Report regarding Phallon - 0.4.12 agf

The Girl that Was

Gosh I'm so out of practice. Haven't had to write one of these in a long time. Not sure how I got roped into being a guild representative. Um… This is Medea Brito, going on record regarding our recent run-in with a group called “the Rotwood Conclave” and one self labelled as “Father”.

I suppose I should start my account the night before I led a quest to Tempus Fugit. I was on watch at the guild perimeter. I've been more than a little on edge lately so have self elected myself a lookout most nights. I caught wind of a lanky individual, a little too close for comfort, trying to sneak into the guild hall. I fired a warning shot which sent them on their way, though their unbothered demeanour through the whole encounter left me more than a little worried. I believe this to be the same individual we encountered later. We will get to that soon.

I knew Phallon had some dealings with a cult and a girl by the name of Anna. I received reports of a young girl of the same apparent age and with the same first name enrolling in a school in Tempus Fugit. Informing the standing garrison of my encounter the night prior, I quickly gathered a group of adventurers to come with me. We needed answers.

We were tipped off to her presence in the city immediately upon arrival, the vast swarms of vultures keeping careful watch over all travellers certainly was a sign something was up.

We found Anna in Fugit Incantationis, a prodigious school of enchantment. After an avatar of Xechname failed to convince us to leave, Anna herself came down to meet us. She…lacked her innocent, childlike visage that had been previously used to describe her. Gone was her homemade sheet-cape and paper crown and in its place was a set of gleaming plate armour, a sword on her side and an actual deep purple cape, hanging off one shoulder. She never doffed her helmet. She proudly proclaimed her position as champion of this god, and firmly dismissed any reference to her being a child. She asked to not be called Anna anymore, she wishes to be referred to only as Xechname’s champion. I refuse to do this. I worry for her. It's not right for someone so young and hurt by the world to paint themselves as a villain.

This conversation was not able to continue very long however, as the hundreds of vultures outside started swooping something or someone. Anna in tow, we rushed outside the see all the vultures in a writhing mass on the ground, swarming this something. In a flash of green light, the swarming stopped and a lonely figure stood up from inside the pile, now dead vultures falling to the wayside. This was the person I saw at the guild. A 6’6” lithe humanoid in a dark mottled green cloak and a carved wooden comedy mask. Something he said angered Anna, and she fled in what I understand to be her signature spiral of purple flames. He introduced himself as the “Father” and spoke of gems that the guild possessed. He had one himself, that he acquired from a “cheery salesperson”. Phallon what *have* you gotten yourself into. He continued on with something about a new arrival at his camp tipping him off about the guild having them? As the conversation continued it because clear that he was a member of the group known as the Rotwood Conclave, a group responsible for the spreading of Blight. That information made the decision to not give up the gems extremely easy. Not getting his way, the Father quickly turned to threats and asked us to follow him outside the city walls. He was strangely compassionate for uninvolved parties, not wanting them to get hurt. Maybe this apparent nobility can be used to our advantage in the future.

Doffing his mask and cloak for the impending fight revealed more of the Father's form. A tall tabby-patterned tabaxi, the stripes on his arms, face and back lined with mycelial ridges, the spores of which he used to spread poison and Blight. He remained cocky throughout the entire encounter, even when brought to the brink of death. Either he is stuffed with hubris or is more powerful than we realise. Either way, I fear him and his order. As more and more reports of this Rotwood Conclave flood in, I worry greatly about this enemy at our doorstep.

Being brought within his last breath, he produced a staff, crushed his gem and disappeared in a wreath of fire identical to Anna's. Further research upon returning to guild has led me to believe that this was a staff held by Anna up until 2 weeks ago. Why does the Conclave have it now? I will have to consult with those more familiar with Anna.

I believe we will be seeing more of the Conclave from here on out. Hopefully these answers make themselves clear. I smell a war coming. I guess it's time to get serious.