'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius

‘A man is worth just as much as the objects of his ambition.’ ‘A hindrance is made to advance our actions; what is an obstacle in our way becomes our way.’ ‘If…

Quest note

A Blood Soup Recipe

Learn how to make the local delicacy.

Everyday life

A Bloody Letter

Not everyone will survive.

Found lying about

A Brother's Warning

Correspondence between two brothers.

Found lying about

A Call to Action

A call to fight against the vrakhiri.

Found lying about

A Call to Hunt

A missive written by Boyar Bakir.

Quest note

A Climber’s Note

Found high in the mountains.

Found lying about

A Fair Warning

Illegal samizdat.

Notice

A Farewell Note

The notes seem erratic and desperate.

Quest note

A Few Lessons in Life, part 1

I never thought of myself as a particularly wise man. I don’t understand philosophers, and have no skill in debating scholars.

Manual

A Few Lessons in Life, part 2

I’m not an aggressive man. I believe that we should be kind to our neighbours, just like Jesus teaches us.

Manual

A Few Lessons in Life, part 3

Be swift and merciless in your retaliation. Be ruthless. Make sure that the one who wronged you realises his terrible mistake.

Manual

A Flemish Rebel’s Memoir

An eye-witness account.

Everyday life

A Friendly Tip

A friendly tip from one opportunist to another.

Found lying about

A Gift of Madness, part 1

“They will come for you one day. They will throw their accusations and try to persecute you as the Devil’s servant.

Manual

A Gift of Madness, part 2

“First, call upon the daimon Epiales and look at your enemies, as they use their small, narrow minds to try to comprehend what their eyes are seeing.

Manual

A Gift of Madness, part 3

“Then, reach deeper. Call upon the divs, the shayatin, and speak these words: ‘Bring them peace, lead them out of this madness and awash them in calm’.

Manual

A Gift of Madness, part 4

“Finally, bring them the peace they will be pleading and screaming for – call upon the angel Dumah, and watch as he whispers words of absolute silence into…

Manual

A Goodbye Letter

A dying father's note.

Found lying about

A Gourmet's Memoir

Stained with grease.

Everyday life

A Great Contradiction, part 1

My investigations into the nature of magical practices has finally brought me to one conclusion: it is the most human of all arts.

Manual

A Great Contradiction, part 2

For example, many claim that magic is the Devil’s tool. Very well, it might be – we invoke daemonic names to help us perform some rites.

Manual

A Guard's Report

Describes the operations of a man named Andrei.

Quest note

A Hanged Man's Letter

The author didn't want to live in the vrakhiri world.

Found lying about

A Hero's Folly, part 1

As he stepped into the silvery stream, Euhemeros knew that his life would change forever. The naiads were capricious beings, but they never lied.

Manual

A Hero's Folly, part 2

Euhemeros travelled far and wide, earning renown and boasting his skills. One day he met a beautiful woman, Empusa.

Manual

A History Lesson

Written and circulated on Knyaz Brencis's orders.

Notice

A Knight’s Oath

Good people of Vale Sangora! I came to your land in order to pursue my chivalric duty and prove myself to my liege, Sir Antal of Buda.

Quest note

A Letter Found in a Wolf Cave

Written in crude yet clean letters.

Quest note

A Letter Found in the Warehouse

Addressed to Doctor Simeon.

Quest note

A Letter from Bakir to Brencis

Addressed to Knyaz Brencis.

Found lying about

A Letter from Bohemia

An old letter that found its way to Vale Sangora.

Found lying about

A Letter from Father

A message from a concerned parent.

Quest note

A Letter from Florin

More of a thinly-veiled threat.

Quest note

A letter from Nareh

Coen, Hope armour and sword good – we work hard, so better be. Humans not good, but you – not bad. I leave valley. More secret to find.

Quest note

A Letter from the Uriashi Blacksmith

Coen, Hope thing we make good. You human – but not bad. I leave valley. More secret to find. Bye. Nareh

Quest note

A List of Armour Components

A note describing how to create a special set of armour.

Quest note

A List of Supplies

Sister Irmingart, I took it upon myself to make a list of the supplies we have left: bread – ten loaves clean water – two barrels salted pork – about six…

Quest note

A Lost Bet

Communication between Brencis's soldiers.

