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The Glassfang Syndicate
Adventure Recaps
The Glassfang Syndicate
Dungeons & Dragons 5e
© 2026 WestMarches.games
Cyrus Sicarius
•
The Lord Sage of Phlan summoned us to investigate an old structure up the river. Reportedly, an insane wizard, U'rosh, lived there who had a large silver pyramid. The wizard was defeated by Reno the Blade and his fellows, but before he fell, he made this structure which was described to us as a 'death trap for adventurers.' It's begun to leak and it's poisoning the river.
Lord Sage of Phlan spoke on how chaos infects the local ecosystem around the pyramid. Fish with too many eyes; grass turning purple and fuzzy. The base of the pyramid is a labyrinth. The Lord Sage of Phlan presented to us a charm to stop from mutations as we traverse. Wuyon'e took it but I traded her 20 gold to wear it myself.
____
The shrubs moved. The water looked like oil. It reminded me of the Plane of Limbo, a plane of chaos. I've only heard folk tales and this was the first I had encountered it myself.
___
Azrael summoned a small army of skeletons. It made all of us save Wuyon'te uncomfortable.
___
Slimes. Ghouls. A chimera. The chimera's been trapped and it's starving. Biscuit and Wuyont'e helped me to cook it a meal; a surprise Wuyont'e didn't poison it. It was pleased with the meal and allowed us to pass. I'm shocked it allowed us to pass. There was discussion of shrinking it down that it might escape these halls, but it would not promise us that it would not eat people once it was free. To investigate.
___
There was a strange fish people. Like fish, with lizard, with- fur? They had been touched by Chaos. I was able to commune with them thanks to my advanced communication training, and they led us to their queen. She informed us her people were taken by a 'frog man' who had made his way to the upper floor, and that since he arrived, the water pressure of their chaos-tainted water has gone down. He's the source of the link.
Should we bring her people back to her, she will gift us treasure.
___
The frogman atop was a gruesome thing. A slaad. It died and the fish-lizard people were freed. On our way back we tried to convince the Chimera to enter the Plane of Limbo, a way for it to be free. It disliked the suggestion and tried to attack, but we were haggard and it was time to leave; we fled with the treasures the queen gave.
Wuyon'e Everhsek
•
Hm... was okay job. Got work done. Was weird. Whole thing weird, weirder than surface usually is. Did not like. Felt anger, useless, just tag-along.
But, at least pay at end of day. Nothing of interest truly learn, but think got stronger, at least. A little bit of pay towards journey home.
Will need confront Cyrus, sooner or later, though. Cannot have witness to weakness. Cannot. Refuse. Must buy or ensure his silence.
Theoden Brightshield
•
I learned 3 things from this adventure :
-Azrael and Wu have a thing going on between each other... with maybe Cyrus in it too.
-Biscuit abilities are quite useful.
-The wet finger technique is still unbeaten to this day.
Ivor Bersk
•
Ivor
As a new month begins, the day after I turned older, I cannot but see a bright future ahead for my family name and me.
May Bersk become a synonym of power, respect and fame.
Theoden Brightshield
•The Syndicate just got attacked. Everyone survived. We have to get a leader and a real military organization. Because we only survived thanks to individual strength.
The Sun will rise tomorrow.
Salviron Lisel
•
This month has been a busy one. I actually can't even begin to describe it. For someone to attack a bunch of mercenaries with an army that we managed to fight off is absolutely absurd. I do not think I will ever be able to accurately describe how frustrating the entire process was. Attempting to make sure people stay alive and we don't lose positioning was the worst thing I've ever had to do currently at the Syndicate.
But enough about that nonsense. I've learned and researched many more creatures. Perhaps I'll be able to learn about most that we may come across. Fenris has the idea to write a book of it but I wouldn't feel right about writing a book without checking my sources. I will need to focus my skillset towards it more so I have less issue finding what I need.
Though I've found a steady stream of people interested in chess for whatever reason.
Sylk Teke'zynge
•
The State of the Syndicate
17 Kythorn - 23 Flamerule, 1502 DR
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What else can I say regarding my time in the Syndicate? It is chaotic. It is stressful. It has brought me to the brink of death more times than I can count. And yet I have no regrets joining its ranks.
The following has transpired since my last entry a month ago:
In this time, I have gained items and experiences far beyond what one would assume. The most notable in my mind and heart is forming a relationship with Tova. A spitfire of a woman, true to herself and what's right, and fearless. She's been by my side through my dealings with my patron, and forming a plan to fulfill my pact. And I am quite fond of her. A month has felt like years of perfection.
Snap and I have also become close to one another. We decided to become roommates, in the home I have purchased for myself in Loudwater. This should be a wonderful alliance, and especially reassuring I will have someone to water my plants while I am away. Regardless I value Snap's advice and comradery, and look forward to the future.
A handful of other Syndicate members have caught my attention for one reason or another. Alvis, Arlis, Fenris, Jax, Mimsy, Orri, Salviron, Tealight, Temoren, and Theoden have all caught my attention and respect, and I look forward to working with everyone in the near future. This has been a legendary experience, working with all of you. And as I move into my own tailor's shop soon, I will be sure to stop by often to share drinks and stories.
-Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
-------
i cant believe its been like over a month since i joined! thats crazy!!! its been a weird time gotta say but since getting here me and wilson have grown A LOT. got up to so many shenanigans.
ive had fun! so has wilson. :D looking foward to more!!!! -rokka
Bri Willoughby
•
Flamerule 23
Wow, this has been a month. First off, a LOT of new members, which is great. What's not so great is danger has continued to increase around loudwater and the delimbyr.
The syndicate was recently attacked, the first one it has faced. It is no secret who was behind it: Orlak, that FUCKING goblin. After murdering solia and escaping all those months ago, he's been busy. An army of goblinoids, devils, a dragon, and a beholder has been amassed.
What came down upon the syndicate was only a small piece of what he had.
But, this ends. Soon.
Fenris Corhelm
•
The first half of the month was pretty quiet but that came to an end when the Syndicate came under attack by a large force of goblinoids and fiends. We all rushed out to defend the grounds and while it was chaotic as most large scale battles are, we prevailed, though a good number of kobolds on our side had been slain. After the battle and the numerous bodies having been cleaned off the field, things have pretty much returned to normal I guess. Solia seems off but she has many good friends looking out for her, so I'm sure she'll be ok.
Tova Sundara
•
Reported by Tova
Flamerule has been busy for the Glassfang Syndicate. That is still the polite way to say it. The Syndicate continues to gather capable, dangerous, strange, and occasionally very attractive people under one roof. New faces have arrived, familiar faces keep finding new ways to surprise me, and the feast hall remains one of the best places to hear rumors, find work, share a drink, or accidentally learn something personal before the meal is finished.
The work has continued steadily. Members have taken contracts beyond our walls, investigated threats in places most sensible people avoid, and returned with bruises, stories, and sometimes a bit more mud than necessary. Corruption, fey influence, hostile creatures, missing soldiers, and worse have all made an appearance this month. Training has also been active, with sparring, spell practice, crafting, and preparation shaping the Syndicate into something stronger. Some of us are learning how to hit harder. Some of us are learning how to avoid being hit. Some of us are learning both the hard way.
The biggest threat this month was the assault on the Syndicate itself. The attack was organized and serious, with goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears, fiends, and siege equipment pressing both sides of our defenses. The Syndicate held, but not without cost. Several kobolds were lost during the attack. They helped keep this place running before the siege, and many helped defend it during the fighting. They should be remembered as part of the Syndicate, not treated as background losses.
This month also made something clear to me. The Syndicate is not just a place people pass through for coin. At least, not for me anymore. I have grown close to people here. Friends, allies, sparring partners, troublemakers, and one particular drow who has become very difficult not to care about.
Because of that, I found myself standing against Akordil Kuldrexel, Sylk’s patron and grandmother. She made it clear she believed I was interfering with the future she had planned for him, and she expected fear, duty, and old bloodlines to be enough to make him obey. I disagreed. Strongly. Sylk is his own person, not a title, not a weapon, and not something to be bent into shape by someone else’s expectations. I do not hold power over him, and I do not need to. Caring for someone without controlling them is not weakness. It is love, and I will stand by that.
I have also had difficult words with Wuyon’e about Sylk, duty, and the expectations placed on him by the world he came from. We do not agree on the value of life, choice, love, or whether people are allowed to become more than what others named them. For the record, I believe they are.
The Syndicate is full of people carrying old wounds, old duties, old fears, and old names that do not fit as well as they used to. Some are trying to change. Some are fighting it. Some are doing both while pretending no one notices. I notice.
Morale is not untouched, but it is not broken. People are still training. Still taking work. Still gathering in the hall. Still laughing, flirting, arguing, healing, and walking back through the doors with new bruises and better stories. The Syndicate is not quiet. It is not safe. It is not simple. But it is alive, and after this month, I think that means something.
Signed,
Tova
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported by Temoren Cairnwright
This month was busy in a way that felt less like one clean road and more like several badly marked trails crossing at once.
I have continued taking Syndicate work where I can, and the pattern remains consistent: the world is full of old problems, new problems, and people who insist on handing adventurers unclear maps before sending them toward both.
One job took us north toward the Nether Mountains on behalf of Nahaungloroth the Sky Surge. The work involved the Blood of Morueme, a goblinoid messenger named Hario, an abandoned and warded city called Glaurachyndaar, swarms of stirges, giant scorpions, poisonous dragon-like creatures, and wyverns. The provided map was poor, so I corrected my copy as we traveled. This is not a complaint. It is a fact, and also a recurring theme.
I also joined work involving the Mistbourne, the Tidewheel, and the Dark Tide. That matter was considerably stranger. The town was built around the ribcage of a dead leviathan, which I am still deciding how to categorize in my notes. We learned more about Joturr, the storm around old Ithal, and what the Dark Tide has become. Erlan Fleetfoot survived, which matters, because he may be one of the few people capable of helping the Mistbourne understand the Tidewheel without becoming part of the problem himself.
I have also met several new people around the Syndicate this month, including a white-haired woman with very striking markings. I do not know her story yet. I have learned not to assume too much based on appearances, but I do keep notes. Quietly.
Fetch continues to be helpful, though not always durable. He was taken out by friendly fire during one patrol. He has since been repaired. I have tools, and he has opinions.
On the craft side, I have begun offering spell scroll scribing under the name Cairn & Compass, which is also the name I intend to use for my future bastion once the proper location is settled. The bastion itself is not ready yet. I want the location to be right, not merely available. There is a difference.
For now, I am focusing on useful work: scrolls, corrected maps, field notes, and whatever preparations keep people alive when the next road turns out to be worse than advertised.
No one died on my watch this month.
That is not the same thing as success in every matter, but it is worth recording.
~Temoren Cairnwright~
Snap
•
State of The Syndicate
Flamerule 1502 DR
It has now been a month and a half since I've joined the Syndicate, and I don't regret it. The company is great, better than I've ever had. Free lodging and food has been quite the benefit. And, of course, how can I forget the thousands of gold I've made over simple craftwork? How have I never accomplished this before?
It has been quite eventful. Since my last report, I've ended a plague on the Far Forest, been turned into a goose, inspected caravans and rid them of wererats, looted a crypt for old artifacts, made some hobgoblins cry because they couldn't rob me, evacuated Phlan from that one stupid Cult of the Dragon, protected people from underwater beach horrors, beat up a Chimera, was chased by the same Chimera, became best buds with a Djinni, defended the Syndicate from goblins, and, of course, made another set of manifold tools for even more gold.
I've also finally moved in at Loudwater, in Slick's attic. Recently, I've been crafting more and more gear and have gotten a few commission requests, and as such I require better access to materials. Whether I will miss the Syndicate building itself is another question, but for now I am quite content. Rehka has also proposed that perhaps I could become a dragon, or something of the sorts, which is something I may consider looking into, although her following ramblings show that perhaps she hit her head once or twice as a child.
As much as I'd like to write out another list of people I am grateful for, my relationships haven't quite changed. I've met Brie, Soilia, Jasmal, Valentine and Wuyoney, I suppose. I have also not seen Forest, Basar and Read in a minute. If I think of more to say, I will write an addendum to this text.
With resolve,
Snap
Tealight
•
as written by Tealight on 28th Flamerule 1502 DR
When I first joined the Syndicate, I had hoped simply to prove myself useful. Looking back over the past month, I believe I have done just that.
Most of my assignments have involved investigating strange occurrences throughout the surrounding forests. Giant burrowing creatures, fungal infestations, mysterious plagues, and even the occasional beach party gone terribly wrong. I have fought bulettes, monstrous insects, undead, hags, dragonspawn, and creatures far stranger than I care to list. Thankfully, I have survived them all.
One thread has continued to stand out to me. Illness seems to be spreading throughout the region in many different forms. Parasitic mushrooms consuming entire forests, mysterious plagues afflicting nomadic tribes, and strange corruption affecting wildlife. Whether these incidents are connected or merely unfortunate coincidence, I cannot yet say. It is something I intend to keep watching.
Among the more memorable assignments was assisting the dryads Maple and Shiitake. Maple sought our help after a fungal infestation returned to her grove, while Shiitake had chosen to live alongside the very mushrooms that consumed her. Their knowledge has already proven invaluable, and I hope their research leads us closer to discovering whoever is responsible for creating these unnatural fungal amalgamations.
Not every mission has involved saving forests or delving into forgotten ruins. There was also the peculiar beach festival where Sunbeam kindly lent me his shirt after I discovered I had packed rather impractical clothing. The day somehow involved wild magic, enchanted dancers, an argumentative fish-man, and a monkey stealing an important package. Looking back... it was strangely enjoyable.
Perhaps the greatest surprise has not been the adventures themselves, but the company.
Lady Death has become a reliable companion, calm even when situations become dire. Sunbeam continues to prove that kindness and unwavering optimism can survive even the most dangerous battles. Azure Eyes somehow manages to remain cheerful regardless of how often magic decides to inconvenience him—though I suspect he will never entirely forgive me for making him even larger than he already was. Pink Lady has been pleasant company whenever our paths have crossed, and Lucinda...
The Syndicate itself has impressed me more than I expected. During the recent assault on our headquarters, adventurers and staff alike stood together to defend it. Kobolds manned ballistas without hesitation, companions rushed to one another's aid, and everyone fought as though protecting something they genuinely cared about.
I think... I understand why.
When I first arrived, I was simply looking for work.
Now, I find myself looking forward to seeing familiar faces whenever a new request is posted.
Overall, I am pleased with my time here. There is still much to learn, many places to explore, and more than a few mysteries left unresolved.
For the first time in quite a while, I find myself genuinely excited to see what comes next.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•
State of the Syndicate: Flamerule 1502 D.R.
The big news of the month has already been expounded upon by other voices than mine: the Syndicate has weathered its first full assault, while the master of the place was absent -- or lured away. Let their accounts, and those of the formal reports, stand for that. As an addendum, we have hunted down and killed the vermin responsible for it.
The Syndicate at large is still reeling, I think. There are hard feelings, stemming from poor leadership and decisions during the attack. Far from bringing us together, as it ought to have, the attack has sown seeds of discord that will likely outlive its architect. Let it be.
My business continues to grow and thrive, even as the official Syndicate work continues to falter -- for me, at least. I spend most of my time at my home. I fear I shall become a recluse. I have been obliged to make a veritable fortress of it, following the death of one of my hired guards -- Puff by name -- at the hands of trolls who slipped past my less imposing defenses. Another of my guards, called Lief, the ultimate source of much drama in my personal life, has simply vanished -- formed a relationship with Arlis, I believe, and the two of them have retreated to the privacy of their new cabin in the woods. I did the windows for the place myself.
But Optometry still rules from her castle in the sky, and I have yet to deal with her directly. A Red Wizard of Thay still wants his things back, and has the means to enforce his will upon Solia and Bri. There are still more loose ends to die up than are healthy for any of us, and I cannot begin to plan for what the future holds. I can only make as many general preparations as I can, and hope for the best.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Arlis the Shade
•
This month has been fuckin' wild... From helpin' the Emerald Enclave more to the Siege against the Syndicate to goin' to Waterdeep to helpin' the Gatekeeper of the Autumn Bough... I don't even know where to fuckin' start... Honestly, the Siege is the biggest thing that happened. Orlak had an army come and attack the Syndicate. Bunch of goblins and hobgobbos, ogres and devils... He swarmed the Syndicate from the east and west and it was a mess. Fortunately Vincel and me were preparing to spar so we were already on sight. There were two waves and.. I almost didn't make it. At the same time, Lief had gone back to Shining Peaks after the news of Puff's death. He ended up fighting Yargenlily for his freedom and WON! He's no longer one of the Boys. I'm so proud of him for winning his freedom. Something I could never do... Yashir, Bri, Solia, Vincel and I think Surx? Went out to fight Orlak. From what I heard they actually killed 'em. But... I dunno if the war is over. I feel like maybe Orlak wasn't the biggest boss in the room. Thrax also had a group of us head out to Waterdeep to try and find a spot to set up a teleportation circle. The city is HUGE! I'm excited to explore it more. Sol's got a list of places to go. There's... there's more, but... I don't feel like writing it here.
My activity within the Syndicate has been minimal as of late. I have acquired a new skill with painting supplies to the thanks of my benefactor, Mister Waures. I have acquired new friends... I am slowly settling in here. I will be taking on more jobs in the near future, and I hope that my services will be more beneficial.
Sylk Teke'zynge
•Negotiations Continue
31 Flamerule, 1502 DR
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Our party was summoned by Lady Yalah Gralhund of Waterdeep to assist in political affairs and the betrothal of her son, Zartan Grulhund. The son was meek and weary from the prospect of being married to Charrin Tesper, the sole heir of the Tesper family and Lord Armult Tesper's niece.**** We were asked to ensure the first date went smoothly. And to our credit, it did. Aber, Alvis, Azrael, Mimsy, and I (Sylk) should start a business in date planning. Though for now we will settle for establishing a teleportation circle on behalf of the Syndicate within Waterdeep.
We escorted Zartan from his home and down to the markets to prepare for a legendary date while learning about the timid soul. He admitted to loving to read about history, of the Mulharundi ruins, the Spell Plague, and the Cataclysm. He had a paramour at the Midnight Remedies shop that sold him narcotics. He couldn't handle whiskey. A young man, weighed down by the responsibilities of nobility. I can relate, and I do hope he is able to either embrace his role with a genuine smile, or find an opportunity to escape. All I could do was sew the seeds of his future.
With a carriage ride, perfume, honey, and liquid courage, Alvis and I watched over Zartan and Charrin's meeting, and brought the two to Waterdeep's City of the Dead. Aber and Mimsy prepared a beautiful date spot for the two in a private garden. And Azrael, to my knowledge, did nothing illegal. The date was perfect, and Zartan asked to see Charrin home by himself. We should not have said yes, as Lady Yalah was furious her son hadn't returned home with us. Sending spells on him didn't work, and Charrin did report he bid her farewell. Our best suspicion was the Midnight Remedies with his paramour.
Ravora Darksbane was less of the charmer and more of the enchantress. When arriving, we realized the magic at play and her vampiric status immediately. A fight ensued. Rats nibbled our ankles and vampire spawns attempted to thwart us. No casualties on our part were had, and only one spawn escaped into the night. But a shellshocked Zartan survived. We promised not to tell his mother anything and patched him up. Then looted the now abandoned apothecary. Lady Yalah paid us for our services, and we returned to the Syndicate.
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Notable figures:
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Loot
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I am exhausted. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
Aber Ravenar
•
MISSION REPORT: courtship management DATE: 30 Flamerule, 1502 DR.
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate towards Waterdeep by teleportation circle. arrived at Gralhund villa under disguise to avoid guard notice and to receive the brief. Brief: obtained from Lady Gralhun. assist Zartan in the courtship process with Charrin.
Brief: inquire information about Zartan from the source to increase accuracy of the courtship. Note: enjoys reading, history (surrounding perimter of Waterdeep), anthropology (spellplague, cataclysms, molharondy), and herbs (types not mentioned). New directive: offered moral boost at a bar and acquire the necessary tools for the courtship process. Items obtained: 2x carriages, jar of honey.
New directive: prepare the courtship area within the City of the Dead. used the magical deck to create a resting space, limited perimeter, and materials of study to increase courtship efficiency. Observation: preparation offered successful results. New directive: share the progress with Lady Gralhun while Zartan escorts Charrin to her home.
Observation: brief required the returnal of Zartan with us. New directive: locate Zartan and bring back home. Note: Zartan showed deep interest in the location Midnight Remedies. Directive update: investigate herb shop as first point of interest. Observation: found Zartan half-disrobed with Ravora, the owner. Note: traces of blood on her face and pale complexion has been notice. Result: Ravora is of undeath status. threat detected.
New directive: rescue Zartan from the undead. - It HaS bEeN a WhIle SiNcE I fEd On OnE oF mY kInD. tRuLy, No MaTcH tO uS, bUt ThE lEaDeR eScApEd. ShE wIlL bE fOuNd!
Post directive: Zartan rescued and returned home successfully
Post mission: potions of love obtained for further study and possible contact to the Zhentarim through faction member Usrtul Floxin
Azrael
•
I went back to my home, Water deep. It was a hell of a day, we had to help with a romance between to families, little did I know it would not be the easy trip home I was hoping for. Of course, I met up with a friend, got a bit of honey for myself and the kid, and also took a small detour to the graveyard. It went rather well, I gathered 4 more bodies and came back to the group to see a job well done.
Of course, they let the kid go off on his own, and who would have guessed that he went straight to a VAMPIRE! So, of course we had to fight it off... and who would have guessed, I walked out barely alive. If I was to say how close I was to being unconscious, 50 being Perfectly fine, and 0 being on the floor dying, I was a 2. Although, I am glad that I was able to assist the others in the fight, and even keep one up with a spell, although sadly that page was torn up in the battle... I wonder if I will ever relearn it...
Azrael
•Well, today was... odd... I had to go out to a farm and bring back giant geese. We only found 2, but the problem lies in we have to go back and get 4 more... This is, not what I wanted to do with my time, but I get to kill things... so I will say it was a successful day. I also got a few new corpses, so I will be turning one into a skeleton soon.
Something that did bother me today, was what Wu did... she insisted we didn't fight any of the spiders that where actively attacking us... I can only hope that in the future nothing else like that comes up. I did my best to not hurt them, although a few didn't give me a choice, but my friend also did pray to a god, and it seemed to work, and they backed off. At the end of the day, she is happy with the outcome, and no one died, so I am okay with it.
We then had to face snakes, one of which ate the goose. Two spells and they were dead, and we got to save the goose before it was digested. We got paid, and we will be back soon to assist in the other geese. I am only growing when I push myself, so I hope for more of a challenge next time.
Wuyon'e Everhsek
•I am shaken. I could care less about the geese. I could care less about the gold. Did Lolth answer my prayer? Did Lolth call her children off, did Lolth spare me? I know I am devout, and dedicated, but I am still a mongrel. Yet... that Phase Spider never returned, and the others heeded my prayer...
My comrades may be angered with me. It does sting knowing I must make abbil to get home, and have alienated them. But... I could not commit such sacrelige. I couldn't.
Yap
•Flamerule 30
I, Azrael, Wuyon'e, Vernal, Mila
Try find bird, many. Find one. Large. Scream, ears bleed. Capture one, rope, net. Bring farm.
Track. Find bird track, follow. Camp. Dead humans and other. Search, bird cage no bird, opened out.
Ambush. Spider, all side. Vulnerable. Web I, cannot leave. Stupid Wuyon'e yell loud, no hurt. Spider hurt me, bite. Fall. Mila help, magic heal. Azrael help, magic pull. Vernal help, magic fire. Wuyon'e... yell. Spider stop? Run, track.
Track, cavern. Serpent, large, very large. Large bump inside. Bird. Slay serpent, slay small serpents. Vernal magic strong, hit very easy, hurt. Take bird, safe. Return bird.
More bird away, not find. Return?
Yap
Salviron Lisel
•There was a small druid woman named Kaelen that some knew. She needed us to act as her bodyguards to enter a prison where someone escaped. The prior warden was placed into her own prison for high treason. She was accused of having an affair with the High King of the Autumn Court. She was called Lady Vesperleaf and basically created the prison and it was designed to hold one prisoner at a time. Kaelen called herself a gatekeeper. Each gate has a key to which it contains and the gatekeeper responsible. She held a staff that she identified as the key, a blue orb floating inside her staff. When she held the orb, a beam of silver light burst out and fluttered around the orb. I was able to pick out that it is some type of magic but its a mix of them all and the different schools that are coalescing together to create the effect.
