Ivandis' writings

It is often said that to take on the mantle of a Temple Knight is to make the ultimate sacrifice. For most, the meaning is clear: we lay down our lives in Saradomin's name so that the world will know peace. The truth, however, is far less simple, and rarely understood. Iriandul once summed it up the best to me: our sacrifice is not that of the body, but that of the soul. Iriandul now lies dead, along with my other brothers and sisters. Of the seven of us sent here, only I remain. The Temple Knight tenets are clear: the events of the last few days must be documented. As the last survivor, it is now my duty to do so.

We were originally dispatched to the Salve with a clear directive: to secure the river against the vampyre threat. To those that travelled and fought with us, the hope in this was clear: that victory would be achieved through the total destruction of the vampyres. In truth, the likelihood of such an outcome was always remote.

Instead, our primary focus was more unsettling: to conduct research and gather materials related to the vampyre practice of haemalchemy. The savants believed haemalchemy to be the key to vampyrification, but more importantly, also the key to overcoming the vampyres.

Through our efforts, the savants were able to design what could only be described as a blood ritual. This magic would secure the Salve for centuries, preventing any vampyre from crossing it. The duty to conduct this ritual, and the burden that came with it, fell upon us Temple Knights.

We prepared the ritual directly over the source of the Salve. For the sake of our companions, we ensured the profane elements remained hidden. As far as they were concerned, it was a holy consecration overseen by Saradomin himself.

With everything prepared, we started the incantations, but we were quickly set upon by the enemy in force. They fought with more ferocity than we'd ever encountered, almost like the ritual itself was calling to them.

Derygull was the first to fall. One by one, my other brothers and sisters joined him, along with many of our brave companions. And yet, their sacrifice was not in vain. In spite of the enemies attempts, the ritual was a success.

As the battle ended, I watched as any vampyres attempting to cross the water fell and writhed in pain, before being engulfed by unholy magic. It was over. At least, that's how it seemed at the time.

We set to work on burying the dead, with me personally tending to my fallen brothers and sisters. I laid them to rest around the well where we conducted the ritual, so that they may watch over the Salve forever more.

It was only a day after the ritual when I realised something was wrong. When I woke, I felt a sickness inside me. A pain. A hunger. I may have survived the ritual, but it seems now that was no blessing, but a curse. There was only one explanation: vampyrification. I will not become my mortal enemy. I will not let my companions watch as I become the thing they swore to destroy. Death is the only release for me now, but there is one final thing I must do before it takes me.

While our conflict with the vampyres focused on this side of Salve, the materials we needed required various scouting missions deep into enemy territory. One of those missions mapped the tunnels found deep beneath Morytania, including one going right under Castle Drakan. And so, my path is clear. I will travel into that dark land one final time. I will use that tunnel to enter Drakan's home. And there, I will finally put an end to him.

In truth, the odds of success are remote, but in many ways, that is irrelevant. No matter what happens, the Salve is secure, and our home is safe. My family will live on, and I will not. And even if I fail to kill Drakan, I know his day will come, for I know that no matter what, hope will always prevail.