Of Burgundy Family/The Daemon Saga

Introduction

Below is set down the events that later were known collectively as "The Demon Saga". This was a particularly interesting period in the history of Caerwyn and Dwilight, and we are fortunate to have found so many sources. The story follows the events and actions that occurred around what may now be seen as the protagonist, Lord Brackern.

Exactly how these documents were produced is unknown, as they often reflect the thoughts of individuals and their actions done in private on occasion. Whether that means that those people were the authors (the style makes this doubtful?), or creative writing by a later bard, or someone or something else witnessing this, they do well reflect the known historical events of the time. Thus lacking any other records of weight, these will have to do.

Having said that, they are by no means complete, but focus on many of the main events of the time, and in the life of Brackern. In addition, research continues to try unearth further documentation regarding this time.

Chapter One: The Beginning

Part 1: Dark Omens

The following is a recording of Brackern's reaction on hearing that the then ruler of Caerwyn, Archon Lucian, had been slain by monsters. Brackern was only one region over from the site of the incident, but it is thought that there were not enough hours left in the day for him to reach the region (before or together with Lucian), so he recommended holding at the current location. His letter must never have reached Lucian...

When the report came in, Brackern let it drop from his lifeless fingers, not even noticing that he was no longer holding it.

He numbly muttered, "To think that just this afternoon I received a letter from him, and dispatched one suggesting that he delay until tomorrow dawn when we could fight together..."

With that, the glorious future that he had envisaged crumbled into ash, the warmth of the room suddenly vanished, to be replaced with a coldness that no fire could break.

Just as soon, the sorrow and despair flashed into rage. There would be time for grief later. Right now the monsters in Knyazes must be made to pay, and he would stop at nothing until all of them lay dead, or he joined Archon Lucian in death.

Part 2: The Road to Revenge

An account of the first battle with the monsters that killed Archon Lucian.

[The prior evening, on the road for Knyazes] As Brackern as his men departed for Knyazes, numerous messengers intercepted them along the path with various scrolls. He took them and tossed them to his scribe, unopened. "I have no time for that," he said shortly.

The rage he still felt burning inside him had changed to a warm, slow sustaining glow. He would see that the Archon was avenged. "May the elements look kindly on my righteous mission," he prayed, in the hope that there would be some response - would take anything right now that would give him even one better chance at revenge.

[The next morning, at dawn]

The men were well deployed on the top of a ridge, and they but awaited the onset of the monsters. The dawn wind was calm - a good omen for the coming battle! Could the elements have blessed this battle, or was it good fortune?

Just then, movement was spotted in the trees below, and a mass of monsters broke from the concealment of the trees and charged toward the archers. Brackern turned, grim resolve in his eyes, and gave the order to fire.

In the clear dawn light, and the calm air, the archers' arrows found many a mark. As the monsters struggled up the steep incline, boulders, branches and scattered debris hindered their progress.

Brackern found an intense burning pleasure watching the monsters crumble under the rain of death falling upon them. Even so, several made it up to the front lines. This strangely pleased Brackern, for he was now able to take out some of his rage on something. Just as he jumped in, screaming like a maniac, the monsters rapidly retreated. The disappointment was as keen as a knife edge, and he even ran after them for a good score yards, whirling his longsword above his head and yelling in defiance of their cowardice.

"Was that all that they had?" he thought to himself once he had recovered from his bloodlust and returned to the ridgetop. "There must be another creature that I have yet to see, that was able to fell one so great as Archon Lucian."

Turning to his men, he said "Congratulations men! Today you have achieved a most legendary victory. See, even now our bard is composing a song in our honour and in remembrance of this day," he continued, indicating his traveling bard (who had been with him ever since the first great archer victory in Dunnbrook, several years ago). "When we face them again, we shall utterly exterminate this affront to life."

Once he had finished his speech, his thoughts had cooled somewhat, and they turned to Archon Lucian. His body must be found, and given the highest burial rites and honours. He would dive down the gullet of a monster to retrieve it if necessary.

Part 3: Sad returns

The thoughts of Brackern regarding the slaughtering of the monsters. The origin of this is doubtful, but is corroborated by other historical documents (what few there are).

As Brackern was once again on the move, he had time to think back to the events in Knyazes. In-between the two monster attacks, he had set out to meet the men carrying back Archon Lucian's body.

