A Sign of Hope

Pavel is gone. Not just dead, gone. I overheard him say that he would correct his mistake. Then he laid his hands upon Claudia and traded his life for hers. Nothing was left but his material possessions. We still have with us the child.

No sooner had Pavel disappeared, we were attacked by dark armored warriors and soot spewing hounds of fire. A stone brazier belched forth a cloud of choking ash and slid aside. As the last hound fell I went to investigate the brazier. I found an opening in the wall. Another foul creature lurked in the space beyond, so I charged in to destroy it. It had great claws and a demonic countenance. It retreated and closed the opening, pushing me back and out of its lair.

I told the rest of the group what I had seen and they were eager to pursue. We found the switch to the door and took the fight to it. It did not put up much of a fight, I must have hurt it more than I thought. The brazier sliding back on must have banged my head, I thought that I saw four Animosus'. After it was destroyed Animosus and I examined a table that contained its ill gotten loot. I now hold many gems and a fine shortbow, while Animosus is keeping the potions, for distribution later. It seems that he and I have a different connection. I don't know if it is him or me that has changed.

Leaf has found a passage under the temple. Animosus and I took point. He went first and as he stepped past the doorway he was engulfed in flickering light, and then it stopped. It seems to have been a deadly trap that failed to do its foul work. I believe we may have tipped the balance of this struggle. We now fight as one.