We were teleported into the gate and needed to fan out to find some sort of signs in the magical. She let us know that Vesperleaf is a genius and that she had the main plan for all of these prisons. Casting magic is...strange in this place. It was as if I was forgetting the magic itself. Which isn't possible. Not for me anyways.
Spreading out, we started searching around the space. In the grass, I found a spotted fawn that was hiding in the bushes. I attempted to search around for a mother or tracks to see why this fawn was left behind and is alone. We all started searching and then it came to a point that Kaelen tried to bring back the portal we used to get here and a satyr appeared. Followed by multiple satyrs. And they stared at Mimsy, calling for Vesperleaf and that she was being summoned. We all started questioning what they were doing and they referred to all of us as Lady Vesperleaf, as if the other were not there. I cast a spell on myself but there was no Ethereal or invisible creatures making a mess of things but it caused the creatures to become hostile.
After a brief battle, we defeated them and they vanished like shadows. There's this strange residue on everything and it just makes things feel very...off. We headed out to the next area and arrived in a courtyard. Then we witnessed what seemed the High Lady and High Lord speaking to us as if we were Vesperleaf, explaining that she was being charged with high treason. Kaelen was confused, as this was not how Vesperleaf's sentencing was done. Out of the small river that came through the cracked courtyard, a golem appeared and we had to fight it off. Arlis went down and could have died but we managed to get him back up.
Kaelen then tasked us with finding Vesperleaf outside this prison. She summoned a creature that she called her Guardian and entrusted him with us to find Vesperleaf.
Learnable Creatures: Quickling, Iron Golem
Arlis the Shade
•Party: Mimsy, Sal, Sylk, Surx, Arlis
Location: -
We met back up with Warden Kaelen to help her with the Lady Vesperleaf and the fuckin' prison situation. We asked more questions this time, and found out Vesperleaf was supposed to be put in the prison because of high treason. Apparently she was havin' an affair with the high lord of the Autumn Court... Lady Vesperleaf had led the Amber Bough and created the prison system. She designed it so that way no one can escape, but... she did somehow. She didn't come out of the gate that Kaelen knew of, so, there had to been another way. She said that normally there's only one prisoner per prison and each gate is unique to the person inside and the gatekeeper responsible. It's made with some weird fuckin' ancient magic...
Warden Kaelen activated the orb in her staff and weird silver lines shot out around it and there were some tiny weird runes and symbols.. Gonna need to look into that more and let Vincel know... The silver turned into a gate that we were able to go through.
Inside, we entered a glade where some fuckin' satyrs came up to us, claiming WE were Lady Vesperleaf? They wanted to take us back to the 'court' for trial. We fought 'em. And then we went the direction they wanted us to go. We came into an area where the high lord and high lady were talkin' to us, talking to us like we were Lady Vesperleaf too? But Kaelen said that's not how it happened. So... for some reason it was remembering different. We had to fight a big nasty creature. It was rough, and I think I blacked out at some point... The party brought me back.
We're gonna keep talkin' to Kaelen, but she let us keep her companion Aster with us so we can use 'em to track down Vesperleaf. Sal won't let me hold onto 'em...
Sylk Teke'zynge
•Within the Prison Walls
30 Flamerule, 1502 DR
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Warden Kaelen summoned us again, after our failed mission to recapture Vesperleaf, the previous warden. We came prepared with many more questions this time, such as why Vesperleaf had been captured in the first place, or why she was placed in a prison she created. Kaelen proves herself to be terrible at her job time and time again, it seems. She hired Arlis, Mimsy, Salviron, Surx, and me (Sylk) to go within the prison and investigate.
An autumnal glade greeted us, and rather immediately, we realized the entire demiplane was enchanted to where the ability to cast spells could easily be forgotten. An issue for the entire adventure. We investigate some oddities such as a blooming tree and a fawn- spring-themed of nature. During investigation and as I asked Kaelen to confirm she had the ability to let us leave the demiplane prison, some diplomats and guards arrived. They seemed programmed, instructing Lady Vesperleaf to go with them to the palace. We resisted given we were not Vesperleaf, so the fae attacked. They were quicklings and shadows in disguise, but were bested despite a scare for Mimsy's life. Kaelen couldn't cast the spell to leave and said we should investigate this palace the guards spoke of. I do not know why I signed up for this job.
The palace, which was strangely ramen-themed, held two royals- the High Lord and Lady of the Amber Court- accusing "Naivara" of treason. But Kaelen reported this wasn't how it happened, that it was public knowledge Vesperleaf was caught sleeping with the wrong person and accused of treason that way. Admittedly I have not fully followed this story and most likely have details incorrect. Because we resisted, a golem attacked us as the Lord and Lady escaped. Its poison breath nearly toppled us in one go. Despite the lack of magic, we bested it, nearly losing Arlis in the process.
Kaelen summoned her companion, Aster, a strange antlered beast monster tucked within an amulet. Aster would be our best bet in communicating with Vesperleaf. We'd need to find a way to speak with the better warden to piece together more of the puzzle. Kaelen found a tear in the demiplane and was able to escort us out with our payment.
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Loot
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The above is unfortunately written in truthfulness and to the best of my ability. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: courtship proposal and compass repossession DATE: 21 Eleint, 1502 DR.
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate towards Waterdeep by teleportation circle. Observation: syndicate member Orri acquired a large amount of humanoid fuel on arrival - [Humanoid Diet Archive Update]. Note: stopped at Q-Q-Quiznos Quips & Qaubles and acquired a coin of unknown origin. Future directive: to be investigated.
Brief: obtained from Lady Gralhund. Note: the noble family is part/has ties to Zhentarim - fInAlLy HoMe, TiMe To MaKe ChAnGeS. Future directive: maintain contact for inquiring about their mark on the mainframe. Directive: create a partnership between the Tesper and Gralhund families through an encouraged wedding between son Zartan Gralhund and niece Charrin Tesper. Side directive: obtained from a ranking member of the Zhentarim. collect a magical compass from the neighbouring Tespergate fortress.
New directive: complete both objectives to obtain favour and gain an efficient teleportation method within waterdeep. Plan: syndicate members Alvis and Orri encourage the partnership at Tesper's villa during the festival proceedings; syndicate members Forvist and Tealight infiltrate Tespergate in parallel to collect the compass; personal directive is to patrol close to both location offering assistance to the group with high priority needs.
Patrol log: all within norms for most of the hour. Observation: towards end of patrol, the infiltration team caused a commotion that alerted a guard. New directive: redirect and/or defuse guard's patrol. Directive update: task failed. New directive: impede guard's progress by feigning a small infraction on code legal. Directive update: task overscoped the minimal infraction requirements. severe code legal breach. arrest imminent. New directive: escape arrest and use bag of holding as a hiding spot. Directive update: task failed. Status: captured by Waterdeep authorities. reiceived fine, punishment, and edict. Note: all penalties received under a disguised persona.
Post directive: both teams succeeded in their task.
Post mission: rewards and faction reputation gained. significant monetary loss received.
Cyrus Sicarius
•Teleported to Blasingdell, a town of about 2k. Homesteads, spread out, no temples. Sergeant Grendar Kuln wrote a letter to summon adventurers.
Merchants complaining/killed by kobolds. Chickens missing. An adventuring party was already sent out about a week or two ago, never returned. We're here as their backup. Their leader is loud and they headed down river Mirar. Attacks happened within the month.
_____
Traveling on the road, we were set upon by a group of kobolds. We killed most. One cried for his brother, wanting vengeance, but ran. Azrael ran it down on his horse, slaughtering it. He wanted to trick a second kobold that gave up, that had handed us his notes, his map, offered to guide us in exchange for his life.
I did all I could to protect it.
It led us to the Stone's Tooth.
___
Biscuit. I like Biscuit. A sense of morality. Azrael and Wuyon'e have none. I do not yet know Forvist or Glitrende.
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There was a giant weasel, chained. Freed. It likes Azrael more. Can it smell what I am?
____
Kobolds in the cave didn't attack. They were tired of these conditions, their leader. My wounds hurt; the blood weeps through the chinks in my armor. I could not stop thinking of Death's sweet embrace. Would she be gentle? Nausea rose and bile scored the back of my throat. They were inappropriate thoughts. Unwelcome. I breathed deep and crushed them until I no longer saw gold and black in the corner of my vision.
____
Azrael spilled out the bodies he collected in his bag of holding before the kobold guards of the leader. He relishes the violence, the intimidation, the power. It had the unintended consequence of sparing lives. It is the only saving grace. The guards fled. The leader stayed. He did not win, but thanks to Biscuit, he survived.
Azrael showed his merchant license. Wuyon'e showed her criminal brands. Everything in me wants to turn her in. I will sleep on it.
Wuyon'e Everhsek
•Hate this. Hate people. Hate surface. Hate sky-bleed. Hate take-prisoners. Hate blasphemy. Hate sacrilege. Hate leave enemies alive.
I hope made the satyr bleed. Disgusting, heal enemy in battle, deny them glory of death, deny me glory of ending them. Same with Cyrus. Disgust, with capture-job. Breaks creed of mine. Ranger at least useful and not much of threat to goals as others.
Azrael.... Impressed, with savagery. With planning. He... may true be of our heritage, that display? Would expect it from a House Mage. Shame, his blood so diluted. True shame. Shame mine is too
Biscuit
•
I don't know if this Syndicate is where I need to be. I dont feel... aligned, with the others I went on a mission with today. Except Cyrus. He is a good man. But Wuyon'e, Azrael... both of them... I saw the worst of them today, and perhaps the worst of the Syndicate. Forvist didnt stop me, but he didnt voice his displeasure with the others, either... That is part of the problem. Good goes to die in the silence of others.
We were sent to deal with a kobold infestation, though, killing wasnt required. We just needed to get them to leave. Sergeant Grendar Kuln said so. When we were ambushed on the road, Azrael was quick to kill them, hunting down one that fled, before stuffing the bodies into his bag of holding. One winged kobold survived, who I later found out his name is Dum, and he took us to the other kobolds. After, of course, Wuyon'e threatened his life.
Heading inside, triggering traps, we came across countless kobolds who seemed nervous. Scared. Terrified. They told us that they served a boss called Sik’garuk the Diabolical, and didnt want to follow his orders anymore. We let them leave, before continuing around... We were ambushed by more, and more death occurred. I did manage to save one of them, bringing them back to life with a potion... told him to run, find the others.
When we came across the boss, Azrael dumped the bodies he had been gathering out on the ground. Told them to surrender. The other Kobolds surrendered... Before a fireball filled the room. I rushed forward and warded the boss, and there was... conflict, to say the least.
Wuyon'e punched me cus I said her god was wrong. I might not have said it nicely, but that told me all I needed to know about her. Azrael insisted that the kobold leader needed to die, but after Cyrus put it in manacles we agreed to take it to receive justice. But I dont ever want to go on a mission with those two again. Ever.
Hells, if I never see them again it will be too soon.
Azrael
•Today was... Interesting to say the least. We were hired to stop some Kobolds who had been attacking merchants, and from what the village mayor said, I thought they kept them captive... Only for the one we were to spare to say otherwise.... when I heard that, it was... well, it made me incredibly angry. I used to be a merchant, to be someone who feared being attacked by monsters as I traveled in caravans... When I heard that, it... well, I couldn't even think. I even stepped on a trap, and as it impaled my foot, I didn't even care. I killed a plethora of them, and when we stood across from that yapping little bastard that ordered the death of my fellow merchants, I wanted to kill him myself. So, when they stopped me... I nearly lost my composure... I am rather disappointed in that. But, nonetheless, mission went well, and I got paid.
I can only hope one day that they will realize that leaving some people alive, even if it is to turn them in, is a mistake.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•28 Flamerule, 1502 D.R.
Orlak is dead. Those three words are all the epitaph I will give him, and more than he deserves.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Salviron Lisel
•Today our group was given instructions to head to Waterdeep, being given express permission for the Syndicate to pay for our teleportation there since we didn't have proper public access yet. After confirming transportation back home, we headed out into the market and made a plan or where to go.
We went to a tevern on the fancier side, the Singing Sword and after everyone ordered a significant amount of food, we spoke with a woman named Lady Gralhund, a noble of Loudwater. Bri scared her off, little tact in asking those questions. But after everyone engorged themselves, we headed out to a place Solia and Arlis knew of called the Yawning Portal.
There we met a goblin, whom Solia immediately insulted, that let us know of a teleportation circle in a crypt at the Road's End. After significant questioning, we headed to the city graveyard, where we met some guards before us but we managed to convince the guard that we were there to grieve a dead friend.
Then we headed down. Entering the crypt and walking down as we go. Arlis ended up stepping on a pressure plate of some kind and braziers lit up ahead of us on platforms and a strange ghast-like creature appeared, calling us to our deaths. Hordes of creatures appeared and they had the the most haunting screech that caused Arlis to be paralyzed in fear.
We managed to defeat the creatures and wandered down, where it went lower and lower. Getting the teleportation circle may be much harder than originally thought. We entered a room that had coffins surrounding all along the edges and the coffins just held heads inside them. A sun dial was in the middle of the room and when Arlis and Bri turned it there was a sound down the hall.
Traveling down that way, we saw a mummified corpse that was moving around, a mummy. It could speak with us and Solia was able to convince it to return to sleep in its coffin. The corpse seemed to be from an ancient tomb and was moved here instead of being from here. There was a coffin that had its name on it, Ahkatument.
Further through the tomb, there was a dilapidated teleportation circle on the ground and it was unusable but we found a bunch of items inside.
Creatures to Learn: Ghast Gravecraller, Graveyard Revenant, Mummy, Mummy Lord, Flame Skull
Arlis the Shade
•Party: Arlis, Bri, Sal, Solia, Yashir
Location: Waterdeep
Thrax tasked us to go to Waterdeep to search for a good place to set up a teleportation circle thingy. Not gonna lie, I wasn't sure what the fuck to do and left it up to the others that understood how it worked. More than anything, I was fuckin' excited to go to Waterdeep. The city is FUCKIN' HUGE. We decided to start at the Singing Sword, which was a lot fancier of a tavern than I expected. Sol and Yashir graciously paid for a shit ton of food and drink and we met some weird noble woman. She seemed interested in us enough.
Solia knew of a place called the Yawning Portal and we went there afterwards. From what Solia told me about it, it didn't disappoint! We tried to stick to business though, and ended up meeting a goblin that was.. talkin' about book clubs? Sol was real aggressive with 'em but she seemed to enjoy the conversation, so I dunno. Apparently he gave some information that would help us maybe find a place... but... it was in a crypt in the City of the Dead district. Yeah that was fuckin' suspicious....
We went anyways. The goblin told us there was some spooky shit down there that needed to be taken care of, so we tried to prepare as best as we could And that shit was real fucking scary... We.. we managed to fight 'em all off and then headed further down. We turned a sun dial thing, and then went and found a mummy lord. He's chill though. We call 'em Manny. There was an old teleportation circle down there, but from what we could tell it couldn't be used again... looks like this lead to a dead end... no pun intended. We're gonna have to come back and do some more searching.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•27 Flamerule 1502 D.R.
Thrax has called upon us to establish relations with the city of Waterdeep, and to acquire the long-term use of a teleportation circle for the Syndicate at a reduced cost. I have ever avoided the city myself, but Solia was excited for it -- strange for her, as she typically dislikes large crowds -- so I did not especially mind in this instance. Still, I found myself deeply uncomfortable in these environs. It reminds me, as sprawling cities always do, of Calimport, and my memories of that place are not fond.
Upon arriving within the city, courtesy of a very expensive teleportation circle, we were given a long list of laws and the consequences for breaking them, and given also a little bit of intelligence as to some places to seek out the circle we needed. We struck off to what we deemed the likeliest options, but along the way, we toured the city a little bit.
At the Singing Sword -- a very fine tavern where I allowed Solia to talk me into buying a frankly unnecessary amount of food -- we met a noblewoman who could, perhaps, have sponsored our search, had not Bri made an enemy of her. Solia, with Arlis egging her on, then directed us to the Yawning Portal, another tavern-type establishment apparently built upon a vast subterranean dungeon. We elected not to try our luck in that dungeon just yet, but we asked the proprietor about teleportation circles. He knew nothing about such things, but by "fortunate happenstance," we were overheard by a very shady goblin who just happened to have the solution to all of our problems.
Despite Solia's initial... misgivings... we negotiated with the creature, and he eventually directed us to the City of the Dead. There we fought our way through hordes of the undead in a grueling battle that nearly ended badly, before Bri and Salviron Liesel managed to tip the scales in our favor by tipping our adversaries over the edge of a chasm.
At last, after convincing a mummy lord to just... chill... we discovered a broken teleportation circle, completely useless for our purposes. The trip and the time we spent on it were a waste, save for the items and coins we claimed for ourselves. We must simply hope the Waterdhavian law-men are not inclined to view this as tomb robbery, as that is among the list of no-no's.
But we have a lead or two for future endeavors. A waste the trip may have been, but it is not a failure until we stop trying.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Rokka
•The Courting of Fire
21 Flamerule, 1502 DR
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there was a book thief! at this library in the city of phlan. the lord sage of phlan reported that a couple guys went missing named tibeem and spernik. they stole some books from the library and replaced em with forgeries. we snooped around and found the guys had connections to some cult of dragons! so we went out there. found out tibeem had been arrested and murdered. so we went off!
at the entrance there were hiding kobolds and i warned em to leave but there was a fight and they all died :( then we went inside. fought some zombies. fought some oozes. took a rest. fought some ghouls. not a pleasant place! but fun to poke through.
then we got to spernik who fought us despite hesitation. we rallied some of his kobolds to our cause to join the syndicate! captured spernik. looted a lotta books off him and some keys.
the next rooms were lil alcoves with keys. we plugged em into the door and found a cool pedestal with these red glowing runes and undead! scalebinder skovac said for us to not bother so we said okay and didnt. he said he used to work for the circle of the scale some druid group? but then a dragon named scorlworyx aka the scorching wind attacked and skovac entombed himself inside. the device (apparently tiamat the dragon lady made it) could be used to control dragons but theres this fear of what a dragon could do with it.
we took the keys and agreed to keep em away from the door. and chat with skovac sometimes through the door :) took spernik back for arresting and got money!
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Loot
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-r&w :D
Tealight
•21st Flamerule, 1502 DR
Party: Azrael, Rokka, Sunbeam, Azure Eyes, & Myself
Our latest assignment brought us to the city of Phlan, where we met with one of the city's lords regarding a rather unusual theft.
Two men had stolen a collection of valuable books with the intention of producing and selling convincing forgeries. Our objective was to recover the originals and, if possible, apprehend the thieves without resorting to lethal force.
Our investigation took an unexpected turn almost immediately.
One of the thieves had already been arrested... and subsequently murdered before anyone could question him. While searching for further leads, we uncovered evidence linking the operation to the Cult of the Dragon. That trail led us to a set of ancient ruins hidden outside the city.
The entrance was guarded by kobolds.
After a brief skirmish, we pressed deeper into the ruins, where we encountered a seemingly endless procession of unpleasant things. Ghouls wandered the corridors, oozes lurked in forgotten chambers, zombies shambled through the halls, and more than a few dead kobolds served as grim reminders that we were not the first to venture inside.
By the time we had cleared those passages, we were battered, exhausted, and in desperate need of rest.
Curiously, that rest felt... unusual.
Though we only stopped for a short while, it somehow felt as though days had passed before we continued onward. I have no explanation for this sensation. Perhaps the ruins were touched by strange magic, or perhaps fatigue simply distorted my sense of time.
Either way, we continued.
The deeper chambers proved no less hazardous. Nearly every room concealed another trap, another puzzle, or another monster waiting to test us.
Eventually, we found the surviving thief.
Fortunately, one of our companions happened to be a kobold. Through remarkably persuasive conversation, they convinced most of the kobolds guarding the thief to abandon the fight altogether. While their attention was elsewhere, I quietly summoned my mage hand and relieved the culprit of one of the stolen books before he had the opportunity to realize it was gone.
The distraction quickly gave way to combat.
Thankfully, the confrontation was brief. We subdued the thief without killing him, bound him securely, and prepared him for transport back to the authorities.
Our exploration of the ruins was not yet complete.
Several sealed chambers surrounded what appeared to be a final vault. Each chamber was intended to contain a key necessary to open the central door. However, only two of the rooms still held their keys. The remaining two had evidently been looted long before our arrival.
I asked Sunbeam to ensure our captive was carrying nothing concealed.
Watching him lift the unfortunate man upside down by his ankles and gently shake every hidden possession free was... unexpectedly effective.
As it turned out, the missing keys had been hidden on his person all along.
With all four keys assembled, we unlocked the final chamber.
Inside waited an undead figure accompanied by two lesser undead servants. Rather than immediately resorting to violence, we spoke.
After a brief conversation, we agreed it would be wiser to leave the creature undisturbed. Azure Eyes expressed an interest in returning at a later date to learn more, and none of us found reason to object.
Whatever rested within that chamber seemed better protected than disturbed.
To that end, we divided the four keys among ourselves before sealing the vault once more. If anyone wished to enter again, they would first need to gather every key.
With both stolen books recovered and our captive delivered for justice, we returned to Phlan to collect our payment.
Overall, I believe the assignment was a success.
Though I do wonder whether recovering the books was the most interesting thing we found beneath those ruins.
Azrael
•We went to a city that has been taken over by a green dragon and his cult, sent to gather 3 People of importance. We first gathered that of an older woman, before getting a half elf. When we reached the third person... We had to fight through some knights and Blue Slaad, just for her to storm off, most likely to her death. It doesn't matter much, we still got paid, and that's what matters to me.
Ivor Bersk
•Back to Phlan.
This ravaged town has changed. Brambles are around, the dragon must have made his lair here.
We were sent to save 3 people.
A halfling merchant, a half-elf lord, and a human warrior, each representing three aspects of the city: commercial, knowledge and guards.
The woman, Greycastle, decided not to come back with us.
We also found some kids, imprisoned in a building but the others decided to rather focus on the mission.
We fought two blue slaads. I don't feel really good after taking a claw by one of them.
Salviron Lisel
•A request came through for us to rescue some nobility from a green dragon and their cult I believe. We were being sent to Phlan by the Five Factions, a city that has become the green dragon's, Vorgansharax, the Maimed Virulence, lair. He is on the older side of adult dragons, nearer to ancient. We are set to rescue a Madame Freona, Lord Sage, and Sir Jhessail Greycastle. Madame Freona has been putting together a resistance while Lord Sage is a leader of the scholar district, impounded in the Mantor's Library, and Sir Greycastle former commander of the Black Fist, although some members betrayed the organization and became Tears of Vriulence. We were to be teleported directly into Phlan and spells to teleport in the city do not work.
Before heading out, we prepared and determined what we were aiming to do first and foremost. We decided to try to avoid combat as much as possible. It seems Biscuit is...apprehensive about killing others.
We were teleported away and arrived in a stone room with a teleportation circle below us. It goes out as indication that teleportation outside the city is impossible. We started our infiltration quietly, sending Agrate ahead to scout out when we heard someone calling for help. I told them to ignore it. We weren't here to be heroes. We were here for a recovery mission.
The entire town was covered in bramble bushes that made navigation hard but we managed. Avoiding tricks and getting Madame Freona and Lord Sage. Sir Greycastle was another matter as she is an idiot that has a death wish. No wonder she was betrayed if all she can think about is revenge. That's a terrible quality for a commander to have so it's much more understandable why they changed sides after speaking to her.
Biscuit
•Danger lurks around every corner, and I perhaps have gotten myself in over my head. Introducing myself to Ivor, Azrael, Jax, and Salviron, we got teleported into the town of Phlan. The Five Factions hired us to retrieve and rescue three people of import, Madame Freona, Lord Sage, and Sir Jhessail Greycastle, all for different reasons. The city itself was plagued with a green dragon taking over, ensnaring it with thick brambles, making the city their own. Vorgansharax is their name.
Initially, discussing plans, Sal took immediate charge of the situation, and let us know just how important it was to get in and get out, avoiding combat where necessary. I was asked if I would kill someone, and I... Didnt have an answer. I still dont know if I could...
