Static Group - Libre Null - Journal

[Xyberia]

Find this and be well Jaedel.

Many events have occurred since my last missive. I have not heard an answer in response to recent inquiry, so I have chosen to move forward with my proposed plan.

I have begun an association with a small group of individuals that are determined to make a name for themselves in Stormreach. At my suggestion, we agreed to name our band "Liber Null", or as you know "Saved by Zero". It seems we all have had similar experiences with that damned Dragon on Korthos - being nearly drowned and then coming to Stormreach to start anew. I always felt there were unseen others working almost in consort with my efforts there but, until now, had no proof.

It has been an eventful week Jaedel. This life may be a challenge, but to best prepare for what lies ahead, I have seen no person better than those I presently run with.

As soon as introductions were complete Rythyn, who seems to be the leader, slammed his drink on the table and announced "Lets go!" Then he was out the door and moving down the stairs of the bar called the Leaky Dinghy. (I wonder if Dinghy means the same in common that it does in Elven?) I followed Shauun (H/F), Greydusk (H/S), Barfa (H/Bard), and Moriartee (WF/Art) out the door trying to keep up with Rythyn. I honestly had no clue that halflings were so quick on their feet.

Over the next few days we recovered stolen goods from a basement, broke up an illegal gambling hall, eliminated a duo of kobold brothers, walked what was called a "gauntlet" in a miserable area called the butchers path, we recovered stolen smugglers diamonds, eliminated a new Kobold ringleader, helped out a man named Bauldry something (he seemed very needy and made me feel very uncomfortable), and spent more time in sewers in a few days than I ever thought I would spend in a life time.

We halted out progress after we cleared out an area known to locals as the sunken sewer and Rythyn announced "That's it for the harbor and market at that level of intensity... If we want to get better and play with the big boys, we need to seek harder challenges!"

He didn't mention that several of us had died at least once in this series of events. Both the rogue and the artificer were felled by some very nasty traps we encountered. Earlier in the same section of stinking sewer I experienced death for the first time. In many ways I was fascinated. I am sure had it been painful in any way I would feel differently. To experience death and then write to you about it is just amazing!

I find it fascinating also that, though Stormreach is not built upon an Irian zone such as Shae Mordai, that the creatures that built the city millenia ago understood how to tap into what I am guessing are veins of energy sourced from Iria. One can find small shrines in many locations that have wondrous restorative powers.

Death was swift for me Jaedel - I was walking past an opening in the wall when a Kobold Shaman cast a lightening bolt that I am fairly certain went into my ear. I was fine one moment, full of health, and then then next I was looking at my body and listening to Moriartee say "Oh @$#&! Cleric down, the cleric is down." Someone else laughed a little and commented on taking the Cleric to the resurrection shrine. They managed to get me to aid within a few minutes and all was fine again.

I do not know if you have experienced death in such a way Jaedel, but it really was quite exhilarating! Is it wrong for me to be enthused about experiencing death? I have not spoken to the others as I do not wish to alarm them. I seek your guidance.

After we had finished it all, Rythyn spoke in a cryptic voice - "We are all ready to advance - we meet in a week at the Dinghy. We are 5/20 and we need to progress beyond." Honestly, I had no clue what he spoke of. In prayers that night I received a moment of lucidty - I was able to use new spells Jaedel. I have advanced further on the path and grow in ability to better complete the task. In addition, I received notifications from the Coin Lords of Stormreach and a group that calls themselves "The Free Agents" that I have been noticed. This plays into my overarching plan quite well. I hope these developments will be considered in any decisions made concerning my request.

Yours in faith,
Xyberia the Void Touched
Priest of the Undying Court
Deathguard Petitioner


PS: I truly hope we select a different point of gathering soon. I am not sure how much longer I will be able to maintain my composure whenever that tavern's name is spoken.

[Xyberia]

Find this and be well Jaedel.

I apologize for the length of time between my missives, but as Liber Null moves further into the depths of Stormreach, there are periods during which the sun seems to be no more than a fond memory. I am indeed grateful for the time we spend above the ground. Though not as beautiful as home, Stormreach is not without it own beauty. Of particular interest are the floating towers that dot the city-scape. Strange and arcane as they are, those who have resided here for any period of time seem to view them with complete indifference.

