Канал: Ader Ferra

Good fortune and hard work may yet arrest this plague․

Good fortune and hard work may yet arrest this plague․

Gnawing uncertainty – the birthplace of dread․

Gnawing uncertainty – the birthplace of dread․

Glittering gold, trinkets and baubles – paid for in blood․

Glittering gold, trinkets and baubles – paid for in blood․

Huddled together, furtive and vulnerable․ Rats in a maze․

Huddled together, furtive and vulnerable․ Rats in a maze․

How quickly the tide turns!

How quickly the tide turns!

How many rats will it take to gnaw through a tonne of putrid flesh？

How many rats will it take to gnaw through a tonne of putrid flesh？

Hideous matriarch, vile queen of the aphotic depths – she has no place in the sane world!

Hideous matriarch, vile queen of the aphotic depths – she has no place in the sane world!

Her knowledge of horticulturalism, and its role in various arcane practices impressed me greatly․ My

Her knowledge of horticulturalism, and its role in various arcane practices impressed me greatly․ My

He will be laughing still․․․ at the end․

He will be laughing still․․․ at the end․

Ha! The poor fool still stands, battered and broken as his precious mill․

Ha! The poor fool still stands, battered and broken as his precious mill․

Ha ha ha! Let those dirty beasts worship the mud now!

Ha ha ha! Let those dirty beasts worship the mud now!

Grievous injury, palpable fear․․․

Grievous injury, palpable fear․․․

I had collected many rare and elusive volumes on ancient herbal properties, and was set to enjoy sev

I had collected many rare and elusive volumes on ancient herbal properties, and was set to enjoy sev

I entertained a delegation of experts from overseas, eager to plumb the depths of their knowledge an

I entertained a delegation of experts from overseas, eager to plumb the depths of their knowledge an

I employed a crew of particularly unsavory mariners, who, for a time, sailed the four corners at my

I employed a crew of particularly unsavory mariners, who, for a time, sailed the four corners at my

I could not store such a prodigious amount of offal, nor could I rid myself of it easily, possessed

I could not store such a prodigious amount of offal, nor could I rid myself of it easily, possessed

I can still see their angry faces as they stormed the manor, but I was dead before they found me, an

I can still see their angry faces as they stormed the manor, but I was dead before they found me, an

I brought my colleagues back with much of their intellect intact, a remarkable triumph for even the

I brought my colleagues back with much of their intellect intact, a remarkable triumph for even the

I always wondered what became of the unfortunate little waif․․․

I always wondered what became of the unfortunate little waif․․․

Impressive haul! If you value such things․

Impressive haul! If you value such things․

Ignorance of your enemy and of yourself will invariably lead to defeat․

Ignorance of your enemy and of yourself will invariably lead to defeat․

If only treasure could staunch the flow of otherworldly corruption․․․

If only treasure could staunch the flow of otherworldly corruption․․․

Idol, amulet, or lucky charm – the simplest object can be a talisman against evil․

Idol, amulet, or lucky charm – the simplest object can be a talisman against evil․

I was lord of this place, before the crows and rats made it their domain․

I was lord of this place, before the crows and rats made it their domain․

I see something long–absent in the sunken faces of passersby – a glimmer of hope․

I see something long–absent in the sunken faces of passersby – a glimmer of hope․

I remember days when the sun shone, and laughter could be heard from the tavern․

I remember days when the sun shone, and laughter could be heard from the tavern․

I knew all these paths once; now they are as twisted as my own ambitions․

I knew all these paths once; now they are as twisted as my own ambitions․

In financial desperation, I struck a bargain with the ancient things that surfaced in search of sacr

In financial desperation, I struck a bargain with the ancient things that surfaced in search of sacr

Impressive!

Impressive!