We were teleported into a basement, before climbing out and trying to determine what the fastest route would be through the city. Deciding to get Madame Freona first at her tavern, we started through... we heard screams, begging for help, but... didnt go to save anyone, focusing on our mission. We found and convinced Freona to join us, thankfully, before heading after the Sage. The tower he was trapped in was covered in brambles, though, I was able to teleport inside. After 30 minutes of not finding him, I eventually called out, begging him to show himself and letting him know we were here to save him. He did show himself, and I was able to get us both out with my... family's ability.
The final one was the hardest to get to, as we came up with a lot of plans that, ultimately, didnt pan out. I helped unlock a few doors, before we traveled as a group down a long hallway. A glyph went off, and we had to rush further down, right into a battle pit. The dragon forced us to fight these nasty giant blue toads, and we managed to survive and save Jhessail. Though... she didnt want to come with us. She did tell us the way out, though!
We saved two of them, at least, and the Five Factions were happy about that.
Cyrus Sicarius
•The others will not swear an oath of silence, but I will not speak on the things that happened to me today. I am still blue and I keep having phantom pains where once there was a third eye. Being this short again - I think I am suffering vertigo.
Rokka
•Package Delivery
24 Flamerule, 1502 DR
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we went to see this drow guy in silverymoon at the unicorn's horn named venel! he wanted to deliver a package to his grandma elizabeth baentyl, a human lady, but there was this big festival about communion and the city goin on so he was too busy as a guard to go deal with the package. we got paid to wander off and do all that. heavy package with evocation inside.
some wizards were doing a cleaning spell but then it went MAJORLY WRONG! and there was a real weird magic surge. a monkey stole the package! but the magic stayed on the fritz so cyrus got big and blue and orri also turned into a monkey and it was sheer chaos but we survived. and the monkey's owner came for george (not orri) and apologized and gave us an eyeball as an apology. is that normal here?????
then we walked through town still following directions and a bunch of people were dancing. i joined in until someone broke a drum and then everyone collapsed? because they were enchanted to dance for like EVER and they got tired. they thanked us. a kid almost threw a potion of animal friendship (???) at us but azrael caught it and we saved it for later. chekhovs gun-style. then we passed a street where animated armors and displacer beasts attacked! we were okay though orri ate cobblestone and wilson struggled a whole bunch against em. they turned into ink when they died so i didnt get any cool pelts but we stay strong.
finally got to gramma benedryl's place and gave her the unopened package. it turned into a spread of breakfast foods! we enjoyed it with her until the worst of the festival chaos died down and then we went home. :)
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Loot
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-R&W :D
Azrael
•I hate Festivals. Always have, always will. This day just cemented that further... It was a multitude of magical catastrophic events that was caused by some idiotic children that can't cast spells properly. I think that I would rather jump headfirst into an inferno then do that again. The worst part though? We had to do all that and deliver someone's breakfast. At that point, I just walked back alone. I'm going to bed now, and I am going to pretend today never happened.
At least I got this armor out of it...
Tealight
•24th Flamerule, 1502 DR
Party: Azure Eyes (Cyrus), Rokka & Wilson, Sunbeam (Orri), Azrael, & Myself
Our latest assignment brought us to Silverymoon, where we met a drow waiting inside the Unicorn's Horn.
His request seemed simple enough. He asked us to deliver a package to his grandmother, a human woman living outside the city. Ordinarily he would have done so himself, but a local festival had left him occupied with his duties as a city guard.
Simple assignments have a curious habit of refusing to remain simple.
As we passed through the festival grounds, several spellcasters were demonstrating what appeared to be a communal cleaning spell. Unfortunately, something went catastrophically wrong. Wild magic erupted across the square, and every few moments reality seemed determined to invent a new inconvenience.
A monkey seized the opportunity to steal our package amidst the confusion.
Recovering it proved more difficult than expected.
Sunbeam was transformed into a monkey for a time. Others suffered comparatively minor magical mishaps. Azure Eyes, however, bore the brunt of the surge. His skin turned an unmistakable shade of blue, bubbles escaped his mouth whenever he attempted to speak, and he abruptly grew much larger than before.
The entire affair reminded me rather strongly of the sorts of pranks the fey delight in inflicting upon one another.
That thought inspired me.
I may have cast Enlarge upon Azure Eyes, making him larger still.
I regret nothing.
Eventually, we subdued the monkey and recovered our package before continuing toward our destination.
The directions led us to a forest clearing where a number of people danced in perfect rhythm around a small stage. They appeared utterly entranced by the performance. Our kobold companion immediately joined them. Whether they too had fallen under the enchantment or simply wished to participate, I cannot say.
Either way, it was rather adorable.
The enchantment ended abruptly when the drum driving the performance was destroyed. As its rhythm ceased, so too did the magic holding the dancers captive. Many collapsed from exhaustion before tearfully thanking us, while others quietly gathered themselves and hurried home.
It was certainly one of the stranger festivals I have attended.
After considerably more walking than I had anticipated, we finally reached the home of the drow's grandmother.
Having successfully delivered the package without opening it, we discovered its contents were simply food.
I confess I had expected something more mysterious.
The kindly woman invited us inside to wait until the festival had concluded before beginning our journey back to the Syndicate. We accepted her hospitality without hesitation.
It was, all things considered, a pleasantly uneventful ending to a decidedly peculiar day.
Fenris Corhelm
•Traveled to the city of Phlan in the Moonsea region where we met our employer. They requested aid in stopping a force from the Cult of the Dragon from getting their hands on some sort of powerful magic that lay a few days away. The others went about their business in either procuring help or researching while I couldn't find much on the matter at all. The next morning we set out early and ended up running into a stone giant but through diplomacy, any fight that may have happened was avoided. We were tasked with delivering a message to another stone giant as payment for our passage through the stone giant lands and so we set off. Another few days of travel and we found ourselves staring into a crater easily two-hundred feet deep. Our group split, with some of them turning invisible and scouting out the area while myself and another hung back as to not alert some orcs we had seen. One of the scouting party unfortunately caught the attention of the orcs and hearing them ready to attack, rushed in but again, one of the party wished diplomacy. I let them talk, the orcs gathered their leader and as one of the group and him came to a deal of one thousand gold pieces to talk to the stone giant that was seen within the crater, the orc leader looked to me and commanded me to drop the magic I had about me. I've found myself becoming less and less patient these days so I told him no and if he had a problem with it I could challenge him for leadership of his pathetic little clan of orcs. He took that about as well as could be expected and thinking he had any sort of advantage due to the numbers, he told his men to kill me. One attempted to but quickly turned into a fine red mist as he jumped into the area of my magic. I think I actually saw the orc leader realize his mistake but being to proud or stupid, he pressed the assault. A war horn was sounded and many more creatures started to come up from the depths of the crater but they were no match for us. Eventually the stone giant appeared and waved us down so we all jumped and through the use of magic, floated down to the center. The stone giant asked us our business there and the message was delivered. Upon our words, he didn't really seem to mind but also told us there was no powerful magic there.....while he stood beside a silvery fount of water. One of the group realized the giant was possessed and as we formulated an idea as to how to help with that, a woman wizard on a wyvern arrived and flew down upon us. As the fight began, I used my magic again to harm a fiendish creature that appeared. Apparently it was the stone giant's pet but the stone giant announced himself as tyrant lord something or other. The battle continued, the wizard on the wyvern kept launching powerful explosions at us but also catching the stone giant and his men in it. I take it this angered him a bit because he tossed a boulder at the wyvern and seeing my chance as we had no way of hitting her well from the distance, help alter the course of the boulder which was going to veer off. This caused the wyvern to fall, hurting it greatly and killing the wizard. The wyvern rose and attempted to stab at me with it's tail but to no avail and as it tried to fly away, I brought it back down once again where I delivered the final blow to it with a swift sword slash. This left the stone giant as last real threat and he was quickly done in by a few more well placed strikes from the group. After we gathered prisoners to take back to our employer, we headed back and gave our report on everything that happened. We were told that they'd try and dispel the fount of what was not water but pure magic and thanked us for our service. We were paid and headed back to the Syndicate.
Ivor Bersk
•I am closer to my goal, yet questions are still growing in number in my mind.
Why are red wizards and dragon cultist working together? Where is their base of operations?
What is the purpose of a pool of radiance?
But if there is a person capable of shedding some light, it would be me.
Wuyon'e Everhsek
•My mantra is what I follow. I took no prisoners, and ended the night with not-enemies. The Orcs seemed pleased that we solved the mystery of the sickness, and the fae was pleased that I healed her from the edge of death. Healed enough to gift me a lantern... It's far too bright. I can't see near it. I'll exchange it for something else.
All and all, this was the first real victory I felt I had, at least since coming to the surface. The Orcs proved formidable abbil, it is a shame they are leaving the territory, they would've been good to recruit for the journey back home.
Dahlia
•
From the journal of Dahlia Belvane
Now, I will be first to confess that I am often working these little… side quests… as a means to enrich myself. A lady does have a standard to uphold, after all. For the most part, I don’t mind. This Syndicate is full of capable people that seem all too happy to put themselves in harm’s way.
Frankly, I’m happy with them staying between me and that harm as often as possible.
A sad little village of orcs was full of plague. It was dreadful. We were asked to track down the source and did so to a barn some of their urchins had visited. There we found a group of pixies that mentioned a sound that was stirring them up something awful.
The trail led back to that damn village. The whole thing was the fault of a sea hag that couldn’t keep her vile frog-child in line and was creating chaos and illness. Utter trash, as far as I’m concerned. They were dispatched, thankfully. I’ve earned myself a new pair of shoes, I think.
Azrael
•We went out to help an orc tribe with a sickness. I was denied entry to the tent but was able to talk to one of the Orcs who were sick. I was capable of coming to the conclusion that it was the hag, although I had no clue where she may be, so I followed the trail, found some pixies, questioned them, passed two deer fighting because of a noise that was bothering the dear, and then everything came back to the tent at the end of the day. Apparently, not the best idea I had. There was a Banderhobb, and it did get some good bites in on me, but we took it down rather fast with Wu's quick thinking to get the surrounding orcs. I also got the hags body now, going to examine and practice magic on it soon.
Overall, it was a successful mission.
Tealight
•23rd Flamerul 1502 DR
Party: Forvist, Azrael, Pink Lady (Dahlia), Wuyon'e, & Myself
A letter arrived at the Syndicate requesting assistance from an orcish tribe that had become afflicted by a mysterious plague.
Upon arriving, we found the camp in a state of cautious isolation. Several members of the tribe had fallen ill after one family returned from their travels carrying an unknown sickness. The clan's leader explained that they were a nomadic people, and the illness had forced them to halt their migration until its source could be found.
Side note: I have begun noticing a troubling pattern. More and more of our recent assignments have involved sickness, parasites, or corruption spreading through the surrounding forests. I do not know if these incidents are connected, but I believe the matter warrants further research.
Following the clan leader's directions, we traveled to an abandoned cottage some distance from the camp.
Inside, we discovered three pixies hiding among the ruins. They were initially reluctant to speak with us, though after some... persuasion... they became considerably more cooperative. They admitted they knew the source of the plague and agreed to guide us.
I confess I was rather surprised when our guide led us directly back toward the orc encampment.
Fortunately, the orcs themselves were not responsible.
Hidden away inside one of the tents was an unusually large frog that appeared to be the source of the spreading illness. As soon as we moved to eliminate it, a hag emerged to defend the creature. Whether the frog was a servant, companion, or merely another tool in her designs remains uncertain, but it quickly became apparent that the two were working together.
After a difficult fight, we managed to defeat both the hag and her amphibious accomplice.
With their deaths, we were informed that the afflicted family would gradually recover, and the tribe could at last continue its journey.
Overall, the assignment was refreshingly straightforward.
We received a request for aid, gathered the necessary information, located the source of the problem, and eliminated it.
The tribe was safe.
We were paid.
I only hope the pattern I have begun to notice proves to be coincidence rather than something larger lurking beneath the surface.
Wuyon'e Everhsek
•I am so glad those guards didn't catch us. I am so glad those guards didn't catch us.
I am so angry that Azrael uncovered himself. Those white streaks... He really is diluted kin. And I really am a weak half-breed.
I am so relieved that Elephants are stupid enough to attack my spiritual weapon. Blight beasts too.
I am injured, but I will be fine after a rest.
Tree blood is tasty.
Azrael
•An elephant... A FUCKING ELEPHANT! Worse of all, a SPORE MUSHROOM ELEPHANT! and a fucking bear??? Can you believe that bullshit? and after that, I had to fight a bunch of mushroom creatures. Even worse, I had to give my disguise to a friend, which of course I am fine with, then next thing I know, little frog people, which is whatever, then suddenly there is an Elephant. How the fuck can I do anything to an ELEPHANT? If it wasn't for this new spell I had gotten, the others might have died. If I see another mushroom, I WILL burn the forest to the ground, I swear.
Cyrus Sicarius
•We were summoned to assist a Dryad by the name of Maple. When finally we managed to get away from the world's most interesting sign, we learned the forest has been overrun with parasitic mushrooms.
Tealight's tried to assist this before, but unfortunately, their solution of carving eyes into the trees to watch the mushrooms so they do not regenerate (something they do when damaged, so long as they go unwatched) failed only partially; the dryads, she mentioned, looked better than before.
Maple sent us to Shiitake, another dryad whose forest had experienced the same issue. Shiitake had survived by choosing to embrace the mushrooms were so many of her fellows died. On our way there, we were set upon by mushrooms made sentient and beasts infected with spores; the infection grows.
Shiitake, seeming somewhat complacent to the mushrooms (a side effect of joining with them, I'm sure) examined the mushroom we gave her and remarked it was many species of mushroom slammed into one. She suspects that the Drow man who did this to her forest, now all flesh-like mushroom and spores, is still experimenting and that it's spread.
She's asked for a few weeks to study the specimen and learn what she can. I fear Maple does not have a few weeks.
Jacob, a druid in the college of Silvery, was kind enough to teleport us back home.
Tealight
•22 Flamerule 1502 DR
Party: Azure Eyes (Cyrus), Azrael, Wuyon'e, Sunbeam (Orri), & Myself
We were summoned once again by the dryad known as Maple.
I had assisted Maple previously, along side Lady Death, in removing a parasitic mushroom infestation from her forest. Unfortunately, it appears our earlier efforts were only a temporary solution. The mushrooms had returned, and with them came renewed concern for the surrounding woodland.
Maple believed another dryad, Shiitake, might possess the knowledge necessary to understand what we were facing. Unlike Maple, Shiitake had chosen not to resist the parasitic fungi that had infected her own grove. Instead, she allowed them to consume and bond with her.
The decision came at a terrible cost.
Many of her followers had succumbed to the infection over time, while Shiitake herself remained alive—changed, certainly, but alive nonetheless.
Our journey to find her was anything but peaceful.
The forest had become home to numerous creatures overtaken by the same spores. We were forced to fight through creeping vines animated by the infestation, an elephant consumed by fungal growth, and finally a bear whose body had become little more than a host for the spreading colony.
Curiously, many of these creatures appeared resistant, if not entirely immune, to the enchantments of my fey magic. I found myself relying upon my whip far more than my spells, which is not a complaint, merely an observation. Adaptation is often more useful than stubbornness.
After clearing the infected beasts, we eventually located Shiitake.
She spoke calmly, almost serenely, despite the fungi that had rooted themselves throughout her body. Whether this acceptance was born from wisdom or simply the influence of the mushrooms themselves, I cannot say.
After examining samples from Maple's grove, Shiitake reached an unsettling conclusion.
The infestation was not the work of a single species of mushroom, but rather an amalgamation of many. She believes someone intentionally combined them.
According to Shiitake, a drow had once devastated his own forest through similar experimentation. She suspects he continues those experiments even now, and that the corruption spreading through Maple's woodland is a consequence of his work.
Rather than offering an immediate solution, Shiitake requested several weeks to study the specimen further. She believes understanding the fungal amalgamation is necessary before attempting to remove it safely.
With little else to accomplish, we returned to the city, where one of Maple's associates kindly arranged our journey home through teleportation.
For now, the matter remains unresolved.
I find that... unsettling.
It is one thing to defeat a beast.
It is another entirely to know the true enemy is still somewhere in the forest, continuing their work unseen.
Azrael
•We were sent to capture that of a thieve, who turns out to be a Dragon Cultist. We were ambushed by kobolds, but they were not really a problem... We then went into the crypt like structure, and found zombies, and further in grey ooze. We have stopped for now, but we will likely continue soon...
Cyrus Sicarius
•Summoned with Orri, Tealight, Rokka (and Wilson, of course), and Azrael to the library, they meet with the Arch keeper there.
Two scribes who had been hired months earlier had been caught red-handed stealing two priceless tomes; one, the history of a druid of circles known for enslaving dragons and the other, a geography of the northern mountains, specifically Dragonspine.
One had been caught by the guards and hung, but the other fled north, toward the Dragonspine mountains by the time we'd arrived.
The two thieves had left behind replicas of the tomes they'd stolen with two important changes; the first saw that the druids' history of enslaving dragons was erased and in the second forgery, it included a spot of standing stones in the Dragonspine mountains. This, along with the information collected by the others, suggested we head northward bound.
There, we ran into a pack of kobolds protecting a staircase that led underground. Making short work of them, we encounter zombies, and they, too, fell. In the exploration, we discovered yet more grey oozes and Rokka discovered a great many robe that, for whatever reason, she deemed necessary to keep.
(Note: she seems to enjoy looting. Perhaps spread some coin around next time for her to discover?)
One question remains unanswered for me; why were the kobolds guarding the top, lying in wait for an ambush, when their kind had been slaughtered below, and why were the zombies all humanoid?
Yashir adh Rumahr
•19 Flamerule 1502 D.R.
Following the unexpected and grueling attack upon the Syndicate, the assessors left behind a trail easy to follow. Led by Solia, a group of the highest-ranking members set forth to follow it: myself, Bri, and Vincel.
What we found was, frankly, too much even for us. The forces we discovered at fortress at the end of that path in the Graypeak Mountains were easily thrice those that had nearly overwhelmed the entire Syndicate: goblins and hobgoblins, bolstered not only by their infernal allies but by -- according to their garb -- the Zhentarim. It seems Orlak has remade his old alliances, for the time being at least.
We were forced to retreat for an undisclosed period of time to reevaluate and plan -- for we would surely never take that fortress without an army of our own. Infiltration, carefully planned, was the only way.
Fortunately, we had ideas. We had learned, months past, of ancient, sprawling Dwarven tunnels that spread beneath the land, which we suspected Orlak had also discovered and was using. With research and exploration, we were able to uncover a nearby entrance to those tunnels and, eventually, to make our way quietly within.
It was not long before we encountered guards -- devils, specifically. We were obliged to fight, but the battle was swift and quiet, and the devils raised no cry. Proceeding then through the network of tunnels, we found many prisoners and, at Solia's urging, set them free with what provisions we could spare to make their own way home.
Avoiding a deviously trapped door, we continued on, finding along the way some references to a fiendish "supervisor" who was visiting today for an inspection. We encountered her soon enough. She was not willing to talk productively, but while she put up little fight herself, her explosive minions wrought fiery havoc upon us all before we brought them down.
After resting and recuperating, we returned to disable the trapped door, as it was one of only two paths forward. It led to a veritable Rube Goldberg hallway (to reference the famed gnomish Artificer) of strange traps and pitfalls. We were able to negotiate them, however, and came at last to a stairway, which we ascended.
Previous intelligence had informed us that Orlak had allied himself not only with fiends, but with a dragon and a beholder. The latter awaited us up those stairs. He represented, as it turned out, the Zhentarim. He was willing to strike a bargain, but only under his own unacceptable terms, and when Bri's patience ran out and she ventured upon overt insult, hostilities naturally ensued. Alas; were it up to me, I would build better relations between the Syndicate and the other major mercenary band, but it was not to be, not this day at least. We did manage to learn from him that Orlak himself was "downstairs" -- referencing a second staircase behind him, but one blocked by a warded and difficult gate.
The beholder was a deadly threat, but through numbers and determination we overwhelmed him before his eye-beams could overwhelm us. We settled in to recover ourselves from the battle, and to find a way onward to Orlak himself -- but what followed is the subject for another note, as this one has run overlong already.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Vincel Emerland
•After the assault against the Syndicate, Yashir, Solia, Bri, and myself all followed the trail left by those who fled to an encampment unlike any I have seen before. The force we staved off a few days prior in the attack on the Syndicate was nothing in comparison the the army of goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears, devils, and even Zhentarim that was stationed out in the Greypeak Mountains. Orlak seemed to have many friends and even stronger allies, as we all discussed possible ways of entry. Behind the army there was a Dwarven set of ruins, an archway that lead underground, which lead me to believe there might be another way in...
Which was easily found, thanks to my compatriots and their keen eyes. Avoiding the army outside and going down into the underground structure, we carefully made our way round... Bearded devils seemed to guard a set of doors, and again, we discussed what to do. Fortunately, the guards left, and we crept further down the hall. Only to run into those guards that patrolled down to the south. Dispatching of them quickly, I found an list of names, supposedly the supervisor was in for the day. The door to the west was... suspicious, so we headed south, discovering a few innocents that were held captive here.
Bri and Solia freed them, just as we were interrupted by this supposed supervisor. She started speaking to us, though, she fell rather quickly to a full on assault. Her allies, though, were another story, as they started to bombard us with fireballs. We managd to take them out, but it was not an easy task...
After a short rest, we carried on, coming across a different door. It was guarded by a ward, same as the door to the north, so Yashir managed to dispel it. However... we coudnt get in. There was no handle, and it seemed as though the door opened by a different mechanism. Going back up, we returned to the first door and made our way inside, only for a giant sawblade to extend from the wall. Rushing through, pillars began to collapse around us, and there were wards that I just barely noticed in my run. The entire hallway was riddled with these traps, and we managed to survive each of them...
At the ened of the hall there was a staircase, and we climbed it, only to be greeted by a beholder and friends. He was a high ranking member of the Zhentarim, and his main eye was a big problem... Antimagic. I stayed out of his sight as i tucked against the wall, and negotiations started. He seemed to want the book that Orlak had, which I figured was a reasonable request, though, the others said it was promised to a red wizard. These negotiations went nowhere, and eventually it came to blows. We just barely survived....
But, with the doorway activated, we could further venture into the bowels of this place, and kill Orlak.
Solia Faolanri
•19 Flamerule 1502 D.R.
Solia Faolanri
I can't believe it has escalated to this. One mistake - one godsbedamned choice that opened up a pathway to this nightmare that doesn't seem to ever want to end. It was nothing to follow the trail of attack and retreat back to the mountain keep where Orlak launched his assault from. What we found was a force so large and well armed that they could perpetuate two more attacks of equal severity against the Syndicate at any time. More siege engines, more troops, more everything.
They say this isn't my fault, and I know I only controlled a moment of this timeline but what I know of stories tells me that at some point the path we chose opened up to all of this and the lives lost along the way can't be reclaimed. I don't hold hope that we'll find the unaccounted-for halfling child. All I can do is look forward with clear eyes at my quarry and continue pursuit until he's dead.
Our idea to find another entrance to the dwarven tunnels they were couched in proved to be a good one. We made our way through old, forgotten spaces and dispatched a few more bearded devils. After exploring doorways and passages, we ended up coming across some sort of powerful fiend while the party took heavy hits from spellcraft. Finally, we found the Beholder we knew was somewhere within and tried to negotiate with them. They told us that Orlak isn't really the focus of all of this - he's merely got the Red Wizard's artifacts. They don't hold much loyalty to him other than the power he provides and their plan is to raze the whole of the Delimbyr and all the settlments along the way. We can't trade one evil for another... so we killed it.
For now, we regroup... and the next step lies ahead of us.
Theoden Brightshield
•Theoden report, part 2 :
As this second war horn rung, we had but a few seconds to ready ourselves.
I decided to switch from a blessing to a targeted reinforcement of our defenses.
Using the faith in my oath, I designated Bri as my target of protection. She was by far the most resilient member on our front.
So I took the gamble and put everything on her.
A decision that revealed itself to be wise, as the terrifying creature that is Bri became near untouchable.
I spent most of the time trying to not get hit and keep up this protection.
It was in the few last moments that I could help taking down some spined devils and a couple imps with a few tridents I had on me.
I took an arrow to the side, but got quickly healed by a strange man wearing purple glasses and a hat. I unfortunately do not know the name of our helper.
