Prologue

Letter sent from the former owner of the "Darkest" estate to the new heir

To the heir of my Estate

Ruin has come to our family. You remember our venerable house, opulent and imperial; gazing proudly from its stoic perch above the moor. I lived all my years in that ancient, rumor-shadowed manor.

''Fattened by decadence and luxury… and yet I began to tire of conventional extravagance. Singular unsettling tales suggested the mansion was a gateway to some fabulous and unnameable power. With relic and ritual, I bent every effort to the excavation and recovery of those long-buried secrets, expending what remained of our family fortune on swarthy workmen and sturdy shovels. "

''At last, in the salt-soaked crags beneath the lowest foundations, we unearthed that damnable portal of antediluvian evil."

''Our every step unsettled the ancient earth…but we were in a realm of death and madness! In the end, I alone fled laughing and wailing through those blackened arcades of antiquity….until consciousness failed me."

''You remember our venerable house…opulent and imperial. It is a festering abomination! I beg you return home, claim your birthright, and deliver our family-"

''-from the ravenous clutching shadows…"

''Of the Darkest Dungeon."

The Ancestor

From a journal entry of the Heir of the Darkest Estate.

The rumors could not have prepared me for the true mess that has befallen my family home. The town itself is in severe disrepair and those few that live their glare as I pass by. I feel eyes on me everywhere I walk around the estate I can feel something watch me. Troubling I do not think its human. Regardless of my fears I am still determined to fix what my ancestor has destroyed. My family's name and honor are on the line. I will not fail in this task I have been given and will begin to look for people that could help me in this matter. Already I have had the caretaker go into towns and leave ads over the place to inform the public of my plight. I have also come into contact with two men.

One of which is a famed Crusader, Reynauld the other is a highwayman by the name of Dismas. Reynauld would be a great service to this cause while Dismas' skills could also prove valuable at least in knowing how his kind thinks. I have sent both men letters and I await their reply.

Lastly, I have decided to rename this estate. Names as my late ancestor would say "Are very important things," and having an estate even nicknamed the Darkest estate or the Cursed estate cannot and will not stand. So, henceforth I will call it the estate of Hope and Promise. The Hope Estate for short. Until I write again.

Poster found put up in bars and taverns around towns and cities

Seeking skilled laborers, brave adventures, merchants, and farmers.

The estate known as the Darkest estate has been renamed the Hope and Promise estate and it is in need of brave souls to help it. Valuable reward for those with skill to earn it. Farmland for those brave enough to take it. And heavy labor for those needing work. If this interest you make your way to the Estates of Hope and Promise.

Letter Sent from the Heir of the Hope and Promise Estate to the Crusader Reynauld.

To the Crusader Reynauld

I am the man you spoke with previously about the new "crusade" that is about to begin. As I stated previously I require a man of your skill set. A strong and confident leader who can wield a sword effectively. Your success in the many battles of the latest crusade also make me realize that you will be a great addition to the cause. This cause is a simple one the purification of my estate. Or perhaps eradication it would be better to say eradication of an infestation. Regardless of the words use the action is the same my family estate has been plagued by horrifying abominations. No doubt you've heard of the rumors of my estate already. The "Darkest" estate as it's called now has suffered greatly, and I mean to fix it. I plan to wage a mini-war against the creatures that dare to seize my lands. I plan to hire mercenaries to fight these abominations and would put you in charge of them. I will not sugarcoat this, it will be terrible. I can confirm that even some of the more absurd and twisted stories you've heard are true. Fish men, witches, and living skeletons are all true. But you are a man of action who walks in the light. I know that you will not shrink from fear.

There is also I must mention a valuable reward if you agree to fight in this cause. My family was prosperous once and many of the valuables they own are lost amidst the decay and ruin. I shall pay handsomely to all who will fight this cause for me. If you wish to join this cause simply find my man at the Red Hook tavern. You will know him by his mannerisms, do not judge him too harshly he is the caretaker of the estate and has suffered greatly. He will take you to the estate and if all goes well you will be joined by another man Dismas.

I hope to see you see you at the estate and wish you well. Also enclosed is a sapphire a small taste of what is to come if you join your sword to my cause.

Hopefully your future employer The Heir.