498th year, 3rd month, 14th day
I arrived in Etria today with only the clothes on my back and the sword at my waist. I need to find a guild before I go into the labyrinth, but I can hardly wait. There are all sorts of adventurers gathered in town and the tavern was packed. A nice lady pointed me to the Guild Hall. I'll head there first thing tomorrow morning.

498th year, 3rd month, 22nd day
Though I haven't been with this guild long, I find myself trusting them more and more. It's an unusual feeling. The Protector, Lukian, seems to be a very gentle man. He let some Treerats flee today; I think he felt sorry for them. I haven't talked to the others much, but I'm sure I'll get to know them as we continue further into the labyrinth.

498th year, 3rd month, 28th day
I'm thoroughly enjoying my new axe. Jena found it in a chest on the third floor yesterday and immediately gave it to me. She takes good care of everyone, but I suppose that's her job. I noticed that Luke gets pretty worked up when she's attacked. I wonder if something is going on between them.

498th year, 4th month, 1st day
I should write more, I promised myself that I'd keep a good record of the adventure. It's really tiring going into the labyrinth each day so I don't always have the energy, but I don't want to forget these times. Today Aremere was hurt badly by a Warbull and we recruited another Survivalist to take his place while he rested. Hopefully she'll be as reliable as Are always was.

498th year, 4th month, 4th day
Our guild has gotten so much stronger since we started out just three weeks ago. We've already reached the fifth floor, and Radha Hall asked us to take down a giant wolf that's been causing trouble. I'm excited. Jena said that she didn't think we were ready, but I know that Luke and I can hold the front line. I told Jena that Luke would never let anything happen to us. I'll bring a souvenir back for Are.

- - -

That is the last of the tattered pages that you find in the corner of Fenrir's den. You wonder if anyone in the party escaped alive, but it's difficult to tell from the numerous piles of weapons, armor, and bones scattered around the forest floor. You wonder if you should find Aremere in Etria and bring the pages to him. Hopefully he didn't go into the labyrinth to search for his guild alone. You say a prayer and plant an old dagger in the ground where you found the pages. May they rest in peace. You turn and take your first step down the staircase to the second Stratum. You go for your friends and family, but also for all the adventurers that have come before, though they will never know of your story.

- - -

Etrian Odyssey was not heavy on story. However, much like old pen-and-paper RPGs, it let you create your own story by providing an interesting environment and some hints of events if you knew where to look. The characters in your guild don't interact with each other in dialog, but you definitely get attached to them as you play. It's not a stretch to imagine how they form relationships with each other, fighting grueling battles and forging into a new frontier. My favorite parts of Etrian are when you see evidence of the other guilds that have braved the labyrinth alongside your own. It makes the entire experience seem more epic, and sacrifices that people make are all the more poignant.