The battle finally ended, and there were no casualties to report. Which is a miracle, considering that everyone seemed lost on strategy during this fight.
The only thing that saved us was the might of some of our most experience members. Without them, we would have definitely lost this battle.
I hope that in the future, a leader shows itself to take the lead during troubling times like these. Otherwise, I fear the Syndicate might fall one day.
After everything calmed down, we regrouped in the hall to count the heads. No one was missing fortunately.
But it seemed that this fight had troubled more than one. As Solia started a heated argument with Sir Yashir.
Where they found the energy to fight after such a grueling battle, I do not know. I heard that some people call this "drama". I'm not sure to be familiar with the concept.
Seeing that this argument was to last, I decided to take my leave and rest.
As we say in Cormyr : the sun will rise tomorrow.
Theoden Brightshield
Ivor Bersk
•A second wave.
Someone must be really hating our presence here.
Am I safe? Should I stay alert? Maybe I should start investigating, even if I am not payed to.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•17 Flamerule 1502 D.R., Part 2
The second wave was worse than the first. Our kobold allies, largely inept as they had been, were still useful in the first wave; they were all dead when the second came. Worse yet, I was caught outside, trying to prevent the catapults from being reused -- and the enemy did not notice me there, and focused all of their attention upon Arlis and the kobold called Snap. Brave and competent as they both are, they are not as resilient as I, and the arrows of our enemies took a dreadful toll upon them from which they would spend the rest of the battle recovering.
Still worse, invisible imps had slipped within the walls of the Syndicate and were slaughtering our kobold artillery. Surx linked some of our minds, and I let Solia know about them -- but they got the drop on her even as she hunted them. I confess I rather lost my head when I heard her fall, but Arlis and Surx talked me down, and the latter went to her aid in my stead.
The battle was grueling from there, but reinforcements arrived from the members of the Syndicate who hadn't made it in the first wave. Finally, once the hobgoblin captains were slain, the remaining forces lost their morale and were quickly routed.
Now all that remains is to deal with Orlak himself. Before he strikes again.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Jueinuma
•
17 Flamerule 1502 D.R.,
Just when Jue thought that the attempt at a siege has ended, did come the second wave of Goblinoids and Devils. Jue still doesn't know why they decided to siege the Syndicate, but Jue believes it was likely something that happened because of the other members. An adventures live is hard and filled with friends and enemies alike.
During the second Wave, Jue was mostly on defence using the balista's the Kobold defenders left behind after they fulfilled their purpose and died. Jue is still lacking and thus Jue did not contribute much to the defence, but Jue did hit some flying devils with the Balista.
The second wave was defeated easier then the first, as the western front came together and got reinforcement from the east. In the end the Syndicate was victorious and our enemies lied dead or were running. Jue doesn't believe this is the last time the Syndicate will be attacked, so Jue formally requests through this report to shore up the defences of the Syndicate. Mostly the Western Side, as the North, East and South have better equipment, placement and structures.
Sylk Teke'zynge
•Attack on the Syndicate (Wave 2)
17 Flamerule, 1502 DR
I should forewarn that to this day I still am unclear regarding who Orlak is. I know he is a goblin mage who has angered the veteran members of the Syndicate. And now I am aware of what forces he can summon. This is a dangerous character, and an enemy to us all. Regardless, I will recount my time defending my home.
The day started like any other, chatting with folks in the feast hall. Then drums and horns sounded in the valley. We took up arms and rushed out, finding an attack on the eastern and western fronts. My group in the east defended marvelously.
With Vincel and Bri on the frontlines, Orri and Tealight manning the balistae, and a mix of Jax, Tova, Aber, Theoden, and myself, we held the bridge. Bugbears, imps, and spined and bearded devils battered us. No one collapsed, and especially no one died.
I hear the western front struggled. A lack of chemistry and communication it seems. Multiple folks fell, brought back from the brink thanks to our healers. But when the eastern front retreated, so had the west. Only the various kobolds who serve our Syndicate were not so lucky- many perished due to flying devils that escaped our attention.
Days later, we still recover. But we persist. The Glassfang Syndicate is both resilient and stubborn.
-------
Loot
- A lot.
-------
Rest in peace, my kobold friends. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
Salviron Lisel
•And ANOTHER thing. There aren't even any protections on the Syndicate to keep out hostile enemies. Anybody in the world can more than likely walk right up to the Syndicate and just curse it and we wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Would Thrax even care if I tried to assist in making a plan. Would anyone care about having a proper plan developed when some have egos that are shoved so far up their own asses they can't listen to anyone except themselves.
I actually can't.
Arlis the Shade
•Location: Syndicate
There was so many voices telling us to advance and retreat. And then the big shadow tentacles blocked the bridge so it was hard for us to reach the enemy. It would have been okay if the fuckin' goblins and hobgobbles didn't have ranged attacks. Got rained on with arrows and fuckin' weird stick magic. Snap and me both went down, I can't remember how many times. We were lucky Fen was there and the drow girl, Wuyon'e showed up. Found out that there were even some new recruits that showed up to aid.
We're still feeling the wounds that the siege had caused. I hope though, that after all of the frustration and anger, it'll bring the Syndicate together. I know Sal wants to work on a strategy in case something like this happens again... And... I have a strong fuckin' feeling this won't be the last siege on the Syndicate...
Tealight
•17 Flamerule 1502
The Syndicate
The reprieve between assaults was disappointingly brief.
A second wave descended upon the Syndicate before many of us had properly recovered from the first. The enemy forces were larger than before and showed no signs of hesitation.
A fellow fey asked for my assistance in dealing with a bearded devil that had broken through our lines. Together we focused our efforts upon it, and after a difficult struggle, we succeeded in bringing the fiend down.
Side note: I should ask them if they would be willing to help train me sometime. They fought with remarkable confidence, and I suspect there is much I could learn.
There was little time to dwell on the thought.
A drake covered in jagged spines managed to slip past our front line and take to the air. With relatively few combatants capable of meeting it above the battlefield, I diverted my attention to intercepting it. After a brief chase through the skies, we managed to bring the creature down before it could cause further damage.
While airborne, I also assisted in clearing several imps that had perched atop one of the defensive towers, harassing those attempting to hold the walls.
The battle was long, exhausting, and far bloodier than the first assault.
Yet, despite the overwhelming numbers, the Syndicate held.
When the last of the enemy finally fell, an uneasy silence settled over the battlefield. Our walls still stood. Many were wounded. Some would require much time to recover.
But we had endured.
I cannot help but admire how readily the Syndicate's members stood beside one another. Adventurers, staff, kobolds, strangers—when the attack came, distinctions mattered very little.
For today, at least, we all fought as one.
Solia Faolanri
•17 Flamerule 1502 D.R.
...the second wave arrived. I found an imp, or rather it found me. I spent part of the time on the floor of the Syndicate until Surx could arrive to get me back up. All I was able to effectively do was shoot from afar, and even then not very well.
I was in my own head... unfocused. Yashir was hurt, Arlis was hurt, Bri was hurt... everyone... everyone was hurt. And no one could rally a defense that made any kind of sense. The orders came to fall back, and eventually the strongest among us were able to drive off the second advance. I'm disgusted with my own performance and inability to control anything. Of course I trust my friends and companions, but the sight of them hurting that badly over a domino I tipped is more than I can handle.
I want that goblin's head. I want him to bleed for what he's done to me, to these people that I love and to the innocents he used to get where he is. I don't care what it takes. I'm not resting until this task is done.
Wuyon'e Everhsek
•I don't know how it happened, or why, but we were attacked. I came out to chaos- an injured man who I healed and followed outside, only to see fighting on the bridge. I ran to a ballista. I loaded and fired it a few times. Someone was down. I got him up, but the order for retreat came and was ignored by the many, as those I needed to heal rushed into the fray. It was exhausting, I barely got to hit anything or revel in the bloodshed, and I still never got answers.
They also killed my favorite waiter kobold. So, I will have to enact my vengeance sooner or later.
Cyrus Sicarius
•Battle cries. Yells. The second wave hit. Cyrus had been too late to help with the first.
On the western front, goblin archers bombarded Fenris, Arlis, and Yashmir on the front, empowered by their hobgoblin captains. In the back, Jue, Cyrus, Salviron, Wutony'e, and Ivor cast spells, fired ballistas, and held the line as they could.
When a call to retreat sounded, Cyrus echoed it, moving to help Wutony'e heal an injured Arlis to the front and dousing the bridge with oil as he left. He followed the orders and retreated into the Syndicate where he helped the injured kobolds as he could.
Aber Ravenar
•aNoThEr WaVe Of iNsIgNiFiCaNt GoBlInOiDs, bUt ThOsE fIeNdS aRe FeEdInG mE wElL sO i'Ll Go FoR tHeM As WeLl!
NoNe PaSsEd ThE bRidGe AnD iNsTeAd BeCaMe FuEl FoR oUr FiRe! BuT tHe LiMiTaTiOnS oF tHiS vEsSeL sToPpEd Us FrOm TaKiNg ThEm AlL! wE nEeD tO rEgAiN mOrE oF OuR aRcAnE mIgHt AnD sOoN!
aLtHoUgH yOu GaVe Us A wOnDeRfUl OfFeRiNg VeSsEl, So We'Ll Be KiNd AnD sPaRe ThEsE wOrThLeSs SyNdIcAtE mEmBeRs OuR dEsTrUcTiOn, FoR nOw, EvEn If SoMe ArE pRoMiSiNg FoR oUr GrOwTh!
Wuyon'e Everhsek
•All I can think of lately has been defeat. With the bandits in the woods. My bouts with others in the sparring ring. Fleeing from the trolls. The capture that led to me being stranded here... The last time I faced one of those things.
I am ashamed. I was paralyzed with the memories for most of the fight. Something got into my head. The pressure. The fear. I could not hear my Gods' voices. I could not hear His guidance until I managed to break free of the shrill sound. When I finally did, I channeled all of my wrath, blessed by His- and blasted it.
The pleasure of the kill was stolen from me. But I am not without my trophies. Is it edible? I will find out. I will have the cooks prepare it for me. And I will enjoy devouring it as it devoured that platoon, years ago.
Azrael
•I finally got to go on a mission with my friend Wuyon'e, going to a town in which to other syndicate members fought something, and were called for by name. It was a rather eventful mission, as we went down into an Ankheg's and Umber Hulk's lair. It was rather simple to take down both, as the party I was with was actually competent. Of course, I did get a bit of acid on me, luckily, I was able to repair my clothes. Overall, it was a good day, and I hope to have Wu and other members of the syndicates back.
Tealight
•Date: 15th of Flamerule 1502 DR
Party: Kyani, Azrael, Wuyone, Sunbeam (Orri), & Myself
Hunt Master Kalenbore requested assistance investigating another series of enormous holes that had recently appeared in the surrounding wilderness.
Curiously, both Sunbeam and I had been requested by name for the assignment. It would seem our previous experience dealing with burrowing creatures had earned us a certain reputation. I cannot decide whether I should feel honored or concerned.
The initial assumption was that the surviving bulette from our previous hunt had returned. Given the size of the holes, it seemed a reasonable conclusion.
Upon closer inspection, however, the burrows were markedly different. The earth had been clawed rather than displaced, and deep scratch marks lined the entrance to the largest tunnel. Whatever had created these passages was no bulette.
Naturally, we climbed inside.
The tunnels stretched deep beneath the surface, eventually opening into a network inhabited by enormous insect-like creatures. They proved considerably more dangerous than their appearance first suggested. Their numbers, resilience, and unsettling speed made each encounter a challenge.
Fortunately, there was little mystery beyond that.
Our task became a straightforward extermination. We encountered two separate groups within the nest, dispatching each after a difficult but ultimately successful fight. Once the creatures had been dealt with, we searched the remaining tunnels to ensure none remained before reporting back to Hunt Master Kalenbore.
For our efforts, we received the promised payment and returned without any casualties.
Overall, the assignment was uneventful by adventuring standards.
Though I do find myself wondering...
What is it with this region and creatures that insist on living underground?
I would not object if the next assignment involved something considerably less fond of digging.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•17 Flamerule 1502 D.R.
I would have been content to remain at home, with my partner beside me, but Solia had matters to attend at the Syndicate. Reluctantly, I elected to accompany her there.
It is well that I did. Had we lounged the day away as I desired, Orlak's surprise attack might have devastated the entire Syndicate and razed the fortress to the ground.
It began no sooner than Solia and I had crossed the drawbridge. Horns sounded, drums beat, and with hardly a moment to gather ourselves or prepare, the tide of goblins, hobgoblins, and fell fiends was upon us, backed by siege towers and engines of war that could have torn the walls asunder, pushed by ogres nearly as tall as the walls themselves.
The Syndicate turned out in answer. Despite conflicting cries and attempts to take charge and direct the chaos, each member performed more or less as they saw fit. For all that, it came together well enough, and we fought back the horde at the gates, dividing our numbers east and west to address our foes as they came.
On my side -- the west -- I was able to bring down their tower before I had to fall back, but not before it disgorged an army of bugbears that wrought havoc upon the battlements before they were finally brought down. With Solia, Arlis, Ivor, and several members I do not know well enough to name, we held at the bridge until the enemy was routed.
That was when the second wave came....
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Sylk Teke'zynge
•Attack on the Syndicate
17 Flamerule, 1502 DR
I should forewarn that to this day I still am unclear regarding who Orlak is. I know he is a goblin mage who has angered the veteran members of the Syndicate. And now I am aware of what forces he can summon. This is a dangerous character, and an enemy to us all. Regardless, I will recount my time defending my home.
The day started like any other, chatting with folks in the feast hall. Then drums and horns sounded in the valley. We took up arms and rushed out, finding an attack on the eastern and western fronts. My group in the east defended marvelously. With Vincel and Bri on the frontlines, Orri and Tealight manning the balistae, and a mix of Jax, Tova, Aber, Theoden, and myself, we held the bridge. Bugbears, imps, and spined and bearded devils battered us. No one collapsed, and especially no one died.
I hear the western front struggled. A lack of chemistry and communication it seems. Multiple folks fell, brought back from the brink thanks to our healers. But when the eastern front retreated, so had the west. Only the various kobolds who serve our Syndicate were not so lucky- many perished due to flying devils that escaped our attention.
Days later, we still recover. But we persist. The Glassfang Syndicate is both resilient and stubborn.
-------
Loot
-------
Rest in peace, my kobold friends. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
Theoden Brightshield
•Theoden report :
War horns and warcries suddenly resonated through the whole barracks.
As I quickly exited the room with my weapon in hand, I head fighting on the West.
Rushing to the nearest exit, there I saw it : a full army ready to invade the Syndicate.
Who were they ? Why were they attacking us ? I had no idea. But I knew one thing : blood will pour that day.
I started the fight by blessing my comrades and myself, then I rushed down to the tower and the bridges.
There I saw it closer, a massive army made of goblins, hobgoblins... and worst of all : FIENDS !
Looking at the size of this invasion, I knew I was outmatched in raw power, so I spent most of the time as a support and secondary healer for the more experienced members.
Our front held well, no casualties to report.
I even got the chance to smite a lone bugbear, with the help of the most unstable Aber.
But as the last few remaining enemies were fleeing, another war horn resonated, this was only the first wave of the invasion.
Vincel Emerland
•The day started, as many do, with the intention to Spar with Arlis. He and I had just readied ourselves when the wardrums and horns began to echo out across campus, and it seemed as though we were under attack. Rushing out, we met up with Snap, and the three of us moved into action. I created an opening, a portal, directly beside the closest enemies, and we all rushed through to counter this assault.
This was a massive force, though, I heard more combat on the opposite side. Instructing Snap and Arlis to go provide reinforcements to that side, I continued to cut my way through the army. They had siege weapons and forces by the dozens, which meant I needed to move quickly. Drawing focus, along with Bri, the rest of the Syndicate started to move into action as I began taking down enemies.
It seemed to draw on for days, though, there was nothing to do but keep on fighting. Surx managed to connect Yashir, Solia, Bri, and myself mentally, which was a... benefit. We were able to communicate with one another, at least. Not that that did us any good, in the long run, as miscommunication was all we managed to get. Too many orders were being given and none were being taken.
However, we did not fall, and the Syndicate remains steadfast. Woe be to any who dare challenge us in this manner again.
Ivor Bersk
•What was supposed to be a normal day at the Syndacate, became hell on earth.
Goblin and devils attacked. Imps infested the corridors.
Why? I don't know. And apparently I am not payed to know.
P.S
Being able to open portals from the Far Realms really helps.
Jueinuma
•17 Flamerule 1502 D.R.,
Jue writes this rapport with heavy heart. As Jue has found that the syndicate defences are lacking. During the sudden attack on the Syndicate, Jue was drawing maps to make some more money. When suddenly drums and horns filled the air. A combined force of Goblinoids and devils had launched an attempted siege on the Syndicate. Jue was quick with going towards the western gate house, but could not stop it from falling. Were it not for the Paladin Yashir who held the line, the western front would have been worse.
The supposed Kobold defenders of the Syndicate did little defending before they died. Jue did Jue's best to help, but Jue has found Jue lacking in many ways. Jue shall do Jue's best to remedy this for the next time.
Salviron Lisel
•Well this will be a slight bit different than my usual notes. More of a complaint than anything. But it became abundantly clear that the Syndicate is woefully unprepared to take on a large forces that may attempt to attack. You'd think a place that contracts people as mercenaries would have a better security force than the mercenaries themselves but insert shrug here.
Upon further review of the situation, some key notes I was able to pinpoint.
There's far too much that happens in varying orders and this situation resulted ion much confusion and frustration from multiple parties.
Arlis the Shade
•Location: Syndicate
Honestly I'm still tryna grasp what the fuck happened. And how we managed to survive. My report is gonna be short, bein' spread between two entries.
My day started out normal. Was about to do my spars with Vincel when we heard the horns and the drums. We didn't have much time to prepare, but with Snap with us, we went to the eastern (western?) side to deal with the fuckin' enemies that showed up there. Ogres, goblins, hobgoblins, devils... fuckin' bullshit. We cleaned up most of 'em at first, then Vincel sent Snap and me through a portal to help with the west side (east side?).
There were so many forces on that side and not as many people. Snap and me thinned it out as best we could.
Tealight
•17 Flamerule 1502 DR
The Syndicate
The Syndicate came under a coordinated assault by a sizeable force of goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, and various other creatures. The attack appeared organized rather than opportunistic, with the enemy deploying siege towers and catapults against our defenses.
Fortunately, the Syndicate had prepared its own fortifications. Several ballistas had been constructed along the walls and were quickly manned by our kobold staff. I must admit, watching them scramble into position with such determination was rather impressive.
Sunbeam and I were assigned to reinforce the eastern defenses.
Rather than splitting our efforts immediately, Sunbeam mounted one of the ballistas while I called upon my mage hand to assist him. The mechanism required more hands than either of us possessed alone, and together we were able to load, steady, and guide each shot toward the advancing enemy siege engines.
The arrangement proved surprisingly effective.
Once the enemy tower had closed the distance, I left the ballista to engage it directly.
Another member of the Syndicate—whom I know only as Angry Woman—had already begun attacking the structure largely by herself. While I still do not know her name, I felt assisting her was considerably wiser than asking for introductions in the middle of a battlefield.
Together we managed to bring the siege tower crashing down before it could reach our walls.
With the eastern advance halted and the enemy's first assault broken, the fighting briefly subsided.
Unfortunately, it did not remain quiet for long.
Solia Faolanri
•17 Flamerule 1502 D.R.
Yashir and I had gone to the Syndicate that day to check up on Shev and that infernal Beholder that is taking over his mind. It would have been a better day, if we'd been able to feed that thing cookies and teach it how to People, but no. Instead, the drums of war rumbled through the hills and before we even had time to set foot in the building, an army of Orlak's making set upon the Syndicate and all inside of it.
It's hard to recount all that happened other than what I witnessed on the Western side. We were overwhelmed. Yashir and Snap as well as Fenris and Surx, and I may be forgetting more in the aftermath, held them while the Eastern front was cleaned up and reinforcements could arrive to support us. Imps started to infiltrate the Syndicate proper, and leadership was scattered and communciation poor. We all did our best, and many almost fell, myself included.
I ended up inside to find the imps when the second wave arrived...
Tova Sundara
•Date: 17 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Location: Glassfang Syndicate
Reported by: Tova
Incident: Assault on the Syndicate
The Syndicate came under attack by an organized force. From what I saw on the eastern side, the enemy included goblins, hobgoblins, hobgoblin captains, bugbears, siege weapons, imps, and other fiends. It was not a random raid. They came prepared to break through our defenses.
I was stationed on the eastern side and helped hold the tower and bridge there. The fighting was heavy from the start. We had enemies pushing toward the walls, siege equipment advancing, and flying fiends creating problems wherever they could.
On our side, everyone fought hard. Orri and Tealight were working with the ballista. Vincel and Bri were holding the front line. Sylk, Aber, Theoden, Jax, Snap, and others were also in the fight, doing what they could to keep the enemy from overrunning us.
I maintained my Spellfire Storm through the battle and used Fireball where I could catch groups of enemies without catching too many allies, which is always the less scandalous choice. The spellfire helped hold back several pushes, but there were too many enemies to pretend any one person carried the field.
The eastern side held, though not cleanly. People were injured, resources were spent, and the enemy kept coming. The western side was fighting at the same time, but I could not see everything happening there from my position. I know they were under heavy pressure as well.
Many kobolds were lost during the assault. Some were helping with the defenses, some were caught by the flying fiends, and some simply had the misfortune of being in the path of a force that came here meaning to kill us. They should be remembered as part of the reason the Syndicate still stands.
Eventually, we broke what turned out to be the first wave.
Then the horns sounded again.
The fight was not over.
Signed,
Tova
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: assault on Glassfang Syndicate. DATE: 17 Flamerule, 1502 DR.
Observation: while on the lower levels of the feast hall, a sudden assault of the guild began. enemy forces coming from the west and east sides of the building.
Directive: defend the syndicate and its lower rank members. Note: used the bag of holding to sound an alarm across the guild's halls and exited the building to assess the situation. Observation: goblinoid and fiend forces assaulting the east and west bridges to attempt a boarding of them and continuing the push towards the main building.
New directive: assist the east defending front at the bridge. Note: joined in the assault with syndicate members: Bri, Orri, Sylk, Tealight, Theoden, Tova, and Vincel. Observation: dispatched the threats that passed the bridge. enemy forces numerous over expectation ...New directive: defend at all costs. release - Us, OuR sErViNg VeSsEl!
Tealight
•Date: 14th of Flamerul 1502 DR
Party: Snap, Dahlia, Alvis, Sunbeam (Orri), & Myself
Our assignment began in Shining Falls, where we were informed we would be overseeing a "beach party." Everyone present seemed remarkably enthusiastic about the prospect. I confess I did not fully understand why.
The weather was cold, rainy, and thoroughly unpleasant. It hardly seemed suitable for gathering outdoors, much less swimming.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately, depending on one's perspective—an elf accompanying the festivities simply... changed the weather. Within moments the rain had vanished, replaced by bright sunshine and clear skies. Ephemerals continue to surprise me with what they consider ordinary.
Our duty was simple enough: keep watch over the beach, ensure the attendees remained safe, and prevent anyone from drowning or otherwise coming to harm.
I quickly discovered I had not packed clothing appropriate for such an occasion.
Sunbeam, with little hesitation, removed his shirt and insisted I wear it instead. It was several sizes too large, though surprisingly comfortable. It also drew considerably less attention than if I had attempted to enjoy the beach in my usual attire.
The festivities began shortly thereafter.
One blond gentleman dedicated what appeared to be the entirety of his day to swimming laps. So many, in fact, that I briefly wondered if he intended to create a whirlpool through determination alone.
I, meanwhile, was approached by two human children requesting that I judge a race between them. Believing fairness was the objective, I suggested they give the younger of the two a headstart. This was apparently not the answer they had hoped for. The young girl became rather upset with me, while her brother apologized on her behalf.
Children are... perplexing.
Our peaceful afternoon came to an abrupt end when creatures emerged from the depths of the lake.
Several halflings who had been swimming were caught before we could intervene. By the time we reached them, there was little that could be done. We engaged the creatures immediately and, after a brief but difficult fight, managed to eliminate them before returning the remaining beachgoers safely to shore.
The organizer of the festivities, an exceedingly peculiar man named Chad, insisted the celebration continue despite what had just occurred. Fortunately, the rest of us were able to convince the attendees to leave the beach for their own safety.