When he had finally reach them, he had been shocked to see the injuries that Lucian has sustained. Not one piece of armour was untorn, and many claw marks showed livid and long on his now death-pale skin. Brackern had vowed to himself then that he would avenge the monster that had done this, and all others of its kindred, until he no breath left in his body.

The sad procession had wound its way back to camp, where the body had been dressed and prepared for the journey.

Brackern's thoughts now turned on to the strange events later that evening. The monsters had come again, but were easily slaughtered. The feeling of revenge was bitter-sweet, for nothing could bring back his comrade Lucian.

Just then, a scout had come running into the camp reporting a sighting of what had looked like a massive monster that was approaching the camp. As soon as Brackern had heard the news, he had known that it must be the monster that had killed Lucian. With that he had his squire put on his armour, grabbed his longsword, dagger and battle axe, and headed to the side of the camp facing the direction of the monster sighting...

Interlude

Just then, a messenger came riding up with orders from Marshal Ibrahim, interrupting his [Brackern's] thoughts. Sighing, he realised that other needs of the realm and region would require attention, in addition to monster-slaying.

Although the horrific blow of Lucian's death was still fresh and painful, paperwork would at least take his mind off the event, and stop him from brooding on his failure to move to Knyazes and protect Lucian...

As historians would later note, the death of Archon Lucian and guilt that Brackern felt over it was be one of the turning points in his life, and contributed to the dark path that he would take...

Conclusion: A Greater Threat

A letter from Brackern describing the curious events that occurred in Knyazes. This letter outlines the event that gave indication that they were dealing with more than an unusually big monsters.

Nobles of Caerwyn,

I have reason to believe that the threat facing us is more grave than one single monster. I defeated a monster in Knyazes that was much stronger than the usual scum that we need to fight. While it was not as you described your nemesis a while back Sir Jun Hinamoto, it was no doubt equal in adeptness. Archon Lucian had already injured it, and it still nearly killed me several times.

It was a humanoid, with red eyes that almost burned in their intensity. It was massively muscled, and seemed a cross between the mythical vampire that the peasants sometimes speak of, and a great Northern Blackbear.

It had runes inscribed on both of its arms, and a medium sized, curving and jewel-encrusted horn on its head. The strangest event occurred at the end of the battle, and I shall remember it to the day I die. Here follows a brief account, that cannot in any way do the event justice: The battle was going poorly, and I was losing, badly. The beast had just thrown me to the ground, and was about to gore me with its horn. I just managed to roll out of the way, and -elements be praised!- its horn was snagged in the ground for a second or two. I pulled my axe from my back, and aim a desperate blow at its neck. Just at that moment, it pulled free, and would have dodged my blow altogether, were it not for the horn...

My axe struck the horn, which shattered on impact. So did my axe, and there was a flash of fire. The desperate blow left me wide open and weaponless, and I as I dived for my sword that I had dropped on the ground, I was expecting the claws to shred me utterly.

The blow never came.

As I looked up from my knees, I witnessed the strangest thing I have ever seen in the whole of my twenty-four years: the beast was stunned where it had been struck, and as I watched it, the eyes turned to a pleasant light blue colour, and the runes faded. The outer (skin?garment?) flaked away, and...it started to look like a man!

At first its mouth moved, and curious sounds came out.Was it/he trying to talk?! "The curse...is ended..." it whispered. "My thanks..." and its voice faded. It was visibly battling to breathe now, and only managed to say one more thing, so faint that I cannot be sure I heard it aright:"The others...are coming..."

Then it collapsed and died.

Thus, I have reason to believe that there is now more than one of these...whatever they are...now prowling our lands. This fits with the fact that Sir Jun Hinamoto has spotted another powerful beast, and I believe that the daemons down south are indeed behind this, as Sir Jun Hinamoto theorizes.

These are indeed dark days, and both Archon Lucian and Lord Adalthas shall be sorely missed. Let us all prepare ourselves for any further calamity that may occur, and stand strong in the face of this new threat!

For Adalthas and Lucian, may we always honour their lives and deaths with our own swords, words and deeds! For Caerwyn!

Chapter 2: The Growing Taint

Part 1: The Winds are Changing

Yet another unsubstantiated report, however what is clear that around this time Brackern did indeed start to change. It is surmised that it was a combination of the death of Archon Lucian, together with the guilt that he felt for not trying to reach him, and his keen desire for revenge. In addition, the Book that he now wielded was said to have a corrupting influence...if the Brilliant Hat of Warding had not been lost, it is likely that he would have been able to resist the corruption of the Book.

