21 Raquas 1509 – 12 Sollus 1509

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

==21 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 42/1 1069 TE==

We arrive in Bartertown.
Prince neden’s 36th birthday celebration. Been going on for 2 days.

==21 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 42/1 1069 TE==

We make our way into Throal proper. The grand bazaar is busy!

Jodun – bob’s supervisor. Wants to see him.
8 bells at Spent Scarab
Lodging at the The vine of grapes – beautiful elf woman taking for elderly parents. Most of the cliental are elves. 4sp a night.

Anddelion fernglove – elf woven garments from the city of spires – merchant . Wanted our autographs

Kira buys a threaded battle-axe named Burial. Oaken shaft and a carved stone head.
Wynarr buys some crystal ringlet.

Time passes and we go to the meeting site.

Ogreck bloodspear – ork scortcher, somewhat famous merc
We chit chat a bit.

Our drinks arrive and there is a note to go to a private room.
Three dwarves – Jarrool the honorable thief

We tell our tale, more specifically the obsidimen is telling the tale
Official tale : a secret way under the triumph.

==22 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 42/2 1069 TE==

We are told to be at a certain place at a certain time and to wear formal attire.
When we arrive at the location we are quickly folded into a large group that has a pass for a formal party.

We mingle a bit and are informed to go to a specific place in a few minutes. We proceed and are greeted by King Vesuvius III.

The obsidimen tells his tale, and we discuss a few matters. The King agrees and requests we bring an Elite team with us. The agreement is that they would swear a blood oath of secrecy.
On the 7th of Raquas we are requested to pickup this group from the Ruby Dreams in V’strimon. The army will be in place 4 days later.

We mingle back with the party and eventually take our leave.

==23 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 42/3 1069 TE==

Do to a misunderstanding of dates, some time is unaccounted for.

During this time we have established that further meetings occurred, arrangements made, shopping for weapons/armor, and other activities for the good of our cause.

==1 Sollus 1509 TH ~~ 44/1 1069 TE==

Today we turned in our journal to the Library of Throal. The legend point total was : 123,353 so we were bestowed with the boon of credit for 100,000 legend points. This value was a rough estimate as we had not recorded our previous turn in from 2 game years prior.

Afterwards we gathered up our belongings with the 77 troll sized maces we purchased (1950sp total) and headed on the road.

==5 Sollus 1509 TH ~~ 44/5 1069 TE==

We arrive back at macaroon and deliver all the equipment.
We also pickup Disci and then head to the rendezvous and then onward to V’strimon to pickup the elite unit.

==7 Sollus 1509 TH ~~ 45/2 1069 TE==

We arrive in V’strimon and I locate an alchemist to purchase healing potions from to heal my Blood Wound. I eventually succeed and purchase several additional.

Eventually we meet up with the Elite unit and are surprised to see it is a disguised Prince Neden and his adventuring group.
Prince Neden – 9th circle warrior
Helinack Highdeath – 9th circle thief
Yurrim Strongflame – 9th circle scout
Eranal Deathflame – 9th circle elementalist (female)
Naliorel Slyslayer – 9th circle warrior and questor of Chorrolis (female)

We enjoy a meal and pretended to be old friends who happened to run into each other. Afterwards we begin our adventure together and begin preparations for the battle on the 11th.

==8 Sollus 1509 TH ~~ 45/3 1069 TE==

In V’strimon we buy 28 booster potions (50sp) and 4 more (55sp)

As we made preparations to leave in the morning I was accosted by vendors wanting to sell more booster potions. During the commotion, an assassin made an attempt against Neden.
An illusionary figure reached out their hand and grabbed him by his heart while simultaneously shattering several of his bones. Meanwhile a thief on the roof was preparing to throw a sword at him.

Wynarr and myself head forward towards the figure, but I quickly determine its an illusion and turn my attention to the situation.
Lenore and Kira immediately recognize the spells used and attempt to dispel them with much success.
The Nethermancer illusionist made an escape down an alley as the assassin on the roof threw the sword. My efforts to be a barrier didn’t succeed.
A bystander merchant offered on of the potions which Neden’s group accepted; this turned out to be an ingested poison.
Kira continued an additional dispel which… broke something, he is not sure what but it defiantly connected.
Lenore attempted to cast “Last Chance” on him to bring him back, but his wounds were too great.

Kira and I went to the roof to subdue the Thief, while Wynarr and Jagatai went after the individual whom went down the alley; they got away through trickery.

We brought Neden inside, bound all his wounds, and placed him in a Circle of Well being that I reinforced with my own live essence. The handy blessing was applied to him as well. After the appropriate time had passed, then we applied a last chance salve and it was enough to bring him back.

We quickly made our escape and interrogate the prisoner. He was very forth coming with information, though it also appears that one of Neden’s party members is well versed in effective interrogation methods.

The assassin was hired by a human woman going by the name Jatta who ‘had money to throw around’ and she had expensive tastes.
The weapon used was part of some ritual and turned out to be Neden’s own training sword, that up until that point was in possession by Therans.
There was a trifecta of the attack. Jatta being a nethermancer illusionist, cast Bone Shatter and Constrict Heart as a combined action. An accomplice posing as a merchant that offered a poisoned potion. And the Thief on the roof who was instructed to have the weapon visibly displayed for 2 rounds before striking the target.

==9 Sollus 1509 TH ~~ 45/4 1069 TE==

Notes from inside Macaron, Neden and group give us additional information. Planning. A messenger Pidgeon arrives!

The elites are there somewhere.
The troops are in the 4 central corner towers, we will be entering from the south-east central tower.
Slave pens are in the lower of the center-south, this is rumor
Azem keel is in the center-west – west dome
General Nikar, under the griffin roost
The slave master is in the slave tower – 6th circle beastmaster and 7th rank of Dis

2 orc scorcher brigades are going to attack from the north

==12 Sollus 1509 TH ~~ 46/2 1069 TE==

A messenger pigeon arrived informing us that there was an air battle yesterday. Throal lost one ship, V’strimon lost 2, Theran got damaged.

Lenore and Kira watch through the wall to inform us when the dwarves are in position. They eventually take up position at the edge of fire cannon range and tease them.

Prior to the battle we all take a Kelia’s Antidote and booster potion (5).
The signal is given and the obsidimen tear down the wall and we pour through.
The first room we encounter is 4 hex large with a squad of archer preparing for their shift, we fireball and charge though them as if they were not even there.

After a small courtyard we go into the east dome, it appears to be a bureaucratic center with a large ornate atrium with a few guards.
One of the bureaucrats asks who we are and what we are doing there. We respond with “we are Lynx, perhaps you have heard of us” and then Wynarr lets forth an explosive flame arrow.

