Dormir Verite Douleur

## Brief Background

Dormir Douleur began as a creation of a perverse Svarthen priest and through actions was forced to atone by being a servant to the Gods of Law as an angel and wiped of his memory, named Verite. During the service as an angel Verite was stripped of her power for overstepping her bounds and forced to serve as a Chrono Knight. After vanquishing Djingxe Verite was allowed to retire. While helping the Kirreskald she learned of her hidden past and who she really is, Dormir Verite is currently trying to rebuild the City of Pit and has been bringing in new citizens.

## Diary

I was created in the Great Halls of Svarthen by a high priest hell bent on circumventing the will of Svarthen. The Dread are called into corpses from the afterlife on behalf of the will of Svarthen but I am a testament to abomination. When it came to light of my creation the other members of the temple captured me and I awaited my execution with my creator, but my creator could not be found. The priests decided that if I hunted down my creator and destroyed her I would be allowed to live and go through the sacred rites of the Dread Knights. I found my creator and took her back for her execution. Till this day I do not know why I truly obeyed the priests. There was just a voice in the back of my mind that said, “They must know us again. They must dread us again.” I pay for my citizenship with the blood, body parts, and dark sacraments of other monsters. Whenever possible as others would simply kill these mad and stupid beasts I capture them to be studied and experimented with. To gain knowledge of their inner workings and weakness so the Empire could rid them of this world…and when I have no monsters to bring they work on me. I was waiting in the Ghostwood two months ago for some horror to show its face so I could take it back and be spared another month when I stumbled upon a caravan on mercenaries that had a cart full of horrible creatures. So, not to waste a given opportunity I attacked them and killed them all right where they stood. I was sloppy and foolish to try to cart so many by myself. As I was trying to make my way something scared the horses and the cart tipped over. All the creatures were free and I was pinned, helpless, and surely dead. Then this man came out of nowhere a slayed each one. He looked back at me with my mask slightly off and he saw my true face. With a look of rage and horror he stuck me in the belly and I faded away from the pain. As my eyes closed I heard another man’s voice, a untrustworthy voice.I was patched up in Knifesbridge and to settle a “debt”. I was sent into the woods to clear out a cave that a number of monsters seemed to hole up in after escaping a caravan. I had three other people with me, two men and a dwarf. We made quick work of the creatures but there was something else in that cave. Something sealed behind a black door with gold lettering. One of the humans tried to pick the lock to the door to open it and shrieked in pain as a black gas sprung from the keyhole and filled his body. His eyes turned black and his skin cracked and peeled as if his was burning from the inside. The dwarf broke his axe high and low cleaving the poor soul in two. We sealed that cave with rocks and made note of it to warn “King Cole”.

On our way to Knifesbridge to handle the bandit problem we discovered a wagon that was attacked on what will now be called Blue Dragon Road, I will explain later. There was some sort of horrible creature with two long arms and multiple faces that seemed to have attacked the wagon and was eating a horse when we came up on it. We almost killed it when suddenly, and surprisingly, a huge blue dragon ripped out of Jorg's bag, a Krampus that was traveling with us. None of us were killed and the other monster fled. We made our way to Knifesbridge in the wagon and it seemed no local, including the Sheriff, was of much help in locating the bandits. We were told to wait for a week or so for the town hall meeting and it would be discussed there. Suddenly a riot broke out because Alice, a student witch, used some magic on a bar bouncer for some reason or another. We fled the town and made it back safely to Metzinger. I found a note in the saddle bag on one of the horses that reads, "The Church has sent a witch hunter it is getting worse. - Reynulf Hartford" Reynulf is the Sheriff and it seems that the bandits are making their way into the city and bringing some other mess with it. If you want to track these bandits down go to the Black Dragon and don't bother with the Sheriff or the Mayor. They don't seem to be taking things seriously, are helpless, or both.

While on our way to the Palace Plantation we got lost and a dragon, or what we assume is a dragon, attacked us. It raged unrelenting to let us live but Aradiel Naberius, a paladin of the god Tyr, and Onomeno, an Orc warrior, made swift work of it. We made it back to the road when we stopped along the way at a farm. The farm was owned by Roger and Violet. They seemed very odd to me. They fawned over Aradiel and treated us far nicer than most ever would have thought. I do not trust them but it seemed they had a motive. Roger asked Aradiel to breed with his wife because he seemed to have had been made unable to in his life as a soldier. Oddly enough Aradiel declined the breeding option which I find odd since I have been told people pay for the chance to breed. It does not truly matter though. Aradiel did approach me though about my behaviors. He wants me to be “good” and join him in worship of his god and to abandon my own. I was very unpleased with his request and I felt something in the back of my mind say I should destroy him in the name of Svarthen. But, I did not because instead he made me laugh. He told me a funny joke about how I should bathe. Very funny man. We left the next day and arrived at the Palace Plantation and tried to be compensated for our dead dragon. At first it seemed we were not going to get paid. Which would make me unpleased, but a magician who was with our party, Ruriath Reontha'ar, did something to the man and he became very compliant and paid us 500 coins for the dragon and offered 500 coins a head for any other dragons or beast men killed on his lands. If you need coin the Palace Plantation should be a regular stop.

