to get his smaller ships into position around us, but I don't particularly like that idea. We fire as soon as they're in range, and the battle has commenced!

I Have Failed You

 When last I wrote, Aerathor was aiding 3 newcomers in neutralizing the basilisk threat. Under his direction, they lured both out the center cave mouth, and reflected their gazes back upon them. Suddenly, a THIRD comes from the far right mouth! Luckily, they were able to shuffle their reflective shield around to stop that one as well. That definitely bodes well for our exit.

In the back of the cave, our quartet heads further in and soon spot a giant floating aether crystal. Proximity to it dims my perception of The One, so I back off. Then, a strange floating tentacled monster appears between us and the crystal, and fires a beam of purple energy at the captain. She goes underwater, trying to approach it stealthily, so I advance slowly to hold its attention. It says only one word: "flourish." Cap and I both advance. Some globule creatures and some floating crystal prisms materialize and I realize that there are wall-tentacles that will likely be able to attack from the sides. I attempt to read the mind of our adversary -- it is thinking about consuming this world and moving on to another. She speaks to me briefly and tells me that this adversary is a manifestation of The Great Adversary! I brace for a shot from the creature, but it does not come from the expected direction. It fires at an angle, and refracts through the floating crystals back and forth across the cavern. I have time for only one thought as it hits me. My Lady, I have failed You.

Never Was Fond of Mushrooms

 The sextant points us behind the glowing mushroom in the back of the cave. There is a small water flow that is inhibited by it, as well. So, Cap and I start to hack our way through. While we're doing this, I take a closer look at the smaller variety we're cutting through. It's often used in potions, poisonous when raw, and often grows near semi-sentient varieties. As that last trait starts to politely clear its throat in my brain, the large central mushroom wakes! It "semi-sentiently" turns and attacks. As it stands, it releases the water it's been holding back, which pushes us a bit. I hold my ground and hear Her voice: "I will protect you." I don't think I'll ever get used to that. After a fierce battle, with the captain actually dropping once, she delivered the killing blow, stabbing it through the head.

During the fracas, Aerathor informs us of two inbound individuals. I gather they meant to loot previous non-returnees (and perhaps us), but once they were warned of the basilisks, they rethought their approach and, I think, are trying to lure them out the center cave mouth. At the very least, they may be distracting enough for us to get out unscathed (once we find our objective).

SHE!

 SHE MANIFESTED HERSELF TO ME!

Whew, I'm getting ahead of myself. 

Anyway, we returned to the ship with the letter and items we found below. Once we were secure, I endeavored to determine what these Gailatian artifacts could do. The belt would designate a spot as an anchor, then let you teleport back to that spot when the mechanism was released. There was a hand-sized sphere that would transform into whatever weapon you required it to be. I believe the captain asked Cole-Bay to try to modify it to accept a more usable grip. Finally, I took the pendant, which stores enough magical energy for one spell even more powerful than those I've learned so far.

When I had finished, I went into my cabin, thinking to get some rest. Before I could do more than strip off my armor, though, SHE APPEARED IN FRONT OF ME! The One manifested herself to me, though she spoke like someone who has just woken, a little slow and sort of distracted. She has definitely heard me or experienced my thoughts in some way (which, honestly, is unsurprising), as she told me outright that she might be Fiona. "My memory is fuzzy." She longs for the things of Gailatia. "It's been far too long." "I feel like I know Hector, but I don't really remember him." Looking at her, she looks similar to, but not identical to, the statue of Fiona we saw. But whether that is because they're not the same entity, or an imperfect artistic representation is impossible to say. She expressed her desire to reset the world, then faded away. I was unable to do, say, or even THINK anything for the next 10 minutes or so.

Mimi's sextant gave us a new heading and we set sail again. After 2 days, we spy the Tihar Peninsula, home of our friend Cole-Bay. The trail headed toward the Stockmere Mountains. The locals do not recommend it. "You better plan on not coming back." Apparently no one ever returns. Nevertheless, we will not be deterred. We eventually find a cave system. Inside there are incredibly life-like statues, which immediately set off alarm bells in my mind. Sure enough, there are (at least) two basilisks in the cave. The captain starts up a waterway in the westernmost tunnel. I follow, as I do not want her to be completely undefended, though I can't see in the dark and don't want to light anything and give us away. Luckily, there are some faintly glowing mosses or plants or something up ahead.

