Writer's note:
Hello there, midnight owl, morning dove, or some bird in between sun up and sundown. Thank you for picking my story to read, and thank you for existing and being a person who shares this with me and countless others. It's nice to have company. I would be remiss if I didn't warn you and give you trigger warnings, as this story is not without harsh if not brutal, subject matter.
The year is 1351, the Black Death has ravaged France and Britain and now comes to Germany. A few key things need to be established about Germany during this time:
1: The term used to refer to Germany varied throughout this period, but the broadest and historically preferred term for the government is called the Reich. There's a first, second, and third, but you will not be reading anything regarding the last two. Only the first Reich applies to this story, and it refers to the Holy Roman Empire of the German People. This Empire lasted until 1808 when the second began and so forth.
2: I have based this character on different historical individuals as well as historical ideologies, the biggest inspiration does come from Franz Schmidt. This character is not Franz Schmidt however. The journal-keeping and occupation are similar, but past that, you will find little in common between Gerwig and Franz. What Gerwig deals with, the scenarios, the world as a whole, and the subject matter are unique to Gerwig and the period.
3: This story, while filled with horror-fantasy elements, is also painstakingly researched and will reflect the societal norms, customs, ideologies, and thoughts of the time. It is my personal belief that watering down or pretending away the harsh reality of history is akin to refuting that it ever happened. These characters are flawed, these characters can be ignorant, vile, and horrid. If this, in any amount, makes you feel uneasy then please close this story and avoid it. I am not writing gore porn, and I am not writing something you'd have to hide from public eyes due to the language and scenarios, but it won't be clean. Be warned now.
4: This story is based in Germany, and will occasionally use German words, but I will not write (nor attempt to write) german-accented English dialogue.
The lore is that this journal has been translated from German into English for the sake of English readers.
5: This story will be released in pages, like journal entries. I burn out writing page after page pretty easily these days, so to avoid another dead story like Jörmund, I will write and publish at my discretion (within a reasonable schedule). Be patient, it's a journey after all.
YOU ARE READING
Dead Rising.
Historical FictionGerwig is the town executioner, this billet comes with perpetual scrutiny, like a curse. The life of a man such as he is tormented by ostracization, superstition, and ignorance by those around him. He is a bastion of the law but is treated as if str...
