I cannot believe it has come to this. Lord Felix, of all people. Who would have thought that the head of our order would be the king-slayer. After promising King Virdin victory, Felix stood on the eastern hill overlooking the Fords of Goliad. We could all see the Witch-King, Zhengyi himself atop the western hill. Felix’s plan was brilliant, and we, the Knights of Virdin, one hundred strong, would lead the armies to victory
The Felix struck down our King, we had all been embedded in the armies, there was no one to take the blade for King Virdin. And at that moment, the realization struck. Felix had planned this attack, and Zhengyi’s forces seemed to be as prepared as he thought. Yet he was the traitor, I called my men back, and I could see some of the other knights understanding the situation as well. Confused, we barely made it out of the fords before the wave of demons appeared above us. Vrock wings blotted out the sky as evistro, bulezu and barlgura appeared within the legions. Appearing with them and leading the armies of the abyss were the mariliths. Though few in number, none of our men stood a chance against them. The armanites charged and I felt the nausea rise in my gut.
Holding myself together for the sake of my men, we made it out of the valley of the fords. Calling my best lieutenants together, I gave the command to scatter our forces and make them have to choose which squads to pursue. As I led my squad away, I saw it, Khorramzadeh, the Storm King. We had heard of the balor commander of Zhengyi’s forces, but seeing one, even from this great distance, was terrifying. Only my training as a Knight allowed me to keep my composure enough to continue.
Only thirteen of the hundred Knights of Virdin present at Goliad survived the battle. With no king, the province leaders now carry the burden of leading our people against the Witch-King.
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Several more Knights have fallen, this time to our Dukes and Barons. This new Baron Ree of Morovar has declared Heliogabalus his capital. We must seek shelter.
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They’ve gone after our families. Riva has distanced herself enough that the Ambergen’s haven’t been targeted, but Alexei and Jornas are beside themselves. Lavelin and Morcom are trying to round up their own families and find a safe haven for the, but they don’t realize that there are no safe havens.
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Ree had Jornas’ wife and two children killed today. I had Alexei sit on Jornas for the day, not allowing him out of the safehouse. I’m glad he wasn’t here to see this. Laurel pleaded for their lives. Her husband had deserted her for an elf woman. He betrayed their family. They were no longer together. She renounced him. On and on her pleas went until the headsman swung. Ree had the boy and the girl, not even out of their first decade, beheaded first. That stopped Laurel from trying to plead. The look in the young baron’s eyes was delight, almost a euphoria. I thought Praka of Ostel was the worst. I now think Ree may be the most insane.
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Ree has ordered another twenty or so citizens killed today. Many of the convicted are friends and relations. Jornas has agreed to take Alexei’s granddaughter and flee the city. He will take the child to our safehouse in the Galenas and then disappear. We keep hearing rumors that Ree knows we’re here, in the city. Fliers have gone up and our friends and temples are being watched. Damned Baron has to have the thieves under his sway to canvas the city so thoroughly.
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With Delmarin gone, there are only five of us left, not counting the priest.
Lady Riva Ambergen. Warrior, Battlemaster, our Mistress of Strategy, and my second in command. Her loyalty to Virdin was absolute. We only called her Lady Stonefaced to try and get a smile, but her smile died that day at the Fords of Goliad. She was a perfectionist in thought, deed, even if she was sometimes preoccupied with style, dress and manners.
Ser Alexei Whyndam. Paladin of Tempus. Our man of battle, Alexei’s heart was always with his family. Though quick to anger and slow to trust, Alexei has become den-mother to the others, trying to keep everyone’s spirits up. I think he is close to adopting Delmarin.
Ser Hemeric Kolan. Paladin of Ilmater. The common folk loved him. He was their champion, kind and generous. He expected fealty in return, and received it in spades. Though his two hounds are getting a little antsy stuck down here in the sanctuary.
Lady Janice Thasally. Lady of Torm. Raised from a non-noble family, Lady Thasally has earned the respect and admiration of the other knights. She frest about her looks far too much for my taste, and she doesn’t realize that I know of her frequent excursions to the red-light district, but a truer ally in battle cannot be found.
Lawkeeper Augustan Rickard. Priest of Tyr. Lawkeeper Augustan has been invaluable here in the sanctuary. Ree found some excuse to label him a malcontent and Jowett had no choice but to send Rickard away. Jowett has no idea that Augustan didn’t go too far. While Lawkeeper Rickard can be a bit overbearing, he is positive he sees omens telling of our victory. His optimism is as useful as his spells.
Sir Jornas Delmarin. Warrior of Torm. The youngest of our crew, Ser Jornas has just left us. He has agreed to take Alexei’s granddaughter to safety. Poor kid, his wife and children beheaded by Ree. He keeps trying to prove himself worthy and tries twice as hard as any of the rest of us. Near as I can tell, he got caught up with an elf-maiden, but guilt drove him back to his family and his marriage of alliance.
My name is Lord Goddard Tasgall, leader of the remnants of the Knights of Virdin. Second in line to the Count of Morovar in the Barony of Morov. I have taken it as my duty to keep the Knights alive, to keep our name and legend alive, and to one day strike back at the forces of the Witch-King and his minions. While I have done what I can to keep my people safe, the burden of command must be mine alone to shoulder.
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I can hear the portable ram on the secret entrance, and the intoning of unholy spells both arcane and divine. We are done. May the Triad look over our final moments and protect our souls.
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