Expedition Logs - Comos 1195SY

Here you will find the Expedition Logs for the Week Commencing the 12th of Comos 1195SY, alongside an account of our first sighting of the city by yours truly, Sterlan Phame.

## Expedition Commencing 14th Comos, 8am

#### Jessari's log

Headed south from camp
Found a stream flowing southward- Talxon lit a pile of leaves the doused it to give of a smoke signal by the stream

Discovered a ruined stone building with a large base, most likely a tower. Beside stagnant water (called the “festering pool” by the Ikalch). The tower emitted two sources of strong magic but gave of a dark and foreboding aura, best checked another time. As we departed Talxon spotted carved writing within the tower but we chose to postpone any investigation for now.

Crossed a river on the way to the city also flowing southward.

As we rested, we were ambushed by a band of four.

After besting them and taking them captured with no loss of life on either side we marched them towards the city.

It became clear that the outskirts of the city were derelict and abandoned the buildings in a state of disrepair and the only sign life had been they’re was a sun-bleached horse skeleton lying in the road.

We used comprehend language on one of our assailants and gathered as much information as we could. Their people are the Ikhalch (refers to a phrase “the lambs that are led to be bled”) and the one we used the spell on identified themselves as Quikol and his compatriots as Amakey (Skull tattoo on chest), Khutler (charged in bush by Rog), Hohoucktic (short sword boy).

They stated their people fled from a place called Kristrowan, fleeing from a curse, he was not specific on what the curse did.

They live in the forests and avoid the city, they seemed to be very afraid of the city (and advised us to do the same). We asked whether their leader would be willing to work with us or at least broker peace and they doubted they would be interested.

They also used a blood red extremely strong alcohol as part of battle preparation, they seemed to indicate it helped them stave of fear or enhance them in some way again unclear they told us of the berries and gave us the names in their tongue.

On the city that we found out was called Achlmets

* The city was “unclaimed for too long no city avoids crumbling into the wilds forever” also the wilds had claimed it in some way.
* The people of this city had been dead for so long … since the old times, the times of fire”
* The city was built by the Say-Yen-Kilch (no idea how to spell this) – small creatures that some say have returned to take back their city these however knew little about them
* The front gate is not the best way into the city as it is very dangerous, they did speak of a secret entrance but claimed and I am inclined to believe them, that they did not know where this entrance was.
* The city connects to the ocean via a river but in the bay lurks a terrifying one-eyed sea creature
* Many come to the city looking for lost children or other lost things don’t know why they think they’d find them there and neither did Quikol.
* The great wolves roam the city walls and the shore line at night” could be the howling we heard the other night.
* A great wyvern roams the south of the city he may claim a keep as it’s lair Quikol was unclear or I stopped paying attention, one or the other.

They taught us the basics of their language nothing to intense but might come in handy. Quikol gave me a trinket of blood-stained cloth to add to my icon to Teith which was nice.

Oh, and Amakey apologised for stabbing me saying “no hard feelings” to which I replied “no hard feelings” they seemed nice. Well besides the stabby thing but it felt like they ere desperate and didn’t really have a choice anyway we gave them some food healed them up and went our separate ways they promised they would not waylay us but could not say the same with our compatriots.
## Expedition Commencing 14th Comos, 12pm

#### Marcy-Rose's Log

* Made our way east, found a shady copse
	+ Found some wild sturdy deer here
	+ Found a body impaled on a broken tree growing mushrooms (in the sun! Weird!)
	+ Then it reanimated, which is bad
	+ Broke free of tree and attacked, we killed it.
	+ Xerksti collected some of the mushroom samples (yellowy-white, speckled arrowhead caps)
* Made our way southeast, found some caves, ignored them
* Proceeded south, found a 4ft wide, 100ft deep hole left by worm?
* More south, saw a mound with a giant arm. Very creepy. Chose to approach anyway.
	+ Mount turned out to be a body made of rock, with vegetation growing on it. Around 25ft tall, 7ft wide. Lying on its side.
	+ Might be a statue, but crude.
* Climbed a hill, was covered with a garden of swords and a single magical skull in the middle. Debated fucking with the skull for a while.
	+ Agreed this was a bad idea.
	+ Fucked with the skull anyway.
	+ But nothing happened!
	+ Left it alone
* Saw a teepee in some trees. A boy inside was feverish and very clearly ill.
	+ Tried to communicate but he couldn't talk.
	+ A series of events led to us unintentionally kidapping him to take back to camp.

#### Xerksti's Log

* Eastward travel, into forest with thin trees.
	+ Found deer like creatures, studier, and with tiny antlers. Quite docile. Look delicious.
		- Unafraid of people and tigers, ate right out of my hand. Potential lack of humanoid/feline predators, but we’ll see.
* Pressing onwards, find a zone with less healthy trees and an impaled corpse.
	+ Investigating corpse led to it reanimating - was shriveled and sunburnt and covered in a fungus that was collected after combat. Was a weak foe, easy to dispatch. Was obviously left impaled on the tree on purpose.
		- Fungus was a bone yellow colour with red/brown speckles on its cap. If cause of reanimation, not necessarily necromancy.
	+ Heard a voice in the trees calling for allies of the wild. Pushed further into forest.
	+ South east to forest, collection of caves. Potential mines. Cave entrances are small, but unsure if opens up inside. Saw a figure in the woods around here beckoning us to continue, proceeded south west.
* South of caves, large savanna - tall grass, same deer like creatures. Field covered with large holes - just less than 100ft deep, 4ft diameter. Potential burrowing creature nearby.
* South of savanna, resting sedimentary statue of a torso with only one arm exposed. Full statue potentially 25ft tall, unknown origin. Strange lilac flowers growing on and nearby, collected samples.
* West of fallen statue, climbed a hill and found a skull with a moderate magical aura of an indeterminate school. Surrounded by a ring of rusted weaponry, collected a hilt for identification.
	+ Poked with mage hand, no response. Decided to find divine magic caster to bring for re-examination.

