Loose threads: A Red Mantis assassins seems to have come to the new world, and is training (or using) a kobold.
Participants: Zinbi Thistlewhistle, Rogue Habub Maj, Lotus Asura, Neithan, Shirkad, Shroomurai, Khirl Galesinger, Serephael
Locations: Abandoned Pirate Cove
Short summary:
There was a ‘False Hydra’ present in the caves along with several former members of the Adventurer’s Guild who had fallen under its sway. The locale is not suitable for a port but might be converted into dwellings. Ore of interest to Combusto was also located.
Full Report
Having gathered and made our various preparations we headed from First Landing with a spring in our step, certain that with so many of us gathered we would be able to make short work of the efforts to scout the caves. We discussed various rumours - that there were lycanthropes of a congenial nature present nearby, that they had formerly been used by pirates and smugglers etcetera. Alas these various rumours proved inadequate to prepare us for the task.
A few days out of First Landing we encountered a kobold holding a large boulder above her head. This seemed unusual and so we investigated and were informed that she was doing so at the behest of the “Cookie Giving Bug.” Further conversation and investigation eventually compelled this individual to show himself.
He was, in fact, a member of the Red Mantis and seemed more amused by our curiosity than aggressive in posture. He did indeed reward the kobold with a cookie, however confronting a powerful assassin who did not appear to be engaged directly in malevolent activity seemed likely to divert our mission before we had even reached the caves and so we moved on. We would however advise caution as it is unlikely the Red Mantis are training kobolds out of the goodness of their hearts.
We were next set upon by a pair of large wolves who had themselves been driven to frenzy by a swarm of biting ants. It seemed as though both ants and wolves were determined to devour us, though we were able to destroy them with only minor difficulties. We shortly thereafter met Combusto on the road who asked us to look for ore within the cave in exchange for some runic enhancements.
We then came upon the cove and were greeted by four fellow members of the Guild who had been scouting - Heff, Yalanue, Dourdruck Druckdoor and Ralnor. With fully eleven of us we set forth into the cove intending to be in and out in short measure.
Alas, this was not to be.
We split into two groups of six and it did not take long for us to discover evidence of strange goings on. My group encountered black slime which caused blindness in greater and greater quantity, and were pursued by an unseen and unknown beast. We fled through the caverns, confronted by its natural hazards, statuary (which implies a prior civilisation once utilised this cove for its own purposes) and immense quantities of the ooze.
We also believed that our new friend Heff had returned to town, though it now seems more likely that he fell victim to the False Hydra. It did not immediately seem odd to us that Heff would return to town in the middle of our investigations, immediately after being pursued by some strange unseen beast.
We then emerged into a central chamber along with the rest of our number and were met by four individuals speaking the word of their Lord. They were obviously deranged and would likely have forced us into conflict but the False Hydra emerged and the issue became moot.
The monster was horrifyingly effective in combat and though I had hoped we could save the cultists to see if their minds could be restored we were forced to kill three of them alongside the beast. The False Hydra showed vulnerability to slashing damage when applied to the necks, but it was only through extreme efforts on all parties that we were able to dispatch the creature with no fatalities beyond those on the cultist’s side - notably the False Hydra itself killed one of them, so great was its terror.
And I use that word deliberately. I have spent many nights since the battle replaying it in my mind. I can scarcely keep it from my thoughts, in truth. For amongst the creature’s remains it was wearing a bracelet with an Elvish name (Madris Wyneth) and a date upon it (EA-358). It also kept saying the words “Don’t look at me” in repetition as it attempted to slaughter us.
None know from where the False Hydra comes, but I would indicate the following:
It displayed an ability to warp memories particularly those related to its own presence.
It was driven to furious desperation when the number of people able to see it had increased substantially.
It showed a degree of intelligence and the fact that it wanted worshippers implies a need for companionship in spite of its exhortations.
I would therefore hypothesize that the False Hydra was once an Elven individual and was turned into this monstrous beast, perhaps due to some great shame or arcane blasphemy.
That is conjecture, however. What remains solid are the following conclusions:
We have scouted the cove. Ore is present, and though it could not become a dock itself it could become support facilities for one.
There are currently no living creatures within the cove.
There was no sign of the lycanthropes nor any evidence as to what directly caused the False Hydra to come into existence.
On this basis I would recommend that any efforts made to secure this area are done so quickly and with some caution. It is conceivable that further False Hydrae may exist within the cove, and indeed elsewhere within the New World, as we were only able to retain our memory of the beast once it lay dead.
We have also brought one of the cultists back with us to face trial. She confessed to being a murderer and believed that she did so for the joy of causing death; however I would recommend that magical means are utilised to ascertain the integrity of her mind, as the False Hydra’s ability to manipulate memories is fearsome and the full extent of it is unknown.
It seems more likely to me that the False Hydra turned these people into murderers rather than the Guild having employed and sent out four sociopaths who were just waiting for any opportunity to become crazed cultists and dedicate their lives to slaughter.
But perhaps I have too great a faith in the inherent goodness of my fellow adventurers and they were, in fact, always terrible.
My most sincere thanks to my fellows in this effort without whom great loss of life would have been inevitable. Together, we have faced a monster of true terror, and have triumphed.
Signed: ZINBI THISTLEWHISTLE, Practitioner of the Arcane Arts.