Orien Expedition Notes

This note was recovered by the Maruk Ghaash'kala on the 16th Therendor, 999 YK (See 2. Strange Entrances)

This is Carro Canowyn d'Sivis, navigator and scribe of the 3rd Orien Expedition into Khyber, informally known as the Postmen. We have had to surface in what I can only assume are the Demon Wastes, or possibly somewhere along the Byeshk Mountains in Droaam.

I am not so certain that a safe route through Khyber exists. The demiplanes are universally hostile to us, though not equally dangerous. The variety in horrors that exist down there is truly mind boggling.

I don't really know why I'm writing this, it's not going to go into the official report. Writing helps me make sense of my thoughts, though.

I knew this mission would be dangerous when I signed up for it, but nothing could truly communicate what was waiting for us down there. Words almost don't do it justice. Khyber is both terrifying and wonderful, and though I fear we are doomed, I don't-

I don't regret coming. I've seen things I never would've dreamed of, alien flora and fauna, geological impossibilities, and even places where the very fabric of reality is different to what we know. There's a demiplane where light is a liquid!

We're going to spend the night on the surface and treat our wounds.

This note was recovered by the Maruk on the 3rd Eyre, 999 YK (see 10. Taking a bull by the mercurial horns)

This demiplane is a treasure trove of rare minerals and metals, yet it tempts us endlessly with the potential for bloodshed. The keening grass is like daggers in my mind, I could not stay here for long without risking my sanity.

We aren't the only ones that see the potential in this place. We've seen bands of fiends harvest the land for weapons, and then use them to gut each other. We've seen orc warriors, dressed like barbarians, hunting those same fiends for those very weapons.

Even stranger, we've seen hobgoblins trafficking with the fiends. To what end?

These Ironlands, as they are, are too hostile for a rail line to go through. It's one of the safer demiplanes we've seen, though, comparatively. I wonder if a deal couldn't be struck with one of the inhabitant groups? The Ghaal'dar for protection, or perhaps we can buy off the fiends and get them to leave the rail alone.

It bears further thought.

- Orien Exp. No.2, Xander Toralyn d'Sivis

This note was recovered by the Maruk Ghaash'kala on the 12th Dravago, 999 YK (see 19. Reverse Ambush)

I leave this note here as a warning for any who enter this place.

It seems like a paradise: the environmental conditions are ideal and the sun has clear healing properties. When we stumbled upon the demiplane, we thought it would be suitable for trailblazing, but my professional recommendation is that we need more information.

This demiplane is certainly not as dangerous as some of the others we have seen, and in many ways it is comparable to Eberron. The light is beneficial in small doses, it heals wounds and cures sickness, but as with many things, the poison is in the dosage.

Prolonged exposure to the light of the Inner Sun causes physiological changes in any creature not native to the demiplane, and though we haven't been able to test this hypothesis, I believe that these changes hinder a creature's ability to survive outside of the demiplane.

We have spoken to some of the inhabitants of this place, in the villages that dot the cavern. Some of them are friendly, though many aren't, but those that tolerated or allowed our presence allowed us to learn much. The demiplane seems to confer a sort of immortality on those within it, many of the denizens have been here for centuries, but none of them are the same as they were when they arrived.

The changes begin within hours, gradually at first. Every creature experiences unique mutations, but there are some patterns we've been able to observe. Many of them experience mutations that should have killed them, but the demiplane keeps them alive.

We have no evidence to examine whether these changes are reversible, nor how long they take in totality. We have no idea of the effects of repeated exposure. Do not linger in this place.

—Carro Canowyn d'Sivis, Orien Expedition No. 3

Sublime? Whaddya mean sublime! It’s like walking into Dol Arrah’s flaming arsehole up ‘ere! How about instead of comin’ up with fancy names to make Morgrave proud, you tell us what in Khyber’s nightmares that giant boilin’ worm was?

Xander, are you writing this down!?

A note given to Druhk's group before they headed into Khyber.

I'm hoping that at least one of you can read. I've told you all of this already, but hopefully this can serve as a reminder if you forget.

You'll get to a fork in the tunnels once you're out of the Ironlands. You'll have two options to proceed, the Cinder Steppes or what I've dubbed the "Lagoons of Piety". We mapped both of them, and there are routes through both, but the danger you'll encounter in the Lagoons is likely more suited to your manner of "problem solving".

You'll have to keep an eye on each other in the Lagoons. Absolutely none of you are to pray until you are out of the demiplane. I don't care what your tribe's customs are or what is demanded of you by your gods. Do. Not. Pray.

Ilukh is not to cast spells whilst inside the Lagoons either. I am not clear on whether her magic is divine or primal in nature, her practices don't resemble any druids I've ever seen, and using divine magic carries consequences in the Lagoons.

You've been warned. Stick to the mangrove forest around the edge of the demiplane and follow Arejar, he knows the way, and try to avoid gaining the attention of either of the inhabitant groups.

—Xander Torralyn d'Sivis

Found in a cavern in Khyber, between the Lagoons of Piety and Ravener's Maw.

The symbols in this cavern are fascinating. Did ancient giants explore Khyber? It would certainly seem so, or at least, a people who shared a language with them. I have some interest in the history of Xen'drik, do you suppose these messages were left by the Cul'sir Dominion, or perhaps one of the Group of Eleven? Maybe drow explorers?

I am leaving this note here in case any future expeditions lack a linguist who can translate the runes. The rune closest to this note states "Ravener's Maw". Another in these tunnels states "Lagoons of Piety", and another says "Umbral Sacrament". The other symbols are newer, I think, and weren't made by the same hand.

We have been through this portal, the one marked "Ravener's Maw", and I cannot say I recommend it. It is wholly unsuited for travel, and is perhaps one of the most dangerous demiplanes we've scouted. We arrived there via the Pinnacles Sublime, and we will not be retracing our steps.

Apex Predator. It's a curious term, when you think about it. We can build cities, fill the Library of Korranberg with all of the knowledge in the world and even achieve flight with our ingenuity, despite lacking wings. The things in that hellhole could rend the towers of Sharn to shreds and pluck airships from the sky like gnats. That thing in the center is an apex predator. Maybe it's the only one. I say this with all the fear in my heart, should it awaken and find a way out of there, our world is doomed.

—Carro Canowyn d'Sivis, Orien Expedition No. 3