Visions II

Looking deep into the well water I witnessed the swirling that Kaith had described. Suddenly it seemed as if I was transported into another place.

The grimy water in the pool swirled as though directed by something unseen beneath the surface. For an instant I saw an image of a cowled figure, dressed entirely in scarlet robes. As though sensing my scrutiny the figure raised a hand and lowered the cowl, revealing a beautiful human face that, even as I watched, became a thing of mockery, losing all semblance of humanity. “You’re mine,” the once beautiful lips mouthed as the wrinkled flesh of the woman’s face became ever more corrupt. The waters swirled once more and the vision was gone.

How strange! Was this some kind of scrying device or perhaps a means to predict the future. Mayhap it was some kind of magical warning. Obviously we to continue to examine the waters was our only option

The grimy water in the pool swirled as though directed by something unseen beneath the surface. For an instant I saw an image of a mortuary, filled with corpses laid out upon cold, steel plinths. All manner of exotic implements hung from chains upon the ceiling. Some of the corpses appeared to have been experimented upon and as the scene moved closer to one of the tables, I recognised one of the figures as myself, still alive and bound to the plinth by iron manacles. The waters swirled once more and the vision was gone.

Very disturbing to say the least. It was possible that the well was cursed in some way to present the worst fears to the watcher. However, for fear of missing some vital clue we decided to look further.

The grimy water in the pool swirled as though directed by something unseen beneath the surface. For an instant I saw an image of leathery, black wings unfolding in the darkness. Droplets of yellow acid splashed at my feet as I looked up into the penetrating gaze of large reptilian eyes staring down at me. “Poor mortal fool,” the Dragon intoned. “I see your fear. You have the eye of the last hour, the unblinking moment when the realisation of your place in the scheme of matters suddenly dawns upon you. Now, you understand the truth. And you will weep.” The waters swirled once more and the vision was gone.

Perhaps some hint of a Draconic Prophesy then? Perhaps nothing? Either way we resolved to take refuge in the upper rooms of the old church and ponder these visions over a spot to eat.

We made our way up to the damaged room discussing the images we had seen as we went. Once we arrived Jhaire decided that she should keep a watch while the rest of us ate. I thought this foolish but without her paranoia she would not have spotted the wonderous blade lodged high in one of the old alcoves.

Jhaire pronounced it a weapon most suiatable to battle the forces of Dolurrh, the Realm of the Dead.

Visions

We reached the end of the corridor through an ornate archway into a chamber of worked stone 60 feet square. An identical arch, sculpted as though angelic figures were rising from the ground, stood in the centre of the wall opposite. Flickering torchlight, a pale azure that washed everything in a chill, sombre color rose from three braziers inset in the walls. Someone obviously kept these torches burning. Someone who was not undead.

A wide well with a low ringed wall of chiseled stone lay in the centre of the chamber, and the light from the torches reflected the stagnant water within up onto the ceiling overhead. Trailing ivy ran the length of the walls and the uneven floor was awash with runoff from the numerous cracks in the ceiling that dripped with an ominous echo all about us.

Cautiously we crept forward to examine the well. Kaith pointed out that all manner of monsters could lurk in such places. She was the first to look down into the waters. As she did she suddenly froze as if caught in a hypnotizing gaze. Before any of us could react she jerked back. He cries of "Spider, a huge spider" had us leaping to attack but she quickly explained that she had seen the spider in a vision seen from the waters below.

The grimy water in the pool swirled as though directed by something unseen beneath the surface. For an instant she saw an image of a huge, bloated spider rearing up on its legs. With a swiftness that belies its size, the spider lunged forward. As the spider drew back, she saw that a body lay in its jaws, and as its head tilted back, she saw that the body was hers, her eyes gazing lifelessly up at the cavernous ceiling overhead as the spider retreated into its webbed lair with its prize. The waters swirled once more and the vision was gone.

Curious, I thought to see for myself what the waters would show me.