I still remember the day I stumbled into Shatterscarp, a ghost town in the Living Lands, back in 2025. The air was thick with the stench of decay and ash, a constant reminder of the Dreamscourge plague ravaging Avowed. As a hardened adventurer, I've battled countless foes, but nothing prepared me for this—a disease that turns minds to mush, leaving only hollow shells driven to kill. It's eerily similar to those infected horrors from The Last of Us, but here, the desperate souls clinging to hope tore at my heart. My quest began with a simple note, an Ash-Tinged plea hidden in a wrecked house, yet it plunged me into a moral abyss I never expected.

Navigating the desolate streets, I found the Research House Key opposite a blight-infested ruin. After clearing the Ash Blight with a few swift spells, I grabbed the key and the note, feeling a chill run down my spine. The words spoke of experiments and hopelessness, setting the stage for what lay ahead. Personal note: I couldn't shake the image of families torn apart, like mine was years ago, and it fueled my determination to help. Heading to the well, unlocked with the Well Key, was like descending into hell itself. Spiderlings skittered in the shadows, their tiny legs echoing in the cavernous space, and I gripped my wand tighter, my palms sweaty with dread.

The voices grew louder as I pressed on, leading me to a grim scene: a cage packed with Dreamscourge-infected souls. They were motionless, almost peaceful in their madness, but I knew the truth—they'd turn violent any moment. Looking up, I spotted a lit path and climbed to meet Tobin the optimist, Maegild the realist, and Fewen the pessimist. Their stories hit hard: Tobin's brother was among the infected, Maegild's husband awaited a merciful end, and Fewen saw only death. Each argued their case, forcing me to weigh hope against despair. Personally, I felt torn—Tobin's unwavering faith reminded me of my own lost sibling, while Maegild's pragmatic sorrow mirrored battles I'd fought. Fewen's bitterness, though, made me recoil; it felt like giving up on life itself. 😔

Now came the choice, and it wasn't easy. If I sided with Tobin, I'd trek back to Captain Wymgar for supplies. The journey was grueling—no teleport points nearby meant hours of backtracking through ash-covered wastes. But Tobin's gratitude warmed me. Wymgar agreed to send provisions, insisting they stay hidden from the Steel Garrote. It ended peacefully, yet I couldn't help wondering if I'd delayed the inevitable. Personal reflection: I chose this path first, hoping for a miracle cure, but the silence of the well afterward left me hollow—was I just prolonging suffering?

Opting for Maegild meant entering the cage to end the infected. They didn't resist; a single blade stroke silenced each one. Afterward, I had to decide: ask Wymgar for more supplies or urge them to Eagle's Reach. I chose the latter, fearing the Garrote's wrath. Wymgar was furious, and Maegild's quiet relief mixed with guilt haunted me. Subjectively, this felt like the most humane option—a mercy kill to spare them torment. But seeing the cage empty, I questioned if I'd robbed them of a chance. 🤔

Then there was Fewen's route—attacking her to end it all. It was quick, almost anticlimactic; the others shunned me, and Wymgar never mentioned the survivors. Personally, I regretted this instantly—it felt cowardly, like surrendering to the darkness I despise. The rewards varied: 372 XP for Maegild, 434 for Tobin or killing Fewen, or 496 if I passed a Resolve check to send them all to Eagle's Reach. I earned 434 XP, but the emotional payout was heavier. Tables summarize it well:

Choice	XP Reward	Personal Impact
Siding with Tobin	434	Hopeful but uncertain
Siding with Maegild	372	Hauntingly merciful
Siding with Fewen	434	Regret-filled and dark
Resolve Check	496	Efficient but detached

Looking ahead, as of 2025, I dream of a future where Dreamscourge is cured. With Avowed's lore expanding, I hold onto a personal hope—that in upcoming quests, we'll uncover ancient remedies or hidden sanctuaries. 💫 For now, this journey taught me that in worlds like Avowed, the toughest battles aren't against monsters, but within our own hearts. The memory of those infected souls lingers, a stark reminder to cherish every glimmer of humanity in the face of despair.