The Beast of Darkness (2024)

Contents

The following text is transcluded from Transcript:The Beast of Darkness.

I've been tasked with documenting our hunt for Kezalam. Many in our line of work know the beast as something from fiction; a tale to scare overzealous children to return home before nightfall.

"Wander, wander, away from the path.Wonder, wonder, what awaits in the dark?A hungry beast that hasn't been fed?A monster with blades instead of a head?Hurry on back and do not be late,for in the darkness the wanderer waits."

Our master insists that all myths are born from truth, and that this legendary bounty will more than prove the proficiency of the rookies among us. If the tales are true, I can't help but wonder if our party will have what it takes to defeat the creature. My strengths lie in knowledge, and coupled with the unfamiliarity of the desert before us, the uncertainties around our task have left me blind and bound.

We've travelled deep into the Kharidian Desert in search of our charge. It has been a long and treacherous journey, with conversation among the group often focusing on the creature we seek. Most notably we discuss far-fetched tales of Kezalam's origin: some speak of the creature as a monstrosity of unnatural origin, filled with the blood of the deadliest creatures and released into the wild as part of some unseen game. I believe it most likely made the same journey we do now, either alone or as part of a warband from a long-forgotten conflict.

Progress is steady. Our trackers discovered large prints yet to be obscured by the ever-shifting sands.

Kezalam has been here, and recently.

The tracks were of no use. We followed them for the last few hours of scorching sunlight we had left, eventually coming across a visceral trail leading to a pack of wolves devouring their kill, surrounded by an audience of vultures. The disappointment of the party is palpable, but tomorrow is a new day.

Some of us can't help but wonder why we were tasked with hunting a potentially imaginary foe. Kezalam is no more than a bedtime story to the local populous, if it does exist it is at the very least no more a threat than the wild dogs. Perhaps this test is to examine our skills of the unknown, seeing how well we can survive when left in the dark.

We found it, but at what cost? We were caught by surprise whilst surveying a murky cavern. The encounter was brief but violent; a handful of scratches upon the horned monstrosity in exchange for a few members of the party. There is no doubt that this beast as at the least the inspiration for the stories that led us on our hunt. Even when obscured by the shadow of these tunnels the towering, horned silhouette of the creature immediately reminded me of the tales. I've managed to procure a vial of blood from the battle - something about it seems off, unlike anything I've encountered before. It may be of use or interest to someoneback home, if we ever return. The lumbering beast vanished into the shadows as soon as the battle seemed to have turned in our favour. With no tracks to follow, our next course of action is to head deeper into the dim lair in hopes of finishing the job.

[The writing is hectic and barely legible]

They're gone... fate unknown. I can't even make out my... darkness has overcome the chasm... a tomb. The path back... taken a wrong turn... going back risks... she's coming... her pet. Whatever that was... of this world. Something was different with... a newfound rage and remarkable strength. I... back to the entrance... she's coming... master sent us... doom... plan all along?

1. ^ Jagex. Mod Fowl's Twitter account. 22 July 2024. (Archived from the original on 5 August 2024.) Mod Fowl: "Someone finally added Kezalam's book to the wiki 👀 had a lot of fun writing that!"