The Journal

The idea here is to post after-session thoughts that your character has. Like keeping a diary or journal. You write your impressions of the other players or npc's you've met, and what adventures happened, everything in character. Its completely voluntarily. If you want freely post. It does not have to be regularly.
I thought it would be a great idea, because this was a source of great fun in another game I played in.

Well, this went good. Almost too good. Well, its time to leave Legio again. The company seems nice, except for one girl which seems to be a loner. I need to keep an eye on her...
The priest seems nice, although as all of them he is uptight concerning religious questions. He would kill me without hesitation I think... The soldier looks strong. too strong to be traveling with a bunch of merchants. He has some goal up there. I think I caught his attention. And he seems to be a noble child. Chances, yes, chances...
The rumors about the Keep are interesting, and as it seems some of the other are going to go there. I will have to make my way into that group...

I had the same sort of idea. So here goes for me. I think it would be good that people who post indicate the date of the session they refer to.

Arken, Day 1 (Sunday 31 of May) :

I have been told by my father of a rumour of a rich vein of emeralds in the northern mountain range, and decided that if true, getting my hands on these emeralds could provide me with great wealth, perhaps enough to buy my own mount, synonym of high status in Legio. I need both wealth and feats of arms if I am to achieve my goals.

I have agreed to a job of escorting a merchant caravan en route for the city of Alba. While this did not seem as exciting and worthy of my talents as I'd hoped for, it was a good a job as any, and I travel in that direction anyway. While the trip itself proved calm and uneventful, he did manage to learn some intersting stories. First, it appeared that others have heard rumours of emeralds in the mountains. More specifically in the tunnels under Gordon's Keep. I have learned that the name of the Keep and the village where it is located is derived from Dragon, a creature of myth and legend my weaponmaster told me about. The best news is, there is rumour that the renowned paladin Roldan has fallen, and that his Blade might be lying within the Keep. While I cannot be certain of this rumour, the idea of getting my hands on such a sword is more than I can resist. I will travel to Gordon village and from there to the Keep.

It seems I will not be alone. During the travel I have made the acquaintance of a group of travellers. There is Cuthbert the priest. My impressions of him are mitgated. While I appreciate his compagny, and believe he has strength and wisdom, I find his religious views on the border of overzealous. he seems to be one of those stern men of almost fanatic faith that would hastily condemn all those who do not see the world like he does. I can tell he is noble-born by his name and attitude. I hope he will become more acceptant with time. It appears Gordon's Keep has caught his attention as well, if his demeanour when told that demons might be lurking inside is any indication.

Then there is a woman named Mayra. She is a middle aged woman who introduced herself as a merchant, dealing in some manner of apparatus. While there are all sorts of trades in Legio, I am not sure what she refers to. She says she travels to Alba to replenish her stock that sold out. This would indicate that she is a successful merchant. However, being acquainted with the merchant class of Legio, I can't say the name rings a bell. I have asked the other merchants of our caravan if they'd heard of her, but it doesn't seem they have either. It might be nothing. Simple coincidence. But something tells me she is more than meets the eye.

However she has been of good compagny during the travel, which cannot be said of that young woman draped in her cape. She never said her name. In fact, she didn't say much at all. She seemed offended that I even asked for her name. Her face was always hidden under her hood. I normally respect people's privacy (well...most times anyway) but this one seems to be overprotective of her identity and business. My instinct tells me that she is either running from something, or that she does not want to be recognised, either by members of the caravan of inhabitants of Alba. the only time she did speak was to ask Bisono about Albians' reaction to magic users. She also seemed interested in the mystery surrounding Gordon's Keep. Could she be one of those magic users ? A witch ? Something else ?

I cannot say I trust any of my party's members just yet. I do know that Cuthbert is bound by his vows, and that he serves the cause of good, and I'll be glad to have him around if anything does lurk in the depths of the Keep. I am not sure if the women will come, but if they do, I hope they can take care of themselves.

We have stopped at the inn, and after some rest and the acquisition of fresh supplies, I intend to make my way to the Keep, possibly in the compagny of those who will join me.

Cuthbert of Legio, Deacon of St Vincent. Session 1.

The journey to Alba was not troubled by bandits or incidence. I travelled with a merchant caravan, which travelled at a slothful pace so as not to pull away from a reclusive woman who insisted on dawdling along at the rear on her own, practically beseeching some ne'er do well to accost her once the main party had rounded some bend. She came across as evasive. There was a sellsword who provided some amusement, Arken of the two blades. I saw his ears prick up when a boy spoke of the sword of Roland. Such tales! I also made the aquaintance of a merchant named Myra, who was an amenable companion.

I did learn something of the local beliefs on the journey, apparently they tell stories of witchcraft and demons haunting the countryside, as simple folk are wont to do. Usually such tales are idle talk and gossip, except I notice a recurring theme central to these stories- that of Gordons Keep. In cases such as this- where there is some consistency to the tales- sometimes gossip can hide kernel of truth. It would be remiss of me not to investigate this keep before I return, for does it not say in Thessalonians "So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled."

