Intelligence Reports from the Heartlands

In the lull following the defeat of the gnoll warband at Vildanel we have conducted a series of investigative queries in to the state of the region:

On the Gnolls and Forces of Evil

Foremost, we have received confirmation from trusted sources that the "Maddick" at the heart of the gnoll warband is actually Christopher Maddick, a disgraced Zhentarim agent who is believed guilty of the murder of his own client.  In the early year of 1486, a young midland noble by the name of Jensen Pierce was found murdered in his own home whilst Maddick was serving as his bodyguard.  Evidence suggests  that Maddick's weapons were used in the massacre and it is known that he fled the scene following the incident, never to be known again by the public until now.  It is believed that Maddick is now in the custody of the Lords' Alliance.

We have also confirmed from our contacts in the Emerald Enclave that the council of gnoll tribes has converged at a secret location in the Reaching Woods known as the "Oath Grove".  At this meeting it is believed that appointed leader of the unified gnoll forces - Rabinack - was discussing with tribal elders and an unknown third party the price and conditions of releasing the warband prisoners to said third party.  As we do not have any sources at the Oath Grove itself we do not yet know what the gnoll reaction has been to the reports of the prisoners being freed.

Perhaps the most shocking new detail to emerge from our sources pertains to this mysterious third party.  Allegedly the chief representative for this group has been operating under the pseudonym "John Snell", which is of course a reference to the fabricated individual who serves as manipulator and "boogeyman" of regional nobility.  Though the name predates the Spellplague, the Font of Knowledge has no record of an actual individual with the born name John Snell in its records dating back to the dales of old.

On Vildanel and the Survivors

On a more positive note, scouts under my employ have reported to me that Narn and Bo Parsnuck have been tearfully reunited and that Elias Morove - found laying at Death's door - has been returned to us by the grace of Leo and Hazelmere.  Along with merchant Goff and rancher Levi Winston, this group has taken residence at Parsnuck Farm to await the return of the refugees.

On the topic of the refugees of Vildanel - currently recuperating near Berdusk - we have heard reports of a dozen of the young and able-bodied preparing to make the return trip to their fallen home with the aim of rebuilding.  The elderly and the orphaned children now make for the refugee camp at Scornubel under the watchful eye of Tabitha Rinear.  One such orphan - a most beautiful lass named Maelin - seems to have caught the attention of our heroes who were reported as spending some time speaking with her recently.

Scouts in the region of Vildanel have also been on the lookout for Ghisale and Rin who are believed to be operating in the area but have yet to spot their location.  We now know from our inquiries to Baldur's Gate that Ghisale is an archeologist under the employ of the Museum of the Sword Coast.  Baldurians may recall that this museum was founded in 1487 to house artifacts brought back from the east following the fall of the New Netherese empire.

Lastly, On Our Heroes

We close today's long periodical with the update that our band of five champions has returned to Vildanel to perform some additional investigation of the site.  As I conclude this very writing I am hovering above their location, but I dare not draw this article out any longer as it has already attained an impressive length and a strange new individual has just appeared at the village center, making himself known to our heroes.  So I close this article now, so that I may turn my attention to their conversation...

Kelehk of the Quill

Leaffall 6, 1491

Riposte of Justice

 "This 'Maddick' and his ilk should never have involved themselves in the affairs of gnolls!"  This statement came from a particularly gregarious gnoll spotted walking alone on a forest path later in the day.  Wishing to remain anonymous, the gnoll was willing to inform on what he knew of events that transpired today following the liberation of Vildanel while also disavowing the warband and asking the rest of the region to "let the gnolls be gnolls, but resist the foolishness of war".

By his account, our band of champions surveilled the town and took stock what meager possessions remained in Vildanel.  The houses remaining appear to belong to the family of the mayor, the Morove family, and an as of yet unidentified family with a single child.  Notably, it appears that at least one individual may have safely escaped the Morove family home on horseback.

The heroes then rode north to the regional camp of the gnoll warband.  Using covert tactics the heroes infiltrated the camp and made short work of Maddick's crew whilst friend Rin liberated two gnoll captives: a female gnome believed to be the missing Ghisale and a female halfling believed to be the missing Bo Parsnuck.  At no surprise to our informant, the gnolls were reluctant to rush to Maddick's aid once it appeared he had been outmatched and they allowed the heroes to take him in to custody, though they would not allow the release of their final captive: a local rancher named Herschel who allegedly had clandestine dealings with Maddick.  Two of Maddick's crew - a sly halfling rogue and a shadowy human warlock - fled the scene and remain at large.

In related news, news from the Uldoon Trail reports that the band of Vildanel refugees now nears Berdusk where they will be able to enjoy warm beds for the first time in half a tenday.

Kelehk of the Quill

Eleint 30, 1491

Victory in Vildanel

As the sun rises over the plains, my agents from across the countryside have confirmed to me what I had most hoped.  Our champions have succeeded, and the village of Vildanel has been liberated from the gnoll menace!  In a valiant surge taking place under the cover of darkness the heroes tactfully dismantled the occupying forces, pack by pack.  Even gnolls attempting to flee to alert their base camp were continuously thwarted.

Details are sparse but some other select information has also been collected;

The leader of the assault on Vildanel is a human man by the name of Maddick, and the newly appointed "great leader" of the united gnoll forces is named Rabinack.  At this time little is known about these individuals, but our research efforts continue.

The well water at Vildanel has been poisoned from an unknown non-natural source.  This will likely pose a significant hurdle to resettling the area.

Aside from the well, four structures at Vildanel remain intact: a large stone home on the north side of the village, an accompanying shed, a large home on the east side of the village which was upwind of the blaze, and a smaller home on a hill to the south.

As we open on a new day for this decimated community, something tells me that our Liberators of Vildanel are not yet ready to rest in their duty to bring justice to the Heartlands.

Kelehk of the Quill

Eleint 29, 1491