Getting back together
In reply to DMJW (msg # 4):
Theo is moving very slowly and silently through the Underdark. He is moving the the direction that the group headed off in, but he has fallen further and further behind. Without light (and Stool), he is moving blindly. He has decided not to cast any light producing spells - he has been relying so much on other sources of light (light stone, fire, magic) that he becomes lost without it.
There has been a great deal to dispair. Panian has taken too many lives - Bart, Hawk, an innocent innkeeper. Now Panian has nearly killed Charani and Remos. Hallid has murdered a family. Nymeria has transformed herself into a witch through the mutiliation of enemies and animals. Before disappearing, Daveak fed captives to hungry dogs. The darkness surrounds, it engulfs, it swallows the good, it is cold, it is everywhere.
The last time he was cast into total darkness - when he was blinded - he learned not to rely on light, but rather on himself. This experience strenthened him for the trial to come - resisting the lure of power when he was possessed by Gruumsch.
Since the group first entered Ravenloft, he has too often sought light where there has been none. Now as he looks inward, he focuses upon his own inner light. As he stumbles slowly through complete darkness, he has resolved that he can no longer be a seeker of light, but rather he must be the light he had been seeking. He cannot expect to find light in others, but rather he must cast light upon them. He cannot allow a lack of light in his environs to blind him or hide his path. Darkness is nothing, light is something. Light destroys darkness, always. He must not allow the darkness around him to cause him to dispair, but rather he must be the bane of darkness.
He is ready to find his friends. He has lost his connection with Krysnys and he's not quite sure where to find the group, but he moves on, hopefully back toward reunion.