¶ Julian's Study
While most of the travelers rest at Stalwart Fortress, the intrepid Julian Tryhard ventures to Crow's Den to study The Jester's Wand under watch of The Darkblade Guild.
¶ Safe Travels
After a heartwarming goodbye, Julian Tryhard departs for Crow's Den and reaches it without incident.
He reports back to Stalwart Fortress via carrier pigeon and reports that The Darkblade Guild is treating him well enough and he begins his study of The Jester's Wand.
¶ Jester's Secrets
Some days after Julian's arrival, The Darkblade Guild holds a ceremony which includes a collective deciphering of some oddities about The Jester's Wand that Julian had discovered.
Examining the rear of The Jester's Wand, a small pull-string is discovered that unfurls a familiar but cryptic message.
Once its hidden phrase is deciphered, it transforms and makes a joke, but reveals there is more in the head of the wand. Examining its bells, one finds a coin that again poses a puzzle but Julian and the collective quickly solve it.
¶ Noxium History
As Julian continues to study The Jester's Wand, he becomes gripped by a spell. His eyes glow, he begins laughing hysterically, and recites a history of The Grand Jesters, their Noxium Brew, and The Nameless Charter.
He explains that The Nameless Charter was once a travelling merchant that carried a sense of hope and desire to bring laughter to others, despite the horrors of The Forsaken Lands. It's claimed that The Nameless Serpent visited The Charter in his dreams, spat in his barrels of ale, and commanded him to deliver it to all.
Upon trying the ale himself, The Charter found himself even more joyous and full of mirth, his body craving more of the brew. As he drank, he committed himself to spreading the Noxium Brew and the joy it contained. No matter how much he drank or served, the barrel would never empty.
In pursuit of his efforts to spread joy, The Nameless Charter created The Fool's Cap and The Jester's Wand. He kept close to The Nameless Serpent, riding it like a mount across the lands as he gathered followers to his cause — all addicted to the Noxium Brew.
Those followers who drank the Noxium Brew grew destructive, and destroyed many places as they passed through. Recognizing this corruption of joy, The Nameless Charter and those who could retain their sanity amid the intoxication of Noxium Brew fled to The Desecrated Valley where they would remain. Saddened by the outcome of his quest, he abandoned his tokens and his followers, hiding in the mists of The Desecrated Valley.
Yuria and The Turlo were able to resist the addiction of the Noxium Brew and so The Nameless Charter pleaded that they prevent others from entering the valley. They were successful for a time, until Yorn and Yogg rose to power and their zealous march caused The Turlo to retreat to the mountain. As their advance succeeded, many of Yorn and Yogg's followers drank the Noxium Brew, but were already insane and destructive.
With no other choice Yuria became on with Mount Turlo and erupted, destroying everything. The Nameless Charter survived, and witnessed all of this; becoming covered in soot and ash, just like his hopes for a joyous world.
¶ Julian's Collapse
Upon conclusion of his recitation, Julian Tryhard laughs hysterically once more as The Jester's Wand strengthens its grip on him, before he collapses entirely. Many wonder what has come over him, and begin to question his safety and sanity.