The Wraithwain Journal

In a sad mishap with the tigers of the jungle, i seem to have lost my old journal. I therefore begin this new one. To clarify my past, and to log down my present actions. For the peasants, and for historical purposes. Perhaps some can also shed light on the crazed visions i see every so often. Perhaps... I can even find the answer to why i am here.

Sincerely,
Ethir Wraithwain

A Recollection of the Past

I was tracking the Great Dragon of Devinlore. I spotted it near Durnham and therefore chose this settlement as my temporary home in search of this foul beast.

However, to my great dismay, I lost its tracks near the lake. Upon returning to Durnham, no one would believe me. And I was was assaulted and left senseless by a man of Teutonic descent.

After his attack, when I woke up, i could clearly see a bird, a white bird, watching over me. A raven to be precise. I could not believe it. Ravens are of ebony in color. Yet I knew not its intent. I left the hut and looked up at the sky, and I saw a dark sky... And ten other ravens flying. Then the raven that was watching over me took flight as well and they all flew over me, circling like carrion birds. I knew this meant something.

And like a ghost, i could hear a slight whisper saying "Prepare". The voice was of neither man nor woman. I heard no ghastly shriek. Only the repeating words.. Prepare. Prepare. And the birds circled me still, now eleven birds.

I know it sounds insane, yet believe me, it is the truth.

Journal Entries

Entry 1

I slept quite well last night, except for a dream i had. I had a dream of a town, a beautiful town. But there was something wrong. It was a village with Outsiders, Pirates and Natives. They were all running... panicking... They were all afraid. Something was terribly wrong.

I woke up with a cold sweat then. But I felt refreshed. I went about for supplies and then headed for the jungles to explore a bit more. Perhaps I can find the Dragon now.

Entry 2

I've been walking for hours. And I've come across an amusing man. He believes he can make the grass grow. I've decided to join him in this quest of his and perhaps we can make grass grow. The dragon is an evil creature and would probably come for this grass.

Entry 3

Exploring the jungles is a tedious task. I have asked leave from my grass growing companion to venture to a place known as Raktam, somewhere east of the mountain. Rumors abound of a royal court, at last! Somewhere i can relate myself. Nobility and culture. A wonderful thing.

I spend the night now in the rain, seeking shelter under a banana tree. Better this than nothing at all. Perhaps tomorrow will prove better for my adventures.

Entry 4

The white raven reappeared again. Perched on a nearby tree. Its ebony black eyes followed my every motion. And flew from tree to tree as i walked. And from the sky, the other ten ravens circled above my position. Following me. For the first time in years, i have felt afraid. I don't know why they follow me.

Entry 5

I can see the hut now. And I sit here, resting several yards from the hut itself. There is a long queue. Perhaps i can enter tomorrow and find my true purpose to awakening in this forsaken island. I have traveled far since I last posted.

Alas, as if i haven't had enough, the white raven now watches me ever more carefully. Its eyes glinting in the sunlight. It has been following me for too long now. It is only a matter of time before I go insane because of this.

The sky darkens now, and the ten other ravens circle above me still. They have been following me since Durnham. Yet they show no signs of ceasing this tireless sentry above me. Whether they come to keep me safe or to bend my will, I know not.

Someone save me. I can feel a heaviness pressing down on me, and I think that I might slay someone by accident in a sudden fury. Heavens help me. Or at least make it quick.

Entry 6

I have finally spoken with this Santa Claus regarding my problems on the island. Yet, before we even finished speaking, someone stabbed him in the back. How womanly. Yet, before he died, he gave me some gold to help me find my way through this wretched society. Perhaps I should eliminate one of these little green creatures that supposedly assist him yet they do nothing to protect him.

Oh Truth, where are you in this dark period of history?

Entry 7

A strange event has come upon me in this hour. The white raven has spoken to me. It said the following.

"It has been a great while Ethir Wraithwain." it said. "Long you have travelled. Long have your trials been. And now, take this gift from us to you."

And I was surrounded by a bright white light that prevented me from seeing anything that happened. And when it faded, i was clad in a new set of armor with my old set nowhere to be found.

A queer thing. It has a raven emblem in front. And the ravens no longer circled me. They landed behind me, and turned to dust, which blew away in the wind. I felt strong and powerful now.

"You've done well." said a voice. "Now go forth and seek out your friends. I have commanded them things. Great things for our glory. Now go."

He then spoke to me in a language i did not understand. But somehow, i knew what he was saying. A great hour this shall be.

Entry 8

The pieces are falling into place.
The Master will be pleased.
As chaos begins to consume small parts of the island, it will soon spread.

The Master has commanded me. And I shall do. Beware.

Entry 9

The game has begun. The pieces are moving.
It matters not who is playing, all that matters it what happens now.
The Master is pleased with my faithful obedience to his commands, but is somewhat displeased with my failure to defend myself against the enemy's cronies. I must further train in order to protect myself.
However, it seems my quest is yet to be brought to its conclusion.

Entry 10

The past few days have been tiring. Avoiding the hunters and staying hidden. Not easy when you carry a great load.
For a strange reason I cannot fathom, people have begun saying that I was the Master. No! By the heavens, I am not the Master! He is the Master, not me. I am but his servant and envoy. And for all I know, I am his only servant. Perhaps he may have others, but there is only one cage for the White Raven. And it is with the Master.
The Master has expressed to me his unending joy at my fulfilment of his wishes. Oh, the joy of pleasing the Master. If only I can now do more.

Entry 11

The Raven left me when I prepared to rest. And I awoke and the Raven had not yet returned. So I prepared for the day's adventures, and I felt something land on my left pauldron. It was the White Raven with a note from the Master.

As I took hold of the note, the smell of salt and gunpowder was evident and several grains of fine sand fell. The note contained nothing important.

It read:

Ethir, please take care of yourself. As I have forseen, the time is very dangerous and you will need extra precaution. You need not soil your blade with human blood for a time. Do not slay needlessly, only in self-defence, unless I command you to.

Strange. But I must fulfill the Master's wishes.

Entry 12

My Master has sent no word to me. It has been days now. And the White Raven has not returned.
What shall I do now? Without the Master's guidance, I don't know.
I am punished over and over for My Master's command. They call me a murderer. Why? For killing an enemy who threatened my homeland, and it was the Master's command? Why do they loathe the Servant? Does not the Master create all the plans? And the Servant only carries them out?

This Jack Bauer and Charles Cavendish, they have become a thorn to my side. Ever blaming me of this war. Insanity! And they call me a murderer. When they themselves have killed more men than I have. Yet they walk and roam free unhindered.
Hypocritical Monkeys, who hurt me to no end in the name of justice. Justice says he? More of blasphemy and heresy. They commit the same crimes to achieve their goals. And its legal? Why? Because they profess they rule Durham? Insanity! One cannot kill and not say it was murder! They kill because they know they have friends who can protect them. Friends who are as corrupt as themselves. Insanity! A settlement cannot be ruled by corrupt politicians.
My Master... Where have you gone? Your Servant longs for your blessing. Curse these wretched hounds who profess to be great but are nothing more than worms tunneling in the dirt!

I shall never raise my blade against anyone from Durham. Or anyone else for that matter. The Master commanded so, and so shall I do.