The Records of the Whitewood Vanguard

[YourMoveHolyMan]

2 Hammer 1358

Vanguard personnel: Aurelien
Other: Carah, Emrys, Ibis

Ibis produced a strange box which she used on the remains of Arthur, sticking him with brass instrument which generated an immense amount of light. This allowed us to ask two questions to Arthur. The spell or similar effect didn't seem very accurate, as ibis asked a question more to herself than to the corpse and it counted as one. This left the last one to be asked by Carah, where she wanted to know if Lynette was with the other slaves Arthur kept. A negative answer, she is likely with Forvus.

The machine then shortly after started to work all wrong, and exploded a few moments after we escaped the ruins, without Ibis, when we came back, Ibis was gone and the place was on fire. Given her control over flames and strange teleportation abilities linked to the flames, I doubt it is the last we hear of her.

Aurelien

[YourMoveHolyMan]

4th of Hammer, 1358

Oth has shifted responsibility for the removal of Thayan Runes over to Edelgarde of Candlekeep. Edelgarde, Emrys, and Kiyoshi are working on finishing this task and creating instructions for others to be able to do the same, and will disseminate this when it is ready.

Will rescind the earlier bounty.

4th of Hammer, 1358

Ashenie of the temple of Ilmater provided our Vanguard with over thirty herbs and/or mushrooms to neutralize the effects of poison. She'll be undertaking some effort on behalf of the village of Bekkregard to reach out and offer them aid against the poisoned barbs that have been killing their scouts, and or trying to discern the nature of the poison used.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Eighth of Hammer, 1358

Concerning the Bounty

Got in contact with Edelgarde, no findings on the Ghost Ship that was sighted in their waters some while back now.

-T

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Mizzrym.

9th of Hammer, 1358

The Chionthar water routes are frozen over, stopping most trade opportunities from continuing via it for the past several tendays. It is in the Vanguard's interest to assist and enable this route again though it will be a center of contention with rival organization and trade partners if it becomes the predominant means of goods traversed. Several timber locks between water and ice transitions are being considered, adamantine sled blades mounted to the skiffs likey required. These will be targets for Darkhold, tactics and resources to maintain these are being developed in the coming days.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

9th of Hammer, 1358

Captain Boots of the Radiant Heart has been tasked to write to the Radiant Heart counterparts in Amn. The purpose of the letter is to determine the legitimacy, if any, of the Thayan tower we've recently discovered.

That will help determine what, if any, future action we take against this tower.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Mizzrym.

9th of Hammer, 1358

Spoke privately with Bhor of Kraak Helzak. The smiths are willing to start the sled forging with our admantine though they await our shipment of the goods to provide. Propulsion of ships on sleds, as well as the method to bring the vessel in transition of ice to water and back is underway.

To save costs we may have to clear a wooded area to bring the logging for the locks ourselves.

9th of Hammer, 1358

Five meter skiffs can be moved on adamantine blade sleds fixed to their hulls, horse and rope from shoreline can aid in movement. This appears to be something doable in two tendays, resuming trade to and from Scornubel and their neighbors. Food shortages may be alleviated for the winter, if by the skin of teeth.

10th of Hammer, 1358

Valduil and Traegan have set in motion an idea that may work in the Vanguard's favor though practiced discipline and diplomacy will be a requisite. If insofar as the Trolls are not in league with the Thayan structure that appeared and the Thayan structure is not an agreed upon presence by Amnian authorities the Trolls can become less of a Vanguard issue and one of a Thayan issue. Valduil proposed shifted form into a Troll and infiltration to further this concept. I believe Michael, our damsel in distress, would be well suited for this - shifted as a female troll with another of the Vanguard to enable a chance at this opportunity. The worst is that the trolls may say no, and the Captain returns with a red hand shaped mark on his troll rear.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

10th of Hammer, 1358

The following is a copy of a missive presented to the Vanguard by Carah of the Mournful Wind, from Edelgarde Spades of Candlekeep. The topic written is concerning a book of Thayan tattoo rituals recovered by Carah, Kiyoshi, and company, earlier in our Nashkel campaign.

Greetings,

I hope this missive finds you all in good health and spirits.

On the 9th of Hammer 1358, me and Seeker Colds proceeded to examine the text again.