A Soggy Retreat

 After a few moments, Sister Isolde sort of...melted away. It seems it was some sort of vision to mask an attack. There is a giant, tentacled monster attacking us physically and psychically! It took a while to pull the captain out of her beglamourment, and the creature swam around a lot, making it very hard to engage. It eventually broke the boat that half the party was using for air, so they had to abandon the fight. Finally, I managed to engage it and keep it from zooming around (almost dropping my mace in the process), long enough for Cap to zap it to death. Thank The One!

With the creature dispatched, Mimi's Sextant led us to some sort of Gailatian hatch. Unfortunately, Aerathor had to surface, but the rest of us got inside. It seemed to be some sort of large vehicle, but with no obvious means of locomotion or control. Getting in half-flooded the compartment, but we were able to find and extract a small chest containing another letter and two apparently Gailatian objects. I feel as if the image we chase comes just a little more in view with every discovery, but there is still so much to uncover!

A Poseidon Adventure

 Having returned to my compatriots at the port and passed on what I've learned, we proceeded to the lake. Mimi's sextant leads us under the surface. I was able to purchase a water-breathing ring near the shore, but Cole-Bey and Aerathor use a boat as a sort of diving bell. Mimi has an ancient suit of that she can dive in, and of course, the captain is in her element. We start to descend and soon see giant jellyfish. They are beautiful, but as we pass them, we also encounter several weird translucent tentacled monsters. They are not beautiful. We are forced to engage, and ultimately destroy them. The sextant leads down, into the inky depths. Captain has no concerns and dives deeper ahead of us and out of sight. After a time, Mimi produces a glowing crystal and lets it sink. I follow it, hoping to catch sight of our leader. An odd humanoid swims up to me...

She is? was? Sister Isolde?! She is very upset, and says she's never going back. I try to comfort her and find out what has happened...

Wolves and Butterflies

 Faith! What a day!

As we docked at Titan Prime, Mimi declares we must go out to the lake. However, the powers that be won't allow us as of yet. Some paperwork or whatever. Just then, She speaks to me yet again! Brother Luther needs assistance about a mile to the East! Well, when duty calls, she'll not find me wantin', so I hoist my shield, let my companions know I'll be back shortly, and set off at a trot.

When I finally spot him, Luther is being menaced by 5 wolves. Now, he's a strapping lad, and handy with a sword, but he does lack confidence, and if I can spot it in his face from 10 yards away, they can certainly smell it on him. So, I rush in, making as much racket as I can, hoping to pull their attention my way. It works for most of them, and we set to work dispatching the beasts. Unfortunately, the noise we've all made fighting (and them dying) attracted yet another creature -- an owlbear! We turn and fight another fearsome battle, and finally overcome. Praise be!

But the praises are not done yet, for Brother Luther was waylaid returning from a ruin in the woods and has even more relics from the dawn of our time! Another painting and a letter to go with it. The painting depicts a bride in her wedding dress casting blue energy out, filling massive cracks in the land all across in the distance. On piece of that land is already floating. It bears the inscription: "As the cataclysm began and the world cracked apart, the heroine gave her heart." The letter (again from Hector Cogsworth) speaks of having created this very painting and how he spreads the tale of how she, the woman he writes to, stopped "the great adversary" from breaking free, how she saved the world for a second time, and how it remains shattered. He mentions this new world being newly named Zepheria, instead of Gailatia (confirming our suppositions). Finally, he says that he will continue to search for her, possibly in or beyond the maelstrom below.

As we exchanged information that we had gathered, Brother Luther and I discussed some of the implications of the relics we had found. We of the order have long considered "Hector" to be a figure of evil, standing in opposition to our good Lady. And we have long assumed The One to been divine eternally before as she will be eternally still. But the narrative told by these letters and paintings (which seem to at least be reliably dated) tell a different tale. One of Hector on the side of good, partnered (*and married!*) to a caster, who, though extremely powerful, was more a person than an unknowable deity. At least, so she was considered by the author of our breadcrumbs. 

