Aedan "The Ruiner"

**Aedan's Story**

Aedan grew up in the wasteland, at a young age, the Death Korps found him amidst his dead family, victims of a raider attack. They taught him that death was to be celebrated, that every death was a sacrifice to repent for the sins of the ancestors, the great fire that burned the world. He learned the bible, learned to read and write, and learned how to use a rifle in the years to come. When the Korps intercepted a radio signal speaking of a settlement called Altar in a land called the Oasis, they followed the coordinates. Upon arriving, they fortified an old castle, and Aedan scouted their surroundings. He found military bases filled with the mindless husks of people. Aggressive and hostile, he learned the land was filled with them. But it didn't stop him from exploring. Ultimately, he learned they weren't the only organized group in the area. He created alliances, fought in many battles, and made many friends. He died, amidst the war between Section 17 and the Reaper's of Altar. Executed in a church, his death caused many more afterwards. He was respected and loved by friends and enemies alike.

**AEADAN's JOURNAL**

Entry 1:

Radio chatter from nomads have been intercepted. Talk of a settlement called Altar in a place called the Oasis. Notified the General and he's ordered us to move in that direction. We intend to settle in the area, we are cautious. The nomads whose radio comms we intercepted are surely headed in the same direction. Our chance to purge the land of the heresy that has taken hold of these heathens, whether by persuasion, or force.

Entry 2:

We made it to the so called Oasis. Many other nomads were on the same path as well. So many people, some hungry, some well fed, some armed, some wielding only the hope they have for a better place than the wastelands. Either way, we found a map and made our way to a castle to fortify, but on our way there, some of us got lost and aren't here yet. But my job still hasn't changed. I found supplies to build and assault weapons to better arm ourselves. I don't know how the others feel, but I think this place is a ruse. I feel wars will be fought here, the hope of a better place will wither, and I believe sooner or later, this place will look just like the wastelands

Entry 3:

This view from our castle is glorious. After being born and raised in the wasteland, you don't know what a flower smells like, what grass feels like, what the tree's sound like when being blown by a strong wind. You know only death, ruins, and the smell of burnt rock. There's still plenty of death, but the safety of a wall and the chirping of birds sometimes makes you forget about the dangers. More of an issue if you ask me. Too easy to get comfortable here.

Entry 4:

Visited the abandoned military bases. They are filled with these mindless people, if you can call them people, and simply getting in was a battle. It was worth it though. The weapons alone made up for the fight, and the valuable information I gathered during the journey may prove fruitful in the future. No signs of any heretics though. It seems, at least so far, we are the only ones besides the Altar settlement, to fortify an area.

Entry 5:

We've fortified our location and as our numbers grow, the number of patrols that are sent out grows as well. As I was running through a field, someone approached me. He was friendly, and warned me of 2 others nearby that didn't seem to be. I took shelter in a nearby town when someone opened the door to a building i was in. I gunned him down. Whether he was friendly or not, I don't know, but I didn't want to risk it to find out as I was on a mission to scout out the neighboring towns and cities to find locations of other groups.

Entry 6:

One of our own betrayed us. Changed lock codes and left us. Our plans do not change. We have made significant progress and our momentum is still strong.

Entry 7:

Our sphere of influence and borders grow. We have established an alliance with a nearby faction. We raided a nearby town and came out on top with better weapons. We will strike again somewhere else tomorrow. All will perish.

Entry 8:

We've set up shop in gorka where a local militia have set up a settlement for all looking for a home. Its been successful, and although our plans do not change, our real goal is coming into view with the extra funds we have received and our military grows as the prospect of opportunity in our faction grows.

Entry 9:

The alliance's we've created have yet to bear fruit. But as the war machine turns, the opportunity for it to bloom will arise. If it does, we will expand our borders faster than those of The Order and The Children Of Toki combined. And right under their noses as well.

Entry 10:

Many villages felt the roar of our explosives, and felt the heat of our lead the last 2 days. Many have known to fear us, and as the dust settles on the end of this past weekends purging of the weak, our reputation swells. Our enemies are still oblivious. Our rise is unknown to those of this land they call the oasis, and when its too late, the shroud of our power will be thrown off, and we will burn brightly into their eyes an image they will never forget, the land in ruin, and our fingers grasping at the soil.

Entry 11:

Glistening streams and rolling hills. The rustling leaves and blowing wind. These markers are evident of our territory. When one finds safety, they find room for love. And I am starting to love this land.

Entry 12:

The one they call birdie will die. He contributes to the uptick in violence and mayhem erupting in altar, and he dares lie to my face like I'm stupid. Him and his friends will all be tortured in the bowels of hell soon. When altar is under our control, those who endanger the rising community we call the oasis, will not be tried, but will be executed summarily.

Entry 15:

Its been announced. Finally after waiting for so long, our alliance with the Wolves, Rangers, and The Underground is known to all. This day, all will remember for years to come, as the day a brighter light shines into the wasteland, and calls the righteous.

