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

Return Fire! The Gnolls are Struck!

A Brief Forward

I, Kelehk, do offer my deepest personal apologies if you receive this article at a later date than you are accustomed.  My dearest readers, as you well know it is my truest nature to always act in the pursuit of truth and the enlightenment of the masses.  However, in time as these where the lives of the noble and the protectors of truth are themselves at risk we must take certain measures and offer certain protections.  Beginning with this article and for all articles following in this 'Peril of the Heartlands' series we will only provide direct delivery of the article to those individuals for whom the information contained therein is of a covert or sensitive nature.  To all other recipients, the delivery of said articles will be delayed anywhere from three to ten days.  This is a compromise given to mitigate the release of strategic details to the enemies of the land.  I hope that you understand the importance of this effort and continue to enjoy my astute reporting as I continue to enjoy your loyal patronage.

Onward to the article...

Today comes news from an emerging battlefront!  Cresting the plateau on top which Vildanel sits, I found myself soaring above the Persnuck family farm just as combat had erupted between our heroes and pair of savage gnoll watchmen.  Make no mistake that the foes were swiftly dispatched, but not before signaling to their brethren on patrol nearby with a series of shrill, echoing barks that cascaded across the plains.  To my relief, my assistants' surveillance of the area only found one such patrol band in the region, with the gnolls encircling the village proper being too distant to heed the call.

Though I struggled to pull my eyes from the inevitable crash between forces, I did take a moment to perch along a window ledge of the quaint Parsnuck family home and peek inside.  I beheld with awe the inspiring bedroom of young Narn and Bo Parsnuck, walls adorned with their own well-penned missives of adventures along the Sword Coast!  My heart leapt to think that these accomplished wanderers must yet still live, given their wealth of survival experience.  Though I wish greatly to share some of what I learned of their adventures I shall not infringe the privacy of the living without their permission.  Furthermore, I could not take much time to read lest I miss the unfolding bloodshed outside.

Though the gnoll patrol party hosted more skilled adversaries, what I personally witnessed in the fields today was similar in description to the hero's prior scuttle with the Zhentarim scavengers - beams of moonlights, blasts of flame, fists ringing true, and even some precision knife-throwing from young Rin.  The battle seemed to be over in but a blink, and before I could help myself I descended from the skies to offer my accolades and see - beyond hope! - if any of them would offer a statement.

On this day I am pleased to finally assign a proper name to each of these would-be champions:

Leo the half-elf, valiant of bow, blade, and spoken word!

Lucie the halfling, conjurer of triumphant flame!

Mexidankus Sundowner the halfling, whose fists deliver radiant justice!

Tymar my aarakocran brother-in-feather, who raises brambles of the land itself to aid them!

And diminutive but powerful Hazelmere of an exotic owl-like birdfolk lineage, whose moonlight magic shines like a beacon of valor!

Unfortunately we could not locate brave Rin following the melee though I am certain she emerged unscathed and will reunite with the heroes in due time.

Also to my dismay the heroes were occupied with collecting information and discussing their plans at the time of my arrival so our discussion was short-lived.  However, I can offer the following information regarding regional gnolls activity, collected from multiple sources in the last days time:

A scattering of gnoll forces remain at the ruins of Vildanel, though to what end it is not known.  Multiple sources report that the warband has largely departed the village following the accomplishment of their unknown objective.  However, it is suspected that they yet remain encamped not far to the northeast of the attack site.

Several survivors - including each of those noted in the previous article - remain unaccounted for, and it is now suspected that one or more may have been taken captive by the gnolls.

The refugees continue their cautious trek northward along the Uldoon Trail toward Berdusk.  A uncorroborated source claims that soldiers of Elturgard have been dispatched to the trail to offer them escort.

Please stay vigilant, dear readers.

Kelehk of the Quill

Eleint 28, 1491

The Gleam of Hope

What brilliant radiance is this?!

I see beacon of promise, streaming down the Uldoon Trail with marked haste!

No sooner did my prior missive reach the eager hands of seasoned adventurers in Berdusk than we find fresh hoofprints heading southward towards righteous cause!  When I heard of this departure, I could not help but take to the trail myself to pursue these rumored heroes.

On yesterday's eve, as I peered down through the passing storm I spotted a band of bedraggled warriors - a Zhentarim reclamation team - who had run afoul of said rumored heroes.  Though they were reluctant to admit their defeat, through my peerless investigative skills I may paint the following picture of this motley band of would-be champions;

A gallant half-elf, perplexingly attired in gleaming plate but wielding a flute as his weapon;

A brace of halflings, one of whom sent the Zhentarim wagon up in flames with a flick of his wrist, and one who beat their veteran warrior to submission with his bare fists;

And what's this?  A brace of bird-folk - a brother and sister of my own kind?! - one of whom held a combatant fast in place by sheer force of will and one whom called down a radiant beam of destruction from the heavens!  And if I understand correctly, one of these winged wizards may yet only be a fledgling!

