Meanwhile... The Rest of the World Moves On

I will destroy all of you - there is no hope. That is all that the Big Bad DM ever has to say to you.
 
Back at the lightning rail camp

Journal Entry by Zelcer Fourflare, Lead Engineer of the Lightning Rail Camp

Day 4 of our rebuilding efforts
The lightning rail camp has been facing some significant delays lately, and I fear that it is all due to the lightning elemental that seems to be causing trouble. This creature has been slowly digging into the center of the mountain, causing significant damage to the tracks and the surrounding terrain. We have tried everything we can think of to stop it, but it seems to be impervious to our efforts.
A group of adventurers claimed they had a solution to our problem. They were brash and seemed eager to get the job done, but they left as quickly as they came, promising to return with the answer to our problem. It has been several days since we last saw them, and I fear they have abandoned their duties to the camp and are trying to avoid the government mandates of reconstruction.
The longer this problem persists, the more our rebuilding efforts are delayed. The elemental's constant digging is making it impossible to lay down new tracks, and it's causing the already weakened foundation of the mountain to crumble. If we don't find a solution soon, we may have to abandon this site and start over elsewhere, which would be a significant setback to our already slow progress.
I can't help but wonder what those adventurers were thinking when they left. Did they think their solution would magically appear without any work on their part? Did they even have a solution in the first place? It's frustrating to have put our trust in them and to be left waiting for so long without any word.
I must remain vigilant and continue to work with the other engineers to find a solution to this problem. We can't afford to give up now, even though the situation seems dire. I only hope that those adventurers are still out there somewhere, working on a solution and that they will return soon. Until then, we must press on and continue to do our best to rebuild the lightning rail.
 

Rest of the camp.

The Lightning Rail rebuilding camp was a bustling hub of activity, with workers and engineers busy rebuilding the tracks and repairing the trains that had been damaged in the last war. The camp was a welcome sight to many, as it offered safety and shelter to those traveling the dangerous trade routes.
Among the workers was a chatty sorcerer named Rex, who had a knack for storytelling and loved to regale his fellow workers with tales of his adventures. He was well-liked by most, but his constant talking could sometimes be a bit overwhelming.
One day, however, Rex disappeared without a trace. No one knew where he had gone or what had happened to him. The workers searched the camp and the surrounding area, but there was no sign of the missing sorcerer.
Some suspected foul play, but others believed he may have simply wandered off on his own, caught up in his own thoughts and adventures. Regardless, the camp felt quieter without his constant chatter and storytelling.
Despite the mystery surrounding Rex's disappearance, there was a sense of relief among the workers that they no longer had to endure the obnoxious sound of a bard's bagpipes. A traveling bard named De Sir E had briefly joined the camp, and while his music was initially welcomed, his obnoxious and out-of-tune playing quickly became unbearable.
The workers were grateful for the peace and quiet that followed, and they worked harder than ever to complete the repairs on the lightning rail. They knew that once the rail was fully operational, they would be able ensure the transport of goods with greater speed and safety.
As the days passed, rumors began to circulate about Rex's disappearance. Some claimed that he had joined a band of adventurers and was off on a new adventure, while others believed he had been abducted by a rival sorcerer. Regardless of the truth, the workers of the Lightning Rail rebuilding camp continued their work, always keeping an eye out for their missing comrade.
 
Dragonwood Forest
Nerine the Dryad and Nathair the Faerie Dragon were sitting on a tree branch, overlooking the path that led to their hiding spot. They had been waiting for the adventurers to find them for a while now, and were growing impatient.
Nathair let out a small sigh. "I can't believe they haven't found us yet. We've been playing pranks on them for days, and they still haven't caught on."
Nerine chuckled. "Maybe our pranks were too complicated for them to understand. I mean, growing flowers isn't exactly a difficult feat."
Nathair nodded in agreement. "I know, right? And they've been wandering around for hours now, searching for us. How hard can it be to find a dryad and a faerie dragon?"
Nerine shrugged. "I guess they're just not very good at this. But we should give them some credit. They've been through a lot on their journey so far. Maybe they're just tired."
Nathair nodded. "That's true. They've had to deal with vine blights, will-o-wisps, ancient constructs, and even a cursed tower. Maybe we should go easy on them."
Nerine smiled. "I like the way you think, Nathair. Maybe we should give them a clue to help them find us."
Nathair's eyes lit up. "Ooh, I love it! Let's leave a trail of flowers for them to follow."
Nerine nodded in agreement. "That sounds perfect. Maybe they'll appreciate our pranks more if we make it a little easier for them."
With that, the two of them set to work, leaving a trail of flowers along the path that led to their hiding spot. They giggled as they imagined the adventurers finally figuring out their prank, and couldn't wait to see the look on their faces.
 
