howandwhy99
Adventurer
Fastday, Juna 13
Reverend Father Harthuul Stauk-Flezr
Officium Praemonere
De Jure Fanum
α
It is with a glad heart on this glorious day that I write to tell you of my increased learning and station within the temple. Tomorrow is Holyday once more and before I leave once again to join with my fellow militia I will be raised to Adept status by a new mentor of mine (but only my temporary teacher, of course) by the name of Father Hedrich. With goodly faith and gentle kindness he has steered my studies in religious affairs over this past week. In but seven days my thinking is more assured, my faith more resolute. Reading, meditation, and constant prayer have helped to focus my energies and mind into a perspicacity otherwise unknown.
A clerk in the father’s service, (Fr. Hedrach’s station is unknown to me still as yet) has helped me as well. Named Brother Thom, though his own studies are less achieving than my own, he meditated beside me whilst I gasped in shock at my ownunencumbered revelations. Of these I explain in length at the bottom of this scroll. Their importance is for you to decide. I simply wish to impart all the happiness I do now feel into this letter, though my knees have blistered and I my body weakens from fasting.
A newfound power of prayer has manifested through me. Though I have not but heard the power of such divine intention, I do plan on testing each out when proper situations arise. Some of these are of a nature which alter my own sight when used, but others do infuse me with the power to help others or myself when in need. For instance, I believe I can now, with proper preparation, scan both objects and creatures for magical auras or evil intentions. In addition, when infusing myself with divine power I can now channel it to heal the wounds of the sick and lame, purify the waters and edibles I touch, and even sanctify my own skin less I am attacked by otherworldly creatures. Lastly, but not least, the light of the divine can shine through when called as a torch in the darkness.
Unfortunately, in truth, my report for you is one of mixed blessings. Many events have occurred in but the few weeks which have passed since my last writing. Due to the proclivity of time, distance, and tumultuous state of affairs affecting all of County Margrave my patient mind is unworried about not receiving a letter of your own in reply to my first note. It was but a scribble now that I think back on it which may or may not have included overly much information not meant for what prying eyes may lurk in its delivery path. Let me instead take up where I last left off with a quick summary of notable events.
Fear not, however, that I and my band of County militia explorers are beset upon from all sides and by every enemy of which I first detailed. The army camp still encircles our tower which has improved repairs however slightly over the past days. The Giant has not returned and thankfully there are no new deaths to report either, though there have been some close calls. My newly made friends and I have been spelunking nearly every day since Elion the Elf arrived. It is only since a large storm has begun pummeling Outpost Xavier for the past two weeks that spirits have begun to sink. This reminds me. It is highly odd that in one week's training time at temple in Keep Margrave no raiin has fallen here day or night. And while most of my time has been spent within sanctum, the minutes I do catch fresh air outdoors I can see the storm clouds gathered to the east us. It is almost as if the tower itself has pinned this storm in place.
Moving on, if you recall we slid the throne of the ancient wizard Zelligar aside only to find a rune inlaid tunnel. That tunnel lead to a store room of such stock that we have been delighting in its wealth ever since. Though the room collapsed from some unforeseen consequence, all goods therein were saved. Other caves below the halls of Quesquaton were explored in length as well. Many beasts attacked us during, of which I name kobolds among them, gargantuan spiders as high as the ceiling, and as many bats in one antre as stars in the sky.
There was one more foe however. Even as I write this now I can feel the cold, clammy, hand of fear creep up my spine. For the foulest of battles was against not a creature at all. Or, at least, not a creature of any like rumored before. It is thanks to our leader Darius, the dwarf of the eastern mountains, that I am alive to write to you today. Though many times in battle we have saved each other’s lives, this was the threat of but one red rock having crept invisibly into my mind. I heard a voice cruel and contemptuous speaking in a tongue I did not know and dare not now recall. It is a violation of my soul I speak of and nothing less. Forever after that attack I have felt as innocence lost. And as if some great shield was now missing from the innermost regions of my mind.
You well know the story of how I came into the faith and temple. The vagarious voices I heard while a youth have not returned. On my honor this was not one I heard before. It spoke with malice unlike any noise I have ever heard. As well, this time there was no horse to fall from or rock to hit my head against. Though tough I do not believe it was a rock at all, but perhaps the talon of a god left within the stone. Be it demon or other, it was not divine, but surely of evil nature. I fear your experiment with me may have failed. Perhaps it would be best for me to return to your temple away from others once again. Though the threat is great here, I fear I may only add to it. As before, I acquiesce to your own judgment in this matter.
