istainion

CHARACTER: Streth Evira
CLASS: Paladin LVL: 03

"In the morning I heard Smuck build something, he named it an experimental weapon with which he intends to set the buildings ablaze. Those that are like warehouse fourteen, or rather "the fun house" as the cheerful drunk would name it.

Smuck and I had a talk over the usage of this weapon, and had made a deal that he would only use it after my approval, but hold me responsible in return. I was delighted to agree, if only he wouldn't use his saliva between our grasp to carve it in stone.

After a brief pause to wash my hands of the sticky texture of his remains, we set foot toward the Temple of Savras to visit Master Head priest Zitembe to receive message from the divine. Upon arrival, we were greeted kindly and invited to speak to the man and listen to his vision. He warns us, much to our expectations, that Nanny Pu'pu carries malice in her word and will.

However, he paused, there is a strand of gold, he told us. A sign of hope, but our resolve shall be tested. We mustn't take risks if we feel ourselves falter. She may be a powerful ally, or become a powerful foe that shall forever make us descent down the stairs of the eternal void.

This man, he was exhausted, and I doubt him not. That vision, we are told, it was taxing on his wellbeing. He needs rest. We thanked him kindly and assured him to do the right thing before we left. With our mind set to journey to the jungle after obtaining the charter, a man disrupts our journey with a desperate plea for help.

He reached toward me. Yelling he needs help, because they have set their eyes on him and ensure his death. What reason, we wished to know, and after being guided toward a place far from ears to reach, he has told us. Amala, an old man dressed in colorful cloth, shared us his enthusiasm for color and dye, however, it was with the usage of a poisonous fruit. One banned by the merchant prince(ss) whose people are now familiar with his deed against their laws.

He names it the "Monkey Dance" or something along those lines. Confusing at most by merely the sound of its name. I had asked him if it has killed others. He assured he us he hasn't, and it is merely poisonous upon consumption, which is neither the case. It is used for the colors. He begged us to accompany him to the merchant prince(ss) where he will confess to his deeds.

Amala said that he found a coin of the Ytepka at his doorstep in the morning, which refers to a society within the city that appears to closely communicate with the merchant princess.

I am convinced that upon realization that death is wrong, one should deserve a second chance to do better. Teach others to learn from his mistakes. I feel that his intentions are innocent, yet he seeks recognition and influence through it. Which would likely interfere with the merchant princes as well, perhaps an exchange or offer could make them consider. If it is merely poisonous when consumed, why else would it be banned, I wonder?

Smuck and Arden demanded payment for the trouble, which he could give in advance. Five gold pieces for us to carry twenty-five to follow upon arrival to his home.

With that settled, we hurried to the merchant princess' guards that allowed us passage for a brief wait under their roof as the heavy rain partially floods the streets.

Not much later, we were met with the presence of this important woman, Kwayothé and her two ... Guards? I noticed their glance in our direction, a smile I cannot quite understand, but they looked very beautiful to the eye. Man and woman, one at each side, caressing the lady who spoke. Her tongue was sharp, her words could cut flesh as she declares the man for dead. However, there is a chance, she tells Amala, the one guilty of breaking the law. He rose his head with eyes of glistering hope as she speaks of a trade. One life for a life.

Amala must ensure the death of another for his own survival. Named "Shago", but she hesitates to speak of this man's crimes, when her gaze meets us. One who kills and disobeys their law. She spoke of him as the most inferior man that dares to continue standing and used his strength to flee to the jungle.

We must find him and put an end to his life in order to save Amala. I fear breaking my oath without true confirmation. She tells us to avoid speaking of the deed once it is committed for reasons unknown.

When Arden asked Kwayothé, the merchant prince(ss), about the forbidden fruit and adds that it could have been sold to the poor man, she turns toward us. The woman told us that it is not only poisonous, but it is potent in magic. If it lands in the wrong hands, this city would descent into chaos. And those who had sold it are already dealt with, she said.

I feared asking what she meant by those words, but I was stuck with the moment our eyes met, when she assigned us, strangers, this mission. I was not allowed to speak during the meeting. They fear getting involved, and without anyone their interference, we are involved regardless. An awful turn of events.

We have 10 days of time to find this man and put an end to his life . . .

We had taken our leave and are promised assistance from Amala, who begged us to cooperate, yet I fear doing the wrong thing. Taban has never met this man and has lived for his entire life inside the borders of Port Nyanzaru. It seems odd, but I doubt with a city this large, it is difficult to know each the people that live inside. Perhaps it's more of an indirect contact which they had shared? ... Would a murderer truly get away without having his name known, I wonder ...

With Amala leaving to find information about Shago, we, too, headed to find more information. First, we headed to the Old City to speak to Pock-Marked Po, the beggar prince. Unfortunately, he knows nothing, but is willing to lend his help to gather information. They have never heard of such a man. When our travel continued to the crowded Thundering Lizard Inn, we found some helpful leads.

The mentioning of the name Shago led to a Flaming Fist insider, who told us that Shago is a new recruit. Also something we had heard bypassing, but drunk Flaming Fist men speak of, however not the mentioning of the name.

A new recruit, I see. Perhaps it is true that he fled from the city. When Smuck had asked these people about his more violent tendencies, they laughed. "He wouldn't hurt a fly!"

It would seem like we can find this man at Port Beluarian when we obtain our Charter of Exploration. No matter the route of our journey, we must obtain this token of travel. We must see this person for ourselves. Not trust the words of simply everyone. The image of innocence is twisted in the eye of the wealthy, of that I am aware. I wish not for blood on my blade whose blood is innocent. I wish neither death for anyone. Perhaps there is an outcome in which both may live.

Ten days of time. The travel will take five days to reach it, with five days of our return. Difficult, we may not make it in time. We must neither travel recklessly. To ensure that the lady hears of this, I wrote her a letter and pray for a good outcome. We ensured to make no mention of our location, nor a guarantee of an outcome.

Each day matters for the upcoming ten days, and the guilt that we may carry of the outcome, it shall not be easy. Regardless of what we do, but to turn a blind eye to the helpless, that is something I cannot bear witness to."

The letter (collectively agreed to)

Dear merchant prince(ss) Kwayothé,

We have obtained information about this person by the name Shago and will begin our journey toward the location we have been told to find him. Our travel shall be by foot, and work toward meeting again at the 10th day we are given. We ask for your patience for our arrival at this day, as we cannot promise an exact time of day.

Thank you kindly,

Streth Avira and his companions.