2022/08/22 Letter
Dear Brother,
Come to Halas. Bring coin. The booze here is wet but they'll gut you for it.
Avoid bathing in the well. It is not easy to withdrawal from.
It's a city proper, but the nights are dark and cold all the same. The other night, I was drawn to the light and warmth of the shamen's fire. I met a lad there, Warthin. He gave me the bearskin helm off his head, a forged spear, and a lantern. He was in a hurry. I cannot be sure he wasn't a spirit. I followed his torchlit form to a dock, where I lost him. A boat there took me. Everfrost.
Everfrost is colder than Halas. Walking skeletons. Ice goblins. It was slow going, but I ventured deep. It became so dark. An orc chased me, Rhyiak. A tundra druid living of the land had blessed me right prior. Rightly so, I outran the orc, but he did not let up. Two dwarves along the way fought him off me, and so I joined, and we slayed the orc.
Raiwen
2022/08/22 Letter
(Undisclosed anonymous letter to Raiwen.)
2022/08/22 Letter
Brother,
I have received a distressed letter by northbound raven. It had the twelvefold seal, Rhyiak. Unbroken copper wax. I cannot rescribe a word. I leave for Qeynos. You must come with me. The gnolls guarding the pass are equipped, trained, numbered. Come.
Raiwen
2022/08/22 Letter
Raiwen,
Qeynos sounds great this time of year! I swear it isn't because I am in trouble again! Nosiree, not your brother! By the by, did you know Dun has a daughter?
Funny story related to finding warmth. I was out at Cappi's having a few rounds with some of the more 'reputable' folks. Most of the patrons were about as cold as the ice brew I was drinking until I ran into this beautiful woman. One thing lead to another, as they often do, and, well, that's how I found out about ol' boss Dun has a daughter. I went into that very well you mentioned and swam my way out of the city. I assume they thought I'd have frozen to death so the chase stopped there.
So, yes dear brother, I will be venturing to Qeynos as fast as my feet can carry me.
Rhyiak
2022/08/22 Letter
Raiwen,
I should have paid better attention to your most recent letter. In spite of all of my guile I wasn't able to slip through undetected. This may require a more focused approach. For now I've made camp in Everfrost. I've found enough resources out here to survive for a while until we can meet. Dun is still pretty upset with me, the good folks of Halas are apprehensive toward me at best. The romp was worth it. We are likely going to have to go with strength over stealth to make our way to Qeynos.
Rhyiak
2022/08/22 Letter
Dreamcaller,
I received your letter. Who are you? Why write me? Why conceal your name? Do you make habit of cryptically writing strangers by raven when in dire danger?
I have a mind to consider your unsolicited ravenscratch for everything it appears to be; a ruse. A plot by a beggar-turned-crook. I have had my fair share of dealings with the underworld. The makings of a plain, uncreative trick for kidnapping or worse. Through the burrows of all places.
I suspect you know more than I about our strange fate to come, yes? Perhaps you know I have received your letter before. Countless times. Twelvefold seal with copper wax. Always the same letter. Engraved in gold. Or engulfed. Chiseled. Printed. Blood-painted. Scratched. Written into the earth. Formed by water. You've even inked the sky with this damned letter. By man. By spirit. By raven. Always the same cryptic message. Do you know I am cursed by otherworldly memories? Or are you as dumbfounded as I am? I am tormented by my dreams. And yet I wouldn't be without them.
This time is different. I have received your letter awake. I think. I hold the letter in my hands. I'll come to the burrows with my brother and find you. I'd prefer you meet me on the cold-side, lest I venture in with my brother in faith. If you don't aim to kill me, at least I can be certain the gnolls aim to. I am coming.
Raiwen
2022/08/22 Letter
Raiwen,
Brother,
I dispatched a raven south to our twelven contact bidding for more time. Since my last letter to you, I've learned from the locals that the burrow is quite dangerous. We'll need to bolster our strength here before risking the burrow together.
These goblins' rusty junk have so far proven adequate to afford cold food, ale, and the occasional spell. They don't sell for much, but they are plentiful. The far greater profit however has been all I've learned in my struggle with these icy gnats. What was once a struggle is now a slaughter. And in the trance of my goblin slaying I have begun plotting against the orcs to the east. One of Mac's girls collects wristbands off 'em. I aim to collect a few myself.
See you on the icy plains. Send raven when you're ready to fight through the burrow. And watch out for those musically-inclined skeletons.