She assessed that powerful spells were contained into it, specific to thayan houses. She also noticed that some words repeated themselves: "Night Singer", "Dark Lady" "Servitude" and "Reclamation". She then proceeded to analyze and crack the code. As soon as she did her iris started turning violet and she started being in great pain. I told her to stop but she was determined to carry on in order to help the slaves. I then attempted a mindblank, but she told me to remove it as it was preventing her from understanding the code, so I complied. At that point her eyes became black with a thin violet ring and she started shedding black tears.

At some point an incantation appeared at the side of her head and a rune inscribed itself in her irises, one of those present in the book, and her voice became calm and collected. She said she had cracked the code and started writing what she said was its solution on a blank page.

Soon her hair started falling to the ground as ash. I pleaded her to stop, but she kept refusing. As soon as she finished the first page her right arm dissolved into dust and she seemed to be speaking to herself. When I asked her who she was talking to, she just said "the truth". At that point I used a spell of Comprehend Languages and looked at the page she was writing in Mulani. It was a declaration where she relinquished her soul to the Night Singer. I immediately used a spell of Mordenkainen Disjunction on her before she could complete the text. As soon as I did she seemed to revert to her usual self, although in shock, and the marks on her face and eyes disappeared.

Once she recovered a bit, she explained that the book would only allowed transcription from those who are willing to embrace the void and complete lack of feelings she was starting to experience when she was translating the code. At that point, when I mentioned it might be a good idea to contact a Selunite priest, a long crack ran through the cover of the book, which tried to open back up. I then cast a spell of Protection from Evil on myself but that was causing the book to dissolve into dust, so I had to dispel it.

At that point Nalissa mentioned that she spoke with the Night Singer and that she theorized that the purpose of the book is to enslave the living, although she recalled there was a spell to break the enslavement, but it required blood magic.
She showed me the page where it was, but the page was completely blank and smelled like lemon. Familiar with the trick I used another Comprehend Languages and held a flame close to it to reveal the hidden text. "Please save them no more time" was written on it and the page seemed to be of a different material from the rest of the book. Further down, some directons were written: "Blood magic. Last Resort. Scribe emblem, then dispell the emblem with the tattoos." Underneath was a detailed emblem written in ashes, likely those of the scribe.

I copied the emblem, which immediately disappeared from the page and appeared as a tattoo on my hand. The emblem is made of two concentric circles, with three dots on the outer circle and five in the inner one. There is a name written around each dot and one of them is Lynette Morex. All dots except one are full. The name Samuel Firvas is written around the empty dot. The 25 names in the first page of the book are written at the center of the circle, Matthew Morex is one of them.

The following is now clear:

- The book is a sharran artifact with the power to enslave the living.
- The spells are specific for various thayan houses.
- Approaching the book with Protection From Evil on causes its destruction.
- Mindblank should protect from enslavement, but the book might still try to trick the victim.
- [Yet to verify] Only those who embrace Shar's nihilism are able to scribe the book.
- The Rashemi slave, likely Schegorba, who wrote the tome devised a method to break the domination, but this requires blood magic and "dispelling with a tattoo", likely the one that is now on my hand.
- [Yet to verify] Likely the eight names are of those enslaved, while the 25 names are those who have been sacrificed to achieve this.

I believe this tattoo holds the key to free the slaves, however this will require the aid of a blood mage. In addition Seeker Colds, who suffered greatly at the hands of the Thayan and feels great empathy towards the enslaved people, offered to aid us in this task and would like to come along.
For any questions, feel free to seek me in Candlekeep.

In Faith,

Scribe Edelgarde Spades

10th of Hammer, 1358

This report was recorded on the 5th of Hammer, 1358 by Ranger Syndreth, and transcribed here by Captain Dunn. It is a copy of the scouting mission completed by Ranger Syndreth, Sergeant Traegan, and a wood magi, Isenduil.

The land itself around the tower was utterly sapped of life and corrupted. The tower is surrounded by pillars claimed to serve as a magical eye into the skies as well as beacons of communication to "other settlements". The number of other locations like these that exist is unknown. The vicinity is covered in magical deadzones. Whether the source of these are within the tower itself or the pillars around it is unknown. The Detect Magic spell was used and revealed that conventional teleportation is blocked in the area. A dark blue and purple kind of smoke was seen around the area.

There were no signs of slaves outside of the tower.

Patrolling the areas around the tower are dark magical orbs searching for intruders. Closer to the tower itself thayan knights were be seen.

