istainion

CHARACTER: Streth Evira
CLASS: Paladin LVL: 02 -> 03

"After passing the torch to the group, I stepped forth and made my presence known to the nearby enemy. This to lure them from its shelter and witness it. It was the lack of light that complicated our visit to this part of the warehouse. It soon became clear what we were facing.

Undead creatures ... Zombies to be specific.

It was only a moment before they noticed our presence, and with our weapons drawn, we were forced into battle. Guarded by Torm's light, I fought as a warrior in His name. Each of us did their utmost best to fight for our victory in this struggle.

The scent that spread from the corner released and made attempts to mess with our minds. While it passed my awareness, Taban's loud reaction brought my attention to Smuck who seemed to have lost his mind first and sought out the source of the scent.

As the battle resumed, and the enemies fell to their knees, one after the other ... We discovered that the true threat is the flower. One of a yellow color. It seemed to affect many of our men, who luckily snapped out of its delusional game.

. . .

Gradually, our battle came to an end, after with a few, calculated swings that caused the flower to wither. With our attention at the crate from which it grew.

Not far away from it, we found crate number seven, the one we were looking for all along. Was it a trap? Has someone tried to send us to our deaths? Who knows what the flower would have done if its vines would have struck ...

We opened up the crate from which it grew and peeked inside, but there was only soil. Crate number sixty-six. It was intended to be placed here, intended to be among these crates by someone's doing. Speculations took place among our group's members, and there was a concerning sight of Smuck making an attempt to clean the floor from the plant's pollen ... With his tongue.

We obtained our crate, and made our path back toward where we came. It was during the battle that we heard the tossing and rolling of crates that blocked our passage back up the stairs. A clear attempt to trap us, unlikely done by a monster. A planned assassination. Wary as we were, our path cleared and we headed back toward the higher ground. No enemy in sight. We found the door from which we came, but it seemed different from how we remembered it.

Not only that, the door was barricaded. With combined strength, Taban and I broke through the door and met the fresh air of the outdoors.

Something was off. Much like the door that seemed completely different, the very moment we looked over our shoulders, we noticed that the building looked much older than it was when we entered. No guards in sight. Everything is different now.

The sound of laughter drew our attention to a group of drunk people. With crate number seven within our grasp, we approached these individuals for questioning. While their information may not be reliable, they appear convincing about some things they told us. They name Warehouse number fourteen the "Fun House".

The man told us how it appears to change for people, as for him, he found liquor inside, but adventurers, he said, they find adventure. It is much like it provides what the person seeks for. While odd, I have little reason to question much of it, as I have witnessed something rather unexplainable with mine own, two eyes. Not only that, he had said that a group of adventurers once entered the warehouse and hasn't returned since. Those undead ... Could they be ...?

We hurried back to the Merchant's Ward to where we found the merchant with the lack of wares, but as soon as we returned ... She was nowhere to be found. Her stall, it wasn't there. Like an illusion ... Our attention shifted to the crate at hand. I had asked Arden to make an attempt at a sketch of this woman as a proof, or perhaps a wanted poster. It may be that she is causing more trouble for the people in the future. We know too little ...

Arden made an absolute magnificent piece of it, but while I'd love to admire it more than I had, we had a crate in possession that needs inspection. I handed my valuables to my peers and headed away from the group to check the insides of the crate. Not expecting to be surprised by a trap, a set of needles was aimed toward my head. While uncomfortable, it seemed only a warning sign, rather than something that could be a threat.

With the trouble gone, I found a nicely decorated box from the crate and lifted it outside. After having confirmed that it contains no traps, I gestured toward the others to come. We could not detect any magic from neither the gems inside, nor the box itself. Is it truly a treasure, a reward for our survival? But did it not sound like fruit before? ... How odd.

With it being a mere box of valuables, we simply sold it to the merchants, for they can make better use of it rather than us. Those adventurers that may have been turned into undead, could it be that they were sent by that lady as well? ...

We headed toward mister Wakanga's villa to report him about our finds. After a moment of rest in the waiting room, and Jasper's kind assistance of removing the needles from my face, he arrived to listen to our story.

We presented the art and trinket with our experience and inform him about the potential threat and existence of this warehouse for future troubles. He has mentioned something of a curse and needed confirmation about the flower we saw. It indeed did match the illustration of the book. He warned us of its true threat and a collective gasp was heard among us. We must memorize its smell and be wary of it. The scent of fruit, some may say spoiled fruits. Not exactly the most pleasant scent, but a sweet scent that may dull our minds, especially Smuck's.

It was a wonder we survived, Wakanga concluded and ... Truly, it is ... We can consider ourselves lucky. After this exchange, he told us that he'd like to see us again. Perhaps he would like to share more information about what he may find about this merchant ... After some final words, our meeting came to an end.

Tired as we were of our recent experiences, we decided to head toward the inn again for the night until we overheard some enthusiasm coming from the Thundering Lizard. I leaned in to check what the commotion was all about, until I met the eyes of a(n) (in)famous man. He seemed to have recognized us as adventurers and gestured me closer to promote a book in his grasp. A promise of helpful information, a guide for the many threats of this land. And that, with such enthusiasm. I was impressed, but others in the group seem less excited about it. Both Gat and Jasper didn't seem to enjoy it much, but Smuck and myself sure were. With Arden's suggestion to ask of the flower, we were revealed to information about the flower that seemed most accurate.

I looked over to the group with a questioning gaze. The guide was sold for fifty gold in total, which price quickly reduced to forty-five. It seems like he made an attempt to truly sell it to us. Won't he get into trouble with the merchant princes and princesses, I wonder?

After that information was shared, Arden made it his mission to lower the price. This was after we all made a vote for and against the buying of the book. Though, I'll always say that even half truths still hold more value than having no information at all. If it is, however if false, then it may ... Be rather dangerous as well.

After Volo and Arden's exchange, we managed to obtain the book for forty-one gold instead. Not bad! And we'll still have enough for our travel! I feel like I have grown with these capable people by my side. It is an honor to fight alongside them.

May our stay at the inn be most pleasant. I could use a massage ..."

Next day: Visit Temple of Savras, visit Wakanga (Requested)