Found lying about

A Manumit Cache Note

Either helpful or threatening – depending on one's loyalties.

Found lying about

A Manumit Camp Destroyed

Communication between Brencis's soldiers.

Found lying about

A Message of Hope

A call to fight against the vrakhiri.

Found lying about

A Monk’s Journal

Handwritten. From the time of Shrike's Crag uprising.

Quest note

A Mysterious Letter

Unsigned and very cryptic.

Quest note

A Note from a Shoe

A cryptic message hidden on a dead rebel's body.

Quest note

A Note from a Treasure Hunter

Found in long abandoned ruins.

Found lying about

A Note from an Alcohol Stache

The author was obviously fed up.

Found lying about

A Page from a Collector’s Journal

Personal notes on some intriguing new additions to the collection.

Quest note

A Painter’s Diary

A foreigner's opinions on Sangora.

Found lying about

A Physician's Journal

Nearly illegible handwriting.

Lore

A Pleading Letter

It's a family matter.

Found lying about

A Pleading Note from a Merchant

Seems like he's quite desperate.

Found lying about

A Prayer to Saint Tyna

Nowadays no one says it – at least not in public.

Found lying about

A Precise Cut, part 1

The thing that sets a skilled fencer apart from the rest is precision of their strikes.

Manual

A Precise Cut, part 2

This is the point of repetition and learning all the proper techniques of sword fighting.

Manual

A Precise Cut, part 3

In order to defeat your opponents, you must attack quickly and with precision. It’s one thing to see how they move and defend themselves.

Manual

A Price Not to Pay

Cautionary tale.

Lore

A Report about the Excavations

Seems like Xanthe is up to something.

Military report

A Servant’s Letter

Some people were loyal to Maragir nobles.

Found lying about

A Shepherd’s Journal

A study in stubbornness.

Found lying about

A Soldier’s Belly, part 1

Although war and famine often go together, soldiers cannot endure much of the former if their bellies are empty.

Manual

A Soldier’s Belly, part 2

The Spartans, who had an answer to every issue imaginable when it came to warcraft, also solved the problem of a meal suitable for warriors.

Manual

A Soldier’s Belly, part 3

Of course, I am speaking of regular armies and long military campaigns. In these days of small skirmishes, a warrior often must take care of provisions on his…

Manual

A Soldier's Testimony

Communication between Brencis's soldiers.

Found lying about

A Successful Operation

Communication between Brencis's soldiers.

Found lying about

A Threatening Letter

The manumits are not to be trifled with.

Found lying about

A Torn Out Page

A page forcibly torn out from a book.

Quest note

A Very Old Letter

Signed by a long-dead bishop of Vale Sangora.

Found lying about

A Vicar’s Inquiry

Illegal samizdat.

Notice

A Warning

A letter signed by Doctor Simeon.

Quest note

A Warning to All Soldiers

Communication between Brencis's soldiers.

Found lying about

A Weathered Note

The last thoughts of a desperate man.

Found lying about

Accident Report

A first-hand account of some disturbing events.

Found lying about

Admonition from Xanthe

Ominous and creepy.

Quest note

Advertisement

Need food to survive the day? Need armour to survive the fight? Need money to stay in your purse? The Rud Brothers have your back!

Found lying about

Aeëtes and Jason

A story from long, long ago.

Lore

Against the Khan's Horde, part 1

“It was during the second year of our fighting against the Khan’s horde. The Tatars pinned us down in some small village on the left bank of the Danube.

Manual

Against the Khan's Horde, part 2

“I couldn’t believe my ears. Charge? Most of us agreed that we should try to hunker down in one of the hovels, maybe we could defend ourselves until Vaclav’s…

Manual

Against the Khan's Horde, part 3

“We readied ourselves and quickly got moving. There was no real plan here, we just wanted to rush the fuckers and take down as many of them as possible.

Manual

Against the Khan's Horde, part 4

“The day was ours. As Miloslav predicted, the Tatars hadn't expected us to attack so directly.

Manual

Alchemical Note

Scrupulous records written down by a devoted experimenter.

Quest note

Ambrus's Invitation

A note from Ambrus.

Quest note

An Admonishment

Seems that some of you still can't memorise the appropriate bell signals. My advice – run to your dormitory and read the instructions rather than risk tolling…

Quest note

An Anonymous Call to Revolt

An echo of the past.

