Jan. 4, 2025

We've finally learned some history about those we've called the "Cursed". A man named Krom has emerged as something of a leader among them. He seems to be much more lucid that most of the Cursed and willing to talk. He appears human and claims to be one, but knows nothing of Ethalia at all. Apparently his people created a magic that granted a form of immortality, allowing them to be reborn in a new body after death. The Gentry of the Feyfolk banished them a long time ago, but now they seem keen on returning.

A Reliquary was also discovered and the Order thought it best to keep it from Krom and his forces. A battle ensued over the Reliquary and the leader of the Order fell to the curse he had been carrying. He turned on his own before he fell. Though the battle was lost, the Reliquary was kept hidden and therefore safe from the Cursed until it could be returned to Ethalia. Hopefully they've be able to make good use of it...

-William MacBane

Sept. 28, 2024

With the current pace of things, I suppose it was too much to hope we'd get a favorable encounter with the Saytrs. They were on their way to visit Exalos before they ran into a band of hunters sent by the Trade Commission. Greedy bastards chasing some old legend about Saytr horns and hooves. Since they were hunting the Saytrs like beasts, they quickly galloped off somewhere else. All except one who got stuck on the Exalos region until the next Shift.

I met Kione the Saytr briefly before the Order eventually sided with the hunters and chased him down. I knew it would bring no good thing, but I didn't expect what happened after. A shadow passed over Kione's corpse and began moving his body like a puppet. It spoke through the corpse's mouth and attacked the hunters, causing a similar shadow to pass over them. A great battle was fought and the Order was eventually victorious and even managed to cast out the shadowy curse from one of the hunters.

I'm unnerved that such and evil seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to strike out like this. I'm even more worried that the Order's reputation as a "Saytr Slayer" will cause us problems with the locals...

-William MacBane

June 15, 2024

I have received word that the meager scales we provided to the healers in Ethalia proved insufficient. Captain Bram succumbed to his madness screaming about torture and chained up bodies with runes carved into them. A grim thought indeed.

Living shadows have begun to appear recently. They seek to offer some sort of gift, but I don't trust their intentions. I'm not sure what they are, but the locals seem just as unnerved by their presence as I am. I do not think it a coincidence that a sickness has begun to spread near the time of their arrival.

We've also encountered a strange group of humans. I've seen all who've come through the gate to the Everglades, but I don't know these faces. They have a dark presence around them and seem to bear the same curse that Captain Bram did. They are much more lucid as well as violent. I think it best for me to keep my distance from them.

March 23, 2024

The healers of Ethalia have sent word. They require some dragon scales to help cure Captain Bram's mind. Unfortunately, dragons haven't been seen on Berla in decades. Instead, we hope that some scales of the Wyrmkin found here in the Everglades will be able to provide a similar effect.

In lighter news, the Queen's expedition has setup a bank protected by powerful rune magic. It's nice to have some semblance of the civilized world brought to this far off place.

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Our encounters today have been less than fruitful. A member of the Order greatly offended the local Wyrmkin tribe and a battle ensued. The Wyrmkin warriors proved deadly in combat and we were forced to retreat. Some few scales were recovered though. I suppose we'll have to pray that they are enough...

The light of civilization didn't last long as the bank was robbed. It is unknown who stole the coin, but suspicion has been thrown at other members of our own kingdom. The relations with the local peoples is shaky at best, and we don't need our own infighting on top of it...

Jan. 27, 2024

Finally some support from back home. The Order has sent some soldiers through to help secure the town. The Queen has even put together an expedition of adventurers to officially support exploration of this realm. Hopefully they won't all turn out as cowardly as my initial companions...

In addition to new people from Ethalia, the local denizens have begun to arrive and settle near Exalos as well. Perhaps this will enable us to have some positive relations now that the Swift Claw have moved on.

Another group of soldiers were supposed to arrive today, but they never did. After an investigation, Captain Bram was discovered alone near a small stick dwelling. He had been driven mad by some sort of curse. A mystic among the Order was able to dispel this curse, but it left the poor Captain's mind broken. We've prepared him for return to Ethalia, but we've still no sign of the troops he brough with him. I can only assume they've encountered a similar fate.

Sept. 23, 2023

There have been lots of activity from the Swift Claw recently. Minor skirmishes seems to be happening all the time now. The good news is that we've received a magic scroll from the other side that should help protect us. The instructions we were given were to find magical reagents here to power the spell and cast it around our settlement. This would keep out any unwanted visitors and protect those inside its boarders.

This proved to be more difficult than expected with increased danger from the Swift Claw. We were fortunate indeed that some mercenaries were able to negotiate with some of the Swift Claw forces and got the ingredients we needed for the spell of protection. They charged me a fortune for them though! They had a noble quest to protect the innocent from violent beasts and all they cared about was the money! I had to pay them, though in my mind I wished there were another way...

I gave the scroll to a newly arrived Runeblade to cast around the town. I found his methods curious, but they were effective. Hopefully now we can all rest easy in the knowledge there is something keeping us all safe.

-William MacBane

April 8, 2023

It's only been a few weeks since my first arrival here and already most of my company has decided to return home. It's hard to blame them really as this whole place is nothing like we expected it to be. Even still I feel frustrated at their lack of resolve. We all knew this wouldn't be easy, but to turn tail at the first opportunity seems cowardly at best to me. At least I am left with the cook and his family. Each of them shows more bravery than the other scouts and construction workers combined if you ask me.

In any case, word is that a group of adventurers is being sent through to help keep our outpost safe. I leave to meet them presently.

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It seems I wasn't the only one expecting new opportunities today. While retrieving the new arrivals, we were ambushed by members of the Swift Claw Clan. Local Beastkin ruffians who have a claim on the local land. Well, as much as you can define "local" with the way things shift here in the Everglade. Luckily we were able to fend them off with help from some friends of mine. Another local group of Revaki (rat like Beastkin) were traveling with us and gave us great aid.

They continued to help us through "negotiations" with the Swift Claw as they again came to our outpost and demanded tribute. We knocked them down like they deserved and sent them packing. Their leader swore his revenge so perhaps this whole incident isn't over yet...

-William MacBane