* West of skull hill, found teepee with ill boy. Couldn’t communicate clearly so decided to bring him back to camp and cut expedition short.

#### Ursula's Log

* Made our way east. Came across a serene forest. When I tried to mark the trees so I knew which direction we had headed, I got the foreboding sensation that I should not be damaging the trees.
* We came across a forest with wild deer that were not afraid of us or the tiger, they even approached us. Unusual behaviour, usually deer don’t come near me and the tiger.
* There was a general feeling of calmness in the forest.
* After this pristine wooded area, we came across a dry gully. Past the gully we found a found a corpse impaled on a tree covered in mushrooms. The corpse reanimated and attacked us but we quickly were able to put it down. Xerksti collected some of mushroom samples.
* Further south, some caves were found. We did not explore them.
* Further south, Xerksti nearly fell into a 4ft wide, over 100ft deep hole, it was a perfect circle. Marcy-Rose claimed it may have been a giant worm.
* South from this, a statue of a giant with one arm exposed lying on its side was found. Statue was potentially 25ft ft tall. Strange flowers growing on and nearby.

* Went west and climbed a hill. At the apex, there was a skull surrounded by a ring of rusted swords.
* West of the skull hill, found a camp with an ill child with no one looking after them. The camp had four separate and distinct tracks leading away from the camp. The child spoke a language no one could speak and if left there by himself, would have very likely died.
* I made the decision to bring the child back to camp, unfortunately some force was required as the child was afraid and understandably uncooperative. We returned back to camp with the child. I will take responsibility for the child if this is required.

## Expedition Commencing 18th Comos, 9am

#### Talxon's Log

The following is a terrible recount of a comrade lost
Those in our party were, Jhanna Vrust the Forge wife, Ursula the Mistress of Tigers, Simhi Jon a truly holy man of quasan origin and Me, Talxon. We set out in the early morning to scout the nearby cave systems. Following Ursula to the forest, We came upon a brown furred creature. Fat like a gofer but cute like a squirrel, as it trundled along, Jhanna was incredibly fascinated by.It was Huuuuuge for a rodent.

After thirty minutes of walking, we  came upon a beautiful serene area sheltered from the heat of the sun. in the glade, we discovered what seems to be a shrine to  a serpentine creature with feathers and wings. The shrine seemed to permeate an essence of calmness, that could be the reason the animals in the area are living so harmoniously. Jhanna, said the rock was made of Ryolite. I couldn’t help but feel like I wanted to stay there for much longer and perhaps things would have ended better if we had.

The shrine rekindled memories of the woods back home, of younger years sitting in the brooks and swinging through the trees with Therran.

Exiting the Glades we almost stumbled upon the trench with another of those mushroom corpses, (henceforth referred to as Shroomers) wishing not to test the capabilities of them we moved on to the hillocks with the natural caves.

Discovering a small wooden flute in the shape of a bird at the entrance to the caverns, Jhanna pocketed the flute and we pushed on. We were promptly set upon by a couple of Shroomers, whom were awesomely slayed by the Simhi Jon. After vanquishing the Shroomers we discovered a small ceramic dog  which barked in seemingly the presence of danger, we foolishly pressed our luck.  Progressing further into the caverns, we jumped over a crack in the earth which descended to an underwater river.

Beyond the treacherous crack we found more tunnels with veins of iron in the wall, however we could not investigate any further as we were set upon from either side by Shroomers and spiders. We fought harder than I have ever seen mortals fight, but we were pressed back by a giant spider creature beyond my worst nightmare\*\*. Struck by an arcane bolt of pure lightning we broke into full retreat.

We could not pass the crack while pursued and the others fell.  I had no idea what to do so I fled.

I ran as if I my feet could fly me back to Ralka, to my home in Maltierre, if I could only get the speed but there is only so fast a criminal can run.  I was struck down by the unloving in the grasslands outside the hillocks, in my last moments of consciousness I could only think of her. How our trees would wither and die and my names would never leave your lips again.

I came to consciousness with Jhanna reaching to pull me up from failing breath. Ursula a n arc of rot sailing through the air behind her.  Dragged to my feet we hurried to the shrine of the bird serpent  and rested before proceeding to our encampment.

I am told that Simhi Jon Sara, died a hero’s death and his sacrifice allowed Ursula and Jhanna to escape and save me. I do not know how but I am truly thankful.

As I fade into close on this day in this medical tent, My only thoughts drift to the paragons, can they help us here, on this island where they have not ventured? Will the toll of my trial be my end?

I must continue to fight in Simhi Jon Sara’s memory. I only hope that his rest is peaceful.

\*\*the beast – of what I remember had the largest body of a spider that I have ever seen, where its head would usually be were arm like appendages, with a human face stretched across far too much flesh. I truly hope to never see that monster again.
#### Ursula's Log

