The Records of the Whitewood Vanguard

[YourMoveHolyMan]

19th of Nightal, 1357

Meeting with Netanya, she was discussing that the cultists have blades that explode when penetrating the body. A Salamander sigil was spoken of, being traced to followers of Kossuth, and the eyes of trolls not their natural hue.

M'M

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Twentieth of Nightal, 1357

Traegan and I patrolled up into the Cloud Peaks upon our arrival Valduil, Doan, and Kiyoshi were being assailed by Trolls. We assisted against them, a sweep was done to determine anything of importance but all we could figure out was that it was scout patrol as most of the tracks were covered by the falling snow.

-T

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Traegan.

21 Nightal, 1357

After staking out the Northern Lights Inn with Captain Dunn we've uncovered this...
-The Thayan has shorter hair and a black goatee
- There are three guards posted inside the room. One with sword, the others with readied crossbows
- There was said to be five mercenaries, but only four can be accounted for.
- They take very few breaks in their duties to Protect the man.
-Nobody is permitted inside the room besides the guards and the employees of the Northern Lights Inn
- The Guards are of the Bronze Breakers Mercenary Company. The specialize in Protective contracts.
- They spoke of more Bronze Breakers coming to Nashkel soon
- Other noticable conversations refer to a man named Forvus. A Knight of the Canos family from Thay. They are due to arrive once the blizzard has had time to pass.
- The Bronze Breakers seem well Trained and veterans of a military life.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

21st of Nightal, 1357

Through the efforts of Carah and her crew, we've discerned the following details of the Thayan camp:

-They're located east of Nashkel.
-They're currently working the slaves to death through hard labor.
-They're cutting a large amount of timber for an unknown project, possible building a fortification.
-Isenduil, the wood magi, saw a vision of axes and fire. This means their camp might be located through woodsmoke.

Isenduil has paid the company thirty large to scout out east to locate this camp. Now that we're armed with a direction, and possible tell-tale signs of the camp we might be able to locate it. We're working against time because we mean to find it before the Salamander Cult does.

Syndreth and Traegan , take Apple and Mane-Attraction and scout out east and try and find their camp.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Tristan.

Twenty-Third of Nightal, 1357

Traegan and I started to keep an eye on certain oddities relating to Vampires in Nashkel. We have been looking for odd markings, rumors, and all that. It has taken some time but in our findings so far there does not seem to be any physical evidence or anything word of mouth but we have found that there are considerably less of those who would be the not looked after sort, so your transients, homeless, and vagrant folk, in pressing of that matter the townsfolk said there seems to be a lacking of these types lately. I can call upon a blessing that may aid in detecting, but I would like to look at the Amulet we have again. If it is in relation to those that fled the gate I want to make sure the Amulet does not keep them from being detected by such a blessing.

-T

DM Response from DM Summerbreeze:

The pair in their search would find almost no physical evidence or stories of vampires in their searches around Nashkel. They would however notice that there appear to be far less travelling folk, homeless or vagrants about in the area overall. On further asking about, the townsfolk would also have taken note of the lack of these types of lower class folk around the town as of late.DM SummerBreeze
Recipient: Habitu DM Team

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn. Note, the second report frames both Kethelis and Aunrae as our foes - we were zero tolerant towards drow.

23rd of Nightal, 1357

Today several of the Vanguard met with Mayor Berrun Ghastkill of Nashkel. Two main points were taken away from this meeting:

1) The Vanguard has been contracted to protect the third village of Amn against the Troll Horde. We were paid twenty large, plus short term lodging at the Belching Dragon Inn. (Note, there are no rooms currently ingame, this is rp lodging, you can still use the Northern Lights at will). Additionally, all four horses will be fed and cared for the duration of the Nashkel campaign.

2) Due to the high profile nature of the Thayan Merchant, Amn has requested that he be transported from Nashkel, further into Amn. The mayor and militia have been ordered to assist in his transport, and were not allowed to interrogate him, and thus, could not allow us the same.

3) The mayor went on to say he was sorry he couldn't tell us that the man would be transported in two days, that the guard would need to take a rest, and have a change of the guard at a specific time. He wished he could tell us the route they would take, he simply couldn't.