It seems plausible, perhaps likely(?) that this caster is The One. That idea will certainly cause no small amount of consternation among the faithful, and may be deemed a heresy. But does She not teach that we follow the knowledge wherever it may go? One cannot learn anything truly new if one discards any information that is uncomfortable. And as for "heresy," the butterfly was once a caterpillar, yet it is still beauty flitting through the air. If She was once a mortal, that does not diminish her divinity. Do we not gain strength from her? I shall sleep well and happily on this when next I have the chance.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

 Things are certainly proceeding! As we tarried in town -- some to drink, a couple to study, maybe some to shop -- the entire island jolted! Then it started to list to one side as a spire grew through the very ground! Spires don't just GROW! I would think it unprecedented! But then, is it? After seeing this nigh-impossibility, I rushed BACK to my studies and looked for different information. It's not UNprecedented, merely astronomically rare. I can find only two other instances: at the beginning of our calendar (presumably very shortly after the cataclysm), and in the year 1000. So, a thousand years between first and second, and a third 620 years later. If this is a recurrent phenomenon, the frequency is increasing (though I'll have to wait a few hundred years to confirm it, apparently). I don't remember whether it was Cole-Bay's idea or my own, but we got an ether compass to see if it would read the new spire. It didn't initially, but started to (very) gradually accumulate a reading. So, it would seem that the ether power didn't cause the growth, but now that the spire is grown, it begins to accumulate ether the way older spires do.

While all this was occurring, our new friend Aerathor caught a pink rat at the bar they were frequenting. It turns out it was more than a miscolored rodent, but a messenger of sorts, for it left an envelope with a letter for the Captain. "I believe our interests are aligning. Meet me on your ship." The implication that the author might be on the ship sped our heels to return quickly. She was not, but soon showed her well-known face. Mimi, whom we know from the bounty boards, apparently has a relic much like a sextant to help magically guide us through the maelstrom. It reportedly shows the path taken by Hector Cogsworth centuries ago. She also has two more of his letters! (I will include transcripts with this entry.) After some discussion, we followed the path the sextant showed and arrived at Titan Prime. We docked and walked toward the lake.

My Goddess! What a remarkable turn of events. I can FEEL the gears of history turning and returning!

Pirates!

 In the wee hours of the morning, I was unceremoniously jerked from my peaceful slumber (and some extraordinarily lovely dreams) by a shout. Pirates!

I suppose it had to happen eventually; this world is not a peaceful one. Sadly, there was no time to don my armor, so I grabbed my mace and shield and headed to the deck. I quickly manned a cannon amidships. Cole Bay assisted Ingrid in making an incredibly daring (and graceful) leap from ship to ship so she could mete out some justice face-to-face. Unfortunately, she was far outnumbered and felt the lack of backup fairly quickly, despite all the damage we were doing to the ship. I switched over to a ballista to harpoon the other ship and create a line to traverse...just in time to be of no use -- the pirate captain calling for a duel.

Of course, Captain was amenable (even eager), so she swung over like a hero from a bard's tale and they faced off. It was truly an epic fight (though quick). In the scuffle, Captain's sleeve was burned away, revealing a distinctive tattoo. It took me a moment to recall where I'd seen it before. It is the same worn by the dread Black Blade! Captain Aveline! Holy Mother, that was an unexpected turn of events. It gave me a shock, that's for sure. But, just as we seek to reform the planet that nurtures us, we must allow people the opportunity to reform themselves as well. For all the dark deeds laid at her feet, there will surely be countless redemptive ones. No sooner had all that raced through my mind than she ran through her opponent. In that instant, the Storm Goddess herself boomed out, naming Captain her champion!

The rest of the day was almost a let down after all that excitement: turning in bounties, purchasing new gear, some experimentation to identify the button-ring. Definitely a day of extremes. Lady Bless!

More Glimpses of the Past!

 We continued to search the ruins, and I quickly found a metal door. It had 4 hemispherical indentations in a diamond pattern. I suspected that there would be some orbs around to socket into these indentations, so continued searching in hopes of finding them. In a nearby room there was a chest with a ring...and a green orb! Not long later, Sonica found a chest -- guarded from above by another of those cursed spiders. Once it was dispatched, we discovered that the chest contained a different ring...and a yellow orb! Apparently, I missed the acquisition of red and blue orbs earlier, so that completed the set. We returned to the door and placed the orbs in the sockets and some mystical energy outlined the door, delineated a line down the center, and the two sides slid away to reveal a giant cavern ahead. It was so vast, it almost seemed like we were outside again.

