Banipal's Sermon

 (A note, written in green ink on a sheet of papyrus):

Know this: Zarthan took the snake, but he was not worthy. Zarthan took the snake and fell dead, right here in this marsh did it happen. I helped bury him the same as you did. All the proper rites were administered, as you saw. His precious Blackfang was laid across his chest, as you saw. 

We did not know then by what impurities Zarthan was corrupted, and soon after so many of the others lost their way. So weak was their faith that the mere death of one man—one demonstrably impure man—could shake them to the very core. Kassen spoke of leaving the faith. Nigash said the same. You heard them. Milana went even further, proposing a conversion to dark magics and gods of other realms. How could you ever forget those filthy, disgusting words? 

“Only the Toxic One sees all,” we told them. If one so noble as Zarthan could fall silent only moments after taking the snake, if his want of the genuine virtue remained invisible even to himself, what else can it mean? They could not see it. Only the almighty Toxic One sees all!” 

This was the only possible truth. “It was not Salomirak that failed him,” we explained. “Zarthan was not pure.” But they could not accept his wisdom. Like Zarthan before them, their infection did not let them understand. 

So with no other choice remaining, we performed our duty that night. First Aldo. Then Kassen. Then Nigesh. Addo. Ocan. Casilda. Milana. Tarquin. Cannova. Pali. Heitor. We performed our duty. 

And I did not administer the ritual. They were faithless and corrupt. They had not earned the procedure, as Zarthan had at least done. So like him, they will remain in this swamp forever. But unlike him, they shall not be at rest. 

Only five of us remain, and we now bear the same taint as Zarthan. The Toxic One has challenged us, I know. But do not give in to the call of the beast! Soon we shall overcome what Zarthan and the others could not comprehend. Arhein, Treznor, Delinda, Ordan: have we not built a moon pool here in this very swamp? 

We await only the incantations, and soon we will have them. We are so very close. Soon we shall finally be rid of this affliction—and then at long last shall I take the snake. Do not fall deeper into contamination. For one day you shall know the serpent’s bite as well.

--Banipal