Log 6

So this must be one of the famed Tree Sentinels, guardians of the Erdtree. I should've known I wouldn't stand a chance. I don't know how I'm meant to slay the demigods themselves when I can barely go a few rounds against one of their knights before being cut down, but perhaps discretion will serve me where valor fails.

I've managed to sneak past the sentinel for the time being, and luckily for me there's an abandoned church nearby for me to take refuge in. The nomadic merchant resides here, Kale, is a friendly enough sort. A bit odd, but certainly more trustworthy than that Varre fellow, and willing to trade goods to help me on my journey.

Supposedly, these strange… things that I absorb from the corpses of fallen foes are called runes. Small shards of the shattered Elden Ring, used as currency in these lands, where I imagine coin has long since lost its value. If I have no other use for them, I suppose I'd be better off parting with them in exchange for supplies.

This crafting kit that Kale sold me ought to serve me well, and it seems there's no shortage of wildlife in these parts. I suppose if all else fails I can survive on my own as a hunter for a time. I no longer need to eat or drink now that I'm Tarnished, but I do miss the taste of wild meat.

Listen to me, when I was a squire I used to hate the smokey taste of wild game, now here I am waxing nostalgic for it.

Log 7

Foot soldiers patrol the roads, but I can handle them easily enough as long as I don't let them surround me. And while boars and deers pose little threat, those colossal bats and dragonflies are more of a nuisance. I ought to try and find a bow to deal with them more easily.

In the meantime, I've continued trading with Kale in exchange for more supplies for my journey. He's even offered me advice on where to go next, albeit at a price. I suppose I ought to expect as much from a merchant.

Past this hill I see some ruins crawling with soldiers, each of them armed. Assaulting the place alone seems like suicide, especially head on, but they guard the gate towards my destination, so it seems I've little choice. Perhaps I can draw them out, or take them by surprise…

Bah. I remember the days when I would have sneered at such tactics. Cowardice has seeped into my heart it seems, but I suppose after what I've done there's little point in pretending to be something I'm not.

Log 8

I had hoped to strike the ruins under the cover of night, but those damned bats are nocturnal. The moment I engaged the guard they swooped down on me, and then the entire camp was alerted to my presence. I escaped with my life but was forced to retreat back to the church.

I did not return empty handed however. Before I left I managed to loot a map of the area, which will be a great boon in navigating these unfamiliar lands. More importantly, I spotted something that I believe will help me get the drop on these guards.

At the edges of the camp are a pair of abandoned carriages, each of them carrying some sort of cargo. Both carriages are guarded of course, but it seems whoever came up with the guard postings didn't put much thought into it. The guards there are isolated and out of view from the rest of the camp. If I can circle around and take them undetected, I might be able to slip past their defenses and assault the rest of the unit.

I'll rest by the grace until morning and try my luck again tomorrow. At least the healing properties of these golden rays means I won't have to worry about recovering from my wounds.

Log 9

I'm alive, though just barely. I managed to dispatch most of the guards without drawing much attention, but I wasn't expecting them to keep wolves, and a slip up drew the attention of the garrison's commanding knight. I doubt I could have bested him in a proper contest, but he left his back exposed and I seized the opportunity. Dirty tactics, to be sure, but any proper knight should know not to show their back to the enemy.

I suppose I ought to be grateful to my instructors for drilling that lesson into me one painful blow at a time.

I've wiped out the guards from this camp and helped myself to their supplies, not a bad haul. The path ahead seems more heavily guarded however, so I think it best that I rest for a while to recover before I push forward. If I dally too long I'm sure the dead will stand again or the castle will deploy more soldiers to replace the ones I've contended with, but I should-

Log 10

While I was writing down my log for the night, I was approached by a rather strange visitor.

The woman introduced herself as Melina, and offered to play the role of my Finger Maiden. She offered to give me guidance, and turn my runes into strength. In exchange, all I need do is take her to the foot of the Erdtree.

My quest would have taken me there anyway from what I can gather, and I'm certainly not in any position to refuse aid, or companionship, so I agreed to her terms. She also gifted me with a ring, allowing me to summon a spectral steed named Torrent. According to Melina, I was chosen by Torrent, so I suppose I have him to thank for my fortunes.

It's been a long time since I've ridden on horseback, but it seems I haven't forgotten my lessons yet, even if Torrent is a far cry from a normal horse. I'm sure having him for a companion will be greatly useful, both in travel and in battle.

As for the ability to turn runes to strength, it was… something. I find it hard to describe, but it was as if I could feel the essences of those I had defeated flowing into my body. When I claimed runes from the fallen it was as if they were being stored inside of me, now it feels like they're a part of me. I'm sure a more gifted writer or scholar could come up with a better explanation. Still, while I do feel stronger, I'm not sure what exactly this has accomplished.

Perhaps it's time I put this new strength to the test…

-Accolon of Elis

Man, I didn't realize just how dense early Limgrave is until I started writing this. I was only planning on writing down entries when a somewhat significant event happened in a zone, but the early game is just one thing after the other. I guess it's to get the ball rolling and get new players swept up