Excited by these scant details I hurried in pursuit of the heroes, but my wings grew tired despite my mind's protests and I only caught a glimpse of them as they veered from the trail on route to Vildanel.  No doubt, I did spot a pair of my feathered bretheren!  However, as I sought landing to rest I did come across the sorrowful village refugees - now packing to move northward - and I was able to spend some time with a young man by the name of Rennick Bertram who shared a great deal about the aims and character of these mysterious individuals.

"After all that's happened, I really couldn't comprehend what was going on when I saw them coming down the road", said Rennick.  "I figured 'this is it, the brigands are here to take everything we have left', but no... they were so generous, especially the little bird girl..."  Rennick took a moment to compose himself, left again bewildered by the benevolence of the adventurers.  "They said... they said they would go back to the village, drive off the gnolls, find our lost folk...  It's all more than we could ever hope for."

Among those though to be spared by the gnoll attack yet still missing include the following:

Narn and Bo Persnuck, children of local halfling farmers Bavik and Sonna Persnuck;

Goff, a half-orc workman under the employee of traveling merchant Mae Vitral;

Village sheriff Elias "Eli" Morove, father to refugee Sebastian "Seb" Morove;

A gnome explorer by the name of Ghisale, separated from her mute kenku companion Rin.

Taking Rin as a guide, the adventurers advance towards the village ruins where my own associates report that gnolls continue to maraud about the area for reasons unknown.  By my estimates they shall arrive in a days time and doubtless lay waste to the vile beasts, restoring peace and hope to the heart of our land.

Sincerely with hope,

Kelehk of the Quill

Eleint 27, 1491

An Arrow in the Heart of Faerun

 

Behold this!

A sprawling, vital, yet unassuming landscape;

A loosely woven yet strongly bound fabric of cultures;

A homely bedrock of the Sword Coast which is naught but an afterthought for the denizens of Waterdeep and Yartar and yet pumps the very lifeblood of their livelihoods!

This glorious expanse which many of us call home - The Heartlands! - gives much, and much more than is known to the peoples of Faerun.  It grows our grains; it shelters our livestock; it buffers us from the political machinations of the south; it houses untold historical significance from Darkhold to Baldur's Gate, from Candlekeep to The Reaching Woods!

And now as I write this, I deliver hasty word to you all that The Heart has been struck, and...

it...

is...

bleeding!

Thought not yet all details are known, a trusted agent of mine reports that a small farming community called Vildanel - tucked in the Green Fields - has gone aflame, razed by a large band of gnoll invaders with motives unknown.  Immediately this has given great cause for concern by a number of regional powers, some of whom I have already spoken with representatives thereof.  They have given the following public statements.

Priestess Tabitha Rinear - who oversees a refugee camp in Scornubel for the victims of the rampant giant attacks in the north - has stated, "This tragedy strikes us all as neighbors under Torm's Guidance and Amaunator's Light.  Our prayers go to the victims, both living and passed, and we welcome them to join the embrace of our humble community."

An anonymous Warduke with the Lords' Alliance has posted a 50 gold bounty for actionable information on the movements of the gnoll raiders, 200 gold for the assassination of their leader, and 500 gold for the leader's capture.  This fellow has sent word encouraging the survivors to seek refuge and employ at Baldur's Gate while the matter is investigated.

An envoy of the Emerald Enclave by the name "Fire Meadow" suggested in her statement to me that these are local gnolls - also citizens of this same Heartland! - and that their actions have been manipulated by a yet unseen malevolent hand!  What intrigue!

When asked for comment, a representative for Zhentarim - calling themselves a "publicist", whatever that may be - has stated that their organization has "bolstered their regional forces" and are "negotiating with regional lords on a renewed defense contract".

And though these grand forces of our homeland may yet be mobilized to further action, I must also perform my duty as a journalist and proclaim to you, dearest reader, this simple truth: please do your part to treat this wound.  If you are of an adventuring spirit and an able body, do travel to Vildanel yourselves and see what can be done to stem the bleeding, repair the damage, and repel infection.  In doing so, only then may you find the true spirit of this vibrant Heartland which binds us all to a purpose far greater than any outsider may assume.

Sincerely, your humble scribe...

Kelehk of the Quill

Eleint 24, 1491