My apologies for being so long out of communication. We have bedded down outside of a fallen tower in the forest outside of Forestend. Here is a brief recap of the last several days.
When we left Halvenspring we ended up spending the night in Woodspear, where the keep of Baron Tellemus is located. Bajol had the beautiful idea that we sleep in his keep, as he was not there to stop us. His Man-at-arms was quite accommodating, and we had a peaceful nights sleep. The next morning we headed out to Longdock where we booked passage on a riverboat headed to Carradeen. The 2 day trip down river was quiet and pretty relaxing.
Arriving at Carradeen was a pretty impressive sight. This place is huge. With ships, and people, and merchants everywhere. We were mistaken for nobility when we disembarked and given a recomendation of a place to stay called The Ivory Cup. So, Osgood, I need to take this time to inform you that there IS an "Other Half", and they live so much better than we do. Not that our little tower is bad, but this inn was the most opulent thing I have ever seen. Men everywhere in powdered wigs, hot baths, soft beds in large rooms. Exquisite food and drink. It is a lifestyle that would not be hard to get accustomed to. The price, however nearly broke us, so our stay was very short lived.
That evening we met with Baron Fredrick and had dinner. It was polite conversation, and a good meal. He invited us to stay at the palace as members of his retinue, and we happily obliged. I also was able to pay a gentleman to track down Gwilyth. I'm not sure if I ever told you about her, Osgood. She is my sister. Some 10 years older than me. She was sent to Carradeen because her and my mother never got along, however I suspected it was something more. Hopefully I can find her while I am in this region.
After dinner, I had a meeting with representatives of the Illmarian University. They claimed to have little knowledge and were just simple merchants buying up documents. They had no interest in FW artifacts that were not text of some sort. I showed them the sheet with the Heraldic Signifiers on it, and they were extremely impressed. We could not agree on a price, however, and I declined their offer. That is when they attacked Fyn and I and we had to defend ourselves. Needles to say, those 2 gentlemen will not be stealing from anyone ever again.
The next day was the big meeting, and what a meeting it was. It was a massive collection of nobles, and wise men, and people jockeying for power. The main even was the representative from the Choval Empire declaring that they have found the one way to be Omnian and all other people of faith must recognize their authority or some bullshit like that. I stopped listening because I realized that this was going to result in a war one way or the other, and I will pay more attention when I have to choose a side. There are more inportant things to deal with then petty men arguing over petty things.
Once the central speeches were concluded, I started to make my way through the crowd. I ran into some representatives from the Parliament of Owls and we caught up on the goings on of late. Nothing of note to write back about. Then I spotted Mario across the room, and made my way to him.
Mario seems woefully unprepared to lead anything. He is surly, and really only interested in garnering the favor of those with money. We spoke briefly, and after convincing him that I might be a person of means, I received an invitation to dine with him in Gold Meadow. What a better way to take that player off the board than at his own table. Shortly after that meeting exhaustion set in and I retired to my chambers for some rest. I think I came down with some sort of bug or something because the next thing I remember we were approaching the town of Forestend to the south.
Apparently while I was convalescing the group squared off with Daedalus on top of the palace. His true form is that of a Manticore! Oh, I would have loved to been there. Sadly, Daedalus got away, but not without taking quite the beating. Regardless, maybe now he will slink back to Shadowmount and leave us alone.
So we arrive in Forestend. This place is fairly heavily fortified. We found out while stabling the horses that it is not uncommon for beasts and Tainted to attack the city on average twice a week. We got rooms at The Last Candle, where we also met some members of the Losten military. They gave us some info on known locations of ruins and tombs, and agreed to serve as trackers and guides as we make out way to where we believe the Xinnian tombs to be located. They also mentioned that they have seen far less redcap activity recently. This could mean that all of Tainted activity is being focused on our region. Be careful.
We struck out this morning on horseback to the first known ruin. On our way we overtook a group of feathered bears of some sort. Like a half owl, half bear creature. You know what? I'm just going to call them Owlbears. Done. We fought some Owlbears. Then we got to the tower.
So how are things back home? Since I have not heard form you, I am going to assume all is quiet. I have an assignment for you. But you must be inconspicuous about it. I need to know why Klaus was sent to Halvenspring. I also need to know what our city is hiding. The people of the town, the fact that others get "assigned" here, the red cap concentration. I can't shake the feeling like we are missing something right in front of our face. So see what you can find out, but don't draw interest. If something is about to blow, I don't want us to be the ones who strike the match. Well, I'm going to do a little work on Daedalus' journal and then turn in. Until next time.
Grigor
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