Entry 16:

As I ponder on my decisions and look upon our community, i have to ask. Will this war be worth it? Im looking at peace as a real possibility. To rebuild the world that was before. I need to ponder on this more

Entry 17:

Shits hit the fan. Not on my order, men went out and attacked the meeting. I contacted josey wales, he said i was blind, that I've ruined what could've been. What does he mean? I'll never know now. Do i want to? So many questions to ponder on.

Entry 18:

Seems the Children of Toki are planning a betrayal of the order. Its been kept secret for now. But we will be exploiting this further.

Entry 19:

I've met so many good people here in the oasis. Its sad. The wasteland built me not to trust anybody else but the death korps. When they took me in, i clawed my way up, not in some land of green crop and trees. But the melted glass and craters of the waste. These people lost the strength the wasteland gave us that kept us from getting betrayed and left to die. But, these people treat me good. I can't help but to be the same to them. Its killing me. I feel like i care too much. I say im willing to die for the death korps. That my body is that of the korps and the will of it. But thats not true. I will die to protect my friends. Any who threaten, attack, or insult will feel the full fury of The Ruiner. Some have died already, some close to me, some useful. They all will be avenged. If peace doesn't come so be it. I will die in a land that proved easier to live than the wastes. And i can't wait.

Entry 20:

Cross announced her departure from the oasis for a while. Recent conflicts forced her to leave. I regret this. She was a good leader, and i learned a lot from her.

Entry 21:

Death is final. The ultimate end for all. King or peasant. Plant and animal. This world. It all ends. I've seen what it will look like when it does. The smell of heated rock. Dead corpses. The war and thunder the wasteland brought. I feel it coming here now to the oasis.

Entry 22:

The lawlessness of this land is killing me. Even worse when you can't control it. Even as our name flows out of the mouths of many in this land, i feel we are working towards nothing. We have stagnated, this alliance has stagnated. I feel an ultimatum is due, our enemies grow stronger, but what have we done? Death by lead is how i will go out, and damn it all if i go down in my own town while our enemies assault Novy Zagoria!

Entry 23:

At night, peace and calm is all there is. Crickets, winds, and crashing waves. But when I sleep A turn it takes A war of mind Of self And me. Often times, i can't sleep. Thinking of the one's I've lost. Cross. Tyler. Rusty. The names I'll never forget. Good friends. Strong leaders. This war, will claim all.

Entry 24:

A woman named Maze Rig joined us. She's yet to receive her band, because she's yet to prove herself to the others, but i feel that wont take long, her reputation precedes her. In the meantime, we prepare for Cross' funeral, I hope its a peaceful day in altar. We'll have security around the premises until it's over, but you never know what can happen there.

Entry 25:

Novy sobor has been left open for us. We had plans on taking over for a while, through a more, diplomatic way. This will have to do, the Federation mobilizes to capitalize on this opportunity.

Entry 26:

The order has been felled. But while one conflict ends, another rears its ugly head. There are whispers of The Reapers, the original settlers of the oasis, mobilizing and recruiting soldiers for a potential conflict while people are being recruited in secret by those who refer to themselves as agents. The Federation will announce it's neutrality soon, we don't wish to lose all we have over a war started by others. Time will tell if we choose correctly, but i have a good feeling about our defenses. Cross' funeral is tomorrow, i hope this war doesnt get in the way of that.

Entry 27:

Met a woman named Sydney at the pub. She's not what I expected. She's nice. We had a moment you can say? But, I've seen what this land can do to people, the Death Korps values not its life, but its ability to take, and give its life in war. I fully intend to die if god wills it. I've made many connections in this land, but there's a connection i must stay away from lest it make me hesitate. I will hold the tenants of my order to my heart, and pray that when the time comes, i look upon deaths visage with no fear, no regrets.

Entry 28:

I struggle sleeping now. My mind is flooded with thoughts and regrets when i lay my head. I can't shake them. The decisions I've made, when the consequences come knocking, will i regret them? Everything I've done has been for the good of the Korps, and Novy Zagoria. But i let relationships die, killed folk who others loved and respected, used others to benefit the alliance with the promise of a better future for them, just to dispose of them when done. I knew this land would be a poison. A mind venom that seeps into the parts that make you think about what you've done, the wasteland wasn't like this.

Entry 29:

We are Death Korps. My goal is Death. I meet my enemy head on, no fear, Death is apart of life. My mind is closed. No love, hate, nor fear. Only Death. I won't hesitate when i stare into his visage. I will die.

Entry 30:

This attack. God gave me an opportunity to show my devotion to the Korps. Sector 17 plan on attacking. I will be there. I will kill and kill until I'm dead. Death Korps will show its teeth through me. And i would have fulfilled my purpose. To die for the sins of the ancestors who killed this world.

Entry 31:

Do I need to die? What will i be dying for truly? The world made its sacrifice already. Is that not enough?

