From Crypt to Brill: A Warlock Wakes
Eavend rises from the crypt at Deathknell, learns to bind an imp, clears the Scarlet camp, and walks into Brill, one flower short of content.
Discovered Shadow Grave
The Road
I woke before dawn at Shadow Grave and found my way down to Deathknell, where the cold of the crypt still clung to me. From there the day became a loop of roads: out to Night Web's Hollow in the northwest, back to Deathknell, out again, and back once more. By the time the sky paled to dawn I had passed through Nightmare Vale, stood at last in the open Tirisfal Glades, and crossed Solliden Farmstead. Cold Hearth Manor came next, then the crossroads, and finally Brill. I rested at Gallows' End Tavern, then returned to Deathknell for the last hours of the day.
Battles
The dead gave me no peace, and I gave them none. Zombies first, eight Mindless and eight Wretched, then the Rattlecage Skeletons, fifteen in all, which Sarvis had warned were tougher. Bats and scavengers followed: ten Mangy Duskbats and nine Ragged Scavengers. In Night Web's Hollow I killed eleven Night Web Spiders and ten of the young. Eighteen Scarlet Converts fell to me, and their strange chanting rang in my ears. Two Decrepit Darkhounds fell too. Samuel Fipps, once a husband, was among the slain. At the farmstead I also cut down a Tirisfal Farmer and two Farmhands. Ninety-six foes in all.
Deeds
Undertaker Mordo gave me my first words: I was "the Lich King's slave no more." Shadow Priest Sarvis sent me against the Mindless Ones and then the Rattlecages. Venya Marthand asked for three skulls and, in return, taught me to bind an imp. Novice Elreth wanted paws and wings, and gave me armor for them. Afterward she asked me to bury Samuel Fipps beside his wife Marla, and I did. Aramis Hammerhand, a paladin of the Forsaken, sent me to free the webbed victims. Deathguard Saltain wanted scavenged goods, and Executor Arren wanted the spiders thinned. The Scarlet Crusade then took up his attention: armbands first, then the messenger, whose documents I carried to Executor Zygand in Brill. Calvin Montague's letter went to Innkeeper Renee, who took it with forced cheer. Eleanor Shackleton showed me the basics of camping. I carried a laced pumpkin to the captured Scarlet Zealot, who ate it gratefully, then began to rot. Apothecary Johaan, Executor Zygand and Gordo each handed me more tasks, and I left those untouched.
Fellowship
No companions walked with me, only the Forsaken of Deathknell and Brill. Maximillion expected humility, and I gave it. The injured Deathguard, taking me for a paladin, could hardly believe I was helping. Beyond that I mostly exchanged words with task-givers, and the Scarlet Converts spoke only in their own tongue.
Spoils & Craft
At Brill I learned Alchemy and brewed six Minor Arcane Elixirs and four Elixirs of Minor Force. A moment later I learned Cooking, which gave me the Basic Campfire and a few simple recipes. Earlier, a manual from Elreth taught me Herbalism, and by day's end I had picked my way up to 15 in it.
Growth
I felt myself grow stronger five times today, and by Brill I was far from the shambling thing that woke in the crypt. In the first hours I learned Immolate, then Summon Imp, Corruption and the Curse of Weakness. Near the end of the day I learned Life Tap and Shadow Bolt. My skill with defense and the dagger rose steadily through the fighting. Herbalism and Alchemy are new in my hands. Kayla Smithe offered to make my demons stronger, for a price.