Dederick headed across the room taking out a survivor from Wynarr’s blast and bars/locks the north door.
Jagatai, and Kira take out the south archer cubby holes by the east inner gate.
Lenore conjures a horror like spirit and aids the battle on the east.
Wynarr gives his attention to the northeast archers.
The dwarves rush through and go through the east gate asking us to disable it to keep it open.

Wynarr and I begin to harass the fire cannon crews, he was much more effective as his flames were real. He notices the container of ammo that the loader was transporting and targeted it.
The resulting explosion was well timed with the opening of the outer gate. A clear signal to Calvary to charge.
Meanwhile Kira charged forth and battled alongside the dwarves, and Jagatai went and locked the other door and kept an eye out for the rear flank.
Lenore did supporting actions at attempting to disable the door and directing her summoned creature.

Wynarr notices someone that looked important, they appeared to be the taskmaster for the fire cannon crews. He was quickly dispatched which then caused the fire cannon crews to abandon their posts and turn to us.

Then suddenly shadows of griffins were seen overhead and 5 were swooping down upon us.

==12 Sollus 1509 TH ~~ 46/2 1069 TE==

The griffins landed and took up positions to try to squash our little disturbance, there were 5 total.
Several take up position to deal with Lenore’s summon and the others spread out.

We generally make them have a bad day, likely to their surprise.

After a few rounds the dwarven Calvary arrive and we successfully considered the entrance taken.
We inform the dwarves that we are headed to the command center to take out Carinci when they suggest we take out his mount first.
Wynarr successfully paralyzes Lightwing (and claims dibs) and then thanks to Lenore casting metal wings the rest of the team arrived and waited in the stable.
Carinci eventually entered the room and then had a very bad day. Another victory.

We quickly make our way to secure military documents from being destroyed by the slaves. So much information that we now have access to.

Meanwhile Wynarr and Lenore head over to the east fire cannons to help do something with the Theran airship The Righteous.
The dwarves thought this was a good idea and joined in.
Using his last ounce of strength, Wynarr fired a shot at the command staff. This annoyed the troll captain and caused him to not even consider retreat. Another victory.

In the aftermath, we discover that they were in possession by an original map made by Jasper Hillwalker and were attempting to use the Liferock to power a blood ritual on barsaive itself.

The triumph is now under the control of the Ayodhya, Lynx, Throal, V’strimon alliance.

10 Mawag 1509 – 17 Raquas 1509

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

==10 Mawag 1509 TH ~~ 26/5 1069 TE==

We restocked our supplies and headed off to Kratas aboard The New Moon.

==16 Mawag 1509 TH ~~ 28/1 1069 TE==

We arrived at Kratas.
Every thief and their cousin were eying us (and my shield)
We turned over the information to our contact and left town with our belongings.

==20 Mawag 1509 TH ~~ 28/5 1069 TE==

Arrived near Lake Ban via The New Moon and began our way towards V’strimon on foot / ferry.

==21 Mawag 1509 TH ~~ 29/1 1069 TE==

We arrived in V’strimon and setup a drop box to receive mail for us.
We then gathered a few supplies and headed to our rendezvous with Action Team Manticore and the team of non-combatants

• Questor of Upandal
• 3x miner adepts
• 2x laborer adepts

==22 Mawag 1509 TH ~~ 29/2 1069 TE==

I created a flying carpet form the cloth, and Wynarr piloted our group to the other side of the river.
It was pouring down rain the entire time so we had good cover as we made it to the cave.
Inside the cave were 3 stingers, Jagatai was stung and we had to nurse him back to health.

==23 Mawag 1509 TH ~~ 29/3 1069 TE==

After resting we began the work we have set out to do.
Lenore and Azra summons earth elementals to help the diggers.
Shai-lan, Americk, Wynarr are working security
Caradoc is helping with the mining.
Dederick is aiding the recovery of Jagatai
Lenore and Kira were going into the Kaer to investigate the drainage.

Lenore summons a water elemental to pump the water.
Work progress continues.

==7 Gahmil 1509 TH ~~ 32/2 1069 TE==

We have cleared a passage from the stinger cave to the hand chamber and to the Kaer.
A single person can walk easily with gear
The water level is ankle deep in the highest point and waist deep in the farm.

Plan to reduce the incoming water from the spring.
Azra and Lenore work to get the ventilation system working again and the pumps back online for longer term support.

Americk and Dederick look at the wards. They are keyed into a mosaic at the bottom of the shaft. It is tied to the idea of Macron. If you had not been there, it makes it hard to learn about. Those that knew about it are incapable of remembering it.
Kira has been searching for traps, wealth, and other things. There is a lot to go through.
Jagatai is in charge of the forge, and to work closely with the digging crews.
The best place to start digging towards the life rock has been found and that work has begun.

Living quarters and comforts are trying to be met to the best ability that we have. Priority of comfort is for the laborers as they are doing the most exhaustive work.

The Kaer had about 1800 citizens when the horror entered, there were 70-100 windlings, around a dozen t’skrang, and the rest were humans and dwarves.
There were many blood charms of Marrek make, some in their original containers.
Everything in the Kaer was done in a fashion that made it easy to use or repair. Often maintenance instructions were attached to the equipment in question.

==15 Gahmil 1509 TH ~~ 33/5 1069 TE==

Having established what can be considered a stable working environment, we sent off our report and requested the ward specialist. Our request was approved and we were told to meet at a location tonight.

As we made our way to the meeting location we noted the Theran patrol is operating at a heightened state then normal. A single airship is heavily patrolling a northern wedge shaped route.
At the meeting location we are introduced to our important person and their bodyguard.
Disci Minue – The illusionist ward specialist
Vemen Ballo – The troll bodyguard – Royal guard – Sky raider nethermancer

As we make our way back, Lenore and Kira notice a group sneaking around headed in the direction of the Triumph. We immediately use Nobody here and Kira and Lenore make out that it is a group of 6 orks wearing Theran uniforms and concealed with dark cloaks. One of them says Foxhole.

==17 Gahmil 1509 TH ~~ 34/2 1069 TE==

During our approach back we hear from the darkness.. Halt who goes there! And we disappear thanks to the spell Nobody Here.
They appear to be Theran military on patrol, about 10 of them.
5 warriors and 5 archers approximately 2nd circle, one of the archers is 3rd. Fairly standard Theran legionnaires, Elvan.

They seemed suspicious and got too close for comfort, we had to engage. We defeated them but unfortunately they got a horn call off. We are remaining vigilant as we make our way back to Macaron.