That decision proved wise.
Not long afterward, a fish-like humanoid emerged from the water, furious over the gathering and, more specifically, furious with Chad. Whether the anger stemmed from trespassing, disrespect, or some prior grievance, I cannot say. The creature offered little explanation before violence became unavoidable.
It summoned additional creatures from the depths that harried us relentlessly with thrown harpoons. They proved frustratingly elusive, disappearing beneath the water whenever an opportunity to retaliate presented itself.
The battle was long and painful, though we ultimately prevailed.
Sunbeam's shirt did not fare nearly as well.
By the battle's end it had accumulated more tears than intact fabric, courtesy of the many harpoons aimed in our direction. Curiously, he never asked for it back. I suspect repairing it may be beyond my abilities.
We were compensated for our efforts, as expected.
Still, I cannot say this assignment leaves me with much satisfaction.
The fish-man's anger appeared genuine. Chad, while enthusiastic, was... difficult to understand, and I cannot help but wonder if whatever offense had been committed against the lake's inhabitants had merit. We protected innocent people, and I believe that was the correct decision.
Even so, I cannot shake the feeling that we may have ended a conflict rather than resolved it.
Perhaps there was another answer hidden somewhere beneath the waves.
Alvis Ingen
•
15th Flamerul 1502 DR
This was a senseless waste. my words can not describe my displeasure with the events that occurred nor the demeanor of our employer.
This is Alvis's Third contract. We were requested to attend a get together taking place just outside the Syndicate at the bottom of the falls. it was a bit of a party. food, games all that sorts of fare. they wanted to hire us to play "life guard" what ever that is. I thought this was poor use of coin. Why hire someone to watch you swim if you can not swim? is better to not just learn to swim? and this person organizing the event. this "CHAZ" as he calls himself. kept wanting to "rock the babes." I felt this was a rather aggressive gesture. I don't like this Chaz much. but gold is gold. and I had nothing else going on so Alvis takes the job. I was swimming around the pool and decided to go for a dive. the waters are much deeper then they seem. and I was a bit horrified to discover that the bottom of this pool concealed a terrible secret. a grave yard. bones picked clean and corpses in various stages of rot. . . .this does not bode well for those on the surface swimming. Calmly I swam to the top and went to go and get my equipment. but I fear in my wanting to not cause a Panic I doomed a few poor souls. Aquatic monsters rose to the surface and begun to eviscerate those in attendance. we moved as quickly as we could to save them but alas. not all were so lucky. . . .
after the threats were removed. The Chaz was trying to get everyone to return to "partying." I had half a mind to throw the little shit in myself. but, that is not who Alvis is. no. I and my companions strongly suggested he do other wise. . . .and then the fool decided to climb to the top of the falls and dive in. . at which point a sort of sea witch rose from the waters. capturing the Chaz. furious about his parties and how they have been polluting her home. She was not unjustified in her anger. but the killing of the Chaz was not right. so, we fought this sea witch to save the Chaz. I hope he has learned his lesson and does not plan to do further partying and babe rocking in these waters. . . .
- Alvis Ingen
Sylk Teke'zynge
•The Relic
13-14 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Caelen of the Amber Bough sent out for us to recover an escaped prisoner. Recently, Lady Naivara Vesperleaf had escaped the Autumn Gate, a prison of her own design that the Autumn Court threw her in due to treachery. Caelen, as the Gate's new keeper, begged us to capture Vesperleaf with discretion. Alvis, Arlis, Mimsy, Snap, and I (Sylk) pursued the road to the fort where Vesperleaf had hidden herself.
From the balcony, the archfey in question mocked us, saying she had no quarrel with us and only wanted her freedom. We pursued, and quickly discovered a special ward on the bridge in the moat that teleported folks to the side. After some experimentation, Snap found the right place to enter from, and we followed. A musical trap stopped Mimsy and Arlis in their tracks, forcing them to dance to a flutist's tune. Alvis and I played our respective instruments in a song with the spirit, and when the harmony ended, so did the trap. We found a couple poison traps, enchanted food, and a sleeping trap much to Alvis and Snap's dismay, but made it relatively unscathed to the top floor.
Vesperleaf stated once again she would rather not fight us. She summoned draconic-like beings, and the fight began. Her moves were impossible to pin down, her dragons, lethal. It took all of our force and more to defeat one of the dragons, after we all decided we'd rather survive the job than get paid. So Lady Vesperleaf escaped on the back of the other dragon. We failed.
-------
Loot (to be finalized by DM)
-------
I hope Caelen is fired. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
Snap
•(The text on this note is written very small, though is still very legible and well-written.)
13th of Flamerule, 1502 DR
Myself, Slick, Missy, Alavis, and Arless.
Whereas last job was incredibly deadly at every turn, this one was one long, exhausting and lopsided battle. We were tasked by Calen, a member of the Keeper of the Amber Gate, to re-emprison some archfey Lady Narvina. She was suspected of crimes against a fey court, then escaped. To note, we would not be paid a coin for success. All we would be paid is what we could find within the place. Fine.
We first had to climb to her, to the top of some fort. Admittedly, it was amusing. One thing before a bridge teleported us just enough to the right so that we fell into water. Another made Missy and Arless start floating and dancing, which Slick and Arless played music alongside a spectral flutist to make stop. Then I went to sleep because of a trap, and nothing more. Along the way, we found a few chests with a decent amount of coin, which was nice, though no special items or anything of the sorts.
Then we got to her, and the nightmare began. While Alavis did get knocked out and a few others neared the same fate, this fight was not as difficult as it was simply tedious. To put it simply, nothing worked. It was her and two strange fey dragons. I attempted to dazzle her numerous times, to no avail each time. Arless tried to take hold of her, both by hand and with magical plants, and she shrugged it all off. Missy did get both dragons under her charm, until she simply broke his concentration and the wizardry without laying a finger on him. Slick put a ton of force into one of the dragons, something that would have knocked any of us down, only for it to barely be dented. And Alavis... did his best. She was too slippery, and we therefore decided this was not worth it. Not only would we not be paid for her arrest, but our lives were on the line, so we let her leave, though taking down one dragon.
I'm not mad by the outcome of the situation. In fact, we got all the pay we could have, and that's the more important part. She didn't seem like a dangerous individual either, but the fey are odd. I'm simply a little disappointed that it was all we could do.
At least we had fun,
Snap
Arlis the Shade
•The Relic
Party: Alvis, Mimsy, Sylk, Snap, Arlis
Location: N/A
This job wasn't like the other ones. We were sent out by Caelen of the Amber Bough to recover an escaped prisoner. Lady Naivara Vesperleaf. She escaped the Amber Gate which... after everything sounds real fuckin' similar to Solia's eye door thing. We had to search a magically trapped fort for her. Eventually we found her, tried to stop her, but... it didn't go well. She managed to escape. But... somethin' tells me that... that was probably for the better.
I think I'm gonna have to track down Vesperleaf. She said she was the one that created the Keystone Relic.. the thing that was supposed to imprison her. If I can find her and talk to her... maybe I can get more answers about what the fuck these Guardians and Gatekeepers are for Solia... See Sylk's and Snap's reports for more fuckin' details. I just... I can't right now...
Alvis Ingen
•14th of Flamerule. 1502DR
My Second Contract through the Syndicate!
We were hired by a little fey jailer. much like my previous job we were asked to be discrete. though this time we were not interrupted half way through the brief. good to see that is not a pattern out here.
This little jailer was tasked with the imprisonment of the former warden of the very same prison she watched over. it would appear that this warden is also the one whom built the prison. or its defenses in the very least. The innmate was lady Naivara Vesperleaf. We were to captured the Lady Vesperleaf in her eestate and bring her back to jail. SIMPLE ENOUGH!
We were directed to her keep. To which upon our arrival we were greeted by the Lady herself. telling us to turn back and that she did not wish to fight. usual fair. and in all honesty Alvis wished he did not have to do this. but, that is the life I have choosen. sometimes you are great hero! other times. you are the law. A tall fortress on a rocky shelf, waves dancing around the base making it so the only way in was the bridge. but like many things with the fey. this was not as simple as it seemed. any attempt to walk directly in resulted in us coming out some other place we had not intended. after some experimenting we discovered that there was some illusion masking this place making it so all had seemed like it was shift about 20feet over. quite a clever little trap. im certain many an unwelcome visitor plummeted to the sea below to meet a water grave.
but we were much to clever for the ruse! We entered the fortress proper. we were all being very cautious as from what we could assume. this place had many a magical trap in store for us. the first of which in this series of traps and misfortune was a simple flute that was floating in the center of the room. it had inexplicably flown over at which point Mimsy was forced to start dancing as he raised hiring and hire into the air. thinking quickly. Sylk played along with the Float. I join in and with our combined music the trap was disarmed and Mimsy floated safely down. DELIGHTFUL! We started to search the bottom floor. finding nothing much else of interest. so we ascended to the second. wear we had split ways. half of us cut through a lavished dinning hall in the center of the building that had a peculiar spread laid out. we all figured it was a trap and with some magic I believe we determined it was! and so we continued through. resisting the temptations of the feast. Arlis and I had found a bridge leading to an ajoined tower. and of course neither of us were surprised to find that the tower was trapped. this time though. instead of whimsy we were greeted with poison. . . .I did not find this as delightful. . .but there were a few chests within. Note: our payment was what ever we found in the keep. Suppose they were planning in seizing the property anyway. I was not keen on this but. again. this is sometimes the life of an adventurer.
soon we descended to the third floor that eventually lead us to the roof where the fair lady waited. but of course. alone she was not. accompanied by two fey like beasts she attempted to run away as we fought off her pets. She choose to subdue us rather than attempting to kill us. and we doing the same in kind. However, her pets managed to hold us at bay long enough for her to make it through her keep and unfortunately make her escape.
Sargrea Maze
•Party: Mila, Lady Valentina, Orri, Little Tea Moth (Tealight), Maze
Location: Farm near Shining Falls
We had been asked to assist Mr. Davdol Mildpot and Mrs. Qiui Mildpot with the trouble they have been having on their farm. As we had discovered, there was something that had been killing their rothe and destroying their fields. We found several holes in the ground... which were from a burrowing creature. We found several baby Bulettes that kept popping out of those holes. We eliminated them, though they were a bit tougher than anticipated.
We went to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Mildpot about what we had discovered, and while we were enjoying a quick meal, something hit the side of the house. The mother Bulette had thrown a rothe across the field and it ended up hitting the house. We were forced to evacuate quickly and handle it. It was a very tough fight, and a few of us fell, but the scales of death had not tipped for us. It was not yet our time. We returned to our feet alive, and continued to fight, Mila getting the finishing blow.
Tealight
•Date: 12th of Flamerul 1502 DR
Party: Mila, Lady Valentina, Sir Sunbeam (Orri), Lady Death (Maze), Myself
Today's assignment seemed simple enough. We gathered at a farm located at 123 Goat Lane. A name that, after some discussion, we learned was inspired by the owner's prized goat. Ephemerals have rather curious naming conventions at times.
Our task was straightforward: determine what had been killing the livestock and eliminate the threat. The halfling farmer informed us the culprits were land sharks. Sunbeam appeared particularly troubled by the notion of sharks swimming through the earth, though whether he eventually understood or simply accepted the explanation remains uncertain. Regardless, we set off to investigate.
It did not take long to find the burrows scattered throughout the fields. After a brief moment to prepare ourselves, several young bulettes burst from beneath the ground. They emerged with startling speed, leaping directly at different members of our party and dealing considerable harm before disappearing beneath the earth once more.
I remained aloft and concealed for much of the engagement, offering support where opportunities presented themselves. Still, I could not help but feel rather ineffective. Their tactic of striking before retreating underground was frustratingly familiar. I employ much the same strategy, only my escape lies in the sky rather than beneath the soil.
After a prolonged struggle, we managed to dispatch the young bulettes. In the distance, however, we noticed an enormous burrow. Considerably larger than the others. None of us felt particularly eager to discover its owner while already exhausted, so we agreed to return to the farmhouse and recover our strength.
The halfling family had prepared tea and lunch while we rested. Given the size of the home, most of my companions found themselves stooping beneath the beams or squeezing into chairs built for smaller folk. I, on the other hand, found it quite comfortable. There are advantages to being small.
Our respite was brief.
A tremendous impact shook the house as the carcass of a cow slammed into the exterior wall.
The others took precious moments to stand, duck beneath the doorway, and squeeze outside. I required no such effort. Being small has many advantages.
The owner of the enormous burrow had found us.
Whether driven by hunger or anger over the deaths of the younger bulettes, the creature attacked with startling ferocity.
The battle that followed was far more dangerous than the first. Sunbeam and Lady Death each suffered devastating blows, collapsing motionless onto the ground. Seeing them fall filled me with a concern I had not expected. My attention shifted from defeating the creature to ensuring my companions survived it.
Calling upon the magic of my fey heritage, I bound the beast within fits of uncontrollable laughter. While it writhed helplessly, I hurried between my companions, administering the healing potions I had carried for just such an occasion.
Victory did not come easily. The fight became a careful rhythm: keep the beast distracted, restore those who had fallen, and allow the others to capitalize whenever the creature collapsed under the enchantment. Eventually, through persistence more than elegance, we brought it down.
When the dust settled, we were all left exhausted, shaken, and, thankfully, alive.
The halfling family was every bit as relieved as we were once we confirmed there would be no more "land sharks" threatening their farm. They thanked us warmly, rewarding us with what coin and provisions they could spare.
Another task completed.
Another step toward proving that I belong among adventurers.
Artemyeva Innokentievna
•
Aber, Willow, Fenris, Artemyeva
[IC version of July 12, 2025]
We followed up on prior information, tracking hags to a hideout in the swamp (because fuck hags). More specifically, they were hiding in a large tree of some form (I'm not an Arborist; what does it matter?). We faced their guardians, some form of long tendril monsters, outside. With those dealt with, Willow deemed fit to grace us with her presence (she was late), and we ventured inside.
There, we met a beholder and some of its strange eye goons, which were killed in short order. The hags were deeper under the tree, and we faced two of them underground in a wide cave. I threw one down the ravine, and was killed by the other, which was then slain by the party. The third was not present, and remains at large.
Artemyeva
Fenris Corhelm
•Joining this job, apparently this was to follow up on some hag trouble the previous group had run into. This lead us to the swamps, where upon approaching a large tree, we were attacked by strange creatures guarding it. The fight was close, as some of the creatures had a very strong poison upon their tentacles. I lost consciousness for a few seconds but Artemyeva woke me back up. After a few of the creatures fell, the fight became much easier and the rest were quickly felled. Willow appeared soon after, having been running late to the meet up and we all proceeded further in after tending to our wounds. Inside the tree, a few of the group turned a corner and I could hear them talking to someone but as I was about to move forward, a strange creature started to approach from another passage, almost like it was trying to sneak up behind them. I drew my sword and the fight was underway. Among the creatures, what looked to be an undead giant head with one large eye and multiple little eyes attached to the top of it by fleshy stalks was floating about. Out of the little eyes, strange beams shot out and hit a few of the group but it was quickly taken down along with the other creatures. One last bit of mending of our wounds and we traveled further in to find two hags in the middle of some strange ritual. Talking wasn't happening and the fight quickly turned south as a few of the group were knocked out by powerful spells. Luckily we still had healing magics at our disposal but during the fight Artemyeva fell. We killed the hags with one being tossed off the side of a deep chasm and using magic to lock in Artemyeva soul, we quickly made our way out when Willow said something dangerous was about to occur. I assume us interrupting whatever the hags were doing caused some kind of explosion. Artemyeva saved my life though, the least I can do is save hers.
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: follow the magical trail left by the hags during the wedding and remove the threat. DATE: 13 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate towards the wedding venue in the Far Forest and moved north beyond it by following magical residue left by the surviving hags. Note: reached a bog location with a large willow tree.
Observation: 3 snakes composed of tentacles and beaks and 3 floating brains with beaks and vines rose from the swamp for hostile engagement. New directive: dispose of the threat blocking the path. Result: WeAkLiNg AbOmInAtIoNs ReDuCeD tO sHrEdS. Note: syndicate member Willow caught up with the squad once hostile encounter ended.
New directive: moved within the willow tree and find the hags. Observation: encountered a large monoeye creature communicating in Undercommon. attempts to deceive the entity failed. creature's attempt to steal personal archive data failed - cause: data m-m-mis-missing. creature's true purpose unknown due to start of hostile actions. Solution: lEt ThEm ReGrEt TrYiNg To StEaL oUr SeCrEtS. fAlLeN bEhOlDeR kIn FoUnD RaIsEd In UnDeAtH - gOoD ThEy CaN't InTeRvEnE wItH OuR pLaN aNd StEaL wHaT's OuRs, BuT i'Ll Be MeRcIfUl AnD tUrN tHeM tO aSh. Observation: all threats disposed. moved further in by following the noise and commotion.
New directive: dispose of the hags within the hidden chamber. - FiNaLlY gEtTiNg RiD oF tHeSe UgLy AnNoYaNcEs WhO hUmIlIaTeD uS. nOw Di - ERROR: ARCHIVE INFORMATION MISSING -
.
.
.
- ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE -
.
.
.
- ARCHIVE INFORMATION RETRIEVED - NOTE: 10 SECONDS UNACCOUNTED -
Observation: brought back to a functional state by squad members Fenris and Willow. Note: hag threats still livin - HoW dArE tHeY MoCk Me AgAin! ThE lAsT oNe ShAlL nOt HaVe A pAiNlEsS eNd LiKe HeR sIsTeR wHo SpLaTtErEd OfF tHe ClIfF. sHe DiEd In AgOnY bY oUr BlAdEs AnD uNeNdInG bLoOdLuSt.
Post directive: hags magic corrupting the surrounding area has unraveled. Note: status of hag thrown off the cliff is unknown. medium probability as a returning threat.
Post mission: new equipment received.
Ivor Bersk
•We arrived in Phlan where a member of the Black Fist asked us to investigate some fellows members in order to check if those had been unloyal to their group.
We couldn't even start that an adult green dragon, the Maimed Virulence, attacked the city with his following of dragon cultist.
One way or the other, we managed to save part of the citizen and the Lord Regent, but many were lost in the process.
In the end we fought a woman on a Wyvern, shielded by a big construct. Alvis died in the fight.
Snap
•(The text on this note is written very small, though is still very legible and well-written.)
13th of Flamerule, 1502 DR
Myself, Missy, Alavis, and Ivor.
My last three jobs have all been quite disastrous. Not in the sense that they have gone wrong and that we failed, but that the challenges ramped up incredibly quickly. Only a few days ago was I a judge in a cheese competition, and now I must deal with this stupid ass cult that want to take over a town because a dragon thinks it's funny or whatever the fuck.
We had no details of this task prior to meeting up with Alaid, a member of the Black Fist in Phlan. The original plan was to investigate other members of the Black Fist who may be involved with the Cult of the Dragon. Unfortunately, we were then attacked by said cult. A dragon razed parts of the city while numerous purple-wearing robes caused other chaos around, and other draconic entities roamed. A threat attacked the Laughing Goblin inn we were at, and we immediately dispatched of hobgoblins, some spellcaster, a hideous guard drake, and a big person with two dragon heads. One hobgoblin was kept alive for interrogation purpose, which some cutting words from Missy, a soul-piercing glare from Alavis, a very chilly slap from myself and a charming wizard spell from Ivor quickly outed who he was, who he served, what he planned, and all that, all boiling down to the cult.
On the topic of Ivor and this dumbass cult, a quick advisory note. Ivor poses quite an interest in the Cult of the Dragon, and has expressed a certain liking to it. Despite this here VERY APPARENT DESTRUCTION and many other historical proofs, as well as what I have seen with my own two eyes, he firmly believes it is NOT EVIL and instead only "dangerous". On mission, I will tolerate him as my coworker, but no more. An evil sympathizer is an evil themselves.
We took a quick break to discuss plans with Black Fist representative. First order of business was to find Gelvit, a Harper man, to guide us and civilians through the sewers, an easy escape route, as the docks were taken over. Though he was not keen on it himself, he recommended to us another commoner whose name was something like Jo Do, and who knew the sewers very well. As we returned, we spotted some corrupt Black Fists killing others. To let us pass, Missy cast some hypnotic wizardry, keeping them all from doing anything for a while, which let us pass with ease. Well, almost. Another kobold attacked us, and was quickly put down.
Then, we were to save Lord Regent, a very important figure for the Black Fist. Kept inside of the town castle by cultists and corrupted guards, Alaid proposed the apparently noble choice of sacrificing herself and some of her crew to let us inside. It worked, though she perished, and we ran inside. We fought against some surprisingly strong cultists and a devil, though more of Missy's hypnotic magic greatly helped reduce the threat. I also elbow checked the Cambion as he flew, and he fell to the ground, which was quite humorous. We rescued the guy and made our way to the sewers, with what seemed like two hundred imprisoned civilians.
Last were the sewers, where the tragedy unfolded. We went ahead with Lord Regent to clear the area of threats. Unfortunately, the threats came to us. Another wizard lady, this time on a wyvern, as well as her personal guard golem. Sure, the golem packed a punch, and the lady's magic was quite obnoxious, but those paled in comparison to this wingless monstrosity. I was stung by this bastard's tail, and I felt almost all vitality leave me. Never had a strike against me been so powerful, Vince aside. I chose to be more defensive for the rest of this encounter. As she got closer to death, the lady ran away with flight, leaving the other two creatures to fight us.
And then, catastrophe. The wyvern moved over and stung Alavis right in the chest, a large poisonous wound left in him. He went down immediately. More specifically, and I did not understand until after this job was done, death had found him, with a single precise strike.
Myself and Missy kept on fighting, the construct falling soon, thanks to the whole team's combined efforts. We then wailed on the wyvern as revenge, though the beast was quite sturdy. Notice how I excluded Ivor. The idiot attempted over, and over, and over again to tame the beast, even after getting bit by it a few times, and nearly getting struck by its horrible stinger. It is a complete and utter miracle that Lord Regent managed to put two bolts right in its neck before it could get two kills for its death. With all threats taken away, those we gathered were free to escape from town, and we left with a metric ton of gold for our troubles.
Rest in peace, Alavis, for the few days until you are returned to life by the Syndicate. Because apparently, we offer such thing, which is wonderful.
With resolve,
Snap
P.S. I apologize for any less formal writing in this mission review.
Alvis Ingen
•13th Flamerule, 1502 DR
My first contract through the Syndicate. I was not prepared for what was in store. we were originally hired to help flush out some suspected traders of the black fist. but before we had finished the briefing it would appear it was far to late for any such investigations. There was attack on the city! A great dragon flew over the city and unleashed its terrible breath upon the citizens! wrecking havoc! soldiers holding banners bearing the symbol of the Cult of the Dragon and the soldiers carried with them chains tethering draconic like beasts whom they marched upon the city! We scrambled to defend those around us. and quickly devised a plan to save the lord regnant and as many people as we could. As we traversed through the city streets we bore witness to countless sights of terror. and witnessed first hand the betrayal within the ranks of the black fist as soldiers fought their fellow banner men and sadly lost. We found a Harper agent who was able to help guide us through the sewers and make a safe path for those needing to escape the city. after which we moved to the prison where the lord regiant was being kept. The remaining black fist who who had stayed loyal devised a diversion so that we could infiltrate and rescue the lord and usher him out with the rest of the people that had managed to escape the blood shed.
After the lord was free, we joined him and the others in the sewers to evacuate the city. but alas we were cut off by the cult. a mage with some sort of draconic construct and a wyvrn steed. we fought hard to protect the lord but alas. Alvis was feeled by the mages steed. . . . .but how is writing this you may ask yourself? you see I was revived! my chest had been pierced by the tail of the monster but thanks to the lovely Naima and the grace of Tyr I was allowed to come back.
despite the carnage and tragedy that had befallen this day. we saved all whom we could.