Raiwen
2022/08/23 Letter
Brother,
After our chance meeting out in the ice floes I decided to test my mettle against the Blackburrow guards. I have it on good authority that we could definitely take them down now that we have gathered our might. I made it to Qeynos Hills and back on a test run. With your cantrips it will be easy work.
Rhyiak
2022/08/23 Letter
Lord of the Burrow,
Incredible! You are braver than me. Although I did pick a fight with more than one orc last night before retiring for dinner at the hospital. Yes, yes, it ended poorly. But I still have most of my head intact.
I'll confess, I'm quite excited to travel to Qeynos. I had a dream a few nights ago that I did exactly that. In that dream, I entered the city of Qeynos! I even recall seeing ol Dun guarding the bank. It is how I know he looks quite like me. I've learned to trust the truths of my dreams.
The strangest thing did occur once I did enter the bank: a dark whisper rang in my ears. It was a necromancer standing nearby, but I could not see her. She asked for my help. My curiosity got the best of me, as it does. She led me to a building nearby. The interior looked like a whore house potion junkie hell hole. I'm quite fond of it, and wish to return in the flesh when we visit. The necromancer had me purchase a scroll of some sort, something, for her. Oh I cannot remember much of it now, but I did as she asked. Before I woke, I saw her briefly, then the guards struck her down. She was lovely, and quite dead.
Perhaps today or tomorrow we meet when and where we met last. The time has come to travel south!
Lord of the Frost
2022/08/23 Letter
Lord of the Icy Floes,
I have grown impatient. This has nothing to do with you, you know how I am when my feet itch though. I've done a bit of spelunking through Blackburrow at the behest of Lysbith McNaff who desires gnoll teeth back in Halas. I figured I'd try to make nice with the locals so they'll let me drink over at McQuaid's again. Okay, so yes, my itchy feet are motivated by drink. I miss their stout!
Anyway, I can certainly escort you through Blackburrow without too much trouble. I've found weaknesses in their patrols that will let us slip through almost undetected. Best part, if they do find us, there is a quick way to get out where they stop following. I suspect the gnolls don't want to take their main forces out to face the Qeynos Hills' patrols.
We should meet near Blackburrow at your earliest when you are ready to travel. The Hills beyond the gnoll patrols are full of scouts that are much easier to dispatch.
Gnoll Dentist
2022/08/23 Letter
Fair Trade Brother,
Funny to be handed a note from you by raven while you stand just ten feet from me. Sorry to mention feet. But I do find some relief in knowing laziness isn't just reserved for mankind. Even the ravens nap about as I do. We all must tend to our dreams.
I hope to catch up with you later, but for now I'll lay here and pen a note or two in my quite comfortable stupor state.
Lord of the Icy Flows
2022/08/25 Narrative
As nightfall gave way to the morning sun, dew clung to the grass of Qeynos Hills as the sounds of waking animals and howling gnolls filled the valleys. The soft footsteps of a gnome could be heard trotting carefully down the hillside, clutching to the surface of a hovering earth elemental to maintain balance. "Alright, Kobobn... Keep me steady... I don't want to-oops!" Ninndie gasped as she went tumbling down the hill in a series of audible yelps and cries. The bottom came with an audible thud... and a sudden scream. The cause of the scream wasn't injuries or danger however, as the poor little Magician found herself having tumbled right next to another gnome.
This gnome, however, was much older, red hair with a streak of white to show her age, but she was still, frighteningly so. Ninndie didn't need to survey long to find the pool of blood beneath the fellow gnome and the residue of powdered bone coating the corpse and the ground below. Sheer terror clutched the magician, quivering as she looked around frantically, reaching to try taking the hand of the gnome to carry her somewhere, a guard perhaps that could help her find the cause and put this poor soul to rest. Something about the corpse was...off...however. She could feel the pulsing of a dark, evil power within, something she'd only ever experienced with the Necromancers of Ak'anon... a terrifying and ruthless bunch.... always told to stay away. Still, not even a necromancer deserved to be left in such a state, right?
As Ninndie gave a few tugs to the arm, it was clear she wasn't going to be able to bring it somewhere. One final yank and her hands slipped off, sending her flat to her backside on the ground, groaning and looking over the woman. That's when she saw it. The faintest, flickering little glow of red pulsating like a heartbeat beneath the carcass. "Kobobn..." She called to the elemental, motioning for his help as she approached once more. A relatively easy task for the creature, rolling the fallen gnome to her back and revealing a small pile of rusty daggers...and in the center was a solid black orb. Unscathed surface and not a scratch in sight, that pulsating red glow emanating from its empty, void-like appearance. Ninndie widened her eyes, transfixed on this trinket and before she knew it, her hand was already reaching out. Her senses returned and she gasped a little, retracting and looking around. "It..I've never seen anything like this... she's... she's already gone... right? Maybe-... maybe I can...find out... what it is..." That mild reasoning was all it took, and her hand snatched out to pluck that glowing orb into her grasp.