==18 Gahmil 1509 TH ~~ 34/3 1069 TE==

Disci begins looking at the at the wards, her bodyguard is vigilant.
Digging continues, the shaft extends off from the Temple area at about a 45 degree angle incline.

==1 Holiday 1509 TH ~~ 37/1 1069 TE==

In accordance with tradition, we set aside 5 days of celebration.

==3 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 38/3 1069 TE==

Around midday there was a startling bit of excitement from the tunnel as we reached the Liferock and were meet by an obsidimen named Oron.

We conversed a bit about the situation, a very concerning note is that the Therans are consuming the life force of the Liferock to power something. After finishing our initial pleasantries he meditated against the Liferock, meanwhile Lenore contacted Marrek.

After awhile an obsidimen named Taro emerged, after crossing the warding he staggers for a moment and then could remember everything.
He indicates that he is a stonemason and that he worked on helping create the Kaer.

We receive back a message to assist however we can while maintaining the secrecy of Marrek. Additionally the digging team will be sent back to Marrek.
The obsidimen wish to send out a messenger to V’strimon to try and contact Omasu and some others.

A messenger adept named Shari eventually emerged, we have agreed to escort them.
Many obsidimen have emerged and taken up duties around the Kaer, it is coming back to life. They now have hope and the foundation to do something about their current situation.

==4 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 38/4 1069 TE==

We discuss Goals with Canaery, an obsidimen troubadour

We take Shari out towards V’strimon.
The airship patrols have returned back to normal. The foot patrol is the normal 5 man team.
Lenore uses metal wings for us to cross the river.

2 days later arrive in V’strimon.
Jigga the snitch has a talk with Kira. Topic of what has been going on in our absence..

Battle on the serpent river K’tenshin vs V’strimon – Ishkarat tried and failed to take Eidolon.
Dwarves want to build a bridge up at tensardia
Orks from Cara Fahd came through, then shortly after the Triumph went on higher alert.
A merchant from Lankarden was found murdered in their home after that situation.
Theran elemental mining has increased. More to the death sea.
Orks are going back to Cara Fahd.
Thargon one-eye

An open task that needs to be fulfilled.
One of their tasks is to keep an eye out for a particular adventurer. Amber the boneless
Amber is the last survivor of the swords of riverville. Human Scout
Came back to barsaive about 2 years, has unnatural

Throal has found a new large vein of tin

Boatchers Brood is in V’strimon and Kira just went to find info for them.
The orks in town were liberators who were wanting a way into the triumph.

==9 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 39/4 1069 TE==

We make lots of plans and discussions and in the form of meetings, and at some point I Name my improved Karma spell.

The military strengths of the Theran.
General Nikar Carinci, a 10th circle cavalryman
Griffin riders are 5th circle cavalryman

Captain Drak Windsearcher – Righteous
Captain Solen Ogani – Defiant

The elites are a group of 5th circle with group pattern
Affern, a human Archer
Oortaal, an ork Nethermancer from Vasgothia
Landrial, an elf Scout from the Theran province of Creana
Gradan Sharpaxe and Larm Keenedge, a dwarf Warrior and Weaponsmith respectively, brothers from southwestern Barsaive
Praylar Sightshifter, a troll Illusionist from the Caralkspur Mountains in Vivane province

The elementalist windling Azim Keel and his group of elementalist

The tunnel made it to the air gaps by the outer wall. They are making preparations to make a tunnel to breech to the interior.
The farms are up and running, they are preparing to awaken more obsidimen to form a militia.
The beastmaster and pigeon carriers arrived and setup the message route.
The beastmaster name is marrel, elf. The brother is derral. Redneck elves hired by Omasu.

==17 Raquas 1509 TH ~~ 41/2 1069 TE==

We make preparations to leave, with an obsidimen troubadour vetter.
We encounter a Theran patrol group, and we quickly dispatch them and try out best to cover our tracks.

21 Charassa 1509 – 12 Rua 1509

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

We headed south to v’strimon with little trouble.

We began our search by inspecting k’tan a small village that the therans are using as a dock for their outpost.
Two warships are commonly found here The unlikely mercy, The rampaging trout.

An infiltration mission into the outpost gave us the following information.
List of ‘passwords’
Shipping logging (incoming/outgoing)
Paylist of soldiers stationed here
Bulk food supplies come in this way.

Tend to get shipments in regularly, 2x a week. Usually the same 2 ships
27 men, paid weekly
Lead by a seargeant, no one currently ‘officer wages’

Back in v’strimon we spotted the same windling female from Mission Report – Airship Appropriation we lost track of her in the markets.

Information overview:
Soldier/slave food stuffs
raw materials for minor crafting/repairs
The boats are k’tension crew covenants, but owned by Carenci
Trash pit is outside near the citadel, daily dumped by slaves

airships from skypoint and servalen
river boats in from k’tenshin – The unlikely mercy, The rampaging trout (replaced the dewey eyed lady) ; ~1 every 3 days a boat arrives
airship schedule is more irregular – servalen :
The righteous – kiela (part of river defenses)
The defiant – kiela (patrols on serpent river)
Vedets – taken from skypoint fleet : The amethyst and moonstone (mining vedets but also due courier duties) [often mine thunder mounts and mountains north of urupa]
2x combat vedets – supply the kiela and patrol the areas : the dauntless and the ferocious (7th fleet from skypoint)
Patrols have not been doing much other then being there.
Captain Drack Windsearcher commands the airship fleet – friend of Carenci, from vasgothia
Mining trips take about 2 weeks.
On rare occasions a theran merchant airship from one of the houses.
The spire is within the airdome.
3 earth coins for info. From t’sarluak

The vedets skim the river/water for true water.

We had the idea to see if we could tunnel under the wall, Lenore wanted a closer inspection of the area.
We approached the citadel from the northwest, the landscape is karst. We eventually found a small cave which Wynarr could fit in, Lenore and Kira turned into bats to explore.

They navigate through the tunnels for almost a day but come upon a crossroads, the larger path leads to an opening that is hidden from view, however it has a nest of stingers. Wynarr makes quick work of them.

We met up and I stated how we should be thourough, so the rest of the cave was explored. One passage led into what we later learned was a Kaer.

NOTE: any obsidiman reading beyond this point will have difficulty. Please take appropriate measures.

We went down a different path, found some bones that of tskrangs that are over 100 years old (before throal opened up)
Found a namegiver made room, its essentially a large cylinder with a staircase on the outer wall and mostly filled with water. The ceiling appears to be 60 feet above the water level. At the top of the stairs is a passage leading off of it.