But I shall have to put matters of Gordons Keep aside until after I speak to Bishop Monfrere regarding the Relics of St Mathaios, for it would be a sin of me to put such curiosities ahead of the request of a Bishop.

Day 1, leaving Legio...

Ah, what a relief! Finally to be free of that gods-forsaken town and away from Tansin - I owe the old man much, assuredly I do, but the last years with him have been a trial. Increasingly, his addled old mind is wandering - followed on many occasions by his hands - and the thought of another month in his company was far more than I could bear.

Now I am free to explore this thrilling world, to investigate its mystery and expand my knowledge of its arcane magics - oh, I cannot wait to be away...

I have brought the old man's mist-filled orb with me. I hesitated at the last, I must admit. Tansin is fascinated by the orb and its loss, particularly at my hand, will weigh heavily on him. This I regret. But truly magical items are few and far between in this world and I have such plans.

The orb has a peculiar, unsettling aura about it, I cannot bear to hold it for more than a few seconds, but I am convinced that its power is immense and I am resolved to discover its true nature.

I left Legio this morning and tagged along with one of the merchants' caravans that was departing for Alba. The road is not known for its dangers, but a solitary female is a temptation that most brigands would find impossible to resist.

I am already unsure of myself, never having travelled far from the city in the past, but I think it best that I have as little contact as possible with those about me, at least until I know more of their circumstances. They are a curious lot though, gossiping idly and demanding to know my name and my business. I told them nothing...

I did, however, pick out an interesting snippet of conversation about some Keep or other in the region of Alba where there is some rumour of magical energies and items. This is a place that may well bear further investigation.

Now, on to Alba and whatever my new future will hold...

Session 2- Journal of Cuthbert of Legio.

I am convinced now the rumours about Gordon Keep have substance.

Sir Rolland - an old aquaintance from theological studies in Legio - and I have formed a cadre of explorers to search the Keep.
Each is there for their own reason, but I see no conflict yet between their goals and the Lords work.
Some of the cadre we chose so as to be able to present a sterner force in the face of evil, some we included for their own protection -to save them wandering the keep grounds alone- and at this stage, knowing what I have heard of the keep I frankly think it prudent to be able to maintain a close eye on anyone with an interest in such a place.

The first days exploration of the keep turned up little of real value. The group was struck by some kind of magical sleep effect upon arrival but by Iesus' grace I was not affected. Whether it was some kind of standing trap or was a hex cast at us then and there by forces unknown I do not know.

The keep was full of massacred humanoid bodies and the other members swear they heard ghostly whispers. I heard naught. Perhaps they were all carried away with fancy, but it does not seem in keeping with the character of some.
We found a library full of rotten books in strange language, I have taken some for church scholars to examine. We saw nothing alive in the keep but were plagued by strange noises. I have placed some markers at doors to see if they are opened in our absence.

Of my companions, Mendax was the most thoughtful but also the most mysterious.

Mayra has a willing spirit, bold for a lady indeed she almost seemed cheerful even in such a haunted place. I am yet to see her otherwise.

Sir Rolland is obviously experienced in dangerous environs, he seemed to take prudent precautions for our defense. From what I remember he has more brains than his fool brothers at least.

Arken the sellsword was eager, almost to a fault even. I almost think he actually desired to meet whatever stained the keeps corrdiors with blood. But I must admit to acting hastily at times as well. The excitement of such explorations can be giddying.

We shall return soon and explore further.

Mother,

By Gods grace and the good fortune he has granted me, I was not required to enter the Daemon Haunted ruins of Castle Gordon alone. deacon Cuthbert, a colleague and brother-in-Iesus from the Cathedral likewise had cause to enter the infernal place. Though, I must profess, his reasons are far nobler and far more holy than my own quest. Unpleasant though this truth may be, my brothers, though I do love them as a true knight should, seem to have little regard for their own safety let alone what it proper. I prey God I find them alive.

Together we -or rather, I fear, Cuthbert, since he knew so many of the brave worthies involved already- assembled a group to accompany us. I confess I was not comfortable at the presence of a woman amoung us on so dangerous a journey, but I relented in my fears when it transpired she would travel to the Keep one way or the other. Or rather, whether with us or alone. Nevertheless, I made one last attempt to dissuade her before we enterered the dark depths of the Keep cellar.

I must confess and beg forgiveness of our Lord for my weakness. I fear that as we entered some foul sorcerous effect overcame my endurance and even my good sense, or at least, what little good sense I possess. Alas, I fell in-sensate and asleep to the fore, leaving my companions -and more horrifying, a lady- without the protection of my sword and stout shield. Fortunately, mighty Cuthbert was fortified by his faith and did not succumb, driving off this foul black magic with the power of his prayer alone.

Espying a blood trail, we followed it to a room of the most ungodly carnage. Other than Arken and good Deacon Cuthbert, the remainder of the group seemed perplexed by my eagerness to explore the bloodied passageways -but then, these others do not know why I so desire to investigate this be-knighted place. Had I disclosed the rumours concerning my brothers I am quite sure they would have understood my desire to step so boldly into danger.