Rokka
•Secrets Gathering Dust
8 Flamerule, 1502 DR
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we were hired by nahaunglaroth, the blood of morueme, the sky surge. some blue dragon? idk but he sent this bugbear named hario (lol) who had a scroll requesting our help. go raid this wizardly spot where a wizard of undeath died undeadedly. dragon wanted skull and staff. so aber, evander, forvist, glitrende, snap, and wilson and i went!
a short way into the graypeak mountains we got there and saw a sign in undercommon- "here lies phineas the sallow. try not to wake him or feel his wraith." not wrath? whatever. saw a elf or drow mosaic on the ground. saw a portcullis with a button beyond it. headed through the non-port door despite knowing it was trapped. it sounded a real loud alarm and then ghouls and shadows ran at us! we were okay but those shadows really hurt and scared us.
there was a hall with a guillotine trap, then another room trapped. some skulls released flammable gas. we kept on the plate to not trigger the rest. i opened a door and then there were more ghouls and shadows! during the fight i forgot about the gas and used fire and we got all blown up but it hurt the undead more. then we all took a super secure rest.
in the next room was a lever and a chest. evander pulled the lever. we heard a noise elsewhere (the portcullis!). i tried disarming the chest but failed and set it off. the door shut and forvist and glitrende got separated from us! they had an adventure on their own while we hurried through a sewer grate to avoid falling pressure spikes. next room had an acid trail flowing towards us. aber was walking around through it to investigate and we found a real nice room with sarcophagi! decided to keep exploring to try and find fovist. aber fell into a pitfall trap. wilson and i got them out. then we reunited with forvist who almost withered away and died by other shadows.
during our reunion evander opened the sarcophagi and got attacked by phineas and some skeletons. we raced to get forvist across the gap and to the room to save evander and win! and we did!!! no one important died. we looted phineas and skedaddled.
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Loot
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-rokka :)
Evander Finch
•
Party: Rokka, Snap, Forvist, Aber, and Evander
My second expedition with the Syndicate led us into the Greypeak Mountains at the request of Nahaunglaroth, the great blue dragon. Evidently, the Syndicate had previously earned his favor by dealing with a plague in the nearby forests, and so another task was entrusted to us.
A hobgoblin named Hario, clad in finely kept armor reminiscent of an ancient legionary, arrived bearing the dragon's instructions. Somewhere beneath the Greypeaks rested the tomb of a wizard named Fineas, dead for roughly a century. Nahaunglaroth desired only two things from the tomb: the wizard's skull and his staff. Everything else, we were told, was up for grabs, if we chose. It seemed a fair arrangement.
After crossing the Delimbiyr River and several hours' travel into the mountains, we found a forgotten staircase descending beneath the earth. Dust was thick upon every step. We came upon a door with an inscription, written in Undercommon: "Here lies Fineas. Try not to wake him, or fear his wraith." A grammatical error, or a warning?
My inability to see in complete darkness continues to be an inconvenience, though Aber's enchanted rapier shed enough light for us to proceed, until I remembered I had a Bullseye Lantern. Beyond the entrance stood a stone statue of Fineas clutching a staff, alongside a heavy portcullis that refused to budge. A button sat mockingly on the opposite side, quite beyond our reach. After a brief discussion, we chose instead to investigate a nearby door.
An arcane sigil above its frame caught my attention. A quick casting of Detect Magic revealed a spell of fear woven into the enchantment, though before we had much opportunity to study it, the tomb offered its own welcome, in the form of five ghasts.
I managed to wreath one of the creatures in Faerie Fire, making it an easier target for my companions, though the spell proved less effective than I had hoped. Before the battle could conclude, shadows emerged from behind the portcullis, silently drifting toward us with strength-sapping necrotic magic.
Once the creatures had been dealt with, we searched what appeared to have once been Fineas's library. Though much had succumbed to age, I was delighted to discover an Enduring Spellbook, its pages preserved by enchantment to be resistant to fire and water. Deeper within the complex we passed a mural illustrating the grim progression from mortal spellcaster to lich. Shortly thereafter, both Aber and I fell victim to a concealed guillotine trap.
The next chamber carried the distinct odor of alchemical gas. Snap inadvertently discovered the pressure plate responsible for releasing it, while Rokka attempted to open a locked door nearby. The lock, it turned out, was the least dangerous thing in the room. More ghasts, and more shadows. Several rounds into the fighting, the accumulating gas ignited.
Remarkably, we survived. After taking a short rest to gather ourselves, we continued onward. Another chamber presented us with a curious inscription: "Death is the only exit." There was also a lever, so naturally, I pulled it. Nothing appeared to happen.
Moments later, Rokka opened a nearby chest, causing the stalactite-heavy ceiling to begin descending toward us. Fortunately, we discovered a narrow passage beneath the floor and escaped moments before the chamber sealed itself. Unfortunately, Forvist escaped in a different direction.
Separated from the rest of us, Forvist found himself battling two shadows entirely alone while we searched for another route. Unknown to us at the time, he also located the mechanism that halted a river of acid blocking our own progress. We benefited greatly from his efforts while being entirely unaware they were happening.
Beyond the acid lay Fineas's burial chamber, considerably more ornate than the rest of the tomb. At its center rested the wizard's sarcophagus. Having come all this way, it seemed only proper to confirm the occupant. In hindsight, the inscription at the entrance had been perfectly clear. Fineas rose as a wraith, accompanied by five skeletal guardians.
The battle that followed was the fiercest within the tomb, but with persistence, we prevailed. Fineas's remains were finally laid to rest, and we recovered both his skull and the staff promised to Nahaunglaroth. Hario accepted the relics without ceremony upon our return and saw that we received our reward.
I cannot help wondering what drove Fineas so completely toward undeath. The mural, the preserved library, the careful construction of his tomb…it all suggested a man consumed less by mortality than by the fear of its inevitable conclusion.
Snap
•(The text on this note is written very small, though is still very legible and well-written.)
8th of Flamerule, 1502 DR
Myself, Abuh, Forest, Avan, and Rowka.
This was another job on the more serious side, by the same people. Ario, representing Nahauglaroth for the Blood of Morueme, requested we retrieve a scepter and skull from a deceased necromancer, within some precarious catacombs in the Greypeak Mountains. Dare I say, today's mission was my finest work yet.
The place was riddled with traps and troops. The very first room had two ways to proceed. The way we chose had many zombie-like creatures. Avan let us frontlines push through a chokepoint, which turned out to be a mistake. From the other door appeared shadows, which sapped the strength of many of us (though not of me).
Past this, we entered a strange room, with faces on one half of the walls, and metal rods on the other. I stepped on a pressure plate and flammable gas began filling the room, though nothing more. After thorough inspection by Rowka, who insisted I step off which I refused, and then a magical window placed upon the faces to see the mechanisms behind by Abuh, we concluded... nothing more than we knew. So, I asked Forest to take my place and attempt to unlock the path to the next place, which he did, though needed Rowka's help to unlock. Here, we were attacked by more ghoulish ad shadowy creatures. Fortunately, Forest was smart and did not step off either... until it did not matter, as Rowka cast fire magic and blew everybody up anyway. Then stepping off the trap, it triggered the rods to spark, which would have ignited the gas. I was right!
Moving forward, we attempted to pick a chest. Unfortunately, that caused the door behind us to shut... with Forest on the other side. So, we split up. I am unsure of the exact happenings on his end, but I believe he vanquished two shadows by his lonesome. Good for him.
The rest of us crawled through a secret passage behind the chest and found some river of acid. Abuh sacrificed itself and began wading through to find a way to turn it off, finding an ornate room with the sarcophagus we sought and such... and the acid suddenly stopped flowing. Why, I still ignore. Abuh then proceeded to fall into a pit as I was trying to explain the floor would collapse below him, which it did. Rowka and Whimson pulled it out, and we saw Forest on the other side!
And then Avan thought it would be a superb idea to open the sarcophagus holding the items we were looking for, far away from us. I was quick to answer and positioned myself in front of some skeletons to at least split the attacks. Fortunately, he cast some illusion wizardry and was fine. The others came as soon as they could, and it appeared skeletons do not like having their ribs broken. My source is my fist. A ghostly figure also fought against us, the necromancer we believed, and one punch through its incorporeal form kept it from doing too much harm to us.
We retrieved the items and returned them to Ario, and received LESS gold than we did for inspecting caravans, which was much less dangerous. I am baffled, but 11 gold richer.
We deserve more for risking our lives,
Snap
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: investigate the dungeon of a dead wizard and collect their staff and head. DATE: 8 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate with an armed squad of Blood of Morueme towards the location of the dungeon in Greypeak Mouintains.
Directive: explore the area and collect the required items. Note: entrance is a long corridor that lead to a square room that continues into 2 paths. Observation: before entry the following text in Undercommon: "here lies phineas the sallow. try not to wake him or feel his wraith".
New directive: follow the westernmost path. Note: the path was trapped and called for reinforcements. New directive: dispatch the threats. Observation: shadows crippled normal functionalities for the duration of the mission. - BuT tHeY wErE rEtUrNeD tO tHe PlAnE tHeY bElOnGeD.
New directive: continue the path southward. Note: more traps were run through and -d-dis- damag - armed. Observation: more undead threats beyond a gas chamber. New directive: dispatch of the treaths. - MoRe UnDeAd WeAkLiNgS bRoUgHt To KnEeL a TrUe WiElDeR oF nEcRoMaNcY - Note: tactical ignition of the gas chamber by syndicate member Rokka was done and damaging 3 rooms. - sHe ShAlL bE sPaReD tHe AnNiHiLaTiOn FoR nOw, ShE hAs HeR uSe - no party casualties occurred and significant - DeStRuCtIvE - blow was dealt to the - wOrMlInG - enemy.
New directive: continue path west then south. Note: reached small room with a sealed chest and lever. Observation: chest probability of being disguised sentient entity high. cautious inspection of the room is recommended. lever was pulled and inspection of chest triggered a trap. 1 squad member seperated. the rest required to flee through hidden passage way to avoid total crushing. Note: using a wooden pole to disable crusher failed.
New directive: explore new area and find path to reunite with missing member. Observation: path covered in an acidic river and a sarcophagous room northward was revealed. Note: high probability of mission items within. High priority direcitve: reunite with missing squad member. Solution: search area after high directive completed. Note: acidic river dried. further travel eastwards and more traps dis-disabling reunited the enitre squad.
Observation: squad member Evander left the group proximity. Note: high probability of inspecting sarcophagous room alone. New directive: reunite immediatly to avoid possible fatalities. Observations: Evander's inspection raised the dead to life. New directive: SeNd ThEm BaCk To ThEiR gRaVeS. nO fAiLeD lIcH cAn OuTdO a TrUe MaStEr Of UnDeAtH.
Post directive: staff and head found inside the burial tomb. returned to the draconic employer.
Post mission: new equipment received.
Salviron Lisel
•Me, Arlie, Mimsy, Shev, and Yashir
The Emerald Enclave requested our assistance at a wildlife rehabilitation reserve north of the Syndicate. We headed that way and met with the Emerald Enclave representative who let us know that we are going to be responsible for watching owlbear cubs and taking them to their scheduled playtime activites. They all like shiny things, food, and games. We have to essentially beat the lady there in order to get full pay. They are skittish around magic and weapons so this may make life much harder.
We headed out on the path and I have no idea how the representative that takes care of these critters mangages to do this with all of them near everyday. They're all a bit crazy honestly. Luckily Forsythe is absolutely nothing like them. But we did eventually get them to where they needed to go, arriving before the representative just in time.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•7 Flamerule 1502 D.R.
Salviron. Mimsy. Arlis. Shev. Me.
I am not a godsbedamned babysitter. Not for people and especially not for owlbears. I pray that Thrax does not make that mistake again. So, I am sure, do the owlbears.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Arlis the Shade
•Party: Sal, Mimsy, Shev, Yashir, Arlis
The Emerald Enclave asked us to help out at a wildlife rebiltation place. We were asked to watch over some owbbear cubs and help take 'em to where they were to meet their mom. Each one was real fuckin' cute but some of 'em were more troublesome than others. Button was the best one though. She was super fucking helpful.
Snap
•(The text on this note is written very small, though is still very legible and well-written.)
7th of Flamerule, 1502 DR
Myself, Abuh, Torva, Teelite, and Jaggle.
When I previously wished for a more serious job, I did not expect it to be this deadly.
Ario, a hobgoblin representative of Nahaunglaroth under the Blood of Morueme requested we check up on others of his troop within the Far Forest, and to clear a plague there. The way there took a while, where we saw various ruins and fey remnant, while also verbally cursing fey that aren't part of the Seelee court, whatever that all means.
Once there, we trekked through the dark and dangerous forest. As some of us cannot see in the dark for some reason, we required torchlight. It was also inhabited by many tree-like creatures, which jumped us on three occasions.
Firstly were two alive trees and a living mound of dead nature things. The first tree was quickly incinerated by me, while Torva was grabbed by the mound. Fortunately, Teelite used her whip to fetch her out of it. Them, myself and Teelite worked on destroying it, while Jaggle chopped down firewood from the other awakened tree. Abuh also managed to keep the mound from yanking me into it too.
Then, amidst bubbling puddles of mud were another living tree and two living vines, one which Jaggle quickly spotted and I swiftly took down. Unfortunately, we had not noticed the tree, and it held me hostage above a puddle. Fortunately, my size sometimes comes in handy, and it could not lower me into it. An elbow made it drop me, as everyone else wailed on it while I took care of the other vine, which attempted to flee.
Finally, we found glowing fey-like magical light. They lead us to a more plum-colored part of the forest, where more of the vines jumped us alongside a giant purple mound of skulls and fungus. It started by shooting out rot and poison at all but myself and Teelite, incapacitating Jaggle in the process. Then, it rushed to me and her, failing to slam on her and then yanking me, attaching me to it. I had trouble seeing what else went on, and so I screamed and kicked at it furiously, while we worked on destroying it. One strong kick from me finally broke it up, and Teelite dealt with the last vine thing. This is also where we found the bodies of the hobgoblins, as well as various scattered magical items.
We reported back to Ario, who gave us our payout. It was unfortunately quite small, though greater than what I received for that boring job in Loud Water.
At least it was thrilling,
Snap
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: investigate the plague in Far Forest and remove it. DATE: 7 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate with an armed squad of Blood of Morueme towards the location of a lost armed formation.
Directive: find evidence of the lost squad and locate the source of the plague. Note: archive updated with new fauna and humanoid customs - ERROR: fey language pack missing. - Observation: area became darker and with more fey influence the closer we arrived to the mission location.
Observation: 2 large trees and a mound of organic mass become sentient. sentient fauna turned hostile to the squad. New directive: dispatch of threats. Note: sentient fauna regenerates from electrical discharges. Result: WaLkInG fIrEwOoD tUrNeD tO sPlInTeRs iN oUr UnStOpPaBlE wAkE.
New directive: continue forward exploring the corrupted forest. Observation: 1 additional tree and 2 humanoid vine entities turned sentiend and hostile to the squad. New directive: dispatch - ThE cOmPosT sHaPeD - threats. Result: aLl WeEdS tUrNeD tO aSh AnD mUlCh. Note: wisp entity retreated into a fey portal.
New directive: investigate deeper the origins of these threats. Observation: 2 additional humanoid vines appeard and a large tree composed of skulls and fungi became sentient and hostile. New directive: LeAvE nOtHinG mOvInG oR cReAcKiNg. Result: DeAd As AlL iN oUr PaTh ShOuLd.
Post directive: corpses of armed forces found. the dispatch of the diseased sentient tree has reverted the plague effects
Post mission: new equipment received.
Tealight
•Date: 7th of Flamerul 1502 DR
Party: Aber, Tova, Snap, Jaggle, Myself
Disclaimer, all names in this summary are subject to spelling errors...
My first adventure as a member of the Syndicate.
I wasn't entirely certain what to expect, though I can now say I am pleasantly surprised by what we encountered.
Our initial contact was with a hobgoblin named Hario. While unmistakably a hobgoblin, they also bore the scales of a dragon. Through conversation, it was later revealed that Hario, and apparently many other hobgoblins, were somehow born from a dragon. I remain... uncertain as to how such a thing transpired, and I believe I am content to remain ignorant of the particulars.
A letter was delivered to Tova, who read its contents aloud for the rest of us. Hario's employer (and possibly father?) a dragon named Nahangaroth, was the true patron behind the request. Our task was to travel north into the Far Forest and discover what had begun to ail it.
"Tear it out by root and stem." I believe those were the words.
With our objective established, we began our journey.
Along the road, Tova and I found ourselves speaking at length. We both noticed the remains of ancient ruins bearing unmistakable Fey influence. Long before my time, I am assured. Upon closer inspection, I found signs that suggested the area had once been under considerable Unseelie influence. An unsettling thought.
When I mentioned this to Tova, the conversation somehow turned toward another member of the Syndicate—a fellow Fey. I confess I have become rather curious to meet them.
After what I believe were several hours of travel, we arrived at the Far Forest. Hario departed from our company there, though not before leaving us with one final request.
A platoon of hobgoblins, Platoon Thirteen, had entered the forest before us to investigate and had not returned. We were asked simply to find them. No mention was made of whether they were expected to be alive.
I quietly considered this a secondary objective. The rot consuming the forest remained our true purpose.
Into the woods we ventured.
To my pleasant surprise, our group managed to travel with a respectable degree of stealth. Unfortunately, I believe we were all so focused on remaining unseen that none of us noticed the animated flora converging upon us until it was far too late.
Combat followed.
It proved challenging...
...for everyone else.
Keeping my distance from the plant creatures was, thankfully, rather simple. It is, after all, precisely what I was trained to do. Remain unseen. I'd make for a rather dreadful spy if even an overgrown shrub managed to catch me.
I digress.
The battle was won, and onward we pressed.
After several more trials and an increasingly unpleasant walk through the forest, we discovered what we believed to be the source of the corruption.
At first glance I mistook it for a cairn. Upon closer inspection, however, I realized I possessed embarrassingly little knowledge regarding cairns.
The distinction soon became irrelevant.
It stood up.
The ensuing battle was considerably more difficult than the first. Our party was beginning to tire. One companion briefly lost consciousness, another was swallowed by the... not-cairn, and our construct ally spent a surprising amount of time being dragged about the battlefield. Tova also appeared to exhaust much of her magic.
In hindsight, perhaps we ought to have rested when we discovered that quiet clearing.
The thought came too late to be useful.
Fortunately, so did victory.
The abomination eventually fell.
It is worth noting that we also found what I can only assume was Platoon Thirteen.
Unfortunately, they were beyond saving.
The poor souls had been grotesquely grafted into the creature's form. We recovered what belongings we could, along with enough identifying effects to bring confirmation of their fate. With our task complete, we returned to Hario, delivered the news, received our payment, and departed.
I've little else to report.
The contract was fulfilled.
I suppose that means I may now call myself an adventurer.
Though, if I am honest...
I find myself no closer to the place—or perhaps the person—I truly wish to find.
Signed: Tealight
Tova Sundara
•Date: 7 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Party: Snap, Tova, Aber, Tealight, Jabble
Patron: Nahaunglaroth
Representative: Hario, Blood of Morueme
Objective: Investigate the plague in the Far Forest, destroy its source, and make the area safer for hobgoblin travel.
Hario arrived at the Syndicate with a sealed missive from Nahaunglaroth. The seal was blue and marked with a dragon’s head, with a red ribbon wrapped around it. I accepted the letter, broke the seal, and read it aloud to the group.
The message thanked the Syndicate for previous work and requested our aid with a plague affecting the Far Forest, south of the Nether Mountains. We were instructed to clear out the corruption “root and stem.” Payment was promised for successful completion.
We traveled north with Hario and a hobgoblin escort. During the journey, we introduced ourselves. Jabble showed us a mermaid tattoo that moves when he flexes. Worth noting.
The Far Forest was dense, dark, and difficult to travel through. The area showed signs of old ruins and lingering fey influence. Tealight noticed possible Unseelie influence among the remnants. Aber observed a strong presence of wildlife and signs of arcane ley lines running through the area.
I also spoke with the group about Surx and the incident where they used my face and contacted my mind without permission. Since the topic of fey came up, it seemed relevant. And because I enjoy being helpful, obviously.
When we reached the edge of the Far Forest, Hario informed us that Platoon Thirteen, a group of fourteen hobgoblins, had entered the forest earlier and had not returned. We agreed to look for signs of them while completing the main objective.
Once inside, Snap carried a torch for those of us without darkvision.
We were attacked by two awakened trees and a shambling mound.
The mound grabbed me during the fight. Tealight used her whip to pull me free. Snap and Tealight helped destroy the mound, Jabble attacked one of the trees, and Aber helped prevent Snap from being pulled into danger.
We learned that some of the corrupted plant creatures regenerated from electrical damage. An unpleasant lesson, but a useful one.
All hostile creatures were destroyed.
We moved deeper into the forest and found corrosive pools of mud or ooze. There was also purple dust in the area that appeared to interfere with healing.
We were attacked by another awakened tree and two vine-like humanoid creatures. One vine was spotted and quickly taken down. The tree grabbed Snap and held him over one of the corrosive pools, but it was unable to lower him in properly. Snap escaped, and the rest of the party destroyed the tree and remaining vine creature.
One wisp-like entity retreated through what appeared to be a fey portal.
We followed glowing fey-like lights to a more heavily corrupted section of the forest. There we found a large mass of skulls, fungus, roots, and corrupted plant matter.
It stood and attacked.
The creature released rot and poison at the start of the fight, incapacitating Jabble. It later grabbed Snap and pulled him into itself. Snap continued fighting from within its grasp, while the rest of us focused on destroying the creature and dealing with the remaining vine entities.
The fight was difficult. Several of us were low on resources by this point, myself included.
The creature was eventually destroyed. Once it fell, the surrounding plague began to recede.
After the creature was destroyed, we found the remains of Platoon Thirteen. They had been grafted into the corrupted mass and were beyond saving.
We recovered identifying belongings and effects so Hario and the Blood of Morueme could confirm their fate.
We returned to Hario and reported the destruction of the plague’s source. We also confirmed the fate of Platoon Thirteen.
Payment was received.
Mission completed.
Signed,
Tova
Ivor Bersk
•I am not a man of faith, I doubt the gods spend their eternal time watching over us and judging every move.
They might look once or twice, a bit more if someone's life becomes is full of exciting adventure with world-altering stakes, but apart from that, it's everyone for themselves.
Said that, I respect the draconic pantheon more than the others.
That's why I have a feud with those who use the dragons' names carelessly. Such as those priests.
Luckily, it turned out fine.
Sylk Teke'zynge
•Sweet Dreams are Made of Geese
6 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Waterdeep's Fellowship of Bowyers and Fletchers summed a party from the Glassfang Syndicate to investigate the quiet from their best fletching farm, Seelie Goose Farm. Its owner, Ryenne Gosling, had recently passed ownership to her nephew, Liam Geeson. This shouldn't have resulted in any issue for the Fellowship, but now Seelie Goose Farm has ceased contact. Without the largest supply of feathers possibly, the Fellowship is running low on their arrows and bolts. They requested we go investigate the farm and renegotiate trade. Aber, Dahlia, Forvist, Snap, and Sylk (myself) headed out to Undercliff to search.
As we walked by fields, we heard a distressed call for help from a goose being attacked by another goose. A mix of us dispatched of the offender, but before we could check on the Common-speaking goose, there was a bright flash of blue light. All of us, regrettably, turned to geese. We retained some of our own abilities, but our gear had vanished, leaving us in a weakened state. The goose we saved, named Geesus, pleaded for our help. He was responsible for a failed casting of Geas ("Geese"), turning all in the area to geese until Ryenne Gosling had the deed to her property back. Evidently she was tricked by Liam. I will admit, I had not caught the full story, being too bothered about becoming a goose. But the task was clear, so we all continued to the farm.
Chaos arrived quickly. When the alarm honk sounded, Liam sprang into action to take care of us. However, we already knew he preferred his space more tidy. We ruined the garden, tracked mud, stole boots, and of course, killed his henchgeese. Despite all of our efforts, it was truly Dahlia's assistance that saved the day, finding both the deed and Ryenne trapped in the cellar.
After taking down Liam, we returned to Geesus, whose Geas finally dispelled when seeing Ryenne with her deed. We turned back into ourselves, received gold, and returned with good news to the Fellowship of Bowyers and Fletchers.
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Loot (to be finalized later, estimates taken during game)
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It was a lovely morning in Waterdeep. And we were horrible geese. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: investigate lack of communication from Seelie Goose Farm. DATE: 6 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate towards Waterdeep. received brief from the Fellowship of Bowyers and Fletchers.
Directive: travel to the farm at the city's outskirts and locate the owner Liam Geeson. Observation: a pond with two geese in a hostile encounter. speaking common and requesting assistance. Solution: intervened between the 2 and disposed of the uncooperative goose. Note: geese are resilient.
Observation: unknown magical hazard took over the squad and polymorphed them into geese. Note: functions and systems no longer magical - aBeRrAnT - and metal. motor functions and internals of flesh and feathers. Query: is this living.
Note: the saved goose designation Geesus. goose informed the squad of Liam Geeson's improper passed ownership of the farm from Ryenne Gosling. Geesus failed to intervened with a failed use of magic which caused the squad's and the entire farm's goose affliction.
New directive: reinstate Ryenne's farm ownership for the magic to fulfill its purpose and reverse the affliction. Solution: use goose functions to cause distractions and blockades of the targeted threats' headquarters while the deed is collected. Res - 2 fOuL hEnChGeEsE sAcRiFiCeD tO - HONK - uS - ult: Ryenne freed and deed returned to her.
Post directive: magic was reverted... Result: returned to metal and magical - AbeRrAnT pRiSoN - functions.
Post mission: new equipment and Waterdhavian contacts received.
Ivor Bersk
•Never mess with a gorgon.
That's what I learned as I was coming back from the Syndacate, directed to Loudwater.
Ivor Bersk
•You mess with the priest of Tempus and the warlock with the draconic gift, you get destroyed.
That's what happened.
Jueinuma
•The Group that Jueinuma is part of has been tasked with caravan duty. The group and Jue is to check caravans entering Loudwater from Waterdeep.
The first few caravans went well, but at the third caravan it went different. A mimic was found, then rats appeard. Rats tried to eat Jueinuma.
Jueinuma didn't like that so, Jueinuma killed some rats. Guards appeared after the fight, as is custom. They talked with group about what happened and why rats were killed. As the group was not supposed to kill humanoids. Were-rats are humanoids under their curse. Which Jueinuma believes is fair. Jueinuma couldn't do anything about it as Jueinuma was dealing with normal rats. As such, the guards are not happy. Though Jueinuma does believe the guards are overstating things as they happened.
-Jueinuma
Evander "Van" Finch
•Loudwater Caravan Duty
My first official assignment with the Syndicate was significantly more eventful than advertised. Lucky me!
Our party was dispatched to Loudwater to assist the city watch with inspecting caravans entering through the southern gate. We were met upon arrival by Watchman Volantis, a no-nonsense silver dragonborn captain who assured us the work would be uneventful, then immediately handed us a pair of manacles and instructed us not to kill anyone.
The work itself was straightforward enough. Our job was to examine travel papers, compare them against the contents of each wagon, and ensure nothing dangerous found its way into the city.
Our first inspection was, thanfully, ordinary. Two harengon merchants, Buggs and Judy Hopps, were transporting chilled produce and barrels of mayonnaise in an insulated wagon. Their paperwork was in order, and the cargo matched their declaration. The blast of cold air that escaped when their wagon was opened was almost refreshing in the afternoon heat.
The next wagon belonged to a halfling family relocating to Loudwater. Their documents accounted for seven travelers, (2 parents plus 5 children) yet nine sat in the cart. For a brief moment I thought we had uncovered our first deception, but the explanation was considerably more wholesome: Newborn twins, Saturday and Sunday, born after the original visas had been issued.
Both parents looked utterly exhausted, and I suspect neither had slept properly in weeks. Lady Valentina conjured a small illusion to entertain the children while we sorted out the discrepancy. The relief on April, the mother's, face was immediate. We chose to admit the family despite the outdated paperwork. Bureaucracy has its place, but compassion ought to have one as well, right?
The following wagon was less ordinary. Two dwarven “painters”, Vincent and Picasso, claimed to be transporting artwork. Their wagon's rear wheel had broken, forcing one of them to support the cart by hand while traveling. Everything seemed in order until Aber attempted to inspect a wooden chest. The chest objected, rather forcefully. It revealed itself to be a mimic and promptly adhered itself to Aber's arm with alarming enthusiasm.
Almost simultaneously, the cart waiting behind the dwarves erupted into chaos as several travelers revealed themselves to be wererats accompanied by swarms of ordinary rats. Lady Valentina and Jueinuma prevented the two dwarves from escaping, then the group dealt with the considerably more pressing matter of not being eaten or turned into rats.
I remained well behind my companions for most of the fighting. There seemed little wisdom in placing myself within reach of either the mimic or the wererats, so I contributed where I could, distracting our opponents with cutting remarks while Aber and Snap bore the worst of the assault.
Aber underwent a startling transformation once battle began. Whatever power fuels his rage altered his form, sprouting monstrous claws that proved remarkably effective against our attackers. I would like to learn more about that phenomenon, provided it is not considered an impolite subject.
In the end, the rats and their apparent leader were slain, the mimic destroyed, and the dwarves captured alive. Several of us were bloodied, but thankfully none were lost.
Curiously, the city watch arrived only after the fighting had concluded. Watchman Volantis seemed less interested in the successful defense of Loudwater than in reprimanding us for killing the creatures involved, citing his earlier instruction not to do so. I argued that giant rats, wererats in beast form, and carnivorous chests hardly qualified as "people" in the context of his order. My reasoning did not appear to influence his report, however.
Our payment was reduced accordingly. Each of us received twelve gold pieces and a potion of healing. I shall be interested to read whatever account the city watch records of today's events. I suspect mine is the more accurate of the two.
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: entrance check in inside Loudwater. DATE: 6 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate towards Loudwater. received brief from dragonborn captain guard Vesandis.
Cart 1: manned by 2 harengon individuals. Travel purpose: business trade of cabbage and mayonnaise. Note: travel documents within normal criteria. Observation: the squad's inspection of the cart and goods lead to no suspicious activity. Result: entraced approved for cart 1.
Cart 2: manned by 2 halflings with an additional 7 inside the cart. Travel purpose: immigrating to Loudwater as a group. Note: squad's inspection of the cart and people lead to no suspicious activity. Observation: the 2 halfing infants lacked the required documentation for entry. Result: deni- d-d-don't hurt Plum-halflings. p-p-protect innocent - entranced approved for cart 2.
Cart 3: cart damaged and manned by 2 dwarves. 1 dwarf holding the cart wheel. Travel purpose: moving art business to Loudwater. Note: initial query of the dwarves lead to no suspicious activity. Observation: squad member Jueinuma observed anomalies with the horse. dwarf responded hostile towards the horse inspection. New directive: thorough inspection of the cart's cargo and state. Observation: chest revealed to be a mimic.
New directive: engaged with the hostile threat. Observation: cart 4 and cart 5 revealed to be manned by wererats with rat swarms on board. Travel purpose: unknown. Result: individuals added to the threat and engagement priority list. Note: dwarves attempted to run. dwarves apprehended by squad members Valentina and Jueinuma. Result: begin dispatch- EvIsCeRaTiNg ThE iNsIgNiFiCaNt SeWeR aBoMiNaTiOnS. aLl Of ThEm ReDuCeD tO sHrEdS fOr OuR gRoWtH. nOw To AdD tHeSe MeRcEnArIeS tO oUr PiLe, TiMe tO kI- end combat engagement. all threats dispatched
New directive: detach - p-p-protect - the squad - f-f-from us - for report
Post directive: threats disposed of. no relevant individuals to question for the wererat attack. Result: mission reward deduction
Post mission: no innocent - a-a-and f-f-friend - casualties - p-p-please f-f-forgive.
Snap
•(The text on this note is written very small, though is still very legible and well-written.)
6th of Flamerule, 1502 DR
Myself, Abuh, Hue, Valentine, and Avan.
This job was much, much quicker than the other two I've done. Rather than a full adventure into space or Waterdeep, it was simply inspecting five caravans passing into Loud Water. As such, this report shall be short. Why a search could not be conducted by city officials, I do not know.
The first of five were two cabbage and mayonnaise merchants. The harengon presented identification and the entire cart was searched, both from outside and within. There seemed to be no issue with it at all, and so it was let inside.
The second of five was a family of seven looking to relocate inside the city. The mother was quite tired and truthful as she presented identification, and after discussion on whether incorrectly letting a carriage inside would deduct our pay or not, we chose to let them in, as they did not have two extra month-old unidentified children.
The third of five, and surprisingly the last we verified, were two dwarven brothers and painters. The same routine went forward, between identification and searches, though they were much more irritable. Understandably so, as it appeared a mimic had infiltrated their cart. Abuh began disposing of it, with some of us helping out, when mere seconds later, a horde of rats erupted from both the fourth and fifth carts. The brothers attempted to flee, but Hue and Valentine made sure they could not, knocking them out. The rats swarmed us, including some much larger ones and wererats. While I was their first target, swarming around me proved to be a mistake, as two breath weapons swiftly weakened the bunches. All the while, Avan gave us some great supporting words.
After a minute, all foes were down, with myself bashing in the skulls of many tiny rats and the last wererat standing. It is only then that city guards, including a captain, came to us. Rather than helping out in the fight, they berated us for the death of such innocent creatures, announcing it would be deducted in our pays. We, though more vocally Valentine, argued that such rats were not in fact innocent, even if people under the curse. They did not care, and offered us less than 12 gold each for our efforts, which is ridiculous considering three of us neared a certain death. I feel ripped off, though perhaps the training was worth it.
In hopes of a higher payout next job,
Snap
Sylk Teke'zynge
•Crashing the Wedding
3 Flamerule, 1502 DR
Months before, a carrier pseudodragon was robbed by two members of the Glassfang Syndicate. They discovered an invitation to the wedding of Marigold and Daffodil Pots, Eladrin brides from the High Forest. Curious for one reason or another, Aber, Alvis, Artemyeva, Jax, and Sylk (myself) set out in our finest attire to wish the happy couple well.
After pretending we were an unnamed band to assist in the festivities, we mingled with the crowd until the ceremony. Marigold's parents explained Daffodil comes from a family whose business was in the pigmentation of arcane arts. Evidently, this means what color is associated with what school of magic. There truly is a career for everyone... Arlis made friends with a despondent eladrin in an unrequited love with Marigold. Artemyeva chatted with the servants and scouted our lack of exits. Jax networked for his trading business, discovering a greater Coven of hags had taken notice of the Syndicate's meddling. And Aber met a fae child named Plumgrass, who offered them a drink. I was not aware constructs could become inebriated, but it became a hassle to wrestle Aber into the correct seat for the ceremony.
After seats were taken, the officiant began to talk. But they were interrupted, as a night hag came behind him and killed him. She declared that the fae at the wedding would become worthy sacrifices to the Coven spreading. Another night hag appeared, and several fae burst and became giant toads! We sprung into action to defend the wedding goers, some of us without our armor, some of us without our weapons. In the chaos, Alvis charged after the fleeing night hag through a portal deep in the forest. None of us expected more hags on the other side, and to be put on the ropes so severely. The fleeing night hag threw an entire casting of magic missiles at the wounded Aber and killed them instantly. Jax used all of his healing. Artemyeva wore out her focus points. Alvis drained all of his magic in protecting Aber's body. And I, without my armor, tanked against the swipes of each hag. Saying the fight was brutal was an understatement.
When the fight subsided, Daffodil, Marigold, and Plumgrass passed through the portal to check on us. Plumgrass was distraught seeing Aber's body, begging her mother Marigold to help. But Daffodil was the one who stepped in, using her diamond ring and bringing Aber back to life. The reception was tense at first, when we all returned. But soon, drinks were shared, and we went home with a new perspective on life.
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Loot
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The above information is recorded to the best of my knowledge of the day's events. -Sylkran "Sylk" Teke'zynge
Aber Ravenar
•MISSION REPORT: define what is a wedding
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate towards High Forest. used the invitation at the syndicate for guidance
Arrival: stopped at the entrance by a fey entity. Observation: squad attempted to divert information of the squad's arrival objective. Results: succeeded within small margins. Directive: remove all weaponry and combat equipment for entry access. Note: details of required wedding equipment added to the archive.
New directive: explore the area and gather information of the wedding. Note: many unidentified - a-a-adorable - creatures populated the area. Observation: fey child encountered. designation Plumgrass. inquired courtesy type information. Plumgrass directive: consume fey biological liquid fuel. Directive results: co-comm-ppl-eted.
Ne-new dir-rrecttt-ive: o-bb-serve ce-remo-nny. Nnn-otte: unknown information flooding archive - lll-ove - aaan-xiious - eeexcittt-emment - information cannot be defined. Obb-ser-vation: 2 hh-agss sssto-pped tthe bbr-idess directive. 5 ccci-vii-liansss turnn-ed tttto tto-adds. Nnne-w diii-rrec-tive: dddis-patch - ErAdIcAtE - ttthe- dIsGuStInG - tthhh-reaats. - cOuPlE oF mEaNiGlEs ToAdS eViScErAtEd fOr AsCeNsIoN, tHeIr sAcRiFiCe MeAnInGlEsS, fOlLoWeD tHe CoWaRdLy HaG fOr SoMeThInG gReAtEr. ThEiR LaUgHaBlE lAiR hAd eVeN mOrE tO cOnSuMe -
- ARCHIVE INFORMATION MISSING -
.
.
.
- ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE -
.
.
.
- ERROR -
.
.
.
Post directive: threats disposed of. Plumgrass status is flagged as safe. mainframe in critical state.
Post mission: immediate repair of all essential functions and systems.
Alvis Ingen
•3 Flamerule, 1502 DR
A bit unorthodox to say the least. Some of my new found comrades had stumbled up a lost wedding invitation and had decided they wanted to go and crash the party. Alvis is not opposed to such Hi-jinx, and so when I had been invited to join in the merry making I could not simply say no. now, what made this event even stranger was that it seemed to have taken place in the fey? or perhaps adjacent to a fey crossing? the details I was not clear on. but this was most certainly a fey wedding.
We arrived and as expected we were asked to check any weapons and such things before entering. standard procedure. however. I insisted on keeping my blade and shield on me. as they are part of my performance. This they allowed. which thankfully was for the best.
The event was gorgeous the brides to be could not be more in love. though there was one gentleman who seemed dower. Alvis does not like seeing down trodden faces at happy occasions. so I went to the man and talked to him. He was in love with one of the brides. which one? I can not recall. but anyway. My words did not seem to entirly reach him but. he did gather enough courage to be happy for the brides and to take part and enjoy the party. was good time.
But when we reached the ceremony. A disgusting hag had revealed herself to be among the attendees! Angry and bitter she was not invited! certainly this is not ideal for the wedding! and even worse. . .SHE TURNED THE GUESTS INTO GIANT FROGS INCLUDING THE SAD CHAP WHO WAS HAVING A DAY! no! NO I SAY! to my comrades credit. we were not invited and were trespassing on this event. but it was a good thing we were there! we jumped in rescue! blocking the vicious hag from the beatiful couple as the others fended off the assulting frogs. we did not have the means to rescue them. BUT AVENGE THEM WE SHALL! and so we fought tooth and nail. blood, sweat and toil to fight the horribe nightmares. one attempted to get away. BUT NAY! ALVIS GIVES CHASE. . .this turned out to be not a great move. As the horrid monster was not running. it was getting help from her coven. it turns out this area has a hag problem as there seems to be a large coven forming of numerous hags. Something about the establishment of the Syndicate has disturbed them and they have begun to band together. . .but. this speculation had to wait! for there was a fight to be had! I held my ground for as long as I could until my fellows could come join. but we were in for an up stream battle with no oar so to speak. Aber loosing his life to allow us to retreat. but. . VICTORIOUS WE EMERGED!!!
Alvis will be more careful in the future. as I can not help but ponder that Aber's death was a result of my miscalculation. . . . .but we did bring Aber back. he is fine now.
- Alvis Ingen
Aber Ravenar
•DIRECTIVE REPORT: continue search expert armorsmith
Departure: left the Glassfang Syndicate towards Loudwater. find skilled armorsmith to mend the persistent chestplate cracks.
Arrival: reached loudwater. Directive: inquire about armorsmiths within needed parameters. Result: no armorsmiths fitting needed criteria found. Observation: encountered syndicate member Sylk. Sylk offered valuable information to continue directive.
Note: screams heard in proximity. attention brought to the formed group and additional group joined syndicate member Ivor. Observation: woman describing guardsman a death encountered in nearby bookshop
New directive: explore bookshops for deceased individual and determine cause. Observation: deceseased individual succumed to undeath and accompanied by additional undead. Directive update: dispose of new threats. Result: successful.
Post directive: report given to relevant entities. armor discovered on one enemy of relevant use. armor collected
Post mission: find syndicate member Bri for mending damage.
Ivor Bersk
•I had just finished an investigation in the city when my attention was directed to a mundane bookshop whose employee disappeared.
With the help of some colleagues, we discovered that somehow some undead were roaming downstairs, and killed said employee.
Luckily I was there.
Azrael
•I was in town with my friend Wu, going forth to buy this devils mask to assist me with my disguise. We came across a women who disliked my friend, so we attempted to walk away, before suddenly mimic attacked her. Of course, I immediately went into action, and saved her. She greeted me, and did introductions, although was still rather rude to Wu. Nonetheless, we made it out of there, and I got my mask.
Ivor Bersk
•Damn giants animals.
How in the hell did they even get up here.
Hate them.
Hate them all.
I fricking herd? Pride? Group of wild giant boars nearly killed me.
Theoden Brightshield
•Well, I've only been here for a few days. But so far, my stay has been pleasant. Most members seem well mannered.
And there's quite a few courtship stories running around, which is expected... physical proximity brings emotional closeness.
Lord Thrax is a dapper man. Although I suspect he hides more than what he's letting us know. His presence feels almost... supernatural.
As for the adventures, I've signed up to quite a few, but to no avail so far. Apparently the work is slow in this season. We shall hope this will get better soon.
Tova Sundara
•I have not been with the Syndicate long, but I have already found more trouble, kindness, bruises, and beautiful distractions than I expected.
The Syndicate remains lively, humid, loud, occasionally dangerous, and full of people far more interesting than is probably wise. I have met more faces this month: Theoden, with his red and gold and very honest appetite for reputation; Surx, who may or may not know what they are looking for when they stare; Zaerius, still courteous and theatrical with his three-eyed raven; Sylk, who slips away from crowds but offers lavender lights in the dark; and of course Dahlia and Fenris, both of whom have already become difficult not to like.
I also visited Na’ima’s club in Loudwater, Club Gadagadaahat, after Arlis was kind enough to bring me there. I had been told it was worth seeing, and for once, rumor did not oversell the truth. Music, mirrors, drinks, dancing, good company, and a hostess with tattoos as lovely as her smile. Na’ima is confident, generous, and very easy to admire. Her ink is beautiful, her hospitality warm, and her bed far better than anything I have slept in lately. Breakfast the next morning was no small kindness either. I am beginning to understand that comfort can be dangerous in its own way. It makes a person want to come back.
There was also a great deal of talk about the Feywild after my recent encounter with green hags. I will say this carefully: I learned not to assume that beauty, sweetness, or a soft voice means safety, but I also learned not to paint every creature with the same bloody brush. Annabelle tried to save me. She was honest in the moment that mattered, even if the truth of what she was nearly stopped my heart. Her sister, however, was another matter entirely. Yikes feels too small a word, but it will do for now.
One evening, Sylk left the feast hall. I assumed the room may have become too crowded, so I followed after a while to make sure he was well. He made soft lavender lights for me in the dark, which I appreciated more than I said at first. We spoke at length about magic, home, family, and the Weave. I tried to explain that, for me, magic does not always feel like calling on something distant. It feels like holding a storm behind my ribs and deciding where the lightning is allowed to go. He understood more than I expected. Or at least, he listened beautifully. That is sometimes rarer.
Dahlia, Fenris, and I also played a drinking game called Not Upon My Legend, which is exactly as dangerous as it sounds when played with whiskey and hard cider. Fenris made a dramatic toast to the parents who abandoned him to a river, Dahlia briefly began speaking in a language neither Fenris nor I understood, and I somehow defeated both of them in an arm-wrestling contest. I do not know where that strength came from. I suspect confidence, alcohol, and divine comedy. I also apparently declared Fenris my wingman, which still seems like a sound tactical decision.
Fenris has beaten me in the sparring ring more than once, and I am grateful for it. He is enormous, kind, difficult to put down, and annoyingly capable of undoing every wound I manage to give him. Each spar has taught me something. Distance matters. Control matters. Running out of magic is not an abstract concern when someone built like a wall decides to cross the ring.
Then I sparred Vincel.
The first fight was over almost before it began. They caught me in a spell that locked my body in place, then cut me down before I could break free. I woke with the very clear understanding that being helpless in a fight is a lesson I do not care to repeat.
So, I tried again.
The second time, when that same paralysis began to close around me, something in me pushed back. I broke through it. I drew deeper into the spellfire than I have before and forced it into something precise. Not just power. Not just a flare of blue-white radiance thrown in anger or panic. Control. Aim. A strike shaped exactly where I wanted it to go, even while I was exhausted and nearly out of strength.
I still lost blood, breath, and pride in some places. But I gained something sharper.
Fenris healed me afterward, gently and without presuming. I thanked him before, but I will say it again here: that sort of kindness matters. Especially when it comes without demand.
I have also begun to understand what I need to learn next. I have plenty of ways to burn. I need more ways to survive when I am out of spells, cornered, hunted, or caught off guard. More ways to escape. More ways to misdirect. More ways to keep myself and the people beside me from being trapped, cut down, or killed before I can act. Recent events have made that painfully clear.
I do not yet know what that means.
But I intend to find out.
Surx
•
3 Kythorn, 1502 DR
Well, the Syndicate remains much the same as usual, though there have been some concerning developments.
Orlak is still around and clearly planning something. He has managed to gather a vast amount of power in a very short time and now has several powerful devils on his side.
The region around Parnast seems to be getting more chaotic as well. I don't particularly like the town, but at the same time, I fear they might be in danger.
Other than that, the Syndicate seems "normal." The area around it is perhaps a bit less dangerous, or at least I haven't heard anything that would make me think otherwise.
There has also been a steady stream of new arrivals. I may not have met them all, but the ones I have seem capable enough.
Theoden Brightshield — Human
I don't really know how to describe him. I guess... Yashir 2.0? For now.
Zaerius Morggoth — Shadar-kai
I assume he's a Raven Queen zealot.
Tova Sundara — Human
????????????????????????
Other than that, the rest of the Syndicate gang seems to be the same as always.
I'll update this as the month goes by.
— Surx
Mika
•
After joining the Glassfang Syndicate in search of work and lodging, and being welcomed by a rather strange receptionist who ate my membership paperwork after I signed it, I quickly found myself involved in a series of unusual assignments. A mix-up sent me, Balasar, Desky, Sylk, and Forvist to the Midwinter Festival in Port Nyanzaru, where we uncovered the truth behind an earth elemental named Sleb stealing supplies to care for a weakened fire snake and ultimately resolved the situation peacefully. Shortly afterward, I joined Tapioca, Onics, Kyani, and Forvist on an expedition into the Greypeak Mountains to recover two hidden caches, dealing with giant badgers, ancient riddles, kobolds, and fire-spawning magmins along the way. Most recently, a vague plea to rescue a princess from a red dragon led Vernan, Tova, Theoden, and me into a dormant volcano, where we fought through kobold servants, slew a red dragon wyrmling, and discovered that the kidnapped "Princess" was actually a goat, whom we safely returned home. In only a short time with the Syndicate, I have helped settle a dispute between elementals, explored forgotten ruins, recovered lost treasure, and can now truthfully claim that I have saved a princess from a dragon, even if the princess happened to have four legs and a taste for grass.
Ivor Bersk
•Ivor
As this new month begins, I find myself richer than usual.
I will use this newly found luxury to employ someone skilled to craft me some magic items
Sylk Teke'zynge
•The State of the Syndicate
17 Kythorn, 1502 DR
I will use this as an opportunity to summarize my time within the Glassfang Syndicate, as I have yet to complete one of these logs.
I arrived approximately the 20th of Tarsakh, a couple months prior. I came from the lands of the Underdark, seeking mercenary work and to better myself as a warrior. And I have discovered so much more about myself than I imagined.
My first mission, five days after my arrival, took me through the labyrinth of the Blue Alley in Waterdeep. My second, I rescued the captive wildlife of a dragon at the behest of a druid-turned-canine. Then, I assisted in helping a basilisk leave the sparring grounds. I've hunted the eyes of abberations in the Dire Woods. I've explored a wizard's home to rescue a rival's familiar. I assisted in solving a murder case in Baldur's Gate. I attended a lively festival in Chult. I convinced some kobolds to leave our workshop alone. I've helped best yetis holding prisoners of innocents. I took on demons, saved children from hags, and protected most of Loudwater from the wrath of a carnival gone wrong.
In this time, I've also made quite a few friends of sorts. Mimsy and Fenris' support has kept me alive. Vincel and Surx are masters in spars. There's Vindal, and Arlis, and Salviron, and of course, there's Tova. All incredible mercenaries, all under Thrax's leadership, and the guidance of the kobolds.
I may have much to learn regarding the surface of Toril and its denizens. But I can say I have learned more in two months than in the last ten years. I will continue to grow and be the young man my family would have wanted to see. All thanks to the work and opportunities we have here.
-Sylkran (Sylk) Teke'zynge
Salviron Lisel
•This month for me has been spent in Loudwater for most of the time. It was quiet and full of earning coin and crafting in all honesty. I don't know much of what's happened at the Syndicate in all honesty. Loudwater was full of crazy things as per usual--a carnival included. I will not be going back to any carnivals if they're all like what we experienced. Oh right. Arlie's got a not-boyfriend. He doesn't call him that but it very well may end up that way. But good for him. Solia and Yashir got together and apparently Shev and Bri broke up.
Apparently, the Syndicate is a telenova.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•State of the Syndicate: Kythorn 1502
It has been quite a month.
Official Syndicate jobs remain sparse, for me at least. It has been frustrating, in a certain sense, to watch the newer members sallying forth each day and not being able to help them. I fear my skills and instincts languish from disuse.
Unofficially, however, things have been much busier. No sooner did I complete a renovation of Shining Peaks than it was attacked by mercenaries sent by Optometry. Much to my own surprise, I was able to renegotiate their loyalty in my favor, and they have proven remarkably loyal and steadfast. Together we moved on a location intended to give us information on Optometry's sky castle, but it was a trap. We have a new line of attack, however. A local dragon has provided us information instead.
In the interim, much to my even greater astonishment, the relationship between Solia and myself has... developed. It has become a relationship indeed. These two things -- relationship and new hirelings -- have complicated one another in ways I do not care to describe here or anywhere.
All of this pales in comparison to Solia's own complications. She simply vanished for five days. Half the Syndicate turned out to search for her, and then she turned up as suddenly as she had gone, in the den of a malevolent dragon, wounded and half dead, with a fantastical tale of Fey prisons and monsters and paths and gatekeepers. I have not yet begun to comprehend... any of it, really. She is returned to me. That is all that matters. Well, not all. But it matters most.
The future is uncertain. Optometry still lives. The hunt for Orlak continues. In many ways, progress seems to have stagnated. But I am undeterred. The Syndicate is growing, new members signing on nearly every day. My confidence grows alongside it that we can face any and all of these threats, together.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Arlis the Shade
•There's been a bit that's happened lately... Some of it's been real personal so I'm just gonna skip over most of that.
First of all, found out I really fuckin' hate the circus. We were hired by a guy who had a crew of bugbears and had a bunch of animals locked up in cages that were starved and abused. Fuckin' awful. The bugbears had a scheme goin' on where they were druggin' people and lockin' em up in cages. Probably gonna traffic 'em. We tried to stop 'em, but there were a lot of civilian deaths that we couldn't prevent. It was... a real bad day for me.
Then we were sent to a world beyond the stars to talk to a girl about her missing girlfriend. She asked us to find out what happened to her, and we went to find that the girlfriend was the princess of some astral elves. They were bein' harassed but some shitty space clowns, but we took care of some of 'em. Found that there was a bigger plot to sacrifice the astral elves to the void for a ritual and we managed to stop that. Got to join in on partying too. Dressed up an' everything.
Another job, we were hired by the blue dragon I'd seen in a vision. Apparently we're allied with 'em now?? He wanted us to clear out an area in the Nether Mountains. Fought a bunch a nasty poisonous creatures and killed some dragon-not-dragon things. We did what we were tasked to, but I wasn't happy with it...
Unrelated to jobs... we celebrated the Summer Solstice at Na'ima's club. It was the first Summer Solstice I had since leaving the Lathander Monastery... it... turned out a lot better than I expected.
Solia had gone missing at some point.. fell through some kind of doorway that she summoned from her... eye? Not quite clear on that. But... I feel like whatever happened to her... it's not over... and we should be on guard for the future. We need to make sure she's safe.
I have only been a part of the Syndicate for a couple days now. I must say that the level of friendliness and generosity among these mercenaries has been jarring to the best degree. It seems that I may have an easier time here than I originally anticipated. I must see if there is a temple dedicated to my faith nearby, or if prayers openly will be welcomed. I have had no controversy as of yet, which brings me peace. Let us hope it remains that way.
Until next time,
𝔖𝔞𝔯𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔞 𝔐𝔞𝔷𝔢
Snap
•State of The Syndicate
Kythorn 1502 DR
Exactly two weeks ago, I have joined the ranks of the Syndicate, though I almost joined staff rather than the mercenaries. Thankfully, Trax is a very pleasant man who understood the misunderstanding. Since then, I have undertaken two jobs, both more ridiculous than anybody could ever conjure up. First was a venture into space to prevent the annihilation of an entire planet of prideful astral elves by a group of void worshippers. I regret not spending longer admiring the stars. Second was the investigation of illegal doings prior to and during a cheese competition, including a cheese beholder. I've also had some happenings on the road, including a regrettable dog-like-person encounter, two crazy men with axes ambushing me, and a wagon full of apples breaking down and needing repairs and horse control,
So far, I've learned much, though I've also discovered many questions about myself and the world. I've learned to catch a punch and to more efficiently deliver my own. I've learned to put more booming in my words to sound more convincing. I've learned to breathe ice, to let it flow through my fingertips, and to throw it from afar. And I've learned some valuable lessons, to prioritize my survival over a target's demise, to hone my mind as much as my body, and that the world is more dangerous beyond city gates than I could ever have expected. But despite this, I still question where this draconic power comes from, who or what it may be connected to, as well as what my place in this world is. Maybe I'll uncover my grand ambitions in the following month. Maybe.
But enough about me. The Syndicate is a team, isn't it? I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to those who have helped me learn, or who I simply got to share some words with.
So much has happened in so little time for me. I'm thankful for being here, for having somewhere safe I can say. I'm happy I was able to call it home so quickly.
Here's to hopefully many more months,
Snap
Vincel Emerland
•It is no surprise that this past month has been the most explosive when it comes to my growth and exponential when it came to my potential. I spent almost every day sparring, as I intend to continue to do so, but that was not all. I built my home. A bastion of my own, I no longer am forced to spend my days and evenings in the Barracks. Do I intend to return every day to utilize the facilities? Absolutely; that Sparring Ring is far to special to practice with another anywhere else.
Despite the fact that I do have a training grounds on my own property, I would never subject another to the potential of death under my blade. That would do no one any good. Perhaps I will look into getting the same wards placed on my home, though, I do not know where to begin for such abjuration.
I have garnered a reputation with some Syndicate members due to my relentless sparring habits. It is not unfounded, of course, but I do find the development to be most puzzling. Not everyone views such practice as intensely as I do, which is their own shortcoming, and this has lead to a number of disagreements at their conclusions. But, I can only hope that they take something from the encounter, rather than resorting to the fallacies of emotion. Loss and failure are great teachers, too, as necessity is the mother of invention.
As I progress, my knowledge of magic expounds to the almost unheard of. I can create more than I ever dreamed, and hope to heighten this growth into the next echelon. Until next month, where I intend to reach the rank of Master.
Azrael
•After my first mission, I had gotten really ill and sadly was unable to continue any missions. Although I did get to meet a ton of new people within my time in the syndicate so far and made a few allies. I believe that this is a promising step in my future plans, and plan to make myself far more powerful than I am as of now...
Salviron Lisel
•We were taken by a portal to a ship deck of a ship called the Cutlass near a town called Thornwalk. Something about the Dark Harbor rising. We were told about a legendary serpent named Joturr that devoured ships and brought about storms so violent the Gods sunk a great city called Ithal. There's apparently a prophecy that says the sea will swallow the world one day and Joturr will return. There was a Pirate King named Uazi, leader of the Dark Tide, that ventured into the storm where Ithal used to be but Uazi returned changed. The storm that surrounds Ithal's remains is referred to as Joturr's Fury. Shev and Yashir have done some jobs for this space before.
So great on that end. I guess.
We were requested by Captain Aurora to meet with Thalia Moonshadow in a tavern called the Kelp and Kraken. Walking in to the tavern found us seeing a halfling man hunched over what looked to be an orrery and another woman, more stern looking, standing to the side. Erlan Fleetfoot is the halfling man that apparently brought the orrery here and the woman is Thalia Moonshadow. Temoren looked into the orrery and saw something, feeling something Abyssal related to it.
Erlan gave us a story of how he managed to get this orrery away from Uazi. The Dark Tide isn't human any longer, they've been transformed. Joturr seems to be talking to Uazi and promising riches but Uazi is drowning villages and killing people without reason. Erlan joined the Dark Tide with his sister in promise of riches but his sister was taken to join the Chorus. The Chorus is the transformation that the Dark Tide started going through. A thing of brine was poured down his sister's throat and that caused her transformation.
Now the Dark Tide is working on something else, something worse and Erlan stole the orrery because its the key. So the Dark Tide is on the way to take it back. The orrery that is here is ancient, living constellations. The constellations along it are near impossible to decipher with the modern stars that exist. Erlan is a cypher and his memories may be able to unlock the orrery's secrets and so its our job to keep him safe.
While discussing what they intend to do with the orrery, sea water started coming in and we started hearing attacks. We were to protect Erlan and get out of the town and out to sea. Thalia let us know that we can be led out to the Cutlass and get out, keeping them safe and getting away with the orrery. Thalia led us out and the entire town was in madness and crazed actions. Everything was steadily going under water, which tracks with what Erlan said in his story as well. But it was also dealing with a large storm that started up and is becoming a larger mess of things.
Thalia led us down a passage way and to a bridge made of bone. Out of nowhere, an assassin appeared and attacked Erlan and fish people appeared on the other side of the bone bridge and we engaged in combat. We defeated these creatures and and continued moving, coming across a family trapped in the middle of the acidic water. There were bottles in the water that were causing the acidic nature of it. Shev cast a telekinteic spell and lifted the family to safety and we were able to avoid the water by Shev lifting crates to form a bridge.
As we left the covered market space, we heard a loud voice in our heads and there was this sharp pain that pressed into my head. And then Erlan bent over in pain and the transformation started to overcome him. We worked together to help him fight it off and I may have made an error but I absorbed some of the magical transformation that was affecting him. That may be an issue for later but right now it doesn't matter.
We continued down to the docks to get Erlan to the Cutlass and Thalia let us know that the orrery needed to go to the lighthouse. We sent Yashir off to drop off Thalia and Erlan on the Cutlass and then head to the lighthouse with the orrery to resolve what we can. The rest of us took on the creatures attacking the docks and Vincel made a move towards a ship that had the transformed pirates herding villagers onto it. We engaged the other creatures and started fighting back but more kept coming.
It was wave after wave of creatures and luckily Yashir was able to distract the remaining creatures by activating the orrery in the lighthouse which basically let out a beam of light to draw attention and allow us to board the Cutlass and get away.
Learnable Creatures: Drowned Assassin, Sahuagin Warrior, Merfolk Wavebender, Sahuagin Wave Shaper, Frost Giant of Evil Water, Storm Crab, Aberrant Cultist, Sahuagin Blademaster, Skum
Yashir adh Rumahr
•Kythorn 30, 1502 D.R.
A job two days in a row! This is practically unheard of in these times, and I rather dislike being away this frequently given the circumstances surrounding my personal life. Still, when Captain Aurora calls for help, she seems to have begun asking for me by name.
Today, the assembled group -- myself, Shev, Vincel, Salviron, and Temoren -- were sent to an island town. One of the mad pirate king Uazi's men had defected, taking with him a powerful artifact intended to bring down the Maelstrom and raise the evil sea leviathan god Joturr from his watery prison... there is a great deal of backstory here. The Dark Tide -- an evil pirate crew horribly transformed under Uazi's influence in the name of Joturr... it doesn't get better. The Dark Tide was attacking the town to catch this defector and recover the artifact. We were tasked with escorting the defector to safety and safeguarding the artifact, an ancient orrey.
While the Dark Tide bombarded the island with ballistae and lightning, we fought our way through a secret tunnel, through a crowded marketplace (where we incidentally rescued a desperate family from an alchemical fate worse than death), and through the town proper. We succeeded in getting the defector to the Cutlass, Aurora's ship -- with a brief pause to help him survive the effects of a horrific concoction Uazi had forced down his throat to transform him into something horrid -- but, spontaneous change of plans as the orrey erupted with a light matched by a nearby lighthouse, we were obliged to take the orrey to the lighthouse and activate it.
We succeeded in this task. It... it was a lot, and I still am uncertain of the final results of the endeavor, but Captain Aurora escaped with the defector and the orrey appears to be safe. I do not know how to lay it all out in a succinct form that makes any sense. I can only offer my apologies to the readers for what must be a confusing story.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Temoren Cairnwright
•Before taking this job, we knew the old Northlander tales of Joturr: a legendary serpent so vast it was said to have once stretched around the world. The stories claim Joturr devoured ships and churned the sea into storms so violent that the gods sank the city of Ithal to ensure the serpent was trapped and its power sealed away.
There is also a prophecy that one day the sea will swallow the world, and Joturr will return.
More recently, the pirate Kint Uazi, leader of the Dark Tide, is said to have sailed into Joturr’s Fury, the constant maelstrom where Ithal once stood. Uazi used an ancient orrery to guide the way and returned changed.
The settlement we arrived in was built around the ribcage of a dead leviathan, which is not something one sees every day. We were directed to the Kelp and Kraken, where we met Thalia Moonshadow and Erlan Fleetfoot. Captain Aurora was not with us at the time, though we could see the Cutlass in the bay.
Erlan was hunched over an intricate bronze orrery. It was etched with runes, moving with ticking gears, and carried abyssal magic strong enough that I could feel it. He had stolen it from Uazi. Erlan also had scars along his neck that looked too much like gills to ignore.
When I touched the orrery, I saw a flash of a city beneath the sea: a tall spire, coral, and a vast serpentine shadow coiling through it. Then I came back to myself.
Erlan told us the Dark Tide are not just pirates anymore. They are becoming something else. He and his sister joined for coin, not for whatever this has become. He said brine was forced down his throat until he changed, and that his sister “joined the chorus.” From what we gathered, the chorus is part of the transformation. Erlan stole the orrery to spite them and to stop them, but he believed they were coming for it.
Thalia believed the orrery, called the Tidewheel, was the key to navigating the storm. Her map was less a normal chart and more a living equation, tied to ley lines, stars, and safe passage through Joturr’s Fury. The problem is that Erlan may be the only one able to help unlock its secrets, because the knowledge is tied to what the Dark Tide did to him.
Then the seawater came in.
The town began flooding, and we had to get to the Cutlass. Thalia led us through a cliffside passage and onto a bone bridge in heavy mist. Ranged attacks were difficult in the conditions. We were attacked by a drowned assassin and other creatures, which we dealt with before pushing forward.
We also found a family stranded on crates in corrosive water with volatile bottles nearby. Shev saved them. Vincel used Mage Hand to retrieve one of the bottles, and I helped him with a bit of quick guidance at the right moment. That worked, somehow.
Shev then made us a bridge so we could keep moving toward the water and the Cutlass. In the distance, Captain Aurora was fighting something with serpentine tentacles. People were throwing themselves into the water. The Tidewheel sent out a beam of light that struck Thalia, and Erlan dropped to his knees as the transformation tried to take hold again. His veins turned black, his gill scars bubbled, and the Dark Tide knew where we were.
We had to stop Erlan’s transformation in stages. We only had one chance at each phase. Vincel used his sword to interfere with the spreading markings, and together we managed to keep Erlan from becoming whatever the brine was trying to make him.
After that, Yashir’s enormous snake carried us toward the docks. We still had too many problems at once: innocents needed saving, the Cutlass had to be reached, and someone needed to get the Tidewheel to the spire and lighthouse to place it in its slot. Yashir handled a great deal of that, and we eventually made it to the Cutlass.
I used nearly all of my spell resources, mostly keeping Shev alive. I am not saying this to be unkind, but it is not sustainable. He needs better defenses, better caution, or both. Preferably both.
We survived. We helped the Mistbourne move closer to their larger goal. Erlan lived, which matters because he may be the only person who can help them understand the Tidewheel without becoming part of the Dark Tide again.
That is all I have for now.
Vincel Emerland
•Wet. There are a lot of things that this mission made me feel, but I believe wet is the overwhelming state that I wish to impart upon whoever it is that reads these things. I was wet. As was everyone else who came along through the portal under the behest of Captain Aurora, instructed to meet with Thalia Moonshadow in a place called the Kelp and Kraken. Yashir, Sal, Shev, Tem and myself did as we were told, arriving on the island that was more a ribcage of some great titan than anything else. Yashir and Shev caught the rest of the group up on the circumstances of the Mistborne.
Or was it Mistsworn?? I didnt get a clear answer there..
Despite the confusion, there was no uncertainty about our purpose. The Dark Tide, lead by a crazed cult leader named Uazi, were seeking to free some snake god Joturr from its prison. Apparently, it would devour the world, or something of the sort. I was busy casting Water Breathing on the group when discussions happened.
Discussions with this Thalia Moonshadow and a halfling man named Erlan Fleetfoot. He had some ancient artifact, the Tidewheel, which he stole from Uazi. He and his sister had apparently joined Uazi's cult, which was no longer exactly... human. He nearly was transformed into one of the sea creatures, but managed to escape with this orrery. It was supposedly crucial for a ritual that the cult intended to use...
But, just as I got my spell off, water came rushing in the tavern door. It appeared that the Dark Tide had risen, and we needed to keep Erlan and this orrery safe! Running through town, we fought fishy foes, and saved a family from a truly gruesome end. Eventually the orrery started to activate, blasting a ray of light up into the sky. Erlan began to transform. We managed to... well, slow the process, saving him for the time being, but the mission wasnt over yet.
Arriving at the docks, we realized that there were other civilians being taken away. I rushed in to help them, but... I couldnt be in two places at once. The party was struggling, and I had a duty to keep them safe first. A duty that resulted in them being taken to gods know where... They will not be forgotten.
Eventually, Yashir must have done something, as there was another beam of light from the Lighthouse we were told to deliver the Tidewheel to, and every creature we were fighting turned and marched that direction. We barely managed to escape...
I hope it was enough.
Aber Ravenar
•DIRECTIVE REPORT: collect unicorn statue for employer Mirt
Location: secluded alley within Waterdeep. Observation: alley lead into a buildings blue pathway. entrace blocked by wall of magical composition. Solution: neighbouring ledger allowed entrace by inscribing designation.
Alley building: entrance path split into silver east and golden west path.
New directive: explore golden west path. Observation: path lead north. ivory door west side of hallway revealed depictions of objects infested with mouth, teeth, eyes... Information archived for future research. Additional observation: north door lead into a room containing 2 ivory bull statues. possible key for prior door - Hypothesis confirmed: engaged in combat with undead minotaur entity by interacting with the satues. Observation: entity held the key. Solution: dispose of threat and collect key.
New directive: open ivory door. Observation: small room lead to a chest containing bronze bell and silver key. chest was bait for mimic entity impersonating ceiling. Note: threat disposed of.
New directive: explore silver east path to use key. Observation: path lead north. 2 trapped east hallways converging towards a room with a silver door. Note: skeletal corpse on west wall revealed hidden door. Secondary directive: explore hidden path. Observation: fey creatures defended the path forward and a room full with gold. Note: no gold collected leading to a southern room with a locked gate. Door directive: unknown.
Returned to initial directive: open the silver door to reveal a path of corpses. Observation: room trapped with bear traps and more undead. Note: threats disposed of. room lead to a trapped halway guarding a coin serving no use.
New directive: explore hidden path further. Observation several rooms north, east, and west of hallway revealed. east room lead to the mission objective. Solution: solved room puzzle by negating visual sensors and collected the unicorn statue.
Post mission: remaining rooms offered no information and/or objects of interest. Final directive: leave the area to complete mission. Observation: statue revealed sentient through telepathic communication. Note: employer mislead true mission directive. Solution: follow unicorn directive to free it.
Post directive: past employer Mirt dissatisfied. threat was rewarded for failing Mirt directive. Note: new employer Primiria rewarded favor for following directive.
Yashir adh Rumahr
•Kythorn 29, 1502 D.R.
Tonight's adventure was unique in that it had two beginnings.
Shev, Solia, Bri, myself, and a tall, giggly new person apparently named Vincel were sent to the forest of Cormanthor, Solia's birthplace. There we were to recover an old chalice from an ancient temple, and to return it to a Dara. We were told in the message that the people of the local town, Lighthouse, would have more information for us about the temple. We went to the town of Lighthouse, spoke to several of the townsfolk, and were given much crucial information to help us on our way. Accordingly, we recovered the artifact without difficulty.
On our way back, however, we were evidently ambushed by a raving lunatic, who somehow overpowered us all and relieved us of our things -- and our memories. Thus the second beginning: we awoke with nothing but our smallclothes, and were immediately cast into a battle with wil-o'-wisps in some sort of dream world.
Once we overcame those wisps, we returned to the real world with nothing but a potion bearing a cryptic riddle written upon it: the one who had robbed us had given our possessions to a third party, and left us with an irritating logic puzzle in order to find it. Give the potion to the right person, and that person would return our things to us. Following the instructions, we retraced our steps to the temple and recovered a few pieces of information regarding the logic puzzle. On the way back out, we were ambushed again, by the same personage. He... put up less of a fight this time around, apparently, despite his obnoxious minions, and we took his notebook with the final pieces of the puzzle.
After we solved the riddle, we returned to the town of Lighthouse and found the correct person to give the potion to. Drinking it, he apparently recovered memories that had been stolen from him, and returned our things to us. With a little extra for Thrax.
Oh, and we were not paid for our trouble. The chalice we had gone to recover had been destroyed after being taken from us, it seems.
I cannot help but feel this entire mission was a farce from the beginning.
-- Yashir adh Rumahr
Vincel Emerland
•Perhaps the most baffling of circumstances I have ever found myself in, as I woke up from a sleep I do not remember taking. I have not slept in centuries, so the fact that I did, indeed, wake up was quite the start. A start that only got worse as I, along with Shev, Bri, Solia, and someone I have never met, though I discovered his name is Yashir, were practically naked; stripped of all our items in this liminal space. A campsite, of sorts, where there was a potion with a note attached and a collection of motes of light. The lights, of course, attempted to kill us shortly after we tried to get our bearings.
Despite our lack of memories, some of my companions understood that they could imagine items and they would appear. How fortuitous, it seemed, as I imagined a smallsword and started to strike at these monsters. With each one defeated, Bri was granted memories of our circumstances; where we were in the Cormanthor forest, on a mission for someone named Dara, and we were sent from the town of Lighthouse to retrieve an elven artifact, some Chalice. During this time, I imagined us all some clothes, so everyone would be comfortable.
A mistake, it seemed, as we all then awoke in the real world. I was getting whiplash, and everything we imagined disappeared. Once again, naked and itemless, the potion remained, harboring a note. A trickster named Dukana stole our memories, items, dignity, and tasked us with solving his mind puzzle. We had to figure out who he gave our items to, and then make them drink the potion.
The only clue we had was that they were the one who warned us of the trap. What trap? I wasnt sure. But, Solia found tracks, roughly the same number as our party, so we followed them to this temple. 'Retracing our steps', at the behest of this note. We came across a temple to Labelas Enoreth, which appeared as though it hadnt been explored in centries. I was immediately thrilled, and wanted to go inside. This, of course, clouded my insight, and I nearly fell in a pitfall trap. This was the trap they warned me of... but I couldnt remember who it was that warned me.
We go inside, meet its ghostly caretaker, who asked why we returned. We explained, and found further clues to this riddle. Memories returned, we tried to leave, only to be accosted by this Dukana, and a collection of tricky monsters... The fight is not worth repeating, nor are any of the jokes that threw me into fits of forced laughter.
We returned to Lighthouse, and solved the riddle with the assistance of our memories returning to us! Of course, we got our items back, but received nothing for the actual mission. We got robbed and got nothing to show for it.
Truly, a... unforgettable venture.