Eryk Varnier
The Demonic Invasion that connected the corruption of the Abyss to the mortal plane, caused the suffering of many. Although, none were more affected than Eryk Varnier. A human who lived in a small town within the human territory dominated by the rapture. Towns were destroyed and ripped up from their roots, many were left with nothing but the entities that came through and a life ravaged of meaning.
Few people were able to escape the areas afflicted, and a young Eryk was able to crawl from the wreckage of family home with the group. As they ventured south through giant riddled mountains, and camps of elves or infernal. The Group of survivors slowly thinned out as Eryk was finally left to fend for himself. Hohenburg is where he tried to make a living for himself , he works at a small book/potion shop owned by a old wizard (Alfader Wymingwood) . As he tried to study the ways of wizardry and atuning to elements to cast spells and magic. Even adopting the odd mechanism of spell booking the Wizard uses to keep track of his spells.
Although he still finds himself struggling. As something happened that fateful day when his home caved in. And somehow he managed to crawl out.
Session 1
Day 1 - 7 / 2 / 1411 DF
Late at Night (3 hours after sunfall) - I find myself lacking in my abilities to focus, or at least keep a hold in what’s going on around me. Perhaps if I hadn’t stayed in the bakery that morning, things would’ve ended differently in my mind and perhaps I could be in my own study writing this. Alas, I see that option or outcome is impossible, and it is futile to believe otherwise. So here I am, sitting at the desk of a baker, in a bakery ravaged by thieves and mugs, waiting to properly interrogate and question the man in the other room. However, it would be much easier to understand what I am talking about if I take myself and begin at the opening of the morning. I had more or less found myself working at a table in the corner of the Bakey Flake. It was highly recommended to me by a customer and I had to give it some thought, and there I was. Enjoying the homey aroma of the biscuits and breads that emanated from behind the counter. Only to be met with an arrow between my feet, and the sounds of ransacking invaders filling the bar. 3 people stood up from their tables to fend off the attackers. A shorter man, built hearty and looking like he could do something— in fact did . His name is Maurice, and my first impression was him assisting one of the heavily armed bakers in battle, despite their injuries. The second was an elf, he appeared to be there for a simple snack, but took quickly to exterminating one of the attackers that first entered the area. This elf was Aireh. Finally, there was me. I had missed my first spell, so I took it upon myself to assist those around me. The attackers appeared to target the nice owner of the shop, and with a blast of force I killed the assailant. After discussions and meeting these people more properly, I found the names of the 2 bakers to assist in the battle, Miss Chow (who’s far too nice and forward for her own good) and Seris (whom I have yet to learn more about). We took a letter I had nicked from one of the corpses, and it discussed the location, elf ears, and meeting of the main perpetrator, Snake. There was hesitation, so we went to seek and find more information on the man. We came across a warrior knight, Wulfe. As well as a constable who lacks all morale and incentive to work, sleeping at his post and making me question my safety in this city. When we discovered little of anything on this Snake, we decided to infiltrate and collect the reward on the bounty for the ears of the bakery owner and Seris.
With HEAVY debate, I agreed to stand in as a thug. Meeting with the others who seemed to be posted outside. However, our Half-Elf friend has a bit of a trigger finger. The Battle ended with all but 2 dead. 1 that had been captured, the other having got away. Despite this, the captured man we had found was the dirty snake. And we finally return to where I started. A man tied up in the room beside me, and this lingering feeling that something will find us and make us pay for the deaths we have caused. I am no stranger to this danger, of course I am not. Anyone who’s seen anything similar to the north knows this. I merely wish to find peace, and to keep these senseless and uncontrollable voices at bay.
