Death and Desire
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Day 1:
Ah, finally off that damnable ship! Of course, I'll have Jennalina take care of the crew, for 'tis not healthy to leave men behind that know of my faith and motives. Rahn and Jennalina met me at the docks, along with a few other of our siblings. Gods, I feel horrible, farking ships. Farking sailors. Really, how hard is it to aquire a decent vocabulary? Gods, I'm getting mad just thinking of the stupid blokes. I need to kill something. Rahn told me where to buy a decent blade and some armor, I ought to do that soon. Ha! Rahn! I almost forgot, he's fooled the idiotic natives into thinking he's a bard! Honestly, who has seen a bard that casts spells by humming? Farking natives. After I buy some decent equipment I'll meet up with Jenn and Rahn outside the city and we'll do some killing. Gods, killing. That's fun.
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The following entry is written in a different hand. The writing is crooked and scraggly, but legible.
Apparently Kence hung himself. Indeed, a pity. I rather enjoyed his company.
-Rahn
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Day 83:
I bribed a member of the Norwick militia to give Dwin or Mord a message. I offered them every single scrap of information I've garnered in exchange for a pardon, and if they meet with me in person, I'll offer them my services, after all, 'tis not unheard of to have an assassin working for a specific town. The Cult of the Dragon no longer has my services, and neither does that Vaunted Bastard, Velsharoon. I hereby denounce my former life, and the only thing that will change that is if they attempt to capture me. I have no desire to rot in a prison for any remainder of my life, and will do anything I can to prevent that, including ending my own life. I also did some study, and I now give my loyalty to two different gods: Torm the True, because I have denounced a life of halftruths and recreational killing, and Ilmater, because so much suffering have I caused in this world, it's only fair I recieve a fair amount in return. I will write in you once more, my journal and dearest friend, and only once more. My madness has been cured; yes, I was insane, cursed by the Vaunted and cured by a strange man in the temple of Tyr, a follower of Torm, as Fate has it. If I don't write again, it is because I have decided to slay myself in effort to keep my secrets to myself, for if I can't give them willfully, I shan't give them at all. And to any who read this, my journal, I tell you that redemption only comes for those who will it so. Fare well, my friend, I am no longer a Blade of the Vaunted.
I am one of the Suffering.
I am free.
I am Kence.A small bit of scripture, written in blood, lies at the bottom of the page, reading:
Kence the Boneguard. 1157 DR - 1501 DR "Slayed himself in effort to keep his secrets silenced. Vaunted One keep his soul, and judge it none to harsh. He was a good man."
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Day 82:
Death and Desire…..I'm done. The master-curse his name, I still call that bastard master-asked too much of me. And I never gained anything from it! Probably never will, either. Ha! I'm my own lord now until I can find another god to follow, hopefully one who understands my full potential. I killed the Cyricist yesterday, but strangely....I couldn't bring myself to torture his accursed body. Something is happening here...I just know it. I'm done playing the lackey for unappreciative lords. I believe I'll seek a paying job on the morrow, doing the only thing I actually like in this world: Clean killing without leaving a trace.
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Day 75:
Finding the demons took a bit longer than expected, and was hard to accomplish. But I did it, sadly no blood was shed yet! I've been taken on as an assassin, and my first two hits are 'Scutum Hedges', a hin monk who's uglier than a scarred orc, and 'Yu Shei', some foreign monk who seems to be a follower. Ha! I'll kill them whenever I have the time. Sadly, some farking hin was hiding and saw me meet with the succumbus who gave me the orders. I'll find out who did it and savor their death. Probably make minor incisions until he or she bleeds to death. Start with the toes. Currently I'm on the run, luckily I know a swift way from the Rawlinswood to Oscura to where I'll be free. Oh! I forgot to mention! My brother and I almost killed a dwarf in Norwick, damn near getting us both banned! Ha! Idiot dwarf tried to become a mage! He cast a few magical bolts at me before turning himself invisible. Then, as my brother and I left town, he hit me in the back with a fireball! Dumbshite should have let us go while he still had a chance. Well, casting the fireball made him visible, so after he appeared, my brother and I stabbed him through the chest, missing his lungs on purpose, thank the master for anatomy lessons! Well, I've got a whole slough of people on my new hit list, I need to get to work! As for Ronan, I'm fairly certain he's working beside me with my new employer, for he hardly seemed suprised when I told him about the job I recieved. Ha! I'll see if I can get some dirt on him before the master's plan unfolds. It'll be great entertainment for me, and I'll need a break.
