Dairy entry of the Crusader Reynauld Week O of the campaign
Reynauld I
Arrived at the estate via the old road along with the man Dismas. We rode a stagecoach all the way from the city with little trouble. Until we drew close to the manor that is. A small bandit group attempted to ambush us. They fired at the coach, and if it were not for Dismas quick thinking we would both be crushed in the crash. Upon escaping the crash, we searched for our driver, the caretaker of the estate. He was nowhere to be found so we decided to press on, making our way to the hamlet on the estate. As we walked the trail I began to truly notice how corrupt the land around us was. I took a moment to observe the area around us, letting Dismas go on ahead. Trees and grass looked as if they were dying, all around the land seemed to be dying. So transfixed was I that one of the bandits nearly killed me with a sneak attack. Again, it was Dismas' quick actions that saved me. He fired his pistol before I even fully knew a bandit was behind me. I quickly snapped out of my semi-trance and drew my own weapon. Turning I found a 2nd bandit ready to charge at me. Not wanting Dismas to have all the glory, I charged at and killed this one. He was a poorly trained welp who barely knew any stance. He died quickly with hardly a struggle. After making sure the two bandits were truly dead, we set off again. Dismas did loot what little gold they had saying, " it's for the cause." We encountered only two more bandits before arriving at the estate. They were better trained and put up a bit more of a fight. We eventually defeated them, but we both took a few hits from their attacks. I must say that my initial impression of Dismas was in error. He is a capable fighter and a valuable ally. He was invaluable in the fight with the bandit. He's handy with his dagger and pistol.
After those bandits, we had a short walk to finally reach the hamlet. It is truly in a sorry state. Me and Dismas looked around the place and have noticed nearly all the buildings are in bad shape. The chapel, by the light, it is devastated. I have never seen such a sorry sight. The worse is the manor house. Sitting at the edge of the cliff, an uneasy feeling comes over me whenever I look towards it. However, I must suppress those feelings for now.
When we found the Heir, he was talking with two women. A Vestal, a holy woman of light named Parry and a plague doctor by the name of Pont. The heir explained these two would be joining us on our mission. Our first goal is to explore the ruins of this estate. We need to get our bearings of this place. We will head out next week to start our first mission
Until my return.
Journal entry from Dismas the Highwayman for the week 1 of the campaign
Dismas I
Me, Reynauld, the holy woman and that woman with a bird mask were sent to explore the ruins today. God I don't know what I expected never really believed in those old wives tells of black magic evil undead that would drag you down to the underworld, but …. They are real and they can fight. As soon as we started to explore we encountered groups of "living" skeletons. Luckily, we were never ambushed by many of the things and never encountered them in large numbers. Thankfully there were flesh and blood bandits down there as well. They were a bit more difficult than the skeletons, but thankfully they died and didn't rise up again.
On a better note, we found quite a bit of treasure down there. There were about two guarded locked chests, on both occasions, we dealt with the living dead guarding them and then we got the treasure. Thankfully, I was forward-thinking enough to bring some keys with us and we unlocked them both with no trouble. There was plenty of gold inside and we managed to get it all out with no one dying. The only issue we had down there was that Reynauld would occasionally steal from us. I saw it happen right before we left. Reynauld was looking down at a sack that we overlooked and stuffed something in his armor. He denied it of course and that holy woman took his side too. Gave me an earful until we returned to the estate.
Week 2 of the Campaign
excerpt from the journal of Bordel the Man-at-Arms
Just arrived in this cursed place an already I regret coming here. I've seen many disastrous places in my time-fighting. Places so devastated by war and destruction that hardly anything remains. But this place this place is beyond all of that. You can feel it in the air and on the ground that this place is wrong. The Tavern being open is the only good to be here, and even that place feels wrong. I am told that Reynauld request my presence on an exploration run into the ruins. I will go if only to keep myself from getting rusty.
Returning from exploration
Oddly enough I felt well at home in the ruins, I knew my way around and did a good job scouting the area and leading the group through the maze of rooms. We finished the scouting mission with no casualties although that lady with a mask, Pont the plague doctor, nearly died several times. There was also the problem of supplies, we ran out of both torches and food. The torches we lost about half-way through the mission. Meaning we were stuck in darkness for a majority of our time in the ruins. I think that got to Pont. She started to rush into danger towards the end, even refused to heal herself once. Thankfully her rash behavior didn't get us killed. The food was only a minor problem thankfully. We ran out of food, but no one starved so it was a small issue.
I told Reynauld and Dismas that they need to be better at planning. Reynauld agreed and has somewhat put me in charge of planning and organizing our mission. To celebrate my new job, I am going to the tavern there's a gambling table with my name on it.
