Path of Exile Talent Competition 2018

Day 1 I was cast out, like countless others, into the murky waters of Wraeclast. Noone cared for us, we were damaged goods and so completely worthless. Left to die on a forsaken continent - if we even get to it. I swam until I had no strength. I breathed until I had no breath. There was only darkness left.

Day 2 (probably) I awoke violently coughing water out of my lungs. Everything hurts, but I made it to land. I try to get my bearings. The sand beneath my feet, the wind in my hair, the sun on my cheek - everything feels alien. I notice a fire in the distance, maybe half a day's journey. My next destination.

Day 3 It took more than I initially thought, but I finally got to the human settlement they call Lioneye's Watch. Every Karui knows the history of this place. But now, it's nothing more than a sanctuary. One that I desperately need. I've seen the fallen exiles shambling about, mindless and bloated. Some I recognized from the trip here. I'm no coward, but I avoided most of them. That is just not natural. Did even Hinekora abandon this place? Near the entrance there was a decaying corpse of a giant. I've been told he was slain by a fellow exile. Whoever he is, he must be a great warrior.

Day 10 I was wrong - the giant-slayer is a she. I've seen her in the settlement, blood dripping from her weapons, blond hair cascading over her breastplate and face full of determination. She's the epitome of elegance and strength, a true daughter of Tukohama. I didn't get to speak to her since she's always out there, fighting for people, bringing supplies and medicine, while I cower here like a mere child. A warrior without purpose. At least until now.

Day 25 It's been 10 days since I left Lioneye's Watch. I wanted to go with the warrior exile, but Tarkleigh told me she moved on, deeper into the heart of Wraeclast. He was in awe with her bravery and determination, but I already knew she will be the savior who will cleanse this land from the Black Spirit. I just want to fight by her side when she does it.

Day 38 The road so far has been treacherous and full of horrors. I followed the carnage that the warrior exile left in her wake, but for every mangled human or creature she left, more came back to greet me. It seems that this land has limitless horrors at its disposal. I dispatched everyone and everything that stood in my way, but it slowed my progress. I couldn't catch up with her.

Day 60 Kitava is a trickster god. He promises you untold power with a small price of your soul. And losing that creates a void you cannot fill. Only endless hunger awaits. I feel him here, his corruption. Not only in so called 'virtue gems', but in the back of my mind as well. I don't need him to be powerful, I don't need the virtue gems. My strength is my own.

Day 81 The exile killed Dominus! I heard it from a Sarn merchant. I wish I could've been there to see him begging for mercy. She continued her journey to a place in the mountains, taking on the Black Spirit himself. I will join her in this kill. For my ancestors!

Day 106 I have seen some truly terrible things roaming this land, but nothing could prepare me for this. Despite all my precautions, I was ambushed in the night. Strange shapes, not man nor beast. I swung my weapon and hit nothing. Moments later, they clawed at my back. I fought with all my might, but I was outmatched by their speed and ferocity. I awaited the killing blow, to be released into Hinekora's domain. It never came. I awoke weak and broken, just like those many days ago on the shore of this strange land. Why did they spare me?

Day 127 The hero did it. She killed the beast that was poisoning this land. Everyone at Highgate is rejoicing. I wish I could, but my mind is plagued with doubts. Who is this exile? What is she? Does anyone know anything about her? They expect us to believe that a mere human is slaying gods in their own domain. Is she a figment of Kitava, just one of his many lies, meant to lure me into his open maw? I can't stay here. The exile apparently went to Oriath, but this land is still sick. I will heal it. That was my purpose all along.

Day 132 I don't know what happened. I remember being attacked by monstrous beasts, unrelenting hunger in their eyes. I remember losing, falling blooded and battered on the ground. But instead of accepting my fate, a tiny spark of rage was born. I wasn't ready to die - not when there is still so much to do for this land. I allowed the spark to grow into a roaring flame - and then blacked out. When I came to, all animals laid around me, beaten to a pulp. I tasted their blood in my mouth - and it felt good. That scares me even more.

Day 144 Horrifying dreams plague my nights. Every time I close my eyes I can see myself butchering and devouring everyone I ever met. Sometimes I'm at Lioneye's Watch, sometimes in Sarn. It always ends the same - in rivers of blood. I don't even spare the children. Oh, the children... They taste the best in my dreams.

Day 151 I killed an innocent. This was no dream. I was approached by a group of exiles who spotted my campfire. They were friendly, the front one even extended an arm to greet me. I bashed his head in one mace swing. His body didn't even realize it - his arm still extended and twitching. The rest of his party tried to draw their weapons, but I came at them with such ferocity that they froze in their tracks. It was over quickly. I don't know if I can fight Him anymore.

Day 179 I have been so blind. I rejected true power, and for what? So I can be beaten again and again until I'm dead? No more. With just a few of these gems I can leap great distances, I can make people more fragile and I can reduce them to dust with just one mighty slam! You need to use everything in this world. And just take, take, take. Eat, eat, eat. Drink, drink, DRINK! I AM XANDRO BLODDRINKER AND I WILL DRINK MY FILL OF WREACLAST AND SATE MY THIRST!

Inspired by this classic pic: https://www.odt.co.nz/entertainment/gaming/38b-gaming-market-lures-kiwi-developers

Hoping for time to finish, only had an hour or so before interrupted by RL...

EDIT: had time to add a few more random smears--not finished (not even sure it isn't worse) but replaced original pic with update. Here's the original, FWIW: