Translated from the Shadow Cant of the Velvet Night

Dear Rudolph,

I hope my first missive has reached you, and perhaps you are already on the road to Aerenwode, but I wanted to send you this report to keep with my duties. When I see you next, I think there is much we must discuss, old friend. You had told me about your actions to resolve the issues with the traitor in the small farming village, but the report we had just received about the wholesale slaughter of that place... I hope it was not you who would commit such unnecessary butchery, even in the name of the Hound. This heinous deed has also made my position with William very perilous, because they associate me with the act. William wishes to hear your side of the matter, as do I.

As for my report, there is not much to pass on this time. We had met up with William, Varg, and Ardeena after our time in Gulfport, heading back to the lair of the hydra to see if there were any treasures to be found. We discovered a barrow in the cave the creature called home, and after getting past an ancient but complex lock, we found the tomb of an ancient warrior. There was much debate about what to do with the coin found there, and if we should open up the tomb to see what was inside. In the end it was decided we should, and we found several items inside that may aid our efforts.

From there we returned back to Aerenwode, and it was then the survivor of the farming village had arrived and told us of the man who killed his people. He described a man who was strangely merciful in his slaughter, but who was a killer none the less. His description did not match you, but the farmer said he had talked of the traitor and his service to the Hound. After what you had said to me, and the fact that the traitor was also killed by this man, they questioned me and I could see the looks in their eyes. Even Cerin, who I felt had become a friend after our ordeal with the hydra, looked upon me as if I had done the deed myself.

The discussion was interrupted by a raven from Stonybrook, Williams's ally there sending him a strange item. Since I was viewed with suspicion now, I was not privy to whatever the item was or meant. It was some hours later that William emerged and told us that reinforcements were being sent to Killien, and we talked about what the best course of action was. I was surprised I was included in this, but it was decided that we would attack these reinforcements even though we suspected it was a trap.

We rode to a point on the road before Killien, setting up the men in the trees while the rest of us got to positions near the road itself. I will say the trip there had a different air for me, and few words were spoken to me directly on the trip. The wagons with the troops arrived on time, and we launched our attack with great ferocity. The soldiers fell quickly, a little too quickly for trained soldiers. It was also odd that Raenech would send so few to bolster the hounds ranks. We learned the true plan of the enemy though when the remaining soldiers pushed off massive crates from the wagons. These boxes burst open revealing masses of green, slimy flesh. These masses resolved into horrid beasts, foul trolls that had been crammed into the crates by Jaison's men. The creatures set upon with great savagery, and I saw one rip into Varg before he could even ready himself. Luckily William had a magic sphere of fire that he could direct with his will, and Ardeena's icy winds helped knit Varg's wounds. Just as we resolved to deal with the trolls, the remaining crates broke open and a swarm of bat-like creatures emerged to attack everything around them. "Stirge" was the name Cerin gave for them.

The flying vermin were tenacious, latching on the drain the very blood from their prey. They even attacked the trolls, but that only seemed to enrage the creatures further. Eventually the trolls fell to our attacks and William's fire, and the remainder of the stirges were frozen to death by a blast of winter chill from Ardeena. We had lost a few men to the vermin, another cost of Jaison's rule. As we head back to Aerenwode, I hope I find you there waiting so you can explain to William the truth behind the recent events. Until then, may Eloéle protect your secrets with her shadow.

Harker Graywind

Translated from the Shadow Cant of the Velvet Night

Dear Rudolph,

Thank you for getting back to me in regards to William's concerns, and I have informed him of your pledge to limit future actions like those that you felt you needed to enact against the traitor. While it may be blamed on the Hound, William's concerns seem more rooted in the needless loss of his citizens. I did explain to him that he is not our employer, but I do feel their trust of me and my motives here is damaged. I will still do my best to fulfill my role as Listener among his forces, and continue with my reports.

