Journey to the Demon Wastes - Part 2

This, being our third week traveling to the Demon Wastes has been the most eventful so far. Shortly after leaving Zilargo, the trail ship was accosted by what looked to be hundreds of the nasty sea creatures known as Sahuagin. The ship was lagging behind after a shipworm problem was fixed in

Zilargo by applying some copper sheathing to the hull. The ship became overly laden, and simply could not keep up with the others. Apparently, shortly before dawn, the Sahuagin took note of this and started scaling the vessel by the tens. Unfortunately, much of the guard contingent had been moved to other ships out of weight concern.  Before anyone could be notified and aid given, all the remaining crew members were slain, and any weapons and supplies that could be carried off were lost. The slain crewmen were given last rites, and buried at sea. Much to the horror of many, the recent activity had attracted a group of sharks, who made a mess of the sea burial.

Although the Sahuagin attack was a huge set back, the most important supplies were transported to other ships as a precaution. There was still a tremendous loss of life, which unfortunately, seems to happen all too often these days.

Two days after the Sahuagin attack, approximately 2 miles off the coast of the Dagger River and Hilt Harbor, our precession was halted by a small fleet of Brelish Warships. Each of our vessels were briefly boarded and searched. Apparently they were looking for drug smuggling operations coming in from Xen‘ Drik. Dreamlilly has been a problem in Sharn for many years, and apparently there is quite the operation afoot to cut down on trafficking. We were also warned that several warships from Droaam have been sighted heading South towards Xen’ Drik over the past few months, and to be
wary of Sahuagin, who have ventured North of their typical hunting grounds. A bit late on that one, unfortunately.  Droaam Warships… Again? Unfortunately, it seems they didn’t learn their lesson the first time. Then again, Xen’ Drik is a big place, perhaps they will stay far away from Stormreach this time.

Aside from the Sahuagin attack and Breland search for Dreamlilly, some interesting information has been relayed back to me from the main expedition in the Demon Wastes. Apparently three of professor Marithenthal’s guard contingent have gone missing, while two more have contracted a strange incurable disease. The disease seems to be attacking the optic nerves, rendering the victims blind. The professor has several very experienced Silver Flame priests with him, who for some reason have not been able to determine the cause of the affliction, nor have they been able to cure the blindness through divine healing.  This falls along the same findings of the reported plague, but the onset is different than the others. Through Speaking Stone, I suggested that perhaps it is the area they are in that keeps the magic from working, and that they may try taking the blinded people out of the Demon Wastes, and try again. I believe they may try it, if the relations with the Ghaashk'kala’s will allow for it. I suspect there will be a hefty price put on caring for the injured, if what I’ve heard is true.

The professor also said he had some very important information to share with me regarding the arrangement with the Ghaashk'kala. Unfortunately, he needed to attend to some issues with the growing concerns over the missing Blademarks. Hopefully, he will get back to me before we land and find out ourselves. Until next time, I wish all my readers and their loved ones a happy, healthy, and prosperous day.

CC Ravenguard

Journey to the Demon Wastes

It has been a couple weeks since the last article has been written by the Ravenguard Press. A lot has happened, and I feel it is time to let our readers know what has been keeping us occupied. Two weeks ago, I was approached by one of Professor Marithenthal’s assistants, you’ll probably remember the good professor as one of the foremost authorities on Demonic studies; he was interviewed a couple months back when word of a Demonic plague resurfaced in the Demon Wastes.

Associate Professor Miller, one of Professor Marithenthal’s assistants contacted our office late one night a couple weeks ago. He informed me that the professor wanted to extend me an offer (not much of an offer, more of an insistence) to catch up with him on an expedition to explore the possibility of the plagues reemergence.  The professor was already on the Easter edge of the wastes, making his way to a region known as the Maze of Shattered Souls. I agreed to join Miller, and become an embedded reporter of sorts. Early the next morning, Professor Miller met me in the Harbor district where he had commissioned transportation for the trip.

The expedition was much more than the 5 or so I had expected; there were at least 30 or 40 porters, along with another 60 or 70 representatives of the Bladmarks, and various members of the Silver Flame church. I also noticed a few adventuring groups that signed on as scouts. Altogether, there were 3 ships with approximately 150 souls, packed to the rails with people, equipment, and supplies.

