Session 3: The Cultist's Dungeon

Following the tracks we found outside of the ruined church proved easy enough, and fighting the cultists and their undead minions was not much harder, even though I was wounded during the fight. But realizing that some of the people who I have befriended have tainted spirits makes me worry about being away from my people. How can a man... No, how can a god allow his followers to commit evil unless that god is also evil? And if that god is evil, and allows evil to be committed in his name, by his followers, then are they not just as evil as the cultists whose spirits we just released from this world? Is this what all outsiders are like? Is everyone here carrying a tainted heart, like that of the hyenas, inside of them? The elders say that when an evil spirit is released it doesn't go to the Great Council Fire, but that the North Wind blows it back to earth to be given a second chance to please the Great Spirit as a lessor creature. Perhaps these cultists were once men who displeased the Great Spirit, and now displeasing him again, perhaps the North Wind will blow them into the bodies of hyenas, or snakes, or worms.
 
Thank the Great Spirit, that Lyra agreed with me about how intention hurting those who can not defend themselves is only the path to corrupt spirits. Releasing the spirit of an opponent who has fought bravely, honors them, and yourself, but torture of a living creature is a betrayal of the Great Spirit. I would not have been able to remain with this group if all of them were so tainted. But now I wonder about myself... Zodak called on the power of his god and sent magic into me. If his god is tainted, and Zodak is tainted, have I now become tainted through this magic? I will cleanse myself of this taint as soon as possible, and I will not allow the magic of a tainted one to touch me again. The elders said the Trickster can appear as anything even as a friend until it is too late. I will have to speak to Lyra. She has proven herself to me by protecting my back, as I protect hers, but now I fear we will have to watch our backs against those we travel with.
 
I pray to the Great Spirit that Songbird that Sings at Dusk is safe and that she is returning home as quickly as possible, and that I may follow her as soon as I can confirm her path.