Our battle plans against the Hound are delayed due to concerns about the strength of his position. The Swamp Mage, the ally of William, arrived at camp with a strategy to aid the battle. He could bring about a great fog to cloak our assault, but the ritual required more resources than we had available. He asked if we could seek out an item of magic that may have recently been uncovered in the land of Roesone. He told us of an ancient Elven tower that once housed a powerful wizard, one who waged war on humankind before he and his tower mysteriously vanished. Rumors of the reappearance of this tower sent us there in search of an artifact of the wizard.

We set out for Roesone and spent a long week on the road. We did have a good night at a roadside tavern, and I must say it felt like how things were early in my stay. We were cautious upon arrival in the lands of Marlae Roesone, for while a wizard ally of the Swamp Mage was aiding us, we did not have permission of the baroness to be in her lands. We marched into the swamps to the alleged site of the tower, and before we knew it the place seemed to rise up out of the brackish waters right in front of our eyes! It is like no place I have seen before, appearing like a massive tree of stone and surrounded by a wall of brambles. But there was a dark air about the place, and death seemed to hang on the place.

We found a way through the wall and into a wild garden that surrounded the tower. The dry vines and sparse shrubs gleamed with white bones, and we were startled by the walking skeletons of several horses walking about the place as if grazing the fields. William clapped loudly to get their attention, but instead it alerted other undead that lurked in the undergrowth. Skeletal wardogs and the dried corpses of soldiers rose up around us, lurching to attack. I felt the chill of their claws, but strangely the horrid things became focused on Cerin and Ardeena. Their focus allowed us to bring them down, and I don't think I have seen such fury in Cerin's whirling blades before.

We pushed on into the next section of the garden, and discovered a building hidden well among a copse of evergreens. I volunteered to look inside, something I deeply regret. Upon opening the door, I was struck with a strange vision of a elven maiden of unearthly beauty and a band of warriors striking down a squad of human soldiers. I then saw a human priest call down a pillar of fire that reduced her to ash before the priest's men cut down all but one of the elven soldiers. The survivor next was in the tower as it once was, telling news of the attack to the wizard, whose rage and sorrow filled me. When I recovered from the vision, I awoke to a terrible spirit lunging at me, reaching into my chest and filling it with the chill of the grave! Before I could recover, an undead soldier set upon me and I fell into blackness. I felt the life ebbing from my body, being drawn into the horrors around me to sustain their unearthly existence. But then the soothing cool breeze of Ardeena's magic brought me back to the world of the living. I awoke to find the creatures once again concentrating their assault on my elf-blooded companions and William's magic sending the foul wraith back to the grave. I rose up and aided them in dispatching the unliving soldiers, finding the blessed dagger of Eloéle the only effective means of harming them.

I will write more of this missive when I have time. We are resting now after our ordeal with the creatures, and I worry that the wraith took a piece of my very soul with it to the grave. I still feel a chill in the old scar that I keep hidden on my chest, a bitter reminder of the past...

Harker Graywind

Translated from the Shadow Cant of the Velvet Night

Dear Rudolph,

This garden is truly a cursed place! Is there nothing but evil growing here? After our moment of solace, we pressed on into the next section that was our last barrier before entering the tower. A massive fountain or seemingly pure, clear water dominated the courtyard there, and more guard towers for the forces that once called this place home. It did not take long for more horrors to emerge though, a pair of flame cloaked spirits much like the one that nearly killed me. But the monstrosity that they flanked was like nothing I have ever seen before... It appeared to be a massive man constructed of the corpses of poor unfortunates who met their fates here in this endless ancient war between men and elves. But its head looked like a normal man, which was far more unsettling. And unlike the other horrors we have faced, it was capable of speech.

