A/N: I do not own Darkest Dungeon or anything affiliated with the brand. This is just a fanfic from an amateur writer. Warning: World Building, Unreliable Narrator, Dark, Everyone is Broken, Flashbacks, Horror, Death, Stress, Traumatic Pasts, Human Trafficking, Abuse, Child Abuse, Rape, Hey Did I Mention Dark? Cheesy Romance, and Gamer tropes. I do not make any money off this story. Thank you for your time and my gratitude to Red Hook Studios.

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

Casting/Skills/Words of Great Power or Meaning

The Ancestor Speaks

The Others

Previously

He tries his best to search my soul and markedly comments, "The greatest evil is mankind after all."

If my eyes flare red at the poke? That's to my amusement and to his credit he doesn't look away. Pleased, I guide him to his new home and the oaths are given. He is introduced to his brothers-in-arms. They prepare for their mission at sunrise.

Ch 12: The Grind

Another short scouting mission in the Ruins. 'I will not allow overconfidence to destroy another party.' I keep an eye on the screen as I walk through town.

Dismas is skulking in some dark alleyway. When I pass him, he immediately scans the area for trails or threats, nods an all-clear, and I move on. My main goal is to get a read on my populace, but the fresh air is good for one's sanity. Dismas returns to his intelligence work as my attempts at fishing have proven unfruitful. The unceasing buzzing has the populace scared, and I don't want the underground to do something drastic.

'I haven't been attacked yet. It's only a matter of opportunity.'

The party returns with a resounding victory. With enough heirlooms to upgrade the barracks and welcome two more recruits. Another Vestal named Villehardian and…an Abomination called Neot.

The crusader that came with them, scoffed, cursed at Neot, and stormed off. The Vestal was very nervous near the creature but remained steadfast. Neot sighed in long-suffering exhaustion at his travel companions. 'Another monster to inhabit my lands. At least his claws will serve in me, unlike the typical contrary.'

I introduced my two new heroes to their brothers to migrate any potential fallout. I was right to do so, Reynauld leading the Light-worshiping faction almost attacked him on sight. When I stepped in front of Neot and stared him down. He backed off quickly, and I forced a promise. If not cooperation, then toleration of his new brother-in-arms.

I step back as the raven-haired grave robber starts flirting with Neot and produces an empty vial. The devot of Light welcomes the new Vestal. The scientifically minded and rouges mingle with Neot and invite him to some games of chance. And Ecouland, the old grouch that he is, is watching both groups while sipping from a flask. This Home I made is filled with life and comradeship. I'm filled with joy and peace as I watch over them. The land swells with soft light and happiness. 'Mine. '

I leave to arrange a keg from the bar for Ecouland and a mediation room for Taillebois. The last mission was hard on them, and they brought enough to merit a reward. I look at the noonday sun and pray once more to the Light for provision and protection.

We've had reports of swine folk approaching the roads that feed much-needed supplies into the Hamlet. 'They're expanding beyond their lands.' I send Seguier and Falaise with the fresh blood to the Warrens. Beast men against two heroes that specialize against one of each…I pray for their success and make an offering to both the Light and Dark in blood and Power.

'The swine-folk are primal creatures. They'll typically only seek out food or females.' I breathe and watch as my wrist closes up. 'Culling their numbers should reduce the urgency and temptation. Hopefully, they succeed.'

They've returned, victorious. It appears my new Vestal is greatly stressed by the decorations those Swine prefer. 'Skeletons and piles of rotting human meat are not my preference either, but she is growing into her own.' Stressed as she is, I can already see steel in her spine and courage in her steps. 'She has found her purpose here.'

The rest of the party is relatively undisturbed. The criminal underworld they once dwelled…does not allow for weakness.

I've sent Villehardian to the abbey for much-deserved recovery. Then go to greet the new prospects. '...Why? Just why?' The Grave Robber and Vestal are at each other's throats, with the Jester mocking both of them and edging on the fight.

'I'm done…just no.' Blood spills out of the wagon cover as the fight breaks out. "Caretaker, deal with them."

I walk off. Away from the toxic bunch, and leave them to their fates. Their screams were quickly silenced. Some of the sheep lingering nearby scamper off.

It's been nearly a month since I had Reynauld start that project of clearing the land…finally it's finished, and a blueprint is on my desk. A gift from the Hamlet. I don't have enough heirlooms to sacrifice to build anything yet. I look at my options, the Cartographer's Camp or Granary is the most appealing. While a bank would be appreciated, food and survivability for all my heroes are paramount here. On that note, finally being able to upgrade my heroes' weapons comes as a boon. It's time to chance the Weald again.

…And I forgot to send them off with shovels.

'We're off to a great start.'

Yet they succeeded, and I made immediate arrangements for them in their stress activity of choice. With that sheepish attitude, I meet the new batch of…a single Flagellant. Apparently, the two bounty hunters with him saw someone with a sizable bounty and hopped out of the wagon to pursue it.

I claim the bleeding man and send him off to the cove. He's with Neot, Seguier, and Courtney. My chosen party for the necromancer apprentice has gained enough strength. All that's left is to gather the funds and heirlooms to properly equip them.

Which they have. But that Flagellant…Why did he have to invite Death's Door several times? He got hit 3 times in a row at that state and yelled for more! A madman for certain. He will fit right in. Courtney did an excellent job of keeping him alive, and I think the man is infatuated with her.

Twice the punishment, increased resistance to bleeding, and barely any restoration to health? Even now, he's following her around like a demented puppy. I find it rather sweet. The fact that I can feed off his infatuation with her. That's neither here nor there.

'Though,' I hum and continue to scry my heroes, 'I had not considered they would be able to serve in more roles than as enforcers.'