You should know our explorations continued even with the attack. We found a tunnel or geyser leading to the surrounding forest around the outpost. And though it has been sometime, I believe none of our number still know of a path to and from each. In the vale below we discovered a creature of the forest called a “dryad”. A rather flighty young woman she lost her tree and her cougar, a creature somewhat like a grimalkin, to an orc attack we stopped. She seems to have taken on with a new animal; a rather large brown bear. Do not fear, but it struck me strongly and squarely in anger and I was bedridden for five days after. No other attack was near so deadly to my health, but I promise you not to be near so foolish around such strength again.
There is another, perhaps more grave matter I must impart. The dead have risen in the halls of Quesquaton. While I did not think on it at first with the bandaged creature in the pool room, thoughts came swiftly back when the bodies of our dead arose to combat us once again. This fight was even more difficult as kobold and rat swarmed over our small band. Every member conducted themselves with heroism. Standing out amongst these includes our cook, one Eigor of Margrave. Paralyzed in fear of the unholy abomination he yet came to our aid helping to save those who otherwise would have fallen. Our corporal Dalin Hoyle also stood (and many times I might add) with a pox from vile corpse-rats coursing through his blood to turn back the tide of battle that day. It is true brave men are bravest when no crowd looks on to see. And the truth is our lives were worth the unseen victory.
Sometime during all these events the Elf Elion related to us the importance of Quesquaton. It was quite a story of how the tower was the first founding site of Margrave County. It is also of military importance, but the whys of such were never expressed. Most of the books and items we have discovered in that place have been put back within for safe keeping. And though I believe the fame of our finding the halls has increased my paranoia of the others, the religious works I have been studying from will be returned there shortly too. It is these precautions and odd silences which have me worried. If only Elion or our own leader would trust us with greater information. But these are only a few of the peculiarities I have noticed. Here is the list of ponderances I mentioned:
1. It is my understanding that the Lord of Margrave has lead the army of same into battle north and east of the mountains. But my life as a humble servant hid me from such news prior to my enlistment. What was this great victory our Lord won? And over whom did he win it? I have heard Elion speak of the "enemies of the free people", but I do not really know whom he means.
2. Brother Thom here has mentioned that Lady Devereaux, the current Castellan of the Keep and as I am sure you know the acting authority in Lord Margrave's absence, was only a captain at same keep some months ago. Thom does not know who the previous castellan was, but it may be important to learn what happened to him. Or her, perhaps.
3. Upon our original exploration of the Quesquaton halls we found many dead human bodies. Given the decomposition of the bodies they appeared to me to have been dead for several decades. Who were they though? Could they have been working for the wizard or warrior who lived there? Perhaps you know the history of the place or a sage who does? Was force ever brought to bear by humans on this place?
4. Within one of the pools was a wrapped figure with a red ruby necklace. The wisewoman Kayla has that ruby now and I must admit I do not entirely trust her. It is my belief she is studying this Zelligar's writings to become a sorcerer the same as was he. Given one of our theories for the fall of Quesquaton is Zelligar's turn to madness, this rebirth of magic into our land would be anathema. Could the wrapped figure have been the dead wizard? Or perhaps the warrior Rohgan? I do not know, but the gem did glow perhaps causing the creature's reanimation. Is it possible the red of the wax statues we found in the caves below and the red pulsing demon-rock are all connected somehow? It should be remembered, the bone case with the two unholy scrolls were found in the same pool as the corpse. It is puzzle which still eludes me.
5. The rooms of Zelligar as I mentioned in the previous letter were cleaned by unnatural means. Many items were found within his chambers including: a giant-sized cloak twice the height of a man, slippers of normal size, what I believe were petrified bodies in some macabre museum, and of course, the books of his library. Not all of these books have been returned for safe keeping I might add. I should make note to ask the others where each is. My suspicions are that Kayla has discovered the diabolists personal notes within the pages she carries. If not for the pure heart of our paladin leader who converses with her privately and frequently, I would have cast allegations against her already. For her safety as well as ours, of course.
6. Of other items we found there is little to tell. From what I can remember for your own benefit, three dwarven longswords were discovered and split up amongst our hardiest warriors. Though Darius still uses his hammer I seem to recall him recognizing the brand on each blade. It is of an anvil with two hammers crossed above. Doubled honor over honor, if I have down my heraldry right. The only other item of regard was the torch we found having fallen out of the "portal" in the red rock room. After much contemplation I have deduced that it is the one and same torch previously lit and dropped into the pool room's inky pit upon our first exploration.
It has been some time since I have talked with you Father and it saddens me to know not when it will happen again. I miss the order and security of our temple home. The well known faces I saw every day are now only seen in dreams. Distressingly, it is nightmares which have plagued me of late. For even within the calm elegance of this Keep's temple I do not sleep eagerly. Reoccurring terrors of the that accursed red stone are now haunting me in dreams. Oh, but it is not my wish to end on a sour note. Please pray for me and this band of would-be heroes. And send what help you can. I will endure.
