Hullack Security - Reports
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Date: 12/14/2020
Description of Event:
A house purchased from the Misrim Estate in the Hullack which had a brief logging operation and was found purchasing misc gems such as Topaz, Onyx, and sapphire, was found ablaze with the presumed owner, a human female good taste in ornate jewelry, was found burned alive within.Indicated Organization: None currently, though Misrim did sell this land to the lady, and Aritian had a foul feeling regarding her person.
Resolution:
After the rubble was cleared, we found a central stone and four outer stones. the central stone was soaked in power and was made of onyx and sapphire. The Onyx is known to be used in fabricating undead.the four outer stones had depository function, where topaz, 7 hawthorne flower, 8 graveyard dirt, 10 angelica leaf, and 5 malachite could be deposited.
One of the outer stones, humming with topaz, when activated, spoke of Goldfeather - and - Obyrsker.
druids distrust and dislike this unnatural crystal.
I feel it resonates with a foreboding evil.
Further investigation is necessary. Proceeding with caution.
Area specifics:
Firefall Grove-Dawnsquire Nicholas Alwin
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Many new suns have risen since this report.
it sounds powerful and there was mention of undeath.
What news of this?
Dawnknight Myrkyr.
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We have discovered that a necromancer attempted to .. 'turn on' the device. He had several reagents, Bodaks tooth, Bile, graveyard dirt..
We also believe that each of the pillars serves a different function. One speaks of a beautiful woman trapped by hags.. another of kings past and present of Cormyr and Arabel. I am attempting to work with several different people on listening to them all. We have only been able to activate two of the four pillars.
The necromancer in question, was slain. I am working on this - however we need competent wizards... and that means relying on House Misrim.
-Dawnknight Appleberry
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Are House Misrim reliable enough? perhaps we could find a powerful cleric who understands such things?
Dawnknight Myrkyr.
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I have been attempting to reach out to a powerful cleric, Keline, a follower of the Strategist.
She does not seem very interested.
But fear not! the Light will prevail! I'll find someone who can help us. I've reached out the the Elven Embassy.
And no, I have lost all faith in the Misrims. They plan to box-off the Shard with house guards and begin experimenting on it.. We cannot allow this.
-Dawnknight Alwin
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Completed a patrol of the area again, we activated the yellow shard beam. A message was heard resonating. The message said something about Goldfeather and how his spirit was kept within, and how the Obarskyr pretender would be kept at bay...
Just the other day, Nanthleenee told me a secret as well.. A secret the Druid of Rot gave her before dying.. She said "the land is sick, and the Land needs a King as a King needs the land.."
I believe we are onto something here.. with the White Horde menace lurking in the shadows.. the War with Cormyr only growing worse.. and these new Banite mercenaries striving to extend the war.. Arabel needs something to secure its freedom forever, and a King would grant that. Not just any king, but a king of Arabels choosing - chosen by the people and embraced with heritage.
Gondegal was a conqueror. He came when the land was full of hate and dissidence, when people were ignored by their noble leadership, and he broke the system. Now we must rebuild.. But how?
I wish to unlock the potential of this Topaz Shard.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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An adventuring Paladin of Helm has contacted our order. He says that he himself looked into this crystal and confirms he felt an evil energy coming from it, while there was a red beam of magic pulsing out of it.
The Letter reads:
... and when I came back to see if anyone was toying with it, I encountered two mages, claiming to be of House Misrim- they seemed intent on keeping the evil energy flowing from the central crystal. I was attempting to warn them of the error of their ways, when the female mage, possibly as witch of some sort, told me I was trespassing on Misrim land! Is this true? Has House Misrim begun creating artifacts of evil now? or are they simply purchasing them?
There was no sign, or other indication of ownership, and it is merely forest land within the realm. As I could not confirm either way, I did leave after telling them I would be contacting your order about my concerns.
I do hope that someone more responsible than a merchant house is in charge of such a dangerous thing....
-The letter goes on with some ramblings and various information about their prior personal achievements...
Does House Misrim hold sway over the area?
