The Devil You Know

[Old Dwarf]

Diary of Valeria

2/1/1796

Another year,the party at the Spanish Embassy was
delightful but the most interesting part was a story
I picked up from one of the guest!

His excellently the ambassador had invited American
veterans of their Revolution as guests.He was an old man,
who had the most interesting stories to tell about the
failed campaign in Canada at the out set of the war.

He had the most interesting tale of the hardships he
endured returning from the assault on Quebec.This
Nathan Ransom had been a corporal & he described
the most fiendish actions of a Private Skinner who he
claimed was a demon from Hell.What is most interesting
is that he claims to have seen this Skinner again just
a month or so ago in a small village of Shadowbrook.

I grow so bored, with the mundane life & this Sebastian
Skinner seems a worthy opponent.I have resolved to go to
this Shadowbrook & hunt this "demon".Poor Senor Ransom
was really terrified as he recounted his story,he thinks
Skinner will come for him.I took pity on the dear old man
& help him go beyond Skinners vengeance.Alas his old blood
was rather thin.

15/2/1796- Morning

I arrived in Shadowbrook,a quaint village & proceeded to
the Blacksmiths to see if I could pick up this Skinners
trail from where Ransom reported seeing him.The trail
was faint bur demon taint led off toward the south East.

15/2/1796-Evening

I had followed the taint to the Crossroads where their is
a strong demonic presence.The power of the place
ensnared me & Choices had to be made,I was trapped
& could only be released by sending this killing spell
to another or taking the attack myself.

Realizing that a person killed by a spell would make
a demon stronger I took the attack & suffered a
slight wound.

I did obtain some useful information but feel that A Dark
Omen hangs over my activities.

16/26/09 -Noon

I had taken shelter at the Inn & healed my wound,
but no sooner had I done so I was attacked by Gremlins.
They are minor demonics but terribly fast.The fight was
exhausting & I was forced to use my rejuvenate powers
before I finally defeated them.

Another guest at the Inn reports that demonic host
have been seen on the road & that the Roads aren't safe.
The feeling of rising darkness is powerful & I have
been pushed into a blood frenzy to find Skinner.

16/2/1796-Evening

The compulsion to visit the Town Hall was overwhelming,
I found nothing but still I feel I have gained Strength of
Courage.Apparently some of the Town Elders were
subject to attacks but no one was effected.Skinner Struck
Again but this time it did him no good.

17/2/1796-Morning

I have maintained a Night Watch & picked up some
useful information.Then I was faced with Choices
as Skinner once again tried to attack & I choose to
accept the challenge myself rather than let him gain
strength through killing others.Alas the result was that I
was rendered unconscious.I am recovering but will
need to stay abed for the remainder of the day.

18/2/1796-Mid day

A pleasant morning,I met the most interesting man
at my lodgings,a Capt.Hawkins.I sense he is a true hunter
& thus chanced a mild glamor to to keep him from realizing my
true nature. He reminds me of Philip II with his self assurance
& that radiance of a sense of mission.An interesting but
dangerous man.

The remainder of my morning was spent at the
Magistrates Office going over the village records
for clues on Sebastian Skinner,one can never be too
cunning & sometimes it's the most mundane thing
that leads to a successful hunt.The Magistrate was
most helpful to me,again I sense a strong,relentless
personality.I think he would a most useful member in
my hunt.

18/2/1796-Evening

This afternoon I followed the Magistrates direction & visited
an Abandoned Keep just south of Shadowbrook as it
seems this Sebastian Skinner was interested in the
property.I found nothing on Skinner but did uncover
a copy of Book of the Occult.

My hunt is getting interesting as I feel my quarry is
is beginning to show himself.I can feel Darkness Falling
& the Howling in the Night.Things here are moving
toward darkness & I feel my powers growing.

19/2/1796-Mid Day

Some adventure I was traveling the road through
the Old Woods & was set upon by a very angry Tree.
I manged to kill it although its attack forced me to use
my regenerative powers.Tree spirits are often found in
dark remnant woods so it's probably nothing to do
with my prey,just an extra bonus.

