| After endless nights of disjointed and fractured visions some semblance of what they meant eventually came to me. I have no doubt Lloth was probing my mind in my reverie, sending me messages, giving me clues. But as is her way, she did not make things easy. Why should she? This after all is just another test to weed out the weaklings so only the strongest survive. I will not fail her, I will not fail myself!
I sought out Xun’riia told her of my visions. I told her we would do this together, that we would rule. This was despite the fact that she has frozen me out from her own challenge. She is on a quest to capture and control a living soul. Through Les’tran she bargained for the ritual scroll of capture. When I read it I was filled with dread. I pointed out all the dangers, all the things that could go wrong, yet still she refused my help. Even when I pointed out that I, more powerful than her, would baulk at such a ritual she still refused. She is stubborn and determined to prove herself to me and to Lloth. She thinks I doubt her but when I look at the scar on my left palm, I know I have no doubts.
Now I know where to find a hidden scroll that will lead us to the Skull of the Arch Mage. Let Vierna pursue the first way through the Tomes of Sin. I have found another way, let the race begin! I described my visions to Xun’riia and we agreed that the cave we sought was the one known as Despise. This is why I need my Xun, as a surface born Drow her knowledge of locations is much better than mine. Hidden somewhere in that cave is the scroll we need.
The fetid stench of troll and ogre was already high as we approached the entrance to the cave. We would not linger in this place for longer than necessary. As we went deeper into the cave we were attacked by a bunch of two-headed monstrosities called ettins. They were no match against our Lloth given powers and we soon reached a troll camp. Again they were no match to our magic and the camp was soon littered with their stinking corpses. We searched long and hard and eventually found what we sought. A rotting box which contained a tattered scroll!
Xun’riia read through the scroll and told me what it said. I read it for myself and felt both elation and disappointment. I read it through again….
The Tomes are lost seeker? Or so you think? Perhaps it is well I also made other provisions. You want the Skull of the Ancient Arch Mage? The you shall have it. The fact that you read this scroll means you are worthy in essence because only a vision from one who is pure evil could send you here.
But seeker, hear this and hear this well, the path is not easy. Six scrolls you must find, six riddles you must answer, six tasks you must complete. Each scroll leads to the next until the final one leads you to what you seek.
Go seeker find the first scroll. It hidden in a cave that is not honour.
Nidmoan the wizard
Bah! Humans and their games and riddles! We headed home. Xun’riia would solve the riddle, I was confident of that. |