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[Boryce Pierce]

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Dear Reader,

Each one of us has a story to tell. Every story generally has some purpose behind the words we recite in its telling. I am no different. Yet, I do not offer you a story of happiness, love, or good deeds. My story is one of grim horror come to life and my purpose is to warn each of you, else you might suffer what I have suffered.

The unfortunate events that have forever changed my life occurred close to one month ago. It was then that I, Boryce Pierce, a well to do merchant of Trinsic in the Felucca facet, was approached by a wealthy resident of Yew with a very lucrative deal. The details of the deal are for the most part unimportant to this story, except for one. My client has a particular and peculiar taste for Trinsic wine, despite the obvious superior qualities that the Yew wine has over the Trinsic brand. As such, he was quite quirky in the way in which the wine would be delivered. “Magic simply ruins the taste!” he would often inform me. So with one means of transportation ruled out, I embarked on making arrangements for more traditional methods of delivery.

I wasted little time in making traveling arrangements once I was aware of both the sum of money involved, as well as my means of traveling. Traveling from Trinsic to Yew in Felucca is quite a dangerous task; murderers and thieves still roam the highway. I hired a ranger by the name of Quirrin Halfleaf, whom I came to know about through very excellent recommendations. Halfleaf had helped fight against Juo’nar’s invasion of Trinsic many years ago, so I assumed that I and my wares would be in excellent hands. When I met him I was surprised at how grim a fellow he was; never smiled once I believe. After going over the laborious task of pay, I had my servants load the wares onto two pack horses. My riding horse, Seth, was prepared as well. Halfleaf refused to ride any horse I so kindly offered.

I am pleased to write that most of the traveling was uneventful. If only it had stayed that way, then this might be an enjoyable tale that only friends and family might take interest with. Nevertheless, it is not so. As we made our travels a bit past Skara Brae, my guide suggested that we get off the road. We were fast approaching a well known brigand camp, and those ruffians normally preyed on travelers such as I. Halfleaf suggested that we part with the road toward the west; this would bring us far behind the brigand camp and we could easily get right back on the road after it was well behind us. I, being of the merchant profession, had no qualms with this and followed the advise my guide offered. We had no clue that our luck was about to become sour.

The first thing to befall us in a troubling manner was the accursed weather. After traveling half an hour off the road, the sky become dark with clouds and the rain began to pour as if its purpose was to drown all Sosaria. We continued our journey despite this annoying setback. Yet there is a reason why the roads of Felucca are rarely used anymore. As we proceeded northward, Halfleaf picked up a scent that was most troubling. Wolves were on the prowl, he told me, and they had more than likely picked up our scent. I crossed my fingers in hopes that he was wrong, but it was nothing more than foolish hope.

The wolves soon made their attack, and the first victim struck was one of the packhorses. About three or four of the beasts sprang out of nowhere and ripped the poor creature limb from bloody limb. Halfleaf released several arrows, killing two of the wolves. It was then that we saw the rest of the pack. There was close to twenty or so of the damnable things, and they were soon all over the other packhorse. “Run! I cannot fight all of these things!” Halfleaf screamed at me. I proceeded to gallop on Seth as hard as I could; making sure Halfleaf was still behind me, alive. The howls of the wolves were behind us, never giving me a restful thought while we made our escape. My bad luck then turned into terrible luck. Seth suddenly crashed into some sort of tree, which sent me off his back. I found myself in the dirty mud, and could instantly tell that my head was bleeding slightly. Thankfully, Halfleaf was behind us, and quickly came to my aid. “Your horse broke his leg there. We cannot do anything for him. Can you walk?” I looked at him, stood up seeing if I could balance myself and replied “I think so…” “Good. We must hurry, those wolves are still too close and they still smell us.” He said. We continued moving north, now looking for some sort of shelter; the delivery of the goods to Yew was no longer a concern. The rain intensified, the howls of the wolves grew even louder. There was little more to hope for, just a painless and quick death. Yet things took a turn for the best, or so we thought. We would ourselves in a clearing comprised of several ruined buildings; in the center stood a dark and foreboding tower that sent shivers down my spine. It looked like it had been constructed from obsidian, and it rank of death. Yet there it stood, with light coming from windows on the bottom floor. Halfleaf looked at me, and I at him. With no words exchanged between the two of us, we proceeded into the tower to escape both the rain and wolves.

As we entered the tower, a voice inside my mind told me to leave; that we would be better off with the wolves then in this place of untold evil. But what I saw inside did not convince me of such. The walls were littered with pictures from an older time, and several statues were among many of the decorations. There was also a small table off in the corner of the entry hall, and I was quite surprised to see a man enjoying what had to be his dinner. He was of average health with a slender build; dressed in red robes. I could tell he had been watching us since we entered, and when he saw that we had noticed him he made a motion for us to come and dine. “Greetings wayward travelers. What brings you to Angamandi?” he asked, in a dialect that was both refined and pleasant to hear. “We do not come here by choice. We were just attacked by wolves, and saw light emitting from this tower. I hope we are not intruding.” I replied. “Of course you are intruding, but please have a seat. You both look like you could use a rest. My name is Saul. It is a pleasure to meet you, Boryce Pierce and Quirrin Halfleaf.” Needless to say, I nearly took a seat at this man’s table, until he said both of our names, which we had not yet given. A smile crossed his face and he said “I am a soothsayer by trade, please have a seat. I bear you no malice.” We both took a seat at this table. I suddenly noticed that it had been set for three, but I said nothing of it. “So Saul, are you the master of this place?” I asked, trying to spark conversation. A look of dread came across Saul’s face the moment I spoke. “No. I am not he that rules this place.” He spoke in what was now a very monotone and soulless voice. “Well is the master about then? We would dearly like to stay here until the weather has cleared, but I must insist that I have the lord of this tower’s permission first.” I said. “No more! It would be the death of you to speak with the master of this place! As to whether or not you stay, that is your own business not mine. I would, however, advise you not to go up to the third floor.” Halfleaf and I looked at each. He did not look it, but I could tell my companion was terrified. After what seemed like an eternity, Saul spoke again. “I shall fetch some sleeping bags for the both of you. If you decided to stay, that is your own business. There is a library on the second floor. The books in there have not been used for ages, and they certainly are a good way to past the time.” The strange man stood up and disappeared into a nearby room. “I do not like this place.” said Halfleaf. “Nor I, but what choice do we have?” I replied. I stood up and walked around the entry hall a bit. This would be a dreadfully boring night once Saul returned with the sleeping bags I thought. “Quirrin!” I called out. “I think I’ll go have a look at this library on the second floor. Do you wish to come?” “ Quirrin rose from the table and approached me. “I shall await Saul. Do be careful, and remember his warning about the third floor.” I nodded and went over to the staircase on the left side of the entry hall.