19/2/1796-Evening

I venture to the crossroads as such places are often
the repository of darkness.Sure enough I discovered
a Devil's Contract obviously this Skinner has no knowledge
of who hunts him.The contract cannot touch the soul
I do not have,it only strengthens me.I also read the
eddies of power from this vile document & it leads back
to the Shadowbrook Church of all places! How delicious.

Then as I was leaving I encountered Lord Hanbrook
who seemed to be subject to some sort Paranoid Delusion,
He began yelling that I was a Demon from Hell &
attacked me.It was so sudden he wounded me before I
could react.I kicked his Lordship where it hurts &
it brought him to his senses.He apologized & fled
in embarrassment.

20/2/1796-Noon

I returned to the Abandoned Keep to see if I could
unearth some other item of use against Skinner.Alas
I did discover an old musket well wrapped & oiled
but its cold iron prevents me from using.I did take
however,perhaps a gift for the handsome Captain.

20/2/1796-Mid Afternoon

Murder,Murder they screamed a vile host of demons
rose up against me & I lost the struggle.Overcome
I became the hunted,I am recovering at the Town Hall,
Evil is growling & I can hear if howling.I must strike
soon!

I am trying to use my recovery period by carefully
observing the inhabitants of this village.I'm picking
up on many Lies & Deceits ,mortals they are so limited.
The main new news is that Rev.Hardy has been found
dead,I feel this is Skinner's work,the sense of advancing darkness grows.

21/2/1786-Mid Day

This morning being well recovered I went to the Blacksmith's
as their seemed to be a gathering of young men.I hired
one as my body guard (he seemed quite amused at
the title) as I'll need help in taking Skinner.After all
We Mustn't Linger.

21/2/1796-Evening

I was on the marsh this afternoon it was so desolate
& quiet that I was able to fully loose my senses
to the miasma if evil that I've been feeling.There it was
a phantom of misfortune .My prey has set traps!

If he thinks this child's toy of demonic powers can stop
me,I Think Not & with a directed thought banished
the phantom.I can still feel the Evil that Skinner brought
growing.

22/2/1796-Mid Afternoon

Failed,but I had to try.I needed allies as Skinner & I are
too evenly matched,I recruited Lady Hanbrook who
suggested Dr. Manning.All 3 of us & my body guard
went to the crossroads & I activated the Ward & stepped
into Skinners lair on the Church Grounds.

Treachery he was expecting me ,he was with me.Dr.
Manning 's face flowed into a wicked smile & advance
toward me & was joined by Lady Hanbrook!Then out
of the corner of my eye I saw Rev.Harding alive
& joining my enemies!

My brave body guard & I put up a fight & gave the villain
a few wounds but we were outnumbered & overcome.

I became conscious at the Inn just behind the Town Hall
the villagers realize that Evil is a foot & my guard & I
are being bombarded with questions.I must get us
out of this mad house & back to the hunt.I can
feel Skinners Growing strenght,a worthy prey indeed.

23/2/1796-Mid Morning

I finally was able to slip away from all the questions
this morning & went down to the covered bridge outside
of the village for some solitude.All the Gossip &
Rumorers of these mortals is so wearing.The tid-bit
on Lord Handbrook being a war criminal was interesting
but then again he probably sold some sheep to the
Hessians.I really mustn't listen to such nonsense!

23/2/1796-Evening

Interesting news,I had started to revisit the crossroads
to see if I could sense where Skinner has now
hiding,as the Tide of Darkness is getting stronger.
Instead I encountered some villagers who
had quite forgotten me,as the latest local news
was that a Captain Hawkins with some Militia had
conducted some kind of raid on the Blacksmith's
Shop.Some local named Sofia & Lord Hanbrook
were also involved,but nothing came of it.The talk
was they were looking for a Sebastian Skinner!

So my handsome Captain is also on the hunt,interesting
very interesting.