The buzzing is getting on everyone's nerves. I just need them to hold on a bit longer. Not that they have a choice, but morale is crucial to survival. Let's see what the Caretaker has dragged in.

Sadly I only have room enough for one and so send the other two off with well-wishes and good fortune. I let the Land know that I won't accept their deaths. The Estate grumbles but is willing to let this meal go to indulge me, and the webs lodged in my soul pulse a pattern that feels similar to petting.

Ignoring the unsettling feeling, I turn to Aguilon, my first Occultist, who is looking at me with wonder and curiosity. 'Right, the Occultist is a sub-class of the Warlock Path. What most people could never hope to understand, he has the insight to see. Is he excited by the black web?'

'Either way, he'll be very useful in the Cove.' I think back to the strange coral. On a whim, I had Seguier use medicinal herbs, absolving one of his undesirable quirks. 'That was so much cheaper than the Sanitarium, could be used more times per week, and can be picked up as a side quest. Not nearly as reliable, but something I want to exploit.'

I gather my heroes again…and as expected the devout faction has some issues. Yet again, I have them settled, and Neot introduces himself to Aguilon. They seem to get along. With Tranchant chirping beside them, they seem to go into a good-natured debate about herbology with its myriad of uses. Courtney adds her thoughts about how "Sage is clearly superior."

'The academic faction is formed.'

I did not know that Neot was learned, but I'm glad he found acceptance. 'Those who have known persistent persecution truly understand the value of home and belonging.' A pleasant feeling forms as I watch him, 'And be all the more desperate to defend such treasures.'

Reynauld storms off, and I need to run damage control. Plus with a full roster, it's time to have the heroes that stay at home be put to work. Dismas follows me out the door and after Reynauld.

Again he is settled with a command and my stubbornness. Right now, I'm waiting for the Land to promise an exceedingly useful trinket before I go boss hunting. So to distract Reynauld, I have him, and Dismas dispatch my men throughout the Hamlet.

The vestals and flagellant volunteered at the abbey, the scholars focused on aiding the sanitarium, and the warriors practiced at the guild. The rogues again go to ground. The sheep were anxious from the buzzing. We will need to go against the Red Court soon.

I've sent out a new party of Aguilon, Falaise, Neot, and Seguier to scout out the cove. Those corals intrigue me, and I would like several samples.

A great success. There was plenty of coral gathered along with the usual gems and heirlooms. There were a few close calls with Aguion's healing. Dark magic is never reliable when it comes to restoration magics. Thankfully Seguier knew Lick Wounds, or this would be a different story.

I spy Caretaker eyeing the coral. 'He has been faithful in his duties.' And slide a third to him before getting up. It's about time to start dinner. I'm feeling fish.

There is word of the Swine Folk raiding nearby towns and villages. The wards are strong, but our traders have no such protections. Perhaps I'm being too cautious against the Red Court and the Apprentice…but I've learned from my haste. I'll cast the lots on their return to determine my men's fates…next week. Now Possin, Ecolaund, Villahardian, and Courtney set off for the Warrens.

I pray that should the party fail, the women are killed instead of captured. I've seen the results of similar fates...

'Will they have enough spirit to beg for death as well? Or be reduced to husks?'

Fire flares from my left hand at the thought.

'3…'

'2…'

'1…'

'Breathe out'

The fire elemental stops its tantrum and listens to the thrum of my blood and magic. The shadows shiver in the edges of my vision. Excited from the negative emotions.

'1…'

'2…'

'3…'

'Breathe in.'

The fire withdraws with my emotions, and I regain control. There are a few lingering embers that match the anger and bitterness I swallowed.

Regardless, I need to go. The altars of Light and Dark will want their share of Blood again. The shadows shift and try to urge me faster. 'I make for a decent meal.'

Well…Dark Blessed indeed. At the end of their search, the party surprises an eldritch creature in a long yellow coat. It immediately opens its coat to reveal a ghastly form with the heads of adventurers glued to every inch hidden that was once hidden. Vestals, Man-At-Arms, and Highwaymen are prominent amongst the collection and call them forth.

Wouldn't you know it, the party I sent has a Vestal and Man-At-Arms. The battle has a few close calls, but that didn't save the monster. Possin finished him, causing the summoned heads to disappear into the either…I feel a sense of sadness during the fight. The creature in yellow felt… familiar. Blood called to Blood…I think I've seen the leftovers of one of the previous heirs. 'I will need to look through the various journals here to see if I can shed some light on the mystery' …Somber I greet the victorious party.

With such great wealth returned, I treat them to the bar and abbey before taking a walk. The town looks better. After I was gifted a blueprint an old contract came into effect. Gifting me 30 skilled laborers, and the repaired roads show their efforts. 'They'll expect their payments at harvest. Will I have enough gold, or will I have to barter?' The buildings are more patched up, and the place no longer looks haunted by the living.

'And yet,' I wander off the path into the woods and become captivated by what lurks beyond my gates. Shadows twist with the dim moonlight. A choir of howls, screams, and various other cries of the wild and madness united.

Dismas stands off to my side, silent. I wait for him to speak. He remains silent. And so I stare at the land I am meant to reconquer and reclaim. Dawn breaks, and I turn to the rouge. I grasp his shoulder in thanks, that he did not leave me alone, before returning to my manor.

There is work to be done.

A/N: The grind is done, Next up, the first boss. Do you like my depiction of the week-by-week breakdown? Would you prefer I only reference the highlights? Will Lenore ever stop being a coward and have her men fight the first boss? Will Dismas get his much-needed drink? Tune in next month to find out.

I must apologize. I failed to update in April and that is my fault. Life happened, and I mistimed the release. To make up for that, I'll be posting a second update at the end of this month to catch up. Thank you for your continued support and patience.