Should they?Dawnknight Myrkyr.
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A pair of Sembian mercenaries on horseback of the Gilded Legion were found making their way through the Hullack. They were assisted in battle against a number of White Horde orcs and goblins. The mercenaries reported they were en route to Arabel to offer their services for roughly 1 million, yes, 1,000,000 golden coins to the Arabel council. They intend to end the war with Cormyr for that price.
They spoke freely of the information and proceeded on their way.
I do not trust an ally who asks for coin before joining the war. Sembia, is meant to be our friend. These men are war profiteers and nothing more.
Additionally, whatever deal is brokered will be brokered by the Misrims. That means they will own -2- of the largest mercenary companies in the region, and could easily use one to replace the other.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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Dawnknight Myrkyr,
The House of Misrim has issued a public statement saying that the land within the Hullack is private, purchased by them, and permits are required to continue investigating the Hullack Shards. I have met with the Senior Retainers in control of this operation and have been referred to the Palace to obtain a permit. I have sent word to the Clerk, a Robinson, to confirm a permit for our order.
I have yet to see any Misrim mercenaries protecting the site, however countless goblins, orcs, and hobgoblins have been found examining the Hullack Shards, as well as Eldrath Veluuthra.
Just before the permit requirement, I was able to finish investigating all four pillars thanks to our elven allies.
Green - supports nature and growth within the land. (this one is currently activated.) I believe this represents Order.
Blue - seems to be of the Light, yes, an angelic voice whispers an offer of deliverence for those pure of heart. This stone was my choice to unlock. I believe this represents Good.
Yellow - Speaks of the lines of succession, Goldfeather returning and ending the oppressor, Obarskyr. I believe this represents Chaos.
Red - speaks of a damsel captured by evil hags. I believe this represents Evil.
The retainer of House Misrim was investigating the Red stone primarily, even after I confronted him about its evil nature. He refused to give it up. I was able to assemble a team of our elvish allies to change the course of the Shards, and Nanthleenee the Great Druid stated the only shard of natural design was Green, and it was the only shard the forest would allow to continue. I do not believe this personally, as Deliverance offered unto all is a far cry better than additional trees in the forest...
Once I acquire the permit and may proceed, I will change the Shard to Blue. I have the reagents in hand. The Green Hullack Shard has a ring around it already, it has grown strong. I may be forced to act in another way. Perhaps, another person to activate the Blue Shard for me.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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You show wisdom and do your oaths proud.
Continue on your path, there is hope that you can convince others it is the right one.This permit, it sounds as though Misrim may be trying to hold you up with paperwork. Has there been a payment?
If there has, I see no issue in acting as though the permit is in your hands, any sane court would agree that the paperwork being slow does not change the fact the agreement has been made.Excellent work Dawnknight.
-Myrkyr
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Dawnknight Myrkyr,
There has not been an exchange of coin, and I have been told that it would be tresspassing without a permit in hand. Furthermore it has been several days since I've tried to get a cost for such a thing off them.
I have however seen numerous hordes of evil creatures taking up residence near the Hullack Shards, and no single retainer, nor house guard in sight to defend them.
I must take action.
-Dawnknight Nicholas
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I have found several necromantic sites in various areas showing sign of the Onyx being used for necromantic activities.
These onyx stones must be quarantined.
I found a confession from a Paladin whom spoke of finding necromancers using the Onyx to enhance undead, or merely create incredibly strong ones after stripping flesh. the Note is coated in blood, and no corpse was found with it at the scene. I will pray for their sacrifice.
I will submit a report to the Council.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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1/15/2021
While late in the evening, I heard a sending from Aerlalorn, a newly arrived elf of the godess Mystra. He intended to, alone, seek out the Hullack Shards. After informing him of the stupidity of this plan I decided to join him in a support role. After the hardships the elves had faced against the wererat menace and the loss of Aric Polk to Dario Darkmore, I refused to fail my companions by letting their newest kin die alone.
After arriving at the Hullack Shards, we were of course, immediately attacked by Dario Darkmore, Paul the Betrayer, and the Rat Queen.
