Anya's Tome of Shadows
- The journal keepings of Anya S., Witch of the Germanic Wilds and Monster Hunter.
Reblogged from conversatron
Sometimes I remember that the world used to be so green and perfect and full of life. It would take over what man had made and flourish.
Now it isn’t the case. Now blight rules the land and one day we may have to purge everything and start anew, Gods willing.
I just pray it isn’t me who has to do the burning.
- Anya S.
I found some old letters tucked in a secret pocket in my satchel today. I hope they aren’t too stained to read - I feel some nostalgia would be good during a time like this.
Anya S.
Note: The above drawing depicts what my companions saw outside of the carriage. I still believe there is worthy studying to be done but we had to evacuate before more problems were caused.
—-
We traveled through the Badlands off the sea of Azev and the Black Sea. I had been through false forests and gathered specimens that I was to believe would be helpful… but were in fact horrific abominations of what the mother had created.
I had harvested what, as far as I could tell, was a root vegetable or perhaps a mandrake root - only to behold a screeching, crying creature with babe’s hands for leaves and intestines for roots. The surface of the bulb itself was covered in seeping holes and a gnashing jaw.
I discarded the thing in salt-fire before it came near the rest of the carriage.
It was strange! From my view out the window the grass was green and the trees were verdant and fresh. It was a welcome change to the brown, grey and black that littered the badlands. There was a house on a hill with a strange woman that beckoned us to come closer - needless to say we learned our lesson with the last woman we saw and made sure to stay away from her.
The Plague Doctors say we are near a labyrinth of great importance to them and their organization. I’m nervous to say the least but I’m sure there will be excellent material to be gained from this journey.
- Anya S.
Reminder:
- Harvest more Rosehips for tea;
- Out of Ironwood! Important to restock!
Also, I believe I need to pick up another blanket at the next trade stop - it is starting to get chilly outside.
- Anya S.
Alaric and Nathaniel stopped the carriage today for reasons I was unsure of until recently. I was with the Vampire, guarding our carriage after we had detoured into the fog and forest - a very dark swamp that we had hoped to avoid, even though none of us dare speak against the directions of our black-robed hosts.
They reported back to us that two older children had been caught in the lake, unable to move out of the water. While they weren’t in direct harm, magicks were certainly keeping them in their place. They begged both Alaric and Nathaniel to help them out of the ‘curse’ that had been placed on them by a witch on the hill.
It was said that this old woman wanted to be a gracious host to the children, and extended her home to our male companions; but something dark was afoot. Nathaniel, suffering from allergies, sneezed and his mechanical arm discharged, blowing a ‘laser’ through her lounge in the her sitting room.
It was filled with the skeletal and visceral remains of children. Driven mad by the sight and the lies that the woman had spoken, Alaric and Nathaniel both shoved the identified ‘fae’ into her stone oven, cooking her alive!
They were both pretty shook up about the situation, but the children were free from their curse in the swamp water. I made them both tea to calm them down, and the rest of the day was uneventful.
Hopefully we don’t get crossed by these dark mirages again.
- Anya S.
They told me the badlands would be a frightening trek and I had trouble believing them; until we reached the dead wastes that lied near the Baltic Sea. This land - it was once verdant and bright with life and energy and now only shadows are cast across the soil.
When we reached the first town, I’m afraid I can’t remember the name, I decided to spend some of my few provisions in order to procure this journal. Alaric thought it would keep my mind off the horrid things going on outside the carriage, and I think he was right.
I shall use this book to document our travels from here on out - or at least until I need to purchase another one. Hopefully I’ll have enough ink to last us until the next checkpoint.
May the Gods guide our path to safety.
~ Anya S.
