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A Single Gaze *These Events are not public knowledge, only those who experienced or are told, should know of such* Art Credit - Ivan Aivazovsky It had been a year, a year since his sight had been ripped and stripped away by his own hands. A year since the dark had graced him, and a year since all he could see was that murky abyss. At first, that nothingness had been a comfort for him, for it granted respite from the lingering shadows. From the creeping figures that taunted his vision, from the faces beneath the waves, and even from the sickening bodies in the deep blue. Yet the peace was a deceit, it was a fallacy from the start, a lie to lure him into a false sense of comfort. For just as soon as he had grown accustomed to that lack of sight, did the nightmares once more arise. For every day of respite and rest, did a night's worth of horror and anxiety creep into his gut. The moment his head rested upon that silk, that creeping terror started to build. For what was worse, was not the ability to see the horror around him, but being unable to view that which lurked around. His ears would pick up on the whispers and slight creaks, his nostrils picked up on the scent of brine and blood, and his fingers often felt the damp remnants of whatever passed by. Yet tonight started differently for the Delmar… Just as he had done everyday, for the last year, the Harren'hil placed his cane by the doorway. His hand extended out to use the wall as a guide, before pulling him partly closer to the bed. Taking a seat next to it, his gaze panned to the wall, his mind still reeling from the events of the day. “It would be easier if I told you what he wasn’t involved in, he was a man of many secrets” “He had eyes, hosh eyes, weird eyes, nub eyes. Worms where in them, he cut them out and gave them to Ixris” “You remind me much of him” A sharp knock drew him out of his stupor, the noise coming from the crimson glazed window, followed by an abrupt meeting from the Mali’aheral. A matter about an egg, one vibrant in hue, yet hidden amongst the woods. The Mali’dun merely waived such off to over-caution, despite his recent encounters with the odd things that lived in the wilds. Yet it would be a lie if he said his mind was fully invested in the conversation, instead it drifted it off. Focused upon the conversation he had been in, only hours prior. After a few questions, only spoken due to reflex, his own thoughts managed to escape him, and so the ‘aheral grew curious “Meditate for what?” “To get some answers” The Adunian took a deep breath, his mind clearing as he sat on that bed of silk, breath slowing down as began to mutter a slow prayer. His words at first stalwart, yet soon did those syllables become shaken, that newly gained nervousness kicking into each word. “That which lurks in the deep, I pray unto you for guidance in those darkened and false waters, I pray and apologize. For my arrogance and for my outrage. I pray forgiveness and I pray for repentance, to return that which I so foolishly gave without true thought. For a chance, to see as my forefathers saw.” Silence, followed by a soft weight and pressure around his skull, his head flicked around nervously. Though such was futile with the inability to actually, and truly, see what was around him. After what felt like centuries, the once slightly crazed tone of the ‘aheral resounded out once more. His tone, holding an ominous and knowing tone to it. “So your sight shall return. Sleep Reynard, and the blessing from the selfish shall come in time.” “The Selfish?” “Yes, for even the selfish give away their blessing, but not without payment.” “Then so shall payment be given” Just as he spoke, a yawn exited from him, his head growing lighter and lighter as he felt the weight of the day start to crash upon him. His mind drew deeper into the abyssal pool that was his psyche, the rhythmic breathing, slowly creating a soothing beat that caused the praying pirate to slowly enter the dominion of dreams… Art Credit- Keid-89 It was that overwhelming smell that drew the corsairs attention, his eyes opened in what felt like forever, and he was greeted to the scene around him. He was not in the water, but rather on it, his feat grounded upon the wet wooden boards of a long galleon. Sails of crimson Rh’thoraen red blew in the stormy breeze, as water washed above the sides. From what he could see on deck, not a soul resided upon the ship, not even one controlling the wheel. The ship crashed and shook throughout the murky waters, as the Harren’hil used the mast for support. The sound of the bird drew his attention upwards, his gaze landing upon a crow, eyes of what looked like black ink. Staring dead into the Adunian, before it flew off, landing near the entrance to the bottom deck. “Well. . .at least I'm not drowning.” The young man attempted to use his own humor to combat the slowly growing dread within his gut, the corsair taking tentative steps forward across the slippery wood. His gaze, or what he perceived of it, looked about the area in a mixture of shock and horror. The corners of his vision, continuing still see images, not blurred shadows. But tendrils of writhing mass and flesh, that threatened to tear away at whatever was granting him this sight, this glimpse back into what could be. He drew closer, nearer to the doorway, before a gloved hand reached out. Pulling open the door, and revealing to him the stairway down. Shadows clung to the corners of the staircase, the flashes of lightning, only granting brief respite from the dark. Taking a shaky breath in, and then a shaky breath out, the adunian slowly began his descent down the stairs. His gaze sweeping around, before he entered the second deck, hues catching onto the brief flash of purple that swiftly descended down to the next floor. “HEY! COME BACK HERE!” A sharp caw, alerted his attention to behind him, his gaze catching sight of the black feathered crow, soaring downwards from the stairwell. Flying past him, only to land directly where the purple coated figure had traveled to. “This. . .isn’t suspicious at all.” The sharp crash of lightning, caused him to hurriedly make his way across the wooden floor, his gaze flicking to the cannon openings. Another flash, and he stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he gazed to the blackened ocean sea. “No. . .No it can’t be-'' He walked over, a gloved hand shaking as he extended it outwards towards the water logged wood. Before his gaze shifted downwards, towards that dark murky water. At first, he saw nothing, the sea froth and foam, covering what lay beneath the rampant