What We Know

[Dr. Moran]

Ralinwood.

Congratulations. You have survived our time in the catacombs. Many did not. Many of us have lost somebody  over the past three days. Friends. Family. People we have lived and fought alongside. Between the sacrifices made by the Firbolg and the losses we suffered through, it would be nice to hear that at the very least we salvaged a victory.

We did not.

We have lost this battle, but the war rages on. Mother is still in the catacombs. She is an undead abomination, the likes of which I have never seen and was unable to identify in the slightest. She is unique, created by a faction of Grey Elves who wish to see the end of the mortal races. Her prison, however, was faulty. The Admiral of the Mist Marauder fleet, the bastardly mosquito in the red coat, brought his crew in and released her. He was last seen at her side behind the necrotic barrier that now seals the catacombs. Personal note: however tempting, do not lick this barrier. It killed me instantly.

Mother radiates infliction. This makes her a beacon of healing to undead and a massive threat to the living. If she touches you she can release enough infliction into you to kill most immediately. Her sarcophagus (we use this term over coffin because she can reform an unlimited amount of times it seems) is the entire inner area of the catacombs. We currently have no way to destroy something on this scale. She is also capable of enslaving undead and making others into undead. The Orb of Summoning, Bish, was originally thought to be in the catacombs as well. This is not the case. It summoned Kar, the Firbolg elder who has been aiding town for months and who laid down his life for us, in the hopes of preparing the Firbolg for the threat of Mother. We do not know where it is or if it will ever interfere again.

I wish I could say we have a plan but at this point in time we are grasping at straws. I will be traveling back to Jericho with Lonely in the hopes that we can learn more. Do try to keep an eye on that barrier lest something come crawling out while I'm away.

Grow stronger from this defeat, Ralinwood. We have lost much but we will overcome this. Your pain will not be meaningless. 

Penned for Ursel

Ps. If you have additional questions or any great ideas, seek me out before I leave or when I return. Or just reply below so I can check them later. Also if those who lost somebody intend to hold a funeral for the departed, please let me know so that I may make an effort to attend. These people died trying to give us a fighting chance.

[Jabba]

Ursel,

Was the Maurader Admiral the one in the red coat? Because the one in the red coat was killed just outside the tavern after we escaped the catacombs, and is believed to have suffered final death because a number of magic items were left behind including his magical severed head.

[Ostrozne]

Jabba,

That was not, in fact, his head. It belonged to a citizen I have yet to identify.

-Oz

[Jabba]

My mistake, do we know if he died for good then?

- Jabba

[Alexis]

Welp, looks like I missed all the fun. Say hi to malek for me.

-pinned for Alexis

[Zia Sashana]

Thanks for the summary, Ursel.

Do we know anything about the barrier beyond that it's a bad idea to touch it, especially with your tongue? What's its source? Can someone find out?

[Dusara Mauka]

Of note, Mother's effect on Undead is something I have never seen or heard of in my entire existence. Having grown up in a nation of undead where the living are non-existent I had thought I have seen everything, I was mistaken. I had adopted my undead curse to escape a Greater Wight who was ripping me apart and instead fell victim to an even larger threat. Mother can enslave and dominate my own mind when I was in the catacombs, and I exist as a more powerful undead where necromantic control is useless. Her's is far far more potent. I can only speculate that her control over myself would also translate into direct control of any other greater undead in her vicinity. Even while living I heard a voice as a buzz in my ears, and was surprised others did not. Be careful everyone, this creature is uncharted.

~Dusara Mauka
-Royal Physician

[Dr. Moran]

Jabba: I am pretty sure the Admiral is in the catacombs with Mother again. I'm not completely certain, though. I highly doubt he is dead because I have never heard of his coffin being found and I have not seen the man ten times, let alone heard he has died enough for him to be gone for good.

Zia: I think the barrier was formed by Mother herself, or perhaps the vampire. Either way it seems to be entirely necromantic in nature. I say this knowing nothing about magic but hey, it's purple and made of infliction so I'm making an educated guess. I would not suggest any undead touch it to heal themselves because that will put them close enough to Mother that they risk getting enslaved. If some magey folk want to poke it with a stick be my guest, I'll even come along to put you down when you rise as a zombie. I am guessing this barrier is to ensure that nobody bothers her while she gathers strength and that anybody stupid enough to dive headfirst through becomes an undead and joins her little horde.

Jericho dealt with their own resident Grey Elven horror but it took the actions of the Grey Elven Council, a Firstborn appearing to aid us and a great deal of ritual bullshit to pull it off. At this point I would suggest writing wills and hoping that Mother is content to nap in the catacombs while we try to form a plan.

Penned for Ursel.

[Alfric Smith]

Ursel:

I've returned to town after some study elsewhere. If you or anyone else loses their tongues licking dangerous things in the future, make sure to keep me in mind. I need the lost tongue, though, so make sure to keep it nice and cold. Ice, if you can find it. Not elemental though, it'll fry the flesh.