Temoren Cairnwright - Adventure Notes
Tarsakh, 1502 DR

Another month in the Syndicate, and I am starting to feel… established. Not settled. That would be dangerous. But established.

The most notable development: Fetch.

I have refined the Homunculus Servant spell enough to properly bring him into his own. He is no longer just something I built—he is a companion. Capable, responsive, and far more useful than most people would expect from something his size. He now wears the tricorn hat from the Goat Mayor (long story), which allows him to understand everyone. He still speaks through me, which is probably for the best. One of us should sound coherent.

I have continued sparring with others in the Syndicate and have improved significantly in how I manage my tools and wand together. There is a balance to it—positioning, timing, knowing when to act and when to let others take the lead. I am getting better at it.

My cobbler skills proved unexpectedly critical during travel through the Ice Spires. Long distances, harsh conditions, and not a single member of the party suffered exhaustion from poor footing or damaged boots. I will say this plainly: good boots save lives. People underestimate that.

I have also learned to scribe spell scrolls. I can produce them quickly now, though I would not yet call the process refined. There is still inconsistency in the work. That will improve.

The roads between Loudwater and Shining Falls have proven increasingly dangerous. During one patrol, we recovered a young boy named Milo from some displacer beasts. They were not acting out of malice... just hunger. The situation itself was… unclear. Milo claimed his friends abandoned him. His father claimed he had none. The truth is likely somewhere in between, and not a comfortable one. Either way, the boy is alive. That is enough for now.

The Syndicate continues to grow. New faces arrive regularly, which means new skills, new variables, and new risks. The kobolds remain as they are. Thrax is still… Thrax.

As for me, my atlas work continues to develop. The connections are stronger. More reliable. I am beginning to see how it could scale beyond small groups.

There is still a great deal I want to build.

I am looking forward to whatever comes next.

13 Ches, 1502 DR

It has been a little over a month since I signed up with the Glassfang Syndicate back on the 25th of Hammer. I expected travel, contracts, and the occasional interesting problem. So far, it has delivered exactly that.

Our patrol toward Shining Falls was the most serious work yet. Goblins riding worgs had been harassing travelers along the runoff. We managed to deal with most of them, though not without some close calls. Bri went down hard at one point, but Solia and I managed to coordinate getting her back up while I worked to keep Jax from doing the same. I also discovered that keeping myself mobile is sometimes the best way to keep everyone else alive. Somewhere in the middle of all that I apparently sprouted radiant wings. I have no explanation for this yet, but they were helpful.

There have been quieter moments too. I have made a little coin in Shining Falls selling some of my maps and doing cobbler work for the halflings in town. Boots wear out quickly around here, and it turns out people are happy to pay someone who can fix them properly.

I have also been sparring regularly and getting stronger. Strong enough now to fully maintain my homunculus servant, Fetch. He has technically been with me all along, but he is considerably more capable now. Being short has its logistical challenges. Fetch solves many of them.

Not everything has been smooth among the Syndicate members. Solia and Thompson have had a bit of a rift after a hag apparently tried to bargain with Solia to break his heart in exchange for removing her feelings entirely. I told Thompson what happened. I am still not sure if that was the correct choice, but those two seem incapable of simply talking to each other like reasonable people.

Aside from that, everyone has been good company. New faces seem to arrive every day. The kobolds remain enthusiastically kobold. Thrax is still Thrax, though Na’ima insists he is not a proper orc since he apparently cannot speak their language. Na’ima herself is a fascinating person and I suspect I will learn quite a bit from her.

All things considered, the Syndicate has been exactly what I hoped it would be: a place where capable people gather and interesting work finds them.

Here’s to more adventures… and hopefully a few treasures along the way. I am still very glad I signed that contract.

Temoren Cairnwright
Artrificer Cartographer

Patrol Report

Filed by: Temoren Cairnwright
Apologies for any misspellings

We were met by Wum Burdun, one of the local frontier scout leaders, along with Scövja Thurfurst, whose son had been taken. The problem was not just the kidnapping, but where it happened. Their people cannot cross into the Coldwood without breaking treaty, and since the Blood Riders had apparently decided giant children count as fair game, we were hired as the neutral solution.