* I led Talxon, Jhanna and Simhi back through the path I had taken previously with Marcy-Rose and Xerktsi.
* Headed east and found ourselves in the serene forest again where we found a carved statue of a coiled serpent with wings and feathers. There was a calming feeling in this area and there was feeling that this statue was intertwined inseparably from the calmness and verdant nature of the woods. I could not locate a specific source of magic but there was a sense of the whole wooden area to contain feeling of magic.
* Continued further south and upon investigation, it seemed the aura of calmness within the serene forest ended at a gully. After which, we came across the mushroom ridden corpse that Xerktsi, Marcy-Rose and I had fought.
* Continued south towards the cave. Before I entered the cave, I attempted to mark the entrance of the cave, however I heard the words **‘Do not deface the face of the Wild’.** I am concerned that if we end up cutting down trees and harvesting nature for our camp that we will make ourselves the enemy of whatever entity that seems to be maintaining this area.
* Within the cave, we found a wooden figure with a flute in the shape of a bird (a small bird, puffed out with a big head)
* Heading deeper into the cave, we found a room with bones and a corpse with some gloves that seemingly had survived deterioration. These gloves were a pair of fingerless gloves with spikes on its palm – Jhanna has kept them for inspection.
* A ceramic white and red depiction of a dog was also found, this device started barking and subsequently after, we were attacked by more corpses covered in mushrooms. They are lot a deadlier than previously thought and almost led to the death of my animal companion. We narrowly dispatched of these creatures.
* Heading further into the cave, we encountered a 5ft hole which we swiftly jumped across. We arrived at a cross road, and were attacked upon by spiders and more mushroom corpses.
* As we were gaining the upper hand on these creatures, a giant spider like creature was spotted with a contorted human face. It started hunting us and we decided to swiftly flee. It seemed that this creature also had magical capabilities as its small appendages were able to weave magic together to direct lightning at us.
* As we were hurrying out of the cave, in a state of a panic, Simhi, Talxon and Jhanna fell into the 5ft hole. I tried my best to hold on to Simhi, however due to the injuries I had taken from the spiders I was not able to maintain the strength and found myself tumbling below together with Simhi and Jhanna.
* Simhi, Jhanna and I found ourselves fell into a stream of running water. It took all my strength to swim up to the surface where a rope had been let down. Simhi aided Jhanna and myself to the rope but unfortunately succumbed to the attacks of some creature within the stream.
* Jhanna and I made it out and continued our way back to the camp. We stumbled across a near dead Talxon who had been ambushed by more mushroom corpses. Jhanna and I manage to take down the mushroom corpses and were able to heal Talxon enough to make our way back to camp.

#### Jhanna's Log

* Touch or break the statue and I'll break your weapons. Sacred.

## Expedition Commencing 21st Comos, 10am

#### Marcy-Rose's Log

* Went into the woods, followed a laughing sound that turned out to be a kookaburra. Xerksti didn't know what it was and named it a 'cookie burrower'.
* Saw a long-legged red wolf walk past a deer, didn't seem all that bothered by each other.
* After about two hours wandering round we found some scale mail and a mysterious engraved rock in an abandoned campsite
* By sheer luck we found the snake statue the last party found and, less luckily, failed to communicate with it
* Jessari figured out that the forest is under the effect of a 'sanctuary' spell, or something similar
* Tried calling the statue 'Tlecua' to no effect
* Xerksti tried to throw me at a tree to climb it and the forest stopped them
* I tried to attack Xerksti with an axe and the forest stopped me
* Xerksti climbed a tree and saw we were in the centre of the forest
* We went to have a lunch break on the edge of the Sanctuary Forest before we entered the Dry Woods
* I befriended a cookie burrower and then we went into the Dry Woods.
* After walking deep in to the woods we spotted a stone circle and went to inspect it.
* Seeing something in the circle, we approached, and got into a fight with a spry and quick mushroom

creature (something that has been termed a 'shroomer')

* We fled as it proved very dangerous, but were caught by some lesser shroomers, and almost killed
* We managed to get ourselves out of there, and fled back to Sanctuary Forest
* There, we made a camp, and were approached by a strange man calling himself Iztac
* He told us that Tlecua was a dryad in the Dry Woods
* Also that there was a kind of curse called the Oquishyotil that compels people towards the city to the south
* Finally, we came back - all of us closer than ever, but deeply shaken by our encounter

#### Xerksti's Log

* Initially headed into Eastern, lush looking forest, where an air of calm seems to envelop you. Later discovered this calming effect is a result of a large area of effect Sanctuary type spell, causing creatures to hesitate before inflicting harm upon anything living.
	+ Source of spell seems to be centred on the Winged Serpent statue that was discovered recently. Despite all our best efforts, we were unable to interact with it.
	+ Discovered a peculiar laughing bird that looks like it would be mischievous enough to steal and hide baked goods, decided to name it a “Cookie Burrower”.
	+ Rediscovered the large rodent described on a previous expedition’s log - decided to name it a Chunkybara.
* Pressing on to the Dry Woods where we try to locate the source of the voice that calls to allies of the wild.  Passed many Shroomers that thankfully didn’t spot us.
	+ Discovered a collection of Standing Stones in a southern area of the Dry Wood. It is being guarded by a Shroomer that looks and acts differently, with intelligence. Upon spotting me it dropped into a stance, closed a 50ft distance easily between us, then knocked the wind out of me with a single, precise blow. Knowing I could not take another, I fled, and the creature followed behind. Fortunately, it did not go for another attack. This is a dangerous foe.
	+ Believe this Standing Stone Guardian was protecting something, though we didn’t get a good look at what.
	+ Basic Shroomers followed, barely managed to survive without losing a teammate. Headed back to Sanctuary Forest to lick our wounds.
* In Sanctuary Woods in evening, approached by a stranger. He called himself Iztac.
	+ Iztac mistook us as being of the Order Greyhawk. He called them “Aja Ravuteo”.
	+ Old mercenaries that worked for the Kherran Empire during the demon wars. Known as the ultimate mage hunter.
	+ Iztac told us about the voice in the wilds - a Dryad known as Tlecuan. Named “Firewood”, they are unhappy, and perhaps helping them could be beneficial to our stay on this island.
	+ Iztac associates with the council “Monarchy of Dranvate”. He claims to be trying to “figure out the elements here”.

