"A Journal About an Experiment"

Item · 65 gp · Weight 2

"Experiment day one Today I was able to catch a quasit. Irori be my witness, it wasn't easy, considering my humble physical condition. Luckily, it was a scrawny specimen, about seven pounds, with a wingspan of about two and one third feet. When it awoke, the quasit first tried to attack me, and then ruined my clothes with his caustic saliva. Experiment day three I have begun my linguistic research. My goal is to study the language of quasits. I'm quite convinced they have their own dialect. Through understanding their speech, I will be able to understand their way of thinking, and convince them to rebel against their lords' tyranny. A revolution will roll through the Abyss, and the powerless will rebel against their oppressors. I'm sure that Everbloom Milani will not refuse her patronage even to such creatures as these, if they would break their chains of slavery. Unfortunately, progress is thus far insignificant. I've been able to catalog only two words, which I suspect must mean 'rend' and 'carrion'. The quasit formed both words quite vividly when commenting on my person. While I was entering this record, the quasit managed to steal my watch and throw it into the chamber pot. Judging by his spiteful giggling, he's quite delighted about his little joke. And despite the naughty trick, I am somewhat glad. Jokes and pranks are a part of cognitive communication, which I fully intend to establish with the specimen. I grow more and more convinced that I made the right decision in leaving Absalom and Forae Logos, the so called Wise House. More like narrow-minded fools stuck in the past, under the sway of their ringleader, that chatterbox, the fool of fools, Jubilost Narthropple. They've never appreciated the progressive nature of my theories. Experiment day four Today the quasit almost bit my nose off while I fed him. In response, to my shame, I beat him with a wand. Such behavior toward a sentient being is unacceptable, and I repent deeply. I've also run out of meat. The specimen and I will have to make do with porridge and soup. Experiment day six It's been three days since the specimen switched to a vegetarian diet. At first the quasit refused to eat plant-based food, but then ate some cabbage soup and poked at the porridge with his claw. His face looked so tragic. Experiment day seven The specimen has completely lost all signs of aggression. At dawn I was awoken by his moaning. The quasit was rolled up in a ball in the corner, whimpering. Despite his dangerous appearance, it's quite impossible not to feel compassion toward the poor creature. I had to take prompt measures and give the specimen a laxative potion. The quasit now reacts to me with confusion and fear, but at least it's not suffering any more. His gastrointestinal tract must have reacted unhappily to the unfamiliar diet. Experiment day ten What a great day! The switch to a completely plant-based diet is complete! The theory that quasits can only eat meat and carrion has been disproven! My eternal opponent, Sir Jubilost, will just have to go drown himself in a river! The quasit has became peaceful and easygoing. He no longer tries to eat my boots, or the feet inside them. The specimen's behavior has become gentle and friendly. He shows some interest in ball games and physical exercise. I have named him Pekker. Today he initiated communication, and attempted to explain a new word to me. By all evidence, he was making up the word during the communication process, for there has never been such a word in the quasit language. The meaning, as I understand it, is 'safety, comfort, and calm'. I see no further need to keep Pekker on his chain. This experiment has convinced me that the vicious and evil traits attributed to quasits are acquired habits, not natural or inherent to their nature. Over these days I really have grown fond of him. And by all evidence, Pekker likes me too. He's gotten used to napping on my knee while I'm writing my observations in my journal. Maybe someday this quasit will become my familiar. The current stage of the Experiment is complete. Pekker and I are soon off to Absalom, to present our findings before the professors at Forae Logos and become a scientific sensation. On our way, we may make a small detour to Avistan, so that Pekker will have a chance to better adapt to civilization. I hope the little trickster enjoys the journey."