It is a travesty – a blundering mountain of hatred and rage․

It is a travesty – a blundering mountain of hatred and rage․

It could be dismissed as a fever dream, if not for the corpses․

It could be dismissed as a fever dream, if not for the corpses․

Injury and despondence set the stage for heroism․․․ or cowardice․

Injury and despondence set the stage for heroism․․․ or cowardice․

Inspiration and improvement!

Inspiration and improvement!

In truth I cannot tell how much time has passed since I sent that letter․

In truth I cannot tell how much time has passed since I sent that letter․

In time, you will know the tragic extent of my failings․․․

In time, you will know the tragic extent of my failings․․․

In the end, every plan relies upon a strong arm, and tempered steel․

In the end, every plan relies upon a strong arm, and tempered steel․

In radiance may we find victory․

In radiance may we find victory․

It is as grotesque in death as it was in life․․․

It is as grotesque in death as it was in life․․․

Monstrous size has no intrinsic merit, unless inordinate exsanguination be considered a virtue․

Monstrous size has no intrinsic merit, unless inordinate exsanguination be considered a virtue․

Mind that such missteps are the exception, and not the rule․

Mind that such missteps are the exception, and not the rule․

Mechanical hazards, possessed by evil intent․

Mechanical hazards, possessed by evil intent․

Mastery over life and death was chief among my early pursuits․ I began in humility, but my ambition

Mastery over life and death was chief among my early pursuits․ I began in humility, but my ambition

Masterfully executed!

Masterfully executed!

Many fall in the face of chaos; but not this one, not today․

Many fall in the face of chaos; but not this one, not today․

Make no mistake, we will face ever greater threats․ Our soldiers must be ready․

Make no mistake, we will face ever greater threats․ Our soldiers must be ready․

Madness, our old friend!

Madness, our old friend!

Madness – sublimity of the intelligence, or so it has been said․

Madness – sublimity of the intelligence, or so it has been said․

Let me share with you the terrible wonders I have come to know․․․

Let me share with you the terrible wonders I have come to know․․․

Leave nothing unchecked, there is much to be found in forgotten places․

Leave nothing unchecked, there is much to be found in forgotten places․

You answered the letter – now like me, you are part of this place․

You answered the letter – now like me, you are part of this place․

You cannot learn a thing you think you know․․․

You cannot learn a thing you think you know․․․

You still foolishly consider yourself an entity separate from the whole․ I know better․ And I․ Will․

You still foolishly consider yourself an entity separate from the whole․ I know better․ And I․ Will․

With enough ale, maybe they can be inured against the horrors below․

With enough ale, maybe they can be inured against the horrors below․

Women and men; soldiers and outlaws; fools and corpses․ All will find their way to us now that the r

Women and men; soldiers and outlaws; fools and corpses․ All will find their way to us now that the r

With no living sinew to actuate them, will these walking bones finally fail？

With no living sinew to actuate them, will these walking bones finally fail？

Trinkets and charms, gathered from all the forgotten corners of the earth․․․

Trinkets and charms, gathered from all the forgotten corners of the earth․․․

Towering, fierce, terrible․ Nightmare made material!

Towering, fierce, terrible․ Nightmare made material!

You will endure this loss, and learn from it․

You will endure this loss, and learn from it․

Well struck!

Well struck!

Wounds to be tended; lessons to be learned․

Wounds to be tended; lessons to be learned․

Word is travelling․ Ambition is stirring in distant cities․ We can use this․

Word is travelling․ Ambition is stirring in distant cities․ We can use this․

While the greedy dogs slept off their revelry, I hexed their anchor with every twisted incantation I

While the greedy dogs slept off their revelry, I hexed their anchor with every twisted incantation I

Without tools of iron, you must rely on flesh and indefatigable purpose․

Without tools of iron, you must rely on flesh and indefatigable purpose․

What better laboratory than the blood–soaked battlefield？

What better laboratory than the blood–soaked battlefield？

Where there is no peril in the task, there can be no glory in its accomplishment․

Where there is no peril in the task, there can be no glory in its accomplishment․

