Morrigan

The more I learn of this place and its archived gossip, the more I find myself with reason to wonder... With libidos free to reign and a curious absence of any noted pregnancy, could it be this ship causes sterility within its residents?

Something for our more academic population to investigate, no doubt...

And so, I find myself returned to the Admiral's bosom... A scant few changes, here and there, yet still incompetence persists. A situation common to most kingdoms, it seems.

Tell me, am I to expect the same ritual humiliation as persisted during my previous visitation? I have so missed the opportunity to awake and discover I possess another's body or gills where none should be... Still, some prices are worth paying - just. A lesson, I am sure, which shall be sorely tested before my time here is at an end, once more.

[And there it ends... Of course, being Morrigan, she's no idea her Claudia Black-alike voice might be mistaken for certain previous residents aboard ship.]

Different paths, different worlds... From what I read in the library, there exist any number of such examples gathered here, upon this voyage. And until given student to guide, I can do little more but refine my education while aboard ship.

But if there is one thing which puzzles me in the literature I find of other times and places, it is this: Why, for some of you, is the subject of magic treated with such disbelief?

'Tis a tool like any other... Can be felt, used, developed and controlled. Is it mere ignorance which prevents some from learning of it? Or perhaps something deeper?

After all, where so many desire power, it seems strange, indeed, not to harness the arcane.

By Flemeth's beard, I refuse to write a missive to this horridly over-dressed child-stalking, bell-jingling, bearded phantom!

Not one description I've read of him in our library fills me with anything less than severe distaste for his nocturnal habits.

That I am now writing for the benefit of myself is neither here nor there. 'Tis a far better use for my energies than spending it on these superstition.

If nothing else, remaining unpaired from some form of student gives me an excellent opportunity to concoct new poisons... Not too dissimilar a process from what I believe a certain acquaintance of mine used to call 'cooking'.

Mind you, if Alistair does prove to be the Admiral, it would certainly explain the need for kitchen staff.

I suspect that we are scheduled for stopping at some form of port, before long. A time alleged to be for teaching one's student lessons, even if only in the form of survival.

Ravenna, should we encounter humiliation, unknown terrors or both, I shall be trusting you not to be foolhardy and leave ship without me.

Hoffman... How goes your change? I may no longer lead you, but have interest in my legacy not being tarnished. Brief, though it was.

Narvin... A name I hold no great unfamiliarity with, save for vague reputation. Yet, one I am now compelled to alert.

I seem to be somewhat adhered to your charge. One Drake Stone. Much further than a small number of steps and I am overcome with illness and fatigue. Of more puzzling merit, however, is that I find him taken on as a second student - and yet, I find myself without indication as to his past.

Whatever the manner of our curse, it seems we share a form of... Responsibility for him.

Ravenna, should you have need of me... Excuse my misfortune. 'Tis nothing I seem able to correct.

I sense the aftermath of all this will be most amusing... If not enlightening.

And as we all seem so frightfully engaged in one another's affairs, I shall warn you each afresh: Leave the one named Ravenna unmolested.

Failure to do so would not be in your best interests.

It seems I am no longer responsible for Mark Hoffman's behaviour.

Private - Amanda's warden:

One of his last requests to me was that he may view these stories of his life you once offered. See to it they are delivered to him, either personally or through me. He can view them as he sees fit.

And once again, I impress upon you the need for some sort of public declaration of your student's discipline, if only to him. Hoffman can hardly progress if he perceives remaining injustice against him. Especially since his employment in life was in prosecuting criminals.

Private - Hoffman:

I have seen to it that Amanda's warden has been reminded of her duties. Regardless of what pain you inflicted on others, your speciality was once that of justice. I have reminded her of this in an effort to speed things along. I have also requested from her what you sought.

While I no longer hold sway over your affairs, 'twas... Refreshing to witness some change within you. Change for the better.

Should you have need of my services, I remain where you can find me.

And do not forget... There are times when mockery causes greater dishonour in your detractors than physical pains or death.