Edge of the World

Maybe I got lazy. Fell asleep at my post. Somehow everything I love is at risk. Again. Last time I saw Karnaca I was just eighteen, boarding a ship bound for Dunwall. It was dawn and I’d been up all night dancing, three sheets to the wind. I was puffed up with the old Duke’s favor and I thought I was the greatest swordsman the Isles had ever known. For over three decades, I’ve lived in a palace, watching over the people I love. I’ve had an empress die in my arms, and raised another from birth. Who would have thought I’d come back home the most wanted man in the Isles, following the trail of a monstrous killer. What would that eighteen year old think of me now?

Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, just as you’re starting to relax, you look up and there are wolves at the gate. Wolves with red muzzles, hungry for your insides. Everything has turned to shit. Last time I saw Karnaca I was just eighteen, boarding a ship bound for Dunwall. It was dawn and I’d been up all night dancing, three sheets to the wind. I was puffed up with the old Duke’s favor and I thought I was the greatest swordsman the Isles had ever known. In the thirty-six years since, I’ve buried countless enemies. Most deserved what they got, but I wonder if that even matters. I’ve stopped dozens of assassins, but the one who got through eats at my dreams. Who’d have thought I’d come home to Karnaca the most wanted man in the empire, following the trail of a monstrous killer? Who’d have thought I’d be on the run again, ready to wade through another river of blood?

When I was 10 years old, bored with my lessons, I dreamed about sword-fighting and sailing the Ocean. Now I’m realizing that the world is stranger than I ever imagined. Everything I know has been turned on its head, but I’m dealing with it the best I can. When you look at the great jeweled map at Dunwall Tower, Karnaca’s the southern-most port in the Empire, a fat red ruby. That’s how I always thought of it. Up close the city smells like the Ocean and strange spices. Up close it’s a tangled story of blood and ambition. The birthplace of my father. Meagan Foster is a stranger, but there’s something that makes me want to trust her, despite her guarded disposition. She got me out of Dunwall and I need answers. Delilah and the Duke made me look like a murderer, using the Crown Killer to butcher my political adversaries. They took what was mine, and I’m going to get it back.

When I was 10 years old, bored with my lessons, I dreamed about sword-fighting and sailing the Ocean. Now I’m realizing that the world is more off-kilter than I imagined. Everything has been turned inside out, but I’m not going to stop fighting until it makes sense again. Karnaca’s the southern-most port in the Empire, once proud but fallen into disarray. Under the new Duke, the Grand Serkonan Guard has gotten increasingly oppressive. Beatings and firing squads. The bloodflies are said to be worse than ever. This is the birthplace of my father. Meagan Foster keeps to herself, like she’s hiding something. But she helped me escape Dunwall and for now I need a place to stay out of sight. Delilah and the Duke made me look like a murderer, using the Crown Killer to butcher my political adversaries. They took what was mine, and I’m going to get it back even if I have to burn this city to the ground.

The Void.

I’d almost forgotten the way it feels to walk in the Void. That sickening sensation, like falling. Like being abandoned by everything you’ve ever known. And the Outsider. Those dead eyes of his. Limitless black.

Of course he offered me the same gift. I thought I might refuse just to let him know I won’t be a part of his games. But then I remembered Emily, trapped by Delilah’s magic. So I took it. Anything I can use against the Duke and Delilah. Anything to defeat them and save my daughter. If this gift comes with a price, I just hope it’s not too steep.

And what will his other gift cost me? Jessamine’s beloved voice, trapped in the same strange contraption that kept me company fifteen years ago. I’ve been trying to forget it, but it is comforting to be able to talk to her again. And yet, it’s not entirely the person I knew anymore.

We’ve finally arrived in Karnaca. I haven’t seen the city in years. Nobody’s waiting for me there. Neither the people nor the Duke.

The Void.

I had hoped this time would be different. That I wouldn’t be pulled into the Void, to the Outsider. I’d almost forgotten. Those dead eyes of his. Limitless black.

Of course he offered me the same gift. Power. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it? I was tempted. But then I thought about the Duke and Delilah. Their lust for control over the world, over others. The way she smiled when she took away my Mark. I won’t be like them. So I refused. I think he was surprised. Maybe even disappointed. Good. Maybe he’ll be bored with me. Leave me alone from now on.

But his other gift I couldn’t refuse. Jessamine’s beloved voice, trapped in the same strange contraption that kept me company fifteen years ago. I’ve been trying to forget it, but it is comforting to be able to talk to her again. And yet, it’s not entirely the person I knew anymore.

We’ve finally arrived in Karnaca. I haven’t seen the city in years. Nobody’s waiting for me there. Neither the people nor the Duke.

Dishonored.

Feels like it did all those years ago. Jessamine. And me, just a moment too late. Now Emily. This witch, Delilah. The most powerful magic I’ve ever seen. She tore away the Outsider’s Mark and made Emily into stone. I will find a way to undo it, and to undo Delilah herself, along with her accomplice, Duke Abele. Somehow I’ll make sure they pay for what they’ve done to Emily. I’ve dealt with that weasel Ramsey for a start. But thanks to Delilah and the Duke, the whole Empire thinks I’m the “Crown Killer.”