In Westham I was attacked in an alley by some adventurers that overheard we were going the dungeon of Xallevyrx. They were sloppy and rushing so when the sheriff hollered at us they all fled but I caught one. In a cold rage I forced my mask on him and made him see the visions of horror. It was too late by the time the sheriff and his deputies pulled me off him. He was a babbling mess trying to bite and claw at everyone. The sheriff let me go after a night but told me never to come back. While in Westham I wasn't able to make any new contacts before we needed to leave but I did notice the sheriff's hands shaking every time he picked up his keys and even when he put me in irons. I have come accustomed to the stares and nervous behavior of man but this was not fear. This was something else. The group that would later try to attack me were in the Lucky Lady Inn with us drinking and making ruckus much like the other travelers. They seemed harmless enough and they even shared a few drinks with the others but it seems our guard was too relaxed. Their names were Steinberg, Wolfham, Coulsen, and Fambreen. Fambreen is the one that I drove mad with the mask and I doubt his friends are pleased with the situation. We made it to Xallevyrx and found hidden passages to a large room where low and behold there was Wolfham and his crew again. He threatened us and gave us the option to leave our valuables or they would take them by force. So, with kindness we obliged. We killed them all and left their bodies in that room. Before even the body fully bled out Austri, a Dwarven Priestess of Svarthen, wandered into a hall and fell through the floor into what was a cavern. She luckily survived the fall as she landed in water but noticed she was not alone. She called for help and Onomeno, the warrior orc, jumped in to save her. They were ambushed by some kind of horrible goblinoid abomination. Garen Hartford, an orc soldier, described them to us as a tentacle bearded goblin with reptilian features. He was the only one who went into the pit and came back alive. When the fighting below seemed to cease we heard a rumbling roar like a dragon and immediately I took Doctor Krayvar with me out of Xallevyrx. We left them all not knowing if they were alive or not but from the darkness Garen came. He was quite furious for the abandonment but the accomplishment of found treasure eased him slightly. Austri and Onomeno perished in Xallevyrx.

We were riding to Knifesbridge when Polliver spotted something and waved us over. When we stopped the carriage we saw the monster, the Fear Stalker, that terrorized Blue Dragon Road not too long ago attacking some guardsmen. Everyone approached the beast and I charged it knowing that this may be my only chance to rid this horrible beast but it turned and hit me. I was fueled by rage as feelings of fear washed over me but the beast was too much for me. It threw Garen aside and broke my arm and shield. Garen was mentioning before to me in Metzinger and on the trip that I should be less reckless. Maybe he was right. We wounded the beast and it fled and only Turg pursued it. He slayed the monster and kept some trophies of that kill. I hope to never see the likes of that thing again. We checked the bodies and they were in fact Knifesbridge Guards. Now what they were doing so far out in the Ghostwoods we do not know but they had a note on them that said “W is in the Tower. Ogre is in the Barn.” We assume W means Wilse and Ephram, the former Red Company merc with us, believes Ogre refers to an actual Ogre who works for Calgodarro. Garen, Turg, and myself rode into town while Ephram and Polliver snuck in. We were stopped at the gate by the guards and we told them what happened and they took us to Calgodarro for what was supposed to appear to be questioning. It became apparent that they did not care for answers or what happened to their men. They fully intended to kill us either for assumption that we killed their men or that there were more hidden motives. It didn’t matter since mayhem quickly ensued with the building catching on fire and Garen and myself fighting our way out to Calgodarro, Turg jumped out the window. We made it up to the burning room with Ephram fighting Calgodarro and one of his men casting some sort of magic from the void. I called out Calgodarro and attack with haste and he killed me where I stood. It appears Garen is right. I am reckless. I walked beyond the black gates to the twisted black peak of Svarthen where I met one of the oldest Dread Knights, Paladus Drago. He was disappointed in me and said I have failed Svarthen. In return for a second chance I was given a holy purpose in the swamps now overrun in crystals to the north. I walked out of the burning wreckage that was my grave and now I hear Garen’s words. I will not be reckless. I will have absolute purpose.

We made our way through the Larrankvogvale to Westham where our guide Alalia, hired by Jacqueline Bravo, found a cave that was crawling with green impish creatures. She took us safely around it and to Westham. We stopped quickly in Westham as others gathered supplies. We camped outside of the city when we were awoken by Polliver about some creature attacking the paladin’s, Dax Korveen, cart. We noticed though that Polliver had a bright glowing purple gem in his hand that he was trying to hide. We know we have seen it before in Xallevyrx. I did not pressure him about it and went to fend off the beast. It was another Fear Stalker. We made quick work of it and Dax delivered the killing blow. As we were about to close camp Polliver sowed discontent and burned Alalia with his cigar. She left while Jacqueline and Dax tried to win her back over. This changed our plans and we were not pleased. We arrived to the caves and Polliver scouted ahead while noticing Fomorians out in front of the cave. He came back to formulate a plan and requested help in infiltrating the area. I denied his request and said he should do it alone since he ran off Alalia. Argoll Silvergleam boisterously joined him as Polliver reluctantly accepted. They were ambushed by fomorians and Argoll was held hostage. This changed our plans and we were not pleased. Polliver fled and came to us to let us know what happened. We rode the carriage as quickly as it could to stop them from taking Argoll into the caverns, or eating him. We traded the cask of Knifebridge Stout for Argoll’s life. We left the caves with no treasure other than our lives and much needed information. These caverns house the legendary Dragon Armor. This armor was worn by Möglöra, a great barbarian warrior of the southern lands. Some say this armor is cursed others say it makes the wearer immortal. Dax said he saw a vision and a way inside that is hidden. If others want to delve further into caverns he has the best knowledge.

