Research Journal - Blasted Lands

Many years ago an Empire scholar and adventurer, Lady Johanna Klein, from Willich entered the Blasted Lands hoping to find a tribe of Forest Folks who live there. She was a renowned expert in Forest Folk culture, having spent years studying and documenting their customs and traditions. Lady Johanna's research proved invaluable to the Empire's understanding of the Forest Folks and their various subgroups or tribes. Her discoveries shed new light on the Forest Folks and their connection to the natural world, as well as their beliefs and practices.

But one tribe of the Forest Folks eluded her studies… 

Lady Johanna was fascinated by the idea of the Blasted Tribes and the unique challenges they faced living in such a hostile environment. There is precious little research on the Blasted Tribes. Other tribes have told many stories of the Blasted Tribes’ tendency to avoid outsiders and fiercely protect their territory. 

Despite the dangers, Lady Johanna was determined to find and study the Blasted Tribes. She prepared meticulously for her journey, bringing with her a team of trained assistants, specialized equipment, and ample supplies to survive in the Blasted Lands.

Day 1

I've set up camp near the borders of the Blasted Lands, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Blasted Tribes. It's been eerily quiet so far, with no signs of activity from the tribes or any of the unique creatures that inhabit the area. So far there is little evidence to back up the tall tales of a tribe fiercely protecting their territory.

Day 2

Something strange is happening in the area around the campsite. The air feels thick and heavy, and there's a pungent, skunk-like odour that I can't quite place. I've heard haunting noises in the distance, almost like chanting or singing. The team is starting to feel uneasy but we must put on a brave face and complete the task at hand!

Day 3

I woke up to find unusual markings around the campsite, almost like symbols or glyphs etched into the ground. I have no idea what they mean, but they are reminiscent of an ancient scrawl I’ve seen in texts back home. The pungent smell is still present, and it's starting to make me feel sick but I will push through. The team continues to advocate for departure but I've convinced them to stay by agreeing to set up nightly patrols.

Day 4

This morning the team is complaining about feeling watched but I have been too busy attempting to unravel the mysterious markings. They are complaining that the noises are getting louder and more frequent but I have not noticed a difference. The nightly patrols continue despite slowing down my research due to the lack of assistance.

Day 5

I was writing in my journal last night, recording my progress on the markings, when I heard a strange shuffling sound outside my tent. I did not investigate immediately but within a few moments there was screaming throughout the campsite. Someone had been dragged away out of sight of their companions while visiting the latrine. Volunteers went out in search of the missing person but returned empty handed. The team is insisting on a meeting in the morning to determine plans for departure. I have offered to double everyone’s compensation to stay on task and complete my research.

The team is still shaken by what happened last night and some have snuck away, abandoning the team and the critical work I am completing. The markings around the campsite are growing in number. There are only a few of us left to complete the task. Disturbingly, the haunting noises have stopped and the sound of near silence is deafening.

Day 6

I don’t know what happened last night. I had just fallen asleep when I was roughly pulled from my bed, my eyes covered and a foul smelling cloth being stuffed in my mouth. The last thing I remember is being dragged away from my tent with the stars burning brightly before being knocked in the back of the head.

I woke up a few hours later, dazed and disoriented. I have no idea who or what attacked me, or why. The campsite has been ransacked, most of my belongings are missing and everyone is gone. I'm lucky to be alive.

I spent most of the day recuperating and trying to make sense of what happened. The markings around the campsite are still there, but they seem to have grown in number since I last checked. 

I can't shake the feeling that I'm being watched.

I've packed up my belongings and I'm planning to leave as soon as possible. I don't want to risk encountering whatever is out there in the darkness. 

Day 7

I tried to leave this morning, but I couldn't find my way out of the Blasted Lands. A fog has settled… Everything looks the same and the landscape seems to shift around me. The markings seem to be following me or are they leading me…? 

The noises have returned and are louder than before. My mind feels foggy and I am having trouble motivating myself to keep moving…

Day 8

I've been wandering for what feels like days, trying to find a way out of this blasted place. The markings around me have grown even more numerous, and they seem to be leading me somewhere. I don't know whether to follow them or make my own way to find the border…

Day 9

I followed the markings and ended up in a clearing. There was an altar in the center of the clearing made of wood and vines, surrounded by what looked like offerings and sacrifices. 

I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing. 

It was like I had stumbled onto some sort of ancient ritual…

A search party was sent to the area after the team failed to rendezvous at a predetermined drop point to pick up supplies several weeks after their departure.

Lady Johanna Klein and her team were never found after leaving the Empire at the borders of the Blasted Lands. Although not too far from the border traces of human remains, camping refuse and Lady Johanna’s journal were found in a burnt clearing… 

The actual campsite mentioned in her journal was never located.