But for now I’m on a boat, heading away from Dunwall, toward my homeland. Seems absurd to write it down. The captain is Meagan Foster. Says she’s friends with Anton Sokolov, the old Royal Physician. I have no choice but to trust her. For now. We sail to Serkonos. At least it gives me time to think. I need a plan. A plan to save Emily and pull Delilah from the throne she stole.

Investigating Addermire Institute.

I’ve been watching Meagan Foster closely. For now I’ve decided to trust her. Without her I’d probably be like Emily, trapped by Delilah’s magic. So for now this boat captain is my only ally. Even if she’s hiding something.

I hope Anton Sokolov will be joining us soon. The greatest mind the Empire has ever known. Famous for his paintings and his fondness for King Street Brandy.

He’s managed to get himself abducted by the Crown Killer.

Meagan Foster says he was last seen being dragged toward Addermire Institute. My guess is the killer is a patient, maybe he needs some treatments. But how could a murderous lunatic be able to come and go to do the Duke’s dirty business? The Chief Alchemist there is Alexandria Hypatia. I’ve heard only good things about her. But if she knows anything, I’ll make her talk.

The Void.

This time it wasn’t a dream. I’ve read about the Void and the Outsider, imagined them. Now I’ve seen these wonders for myself. Strange doesn’t begin to cover it.

The Outsider has terrible eyes, black on black. He offered me something. I know these gifts come with a price, but how could I refuse? This power might give me the edge I need to defeat Delilah and Duke Abele. I’ll worry about paying the cost later.

And what price will I pay for his other gift? My mother’s beloved voice, trapped in the strangest contraption. It is both comforting and chilling to be able to talk to her again. And yet, it’s not entirely the person I knew anymore. This thing, the Heart, it’s there and not there. I have to focus in a new way to even see it.

We’ve arrived at the southernmost tip of the Empire. Strange fragrances all around. Salt, fish, spice. I don’t know how to blend in here. I don’t know what to eat or where to go. But this is where my father was born. So part of me belongs here too. And these are my people. Or they were until my throne was stolen by Delilah. I’m coming for you Delilah, with my new powers. All I need now is a plan.

The Void.

This time it wasn’t a dream. I’ve read about the Void and the Outsider, imagined them. Now I’ve seen these wonders for myself. Strange doesn’t begin to cover it.

The Outsider has terrible eyes, black on black. He offered me a gift. I’ve read enough stories to know these things always come with a price. Still I was tempted. But then I thought — would Jessamine Kaldwin have taken it? No. Then neither will Emily Kaldwin. I can do this without help.

But his other gift I couldn’t refuse. Just as I was thinking of her, I heard my mother’s beloved voice, trapped in the strangest contraption. It is both comforting and chilling to be able to talk to her again. And yet, it’s not entirely the person I knew anymore.

We’ve arrived at the southernmost tip of the Empire. Strange fragrances in the air. Salt, fish, spice. I don’t know how to blend in here. I don’t know what to eat or where to go. But this is where my father was born, so part of me belongs here too. And these are my people. Or they were, until my throne was stolen by Delilah. No, I don’t need the Outsider’s gifts, but one thing I do need — a plan.

Dishonored.

My father is lost, turned to stone by Delilah. Those words don’t even seem real. Witchcraft, something I never would have believed possible. But now I have to believe in it, so I can believe that it can be undone. Delilah claims to be my aunt, the rightful heir. Truth or lies? All I know is that she used magic to take my throne, aided by that weasel Duke Abele. They must have been working on their plan for years. Buying disloyalty with promises. Even Ramsey, Captain of the City Watch. Planting in everyone’s mind the idea that my father and I could be responsible for those monstrous killings. That one or both of us were the “Crown Killer.”

I’m not in a trusting mood, but Meagan Foster says she knows Anton Sokolov, our old Royal Physician, and she helped me escape the coup. So she’s all I have right now. We’re sailing for Serkonos. My Dunwall, my home, is no longer safe for me. But I never really was safe. I never really will be. The sooner I get that through my skull, the better.

Investigating Addermire Institute.

This boat captain, Meagan Foster. She helped me escape the coup. But she’s giving me the side-eye when she thinks I’m not looking. She’s all I’ve got for the moment, though soon I hope Anton Sokolov will be joining us. My old teacher. Keenest intellect in the Empire. Filthy mouth. Gone and got himself abducted.

Meagan says he was last seen being dragged toward Addermire Institute by the Crown Killer. Which makes no sense to me, unless the killer is a patient there. Maybe he needs medicine or something. But how can a deranged patient be working for the Duke and Delilah? Addermire’s Chief Alchemist might know. Alexandria Hypatia. She’s been running this place for years. She’s famous for curing the miners’ diseases. If she knows anything, I’ll make her talk.