AAR (2M): A Clue Written in the Stars, Wed May 19, 2021 at 20:00 Eastern / 17:00 Pacific / Midnight GMT

[Sharkforce]

The Journal of Garak of Irondelve, Part 1: A Clue Hidden in the Stars

Thage Stormblade of the Mershani (Human Warrior) was looking for help on a mission. Exploration of the region to the East of Throal. Promised pay was good, so I applied.

Also in the group:

Caesar Bonaparte - Human Illusionist
Z'mokki - T'skrang Thief
Chitrasena Malani - Elf Weaponsmith

The mission is to escort astronomer Bessel and his delicate equipment to three locations which cannot be known fully in advance. Areas must be suitable to "take a reading", requiring astral clarity and clear skies. Somewhere on Mount Meru, the misty hills Northeast of Clear Creek Crossing, and the hills North of Irondelve are the target points.

Mount Meru is cold. I brought extra blankets to tear up and wrap myself in. We were attacked by strange icy creatures who threatened to force us to backtrack. We defeated them, the mountain started rumbling, and Caesar said it was waking up, whatever that means. Fortunately the reading was finished early somehow. Also, Bessel's astral device went weird there twice, and he didn't know why. Hope it doesn't ruin anything.

The hills near Clear Creek were used recently by Raggok cultists to create undead monstrosities. Finding untainted regions is difficult. Bessel's astral scanner went weird again, he says he needs to consult his books to know what it means. I think it means trouble. We find a place that teems with life. There is much food, which attracts boar. Boar are dangerous up close, and more dangerous if they can charge you. Chitra died and her body had to be burned on site. Brought some ashes back to Throal, still haven't found her family if any. Maybe I should ask around at forges. Weaponsmiths will know her.

North of Irondelve is... strange. It is not as I remember it. There should be nothing there. There are huge fields of flowers, and strange insects with weapons and tools. Some are a little big, some are very big, and some are big enough to pick up a Troll. At least some can turn invisible also. They are farming the flowers for food, and they are intelligent. We ask if any can speak Throalic when they approach us, and they leave to bring back a woman who wears bees for clothing. Very strange. She dances and talks. She wants me to bring a message to Irondelve that they are peaceful, in exchange she will allow us passage to take readings.

Many in Irondelve are pacifists and will not take up arms under any circumstances, so I agree to peace. The strange woman leaves us with one of her guards, a Troll-sized bipedal insect creature. It does not look like what I have heard Insect Spirits look like, but I still worry for Irondelve. The place to take readings is very high. A great dragonfly lifts us to the top. It is completely different from the other insects we have seen. We can see many termite towers, more than I can count easily. I did not see any termites on the way in. They are many, they work together, and they are intelligent.
Bessel gets his reading, and we leave without being ripped apart and eaten by thousands of insects. We pass through Irondelve on the way back to Throal, roads make travel much easier. I tell them about the great nation to their North. I tell them that they promise peace, and seem to come from the Jungle. I also tell them that we cannot hope to fight them, and it would be foolish to try. We will choose peace or we will choose death. They say they understand and we return to Throal. I expect they will send out representatives to speak to the strange insects soon.

The Mershani are pleased. Perhaps next time I have to go somewhere cold, I will be able to afford real cold weather clothes.

Bad news though. I hear that something has somehow burned the strange hive to the ground. It cannot be Irondelve, even if they wanted to they could never manage it. I cannot think who could do it and who would want to. Dragons? I have heard legends of their might, but they are not usually known for acting so directly.