Society of Benefactor Activity in Auralion

Ser Kanas, Ser Reno,

Please let me know what assistance I can provide. These fucks want to go toe to toe with us again? Fine. Count me in.

-Reyna

To those of the “Hunter” Team,

Please contact me directly at your earliest convenience. I have received additional information that must be kept confidential. However, I was asked to relay this directly to those of you involved in the offensive, lest the message be intercepted.

To the rest, keep your eyes open for a certain Rowan Tellingsbridge. They use an alias, and have managed to alter their appearance so as to avoid detection. If you hear word of such an individual, please notify us.

I am deeply proud and thankful for your diligent work thus far. Pray that we may keep this pace.

Faithfully,

Consul Verity E. Arkwright

(Facebook messenger for DMs, please! Marlee Warwick ^^)

How do I not notice this until now? This wasn't the first time there was activity in Auralion the last incident of note being my own murder at the hands of their "asset" known as Crux

If there is anything else going on, I would appreciate if someone let me know.

I go meditating in the woods and come back to this? Gods these guys just don't quit do they? I have a score to settle with the Society. If you need any of my skills or expertise feel free to call on me.

Ser Caelvan Renaith

March Warden of Selendrias

Annora relayed the following to me. "We're continuing to track them through the rift. Sadly they didn't become a rift spider snack. But Khala did intercept a messenger bird headed for them, and we have more ciphers for the brains. We were unable to get eyes on Crux to confirm he's with this group, but are guessing he is and will keep trying.

Also got a closer look at the reinforced cart, definitely confirms earlier theory that it's for keeping people safe while traveling, rather than any sort of slaves."

The Cipher was then relayed as follows:

CSVQDGITDGDOXVUX

RDPCGYVUFHYHOYOF

MQUXZUAXFQWYGC

-Dirge

You’re kidding me. Not through my hometown, they aren’t. I’ll send an alert. — Consul Verity E. Arkwright

"LORD STONE ORDERS YOUR FORCES TO MOVE THROUGH LOEZ. CONSOLIDATE POWER, HIRE MERCENARY COMPANIES IF NEED BE."

That's what I've got from the newest message. Four square ciphers are a bitch. Sentence breaks have been put in where I think they should be.

- Maria

Please let me know if negotiations occur, or we capture someone who could prove useful. I cannot serve on the battlefield.

— Consul Verity E. Arkwright

Axiana: Any help is appreciated. Thanks for being willing to help us. Tom: Unfortunately, given the nature of the Society, they aren't going to stop until they get their goal or the entire organization, especially whoever is leading this particular operation, are taken care of. Right now the best thing we can do is deal with them here and now. Make it so that whatever scheme they're trying right now will fail.

Didn't these knee-walking vermin learn from the last time they fooled around in our back yard that they ain't no good at this? I figured they'd have taken up knitting, or painting, or another noncompetitive hobby, but vermin is as vermin does I suppose. Just got back from a nice vaykay' (Transcriber's note: I do not know for certain what Serr Bell is stating, Research indicates he is attempting to say "vacation") so I'm a bit late to the party but if they are fooling around in my backyard I'd be happy to help these fellers with that there pattern recognition thing they seem to be struggling with. Your Neighbor, Dictated but not read, Serr Thomas Bell

I hope I'm not too late to the party. My skills were needed elsewhere so I was...indisposed. See you all are going up against the Society huh? Well if there's anything that I can do, I will be more than happy to lend a hand.

I still gotta bone to pick with em for last time

-Axiana Lockmoore

If we gate across the rift we can still cut them off at the other side. Possibly send people ahead to set up a road block of some sort and have people stationed on the Travance side in case they turn around.

- Amhrán

I'm assuming Crux is with the rest of the group? But I also don't know what he looks like so I couldn't identify him. And I'm assuming he isn't wearing a sign that says "Crux, Society of Benefactors"

Do we have confirmation on Crux's whereabouts?

-Darius

We have yet to decipher the final transmission. Pray that will not affect your safety. On standby in Kormyre.

— Consul Verity E. Arkwright

I'm currently in Kormyre, Aleander more specifically. Setting out from there now towards the Rift. Keep me updated and direct me if you get more specifics. I'll do what I can.

- Maria

So with a little luck and a lot of avian skill, I was able to get eyes on these asswaffles. It looks like they are traveling in a caravan of 4 wagons, with 7 guards on horseback and probably more on foot. 3 of the wagons are your standard canvas covered types, but the 3rd one in the chain looks like a prisoner wagon -- reinforced with wood and metal, very sturdy. It looks specifically like it's meant to protect the contents from outside harm (as well as inside i'm sure)--meaning breaking it open won't be easy. My estimate is it could carry about 6 people.

ALSO VERY IMPORTANT. AS OF THE TIME OF THIS RAVEN THEY ARE ALREADY CROSSING THE RIFT. My aerial scout saw them preparing to cross, but based on their rate of travel they started across about 4 hours ago, those infernal rat shits.

So now to continue the pursuit we need to get ourselves across, or catch them in the middle. Khala and I are trying to follow best we can, but we're still on the Travance side of the rift. I don't want to lose what lead we've managed to gain on them. If we're not waiting at the riftgate we've tried to hop on a caravan to keep following.

Annora,

Be careful with your scouts, we know that they have druids and rangers on their side.

-Darius

I would not mind one bit in spearheading the rescuing. Getting those people safe is very important to me. I have tracking and healing capabilities.