King Heartwich wants peace kept if at all possible, because rampaging giants tend to complicate diplomacy. We were offered 1,000 gold and given five days before the giants stopped waiting and started responding.

Scövja told us her son, Burleigh, vanished after a fight near the edge of the mountains and the Coldwood. When she returned home, she found dead humans and horses and believed her son had taken several of them down before being captured. Their own scouts had been searching for days with no results.

At the camp in the Ice Spires, we found two dead humans and one dead horse, drag marks into the woods, and clear signs the Blood Riders had been there. The corpses were branded with a giant rune meaning death. Solia found a frozen finger with a ring, and nearby was a massive axe buried under fresh snow marked Ligia over a family crest. It was clear only two giants had been at the camp, but they had fought off more than ten humans and horses before Burleigh was taken.

At the Shining River, we found another dead body wedged between rocks. Solia spotted an ambush waiting across the river, and Yashir noticed a shimmer coming off the corpse. We determined he had been killed by a humanoid weapon through the chest, and we recovered an amulet with the initials E.T., worth around 200 gold.

After making camp, we found the Blood Riders’ holding site. Burleigh was chained in a cage, and Solia handled the rescue beautifully. She talked a horse into causing a distraction with promises of apples, picked three locks, and got the boy out without raising a full alarm. Very clean work.

On the way back, we were intercepted by a Blood Rider Captain and her group. I cast Faerie Fire and lit her and her horse up like a set of trail markers. The rest of the party made quick work of them after that. Solia landed the finishing shot on the captain, and while it was admittedly brutal, it was also extremely effective. Burleigh joined in by throwing rocks, and giant children throw rocks with frankly alarming force.

We returned Burleigh safely to Scövja Thurfurst and Wum Burdun, both of whom were very grateful that we were able to resolve the matter without technically breaking treaty, despite the Blood Riders having started the problem in the first place.

As for the team: Fetch went down on the first day, but I repaired him the next morning. Shev hit hard and took excellent advantage of targets once I had them lit up. Solia was exceptional throughout with stealth, lockpicking, animal handling, and ranged attacks. Her bow remains deeply concerning in the best possible way. Yashir fought bravely and did a good job pulling enemy attention, though he did go down once and required repeated healing after throwing himself into the middle of multiple enemies. Effective, yes. Advisable, less so. I would gently recommend remembering the rest of us are here to help keep him alive.

Overall, the patrol was a success. Burleigh was recovered, the treaty remains intact enough for politics, and no giant retaliation was triggered. That is about as clean an ending as we were likely to get.

Patrol Report

Filed By: Temoren Cairnwright
Patrol Title: Goat Mayor
DM: Ezra
Location: Basht, Moonsea

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Personnel

Temoren, Shev, Sylthas, Bri, Yashir
Local Contact: Dagobert Valder
Local Goat Guide: Ladeaux

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Summary

We arrived in Basht during their annual Goat Mayor Election festival. The town square was decorated with bunting and hawthorn hedges, and the current “Mayor,” a brown goat named Snowball, sat in a pen wearing a tricorn hat adorned with flowers and drinking beer from a bowl.

Snowball disappeared shortly after our arrival.

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Investigation

At the pen:

• Gate open.
• No hoofprints.
• Straw scattered.

A trail of carrot chips led to a hawthorn thicket, where we found a young girl, Emma, who admitted she accidentally let Snowball out. She indicated he fled toward the forest.

Town leadership then revealed the truth:
For generations, a Fey entity demanded an annual male child as sacrifice. Later, through negotiation by Robin Goodman, the offering shifted to adult men, and eventually to the ceremonial “Goat Mayor.” If no offering is delivered, the town faces destruction.

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Forest Pursuit

With guidance from Ledu and a charm provided by Livie Alfera to resist Fey glamour, we entered the woods.

Encounters included:

• Will-o’-wisps attempting to mislead us.
• Large serpents in marsh terrain.
• Heavy magical disorientation.

We eventually entered a springlike glade hidden within the winter forest. Present were satyrs, a dryad, and Snowball.

They required participation in their festivities before conversation. We complied. They confirmed:

• The Dark Fey binding Basht are beyond their influence.
• The town must break the cycle itself.

