Translator’s Note

  The Book of Dondorian survives in fragmentary form recovered from the ruins beneath the Alabaster Halls. The text, traditionally attributed to various chroniclers of the Golden Hand, appears to have been compiled over three centuries following Dondorian’s death.

  Many wizards and scholars continue to debate whether the work should be classified as mythical epic or divine scripture. While many dismiss it as legend, there remains strong evidence that a historical Dondorian existed—likely a warlord or zealous figure whose campaigns reshaped the western lands.

  Now in the days when shepherds tended flocks throughout the hills of Barbaroi, and the weavers wrought fine garments upon their looms, behold: there was born a child unto the shepherd Eldrim, and unto their wife Elara, and the child would be known as Dondorian.

  And it came to pass, in the tenth year of the child's life, when the fields were ripe unto harvest, and the moon shone fully upon the earth, that a demon rose from the shadows, and sought after their dwelling place.

  Yea, the demon descended upon the household in the night, fierce and terrible; and it consumed the shepherd and their wife, leaving none to mourn them save the young child, Dondorian.

  But lo, the heart of Dondorian was filled not with fear or grief, but with a righteous fury kindled from above. Thus the boy took up from the earth a stone, rough and mighty in their small grasp, and smote the demon upon its head.

  Yea, they smote the demon once, and twice, and thrice again, until it yielded unto death, and the earth was stained with its foulness.

  And when the deed was done, Dondorian took from the demon its spine, and fashioned from it a whip, strong and terrible in its making. Then they went unto the mantle, and therein took up their father's spear, a weapon straight and true.

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  Now armed, the child looked forth upon the world, saying unto themself, "Verily, I shall walk forth, and suffer no demon to live, nor let their evil abide upon the earth."

  So began the journey of Dondorian, the shepherd's son, whose heart was set upon the destruction of all demons, and whose name would be a terror unto darkness.

  And so Dondorian journeyed throughout all the lands, even as a child, and wherever they went, demons and wicked men alike fell beneath the might of their whip and the thrust of their spear.

  And behold, as the years passed the boy grew to become a man, they waxed strong and terrible in form, their limbs were wrought of iron, and violence was ever at their command.

  Thus was Dondorian feared and honored among men, a relentless avenger against darkness, whose strength knew no equal, and whose wrath spared none who walked in wickedness.

  Now there came unto Dondorian a holy man, clothed in humble raiment, and bearing the countenance of peace. And the holy man spake unto Dondorian, saying: "O Dondorian, thine anger burneth as fire, and thy vengeance knoweth no bounds; forsake thou this wrath, and let peace enter into thy heart."

  But the words of the holy man kindled not peace, but greater fury within Dondorian. And they arose in anger, their heart inflamed, and cried aloud, saying: "Peace I shall not know, nor rest, until every demon be slain, and their wickedness utterly destroyed."

  So Dondorian went forth, seeking demons yet more fiercely, driven by wrath, and violence followed swiftly in their wake.

  Then Dondorian came unto a village wherein lurked great evil and wickedness, and people who venerated demons.

  Lo Dondorian descended upon it in fury and slaughtered all therein, and the people cried out unto Dondorian, asking "Why?"

  And Dondorian replied unto them, saying, "You are the stink which draws them, and I shall bathe myself in it."

  And Dondorian became awash in the stink of sin, and demons were drawn unto them. But lo, they came seeking bargain and soul, yet Dondorian had neither to offer.

  Then Dondorian butchered them, hanging them from their own entrails, until the earth itself recoiled at the violence of their hand, and the demons knew despair beneath their merciless wrath.

  Now the authorities rose against Dondorian, and passed judgment for the destruction which had been wrought. And they gave Dondorian a choice: to be hung by the neck or to join a convent in penance for their deeds.

  But Dondorian spoke boldly, saying, "You may try to hang me if you wish, yet there is none among you who can."

  And as the mightiest among them sought to place the rope about Dondorian's neck, there came a fearsome beating, and many were wounded by the hand of the shepherd's son. Yea, even when bound, Dondorian fought with the strength of many men and prevailed.

  Once more they convened, and passed judgment, and they commanded again, saying, "You shall join the convent."

  And Dondorian scorned them with bitter words, and did as they commanded.

  So it was that Dondorian entered into the faith of Medeus, and came to learn of the Eterna Trees, whose roots stretched into the lands of Forevermore.

  Beneath the sacred branches, Dondorian swore a holy oath unto Medeus, declaring, "I shall go into the depths of this hell, and I shall remove the sickness which plagues Medeus."

  Thus Dondorian went into Forevermore, and there were many that followed after them.