I thought this would be a good time to point out a lil' factoid to my
fellow Aetolians.
Here we are just a day away from the Treasure Hunt and I just got back
from the Provisioner. Bloodloch has 98 shovels in stock.

Now, you may ask, "Ravynn, what's that got to do with anything? Don't
All the cities usually keep about that many shovels on hand?"
Well, my friend, have you been to Enorian lately?

I was drifting along in mist form, and saw that all the shops in the
cities that are bastions of purity and faith and other such tripe are
completely without a stock of shovels. Not a one.

"Well!" You may say, "Where have all of the shovels gone, Ravynn?"
Keep your pants on. I'm fixing to tell you. By the gods, you're an
impatient one, aren't you?

Apparently, some people saw this event as a good opportunity to make a
dime by scamming their all-too-trusting city mates. Funny thing for a
Faithful guy to do, wouldn't you say?
Last I heard, one such "devoted" citizen was selling his for 5K a pop, a
very cheap trick, but a very expensive shovel.
What are those artifact shovels? How many rats do you think the poor
little Paladin had to kill to buy that shovel? Does he at least get an
"I went to the Aetolian Treasure Hunt and all I got was this 5000 gold
shovel" embroidered tunic to go with that?

Even more interesting, I heard the same Enorianite was going to use his
ill-earned wealth to give to the Goddess of Purity Herself. I wonder if
She can accept such a donation. You'd think She'd disfavor a person like
that, wouldn't ya?

Well, in the end, what have we learned today kiddies?

That's right. . .what you thought was black may just be white, and what
you thought was light may just be dark.
You have to ask yourself, if all of the citizens of the City of Blood
have more honor and a better sense of fair-play than some of the most
respected citizens of your "good cities". . .Well, what exactly is it
you "good" guys are fighting to protect again?
Seems like your Beacon of Light is giving off mixed signals there. Maybe
you could try tweaking it or something? I dunno. Light's not exactly my
forte.

To any young light-followers who were unable to come to these obvious
conclusions by themselves and have only just begun pondering whether or
not they should stay in Enorian.
Please, stay right where you are, Skippy. Bloodloch is populated with
men and women who were bright enough to figure out these truths a long
time ago. You'll fit in just fine where you're at.

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Ios, in the year 200 MA.