Found lying about

An Anonymous Diary

An eyewitness account of Skender's ruthlessness.

Found lying about

An Anonymous Threat

Whoever wrote it wasn't the recipient's friend.

Found lying about

An Anonymous Tip-Off

A detailed account of someone’s wife’s alleged wrongdoings.

Found lying about

An Expeditioner's Journal

Tattered and crumpled.

Lore

An Incomplete Letter

Good sir, You don’t know me, but I knew your daughter. In fact, I considered her a friend and someone for whom I would gladly lay my life in battle.

Quest note

An Invitation

The 'Pale Lady's' love letter.

Found lying about

An Ointment Recipe

½ cup of rapeseed oil ⅔ cup of distilled water a large pinch of fresh feverfew Mix thoroughly, while keeping the mixture warm.

Found lying about

An Old Military Note

Written to soldiers serving the Dragosti.

Found lying about

An Old Missive

A century-old letter.

Found lying about

An Unfinished Letter

Plague victims didn't leave much behind them.

Found lying about

An Unmailed Letter

A note detailing a brazen heist plan.

Found lying about

An unsent letter

Must have been written by the house's previous owner.

Quest note

An Unsent Letter

Written in an elegant style.

Found lying about

Anca's Notes

Enolf's journal – points to the same place as Ctesias? Arimaspians – maybe their legendary "riches" meant wisdom, rather than gold? "Braided Ribbons"???

Quest note

Anca's Scribbles

Silver – May be why Arimaspians considered Vale Sanogroa holy? Associated with Nassur, the Serpent?

Quest note

Ancient Poem

Ambiguous yet unsettling.

Found lying about

Andrei's Journal #1

(...) A guard came to our shop one day. Some eager lad, freshly promoted to captain in Silberstein. Wanted to show me who’s the boss now, I guess.

Quest note

Andrei's Journal #2

(...) Sometimes I feel like getting into the pimping business was a mistake. Yes, it rakes in quite a profit – after all, every man in Svartrau likes to fuck –…

Quest note

Andrei's Journal #3

(...) A man can try to be reasonable, but the people in this city… well, they don't give you much choice.

Quest note

Angry Letter from Ambrus

Written in response to the recent attacks on the knyaz's blood cellars.

Found lying about

Angry Letter from Bakir

Full of hyperbole and threats.

Quest note

Announcement

Remember: possessing, selling, buying, or otherwise handling silver (as well as alloys containing admixtures of said metal) is strictly forbidden.

Notice

Annoyed Letter from Ambrus

Written in response to the recent attacks on the knyaz's leech collectors.

Found lying about

Answer from Lunka

Written down and delivered by sanzhani.

Found lying about

Answer from Lunka about Brencis

Written down and delivered by sanzhani.

Found lying about

Answer from Lunka about Defences

Written down and delivered by sanzhani.

Found lying about

Answer from Lunka about Her Gift

Written down and delivered by sanzhani.

Found lying about

Answer from Lunka about Pieter

Written down and delivered by sanzhani.

Found lying about

Anund and the Geats, part 1

And so it came to pass that a Geatish village was afflicted with a terrible disease that weakened its inhabitants's bones and made their breaths shallow.

Manual

Anund and the Geats, part 2

They brought what Anund desired. He devoured a large cut of horse meat in just a few bites. He cracked the egg open and greedily sucked out the yolk.

Manual

Appeal

The writing is shaky, but the words are firm.

Quest note

Arcane Arts and Corvids, part 1

“Ravens, crows, and other corvids have a bad reputation, and deservedly so. One look into these birds's cunning eyes is enough to send a shiver down the spine.

Manual

Arcane Arts and Corvids, part 2

“A skilled practitioner of magic can use the corvids's predilection for the ineffable to his or her advantage.

Manual

Arcane Arts and Corvids, part 3

“Understandably, the birds are rather unsettled by the experience of interdimensional travel...

Manual

Arcane Arts and Corvids, part 4

“Master sorcerers know how to manipulate these unholy birds even further, reaching through the aether directly inside the animals's minds and stoking their…

Manual

Arimaspians and their Secrets

Looks like it's about to fall apart.

Lore

Arman's Letter to Skender

From the knyaz's personal archive.

Lore

Around Animals

Made with the cheapest vellum.

