One paper among many others, written in a tidy and clear calligraphy, bundled alongside several others.
Excerpt from treaty on the Uncanny Resemblance between Orcs and Drows
[...] Chapter 3 - Environment
Both cave elves and orcs are known to prefer dark places. Whether by nature or faith, they appear unable to appreciate or even understand proper aesthetics, and are prone to revel in their destruction or corruption.
It is to be noted that, unlike other monstrous races who live in extreme environments, both orcs and cave elves supposedly do not belong within their respective biomes, at least according to their mythologies, and yet they seem to prefer them to any other, and will turn any other into their likeness whenever given dominion over it.
It is an important shared cultural detail to consider, that, while there are other monstrous races who enjoy desolate environments and revel in the process of creating them, orcs and cave elves claim that the miserable state of their abodes is evidence of the historical slights they received, and reason for retaliation against other races, but, at the same time, they cannot help themselves from turning any other land under their control into a barren wasteland.
Chapter 4 - Family
Both cave elves and orcs are known to organize in harem-based familial structures, and hold very little concern for either their partners or their offspring.
Rather than nurturing their offspring, the members of these races willingly neglect them, on the assumption that only the strongest deserve to survive. Partners are often chosen purely for their physical qualities, and may be discarded or outright killed when falling short of the expectations of their dominant half.
Despite their purported claim for sophistication, the cave elves show a very crude and brutish approach when it comes to romantic affairs, as much devoid of any poetry or tenderness as their orcish equivalents.
[...]
[OOC: Full treaty soon to be available at a Mudd's near you.]
A relatively tidy scroll with a few notes, rolled around several other papers.
Shared account on the Baldurian-Amnian War
The conflict involved the Lords' Alliance, Gullykin, and Doron Amar, supported by a large host of adventurers and Holy Orders on one side, and Amn on the other.
Notable figures on the Amnian side are assumed but still unknown.
The war took place after the Blight, and before the treaty with the Zhentarim (and might be a motivator for it).
Motives are unclear yet, although Amnian expansionism is provided as a likely reason.
The conflict saw the partial destruction of Gullykin, the Order of the Silver Rose, and the temporary conquest of Beregost by Amn.
The occupation of Beregost allegedly lasted for about five years after cessation of hostilities, until a diplomatic solution between the Lords' Alliance and Amn made it a neutral territory, beholden to neither power. Allegedly, this was the result of Beregostian resistance to Amnian rule.
The fragility of this compromise solution is likely a point of contention and source of animosity between Baldurian and Amnian authorities.
Given the timeline provided, it is possible that, following the losses incurred during the war, that this conflict might be one of the reasons motivating the Dukes of Baldur's Gate to take a softer approach against the Zhentarim for a while, leading to their eventual treaty.
A relatively tidy scroll with a few notes, rolled around several other papers.
Shared account on the Devil War
The conflict allegedly begun without warning, and sprung from the fiendish castle north of the Winding Water village.
It is unclear who was at the head of the invading army, although one would assume an Infernal general of some kind. Supposedly, a great portal to the Nine Hells simply sprung open and started to disgorge fiends into the Material Plane. Baldur's Gate and the Lords' Alliance led the efforts to stem the fiendish invasion and shut down the portal. Their armies were allegedly led by a General Scar.
The source indicates that this conflict took place after the Baldurian-Amnian war, during the time where the treaty with the Zhentarim was in effect.
Apparently, the devils were making use of advanced Enchantments to turn their enemies against each other. The spread of this subversion was far reaching enough in scope and intensity that the Temple of Mystra took direct action to combat it.
The invasion was eventually halted, although it is to be noted that fiends still control the mountain-fortress in the region, and that a portal still lays in its deepest chambers, albeit inactive.
A mention of note is House Spades, whose founder started out as a convict forced to fight in the war, whose valor earned him a noble title and wardenship over the Winding Water village.
Given the recent destruction brought upon by the Hellwyrm to the village, it is unknown if any members of the House are actually still around.
A relatively tidy scroll, rolled around several other, older papers.
The Commons - addendum
Rhaeg
Half-orc former Speaker (leader), widower to an elf (?), worked for Dariuses before joining, Talassian leaning, Faithless, hates gods, nobility, hierarchies.
Allegedly left in regret.
Robb Strong
Loser of the most recent election for Speaker, thuggish, similar leanings as previous Speaker. Allegedly advised by Sharran, left Gate with a few followers (maybe for River's End?).
Katlyn Steel
Current Speaker of the Commons, leader of more moderate faction.
Virin
Unknown representative.