After climbing the stairs and entering the passage we find more dead. Eventually we find a door that has active wards… Kaer wards specifically. We found the front door to a broken Kaer, the rest of the kaer must be under the water.
We disarm the kaer wards and follow where this passage leads to. It appears to have been a natural cave, we eventually came to location of a natural cave in.
We dig out a small passage and determine this entrance is approx 200 yards north and 700 yards east of the east gate of the Triumph.
Using this positional information, we found a point in the kaer that is less than 600 yards of tunnel away from under the citadel.

Curious about what riches might have been left, and not seeing any obvious corruption Kira and I explore the water. His horror sink effectively alerts us to a rapidly approaching presence.
We quickly get to the top of the stairs and prepare for a defense. The horror is an undefinable mass with many tentacles. Its very shape defies explanation, and gazing upon it is a disorienting experience.
We quickly determined this thing is heavily armored and difficult to hit. Additionally when it got close, it feels like it is draining the magic in the area.

The battle was tough, but through teamwork and force of will we shrugged off its attacks and defeated the foe!

Kira, Lenore, and I began an underwater exploration to determine what we had found. This Kaer was named Macaron.

The kaer has glyphs with illusion magic related to vestrial, that is beyond me.
At the bottom, approx 40 feet, there are 6 paths.
In the center of the room is an air elevator.
This kaer appears to be lower-middle class, approx population 1500
The 6 tunnels:
The farms
The drains are located here.
Living Quarters 1
Standard living quarters.
Living Quarters 2
A ceiling gave way and an aquifer has seeped in from here. The natural flow of drinking water eroded a larger path, the drains cannot keep up.
Supplies
Food stuffs, seeds, post scourge stuff, true elements.
Temple
Large space devoted to the passions, and has wards with magical containment. Served as an assembly hall, ritual site.
This area is closer to the liferock. Maybe only 200 yards
Citadel
There were serious magic defense, lots of bones, serious fighting. There were 3 layers of defenses. We find magical arms and armor.
We find a windling sword – reeks of air elemental magic
We think we have enough information to bring in a kaer clean team.
We found a passage which should be closer to the liferock.

We made contact with New Marrek and were told to head to a specific location, we were picked up by the New Moon and rushed into a debriefing with Jern, Ferd, Benton, Norkab, and Sarakos

This report is for the eyes of Norkab only.

25 Velttom 1509 – 30 Velttom 1509

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

During the night we received a special mission.

North of Kratas there is believed to be an obsidiman liferock, we are to locate a member of this brotherhood and fully study their pattern and submit that pattern analysis.

It took a little investigation but we manged to narrow down an area where there had been spotting of obsidiman.

We were ambushed by an elementalist and a beastmaster (and their pets). They narrowly got away but we managed to capture the elementalist.

Lenore studied their pattern and we also learned that they were a 180 year old elementalist named Kern.

29 Strassa 1509 – 14 Charassa 1509

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

We left with the the objective to determine the state of the Ayodhya life rock, and if possible make contact with the Ayodhya brotherhood.
Accompanying us is Action Team Manticore (Caradoc, Americk, Azra, Shai-lan)

We make our way V’strimon with little trouble and start gathering information.

Overgovernor Kypros was unaware this operation we being planned
The triumph is commanded by Nikar Carinci.
Military troops include the 8th legion from skypoint, and the 5th legion (brought with). Roughly 1000 warriors
Everything within about 1/2 days walk is under theran control.
A wealthy obsidiman named Omasu is not happy about the triumph sitting on his liferock.
There are a huge number of slaves
K’Tenshin has done most of the river enforcement and shorline claiming.
Vivane merchants have started to move in to take advantage.
Servalen setting up a large slave market.
Theran merchants on west shore are from house caranci.
Under the city, been brining in a lot of slaves.
Elf named mabon arbos – slavemaster – in charge of major construction projects that involve using slaves.
Brought in about 200 slaves and have ships brining in more.
He is a bit of a beast. Most likely a dis worshiper.
Ork with a strong visgothian accent, several in the group that were looking into stuff. Likely counter-intelligence.
Fortress has 3 gates : east, west, north
The fortress and its walls completly cover the liferock
Twelve guard towers, at night there are searchlights
Outside the city is a couple 5 man patrols

We located another member of the brotherhood named Gorad. They are a dockworker and was wanting information.

A closer operation determined that the fire cannons are of superior make and can target individuals.
There is an elemental air net over the citadel
Also a phallic symbol was drawn on one of the towers, they did not approve.

Team Manticore was sent to another objective and we gained secondary mission – long term
Develop a channel into the fortress (look for opportunities, develop contacts, etc)
Backers are currently group of Urupa merchants, backup Eye of Throal.

A letter was crafted and sent to Omasu.
While we waited we recieved a quest from Captain S’dek of the Morning Dew
We were asked to go to Marrek and ask the alchemist Menta Redbeard about delivering the package for the widdow J’dar.
Take this package to Jill’has a dockworker in P’kralan.
Jill’has would give us another item which we need to bring back to S’dek.

We finish this operation sucessfully and when we arrive back we have a note requesting we got to the Girded Arms in Kratas and announce to the proprietor “lynx is here”

We book passage on a V’strimon military ship that is trying to run the blockade. Wynnar gets to show off his new explosive flame arrow and blew up a huge chunk of a K’tenshin ship (he hit their fire cannon and ammo storage).

We arrived in Daiche and made our way towards Kratas.

We arrived in Kratas and after few unfriendly encounters made our way to the girded arms and announced that “lynx is here”
That night we meet with an orc scorcher how discussed information and gave us a job :
Find out more information about their food supply.

We decided to head back overland, as water travel seemed more difficult.

Along the way we encountered a strange grove that was clear of astral taint, we spent a day studying it. Lenore summoned a spirit to converse with in hopes of learning more about the area. The spirit was from the netherworld of sylvar and unfortunately did not know much about the area, but we did have an interesting conversation on philosophy.

Further north we found a strange valley and within it there were 5 namegiver statues. 3 humans (2m, 1f), a female orc, and an elf.
There appeared to be some form of magic overlaid on their patterns.
This has been noted down for a specialist to study.

When we arrived back in Marrek the leader had been murdered!
Lenore bravely used her nethermancer abilities to relive their last moments, from this we established where they died (rather then where they were found).
It was extremely painful, with burning sensation and vomiting of blood. It felt like your insides were being liquified.
We perform some tracking and determine it was Ellen Lefair a washerwoman. We found 2 vials of the poison used, it appears to be a death cult.
We were publicly praised and covertly brought Ellen back for interrogation.

8 Borrum 1508 – 1 Strassa 1509

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

Our primary objective is to locate the Groma of Jasper Hillwalker.

From previous missions we have learned that Marius the Even Handed was looking into Jasper Hillwalker’s past.
There was records of him meeting with Borgin son of Thrane, the last court troubador of the kingdom of Ustrect.