4) The mayor had to use a map to write our contract for, as part of #1. X Marks the spot, guys and gals. Be ready for short notice to move out and let us catch the bastard.



5) Keep this job secret. Kiyoshi damn sure doesn't need to know about it, and won't be involved. We will, as a courtesy, reach out to Carah and ask if she's interested. Its due to her efforts that we've learned what we have concerning the general location of the rest of the Thayans, as well as the incriminating evidence that got this guy arrested in the first place. IF she is, then we'll bring her in for it if at all possible. But likely just her, maybe that fella of hers, Emrys. I'll play it by ear.

23rd of Nightal, 1357

Kethelis, of Doron Amar, has taken Aunrae, a drow, as his lover. Aunrae has sworn to the Zhentarim that she will end our attacks on them. They're both our foes. Becareful what you do to him in cities and towns, as we'll likely never have proof beyond word of mouth. But they're both our foes, and will be met with force.

Aunrae sometimes tries to pose as a tiefling in disguise.

Addendum: if possible, Kethelis should be taken alive, for our Syndreth.

24th of Nightal, 1357

Source has informed me a very tall/large man was attacked by a pale figure believed to be a vampire inside or just near to Nashkel. No further description at this time. Unknown name of the victim that was attacked. Stay sharp, Vanguard, they're out there.

24th of Nightal, 1357

Concerning the Hanner bounty. It's strongly suspected the Zhentarim have hired him and or the organization known as -this part is lost to time- to assassinate Alyssia. If true, and we're able to obtain a credible witness or written documentation, we can use this against the Zhentarim.

We're not doing this for Alyssia, we're doing it to get at those bastards and because we can.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

29th of Nightal, 1357

Kethelis knows we're on his trail. He Sent to his sister, Boots, and asked to meet with her before 'Dunn comes undone.' Unsure of meaning.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

29th of Nightal, 1357

The following is a missive I received from Emrys, Carah's lover.

Kassux returned to the Salamanders to stop them. Convinced some - others declared him a heretic who had forsaken Kossuth which caused the cell to split. He claims to have killed most who did not heed his words.

Kassux's manifestations have so far been another body upon which he places his mask and robes. The bodies used were once his enemies, and he claims he cannot risk revealing his present location until he has found Oryus and Forvus.

Kassux's blade was passed down by the Order of the Salamandar and stores a fireball spell within the metal which is activated upon being impaled into another. He lost his arm from its first use on Forvus (Oryus's knight). He also noted that Forvus is no longer completely human, but undead. What manner of undead is unknown or was at least not revealed.

Kassux has been unable to find the Thayan camp but knows it is of the family of Canos - a family that specializes in slave acquisition and trading.

The Salamandars no longer united with Kassux hope to set up a temple in the region.

The Salamandars were approached by a lich named Akvallas who resides in a lab deep below the Nashkel mines. The lich offered an army and enchantments to aid them in their efforts. Kassux refused as the lich said that he would be the first to be "perfected." However, the split cell seems to have agreed to the lich's offer. The lich did not make any demands in exchange for the aid. That will likely come in due time.

Kassux's masks are a creation of his own that carry his memories. They also ease the amount of the Weave he must invoke to add to his enchantments, though it fades over time. He can only control one mask at a time and did not reveal how many he has crafted.

Kassux spoke of a dream shortly before dissolving into ash and said that if maybe he had begged the phoenix for his life, he could stay with her. When asked for clarity, he simply said "The Order of the Phoenix." Perhaps another Kossuth sect akin to the Order of the Salamandar.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

30th of Nightal, 1357

Of the two slaves Traegan freed, we have learned the following:
-They are cursed with runes of silence, and with runes of being able to consume food or water.
-Feeding them or giving them water to drink causes internal bleeding and death.
-Through a combination of allied efforts, magi are able to negate and remove the runes through a process currently known by Oth. He's said he will provide written instructions for our magi to do the same.

30th of Nightal, 1357

Carah has agreed to let our magi study the wooden mask of the Kossuthian cult leader. The catch is we have to let her and Rhaeg be present for the study, and they're inclined to destroy the thing. That said, she's consented to discussion if some good and proper use can come of its study.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Mizzrym.