It addressed us and called out our "trespass" on their battlefield, and gave its name as something like "Voisin." The poor soul was once the commander of the human forces that invaded the wizard's tower, but the mage had turned him into this creature by merging the bodies of his own troops. William and I attempted to reason with the man we hoped remained inside, and for a moment it seemed like he would actually waver and listen to some reason. I had told him that we had a way to stop their curse, carried in the blood of our elven companions, but the wraiths by his side whispered venom into his ears and his rage won out! He instantly was filled with great rage, far more fearsome than any I had seen fill Varg, and they set upon us. But fortune had smiled on us this time, for Varg himself emerged from the gardens behind us with his own bellow to match that of the abomination.

The battle was fierce and swift, and once again the blade of Eloéle's Kiss proved to be a lifesaver. Between it, the mystic fires of William, and the ancient blade that Varg now wielded, we managed to send Voisin back to the grave again. The wraiths were cut down just as quick, perhaps fueled by our own anger at whatever would create a place such as this. But our wills sagged as we recovered from this latest battle, and we sought out a place to rest and recover our strength. We found a lookout tower high above the skeletal trees inside one of the guard houses, and we climbed up to make a quick camp. Cerin and Ardeena kept watch with their keen eyes, and I tried to get a fitful sleep.

Again there were dreams of this place, and its dark past. I saw the wizard again, crafting a glowing circle of magic to bring forth... something. A massive creature cloaked in the fires of hell, a demonic servant conjured from dark magics and desperation. The wizard made a silent pact with the thing and sent it out to ravage his enemies at the gate, and I saw its terrible wrath as it tore through trained warriors like they were parchment. Then it turned on the elves who summoned it, and even the wizard could not lay it low. It plucked his heart from his chest as easily as an apple from a tree, but the wizard was not allowed to die. I then heard its voice in my head, telling the wizard that he and the two armies would fight an eternal battle for the demon's amusement. At each new moon, the dead would rise again and again until the demon grew bored. And I saw years... centuries of battles pass by as the demon looked on. Until one day it finally tired of watching, but it would not release the tortured souls from their curse out of cruelty. Only those who were not part of their armies could bring them final peace. Does that mean the horrors we have slain will stay dead?

My rest was not soothing, which did not surprise me in this place, but I was not alone in my dream. William and Ardeena said they believe now that the demon plucked this tower from the world and placed it in Shadow, and we are now there with them. We hope that by pushing on to the lair of the wizard, that we can not only end this curse, but also not become part of it ourselves!

I am taking a quick moment to jot down some more of our struggles to you, perhaps in hope that I will have a chance to get this message to you. We have entered the tower, and were confronted by the skeletal guardian elves that once defended it. They were no match for our combined strength, and we climbed up to the next level to seek out the wizard that once called this place home. I write now in the remains of a bedroom, my companions occupied in searching through the remnants of those that once called this place home. I feel a sense of dread filling me, and I think we are close now to the lair of the wizard. With luck, we will soon be free of this place and back to the familiar trees of the Aerenwode. As much of a threat as Raenech and the Hound seemed before, after facing the horrors here I think they will not seem as intimidating when we return.

Lungs burning, cloud of poison... Wizard... so strong... Lisbeth...


Harker Graywind

Translated from the Shadow Cant of the Velvet Night

Dear Rudolph,

It was good to see you, my friend. Although your presence and how easily you entered our camp should give William pause about the security of his forest. If you and I have the means to change our appearance so easily, it stands to reason that Raenech might have agents who can do the same. And I am sure William will want to thank you for dealing with the spy who sold us out to the Hound. I can understand the man's desperation for the money he was paid, but it will make us all more careful in our dealings with them.

As for the battle against Raenech, the past few days were strange indeed and proved to be very productive in the war effort. With William, Varg, Ardenna occupied with other business, Cerin and I decided to head to the Lost Towers to investigate rumors of bandits using the ruins as a base of operation. We figured we could either do good for the local villages by clearing the brigands out, or determine if the bandits could be potential recruits to the cause. We also decided to take Draken with us, because his erratic behavior made us wary of leaving him behind.