We were escorting Princess Shub Noblerath to City of Pit when Dax saw something off the path and went to investigate it. After an hour or two we went looking for him and found that he was taken. We followed his tracks to a ring of stone where Dax was tied up. He was captured by these Squirrel like men wearing masks that called themselves Kirreskalds. Their leader,Brownfoot, did not trust us and said we were part of a bad omen he saw in a vision. Apparently it was tied to an immortal being named Yerachmiel that will bring the end of this world with the feeding of flesh to Djingxe. He said that these omens pointed to City of Pit. Shub bartered for Dax’s life, her crown as a sign of trust. When we arrived to City of Pit there were dark figures in the shadows and three slowly approached us as we entered the town. When we noticed the figures we salted our weapons, a trick we learned from Jacqueline. One figure in a cloak announced itself as Yerachmiel. They were humanoid, had no gender, nude, and had no life in their eyes. The princess tried to talk to it diplomatically and when it acknowledged her regency it demanded sacrifice. Praetor Carnithrax, a new paladin from a far off place east, went to demand he be heard and was then attack. A battle ensued and we made quick work of these creatures made of ooze. We swept through the houses for items but when we came back to the carriage Shub and Praetor were gone. Then at that very moment the princess was spat out of a gaping maw from a sucker covered tongue. She told us that Praetor was engulfed in the giant blob that was covering the entire center square. We immediately threw the princess over my shoulder and rode off with her kicking and screaming. Dax stayed a little while after us as he wanted to finish his work. As we made it out of town we could hear his cart and donkey trail behind us and the smell of smoke and death came with him.

We were headed to the crystal covered swamps and stopped at Roger and Violet’s farm. They took us in for the night and we spoke to Roger about the prospect of adopting some orphans of Metzinger. He said they would love to have them but Violet would really like to bear a child of her own before she took in anyone. Roger also mentioned a Sir Willard, a knight that has been checking on them frequently and is said to be a good man. I am skeptical of this knight but I feel Roger and Violet will be safe. We went to an abandoned tower east of the monastery to make camp, but were quickly attacked by a swarm of cave rats. We fended them off with fire from Austri and magic from Ruriath and checked a portion of the tower that was destroyed and found nothing but trash and animal leavings. There was a door leading but we were running out of time. We rested and headed off to the swamps when we lost sight of Dax for a moment. We tried to find him and we saw some thrashing in the water and Doctor Krayvar hopped out with Austri to help what seemed to be Dax. It was not Dax and turned out to be the most beautiful woman we have ever seen. She stood in offense that we wandered her swamps and attacked her snakes. She demanded tribute and the rest of the party gave her an item but we did not. We challenged her and immediately Austri and us were snatched down into the swamps. She dragged our body into the deep swamp and for a moment we felt the black stone of the old temple drag against our skin. She let us go for her own reasons unknown to us but we trudged back to the carriage and the rest of the group. The temple is here and we have made a grave error. We must atone our deeds with the lady of the bog and see if she will forgive us.