****
Klaus the Barrel, a dwarf known for his eccentric barrel bodysuit and dual battle axes, had been traveling for the last day through the dense forest surrounding the World Tree. He had been on the trail of the Grung, a frog-like species that had destroyed his base camp and stolen a precious artifact.
As he hacked his way through the thick foliage, Klaus couldn't help but curse his luck. He had thought he had found the perfect spot to set up his camp, but it seemed that the Grung had other plans.
Klaus was determined to get his revenge and retrieve the stolen artifact. He had spent years searching for it, and he wasn't going to let the Grung get away with it. He gritted his teeth and pressed on, his axes at the ready.
Finally, he came upon a clearing where he saw the Grung gathered around a small pond. They were jabbering excitedly, tossing the artifact back and forth.
Klaus took a deep breath and charged into the clearing, his axes whirling. The Grung were caught off guard, and Klaus made quick work of them. He snatched the artifact from the air just as it was being tossed to another Grung and held it triumphantly above his head.
But as he turned to leave, Klaus felt a sharp pain in his back. He looked around to see a Grung shaman standing behind him, its blow dart still in hand. Klaus's vision began to blur, and he stumbled backwards.
As he fell to the ground, Klaus couldn't help but think that he had underestimated the Grung. But he had succeeded in his mission. He had retrieved the artifact, and that was all that mattered.
With a final gasp, Klaus closed his eyes, his barrel bodysuit rolling him down the forest floor. The Grung had won the battle, but Klaus the Barrel had won the war.
 
 
At the crumbled tower:
Vlorg the Orc trudged through the debris of his secret research facility, muttering curses under his breath. He had just discovered that his hideout had been ransacked by the very adventurers he had discovered near his tower a few hours ago.
As he looked around at the scattered papers and broken equipment, Vlorg couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. He should have done something about those meddling adventurers before they had a chance to do any damage to his research.
He had been so caught up in his work that he had underestimated their tenacity and curiosity. He had thought they would move on to other pursuits as they seemed to be unaware of the secrets of the tower, but they must have persisted, poking around until they had found his facility.
Now, Vlorg's years of research were in shambles, and he knew that it would take him months, if not years, to rebuild his equipment and start anew. He had lost valuable research data, and his most prized possession had been taken.
Vlorg sat down on a pile of rubble, feeling defeated. He had always prided himself on being the smartest orc in the land, but now he was faced with the reality that he had been outsmarted by a group of adventurers.
He knew he had to regroup and come up with a new plan. Perhaps it was time to find some allies or recruit a few minions to help protect his research. He couldn't let this setback hold him back for too long.
As he sat there, contemplating his next move, Vlorg realized that he had learned a valuable lesson. He couldn't afford to underestimate the adventurers again. They were a force to be reckoned with, and he needed to be prepared for anything.
With a determined look on his face, Vlorg stood up, brushed off the dust and debris, and made his way out of the ruined facility. He would find a way to rebuild and protect his research, and he wouldn't let anyone get in his way.
 
At the Fire Spire

Journal Entry from Parack the blacksmith

I had an interesting encounter with a group of individuals today. They seemed to be looking for something, and as fate would have it, I just might have what they were looking for. They asked about my crafted prosthetics that utilize dragonshards. It's not every day that people come asking about that kind of thing, but I can't say I blame them. The prosthetics I make are the best in the region, if not the whole continent.
But I couldn't help but wonder if these were the people the old man had been talking about. The one who asked me to secretly help them but make it as challenging as possible. He said they were on a mission of great importance, but he couldn't reveal more.
I decided to play it cool and not reveal anything too revealing. I told them that I could make them prosthetics, but only after I had verified their intentions. I wouldn't want my creations to fall into the wrong hands, after all. They seemed to understand, and we parted ways.
But I can't shake this feeling that something big is about to happen. The old man had a look in his eye that I've never seen before. And now these strangers asking about dragonshard prosthetics. It's all too coincidental.
I'll have to keep my eyes and ears open and see where this all leads.
 
