The Devil You Know

[Old Dwarf]

Private Journal of Capt.Wm.Hawkins

Feb.15.1796 Am

I arrived in Shadowbrook via stage,a cold bleak
day but the towne appears pleasant enough.If
that Devil Skinner is here,it could not have been
for long.I asked around the Town Hall but found
out nothing.I'll see to Lodgings & then investigate further.


Feb.15,1786 Evening

A strange day I seem to have been taken over by
a Madness to find Skinner.I decided to visit the
Hanbrook Manor,which I learned was the seat
of the local gentry here about.The Hanbrooks were
not home but expected shortly & I was directed
to wait in the Library.

In inspecting his Lordships books I discovered a secret
Passage & overtaken by my desires to find Skinner
followed it until it came out to a Monastery.The Chapel
was empty but I could feel the power of the place
& swore The Oath of the Hunter at the alter.

Feb.16th,1796-Morning

After accepting the Monks hospitality for the night
I began my walk to returned Shadowbrook ,but
in crossing a Field outside of towne I was set upon
by the demonic.I resisted their attack,although
slightly wounded I prevailed.I feel that Skinner
must know I'm here & is trying to stop me.

Feb.16,1796-Evening

I went into Shadowbrook & found the Doctors office
to seek healing from the foul demonic attack.The
small rest did me good & I have an Intuitive Hunch
about things.However I feel the Madness is upon me
again!

Feb.17.1796 Morning

I felt compelled to visit the Covered Bridge not that
I found anything of use.I did however encounter the
Magistrate & received his Mandate.

Feb.17,1796-Evening

I am slowing recovering,another compulsion had me
go to the Bog a most undesirable area where I was again
set upon by a Demonic Host.In the struggle that ensued
I banished them but was myself overcome.

I awoke at the Inn adjacent to the Town Hall,I feel that
an Ominous Overture has been made but at least
my mind has cleared of the Madness.

Feb.18,1796-Mid Day

Most curious morning ,I encountered a fellow lodger
in the hall an exotic woman who seemed to read
my soul at a glance.She has an aura of darkness
about her but I sense nothing of the demonic.
I fumbled some inane morning pleasantries & she
smiled in return.Strange woman indeed & I would
seek her out to know more of the secrets those dark
eyes & crimson lips might offer but I must keep to
my oath & mission.

Still feeling a little wobbly I limited my activities this
morning to going over to the Black Smith's & buying a pistol
& as luck would have I recruited a young man just
returning from his Militia drill to my service.Still I feel
a growing of The Horror about this towne.

Feb.18th,1796-Noon

God my feeling of darkness & horror were correct,I have
had a deadly Encounter.That demon Skinner attacked me!
Coming out of no where he was suddenly at my throat,
although wounded I & my loyal Militia recruit fought back
& the grinning coward fled.My investigation grows hotter.

Feb.18th,1796- Evening

I went over to the Manor to pay my respects to Lord
Hanbrook but mainly to gain access to the secret passage
to the Monastery.Skinner has place demonic host to block
from easy access to the crossroads.

Skinner was however anticipating my move & I no sooner
arrived than an assign struck.I overcame him but received a wound.Lord Hanbrook called the surgeon & I was healed
but the fee was high.His Lordship did not offer to pick up
the fee.

I feel time is fleeting & I must get to the crossroads & call out this demon.

Feb.19th,1797 -Late Evening

I am much refreshed after my visit to the towne doctor,
I have also discovered that Skinner is after all hiding out
at the Blacksmith's where Ransom spied him.

Feb.20th.1796-Late Evening

God I may be too late I was Ambushed at the Dr. Office
this evening by another Demon Host & over come & the vile
things possess me although I can mostly control my actions.
I feel Skinner is just playing with me like a cat with a mouse.

Feb.21st.1796-Noon

I rested most of the morning but a I did the infernal
l host that possesses me gained control & sent me like
a mad man running into the country side.They finally
exhausted themselves & I regained control only to
find myself on some Forgotten Island on Echo Lake.
I am too tired to go on but I managed to find a boat
& leave the Island & took the road back to Shadowbrook.

Feb.21st,1796-Evening

I am truly cursed,Skinner sent another Demon Host
against me.The Demons has seized control again
& forced me to the Covered Bridge where another Host
awaited but with a power born of desperation I
drove them off.My possessors however reasserted
themselves I shambled off to the crossroads.

Feb.22nd,1796 -Noon

I woke up on the crossroads & quickly made plans
I sent word for the local Militia to assemble at the
Blacksmiths & then proceeded there & placed placed
the Captain of the Guard under my command.I
will now need to return to the crossroads to activate
the ward that will reveal Skinners Lair.

Feb.22nd,1796-Evening

Damn I was possessed again & trotted off to that
cursed Forgotten Island again.I fear it's too dark
to try to get off tonight,so a cold camp.

Feb.23,1796-Noon

I left the Island I traveled back to the crossroads
but was unable to activate the ward that would
take me to Skinner.I can just feel him Laying in Wait.