------------------------------------
Comparison with the Cimbarian Mobs remains valid. Still, all sources on the subject remain outsiders.
A relatively tidy scroll with a few notes, rolled around several other papers.
Shared account on the Devil Incursion
The conflict is dated around eight to nine years ago, it encompassed most of the Sword Coast, and lasted for two years.
Originated when an alleged clone of Manshoon plotted to retake control of the Zhentarim by opening a portal to Avernus within the Dragonspear Castle. The ritual succeeded, but the devils took control of the portal, and began pouring out, seeking to merge the Material Plane with the Nine Hells.
Initially, knowledge of the invasion was hidden, the devils began to quietly creep into the Fields of the Dead, the Troll Claws, and the High Moor.
The devils not only occupied existing forts and settlements, such as Tymount, they also built their own, such as the Iron Tower, a fortification within the Fields of the Dead, which was destroyed thanks to a direct intervention by the god Tempus. The Silver Mines within the Troll Claws were also occupied, and came to be destroyed during the conflict.
A long, multi-pronged assault was coordinated between various factions within the Lords' Alliance, and slowly pushed back the infernal tide towards the Dragonspear Castle. Through the assistance of Elminster, Blackstaff, and other arcanists, the portal was eventually shut down. In time, various priests and druids worked together to restore the land that had been corrupted during the Baatorian occupation, in a manner akin to the demonic stain upon Ulgoth's Beard.
This half-crumpled messy parchment has a bunch of corrections, angry sketches, and looks in every which way in a terrible state.
Notes on Exploration under Durlag's Tower
Through Durlag's dungeons, into the four elemental challenges OOZES!
Slime everywhere
The slimy pathway leads into a fire cavern complex
salamanders & Efreeti
far too hot! acid
Poisonous vapors too!
Temple plaza leading to ancient Netherese (?) ruins
Active magic orb, connecting to shadow version of the temple
maze-like, shadows shift corridors
many greater undead water
cold water
Back and forth, hot cold hot c
and poison!
Hate this
HATE THIS PLACE
Another smaller paper, in far better condition and showing relatively better calligraphy.
The tunnels beneath the ruins of Durlag's Tower go far deeper than anticipated. This might be of concern, given the potential for incursions from below, if not for the fact that the paths are so narrow, confusing, and filled with mindless monstrosities and natural hazards, that it may as well not exist!
One paper with a flourished first letter, written in a tidy and clear calligraphy, each verse prefaced by a musical pentagram. From start to finish, the song follows a fast-paced upbeat, comedic tune with heroic undertones.
The Steel Beak Mystery
[Intro]
Up and forth, in Greenest homed,
With a stomping, steely stride,
Dwells a giant man in armor clad,
Whose nature has yet to be found.
Though many tried to peek behind,
The eerie question still remains:
Who is this woodland friendly knight,
Only known by his own name!
[Chorus]
It’s the Steel- Beak- mystery!
Whatever lies behind?
Says: “I’m an elf, for sure!”,
but don’t be fooled!
No elf grows that far high!
[Verse 1]
Fighting tyrants, welcoming all,
From his castle to the town hall,
Ever ready to offer a helping hand,
Unless you’re noble, elf, or orc!
[Chorus]
It’s the Steel- Beak- mystery!
Whatever lies behind?
Says: “I’m an elf, for sure!”,
but if that were true
why'd you hate all elvenkind?
[Verse 2]
Six feet wide, twelve feet tall,
Looking down on every folk!
Strong and big as the biggest orc,
Yet donning plate made from human work!
[Chorus]
It’s the Steel- Beak- mystery!
Whatever lies behind?
Says: “I’m an elf, for sure,
And like all elven youths,
I was raised up by a dwarf!”
[Bridge]
Some once have said,
It’s just a bunch of lies,
He’s truly a golem in disguise!
Some Gondian craft?
Three kobold thugs?
Or a giant’s shortest spawn?
You think all these tales
would come to a stop,
Yet far and wide is also known
That this very man,
Allegedly an elf,
has a harem full of drows!
[Chorus Finale]
It’s the Steel- Beak- mystery!
Whatever lies behind?
Claims an elf,
Tall as an orc!
Dressed as a man!
Hates his own ken!
Raised by the dwarves!
Lover of drows!...
But what is really truly behind?
What even’s really truly behind?
Is nothing really truly behind?!
[OOC: Contents based on allegedly credible IC sources gathered through in-game RP. Lyrics by me, editing by Whitenoisy, music by Suno AI, image by ChatGPT.
Score copies to arrive to a Mudd's near you soonish.]