Your Faithful Son,
Brother Ben
Ω
Reverend Father Harthuul Stauk-Flezr
Officium Praemonere
De Jure Fanum
α
It is with a glad heart on this glorious day that I write to tell you of my increased learning and station within the temple. Tomorrow is Holyday once more and before I leave once again to join with my fellow militia I will be raised to Adept status by a new mentor of mine (but only my temporary teacher, of course) by the name of Father Hedrich. With goodly faith and gentle kindness he has steered my studies in religious affairs over this past week. In but seven days my thinking is more assured, my faith more resolute. Reading, meditation, and constant prayer have helped to focus my energies and mind into a perspicacity otherwise unknown.
A clerk in the father’s service, (Fr. Hedrach’s station is unknown to me still as yet) has helped me as well. Named Brother Thom, though his own studies are less achieving than my own, he meditated beside me whilst I gasped in shock at my ownunencumbered revelations. Of these I explain in length at the bottom of this scroll. Their importance is for you to decide. I simply wish to impart all the happiness I do now feel into this letter, though my knees have blistered and I my body weakens from fasting.
A newfound power of prayer has manifested through me. Though I have not but heard the power of such divine intention, I do plan on testing each out when proper situations arise. Some of these are of a nature which alter my own sight when used, but others do infuse me with the power to help others or myself when in need. For instance, I believe I can now, with proper preparation, scan both objects and creatures for magical auras or evil intentions. In addition, when infusing myself with divine power I can now channel it to heal the wounds of the sick and lame, purify the waters and edibles I touch, and even sanctify my own skin less I am attacked by otherworldly creatures. Lastly, but not least, the light of the divine can shine through when called as a torch in the darkness.
Unfortunately, in truth, my report for you is one of mixed blessings. Many events have occurred in but the few weeks which have passed since my last writing. Due to the proclivity of time, distance, and tumultuous state of affairs affecting all of County Margrave my patient mind is unworried about not receiving a letter of your own in reply to my first note. It was but a scribble now that I think back on it which may or may not have included overly much information not meant for what prying eyes may lurk in its delivery path. Let me instead take up where I last left off with a quick summary of notable events.
Fear not, however, that I and my band of County militia explorers are beset upon from all sides and by every enemy of which I first detailed. The army camp still encircles our tower which has improved repairs however slightly over the past days. The Giant has not returned and thankfully there are no new deaths to report either, though there have been some close calls. My newly made friends and I have been spelunking nearly every day since Elion the Elf arrived. It is only since a large storm has begun pummeling Outpost Xavier for the past two weeks that spirits have begun to sink. This reminds me. It is highly odd that in one week's training time at temple in Keep Margrave no raiin has fallen here day or night. And while most of my time has been spent within sanctum, the minutes I do catch fresh air outdoors I can see the storm clouds gathered to the east us. It is almost as if the tower itself has pinned this storm in place.
Moving on, if you recall we slid the throne of the ancient wizard Zelligar aside only to find a rune inlaid tunnel. That tunnel lead to a store room of such stock that we have been delighting in its wealth ever since. Though the room collapsed from some unforeseen consequence, all goods therein were saved. Other caves below the halls of Quesquaton were explored in length as well. Many beasts attacked us during, of which I name kobolds among them, gargantuan spiders as high as the ceiling, and as many bats in one antre as stars in the sky.
There was one more foe however. Even as I write this now I can feel the cold, clammy, hand of fear creep up my spine. For the foulest of battles was against not a creature at all. Or, at least, not a creature of any like rumored before. It is thanks to our leader Darius, the dwarf of the eastern mountains, that I am alive to write to you today. Though many times in battle we have saved each other’s lives, this was the threat of but one red rock having crept invisibly into my mind. I heard a voice cruel and contemptuous speaking in a tongue I did not know and dare not now recall. It is a violation of my soul I speak of and nothing less. Forever after that attack I have felt as innocence lost. And as if some great shield was now missing from the innermost regions of my mind.
You well know the story of how I came into the faith and temple. The vagarious voices I heard while a youth have not returned. On my honor this was not one I heard before. It spoke with malice unlike any noise I have ever heard. As well, this time there was no horse to fall from or rock to hit my head against. Though tough I do not believe it was a rock at all, but perhaps the talon of a god left within the stone. Be it demon or other, it was not divine, but surely of evil nature. I fear your experiment with me may have failed. Perhaps it would be best for me to return to your temple away from others once again. Though the threat is great here, I fear I may only add to it. As before, I acquiesce to your own judgment in this matter.
