Freehold Journal
Homecomings and Sad Departures
It was a cool and quiet night for the most part in Freehold. For myself, the evening was spent welcoming friends and family home. V'tani and Clouds came home from Ixia, Athence came back to his post... Friends were in abundance. Many of us were still recovering from the disasters that were not yet over the horizon and not yet resolved. Grelkin trolls were rumored to still be a point of conflict. Elementals were unruly. Perhaps their activity was caused by the seasons and the summer's unwillingness to decide to be “normal.” I know not.
Like most evenings, mine was a mix of quiet and busy. Quiet talks were spent with friends and busy times spent defending the caravan and church from the troublesome elements. My biggest mistake however, was deciding to go to sleep. As most know, sleep is not something I do. But this night was different. The lot of us decided it was time to go to the bastion. Most of my friends and loved ones came with us. Typically it is a time for fires, stories and, catching up. This time, this time the bastion fell. James went to a clearing close by and yelled back to the rest of us that there was a man outside. Just a man. I believe the expression is, “curiosity killed the cat.” In this case, we were the cat. We all got up, swords in hand. We all were excited to check the situation. It is rare that the bastion becomes disturbed at night. Peace is a learned discipline. I want to see peace where ever I am and whoever I meet. Thusly, I approached this man. As he raised a hand in peace, I did the same. Walking backwards away, I was stabbed. I fell. The horror of the situation was not realized in my mind until as I gazed into the distance, I saw several other black figures appear in the woods. Everyone at the bastion died that night. Lotus Eaters.
I was taken. I do not know if I should share the horror of what happened that night, friends. They are a horrible, terrible force. Though, for your safety, I shall because knowledge is power. It is common knowledge that the Lotus Eaters fade to smoke when killed. What I did not know is that they can do this at any point in time. I was taken into the shadows and it was a horrifying land unlike our own. When I returned, I was not alone. I was thrown to the ground and I died. With the seconds of life I had left, I witnessed how my dear friend fell. I had only received letters of this very horror. They described how Teacher Truthful had died. To experience that same ritual first hand was traumatizing and I do not know that I will ever be the same. The give you the honor and privilege to watch your life energy drain from you as everything you know fades to black. It is not discarded like the blood and battle of war. It is not wasted. For what purpose, I do not know. There is hope. I have found it. If you need that information, come find me friends. I urge you to be safe. My warning is no joke. Envoys, be safe. Unfortunately, you could be next.
The next morning, I remained a spirit. I thought for hours about all the fallen and why. I watched all the town's witches and magic folk go settle the elementals. Thank goodness for them. Your healing touch is always a welcome gift and is much appreciated. Especially from me. Later that morning I heard a rumor that the town, not an individual but the town, was gathering components to ease my loss from death. I was in awe. I would like to thank all of you. Your help will not be forgotten. I did not know I was so loved. I would like to commend Devlin and Sister Ama on their excellent transmuting abilities. Excellent job.
When brought back it was time for the tournament. I had missed the opening matches. I did come back in time to win in the 7v7 match. Ixia did not prevail in the match for the mine. I do want to congratulate the Pendrakkens. You earned it. I also want to say, Long Wu and the battle against the bards... Priceless. There are no words for your comedy. I will always remember that “this is Freehold!”
After the games, I rejoined my protectors, the Unnameds, sitting and waiting for feast. Feast is always a time for friends and drinks. At dinner is when I found out that the Grelkin planned to attack the church and the Seelie caravan. An excellent plan was hatched by Johnny Rocco. We all waited by the fire for this assault. This is when the town became privy to the fact that the envoy to the Labyrinthium was working with the Grelkin troops. She is apparently kill on sight. But I digress. We held three lines of defense simultaneously. Because we were all focused on one point, the inn fell for a time but it was soon reclaimed. After waves of troops harassed us, we discovered that there was a camp not too far from the main area of defense. Then, admittedly, I went to do something stupid. I said my good byes to James and the Pendrakkens who were bound defending the Church. I went to lead the offensive on the Grelkin camp. It was a grueling battle. Many fell and from what I know, none were lost. I have said it once before, and I will say it again. Freehold is one on the battle field. Greshnek fell and once again Freehold heard the silence that only peace can bring. Though that peace was short lived.
The town went back to their places; Inn, Caravan and Church to rejoice. Many turned in for the night but, not I. Eventually Brother Ark paid a visit to the inn. Later in the evening Lord Hammerung. He asked for help of those who were not too weary from battle to put a graveyard to rest. I almost did not accompany him. After exchanging glances and deep sighs, James and I thought it best to go. I wish I hadn't. The spirits were attacking us and restless. As we guarded gravestones, from the spirits, Lord Hammerung went near a dilapidated church to speak to these restless souls. Out of this crumbling building came Lotus Eaters. Lord Hammerung was not seen again. We searched and found nothing.