The attack was swift and I was laid low before a single potion could be drunk. I shouted for Aerlalorn to flee, however he was already upon the ground. The battle, if you could call it that, was finished. Moments after hitting the ground a man shrouded in black shadows appeared and began speaking to the three like friends, or subordinates. Commander Keline stated later that Aric Polk informed her his name was "Von D."
The conversation was a back and forth mostly between myself and Dario. We exchanged pultry threats neither of us wished to follow on.. He clawed my face.. A scar - a failure, I will never let heal. During the exchange I learned that Von D did build the Hullack Shards, however he did not know precisely what the shards would do. he asked for Paul the Betrayer to change the shards from Green to Yellow, as he does not like the feeling of Green.
The Rat Queen demanded I bring her cheese or gold or potions as tribute. I refused. They dragged me to the face of Bospirs gates, Dario Darkmore said his work was "Still not complete" and that the whole city would soon fear Talona. I called Dario back to the Light. I stated his parents would be disappointed in their son for bringing such darkness to the peoples they worked to protect.
The Rat Queen was very insistant regarding cheese. I saw a slim opportunity with the Winter Fair coming up, and offered to purchase a large amount of Cheese from house Misrim, as house Misrim was footing the majority of the bill for the event.
The Rat Queen... was very eager to contribute to the affair. She dropped 5,000 coins in front of me, and I promised to purchase a cartload of cheese, though I did not state where, when, how, or why I felt so generous. She did not seem interested in these details as she began feasting on the leavings of my companion.
I called Dario Darkmore back to the Light, casted a Light spell upon him to blind him, and escaped with the elf.
I believe we were allowed to live.. Paul and Dario both made a point in stating I would be left alive to watch Arabel rot.. Left alive to see how greatly I've failed Lathander.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry.
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On the way to find training for the blade, Dawnknight and our comrades decided to look further into the crystals. The green one shows much strength as it is the continued focus of the beam. This was my first encounter with the device, I spent some time learning what I could. Each crystal other than green seems weaker, near it's own destruction by what they spoke. It is evident, there are some number of beings trapped within. The blue one specifically, an angel. It spoke that if it must be destroyed, then at least so is evil. Referencing the red gem.
A powerful mage of the fallen tower showed, saying he could not tamper with the devices but he did offer knowledge. He does not care for the white witch as he can not rival her. He had a hopeful outcome of the gems, yet didn't say which outside of it not being that of green. He spoke of little hope or time for the other gems as the end draws near. This weighs heavy on the Dawnknight in hindsight but truth is, there is not much he could of done. In green there will be life and growth, suitable for Lathander. Along with it, we do not know what dangerous beasts are in our future.
We know the sapphire in the device is responsible for keeping the angel imprisoned. If there is a way to remove it, that might be our chance. We tried a few methods but nothing came of it.
-Dawnsquire Tiatus Thornwind
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1/30/2021
Those Involved:
Fang Kirin Ashewood, Sir Nicholas of Eveningstar, Luckbringer Ottilie, Great Druid Nanthleenee, Squire Floki Baardsen, Unproven Therene, Kaldo the Undead-Hunter, Exchequer Osco Appleblossom, Unnamed Black-clad scout, Aerlalorn.We received word from a Ghost of Cormyr, now calling themselves "The Men in the Mist" or "Ghosts" that the Breeding Pits of the Warlord Houndmaster were found deep within the Hullack. We gathered at the palace a small contingent of Arabellan Adventurers with the full force of the Council of Twelve, our aim was clear: destroy the threat at all costs. We discussed priorities and all agreed that the Warlord was a secondary target, his worgs and their magic used to manufacture the Infernal Beasts were our number priority.
Per the orders of the Twelve, the Free Company led by Captain Brackenbrook secured the main entrance of the Breeding Pits. We were warned that scouting ahead would be near impossible due to the worgs patrolling the outskirts of the cave. Our chosen formation was shields at the center with great-weapons flanking, and a rear support of wizards and battle-priests. Oh. And Osco. Great Druid Nanthleenee and Luckbringer Ottilie were given permission to free-float to where they found themselves most needed and support.
