2014th Year of The Kings, 18th Moon since the fall of House Atrius

Dearest Reader,

There is no news towards defeat of Kalik but I still write to remember these days past. 

The iron fortress is cold, like the metal holds onto the frigid terrors that plague  this place.  

I have never felt the pain that I felt there. Sirocco and Hrist did all they could to ease my pain and help me heal. 

Although their help is needed and I am grateful for all they have done, I can not help missing Lilian. She served by my side for so long I did not have to voice every need or desire any longer, she knew what I wanted with no words. 

Once consciousness returned I noticed Muidos was no longer among us. Sirocco relayed that he was scouting but he did not return before the storm.  

As time goes on I am feeling more at ease with those I travel with. 

Hrist brings so much light and gentleness but still stands strongest among us. I still do not fully understand the meaning of some of her words or motivations but I know she is good and wants the best for all. I have come to trust her judgment and find much comfort in her embrace. 

Sirocco has strange habits of what he calls meditation and research.  His magic comes differently to him, from his mind more then his soul. His practices do not look pleasant but painful, although I am interested in taking a closer look at the finished writings etched in his skin. 

Each day my wounds get better and some energy returns.  I am able to join my companions, slowly, with the help of Hrist, to explore the Iron Fortress. 

There was nothing to be found until we reached the dungeon. That is where River was being held. 

This poor woman was in a condition worse then any my father helped. Hrist said she was broken, although I am under the impression I am not grasping the full concept of this description. 

I wanted to cry for this woman and take her pain. How can someone be so awful to another living being?  

Hrist sang her lovely song of words unknown to me which seemed to calm River, as it does myself. 

River had no name except the name that  was given to her by her "master" (the spawn of evil vampire) that name was Cacula. 

River speaks in a tongue I do not understand but we have been able to share base communication through motions and magic.

Magic is not something she is unfamiliar with. 

A very large sandstorm kept us at the fortress longer then intended. We were stuck there for 6 days. During our time in the Iron Fortress we were all able to heal from wounds taken during our battle. We also found a well of water to replenish our supplies. 

Although this was no easy task. Hrist and Sirrocco spent much of their time digging for the water. It was days before there was much more then drops. 

But their efforts were not in vain as water finally pooled in the small hole they made. 

Once we left the fortress our fates took a turn for the worst. 

The encampment we left was nowhere to be found after the storm passed. 

I now sit with the mountain range on the horizon.  The blazing sun is leaving the sky and our walk will begin shortly. 

I want to cry but I am too exhausted. I have never felt this tired and worn. My skin is hot with the kiss of the sun. The sand burns under my feet. I have had to tie a new knot in my clothes to keep them from falling off. 

The few things left that made me comfortable and made this desert bearable were lost in the storm, allies and friends gone. 

Things are more empty now then ever before. 

I have never felt so dirty and alone. 

Magic has become my new servant. Helping me wash and comb my hair. 

If only magic could take away these pains that surge my body and make me weak. It hurts to move. My skin is raw from rubbing sand on it to keep clean. 

Before we ate the bugs, that were trying to eat us, we had no food for two days. 

Golg awaits us, only a day away. I can push through all the pain while I think about all the good things that await there. 

Food...a message to my sister and mother...a bath...

A change of clothes...someone to wash me...

A new maiden...

2014th Year of the Kings, 8th Moon Since the Fall of House Atrius

Dear Reader,
In this entry we come across a creature not many believe is real.  All that I have written is truth. What happened this night has not been by the hand of the Sorcerer King, although time may tell a different story.

We woke this night to wails of sadness outside our tent.

 Sirocco, who was on watch, was just as surprised as we were. The day had passed quietly. 

Outside we could see dozens slain and strategically placed bodies in a symbol associated with a Necromancer. I have seen the symbol before in my readings but with magic so scarce I do not know more. 

Together we quietly discussed what could have happened, if it were possible this could have been "the darkness" we had encountered a few nights passed. 

Sirocco examined the bodies while Muidos, the quickest and quietest of our group, scouted the tracks that were left in the hot sand.  

Hrist and I armored up and briefed Dax and Cam before heading to the West with Sirocco, following the same tracks. 

We traveled until we came to some caves. The caves were swarming with insects with pincers and small fangs. When we entered the cave they started crawling on us all. 

The cave floor was foggy. Cold dense fog that seemed to be getting colder.
Chill to the bone cold. 

Sirocco was sure this was the place "the darkness" rested. 

I can only surmise that "the darkness" is a creature of legend, a vampire, a creature only read about in a story of myth. When my mother insisted I read those books I never understood. I always thought those were fiction. I do wish I had taken them more seriously now. I only remember bits and pieces.

I believe she knew more about this world then she talked about, that my mother knew that myths were real. 

Hrist told us we had to defeat "the darkness" this time for many would die if he was not stopped.

Then from behind us these grey beings dug their way up from underground. They clawed their way through the sand until their bodies were fully uncovered. 

 The only thing I could describe them as are spawns of the vampires creation. Not fully vampire but hideous and vicious like their maker.
They savagely charged us, the fight was intense but short, a distraction really to what was waiting ahead of us.


