Changes

==1263 Anno Khejistani==

===29th day of Jerharan===

[[File:Diary01.jpg|thumb|300px|Pages 0-1.]]

The events of the past year are unbelievable, and have driven me to write again my thoughts. No matter how hard I try, the facts are unavoidable: our [[King Leoric]] has gone mad, lashing out in crazed frenzy at the abduction of his son, [[Albrecht]], and our steady losses in the ill-advised war against [[Westmarch]], leading to an open revolt among our guards. There is something almost palpable in the air. It feels like...terror.

Is there really some dark entity buried beneath our own town? If only my aging mind could remember the tales as vividly as I did in my younger days.

[[File:Diary06-7.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Pages 6-7.]]

Each new terror sends more townspeople fleeing. There are only a few of us left now: [[Griswold]], [[Pepin]], [[Ogden]], [[Farnham]], the unfortunate [[Wirt]], and, of course, the fair [[Gillian]]. There is someone else, however: someone who has come, while others flee. I am not so sure what to make of this [[Adria]], who openly calls herself witch. She has access to all manner of arcane knowledge that even I do not. Why has she come here now, at this heinous time? I feel there is something amiss about her.

===1st day of Ratham===

Finally one of these adventurers seem to stand out from the rest. Though a man of few words, he radiates a calm and focus that unnerve the others, who are only interested in pillaging and looting. I feel I have come to know this hero, this [[wanderer]]. I have revealed my history and shared my knowledge with him. I hope it is enough.

The vile staff of [[Lazarus]] was brought to me today, further confirming my suspicions. There is no longer any doubt that he is the one who kidnapped [[Albrecht]] and perhaps even freed Diablo from his ancient prison. Who knows what further treachery he has planned? Luckily I suspect Lazarus has not long to live if our champion has anything to say on it.

[[File:Diary12-13.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Pages 12 and 13.]]

I dreamt of the death wail of a small child tonight. It tore up from the depths, shattering the windows of the decrepit [[Tristram Cathedral|cathedral]]. As I started awake, it became apparent that it was actually the shriek of [[Diablo]]'s tortured end. Unable to return to sleep after such an unsettling cry, I ventured outdoor to await the warrior's return. He finally emerged, covered in blood -- much his own, much his enemies'. I am greatly relieved that he survived the ordeal, and that these horrible events are now in our past. But my mind is troubled, for could this not have been avoided I had not dismissed my legacy so lightly?

[[File:Diary14-15.jpg|thumb|300px|Pages 14 and 15.]]

I have never seen [[Tristram]] bursting with such joy as in the weeks since [[Diablo]]'s defeat. The town's quiet, brooding hero, whom I am proud to call friend, has humbly endured these celebrations. Yet it seems clear to me that the scars he gained beneath [[Tristram Cathedral|the church]] run deeper than those upon his skin and may have changed him forever. I have offered counsel, but he remains distant. Time, perhaps, is the only thing that may heal him.

==1264 Anno Khejistani==

===2nd Day of Kathon===

[[File:Diary18-19.jpg|thumb|300px|Pages 18 and 19.]]

[[File:Diary20-21.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Pages 20 and 21.]]

Our sense of relief is overwhelming now that our passage through the desert is finally over and we have arrived in [[Lut Gholein]]. Though I tell no one, [[Diablo]]'s terror has left its mark upon me as well. I wake in the night, suffering unholy visions of the destruction visited upon my home, the slaughter of the helpless villagers, and the echoes of dark acts perpetrated beneath the earth. I hope that these will pass in time, but I fear that I will never escape them.

[[File:Diary22-23.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pages 22 and 23.]]

We are too late. My companions followed the trail of the [[Dark Wanderer]] to the [[tomb of Tal Rasha]], only to be confronted by the demon [[Duriel]]. [[Baal]]'s [[Soulstone]] was nowhere to be found. We can assume that Baal is free once again, and that he and the Wanderer have departed for [[Travincal]] to free their brother, [[Mephisto]]. This must not be allowed to happen.

[[File:Diary24-25.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Pages 24 and 25.]]

Today I have seen what has become of the man who once risked everything to save us from the [[Lord of Terror]]. It was here in the jungles outside [[Kurast]] that we caught our first fleeting glimpse of the [[Dark Wanderer]]. It saddens me to think that even as steadfast and noble a hero as he has proven insignificant beneath the corrupting influence of the Lord of Terror. I weep for what he once was, and yet I curse him for the arrogance that has led him to his path, sowing pain and death across our world.

==1265 Anno Khejistani==

[[File:Diary26-27.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pages 26 and 27.]]

[[Diablo]] is dead. I have long desired to hear these words, but now that they come, I feel little joy. News has also reached us of a [[demon]]ic army marching upon [[Arreat]]. This is [[Baal]]'s doing, no doubt. We depart for the north with the tide. Still, we must count our blessings: the [[Soulstone]]s of [[Mephisto]] and [[Diablo]] have been destroyed at the [[Hellforge]] and they will trouble us no further. Only one remains.

[[File:Diary28-29.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Pages 28 and 29.]]

The cold of the northern mountains chills me to my old and weary bones. [[Baal]]'s army holds the mountains passes from our haven in [[Harrogath]] all the way to the summit. The honor, strength and dedication of my companions never cease to amaze me. They are even now braving the [[demon]]s and snow to reach Baal himself. Rumours of betrayal swirl through the town. This time, we must not be too late.

[[File:Diary32-33.jpg|center|thumb|500px|Pages 32 and 33.]]

==References==