The Death and the Healing

What an absolutely dreadful day. An otherwise great day quickly turned into one of the worst nightmares I have ever experienced. Normally I'd start at the beginning of the day but in this particular instance, I begin at the time of when I returned to consciousness until the departure on the river Styx. My originally great day ended shortly after I drank some wine after a marvelous violin performance and lost consciousness. I awoke to a blinding light surrounded with nauseating pain in my stomach and great pains in my head. Those quickly faded away upon seeing a savage elf with an equally savage and monstrous wolf beside her. Full of terror and the shakes from pain, I took a step back only to see a dark red tiefling that looked like he lost his shirt somewhere along of the way from escaping from the local monastery (I don't blame him. Those places are a mental death trap in themselves). As if things couldn't get any more terrifying, I took another step back and bump into an extremely tall savage that looked like a barbarian neanderthal. Taking more steps back in absolute fear for my life as an educated socialite, I lastly saw a halfling. There are no descriptive words necessary for this one. I believe the word "halfling" sufficiently describes the repulsive look and feel I got. Hoping at least one of them had any amount of intellect and sense in them quickly escalated into a massive disappointment. One savage quickly concluded for nonsensical reasons that we were all "dead". The other savage quickly agreed with her and started asking everyone how they died. How can I be dead if I'm still breathing. It's a fair claim to say it doesn't seem like we are in a place on Earth but there wasn't any conclusive evidence to say otherwise! The two savages died defending their tribes. The other two seemed to die in the crossfire of fighting in two separate locations although one claimed they fought... by running. Classic poor people tragedies. Is it really that difficult to admit one's shortcomings? Why is it that the lower class always insist on the brilliance of their character, morals, and intentions supersede the hard facts and realities of life? *How* one dies does not change the fact that they died. It's as simple as that... idiots. As the party solidified their ignorant conclusion we are dead, a "guide" appears to bring us to a boat. As I present questions to find answers to the factual reality we are in, the rest of the group quickly agrees to blindly trust and follow this "guide" towards the boat. They insist this is "the right/only path". What nonsense. Only the feebleminded truly believe the first immediate path forward is the correct path. After all, who is suggesting it is the "only" path? That's right, it's the person who wants us to believe them and come with them. Of course she isn't going to tell you the full menu of options available to us. She only mentions hers and defers all questions to "the ledger" and her "superiors" who made the ledger. The ledger apparently had all our names on it which is equally suspicious. The other savage believes he's talking to a "Valkyrie" and is on his way to "Valhalla" and of course the rest of the party decides to indulge the fantasy rather than question or disrupt the fantasy. I sigh and cringe in absolute astonishment of how the uneducated live life, gripping their "honor" and "morals" insistent it will do anything for them.. The "guide" insisted I had to agree to follow so, without any other actual option, I followed. She showed her face beneath the hood to me and she seemed of noble descent or at the very minimum appearance which eased my worries... slightly. To those who say I had a "choice" I ask you this: was there *really* a choice? Standing alone by a light deemed a "blessing" by our "guide" that, according to her, would dim out soon wasn't an option. Convenient for her narrative that it would fade away, pressuring others to follow her agenda. Clever, I'll give her that.
 
As we... walked... off the crater we were currently on, gravity did not seem to alter our movements inherently. With a bit of the power of will, we were able to travel along the dark, endless space from location to location. It seems even the most feeble of mind were able to adapt to this unique method of travel although the other savage struggled a bit. The halfling would struggle later on but it doesn't surprise me. While they both had physical prowess, that much is undeniable, their mental fortitude certainly left much to be desired. Along the way, the party ran into what can only be described as an aggressive wisp. At first inspection, the wisp seemed highly unintelligible. It seemed to be seeking light so while the baboon brigade discussed fighting the wisp, I managed to get and light a torch from the prodigal monk and gave it to the other savage to throw. As the lit torch draws the attention of wisps, he, of course, decides to hold it and ask questions about avoiding a fight. Given the logical talk didn't reach him last time, I decided to chant throw until he'd throw it. After the rest of the brigade calmed his fears of being a coward, he threw it and the wisp followed it as we moved on. It's quite unironic how the other savage listened best to the savage's words. Very convenient. Very frustrating. It wasn't long before we heard the sounds of fighting. Everyone but the "guide" and I wanted to go and "help". Despite my best efforts to explain why it was a bad idea, why it wasn't a contradiction of honor or compassion, and why compromising the timing we had to reach the boat and not miss it was an awful idea, the gorilla group decides to run headstrong into combat. To be fair, I think it was absolute stupidity but it oddly worked in our favor. Of course as we arrive, we find two nobles of the Targarian household with their faithful guard fighting off these shadow mongrels. It takes a few swings and shots of the two savages to kill it which either speaks to the weakness of the shadow or the competency of the two savages. I firmly believe it was just weak. At first, the nobles began speaking tot he savage as if they were on good terms which certainly surprised me. Apparently, the Lord brother among them had lost some book that was causing him severe ailments. I attempted to heal him with my magic to no effect as the nobles essentially conscripted us to find the book. Given the penguin platoon did not hesitate to march forward, I certainly won't refuse the family in control of the military might of Arhor'ha. I reluctantly went to the "guide" and informed her of this nonsense. She did not like it but simply told me to have safe travels. Finding solidarity with her due to our shared frustrations with the group, I assured her it would be as quick as possible and returned to the party. We went southeast in accordance to the nobles and arrived at what appeared to be the tree of life, Yggrasil. Up until now, our first location was bland while the location of the nobles was the noble garden in the city. I'm unsure what dictates the terraforming of the craters that seem to be afloat in this place, but seldom is something, well... something, without reason or explanation. There were several shadow mongrel corpses with arrows in them. Upon further revelation, some other savage who seemed somehow more stupid than the other two savages seemed to be trying to read the book the noble was missing. After some impressive legwork from the halfling and some not so impressive falling skills from the other savage, the three stooges ended up on the ground with the new savage, who evidently didn't remember his name. After a failed persuasion attempt from the savage, a failed manhandling attempt from the other savage, and a failed persuasion attempt from the prodigal monk, I had to take matters into my own hand. The simpleton was trying to read a complex scholarly book without any actual knowledge of how to read. He was too stubborn to give up the book before reading it "himself" and refused help so there was a very straightforward solution; read the book with or for him. He looked like a child who had never held a book before. I can't help but feel complete and absolute pity for him. How could one live his entire life without ever reading? Didn't his mind feel empty or scared of being so stupid? I walked beside him and started reading the text for him. Either he would be upset I ruined it for him and give us the book, or he would be able to copy the sounds I made and do it "himself". Either way, I win. He sounded it out and that seemed to "fulfill" his spirit as he wisped away, dropping the book. After reacquiring the book, the savage invited the Lord and Lady and the guard to come with us to the boat. Although I wanted to interject, how can I tell a noble family's offspring to "find their own path"? I didn't think the "guide" would like it, as her ledger specifically stated our names on it, I concluded it was her burden to bear. She seemed to have some sort of duty or obligation to perform her functions, so any negative feelings or behavior are ultimately hers to bear, not mine. Perhaps if she answered my questions, I might feel more compassion. Alas, she did not. She still owes me a honest answer to one question of my choosing. I'll hold her to that... when I find a question she can't bullshit her way past. So, I walk back tot he "guide".
 