Trouble yourself not with the cost of this crusade – its noble end affords you broad tolerance in yo

Trouble yourself not with the cost of this crusade – its noble end affords you broad tolerance in yo

Wherefore, heroism？

Wherefore, heroism？

Leave her corpse to rot, consumed by the spores she spawned․

Leave her corpse to rot, consumed by the spores she spawned․

Its destruction is a small consolation, given the implications of its terrible existence․

Its destruction is a small consolation, given the implications of its terrible existence․

It is done․ Turn yourself now to the conditions of those poor devils who remain․

It is done․ Turn yourself now to the conditions of those poor devils who remain․

Obliterated!

Obliterated!

Nothing lives for long on these barren fields․

Nothing lives for long on these barren fields․

No force of will can overcome a failing body․

No force of will can overcome a failing body․

No chance for egress – will this be a massacre？

No chance for egress – will this be a massacre？

Nature herself – a victim to this spreading corruption malformed with misintent․

Nature herself – a victim to this spreading corruption malformed with misintent․

My zeal for blood rituals and summoning rites had begun to ebb as each attempt invariably brought on

My zeal for blood rituals and summoning rites had begun to ebb as each attempt invariably brought on

My obsession caused this great foulness, and it is shameful that I must rely upon you to set it righ

My obsession caused this great foulness, and it is shameful that I must rely upon you to set it righ

My lofty position wasn't always accompanied by the fear of office, and there was a time I could walk

My lofty position wasn't always accompanied by the fear of office, and there was a time I could walk

My first attempts at summoning were crude and the results, disappointing․ I soon found however, that

My first attempts at summoning were crude and the results, disappointing․ I soon found however, that

Most will end up here, covered in the poisoned earth, awaiting merciful oblivion․

Most will end up here, covered in the poisoned earth, awaiting merciful oblivion․

Mortality clarified in a single strike!

Mortality clarified in a single strike!

More dust, more ashes, more disappointment․

More dust, more ashes, more disappointment․

More bones returned to rest․ Devils remanded to their abyss․

More bones returned to rest․ Devils remanded to their abyss․

More blood soaks the soil, feeding the evil therein․

More blood soaks the soil, feeding the evil therein․

More arrive, foolishly seeking fortune and glory in this domain of the damned․

More arrive, foolishly seeking fortune and glory in this domain of the damned․

Rarities and curios, sold at a profit, of course․

Rarities and curios, sold at a profit, of course․

Prying eyes had become a nuisance along the Old Road, and so I undertook to receive my most curious

Prying eyes had become a nuisance along the Old Road, and so I undertook to receive my most curious

Prodigious size alone does not dissuade the sharpened blade․

Prodigious size alone does not dissuade the sharpened blade․

Press this advantage, give them no quarter!

Press this advantage, give them no quarter!

Precision and power!

Precision and power!

Perched at the very precipice of oblivion․․․

Perched at the very precipice of oblivion․․․

Patched up, if only to bleed again․

Patched up, if only to bleed again․

Packs laden with loot are often low on supplies․

Packs laden with loot are often low on supplies․

Packs full of steel and war, but nary a thought given to the plow․

Packs full of steel and war, but nary a thought given to the plow․

Pace out the halls of your lineage, once familiar, now foreign․

Pace out the halls of your lineage, once familiar, now foreign․

Our land is remote and unneighbored․ Every lost resource must be recovered․

Our land is remote and unneighbored․ Every lost resource must be recovered․

Our family name, once so well regarded, is now barely whispered aloud by decent folk․

Our family name, once so well regarded, is now barely whispered aloud by decent folk․

Ornaments neatly ordered, lovingly admired․

Ornaments neatly ordered, lovingly admired․

One can sometimes find clarity in madness, but only rarely․․․

One can sometimes find clarity in madness, but only rarely․․․

Once, our estate was the envy of this land․․․

Once, our estate was the envy of this land․․․

Secrets and wonders can be found in the most tenebrous corners of this place․

Secrets and wonders can be found in the most tenebrous corners of this place․

Seafaring trade, the lifeblood of any port, can resume again now that the routes are safe․