Argoll, Ruriath, Dax, and us went to Xallevyrx in search of more treasure. We brought along five recruits, Olaf ‘The Whistler’, Conner, Skylus ‘Scrubadub’, Alalia, and Brother Daniel Raptus. We entered the halls where the old statues stood and monstrous orcs with strange and fascinating changes burst through a hidden door toppling over the statue on us and Scrubadub. We fought through the wreckage and attacked one of the orcs with long mammoth like tusks and it threw us across the hall into the other statue. Argoll, Ruriath, and Dax finished the job and slayed both of the orcs in moments. We proceeded down the hall and encountered three more orcs with different and worse mutations. One bellowed this horrible gas that choked and rendered most of our party helpless. Dax moved forward to kill one and slowly but surely we killed the three abominations. We made our way back to the group who managed to gather their heads and clear the toxic gas out. We gathered the treasure, a nice sum of five hundred coin, from these orcs and Olaf ‘The Whistler’ and Brother Daniel Raptus demanded that they get paid their share of the treasure now. Argoll, Ruriath, and Dax tried to negotiate with the two but they wouldn’t budge on the matter. Argoll told Raptus to take his share off one of the orcs and all of it would be his which he did, a fine share of one hundred and fifty coins. Olaf then said he should get a comparable share. Things were going too far with these recruits and their greed. We told them they did not deserve the coin they were walking out with since they did not help and simply walked about in these halls. We set the stakes that if they could wear my mask and sustain wearing it that they may keep their hefty sum. Olaf declined and took his payment promised from Dax. Raptus accepted our challenge and we placed the mask on him and sent his mind into the plains of horror. But, something terrifying happened. He was gripping a holy symbol and not just any symbol. It was the symbol of Yggdras one of the gods of Truth and Law. Through clenched teeth and mad eyes he said, “Do your worst demon.” He knew who we were. What we were. This needed to end now. In a panic we slit his throat in front of everyone and right as he was slipping through the Black Gate we tried to steal his soul before death could claim it. But, we were shut out. Pushed away. We heard trumpets sound and a feeling of fear washed over us like we never knew before. We committed a great sin to try to cheat death and enslave a follower of truth. Scrubadud was terrified and confused at what he just witnessed. He left with betrayal in his eyes. Argoll was furious and demanded that we be served justice and when we refused to he pierced his blade into our chest. It nearly killed us and surely would have if not for Ruriath trying to defuse the situation. Ruriath casted some spell that rendered Argoll unconscious and Dax who was trying to pull him off me caught his sleeping body. We then had told Argoll and Dax to clear the rest of the treasure with us and try to get away before whatever was coming for us caught them in the middle of it. When Dax and us reached the entrance Ruriath, who was carrying Argoll, told us that an angel was waiting of the carriage for us. We knew this was our judgment and the reckless killing of Raptus caught up to us. We took off all out belongings and only left the blood soaked rags of clothing on to accept our sentence. When we stepped outside there was in fact an angel and it came to judge us of all our sins. In one flash of its fiery sword it bifurcated us and in a flash was gone. There was nothing left to bury. On a white porcelain slab laid Dormir and he was judged by the voice of Yggdras. He was given a choice to pay for his many sins through service or be forever damned.

We ventured to Springvale due to news about need from the Church. We met a sorceress by the name of Liniakatra of Hallow Nook. She said there was a great evil under the city, an old necropolis beaming with evil magic and machines. She taught us all two verses that would banish and seal the evil in the catacombs. They are as follows.

**The First Verse**ρα ἐλι θανδωρ ἱς μαρα τελανρο

ὡς καλα ἰς καλα τᾳ δαλα να

ζυ μισυ ὀθδα ξυ σιμυ ἰλαν ρο

ψῃ τιλαν ἡ θορα ἰξ μαλα να

**The Second Verse**χῳαλ νιρα μη θαμ ὐς Ἰλγαρια

ὑ ἐζγο μι ἑαλυ ἰγασιρ

χης ἰρυ ὠζα δαν Κελανυρια

μη φιο λωμιαρ ἀ φικασιρ

After much work and preparation we ventured into the catacombs and to the east we found the dwelling of an ogre. Apparently this ogre has been terrorizing the city and snatching people to eat. It was not there but a brew was cooking. We delved deeper and came across an altar. It seemed plain at first and we went to check the doors but Comm’N and Baldric went to check something down some stairs while. There was some kind of trap and a column of fire burned them badly. Argoll leapt to help them and Jaqui opened and quickly shut the door saying there were undead on the other side. We tried our best but the ghouls overwhelmed us, a spirit broke free from the altar, and then the ogre showed up. By pure favor of the gods we were spared and as Comm’N slipped beyond the gates I begged for his soul. Praise be Yggdras, spirit of truth, seerer of justice, bringer or light, and servant of law. Praise be.

I heard about a group of adventurers, Brother Bobby, Trusty Patches, "Big Old" Jenry, and 'Nock, wanting to collect on the job to remove Justice from Blue Dragon Road. I decided to go to see if I could make it a peaceful exchange. When we decided to make camp we were awoken by an explosion and attacked by bandits. We quickly gathered ourselves and ran the bandits off. I managed to capture one of the bandits, a man on horseback, and passed judgement on him and he promised to live a cloistered life in Metzinger as a man of the cloth. We arrived to Justice and the other adventurers tried to sway him to leave but he was firm on staying until a backslid priest, Petrus from Knifesbridge, was returned to him for judgement. So, I pulled Petrus back from beyond the black gate and presented him to Justice. Petrus was terrified and Brother Bobby was offering salvation through his god, by death of his hand. Justice was not pleased and was about to smite him. Patches was ready to kill Justice. In that moment I tried to give them a second chance. I turned back time and we approached Justice for a second time, but we do not remember turning back time. The other adventurers tried to sway him to leave but he was firm on staying until a backslid priest, Petrus from Knifesbridge, was returned to him for judgement. The adventurers were able to find information on another way to get Justice to leave and I started to beg for Justice to seek a vigil at Springvale. Before he can answer three people appeared and charged me with a bounty of crimes from reaching beyond the veil to breaking the time continuum. I was stripped of my angelic power and required to serve as an agent of preservation of time. I don't know what to do know though. My life seems to have no purpose. Praise be Yggdras, spirit of truth, seerer of justice, bringer or light, and servant of law. Praise be.

