Something Is Rotten in Sharn

Sharn is so much bigger than I remember. The spires seem to stretch up so ridiculously high into the sky and seem to go down deep. I forgot how dark it was inside, away from the skies. And so busy! So much more busy than Wroat and wildly more so than New Cyre. To think my monastery with a couple of human farmers and the like had around 50 people in all...it encloses on you a little bit I think that some of the others might feel the same. Possibly. It may just me projecting onto them. Tomorrow we going to try and join a guild as suggested by Terfel's old companions in order to raise funds for New Cyre and to spread good and noble deeds which will be good. But my mind is...racing. Warden has these stones related to his druidic practices which alert him to the likes of Dolgrims and Dolgaunts and all their ilk and...it is alerting him. They are here, most strongly in the tent with the Terel. It is...unpleasant to think about. I do not see any but to know that they are somewhat near and within the city walls is not a comforting thought in the slightest. To the contrary, it is most disturbing. Warden advised that since he doesn't really sleep that he would keep watch which I am very grateful for but I do not think I will be resting easily tonight.
 
Terfel's other companions are close by and I am sure they would jump to our aid. The Warforged the called Pierce was very unlike Warden and even Three. Very literal in nature but had this undercurrent and (intentional?) humour to him? it is uncertain but I suppose it is to be expected. Warden did mention that many of his kind came out of the Forge like that so I suppose it must be a natural state. Kind of like when someone has a baby and it doesn't much of a personality until it's grown up a bit and started learning. Although most kalashtar babies aren't quite as literal from experience. Although asking Dax if she could take off her scales did make me smile just a little but I imagine that he simply didn't know.
 
The others spoke darkly of their time in Sharn. Lei and Daine spoke of their companions who had been attacked and killed by mutated refugees. One of them - a changeling known as Monan - has psionic abilities and put both himself and Daine into a coma. If it wasn't for another Kalashtar, he would still likely be in that coma. Terfel took me aside to ask what can be done about them and it is a little out of my knowledge. I am not overly skilled in the more...esoteric conditions but I suppose if I take enough notes and with my new wand, it should help. I feel like I would be able to get a clue by visiting the comatose shifter in the hospital. Psionics I am far more familiar with so perhaps I can get through this coma to find answers. I owe that at least to Terfel. He has acted like a fair leader throughout this and I can see that the others look to him for guidance as well. He gave me money to purchase the Wand. If there is anything I can do then it ought to be done.
 
There are other kalashtar here! Up in the higher towers, a whole community of them. I never knew that many of us existed outside of Adar. If I have some spare time during this visit here, I must speak with them. I must admit I do miss the services we used to have. Serenely silent for observers but if you can hear our singing...it was beautiful. Hymns on goodness, hope and defeating darkness through righteousness, the early morning light seeping through the stained glass, casting people in soft light. Even the funeral rites were beautiful and solemn. Singing by yourself is no real comparison. Even better, I could persuade them to do something about the Riedran lies that seem to seep into the land, like ink spilled on the map. Although, admittedly, if such lies can spread despite this neighbourhood being here...no. I shouldn't think unkindly. They helped Terfel's friend, why wouldn't they assist?
 
The other two on the other hand...somewhat unnerving. An advisor to the old Queen of Cyre, Terel offered for us to join him for dinner. We obliged but the atmosphere was far more strained than with the King...if that were at all possible. Perhaps I shouldn't go to these invited dinners. Things tend to get...tetchy. Like when Terel and Terfel started talking in depth about the Mourning...it was unpleasant. I know war is unpleasant and I know that whatever magic or activity caused the country to burn and fog was more so. It's not something you tend to bring up, especially when it is affecting someone else so badly. Others noticed that Terel's assistant, Olalia , was finding the situation increasingly upsetting. Warden tried to stop the conversation when he noticed this but Terel refused. He then instructed the poor thing to open her mouth. Black marble, petrified mouth. Can't talk or eat. I know no idea what could have caused that but I suppose that no one knows what the Mourning was. Olalia seems to have been heavily affected by the Mournland but we only have Terel's word for that and given the signals given to Warden and just the general...affect he gave off, I am not entirely sure I should believe him. Perhaps that is not a good thing to do, to mistrust someone who offered such generous hospitality and who rescued so many innocents but at best, if my suspicions are wrong and he is simply a good person then that is something I can deal with. If I am right then I can take action and be wary. I suppose even if I did trust him and he turned out to be a bad person, I am unsure what difference it would make. No, I think it is time for a little caution until we find the source of these aberrant signals.
 
Dax offered me her old bedroll which I am thankful for. The ground is a lot more comfortable with a bedroll than the blanket. I should have bought one before but it slipped my mind. It is something to bear in mind, something I should repay in kind. I am not sure what but it is still something to consider. I can hear Warden going around the camp, advising Terfel and Dax of his findings. I am not sure how they will take this information but I cannot change that. As long as they are aware that it is bad, that will need to be good enough for now. I should try and get some rest as I do not believe my sleep will be unbroken.