Gera's Journal: Into The Stick's

This is a journal used by an (amateur) explorer named Gera Framar. A lot of the pages were used for taking notes on the local flora and fauna encountered in the region. Others had very rough sketches (including a number of naked women.) The few entries written within were messy and difficult to read (thanks, Gera.)

Springs Thaw,17th day, 537 D.E

Had a nice time at Timber Town. Plenty of girls and rum to keep me warm during the last few months. But winter's just about coming to a close, and I'm starting to get bored. Gotten myself enough supplies to last me a few days when I make my way north to Vastum. People saying there's no other settlements in that direction. I can already tell this is gonna be an interesting trip. Should probably hire some bodyguards.

Springs Thaw, 20th day, 537 D.E

Unbelievable! Not a single bastard in this town has the balls to join me on my journey!

A few bandits and rape happy monsters wouldn't be a problem for a few decent fighters, but even the orc mercenaries aint interested unless I give them a ridiculous sum of cash! Oh well.

I'll have to work at the tavern a few days to pay their fee. No way I'm heading there alone.

Springs Thaw, 25rd day, 537 D.E

My journey has begun.

Why am I writing this?

Springs Thaw, 27th day, 537 D.E

Pretty uneventful so far. Lots of Fairies buzzing around, but they don't cause no one any trouble.

The Orcs (Brenda, Marge and Peg) have been taking every opportunity they can to stop and….rest.

Be an old man by the time I get to Vastum at this rate.

Springs Blooming, 1st day, 537 D.E

Out of food.

Damn Orcs are pigs (hope they don't read this.)

Springs Blooming, 5th day, 537 D.E

Plenty of food to be found in Moanwood. Not much water though.

Tempted to go back to a spring we found few days ago, but that would cost us time.

Peg's volunteering to run back and fetch us some more. Guess we don't have a choice.

Springs Blooming, 9th day, 537 D.E

No sign of Peg.

We haven't actually gone that far, so she should have caught up with us by now.

Were gonna have to go back and look for her.

Springs Blooming, 13th day, 537 D.E

Things don't look good. We followed her tracks until they came to a sudden stop.

There's at least dozen set of smaller footprints all over the place. Some blood, and drag marks leading into the woods.

Brenda and Marge are not happy as you can imagine. They reckon she was taken by a Goblin pack.

They want some revenge, but I've made it clear to them that I won't be paying them a single coin if they put my life in any danger.

Springs Blooming, 19th day, 537 D.E

Peg had most of our water bags, so we had to go back to Timber Town and resupply.

To make sure we wouldn't have the same problem in the future, the girls decided to bring their wagon along. Allowing us to carry more supplies.

Why they didn't think of this earlier is beyond me.

Springs Retreat, 3rd day, 537 D.E

Trips taking longer than expected. Goblins and Oni have attacked us repeatedly over the past few weeks.

Brenda and Marge might not be very smart, but they can at least hold their own in a fight.

This forest is as every bit uncivilised as I have been told.

There was a nice motel along the way. Stayed there a few days and even got some more supplies. Residents were a little unsettling, however.

Aside from that, nothing else worth writing about.

Springs Retreat, 12th day, 537 D.E

Fuckin Goblins! While some of them kept the twins busy, a few of them tried to take the cart WITH ME STILL ON IT!

Now were back to having shit all for supplies!

Springs Retreat, 15th day, 537 D.E

Good news! The Goblins are dead!

Found their bodies lying on the side of the road!

Bad news. The carts gone.

So were still low on supplies.

Judging from the injuries, the twins reckon they were killed by bandits. I just hope their recent catch will keep them content until we get out of this place.

Springs Retreat, 23rd day, 537 D.E

The trees are becoming few and far in between. Marge says we've just about made to the borders of Vastum. And its about fucking time too!

Summers Rising, 4th day, 538 D.E

Well, I've had enough taking notes on the (very scarce) local wildlife. There is some food and water around, but it's not really enough to keep two Orcs happy.

And what's worse, their beginning to get restless.

They want to head back. But I want to keep going north to check out a few of the mountains.

There has to be something out there I can plunder. Something to make this journey worth the effort.

Summers Rising, 12th day, 538 D.E

It's supposed to be summer.

So why is it so fuckin cold!

Terrains pretty difficult to traverse too.

Summers Rising, 15th day, 538 D.E

Fucking weather up here is fucking crap!

The three of us are spending the night in a smelly cave because of a stupid snow storm!

There's actually a tunnel going further into the mountain were stuck on. But the girls can smell something pretty rank down there, so we might have to give this one a miss.

Shame too. I could really do with some loot.

Summers Rising (no idea what day it is anymore,) 538 D.E

How long have we been cooped up in this horrible place for?

When will this storm end?

And why do I keep hearing voices every time I keep watch!?

Summers Rising (maybe, I don't know!) 538 D.E

Finally decided to tell the girls about the voices. But they say they haven't heard anything like that during their turns. They reckon I'm just hearing things.

Their wrong….I know their real….

That aside, were running out of food again.

Wonder if Orc tastes anything like pork (really hoping they can't read either.)

No idea what day, month, year, or fucking century it is!

I lie down and close my eyes. But I don't sleep. I listen.

Marge and Brenda talk when they think I'm asleep.

They regret coming along with me. They want out. One way or another.

I can't trust them anymore. I have to watch my back, or I'm a dead man.

The damn voices don't bother me anymore. If anything, they give me comfort.

Farwell, my companions. You are no longer suffering. For it was no longer necessary.

You were my protectors. But now, in the darkness, I can see the path ahead of me.

And in silence, I must walk it alone.

DARKNESS

YOUR FORM IS PURITY

YOUR VOICE IS VALIDITY

YOU SURROUND ME

YOU LURK WITHIN ME

I CAN HEAR YOU CALLING FOR ME

TAKE ME TAKE ME TAKE ME TAKE ME TAKE ME

This world was once in balance. The forces of darkness and light, good and evil, were locked together in an eternal battle for supremacy.

And with it, the beautiful cycle of life and death followed.

But with the rising of the new demon lord, all of that has come undone. My people are dying. As are the spawn of the demon realm.

Something must be done. Someone must restore the balance.

I was only an explorer. With little purpose in life but to continuously wonder about. Avoiding my responsibilities.

But now, I am a conduit. A guardian. And a seeker.

Under the blinding sun, I will watch, and wait. I will find someone who is worthy of the great journey that lies ahead.

And with the touch of my hand, they will feel his embrace. His voice will guide them. His resolve will protect them.

And together, they will save this world.

No matter the cost.