Hammer 2, 1358

Malakai has been instructed to take part of the training management actionables for martial duties along Doan and Aurelien.

Hammer 2, 1358

While unstable, the portal was successful; there may be still more to accomplish with this to get corrected... at a later time.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Aurelian.

Hammer 2, 1358

The plan to recover Arthur is as follow, split with how each party will play its part.

One of our own should remain in Nashkel to observe the departure of the prisoner detail, and confirm how many guards were sent out (OOC: Due to the limit of people allowed in the event, we can probably establish that this was done in some sort of offscreen way with Ink)

On their way, I will be there, with a horse to better sell the story I will them of avalanches on the way ahead, and offer them to stop for a moment, and distract them in order for the next part of the plan.

Emrys and Rhaeg, under a spell of silence will proceed to capture Arthur while the guard's attention is away.

Meanwhile, on the other side of things, Ko're will meet up with the relief guard and convince them to delay their arrival or not show up at all. Be it by bribe or honeyed word. If you're called replace her, bring plenty of gold. As for caster, avoid domination in this part of the plan.

Finally Carah will be in the mountains, ready to create an avalanche if need be, in order to sow confusion and make capturing Arthur a possibility.

Make sure your sending medallions are full, do not kill anyone, use nonlethal means if it comes to blows, and finally, make sure your face is hidden and that no symbol showing your allegiance to the Vanguard are present.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Ko're. //This was flagged as OOC but a lot of it reads as IC. Just be aware.//

OOC:

Below is a synopsis of the proposed plan for Sunday's attempt at "liberating" Arthur Canos from his escort deeper into Amn. There are four contingency plans in play, in order of importance. That is to say, if one fails or is compromised, the next one down the list will be put into action.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Violence against Amnian guards is to be avoided. Under no circumstances, unless there are no alternatives left, are these otherwise innocent soldiers to be harmed.

Team:

Ko're Amon* - advance scout
Aurelien Amon - bait/distraction in plain view at the exchange site
Rhaeg - extraction team, hidden off the road just behind the exchange site
Emrys Kerr - extraction team, hidden off the road just behind the exchange side
Carah Evenwood - "air support," planted high up the slope overlooking the bridge and the road to the south

*participation pending - she will appoint an appropriate stand in if she is unable to

Plan A - "Honey"

Ko're (or stand in) will approach and intercept the southern relief detail coming from Amn well ahead of the scheduled meeting time, with plenty of distance before they arrive.

She will attempt to convince the guards, through diplomacy, bribery, or any other means at her disposal, that the prisoner they are transporting is dangerous, and that they will be better off standing aside and letting her party abduct him to dispose of him as is fitting for a slaver. The guards will be given leeway and an alibi to tell their superiors as to what happened to Arthur as they see fit.

Upon partial or complete success, Ko're will alert the rest of the team to abort their positions and move to intercept Arthur once the Nashkel detail has handed him off and has turned back, leaving Ghastkill and his people's hands entirely clean in the matter.

Upon failure, Ko're will extricate herself from the detail, and send word to Carah that Plan B is to be executed.

Plan B - "Avalanche"

If word is received that "Honey" has failed, Carah will utilize her magically-enhanced voice and stormsongs to shake loose one of the looming sheets of snow over the road well ahead of the southern relief detail, blocking the road and delaying or stopping their progress. Storms can be sent down the mountain to provide further confusion as requested or necessary.

At the exchange point, Aurelien will (wearing garb that differs from his usual Vanguard attire) attempt to stall and distract the Nashkel detail, in conjunction with any weather the ground team deems necessary to keep the guards' attention off of the vehicle in which Arthur is being transported.

During the distraction, Emrys will cast Silence on the vehicle, preventing Arthur from raising any alarm (or potentially getting off any spells, in the unlikely event he is capable of doing so), and provide watch/cover for Rhaeg while he extracts the prisoner, and hopefully replaces him with the dummy.

Emrys and Rhaeg will then flee the scene with Arthur, and send word that their target has been acquired.

