Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

A new day, a new adventure. As I was walking through the Zen Gardens, defending myself against the Taiko Drums that roam around there, I heard a cry for help from a few other adventures. I rushed over to them and found them surrounded by five drums. They seemed to be around my own level and they were fighting hard, but they obviously needed some help. After a battle from which none of us emerged without any damage, we quickly formed a crew in order to defend ourselves against the infernal drums more effectively.

We pushed on towards Bass'ken Lake, yet we did not quite reach there. As we looked down the path towards the lake we saw several wolves, most likely more Animated, ripping another adventurer to pieces. It was... a rather disturbing sight which I wish to forget as quickly as possible. One of our crew decided to take her chances and left us. I'm sorry to say we did not see her again; I wonder what became of her. She was the strongest one of us and I can only hope she was strong enough to take on the Bass'ken Lake Animated.

Our crew, now of only two, returned to the Gardens. We agreed on getting stronger by defeating more of the drums. While doing this we got a reward from one of the Barton Regulars who had all but gone mad from the sound of the beating drums. He was incredibly relieved to not hear them, even if it was only a short relieve.

After having helped the guard it did not take long for my companion to be called away. We agreed upon staying in contact; I daresay this was not our last adventure together. I stayed in the gardens alone and wandered around. When I came upon the Kokeshi Doll Shrine there was a group of around five people standing outside the gates. I asked them what they were waiting for; as it turned out they were waiting for someone to help them fight the Animated dolls inside the shrine, by Katsumi's request. I could not refuse this obvious request for help so I offered to join them. I did not know if I was truly ready for this task, but they seemed to see no problem in my skills.

We entered the shrine and I was immediately overcome by a strange feeling. As the dolls started swarming in on us, my vision started blurring and I felt as if I would faint. I informed my companions of this and they promised to look after me; I am glad there are such unselfish Gaians. In my old homeland I would not have been so fortunate.

Even in my condition I managed to slay several of the dolls and I can proudly say I emerged from the shrine nearly unharmed and stronger than before. I still felt unwell however and as such I bade my newfound friends goodbye and set off towards home. With some difficulty I reached and as I entered my home I collapsed onto the floor. I woke up some hours later. I do hope this was a one-time-only occurence; for if I cannot depend on my own body in times of need, how will I ever become strong enough to take on the fiercest of the Animated?

Perhaps it had something to do with the strange energy from the Kokeshi Doll Shrine. I will visit the shrine again some day to test this theory. I dearly hope I do not have some manner of illness.

Regards,

Ian Collins