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Dispatch received from King Landers

While on my Quest, I consulted the sages of Kirkengrind. They foretold of a great Evil about to beset my fair city.

After deploying some spies, I found this information to be quite accurate (why did I even doubt it? Perhaps I was hoping for the best). Hard useable intelligence is difficult to come by, however, there have been rumors of activities around the ancient stronghold of Raven's keep. If you are familiar with the lore of the area, you no doubt know what an evil reputation the keep enjoyed, and may the Gods intervene to prevent such evil from rising from the ashes to scourge the people once more.

I have placed three of my best spies, Shadow dancers all, at the Wildwood outpost to get to the bottom of the matter. However, it seems that whoever is behind this plot, has deployed mercenaries to the Valley pass to hinder them in their progress. The only other route out of the outpost is via the Ogre woods. It is in the best interest of the city, to secure both these routes for the duration of one night, permitting the spies to do there work with out impediment.

I'm calling all men and women of valor, to come to the cities aid at this time. The operation will commence on the day of Tallon (august the 16th) at an hour before sunset (10 PM –5 GMT or east coast time). All combined forces shall meet in the city, proceed to the outpost and await nightfall. As the sun sets, whatever forces there are will split in twain and patrol both the Valley pass, and the ogre wood. Orders are kill anything that is not loyal to the city on sight.

Please note, any warrior that falls cannot be revived until sunrise, and if all members of either group perish, the mission is a failure. The consequences could be dire. I pray you not fail me in this hour.

King Landers
Posted by his Lesion Talia the Bard

Results of the operation

As the hour approached, only two others and myself were on hand to attend the king's task. But we soldiered on. We decided with only three, it would be unwise to spit up, and tried to control both sectors with our small band. However, it seems our labors where in vain. As we exited the Ogre woods to the valley pass, we came upon one of the king's spies dying. I knelt down beside him and tried to give him aid. His final words where, "Raven's Keep......... you must go to the keep". We did not know what this could have meant, but set out through Elgar woods to find out

As we set foot in the woods, we found the rumors of activity were very accurate. We were beset by ever manner of hell spawn you care to think of. As we entered the Dark wood, we were greeted by a band of Drow, and then ran into a Dragon. Guarding the gate to Raven's keep was a band of Minators. But as harrowing as our journey was, nothing could have prepared us for the sights we saw at Raven's Keep.

As we entered the gate, the stench of death filled the air. The Courtyard of the city was filled with many dead bodies. Heads impaled on pikes surrounded each decorative fountain. Ahead of us lay a temple with two bodies impaled on spikes. As we walked towards the door, we found yet another of the kings spies slain. As we entered the building the stench of death was so overpowering, that I had to cover my mouth to keep from vomiting. I'll spare you the details of what we saw inside, for you might think me exaggerating. But we did find an alter. More death, and more bodies. Then came into a room with to twin women. We tried to question them, but they said, "We only hear the voice of our master". It seemed pointless to try and get anymore out of them, so we explored further.

We came upon a banquet room. There was food, and drink. Still warm. And I mean the drink was still warm... As it was blood. What ever was there, whatever cause the devastation outside the temple had only left a few moments before we arrived. As we left the banquet hall, we found a body in some sort of torture device. It was the body of the third spy.

We got out of there and fought our way back to town. When we got there we meet up with Lege, after telling him what had happed, he suggested we go back and explore further. I really didn't want to, but it seemed necessary. So back the four of us went.

When we returned with Lege, We went back to where the twin women were. I was then I remembered a bit of lore about twin women that once served the Father of Shadows. They were Dani and Mari, the daughters of Shabernigdo, the ruby-eyed lord of darkness. While quite powerful in there own right, they are but a portion of the power the Father of Shadows wields.

It was at this point I started to shake, things went black and I woke up in the healing pools of Janux. To know what happened while I was unconscious one of the other adventures would have to fill you in.

After lasts week startling revelation that the Father of shadows has a new avatar, it becomes of paramount importance we find the avatar of the Father of light. Of course, I didn't have clue one on how to go about it.

That is until a man stepped into my shop. I greeted him and asked him his name. He held up a bony finger, and smiling stated, "My name is of no great importance. All you need know is I am a priest of enlightenment, and a humble servant of the children of light". I nodded my head incredulously as he continued. "I am come to bring you glad tidings. The Father of light has sent an avatar to represent him in this world. As of yet, the child has no clue as to what fate has in store for him, but soon all will be revealed". "A child", I commented disbelievingly. He nodded most piously, "Indeed. While not a wee child, a young man to say the least. But while he's not seen as many season as you or I, he is no less powerful in his zealousness for the light. This pleases the Father of light, and he has chosen such to lay the mantel of his great power and holy name upon". I sat for a while looking at the floor. "So why are you telling me this"? The man's eyes glistened as he spoke, "because you have a task to attend. You see, the Avatar cannot be anointed until he sits upon the throne of light in the sanctuary of enlightenment. You see no one but he that is chosen by the father may sit upon it". "But the Sanctuary is locked. Or more to the point, sealed with some spell that cannot be broken" I replied. The man smirked condescendingly, "anything sealed can be unsealed with the proper spell. The proper spell can be found in the lost crypt. Finding it will be tricky, but even trickier is getting the key to open it. The key is around the neck of a rather imposing red dragon. I doubt if he's likely to lend it to you, so more forceful means might be useful".

"Kill the dragon"?

"Aye, that is probably the best rout to take. Once you have the key, enter the crypt and deal with the foul creatures you find there. Search until you find the tomb of Algore. Tucked inside his resting place is the last known copy of the scroll. Retrieve it, take it to the sanctuary, and open the door. Once you do this, the Avatar can take his rightful place and thwart the evil schemes of the Father of shadows".

Posted by Talia the Bard