The Records of the Whitewood Vanguard

[YourMoveHolyMan]

10th of [April], 1358

The meeting with the Dukes held both Osric and Aaron in company, though it is learned that Rhaeg was deliberately left out of the meeting. New contention arising?

- M'M

10th of Tarsakh, 1358

Bladestone means to build a harbor south of Candlekeep. As a first step toward that, they'll be exploring into the locked door of the nearby lighthouse, I will likely help them in this burglary. No threats expected, but may yield yet unseen building beneath.

~Dunn

10th of Tarsakh, 1358

Fierlith's promotion to administration may be to the benefit of the Vanguard, if all parties agree. Separately I have properly assigned ranger role to my sister for her work.

3rd day of the Melting, 1358 DR
Micar'mizzrym Iliathor, Micar'vilchi Iliathor & Michael Dunn
To those addressed,

A few days passing, I tasked the retainer Rain Te'Ville of House Vale with making inquiry to the Candlekeep library for a repository of black dragon knowledge. Primary concerns of mine are for anatomical codices and texts on the means or methods of these creatures, but I was amenable to aught available.

Edelgarde was unfortunately unable to provide the service, nor other adherents with access to the deeper library for the sake of extended reading. Rain instead turned to questioning varied peoples with in-depth knowledge and cross-referencing these spoken things with attainable tomes afore penning response.

I shall leave you with some chosen details therein what drew mine attentions.


In regards to age, black dragons have a tendency to show little-to-no signs of infirmity or change due to a predilection for relying on unnatural means of extending their life prior to eclipsing that point. Vampirism and lichdom are favored forms of thus.

Of hollow and homestead, these beasts are reported to frequent both the High Moor and the Trollbark Forest. A keen sign of its presence is in the unsettling decay of surrounding woodlands with seemingly no cause.

In lifestyle and mannerisms, black dragons possess an obsession with gold and things of material value greater than many of their peers. Such creatures also curiously favor the taste of rotting meat and poisoned carrion o'er that of fresher make.

For combat peculiarities, theirs is a fancy for preferring ambush from bodies of water what can fit them. They favor arcane spellcasting and can be very formidable at it. When presented with an enemy on equal footing or outmatching itself, the creature will prioritize escape via swimming first and flying secondary.

A suggestion is raised by one of those questioned that freezing bodies of water with ice magick severely hampers a black dragon's mobility if they wish to submerge in quick rout. Similarly freezing the beast's wings solid denies them both their air superiority and the ability to flee.

I should make mention that the Trollbark Forest lies in hazardous bedfellow with the Warlock's Crypt, suggesting this beast may very likely be one of the undead beholden there. Tread cautiously.

Honorably,
Batz. Borte-Suul

[YourMoveHolyMan]

15th of Mirtul, 1358

Suul has been contracted for private inspection of Mataeo, and possibly Ilya should the latter have further want of involvement with the Vanguard, contracted at 50 bags per attempt, another fifty awarded on completion per head.

~ M'M

15th of Mirtul, 1358

Strong likelyhood Feleron is aware of the associations between Vanguard, Vale, and House Darius, further lurking approximate to the pieces he feels most apt in their skillsets, and most important in their role. I'll have Faelyn shift this gameboard under him.

~ M'M

14th day of the Melting, 1358 DR
Aaron Lyonaler, Osric Vale & Vanira
To those addressed,

The underdweller city of Sshamath is been deeply pushed to influencing the outcome of this war, and four potential routes connecting their sappers and raiders to the surface are verified by personal investigation and informance. Those responsible for attack are a "House Zau'afin," whom obeys the drow goddess called Lolth, is led by a drow named Axsa, and employs other races of the underrealm and overrealm in service.

Bregan D'aerthe is also an encroaching problem due to their sellsword nature, which has been assuredly bought. Several of their agents are been intermingling with people of the surface for the purposes of recruitment, or they traipse in places dangerously close to settlements for information gathering.

Of connections, there is the passage greatest known 'neath the Trollclaws' ogre cavern; the bottommost floor of Durlag's Tower; the magicked door connecting direct with Darkhold lands from the Upperdark, as described by Bhor; and a caravan causeway nearest Kraak Helzak that leads to an underground outpost.

A fifth is circulated rumor and yet to be wholly confirmed, but requires mentioning: there is purportedly another pass leading from a mine --- said to be old and perhaps dried of its resources --- within the Claws. I have not located this in reconnaissance as of yet, nor has my limited intelligence network.

The makings of a sixth path is being coordinated 'tween those allegiant to the House Zau'afin --- this connection would hope to branch free from the base of Durlag's Tower and provide a completely subterranean, safe passage directly to Soubar, bypassing the need for surface eclipse.

I advise that the Trollclaws must not be impeded due to the difficulty it adds to continued observation of underdweller movement, and this includes traps or obstructions what force miscreant plans to deviate. I will be in short contact with the Whitewood Vanguard to search for their senses in acquiescing.


Be forewarned that the underdwellers are come into intimate knowledge of the location of the hidden En Dharasha elf village, and talks are circulating amongst theirs to target the dwelling for raiding and murder of its people. I do not know a timeframe for this assault, nor do mine informants.

Honorably,
Batz. Borte-Suul

17th of Mirtul, 1358

In a private meeting Suul of House Vale privately confided in leadership that she has contacts and allies amongst the Eilistraeen drow. She would not admit who her informant amongst them was, but based on context of speech it likely is not Aunrae. Possibly Lomith, or another ranking member therein.

~Captain Dun

22nd, Mirtul, 1358

Derik of Bladestone will be delivering a book for my inspection on the morrow.

~ M'M

22nd Mirtul, 1358

Book obtained.

~ M'M

7th of Kythorn, 1358

Marshall has tried to offer Greil a new path in life, a change of faith, and location. He has urged him to relocate the Ebon Blade company to Greenest, and under take the faith of Helm. He is doing this because a mutual friend of the three of us, Eleanor, urged him to in good faith and believing Greil to be a better man than his current state.

I encouraged this, as it would result in another faction that would be amicable to us and outside the politics of the Gate, and the Lord's Alliance. Unfortunately, I hold strong doubt that Greil will take this path. Part of me wonders if Greil means to die, as, in parting, he imparted to me the very blade Duke Eltan gifted to him, for his service in the Blight War of 1351. He said I could return it to him should he agree to this path offered and suggested by Marshall.

But he also spoke of keeping the Ebon Blades a neutral party. Killing the head of the Blackroses, Amos Thistle, and absorbing the remaining forces of the Blackrose for the Ebon Blades.

I made vague offer at us, the Vanguard, striking a separate target of theirs but separately from he, mere coincidence. But he believes that Amos is a broken man and that he is capable of besting him, and usurping his leadership.

I do not know what road Greil will take, and it weighs upon me.

~Dunn