At the time, Forvus himself was present at the tower, commanding the other thayan knights. It seems highly unlikely that he is still human. He is a titan of a man, missing his entire jaw. His eyes had an unnatural blue glow. I suspect him to be capable of true sight.

Kassux made an appearance and appeared to be there to stalk Forvus. He revealed the nature of the pillars and the magical deadzone - the deadened Weave - around it. He was affected by the deadzone in that one of his arms ceased to function. He said he had been coming to the location "every other night". He does not know if Lynette is within this particular tower. He says there's only one way inside, through the front gate, though he advised that siege was not an option in this case.

Kassux is able to make use of some unconventional manner of perilous firebased teleportation. He claimed that taking me with him in such a way of teleportation might leave me permanently stranded on the plane of fire to be burnt into nothing. The risk was taken regardless as lingering was not an option. I survived it by being in the shape of a fire elemental.

Kassux seemed to think disrupting or destroying (explosives were suggested) the pillars around the tower might endanger those within. He is strongly against the idea, to the point of near hostility.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

11 Hammer 1358

Vanguard Personnel: Michael Dunn, Ko're Philommeides, Aurelien Amon, Maraav Denier, Fierlith Silverglade, Traegan Daershun, Derien Reynault, Mizzrym (briefly), Tristan Gallendt (at end.)

Other: Kelley Massey, Peter Lantini

On 9 Hammer, the Vanguard made a trip to the ice giant fortress to collect valuables for resale. Upon leaving, we encountered burning wagons from which undead burst out. They were dispatched. Traegan noted the burning caravan "wooden horse" and was a similar tactic used by the remaining zealous Salamander cultists outside the Kossuth temple in the gorge below Gullykin, when he recovered the two slaves.

More undead poured in through the cave leading from the ledge on the other side. However, Maraav caused an avalanche to block off the cave mouth, and buy us time.

Dunn climbed a tree and was able to peer to the other side of the mountaintop. He saw many undead, scattered trolls, and a human figure in the distance wearing a tattered orange cloak, either controlling the horde or watching from a distance.

The group blew up the snow packed in front of the cave mouth with explosive projectiles of limited radius, and eventually it melted. We passed through to the ledge on the other side and engaged the enemy at range from the high ground. Mizzrym and Tristan, whom Aurelien Sent to while we were trapped by the avalanche, came from Nashkel and redirected the horde so that the main group was not pinned down. Mizzrym returned to Nashkel and Tristan joined us as we made a push, and mopped up the undead and troll force.

Among the undead were mostly zombies, but also some more powerful specimens such as wights.

Minor injury sustained by Peter, Maraav, and Aurelien.

-K

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Mizzrym.

11th Hammer 1358

Netanya has witnessed a different plane of the Gate that though appeared to be part of the standard faire of the shadow plane, exists in a previous era. Word of this conveyed by River Steel in presence of Valduil and Adrian Baker. Speaking further of this to Ayida and Netanya, River had acquired a sword which opened the portal, a place that embellished confusion though a figure trapped within was locked to some chronological distress. A helmite sigil was witnessed within upon the unidentified figure.

- M'M

11th Hammer 1358

Strong indication of Carah seeking out Emmanuel for a task inferred, overheard at Candlekeep.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Tristan.

Fifteenth of Hammer, 1358

Two Kenku walked up near the fire at Baldur's Gate, they kept to themselves really until Kethelis walked up and tried to offer them birdseed like they were mere chickens. Kenkus took high offense and one of them broke a bottle and stabbed him. Ulceth, Jergalite Holy Sword drew his blade and stood there behind Kethelis and River of House Darius. River tried to take the bottle. I went to get the guards since none of them decided to after he was stabbed. Returned with them and Kethelis had his weapon out. Guards took care of the rest escorting the Pink Bard Rose, and Kethelis to jail. Though Rose was offered a fine nad declined it when ti was all of two and half bags of dragons.

-T

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Michael Dunn.

15th of Hammer, 1358

Beau is an admitted follower of Elistrae, or however you spell it, the drow goddess. I'm not of the mind that the Vanguard should be openly hostile to him, but going forward, he's not welcome on future patrols.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Mizzrym.

15th Hammer, 1358

Fierlith named Ranger among the Vanguard.

15th Hammer, 1358

Maraav named Ranger among the Vanguard.