He died somewhere in Ustrect or Landis, the only clue being “He fell at the end of the water”

Our first objective was to locate more information, our options were either to head to the Great Library of Throal, or to Parlainth. We chose the path that did not raise the alerts of the Dwarves.

The political group “Justice for all” headed by the Ork Liberator Justice Bells is trying to ally Parlainth with Throal.

We located the main archives for a house, we found many cabinets of information covering topics such as : Thera, Navey, Parlainth, Dragons, Heaven heards, Indorisia.

Skypoint map
Maps of parlianth

indorisian – spies in theran empire, indorisian death cult infiltrating thearan society
heaven heards – dossiers, sketches – obelisks, structures, rights of protections and passage, backstories that dont quite make sense

Evenhanded – questor of mehnbruheh, and house mehndari
hillwalker died ~800 years before evenhanded, approx 1300 years from present

Person who opened skypoint was a dossier from heaven heards – Aeric the weaver
Heaven heards, a navey mission to Ustereck that was planned but never performed. To mordant veil with 2 ships + a bunch of troops

Mordant veil – home to the crimson x tribe of ustereck
Known for brilliant red dyes for cloth – allum deposits
Southern Delaris Mountains near the liaga river
Rockhorn troll moot controls the area
Books of hera were found in the vicinity of the Delaris Mountains.

We also found that there were others researching hillwalker: Aldelphis of hosue mendari, Baghra the fine winged of house Mendari.

We packed up as much as we could carry, some tablets, and a strange sealed box and headed back to New Marrek.

After a short jaunt of training we headed to Syrtis and go passage on an airship heading to Jerris. The Exultant Tempest captained by Maktosh the one handed (missing his right hand).

We headed to a local sage and tried to gather further information. The first thing we learned was that another group was asking for the same information just a few days earlier. We also learned that they were being tailed.

Doddle 23rd

We arrived at the town of Miracle and had a small celebration.
We successfully managed to get ahead of the dwarves on the road and decided that heading out on horseback would get us there before the boat arrived.

Along the way we encountered a small group of Cave Trolls, and later a Stone Lion

We arrived in the valley and navigated up towards our goal while managing to hide from the hunters from the nearby troll moot. Thankfully their airship was out raiding.

We managed to cross over the mountain and in the distance we saw the boat arriving and a camp being constructed.
The next day we explored and found a path heavily traveled by what we later would learn was Cadaver men. Along the way we encountered : Globberog, Troll Troll cadaver men, Felux, Wisps
We made camp in the remains of the agriculture town. Continuing on we found a paved trail that lead to the waterfall. There were steps going up to the plateau.

The top plateau had a fountain and 16 houses arranged in a pattern significant to elementalists. On the side of the mountain was a open Kaer door and had a lion motif design.
We opted to rest for awhile and during the night many wisps made their way up the waterfall to mingle by the fountain (they leave during day time)
We entered the Kaer and began disabling all the traps. Eventually we got to a section that was entirely made of crystal. We heard a voice from the other side of the door asking “what do we want”

Negotiations began and some of them began investigating their records; others entertained us with… singing. We managed to trade our friendly wisp for a sealed box that should be hillwalkers personal items.
We realized that this crystal was actually a huge Crystal Entity.

Satisfied that we had completed our job we left and made a trail that would be difficult to follow. We later found out that we had been marked by the horror.

Along the way through the overgrowth we were attacked by a Triplicant. During the fight I had perished.

We managed to escape the valley and make good time back to Miracle to find out that there was a plague around. After investigation we found and killed the cause, a Plague lizard. After yet another celebration we headed north back to Jerris.

Along they way we had to evade a mating group of Preces. As we approached Jerris we saw an airship fly full speed at it. A behemoth had been spotted heading east.

Lenore sent a message to New Marrek and we booked passage on an airship heading to K’Tenshin, whereby we booked passage on a riverboat heading to Syrtis. We saw the behemoth and its destination… It was parked on top of Ayodhya.

We made it back and were informed that all action teams were being recalled to form a strategy, the game has changed.

18 Rakhas 1508 – 19 Teayu 1508

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

Given that time was critical we were authorized to grab an airship from Marrek and dropped off west of Throal. We arrived in Throal and began gathering information. There appeared to be a shortage of adventuring grouping due to a sizable bounty currently active to the southeast. There was another group in town that could have been a potential candidate.

Using previous contacts we established word that we were in town and available to work. Needless to say we were hired for the task.

Lenore, Kira, Wynarr, and myself embarked as bodyguards for Tamir Forrin, Janec Edrin, and Tela Ponell. We headed down the Coil River toward lake ban, then made our way down to the Mist swamps on a K’tenshin ship.

At one point our transport was attacked by the Henghyoke, with assistance of another boat we managed to mount a successful counter-attack. They started to flee and Kira noticed one of them acting suspicious and so followed them below deck and thwarted their attempt to cause the engine to explode.

In the mist swamps our employers met with Sevastos. Lenore utilized some nethermancy spells to eavesdrop on what was discussed. We left to the southeast through the badlands.

As we approached our destination we learned more about what they were looking for. The journal of Marius the Even Handed and his last known whereabouts was a trading outpost off of the river of bones which is a branch from the Iontos River.

Along the way we encountered the following:

• Another group of adventurers, they appeared to be kaer hunting.
• A pack of Gnashers, we funneled them into a cave to eradicate them; the cave potentially has merit for exploring.
• Basilisk, they are weak to ranged attacks and are tasty
• Chimera, tough critter

We managed to locate the trading outpost, it was in ruins. There was a storeroom with some interesting merchandise. Note there is a container of True water, it was too fragile from age/decay to transport. Nearby was the entrance to the Kaer they tried to use to survive the Scourge. We noted what appeared to be a construction project outside the entrance that… lacked creativity.

We eventually discovered that the Kaer was under the control of The Muse, a Wormskull that apparently made its way into the Kaer before it closed. The entire population had been turned into whom had retained much of their former selves and were compelled to create works of art. The art was of course horrible and corrupt.

While attempting to scout via night fliers we determined that The Muse was also a nethermancer, and had a spirit form of Marius the Even Handed.

The Muse being a Wormskull , everything was incredibly dessicated. We sent Wynarr into the Kaer with the task of starting a small fire. Needless to say this turned into a large fire and succeeded in raging every Cadaver men inside the Kaer; thus clearing out the population. The Muse without any more subjects left during the night and headed north.

Upon investigation we found the journal they were looking for and managed to copy the last 80% of it during the restoration process. There was also notable quantities of valuables discovered. One piece of art that was created were Orichalcum pillars (either solid or a coating, we could not discern) that was made from all the Orichalcum from the kaers warding glyphs.