The chasm is dominated by a dilapidated temple building of some sort, which -- though it is clearly in ruins -- is being swept by some sort of stone automaton or golem. It seems to assume that we are here to visit the church, so we agree and follow it inside. The focal point of the church, opposite the door we entered, is a statue of a woman or perhaps a goddess (it occurs to me that this could be an early representation of The One, but then it may not, there are many goddesses worshiped even now). I make a sketch for our records (see my last page), and engaged the custodial golem for more information regarding the murals still barely visible on the walls.

While I picked the questionable "brain" of our host, Sonica checked a chest in the corner. Inside, she found some sort of grappling-glove, a painting, and a letter. The painting shows a demonic figure magically restrained in a circular apparatus by a woman who stands in front of it. A small plaque on it reads: "The Great Adversary, now defeated, was imprisoned w/ molten stone, weakened and alone." The letter is dated "2/11/0001," 1619 years ago! It reads (in an ancient script):

"Like a comforting hug, traces of you surround this new world and powers stones that keep everything afloat. I long to find you again. As I look down at the swirling maelstrom below, I know you are out there among these beautifully broken lands. Like your essence, I will scatter these letters around in hopes that you will find them and remember me once again.

-With all my love, Hector Cogsworth."

I have not heard of a Hector Cogsworth. The only notable Hector I can recall is from our own religion, but he was a demon in the form of a man.

Having seen all we could see in this underground world, we return to the ship and rest as we fly off. Before heading to sleep, I draw my circle and investigate the rings we have found. The one with the circling arrows will be very useful; it will, from time to time, substitute its energies for your own when you cast a spell, so you pay no cost! The ring with various colored buttons eludes me, however. I'll have to discuss it with Cole on the morrow. Faith, but it's been a long day.

Finally Some Sleep!

 Before we continued on, I crafted the ritual to identify the cloak the captain found. It turns out to give healing when in combat! I thought it would be particularly useful in preserving my magical energies for helping the rest of the crew, so I put it on. 

We continued exploring, and it didn't take long for the captain to find something in a pool. Unfortunately, it was guarded by something seemingly made of the water itself! Her lightning attacks seemed to damage it greatly, but also anything (or anyone!) in the water with it. It bashed Cole to unconsciousness and dropped him in the water in short order and the captain was forced to dive in and drag him out, while Ingrid hit him with a healing bullet. We soon defeated the odd creature and found a room in which to recuperate.

A couple hours after we lay down, an odd beast wandered nearby. Luckily, Ingrid and Sonica, not feeling the fatigue as much as the rest of us, were standing guard and were able to kill it. Though kill may not be the best word to use, for it turns out it wasn't a beast at all, but some sort of advanced automaton in a faux-beast skin.

After getting a full rest in, we continued exploring these ruins. Cole found some sort of lightning cage encasing a spear. He did some experimentation with his cane and the fake skin from the automaton, but it melted onto his hand. Not knowing what else to do, I tried bashing one of the pillars the lightning walls were arcing between. The "stop thinking and hit it" tactic turned out to be fruitful, and removing a pillar changed the arc pattern. Removing another left just one wall, and made retrieving the spear trivial (though I was careful to ensure I didn't trigger any sort of backlash). One identification ritual later and we are in possession of the Mirrorlight Piercer! Since she should be able to make the best use of it, I handed the spear to Ingrid.

All in all, a fairly eventful time, even while we rested! She is surely preparing us for some great deeds!

A Hard Lesson

 The thing ahead was indeed big and wormy. We dispatched it fairly quickly (with some lightning magic from the captain and Cole summoning a tiny cannon!). It was followed shortly by an even bigger version of itself. But we were able to deal with that as well.

As we wandered about, exploring this underground ruin, with the metal construction I expected, I found myself a bit smug, not having suffered even a scratch in today's battles. My distracted pride proved to be my undoing, as a spider dropped down and felled me where I stood. Thankfully, Cole and the captain were able to send it to its final rest and revive me besides. I will try to take this lesson to heart.

SHE Leads Me Forward!

 She spoke to me again!

Wait, I should begin earlier. In the wake of the battle and gaining a new companion for our quest, we went into Penreael proper on our own errands. Averyn, I understand went to the market. Cole and I found a library in which to conduct research. Though information on Gailatia (a name for pre-cataclysmic Zephria) is scarce, there are nuggets to find. Finding the right nuggets, and piecing them together properly will be the key. I'm sure of it. One such nugget I've yet to find a place for is metal. Metal, obviously, is not uncommon. I wear and carry probably sixty pounds or more myself. But one of the things I'm realizing in my studies is that it must have been far more plentiful in the time of wholeness. I find references to ships made of metal. Entire ships!