You should know our explorations continued even with the attack. We found a tunnel or geyser leading to the surrounding forest around the outpost. And though it has been sometime, I believe none of our number still know of a path to and from each. In the vale below we discovered a creature of the forest called a “dryad”. A rather flighty young woman she lost her tree and her cougar, a creature somewhat like a grimalkin, to an orc attack we stopped. She seems to have taken on with a new animal; a rather large brown bear. Do not fear, but it struck me strongly and squarely in anger and I was bedridden for five days after. No other attack was near so deadly to my health, but I promise you not to be near so foolish around such strength again.
There is another, perhaps more grave matter I must impart. The dead have risen in the halls of Quesquaton. While I did not think on it at first with the bandaged creature in the pool room, thoughts came swiftly back when the bodies of our dead arose to combat us once again. This fight was even more difficult as kobold and rat swarmed over our small band. Every member conducted themselves with heroism. Standing out amongst these includes our cook, one Eigor of Margrave. Paralyzed in fear of the unholy abomination he yet came to our aid helping to save those who otherwise would have fallen. Our corporal Dalin Hoyle also stood (and many times I might add) with a pox from vile corpse-rats coursing through his blood to turn back the tide of battle that day. It is true brave men are bravest when no crowd looks on to see. And the truth is our lives were worth the unseen victory.
Sometime during all these events the Elf Elion related to us the importance of Quesquaton. It was quite a story of how the tower was the first founding site of Margrave County. It is also of military importance, but the whys of such were never expressed. Most of the books and items we have discovered in that place have been put back within for safe keeping. And though I believe the fame of our finding the halls has increased my paranoia of the others, the religious works I have been studying from will be returned there shortly too. It is these precautions and odd silences which have me worried. If only Elion or our own leader would trust us with greater information. But these are only a few of the peculiarities I have noticed. Here is the list of ponderances I mentioned:
1. It is my understanding that the Lord of Margrave has lead the army of same into battle north and east of the mountains. But my life as a humble servant hid me from such news prior to my enlistment. What was this great victory our Lord won? And over whom did he win it? I have heard Elion speak of the "enemies of the free people", but I do not really know whom he means.
2. Brother Thom here has mentioned that Lady Devereaux, the current Castellan of the Keep and as I am sure you know the acting authority in Lord Margrave's absence, was only a captain at same keep some months ago. Thom does not know who the previous castellan was, but it may be important to learn what happened to him. Or her, perhaps.
3. Upon our original exploration of the Quesquaton halls we found many dead human bodies. Given the decomposition of the bodies they appeared to me to have been dead for several decades. Who were they though? Could they have been working for the wizard or warrior who lived there? Perhaps you know the history of the place or a sage who does? Was force ever brought to bear by humans on this place?
4. Within one of the pools was a wrapped figure with a red ruby necklace. The wisewoman Kayla has that ruby now and I must admit I do not entirely trust her. It is my belief she is studying this Zelligar's writings to become a sorcerer the same as was he. Given one of our theories for the fall of Quesquaton is Zelligar's turn to madness, this rebirth of magic into our land would be anathema. Could the wrapped figure have been the dead wizard? Or perhaps the warrior Rohgan? I do not know, but the gem did glow perhaps causing the creature's reanimation. Is it possible the red of the wax statues we found in the caves below and the red pulsing demon-rock are all connected somehow? It should be remembered, the bone case with the two unholy scrolls were found in the same pool as the corpse. It is puzzle which still eludes me.
5. The rooms of Zelligar as I mentioned in the previous letter were cleaned by unnatural means. Many items were found within his chambers including: a giant-sized cloak twice the height of a man, slippers of normal size, what I believe were petrified bodies in some macabre museum, and of course, the books of his library. Not all of these books have been returned for safe keeping I might add. I should make note to ask the others where each is. My suspicions are that Kayla has discovered the diabolists personal notes within the pages she carries. If not for the pure heart of our paladin leader who converses with her privately and frequently, I would have cast allegations against her already. For her safety as well as ours, of course.
6. Of other items we found there is little to tell. From what I can remember for your own benefit, three dwarven longswords were discovered and split up amongst our hardiest warriors. Though Darius still uses his hammer I seem to recall him recognizing the brand on each blade. It is of an anvil with two hammers crossed above. Doubled honor over honor, if I have down my heraldry right. The only other item of regard was the torch we found having fallen out of the "portal" in the red rock room. After much contemplation I have deduced that it is the one and same torch previously lit and dropped into the pool room's inky pit upon our first exploration.
It has been some time since I have talked with you Father and it saddens me to know not when it will happen again. I miss the order and security of our temple home. The well known faces I saw every day are now only seen in dreams. Distressingly, it is nightmares which have plagued me of late. For even within the calm elegance of this Keep's temple I do not sleep eagerly. Reoccurring terrors of the that accursed red stone are now haunting me in dreams. Oh, but it is not my wish to end on a sour note. Please pray for me and this band of would-be heroes. And send what help you can. I will endure.
Your Faithful Son,
Brother Ben
Ω
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