Arabel Downtown Security - Reports
-
There is a new threat to the city. A wererat, possibly a cult of wererats, has seemingly taken up residence in the sewers. Various rats are displaying a collective hive mind, and are seeking out food. The rats display problem solving ability, and drink potions, face down disturbingly large creatures with ease, and on some occasions, attack adventurers.
ONE wererat engaged myself and a party of five elves, a crimson guard, and a misrim. The wererat laid all to waste but one elven warrior, Felaern.
Strange posters are going up around Arabel, I fear the worst.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
-
Yesterday, a sending was sent for a knight of the Light to follow a trail of blood from the North gate of Arabel. I heeded this warning and followed a train of dried blood, a pair of my elvish allies in tow. The path led the the Smugglers Route, a secret corridor leading from outside the north gate into the sewers. This route is known for many vile necromantic acts, and this day was no different.
The blood trail was long, as if a body were dragged lifelessly by a small crew. The walls coated in all manner of debris from long forgotten sins. My allies, the Elvish Emissary Selifrey and her personal guard, Kerym, went invisible, to lay low would be predators who'd think to take me by surprise. Our trail went cold at a secret door, I pawed at various stones until my hand met a swelled handle of odd make. It shifted, and with it the door swung free. We continued the trail, bypassing various cold corpses given new, hateful life. The sad souls would be prayed for but only after our missions end. Through winding corridors and over fallen pillars of the ancient world, my party crept silently - a shining torch illuminating our path; mine own sword swallowed by holy light.
It was beyond the secret door we heard screaming from behind us, and a skittering of nails on stone.
We quickly ran to see whatever creature might be fending for its life, across the threshhold of the Secret Door was Elaine of Ilmater torn to shreds, clinging to life - a large rat-creature, nay, a lycan, a Wererat standing over his latest victim. It spoke in a sharp tone demanding all leave but mine self. He claimed he would murder the laid-low Elaine if my elvish companions did not carry her to safety. We had no time to discuss a plan. Elaine was bleeding out. Her lifeblood flowed freely, and we knew full well the affects of a lycans fatal bite.
The elves offered her Belledonna and escorted her to safety. I distracted the creature with a stray troll bone, it gnawed hungrily upon it as Elaine was spirited away under Keryms care.
The creature spoke in an abuse of the common tongue. It shrieked words. My own heart felt a tinge of despair as it addressed me. It was an unholy creature. A pillar of disease and taint that could only bring suffering. Its presence disturbed me to my very core.
It bade me follow the trail, clutching in its claws a greasy secret known not to the Light.
I followed.
At the end of the dried blood trail was a pyramid of stairs leading up to a bright light. A fallen pillar along the center. Dried blood and the stilled flesh of man was cast in all directions from this makeshift alter. Here an unholy sacrifice was made. The creature spoke: "A yellow and orange light was sacrificed here."
Aritian.
The lycan spoke, describing through squeals and shrieks like razors on chalkboard, in little detail how it witnessed the death of Aritian. Described how he begged for his life.. He held aloft the Greasy Secret it clutched so dear. A human skull. I drew back, repulsed by the thought of such an unholy being desecrating the corpse of my brother. I was sick to my stomach. The light of the very room I resided in, alit by mine own sword faded before my very eyes. But then a voice not unlike my own rang from the crevice of mine own heart. It was Aritian. He was with the dawn. I will not share what he said - for I could not know the words. Though I knew from then on he was with the Angels, and joined with Lefthander's Light. He was with me in my hour of need.
I bade the creature tell me the names of those who took my brothers life, offering the creature its own life in return. It refused, demanding that I consume a worm instead. Never said the voice in my heart. *"Never"*I spoke to the creature. It feared the light. I could sense its revulsion, how it recoiled away when I stepped near. It refused to give mine brothers remains, and refused mine offer to spare its life. Then offered a trade I could not partake. I stepped closer to the creature to meet the darkness.
In days past, I had dueled with a wererat whom attempted to ambush me. I could not be certain, but this one seemed rather similar in size and stature, though spoke with a shriek more than a growl. The wererat I had fought, with six of my elvish companions, bested the lot of us. I knew full well that Lathander did not approve of his paladins who throw their lives away. I had to survive, to avenge Artian, to tell my brothers of this hard truth.
And so I casted light upon the creature - blinding it momentarily while I quickly made my escape.
I pen you now my confession, great Knights of the Dawn. I admit to failure on three accounts.
Failure to avenge a fallen brother.