The battle initially was quite manageable, we went with clear instruction from corridor to corridor laying waste to Hobgoblin, Worg, and regular goblins all in service of the White Horde. At a point we needed to divide our forces left and right as the Hobgoblins attempted a pincer move, a tactic once described to me by Strategist Keline. We split our party, though in the chaos one fell, the unnamed black-clad scout. After clearing the forces we were able to recover and revive him before continuing through a series of dreadful black gates.
We found the Infernal Pens and multiple feeding grounds. dozens of mounds of corpses of all sorts of humanoid creatures stacked several feet in the air. I dare not afford any further description on the horrors we were forced to make our way around as we attempted to bring down our enemies. It was here that we interacted with the first of SEVEN warlorck Hobgoblins. We slew the first quickly due to Fang Ashewoods quick dispel and hold person combo.
Clearing from room to room, we cut down each pen-gate and slew the murderous infernal beasts within. They were eager to battle us, even at our full strength the monstrous worgs would charge forward, savaging whomever was unlucky enough to be at the pen-gates.
We found a lab. This must have been where they spliced magical formula with infernal magic to breed a worg that could only taste man-flesh. We quickly destroyed it, setting a small fire that took the black heart of the Breeding Pits out of the White Witches hands...
This is when Therene fell. An ambush in one hallway by not one, but two Warlock Hobgoblins left her slain. We mourned, though the job was not yet finished. Scouts were dispatched to search for any crevice yet undiscovered by us while we discussed how to return her to the Free Company for safe-keeping. This is when Squire Floki performed the greatest of sacrifices. He gave up his own golden scales to revive young Therene, who rose strong and ready to continue the fight.
Kaldo and the unnamed Black-clad man returned with word for a corridor yet unchecked, and infernal chanting which lay beyond.
We approached, kicking through a door that led to a long winding passage to a set of barricades. A trap. We had delayed too long, allowing the Goblins to set up a second line of defense. As we discussed how to proceed, the pair of Warlocks which attacked and slew Therene attacked us from behind. A foolish decision, and Kirin, again, was prepared with dispels. Their attack was thrown off like water on rock, and we took our vengeance on them both.
Returning to the bridge, we decided three fireballs would breach the barricades, and then we would sprint across the passage under the cover of invisibility to engage the goblin archers in melee. This plan worked quite well, though only some of the party followed orders and actually went invisible. One more triumph on a brutal road.
After clearing the goblin archers and barricades, it became clear this was in fact a summoning area. These worgs we were fighting, corrupted by various magics, were Infernal. As in, from the abyss. Four great summoning circles, each manned by a Hobgoblin warlock fully enshelled in magical words. At each circle was a on-going ritual which we learned later to be linked to the Warlock hobgoblin manning it.
Each summoning circle had its own challenges, though none prepared us for the fourth. A greataxe wielding hobgoblin that towered some eight feet tall, swinging with the force of ten men. It laid low, alone several of our party. The battle was bloody, and at the end only half our number remained standing as a -second- infernal worg was birthed by the summoning circle. We fought each, the hobgoblin and the worg, our number cut off from each other. Only a small few of us could effectively strike the beasts. Despite our shortcomings, we were triumphant, the last Warlock and his dreadful spawn were slain, and the four summoning circles destroyed.
Upon leaving the gaping maw of the Breeding Pits, we instructed the Free Company to seal them off, forever.
-Sir Nicholas, Dawnknight of Eveningstar.
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Update for Hullack reports.
New has been quite from the Hullack and last reports indicate the Elder Druid Greg has the Hullack under a type of Quarantine to prevent the spread of what is referred to as a Slaadi infestation by frogs that spawn in the wounds of their victims. We have not investigated further as it would seem the druids are dealing with this matter. Should they call on us for aid we will then consider our next move. Until then we will trust in the Light and pray the Druids victory against such a chaotic plague.
Dawnlord Jadzia Sunguard
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