D&D Journals [Cynde] Plague and Penitence

Day 277

Today was a terrible a day. I had returned to the Gnome complex to deliver my letter last night, but along the way, I discovered that some spirit has latched itself onto me. While I snuck toward the complex, the damned thing began playing some handheld drum instrument. Of course a Gnomish guard immediately saw me and threatened me with his spear. I told him I was there to deliver a letter, but he was completely hostile toward me! I threw the letter at him and tried to run away, but the increasing depth of the ash made progress slow and arduous. I pleaded with him, but he tossed his spear and almost hit me! I grabbed the spear and continued to explain that I was no enemy, but then he blew a dart at me, narrowly missing me again! I had no choice but to fight back, and I was lucky enough to land an arrow into his thigh, allowing me to escape. I apologized while I ran and begged for him to deliver my letter.

When I returned, the others were awake. I made no attempt to hide where I had been, and they were furious with me. We argued, and for the first time since we met, I felt like an outsider again. I made my case that the Gnomes were not our enemies, but they refused to listen to me. I argued that it is highly likely that Cora is still infected with the Hive Mind and that it is controlling her. Why else would she claim to see strange parasites on their faces? The Hive Mind is afraid of the Gnomes because the Gnomes can truly cure her.

Cora then shared with us what happened after she had leaped from the airship so long ago. She said she was taken to Pandemonium somehow and while there, a spider god did something to her that allowed her to resist the Hive Mind better than I had been able. I said I still didn't trust that the medicine Augra gave to Aria would work, but then Aria asked me something that is still repeating in my head. She asked that if I had been given the choice between the medicine and losing my eye, would I give the medicine a chance. I said yes. And she said that maybe my distrust for the medicine has something to do with me losing my eye. And...I think she's right.

Thinking back, I should have said something along the lines of "well, if we are giving the medicine a chance, why could we not give the Gnomes a chance?" but it is too late for that. It's obvious they don't trust me anymore. Our argument has left a rift in our friendship. And now I don't know if returning to the Gnomes in an attempt to meet on neutral ground was the right move. I don't know what to do anymore.

So much has happened in the months since this whole thing began with these people. I feel as though I have been pushed and pulled and twisted and torn, both physically and emotionally. I try to do the right thing, I try to help people, but how do I know what the right thing is?

I tried to mend the damage to our friendship by sharing some of what I found in what I took from the nurse's station back in the complex. What I had thought were just bags of coins actually held some potions, an ointment, a doctor's robe, a cloth mask to cover the mouth and nose, and six eggs of an unknown animal. Aria was able to identify two of the potions as healing potions, and the ointment as some sort of blessing. I gave the ointment to her and one of the health potions to Cora. They were appreciative, but I don't think that made up for my betrayal of their trust.

We wandered aimlessly for the day, and trudging through the ash was exhausting. We've made a simple camp for tonight, as we need to be ready to escape at a moment's notice if the Gnomes find us. I know it would be my fault, I left the trail in the first place. I think I'll try to take a longer shift on watch tonight. I need to somehow earn back their trust.