We headed back to Trosk, the trip as uneventful as most of the major predators had been previously dealt with. During our Journey Kira would borrow the journal during the night so that Lenore could finish making the copy. Upon reaching Trosk she created a bone circle to inform New Marrek of the location of the Kaer and what riches were ripe for taking with the proper crew.

Our journey along the river was mostly uneventful, While staying in K’Tenshin was saw the windling female that fled during Mission Report – Airship Appropriation. We also had an attempted robbery by a known Thief.

We learned that what they were looking for was information about a Groma that Marius the Even Handed had interacted with before entering the Kaer. After reaching Ardanyan we received an armed escort to Throal and the mission was considered a good success.

{Date range here} – 28 Gahmil 1508

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

TODO: Template placeholder.

{Date range here}

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

{Date range here}

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

Route of Travel Marreck – > Throal → Ishkarat → Jerris → Vivane

Found slaver encampment, dealt with them and saved many people.

Jerris city was on lockdown, suspected of horror infiltration. Corrupted spirit.

South of Jerris, Corrupted liferock

Vivane gather information about military strength. Collect uniform samples. Collect Regulations.

Journey back encountered storm hounds, ignored

{Date range here}

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

Escort alchemist to city south of Ishkarat

Obsidiman ritual to try and purify corruption with vines/plantlife that tries to grow over the city. Fought back by Cadavermen
Encountered trap repairing horrors

Found the Mcguffin

14 Raquas 1507 – Unknown

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

Head to Servalen and discover why a mole has missed regular report schedules.

Taken captive by K’Tenshin

16 Gahmil 1507 – 30 Gahmil 1507

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

Our task was to head to Marrek and meet with Ork Cavalryman Snarltooth to settle a clan dispute between the the Yahn and Carls, two prominent farming clans. The Yahn stand accused by the Carls of sabotaging their crops and destroying land.

Team Hound went out to the Carls’ place to investigate and found that their fields and stonewalls had been destroyed. Looking deeper into the problem we discovered that the saboteurs attacked from underground. We tracked these attacker back to a stand of trees some miles away and discovered that a pod of Earth Q’Wril were responsible for the damage. We put down most of them, returned with the evidence, and suggested a beastmaster or elementalist be hired to create a permanent solution.

21 Mawag 1507 – 11 Gahmil 1507

Mission Report
Action Team Hound – Dederick

The pilgrimage was a success and our requested question was answered as follows: {Insert response here}

On the 24th we began making our way North along the pilgrimage route, taking necessary preparation for the 15 day journey. We were not the only ones on the pilgrimage at this time. There were also some humans, a few T’skrang, one Obsidimen, and a rather large group of Dwarves

Aside from the bodyguards, one of the dwarves was of the House Avalus and his unidentified friend whom later was discovered to be King Varulus III of Throal.
As a direct result of this we encountered several assassins whom were dealt with as follows:

Dwarven beastmaster : Used turf cutter beetles in an ambush along trail, attacked indiscriminately. Status: killed
Human elementalist : Attempted to sneak in during the night at the inn and made an attack specifically at the target then fled. Status: Captured, interrogated, let go.
Ork elementalist : Ambush along trail using puddle deep and blizzard sphere, attacked indiscriminately. Status: killed
Troll : Ambush in the Canyon of a Thousand Voices. Status: Leader and one accomplice killed, 2 escaped
Windling : Ambushed the dwarven party as they crossed the Aildar pilgrim’s bridge by 2 archers and 1 unseen, the dwarf was heavily wounded. A second attempt was potentially thwarted by the city guards on high alert. Status: escaped

On the 9th of Gahmil we reached the city of Syrtis we found out that the ‘friend’ was in fact the king of throal in disguise. He met us and personally thanked us with a token of his esteem.
He also asked us to consider keeping a journal of our adventures so that they can be added to the great library of Throal. This journal will be of our adventuring group alter-ego Lynx.
Additionally during our travels I asked if they would be of interest in knowing who had arranged these assassination attempts, to which I used my opportunity at the oracle to discern. The response was as follows: {insert response here}
I am hoping this information will be useful in improving relations.

We learned from the captured assassin that there were at least 3 other assassins that were hired to kill the members of House Avalus: a Windling, an Elf and an Ork. We also learned that the only description that was given of their quarry was “a dwarf traveling with a lot of bodyguards”. A description that could also apply to me. My companions decided that we should go ahead of the other dwarf group, which would most likely make me the first target of the assassins. To say that I was a bit leery of this arrangement would be an understatement (one shot by a highly trained archer and I’m toast). I wanted to travel with the other group; after all there is safety in numbers. But my life was overruled by greed, mainly the 70gp found on each assassin (it is so nice to know that I’m appreciated). I, however, went along with this because it could mean that an influential member of house Avalus would be indebted to us. This is not something to be taken lightly.

We continued along the pilgrimage road keeping an eye out for anything unusual. We noticed that the 2 T’skrang pilgrims had stopped to talk to someone, who then left the pilgrimage road heading towards the dwarven trade route that runs parallel to the pilgrimage road at this point. The 2 T’skrang then moved on. When we reached the point that the other had left the road, Andros and Wynarr decided to see if they could follow the tracks of the stranger. Unfortunately it started pouring rain and the Windlings lost the trail, although from the tracks it looked like a human or elf.

The rain continued for most of the day and everything seemed quiet, until Dederick took a step into a puddle and sank above his head in water. I recognized this as a spell: puddle deep an Elementalist spell. I began to get some rope from my pack and head towards Dederick. Kira also tried to grab hold of him and nearly fell in himself. The Windlings began to scout looking for the Elementalist when another spell came down upon us, this time a blizzard sphere. Kira and Garthik managed to pull Dederick out of the puddle without my rope, while I cast ethereal darkness on myself and headed back down the path hoping to obscure myself from view while getting out of range. A second more powerful blizzard sphere came down on me along with Dederick and Garthik who both tried to stay with me. That one hurt a lot and the only thing I could think to do was to get out of range, although I had no idea where our assassin was at, so I continued to head back down the path. I heard Wynarr cry out that he thought he saw something move on the Eastern side of the path. Both he and Andros began heading in that direction when the Elementalist suddenly appeared next to a large boulder. Wynarr quickly fired at the assassin while Andros swopped in on the charge. I think, although I was a bit far away to see clearly, that Andros flew through the assassin’s midsection. Anyway, the assassin went down, although he was still alive (it was an Ork and they can be pretty tough) but we quickly took care of that. The 70gp that we found on the Ork quickly confirmed that this was another of the assassins.