I mention these things because I am finding that this magical city has more than its fair share of unsavory goings on.

It seems that our recent activities have, indeed, not gone un-noticed. We were informed that after we dispatched the ogre Bloodknuckles (I am assuming this was not a given name) that the Coin Lords of Stormreach had potential work for us. We set out to speak with Harbormaster Zin who is actually one of the Coin Lords himself! Up until this point in time, my discussion has been with Montague Goudreau. The Harbormaster set us immediately to task in trying to locate two ne’er do well adventuring types who had entered into the city’s waterworks. It seems that this area is notorious for its dense kobold infestation and apparently some fools think that the kobolds have a treasure worth risking their lives over. Our mission seemed simple enough – enter into the waterworks, locate and extract these two individuals.

It ended up being a bit more complicated than that Jaedel.

We discovered two clans of kobolds had staked out their own areas – Gnashtooth and Tunnelworm. It took a much greater effort than initially expected and I found myself, yet again, in these damned sewers. I will take a moment to state that had I known that I would spend so much time covered in filth and excrement that I might have second guessed my own plan. Over the course of a few days we were able to nearly eliminate these two groups, rescue one of the men, and give word to the authorities that the second had been found dead in a cell within the Tunnelworm prison area.

I must tell you in confidence Jaedel, I believe we have discovered information concerning a deeper conspiracy within the city of Stormreach. Scrawled in, what I believe to be, his own blood, the unfortunate Venn ar-Kerran scrawled the words “Shan-to-Korr”. I am not sure how many of the group saw the words, but I was sure to obfuscate the words once I read them. It struck a chord in my memory that requires further research. I shall continue with the narrative and give my apology if this seems out of context.

Once we informed the good Harbormaster of the fate of Venn, we moved into the Stormreach Market to speak with Friar Renau about concerns he had regarding the welfare of his niece Marguerite. It was with great enthusiasm that I listened with the others to the Friar’s story. My spirits darkened, however, when it was revealed that she had been lost within the area known as the Catacombs. This, of course, meant that again we would possibly not be seeing the light of day for an extended period of time.

I can tell you now Jaedel, that this endeavor was quite possibly, the most rewarding experience I have had to date. I am happy to report to you that within the Catacombs we uncovered a conspiracy within the Silver Flame and rescued an innocent from a fate worse than death. It was very satisfying to be an integral part of a group that spent no less than four days destroying the undead. I was so invigorated that it was with much effort that I remained silent while the others slept. I offered to take every watch in the hopes that I might be the first to see the cursed forms approach and give alarm to the others before attacking those wretched creatures.

It is with some embarrassment that the fact that our warforged artificer needs no sleep was absent from my mind. I realized this when he gave me a little chuckle and commended me on my vigilance, but that I should keep in mind that my pacing makes me look somewhat mentally unbalanced…

We completed our work by helping an ungrateful young man recover a Signet Brooch of House Jorasco. What seemed to be a fairly straight forward task again put us underground and into the sewers. Where else would a thief hide I suppose… I have a sinking feeling that it may be quite a while before we are able to spend any time seeing the light of day while we gather the favor of the factions of Stormreach.
Perhaps cleaner jobs are earned?

Rythyn is fairly cryptic for a Halfling.. before we parted ways this week he again stated his riddle-
“We are 6/25. We need to pause, train and collect ourselves. In a week, we will meet again…” and he was off…

He is an odd little fellow..

In dreams I saw myself no longer turning undead Jaedel… many were bursting into flames or dissolving into dust… I saw a radiance emanate from within me striking them down and utterly destroying them. I feel different Jaedel, as if I have been granted a new blessing for my work here. I feel this is a good sign and that my faith and resolve for the Court is being rewarded.

I will be sending another letter later this week with my findings on this Shan-to-Kor message and anything else that may be of interest to you, the Guard, or the Court.

Yours in Faith,
Xyberia the Void Touched
Priest of the Undying Court
Deathguard Petitioner

Post Script: I just received a knock on the door from a messenger informing me that I had a parcel from Shae Mordai that was being held for me by Montague Goudreau. I look forward to receiving word from you and offer my humble appreciation in advance for any words you shared in my favor to the court in their decision process.

[Xyberia]

Find this and be well Jaedel.

