Post by XombieMike on Jun 9, 2021 16:42:13 GMT -6
Throughout the Hellhold, Miriam can find journals that reveal more of the story of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. This is a collection of those entries. Spoiler warning.
In addition to these journal entries, there are two from a different author to be assumed as Benjamin.
D/XO/1764 (4/20)
Whilst attempting to create my homunculus, I discovered a strange formation of white crystal growing on the subject. What is it? A sign, at long last, that my studies are progressing? I must observe it diligently and learn all I can.
Whilst attempting to create my homunculus, I discovered a strange formation of white crystal growing on the subject. What is it? A sign, at long last, that my studies are progressing? I must observe it diligently and learn all I can.
C/XH/1764 (5/29)
The crystal I discovered appears to be multiplying. Slowly, its corruption spreads through the cadaver I chose as a subject. It is a marvelous substance—neither entirely a liquid nor a solid. As soon as I have enough, I shall begin experiments to discover its other properties.
The crystal I discovered appears to be multiplying. Slowly, its corruption spreads through the cadaver I chose as a subject. It is a marvelous substance—neither entirely a liquid nor a solid. As soon as I have enough, I shall begin experiments to discover its other properties.
K/ID/1764 (6/14)
The Guild has been abandoned by yet another patron. Today's world sees our work as meandering, fruitless mysticism, and whilst my superiors have tried scaring the aristocracy by insinuating their mockery of the intangible will bring demons to their gates, I doubt these tactics will suffice to avert the Guild's demise.
The Guild has been abandoned by yet another patron. Today's world sees our work as meandering, fruitless mysticism, and whilst my superiors have tried scaring the aristocracy by insinuating their mockery of the intangible will bring demons to their gates, I doubt these tactics will suffice to avert the Guild's demise.
Q/IY/1764 (8/17)
My superiors act with alacrity now. They have sent a missive demanding I focus my studies on the conjuring of demons. So they see my crystal as a waste of time. And this new task is not? The Liber Logaeth has been with the Guild for generations. If they think I can squeeze a demon out of it now, their faith is sorely misplaced.
My superiors act with alacrity now. They have sent a missive demanding I focus my studies on the conjuring of demons. So they see my crystal as a waste of time. And this new task is not? The Liber Logaeth has been with the Guild for generations. If they think I can squeeze a demon out of it now, their faith is sorely misplaced.
X/Y/1765 (2/7)
Half a year has passed since I began my studies of demonology, and I haven't been able to conjure more than a fart thus far. My old friend insists he has seen the Liber Logaeth summon a friendly spirit—that I need only invert the rite. And yet try as I may, scour the library as I may, I have naught to show for my efforts. I cannot count how many permutations of the rite I have attempted. My methods are correct; it is my materials that fail me. What is missing? A human sacrifice? No, I must try more catalysts. The crystal I discovered continues to grow, ever so slowly. Watching it has become my sole joy...
Half a year has passed since I began my studies of demonology, and I haven't been able to conjure more than a fart thus far. My old friend insists he has seen the Liber Logaeth summon a friendly spirit—that I need only invert the rite. And yet try as I may, scour the library as I may, I have naught to show for my efforts. I cannot count how many permutations of the rite I have attempted. My methods are correct; it is my materials that fail me. What is missing? A human sacrifice? No, I must try more catalysts. The crystal I discovered continues to grow, ever so slowly. Watching it has become my sole joy...
Q/II/1765 (8/11)
I have done it! Whilst small, the creature I summoned was most assuredly a demon. I thought I was clutching at straws when I tried using the crystal as a medium. But what power! Distressingly, my "small" demon nearly devastated the Guild before I could destroy it. The thought of a whole army crossing over sends chills up my spine.
I have done it! Whilst small, the creature I summoned was most assuredly a demon. I thought I was clutching at straws when I tried using the crystal as a medium. But what power! Distressingly, my "small" demon nearly devastated the Guild before I could destroy it. The thought of a whole army crossing over sends chills up my spine.
Q/IX/1765 (8/12)
The demon we vanquished produced a red crystal. I am calling this a "shard" to differentiate it from the white crystal, but both are strange and fascinating. The crystal exhibits a kind of magnetic pull on the shard, suggesting it may be capable of binding with the shard's demonic power. But how do I make more of it?
The demon we vanquished produced a red crystal. I am calling this a "shard" to differentiate it from the white crystal, but both are strange and fascinating. The crystal exhibits a kind of magnetic pull on the shard, suggesting it may be capable of binding with the shard's demonic power. But how do I make more of it?
