Letters Home

as written by Cryc of Menoth

Diary Entry 1, Brother Cyric of Menoth

Tuesday the 3rd of March in the Year 603 of Our Kingdom

Dear Father Luther,

Two days ago I arrived at the Church of Morrow in Corvis, after a long and tedious boat ride. Father Pandor was quite kind and hospitable, despite being obviously pre-occupied by a great many things. All the clergy here are quite accommodating, but somewhat disorganized.
Father Pandor introduced me to a "group" whom are assisting the church with a matter of dire importance. It appears that someone or something had been stealing bodies from the local graves. Father Pandor suggested that I join the group and help with the investigation.
The group consisted of a proud warrior named "Pallas", a solemn elven marksman named "Kivan", a sniveling arcane caster named "Singol", and a mysterious gypsy named "Sasha". I will send you more information about my "companions" as I get to know them. I must say however it is strange working with such an unruly group. The constant quarrelling between the members is quite inefficient. I will encourage them to take the will of Menoth into their hearts, and show them the power of his wisdom and strength.
As for the investigation, we discovered that all of the bodies that were stolen belonged to the late jurors in a witch trial about a decade ago. The witches had been convicted, but were not burned at the stake in public! Instead they had been taken to an outpost and beheaded. One of the witches was the sister-in-law of Father Pandor. Her daughter still lives at the Church of Morrow. We could not find the daughter to question her about what she might know about her mother's craft, or the disappearance of the juror's bodies.
Instead, we decided to go to the old outpost (which was only a half day's hike out of town). Kivan did not accompany us on our journey as it seems he was needed elsewhere … all very mysterious. At the outpost, we found many strange things indeed. The most remarkable was that the bodies of the executed witches had also been unearthed, and some one had left an undead garrison to guard the burial site. Pallas and I destroyed the foul creatures, but not before Pallas was grievously wounded. With the healing power of Menoth, I was able to save our brave companion.
I write this letter on the road, not having had time to return to relative safety of Corvis. Once we have cleared out this den of evil we will return to speak with Father Pandor. I will send this letter to you then, with whatever updates I feel are relevant.

Praise be to Menoth,
-Brother Cyric

 

Diary Entry 2, Brother Cyric of Menoth

Dear Father Luther,

Yesterday afternoon, we arrived back in Corvis. My companions were worried that a local crime syndicate was after them. We decided to separate into two groups so that we could more easily avoid detection. Singol and I went first, and we encountered no problems on our way to the Church of Morrow.

We were concerned that the body of Pandor's sister-in-law might also have been defiled. At her tomb we found the acolyte keeping watch to be asleep. Oh, Menoth, how does Morrow tolerate this lack of discipline? Upon investigating the tomb, it appeared that no one or thing had entered through the door. Singol suggested that perhaps something was able to enter from below the ground. What a dire prospect indeed! We shall perhaps ask Father Pandor for his permission to enter the tomb when all of our companions have returned and had time to rest.

I talked to Father Pandor about what we had discovered, and he seemed most horrified with our findings at the outpost. Singol also reported the acolyte's lack of consciousness. I myself did not, as I felt it might be taken as a form of disrespect or contempt towards the Church of Morrow. I think Singol may soon be ready to take the ways of Menoth into his heart.

There was no sign of Kivan at the Church, an ill omen indeed. Pallas and Sasha took a very long time to return. They were confronted by one of the many crime syndicates on the way back. They brought news that Kivan was being held captive by a group called the "Griffons" (a very confusing name, because they aren't flying magical beasts, but a group of rogues). The Griffons apparently wanted something returned that Sasha had in his possession. If only I had been with them before to prevent this madness!

I suggested they contact the local guard to deal with this matter, but the rest of the group insisted on rescuing Kivan themselves. In the midst of our heated debate, a young half-elf by the name of "Jessie" joined our motley crew. Jessie is somewhat of a dandy, with baggy, elegant clothing, a rapier, and a taste for good food and drink. However, he does seem somewhat over pious (to Morrow) for your average swashbuckler. I suspect he may be a Paladin. If he is, he will be a very powerful ally against the forces of evil that we are currently investigating.
At this time Sasha informed us that upon his return to the Church, he spotted Alexia (the daughter of Father Pandor's sister-in-law). He, in his roguish manner, decided to follow her to see what she was up to. He followed her into an alleyway, where she opened a magical door and entered! When we spoke of this manner to Father Pandor, he refused to believe it.

That evening I decided to watch over the witch's tomb myself, while the others went to confront the "Griffon's". Hours later they returned bloody and bruised, with no Kivan. Father Pandor questioned them as to their late night battle wounds, and upon discovering their involvement with the local crime element became quite furious. It reminded me of my youth back in the Protectorate. In any event, he confined us to our rooms and left. He returned hours later to report that Kivan had been found murdered. I feel that my companions will one day wish to revenge his untimely death. I pray to Menoth that they will have the wisdom to do it through legal means.

