Civilization uncovered to the north!

The Deadpoint Drift | Vol 6 Issue 4

From the Desk of Jill Cannirunnipelt

Following on the heels of the most recent adventure to Dorbard North, a crew pressed deeper into the island, moving past the hills and into the previously mapped swamps. Along the way were the resident (and hostile) bears, a watchful but seemingly non-aggressive manticore, and the usual swamp critters. Blue Bell, Nulla Luck, Ol' Bakka Rybak and someone named "Fox" or "Faux" took The Thyme of Your Life braved these obstacles and tamed others (turns out tadpoles can be soothed!). Through the pouring rain and poundinf thunder they trekked, finding overnight refuge in a forested area. The next morning they struck eastward to explore strange encampments spotted from the hilltops.

Before long, they came across a huge ditch bordered by sharp wooden barriers. When attempting to cross, several creatures—Gnolls as it were—accosted the group and demanded they cease the effort. Diplomacy was achieved, and the pack's leader invited them in after learning that the crew was religiously adept: apparently the Gnoll population has been having some issues with their gods. The details on this subject are vague, possibly so as to protect Deadpoint (or the Gnolls) from heavenly retribution.

War on earth, heaven

Nevertheless, the crew dined and rested within one of the crude encampments. Evidently the alcohol drink of choice, Swamp Grog, is not as terrible as the name implies. More pressing, perhaps, is the report that these Gnolls are actively engaged in conflict with a forest population to the west. The fight is over access to the lake in the corner of the island. In this area is a shrine of some importance to the Gnolls, according to their leaders. The tensions between the forest and swamp peoples of Dorbard North has long existed, but this open warfare is a development of the past decade or so.

The next day, there was a religious trial of sorts, in which our companions succeeded handily, winning favour among the Gnolls and hopefully their gods. Physically, not much beside this news was brought back, besides bear pelts and meat. However, the weight of the notion that there are multiple civilizations, warring ones at that, a few islands to the north is heavy indeed.