Everyday life

Bandit's Last Will

A list of a wary bandit's last wishes.

Found lying about

Bandit's Report

An ineptly written summary of recent events.

Found lying about

Bandit's Warning

Describes bandits's ambush spots and some mysterious creatures.

Found lying about

Be Your Own Healer, part 1

We’ve been told that in order to return to good health, we need help from medicine men and their very expensive remedies made of rare ingredients.

Manual

Be Your Own Healer, part 2

Let us begin with something simple: what to do when you feel pain in some place on your body.

Manual

Be Your Own Healer, part 3

Now let us move on to something more serious: open wounds. They are not easily treated, especially when they are your own, but there are things you can do to…

Manual

Become a Fortress, part 1

“Many of those who've had a taste of true combat will tell you that the best thing one can do is attack quickly and decisively.

Manual

Become a Fortress, part 2

“First of all, be aware of your surroundings. Learn to notice things in the corner of your eye.

Manual

Become a Fortress, part 3

“The second important rule of defending yourself is anticipation. If you know what your enemy is about to do, your chances of preventing them from doing so…

Manual

Become a Fortress, part 4

“Finally, one should always remember that defence in combat is above all a way to create the perfect opportunity to strike.

Manual

Becoming a Master, part 1

You ask: ‘When will I know that my training is over?’ And honestly, the answer is: when you’re dead.

Manual

Becoming a Master, part 2

Attaining such a level of mastery is not easy, of course. That is why you must focus on every move you are taught and repeat them over and over again, ad…

Manual

Becoming a Master, part 3

In the end, when you feel that your blade has no secrets from you, you will be able to take a look back and see the long, arduous journey you have just…

Manual

Beware of Greifberg Castle!

Illegal samizdat.

Notice

Beware of St. Tyna

Beware of Saint Tyna! You may have heard that the mists surrounding the convent are finally gone. But if, like me, you would like to visit the place – don’t!

Quest note

Beware the Bandits

A friendly advice.

Quest note

Beware the Circling Steps

Copied in a frenzied hand.

Lore

Beware the Manumits

Orders to Brencis's soldiers.

Military report

Beware Vrakhiri Blood

Anonymous. Written in cheap, smearing ink.

Everyday life

Beware: Coman

Military document.

Quest note

Beyond the Veil

Read at your own risk.

Lore

Bible Page

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your blood as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true…

Quest note

Bibliotheca Cathedralis Index

Miscellaneous non-religious texts and legal documents - ground floor. Hagiography - first floor, shelves by the northern wall.

Quest note

Blessing

The kneeling man – looks like he's receiving a blessing from a priest. Likely after completing trials? Because he's crowned with a wreath.

Quest note

Blood Cellar Duty

Letter meant to boost the morale of Ambrus's soldiers.

Quest note

Blood Collection

Documents blood collection from prisoners.

Quest note

Blood Covenant: On the Sin of Arrogance

Copy of one of Father Florin's sermons.

Scripture

Blood Covenant: On the Sin of Envy

Copy of one of Father Florin's sermons.

Scripture

Blood Covenant: On the Sin of Pride

Copy of one of Father Florin's sermons.

Scripture

Blood Covenant: On the Sin of Wrath

Copy of one of Father Florin's sermons.

Scripture

Blood Feeders

A short read.

Lore

Blood Guard Training

Communication between boyaress Xanthe's officers.

Quest note

Blood-Soaked Journal

The blood may be the author's.

Quest note

Blood-Stained Letter

A letter from Leontin to Iancu.

Quest note

Bloodied Letter

Likely exchanged between manumits.

Quest note

Bloodied Note

A blood-spattered note with some scribbles.

Quest note

Bloodletting

The priest is shown draining blood from one of the fallen contestants. But why? Is it a funerary rite? Or is there some other reason?

Quest note

Book of Punishments

Lists nuns's transgressions – and the punishments they received.

Quest note

Bounty Hunter's Contract

Concerns taking care of some brazen kobolds.

Found lying about

Boyar Bakir’s Hunt

Communication between Brencis's soldiers.

Military report

Boyar Bakir’s Research

Testament to Boyar Bakir's dedication to his craft.

Quest note

Brencis and the Bible

Illegal samizdat.

Notice

Brencis the Deceiver

Illegal samizdat.