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Day 68:
Death and Desire, my brother found a summoning cup in Norwick. I finally met with this "Night" character and learned a bit about him. Ronan helped me follow him to the trees before I met him. I wonder, shall I tell the ambitious mage or not? All he seems to be interested in is power currently, so best not give up to much information. Tomorrow I attempt to make contact with the demons in the Rawlinswood. Hope I'm successful in offering my…..service.
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Day 42:
Pitiful. The white dragon was killed sometime over the last few days, and I just found out. Must've been a young wyrm. However, a dragon fought with it so I, under the master's instruction, am supposed to hunt this new drake down and tell him my plan. Greedy creatures, dragons. It shouldn't be hard to convince it that what I propose is best for all.
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Day 25:
Nothing of great importance happened over the last few days. Met with a man who called himself "Rando" and he taught me a few tricks. He seems to be a swordsman who's got a few tricks. Also met a 'Ronan' fellow who seems to be interested in the same goals as the master. I'll need to try and convert him. For now, we trust them both.
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Day 12:
Dear Death and Desire, today I actually saw my blood brother in Jiyyd! He was dressed in his ridged black armor, black shield and serrated sword! The master must have assumed I needed the help, so he has delivered yet another willing soul to help Rahn and I perform the divine crusade. I killed yet another man today, this one a tall Nar man with a large axe and a warbraid. Ha! Somebody needs to teach these folk how to wield a weapon with success. Gods…the elation I felt when his blood spurted all over my arms....
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Day 11:
Rahn and I killed kobolds all day, and half of the night, too! I've heard rumors as to the location of a white dragon's lair, perhaps Rahn and I shall pay a visit to him and see how he responds to us. It could make the master very happy. Very happy indeed.
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Day 10:
Well, Death and Desire, the orcs have been assaulting Jiyyd all day, and I've been gaining the trust of those foolish Legionaires by helping fend off attacks. Ha! They think me, favored one of the master, a friend? I'll show them all one day. One day soon. First, the cult must arise and we'll need to talk to those drakes about an alliance. Once the master has given Rahn and I the go ahead, we shall kill everything in our path! Killkillkillkillkill! Kill them all! Ha! My mouth waters and I long for more battle even as I write these words. I have also recieved word that the lair is not safe. As I went there earlier today, I saw three men emerging. We'll need a new lair, and we'll need to kill those men. Death shall come to them in the form of a blade. Now, my dear Death and Desire, I shall retire for the night. Tomorrow I'll need my strength. I've got to slay those of the lesser races to appease the master.
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Day 8:
Death and Desire, I underestimated my worth to the master! He visited me in a dream last night, and he told me to keep "playing with the stupid journal" because "it's the only way to preserve sanity." Preserve sanity? Could the sight of the master's resplendence cause me to lose my mind? Gods, but his power is amazing! He gave me a plan, a plan which I am not to write down in you, Death and Desire. Today the rest of my siblings went to Arabel. I'm the only one left in Narfell, to the extent of my knowledge. Rahn may also be here, but I'm not sure. But, this is very good! I'll not have to share with anyone! A war has started between Jiyyd and the orcs, curse the luck. I haven't had the time to converse with the uncivilized races of the Rawlinswood, and the orcs already begind their march. Maybe now that everyone is focused on Jiyyd, I can have the goblins and bugbears attack Norwick. They'll be able to raze it to the ground and possibly even get defenses up before the forces of light launch a counterstrike. Ha! That'll keep them occupied while the orcs batter Jiyyd! A war on two fronts, indeed! If the goblins and bugbears do agree, I'll assume control of Norwick once it's razed. However, after long thinking, my plan is laid out carefully: I'll need a scapegoat and ways to traverse unseen. Time will be sparse.
