[Edanian Journey] Nymphamaré

Chapter 1: The Mermaid's Curse

"So... did you come here looking for the scouting party? As you can see... Ugh. This is all that's left of us."

On the road to Nymphamaré Castle, I met a Hashashin in the Whispering Hills. He introduced himself as Simba, leader of the Sand Scorpion scouting party.

Simba spoke of a strange affliction plaguing the Hashashins—a creeping sickness that turned their limbs to stone, until their bodies were petrified entirely. He was here to investigate this grim phenomenon. There was one thing all the victims shared: each had once explored the land of Nymphamaré.

"Every one of them... had explored this region. Some even spoke of... <b>visions. Of Mermaids</b>. Our scouting party used to be dozens strong, but monsters ambushed us and... Ugh..."

Simba was certain: the wrath of the extinct Merfolk had left a curse upon this land. He pleaded with me to break the curse—to do what he and his men no longer could. So I set out for the edge of Nymphamaré.

Guided by the sound of crashing waves, I made my way to the coast—and there, I saw the Hashashins, turned to stone. Clutched in the hand of one petrified scout was a hastily scrawled note, a single name barely legible:

<b>"Ru... Sal... Ka?!"</b>

It seemed that every Hashashin had seen something on that shore, their stone gazes all fixed on a single point.

From the direction of their gaze, a Mermaid's song drifted softly to my ears, its melody weaving through my mind. Drawn by the haunting music, I slipped into a deep, unshakable sleep. When I finally awoke, a Hashashin was shaking me urgently.

"Hey! Please—wake up!
I have to ask... How exactly did you get here?"

Complete the Nymphamaré Main Quest;

Edanian Journey