Journal of Azraan the Foul

The following journals were recovered from the great library of Azraan the Foul

Azraan 1

For too long has my genius been snubbed. What I thought would be my crowning achievement was spurned by Slayer; that simple-minded fool. The binding of extraplanar beings to mortal shells is the next step in mortalkind evolution!! He’s been in bed with Rammah too long, whispering about their so-called ‘triumph’. I need to find out what they are planning.

Azraan 2

The experiments are a success! Binding demons and fiends has proved too much for our fragile minds and bodies to handle, and thus my research there will stop with the conclusion that unawakened items are the best hosts for such energies. But alas, my latest experiment, by crowning achievement has been the successful binding of a Celestial being to a mortal. The order-centric spirit of the Celestial was ideal for maintaining a strange sort of harmony between the parts. Let’s see Slayer turn his nose at THIS achievement!

Azraan 3

I’m not sure which one it was, Slayer or Rammah or that Aura witch; but SOMEONE STOLE MY EXPERIMENT. Not only that, they released her in such a dangerous place. I need to retrieve what is MINE.

Azraan 4 found

I see the way Rammah looks at me. This is his fault! How would I know that my experiment would directly cause the greatest conflict in Modern Deverenian history. That ugly smile behind his mask. He did this! He knew about her! If he told Slayer I would be expelled, but he hasn’t. WHY. What does he hope to gain from such bloodshed. I need answers… I think it’s time to call in the debt Savras owes me for finding those old bones in the Frostmourne.

Azraan 5

The Rebellion has ended up being the greatest smokescreen! All the mages are toiling away, focusing on the conflict instead of each other. Without having to worry about Rammah anymore, I’ve decided to finally enact my TRUE legacy to save this rotten world from itself. Only by becoming something new can we overcome this disaster the so-called Gods left for us.

Azraan 6

My own little “Accord” has been struck. Dwiergus the father of all alchemy, the master of transmutation and champion of evolution. His minions are now my minions as we work to rebirth this sick and dying world. I’ve arranged to get into the Duke’s good graces; Tintagel will be mine and its resources at my disposal. I don’t need a large army with what I have planned…

Azraan 7

Dwiergus’ wisdom is unfathomable. I never considered remolding the very flesh encasing our souls into something new and beautiful. The mark of a Master Craftsman is adding something truly new to this world, and so shall this world herald me as its Savior. I have developed an agent that combines the power of Dwiergus with several of my virulent creations.It will spread like a plague yet contain not sickness but Change. Change is coming, and I am its Herald.

Azraan 8

The agent is too strong for the weakness of mortal flesh! Over and over they liquefy and dissolve into rambling monsters. I must dig into my previous research with demonic binding to stabilize the agent. I need more test subjects. I’ve run out of prisoners and convicts… the dregs that work in the mines will provide the labor I need…

Azraan 9

Finally, promise! The emotional state of the being seems to matter very much. Strong states such as anger, despair and even joy all seem to lead to stable creations. It is mortalkind’s curse to always seek despair rather than joy, so despair is what I will give them. Fear of a tremendous calamity and oncoming doom. The Rebellion is a good start, but I need something closer to home…

Azraan 10

That so-called Lord is too clever for her own good. Ambition blinds her and she will play her part, just as scripted. Run, my little rats. Scurry and carry out your master’s ambition.

Azraan 11

Savras plans on resurrecting Midir. Foolish, but it fits in character. I could stop it but it will be an excellent distraction that Slayer and that fool Rammah will have to contend with. Then they will realize that it is MY plan that will save this world, not theirs!

Azraan 12

My sources tell me that Rammah has struck a deal with the Church… what could they be doing? I’m told that he and Slayer are working together, but I know Rammah. That sly old dog would never bequeath his ambition to Slayer’s. No… he has a plan of his own, one that Slayer does not fit into. That reminds me; they call him the cruel because he has never shied away from what must be done to move forward, not because of his penchant for inflicting pain. If I wait long enough he may even remove my greatest obstacle from the board…

Azraan 13

What is Rammah up to? The son of a prince… does his plan have something to do with the true legacy of the High King? Is he trying to take that power for himself? Impossible. The Church of the Storm tried that nearly 500 years ago and failed. What would be different this time?

Azraan 14

It cannot be…

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Azraan 15

I have to speed up my time tables. The tests from Yew and Minoc were inconclusive, but I have no choice. The plan must proceed. The North, the Duke, they have their parts to play. I have no doubt that Slayer’s loyalty to the High King will be his undoing. He must be seeking a solution to the King’s torment, but Rammah… no he has something else planned, something far more sinister.
The son of the High King. The death of the Princes… yes the bloodline is being consolidated. That means the High King’s curse will be focused upon the vessel.
Oh, Rammah. You aren’t trying to prevent the Calamity… you’re inviting it in, aren’t you? You selfish bastard; so blinded by pain you’re giving it all away! I can’t let this succeed…

Azraan Finale

Instead of a torn piece of paper, you finally uncover the source of all the strange journal entries sitting at the top of the chest. The oiled leathers and well kept pages have kept it intact far longer than it had any right to exist. The cover is a plain leather, but an inscription in what can only be described as a simple-handed script inside says
“To my BRILLIANT little brother; whose curiosity knows no bounds and whose genius might even save the world one day. Love you, kiddo -Kristov”
The early pages tell a tale of what must be a young Azraan. You immediately get the impression that there was never a point in his life where he might be considered “kind” or “innocent”, but it’s here you can find the source of his obsession. Azraan had an older brother who single-handed raised him after some senseless conflict took their parents. There are stories of Kristov that seem more like a Thunder than an ordinary person. Kristov protected them from monsters, both the mortal and magical kind. He always found a way to keep them fed; he even found a way to get Azraan his first spellbook and supplies.
Surprisingly, you find that the Black Tower did scout the young Azraan, but determined him to be too weak to join. He did have minor talent, though, and his brother supported Azraan in this pursuit that brought him such happiness.
The journal entries take a dark path as Kristov is mentioned as becoming ill. That Azraan’s brother began wasting away with something called “Thunder’s Rot”, an incurable contagion that saps one’s strength and weakens them until they become so frail they die. Azraan’s journal is full of possible spells, medical research from Valadir, all sorts of possible remedies and cures. There is an entry with a single line. “There is no other way; I must join the Black Tower.”
However, Kristov’s name does not appear in the journal ever again.
The last journal is lengthy:
This is likely my final entry. I do not know why I continued to furnish idle thoughts to paper… old habits truly are unbreakable. I have no choice but to execute my plan earlier than expected, but I cannot allow Slayer and his obsequious lickspittles to destroy this world in some misguided grab at ascending Godhood. The arrogance of their plot is nauseatingly pathetic. The Legacy of the High King must be upheld; otherwise all of this… existence was meaningless.
I played the part of the Merchant Lorde extremely well, and Savras has no idea that his triumph will be so short-lived, but I do owe him the right to experience his life’s work for at least a fleeting moment. As for the Demon Prince… timing will be key, but the last 100 years of my life have been dedicated to this moment. Once I have everything from my workshop it’s simply time to wait for things already in motion to finally unfold.