Finding a Copse Tower - 25/05/20

**404 Exploration Log**: Monday

**Travelers**: Aegon, Lauthok, 404

**Area**: North of Monster cave.

**Point of Interest Discovery**: "Copse Tower Ruins", formerly "Copse Tower" A three story tower that was filled with goblinoids when we approached. The tower was made of dark stone blocks with a red tiled roof. The tower had many blocks pushed out so that the goblinoids could shoot from it. It was located in a copse of trees south of the tainted river. The river bent northward at the tower.

**Copse Tower Survey Report**: Once we got to the top of the tower we were treated to a long view of the surrounding areas. To the north and west we saw what I am dubbing "The Iron Chain Prairie". To the north, we also saw the river ends at a white structure, whether it is manmade or natural is unknown. Note: I would recommend a spyglass for future exploration.(edited)

**Hostile Faction Discovered**: Iron Chain Legion This faction of goblinoids (goblin, bugbear, and hobgoblin) seem bent on conquest of Xadkha. They are immediately hostile and they are numerous. They fight without honor and are somewhat crafty. They do not seem to have any interaction with the Winter Court. Their banner is long and black with a set of black chained manacles stretched across it. They wear chains on their arm to identify their allegiance. The quality of material seems to denote rank.

**Iron Chain Legion Dossiers**:

**Goblin Infantry**: Commonly wield daggers and shortbows. Some were observed to throw crude shrapnel bombs, they are very dangerous if you cannot evade them. One of them was observed to have chained up a wolf and when approached the wolf was loosed. This was dealt with by providing the wolf food, as it was emaciated. Why the wolf did not just eat the lone goblin I cannot say. Their arrows are of higher quality than you would expect of your standard goblin, they are probably being supplied by more skilled craftsmen. They possess an uncanny ability to avoid your attacks when they flee from melee range. They were not observed to understand common.(edited)

**Bugbear Enforcer**: One was seen to wield a club. It was not observed to be much more than a large brute. It was not observed to understand common.

**Hobgoblin Captain**: We met a 'Captain Klokune' at the top of the tower. He was in charge of the goblinoids. He wore armor that was quite fine for a goblinoid and had with him a exquisite longsword. This hobgoblin understood and spoke common quite fluently.

**Maglubiyet**: This seems to be the chosen god of the Iron Chain Legion. Ask Lauthok for more information.

**Iron Chain Legion Intelligence**: We discovered a tablet that had orders written upon it. I will paraphrase the orders here> Take your forces 4 hours south of the accursed web tree, erect dwellings and fortify. A small drawing was included of an area we have decided most resembles **Shaman's Fall**. The web tree must refer to the weeping tree. It would be reasonable to assume that we will encounter more Chain Legion to the north or west. This order was signed by "***Agezur the Chosen of Maglubiyet***"(edited)

**Bad Water Report**: Aegon went alone to fetch water from the nearby river to put out some fires we started in the tower and he made an important discovery. He discovered that this river is most likely connected directly to the bad water river that flows near Plipholm. Lauthok and I discovered Aegon unconscious with a necrotizing wound on his arm when we went looking for him. **Do not touch the bad water river, not only will it kill you but it will hurt the whole time you're dying.**

**Sarkany Incident Report**: As we were leaving the tower, Sarkany landed atop it. As we fled down to the bottom floor, Aegon shot him through an open section of the wall. I cannot stress this enough, do not aggrieve the dragon. I repeat, do not aggrieve the dragon. Sarkany, insulted as he was by Aegon, decided to demonstrate his dominance by having Aegon collect our gold for him and then push Aegon face down into the dirt under his very sharp claw. Now there's no reason to believe Sarkany would have let us go with our gold but the abuse Aegon suffered certainly seemed personal. When he had his fill of humiliation and robbery, he spat an enormous gout of acid at the tower, causing it to melt and ultimately crumble. **Once more for all those who only skim these reports, DO NOT AGGRIEVE THE DRAGON! For more info, please refer to the long gashes on Aegon's back, our much lighter coinpurses, and the demolished tower.** One final note, this dragon demanded we encourage wealthy adventurers to venture out into its territory. I believe that he intends to fatten us up with powerful items and other treasure in the same way a farmer fattens up a hog before *slaughter*.

Our return to Geistholm was uneventful.