All went well. In truth, it was easy enough to imagine myself advancing through the corridors of my fathers castle, where we played at siege and to adopt the lessons thus learned through horseplaywith with my brothers and the other children of the castle. Yet eerily so, for I heard whispers calling for help -which I now believe to be the work of some creature of hell or faerie- and at one point heard a door open in the darkness ahead. Believing that someone could be opening a strange blue door we discovered without a lock or handle, we rushed to it. Only to have our torch expire even as we passed the library door. I grew concerned that someone could have emerged from the library and worked some curse or magic upon us -all the more so upon feeling the cold breath of another at my side. In the darkness, I called out a warning and proceeded to near drag poor brother Cuthbert down to the floor, mistaking his unseen presence beside me for that of the foe. At that very moment, Arkens flint caught, bathing us in new light. Just in time to reveal an angry Cuthbert ready to flatten me with his maul. I do confess I laughed uproariously at this near miss. Overly loud, considering our precarious explorations. Yet given we had by that point battered down two doors, I imagine our presence was already well known to any foe or foe's present. Yet in truth, during our whole expedition we fought or saw not one soul.

I write now from the village of Gordon, where we ready for another expedition. Rest assurred and do not fear. We are a stout group. My quest to rescue my fathers other sons shall be resolved to our mutual satisfaction. Fear for me not. Please pass on my regards to the Prioress, who I know will read this letter on your behalf. I have not forgotten her kind reception and the sanctuary of your holy house during my flight. Pray for me and my companions - Cuthbert, Artax, Mendex and Mayra. We face mortal danger, but do so unafraid, for the lord of hosts is with us.

May he bless you and keep you. I must say farewell. Bruno has come to fetch me to dinner, and we have much to plan for tomorrow.

Your natural son.

Rolland.

Well it is nice to be outside the bonds of a city. I may long to return to Legio one day, but I don't think that day will be anytime soon...

Some of the people I traveled with the other day intend to do a proper search of the keep. I joined this little, rather interesting group. Two more people have joined the cause too. Rolland is obviously a kind soul, and he was always there to protect this little party. His kindness is only flawed by his foolishness, when he ran off to go and help those, those voices... Cuthbert proves to be a striking warrior, bashing a door I would never thought to even bother trying. At least his faith proves to shield him from anything. That is good, if its true. Mendax, well, he is obviously a wizard. Or maybe another trickster. I am not sure. But he seems to be even more cautious than me. Arken, he is starting to unnerve me. Before we descended into the dungeon he said that I am not just a merchant. I really want to know what he meant by that. I would not like for us to become any enemies just because of wild accusations. Well, we shall see...

The actual search was unbelievable not dangerous at all. At arrival, the sight was magnificent. The keep has of course been burned to the ground, no stone an exception. We found, what probably was the basement, or maybe even catacombs. But upon entrance we fell for a magical trap. Funny I didn't notice it. Thankfully it was only affecting our will to continue, not our health. After that, well, what you would expect. Animals living in there, different carcasses, old books and some rusty items. Funny that we ran off right after a blood trail. Well, what can I say, I would have done so too. But except more blood we didn't really find what spilled that blood. Maybe better so...

Actually, there was one interesting thing. Some of us, including me, heard voices. Ghosts whispers, the cry of foul demons. I am not sure what it was. I am only sure that it was there. No hallucination, no illusion. I know it was there, I swear. And so do some of the other travelers. If I were here searching for magical beings, I would have investigated more. But alas, I have absolutely no interest in such things now, although it really intrigues me.

We only made it to search one of the, lets say wings of this basement. I am not sure about if there is something to be found here at all... It all seems either already looted. I didn't even see any trails or something, anything that the ancestors could have left. The only thing that I could notice is that someone is in there. Maybe something. And I don't really wish to confront it right now...