Seafaring trade, the lifeblood of any port, can resume again now that the routes are safe․

Room by room, hall by hall, we reclaim what is ours․

Room by room, hall by hall, we reclaim what is ours․

Robbed of their writings, the Swine will grow ever more ignorant – if such a thing were possible․

Robbed of their writings, the Swine will grow ever more ignorant – if such a thing were possible․

Ringing ears, blurred vision – the end approaches․․․

Ringing ears, blurred vision – the end approaches․․․

Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer․

Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer․

Regroup․ Reassemble․ Evil is timeless, after all․

Regroup․ Reassemble․ Evil is timeless, after all․

Reeling, gasping, taken over the edge into madness!

Reeling, gasping, taken over the edge into madness!

Recover these lost shipments of rarities, that we may prevent them from falling into even less scrup

Recover these lost shipments of rarities, that we may prevent them from falling into even less scrup

Simple folk are by their nature loquacious, and the denizens of the Hamlet were no exception․ It was

Simple folk are by their nature loquacious, and the denizens of the Hamlet were no exception․ It was

Shoot, bandage and pillage the dancing steps of war․

Shoot, bandage and pillage the dancing steps of war․

She searches where others will not go․․․ and sees what others will not see․

She searches where others will not go․․․ and sees what others will not see․

Send this one to journey elsewhere, for we have need of sterner stock․

Send this one to journey elsewhere, for we have need of sterner stock․

Seize this momentum! Push on to the task's end!

Seize this momentum! Push on to the task's end!

Self–preservation is paramount – at any cost!

Self–preservation is paramount – at any cost!

Success so clearly in view․․․ or is it merely a trick of the light？

Success so clearly in view․․․ or is it merely a trick of the light？

Success depends on survival․

Success depends on survival․

Strong drink, a game of chance, and companionship․ The rush of life․

Strong drink, a game of chance, and companionship․ The rush of life․

Squirming, contorting and ever–expanding․․․this horror must be unmade!

Squirming, contorting and ever–expanding․․․this horror must be unmade!

Soothed, sedated․

Soothed, sedated․

Some may fall, but their knowledge lives on․

Some may fall, but their knowledge lives on․

Slumped shoulders, wild eyes, and a stumbling gait – this one is no more good to us․

Slumped shoulders, wild eyes, and a stumbling gait – this one is no more good to us․

Slowly, gently, this is how a life is taken․․․

Slowly, gently, this is how a life is taken․․․

Teetering on the brink, facing the abyss․․․

Teetering on the brink, facing the abyss․․․

Survival is a tenuous proposition in this sprawling tomb․

Survival is a tenuous proposition in this sprawling tomb․

Surgical precision!

Surgical precision!

Suffer not the lame horse․․․ nor the broken man․

Suffer not the lame horse․․․ nor the broken man․

Such blockages are unsurprising – these tunnels predate even the earliest settlers․

Such blockages are unsurprising – these tunnels predate even the earliest settlers․

Such a terrible assault cannot be left unanswered!

Such a terrible assault cannot be left unanswered!

Such a burden of finery risks life and limb․

Such a burden of finery risks life and limb․

The echoes of his mindless tittering reverberate maddeningly․․․

The echoes of his mindless tittering reverberate maddeningly․․․

The degeneracy of the Hamlet is nothing, I fear, when compared to the condition of surrounding acres

The degeneracy of the Hamlet is nothing, I fear, when compared to the condition of surrounding acres

The darkness holds much worse than mere trickery and bogeymen․

The darkness holds much worse than mere trickery and bogeymen․

The cost of preparedness – measured now in gold, later in blood․

The cost of preparedness – measured now in gold, later in blood․

The cobwebs have been dusted, the pews set straight․ The Abbey calls to the faithful․․․

The cobwebs have been dusted, the pews set straight․ The Abbey calls to the faithful․․․

The bulwarks of the mind have fallen!