Session 2
Day 2 - 8 / 2 / 1411 DF
Afternoon, so I believe. I didn’t bother checking the time, and quite frankly I just want to relax. If anything, this is a shorter entry, and for the sake of a self reminder for reasearch. Of course I should say this, I think there are forces that rest upon this area that are unseen and far more powerful than I first believed. Perhaps something wicked or maybe diving, but whatever it may be, it took hold of our little band of misfits. All I remember is coming to a place I recognized but knew nothing about. It was so similar to what I imagined the real world to be, and none of my compatriots believed me. I found myself alone in what appeared to be a dream world full of deja vu and parallels to the real world. Soon enough after wandering about and being separated, I found an eerily named place. It was far too similar to the name of the flakey bake, or was it something else? My memory is hazy. And the voices are remarkably quiet. Regardless, I found the group and tried to announce my suspicions, but it meant nothing. So I had to prove it ! I rummaged around everything and ate and drank what I could. If it was fake and I were to die, I would perhaps wake up and return to the real world. And that’s exactly what mealy happened. Me and Maurice took sips from bottles of spiked olive oil. I was able to resist the poison, Maurice was less fortunate. In my uncalled for acts, I put myself and others at risk. I delved further than needed into a dangerous place, filled with the blood and corpses of lesser enemies. And found an alcohol store in a bootlegging compartment of a wagon. I then discovered a large tree, living outside. This was an ent, something was said about recipes and other things— before I woke up in bed.
I found victory in knowing it was fake, but am I a fool for believing it wasn’t real ? I’ll need to research the following more, study dream magic and see if this was a coincidence or something more sinister. Investigate the premises and attempt to find signs of outer forces Delay seeing the Master and bring him more notes on the possibilities of dream crossing.
Session 2
Day 3- 9 / 2 / 1411 DF (The entry is scribbled onto his journal, some slants and shakes suggest that he’s writing very hastily.) Just before nightfall — I find myself in a particularly strange place this time. I have been keeping secrets from the party, and now I have killed our prisoner. Supposedly he had no other information or anything else that we needed, and I took it upon myself to deal with the issue at hand. Serris followed suit, and appeared to have no issue with me exacting the punishment despite her want to exact revenge. I respect her for her restraint, and thank her for the gesture. Despite our encounter in the marketplace earlier that morning, having killed 3 bandits who decided to take our valuables and the very strongly worded remarks of Mrs. Chow, I see this party more as compatriots rather than family. They have seen where I live, and know who I work for. I am partially at danger now if any of them are captured, and with the group of people we may be facing in the near future— I see many possibilities and outcomes. Master Wyrmingwood was far more patient with my group than normal customers, thankfully so. He knew that he was acquiring a pretty penny and a leeway of my next payment with the visit, so I assume that eased his cranky soul. He was rather kind in lending me the package of elf ears that I showed to Serris. And now that this entry has come full circle, I reiterate my first remark. I am unsure if this is the correct way to do this, and to be careful about them all. None of what they say makes any sense, and with the requests I’ve gained from them— I worry what the outcomes may be. I know that the man who entered the shop has something that they want, and I’m particular about how I involve myself with their work. So perhaps once this business with the guild is over, we will find the root. And I will be able to deweed. They’ll stop soon enough if I listen. I ~~know that they~~ hope so.
Session 3
Day 20 - 23 / 2 / 1411 DF
The time spent relaxing has been wonderful. I’ve taken the time to myself to relax and rest, as well as help fix what I can in the flakey bake. I’ve made more orders for Wymingnwood, having made up my debts and even worked for a day or two in the bakery. Cooking is fun, it’s more like science really. Just, not exactly one I’m familiar with or very expert in yet. The group seems generally with all the time we’ve spent, I’ve chosen to check up on and stay close to the bakery in order to make sure nothing serious happens. You never know what could be left of Gunther and his forces.
However, I do know that there is serious help needed in Starlake, thanks to research I’ve been doing. There is supposed activity there, and information I have that could possibly save the lives of many and prevent the destruction of those who are less fortunate and cannot save themselves. I will address this tomorrow, and bring the party together for dinner to properly do so. (If my blasted nerves would let me, I honestly sound like an idiot when I speak aloud sometimes.)
