Drawn by the light of a Rune, Sasha emerges from the ocean that separates the world onto the shores of a barren land. Cutting wind as cold as death greets her. In the distance stands a quiet village and a dark forest. Beyond that, smoke indicates signs of life on a small island. The Rune Lord waits above it from in his keep atop the hill. Sasha carves her Sigil into the ground.
GRIM COAST: START.
Start at Sigil. Travel to Village of Tiresh.
The Village of Tiresh is silent and long abandoned. While searching clues on what has happened Sasha finds 1 Healing Vial and signs of recent activity. Footprints and drag marks lead to locked cellar door that has strange symbols carved into it. Sasha attempts to force the door open, but it is sealed shut by an otherworldly power.
Travel to Gnarled Tree. NIGHT.
Tree offers knowledge of the realm in exchange for blood. Sasha refuses its deal. Nothing else found.
Travel back to Village of Tiresh. FIGHT vs 1 Ghoul, 2 Skeletons.
All are wearing tattered clothes in the style of the land. The Skeletons stagger forward as the Ghoul stands in place, its rotting flesh kitting back together. Sasha swings her ax at the Ghoul, catching 1 of the Skeletons in the process.
The Skeletons move closer, one of them claws at Sasha. The Ghoul lunges forward, wrapping its arms around Sasha and biting her. Sasha throws the Ghoul into a Skeleton, knocking both to ground. She brings her ax down onto Ghoul’s skull killing it.
The Skeletons continue to mindlessly move and attack. Sasha tries to her keeps distance while fighting back with her ax. After trading blows she finally gets into position to finish off Skeletons with flame spell.
FIGHT OVER: WIN.
Travel to Boat House. A specter stands at the edge of the dock by a small boat, and wordlessly beckons Sasha over. He looks to the night sky as he navigates to the small island across the channel. All night Sasha sharpens her ax while she watches smoke rise from the ominous campfires on the shore.
Travel to Ruinous Camp following smoke. Use Healing Vial along the way. DAY.
A Necromancer works in the center of the camp raising skeletons and outfitting them with crude weapons in preparation for battle. FIGHT vs 1 Necromancer, 3 Skeletons.
The Skeletons shamble forward, one slashes Sasha as she charges at it. The Necromancer fires off a blast of dark energy as a warning shot. Overgrown weeds shrivel up and rot as the foul spell immediately saps all life from the earth. Sasha swings her ax at the Skeleton as fire burns in her hand. The Skeleton’s charred bones crumble and flames lick at the Necromancer’s once fine robes.
The remaining Skeletons charge Sasha. The Necromancer clips her with a spell and she feels the necrotic energy draining her vitality. Sasha moves back, then swings at the Necromancer, knocking him off balance. Skeletons continue to mindlessly slash at Sasha, attempting to overwhelm her with sheer numbers. She hauls back, igniting her ax, then spins and catches all her foes in burst of wild flame. The Skeletons shatter, and the Necromancer falls to the ground in a burning heap.
FIGHT OVER: WIN.
RUNE ACTIVATE: Full heal for killing unique enemy.
Search and find ornate, golden key on Necromancer. The symbols carved on it resemble those on cellar door.
Travel to lone structure on coast. FIGHT vs Lost Knight.
Sasha and the Lost Knight stare each other down. It’s clear that they sense her deathless curse. In the blink of an eye they both charge at each other and meet at the center of the battlefield. Lost Knight’s sword cuts into Sasha and she releases an angry burst of fire in retaliation. The flames burn hot enough to bite into her, even as they push back the Lost Knight.
An unassuming ring on Lost Knight’s finger begins to glow and they attack with newfound desperation. They nearly cut Sasha down, but her ax still burns bright enough to strike the killing blow.
FIGHT OVER: WIN.
RUNE ACTIVATE: Full heal for killing unique enemy.
GET: Sun Scorched Ring. Equip.
NIGHT.
Search for anything useful. Find an old journal. The Lost Knight writes of a growing tide of undead, then treason from one of their fellows. The final entry swears oath against all who would seek to defy death. Sasha skims the journal for useful information on the Rune Lord’s keep.
Travel back to camp. Sasha curiously examine markings on the ground left over from the Necromancer’s ritual while resting and finds Healing Vial among his supplies.
Travel back to Boat House.
Travel back to Village of Tiresh
The Necromancer’s key slots perfectly into the locked cellar door. Broken lab equipment and scribbled plans. A skeleton, near crumbling with age, is chained to wall and surrounded by glowing runes.
GET: Siphon Spell.
Travel to Graven Keep. Use knowledge from journal/plans to help navigate castle. Run into skeletons aimlessly wandering the halls. FIGHT vs 3 Skeletons.
Skeletons shamble forward, 2 grabbing Sasha, both knocked back by a burst of flame.
Skeletons undeterred and dogpile. Sasha swings ax wildly as Skeletons continue to slash and claw. Ring on finger begins to glow. The light travels into ax, rebuking undead with one mighty swing. All killed.
FIGHT OVER: WIN.
Travel to courtyard. Dark clouds and eternal night swirl above. In the center of the courtyard is a pile of armor that begins to glow at Sahsa’s approach. Armor resembles itself then bends down to pick sword up off the ground, only a spectral glow is visible beneath the rent open breastplate. FIGHT vs Ruined King.
Sasha readies herself as Ruined King approaches. The Sun Scorched Ring glows.
When he moves in range Sasha slashes at the Ruined King, who expertly parries. Sasha retreats behind pillars, reassessing battle plan. Ruined King chuckles darkly and slowly approaches.
Sasha jumps forward as the Ruined King rounds the corner, catching him somewhat off guard in a flurry of ax blows. The Ruined King knocks Sasha back with a powerful slash. Sasha, having anticipated his counterattack, lunges in casting a flame spell. Ruined King staggers back. Before Sasha can close the distance to finish him off a blast of necrotic energy pushes her back. The Ruined King is revitalized and summons a Skeleton minion.
Sasha, barely able to catch her breath, charges forward and swings her ax into the hole in breastplate, attempting to open it wider. Ruined King summons another Skeleton and both try to pull her off of him. Flame engulfs her as the Skeletons succeed. Ruined King brings down his sword like a guillotine onto Sasha’s shoulder, but empowered by the ring, she lands one final blow on the King’s heart. The King’s spectral glow begins to fade. The Skeletons crumble to dust. As death overtakes Sasha she sees the armor fall to the ground, empty.
Sasha wakes up at the Sigil, skies overhead fully clearing for the first time since she set foot in this realm. The Ruined King’s Rune glows in her hand. She carves it into her body as she sets off from the realm.
RUNE TAKEN: DEATHLESS.
GRIM COAST: DEFEATED.