Plan C - "Ultimatum"

In the event that "Avalanche" fails, the ground team with the Nashkel detail must get word to Carah and Ko're that they are needed at the exchange point. The person most likely to be in a position to get this message off should be Emrys.

The group on the ground will attempt to bribe or intimidate the guard detail into handing over the prisoner. Convincing even a few of the guards that their well being is not worth that of Arthur Canos will tip the balance in favor of the PCs.

Plan D - "Smash And Grab"

The team will attack the caravan at the exchange point, hopefully without the reinforcements of the southern detail, and take Arthur by force. All attempts will be made to avoid permanently harming the Nashkel guards.

Preparations to be made:

A member of the Vanguard or third trusted party will remain in Nashkel (off camera, so as not to upset the DM-imposed player limit), and alert the team ahead of time of the number of guards escorting Arthur, as well as the look of any wagon or vehicle he is in. He will also, if possible, let the group know what sort of garb Arthur is wearing.

Carah will procure climbing gear from the Outfitters shop in Nashkel to facilitate a climb up the trecherous inclines of the mountain pass, overlooking the expected exchange point.

Rhaeg will scout the lay of the land where the changing of the guard will take place, and note the best place for Carah to make her climb and await the order to cause the avalanche, or send any winds and storms down on the road as necessary.

Rhaeg will also procure a straw dummy or scarecrow with clothing matched to a Nashkel prisoner's to the best of his ability ahead of time.

Emrys will need to provide teleportation capability for himself, Rhaeg, and Aurelien to meet Ko're in the event Plan A succeeds. Carah will see to her own. Ko're will also need a means to teleport back to the exchange point if an emergency arises. Worst case, Carah can retrieve her and return.

All members of the crew will need to have reliable Sending means on hand - quick and concise communication will be crucial for timing everything.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Mizzrym.

Hammer 2, 1358

Introduced priestess Fierlith Silverglade to the Vanguard roster.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

2nd of Hammer, 1358

There is no active hunt for Kethelis or his drow. If either are caught snooping around Nashkel, or Vanguard operations, they're fair game.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

2 Hammer 1358

Vanguard personnel: Aurelien, Ophelia, Ko're, One-Trick, Traegan as Nashkel lookout.
Other: Carah, Emrys, Rhaeg.

When our group arrived at the designated spot to ambush Arthur's transport wagon, we heard a giant avalanche in the distance. It was impossible to tell from which direction with the echo.

There were two guards. One complaining of his boots hurting his feet and they naively entrusted Aurelien to guard the wagon while they returned to Nashkel to... Buy new boots. Therefore, extraction of target (Arthur) was easy.

Ophelia and I did not find relief guard detachment in designated location, suspected Salamander interference. Possibly they were under the avalanche we heard, if the Salamander cultists caused it to take Arthur for themselves, or Forvus to rescue Arthur.

Fearing that Forvus was near, Ophelia and I ran back to the others and we all teleported to Ulcaster Ruins. Inside, Carah and Rhaeg attempted to interrogate Arthur but he was uncooperative. It was revealed that he had Thayan runes up and down his arms.

Arthur then attempted to kill himself by slamming his head on the ground but he was stopped by Carah. Ophelia cast a spell of Domination on Arthur but it rendered him catatonic and unable to respond to her instructions. Any attempts to heal Arthur failed, Ophelia surmised because he was unwilling to accept the magicks, determined the runes were blocking her enchantments. She then performed a ritual from a time Emrys gave her to remove the runes or render them inert. Arthur's runes exploded, killing him. I advised Ophelia to confer with Mizzrym and Morgalia about what transpired here, but we believe the runes on Arthur's body were designed to react this way when a removal attempt is made. Ophelia can give more information about the runes.

Curiously, a dark skinned tiefling woman whom we briefly encountered in the mountains appeared in the ruins before us, introducing herself as Ibis, saying she was a Salamander (but later backpedaling in claim she wasn't sure she was a Salamander anymore), and asked to take credit for Arthur's death, and to burn his remains. Carah agreed. Aurelien stayed behind for follow-up with Ibis, Carah, and Emrys.

-K