Dragon Wars: Notes and Clues

Gantry

Ancient history.

Carven dwarven-like inscriptions upon the stone walls in very ancient stone in the depths of the temple, accompanied by old elven translations/commentary. The gist, as interpreted by Calton: Durin's People of the 3rd eon [whom the elves interpret as "dwarrow"] were beset upon by dragons. Orbs of Dragon Mind greatly prolonged the war, but Durin's People fled into the ground. "And the Mandril exhaled the 3rd time and the world fell to darkness."

Hobgoblin papers.

Inventories, roll-call papers (showing that a couple patrols are out on wide-range scouting), etc. Of note:

Map of area. Includes locations of import, such as a "Triumvirate Station" in Cape Hurloon, north of Kingsport; also a couple strategic locations for future stations.

Grothkr's commission papers, granting Grothkr authority over lower goblins and instructing him to 1) establish war warren, 2) recruit battalion, 3) threaten and debase Gantry area, 4) protect the Ourean node until magical investigations of suitability can be completed, 5) provide support to Kingsport/Triumvirate center.

Orders for the cleric Iyrrch, from Sythlek, Warlord of the Triumvirate. Iyrrch is deeded to: 1) preach the word of Hextor and spread his fear and awe among the weak, 2) provide aid and assistance to the Gantry station, 3) collect sample specimens of all ages and races for the Blood Trials (but particularly elves and halflings)

Personal letter found on Grothkr, dated 10 days previously.

"Besides your official capacities, I have a personal mission for you. I request that you keep an eye on the Triumvirate. I especially trust not the Alchemist, for he is so mad as to keep a Shuggoth captive and near him at all times! Watch also the Warlord, for he seeks power above all else.

"If you have messages for me, send them with Ozyrrandion through the portal. He will get them to me through Wyrmlord Koth, who now mans Vraath Keep and the treasures therein.

"Very soon now, we begin the assault on Elsir Vale. Our wrath shall be swift, and hundreds shall fall before our gathered might, as wheat before the scythe! The armies of the Red Hand of Doom will sweep this world clean, and a new world shall rise from the ashes! Once the Plains are ours, we will expand the northwest portals, such as that of the Triumvirate, and begin a new front in the West. Serve me well and without failure, and you and your experience will be remembered when this front expands."

--Wyrmlord Kharn

Triumvirate Keep

Sythlek, Warlord of the Triumvirate

The draconian leader of the trogs bore a holy symbol of Hextor. Most of the following papers were found in living quarters above trog barracks, among roll sheets and other mundane papers.

Keep Log detailing: requests from the Alchemist for more subjects; the Alchemist's desire to stay only in his room, guarded by his beast "Irving"; other altercations with the Alchemist, fears concerning his Shuggoth.

Portal Log recording portal transactions. Most involve "Morgessa, the Veiled One". Also mention of Ozyrrandion, and Nurhixen, "who flies as a scout".

Orders, which direct Sythlek to protect the portal (as it is the path for further expansion); reconnoiter the area; and defend the Blood Trial research conducted by the Alchemist.

The Bodystitcher, of the Triumvirate

Found in the quarters of the goblin necromancer: a Nerull prayer book and a rambling journal, documenting his obsession with building a great dark army of undead and spreading death to fill Nerull's Pale Court in Hades.

The Alchemist, of the Triumvirate

Well-guarded by Irving, the flesh golem. Presumably the small, dark, winged creature seen up on the balcony overlooking the laboratory. His "shuggoth" was unseen.

Through the Portal

The medusa was presumably "Morgessa, the Veiled One". Draconians involved in the ambush bore symbols of Tiamat, goddess of evil dragonkind. Something very broad seems afoot--spanning religion (Hextor, Nerull, Tiamat), race (all goblinoids, medusa, dragons, strange new draconians), and geography (from Kingsport to Elsir Vale).

Vraath Keep

Found To-Do List

"Reprimand Shrokl when he gets back from patrol"
"Ensure Skull Gorge Bridge is protected. Ozzyrandion?"
"Finish owlbear."
The rest is illegible.

Across the Vale

From Delora's report:

From the description, it sounds like the green dragon from Skull Gorge (Ozzyrandion? Slayer of Lacane) and the bugbear sorcerer from Vraath Keep (Koth? Slayer of Johnathan) are both well and perhaps on the look-out for the party. (Names seem likely from previous clues.)

Learned from hobgoblin prisoner interrogation:

• The Red Hand is developing some weapon in the Blackfens amid the ruins of Rhest.
• A black dragon dwells there, along with many lizardfolk.
• One of the underlings heard the name "Saarvith" as a reference to some authority at the ruins, but doesn't know who that is specifically.
• Some unknown thing wanders the swamp nearby, and the hobgoblins here didn't venture into the trees on account of it.
• They were instructed to simply guard the road, not ask questions, and to await either new orders or reinforcements.