They provided us with a substitute brown goat identical to Snowball.

Notably: the goat spoke.

While wearing the tricorn hat, the goat spoke fluently and with personality. When the hat was removed, it ceased speaking entirely and reverted to normal goat behavior. The hat functioned as a magical conduit, likely a comprehension enchantment layered with vocal translation.

This was… deeply unsettling.

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Confrontation at the River

We delivered the goat to the forest’s edge as instructed.

An unseen Fey presence declared us late. Nearby, a man trapped inside a glass jar identified himself as Robin Goodman. The Fey announced the arrangement would end and sacrifice would revert to a child if displeased.

A game of Fidgel (Fairy Chess) was proposed, with a puzzle in place of a full match.

Terms:

• Solve the puzzle: Basht freed permanently.
• Impress the Fey: reprieve for the year.
• Fail: consequences for the town.

Sylthas cleared the board decisively.

The Fey honored the bargain:

• Declared Basht released.
• Set the jar down.
• Disappeared.

Yashir uncorked the jar. Bri identified the imprisonment as a Fairy curse. Robin Goodman was freed.

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Outcome

• Basht released from generational sacrificial contract.
• Robin Goodman restored.
• Goat Mayor tradition no longer tied to survival.
• Speaking goat confirmed to be hat-dependent.

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Conclusion

Basht’s cheerful festival concealed a centuries-old Fey bargain. Through strategy rather than sacrifice, the contract was ended.

Also, for record-keeping purposes:

The goat spoke.

It stopped speaking when the hat came off.

I would like that noted clearly in case I ever begin to doubt my own memory.

Filed,
Temoren Cairnwright

Field Report
Filed By: Temoren Cairnwright
Affiliation: Glassfang Syndicate
Subject: Veradda Stoor Cache Investigation
Location: Black Road to Parnast, Base of the Greypeak Mountains

Personnel Present

• Solia Faolanri
• Thompson
• Shev Vremyonni
• Sylthas
• Temoren Cairnwright

Objective

We were commissioned by the famed treasure hunter Veradda Stoor to investigate five rumored treasure caches. Our instructions were to travel the Black Road toward Parnast and meet her at a designated clearing at the base of the Greypeak Mountains. From there, we were to begin locating the first of the caches.

Purpose stated: recovery and exploration.

Purpose implied: evaluation of our capability.

Travel Observations

During travel along the Black Road we observed:

• Noticeable goblin presence along ridgelines and tree cover.
• Several unrelated travelers on the road, none hostile.
• Rune-covered boulders positioned irregularly near the roadside.
• Reports of missing livestock stores in nearby settlements.
• No visible giants, despite prior warnings to remain vigilant.

The rune markings appeared deliberate rather than ancient. No immediate arcane resonance was detected at distance.

Rendezvous Point

Upon arrival at the clearing at the base of the Greypeak Mountains, Veradda Stoor was not present. Instead, we located a letter addressed to us.

The letter indicated:

• This was the “first leg of a test.”
• Two of the five caches were nearby.
   

Cache Descriptions (per Veradda’s Letter)

1. Southernmost Mountain Cave
   • Hidden by the Cult of the Dragon.
   • Believed smallest of the caches.
   • No traps or magical protections expected.
   • Structurally unstable tunnels.
   • Goblin activity likely.
2. Green-Sided Mountain
   • Concealed behind a secret entrance.
   • Cultist responsible known for magical curses.
   • Greater arcane risk anticipated.

We elected to investigate the southernmost cave first.

Southern Cave Engagement

Initial Conditions

• Cave entrance partially obstructed by rubble.
• Heavy goblin presence.
• Structural instability consistent with report.

Combat Notes

We encountered:

• Standard goblins.
• Swarms of unusually small goblins.
• A creature initially perceived as a “giant,” though diminutive in size.

Upon arcane observation and post-combat analysis, I determined the following:

• The goblins and the so-called giant were under the effects of a Reduce spell.
• The effect would have naturally expired after approximately one hour.
• Their miniature state significantly altered combat dynamics, particularly in swarm formations.
• Termination occurred prior to spell expiration.

This suggests an external caster or lingering enchantment within the cave system. The origin of the spell remains undetermined.