Lumiere gathered a group of adventurers, 'Nock, Argoll, and Do'Rinas, to go and assist Corbin Grey in Knifesbridge. We came upon Corbin in the church where is was paying his penitence. He was a shadow of the man I have heard about. He seemed tired and filled with guilt. We offered our assistance in helping in around the city but he has a broken spirit. He was concerned about a book that was filled with dark power. I tried to cast the book through a star gate so the Gods of Law could destroy it. But, a spirit appeared and attacked me. It seems to be bonded to the book. Corbin said the book is too powerful and must be destroyed. He stated that he knows of ways to destroy it but it would cost him his life and dark methods. We told him we will find another way. Argoll has a friend , a madame Lilliath, that would be able to help. After a nights rest and tending to the city duties we went to her hut. She was not pleased that Argoll came back, something about a lost brooch, and she was not pleased that we brought this book to her. She was willing to help us destroy it though. While we performed the ritual dark spirits came to try to stop us. Argoll and 'Nock were able to fend them off and the journal was destroyed. We returned to Knifesbridge and things appear to change for the better. Corbin seems to have his men in better order and his guilt seems to be lessened with thoughts on forgiveness. The city also started having visitors and trade come back into town. Also, Mournhaven has been re-opened!

I heard rumors of a time traveling merchant by the name of Mung Mung the Merchant who deals in memories for body parts and other things at the monster market. I decided to pursue him so I hired some local adventurers to help in case I need back up. We first arrived in Knifesbridge to resupply and then made our way to the Monster Market. There were more colorful characters but Mung Mung was no where to be found. We spoke to a man, who is actually quite funny, that seemed very confidant in his magical prowess. He called himself Zorbal. He knew where we could find Mung Mung but wanted us to retrieve something from him in return, a salt vial of great importance to him. He opened up a portal using some scroll and we appeared in a steal box with hingless doors on our sides. Marin, a wild woman, started pressing a box that had buttons that created musical notes when pressed. I assume it is a device that reacts to the correct musical notes. But, before she could understand it fully 'Nock burst down a door that seemed to pull out. As if very air was ripping us from the ground. We all luckily managed to make it to the other door and escape the winds. We made our way through the halls following a trail of what we assumed were "corn chips", apparently a delicacy that Mung Mung likes. There was a room with strange saddled and belted machines and Praetor tore one apart to use as a weapon. Suddenly a flying mechanical beast appeared and threatened us while saying we were being detained. This is truly a strange world. We made quick work of it and found Mung Mung at a table in a small steel pub eating bags of "corn chips". After questioning him I realized he was actually not a criminal of any kind and simply a merchant of greater distances than ever before. I felt foolish and apologized while the others made trades with him. Finally we made the deal for Zorbal's salt vial in exchange for Hell's Carriage in the Crystal Forest. When we traveled back to the monster market Zorbal was pleased that we didn't screw it up and offered us more work in the future. This was a terrifying and embarrassing mission for a Chrono Knight.

I began making preparations for the journey into the North Wood and capture Hells-Carriage for Mung Mung but was alerted that an evil wizard by the name of Ruriath was nearby. My superior, Captain Shepard, demanded I go and we were to detain the wizard.Things were seemingly going to be hostile but suddenly the Captain and the others had a change of heart and Ruriath agreed to help me on my mission, with Do'Rinas, Marin, and Dr. Krayvar, and I help him complete his holy site for the Gods of Law. I feel Ruriath deserves a chance to prove he is not the monster people claim him to be. We took a Star Gate to the North Wood and tried to locate the carriage but instead Do'Rinas and I were ambushed by these wizards operating some sort of contraption carried by giant slugs. Do'Rinas and I made quick work was we gained our footing and the others found us. Apparently they found us after fending off the carriage. The machine the wizards were using was still on and Ruriath tried to dismantle it but it exploded. We made our way back battered and beaten. I feel Ruriath has turned a new leaf with his actions and I feel he will become one of my most trusted friends.

I had a mission to remove Djingxe and Yerachmiel so I recruited Dax, Ruriath, Argoll, and Praetor. We received information that Zorbal's salt vial, the one we retrieved for him from Mung Mung, could be used to fight them and end the blob blight. We went to the Monster Market in hopes to find him and he at first was his charming self but soon gained interest when we told him what we set out to do. He was curious but then we had his attention when I promised him that if his salt could imprison the blob we would give him Djingxe and Yerachmiel. With the deal made we made preparations and the others closed deals with other merchants. When we arrived Yerachmiel approached and Praetor tried to move forward to go with the plan but when one of our hired recruits charged forward to get through Praetor killed him were he stood. Yerachmiel cried out to attack us and a skirmish occurred. In the middle of the fray I decided to push forward and ran past the fight and made my way to Djingxe. I shoved the vial into the Djingxe and threw Yerachmiel in as well. The salt reacted and started to pull the entity in. I was blurry eyed when I came to. Missing an arm and bloody. I sent the vial to Zorbal and I was helped back to my feet by Argoll in the end.