#### Jessari's Log

* Heard laughing as we headed east from camp coming from a strange flat headed bird with a large beak black feathers with white down and a smattering of light blue at joints. Is a kookaburra
* Xerksti first heard the voice when they inhaled mushroom spores.
* Saw flat food deer a reddish wolf walking around the deer.
* May have gotten lost in the forest looking for the winged snake possible guardian of the forest. Maybe a local deity.
* On skull hill found a collapsed tent (old abandoned) with a browning skeleton he seems to have died in his sleep no visible signs of struggle. Found mail armour Xerksti took it. (I carried it). Marcy found a strange stone that’s pyramid with an eye on it (rolled religion but didn’t know jack)
* Collected local fruit it’s very bright and pink. With leaf parturitions going from pink to yellow to green.
* Found mammalian creature short fat rodent, rodent of unusual size (1 meter long) little ears brown course fur black eyes
* Tried to cut a tree reason behind resistance is the sanctuary if we break it, it will cease to protect us.
* Discovered the borders of the forest’s sanctuary effect
* The creatures of the dry woods seem to respond to sound and look around despite having no visible way of seeing

* Further into the dry woods are a set of standing stones saw a different mushroom like creature sitting atop the stones there was also something at the base of the standing stones (shiny).
* Picked a fight the mushroom like creature moved 50ft and attacked Xerksti using poison and appearing to have some intelligence. It spared us choosing not to finish off.
* Nearly died multiple times but the three of us lived somehow, I made a horse it was great we found a small wooden object in one of the mushroom men holes. We escaped
* Met a man looking for the Grey hawks (mercenary mage hunters) Aja Ravuteo, his name is Iztac we met him in the tranquil forest (I gave him a honey cake) he seems nice well to do clothing black with gold and yellow trim (relatively simple robes).
* There are not many voices left in those woods many are dead, their (apparently a dryad) her Tlacua. she is unhappy seeking aid in saving her forest (the dry woods).

* “The wild grows angry the wild grows impatient” Iztac
* Iztac represents the Monique of Dranvaite
* Looked at Marcy as he said “the Vaine is a stain they say in this land they call it the Okishioltil, the sign of remembering it is a black mark appearing on your neck and creeps a perfect circle that draws you in”
* Prefer to travel at night easier to avoid being seen - so many interesting things happen at night
* This land is like this because of greed that doesn’t care for the damage done by what it takes.

## Expedition Commencing 24th Comos, 1pm

#### Rogdul's Log

* Sparse woodland leading to Forest to the west of camp
	+ Ursula spotted a small/medium herd of large horse/camel-like creatures 3-4km west of camp.
	+ The thorn I examined that hit Ursula seemed completely normal, but I will take it back for further study.
	+ Looking where Ursula was attacked from I could not find anything out of the ordinary
	+ Upon closer inspection the thorn appeared to me more of a branch. The shiv appeared to be magically created not physically crafted.
	+ “Apple” tastes quite sweet. Not sure if it’s poisonous. Doing ANY damage to trees seems to incur an attack of thorns
	+ Attacked by some lizards, no idea what they are. Look potentially tasty. Classic big lizard that likes the shade. Talxon will gut them and we will attempt to bring them back to camp.
* We brought them back, the lizard kebabs.
* We went out to hunt the Dyrad. Got distracted by some camels. Tried to attack the camels. Got grappled by a damn snek
	+ Snek squished me. It hurt
	+ I broke out of snek through sheer force of beefiness
	+ Taxlon flubbed a shot
	+ Ursula then stabbed snek
	+ Tiger missed
	+ Camels literally blinked into a different dimension
	+ I missed snek
	+ Snek tried to withdraw
	+ Talxon shot snek
	+ Snek died
	+ Snek is a Boa

* Crocodile in the water. It looked tasty
* We headed further west, Ursula heard noise ahead of us so we began to stealth up
* We came to a fight between the rag boys and some shroomers
	+ All the rag boys went down
	+ I took damage, fought off the poison
	+ Taxlon had his throat ripped out by a dryad.

TL;DR

* There is a forest to the West/North-West
* There are some Horse/Camel-like creatures around that are fairly skittish.
* Forest is occupied by at least 1 Dryad. Speaks an unknown language.
* There is a large pond of fresh water to the North-West, there are crocodiles in the pond, surrounding areas have Boa-Constrictors, Jake the Snakes are not too hard to kill.
* Forest has some edible fruits.
* There are some shroomers and humans in the forest.

#### Ursula's Log

* Spare smattering of trees which becomes an actual forest
* Taxlon can see this tower (fallen structure)
* Animals (from where we are)
	+ Big horse like creature (fuzzier) longer neck and smaller head
	+ Puffy and short tail (light chestnut colour – white fur underbelly)
	+ 1 metre tall
	+ (camel) – about 15-20 of them (headstart)
* In the forest – mark a tree
	+ Movement of bark
	+ Forest
	+ A creature made entirely of bark and bramble
* A body it is growing out
* Dryad
	+ Dr 5 against iron
	+ Spell like abilities
	+ Weaknesses
	+ Fast
	+ Territorial
	+ Bound to a certain tree
* Attacked by lizard, bought back lizard
* Hill – north of camp
* Hex - north west
* Down foot of hill  - woodlands – forest
* Humpless camels
* Birds flying over head
* Drinking (water source)
* Rogdul got attacked by constrictor snake
* Wide hoofed tracks from deer
* Big crocodile in water
* Can hear something – hear movement into the woods – faster (100ft ahead)
	+ People are fighting
	+ Tried to save them
	+ Talxon died

