Dicefell 2 Vault (2024)

This last week has been such a whirlwind I barely know where to begin this entry. I suppose everything started just after this recent, terribly wet spring. Just as the rains were fading away and a crisp summer was on the horizon, we started getting numerous reports of marauding Ogres from the outer farming villages. All of them on the eastern flank that we share with the wooded mountains. The stupid brutes are well known to us, however encounters would normally be one or two per cycle of the moon… not the eight or nine per moon cycle that was being reported!

It was supposed to be such a simple task. My family and I would visit these towns with many a knight in tow. And as m’lady and m’daughter charmed the simple folk, my men and I would ride around in a show of force and maybe even chase off one of the smelly things. We’ve done this a dozen times in the past pair of years, its always the same and easy task. There was one time when I wasn’t present that my knights actually felled one of these beasts who was too stupid to retreat without his stolen goods.
This time started off the same. We arrived in town and rode a double perimeter, addressing some of the peasants and farmers as we rode past. It was a pleasant day after all the rain and a good ride. That night we camped just west of the town, my captain of guards wanting the town between us and the forest fence.

Screams woke me from my sleep. Inhuman roars and clashing steel. I scrambled from my tent to see my personal guards already engaging with a berserk Ogre who was swinging one of my dead knights as a fleshy club wrapped in chain. Another roar to my side, and there an Ogre fell with several bolts protruding from its neck and chest. By all appearances it was as if we were ambushed! To imagine, these idiot beasts capable of orchestrating such a maneuver! And yet here it was.
The town wasn’t attacked. Theses muddy beasts circled around it to get to my encampment. They didn’t run in roaring and screaming as they were acting now. They came in quietly, using mud as camouflage, to get as close to my guards as possible before being discovered.

Although surprisingly impressive for them, they didn’t stand a chance. My highly organized and trained knights dispatched the beasts with great skill and speed. The last one stopped twitched maybe ten minutes after I awoke. Several had been chased away into the darkness; however sense prevailed that you don’t chase several Ogres into the darkness of night. Common sense and battle tactics say that you don’t chase several Ogres into the darkness of night after an ambush. So we didn’t. Which is why the blood utterly drained from my face when I was told my only daughter was missing. She’d been taken in the attack. Her body wasn’t found, so she wasn’t killed in the attack. Which means I stood by and told my men to stay, to stand still in my encampment, while a filthy beast ran into the forest with my precious girl. My men literally pointed to all four compass points when we asked which way they saw Ogres retreating. There was no way to track with what we had. We had to return to the city and get the best of the best! But the city was a week’s ride away even by the swiftest messenger.

I wept, my wife wept, we screamed and swore revenge and wept more. And we returned to the city with all haste. I don’t recall the return trip. I do recall every sunset becoming more bleak and each day less renewing.
When we arrived back at the city, plans were already in the works. I demanded that we leave at first light on the morrow. I couldn’t sleep that night, I was pacing the halls when I heard the alarm sound. It almost seemed as if it were a dream. I don’t actually recall the alarm bell every ringing except for in drills and training.

“We’re under attack?” I thought allowed and was already moving to the muster point.
I met the Captain of my guards on the way, he quickly brought me to the rear wall where the oddest sight awaited my eyes. There was an Ogre in my rear garden. It was glowing in the moonlight, a soft and radiant light. And within its arms it held something. A person? A child. My daughter! The glowing Ogre was holding my daughter. And before I knew it, the Captain was holding me to stop me from jumping off the twenty foot walls.

By the time I got down there the Ogre was surrounded by my men, two dozen sharpened steel bolts were aiming at this thing. And yet it was only looking down and cradling? Yes, it was cradling my sleeping daughter. The beast was injured too. However the injuries were clearly not from sharp blades or weapons of men. They were jagged, ugly wounds caused by the savage might of Ogre attacks.
These next words I write because I need to, to actually believe what my eyes show me. What my most relied upon men tell me happened. What beyond belief must have happened…

This Ogre stole my daughter from its own people. Its people that somehow managed to band together for an ambush that’s never been heard of before. And as they attacked it, it managed to keep my daughter safe and even walked right into my back garden to return her at the obvious risk of immediate death.

It did not immediately die. Too much was unanswered.

The next morning after much celebration and my daughter reuniting with her mother and I, we began to explore this Ogre with my advisors.

This is what we know: The Ogre is what’s referred to as an ‘albino’, meaning its skin lacks the colour that flesh should have. This is why it appeared to glow in the bright light of the moon. It is a larger male ogre with seemingly less intelligence than most of its kin. Its sheer size likely allowed it to escape despite suffering many savage wounds. It has yet to speak but does show signs of listening. At least, it shows signs of listening to my daughter.