Anyway, one of the footnotes in the book I was reading made me think briefly of the earlier battle and the near certainty that more battles await us. I was suddenly struck with the thought that Cole and I were sequestered in a quiet library away from the rest of the crew and wouldn't even know if they were being accosted. With that in mind, I stopped on my way back to the ship to pick up some magical talismans that will allow us to communicate, as long as we are not too far from each other.

I awoke at dawn and began my morning prayers, as usual. Then my ears and mind were once again filled with Her beautiful, overwhelming Voice. I am not ashamed to say it brought tears to my eyes. "Seek answers at Gailatia's Ruin," she commanded. It took me some time to compose myself, but I believe I was presentable at breakfast when I relayed Her guidance.

Gailatia's Ruin, of course, is a park filled with ancient structures and exhibits to teach about the long-forgotten cultures of our world. But as we toured, it slowly dawned on me that one thing all these stone structures did not have was metal. Metal, which should have been far more abundant. If it was used to make ships, of all things, it had to have been used in the architecture! Perhaps these ruins are fakes -- mere replicas for unsuspecting tourists.Once I noticed that, I paid more attention to the gaps, the areas outside of the standard exhibit areas. Soon, Cole and I found a small metal cylinder jutting from a hillside. After fiddling with it for a few moments, we managed to push it in and it opened a hidden door! We gathered our compatriots, and leaving a watchful Sonica outside in a tree to watch our backs, headed into the dark. Luckily, some of my companions see far better in the dark than I, so the captain was able to call out a warning of a "big wormy thing" ahead. May She protect us.

A New Companion

 She works quickly!

As we approached the very first piece of land since leaving Unitopolis, there was a storm on the horizon. We moored the ship for safety, and while we waited out the storm, I noticed a woman battling some storm elementals. Far be it from me to let an obvious invitation from Her go unanswered, I leapt to help, followed quickly by Cole-Bay and Averyn. It was a tough battle, but we eventually persevered (though my contribution was little more than drawing attacks away from the others). The storm dispersed, we were introduced to Ingrid, who goes by the moniker the Blue Lion. She and the Captain seemed aware of each other, though they had not previously met. I feel that she will be a fearsome addition to the band that the One is building for Her decree.

My Adventure Begins!

This morning was was more calm and orderly, but only when set against the pure chaos of yesterday's revelation from Her. I am still, as I was last night, terrified, excited, and a little proud to be chosen for this mission. Brother Luther and Sister Isolde will each also find passage to explore more of Zephria and learn what it is we must learn, but they are still young. I finished gathering my things together and donned the armor I haven't worn -- Goddess! -- since I was fitted for it!

When I was all packed and ready to leave, the Prelate prayed with me and then gave me some money from the temple's coffers to aid my journey. Thankfully, I used most of it to get a ring to keep me safe (or safer) on my journeys and an enchantment for my mace -- Goddess only knows what dangers may await in service. And she knew well! I had no sooner purchased my new mace than I had to bring it into use! As I stood in the market, fitting it to my belt, a FLOCK of monochrome hawks swarmed a man! Who would have thought, in the middle of Unitopolis? I ran to his aid, but arrived to late to save him. It left me and an Ipothia named Cole to dispatch the still-swarming birds. 

In a minute, we had eliminated the threat, but I've never heard of the hawks being aggressive like that. They didn't attack anyone else, so there must have been something about that man in particular. He wore the badge of Azure Co., the airship builders, but when the authorities examined the scene, they pulled a beautiful pearlescent crystal out of his backpack. Perhaps the birds sensed it somehow? It seems less far-fetched than some avian vendetta.

In any case, I noticed a ship's captain also in the market, and negotiated service aboard her vessel for passage to...wherever the winds take us, I suppose. Her name is Averyn and the ship is the Falcon's Blade, which sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't at the moment remember why. It turns out that Cole is also taking passage, and I briefly saw (if not met) her half-elven navigator.

All in all, an ominous and exciting start to my journey. Adventure before I'd even left the city! I dread (and thrill!) to think what She is preparing me for to start challenging me so early.