and chaotic waves. Ease settled into him, his head shaking as he went to turn his gaze away. When suddenly, another flash erupted from the heavens, and to his horror did it reveal the truth behind the waves. Bloated bodies, bound in chains of algae and barnacles, shifting throughout the water. The pirate stumbled back, his breath ragged and heart racing in fear as he looked to the entrance that lay before him. He quickly scrambled and clawed his way up to his feat, rushing towards the door, and slamming it open. Revealing yet another set of staircases, these ones he leaped down, near crushing into the wooden wall. Yet still he managed, his gaze flicking about as he remained on the floor, before finally landed upon something. A figure, bearing dark hair, and wearing what looked to be a blindfold. His visage turned to greet him, a smile splaying over his features, before he slowly dipped into the waters of the hull. Bubbles spewing to the surface, before nothing else occurred. He took a moment to gaze at the dark waters, before he slowly stood up, the man taking a few tentative steps forward to get closer to the waters. With every step, a queasy feeling graced his stomach, something sickening and foul. Once he drew near the water's edge, he slowly peaked over the side, gazing into that reflective pool. Yet, it was also the first time he saw those eyes of his. Shimmering orbs of watery ash, dripped with foul water, faux tears dripped down his face as he gripped his cheeks. Fingers gripping around the eyes, as all he could do is yell in both shock and terror. With the sharp noise, did a lumbering sound resound from the gullet of that ship, and tendrils of writhing white flesh tore through the saltwater. Grasping onto the Delmar, and dragging him in. His body tense, expecting pain, torture unlike anything he could ever conjure. Yet, such never arrived, the only thing of terror being that infinite expanse of murky darkness. It was only after what felt like centuries, did a voice finally echo throughout his psyche. A single phrase, for the Adunian to ingrain into his mind and memory. Art Credit - Diana Franco “See through the drowned, Delmar” A single eye, a hundred eyes, a million eyes. It was like viewing through a hundred different operas, all in a singular moment. What should have been hours of listening, experienced in a singular second. Yet this sight, this feeling, was all but temporary. It did not, but drew a focus upon that crow. The every watchful bird turned to gaze at the deep blue sea, it’s wings stretched outwards, before it slowly lifted itself from the railing. Soaring upwards, higher and higher, before it looked down and dived towards him. Just as he waited for it to crash into the waves, his vision distorted, replaced by an ever hungry orange eye. The likes of which peered into the adunian greedily. He awoke in a pool of his own sweat, breathing ragged and harsh, as he gripped his eyes. A harsh pain resting in his empty sockets, as a nauseating feeling gripped his stomach. His mind reeling over the events, and images of that ever important dream. It left him with many a question, a hundred different thoughts running through his mind. After a moment his hand parted away from his visage, the hundreds of questions, diminishing to tens, and then dozens, before finally focusing upon a singular query. What would be the price, he would have to pay?

[!] You find a letter in your aviary Time-Rift Warning! ~The altered flowers~ Shocking news has surfaced in Bywater today. A time traveler has emerged from the Wee-Tech time machine, hailing from a slightly different yesterday than the yesterday we all know and love. The flowers of Bywater now have slightly different hues, and some birds that used to be present are now missing. This is irrefutable evidence that we now live in a SEPARATE TIMELINE from that which the traveler emerged from. This is because, when heading into the past with a green-armored biggun (the leader of the Forest Dwarves in Heffrum, apparently), said biggun ATE THE PAST-GRASS AND THUS CAUSED THE TIMELINES TO SPLIT INTO PRE- AND POST- GRASS-EATING TIMELINES. This is an unprecedented threat to health and safety across Almaris. There are now separate versions of ourselves on each of the timelines, and it will be no easy task to bring to two back together without killing one or both copies. For this reason, Wee-Tech and the halfling leadership is URGENTLY calling for brave Knoxist adventurers to come back to Bywater and help us fix the issue! The Pumpkin Knights have already assembled & The Sheriff has mobilized his stew-making abilities, yet this will not be enough to mend the Time Rift without outside assitance! ~The Pumpkin Knights are called to action!~ Furthermore, Bywater halflings and gnomes are advised to keep an eye out for EVIL, TIME-BANDIT NEFARIOUS IMPROPER-MUNCHKIN ARUGULEAN ACTIVITY! Shoes have been found dumped into the lakes of Bywater, and the mud-bandit who killed the Thain's fox and the village's cattle is suspected to be involved in the Time Rift too. This is not a coincidence. Nefarious actors are at work here and must be brought to justice if the Time Rift is ever to be fixed. Keep an eye out, and stay safe! P.S: Bigguns, we are very sorry for splitting the timeline, but Wee-Tech will continue to operate for political reasons. Do not be too concerned over your alternate-reality self, as you cannot interact with them without Wee-Tech's guidance anyways. The Time Rift will be fixed shortly, I have no doubt about that whatsoever. P.S.S: Dear Green-Armored leader of Heffrum, why did you eat the grass in the past? Were you misled by some nefarious actors to break Wee-Tech's no-touch policy? Please tell us, for we must know. We're wish to interview you for more information if you are ever available. STAY SAFE! ~Mimosa Applefoot, Mayor of Bywater

[!] Lo and Canticle, for scattered by the wind 'cross the hills of Almaris fell a missive; and whether it was lodged within crevasses of piled wood or stone, or caught in the vortexes of rubbish that blew within the alleyways of Providence or Karosgrad, or 'gainst the barnacle-ridden planks biding sailors from a watery grave along the strait that split the continent twixt, did it bear this foreboding message: In the jungle, the mighty jungle, The lion sleeps tonight. In the jungle the quiet jungle, The lion sleeps tonight. Near the village, the peaceful village, The lion sleeps tonight. Near the village, the quiet village, The lion sleeps tonight. Hush, my darling, don't fear, my darling, The lion sleeps tonight. I'll hush my darling, don't fear it, darling, The lion sleeps tonight.