Our first stop was in the village of Blacksly, a tiny place among the ruins of an ancient ruined city. We were astounded by the remains of this once great civilization, and Draken had a curious moment of potential insight when he exalted that may have once been a place of the gods. The actual settlement within the ruins was more unsettling, the people of Blacksly watching us like wary animals as we passed through. The blood is thin there and the families close, if you catch my meaning. The town constable came up to assess us, and he talked of visitors getting "lost" in the swamps. I think we placated him with a monetary gift from the Duke, and he had no love for Raenech's men. We didn't see allies there, but if we leave them be I don't see enemies either. A traveling tradesman at the inn gave us some rumors about the situation in Aamon as well. He said the Frog Patrol is a divided legion, with some little more than thugs and criminals and others growing disillusioned with Raenech and his rule. There may be recruits to William's army there.

After leaving Blacksly, we ventured into the swamplands in search of the towers. The marshes were full of predators, and we were set upon by giant lizards that sought to make a meal of us. We dispatched them without real harm, and Draken swam down to the creatures' den to search for victims. He emerged with the belongings of a poor soul, gems and coin. He also brought up the remains of the man's steed, mounting the rotting head of the beast on a stick and calling it his horse. I have no words.

We made camp before heading to the ruins, and the night was quiet. The swamp is a vibrant place, even with its perils. Cerin made a meal of the lizards, and it was actually very filling. He also showed me how to milk poison from their fangs, something that may prove useful later. Draken spent the night cooing to his "horse." The next morning we arrived at the towers and saw activity there, but not what we expected. Lizardmen had taken up residence, with one brute who was nearly the height of two men! Cerin said that unless they were desperate, lizardfolk are not evil creatures. We decided to approach them cautiously, and they were not initially hostile. Draken surprised us when he knew their language and even claimed to have lived with the creatures at one time. Thankfully the chieftain spoke other tongues as we did not have to leave diplomacy to Draken. The creatures calmed when we were able to prove we knew the Swamp Mage, again thanks to Draken. The creatures had cleared out the bandits, but their tribe was driven to the towers by a terrible, multi-headed beast that took up residence in the deep swamps. It dwelled at the site of the lizardfolk's hatchery, and they were desperate to reclaim these sacred lands. We offered to help them slay the beast, and in exchange they agreed to help William with his cause.

We rested at the towers, and the lizardfolk celebrated with us. It was a fun night, and our hosts were surprisingly friendly and full of life despite their plight. The next day several of their warriors lead us into the deep swamps to where the monster lived. We arrived at the ruins of their village, and Cerin's keen eyes saw something that initially looked like a log until it moved. He shot an arrow at it, and suddenly the monster burst from the waters. It was a massive serpent bigger than a wagon, with many heads on long, sinewy necks! Cerin told me later it was a hydra, but at the time it simply looked like death. The battle was a blur, instinct and adrenaline taking over. I saw Cerin put an arrow in the eye of one of the heads, and the beast shed the dead appendage like dead skin as two more heads burst from the stump! I also thought Draken was crushed at one point as the monster lunged forward, but he emerged to beat it with his fists. In the end we managed to bring it down with the help of the lizardmen, and they exalted us as we regained our bearings.

We found the creatures lair and gathered treasure from previous victims, and the lizardfolk refused payment because they were elated to have their sacred ground returned to them. I write you now from an inn in Gulfport, rested and still trying to process the past few days. Outside my room I hear Draken arguing with the innkeeper about the man's refusal to stable his "horse," and Cerin is off trying to find an elven bow he was told a merchant had in his wares. We are also having armor made from the hide of the hydra to commemorate our victory. An interesting few days indeed. Until we talk again, may Eloéle protect your secrets with her shadow.