Entry 32: *The Night Before* Sitting

here in this decrepit house in this tent with nothing but my thoughts on the tomorrow. I know I've truly changed. The poison that makes you think has truly taken over. Before an op, i used to be able to sleep soundly, never a though of who or why. Tonight's different. Who am i killing? People defending their homes? Why? I ran a shop there, i met many friendly faces there. Now im gonna kill them. My rifle will sound its horn, until its barrel is melted. For a reason im still unsure of. I fought for the chance to set off this IED, to kill civilians. Is this the path god wants me on? He sent a flood to clean this world, just for us to burn it all down. The great sin we call it in the Death Korps. That which we sacrifice ourselves for a greater good, to right our wrongs. But is this the way? I don't know. If sector 17 is right, maybe we can fix this place. If not, i will die ashamed of what i helped create.

Entry 33: *The Day Of*

Through God's will i survived after killing many. This must be a sign. At one point i was surrounded, but my heart slowed, and i kept fighting. I won. This cause must be God's own. To have him protect me in such a situation, felt, reassuring. Also, these strange radio signals, i hear numbers? Maybe coordinates? Not sure, I'll have to investigate once the smoke settles.

Entry 34:

If Cross knew the extent of how much she helped people, and made them better than they were, im sure she'd be proud.

Entry 35:

7 more notches in my rifle. The black SK taken off of that bounty from what feels like years ago, though its only been a couple weeks. 25 notches in all. Human beings taken from this earth. Plus all those lives that didn't make it on my rifle. Those deaths i ordered. Jack Bright. That spy i used then disposed of. Many more. This pen weighs more when reminiscing of those deaths. They had people they respected, who looked to them for help when they needed it. I don't know. Maybe I just need sleep. This tent isn't doing the job. I'll go to the pub.

Entry 36: This war between sector 17 and the altar militia has really heated up. And now this Dutch guy is threatening Sydney. I don't tell anyone this, but i swear if anyone touches her, I'll personally burn down altar my self. The Korps sapped all emotion out of us, but since I've arrived in the Oasis, I've made many friends. They showed me emotions don't mean you're weak.

CROSS IS ALIVE She sent out an SOS and a set of coordinates that brought us to Gorka of all places. After so long. She's back. I grieved for so long. We held a funeral for her at altar not long ago. Im just glad she's back now. And I've already pissed her off. With her taking a leadership position among the Korps, I've started taking more risks. Im still conflicted on the tenants of the Korps, and i want to show everyone Im not weak. But she disagrees. She wants me to live. To stop taking risks because I am a leader. But if i don't take the risks, who will? The Commonwealth needs to pay, the militia needs to burn, and Dutch needs to get whats due. Who's gonna do it? She doesn't want me to, bit i feel like i have no choice lest we look weak. If i die, so be it.

Entry 38:

That bastard shot me. I'm just glad rig was there to help. She gave me a strange look while we were talking. Don't know what that's about but, I'll need to rest up and get to the agent HQ before tomorrow. I pray Domino is there. I'll kill all his friends before him so he can watch the militia fail again. Or maybe I sit back in altar and go with the militia disguised? And report their movement to HQ? I'll have to speak in the office about this.

Entry 39:

Another casualty of this blood drenched land. A friend dead by my hand. He threatened Cross. Threatened me, and even shot me. But i won't forget what he did for me. My mission to protect those around me grows harder. Is my arrogance causing our enemies numbers to grow? Is it reputation? I don't know. No one checks me. I can't tell who i am anymore. This mission weighs on my shoulders more and more every day.

Entry 40: *The Night Before II*

Section 17 gave us info that the militia plan to attack us tomorrow at our outpost. A foolish endeavor considering what we did when we attacked them. But my intel from altar itself shows they've armed themselves considerably. I'll prepare like last time, to die. I won't be afraid. If the Agent's lose, my friends will be in danger. I can't have that. I'll fight until I'm broken and bloodied.

Entry 41: *1 hour before assault*

Friends are here. Carol as well i believe. I feel like i wronged her, after that whole explosives location debacle. I have to build her trust back. No easy task i reckon. Still, today is the assault, and already my mind wanders to other things. I'm simply, not afraid. If i die, then god chose today to bring me to paradise. I just hope my friend's come out of this. I don't want anymore funerals. Even if the last one was unnecessary, i still believed cross dead. To know she was still alive and i couldn't help her still eats me up inside. I'll use that a tool to punish those who intend to attack today. They'll all die.

Entry 42: *Before my drink, after the battle*

Once again we were victorious. The enemy came more prepared than i thought and we lost many in the skirmishes in the woods. I notched 3 more kills into my SK. Then we got word of a coordinated attack on both the Leshy castle and 5.0.3 base. Sydney was safe, ferocious as she's always been. I have a pit in me. Like something bads gonna happen. I can't shake it. I remain vigilant on my patrols, and my disguises work in altar, but i still feel like something's there i can't see. An unseen enemy. Perhaps this "King" guy will be the end of me. I don't know. We'll see i guess.

Entry 43:

Doubt fills my mind once more. A swirling vortex of regret, a feeling that comes once in a while, begins to burrow inside my conscience. I hate it. I joined section 17 because i thought we'd make this place better. But we're only destroying it. This doubt will get me killed, but I'm no coward. I stand for what i believe is right. I'll take this up on our private frequency. Maybe i can get a straight answer as to what our goal are.

*Dried blood stains the last entry*

Im sorry cross....Sydney.... everyone... i failed all of you