Marin, Patches, 'Nock, and some hired hands accompanied me into Crystal Forest once more to capture Hell's Carriage. We decided to go one foot and we stumbled upon an area filled with blight and torment. I spotted it first and tried to open a star gate to the Crystal Forest but something twisted my magic and opened a door to some infernal world. I immediately shut the gate. There were swarms of black horrible birds circling us to go north off the road. Storms swelled and battered us. But, we pressed forward and ended up in an abandoned manor in the fork of the River Kinfe. We didn't wander the halls but we waited out the storm and birds. The next day we pressed onward to the Crystal Forest. I picked up the trail of the carriage and it appeared the men of the Crystal Kingdom have been trying to capture it. We moved fast and were ambushed by a few of the crystal men. They were quickly dispatched but one of our helpers, Skylus, was severely injured. I sent him to the Chrono Knights for aid and hopefully he will find guidance. We found the carriage captured by four crystal men and three giant crystal titans. We tried to stop them and destroyed one titan only to realize there were two more to go. We acted quickly and jumped onto the carriage. 'Nock and Marin tried to get the carriage free but seemed to be having trouble. So, out of desperation I reached deep into my powers and the carriage spoke to me. Not really spoke...but thought. I made a deal to help it out to safety and peace. Something came over me and I don't quite feel like myself anymore...or rather I am myself. The carriage broke free with us all on except Trusty Patches. Patches tried to make it out with us while fending off the Titans. He died a true monster hunter. I will talk to Mung Mung when I get back to Metzinger so he can collect his trade.

Dominus gathered a rag tag group, Raylan, Dendi, and myself, to help retrieve his "master" from a lady named Maggie Marlinspike. She lives near Skull Mountain and Dominus stated he had something covered for a trade. He did not say what. We got a little lost on the road to Skull Mountain and decided to make camp. Wen I woke up our camp was wreathed in flames. Turns out Blucher had it out for Raylan. We were attacked again by these satyrs and well armed men, like the man I sent to Church to repent, but this time they had more arms and a well crafted catapult. Raylan and I made quick work of the men near us and Dominus turned into a full dragon and attacked the group down by the river. Dendi was almost captured but we managed to get away and take one of the Satyr hostage. They were with Carl Grymsbeard who is rumored to be holed up in Old Blue Dragon caves north of the City of Pit. When we finally mad it to Skull Mountain deals were made and Dominus' "master", Austri Andvare, was released with some others. Dominus will stay at the Marlinspike Manor until we complete our deal and I am working with Marlinspike blending magic and machine together.

Dax Korveen gathered Do'Rinas, a goblin named Grovler, and myself to secure transportation of magic weapons to the Ogre Magi but he planned to switch the weapons with fakes. Foolish if he fails...brilliant if he gets away with it. But, he seemed to under estimate the shipment of weapons. 100 magic weapons of brilliant make and beauty. Obvious why he wanted to keep them but his generosity with them proved he knew not of their worth. Dax had a problem being able to ship all of his cargo so I built him something which the world has never seen. A large ship. Lighter than most and without sails. Powered by what I call the Crystaline Combustion Engine. With this little problem solved we went to the Lady of Hollow's Nook for a way to disguise the fake axes. She agreed to help Dax against the Ogre Magi but required his Oath from the Black Skull. From there we made our way with cargo in tow. The ogre magi took the fakes with ease. I can't believed it worked.

While in Metzinger I pondered of the idea of the dungeon Dax asked me to build him. I drew up some plans and sent them to him. Hopefully he will get to it so I may start rebuilding the City of Pit faster. Praetor, Do'Rinas, Cala, and myself were headed to the Kirreskalds to let them know about the Djingxe and Yerachmiel. Praetor hoped this would allow us entry into their tombs in hopes to get the legendary sword of Porfyros. When we arrived I saw a symbol I have never seen before but in the back of my mind I knew it was a part of me. I traced the lines of the symbol and I heard a voice. It whispered a single word, "Dormir". Brownfoot then appeared and Praetor told him that we bring great news and tidings of celebration. This seemed to appeal to the Kirreskald and the festivities began. While everyone reveled in the drink and the news of the fall of Djingxe I studied the symbols on the stones. It was then that Praetor came to me and asked what I was doing. I told him I needed to find Dormir and he mentioned Brownfoot could help. When I approached Brownfoot was drunk said he could help with finding Dormir...then we all woke up in a drunken mess the next day. Brownfoot said he would tell me more about Dormir if we retrieved the Urn of Porfyros for them. He led us down past the tomb and we first saw a great statue of a three faced goddess with snakes for hair. This statue resembled the symbol on the stones in almost absolute image. When we stepped down into the water a large snake attacked Do'RInas and Praetor attempted to help him free from the creature. I went to the statue and begged the goddess for forgives of our trespassing that we only seek the urn. I then heard the voice again. It said, "you have been betrayed". I looked up and there was a swarm of bats coming at me. I fended them off while Praetor and Do'Rinas manged to scare off the snake and the bats. We proceeded and found a chamber with a metallic spiked demon sitting on a pile of bones. I wanted to eat us and when asked what it would take for passage it pointed to Cala. Immediately Praetor tried to read some sort of scroll and the demon lept at him pulling down to the bone pit. Do'Rinas jumped down with Praetor and skewered the demon with his spear and broke it in the creature. I hacked away at the demon with Planar's Edge and a whirlwind of destruction the beast was felled. We went into the next chamber and Do'Rinas discovered a mummy in a corner and attempted to destroy it before it attacked. Suddenly a black tentacle whipped out from behind him but missed. A large flower with great mass of vine like tentacles whipped about and caused so much mayhem and blood. Do'Rinas finally slayed it. Drenched in acid and blood we made our way to the finally room. In the center was another statue of the godess. One arm held the urn and the other a sword. Praetor made his way up and instead of grabbing the urn he went for the sword. So, I ripped the urn from the statue mummies rose from toppled urns. They brutally attacked and we barely made it out. Praetor, Do'RInas and Cala exhausted and bloodied were tended to and Brownfoot told me about Dormir. He told me everything.