IX/XD/1766 (12/24)
Days and weeks have gone by, but despite my many attempts to cultivate more crystal, the only way I have successfully proliferated it is with the original homunculus subject. I have tried transplanting the crystal into similar subjects, yielding the same, pitiable results. I must be failing to remember something. The crystal proliferates across my subjects' bodies like a corruption, but the process is far too slow. To amass enough crystal to summon Bael, as my superiors have asked, would require centuries. When I first discovered the crystal, it grew more quickly. How do I reproduce that? How, how, how! What am I doing wrong?
Days and weeks have gone by, but despite my many attempts to cultivate more crystal, the only way I have successfully proliferated it is with the original homunculus subject. I have tried transplanting the crystal into similar subjects, yielding the same, pitiable results. I must be failing to remember something. The crystal proliferates across my subjects' bodies like a corruption, but the process is far too slow. To amass enough crystal to summon Bael, as my superiors have asked, would require centuries. When I first discovered the crystal, it grew more quickly. How do I reproduce that? How, how, how! What am I doing wrong?
I/IY/1767 (1/17)
At last, I have solved it. My first homunculus subject was a child, and recently deceased. The younger the subject and the sooner after death I act, the more quickly the crystal spreads through the body. So far I have worked only with cadavers, but with a living child... Yes... My position in the Guild is secure now.
At last, I have solved it. My first homunculus subject was a child, and recently deceased. The younger the subject and the sooner after death I act, the more quickly the crystal spreads through the body. So far I have worked only with cadavers, but with a living child... Yes... My position in the Guild is secure now.
X/Q/1767 (2/8)
The Guild has supplied the children I need—I care not how—and bade me transplant the crystal. My old friend vehemently opposes the move on moral grounds, but I wish only to complete this experiment, replenish the Guild's coffers, and continue my historic work. Now, let the experiment begin.
The Guild has supplied the children I need—I care not how—and bade me transplant the crystal. My old friend vehemently opposes the move on moral grounds, but I wish only to complete this experiment, replenish the Guild's coffers, and continue my historic work. Now, let the experiment begin.
X/Q/1767 (2/8)
My theories were correct. The crystal is spreading through the children's bodies even faster than I expected. However, my superiors have delivered the grave news that no more children can be provided. This is a setback... With my current materials, it could take more than ten years to amass the crystal we require.
My theories were correct. The crystal is spreading through the children's bodies even faster than I expected. However, my superiors have delivered the grave news that no more children can be provided. This is a setback... With my current materials, it could take more than ten years to amass the crystal we require.
K/IO/1767 (6/10)
My old friend has taken to spending time with the children. I cannot fathom why. He knows the future that awaits them once they have grown enough crystal...but, it is his heart to break. He mentioned a new line of study: the manipulation of kinetic energy. To try and slow the crystal's progress? He cannot be so foolish.
My old friend has taken to spending time with the children. I cannot fathom why. He knows the future that awaits them once they have grown enough crystal...but, it is his heart to break. He mentioned a new line of study: the manipulation of kinetic energy. To try and slow the crystal's progress? He cannot be so foolish.
H/X/1776 (9/2)
A terrible thing has happened. One of the children got ahold of the red shard, bringing the demon I summoned all those years ago back into our world. We somehow cut the shard loose from the boy and averted chaos, but this proves I was right; the crystal binds with the shards' power. I shall call the children "Shardbinders."
A terrible thing has happened. One of the children got ahold of the red shard, bringing the demon I summoned all those years ago back into our world. We somehow cut the shard loose from the boy and averted chaos, but this proves I was right; the crystal binds with the shards' power. I shall call the children "Shardbinders."
K/IQ/1779 (6/18)
The shard-binding incident made apparent our need to teach the children self-discipline. The Guild has introduced just such a regimen to verse them in combat by pitting them against the demons we summon. One boy, Gebel, has shown tremendous ability, but his crystal growth lags behind the others. Why?
The shard-binding incident made apparent our need to teach the children self-discipline. The Guild has introduced just such a regimen to verse them in combat by pitting them against the demons we summon. One boy, Gebel, has shown tremendous ability, but his crystal growth lags behind the others. Why?
I/XC/1781 (1/24)
Gebel's efforts have supplied us with a large quantity of shards. Now that the children are well trained, we have begun shard-binding experiments to great success. One girl in particular, Miriam, seems to have boundless potential, both in terms of how many shards she can wield and to what magnitude.