That morning we decided to investigate this secret door that Alexia had gone through. After a brief stop at a local inn, where Sasha had apparently been performing before, we headed to the alleyway. I was able, by the will of Menoth, to divine the location of the secret door. With the strength of Pallas, we forced our way through it. The door opened into a sewer system. In there we encountered another of the undead we had fought in the outpost. This one appeared more powerful than the others, but Jessie overwhelmed it with ease.

Further into the sewers, past some sort of whirlpool, we discovered a small room. In the room was Alexia herself, resting her head on a desk, apparently a bit drowsy from reading. Upon entering the room, we were all paralyzed by some unknown source. Alexia told us that she was responsible for the grave robberies, and that she planned to avenger her mother's death on the city of Corvis. She was especially angry with a particular Magistrate.

She then had us bound, by her undead servants. We are currently being carried away. I will report this matter to Father Pandor, just as soon as I figure a way to get out of these ropes.

Praise be to Menoth,
-Brother Cyric

Diary Entry 3, Brother Cyric of Menoth

Dear Luther,

After the dreadful events of the longest night, Father Pandor suggested I take some time away from Corvis and the Church of Morrow. Jessie had pressing family business back at her family’s estate. The group decided to go with her. I thought this sounded like it would be a pleasant journey. It would give me the chance to see the beautiful countryside of Cygnar and a chance to truly relax and reflect upon recent events at a luxurious estate.
We caught a boat ride down the Black River with some local merchants that other party members were well acquainted with. After a couple days ride, we landed and set off on foot towards our destination.
The journey was peaceful, and uneventful, until we reached the first fort. We rounded the bend, and saw the escarpment fort in flames. A group of wolf riders and orcs cut down some human horsemen that were fleeing to the fortress. Jessie bolted towards the fort in an attempt to save his people. The rest of us followed, but could not keep up with his pace. We battled our way into the fort. Elezain and I fought an ogre, Pallus and Sasha killed some orcs, and Jessie took on two goblins mounted on wolves.
Upon entering the fort, we found evidence of a great battle. We found Jessie’s younger brother Vincent, who was quite badly wounded. He told us that an orc army was invading them! This was not to be the pleasant journey I had anticipated.
It also became quite apparent to us that Jessie had not been telling us the whole truth. Vincent repeatedly referred to him as his sister Jessica. Upon coming to our senses, the group realized that Jessie was in fact a female and that explained a great many things.
We took an elevator down the escarpment and Vincent showed us into a secret passage that led us into the castle. The castle was under siege.
I spent the next day and a half healing wounded, fighting, and generally trying not to get killed. It is all a blur to me now. Orcs, hobgoblins, ogres, and flaming catapults all threatened our lives. The carnage here made the events at Corvis look like a playground scuffle. Most have died. Jessie’s brother Vincent died in a futile duel with an orcish leader. We finally routed the orcs on the second night, but at too high a price, for the castle lies in ruins. All my companions survived, thank Menoth. We must now return to Corvis, and bring any surviving refugees, as there is nothing left for them here.

May Menoth guide our path,
-Brother Cyric

---

Diary Entry 4, A letter arrives from father Luther

My Son,

I apologize for the long delay between letters. I have been extremely busy of late thanks to the recent political turmoil. Attempted murder is never easily glossed over. To anticipate your question, no, it wasn’t an attempt on my life (though by Menoth those will come), but I am working with the Scrutators on this investigation. The Primarch specifically asked for me. For now, do not ask for details, for I cannot share them, but rest assured that I am being doubly cautious in these trying times.
I have also been reading reports from both our scouts and those from the Greater Kingdom of Cygnar that there is trouble brewing somewhere to the East. Our diviners have been sensing a massing presence from that direction for some time now. Then again, the Bloodstone Marches have ever been a place of menace. Promise me you will not go investigate without my permission. I almost sent poor Markus (Dumas’ acolyte) on a mission in that region before realizing my folly and canceling the whole thing. Strangely, Markus was actually disappointed. He’s a lot like you in that way.
Beyond that, much is as it was since the last time I wrote to you. Truth is, this investigation will be a great relief to my nerves as it finally gives me an excuse to look into the actions of my enemies. I find Menoth has this way of being very … tight-lipped about certain things, forcing his followers to do their own investigations. It feels more like the old days for me.
Alexia, the battle at the Ashkervon Estate, the Gryphons … you must be having the time of your life. I’m jealous, my son, and that’s how it should be. Take it easy once in a while and find time to write to an old man. I have to keep this one short (the Scrutators have been waiting for half and hour as it is … let them, I say) but I will write again.
Be safe, Cyric, and May Menoth smite those who would bar your holy quest.
Sincerely,
Father Luther
Ps Has something about you changed recently? Your presence is different when I scry for you. There’s something … older about you.