I gathered Argoll, Do'Rinas and Regina to find some slime wizards who have some machines I want to take apart. We first made our way to Maggie Marlinspike to see if she knew anything about them but ended up finding a pair of the slugs who carry the platform machines. They came to attack but found out they stood no chance. Argoll and Do'Rinas slayed one and I followed the other. I gathered some information from the slug's mind. It seems they are being used by the wizards and being driven to horrible ends in their servitude, they are being chopped up and fed to each other for some reason. I let it go to follow the trail later in case Maggie knew nothing. We arrived to the manor with a dead slug in tow and she was very pleased. This was good enough to free Dominus Wyvernfell but we struck a new bargain. Information and promise of coin was negotiated. We were lead to a nearby cavern by Dominus by Maggie's orders and made our way into the cave. We made it in but you need to know machines before you go fiddling with stuff. Do'Rinas nearly blew us all to kingdom come be breaking a piece off a machine. He was lucky but I advise you NOT TO DO AS DO'RINAS. When we made our way in we found some slugs and a couple wizards. They were easily taken care of but the wizard can cast magic that acts like a goo like acid. Everything went smoothly as it could have gone. We were paid well and I got my machines. Not too bad.

Praetor, Nozin, Do'Rinas and Eggret joined me in finding the Kirreskald and hopefully having them join me in the rebuilding of the City of Pit. We almost made it to the cairn stones when Nozin went ahead to scout. Do'Rinas followed him and botched a little bit of the day's food. Praetor, Eggret and I tore down camp and when we made it to the stones Nozin and Do'Rinas were covered in each others blood and a group of mercenaries were holding them at bay. Apparently it was an arguement about theft of some sort. These men were also looking for the Kirreskald on behalf of a Count Calloman. Apparently the Valley is his. These were hired men. I looked around and made a deal with them that when we return we will show them the treasure in the tomb if they would help us unearth it. They agreed with conditions and we made our way to the Kirreskald. We found them and to my joy they agreed to move. A great party ensued and we set back to the tomb to gather the treasure. I made a further deal with the mercenary to aid me in Pit instead of Calloman. That was some time ago and I feel the word of this man is empty. Maybe the Ogre Magi were right. Humans do not deserve the Marches and should not be trusted.

I found out that Gustave and his men were on their way to the City of Pit, probably to collect Count Calloman's taxes, so I gathered a few people to collect what was mine. What I did not tell these people is I fully intended to slaughter Gustave and all the men with him I created a safe guard to protect the city in case but then we waited out in the hills to catch his men off guard. I stood out in the open as a diversion so a friend of Do'Rinas, Garrett, could snatch back the spear and axe. As I spoke with Gustave it appeared Calloman had an offer for me to find some crown in a tomb in the valley. He even brought 2,000 coin to pay up front. It sounded like a good deal. A smart deal. A liar's deal. I severed Gustave's tongue from his filthy lying mouth and proceeded to kill his men. The field was swimming in blood. Dominus and Garrett were down at the end of the fight but Raylan and I, by the skin on our teeth, were able to collect them, half of the payment, and the weapons. We made it back to Pit and it appears Svarthen favors Dominus as he awoke while traveling. Garrett seemed to come to as well but he seemed different. He had a scent to him. The same scent Raylan and Teresana have. I rested and scryed looking north to Calloman. If I can rip his army apart piece by piece I would be pleased. But in my visions I saw an army. One thousand strong under Calloman's banner...but with scent of Raylan. in a flash I say a man. Well dressed and presentable. I heard the sound of his voice, calm and inviting. I heard no words. But I new the scent. This is Raylan's master, Corioleus, and he controls the army of Calloman.

