Metalus’ Personal Journal
Log Entry 43…
The Abbot just got finished telling Brother Lemark, Brother Severus and I that he has received more reports from the pilgrims about strange phenomenon- the harsh whispers in the dark, the eerie lights above the mountains and the disappearances of two more pilgrims without explanation. The Abbott told us that nothing must stop the completion of this Cathedral and he has used his connections with the nobility and the Inquisition to request the investigation talents of a famed senior Throne Agent named Aristarchus. I have heard of the man- a distant descendant of Saint Drusus himself and a powerful psyker seer.
I used the lessons gained from my past experiences as an Inquisition agent to suggest to the Abbot that perhaps Aristarchus would not be enough to deal with this potential threat, especially if the power of Chaos is present. He was hesitant at first, but then agreed due to the importance of the Cathedral and what it means to the Imperial Church on Iocanthos. I told him that I knew of some capable agents- my old Acolyte team from when I served the Inquisition (if they were still around). Abbot Skae trusts in my judgment and sent word to Inquisitor Sand.

Log Entry 48…
Some of the pilgrims found a couple of dead bodies up in the mountains above the Cathedral- they looked like bandits from their clothing and equipment. Strange though, their dried up bodies looked like they had been dead for days, weeks even, though no one saw them up there the day before. Looks like the birds had a meal though- all of their eyes were missing.

Log Entry 59…
The Abbot just informed us that the Inquisition has agreed to the request and is sending Aristarchus and the Acolytes of Cell C2. I saw the list of the members of my former Cell and was sadden to see that there were only two names that I recognized- the Tech-Priest Vern and the Assassin Xerxes. I fear that the others must have paid the ultimate price in the Emperor’s service.

Log Entry 63…
That blasted Lemark!! Drinking everyone under the table at the bar. I hope his liver gives out.

Log Entry 79…
Aristarchus has just arrived planet side at Port Suffering. He will stay there waiting for the arrival of the rest of the Inquisition Agents and together they will head out to Stern Hope.

Log 96…
Just got done welcoming the Inquisition Agents and getting them settled into their quarters. They reported observing some strange things during their trip from Port Suffering to here- walking corpse…disappearing bodies…perhaps the stories that pilgrims have been reporting have some truth. Brother Lemark and I are taking them all to the Crying Clota for some of the Emperor’s Teat to celebrate their arrival.

Log 97…
Awww…my head is killing me…I don’t feel like writing.

Log 98…
There was an attack on Stern Hope yesterday by raiders from Warlord Seth’s band (crappy day to have a hang-over). No one knows why they attacked and many pilgrims were killed. The Cathedral was not damaged and the Abbot intends to go forward with the consecration ceremony despite the disagreement with Esha Raine (the Ashlee Death Singer). She pulled her support of the project and left Stern Hope following an argument with the Abbott. An hour later the Abbott stumbled from the Cathedral mortally wounded. He exclaimed that Esha was responsible and Aristarchus has order the Acolytes and I go to Esha’s steading and bring her back for interrogation. If she refuses to go then we have been order to terminate her.

Log 99…
I am writing this while sitting in the back of a flatbed truck on a bumpy road. We are making haste back to Stern Hope. We spoke with Esha and during our conversation we were attacked by hundreds of Shale Crows infused with the power of the warp. I no longer doubt the tales from the Pilgrims- the power of Chaos is at work here and they have their eyes set on Stern Hope. Esha told us that we have been duped by the Abbot who had sent us away so that we would not be present when he puts his devious plan into action. We are not sure what he intends to do but an ancient book that Esha provided us with tells us the tale of how Saint Drusus battled and vanquished an ancient evil from Iocanthos on the very spot that the Cathedral has been built on. This ancient daemon is known by many names, such as the Crow Father, the Dancer at the Threshold and Tsyiak. We must put an end to whatever the Abbot plans on doing. I fear the worst…A dust storm is approaching and I must get some sleep while I can…

Entries recovered from a journal found on the body of Cleric Metalus (loyal servant of the Ecclesiarchy) by Sister Gracion during the investigation of the events that took place at the Cathedral of Stern Hope. The investigation by the Ordo Hereticus and Adepta Sororitas has concluded that Cleric Metalus and the Inquisition Agents of Cell: C2 (in the employ of Inquisitor Sand) served honorably with courage and fortitude and were successful in stopping a full-blown daemonic incursion that was initiated by a tainted member of the Ecclesiarchy- Missionary-Abbot Prelate Orland Skae. This and other records pertaining to this incident have been sealed by order of the Ordo Hereticus under authority code: KKL3374J8G[sic]trident

• GM’s Note: This mission was ran with modifications from the adventure found in Fantasy Flight’s Dark Heresy core rulebook. It can be found here: