The Helmlands Beholder

SpiffyMeister

This campaign takes place with the blessing of the Royal Family.

Royal Herald

Fizzgig

@v-rage said in Letter: Councillors Ursula and Tass:

Councillors

I enclose a report from an expedition I led last night

I made a sending and assembled a group comprising of myself, Treth, Izereth, Conrad the duelist, Quo, and we were later joined by Donie

We descended into the Forgotten Tunnels beneath the forest of Eyes to investigate the lead from the statues in the Mines

We came across a deeper section known as the Caves of Wickedness, Upon entering we heard the screams of tortured souls and eventually came upon a sealed door, upon nearing it I heard a whisper in my head saying going further would cost my soul.

The mural on the door was also vile, it showed someone with a tormentor sword torturing people with it.

I believe the statues were to try and lure people into damnig themselves hoping some power hungry people will try and bypass the door and damn themselves

Helms Protection

Dominic, Crown Guard

@Fizzgig @Silverswift

Encrypt

I advised them not to go deeper into that cave, it holds only temptations for power hungry wizards. They pushed on anyway.

-Izereth

Encrypt

Is there any news on this Ursula? Have you been to this Wizards tower yet?

I am an expert on wards, and it may well have one blocking entry. Get in touch if you need a hand with that.

-Izereth

SpiffyMeister

//Due to RL, my toolset time is limited, but I will be posting dates about these events.

Fizzgig

Ursula,

Perhaps it would be beneficial to share the research I sent you regarding beholders with the Council? The more we all know regarding this threat, the better. Also, has anyone else seen an eye-kin called 'Bleeder'? Dominic lead a group in the Eastern Marshes, and we came across a undead eye-kin there someone referred to as a bleeder.

Tass

Encrypt

Never seen this "bleeder" - eye-kin can take many forms though. Did anyone have the wherewithal to take any samples from the corpse once killed? It may have yielded useful research results we could utilise in future battles.

-Izereth

Silverswift

@fizzgig

Yes, share this knowing with the Council. It will be good for them to be knowing.
Ursula

Fizzgig

@fizzgig said in Ursula:

Tass' summary of beholder lore, as requested by Ursula.

Bodyparts:
Mages of all backgrounds have over the years made bounties, and formal requests for parts of beholders. Eyes, eyestalks, and body fluids are among the most common parts requested. The most recent example of these bounties, come from Izereth who has made multiple posters offering rewards for the items. Oddly enough, she and the lower house hosted a sun themed fair for Lathander some moons ago, one of the main challenges was to deliver the eye of a beholder. It is also worth mentioning a prominent member of the Precept Arcanum by name 'Belinda', who frequently reward people for eyestalks, its unclear if they are used for experiments or.. if she eats them?

On a extreme case, someone was selling the body of a beholder tyrant. And, there were several posters warning people not to subdue beholders and bring them into the city alive. A little odd.

Previous attempts:
Besides Izereth's campaign for beholder bodyparts, which appears to be a common theme within the Precept. I also came across a disbanded group which once held a holding within the Helmlands, with the aid of House Mossmere. What is interesting, is that they referred to a specific beholder as 'God-Eater'. I am uncertain of why, but it is worth noting for future references.

There were more beholder activity at the beginning of the year, with the fight against them being lead by the Wildwalkers. In their publishing poster, they even mention an undead beholder and its minion being slain. The light of Lathander was also mentioned, allowing the party to defeat the powerful eye-kin. However, I am more concerned about their mention of a 'beholder mage' and 'beholder cultist', something which speaks volumes of what peopel are willing to do for power.

Beholder types:

Eyeballs, the color of its iris decides its power. The black ones are the most powerful, but all eyeballs are weak in nature

Gauth, a lesser eye-kin, alone it pose no threat and there appears to be no references of them having minions

Beholders, powerful eye-kin capable of deadly magic. For example, their gaze can turn people to stone, and some are even rumored to kill people with a mere glare

Elder Beholders, it is unclear if they are the same as Tyrant beholders, but they are more magically adept than normal beholders

@fizzgig said in Ursula:

Ursula,

Thank you kindly, also I came upon a wizard by name Albert Sinclaire, together with his apprentice Wilfred. They are both expert in paranormal hunting, specifically undead and aberrations. Albert would be most willing to share his research notes on beholders with you, and aid you in the cleansing of the hive.

Tass

@fizzgig said in Ursula:

Ursula,

The library research has bore more fruits, I have summarized the librarian's knowledge here.

Tass

@spiffymeister said in Tass' beholder research:

Beholder is less a definition and more of a 'class' of aberration, namely- characterized by levitation, a maw of sharp teeth, and a singular (with branching stalks tipped with eyes) orbulent eye in the eye where it channels various powers depending on the breed and species.

Beholders are known to largely dwell in dark, damp places- and are characterized by madness, often suffering from multiple personalities and extreme narcissism. They can only work together when an overpowering presence, often a Tyrant- a massive creature of its kind, forces them to work together.

It's unknown how Beholder's breed, as no one has survived in their haunts long enough to learn.

As with all aberrations, they are all poorly understood, and lesser 'eyekin' often serve greater ones. They can charm, set fire to, or the more powerful turn their targets to stone or disintegrate them- and alongside their ability to fly, make their hives extremely dangerous places to be.

Worship of beholders would likely fall under the 'worship of blasphemous powers' and is thusly outlawed- though, being a lesser crime, would only see light fines or slap on the wrist if publicly practiced.

As for the consumption of their flesh, it's alluded that the consumption of magical creatures, in more pagan and savage circles, might bestow their might upon the imbiber.

Fizzgig

Many aided the Wildwalkers yesterday in regaining grounds in the Helmlands. A war camp is now established, which will upon the wars completion be Ursula's grove. The losses were many, in supplies and strength. A new dawn is approaching the Helmlands, and I am proud to see the House of the Morning and so many others aiding the Wildwalkers with the cleansing of the once forsaken land.

Tass