I gathered Garret, Dax, and Dr. Krayvar to investigate the rift between the fey world and the Marches. When we reached the magic circle down the road from Pit I stepped into it and was surrounded by a bright light and appeared in a green field by a river and a fort. I believe that this is some sort of Star Gate or Gateway Rune that has been broken because there is no circle where we appeared. I believe this may have been caused by Raylan and Teresana with the new book they acquired. Soon afterwards the others appeared and we made our way down to the fort. It seemed to be a part of lore that Krayvar and Garret have heard of about hunters and poachers who kill unique beasts in the forests. The fey in anger then say to capture them here where they must live forever. Garret later mentioned a man by the name Baran who was a great hunter and possibly the leader of this fort. We did not see him but we found Uonga and his friend Osh who were hunters trapped according to the stories told. They believed we were captured here as well. They could not understand that we came here on our own free will and kept speaking about this great beast that attacked them and took one of their men, Clusky. We agreed to track down the beast and headed to a hut belonging to Hareven and Bregor, a druidess and a shapeshifter, that the hunters said could help us find the fey. When we arrived Garret and I looked in the house and it was turned about. Whatever “beast” came here seemed to be looking for something. This did not look like a wild animal attack. In a desk though that was secured with a trap laid a key with a note saying, “The fool has taken the secret to his grave. The tower must be stopped. 3L, 2R to open”. It was then that we heard Dax cry outside for help and the hut was set ablaze. Krayvar and I made it out of the hut but Garret stayed back to grab some trinket. We came down to see Dax with a man tied to the ground and an arrow flying out from the brush. From behind us Garret fell through the wall on a flaming cabinet and luckily for himself did not die a fool’s death. We could not find the archer in the woods but the man that was tied up turned out to be Uonga. He was uncooperative at first but when he realized we can travel out of the fey realm he immediately became helpful. I opened a Star Gate to the City of Pit and Uonga informed us more about the fey land. There are Spider Lords, demons, a tower, and all too many things in disarray. When I scryed into the matter of the realm a black smoke came into my vision. The Spider Lords have made a pact with Corioleus and the fey seemed to be disconnected from this land they once ruled. I fear getting to them will be difficult if not impossible.

Argoll and Mr. Bones met with me in the City of Pit to get the left hand of Jacob Albersham for the Kirreskald. Mr. Bones was able to see the ghost of Jacob and we spoke to him. We confirmed his story of misfortune and I told him of our intentions. I offered to clear his name and avenge his death against the sorcerer who plotted against him for the hand. He had no name of the man but knew of his business. The sorcerer lived in Metzinger but owned a slaver ship called the Fat Duckiling. We went to Knifesbridge since most ships of this nature stop there. When we arrived at the docks I noticed Fomorian guards hiding in the shadows and around corners. Probably part of the deal with the The Lady of the Knifegrinders, Barat Butars mother. So, to not cause trouble we paid passage to sneak onto the boat. We paid a heathen of a man to get on board and he was insulting, rude, and stupid. Blucher was with us, hired by Argoll, and when we went on board Blucher and Argoll required evidence of this being the slaver ship. Mr. Bones was able to scuttle around and he found dozens of them stuffed in the hold. With that all were ready and sure of action. When we got on deck the rude man we made the deal with, Edmund "Spider Jack" Cramner, stopped me. I startled the man and he fled where then Mr. Bones chased him down and ripped off the mans body jewelery. If he is alive I could not tell. The other men closed in on Mr. Bones. Argoll and I created a position of absolute fear and command as his divinity and the gorgon racked these men into submission. Through many words they surrendered and we delivered them to Corbin the Grey's door. Conivor is the sorcerer's name. The slavers gave us his name.

Ruriath, Raylan, and Nozin asked me to join them to the Black Peaks where they intended to kill 'Nock to complete their deal with Corioleus. I agreed to help them with their deal though it may not be how they expect it. When we were about to make it to Castle Zann where 'Nock was I spotted a large number of Shadow marching toward the castle. We were not going to have much time so we needed to move quickly. Ruriath and Nozin seemed hesitant to fight but Raylan seemed cold. He wanted to die. They made their way up to the tower that had the symbol of Brother Bobby's God. I went to the guard to warn them of the coming danger. This would hopefully distract them from the battle that is about to ensue and it would get these people out. I am not sure who the shadows serve so they can have the stone but the souls will not theirs, or Corioleus'. I was able to sway Sir Griswald to gather everyone and leave. He believed 'Nock and I could hold back the shadow. He is a man of soldiers and war with his beliefs cemented in that but today was a day of gods and souls. I sent a letter to 'Nock to kill Ruriath and Raylan. Hopefully he would take it as a sign of god and he did. I rushed over to the church and when I arrived Raylan was dead and Ruriath was on the edge. I immediately split my mind from my body and ventured to the astral plane. I expected demons hovering over the souls of the two followers of Corioleus but instead in front of me was the visage of Bobby's God. A tall golden angel with several large wings cloaking its followers with a sword twice the size of my body. I looked around for signs of Corioleus and there they were. Sour strands tethered to the souls of Raylan and Ruriath. I swiped at them with my axe but they still clung. So I used every bit of might I had to sever the strands with magic but in doing so I severed my strand back to my body. I cried out into the planes for the Gorgon to save me but my voice must have echoed for I could feel the attention of the Gorgon, Bobby's God, and Corioleus focus on me. In that brief moment Bobby's God wrapped a wing around me and rest my soul back to my body. I gasped awake and as I did the Raylan coughed back up into life...but it was not Raylan. It was Brother Bobby. 'Nock, Bobby, the other priests, and I fled before the shadow came. Ruriath and Raylan may not know it. But I made good on my promise. They don't have to worry about their deal with Corioleus anymore. Come and get me Corioleus or I will come for you.

## Machines

The Chasm was a torture device devised for Dax Korveen in return for shipments of wood from the Ghostwood Forest.