The next few days went by uneventfully and I quickly healed from the Elementalist’s attack. We peacefully continued along our pilgrimage. I burnt my prayer in the ‘Sacred Flame of Kralipur’, which left a permanent burnt spot on my left hand, and swam the pool of Floranuus to get sand from the bottom of the pool. The ashes of the prayer can be used to help protect you against horrors, while the sand of the pool of Floranuus, if kept under your pillow, will protect you from nightmares. Barsaive is a very dangerous place I am glad to have these talismans.

The following day we were headed north along the pilgrimage route when Kirra yelled out and manged to pull Dederick aside just as a pair of razor sharp pincers came out of the ground and attempted to rip Dederick’s leg off. The pincers belonged to a giant insect that unburied itself from the ground and attacked. It was soon joined by 4 others. At first several tried to attack me but my insect repellent kept them at bay (I usually travel with this spell up to keep off various biting insects). These insects were tough, their carapaces were hard to punch through with normal weapons, although my spells seemed to be doing OK. They were also very deadly with their pincers. Saiph soon went down, but was revived by Andros. Personally I was really glad I had my spell up.

Winnar identified them as turf cutter beetles, but these were not behaving normally. Several times it looked as if the beetles might run only to be forced back into the fight by some other will. We soon realized that we were most likely dealing with a Beastmaster. Winnar and Andros began looking for the beastmaster. The rest of us could not leave the path or our pilgrimage would fail. Andros’ Zoak found the beastmaster and both Andros and Winnar homed in. He did not last long to say the least. With the beastmaster dead the beetles ran off. It is considered bad luck to ambush pilgrims on the route, so we wondered about the motive for the attack. The beastmaster had 70gp in his pocket so we figured that he might have been paid as an assassin. Most likely the members of House Avalus were his targets, but he got mixed up and targeted me instead.

That night we rested at a house that sort of served as an inn for pilgrims. We told the group of dwarves about the attack and our suspicions. That night both the dwarves and us kept extra watches, just in case of another attempt. It was a good thing we did.

I awoke to the sound of a thunder bolt. Dederick and the dwarven guards were aiming at someone in the rafters of the building, while Saiph was trying to climb up. The assassin was hard to see in the rafters and the dwarven crossbows kept missing their marks. Saiph managed to get into the rafters and the assassin, realizing that he was trapped, turned into a bird and tried to fly through the hole in the thatch he had made coming in. Andros had predicted that the assassin might try and go out the way he came and was waiting for him. The bird went down and we decided to keep him alive and question him.

The assassin told us that he was hired in Barter Town and was only told to look for a dwarf with a lot of body guards. This explained the first assassin’s mistake. I could also be seen as a dwarf with a lot of bodyguards. He also told us that he saw at least 3 others hired at the same time as him. All were paid 70gp with expectation of another 70gp if their target died, no matter who actually killed him. If the target died they all would get paid. He could not tell us much about the person who hired him unfortunately and we let him go, without his equipment, grimoire, or 70gp.

We were given the mission to go on the T’skrang Pilgrimage in order to ask the the Prophetess a specific question about New Marrek. I volunteered to be the pilgrim. Surprisingly Dederick, Saiph and Kirra also decided to be pilgrims because they had their own questions to ask the Prophetess.

The Pilgrimage begins at the Ayodhya life rock, which we arrived at on the 24th of Mawag. We began our pilgrimage under the full moon as is traditional. Astral space is very clean around Ayodhya and on the pilgrimage route and I was curious about the spirits that might dwell there, but most of them were Earth spirits and I could not communicate with them. We made our way down to Lake Ban and V’strimon where we prayed at the six towers without incident.

We began making our way North along the pilgrimage route. We were not the only ones on the pilgrimage at this time. There were also some humans, a few T’skrang, one Obsidimen, and a rather large group of Dwarves. On the pilgrimage there are particular stopping points each day of the journey, so at night we got to talking with our fellow travelers. The Dwarves were 2 members of House Avalus (the ruling house of Throal) and their 12 bodyguards.

Agirr wanted to get into the Kaer immediately, but we were more cautious. First of all Saif was badly hurt (something had put an enchantment on him that kept him from healing), second there were an unknown number of shadowmants near the entrance, and third we had no idea what we were walking into. He agreed that a guide would be helpful since kaers can be somewhat maze-like. The villagers agreed to give us a guide in exchange for help rebuilding their palisade wall. While the others were working on the wall, I spent part of the day learning a new spell, Life Circle of One. I thought that we might be up against a horror or construct of some kind. “The Screaming Death” that the villagers spoke of sounded like something a horror would do. It turned out that I was right.
p.
We spent the night in the longhouse with the rest of the villagers. We decided to keep a watch because something had stole into our camp the night before and cast a spell on Saif. During third watch Dederick saw something small and childlike crawling on the roof of the longhouse heading towards the smoke hole (Dederick was outside the longhouse while Camathon kept watch inside). Dederick entered the longhouse and saw the thing crawling along the ceiling (definitely not a child) heading towards where Saif lay. Camathon, who could not see it, began waking each of us while Dederick prepared to strike. I awoke to a shrill shriek and Dederick stabbing at something that started crawling up the wall. Andros took off into the air and yelled “It’s a horror. A Kreescra.” Which started a panicked exodus of the villagers from the longhouse. I immediately got up and began weaving thread for Life Circle of One. Dederick prepared to attack if it came back within reach, Camathon threw his spear and missed, and Kira helped the villagers get out. Andros charged the thing, with only his dagger in hand, and managed to pry it off the wall where Dederick promptly skewered it. It was still alive however so I cast my spell around Saif and myself to help ward it off. It seemed bent on escape rather than fighting and began to dig its way through the wall. Andros called his Zoak and continued his attacks, while I threw several Spirit Darts at it. I was Dederick who got the final blow with a well placed thrust and a flourish. The thing turned into goo.
p.
The next day Saif seemed to be on the mend and we began a plan of Andros’ to deal with the shadowmants. Since they were in the kaer all day and the entrance was fairly small we constructed a net from all of our ropes plus some others from the village and placed it over the entrance. When the shadowmants tried to leave the kaer at night they would get caught in the net. I would then Spirit Dart the caught shadowmants to death (the spell wouldn’t harm the net, whereas arrows might). We spent 2 days killing shadowmants in this manner (and collecting their venom). On the third day no shadowmants came out, so we figured they were all dead and prepared to enter the kaer the following morning.
p.
Our guide was a twelve year old boy who went exploring into the kaer occasionally. He said he would only take us to the traps, as he knew of nothing beyond. This first part of the kaer was empty anything of value had been stripped long ago. Agirr figured that what we were looking for would most likely be beyond the traps. We dismissed the boy and gazed at the magical runes that lined the floor and walls in front of us. Agirr said that it was a horror ward and would only affect horrors. We passed through unharmed and Kira took the lead looking for more traps. There were many layers of traps, mostly mechanical, that we avoided on our way through. We found a cadaverman caught in one trap that begged us to set it free. We simply killed it. We noticed that the traps and the ward appeared to be set up to keep something in rather than keeping something out. We guessed that this kaer had been partially compromised and some of the residents withdrew towards the entrance and put up a new ward and traps (perhaps trapping some people behind them) to keep the horror at bay.
p.
We finally came to a much larger cavern with residences carved out of the rock. What we saw horrified us. Many of the skeletons had an unusual number of heads, arms or other limbs. They were Namegivers only highly mutated. Astral space was highly tainted with some bodies or objects that were highly corrupted. The well in the center was the largest source of corruption. We guessed that the water might contain still active “Dread Iota”, but we weren’t sure if that would cause the mutations we were seeing. Either way we avoided the water. Looking around we began to piece together the story. Part of the wards on the exterior wall were damaged, as if they were purposefully destroyed from within. We then found a small shrine to Raggok hidden in one of the houses. It looked like a follower of Raggok damaged the wards and let one or several horrors in (maybe even our friend that we destroyed the other night). Some of the residents escaped and set up the traps and new ward leaving everyone else at the mercy of the horror or horrors. The “Dead Iota” appeared to be the only one left, although we did find the body of one horror buried beneath part of a building.
p.
We finally came to a hallway that was littered with bodies. The door at the opposite end was still intact and radiated strong magic. Agirr looked at it and told us it was enchanted with a permanent spell that would activate when someone tried to open the door. What the spell actually was, he couldn’t say, but the hallway of bodies gave us the idea that it wasn’t pretty. The recipe we were looking for was created by a powerful wizard so we guessed that we probably needed to get past the door. Agirr managed to dispell the door and we looked inside. Astral space was open here. The taint in the rest of the kaer had not entered here, so it appeared that this was the right place. We found what we were looking for. The recipe was for a type of blood charm and the body of the wizard one of the actual blood charms on it. There was also a lot of other valuable stuff. We took everything including the aged and damaged books and then looted the rest of the place of anything of value. The horrors except for the “Dread Iota” appeared to be gone, having left when all the people were dead or when the magic dropped. We took all we could carry and exited the kaer.