23/2/1796 Late Evening

More news Skinner has struck again,Lord Handbrook
has been found dead in his manor.Perhaps a suicide
over the shame of his wife's treachery Maybe Lady
Hanbrook herself did it under the influence of Skinner.
The shadows over this village grows ever darker.

24/2/1796-Noon

I investigated The Bog over by Echo Lake this morning
as such desolate areas often hold clues.I did pick
up some useful senses of the demonic.It may
help to Hold Back the Darkness.

Still Agents of Evil are afoot & the darkness will not
yield easily.

24/2/1797-Evening

I lingered at the Bog for the rest of the day feeling
the March of Darkness going on.I did sense that my
prey is now holed up in late Lord Hanbrook's Manor.

Then suddenly Captain Hawkins appeared,wild eyed
with his company trying to keep up.He spied me &
immediately attacked.We both manage to wound
each other before the battle lust just went out of him
& I got away going deeper into the Bog & fortunately
a fog rolled in covering my escape..

I fear Skinner is now hunting us I fear I underestimated
this demon


25/2/1796-Late Morning

I slipped out of the Bog & went to the Olde Woods
thinking to cover my trail before I chance the roads
again but I still must return to the village & heal
from Hawkins assault.The woods were full of Whispers
& my "brave"body guard fled...mortals!Damn them all!

25/2/1796-Noon

Wonders!as I was resting in the woods cursing my
faithless body guard,Captain Hawkins & company
came upon me.I am getting careless & was prepared
to fight again even though I was well outnumbered.

Instead the Captain did abjectly apologize & explained
his possession.He explained his mission & although
I want Skinner for the pleasure of my own kill,I
understand his right for vengeance.

To show that I forgave him I gave him the musket
& he in turn gave the Stone Key.Well met under the
circumstances.Perhaps when this hunt is over....
although I notice the woman Sophia that accompanies
him seems interested as well.We both agree an Ancient
Evil is at work.

25/2/1796-Evening

After bidding goodbye to my handsome Captain,
I left the woods & continued on toward the covered
bridge,there I encountered some militia Men marching
along in a trance like state under some strange
Domination.They ignored me but it seems Skinner
is possessing more & more of Shadowbrook.

I can feel his darkness growing,it does not bode well
for my hunt or the Captains.

26/2/1796-Mid-Morning

I have taking myself to the Dr.Office,the Doctor was
of course not in,but his assistant was kind enough
to attend to my remaining wounds from my struggles
with Captain Hawkins.

I must rethink my plans,Skinner is too strong for me
now & the Tide of Darkness is running his way.
I need to strengthen myself.The Captain
asked me to join him but it's my hunt & I do not
share prey.Still I must find a way to strengthen myself
& set these thoughts about Captain Hawkins aside.

26/2/1796-Late Evening

I have been to the Manor & used the Stone Key,
my knowledge grows but alas not my strength,
although I did "borrow"a saber.

27/2/1796-Late Morning

I traveled out to Fields North of the village but
discovered nothing except the sense that the Agents
of Evil are at work & time is growing short.
I felt the Shadow growing longer & then Sebastian
Skinner was smiling in front of me.That cursed smile
was the last thing I remembered.

The farmer found me & took me to the Inn behind the
Town Hall.This time upon awakening I slipped out
quickly to avoid the curious.

27/2/1796-Late Afternoon

I went back to the Church grounds to see if I could
find something of use against Skinner but instead
just encountered some villagers talking of murder
& making accusations against members of the
community.I left before their attention could turn to me.

28/2/1796-Late Evening

The Hunt has failed,the Prey wins this one.I
had explored the Abandoned Keep again still looking
for something to help me against Skinner,but only
found a servant boy playing fort.

On the way back to the village I felt it happen the
exalted triumph of Evil.The remaining light in the
village was gone.Then I lost the Demon Sent
altogether.Skinner has vanished the prey is no
longer here.

I shall leave now,it was a good hunt even though
unsuccessful Perhaps someday I shall hunt this prey
in another time & place.