Dark Messiah: locations

Finally! After years of practice and study, Master Phenrig is taking me with him on one of his treasure hunts. There's an ancient crystal that we need to recover, and Phenrig says the old temple is far from empty. At last I'll have a chance to use all the skills I've learned, and prove I'm worthy of my training.

Stonehelm, finally! In spite of Master Phenrig's hint that there might be some excitement, it has been a long, dull journey. I wonder. Once I give the Shantiri Crystal to Lord Menelag, maybe he'll take me on the expedition to obtain the Skull of Shadows. Anything. As long as I don't have to spend another two weeks staring at horse's ears, I'll be happy.

Master Phenrig once told me: 'Be careful what you wish for; you might get it.' Well I wished for excitement, and now I'm getting it. An undead army, a siege, meeting Lord Menelag and his charming niece, and tomorrow a boat trip to a far away island. Exciting, indeed...

They killed him! Just like that, Menelag died. One of the ghouls ran off with the Shantiri Crystal, and if I can't get it back my whole mission is lost. I wonder why the Necromancers want it. And what exactly is the Skull of Shadows? I'll find that ghoul, and when I do, I hope I start getting some answers.

What was that? The last thing I need right now is dreams and visions. But it felt so real... Anyway, the crystal is mine again. The bad news is that I've made an enemy of Arantir, and he doesn't look like the 'forgive and forget' type. I have to get the crystal to Leanna, because only she can get us to the Skull -- and give me the answers I'm looking for.

So far, so good. We've arrived, and there's no sign of Arantir. But I had another weird dream last night. Xana, Leanna, ... What's going on here? If the Skull of Shadows is so important to so many people, Phenrig was laughing up his sleeve when he 'hinted' at excitement. If I ever get out of this, I'll be tempted to go ask him for explanations.

Leanna now, too. I'm leaving a trail of bodies, but so are my adversaries. I couldn't do a thing to stop Arantir. But I know he wants the Skull, and that means he can't have it. I just wish I knew why everyone wants it so badly. I have a feeling that Xana knows. In fact I have a feeling that she knows a lot, and isn't telling me any of it.

By all that's holy... and unholy. I was the one marked. Me. And everyone else knew it. Xana, Phenrig, Menelag, even Arantir. Only one question remains: What happens to Dark Messiahs after they die?

So. Xana... me... Demons. I don't question my strength any more, just what I should do with it. First, I'll track down Arantir; I know where to find him. Then, with Xana's help, I'll get the Skull back. And after that? We'll see. Maybe I'll have a chat with Dad; maybe I'll lock him away forever. The future is in my hands.

Leanna survived! In the end it was up to me, not Arantir, to decide her fate. But he remains a powerful enemy. The entire siege was a ruse to allow him to get the crystal and enter the Necropolis. Now I know what he's up to, but I need a guide to find my way to the Necropolis. What will I do once I find him? Embrace my heritage, or reject it? Cleanse my blood, or accept it as the true source of my power?

He is down there, somewhere. Arantir, with the Skull of Shadows. I have to find him, challenge him, and end this struggle. The Skull will be mine, as it should, to do with as I please. Beware, Arantir. I am coming.