This mission began simply enough. We were to escort a non-vigilant Wizard to Axalalail where some tribal humans would tell him where to find a pre-scourge alchemical recipe. Our job was to make sure he got the recipe safely and to make sure he didn’t tell anyone about New MarreK. Why can’t any mission be simple?

The Wizards name was Ajirr* (*Note: Gordon made up his name on the spot and couldn’t remember it and didn’t write it down, so this is his name now). A seemingly absent minded old human, he was extremely focused in his craft to such an extent that it was hard to gain his attention on anything else. If you could divert him however, he was very scholarly on many subjects, although his tendency to need to check his notes before he did anything could be a bit annoying.

Axalalail is a T’skrang and Windling town about half way between Lake Ban and Urupa and is apparently entirely built in the trees. The only way to navigate through the town was by swinging from ropes with the occasional ladder or the even more rare rope bridge. Wynnar had a grand time especially at seeing a dwarf and an old human (Ajirr) trying to swing on ropes. We spent the night at an inn called “The Bower” and Ajirr met his tribal contact the next morning. After much conversation about the intricacies of alchemical formulas we were directed to go to a village North East of Axalalail near the foothills of the mountains to find the pre-scourge recipe.

We made our way slowly through the wilderness. Ajirr was unused to travel so our progress was slowed a bit. We finally came upon the village we were seeking only to find a hole in the palisade wall and many dead. The destruction looked like it had been done by a Hadrosaur, although these creatures aren’t known for attacking villages. When we searched through the village we found what appeared to be one living person in the grain storage hut, eating raw grain. When questioned all he had to say was that he was fine and then he would continue eating. Finding his behavior very strange I examined him on the astral (this was not easy as the village apparently lies in a tainted area). I saw that he was in fact dead and that another pattern existed inside the body, almost like a parasite. No one had ever heard of such a thing, although Ajirr continued to look through his notes for anything on the subject. Saif , who was not happy talking to an animated dead guy, attacked it only to find that it was very resilient and apparently very strong. It took Saif down with one punch from its fist and tried to escape the granary. Dederick and Kira tried to stop it by knocking it to the ground. I, on the other hand, was trying again to see through the tainted astral space to be able to target the thing inside the body. Luckily I was successful. I hit the parasite with a spirit dart and it abandoned the body and tried to hide among the grain sacks, but I could still see its pattern and directed Dederick and Kira to its location and they finished it off.

At about this time Ajirr piped up that he found it. The parasite was a Relan: a tentacled worm that lacks its own digestive system and thus “borrows” the digestive system of dead creatures. It apparently can also secrete a venom that greatly increases the strength and toughness of its host, so they can be very dangerous. Um…thanks, I think we guessed that.

While I was tending to the injured Saif, Wynnar and Camathon returned and told us they found a cellar where the women and children were hiding (the dead we found all appeared to be armed warriors of some sort). Dederick and Kira carried Saif and we went down into the cellar. The Cellar was actually a tunnel that lead out of the village. We found the women and children near the entrance of their old Kaer. We spoke to them and told them that we killed the thing that destroyed part of the village. They were saddened by the death of so many and asked if we could help them to rebuild. We told them about our purpose and they said that they did not know of what we spoke, but maybe what we were looking for was in the old Kaer. They did not go inside and dark things came out of it at night. They also kept asking if we wanted to bury Saif. When I told them he was not dead and would get better they just sighed and said that he will die.

We decided to settle down near them for the night. From where we were we could see the Kaer entrance. The dark things turned out to be Shadowmants, which have a very potent venom in their tail barbs. Saif did not recover much from the night’s rest and said that he suffered from terrible dreams. When I asked the villagers they said that he will die, it is the screaming death. When ever anyone in the village got badly hurt they would start having terrible nightmares and would not get better. I took a look at Saif on the astral (this area was even more strongly tainted than the village) and found that he was under some sort of enchantment. I asked Ajirr if he could try and dispel it (Wizards are good at that sort of thing). As Ajirr was attempting to dispel the enchantment Dederick informed us that he found small tracks that apparently came into our camp during 1st watch (both Wynarr and I saw nothing when we were on first watch). The dispel was successful, but Saif is still in bad shape and I don’t like the idea of staying in this village. There is something not right here.