Reserved for Session 2 entry, will add soon

Today was an interesting day, to say the least. First because of the composition of our party. No sign from Rolland, Mayra, or Mendax. But Cuthbert and I were joined by Lillian, that strange, lone, hooded maiden who travelled with us on the way to Alba. Of course, she is as secretive and discreet as ever. She has decided to enter the keep with us. A welcome addition to the group was Aquila, a ranger from the Brotherhood of Saint Christopher. He hasn't been very talkative, but I respect him and his peers. He will make a fine scout and a finer archer. Finally we have been joined by Diogenes, whom we have started referring to as simply Dio. He says he works with a group of merchant, who hired him to "recover" some "lost property" in the Keep. I do not think I believe him, as I would know of merchants having business in the Keep. I heard nothing of the sort from my father, or from my employers in the merchant caravan I travelled with. My suspicion is that he is a common thief, coming to loot the dungeon, or Rogue, as some would refer to this kind of adventurer. Then again, I myself adventure into the Keep to find an emerald vein and a lost sword, so I cannot really condemn him. I actually found his compagny refreshing. I think I will get along fine with the rogue and the ranger. I'm still reserving judgement on that mysterious lady Lillian.
Another interesting fact today is that Cuthbert gave me leadership of today's expedition. I have been training for such an eventuality under my mentor, and was happy to shoulder the responsibility. Well I must say there is a lot of responsibilty involved. The responsiblity of making good decisions and bring everyone out alive. I soon found out I also had a responsibility not to provoke and end up killing innocent strangers.
As we went in I went first down the stairs, to see if the unnatural sleep we experienced last time would befall me again, and it did. However, my compagions waited to join me, and when they did they were not affected. The trap or whatever it is must only activate once every set period of time, so on our next entries only one person needs to step into the first chamber with the three staircases. Now that I am more certain of my suspicion of Dio's real trade, I might ask him to see if he can find and disarm the trap next time. While I thought of returning to the blue steel door that left us perplexed yesterday, to see if the papers we left lying around had been disturbed, noise and movement coming from the western staircase made us go that way instead. We discovered a hall full of frescoes of men riding, running along, or chasing horses and more peculiar flying horses. There was a corpse in advanced decomposition state. Contrarily to the ones we found last time half eaten bysome canine creature, this man had been killed by a weapon, and his corpse had been looted. In the hall we had a choice between following a diagonal corridor leading to the south-west, a southern door, or an eastern passage blocked by a makeshift barricade. After some debate, we decided to move the rubble so we could pass. As we started to do so we were surprised by the sound of many small claws. I saw a number of huge centipedes, as large as my arm, coming out of a crack in the wall, and darting out of sight. However they did not seem to be interested in us and we did not fight them, though Lillian hasn't been quite the same since. We went down a spiralling corridor, only to reach a second barricade. Our presence was spotted by a group of humans. Believing they were innocents trying to hide from an unkown assailant, I offered them to come to them alone and unarmed to prove our good intentions. It was a risk, but I believed this was the best way to avoid an unnecesary confrontation. I came across 7 persons, 5 male and 2 females. All were unwashed, famished, and wearing rags. I spoke with their leader Bebib. Who told me that this was there home. After offering them water from my waterskin and some food rations, I convinced Bebib to let Aquila show his insigna to prove who he was, then come into the hall, soon followed by Cuthbert, Lillian and Dio. The meeting went well for a while. The dwellers were awed by Cuthbert magical creation of water. We did not gain any useful information from these people. Bebib refused to specify what foul beasts reside in the Keep, only that they did, and twere dangerous and vicious. He also declined our offer to escort him and his people out of the Keep, insisting this was their home. Things took a turn for the worst when first a woman god interested by Aquila's cape, which she kept touching. Then a second woman began harassing Lillian, convinced Lillian had stolen her baby. I started to fear a fight would erupt. Though we were outnumbered, and some of the men were armed with crude weapons and a couple of shields, I did not fear we wouldn't win. I simply wished to avoid a slaughter of poor men and women just trying to survive. Living down in the Keep seems to have driven these people half mad. Cuthbert created a diversion by getting the dwellers to follow him by promesing to create more water, which they did. He then ordered them to go up to a balcony overhead and wait their, which they also did. I was impressed by the display of power, as I'm sure he used his divine blessings to back up his order. My error was to divide the party into small groups to explore the area faster, as I did not wish to linger in the dwellers' domain. As we were divided, a woman ran to Lilliian to tell her to give her her baby back. I believe she would have attacked our compagnion had she been able too. Fortunately, Dio interposed himself between them, and I was then able to reach the woman and grab her. As I was trying to trick the mad woman into believing that in fact Lillian also had her baby stolen, and that we were looking for it, Cuthbert slapped the woman into unconsciousness. I didn't know the Church allowed such things, but then Cuthbert does always seem to disregard women. I had to carry the woman, and set her on a bed in the adjacent room. We then continued to explore the area, but found nothing of use. We ended up in the southern part of the hall claimed by the dwellers, where we found three doors, two of which were locked. As I suspected Dio had toools for trying to unlock them, but he did not succeed. Because Cuthbert's spell wouldn't last much longer and the woman he slapped might wake up any moment, we decided we would come back another time to explore what lays beyond these southern doors. We did not encounter any problem on our way out from the Keep. Again, I did not get to put my teachings into effect, but the responsibility for the group and our encounters with the centipedes and the dwellers made me realise that while I do still yearn for a good fight, I will not provoke one with innocents, nor will I run after insects, however large, that were not interested in attacking us. I wait for a worthy adversary to test my skills against. I know someone took roldan's sword to the keep, and probably bears it. Maybe he will be a worthy opponent for me when I meet him.
All in all, an intersting day, full of surprises. The mystery surrounding Gordon's Keep only thickens. But it would seem it has eded up attracting a fair share of adventurers to it, and good people at that. I look forward to returning to the Keep, and finding out more of its secrets.

I have just this evening returned from Gordon's Keep, having gone there in hopes of discovering some sign of the arcane items that many say are concealed there.

I have learned that I'm not the first to visit the old ruin in search of these treasures. I've heard tell that an old woman by the name of Serrestique once also journeyed there to scour its ruined chambers for items she believed had been hidden within. I cannot discover whether or not the woman ever returned and I confess the thought unnerved me a little as I considered the trip - and with good cause, as it turned out...