Finding the library on the second floor of this place was not a difficult task. It was the largest room on this floor, and the only light source came from it. The library was obvious that it had not been used in a very long time. Dust covered the entire library, and several books littered the floor. I walked around the library, and saw something that caught my eye. On one of the tables in this room was a map of the city of Skara Brae. No dust lay on this map, as if it had been freshly look at. Curious I thought, apparently Saul must have been wrong about the use of this library. After making a round in the library, I went to the nearest book case and began looking through some of the texts. A chill went down my spine as I looked over the titles of this one bookcase. Terrible names from Sosaria’s past were there. Names such as Azalin, Bal-Anon Dak, Caina, and others that should remain forgotten. I backed away from this bookcase, as if it was the ghost of Lord Blackthorn himself. The next one was no better as it dealt with necromancy, the undead, demons, and other subjects that only the dark dabble in. I made my way to a third bookcase; if it contained anything of evil I told myself I would depart this library. More books on the same sort of subject; I need give no further descriptions, dear reader. Yet something in this third bookcase did catch my eye. It was a letter bearing the royal insignia of the kingdom of Stormhaven. Curious; it had been sometime since I had came across anything from Stormhaven. I picked up the letter and began to read it. Whomever it was addressed to could not be told; the name, which occurred several times within the body of the letter had been blocked out by what appeared to be blood! I read through it slowly and nervously. Stormhaven had apparently written this letter long ago in demanding whoever the addressee might be in removing his forces from the city of Skara Brae. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the details of this conflict. I remember hearing long ago that Skara Brae in Trammel had been taken over by a vile creature, but its name escaped my memory. Curiosity had now set in my mind, and I proceeded to look around the library for other clues. However, I was never able to begin my search. A scream of utter horror pierced my already nervous self. Never before had I ever heard anything so abominable, yet I knew whom it came from. I ran quickly out of the library to see what had befallen Quirrin Halfleaf.

I sprinted quickly down to the first floor, and was greeted with the most ghastly site my eyes have ever seen. There lay Quirrin on the floor, his face a good five feet from his body. Above his body stood a grim creature about six feet tall. It was in ever shape a man, yet it was not as the face was that of a demon! Its body was coated in the darkest armor I have ever seen, and the sword in its right hand was coated in blood. This damnable monster soon saw me and suddenly began to charge me! I took off up back up the stairs without thinking! The thing was behind me, close behind me. He would kill me without a second thought. I had to get away, I just had to! I continued going up the stairs, not realizing that I was now on the third floor. I ran into a doorway and hid in a corner filled with rubbish. Nothing could be heard. I stayed hidden for what had to be an eternity. When I had worked up enough nerve, I stood up and looked around. I was in some sort of throne room. Two beautifully decorated thrones lay at the opposite side of this room, and beautifully paintings covered the wall. I noticed a window, and ran to it to peer out. Darkness was all I saw. I had to get out of this place so I made my way to the exit of this room. Yet suddenly I felt very cold; so very cold. I collapsed to the ground, wondering what was happening to my body. I could not stand up, no matter how hard I tried. Then suddenly, I noticed something approaching me. Imagine the darkest shadow from the darkest nightmare, and you might have some sort of idea of how truly terrifying this shade was. It picked me up by the neck; its razor sharp shadow fingers tearing into my flesh. “You ssshould not have come to my abode, mortal. Your life ssshall forever be ruinousss, and dessspair ssshall haunt you for the ressst of your ssshort daysss.” It hissed in a voice that was filled with hatred. This thing began to laugh, and I began to scream. It was doing something to my body with magic, something that cannot be described. It suddenly stopped, and the pain left me. But I felt frail, and tired. I had yet no idea what it had done to me, and I could not muster the energy to free myself from its grasp. “I ssshall return you to your dear city of Trinsssic. Never return here, or you ssshall ssserve me for all eternity.” Spoke the creature. I felt magic envelop my entire body, and the next thing I knew I was in Trinsic, just outside my home. I walked toward my house and entered, my wife coming to greet whoever it was that had entered. “Do you have business here, old man?” she asked. I looked at her curiously and said “Old man? Do you not recognize your husband?” A strange look crossed her face and she stared at me for moment. She then let out a scream and fainted. I ran to the nearest room with a mirror and looked over my visage. It was true, that fiend had stolen my youth and left me in such a terribly old state.

I must apologize for the length of this tale, dear reader. What I have written I do so for your sake. You see, I do not wish any others to suffer the fate that I have. Avoid this terrible tower at all cost. The evil within it is unspeakable, and will be the ruin of whoever steps foot before it.


Yours in humble and good service,

Boryce Pierce
Retired Merchant of Trinsic