>>5346351You decide to do some exploring of your own, taking a stroll around the pool's perimeter. Encircled by the bones of ten dog-things is the perfectly preserved cadaver of an Ilythiiri woman in rusted armor slumped against the wall. You kneel and rest your hand on her throat - were it not for her chilled flesh and absent heartbeat, you could have easily made the mistake of believing her to be unconscious. In the iron grip of her cold, dead hands is a thin, elegant sword of milk-white steel which radiates unusual power. An attempt is made to wrest it from her grasp on your part, to no avail. Merely touching the relic causes agonizing pain to shoot up though your hands all the way to your spine, yet your body is miraculously unharmed.
Directly above her is a mural depicting Eilistraee, the Dark Maiden, mid-dance, which has been crudely painted over with blood. Now it is obscured by the image of a feral animal's claw, the holy symbol of Malar. Piece by piece, you are coming to realize what transpired in this place. A struggle between two opposed faiths for the right to inhabit the Silverwood, culminating in a victory for the People of the Black Blood.
Mielikki's priestess looks over the desecrated grotto, taking in every sight with quiet hatred. She did mention that she had worked together with Eilistraee's priestesses in the past. It could be that she even knew many of the fallen who were struck down here. The remainder of the group is simply relieved to stop and refresh themselves for a moment, and you cannot deny that you are not as energetic as you were in youth.
What will you do?
>It will not hurt to relax here for a short while, and wash away my travels in these waters.>Perchance there is someone else who can take that sword from the dead woman?>[Will] I've yet to make up my mind about Eilistraee, but she may be willing to help me avenge her fallen.>[Intellect] There must be something practical that I can learn from this place.>We have wasted enough time here. My curiosity is satisfied, so we should hurry along. 