Journal of a Doomed Brigand

>Entry 1, 7th day of the New Moon
With all the luck I have in the world, I may be the most unlucky or lucky son of a bitch. It has been two nights now since me and my old crew, may they find riches in the afterlife, ambushed that cursed caravan carting that cursed wrench. Now they all lay dead, and I stricken with a curse of death from that abominable whore.

And now, I am forced to find some artifact or something in some gods forsaken ruin deep in the bosom of the world in order to get this blasted curse lift. I am not alone in this, for the witch has ensnared four other pawns for her scheme.

One is a hedge wizard, a real jackass named Pawel. Hope he falls down some stairs and breaks that neck of his, the smug fucker. Next is a pair of twins, James and Jamie. James is some scrawny lad who don’t talk much, while Jamie looks to be too huge to be some lassie. No idea is up with those two, and always seem to be very close to each other. They probably fuck each other for all I know. Last fool is some former soldier that was part of the witch’s company. Michael if I remember. Bastard killed Hawkins and Pat. By the time this is over, I’ll bring you revenge, my comrades.

Best get Emily polished, ammo checked, and some shut eye before we begin tomorrow.

>Entry 2
We’ve made it into the ruin for a few days now. The smell of mold and stone permeates this place all too much. Encountered some bandits today, though no one from my group. Blast a couple away with Emily. Normal shot worked well enough, along with quick blows to their neck with my long knife when a few got too close. As expected, the hedge wizard was more full of himself than his magic. The soldier dispatched them quickly with his sword and shield, though I suspect he is hiding other items on his person, given his movements. The lad proved useless and just coward the entire time, while his sister was no slouch with her spear. However, having camped in similar places before, that weapon is going to end up being a liability.

Lurking around here gives me the chills. Being stuck here with the lad does not help alleviate any of this. Few gems were found here and there. Hopefully these suckers don’t mind that I’ve taken the liberty of stashing a few away.

>Entry 3
The air here continues to be more stagnant the further we go. Torches are beginning to fail, and I swear to the devils below that with every flicker, ever watchful eyes follow our every step. If these devils are following us, they have only resided to observe. To note, I have yet to meet any further signs of life. Probably for the best.

Though, speaking of eyes, I am not so daft as to not see Pawel’s eyes glance towards Emily far more than I like. If he continues this, I’m gonna make sure he cannot lay eyes on anything ever again.

>Entry 4
My suspicions of this place are becoming a concern. Ran into a bunch of characters in what I could only describe as some ratty attempt of making religious clothing. They attacked us without even a second thought. While they lacked for skill of arms, they more than made up for it in being quite relentless, even after being hit with mortal blows to their gut and chest.

Decided against using one of Emily’s special shells, but in my haste after one snuck up behind me, I accidentally loaded one and blew a hole through his chest, and blew away some of the ceiling. There goes a shell I may never be able to replace, along with giving away what Emily is. No one has mentioned anything, but I see they have their eyes set on her. Need to be more careful next time, almost crushed James with a falling piece of ceiling. Jamie gave me an earful after that. Bitch.

However, this is not my biggest worry. Inspecting these cultists or whatever, I found they were from a rival band of brigands that disappeared at some point. Didn’t bother to tell the others about this, but this place is really starting to get to me. The damn lad has been a quivering mess after the fight, despite never being touched by any of them.

>Entry 5
Fucking Pawel had the gall to demand I hand him Emily. Said it was work of mage artisan and that it rightfully belongs to him. Told him to fall on some stairs and break his neck, to which he began to cast a spell at me. Felt satisfying that I broke that smug son of a bitch’s nose instead. Michael didn’t think the exchange to be pleasant and tossed my ass to the ground sword drawn. But unlike him, with his sword still inches from my face, my knife was pressed right at his throat. Lucky bastard had the fortune of Jamie pulling him off and try to scold the two three of us.