## Expedition Commencing 26th, 2pm

#### Maloree's Log

* Setting Out
	+ The group venture out into the woods, in the direction of the Dryads’ territory.
	+ They happen upon the statue which the previous group had seen on their last expedition (rip Simhi)
	+ They then decide to start looking around for local fauna (not flora) and Maloree is excited.
	+ Jessari sees a large bright-beaked bird, green feathers and a burnt sienna lower beak and blue tail feathers with orange tips. Very colourful, about 6 inches tall with a 4 inch beak.
	+ Maloree notices a small grey-furred creature hanging onto a tree. Markings on the eyes, button nose.
	+ Jhanna sees a serpentine creature wrapped around a branch with thick-ridged scales about its eyes, giving the impression of great big bushy brows. It’s a bright yellow.
	+ Maloree tries to befriend the little grey-furred critter. She goes up to the tree and it smiles at her, she tries to coax it to come down but since it’s not having it she doesn’t push it.
	+ The group then decide to start tracking Iztac.
	+ Maloree sees some tracks which likely belonged to a large Quasa. Xerksti tells her to ignore them...
	+ Maloree manages to find some tracks made with what appear to be nice shoes - these are likely to be Iztac’s tracks.
	+ The group start walking slowly following the tracks - Xerksti is looking out for danger, Maloree is tracking, Elvis is following her obediently, Jhanna is trying to distract Jessari.
	+ The ground is getting softer but Maloree is still able to follow Iztac’s tracks.
	+ Ground begins to firm up as they move onto the Savanna. At this moment Maloree loses the trail…
* Nightfall
	+ The group decide to head back to the sacred forest and wait out the night to see if anything interesting comes out at night.
	+ Jessari and Maloree, being the quick ones, quickly head back to camp, explain they’re waiting out for the night and then come back.
	+ Jhanna and Xerksti spend the time talking about the sexy battle-axe which she’s going to make for him.
	+ The group then begin journeying well after dark, moving south, past the Skull Hill.
	+ Maloree catches sight of a 7 foot tall humanoid statue lying on its side, with 2 deep sockets instead of eyes.
	+ Jessari gets a nasty sense of foreboding from this statue… almost like it has a lingering animosity.
	+ Maloree sees it has an empty nest in it.
	+ The group establishes it has no magic in it currently. Jhanna checks the eyes but finds nothing.
	+ The group move past it and keep going.
* Iztac
	+ As they keep walking through the forest, Jhanna catches sight of a gentleman in fine clothes with white hair. Xerksti: Sup Iztac!!
	+ The group rush up to him.
	+ Iztac says hello to the group and asks the names of those he does not know (all besides Jessari)
	+ Jhanna: Hey I’m Ardant Jhanna and here’s the most amazing necklace eva!!! (shows him).
	+ Jhanna now wants to talk about the rock and her home
	+ Xerksti introduces himself as Cremulok last time.
	+ Maloree introduces herself and little El. Jessari is already cuddling El whilst Maloree is riding him
	+ Iztac asks the group their reason to come out - they’ve said they wanted to find him.
	+ Jessari gives him a honey cake. They eat honey cake together.
	+ Iztac is waiting out looking for some information broker who lives in a cave nearby. He’s heard tell they’re a somewhat abnormal creature.
	+ Iztac declines the offer to travel with the group as his affiliations to the monarchy make him want to stay independent from the expedition.
	+ He is however pleased to hear that the sick child has been healed.
	+ Iztac’s mother tongue is Tlahuitoa
	+ The 2nd language the child speaks is Dranvahl, spoken by the monarchy of Dranvate.
	+ Iztac warns Jhanna to watch her neck (no threat intended) - a mark which appears to those who’ve experienced great loss.
	+ There’s a camp nearby - Iztac says to avoid them as they’re not the nicest people.
	+ Iztac explains that Kherran is revered in the local culture as the saviour’s language.
	+ Xerksti asks about the Dryads and how to stay peaceful with them. Iztac says he knows no way of that - he likewise has
	+ Jhanna asks if locals may know other language than Kherran that may be useful - he says draconic possibly.
	+ Jessari wants to set up another meetup. Iztac agrees - in 10 days’ time at the serpent statue 3am.
	+ The group and Iztac depart - ‘Wind at your backs, friends!’
	+ The group now decide to head back to camp, quick as they can as it’s very late.
	+ On the way back Jhanna and Jessari have a little heart to heart.
	+ They walk carefully around the creepy statue.
	+ Jessari now notices that there wolves circling the group as they move back in the direction of camp…
* Wolves
	+ Xerksti moves to defend Jessari
	+ Maloree adopts a defensive stance
	+ Jessari casts bless
	+ Wolves surround Jessari. One of them trips her and the other mauls her as she lies helpless.
	+ The other wolf goes for Elvis and knocks him over. Maloree jumps off without falling over herself.
	+ Jhanna casts sanctuary on Jessari, protecting her.
	+ Xerksti goes for a Shocking Grasp on a wolf and fails.
	+ Maloree tells Elvis to keep down and then slashes at the wolf who knocked him over. She deals a nasty blow on it, causing it to start limping.
	+ Jessari tries to get up. A wolf goes for her but can’t break the barrier. A second goes for her but still can’t get through either. Jessari now backs away.
	+ The wolf Maloree sliced limps away and flees.
	+ The 3 other wolves move in to Elvis and rip into him.
	+ Jhanna attempts to cast lead blades, but a wolf goes for her and trips her.
	+ Xerksti hacks another wolf and it starts limping away.
	+ Maloree hacks at another wolf, challenging it! She then moves behind it, dodging it’s attempt to strike back. She has Elvis take the opporunity to get up and move away, behind the rest of the group.
	+ The wolf Xerksti struck limps away without being attacked.
	+ The 2 wolves circle Maloree and both bite the hell out of her, seriously wounding her but not knocking her over.
	+ Jhanna gets up and heals Elvis.
	+ Xerksti charges a wolf and hacks it dreadfully, taking it down immediately.
	+ Elvis runs back and bites the wolf still fighting Maloree. It starts limping away.
	+ Maloree feverishly tries to heal the wolf Xerksti hacked but in her anxiety and pain she actually makes it worse.
	+ Jessari quickly stabilises the damaged wolf. She questions why they’re not just taking it back to camp to eat and Maloree begs her not to, as it’s against her order. Xerksti also agrees they should avoid upsetting Dryads, so Jessari agrees to that.
* End
	+ The group quickly hasten back to camp, taking care to avoid any more threats. Xerksti’s axe radiating light makes a good deterrent.
	+ They finally find their way back to camp and collapse for the night.

#### Xerksti's Log

Mission objectives and status;

1. Investigate local fauna - Completed, new species discovered. Though practical uses for them (eg food) seem limited.

2. Continue investigation of Sanctuary Forest - Completed, information gathered. Potentially able to bring some Rhyolite and cast Mending enough to fix statue up fully.

3. Scout potential outpost area for Sanctuary Forest - Completed, though digging or cutting down trees does not seem possible, some creative solutions needed.