This last week of exploration finally, by the grace of the Undying, allowed us to spend a few days under the blessed sun. It was a welcome change from the murk and stench of the sewers!

We were approached by a woman named Pearl Drumling who was concerned about the well-being of Lady Azdel and her bodyguards. She told a story of raiding orc bands and a tribe known for it ferocity called the Grul. While the situation sounded dire, it took a grand amount of effort to maintain my composure and glee at the prospect of spending time outdoors.

While we were searching for the Grul tribe outpost we stumbled upon a man named Nash Braza who was forced to flee his home when it was besieged by orcs. I will tell you now that I hae never seen such an agressive or un-intelligent band of miscreants in my life. I am not speeking of any racial bias, Jaedel. Most of the orcs that I have met in life have been somewhat savage, but they also held a certain sense of honor. I have always seen their kind as, perhaps not the brightest, but at least somewhat developed. This particular "tribe" was really nothing more than a gathering of like minded thugs who were likely rejects or deserters from regular orcish forces somewhere.

We first routed them from the farm and even saved the farmers dogs in the process, then found their "Stronghold" and proceeded to cleanse it of filth. After rescuing Lady Azdel, she and her body guards aided in out attack on the "Chieftan". I did not ask, but I have to assume that their incerceration was the result of ambush - her body guards seemd fairly capable in retrospect. As we re-entered Stormreach Harbor a barker called us over and asked us for help regarding an area known as Irestone Inlet. I immediately voted for the affirmative because it sounded to me like more time spent above ground and out doors.

The situation in Irestone was a bit odd and involved Pirates, betrayals, and a potential raid on the Harbor. In less than a day we were able to route the plot and destroy the Pirate ship. I know it sounds like poor fiction - and I do apologize - but it is my sworn duty to report what has been observed.

Through contacts I have made in the city, I faound the name Wayfinder Dael being mentioned in association with the words "Shan-To-Kor". If you recal from my last letter, these are the words that had been scrawled in blood in the dank dungeom cell a couple of weeks ago. Through subtle manioulations and suggestion, I was able to steer the group towards the known whereabouts of this Wayfinder.

Once located, Dael was able to give us directions to the point of her deepest explorations. The Seal of Shan to Kor, we discovered is a artifact held sacred by the Giant races. A plan was apparently in motion to recover this artifact and use it as barter with the giants. It is thought to possess great power. While I do not dispute its magical properties, I firmly believe that the true power of this item would be its unifying ability among the giants. This, in and of itself, was reason enough to pursue this investigation.

I was disheartened seeing that this would again take us undergraound and into what appeared to besewers again. To my suprise, I have found something even less enjoyable than the sewer - Steam Tunnels. The heat and humidity in this area was beyond the threshold of reason with a dank and mouldy smell that nearly caused me to lose my gorge. We cleared out an area of the steam tunnels of a medium sized Kobold infestation and discovered a system of caverns and halls below.

This area, thankfully, was much cooler and smelled considerably better. I will mention that i am amazed at the complexity of the areas we discovered this week Jaedel. While the steam tunnels were no suprise, one would be amazed at the level of subterranean development under Stormreach. In well constructed halls we fought through Koblods and undead; in an underground village complete with b uildings and market squares we fought our way through Kobolds. I counted at least four different descent points.

In the end the Guardian was caught unprepared. Perhaps it was being in slumber for centuries. Whatever the cause, we felled him very quickly - in less than a minute I believe...

Upon our exit we chose to take a walk down to the Harbor to check postings for additional work for next week but were stopped by a frantic member of the guard looking to recruit people to help defend an outpost from a Kobold assault. We all snickered for a minute and volunteered our services. This, Jaedel, may have been the only time to date I have felt sorry for these creatures. Wave after wave threw themselves at the out post and wave after wave were slaughtered. We took turns walking out a side portal and re-entering through the front gate to see how many we could lure to the devestation quicker. I guarantee, should our home ever be attacked by hoards of Kobolds, 2-3 artificers with flame turrets should be able to defend just fine.

Rythyn, the ever cryptic, mumbled his numbers again - "6/30... Rest and learn.. Next we travel to Tangleroot!!!"

Expect another letter soon. I have more to tell you of the worl outside out little excursions.

Yours in Faith,
Xyberia the Void Touched
Priest of the Undying Court
Deathguard Petitioner