Session 4
Day 21 - 24 / 2 / 1411 DF Firstly, I would like to open this entry with the issue that must be persisting in everyone’s mind. My death. It wasn’t for long, however. But I should start more concretely with the beginning of the adventure, and then take steps to explain myself. So where do I begin. I began to see myself as an unreliable part of the chain, a weak link if you will. In my fear of weakness I decided to give the information I had discovered from the office of Gunther. What a treat it was, I’ve seen something like it before, a long time ago I saw the very thing destroyed everything I knew. They didn’t understand at first, the absolute danger of the situation and how incredibly important it was that we helped Starlake. I was worried that they wouldn’t help, that they would leave the place to rot. But surprisingly all of them were on board very quickly, and finding a way to get there quickly. Well that was no easy task. We approached many people including my master who gave us the most important piece of information, a token within the Academy that would get us something to travel long distances quickly. There’s always of traveling to Starlake within the week would’ve only been possible with this thing. By the end of the month the demons will be attacking and there was no time to wait on a cardinal horse to pull us halfway across the frontier. So we broke into the Academy, originally to find a piece but I never expected we’d have the highest in mid day. It worked for us though as we escaped quickly, and quietly along with our distractions. as we found a good place to stay for a moment while we mounted the bird, it was hard addressing the thoughts that I was feeling in my head. The voices that were speaking to me. I don’t think it’s anyone taking me over, I think it’s just me trying to tell myself things. Things that I think should be done and shouldn’t be done. Things that I don’t think any normal person to think about. I can’t let anyone know that there’s something wrong with me, because if they knew I think they would leave. And now to readdress the first issue, my death. Pirates sauced the top of the bird with their own mounts, and attempted to take our bird despite the futile attempt that if it were to be taken it would disappear and they wouldn’t have anything but a bunch of ingrates to take to their master. Speaking of their master, I think it was more of the adrenaline in the situation in the search for a quicker response to my issue. But the names Aurus and Orcus sound strikingly familiar atop a bird traveling hundreds of feet in the air. I don’t blame anyone for my miscalculation other than myself. But— I left all sanity on top of that bird as I jumped. I couldn’t grab onto him. I fell. I don’t think anyone truly understands how cold death is. I don’t think anyone else here has have the warmth leave their body and the life leave their eyes. It is a shuddering feeling, One I hope none of them have to feel. But with the way things are shaping out to be, this won’t be the last time as it definitely hasn’t been the first.
Session 5
Day 22 - 25 / 2 / 1411 DF
How do I explain to everyone that this is far worse than they could ever imagine. It appears most people have become comfortable behind the walls of the city, whether they be magical or stone it is in nature for walls to fall. No one seems to truly understand the danger that is present near them all. The party and I have attempted to convince many people that there is an issue that will be happening soon, the attack at the edge of the wall or at least some kind of infiltration into the city is not only possible it will be happening. And there is less than five days to make sure that the people of the city are safe, and the war front isn’t breached. Magicians, generals, people seem to not believe me when I say he’s coming. For mighty armies led by demons, devils, and lords of the underworld that the likes of which I’ve never seen and lived to tell the tale. I’m afraid. I hate saying it, I hate writing it just as much. All of the party had made our way to Starlake, As we attempted to board and it was quite a sight to see the walls had fallen to take in trade loads and carts. Thanks to Seris, we were able to acquire troops and people to join the “clean up crew” and assure that no serious enemies had breached the perimeter. Many had, but it appeared that all the people had survived and nothing too terrible had happened. We were attacked by a party of Hyena like creatures, upon research I had found they were a pack of “Gnolls.” We were settling after the events had transpired and had even found a crude supply of mana-infused water. Butterflies that flowed with a bright blue hue were mana tracking. They clung to me, and quite frankly bugs scare me far worse than people. They just make my skin crawl, especially beetles and roaches. I never want to be touched by those things again. We spent the rest of our time making our way to the great wizard. His name was Vance, quite frankly the name lived up to how… Well, how do I put it ? The name lived up to how underwhelming he actually was. I expected more from someone who took his job so seriously but of course people in power never seem to understand the kind of things that exist on the outside. I may have gone a little too far, speaking down on him despite having no place of power of riches myself. If anything I am— weak compared to him. Even if I know that, I care more about the people that I’ve seen and live among them the machines that surround me.
We will talk to his apprentice soon enough. And when we do, we shall hopefully make more progress.