The powers at the crossroads were too potent for me
& my Host possessor took over but I was able to
regain control at the Magistrate's Office.
Skinner may delay me by such tricks but I shall
settle with him,even if it takes an eternity.

I also found the Magistrates office in confusion,
it seems this foreign woman led an attack on the
Church with a member of the local milita ,Lady
Hanbrook & Dr.Manning.She & the young militaman
were found unconscious and Dr.Manning,Lady Hanbrook
were missing & had apparently joined in the attack
on this woman.Stories were even circulating of Rev.
Harding who was supposed dead being involved.
It all sounds too outlandish but the local milita lad
with her awears it's all true.

It appears that for whatever reason this foreign
woman is all after Skinner.She is not Illumanti
& doesn't appear to be Masonic,what could she want
with Skinner?No matter I'm closing in on the Fiend.


Feb.23,1796-Evening

Damn,Damn,Damnit, the monster Skinner has evaded me.
I had made my way to the crossroads ,with my
Milita, and had also convinced a young Lady Sophia who
shows great strength ,she had suggested Lord Hanbrook
who was most anxious to find out about hie wife,to
join me.

I activaged the Ward & we emerged at the Blacksmith's
ready to take our revenge only to find....nothing.
I must start over.

Feb.23,1796-Late Evening

Horror Lord Hanbrook is reported dead & I am fighting
my possessor for control...curse you to Hell Skinner.


Feb.24,1796-Noon

I awoke back on the desolate Island,my possessors seem
to delight inn taking me to this place.Poor Sophia
& my loyal militia men had stayed with me in my
delirium.

This time they may of out smarted themselves as I took
some time to explore & uncovered several useful
clues.I also came upon a strange cat but he ran off.

The vile Horde within me seized me again but I must
have resisted too much as when I returned to conscious
I was still on the Isle.

Feb.24,1796-Evening

Still on this Island,something attacked Sophia but she
fought it off,but No One appearers to be safe if she
can be attacked in the middle of our camp.

Still the Island seem to have much of interest &
further search turned up a Stone Key.I saw
similar work at the Hanbrook's Manor so
it might be useful for solving the Mystery
of Lord Hanbrooks death & Lady Hanbrook's
actions.

I feel another possession coming I mus fight..fight..must..

Feb.25th,1796-Mid Day

My God I must find a way to remove this foul curse of
possession.I was seized again & in my delirium
I fled the Island & came to the nearby Bog & there
found the mysterious foreign lady,who I saw as
some sort of creature of darkness & ordered
an attack upon.

She resisted & we were both sorely wounded
& she escaped as I overcame my possessors &
to my horror realized the act I had committed.

Overcome by shame at my behavior I followed
the poor woman,finally catching up to her in the
woods. She was ready to fight but I explained
as best I could my possession & my mission.

Thank God she understood & forgave me,she
also told me of her hunt for Skinner but not
her motives for doing so & will not join with me.
She did however make me a present of a fine
musket so I in turn gave her the Stone Key as
the Manor much interest her.

We parted & I explored the woods some finding
an axe.Sophia spent this time preying & such is
her spirit that I could feel some of the misfortune
that has plagued my mission dissipate.

Feb.25th,1796-Evening

Frustration,I was possessed again & found myself
on the North Dock of Echo Lake.My party is growing
increasingly concerned with these wild flights of mine.
I did find evidence at the Dock that Skinner was now
at the Monastery ,a strange place for the demon but what
better a place to hide.It makes sense he was at the
Church in Shadowbrook when Valeria went after him.
This foul villain probably considers it a jest.

I then crossed over to the Forgotten Island as it was the
shortest way to reach the crossroads to activate the
ward to find Skinners hiding place at the Monastery.


Feb.26th,1796-Evening

Another possession,my body grows so weary but
at least this time I found myself at the Town Hall.
Before I was taken over I gave orders to the Militia
to assemble at the Monastery.

Feb.27th-Mid Morning

I then went to the Dr.Office ,the assistant is now in
charge & I was finally able to tend properly to my
wounds. The assistant also knew a bit of lore &
was able to cast out the Demon Host from me.
Sophia concentrated & was able to stop the
Chill Wind that has be dogging our foot steps.

Feb.27,1796 - Evening

I moved to the crossroads but with terrible luck
found I did not have enough power to activate
the Ward.A messenger sent word that demonic
hosts were see on the Monastery grounds.I
sent an order back to have the militia withdraw to
the North Dock & await my orders.The men need
to calmed down before being sent against these
demons.

Feb.28th,1796-Noon

It's over,I had traveled to the South Dock
but there Skinner appeared before us &
we were powerless.He mocked & taunted us,
saying he had collected enough souls for his master
& he would see me in Hell soon enough.

His twisted smiling face lingered briefly over the
smoke he disappeared into & then he was gone.

My oath remains unfulfilled,but I shall be waiting
for sure as the sun rises he will return somewhere
to collect more souls & when he does, I shall be
waiting & so shall Sophia.We leave this benighted
Shadowbrook together.