My daughter does not recall anything of the attack, or what happened before being returned by ‘Hugs’, a name she refers to the red-eyed beast by.

I’ve sent my scholar out by boat to see what he can uncover of any collected knowledges of Ogres and their ways. I hope in a few months we have more answers. Until then, ‘Hugs’ stays guarded but safe in the dungeon and m’lady and m’daughter stay in the city.

Eberneth Knotbreak
Lord of Knotbreak Manor.

M’daughter Alice, or Ally as she now wishes to be called among friends and family, has become almost inseparable from ‘Hugs’. For weeks I have had eyes upon the brute and it has shown no signs of aggression or even the primitive habits of its kin. Now it is more like a stupid boy, a friend who does what it is told and will sit and listen to her for hours with only basic nods of agreement or perhaps understanding. As much as it pains me to say, Alice does seem happier with Hugs around and as m’lady pointed out… it did save her life and can be kept acceptably clean. After much thought I came to the conclusion and provided my decision this morning. Alice greeted the news with a hug. Hmm. Humorous.

Ever since that awful night when Alice was taken from me, the remaining Ogres have stayed away from our settlements. I have doubled the watch regardless, as I do not want to risk any of our harvest this year. Last years crop barely left anything in our storage buildings. It would not be well if such a year happened again.

The only real difference is with Alice, she has become more skittish and fearful. Her brother would always tell ghost stories regarding the family mausoleum and adjacent willow tree as if it were the site of mass pirate executions and other such wild nonsense. Alice would always laugh this off and be the first to play by the tree or the lake. Now she steers clear of the area entirely and often casts fearful gazes in that direction. If this carries on much longer, I may have the gardeners add a hedge wall to remove the sight of it.
Then again, as I sit here pondering it… Little Alice has been spending most of her free time in the gardens anyway, completely out of view of the mausoleum. She doesn’t seem to have noticed that her mother and I have taken note of her stray cat and kitten collection. Hidden away in little forts and dens, scattered among our sprawling gardens. Initially I was against this, as her collecting more pets seems unnecessary. However as m’lady pointed out, they are doing a fine job keeping rats and mice away as well as keeping her occupied in a safe and comforting place. Sometimes I stand in the window of my study and watch her, and Hugs, stare at the kittens leaping through the tall grass in hunt of butterflies and other such insects. And I wonder to myself what she is thinking. As a young lad, my mind was set on war, sword-play, travel and conquer! That is not a life for Alice, as she is more happy to daydream and forge such fantastic stories to tell us at dinner. That’s one thing that has not changed since that fateful night a few moons ago… she is still very creative and full of ingenuity.

With Alices thirteenth birthday approaching, I find myself extra focused on her. She isn’t aware of it yet, but the neighbouring Kingdom will be in attendance with their only son… Likewise all the Lords and Ladies of the best houses will be present. It is going to be a celebration of some magnitude! If all goes well, we can secure a future for Alice as well as strengthen our worldly position. M’lady is already handling the food and drink preparations. She has insisted we hire a score more bakers and cooks! “Darling, this is not the time to keep the purse strings tight.” I hear repeatedly.

If only it were that easy. Recently I find myself locked away in my study more than I prefer, trying to tend the finances and prepare for the morrow and each morrow after that. Sometimes instead of working I simply sit and gaze at one of my favourite pieces of art, a tapestry of a lovely little cottage that is visibly flanked by the low hanging branches of a willow tree. It was commissioned by my fathers’ father and, so I was told, was a real cottage that sat here before this lovely estate was crafted in its place. I often wondered if the willow branches are of the same tree that now grows by the pond. Wouldn’t that be something! It is such a peaceful depiction that I find myself quickly calmed after a short gaze.

And calming is something I feel will be soon needed, as m’lady has invited her parents to stay with us until after Alice’s birthday. A lovely couple, no doubt… though I have the sneaking suspicion that her father doesn’t truly care for the way I handle things. He has the look and behaviour of those who dwell near the mountain instead of us more educated city folk. I have tried to explain that everything does not need to be resolved with force. I do not believe he agrees. And her mother… a bit more eccentric that I prefer, to say the least! Secretly she’s always reminded me of a forest dwelling sorceress, happening to always be caught with a twig or leaf in her just recently combed hair. Foreign scents always seem to be lingering in the air after she departs. Whatever it is, I’m beyond pleased that her daughter, my wife, didn’t take up these qualities or traits. Of either parent. She’s truly a unique creature all on her own, dainty and yet fierce!