4. Find and interview local people to find a way to live with Dryads peacefully, if possible. Completed, met and spoke with Iztac. He himself had no solutions for dealing with Dryads, but has pointed us to someone who might.

Notes;

* Headed to Sanctuary forest to investigate serpent statue.
	+ East by south east facing towards coast
	+ Sculpted from an orangey/tan igneous stone, including the plinth which supports it
	+ Nothing grows on the statue, no moss etc

* New animals discovered;
	+ Green feathered, brightly beaked bird - I have named this a "Tree Can"
	+ Grey furry teddy-bear shaped creature that hugs the upper branches of trees, very chilled demeanour - I have named this a "Cool Ahla"
	+ Yellow snake thing wrapped around tree - I have named this a "Banana Noodle"

* Decided to try and track Iztac. Trail led south, but we lost it in the savanna.
* Decided to wait for Iztac in Sanctuary Forest until nightfall - he never came.
* Decided to head out to explore in the night, went south until base of skull hill, then swung east a bit and continued.
* Iztac;
	+ In the tower west of here, in a cave below the base, lives someone who can speak Kherran
	+ Need to trade to speak to them - alcohol seems preferred
	+ Iztac works for the monarchy of the country north of here - Drangvate, where they speak Dranmat.
	+ The language they speak here is Tlhuitoa
	+ A black mark on the nexk draws mourners to the Forgotten City. These people believe it has what they have lost, and the mark appears on those who have felt great loss.
	+ Camp SE of Skull Hill - conglomerate of bereaved and scavengers, not overly friendly.
	+ Kherran is regarded a language of ending, and tales warn of it as a marker of terrible things to follow. Our presence hopefully isn't what they mean...
	+ Iztac has not had dealings go well with local Dryads
	+ Maybe speakers of Draconic are nearby - the Nawalli.
	+ Jessari has made an appointment to meet Iztac at 3am on the 5th of Iume, by the Sanctuary Snake Statue (Snaketuary?). I will try not to let her forget.
	+ Iztac does not remember the meaning of his name. Maybe he will like me more if I think of one for him.

* On way back to camp, ambushed by some red/orangey wolves.
	+ No casualties on either side - all wolves were able to escape when they realised our strength. Hopefully they will remember this when seeing other parties travelling at night.
	+ Maloree won't cause unnecessary harm to an animal, though Jessari doesn't see any reason for it. I think they both have a point, but on the side of caution, lessening our impact on the nature around here would help us seem less of a threat/problem.

#### Jessari's Log

* Explored the sanctuary forest
* Used mend on the statue using the fragments found at its

base

* Fauna investigated
	+ Looked for the varying fauna found a brightly coloured bird orangey brown upper beak red brown feathers are green tail

feathers blue with orange tips bird is ½ foot tall beak 1/3 foot beak.

* + Small grey furred creature hugging tree placid markings on the eye make it hard to tell if its eyes are open or not.
	+ Small yellow shape in a tree near us serpentine

wrapped around branch thick rigged scales above brow eyes are similar to yellow scaling.

* Followed the tracks of Iztack out of the sanctuary forest

and east but lost the tracks to the harder ground decided top spend the night out of the forest.

* Attempted to get Iztack to show up during the night but he did not
* Decided to venture out in the dark of the early morning and find others to interact with heading back east towards the city and keeping eyes out as best we can.
* Found a large statue fallen over a face, leg and arm revealed much of the rest is buried under the ground – two deep dark sockets staring out at us (appeared in Iztacs ancestors’ tales as a bad thing)
* Reminded more of the creature of magma than a created statue – coarse to the touch not smoothed by the passage of time unkown stone got a bad feeling from it giving off bad intentions
* Two of the part (Jhanna and Xerktsi cast detect magic on the statue) no magical aura
* Jhanna spotted a person sitting (it’s Iztac) were able to talk to them. They told us of a tower beside a river (beneath that old tower base on the hilltop) is someone who can answer our questions they expect some form of trade Iztac doesn’t know what kind but alchole may be useful (ugly information broker underneath the tower-Jhanna <3)
* Tlahuitoa- local tongue spoken by Iztac as well (his birth tongue)
* Dranvaite- Iztac works for them and speaks their language
* Jhanna has experienced great loss and may have the Viane (the stain) drawing them to the city
* Saw smoke to the south of meeting Iztac (Iztac doesn’t think we will get along with them “they are not the nicest people” Iztac) the bereaved and other scavengers
* Jhanna talked of people about the Creed of Ulgrath
	+ Aka Cinderbrand
* Kherran is the language of blood (those who deal in bloodshed speak in it)
* The Kherrans were driven out of this land but the idea that Kherran may come back (ikesh the tongue that returns at the end of things) when the demons return

## Expedition Commencing 31st Comos

#### Marcy-Rose's Log

* Set off west and spotted some 'humpless camels'
* Seemed very wary, keeping their distance
* Saw a giant lizard-ish creature stalk up to them, then very quickly sprint and attack, devouring one of them whole
* Also it had two of its young with it
* Maloree decided to try and tame it, but then got close and thought better of it, so we moved on
* Headed further towards the tower we were going to and had to cross a river, which Xerksti did super well and didn't totally biff at all
* I jumped clean over it effortlessly just saying
* Got to a crumbled section of the tower, had a look inside and discovered it was the lizard thing's nest
* Xerksti found an obsidian pistol and a bandolier on a uniformed corpse, and later gave it to me (mighty kindly, I should add)
* Lizards returned to their nest so we all high-tailed it as fast as we could. Minimal injuries, quickly healed by Fiona's potions
* Maloree spotted a large camp, where we heard voices speaking in one of the local languages. They were armed with large firearms, and had a lot of animals roaming around in the camp. We chose to keep our distance
* We found the base of the fallen tower and headed down in to where the Information Broker was meant to be. Maloree stayed up top with Elvis to stand watch
* Met Acekrit the Information Broker in the crumbled remains of the tower. He told us that he deals in information, and trades them for secrets. The more closely kept a secret it is, the more information he will give in exchange
* Whatever Xerksti told him, he told us that the dryads (and nature at large in the region) has been scorned by the city (and possibly the concept of civilization itself)
* Told us about a way into the city - a pair of blacksmiths, one on the inside and one on the out. A tunnel connects them. The outer blacksmith is on the side of the city nearest the tower, and the tunnel leads to the 'western quarter' of the city inside. It was used by escaping citizens during a great fire.
* Acekrit was very amicable, and more than happy to do business. Xerksti and I traded a secret each for information from him, and we all shared some of the wine we brought as a gift. Fiona offered her own gift too.
* I swapped watch with Maloree and she came down to trade a secret as well
* Acekrit told her that the animals in the region are riled up cause of the disturbances in their homes - the dryads, perhaps especially. Also that the fallen statue we found a few weeks back was a demon a thousand years old, an 'invader', turned to stone
* Skirted around the various dangers we identified and headed home

