#80

Seen on the pages are photos of a region Eishona calls Nazmir.

I made it back to Dazar’alor, thankfully.

I spent some time in a place called Nazmir, assisting the trolls there battle against a people obsessed with blood. I cannot express how disturbing it was - I hope I never see things like that again.  I had no idea pain and suffering could be inflicted on another person to the extent I witnessed there. I know now, and I feel so wretched for it. I helped to rescue several trolls from an encampment, and assisted in their physical healing. I feel they will bear the emotional scars from their ordeal far longer than I might from just seeing these things. I shudder at the memories.

I traveled later on with still more trolls (Shah went his own way, leaving me behind) to a seemingly swampier region populated with huge frogs and shrines. A kind woman explained to me that the shrines were to a Loa (a troll deity) called Krag’wa the Huge. I was so unprepared for just how huge he was, and for what this being would request of us (loads of meat!) and find myself believing more and more in the spiritual world that seems to surround us. I mean this is a god of sorts, walking, talking and sizing me up as a meal! Elder Wooshy would surely laugh at me, and tell me to make as good an offering to Krag’wa as I might the Earthmother. (Which I did, it would have been rude, as a guest to not do so. Plus I think he’d have eaten me.)

We helped though, rescuing some of his children from naga and blood trolls alike and earning his favor. (I’m told earning the favor of a Loa is a big deal) I think his favor in this case was an easier time walking through the marshes in Nazmir - at least that’s what seemed like to me. The troll woman (her name was Laktil) told me the favor of Loa come in many forms. Some might find extra treasure in their exploring, or win a desired contract or lucrative business deal. She said there are so many Loa, that I should consider learning from all of them if I can. Perhaps I will investigate this one she and other call Bwonsamdi? He seems to be held in strong regard, maybe an offering to him wouldn’t be a bad idea. He’s the Loa of death I am told. We see enough of that here..

Speaking of naga and blood trolls, I am finding I hunt down more people than I do beasts of late. It is nasty work - I dislike having anyone try to beg me to spare them, or have them lose their minds and attempt to stab me or my beasts. I much prefer hunting for food or materials than I do slaying people outside of self defense. Plenty of the people I travel with seem adept at it - slaying others - and say it becomes easier with time. That a naga is just a beastly creature that happens to be able to talk.  Laktil explained that here in Zandalar (and other places) to kill another is a means of survival for most. In Vol’dun I saw examples of this - the Sethrak and Vulpera fought for resources and spaces to live. Here in Nazmir, we slay blood trolls because they do terrible things in the name of their Loa (??) Gahuune. Shah told me that is life - kill or be killed. That seems to better apply to nature and beasts, than it does to people.

I still dislike it.