Day 9:
I found the scapegoat! Rahn is still here, and a Cyricist walked right into my plans! He said he'd like to help me with my conquest, so I'll let him! I'll gain audience with the uncivilized races of Narfell, lead them to victory, and all the while this Cyricist will be the one who takes the blame! Ha! I love it when my minions are idiots. Idiots don't question orders often, and when they do, any answer satisfies them. Ha! What an idiot. Rahn and I have also amassed a small fortune. We've furnished the lair, and tomorrow we go to Oscura, looking for mercenaries to hire! Mercenaries are so useful, all I'll need to do is buy some black and blue dye, dye the mercenaries' armor, then send them off to rape and pillage! This is coming to fruition faster than expected! Soon I'll have my godlike powers. Soon I'll be the master's general. Soon I'll be a tyrant! The Tyrant of Narfell! Ha! It has a ring to it. Also found a new blade. The man that wielded it thought he could best me! Fool! I showed him the err of his way. Ha! Just thinking about the way his face looked when he saw that I feinted! His brow jutted out and mouth open, then I cut his head off. Got blood all over my face, too. Farking blood!
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Day 7:
Rahn and I found a dead drow in the Nars. We, being resourceful, took it back to the lair to animate as a servant. The drow didn't like that. She called us some names, then returned to her peaceful slumber. I prayed to the master. It won't be peaceful anymore. Gods…I wish I had power of life and death like the master..his almighty power can slay the mightiest of gods, preserve the weakest of mortals...power! Soon, I'll be his general with my own power and my own underlings that rush to do my bidding! I found the Legion hall...Ha! They are the weakest and most disorganized group of misfits out there! Each of them weak, or stupid, or both. I'll raze the hall later, not like they'll thwart the master's plans...Ha! They'd need a whole slough of gods on their side to do that! Age. Age culls the weak from the herd. I'll never be culled, thanks to the master for his first gift upon my siblings. Along with our title, we also recieved the power to not age like most men. We now age slower than elves. But we mature faster and our skills rise sooner. Ha! They sure got a raw deal! Farking elves.
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Day 6:
I'm so happy! I've done it! I've killed another paladin! This one was fiesty, scored a minor hit against my wrist, causing me to drop my blade in suprise. Was quite a struggle, but I managed to get a few good punches in, eventually pushing his nose into his head. My wrist still stings, but the lord favors me with his healing magic, sparse as it is! I've aquired a magical ring from the corpse of the paladin! I wear it proudly now, thank the gods it doesn't have a false god insignia on it…I'd have to kill myself! Journal, I thought up a name for you! "Death and Desire"! Just like I wrote! Death is such a problem...in this mission death means failure, failure means eternal torture...I can't fail, the master is watching me. He'll beat me for my doubts, of course. Gods, I need to kill something again. My bloodlust increases with each slaying, as does my power. I can only hope Rahn has been doing the same. The Purging will continue until none remain but the Chosen. The forces of light will be with their gods soon, as will their feeble attempts at resistance. Ha! They're mortals, they all die eventually. Farking mortals.
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Day 5:
INSANE?! DO I LOOK INSANE?! A fool called me insane today! I really showed him insane! They'll find his body soon, for the insult was simply to major. He lies in the Nars, oh, how his insides steamed on the snow! I'll have to tell Rahn, it was simply so glorious the way he tried to defeat me with his small knife! Ha! He didn't strike me once! I struck him four times, sadly I couldn't hit him more. Gods, these natives are so fragile! Oh! I also aquired some tools for prisoners in my spare time. I do so love prisoners and the ways they squeal. Journal, do you think I'm insane? Of course, nobody even realizes it, but somehow that man noticed. Thank the gods I got to him before he could spread rumors! Jennalina disappeared. I hope she's dead, for out of all my siblings, only she could best me with a blade. Now, I rise above my kin in skill, the master will surely take note of me! Perhaps I'll ask for Thay and Rashemen as well as Narfell in the time of shadow. Pleasant thoughts. I went with a few people into a spider cave today, we killed a cloaker. Of course, simply being in the same cave with that dirty magistrate ate at my nerves! He called me evil. Ha! If he knew the least…I'll kill him soon. Oh, how I'll relish his dying cries! Death and despair! Or, shall I say, death and desire? For, death does leave a lot to desire! I should make a sword that can tear the sould from bodies! Souls are so difficult. Farking souls.