#### Maloree's Log

 **Into the Forest**
* Xerksti, Fiona, Marcy-Rose & Maloree set off from camp to explore the West South West region of the forest and attempt to find the Information Broker. Although, without an appointment this was somewhat optimistic.
* The party venture West of the camp and come upon a group of flat-humped camel-like creatures at a watering hole.  As they move closer, Marcy spots a large, lizard creature stalking its way towards the camels.
* As they watch, the creature clears the space of 100ft and snatches a beast, making short work of it and beginning to feed.
* Two smaller lizards come up to the big lizard and begin to feed on its scraps. The crew assume they’re its young.
* Maloree is transfixed and tries to approach the creatures to befriend them. The rest of the group are less confident than she is… Fiona gives her a potion of Shield to take in case, which she downs.
* As she gets closer, the two small lizards hiss whilst the major lizard lies dormant and impossible to read. To avoid any unnecessary conflict, Maloree backs away carefully and the group leave.

**The Fallen Tower**

* As the group venture further West, they come upon a tower on its side, which they decide to investigate.
* Marcy stays outside to keep watch, whilst the other 3 venture in.
* Xerksti quickly finds a chest with a skull gun and a bandolier. Both appear to be magical.
* As the crew move to the rooms towards the river, they spot some very familiar looking lizards…

**The Lizards**

* Maloree quickly sounds the retreat and she and Elvis move away.
* Xerksti and Fiona quickly follow. Maloree then makes a full Tactician Escape plan. She and Fiona work together to nimbly exit the tower, dodging the small lizards’ snapping jaws. One does catch Fiona on her way out, grazing her.
* Xerksti moves in to follow and helps Maloree out, blocking the smaller lizards from following her.
* As they come outside, they see the major lizard emerging from the water… oh no.
* The huge lizard crawls towards them menacingly. Maloree backs away and tries to distract it with some rations. It ignores them, these are far more satisfying morsels than that!
* Fiona spits adhesive at the big lizard, gluing it somewhat in place and hindering it from pursuing them.
* Marcy fires a shot and grazes it.
* Xerksti makes a Bladed Dash away from the small lizards, leaving the tower and slicing the big lizard as he passes. He then moves back to defend Marcy as she disengages.
* The little lizards pursue the team out of the tower, also ignoring the food Maloree threw. Both of them now snap at Elvis and this time both connect, giving him some nasty bites.
* The big lizard moves round and snaps at Fiona but misses.
* Maloree very quickly pulls Elvis away and runs him back, behind Marcy and Xerksti ready to retreat fully. She assumes Fiona is right behind her….
* Fiona doesn’t waste time and likewise withdraws as fast as she can.
* Marcy doesn’t need to be told twice either. She likewise legs it.
* Xerksti casts entangle over the 3 lizards. 2 of them are immediately caught up in the vines, whilst one small lizard tries its hardest to fight through them, pursuing Elvis which it now considers its next victim.
* The two small lizards force their way towards Maloree but get caught up again. The big lizard likewise breaks free and pushes towards Maloree but likewise is entangled again, allowing the whole crew to run away without fear of pursuit.

**Further expedition**

* Fiona kindly gives Maloree a potion to restore Elvis from his nasty lizard wounds. Maloree is extremely grateful. Fiona heals herself at the same time.
* The party now continues to travel South-West. Marcy now begins to hear voices… a few folk are speaking ClambakeTopia nearby!
* Maloree and Elvis go off to scout, Marcy has a good look at the bandolier and the skull gun. The bandolier is amazing, it holds all of her rounds and carries their weight for her!

**Maloree scouts**

* Maloree and Elvis carefully move to a vantage point and see a camp full of people., built into the hill.
* Some are sporting weapons but there are also children and others. The weapons look exotic, a bit like larger versions of Marcy’s guns.
* There are a few dozen people, no more than 3 dozen and the minority of them are warriors.
* The camp also has birds perching around the camp, including one of the colourful big-beaked ones Maloree saw on the last expedition!
* There’s a massive tortoise lying in the middle of the camp too.
* There are also a few of the flat-humped camel creatures.
* Maloree catches one woman with a small excited sandy-blonde monkey hanging around her neck.
* Maloree and Elvis back away, reporting their findings to the group.

**Up the hill and into the Tower**

* The crew move their way up the hill to the ruins of the actual tower.
* In the ruins there’s a big hole. Fiona uses her amazing eyes to take a closer look. There doesn’t seem to be anything amiss there.
* The group descent down the hole but Maloree waits to keep watch as she can’t get Elvis down safely. Marcy leaves her the new obsidian pistol to fire if things outside get dicey.
* The others descent into the hole, using Xerksti’s infinite rope.
* Marcy climbs down without too much difficulty, but Fiona is very unsure on a rope and almost falls. Xerksti manages to take her weight and cushions her fall as she lands on him.

