Mission: Old F(r)iends

A small group joined Isaac in investigating his suspicions about his old debtors, that might be onto him. They Ventured into the North-East, into grassy plains and light forests, noticing a raven flying high above themselves. Camping among the trees, a shadowy demon creature attempted to assassinate Isaac, but was quickly dispatched by the group. Next day, the raven approached them, and offered to lead them through the forest. The group followed it to a clearing, where they were greeted by a well-dressed human, Bartholomew D'Avril, who attempted to convince Isaac to join him, and go back to their demonic master, first through convincing, then through magical influance, failing both times. With negotiations failing, they agreed that the matter will be decided through combat. They both took positions, Isaac with his companions, and Bartholomew with his quickly conjured demons. After some back and forth, the evil minions fell one by one, leaving only their master, who fought until his last breath. After he fell, his body started tuning into black ichor, similar to his minions.

## Excerpts from Light Reading and Backroom Deal: The private memoirs of Issac Grey (by Issac)

As with so many of the people here, my arrival into this place dealt a great blow to my memory, and indeed, the last decade or so of my life was wiped from my mind. While for most, this would merely be a life changing major inconvenience, for me, it would be life threatening: I had forgotten, in that time, I made plans and acted on them to rid myself of all those entities to whom I had sold my soul. Thus, because of my aforementioned ignorance to my status as 'oath breaker' (see footnote 1), I took no actions to conceal my presence and was thus exposed to at least one of my debtors unknowingly. At this time, I have no idea of how long I have been observed, nor how widespread this information has become. Regrettably, and despite the aid of all I have written down and taken with me, my memory is still filled with holes and I know no specifics of these entities.

Regardless, the mistake was made and I was summoned to meet an emissary a day northeast of town. I anticipated trouble, and took with me a number of companions that have proven faithful in the past, and the dragon Velak for his prodigious size. Ultimately, my caution was well founded: our movements were tracked during the day by a raven familiar, and we were beset in the night by a demonic shadow assasin.

On the second morn, we arrived in a glade where I met a gentlemen who introduced himself as Bartholomew. He revealed to me the details of his charge, and that I was to go with him to fulfill my prior contract to the demon Orthras (see footnote 2). When I refused, he attempted to magically compel me into agreement, which I managed to resist by the barest of margins. With the negotiations failed, we shook hands and took up our battle lines.

While the battle was bloody, I will not give it any glory by describing it. Bartholomew was slain, and his body was taken back to Orthras. I fear I have accomplished little here, beyond perhaps delaying this singular pawn. The demon Orthras is undoubtabltly aware of my presence here now, and my only hope is that other matters have consumed his direct and personal attentions.

*Footnote 1: In total, I have staked my soul a total of four times. While the details evade me, I know my debtors include at least a devil, a demon, a celestial, and something rather unpleasant. All were rendered a non issue through a final deal with a power that presumably rules here, though I have no notes or recollections of the details.*

*Footnote 2: Orthras was a demon I first contacted during the bloody trials of the Orchish Uprisings. In trade for steeling my heart to the horrors of what was necessary, he asked for both my soul and claim to any orc slain by the legal measures we would propose. It was from him I first gained access to the dark arts of the warlock, and the regrettable condition of **needing to cull**. To this day, I still have no idea why specifically he wanted so many orcish souls.*