Thrella’s Correspondence 12 th Uktar Dear Sister, I write to you following my
return from the Ettinheights. Lolth what an adventure, possibly the most astounding
yet. We struck out optimistically, another
experienced crew as you can imagine. Artemis (a half-elf priest of Bahumut), my
dear friend (the very furry) Hector Mullins, Three Point Oh (a very charming automaton
), that rapscallion Otto West (with horse), Teres a shady a rogue with an ill
look about her and the rather impressive ranger Nadia. We headed northwest seeking this
putative Quarry. Such a venture could fortify Castle Bentfinger! Maybe they have
a vacant tower for a Wizard? I will submit an application to Lord Ghargh, he
seems the officious type. We travelled for a day successfully
navigating the frost blasted swamps of the Harrowmere and camped not far from
the slaver’s keep, I wonder sister do you think we might share some acquaintances?
Maybe it would be wise for one of us to investigate and put any “family ties” to
bed, just a thought if we are to maintain a reputation on the surface. Travelling the following day we found
ourselves ambushed by Giant Leeches! My horse, Bangers, did not respond with alacrity.
He was nearly eaten by the bloody things! As was dear Hector. His sinister new
diet seemed only to encourage the foul worms. Fortunately, dear Nadia was a
true sight to behold. Never had I seen such skill with a bow, Leech after Leech
was laid low by her vicious arrows. Fortunately, Bangers and dear Hector survived
the battle and better yet we suffered no further injury to our precious steeds.
One thing to note during the battle, Teres seems to have found some source of malcontented
magic, worth noting for future ventures. Bless Three Point Oh, she was able to return
Bangers to rude health. We recovered from the gruesome encounter
and struck onwards. We saw many sinister sights, a village of reptilian frog folk
and a great cave that had seemingly created its own desert. Before we reached
the Ettinheights we took another nights rest, this is when things got… problematic. Otto and I were taking the watch
when to my rear I heard a monstrous croaking, it made the very ground shake. No
sooner had I raised my guard than an enormous Froghemoth sprang from the swamp!
It was as big as a house and swatted at me with its giant alien tendrils. The
first I deflected with my arcane shield but the second swept me into its arms.
But for the grace of the Spider Queen I would have been consumed then and
there, but bless her name my arcane defences held fast. Nadia responded with
three brutal arrows, piercing the foul monster’s hide. No sooner had the arrows
struck, I was able to ride the mists to safety and rotted the beast’s wounds
with temporal force. Artemis rose to meet the foe and smote their ruin with
radiant fire. Now, dear Otto had positioned himself in a very clever place, his
ephemeral flintlock rending the creature across its rubbery exterior. Horrors! Dear Hector had yet to
rise from his slumber but in spite of the beast's rampant onslaught, he was
barely scratched! He woke soon thereafter. The heinous beast had caught my
ire. I resolved the formulae and manifested raw lightning. The beast recoiled. To
my dismay, it rose up, seemingly undaunted by the shocking blast. Never fear, Otto
got to work, slinging magical blackpowder from the hip. Poor Teres had seemed
to have awoken in a stupor, I fear her new power has encouraged the use of a
hip flask. Her bolts of Eldritch energy seemed to miss their mark. Nevertheless, I pressed the
advantage. The creature was wounded, another opportunity to toll the dead presented
itself, I duly took the opportunity. Three Point Oh instantiated a
spiritual clockwork appendage! What divine power fuels this automaton? Truly
incredible. It struck out and wounded the vicious beast. At this point, our favour ran
dry. In its rage the beast struck out at Nadia, lifting her into the air and effortlessly
swallowing her whole. A savage reminder that the threats of the Frontier are
just as merciless as the denizens of the Underdark. We tried to slay it then
and there. Spell, sword and munition all to fell the beast, it was not enough.
To our horror, the creature, clearly satisfied with its meal, fled into the
swamp. I am not sure what provoked me to
such an act of self disregard, maybe it was the effort to save dear Bangers,
but I could not let Nadia die so horrifically. Through the swamp, we chased the
vicious creature. coming across the beast in a huge mire, Artemis in his fury thew
a mighty ball of flame, Teres having gained her composure struck true with her eldritch
power. Three Point Oh in her cleverness dropped the creature to its knees with
a form of a grease trap, Ingenious! Despite our efforts to bring the
beast down, still, it stirred. Its great legs carried it on, far from us all, I
had one last chance to recover dear Nadia. My fingers outstretched, I uttered
the incantation one final time. In the distance I saw the beast recoil, wither
and fall. The Froghemoth slain I fell to my knees. Artemis rushed forward, a
diamond clasped between his fingers. From the guts of the beast, he had
recovered the still form of Nadia. What followed was a true miracle. Light and
life were restored to the mighty archer, she rose exhausted but living! There was little to gain from the
beast, but our victory was reward enough. I had escorted the party thus far, but
felt accompanying Nadia back to Hope was the wisest course, I am minded to
return to Korthos and finish what I started with the Sahuagin. As ever dear sister I wish the
Spider Queen nests in your dreams, Ever Your Humble Servant,
Uriel Ka’Vorrin