15th Hammer, 1358

A group self labeling as Ordo Veritatis has arrived to the region, at first appearance they are a band of helmites that have made special exemption to the use of magic in the area. Their public proclimations include their interest in drumming up general populace support as well as seeking out law modification to which ends are not entirely known yet, some spectulate potentially influenced by the comeupance of Amnian Cowled enforcement.

Morgan, Sirion, and myself are forming an arcanist's guild to work on mitigating some of this, Maraav invited along with. There may come a time in which the Vanguard's paid defense of the group is enacted but I seek to politically hamper movement of the Veritatis' lawspeaking actions, and it could jeopardize them should they attempt hostility toward any acting guild member of the arcanist group, severing options with other venues.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Maraav.

15th Hammer, 1358

Vanguard Personel : Maraav Deinir.
Other : Boots, Blake, Fenix, Kelly, Peter Lani, Unknow Invocator with black mask.

I was standing near Tax agent in farmlands, when he start complain about missing transport from Beregost. Transport should arrive one day ago, and was no information about it. 4 people transported food (grains and also some jars) from there to Baldurs Gate. I joined to Boots and her friend to check missing transport. On the way on south, more people join our group. We get ambush by some bandits, called "its our lands" on the way to south. We found a place of ambush on caravan and two of bodies there. Was no signs of missing caravan items. We get atacked by large groups of gnolls, on our way up to hill, where we found another body. We heared some chanting, i recognized a casting gate spell, by shaman nearby. In the opening gate we found large groups of difrent kind of undeads (no burning ones). I was to far away and a too late to recognize with who Gnoll shaman negotiate, beceuse boots cut his throat quite fast.
We enter to cave where we found large group of gnolls with they leader. When we deal with him and his minions we gather missing bags with grains.
We missing one of the last caravan member, so Boots with Blake go looking after him. After short time they found a missing and alive member, and they go back with him to wagon. Me, Peter and Blake teleported back to Baldurs gate, where he transport bags to Temple of Illmater. Man was a part of the "The Fickle Rat Trade Post"

(OOC: evend done by DM Ink)

-- Hammer, 1358


Study of Edelgarde symbol on hand.

Vanguard Personel: Maraav Deinir
Other: Edelgarde
Spells used: Detect Magic, Analyze dweomer.

By studing Edelgarde symbol what apear on her hand (symbol from note), i put resoults of spells here :

Detect magic resoult:
- Most powerful: Abjuration / Overwhelming.
- Two necromancy auras.

Analyze dweomer resourt:
- spell can exist in one place at a time. Each time it is sent to another place it degrades.
- When scribed it will appear on people of "good intent". Once placed on the person it will rest there until it is used eight times. Once transferred from person to person it will degrade by 1 use. Repeatedly scribing the spell will result in its extinction.
- The symbol rest on the arm of the person who will perform the spell.
- For the spell to work it requires an ash inscribing of the spell on the target of a perfect inscription of the emblem. Once the symbol is etched on to the other person, the spell will remove itself from the target along with any tattoos inscribed on the target with the addition of a dispell.

(OOC: evend done by DM Ink)

12 Hammer, 1358

Some man threat Kelly in bridge near Soudbar, he accused her about puting assasination bounty on his head by her, what its quite..stupid.
Man its quite.. strange? he also call himself a Assasin and dont hide his bindings with Underdark and knowing alot of this areas (say he lived there for long)
Description of man : Tall like Kelly, wear most of the time black armor and hood with iron looking man mask, Horns, tail. He have good abilities to disapear and hiding. Most of the time also he have with him short bow.

(((OOC: he also can put some other Azazel descriptions, but he dont have char. description)

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Fierlith.

17 hammer, 1358

Visit to Doron Amar to meet with Feleron Nierdre, a priest of Corellon Larethian
- Reason for Kethelis appearing in Nashkel unknown.

- Counsel given though I know not if it was helpful.
- I was not very kind but I felt I needed to say what I did.
- His task is a hard one and it does not look good.
- Time is running out.

Additional note is added:Killing the dhaerow will result in setting free the entity that inhabits it and that would have dire consequences. The entity has made an appearance in Nashkel before when it was there as well.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Mizzrym.

17th Hammer, 1358

Galliard Hallowdant, Amos Thistle, and Hanner Blackrose walked through Nashkel's main road, traveled northward through Gullykin, and toward Durlag's tower.