The navigator in addition to personal journals and magical formulae also wrote volumes of correspondence cited earlier as evidence of his psuedo chronology. Note that in the final letter to the prince he used the current date and again eludes to brewfest approaching. This final letter also evidences the navigators growing confidence in his magical powers as he dares to blast the princes decision to strip his friend of his title. It is not clear if the navigator ever sent this message as there are no records of a return correspondence. There is however the very real Kaska Penn Orchard Gymnasium and Library still in use today. Earlier letters are also included here.
Your Excellency Prince Olinstaad Corond,
I write to inform you that Rittersmarch has been taken by the enemy of the Pomarj. The Graf Twembly is a prisoner in his home patrolled by Men, Orc and Goblins. Your investigators Na’il, Drazil, Ruggin and Burton have arrived but may already have failed having gone to see your emissary Grudi who is in league with the enemy.
I also dare to protest your dismissal of Councilman Mesko following the brutal murder of his wife. You heap insult upon injury on a good and loyal servant. He is a friend; I have provided service to you at his request as a point of honor.
It is for the orphans, and the other weak and vulnerable taken by the enemy and fed to the Pomarj worms befouling the Jewel that I will continue to my campaign of harassment and destruction, not for you your highness. I have heard of your anger at Mesko for giving me commission to investigate this matter. I am not only a sailor, but a magoi able to make my anger known, to make revenge a living breathing ally, the insults paid him cascade down upon me your majesty.
If my last correspondence failed to reach you know now that your enemy numbers at least 300. Three score have fallen in the past week alone. Havenhill is a target for an impending march and the enemy holds the south bank of the Jewel where he wishes, able to cross with reinforcements at will.
This is not just another summer incursion following the hateful wars started by the celenian elves all those years ago. This is a new and vigorous offensive that might naught end at the edge of the disputed zone. I believe the offensive begins tomorrow with the start of Brewfest. I doubt this will reach you in time.
Your subjects have rendered services in total of 1,400 gold forges (400 Cuthbertines & 1,000 Le Toux of Thunderstrike – which is dying under plague quarantine). My own compensation arrangements were made with Mesko; I will seek recompense through his successor or if it pleases you to deal with this matter I require: the two acres of the Kaska Penn Orchard be made a memorial, a youth gymnasium and library to be erected there upon in tribute to the brave Uleki mailed foot squad that died there, and an acre in an over watch where I will erect my own tower to guard the site, the title of Baron and granting of a coat of arms. Should Rittersmarch be salvaged the Temple will be restored and I require 200 high crowns for my own expenses, that of my guards, guides and retainers including compensation to the ambassador from a friendly Sylvan nation.
Magoi Kildare Redding of Hardby
In Rittersmarch, 28th Harvester
Councilman Mesko,
I do not seek to raise undue alarm, but I must report what I have found though it disturbs me greatly to put quill to parchment to describe what I have discovered.
In the province, county or area known as Prinzfeld, there are along the southern bank of the Suss at least two remaining structures that can only be referred to as horror houses. They contain creatures most foul whose only purpose seems to be devouring the living flesh of your livestock, game and countrymen and putrefying their remains and pouring them into the Suss to poison it.
I have seen them in action (sketch included). They are similar to a monster known as a carrion crawler, a different breed, less dangerous perhaps being without the tentacles and armored carapace.
I say remaining structures because I have put the southernmost structure to fire and watched it collapse, killing most if not all of the monsters that were inside it. These structures are well guarded by more elite orc troops. The structure I destroyed was guarded by a score of goblins and orcs of the Pomarj and what my ranger called an ogre. Billet Perry’s skill at arms shined that day.
I report now from Thunderstrike. The town is in dire straits. The poisoning of the Suss has ruined the land and spread plague and contagion. The town has been put under quarantine and the local scholars are working with priests of Cuthbertine persuasion to provide succor to the citizens but they are vulnerable to attack, though I suspect that the enemy plans something else instead.
Looking at my maps of where enemy activity is rumored and known I suspect they will bypass the provinces north and march directly on to Havenhill, the provincial hamlets on the road being unable to mount a defense and Thunderstrikes Garrison disabled by plague. This will isolate Fort Stonewall & Hyle, leaving them with no lines of supply or communication, and thus doom them as well.
I beg of you to send what assistance you may be able to muster for the poor people of Thunderstrike. If it pleases the Prince, services have been rendered to my party by Cuthbertines in the amount of 400pg that should be repaid them as they were rendered in good faith to those who serve the crown, and in the amount of 1,000gp to Le Toux, the necromancer of Thunderstrike who is studying the monsters in hopes of discovering a means of counteracting the plague.
I am not returning to Havenhill, it is my intention to inspect the other towns in Prinzfeld and make mischief against the enemy with raids and ambushes until soldiers of the crown arrive to relieve us and expel the invaders who must number at least 300, less the 55 killed, by my estimates in this area. We are aided by an ambassador from a northern country beyond the mountains who shall remain anonymous but is deserving of mention, praise and gratitude as we could not have enjoyed even our modest success without him. The ambassador sends his best to the Prince.
Your Humble Servant
Magoi Kildare Redding of Hardby
Maps enclosed
Lord [Mesko],
We have made due haste in carrying out our charges and have met significant resistance including a PLATOON of enemy ELITE FOOT, thirty five strong, mixed orc, goblin and half-orc perhaps (see drawing). As some half-orcs are able to pass for men (as was my Bosun aboard Swallow) we should be
ALERT FOR SPIES & ENEMY OPERATIVES IN OUR MIDST.
The platoon enjoyed unshakable morale – no fear of magic and they seemed to be either intoxicated or enspelled, operating under some manner of altered mental state.
Goblin patrol subdued 1 day out (approx 16-20 miles north your position) featured trained archers (I am told this is unusual). Interrogations have produced nothing useful except that these enemies are led by a Turosh Mak, and they are convinced he will ‘eat us’ and such.
Uleki Dwarven footman also carried a message I’m forwarding, ten of them lost their lives to bring this to you.
My range tells me that there is some indication that the enemy is poisoning the Jewel River, reference Lukvich (Spl?) writings on the hateful wars – Cromwell knows the copy.
Your Humble Servant,
Master Kildare Redding
P.S. Please make an inquiry on my behalf with my tailor, have need of new shirt and a replacement bridge coat, as the wool is now dyed with blood, best wishes.
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