At the Dough Flow
Dear Journal,
What a relief! A group of adventurers finally took care of the rats in my basement. Those rats were highly intelligent and had exposed brains, which was really creepy. They had been attacking my stockpile of raw goods, and it was becoming a huge problem. I tried everything to get rid of them, but nothing seemed to work. I was about to give up hope.
But then, these adventurers came in and saved the day. They were a tough bunch, and they didn't seem to be intimidated by the rats at all. They went down into the basement and took care of the problem in no time. I was so grateful that I gave them 50 gold galifars for their effort.
However, I realize that this may put a personal strain on me for the next few months. Paying that much gold for their services was a lot of money, and it may take me a while to recover financially. But I couldn't risk losing my stockpile of raw goods. They are essential for my business, and without them, I wouldn't be able to keep my bakery running.
I hope that nothing else goes wrong in the future. I can't afford to keep paying adventurers to solve my problems. But for now, I am just happy that the rats are gone, and I can focus on making delicious baked goods for the people of Woodhelm.
Yours Truly,
Aurelia Dupree, Baker at The Dough Flough
 
At the Obelisk Hotel
Dear Journal,
Today was an interesting day at the Obelisk Hotel. A previous customer, Vincent Zander, came in today with a brand new outfit and introduced himself as Miles Ashtor. He had on fancy merchant clothes, a feather hat, and a new name, but he wasn't fooling anyone. I recognized him immediately.
Vincent must have caused trouble during the past 24 hours, so I was hesitant to give him another room. But he was insistent and offered to pay double the price for the room. I couldn't pass up that kind of money, so I gave in and gave him a room.
I am not sure why he is trying to hide his identity or why he needed another room, but it's not my place to ask questions. As long as he pays the price, I'll let him stay. It's not like I have a shortage of rooms to fill.
I can't help but feel a little amused by Vincent's attempt at deception. He may have a new outfit and a new name, but he can't change who he really is. I just hope he doesn't cause any trouble this time around. I'll be keeping an eye on him.
Yours Truly,
Julliana Trakas, Proprietor of the Obelisk Hotel
 
At the Adventurer's Guild
To: Captain Christopher O'Finnegan
From: Evie Lavery, Head of Adventurers Guild
Captain,
I am writing to inform you of a bounty that has been posted at the Adventurers Guild by a female halfling named Verna Appleblossom. She has offered a reward of 100 gold galifers for the capture of an individual named Vincent Zander, claiming that the bounty comes from you.
I am writing to inquire if this bounty is valid and if you have any information regarding the individual in question. The Adventurers Guild takes bounties very seriously, and we want to ensure that our members are not chasing after false leads or acting on misinformation.
Please let us know if this bounty is valid and if there is any additional information that you can provide about Vincent Zander. We will communicate any updates to our members and will work to ensure that the bounty is fulfilled if it is indeed legitimate.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Evie Lavery
Head of Adventurers Guild
 
***
To Captain Christopher O'Finnegan,
I am writing to report my findings on the Noble Dragonborn Paladin and the female Halfling servant. As per your instructions, I followed them discreetly to determine any possible ties with our suspect.
During my surveillance, I observed that the two individuals were traveling together and seemed to be on a quest. They entered several establishments, but did not seem to interact with anyone suspicious. The Paladin, in particular, seemed to be performing some kind of holy pilgrimage.
However, things took an unexpected turn when the Halfling servant split off from the Paladin and went to the Adventurer's Guild. She placed a bounty on the Guild's bulletin board for an individual named Vincent Zander, claiming that the bounty came from you, Captain.
I have yet to determine the validity of this bounty, but I will continue to keep an eye on these two individuals and report any further developments.
Respectfully,
[Name Redacted]