A cool chill ran down Ninndie's spine, followed by what could only be described by a strange, almost supernatural sensation of clarity and focus. As her eyes studied the orb in her hands, she didn't even notice the small speckles of blood on her otherwise yellow robes. It was then she realized how this whole scene looked... a gnome standing over a corpse for far too long to the wandering eyes of a potential passerby. She tucked the orb away and motioned for Kobobn to follow her quickly. "We need to find a guard!" With that... she was off.
2022/08/25 Narrative
"Interloper! You reek of filth!" the gnoll's voice echoed through the burrows as it charged towards Raiwen. Raiwen fired back a confused, concerned glare at the comment, then thrusted his Gloomwater Harpoon through the gnoll's leather armor like it was moldy bread.
The gnoll collapsed onto the spear lifeless. Raiwen very slowly angled his spear down, lower and lower, until the gnoll's corpse began to slide off and onto the cold stone floor. Raiwen wiped off the gnoll's blood from his brow and then, after a quick glance around him, nonchalantly sniffed his own clothes. "Oh," Raiwen frowned.
Suddenly Raiwen felt shadows shift. He turned to face the pathway towards Everfrost. An erudite man approached. "You are a shaman, I presume?" the man asked. He appeared to be a wizard, or perhaps a magician.
"Yes," Raiwen nodded proudly, "And you?"
He didnt answer the question. "Spirit of the wolf? Do you mind?"
Raiwen hesitated. "One moment," Raiwen took out his spell book and began flipping pages.
"Good one to memorize," the erudite man said expressionless.
Raiwen continued flipping through the pages. "Fox..."
"No," the erudite man snapped back. "Spirit of the Wolf, cazic fucking thule..."
"Wolf..." Raiwen continued flipping, "I definitely have something... like that..."
The erudite squinted in disbelief.
"Oh!" Raiwen lit up, "Oh," Raiwen dimmed down. "I don't have it."
The man sighed.
"Would you like to feel like a cat?"
The man walked off.
Raiwen watched the erudite man walk away. Something above the man caught Raiwen's eye. Near the top of the caverns was a beautiful high elf. She was floating. Raiwen wandered up and over to her, slaying a few gnolls along the way. When he made it to her, he took off his helm. "Are you an angel?"
She laughed. "You couldn't be more wrong."
Raiwen shrugged. "What are you doing?"
"Meditating."
"Is that the same as just sitting?"
She smiled. "You're new here aren't you?"
"Me?" Raiwen shook his head in all directions. "I'm from Everfrost."
Suddenly, the elf turned into a barbarian. Raiwen stepped back and tripped off the side of the ledge. He began to fall. As he fell helplessly, Raiwen's senses heightened. Time slowed. He could see the mysterious girl's newly acquired ginger grin slowly transform into a puzzled look. Then he watched the ground get closer and closer. Bam.
Raiwen was on his feet rather quickly, peering up looking for the shapeshifting girl. He didn't see anything. But he heard something. A growl. Behind him. He half-closed his eyes and slowly turned. The grow belonged to bear. The bear charged. Raiwen, to his credit, stood his ground. He probably should have ran though. Just as the bear began to lunge, it suddenly shifted its weight back and came to a stop.
"It isn't safe here," the familiar voice from above called down.
He peered up but still saw nothing.
"Go," the voice said.
"Go where?" Raiwen asked.
"Learn spirit of the wolf, then return."
Raiwen nodded and oriented himself towards the pathway to Everfrost. The he paused and looked back up into the darkness above. "What are you?" he asked. Silence. He waited a bit longer. Did she leave? He walked on towards Everfrost.
"An illusion," the voice echoed through the cavern walls in answer. This time, it was in a deeper, darker voice. Raiwen knew it was her.
When he finally emerged from the dim tunnels leading out of the burrows, the cold everfrost air came over him and filled his lungs. It was euphoric. Home.
"Interloper! Your stench proceeds you!" a gnoll cried out as it waddled over to its certain death.
"It's time I return home," Raiwen said to the gnoll, as he impaled it. "It's time I find the spirit of the wolf."