Also, found that Michael is indeed carrying more than he lets on. Felt a couple of pistols in there, likely as a last resort, and some other items that must warrant being hidden from prying eyes.

>Entry 6
Well, well, well. Looks like the lad won’t be so worthless. Turns out that after failing to disarm a trap, and nearly losing my hand, James was able to fix it back as new. The lad may be touched, but if this is what he can accomplish I do not see us failing in this quest, and I won’t have to die in this forsaken hell hole.

>Entry 7
Sleep has become more restless. Dreams of betrayal and failure are what greet me every time I lay my head down. And when I wake, I still feel eyes peering down on us with every time the torches flicker. The walls themselves become oppressive, with odd designs etched in. I see the same sense of dread falling on my companions as well. Jamie is beginning to lose some of her composure, with James now beginning to offer some comfort to her, while I notice Michael taking hidden swigs from his flask. Bastard better share that.

As for Pawel, I now have to sleep with one eye open, and Emily gripped tight. He’s been cackling every so often now, and it’s really putting me on edge.

>Entry 8
All the hells below, this errand is doomed. Came across some alter surrounded by a bunch of cultists. Wouldn’t have meant much, but James revealed what he truly is. I wish I could describe what I saw, but I wish to not remember it, other than he is clearly touched by some foul demons. I say we leave him and his brother fucking sister to rot down here.

After whatever James did, Pawel had the idiotic idea to inspect the alter, and has been ranting and raving for a while now. If he won’t shut it, I will personally blow his brains out.

>Entry 9
That bastard hedge wizard finally did it! Bastard went for Emily during an ambush of all times. Stuck my knife in his side, likely hitting his heart, as he went down fast. Damn demonspawn ended up saving his miserable life for some reason, and Jamie and Michael had to restrain me afterwards.

They’re all plotting against me. They do not want to see a bandit live, but I’ll make sure to disappoint them in the end.

>Entry 10
Misfortune is now spreading like the plague. Jamie is on the last thread of her life, now that it looks like she has been inflicted with some poison that not even James can cure. Knew her spear would be her undoing. Became too long to use and a blade struck her before she could move out of the way, due to that damn thing.

The walls now close in on us. I can hear whispers in my ear in a language I cannot understand or even comprehend. We’re all doomed, I can feel it. I check Emily and the remaining shot I have left. Best save one in case.

>Entry 11
It has been a while since Jamie succumbed to the toxin. James has now moved from being a wreck to being eerily silent and stone. Only a few torches remain as we continue to be assailed by dark beasts inhabiting this place. The walls continue to twist and turn, with the whispers growing ever louder and now mocking me.

>Entry 12
Ha, ha! I finally did it. While no one was looking, I managed to trip that damn cackling wizard onto a trap, piercing him from left to shoulder! No one suspects a thing! That’ll teach him.

>Entry 13
It must be my lucky day! Looks like Michael, being the fool he is, attacked James during a fight with these cultists. Now he got split in half, and James ran away deeper inside. If it was not for this damn mark on me, I would have left this place, but now I only remain to get that damned artifact for that damn witch.

Looks like Michael was indeed holding out. Found his flask, some liquid, and two pair of pistols. The extra shot will be nice to have.

>Entry 14
Where in my life did everything to wrong? This unshakeable dread and feeling of hopelessness. Was I destined to die in this stinking hole? I feel the tendrils of whatever it may be choking me as I only remain, while James is likely either dead or rampaging somewhere.

>Entry 15
This may be the last time I will be able to write in you. James completely lost it and sliced my belly good. The wound may be fatal, but at least I put down that hellspawn. Took two shells of Emily’s special ammo. Worth it in the end. As I lay dying, I continue to hear voices mock me, ghosts of all those I killed tormenting me. I’m going to try and rest now.

>Entry 16
To anyone who finds my journal, listen to what I have to write. Collapse this place and turn back. No amount of life and glory is worth of what remains deeper inside. All hope is lost. May that witch burn in a pyre, and that that Emily can save me from this hell.