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Day 4:
Things aren't going well. The goblins refuse to coordinate with our plans. This will take some time. Farking goblins. We have decided to postpone the discussion with bugbears until the goblins finally see why this is such a brilliant maneuver. Rahn and I have explored a bit, and we like what we see. Paranoia lies everywhere, many people exhibit fear so thick it makes my mouth water to simply be around them. This will take a few years, but the master has waited centuries for this. I dueled a paladin of a false god today. Killed him, and the death blow made me feel so good, I simply had to drive my blade into his corpse for pleasure. I stripped him of his armor, I'll simply need to have Rahn use his unholy blessings on it to purge it of false light. Farking paladins. Journal, this armor means a lot to me. It has Order of the Divine Shield colors, and can get me out of a lot of trouble. Of course, the model is distasteful, for the paladin had the icon of his false god embellished on the front. I'll need to change that and adorn the pauldrons with spikes. Can't intimidate enemies wearing this filth. I tire of writing this night. Where is Rahn? I need to kill something. Something big. Something bloody. Blood….I'll have none when the master rewards me. Farking blood.
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Day 3:
Soon, my dear journal! Soon, all of Narfell shall be ours! I've already devised my plan to conquest. A few simple negotiations and our campaign will be underway. Campaign! Ha! That sounds honorable, and I assure you, my dear journal, I have no desire to be honorable! A few visits to Norwick's bugbears and goblins will attract all the attention for a few hours while we delve into the Norwick graveyard. Ha! Just thinking about what is to come makes me giddy! Of course, my exterior demeanor must be calm and in control. The weak shall not suspect anything! After the dead rise in the graveyard, those Kelemvorite fools will come to action, making Norwick a very popular place for the fools of light. Light is failing, soon our world shall be covered in shadow, and the master will give me powers far beyond the norm! I'll request Narfell as my share, and immediatley assume the role of tyrant. After Norwick has felt the sting of a few attacks, they'll attempt to stem the flow of undead. By them my kin and I will be long gone, to the orcs of the plains with our plans. They will attack Jiyyd and the surrounding countryside, bringing the forces of light there. Of course, one step ahead, we'll be gone! Oh journal, I do love how you listen to me. And so on and so on! My biggest challenge will be the buffoons in Peltarch. Farking magistrates.
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Day 2:
Rahn and I went killing. Ahh, while I was on that godsforsaken ship I forgot the simple pleasure of slicing into creatures and feeling them shudder with pain! Well, while out in the killing fields, Rahn and I came across some sort of netherspirit. Must be the serf on some distant plane, for his fighting capabilities were simply horrid. He did have keen senses, I'll give him that. Going by the name 'Shido', this spirit took the form of a young man. Shido joined us inour reaping of the living, but then he died. Pity. Haha! Just joking, journal! I hated him the moment I set eyes on him! Well, he fell, so naturally, Rahn and I split his gear amongst us, sadly he had nothing of worth but a black sword, which I kept for myself. Well, as soon as we'd sated our thirst for blood, we started back for the lair. Shido, no traces of a wound on him, came running towards us, claiming nothing was wrong. Nothing wrong?! I saw him die with my own eyes! He was obviously a denizen of the lower planes, but he denied it blatantly. Rahn and I, coming to our wits, ran from the scene, cursing the fact that our mundane items were of no use against a spirit. Funny, the dead killed him with ease, and their weapons were shoddier than even ours! Well, after hiding in the mountains for a few days, we ventured back to the lair. Farking spirits.