Harker Graywind

Dear Rudolph,

First off I want to apologize for my impertinence in my last correspondence. As you stated in your response, it is not my place as a Listener to request information from a Lorekeeper that does not pertain to my current assignment. And my business with Lady D'Armonde is concluded now that I am here in Osoerde, so I will not inquire about her to you or anyone else within the Velvet Night again. Once again I am sorry for my moment of folly, and I will take your advice and focus on the task at hand.

In regards to my mission with William and his band, it has been another eventful few days. After claiming the paywagon for the mercenary forces of the Hound, William began to plan ways to use the captured wagon and uniforms to get close enough to the Hound to take the man out. After discussing our options, it was decided that we would use a ruse where the paywagon was damaged to draw out more of the Hound's men from Killien, further weakening his forces. Then we would ride into town with some of William's men hidden inside the wagon and spring an attack on the Hound. My role in this was to disguise myself as a rider bringing word to Killien to start the lure.

Cerin and I stayed with the wagon while William and the others headed back to Aerenwode to gather some of his soldiers. The night was quiet, and the next morning we rode off to pass through Namir's Fall. But we were accosted by riders sent out from the guard post there to learn why the paywagon was delayed. William convinced the men that the shipment was delayed by poor roads, and we were able to pass through the town without incident. The riders went with us though to ensure safe passage, and once we were past Namir's Folly we stopped for a rest and sent the men to their gods.

I rode ahead to Killien, and my demeanor was convincing enough to draw out the Hound himself. I explained that the wagon was waylaid by William's forces and damaged in the attack. The sheriff showed his notorious rage, and sent another cart and soldiers along with me back. When we arrived back at the wagon, we sprung our trap and attacked the men. It was a viscous battle, and many of William's men were felled alongside those of the Hound. But we proved victorious in the end, and Ardeena's magics were able to revive many, but not all, of his men. Poor Manny...

It was at this time that something happened that surprised me. Loyal Varg, fierce and seemingly unstoppable in battle, advised William that any further attack on Killien at this time was folly. We learned from a mercenary prisoner about the scope of the Hound's forces, including four priests who aided him. With most of our force still recovering, Varg said it was not good timing to strike. William and Cerin still wanted to proceed though, because any further delay might result in the Hound getting reinforcements from Raenech. But they also talked about covert attacks, sneaking into the town under cover of night to remove the Hound's forces systematically. Ardeena did not seem comfortable with this method, and wanted the young Duke to commit to attack or retreat and nothing else.

It was determined that I would sneak in to the town as a soldier and assess the situation. When we arrived, the whole town was lit up and we could see patrols on the streets. It was difficult to get inside safely but I managed. The remaining soldiers were walking the perimeter alongside villagers pressed into duty. Originally we had discussed bribing the mercenary troops there to fight against the Hound or simply flee, but now I saw why the man we interrogated earlier was nervous about this prospect. I saw these hired thugs mistreating the villagers for no reason other than cruelty, and I can imagine far worse actions have occurred. I also saw the Hound pacing around anxiously alongside two of his priests, and it was clear he was unnerved by our actions. Before I went back to the others, I set fire to the makeshift stables to add a distraction in case William decided to press the attack.

Once back, William reluctantly decided to delay the assault since the Hound's forces were alerted. We did decide to launch a volley of arrows and magic from the dark before we left, hoping both to whittle his troops down further and to weaken their resolve. All our attacks struck true and we rode off back towards Aerenwode. But the Hound lived up to his name when he sent a pack of trained moor hounds out from the town in pursuit. The beasts were ferocious, and I saw Ardeena fall to their jaws. I had thought her dead, but Varg managed to get her to safety while the hounds were still snapping at him. After we struck down the last of them, Cerin skinned the beasts to serve as trophies and a message to the Hound.

Even with this setback, William seems more determined than ever at this time. You asked me again about his character, and in him I do see potential for leadership. His drive to free his lands seems to grow each day, and witnessing the evil of these men who serve Raenech I can see why. Until we speak again, may Eloéle protect your secrets with her shadow.

Harker Graywind