Baelik the Cursed - Expeditionary Summary 10/4/874

Reported by Layla Redstone:

"Today our party ventured directly east of Longreach. We happened upon an old man-made structure on the northern of the two river forks. When we looked inside, there were lots of recently killed entities; a hill giant, his pet-a massive spider-and lots of empty suits of armor. In the main hall was a large man in full armor covering his whole body by the name of Bealik He had just gotten done killing all of the inhabitants of the place and looting their treasures. He told us he was from north of the sea, and that "everything he does, will be undone." Looking a little closer, we saw that most of his jaw was rotten, like a zombie. Once he left things got dicey. Suits of armor with nothing in them sprang to life, attacking the nearest person. The giant and his pet spider also came to alive and attacked us. We barely made it out alive, and with some treasure to boot."

Members of the 10/4/874 Expedition:

Lord Illitor, Scorros

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Redstone, Layla

Olivia

Other News -
Caravan on Renard's Path attacked!
-Frog people from the swamps to the east have ransacked a caravan headed to Longreach. The members were kidnapped and are being held hostage. One person has been released and told us that the others were safe, though held in inhumane conditions. We are working on a solution to the issue. In the meantime remain cautious when leaving the town proper and anyone traveling Renard's path is required to have an escort of no less than 4 armed guards.

Lord F. Arden, on behalf of Sir Calen

10/5 in the Year 874

The Vrock - Expedition Summary 10/1/874

Reported by Lord Illitor

Days after the slaying of the gnoll fang by Nimona, Layla, Olivia, Lieutenant Seery and I ventured back into the stronghold Layla has dubbed "the Pentagon." We quickly dealt with the handful of gnolls in the barracks, as they were half-asleep, unarmed but for their teeth, and demoralized.

Making our way through a long series of weapon racks, we found a handful of magic items, including a magic shield that I claimed for myself, and a longsword that we reserved for Dieterich but lent to Seery.

We then entered the room where we had fought the fang.

The gnolls were there in numbers, but they had no more casters among them. I fixed them in place with the spines of the earth, and Olivia blasted them with fire. A few blows from Layla and Seery saw to the rest.

Yet in the center of the great room, an enormous evil symbol was carved in the floor. It sucked in the blood of every beast we slew. As soon as the last of them fell, the blood ignited, and the floor melted away.

Demons spilled forth from the pit, a great harpy-like vretch flying into the air. I ordered a fighting withdrawal. Once again, I fixed most of the lesser foes in place, but the foul bird crashed into our line, and we were split in a fury of tumbling metal and slashing claws. Every one of us fought as best we could, but morale was breaking and we were on the edge of a rout. Then it released a violent, mind-breaking shriek, and I fell senseless to the ground.

When I came to, I expected death to be upon me. Instead, I saw Layla controlling the beast. It had turned its aggression on one of the weapon racks. Even as our party hacked and shot and blasted away at it, it tore at and clung to the rack, fighting it until we finally put the vrock down.

The other demons, pinned to the earth, were slaughtered.

We returned to Longreach. Seery went back to Redmoor, where he will presumably present an accurate report to Lady Vern.

Later, Olivia, Layla, Bernard and I returned and jumped into the pit. We found ourselves in some hellish prison populated by demons and part-fiend gnolls. After dealing with fierce resistance, we decided to leave while we had our full numbers and return only with a stronger force.

Members of the 9/24/874 Expedition:

Lord Illitor, Scorros

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Galavant, Nimona
Redstone, Layla

Olivia
LT Seery - Guest from Lady Vern's personal forces.

Other News -

Caravan on Renard's Path attacked!

-Frog people from the swamps to the east have ransacked a caravan headed to Longreach. The members were kidnapped and are being held hostage. One person has been released and told us that the others were safe, though held in inhumane conditions. We are working on a solution to the issue. In the meantime remain cautious when leaving the town proper and anyone traveling Renard's path is required to have an escort of no less than 4 armed guards.

Lord F. Arden, on behalf of Sir Calen

10/4 in the Year 874

More Gnolls Expedition Summary 9/28/874

   The Longreach Expeditionary Party made their way yet again to the Gnoll Stronghold, from here on dubbed "The Pentagon", to find it had been re-inhabited. They were joined for the first time by Lord Scorros Illitor's new retainer-a very green Cleric named Nimona-who proved the virtues of our gods over the heathen gnolls by fighting very well in combat and using her life magic to keep the party afloat. 

  After clearing out the keep, they moved on to the basement. Gnoll Hunters and Witherlings were waiting for them. The battle was fierce, but they of course proved victorious in the end. While the party was in desperate need of rest they knew they weren't finished cleansing the Pentagon. Resting in the main floor of the keep benefited them greatly; not only in that it rejuvenated their strength to carry on, but also in that they found a trail of Witherlings leading back to a small shack. Inside was a back staircase to the keep's basement. Once we were downstairs we heard chanting from the other side of a large door. We opened it to find some sort of ritual happening with a Gnoll Fang as the leader. Immediately the wretched beast was slain by magic and arrow, but the group was still out numbered three to one. Taking as many down as we could, they fell back to regroup. It is suspected that there is more black magic happening in the Pentagon, thus another expedition is necessary.

-From the report of Layla Redstone

Members of the 9/24/874 Expedition:

Lord Illitor, Scorros

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Galavant, Nimona
Redstone, Layla

Olivia

Lord F. Arden, on behalf of Sir Calen

9/25 in the Year 874

Tracking the Gnolls - Expedition Summary 9/24/874

From the field report of Lord Scorros Illitor:

After spotting a gnoll skulking around Haggard Keep, I gathered Lord Dieterich, Olivia and Griknak, and we set out in pursuit toward the northeast. This soon led us off the edge of the map, and we decided to remedy that with a little cartography. The thought was that we would likely discover the gnoll camp in the process.

We were only a few hours into mapping the new territory when we encountered a small party of gnolls, only about twice our number. We killed them all and set up camp for the night nearby.

Alas, we were doomed to endless interruptions. Vilgor spawn attacked in the night. We easily destroyed them, but it was a clear reminder that the blight is not entirely gone.

We were joined by Layla and found the gnoll fortress soon after. This was much more than the ramshackle camp I had expected. They had taken over a ruined fortress, and were using it as a base for necromancy and hyena breeding. At the crumbling walls, our party entered the most vicious battle I have ever partaken in. Even Lord Dieterich was barely on his feet at the end. Every one of us was soaked in the blood of our foes, our friends and ourselves. Dozens of hairy corpses and severed limbs littered the mud. There was no tactical brilliance on either side. We simply proved more savage.

We made a brief retreat into the woods to recover. In the morning, we renewed our assault, entering the fortress itself. There we fought undead dog-men, massive beasts, gnoll warriors, and the necromancer itself. This time, we fought with our heads, and Lord Dieterich's incredible bravery combined with ruthless spellcasting from myself, Layla and Olivia soon turned the horde into a mass of burnt, ruined bodies.

During the fight, we slew a gnoll as he stood upon an evil symbol carved into the floor. His blood filled the lines. Immediately after, a great door opened, exuding horror. I have no idea what lies behind the door... but I am sure it was the source of the necromancer's strength.

We must return.

Members of the 9/24/874 Expedition:

Lord Dieterich, Gunter
Lord Illitor, Scorros

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Olivia
Redstone, Layla

Griknak the Goblin

Other News: The map of the region has been updated!