Reporting for Duty - Scouting Ogden

 

Operation Details

From Doc:     Mission was to scout the area around Ogden. We arrived in Ogden and spoke to a local merchant who told us about Cultists to the south of town who had undead among them. They are known to have cut the tongues out from many of the villagers. To the west he mentioned unidentified beings encroaching on the town as well as goblins.   Continuing west, we arrived at what appeared to be an ancient meeting place. In the center was a set of three concentric circles (Circles with a common center). It was surrounded by pillars, with images engraved on the cardinal points (Full moons on the north and south pillars. Waves on the east and west pillars. Two blank pillars in between the cardinal points). We noticed that we were being watched but were unable to see who they were. They did, however, react when Xion addressed them in elvish.   We then arrived at a marsh with a small island in the middle. Access across was available with a makeshift bridge made of planks. As the last person was arriving to the island, we were attacked by six bog monsters. After dispatching them, we noticed religious icons of multiple pantheons hanging from the trees on the island.   Next we found a ruined elven tower with a female statue on top. On the statue was a symbol of two waves pushing away from each other. A ring was also found nearby with a matching symbol. A kobold appeared briefly in a reflection of the water, but disappeared when he was noticed.   Finally, we found the goblin's cave. Some escaped, but we was able to bring back a prisoner for additional information. Also found was a diary detailing a path from Holyhead(?) to Aethelar(?), though it cautions that the path is dangerous.   On the return trip, we found a actual bridge crossing the marsh, and a note at the shrine written in elvish; "We are watching".     From Ironmane:   Ogden: Initial investigations shows little to no resources. The only trader was a scavenger from the woods with mushrooms and foliage that was being used as food for refugees. Ogden is a shell, most houses abandoned after attacks from both goblins and cultists, leaving victims with their tongues cut out so they couldn't talk. Suggest humanitarian aid.     Information gathered regarding a potential Moon Well roughly ~1 Days travel to the North/Northwest. There is a landmark half way along the journey in the form of old ruins, which in and of themselves would be worth investigation.     Elven Circle: Potential Moon Wells to North and South of marked elvish site. Potential Allies within Elves that visit site. (See Unit Action Report Above.)     Marsh: West of Elven Circle ~1 hours walk. No resources, but potential corrupted shrine marked by an island with religious symbols hanging from tree's. Should be avoided if possible, see Bridge below. May warrant investigation by specialist team.     Bridge: To west of Elven Circle, completely bypasses Marsh, with view of elven tower mentioned in Unit Action Report.     Goblin Cave (Potential Outpost/FOB): Roughly Half a days Ride to the West of Ogden is a goblin cave, left empty but may of been repopulated due to escaped combatants. Suggest investigation as it is easily defendable with natural hidden entrances.     From HALe:   We set out for Ogden early in the morning and managed to make our way there. Ogden looked very damaged and looked like it had seen battle. While there we spoke to a “merchant” named Davos. He had a small cart full of good he had foraged for. While talking with him, we found out that most of the few remaining townsfolk of Ogden had been essentially tortured; they had their tongues cut out. We spoke to him for a while regarding any news he had. He told us of two towns past the circle: Holyhead (to the North) and Aethelar (to the South).   Continuing to move west past Ogden with our horses, we ran into a crossroads with a stone circle in the middle. The stone circle had one of two symbols on it: North and East had a moon symbol. South and West had a symbol of two waves having crashed but now moving away from each other. While here, we noticed a humanoid figure watching us, before it went out of sight without any trace. We continued west from this stone circle with all of our horses. .   Continuing west, we got a little lost and ended up in the Drowning Pools. The drowning pools was a marsh bog area, with a center island. Leading to the center island was a rickety wooden plank bridge. Initially arriving at the pools, we decided to secure our horses back a little away from the waters edge due to the nervous behavior that was being exhibited by our horses. We slowly and carefully crossed the bridge.   Once all of us made it to the island in the middle 6 water logged zombies attacked us. We managed to kill them all with a little trouble. Then HALe and another crossed back to where our horses were and slowly brought one horse back to the center island and past through to the other side. Upon succeeding with that horse, they went back and brought the remaining horses forward and fully across.   Upon crossing, we made it back to the path and encountered a partially sunken tower with a statue on the top of the tower. There was also a staircase the led to the top. The tower was empty and the statue was weathered. Heading back to the trail, HALe found a relic that was later identified to be a Band of the Wavemother.   Continuing further down the path, we eventually made our way to a cave. We heard numerous voices speaking in goblin coming from the cave. We stealthed our way into the main entrance of the cave. Upon searching a little on the outside of the cave, we hit a trap that alerted the goblins inside. We proceeded to storm the cave.   The battle was very fierce and long. A couple party members fell temporarily, but we were able to bring them all back. These goblins were apparently very smart and wise. They were exceedingly difficult to hit. We were able to kill 6 goblins. Five of the goblins were in the cave, and one was killed outside the cave due to a small secret exit that was obscured. Other goblin may have been able to escape. After clearing this cave out, we made our way back to Fort Vegapath. Upon returning back to the standing stone circle, we found a note for us saying “We are watching.” We made it back to the camp around 4am with no casualties.