I had intended to strike out for the Keep alone, but a cleric by the name of Cuthbert heard tell of my plans and insisted that I instead join his small group of adventurers. I had thought him a prying oaf to be sure, but in the event, his insistence was wise and I must thank him for his care. I fear that had I ventured to the Keep alone, as planned, I would not be here tonight to update this journal.

I confess, this world is not as straightforward as I might have at first assumed and I will have need to trust others, I think, from time to time if I am to achieve my aims unscathed.

At the Keep, we made our way by degrees into its bowels. Wild animals, or something more sinister, seems to inhabit the upper halls of the ruin. We saw many bloodstains and found a decomposing body before we had been in the place five minutes. It stinks foully of piss and some strange charm was present, stealing my wits for a time and rendering our leader, Arken, unconscious.

I knew there was magic about this place...

Further down, we discovered giant centipedes living in the walls - quite, quite horrendous, although, it would appear, largely harmless.

After clearing some barricades, we discovered a strange group of individuals who appear to live in the Keep's lower reaches. We parlayed with them for a time, but fie, they were an odd band to be sure. One of them, a female, seemed convinced that I had stolen her baby. The very thought..!

Thankfully, they were wantwits for the most part and easily distracted by Cuthbert's smooth talk of conjured water - all that is, save the woman who importuned me relentlessly about her missing child until Cuthbert was forced to knock her senseless.

After that, we ventured a little further into the Keep but were forced to return to town a short time later, such was the lateness of the hour.

I look forward to our next investigation. The Keep is a dangerous but intriquing location, though I have seen little to hint at the presence of the magical items that I seek. Perhaps next time, I will have more luck...

OOC: Hello all, sorry I was absent, I was disconnected from my internet service due to a credit card mix up. Sounds like I missed a fun session and female adventurers beware- Cuthbert is not afraid to slap a lady!

She weren't no lady..!

Bring me a foe that can be hacked, and I will send him back in pieces! Those damned bats were cowardly, flying about and not standing their ground. My axe could not find them in their flight.... That will have to change next time....

The three men that I went with were ok, I guess. The keep is evil, and it must be cleansed. The howling can be heard even now, as the dogs send their omen yet again. It must be that floating bloated sack of dung with the eyes and tooth filled maw. That is a worthy foe, and one that my axe won't miss so easily! Yet, it is imprisoned, it would seem. The priest called it Mary. Perhaps that is what they are called, but a strange name for the beast, none the less.

Cuthbert, the priest. He is a follower, yet tries to lead the group. Confusing, as he keeps talking of Iestus. I almost had to hack him down, for he seemed to be calling on some type of magic, which Rolland, the knight, seemed to call praying for something called a miracle. Their words are too long for me. Magic. Evil. Death. Those are the easy ones to think upon. Cuthbert continues to talk of 'saving me' and even hinted at me sinning. Again, his words are tricky. I will have to keep an eye on him, as he seems to want something of me. This talk of souls, prayer and miracles has me getting a head ache...

Rolland, the knight. Seems to know Cuthbert from before Gordon. Again, he seems to know what Cuthbert is talking of, but uses even longer words. Perhaps they are magic users in disguise? Trying their magic words on me? Trying to cull me into being a follower. Their words have no effect yet, and I hope to keep it that way. It does not seem that they trust me. Good, as I don't trust them yet, but we shall see if they are righteous men. Battle in the face of evil shows you a true mans heart.

Arken is different. He is a warrior as well. Favoring two weapons it would seem, he is more about many strikes than getting it done with one hefty swing. He has ideas too. Like the oil and torch for the bats. Those damned bats! It would have been a nice stew, bats... yet I had no glory in that battle, so I will not partake of any spoils. He is a jester too, it would seem, for he appears to want to be buried in a skirt of fur. I will have to remember that. Hopefully he lives long enough to change his mind. I will see about keeping him alive long enough if I can.

For now, I rest. My weapons need to be tended to, for that door had to come down. There is much to do there, in those ruins. The blood soaked walls, the corpse, the bloated beast that will come to find its death on my axe blade, and whatever else we find down there. They will come to fear my blade, and be they demon, witch or foul beast, they will all find the same fate. That is my oath.... now... where is dinner?

Embarked into the keep with Mayra today. Didn't seem like the best idea in the world and it nearly wasn't...

As I walked down the stairs at the entrance everything went blank and I regained consciousness just as I walked into the west wall in the room with slope to the crazies... Scary as hell that was... And I hurt my nose walking into the wall...

We then proceed into the room with the glass cage, apparently there was some monster in that cage which supposedly had more eyes than any creature would need. Not sure what that means and I don't want to find out to be honest...

We then climbed over the two barricades into the part of the keep where the crazies lives. Fortunately they weren't at home when we got past the barricade. I climbed up the stairs to the balcony (oh the first steps creaks like the devil, got to be careful with that.) and found some mattresses and some broken arrows with blunted heads. Seems like something you'd fire with a short bow. No blood though...

we continued our exploration in the hopes that the crazies were either dead or gone for the time being but they weren't and they saw us and they almost got us...

We got away safely, that's what important. Yes...

