The Druid’s Journal
<You hold in your hands the journal of a druid by the name of Alred Xilwynn.> <The pressed paper is roughly bound between rough cut leather.>
Second to final page
Sydenstar 13th, year of 812
The priests at the Temple of Oagi hosted an amazing festival. It began with a quiet ceremony and offerings to The Wild Mother at the Heart of the Forest, what a sight to behold! The Great Tree bathes us all in the warmth of Melora. Afterwards the priests brought forth so much food that I thought I would burst. The mead began to flow and the music started. A young boy from the plantation played the fiddle while one of the priestess’ sang. Sarrah enjoyed herself with some of the children from the plantation while I finally got some time alone with Allynna.
Sydenstar 17th, year of 812
Mirthal came up from the plantation the other day. Some of the animals at the plantation are sick. I agreed to take a look the morn after next. I have lots of wood to chop today, it is strange, the nights have been getting colder recently when we should be mid-summer.
Sydenstar 19th, year of 812
The cattle at the plantation are very ill. I have been in these woods for ten generations, this sickness is novel to me. The animals have blackened veins and are acting erratically. Some are violent, others lethargic. Mirthal is very worried; the planting season begins soon. I agreed to visit the priests at the Temple of Oagi and beseech them for aid.
The night of Sydenstar 20th, year of 812
Whilst I traveled to the temple I encountered heresy in the forest. A shrine had been built and atop it was a human skull the top smashed open and mushrooms grew inside. I abandoned my trip to the temple, it is a two day trip and I will not sleep in the woods without protection.
Sydenstar 21st, year of 812
I have convinced half the men of the village that we should travel to the temple together. The other half to guard the women, and Sarrah. There is a threat in these woods and we should leave no one alone. We will travel as a group short swords and pitchforks ready.
As we made ready to leave a man named Alpharius came to the village. He claims that he was contracted by the men at the plantation. A man of medicine they are paying a king’s ransom in gold to find a cure for this Rot as he calls it. He is setting up some kind of medical laboratory near the plantation. We warned him heartily of the threat of a cult in the woods. He seem unperturbed by the idea, I think that the money has blinded him. He does not feel the fear that has begun to permeate these woods. Even the days don’t seem as bright, the days not as warm. I pray the priests will be able to assuage our fears.
Sydenstar 23rd, year of 812
The temple is perverted. A priest approached our party, telling us tales of other gods, of the blessing of change, and that the world would soon see the way. And that the Church of Change would guide us. The Rot had taken him and twisted him, I dared not guess how such an abomination was able to form words. I reject his God of Change. I reject the honeyed words he tempted us with. The other priests lurked in the woods. I am not sure what has become of them but they are not the folk we once knew. The temple stinks of death and decay. The Heart of the Forest no longer calls to me. We make to return to the village with all haste. Without the warmth of the Great Tree, we will abandon the village and seek aid in Weepthorne. Allynna and Sarrah must flee as soon as possible.
Final Page
Sydenstar 25th, year of 812
We are at the village. Everyone has the black veins. We have decided we can not go to Weepthorne. Lest we bring this Rot with us. Allynna is one of the worst. Her veins stand proud against her skin as if they were vines that enveloping her. She has begun to behave strangely, she insists that she cannot leave the bed, when I tried to carry her outside to the fresh air she struck at me. Sarrah is fighting against it, but I can see the streaks of black on her face.
Llewynn slashed her throat next to the well yesterday. Nobody has moved her body.
Sydenstar 32nd, year of 812
I fight against it. But I can feel the change happening inside me. Brien and Gilber have already lost themselves in the Change. They do not strike against us, but they are not themselves. I will pray for them.
I forget the day, year of 812
They all change different. The Rot is fickle and indecisive. Some blend with the trees, some blend with the creatures, some blend with each other. I do not know what has happened in the Paraga family cottage but there is a creature inside. I know it to be a amalgamation of the entire Paraga family, twisted by some other being’s whims. I have drawn Brien’s Change as I can remember it.
I reject it. I reject the Change. I reject the temptation. I will not allow myself to become as the others. I will cling to my life and my self until the bitter end. I have prepared enough wood, should I feel I am losing myself I intend to burn myself to ash.
Llewynn’s body walked away today. Where it was headed, I do not know. It has been Changing since she died, I am glad it’s gone. I wish the others would go with it.
There is no one left to talk to. Sarrah has lost her voice. I must stay focused on the tasks at hand.
<unlabeled entry>
Allynna has Changed. She never left the bed, yet the Rot makes her anew. I fight the Rot, it is not easy but I keep my mind. I focus on the tasks. I focus on drawing. I focus on what must be done. Sarrah has not succumb. She is young, the Rot is slow with the young. I focus on the TASKS. Right now I focus on writing. Not on thinking. When I think I hear the voices.
I do not know why, but I have covered myself. I know it is strange. But I can not help it. If my skin sees the sun, I feel naked. I am compelled to cover myself. I swaddle myself in more and more clothes even as I tell myself that I am lost in my own mind. I FOCUS on the TASKS. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS. I FOCUS on my handwriting. When I FOCUS on my handwriting, I do not hear the whispers. I do not see the shadows. I am going to FOCUS and chop wood.