As we got back, the "guide" hid her face more so than usual and even altered her voice. She did say she didn't want to be directly involved in this struggle involving the nobles, yet the other mentally incompetent savage couldn't handle it. He concluded it wasn't our "guide" and that it was someone else and he just HAD to see her face. Nothing she or anyone else said could change that. Despite my best efforts to help the "guide" with this one preference, it failed. I was convinced this idiot wouldn't be moved but the collective efforts of the sheep herd, he finally backed down. I felt a lot of solidarity with the "guide" and the Lady who both showed signs of frustration with this imbecile. It was briefly relaxing to be assured I wasn't the only one who saw it. As we arrived at the final destination, the boat arrived. The "guide" gave each of us a coin; a currency used in the river Styx. Given that I had it in my hand, my heart sank. This was the evidence to prove we... that I, had died. I've only seen this coin in scholarly research about death and the river Styx itself. It was a daunting realization but I realized what must be done. The savage tried to board with her oversized dog but was asked for two coins. Unsurprising, as the "guide" explained, so I decided to board while the other had to argue about "morals". Unfortunately, I was also asked for two coins when I only had one. The "guide" questioned the undead looking captain about the price allegedly being higher than its meant to but she got nowhere. The halfling took off her treasured necklace and gave it to the savage only to immediately disappear. This confirmed the hypothesis that people on this plane are bound by their prized treasures, which explains the ailments of the Lord and the disappearance of the third savage from before (somehow?). Apparently, her death meant too much to the savage, so she gave her coins to the other savage who dropped the three coins at the feet of the guide who picked them up. The lady gave her coin to the Lord brother while the guard held on to his. I tried to get all the coins from the "guide" but she mentioned the coins had to be "willingly" given and was only "willing" to give me one, so I didn't push it and took one so I had two. I then immediately strolled onto the boat and watched from above as to no surprise, the prodigal monk also gave his coin to the "guide". What... what was this? Did nobody value their own lives over this conceptual honor? Were they intent on finding the halfling who disappeared? It all seemed so noble... it all seemed so honorable... it almost made me feel ba-- HAHAHAHA!
 
I can't help it. They're all such idiots! Why would you cling onto honor, morality, ethics, or ideals over your life? I certainly don't see a booth to exchange them for any prizes. The Lady gave a convincing although shallow speech about honor and faithfulness to family which her brother refuted as he quickly followed onto the boat with me. Seeing as she played her good intentions card, her and her guard took the remaining coins from the "guide" and came aboard. This... was the most ideal situation. Those decrepits down there know absolutely nothing about the world. They think the Lady so humble and noble yet her family's legacy was built around the suffering and sacrifices of countless peasants. That's how all the noble families came to be. They didn't get where they are because of sincerity and kindness. Bah! I wish I could reveal the true intentions of them to the world. However, that wouldn't work in my favor. It does me no good and certainly wouldn't do many others good either. Sadly, the family in control of the military has the power to demand respect from essentially anyone. That's how tyrants work. They use the power of the sword to discipline and keep others in line. Besides, being the only one left who helped them gives me great leverage moving forward. I will not forget the debt these two owe me. As I gave my last laugh to the toucan troupe, the "guide" told me to do acts of heroism so I had something to write in my blank book! The nerve of that woman! I thought her of anyone else would understand but she did not! That sassy sasquatch thinks this blank book about the true tales of a true hero is meant to be about me! I have accomplished much in my life thus far and it has only just begun! This book... it isn't meant for me. It's meant to write a true and accurate biography of a real, true hero. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any true heroes around anymore. They all seem to be fantasy, unrealistic portrayals at that, and there seems to be nobody worth writing about. Perhaps someday... I'll find someone worth my time to write about. You'll see, you wretched servant. You'll see as you grovel to your master's feet while I become famous and accomplished! We'll see who laughs then!... it'll be me. I smile as I ride off in the boat, seeing the last of the clowns as their inevitable demise followed shortly behind me.
 
Perhaps I can use this time to get information from the Lady and Lord. I can ask them about their knowledge on deities and celestials as well as other topics related to those involved in current events. Perhaps they can offer books not available to most scholars. The Lord may be particularly useful given his credentials.