Heavy hearts and dark times are still upon us. This brief period of peace is sure to draw larger and more lethal conflict. Be strong Freehold, there is hope.
Patience is the first step upon the stair of Enlightenment.
Smiling Flowers
Envoy to Ixia
Entry from Brother Mars: (Kingdom sensitive information redacted)
Friday Evening: With help from the people of Freehold, Sister Ama led a raiding party to several Bloodflayer encampments where they destroyed countless numbers of enemy supplies. Without provisions, we hoped the Bloodflayer mercenary clan would be significantly weakened. However, a few hours later it became clear that our attempts to weaken the Bloodflayers had only increased their zeal. They attacked both the Brotherhood Chapter House and Annie’s Inn with great force.
Nevertheless, after a long and heated battle, the Grellken filth were sent running back to whence they came. I can only assume their attacks were in retribution for our blatant burning of their supplies earlier that evening.
Sadly, all attempts to capture their leader, Greshnack, have failed. It appears that he has escaped the battlefield once again and, while defeated, his tactical skill is becoming evident. By launching a multi-pronged attack, he successfully stopped the Brotherhood and town from uniting into one cohesive force.
Saturday Morning: Reports have arrived at the Brotherhood Chapter House that Smiling Flowers, an envoy to the Kingdom of Ixia, was murdered in the night and has gone missing. Her body guards, which consist of several strong warriors from many Kingdoms, were all brutally slain in her defense.
Brotherhood members went on high alert, and began investigating her attackers and her disappearance. Further investigation revealed that she is lingering in the spirit realm, and a great part of her soul has been stolen by the attackers.
Saturday Afternoon: The Tournament of Steel began as the tall shadows set over the tournament grounds. All of the townspeople were present, as well as Smiling Flowers who has since been brought back to life. The Brotherhood inspected all weaponry for tournament regulations and began the events with glorious 1v1, 3v3, and 7v7 contests.
As the blood covered the field, healers filled the sidelines and recovered those who had recently fallen. All the contests showed the strength of the townsfolk, and when all was said and done, the victors left with gold champion rings to commemorate their victories at the tournament.
After a brief and silly Bardic intermission, the official mine contest began. Each Kingdom was allowed to have three combatants, one of which had to be a resident of the Kingdom they represented. Each Kingdom met, and after a triple-Kingdom decision match between The Gotterdammerung, The Fir’bolg and The Pendrakken, the new mine owners were decided. The Pendrakken Kingdom now controlled the Kenrei mine!
However, before Pendrakkens could celebrate, the magical energy of a ------ washed over the land. The Brotherhood immediately suspected the Grelken to be involved.
Saturday Evening: It appeared the ------ target was the Brotherhood Chapter House, where the Brotherhood stored the -------------------------- that ---- all of ----. After examining ---------, Brother Arc concluded that ---------- was ------------ and everything was alright.
After dinner, another wave of energy washed over the land and our research concluded that the ----------------- that attacked Freehold was Kenrei in origin.
It would also appear that it was --------------- because it had been augmented with -----------. After doing a great amount of magical research, it was determined that ---------- has been tied to the life force of three individuals for increased functionality. The majority of the Freehold Chapter of the Brotherhood attempted to target two of the three individuals which left the town unguarded. During this period, the Freehold was attacked by many Bloodflayers but the townsfolk where able to repel the troops and discover the Bloodflayer’s recently built stronghold.
Here, the people of Freehold did battle with Greshnack and his men, while Greshnack who had tied his soul to ------------, unleashed power never before witnessed. As he glowed red, Greshnack proceeded to unleash devastating shadow attacks upon the people of Freehold who, while injured and dying, managed to bring him down nonetheless.
His head was taken so that it could be shrunken and later given to the Fir’bolg king. Meanwhile, the brotherhood defeated the other two souls far outside of the Freehold town limits.
Sunday Morning: News reached the Brotherhood Chapter House that the Gotterdammerung Envoy to Freehold, Executor Heinrich von Hammerung, had gone missing while performing a ceremonial graveyard cleansing.
It was reported that Nayesh, a Cambion in the town of freehold and a member of Gotterdamerung, may have been one of the last individuals to see Executor Lord Hammerung. With all the recent attacks on envoys, even after the defeat of the Grelken who attacked Hamemrung months before, Brotherhood members are looking for new ways to protect envoys from attack.
Brother Arc has suggested that detaining envoys for their safety may be a necessary evil.