A dark rusting iron fort, decrepit looking as if it rose from some other worldly grave, stood in front of us, chilling, haunting mist surrounded it.  Together we ran guided by the sense inside Hrist into dark misty halls until we reached a door that was slammed shut in front of us.  By Sirocco's magic and Hrists strength we managed to break through the door to find a large chamber filled with choking darkness.

The three of us tried to find our sight and only at the last moment did I sense the creature descending upon us. I gasped trying to catch my breath to scream but I was quickly silenced as  I was ripped from my feet bound by it's unnatural strength. As I felt my life blood flow out of me I began to loose consciousness and I thought this must be the end.  Any sense of direction I had was quickly lost as my vision hazed and I found myself falling. The last thing remembered being an instant of overwhelming pain racking my body.

As my eyes opened I could see a blurred outline of my companions, Sirocco and Hrist, the mists departing. I felt comforted, safer.  If they were still here then 'the darkness' must be gone.
I let myself fall back into painless sleep.

As I sit here writing my cup of hot tea still doesn't take the cold terror away that settled in my body and soul.  

My leg is broken and we will be here in this fortress for a few days so we can all rest. 

The nights have been difficult. I try not to think of it while I am awake but my dreams are so real, so vivid. Such a monstrous creature with huge sharp fangs. If I stay close to Hrist the dreams aren't as bad. 

I want to forget.

Goodness is fading. 

2014th Year of the Kings, 8th Sun since the Fall of House Atrius

Entry from Lady Sarrelia of Atrius

Dear Reader,

I am writing this now in case I...we don't make it out, we don't succeed on this task of utmost importance.

People need to know what is happening in the land of Athas at this time...to know what The Sorcerer Kings are capable of and of their corruption and their oppression of all of us.  One might consider this the beginning of a revolution.  I do hope that some future generation will read this and stop this from happening again.


My traveling companions include:
  The battle-maiden, Hrist, of other wordly powers.  Notable for her ability to close the wounds of others.
  The elven assassin from a mysterious brotherhood.  He is called Muidos. He is quick and deadly as the shadows.
  Dax, the ex-Templar, and his son Cam came with us from Tyr.  Sadly Dax has been gravely injured, loosing an arm as we were beset from his old order.
  A gypsy was traveling with us, Madelina, but she is lost to us since our caravan was overrun by the Templar. We did not find her body and hope she still survives.
  The enigmatic traveler, Sirocco, who wields seemingly perserving arcane power.

We are about 5 days from Gulg now resting in a nomad encampment.  They were kind enough to allow us rest and replenish some of our supplies in exchange for the help we provided them in ridding them of the presence haunting them.

We travel there in the hope of finding members of the Veiled Alliance and seek audience with the Sorceress-Queen, Lalaila.  We will see if she is willing to give us aid, or ally with us, in our fight against the oppression of Kalak in Tyr.

The breaking point for me, the reason for this revolution, was the murder of my father Lord Atrius. He was distastly murdered in the streets. Not that any murder has taste. Some of his allies saw him and tried to discreetly bring him home to my family to say goodbye. 

Following his body was Scar (Hrist as I know her now). She came to be of aid when she saw. Surprisingly she did not ask to enter nor for an audience with the house family before making her way in. I know now that this is just her way, what she knows. She was not being rude or intrusive. Hrist has a good heart. 

My mother, The Lady Atrius, called for a meeting immediately knowing our family was in danger. Both my sisters and I sat quietly as she took her role as head of House and began planning our revenge. 

During this meeting it was revealed to me that my father, my house name, was a known opposer to the Sorcery King. My father worked hard to reverse many of the troubles Kalak introduced in society. That was why he was murdered. The order for his death came from Kalak himself. 

I had never felt so much sadness and rage as I did that evening. 

Then another was introduced to us, he seemed to appear straight out of the shadows, as if by magic. This man was Muidos. He was called upon by someone in House Atrius and was there to fulfill a contract.  A contract to kill the Sorcerer King. 

Hrist, Muidos, and my Mother talked openly as if only friends and agreed that Kalak must die. Revenge must be had. 

I was reluctant to agree. I was sure that death need not be the answer. We could finish my fathers work, carry out his dream.  I still plan to try to reason with Kalak. There must be good inside him somewhere. First we must prepare. 

The Sorcerer King did not stop at my father though. He has continued this vendetta to the name Atrius and those who will help us. We had to flee from Tyr for our safety. 

My mother was taken captive, she may have suffered my fathers fate. 

I am afraid my eldest sister was lost to the battle at the front gates. She bravely held of the Templar as we made our escape to the Undercity where we wagged war with the undead. 

My younger sister was snuck back into the city to live as a servant. Her best chance of survival is to live among the less fortunate rather then trek the dangers of the dessert.

All of us have lost dear friends in these 8 suns. More loss then I have ever experienced in my 25 years. 

My sorrow is more encompassing everyday. The sadness of the world continues to darken with each ally we burn.  ( we must burn them after we saw our friends transform into walking dead. It is the only way to save them from that fate). 

I am finding it harder to see the good in those we encounter. I must not allow my heart to sadden as the rest. 

My father continued to show good to the world. I must continue to share the hope. Show that things can be better. 

It is part of me. 

 It is my calling, my Duty. 

For I am House Atrius.