The bulwarks of the mind have fallen!

The Brigands are undone – our family crest is once again a symbol of strength!

The Brigands are undone – our family crest is once again a symbol of strength!

The blood quickens!

The blood quickens!

The blood pumps, the limbs obey!

The blood pumps, the limbs obey!

The bigger the beast, the greater the glory․

The bigger the beast, the greater the glory․

The bellows blast once again! The forge stands ready to make weapons of war․

The bellows blast once again! The forge stands ready to make weapons of war․

The aquatic devils have remade the poor girl in their image! She is their queen, and their slave!

The aquatic devils have remade the poor girl in their image! She is their queen, and their slave!

The abyss returns even the boldest gaze․

The abyss returns even the boldest gaze․

The Abbot will be grateful – the trappings of his faith have been restored․

The Abbot will be grateful – the trappings of his faith have been restored․

Terrors may indeed stalk these shadows, but yonder – a glint of gold․

Terrors may indeed stalk these shadows, but yonder – a glint of gold․

The horror․․․

The horror․․․

The ground quakes!

The ground quakes!

The Great Thing I had managed to bring through was brutish and stupid․ Moreover, it required prodigi

The Great Thing I had managed to bring through was brutish and stupid․ Moreover, it required prodigi

The great Ruins belong to us, and we will find whatever secrets they hold․

The great Ruins belong to us, and we will find whatever secrets they hold․

The front line of this war is not in the dungeon, but rather, inside the mind․

The front line of this war is not in the dungeon, but rather, inside the mind․

The flopping, fish–like things abhore the warding sigils․ Let us claim this place anew!

The flopping, fish–like things abhore the warding sigils․ Let us claim this place anew!

The flesh is knit!

The flesh is knit!

The flesh is immortal, it is undying․ Pray it does not take too hideous a form․

The flesh is immortal, it is undying․ Pray it does not take too hideous a form․

The flesh is fluid, it can be changed, reshaped, remade!

The flesh is fluid, it can be changed, reshaped, remade!

The fiends must be driven back, and what better place to begin than the seat of our noble line？

The fiends must be driven back, and what better place to begin than the seat of our noble line？

The smell of rotting fish is almost unbearable․․․

The smell of rotting fish is almost unbearable․․․

The slow death – unforeseen, unforgiving․

The slow death – unforeseen, unforgiving․

The sin is not in being outmatched, but in failing to recognize it․

The sin is not in being outmatched, but in failing to recognize it․

The shifted corridors and sloped vaults of our ancestry are beginning to feel familiar․

The shifted corridors and sloped vaults of our ancestry are beginning to feel familiar․

The requirements of survival cannot be met on an empty stomach․

The requirements of survival cannot be met on an empty stomach․

The raw strength of youth may be spent, but his eyes hold the secrets of a hundred campaigns․

The raw strength of youth may be spent, but his eyes hold the secrets of a hundred campaigns․

The pungent odour abates! The things are driven back, for a time․

The pungent odour abates! The things are driven back, for a time․

The poor devils, chained and drowning for eternity․․․

The poor devils, chained and drowning for eternity․․․

The poor Caretaker, I fear his long–standing duties here have ․․․affected him․

The poor Caretaker, I fear his long–standing duties here have ․․․affected him․

The plume and the pistol – a fitting end to my folly, and a curse upon us all․

The plume and the pistol – a fitting end to my folly, and a curse upon us all․

The mind cannot hope to withstand such an assault․

The mind cannot hope to withstand such an assault․

The match is struck․ A blazing star is born!

The match is struck․ A blazing star is born!

The madman hides there, behind the pews, spouting his mindless drivel!

