Covetous

[Dante]

*An offical parchment is attached to every major city in Britannia*

Dear Citziens,

I am here to report to you that the current cave system “Covetous” is inaccessible. I know this is delayed news but I thought it would be best to report this to you all when my information was complete.

We believe a group of brigands have taken refuge in the caves and are up to something. There are rumours the mountain fortress has also succumbed and has become the staging point for the operations of this group.

For unknown reasons they have managed to collapse the entrance of the cave and we can only imagine what is going on behind those boulders. Time will surely reveal their motives but in the mean time can I urge you all to avoid the area as much as possible for the following reason:

We also have reports that local men have been disappearing from each major city and we believe this may be related to the current situation at Covetous. If you have any information or knowledge about these circumstances can you please contact your local guardsmen as soon as possible.

Regards,
Guardsmen John

[Dante]

Dear Citizens,

I have more information for your ears, a scout has returned from the mountains of covetous. He has been watching this group of brigands for sometime now and has noticed something severe. Covetous has become a functioning mine again, whilst the fortress has become a hub for activity and a base of operations.

Furthermore, there were initial reports of a black haze around the fortress, but we can not tell you it is of a much darker green nature of which we believe is related to the new mineral being mined throughout the tunnels of Covetous. Our wisest Sage has been eagerly reviewing ancient manuscripts and he has discovered reference to a magical resource previously lost to our generations.

We are almost certain these "brigands" are mining this unknown source for their own savage plans. However we cannot get near the bloody fortress because the entire network is riddled with their soldiers - whom seem to possess an unnatural resistance to our weapons. I must admit that I am both horrified and intrigued by these recent revelations. I would urge you all to take the greatest caution.

The iron bars blocking the entrance to Covetous now seem to have been dismantled and we believe this is the enemies attempts to export/remove this new resource. The sage seems to think this new "crystal" material is called "lykium" - a rare and magical substance that almost infects underground systems - tainting everyone and everything around it.

So on that note, I beg you, unless you are a fool or a hero, stay away from Covetous mines... although any information is essential to help us understand the current situation.

Regards,

Guardsman John

[Dante]

We tried to get past the main fortress gates... we found a pathetic excuse of a guard standing there...

I commanded,

"Let us in or die Coward!" And he quivered and could not move... but the gates opened. We were repelled... there were just too many...

Regards,
Guardsman John,

Wounded in action.

[Cyrus Tegyr]

I commend you for your bravery John, you and your scouts have done a great and heroic deed in keeping an eye on these treacherous brigands that have infested this extensive cave system. I as I am sure others greatly appreciate the pain and sacrifice you and your fellow brethren in battle have achieved. Though it may seem a small, inconsequential skirmish with which you faced today, know that in the future, the reports with which you publicly put forward as well as the tiresome research your sage has painstakingly done will only help aid in perhaps the eventual expulsion of these loathsome and vile bandits.

It is my hopes and indeed my prayers to Esuna that no one else should seek to join in their life of brigandage, it is an inglorious, dishonest life that only those who dwell in cowardice seek. I shall indeed look into the matter when I am able to break away from my studies and teachings at the temple and abroad, these brigands must be taught that they can not expect to move into where they are not welcome. As you have stated, they have already transgressed against the laws of the land by either seeking recruits from inside our city walls or by abducting local men. Their machinations must be halted before their ways spread across the lands.

Cyrus Tegyr
humble friar of Esuna

[Dante]

I am sorry to inform you, we have found Guardsman John's corpse chained to a wall in the newly discovered Keldien fort near Destard.

However, we cannot recover his body or belongings due to a foul villain guarding his corpse. So far we only know that he seems to be the leader of this new threat.

I hope we can unite and recover this true Hero's body.

Evan the cleric.