Gebel's efforts have supplied us with a large quantity of shards. Now that the children are well trained, we have begun shard-binding experiments to great success. One girl in particular, Miriam, seems to have boundless potential, both in terms of how many shards she can wield and to what magnitude.
K/IO/1783 (6/10)
If my calculations are correct, then we have finally amassed enough crystal to perform the great demon summoning. It has been a long and arduous path, but we will soon reach the end. My old friend continues to oppose the ritual. However, to gain much we must sacrifice much. It is the most basic principle of alchemy.
If my calculations are correct, then we have finally amassed enough crystal to perform the great demon summoning. It has been a long and arduous path, but we will soon reach the end. My old friend continues to oppose the ritual. However, to gain much we must sacrifice much. It is the most basic principle of alchemy.
K/IC/1783 (6/15)
Has a volcano erupted? The days are dark as night, and the skies red as blood—the very picture of hell. How long must this go on? Our crops are ruined, and the phenomenon is certain to have an ill effect on people as well. But perhaps this is opportune: a sign from God that the time for the ritual is nigh.
Has a volcano erupted? The days are dark as night, and the skies red as blood—the very picture of hell. How long must this go on? Our crops are ruined, and the phenomenon is certain to have an ill effect on people as well. But perhaps this is opportune: a sign from God that the time for the ritual is nigh.
K/AO/1783 (6/30)
The skies remain unchanged, and as expected, my superiors have called upon me to perform the ritual despite my friend's objections. His opinion carries little weight in the face of the Guild's nearly unanimous support. I must away; the ritual will be performed ten days hence, and I have many preparations ahead of me.
The skies remain unchanged, and as expected, my superiors have called upon me to perform the ritual despite my friend's objections. His opinion carries little weight in the face of the Guild's nearly unanimous support. I must away; the ritual will be performed ten days hence, and I have many preparations ahead of me.
Y/ID/1783 (7/14)
The ritual is tomorrow, but we have a problem. One of the children we selected, Miriam, has fallen into a deep slumber, and her crystal—which accounts for half the catalyst we intended to use—has lost its power. I suspect my friend, but it matters not. The ritual's chances of success have waned, but we must find a way.
The ritual is tomorrow, but we have a problem. One of the children we selected, Miriam, has fallen into a deep slumber, and her crystal—which accounts for half the catalyst we intended to use—has lost its power. I suspect my friend, but it matters not. The ritual's chances of success have waned, but we must find a way.
Y/IC/1783 (7/15)
Whilst Bael did not come, the summoning was a triumphant success! Demons have flooded into our world, proving the validity of the Guild's beliefs and the necessity of our presence. However, I never imagined it would lead to such catastrophe... Was I foolish to heed my superiors so blindly? But what is done is done.
Whilst Bael did not come, the summoning was a triumphant success! Demons have flooded into our world, proving the validity of the Guild's beliefs and the necessity of our presence. However, I never imagined it would lead to such catastrophe... Was I foolish to heed my superiors so blindly? But what is done is done.
H/XD/1783 (9/24)
Two months have passed. The Church vanquished the demons, but too much human life had been lost. Once it was found we had a hand in the affair, my superiors were executed and the Guild left crippled. Alchemy's principle held; we sacrificed everything, and gained just as much misery. Only by some miracle was my life spared.
Two months have passed. The Church vanquished the demons, but too much human life had been lost. Once it was found we had a hand in the affair, my superiors were executed and the Guild left crippled. Alchemy's principle held; we sacrificed everything, and gained just as much misery. Only by some miracle was my life spared.
K/A/1784 (6/3)
Gebel did not die in the ritual. He is here... Flanked by demons, he delivers judgment to the Alchemists. My own punishment has come, and it will be far worse than the others'... To the Shardbinders who died at my hands: forgive me. And to you, my dear friend Alfred: I should have listened. May God have mercy on me...
Gebel did not die in the ritual. He is here... Flanked by demons, he delivers judgment to the Alchemists. My own punishment has come, and it will be far worse than the others'... To the Shardbinders who died at my hands: forgive me. And to you, my dear friend Alfred: I should have listened. May God have mercy on me...
In addition to these journal entries, there are two from a different author to be assumed as Benjamin.
Several months have passed since I wandered into the castle. I have managed to survive thus far by rummaging through treasure chests without the monsters taking notice. Will I find something palatable today? For once, I'd like to crack a chest open and find a mouthwatering hunk of meat...
An unpleasant game of cat-and-mouse with the monsters forced me into retreat. But then, while stealing through the garden, I noticed that a blue treasure chest I had plundered once before had been freshened with a new item. Who on earth could have put it there?
yey