The madman hides there, behind the pews, spouting his mindless drivel!

The light, the promise of safety!

The light, the promise of safety!

The human mind – fragile like a robin's egg․

The human mind – fragile like a robin's egg․

The spasmodically squirming, braying, and snorting half–corpses were heaped each upon the other unti

The spasmodically squirming, braying, and snorting half–corpses were heaped each upon the other unti

The sparkling eyes of youth – twisted and made merciless!

The sparkling eyes of youth – twisted and made merciless!

The space between worlds is no place for mortal men․

The space between worlds is no place for mortal men․

The smell of sulfur and gunpowder hangs in the air, the war machine is close․

The smell of sulfur and gunpowder hangs in the air, the war machine is close․

The will to fight falters!

The will to fight falters!

The wild whispers of heresy roused the rabble to violent action․ Such was the general air of rebelli

The wild whispers of heresy roused the rabble to violent action․ Such was the general air of rebelli

The ways and rituals of blood sacrifice are difficult to master․ Those from beyond require a physica

The ways and rituals of blood sacrifice are difficult to master․ Those from beyond require a physica

The way is lit․ The path is clear․ We require only the strength to follow it․

The way is lit․ The path is clear․ We require only the strength to follow it․

The walls close in, the shadows whisper of conspiracy!

The walls close in, the shadows whisper of conspiracy!

The twisted faces of the damned, piled high and cloaked in malice!

The twisted faces of the damned, piled high and cloaked in malice!

The thrill of the hunt․․․ The promise of payment․․․

The thrill of the hunt․․․ The promise of payment․․․

The thing is more terrible than I can describe – an incoherent jumble of organ, sinew and bone․

The thing is more terrible than I can describe – an incoherent jumble of organ, sinew and bone․

The thing is even more horrible in death․ Liquefaction cannot come soon enough․

The thing is even more horrible in death․ Liquefaction cannot come soon enough․

The task ahead is terrible, and weakness cannot be tolerated․

The task ahead is terrible, and weakness cannot be tolerated․

The Swine draw power from their horrid markings and crude idols – tear them down!

The Swine draw power from their horrid markings and crude idols – tear them down!

These nightmarish creatures can be felled! They can be beaten!

These nightmarish creatures can be felled! They can be beaten!

There is power in symbols․ Collect the scattered scraps of faith and give comfort to the masses․

There is power in symbols․ Collect the scattered scraps of faith and give comfort to the masses․

There is method in the wild corruption here․ It bears a form both wretched and malevolent․

There is method in the wild corruption here․ It bears a form both wretched and malevolent․

There is a great horror beneath the manor a Crawling Chaos that must be destroyed!

There is a great horror beneath the manor a Crawling Chaos that must be destroyed!

There can be no hope in this hell, no hope at all․

There can be no hope in this hell, no hope at all․

Their formation is broken – maintain the offensive․

Their formation is broken – maintain the offensive․

Their cursed champion falls!

Their cursed champion falls!

The wounds of war can be healed, but never hidden․

The wounds of war can be healed, but never hidden․

The wood is still poisoned․ The way is still blocked․ But less people will be eaten․

The wood is still poisoned․ The way is still blocked․ But less people will be eaten․

This expedition, at least, promises success․

This expedition, at least, promises success․

This day belongs to the Light!

This day belongs to the Light!

They must learn more than brutal bloodletting – they must learn to survive!

They must learn more than brutal bloodletting – they must learn to survive!

They breed quickly down there in the dark, but perhaps we can slay them even faster․

They breed quickly down there in the dark, but perhaps we can slay them even faster․

They are cursed to float forever, deep in the swirling blackness, far beyond the light's reach․

They are cursed to float forever, deep in the swirling blackness, far beyond the light's reach․

These salt–soaked caverns are teeming with pelagic nightmares – they must be flushed out!

These salt–soaked caverns are teeming with pelagic nightmares – they must be flushed out!