The Mindlasher's Trail

Quest type:	Errand
From NPC(s):	Seril the Empty
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BEGIN QUEST

Quest text

H-huh? Where am I ... ? I-I ... Oh, Istara above! I'm free! *Seril falls to his knees and just that simple motion has a smile growing on his face even as tears join* Gifted, please ... Give me a moment. I ... I need ...

Seril bows his head.

I don't know how I have been restored, but whoever defeated that monster has my eternal gratitude! I wish I could thank them personally. And ... I'm sorry to be a burden so early into meeting but could you please listen to the tale I have? I ... I've had nobody to speak to since that nightmare began.

Seril wipes back tears.

Thank you, Gifted. I ...

I couldn't do anything but watch that thing use my body as a puppet. All of my memories were free for its perusal, and each passing day my will diminished. I ... I barely fought it in the end. Even though I still had a small corner of my mind to myself, it found me there and mocked me. Every thought I had it could hear instantly and yet it refused to let me go.

Seril pauses for a long moment before continuing softly.

The day it made me leave Sheila, my wife, it--*he muffles a sob*--i-it made me stare into her face as I left without a word! And she just watched me like I was a stranger in our house ... I think she knew but I couldn't ask her to help. I don't even know how she's dealt with this!

I wanted to end it all. I started repeating it over and over ... "End it end it end it all now ..." Yet I never had control of my body for a second.

I don't remember how many days went by as I would fade in and out of conscious. I'm not sure if the monster was able to control that or not but when I came to, we--it stood here on this cliff.' *Seril suddenly shudders and glances in the direction of the bridge* 'It spoke to me at the end. I hate how it smirked slowly so it could savor the absolute control it had over my body. "Fear not, vessel," it told me. "I shall leave you soon. I have found one far more befitting of my goals than a weak little shell such as you." I ...

Seril looks down and goes silent for a long while. You wait patiently for him to regain himself but after minutes pass and there's still no response, you try to speak to him.

The way that monster deliberately moved my body as if I was nothing more than a puppet ... Just a simple blink of my body's eyes and it could lock me in darkness for however long it wished. It did that a lot. I ...

Does it make me a monster, too, that I felt relieved when it whispered, "Found you ..." and left me trapped in my body alone? I know it found some other victim to toy with but ... b-but it's b-better someone else than me ... r-right? I-I ...

The look Seril gives you sends a chill up your spine. Even though nothing has changed, there's a different air about him. This is not the same person ...

I see another has found there way here. Oh, my, aren't you a strong one. It was remiss of me to leave a trail but if this is what a moment of carelessness turns up, I find it acceptable. Greetings, Gifted one. A pleasure to meet you, though not quite in person.

After that Seril seizes up and stares blankly into the distance. Moments pass before he shudders and a groan slips out, indecipherable noise gradually forming words that make little sense.

I'm afraid I can't stay to chat longer, as I have much to do and so little time. But I had this loose end to tie up. It wouldn't do to have this vessel returning with his memories intact and spreading silly rumors.' *He holds up a finger to his smiling lips* 'Consider this a secret between you and me. See you later.

You cannot help him.

I... where... keepawayiamnotwhatiseem... latelatetoolate... where...

Steps

• Listen to Seril's worrisome tale.