After, that, we investigated the room north-west of the glass cage. Found some weird bones and fur, animals probably but I wonder how they got there. The last room reeked like hell itself... Urine, sweat, something... else. Almost made me throw up then and there and we had just opened the door half-way. Saw something that looked like it might have been a keg or something.

Might have been... might have.

So tired, need to sleep.

I am cursed.

Bayden, that irascibable incouragable lout of man, that fine friend, has been lost. Abandoned, perhaps dead, because he would not flee a battle. And I, fool that I am, near led myself and Gaskon into death also. All because I could not bear to leave the man behind.

The expedition began in a promising manner. We were able to rescue a devil-touched boy from the ruins. He had enraged Beyden with his mocking laughter when we once again triggered the mystical curse that protects the stairwell. In fact, the boy brandished a demon claw before him, which may have encouraged Beyden in his attack. Fortunately I was able to prevent bloodshed. It transpired that the "claw" in question was not part of the boy, but rather a severed body part he had found. A body part I had encountered on my last expedition. Our conversation revealed that the boy was possessed by voices, audible only to him, Fearing that the boy was devil possessed -and in the absence of Borther Cuthburt to perform an on-site exorcism- we took him prisoner, carrying him outside and depositing him in the care and custody of my faithful Bruno.

We returned, and examined the charnel pit we had found on our first visit once again with the fresh eyes of my companions, Dio the "locksmith", Beyden and Gaskon, the woodsmen. As I have long since feared, Gaskon was able to identify the claw marks on the walls as having beenc aused by something unnaturally, nay, monstrously large. Combined with the howling heard in the hills the previous night and the behavior of the boy, I am now convinced that Gordon keep harbours werebeasts of one sort or another.

We thereafter returned to the blue door, where the markers left on our first visit to reveal if the door had been used remained undisturbed. One of us -Gaskon or Diogenenese, I believe- decided to simply knock upon the door. This prompted the arrival of a blind maiden -alas, from behind us, not from beyond the mysterious door- whose eyes had seemingly been guoged out. She spoke of being "unworthy" and of "True Believers" and "the Beasts Below". Though I seemed to be making progress in earning her trust, we could not convince her too leave with us, so little did she value her own life. So, reluctantly, I gave the signal to Beyden and we once again returned to Bruno with a prisoner. May God forgive me, for in so doing I allowed, instructed even, a young woman to be struck. Truly does the church speak of the choice of the lesser evil. And yet I cannot forget that a little evil is still and evil.

It was, I think, this betrayal of my oath that led to our abandonment by God. For, therefater, we had no fortune but that brought by an ill wind.

It began with Dio, who, upon finding a trap door, sought to explore it despite my orders to the contrary. My caution stemmed from our ignorance of these "Beasts Below", and from my desire to avoid leaving unexplored -and hence unsecured- rooms on the first level. In the end, Beyden and Gaskon simply left in their impatience, forcing me to choose between following them who had obeyed me thus far or else staying to guard an untrustworthy and ungrateful wretch. When the locksmith returned to us I sternly- but courteously - berated him for his irresponsibility. To make matters worse, he seems to have foudn some treasure below. Treasure I do not feel comfortable demanding that he share given that he took the risks in acquiring them alone.

Therefafter, we entered the statue room Beyden spoke of. Immediately our torches were extinguished by some fell wind. No sooner had I light another than we found ourselves under attack from statue creatures that seemed to combine their forms, melding into even larger foes. Alas, our bladed weapons had little effect on the monsters. For the second time that day a member of my retinue disobeyed me. When I ordered a retreat, Bayden fought on. I could not leave the man to die alone, and so fought on, hoping we could, by some miracle, prevail.

Alas, Beyden fell and I very nearly also. With Dio fled or in hiding, there was little Gaskon and I could do to retrieve the body, though we tried twice. And so, bereft and forlorn, we returned to civilisation with our meagre prize - two prisoners, who I have yet to question. By God, I wish Cuthbert were here. He would not have failed so badly as I. May God forgive me, for I cannot.

Aylsan, ithan...
Today's trip to the ruins was rough. At first, I wanted to smuggle into a groups of new people, which went into the ruins once already it seems. But when we headed to the ruins we met Baylen. He was wounded and muttered something about our former ruin-adventurers abandoning him. Seems they either fled or died in there... Baylen of course didn't speak much. He either hid his sorrow, or was so concentrated on killing that he ignored the whole situation. He blindly followed us into the ruins again, almost getting himself killed again...

We were searching for anything unusual, pooping up doors and crates like a few days ago. But when I found some writings on the floor werewolves howled and we went on to kill them. After seeing Baylen get beaten up by four of those creatures, I could not stand it anymore. I had to do something. But in doing so, another one got hurt because of his blood-lust. I still can't forgive me that. I did horrible things in my past, but I never hurt people. Never....

So we went on. The writings seem to be of the little mute girl Siv, and she quickly destroyed them. I was angry, I thought I finally found a clue... But that's not important. I am near my goal as much as I was a week ago.