Findings

• A necklace recovered from the reduced giant. Sold for gold.
• Evidence of deeper passage southeast within the rubble. Not fully explored at time of this report.
• No confirmed primary cache located within first chamber.

Notable Encounter: Juvenile Bear

Within the area we discovered a small bear.

• Thompson successfully befriended the creature.
• It now appears to be in our custody for training.
• Solia’s land companion, Cairn, exhibited visible agitation and what I can only describe as territorial jealousy.

Cairn remains stable and cooperative but will require monitoring to prevent dominance disputes.

Assessment

1. Veradda Stoor is intentionally withholding direct involvement.
   This appears to be a capability trial.
2. Magical interference is present.
   The Reduce effects suggest:
   • Either a lingering curse within the cave,
   • Or an active third party manipulating inhabitants.
3. Goblin population is organized enough to occupy unstable terrain.
   Potential alliance or coercion by cult remnants.
4. Risk Level: Moderate escalating to High if curse-based protections exist at the Green-Sided Mountain cache.

Recommendations

• Conduct arcane sweep before further engagements.
• Prepare Remove Curse or similar countermeasures prior to approaching Green-Sided Mountain.
• Monitor goblin activity patterns along Black Road for coordinated behavior.
• Continue exploration of southeastern passage within first cave.

Closing Notes

We expected treasure.
We found a test.
And perhaps a shrinking problem.

Respectfully submitted,
Temoren Cairnwright - Cartographer, Artificer, Reluctant Goblin-Exterminator

Patrol Report: Shining Falls Runoff
Filed by: Temoren Cairnwright
Party: Bri, Yashir, Solia, Jax, Temoren

We traveled out toward Shining Falls and received our assignment: reports of travelers not returning, tied to a group of goblins mounted on worgs. I had only heard of worgs before. I will not be making that mistake again. The threat was active, aggressive, and required immediate removal from the runoff area. We cleared them out… to a point. We reduced the menace and broke their control of the area, but the cost was high and we came close to losing multiple members of the patrol.

Bri went down hard. Hard enough that the situation could have become a collapse if Solia and I hadn’t coordinated quickly. Even surrounded by teeth and blades, Bri’s refusal to stay down is notable. Once she was brought back up, she continued to press forward like the ground had only interrupted her briefly.

To keep others standing, I needed to stay standing myself. I realized quickly that mobility was my best defense, and I used it to reposition out of danger, create distance for crossbow fire, and still provide support. I was able to blink out of immediate threat, keep pressure on the goblins with my crossbow, cast faerie fire, and send healing where it was needed, including to Jax and Yashir.

During the engagement I manifested what can only be described as angelic wings. I am not a religious person and I have no interest in pretending I understand the source of it. For my purposes, they were guiding wings: they kept me alive long enough to keep others alive. Jax apparently thought I was leaving him to die when I moved away. I was not. Someone had to remain functional to keep the rest of us from falling apart, and I had the tools to do it. I gave Jax my two healing potions afterward. If nothing else, it should help him feel better about being earthbound and mortal.

This patrol was harrowing. If Thrax did not fully scrutinize the danger level of the assignment, I recommend that be corrected going forward. That said, it did strengthen something important: my resolve that I am on the right path with my studies. My atlas work is only going to improve, and when it does, it will improve the odds for everyone around me.

Solia lost her companion during this. I believe it is a setback, not an ending. The bond she had with that creature was rare, and Solia herself is steadier and stronger than she seems to believe in the moment.

Yashir fought valiantly. While he was positioned farther from the rest of the group, he kept enemies occupied and drew attention that could have turned on the patrol. That matters. It deserves acknowledgment.

Bri is a powerhouse. Her sword work was impressive, and I am glad she did not bring that full intensity into our sparring session. I believe the outcome would have been different. She also made a sound, strategic call in taking one goblin prisoner, which may prove useful depending on what they know and who they answer to.

Jax and I… may have bonded. I nearly let him die, didn’t, and he asked for help up while fully aware I could not physically move him. It was, in its own way, reassuring.

I don’t know what the next assignment will look like after Shining Falls, but I know this: we have work to do, and the Glassfang Syndicate will be ready for it.