Captain Ferdinand watched the men finish packing with a quiet satisfaction. Orders were to move out at sunset, and the men were eager to see some action. This lent the men's performance and extra boost of energy above their normal smooth efficiency. As the last horse was packed, his thoughts turned to Lord Brackern, and his smile disappeared.

Ever since the death of Lord Lucian, there had been a change in his Lord... something darker, more dangerous. The normal calm and and supreme aura of command that he radiated was still evident, but tinged by something...he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Come to think of it, even this estate, normally a place of happiness steeped in an atmosphere of peace and quiet, felt different. Almost like a sense of brooding. That was the other reason that the men were glad to leave...the atmosphere here tended to make one jumpy, and start to imagine things that were not, or see shapes out of the corner of the eye.

With reluctance Captain Ferdinand pulled out of his musings. He must go and inform Lord Brackern that the packing is done.

Part 2: A New Factor

Around this time a strange knight appeared from the dark forests of Mech Calen.

The pale winter sunlight coming in through the window did nothing to lighten his mood. The past week was wearying - civil work and holding court over peasants - as if a Lord didn't have more important things to do! Even now the monsters still roam just out of reach below our southern borders!

In addition, he was still no closer to a solution - the ancient copies of wall hieroglyphics that he had found in the Golden Farrow still defied all attempts at further deciphering. That they had to do with the ancients and the daemons was clearly marked by what the author had managed to decipher (before apparently meeting his untimely demise), but nothing else.

He glanced down at a note that had arrived earlier - news of a strange knight being seen in Mech Derris. Who is this "Dark Knight" fellow, he wondered, and does he perhaps have something to do with the daemons and man-beasts from the south? I must definitely find out more...by whatever means possible.

Perhaps the Book might be of some assistance in that matter he thought, glancing at it. Yes, there were some rather interesting things in there..

Just then a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter", he called.

Part 3: Good News is a Good Guest?

It is unclear what the relation between the Knight and Brackern was, what is known was that there was a mutual interest in each other.

The journey to Farrowfield had gone without incident. Word had...come to him...regarding some of the doings of the Knight from Mech Calen. It appeared that there was a sort of incident there, and one man was left dead. Apparently he had also asked after the Lord of Mozyr. How curious.

A dangerous man it would seem, but what sort? From the description of his armour, he sounded like a noble. But how came he to the middle of the realm unmarked? Not all things are as they appear, it is true. He would have increase his informants even further (even though he had been steadily increasing the gold marked for such activities since the day following the fateful day).

Just then, a trusted messenger came in with a report from one of his informants watching the road from Knyazes to Mozyr: It would appear that the Knight was heading for his region.

This gave Brackern quite a bit to think about: It was unlikely that an agent of...the south... would travel so openly, and would have no hope of succeeding against a full unit of archers, or the special forces trained in Mozyr.

Then there was the hidden power of the Book...he rolled the full name around with pleasure in his mind: The Dazzling Book of Forbidden Knowledge, which had already revealed some of its power to him. It would be an unpleasant surprise to any who came uninformed upon him.

So, if this Knight is perhaps not hostile, he must be either neutral or friendly (or mad, the thought occurred to him).

Making up his mind, he decided that events had turned out well. The fact that he had departed from Mozyr and now the Knight was headed there played well into his hands. There were still too many unknowns, and unknowns provide threat. So, he would have the Knight escorted to the guest quarters at Mozyr if he wished, but it would not harm to have a few more 'servants' around the estate, nor to have a 'few' more than the usual guard of special forces stationed around the estate. Let him gather what he is able, what the peasants say will not reveal much, but my men shall indeed be most vigilant. It would no doubt be also wise to ensure that the man did not have access to the villa...it would not do to return and find the place looted...or trashed.

He sent off a messenger with these orders, and orders that a guard of special forces should be at the borderlands of the estate to greet the man and ascertain his intentions.

At least that matter could be put aside for now, he thought to himself. With that, his thoughts turned back to his research, which was still stalled, and the travel to the borders of Caerwyn. Perhaps they might encounter another of the beasts, and be able to gain more clues as to what sort of sorcery is being wielded...