A Waterside Curse

Information

Class: Journal
Wc: 771

Publishing

Aut: Ra’Po
Dt: 561 A.T.
Ogn: Sellsword

Related Links

• Avotoc

21 Veauvas, 561 A.T. Kintven, Bypo

Colleagues,

Forgive me for the hasty nature of this correspondence, but I fear I will not see the light of Astran again. Water leeches out of the bones that make me and I will write for as long as I have the strength to do so. Had I heeded your vehement recommendations to move slowly I would not be writing from what I presume is my deathbed.

I have traveled back to Kintven with haste to the nearest possible healer, but even he could not do more than slow my ailment. He immediately sent for a healer, and word has come that his master will come from the other side of this planet-star but I fear I have less time than that. I just need to explain what happened so you’ll understand. At least, in this state my correspondence will be brief. I know that, if nothing else, will cheer you up despite the news I bear.

A few kilometers away from Kintven I stumbled upon this cave several months ago – I think it was last year. It has been some time since its discovery, and in that time I met Mi’Cu. He has been of great help in that time, provided with a small amount of Lott to aid in keeping me fed by tracking game and fishing as necessary. Moreover Cu’s knowledge of the wilderness outside of town was of great assistance. From the northeastern side of town, that is the side nearest two neighboring peaks, take a more northern path with the sea to your west. After a kilometer or so you’ll encounter the start of a thick woods. The exact navigation escapes me, but bearing roughly east-north-east in the direction between the peaks you’ll stumble upon a glade where the entrance to this cave lies. When I found the cave it was clear that there was someone or something living inside, grasses still green were littered about likely having been tracked in and there was damp wood piled to dry. As with many other caves, I was overtaken by a sense of nervousness and left without prying further in that first expedition.

I grow weaker now, so I must attend the basic facts. Mi’Cu provided aid in tracking an avoc that I believe lives in the cave. On one of my initial excursions to the cave, despite having delved not much further than my initial foray I was again struck by the same feeling of unease. As I was leaving in this instance, I spotted another avoc clearly walking toward the cave. However, when I noticed them, they diverted their path and as I attempted to follow through the woods I quickly lost sight of the avoc.

The two of us quickly set up camp near the glade once a partnership was established. Weeks passed and we saw nothing, not even the youth that normally find their way to a cave this close to an avoc city. Further and further with each passing week and month we got from the glade until at least the young avocs returned. We paid them little mind, but their presence meant that we were no longer disturbing the natural flow of the cave.

Naturally, once we camped barely within sight range of the glade itself we noticed more activity around the cave. More regular trips by the youth, and days into this new encampment we regained hope of seeing the adult avoc once more. This morning I awoke and joined Mi’Cu for our shared shift. Half,asleep, Cu mentioned to me a feeling of unease, of being watched. I agreed. Hours later, as I moved to eat the feeling was more pervasive, more unsettling. Returning from my food, I attempted to rouse Cu who I thought fell asleep, but as I called to him and nudged him re remained motionless. I nudged again, repeatedly until I had turned him over to find Cu lifeless and laying in a pool of water.

I looked down, noticing that I was dripping wet. All of my clothes were soaked, not just my hands and arms where I had moved Cu. As quickly as I could muster I ran from the woods, dripping the whole way. An immediate wave of relief washed over me, replacing the unease as I neared town but it was too late. I write these words now, having been told by the healer I could find that the water is coming from within my bones, my own life force pours of of me, leaving my bones to wither.

Do not come here, do not seek out the caves as I did,

Ra’Po