Here are is a draft for the background story of ToLS which I wrote back in 2009. Excuse the bad English, spelling and grammar errors - I did not bother to correct anything I sketched out 8 years ago. As you may notice the story has nothing to do with the final map. I just want to conserve this for myself before I throw the paper with the notes away.
Expedition Journal of Joan Clair, scholar at the court of Lord Brydon.
2009, May 5th, Day 1 - Seftonvale Inn
Two days ago I was sent by Lord Brydon to Seftonvale to partake an expedition to the isolated kingdom of Isenmouth, which was last mentioned in the scripts of New Sosaria 200 years ago. The opportunity for this lies in the surprisingly operation of a ship under the Isenmouth flag in the bay of Seftonvale 5 days ago. The captain of the barge, a crafty looking man of the sea who hears to the name Blackeye send a messenger to Seftonvale and the surrounding villages of Cammerata and Dryden proclaiming that the new king of Isenmouth offers a good paid job to anyone who wants.
Lord Brydon, who on the one hand wanted to know more about Isenmouth and on the other hand felt sorrow for his kin who fallowed the call to Isenmoth send me to Seftonvale to board the ship so I could learn more about mysterious place. When I arrived at the harbour I went straight to the captain to tell him of my intentions. He was not too pleased that I did not want to board because I was looking for a job but for informations. Several good coins though changed his mind and with a vicious grin showing gold teeth as well as a row of rotten black ones he welcomed me aboard for next day. Meanwhile I rest now in the inn of Seftonvale with split feelings about the journey that lies ahead.
2009, May 6th, Day 2 - on way to Mon-Ferrato
Due to the bad economy several peasants boarded the ship with me and we headed west to Mon-Ferrato. (nice weather etc.....)
2009, May 9th, Day 5 - on way to Itzumi Port
In Mon-Ferrato several merchants who could not pay the tax for their booths joint us before we left for Dryden(?). Our journey took us farther to the West passing the Knights of Sin clanhall and Mirkwood to the haunted ruins of Olde Porte. We reached this god forsaken place at dusk on May x. It was a cold dark night with the whispers of the undead carried with the wind from the grave yard. On the next day we continued the journey to Itzumi Port. I noticed that the passengers increased in numbers over the night by wayfarers, cut-throats, and other Gesindel (german for lowlifes).
2009, May 11th, Day 7
We left Itzumi on a sunny day with more peasants and merchants from the area and are finally heading on to our destination.
2009, May 12, Day 8
We passed the shrine of Sacrifice . Today the weather is still good but the wind declines more and more. Until now we were spared any encounters with the many dangerous creatures that roam the high seas of New Sosaria.
2009, May 13, Day 9
The wind is gone and the crew has to row. The sun is still high above but some light fog creeps from the sea and makes navigation complicated.
2009, May 14, Day 10
Is it night or day - I cannot say. The fog is too thick as that the sun could penetrate it. The captain is still on good terms and told me that we would reach Isenmoth soon.
Further notes:
Worker go missing after landing in Isenmouth
Most of my notes is unreadable. From what I gathers is that Joan Clair meets the king of Isenmouth. Something awful happens and Joan flees of the mountains to the village where he dies and leaves his notes to be spirited away by the river.
Blood spawn -> Bloodkin Hot blood/Life/Birth/Blood Queen->Castle
Shadow spawn -> Shadowfolk Darkness/Death/Afterlife/Shadowlords -> Town, Dungeon
Circle of Life and Death
That's all folks - I can throw the piece of paper away...