So this new people, funny bunch. There's a pair of woman, the mute little one and her partner which is dangerous just as Baylen. They inda like to play pranks between them. Lovely that they are relieved as that. I am still on the edge of my nerves. Then there's that guy with the fancy clothes and sword. I have no clue as to where he came from. He is very cultured though and has proven to be trusty. He seems to have a handy-work of his own too. As for the new religious type, he is just as dumb and manipulative like the rest. But I still feel guilty that Baylen struck him incidentally... One of the group left in a harsh though. I am afraid. Yes now I see, I am afraid, still. At least Baylen is there. I kinda feel like he is the wall between me and the outside.

Anyway, I remembered that I promised Siv to show her a few tricks. She and her friend seem to be very poor, sadly. I know how it is. So I went out in the night with Siv and showed her one of the simplest pickpocketing methods. She didn't say anything of course, but I think she was delighted. Her first attempt was a success. I just hope she buys them a few earplugs. I need some too. These werewolves keep howling every night. I wish them slayed, but not for the price of someones life.

It was exciting. I am feeling a bit more free, rummaging in these ruins. I hope it does not come to my head rapidly soon...

Gods forgive me, I have once again led brave men and valiant women to disaster and death amidst the ruins.

Ten of us, ten; gathered upon the common in Gordon village. Many faces new to me. Some trusted and true. Others known and admitted with... reservation. With suxh great numbers I was confident we could acheive victory over the demon-possessed statues and progress to the chambers beyond. Alas, how I was wrong.

They are undisciplined. They do not listen. Nor do they obey their betters. I had thought that the example set when, contrary to my wishes, several companions descended the cursed stairs behind me PRIOR to my giving the all clear, would serve to illustrate the perils of disobedience. As it was Gaskon and Neiva -who should have both known better- damn near killed one another in a squabble over a bloody axe. As for some of the others? I remains unsure as to whether they, too succumbed to the effects or are simply fractuous and tempestous by nature.

Alas, all this runction served to call the tender attentions of those gods-cursed were-wolves down upon us.I strove to impose some form of order on the rabble behind me, but alas, I am as unused to working with untrained peasants as peasants are to obeying orders in the heat of battle. Demarco scouted efficiently enough to prevent us blithely walking into an ambush - and the main battle line parted succuinctly enough to allow him admittance into our ranks without giving the beasts an opening. Those whom I ordered to guard the rear remained commenably steadfast to their duty, until circumstances required that I order them into the fray, whereupon some chose ot blithely flee for their own lives and only a few fought on. Had I only remembered the barricaded passage on our left and positioned others accordingly, things would not be as they are, and I would not be mourning the death of one whom I had loved more than a friend.

Early in the battle, a bright light blinded me, hindering my attempts to slay the beasts or even protect my companions or myself. At first I thought it was His Holy Light shining upon us. A benediction. Only when a blast of foul eldritch sorceryfrom the rear ranks struck another werewolf did I learn that one of my companions is nothing more than an accursedwarlock. Luckily, having been about the world a bit, I am somewhat more worldy than many of my esteemed religious colleagues. I am not averse to fighting evil alongside another evil. for one thing, if such an ally falls in battle, well, better that an already damned soul be consumed by demons than one which has accepted Gods grace. =For another, better that we encourage evil to fight amoungst it self than permit it to unite in common cause against Holy Church. Alas, I fear my other colleagues may not be so practical. I expect rifts to form within the group as a result.

But worse things than uncovering the foul taint of the beast amoung us happened this day. Neiva, beautiful, enchanting, fiery, wonderful Nieva fell to those cursed beasts. Alas, I shall never again smell the sweet scent of her sweat mingled with blood and weapon-oil. I shall never experience the feel of her soft, marvellous red hair. Hair I so longed to enfold in my fingers, while ienwarpped, nay, envelloped within her womanly embrace. Finally, it had seemed, I had met a woman I could respect and lovas as an equal, not as a pawn. Not some prancing noblewomans prize daughter, trained demure all her life, bred to be bartered like chattel. God, how I miss her. I shall never rest, never take pleasure in a poem, or a song, or a reel. Not until I wear that wolvish bastard's skin for my cloak! And his skull as a tourney helm! They have deprived me even of a sanctioned, sanctified funeral. They have carried her away, her body no doubt long-since consumed in some foul, heathen rite. At least now the thrice-cursed beats might claim a little purity within them. Her blood, her strength, her courage now mingles with there's. And her blood calls to me to set it free.

By God himself! Where is Bruno? Where are the men-at-arms I sen't him for? How long must I wait to wrack my foes with bloody vengeance? Soon, Brothers, soon. I swear it. Yet I no longer quest to find your bones, you who must surely now be as lost and as dead to us as my Neiva. Now Iseek only to avenge your death, to gain some solace from the fires of hell for her soul and yours. I shall not rest until Gordons Keep is clensed, I swear again!

I can feel the damned fever come upon me once again. By God, if this curse takes me I shall strike hard and strike true against the foe. On full moons eve I shall confine myself within the keep, and in my madness I prey I shall slay every living, foul, tainted thing I encounter, whether man, beast or cursed demon. Gods knows, such would not an unworthy end for a night. But if I should heal? What if the purity of my consecreated soul overcomes the night blood? What then?