Failure to recover the remains of a knight of our order.
Most pressing of all, failure to destroy evil.Though I know your punishment will be swift and just, I only wish to remind thee that I remain on mission. An order given by Dawnknight Myrkyr on my first day, as a young squire of the Knights of Aster.. I give hope to mine brothers. I give hope to the people. I keep hope alive in the name of righteous light.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
-
1/16/2021
After an encounter in the Hullack with the Rat Queen, Dario Darkmore, and Paul the - Betrayer (his title needs work), I was left with a large sum of coin, 5,000 to be exact. I had promised to purchase a large cart of cheese for the Rat Queen. I did not state when this would be done, why I would be so generous, nor did I state any further action would be taken against the Queen, however I did swear to purchase the cheese.
The Wheel of cheese was purchased by Senior Retainer Osco Appleblossom, he offered to buy stinking cheese to put anyone partaking to sleep, I refused, as this would be dishonorable.
The wheel of cheese was rolled out for the Winter Fair and at the beginning of the event, as it was outdoors, a little rat was spotting making the rounds as animals do, eating scraps fallen from tables. At some point the rat found the cheese cart and without hesitation dove into the mess.
I was unaware at the time that this was indeed the wererat, so when I approached I first attempted to scare the creature off. I swung at it, and it dove from one side of the cheese, to the other. A third attempt, and the creature remained determined to eat the cheese. I saw the druid Nanthleenee and asked her to insist upon the creature.
It was not until that the rat denied the Great Druid, that I assumed this was the Rat Queen.
Knowing its determination and love for cheese, I began to enspell myself, and approached the rat again. It.. Transformed into its feral form, and attacked.
The elves were on standby near the cheese, presumably watching for the queen, and a crowd of people supported me in putting the poor cretin down.
I had fought the Rat Queen twice before. Once, she bested me and let me live. The second time, I bested her and offered her the same courtesy.
This time, however, I would not be so kind.
As is my divine right as Lathanders chosen, I executed the creature in the ways of the old laws. Theft, destruction of property, attempted murder, the creatures crimes were numerous. Not to mention that Lycans are exempt from human-law in the city of Arabel.
After the deed was done, I asked Nanthleenee to bring the creature to the Morgue. She completed this task, bringing an end to the Rat Queens reign.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
-
1/17/2021
Dario is dead.
The details on the occasion I feel are a private affair.
The city Morgue was kind enough to leave me the details on his parents, they are buried in Deadwell not far from the farmstead I grew up in.
I made a sending for Paul the Betrayer, knowing full well Dario could not resist to see me. I questioned Paul on Obyn Misrim and his treasonous affairs for several minutes. Our meeting place was the Forest of Eyes, the first place I took Paul. I found a narrow crossing - a fallen tree that I could fight one summons at a time. Paul does not favor offensive magics, so I thought this a good place to break his summons one at a time. He brought Kell Beetles and bugs as support. This would lead to indicate he is not "the Necromancer."
I commanded him to dismiss his summons. I was surprised that he did. I lowered my sword, remaining on the bridge.
He was intentionally vague, accused Lady Islyn Misrim of being a false leader of the rebellion, denied taking part in Senior Retainer Aric Polk of House Misrims death. All things one could assume a liar might say. Once I grew tired of his winge-ing, I shouted for Dario Darkmore to show himself.
This I don't think Paul expected. He broke the rules of our treat, meaning Paul was open season - to steal a phrase from the hunting lodge. However Paul was not my target. Dario Darkmore, was.
I told Dario Darkmore that I knew where his parents were buried, and promised to see him laid at peace beside them.
I commanded Paul the betrayer to leave or suffer the consequences. He did not resist.
The rest is history, Dario Darkmore, the wererat Talonite murderer is dead. My dear friend has been laid to rest beside his parents. His death will haunt me until my dying day.
I ensured two members of House Misrim and the Great Druid were present at the 'funeral' for the criminal. His body was burned to prevent reanimation, and he was buried with his remains intact. His equipment did not include the remains of Aritian, so I fear we will never find our lost brother. I request a bounty of 5,000 coins be placed on the remains so that adventurers might be encouraged to seek out lost/fallen Knights to be returned home.
I have sent a letter to House Misrim accepting a the 50,000 coin charitable donation to an organization of my choosing, I have selected Eveningstar to be the beneficiary. I will be having dinner with Lady Islyn Misrim at the end of the week to discuss the ordeal.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
-
Unpinned by
OldTimeRadio