The moon is climbing higher in the sky and my eyes are growing weary. So, for now I set my pen down as I prepare to retire with Ogres, kittens, and parents dancing through my mind and dreams. Maybe I’ll look at the tapestry a bit longer before I depart.

Eberneth Knotbreak
Lord of Knotbreak Manor.

Dearest friend,

I know it has been a while since I’ve last written, the pressures and responsibilities as a ruling noble have kept be beyond busy. This is no excuse mind you; I simply wished to quickly explain myself.
I’m writing you now out of fear, and desperately hoping this letter finds you soonest. Something has happened that I dare not put into writing, something so awful that my hand shakes as I write these words to you. I need your assistance most critically… and worst of all… my family needs you.

My usual mechanisms of support and defense will not aid me here, nor can I turn to anyone else to aid us in this most difficult time!
We all swore an oath to one another in our final days at the Dicefell Academy so many years ago, a sacred promise of loyalty and support in times of need. Although none of you have ever called on my aid, I’ve always been here and ready to provide it. As a Lord it would seem like I have so many options, and yet here I am with seemingly few.

My need is dire and I am calling upon this oath now, in my time of need, for my friends to come and protect that which is more precious to me than my very life itself. And beyond the oath, I will pay whatever it costs to gather your aid. Again, you are the only ones I truly can trust with this matter.

Please come to my estate by the 70th Day of the Season of Harvest. Your names and unique appearances will be well known by my staff and you will have no problem being welcomed. I will have rooms ready and waiting for you, though I do not feel they will get much use.

Danger is here, my friend. Real danger from a source I cannot find and do not know. A danger most sinister that will cross any lines to take from me that which I shall not lose!

Come my friend! Come ready and with your senses keen. Do not trust my guards, my staff, anyone but M’lady and I. Believe me when I say this may be the most dangerous, most difficult path you’ve ever trodden. The gloom of the underdark, the fathomless depths of the sea, the infernos of a forest fully ablaze are the paths you willingly walk. This path I’m asking you to explore is just as dark, just as mysterious, and just as deadly.

Make with as much haste as you can, for I fear I have little time remaining.

P.S. There is actually one more to be trusted, regardless of the insanity of my words… Within my estate is an albino Ogre, a brute with the whitest of flesh and very disturbingly red eyes. Keep your distance, but keep your weapons sheathed. He is an ally here.

Eberneth Knotbreak
Lord of Knotbreak Manor.

Depending on the outcome of tonight, this could very well be my last journal entry.

Beyond my beliefs and hopes, all my former allies have come to me. They’re resting in their chambers now and on the morrow I plan to explain everything to them. But how… how does one explain this? I barely understand it myself.

M’daughter Alice is asleep. Not her natural sleep though, a forced and sinister sleep that is being conjured by some foul outside force.
It all started when Alice mentioned the taste of her food being off. Everything else seemed fine and we assumed it was just her nerves as her birthday ball and grand debut was quickly approaching.

Soon after we noticed her energy levels were low, and she wasn’t as cheerful or active as before. We immediately began to investigate but it was already too late. Within a few days the endless sleep had consumed her… she’s now been asleep for weeks.

Interrogating the kitchen staff did yield some results, but not enough. One of the new cooks was paid to slip an exotic herb into Alice’s food. The herb was harmless in the sense it did not hurt her; however it is commonly used as a type of poison against mages? Apparently it is some sort of magic or willpower suppressant? I’m not sure I fully understand. But I do know this herb was used to help an outside presence enter her mind and attempt to take control.

My advisors say she won’t survive for much longer like this, even with the magic we are using to keep her alive despite not eating nor drinking. There is a battle going in her mind and I fear she is losing. Every day she grows more pale and more still in her fidgeting. I’m told if she… doesn’t awaken… that without her brain, her body will stop functioning, regardless of the magic we are using.

So now I struggle to find a way to ask my four bravest, strongest, fiercest friends to enter my daughters mind and help save her from whatever devilry that is trapping her. To go into a world of dreams and nightmares and bring my precious daughter back to me! Back to her mother and I, back to her loving family.

We have the spells ready, but even my Head Mage cannot know what it will be like on the other side. Tomorrow at midnight my friends will sit in my daughters’ room, we will all hold a silver cord that will bind us together and to her. And then they will enter my daughters captured mind in attempts to free her. For this effort, my lifeforce will be tied to Alice’s, to give her one last boost of strength. If they fail, it won’t just be Alice that doesn’t awaken. I too will be gone. That last thing I’ll likely see is the new Doll House her grandmother had made for her birthday, its bright pink and crisp white walls might give me some comfort. Alice loves that Doll House and I hope to see her play with it again.

I also hope to write in this journal again.

Eberneth Knotbreak
Lord of Knotbreak Manor.