Maze of Mists & Illusions.

Dear Journal,

... a few days ago, a group of adventurers - me included - went on a ship to seek hidden treasure ... we had a map.

... we found ourselves in a ... in a way ... beautiful place.

... shame of it was that it was full of lies, and deceptions.

... i've played my role in discerning truth from falsehood - and we did find a treasure.

... one of us, a bard named Mashal Marshallomin, composed a song - so i will just write it here, instead of my words-clumsy relations.


--
Misty Treasure.

Let me tell you a tale, of a long lost treasure,
A tale I shall spin over a drink for your pleasure.

A map was found with hidden clues revealed,
To a hidden location of lost riches once sealed.

Gather then did the heroes of many descent,
With blades and magic did they make the attempt.

Charter a boat they did, with a questionable hin captain,
Who's shady past history would return to bite them.

Cower did the captain when the pirates finally arrived,
Revenge they did seek for a betrayal once survived.

I was there you see, a young bard of little note,
Convincing them to leave, no blood for decks to soak.

The heroes thought naught, for steel was clearly quicker,
For heroes do not lie, over which they did bicker.

Why bother with word or lying silvered tongue,
If good old fashioned killing will get the job done?

So arrows were loosed, spells were then cast,
Pirates lay dead, with their ship sinking fast.

A lone survivor was saved, sinking from armor's weight,
A pirate named Paul, denied his ship's same fate.

For one life spared, did the heroes clear the books,
Of any possible guilt, to each other knowing looks.

Paul spoke then, of our captain's sordid past,
Of deals, backstabbing and ambushes amassed.

The heroes were undecided for which could be believed,
Both were of questionable character, at least to them perceived.

Finally were Paul's words heed, as we arrived upon land,
A hero's ambush prepared for the captain's hidden hand.

Let me tell you a tale, of a long lost treasure,
A story I shall continue weaving for your leisure.

Into the misty depths of the cave we entered,
Of triangle design the hallways were centered.

Ornate mirrors of ancient make lined the passage,
Hidden foes lying in wait within their vantage.

Goblins, minotaurs, undead of all make,
The heroes pressed on, foes slain in their wake.

Next a large hall did we enter into,
With multitudes of doors, infinite choice in view.

A crystal ball then, with a question to Savras,
For it is certainly easier, with a god chosen path.

A lonesome room did we enter, a single chest found,
Empty but for a message, a warning of doom bound.

Elementals poured forth from their watery portal,
Intent on drowning us like insects trapped in a bottle.

Dispells were cast, closing their gateway,
Their numbers cut down with hardly a spray.

Further investigation or perhaps out of greed,
For a hidden lever was found, another door did it lead.

Another chest beheld with two lizardfolk statues,
Admiring a held music box, with no crank, no muse.

Play did the bards, for what else could they do?
A captive audience! such opportunities were few.

On flute and on lute, did the bards begin their score,
When familiar portals appeared, elementals numbering more.

A hidden musical note, was the key to our success
In unison they played, a new door revealed for access.

Finally did we arrive at the dungeon's triangular center,
To be faced by ghostly mist and within it a specter.

It told us to reveal our true names and deepest desires,
And wait for a time there, as wishes were acquired.

For a time we did wait, but the truths provided nothing,
As this was a riddle, for only lies were worth accepting.

Faithful of Torm, why did you lie?
For treasures of Liera do we now spy.

Faithful of Chauntea, why did you deceive?
Your god is now saddened, your crops shall now grieve.

Treasure was found, collected and counted,
But at what cost, after all challenges surmounted.

Tell me again heroes, for what reason would you lie,
Not for the lives lost, for only greed comes the outcry.

A humble opinion from this here young bard,
With barely any experience or bodily flesh scarred.

For the sake of a life, a lie can be told
But don't sully the truth, for nothing but gold.


-- Yours, Chea Allin, an Adventuress, a Witch of Mists, Illusions & Truths.




-=- Ship. -=-




-=- Landed. -=-




-=- Isle. -=-




-=- Hidden Compartment. -=-




-=- Snake Statues, Enchanted Music Box. -=-




-=- The Lying Spectre. -=-




-=- a Treasure Chest. -=-