At'ar's Looking
Glass
Our journey has taken us to the great wasteland to the northwest
of Dagger Falls. Please believe me when I tell you that there are
lands where no trees grow and no stream dares to cross. I should
hardly have believed it myself if not for the fact that I am there.
The sun shines unmercifully upon us and we long for the night, our
only relief from its oppression. Ceder, Oskar and I have been casting
endurance spells on the party to help us make it through the day.
At night, I have been making an aid station of sorts by digging
a hole and lining it with a waterproof tarp. I then use Corellen's
grace to fill it with soothing water. If not for magic, I doubt
we would have made it to the first oasis.
The Colored Waters was a welcome respite from the hellish desert.
It is located in the protective embrace of a circle of mountains.
The center valley is filled with colorful pools of water protected
by roaming bands of lions. The lions were of little trouble as we
were in no mood to delay our emigration. We stayed there long enough
to rest and resupply before heading out to At'ar's Looking Glass.
The remains of a temple protruded from the black sands about a
days travel from the Colored Waters. It was there that we encountered
four unfortunate souls whose bodies were possessed with the hunger
for living flesh. The mere sight of them was enough to loosen the
resolve of several of our Zhent companions. Ceder was quick to unleash
a fireball and I used some of my holy influence to compel them to
abate. Xan and Shane finished them off at a distance for none dared
to suffer their touch. I was surprised to see them dissolve into
dust when they were vanquished.
That same day we found ourselves on the edge of At'ar's Looking
glass. It is a vast plain of stone that stores and radiates the
sun's heat until it virtually shimmers with malice. We used spells
to help, but in the end, we were fortunate to cross it alive. The
Zhents have made several oases there and placed lethal traps around
them. They seem to be trying to open a new trade route across the
desert. By going through the most dangerous portion, they should
succeed in their efforts to make it covert, or die trying. One possible
weakness I have seen is the Djinni. They seem to be magical Bedine
that the Zhents are paying for protection and the right to pass.
I wonder if the Djinni would turn on the Zhents if the "price
were right."
I long for the shelter of the forest and the cool grass beneath
my feet. This desert world is no place for an elf. I endure these
hardships with the hope that we will find some fatal weakness in
the Zhentarim. They have conspired with the fell Drow and their
demise will bring our homeland one step closer to freedom.
As for now, we approach the Scimitar Spires and the Gap of Skulls.
Respectfully,
Primula Easterling
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