**The Information Broker**

* As they find themselves in a cavern and come face to face with the Information Broker. He’s a strange creature with bent arms and a giant eye.
* He leads them to his little lair, where in the dim light they can see what he looks like. He’s a strange little creature with many bent arms.
* The broker and the crew begin to negotiate some trades in information.
* Xerksti comes forward to offer a secret, but the Broker stops him with a raised hand and invites him to think of it… picturing it in his mind… from looking into his eyes the Broker takes all the info that he really needs.
* The Broker offers them to drink with him.
* Xerksti says his name is Krushnik, the Broker retorts with his name being A Secret (how’s that spelled?).
* Xerksti partakes of the wine, the other two abstain.
* Xerksti asks about the city, the Broker responds that the city has done unforgivable things to the city. This is partly why the Dryads are forever seeking revenge on the city, for deeds which cannot be undone…

* Xerksti offers more information, in exchange for additional knowledge - a safe way into the city!

* The crew debate whether to ask how to take on the Dryads… they agree it’s as good a question as any.
* When asked how to kill a Dryad, the Broker says either burn their forest or cut down their tree.
* Psychlobi has never left his hole! Is he lonely? No - people come here!
* Does he ever resell his secrets again to others? No, why would he squander his own meal?
* Xerksti asks what would be the greatest danger in the city? Why, the City of course!
* Ain’t you in danger down here?? Well, perhaps if I wasn’t such a *respectable businessman…*
* They in fact agree to come back and bring him more booze, as he does enjoy that as a constant companion.
* Fiona also leaves him an infusion as a gift to keep until their return.
* Marcy shows a small pyramid stone with an eye. The Broker says he can’t take more secrets today, but can answer more later if they offer him more later.
* Marcy offers to go up and relieve Maloree’s guard duty so she can go down and chat to the Broker.
* Marcy climbs up the rope, giving Xerksti the finger on the way up the rope.
* Marcy sits and feeds Elvis whilst Maloree goes down.
* Maloree easily climbs down the rope and comes face to face with the Broker.
* Again they have the A Secret talk about his name, or lack of one.
* Maloree asks first about the animals and why they’re all so hostile. The Broker says this doesn’t require much for that.
* Maloree then asks about the winged serpent statues and the toppled, malevolent statue. The Broker wants a somewhat larger secret for this.
* Maloree offers him a fairly dark secret…
* The Broker says that the animals are angry because the trees are angry and that they likewise are reacting badly to the city.
* The statues though - one is very old, maybe 1000 years. It was once not a statue, but a petrified invader from beyond.
* The winged serpent is a statue to old Tzinlos - a watching god, the spirit of everything: the ground, the waters below and the sky above. The sanctuary enchantment it emanates has endured very well given the length of time.
* The Broker is honest and tells Maloree she’s earned a little more. She asks about the camp they passed. He says it’s a group of people - some who once lived in the city, some who want what is in it. They have also visited him before.
* The Broker now says he is full and would like to sleep. The crew take the hint and leave.
* Before they do, Fiona asks what kind of alcohol he likes. He doesn’t know the names, so they say they will offer something other than wine before.
* The crew climb up the rope expertly, emerging in the ruins.

**The way back**

* The group take a moment to eat lunch somewhere safe. The others share with Maloree as she’d thrown hers away.
* The group avoid the lizard’s territory, stealthily treading the line between there and Clambaketopia.
* Once they’ve hit the valley, they safely make the rest of the way back to camp.

#### Xerksti's log

```
Mission Objectives and status;

```

1. Investigate the tower near the camp - Completed! The tower at the bottom of the hill contains a nest for a large lizard and their kin, best to avoid from now on.

2. Make contact with the Information Broker - Completed! Their name is A Secret and they told us lots of useful things. Most importantly, a safe way into the city, and that there is no peaceful way to deal with the Dryads.

3. Obtain any useful or interesting artefacts from the vicinity of the tower where possible - Completed! Kitted Marcy out with some shiny new toys.

 - Jhanna magick'd up 3 bottles of wine for us, thanks Jhanna

 - Headed West - thick, verdant forest.

 ○ Creatures resembling humpless camels live here, I have named them "Lesser Girafellas"

 ○ A large lizard preys upon them, able to move incredibly fast and swallow them whole.

 § The large lizard also feeds smaller lizards that follows it

 - Nearly drown in a ferocious river to the west.

 - Discover a fallen tower structure lying on its side at the bottom of the hill. Inside, we find corpses wearing familiar clothing that none of us could seem to identify. We also found birthday presents for Marcy, a bandolier and an obsidian pistol adorned with a skull.

 - Ambushed by lizards in the tower (also known as their nest). Able to escape using Teamwork and entangling effects.

 - Fled up the hill, discovered an encampment of Tlhuitoans chanting in Tlhuitoa. Their encampment is built into the hill. They have a huge pet tortoise like creature.

 - Proceeded to tower base to find the Information Broker, whose name is A Secret.

 ○ A Secret has a single large green eye, pointy teether, and terrible posture. They enjoy alcohol, and wish to try more varieties, but they mainly subsist on secrets. The secrets they eat become less valuable the more people know of them, even after "consumption". As a result, best not to share secrets given to A Secret, as they will grow to resent us for cheapening our end of the trade.

 ○ A Secret has been here long, and knows much. First we asked of the Dryads, and found there is no peace to be had with them. The Dryads seek revenge on the city, and all who would inhabit it, as the city's growth took much from nature long ago. The way to weaken Dryads is to burn their forest. The way to kill them is to chop down their home tree.

 § It may be that we would be more safe if we hunted the Dryad that killed Talxon, but I suspect other Dryads would want to avenge their fallen brethren, and may make things worse for us in the long run, so I advise avoiding them as much as possible.

 ○ A Secret knows of a safe way into the city - through a tunnel that leads from one blacksmith on the outskirts, to another blacksmiths on the inside. The tunnel was once used as an evacuation point when a terrible fire was upon the city. This is probably worth asking about further.

 ○ There are multiple statues like the Winged Serpent!

 ○ Winged Serpent statue - depicts Tzinlos, the watching god. Spirit of the earth, water, and sky.