Notice

Brencis's Orders

Orders from Brencis concerning the security of his ritual site.

Quest note

Brencis's Orders – False Idols

Orders concerning roadside shrines and other symbols of old faiths and beliefs.

Quest note

Brencis's Orders – Old Shrines Must Be Destroyed

Orders concerning roadside shrines and other symbols of old faiths and beliefs.

Quest note

Brencis's Orders – Root Out Old Superstition

Orders concerning roadside shrines and other symbols of old faiths and beliefs.

Quest note

Bridge Watch Report

Written by a manumit who met a bad end.

Found lying about

Bring Results

Orders to Brencis's soldiers.

Military report

Burning Blood, part 1

“Eleazar of Küssnacht says: Blood. Sanguis gloriosus. It gives us life, binds us into families, carries the Divine spark that turns us from clay into…

Manual

Burning Blood, part 2

“Eleazar of Küssnacht says: It is difficult to manipulate someone’s blood by uttering magical phrases, but once a practitioner really grasps this knowledge –…

Manual

Burning Blood, part 3

“Eleazar of Küssnacht says: Once the blood is set afire, its course becomes almost unstoppable.

Manual

Burning Blood, part 4

'"Eleazar of Küssnacht says: Sanguis gloriosus. Sanguis mortifer. Just as Ha-Nozri turned water into wine, we turn blood into a living flame.'

Manual

Burnt Note

Instruction on how to deal with the infected.

Found lying about

Business Notice

Ribin, I need those damned herbs by the end of the week at the absolute latest, I mean it. I’m out of ointments and soon I’ll be out of my reputation, too.

Found lying about

Cadmus and the Dragon

An old myth.

Lore

Call to Hunt

Boyar Bakir's unusual call to action.

Found lying about

Call to True Believers

Brothers and sisters in Christ, We require your help in doing God’s work. The scriptorium in Maragir is full of books and documents devoted to our faith.

Quest note

Camp note

I don't like this one bit. Mountain’s grumbling like a rockslide’s coming. We should turn back.

Quest note

Campana Loquitur, vel Introductio pro Novitiis

A must-read for novices at St. Tyna's convent.

Quest note

Caravan Merchant's Note

May your road be easy May the rain not fall May you not be queasy May your cartwheels roll This is my spell For my lover dear Finish your job And come back…

Found lying about

Caravan Orders

Make sure to cover the iron buckles with enough linen and flour sacks to properly protect them. We can’t risk them being exposed to the rain.

Found lying about

Carnifex's Bet, part 1

“In my many years of service in Duke Casimir’s retinue, I've met quite a few skilled warriors, but one deserves special recognition – a quiet man from Silesia…

Manual

Carnifex's Bet, part 2

“Carnifex was not a large or particularly imposing man. Yet there was something in his eyes that you quickly learnt to fear. Bloodlust.

Manual

Carnifex's Bet, part 3

“So prolific was Carnifex in his head-cutting art that even Duke Casimir himself took notice of the Silesian warrior.

Manual

Carnifex's Bet, part 4

“It took some time, but Carnifex finally got his chance to prove himself to our Duke. In AD 1047 we took part in the war against Masovia.

Manual

Castigations

Hastily written.

Quest note

Castle Rumours

Our agent succeeded in infiltrating the castle using a sigil stolen from a freshly-inducted kitchen hand.

Quest note

Catalin's Announcement

Let it be known to all who march under my banner: You are to seize the city of Svartrau and make it kneel before its rightful ruler.

Quest note

Catnica's Journal

A chronicle of a local witch's ambitious endeavor.

Found lying about

Catullus 7

From Anca's collection.

Quest note

Cautionary Note from Xanthe

Ominous and creepy.

Quest note

Checklist

A list of life-saving items.

Quest note

Choosing Your Armour

I always preferred wearing lighter armour. If the armourer knows his craft, a thick leather vest will offer you sufficient protection to survive most…

Manual

Chronicle: Skender's Last Days

A story of the former knyaz's long-lost treasures.

Quest note

Clandestine Orders

They mention a hiding spot for some valuables.

Found lying about

Closed Church Notice

The church is closed, the bell is mute. Your false God is dead! And so is the priest.

Found lying about

Codex Dragosticus

Laws of the old knyaz.

Everyday life