Week 3 of the campaign journal Entry of Reynauld
Reynauld II
Just spoke with two new arrivals, a crusader named Jon and a Jester named Tom. They offered their services to our cause, and the heir and I decided to recruit them. There is plenty of tainted land and we will need all the strength we can muster to purify it. For the meantime, I've ordered my second in command Dismas to go relax. The past two-three weeks have bothered his mind and I hope him relaxing will ease it a bit. I've also sent Pont and Bordel to have a small break as well. I myself am in perfect condition so I will be leading a new mission out in one of the Weald this week. The only road that leads to the hamlet foes through that area so if we can cleanse that area supplies and people might improve our situation here. When I go I'll likely bring along the two new recruits as well as one of the Vestals as well. I think I might bring Poer she joined us with Bordel so she might prove useful.
Returning to the Estate after finishing the mission
The trip to the Weald was successful, we scouted out a small area of the Weald and lost no one in the process. The weald is just as dangerous as the ruins. A forest is dangerous enough, but this place is overgrown and rotting and filled walking mushrooms and giant slimes. Then there are the bandits and wild dogs. Poer caught a disease from some wild mongrel we had to put down and I nearly lost my life to one of the walking mushrooms. It was a struggle, but we made it out alive, the light be praised. The new recruits are both strong fighters in their own rights. Jon is good with a blade and walks in the light. The jester although he can't carry a tune nor he is remarkably good with his dirk. And even his bad playing can lift the mood in a dire mood of that place. That is all to report.
Week 4 of the campaign Writing of Brinon, shield breaker.
Brinon I
I arrived today and found this place to be very poorly organized. One of the supposed leaders has gone missing, while another, a man by the name Reynauld has been committed to the large Sanitarium. The only person who I spoke too that seemed like a leader was a man named Dismas said he didn't want to be bothered. So, I found the heir, the head boss of this place. Told me that there was a party forming as soon as Jon and Parry finish gathering supplies for our small quest. I should go prepare myself as well.
Later
Returning from the warrens I will record the events that happen. Our task was simple to go into the depts of the warrens and exterminate the creatures in our way. It was slow going at first the warrens have a disgusting smell about them and it was truly nauseating. We pressed onward hoping to leave that foul smelling place as quickly as possible. We encountered the creatures as we went further in, ugly piglike-abomination. Creatures that walked on two legs like a man, but looked like a pig. Aside from a large worm-like creature, the "pig" things were the only things we fought. There was only a small mishap down there, we had just opened a treasure chest, and we're returning back when the group's leader, Jon triggered a trap. Nearly killed him too. Thankfully, we had managed to treat his wounds and deal with the last group of creatures without losing or anyone else suffering serious injury. Once we made sure the area we were in was completely cleared of those creatures, we left. I fear however the creatures we killed down there will have no meaningful impact on their numbers. The warrens are their breeding ground and I fear that they will breed far too quickly for anyone to deal with.
Week 5 The Heir I
So, far this campaign is not going well I fear. Although we have not lost any soldier to this place already we have had several close calls and its only a matter of time until something unfortunate happens. The main issue is the money situation. All of these expeditions so far have slowly been eating away at our finances. The exploration teams only bring back so little that they barely cover the cost of going out. Its only on rare occasion do they find something of value that covers their exploration. It's maddening, I don't want my men going unprepared into danger, but I might have too. Then there are the soldier's recovery methods as well as Reynauld's stay in the sanitarium, I don't think I could afford to do this anymore. I have ordered a meeting between my generals, Dismas and Reynauld to discuss such matters. The two always seem to have conflicting schedules of late. Either one is on a mission or getting treatment. Then there's Reynauld's second the Man at Arms, Bordel who disappeared off to parts unknown, doing who knows what. The barkeep claimed he heard Bordel muttered about playing dice. Wherever he's been there for at least two weeks. I will speak to him if, once he returns. This mission will be difficult enough without having our men just disappear on us.
In other news, a strange individual showed up in the hamlet recently, he wore a hood covering most of his face and refused to remove it. His body is covered in scars and deep cuts. His right hand is stained red with blood. He called himself Wolfe and he offered to join our cause. I was tempted to turn him away, he seemed too dangerous even for a place such as this. Against my better judgment, I allowed him to join our cause. Reynauld recovering, I have Dismas taking him on a trial run to see how he fairs. I am waiting for their return to see how things go for now.
I met with the group as they returned, they were not in the best of shapes. They were being led by a Hellion named Guerun who seemed on the verge of death. She leaned against her spear for support and strangely enough it was Wolfe who was supporting her. Dismas walked behind the two hurling insults and looked ready to fight. When I confronted him, he seemed ready to fight me. I strongly rebuked him, but he seemed to ignore me entirely and walked off towards the bar. The last member of their group the Vestal Parry clutched her valuables together and glared at me. Accused me of trying to steal from her and she rushed off to the abbey. I can only speculate as to what happened, once Dismas has recovered I will press him for details.
Author's Note: This is the story of my playthrough of DD with all DLC added except the latest Color of Maddness played on Darkest difficulty. Review or leave a comment if you want have a good day