Why, then I shall descend upon that foul keep with such wrath as has never been bourne by mortal man. I shall raid and kill and hack and slay until no living beast can threaten this town or it's people. When my fever breaks, I shall travel to the cave of the saint, that shrine to the mortal man who once rid this town of a dragon and worse. There, I shall hold vigil and prey for a sign. And then, only then, shall I return to this damned town, gather my strength and my men, and purge that beknighted keep till, in times still to come, men will say that never was any place so sacred and pure and so free of evil as this, save for very the birthplace of the Lord himself.

So it has been sworn. hHere before the good brother monks who treat my wounds and in the eyes of God. In the Abbey of Gordon, this <letters blurred> of our Lords Year <blurred number>. May God have no mercy upon my soul if I am false.

[]The parchment is affixed by a seal at the bottom left hand corner. The seal is a crudely craved wolves head, flanked on both sides by a descending executioners axe.

Dear diary,
Last night I sold one of the hand-axes to get some decent clothing. Atleast I feel more human again on the outside now.
Today we went back to the ruins, but the motives of these people to keep going there are completely oblivious to me. It seems they are attracted to it like flies to horsedroppings. With difference that flies seem to actually find horsedroppings and the only one that found that today was Thedin.
When I threw a rock at him today he started complaining that something evil was hitting him and when I started to laugh he stepped in some droppings. Completely hilarious!

The funniest thing though is to see how easily these people are manipulated and how their believes make them blind. And every day again I learn more about them, to find their weaknesses, their longings and their goal of being here.

Oh before I forget dear diary i found something really interesting. I found this strange skull. It resembles a human skull a bit but it has pointy teeth. I tried to spook the others by clacking the teeth, but the only one it that seemed to have any effect on was Thedin and instead of getting scared he just looked at me as if I was doing some dark ritual.

None died today. One part of me wishes to see them all being torn to shreds by the creatures in the ruins. And another part of me feels guilty for having those thoughts.

But dear diary, even though you seem to be my best and only friend in these hard times, I wish I could wake up one day without this terrible pain in my chest, one day to see my papa sitting at the campfire and my mama knitting while she is singing softly to herself.
Instead of that I wake up in this rotten world, this world of hate and anger. This world that would be better off just burning to ashes as it does in my dreams every single night. And only time will tell if it really will...

But, diary of mine, it is time for me to try to get some rest. And to light the spark that burns the world, in my dreams, again.

The keep seems to be getting more and more dangerous every time we enter. To the great misfortune of us all, we lost our friend Armand on the last entry. The wolf-like beasts shall pay for this. I am formulating plans now for new ways to destroy this evil that plagues the keep... for good.

Another day with fascinating discoveries, date xx/xx/xxxx

Not a day goes by where i do not thank god i learned to write.. It's all so fuzzy, i honestly dont know how long it will be before i'm lost in my own head, wandering alone without a sense of direction and my precious time fleeting away.

I dont know what happened today, but i wrote down in my notebook that i got attacked by wolves..i could not have been alone then... who was with me? Curse this blasted memory of mine!

..But on a much brighter note, It seemes i have found eggs of an unknown origin! This never stops to fascinate me, thankyou lord for blessing me once again with new discoveries! I would be lying if i said it does not scare me that you let me walk around in this fuzzy state, but i have faith in your ways lord.
One of these days i'm sure you will reward me with what i am looking for to finish my life's work.. Everyone will know what a great man my master was!

Tonight I will continue my research, i really do wonder what i can do with these eggs. Sleep is not an option as there are wolves howling all around the village i am in, it's a shame, because i am very tired..

3 March

My Lord Warden,

I have arrived in the village Gordon and assessed the situation both in the village and the ruin that Brother Abeyta bid me investigate. I must say that the situation is worse that expected. The ruin is a foul den of wolves, men that cavort with wolves, and other things most strange. The village seems to attract a strange collection of people, from wandering priests to some that I suspect may have congress with darker powers. All of them seem intent on helping rid the village of its wolf problem -- though each may have other motivations.

We seem to have neared an end in exploring the ruin, and it appears that perhaps some kingdom of the damned ruled here in some distant past. Our efforts at further exploration are stymied, however, by a strange steel door of an arcane shade of blue. No amount of prayer or brawn can seem to open this portal which has no knob, keyhole or even hinges. I beg the Lord Warden to show this letter to Brother Abeyta in the hopes that he have some insight or advice in dealing with this strange impediment.

My Lord, in addition to the report above, I write for specific advice and analysis. Accompanying this letter is a strange ivory artifact found in the ruin -- in fact worn by one of the men living there possessed by an evil so foul that both the Lord's sunlight and fresh air killed him outright. I would know if this item could bear some clue to finally ridding Gordon of its problems or if its value might fund additional men or proof against these foul demons.

And finally Lord Warden, please see that the pouch of silver sees its way, to satisfy some of my father's debtors and the rest to support him for another month.

Yours in Christ,

Junipero Sala i Flaquer