The route we planned was to head north to Khorvair, stopping off at Zilargo to pick up a couple University research historians (and some personal artifacts from the Speakers Guild), take a wide arch to avoid the waters near Droaam, then reach our drop off point at the Hamlet of Blood Crescent to meet with the Ghaashk'kala Barbarian tribes. Although the Ghaashk'kala’s are known to be strongly against visitors to the Wastes, I understand some special bargain had been struck to grant us passage through their lands.

At this point in our journey, we left Zilargo two days past, and are making our way North Westerly. While at Zilargo, I made some special preparations to be able to relate this journey to you as quickly as possible. I am deeply concerned about the number of people on this expedition; from my understanding, there are four others already in various stages of travels. This threat must be real if so many resources are being spent to investigate. Will this threat reach the rest of Khorvair, and perhaps the rest of Eberron, or is this some sort of elaborate scheme? I pray if the threat is real, that Professor Marithenthal and his various expeditions find the source, and stop the plagues from spreading.

Over the next few weeks, I will do my best to relate my travels in as timely and accurate manner as possible. You, our loyal readers have the right to know if your very lives are in jeopardy. Until then I wish you all to be safe, and in good health.

Demonic Plague Returns

NEWS FROM SHARN – The Ravenguard Press, in collaboration with other Khorvaire new sources, has received disturbing news of reports speaking of devastating epidemics sweeping across the south central region of the Demon Wastes.  Although these reports have not yet been substantiated, several independent organizations have already expressed an urgency to investigate the reports.

Bishop Velleunal of Thrane, a visiting scholar of The Church of the Silver Flame, has been researching Demonology and extra-planer beings at Korranberg University for the past few months. According to Bishop Velleunal, this isn’t the first time in recent Khorvaire history that something like this has happened in the Wastes. “Entire tribes were wiped out shortly before The Last War began”, he recounted to one reporter. “If I recall correctly, it was the work of one of the various Demon Lords who called on his dark powers, infecting several areas with a very similar sounding plague.” Although admittedly not an expert in the field, the Bishop has noted that if the reports are true, then we may have a very serious problem indeed. The Bishop referred any further questions to Khornwell Marithenthal, chief of Demon Studies at Korranberg University.

We caught up with Professor Marithenthal right before he was scheduled to depart with one of the research groups. Although some of his descriptions may be a bit graphic, we feel it’s important to detail the events of history no matter how horrid they might be.

Professor Marithenthal has been studying and teaching Demonology for the past 40 years in Korranberg University, and is considered one of the foremost knowledgeable experts on the subject.
We asked the Professor if there are any similarities between the recorded events of more than 100 years ago, and those recently reported. “The plague you are referring to was very similar to what is being reported now”, he said “The Galikitak Orc tribe was completely and utterly decimated. There wasn’t one man, woman, or child that was spared. The Augenkuk and Gilkunvul tribes suffered devastating losses as well, but were spared the fate of the Galikitaks.” Before the plague was ended, tens of thousands of Orcs and Humans were wiped off the face of Eberron.”

When we asked Professor Marithenthal about the effects of the previous plague, and if there were any known cures, here’s what he said “During the first stages of infection”, Marithenthal said, “The plague attacks the victims’ neurological function. Second stage involves massive cysts erupting on the hands, feet, and face. These cysts slowly multiply and join, until they cover every inch of the victim’s body. During the third and most disturbing phase of the affliction, bony growths jut out from the victim’s shoulders and knees” He paused a moment, then continued “The final phase involves progressive stages of insanity, and then finally death”, he continued by saying, “There were no known cases where a victim survived, and to date, there isn’t a known cure. Not even divine magic is able to cure the disease.” He apologized for not having more time to answer questions, but did refer us to his assistant for more details.

We’ll be following several of these expeditions very closely over the next few weeks as they uncover more information about these reports of a new plague in the Demon Wastes. You can be sure that we’ll keep you, our readers, informed of new developments as they are reported; and if we, here is Stormreach are somehow at risk, you’ll hear it from us first.