I would like to preface this by apologizing the delay on this report. The first hand account has plagued my dreams, leaving me unable to speak at length on the event. However given the importance of the new development I have decided to put words to paper.
Additional Threat, "Warlords' Favorite"
Involved parties:
Emissary Selifrey, her guardsmen Kirin, Viper Martaen of the Crimson Guard, Senior Retainer Aric Polk, Senior Retainer Rismente, Retainer Octavia of House Misrim, Jericho the Undead Hunter, Elaine of Illmater, Nicholas Alwin Appleberry of the Aster Knights.
Four days ago ((1/7/2021)) a party consisting of the above left Arabel to confirm the status of the device known as the Hullack Shards. Midway through our investigation, around 2300 hrs, a series of howls were heard. Kirin immediately identified them as a threat, and familiar. We were already discussing the capture of his Infernal Worg, and so the sound to him was familiar.
Along our way we found a massive "feeding area" of some recent creature. Kirin began to openly speculate that a Man-Eater was in the area.
The group decided to depart from the Hullack Shards when a massive worg, some ten feet in length, emerged between us and our path to Arabel. As we were already in the Hullack, the party was prepared with defensive spells, and we immediately gave chase.
This. Was. Foolish.
Our party became divided. Rismente and Elaine became priority targets of the worgs. As Kirin, Martaen and I would engage one, another would come into view behind us. We downed a total of three, narrowly saving Elaine and Rismente.
We called it quits with the device and decided to best to head back to Arabel.
around midnight, the witching hour, we were crossing a narrow gap of trees leaving the Hullack. Polk was scouting ahead with Octavia and Rismente. That is when we saw it... I have never seen a worg so large.. It had to be some kind of nightmarish demon-creature. No natural born thing could... Look like that... I'll try and formulate a proper description of "It" at a later time. I will say this, I have seen smaller brown bears. if you encounter the creature, you will know it.
It appeared behind us, like a proper hunter. It was stalking us, I believe it was testing us with its smaller kin. And of course, this is when events get complicated. Earlier in the day the known criminals Paul, and Zurask had made inflammatory sendings. Senior Retainer Aric Polk spotted them entering the Hullack and sent retainer Octavia to warn us as he engaged him in combat. It seems, Dario was in fact the Talonite wererat this whole time. There was a feud between Dario and Aric, and Dario wasted no time in ending it.
Meanwhile, myself, Martaen, Jericho and Kirin moved to engage the massive worg, the Warlords Favorite. Though it was no longer alone. As it passed behind us, it walked down a narrow path to where -dozens- of eyes waited. There were too many to deal with in the open, so we closed the gap, fighting them three abreast to better our odds.
A voice came behind us, Octavia telling Selifrey that Zurask was blocking our escape, and on his way here. We were about to be overwhelmed from both sides. Rismente was already down, she said.
Martaen and I both ordered Kirin to evacuate Selifrey to safety.. But it was too late. "They're here!" shouted Selifery. "Get her out!" I shouted to Kirin. Thats when the Warlords Favorite entered the frey. It rolled off my swordblows like water on a mountain. Nothing could slow it. In a snap of its massive teeth, it took Martaens sword-arm whole, and cast him behind enemy lines. He was still getting to his feet when the swarmed him. I've never seen a man shrug off an attack like that. Without a sword, without his arm, he rose to his feet to meet the enemy as they swarmed like hungry vultures.
They ate him.
I was soon to fall next, along with Elaine who was doing all she could to maintain our wounds. Jericho the Undead Hunter was able to down a invisibility potion and get us to safety before the feeding frenzy could start. We were spirited deeper into the Hullack and found safety by fortress called "Summerstar" which appeared abandoned. After a brief recovery, we collected our wits and made for Arabel.
All I know is Martaen died holding the line as any good soldier would. He is a shining example of the strength of the Crimson Legion. He was my friend.
I have only hearsay on the following events, though I hear Selifrey, Rismente, Kirin, and Octavia were all put on the ground and infected by the Talonite Wererat Dario, who used a maggot to infect them. Senior Retainer Aric Polk was slain without hesitation.
Suggestion:
Kill the hellish monster.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
@Voss_