I agree, Kanas. I'm going to try to recruit some winged scouts to get eyes on them. It should be easier now that they're theoretically traveling along the main road. Once we know how many and what we're dealing with, we can decide how we want to move in. But we should definitely try to get that code decrypted first, as well.

So if I'm reading this all already, we're looking at two objectives. 1. Rescue the people that were kidnapped by the Society and "unloaded". Trackers will be invaluable here as we need to get to those people and healers would be helpful to make sure the people are safe. 2. Intercept and hinder the society group, including Crux. It is unlikely we'll be able to fully defeat Crux, but we can make their day hell. Before we go for this group, we should decipher the latest code we were able to get and get some eyes on the group. -Kanas

We should handle this with upmost vigilance, Crux present makes things a lot more dangerous but I feel like we should still attempt to wound them. Getting a captive could grant us information that will only aid us in our future endeavor. We should try not to engage Crux if possible, I feel like it is safe to assume that we will not be able to defeat him. I believe Kanas stated a lot of this but it's important not to forget. I'm more than willing to intercept.

I'm with Tari on this. I will fight this Crux fellow if need be. Let's not let our fear deter us from what needs to be done, but as Kanas said, we play it smart. Dirge or Allyce, did you recover all the individuals that had been kidnapped, did they say there were any more captives still with the Society?

If you are able to capture one, notify me and the others at once. Keeping communications short for security purposes until we decipher the next transmission.

— Consul Verity E. Arkwright

I do not want to speak to the others with me, but I am still willing to try to intercept them and catch them and attempt to capture at least one if we are unable to stop them. I know enough to avoid Crux if at all possible, I remember him well

That's why if we go and try to intercept them, we play it smart. With Crux in the field, intercepting them fully is going to be difficult. But making their escape difficult is a possibility. Hit and run tactics. If we can't beat them, we hinder them. The priority is securing the people they kidnapped and make sure they are safe. They're likely still in Travance. If you're able to Dirge, help guide us so we can find them. As for the Society agents, as Verity said, if we can get even just one, we have possible intel. -Kanas

If we are capable of catching even one person, that intel could determine future success, whether we decide to pursue them now or not. Take that into consideration.

Consul Verity E. Arkwright

Given that Crux is now on the field, the I recommend that we cease all attempts to intercept them before they arrive at the rift gate. We don't have time to get the reinforcements we need to challenge him at the moment. The guard has put a plan in place to hopefully allow us to backtrack them to their contacts, and from there to give us better warning if this should happen again.

For those who are unfamiliar, Crux is a dangerous serial killer that works for the Society. We first encounter him in June of 1215, when he was part of their "game" in Travance. He is known for murders where he would leave behind cryptic riddles and puzzles for his pursuers to solve at the scene of the crime. I recommend if you see him, get out as soon as possible. He is not someone we can fight easily.

So, I'm pretty sure I found them last night. The people had already been "unloaded". I met Crux though.

-Dirge

As an aside- it doesn’t say “dumped.” It says “unload”. Which means they could literally be unloading cargo to its destination- it might be best to have trackers follow the wolf scent to where the shipment is separately in order to secure another way to find them later.

• A

Ill take care of that part

Kanas and I plan on aiding in this were going to come in at a separate angle than you and Khala as well as Darius and Tari. Kanas knows a little bit better than I do. I can aid in the Healing end.

Khala and I are down in Valandra right now, moving at speed to cut them off before the rift. If Tari and Darius make it there first, we’ll intercept them from behind to cut off their escape.

One very VERY important thing.

The message says they’re dumping their cargo.

If this is living cargo, someone needs to check on that. I would do it but I am nowhere nearby. Can someone or a group please head to Valdalis and find/take care of their “””””cargo””””” Bring a healer if it is slaves. Please. Tend to them.

Colleagues,

We have intercepted another message. They have, in fact, altered their cipher, which may indicate that our plans have been observed, but not yet thwarted.

The message is as follows:

“Move to Aris. Secure and conceal products. Unload at Valdalis. Cross rift. Eliminate Gidru and Spiders with extreme prejudice.”

I have been in communications with the groups spearheading their apprehension. I do not know how the Society intends to traverse the rift, but perhaps those more familiar with the area may be able to provide their expertise.

Thank you to all of you who have come forward. I remain on standby should negotiations become necessary.

Faithfully,

Consul Verity E. Arkwright

(( this note is delivered to the boards by a cranky-looking raven)) One more thing, do be aware they have wolves of some sort under their control and have killed with them already. Those corpses with bite marks? Wolves. We don't know if they're actual animals or controlled summons yet. (Although my guess is on either dominated animals or summons, because wolves don't normally attack healthy adult humans without a very good reason)

If it helps, I ordered the scenes of the deaths left intact. Their bodies have, of course, been removed, but it will give anyone who could use the scenes for... something the option.

I am heading back to Kaladonia. I will be in Auralion seeing to notifications. Let me know if I can help further.

Thalia Stonebar Burdorn

Steward of Auralion

Stay safe, all of you.

Consul Verity E. Arkwright

(( on the bottom of Khala's note, same piece of paper))

Going to wait until sunrise and then we'll keep hunting. Assuming they're headed down river. We might do the dumb, be ready to send backup

They’re on boats.

(The words on the page are written hurriedly) They’re past Auralion. We found a group of slaughtered Kaladonian guardsmen and animals. I’m tracking them. Move further south. They’re following the river.

— Darius Goldmane

Yeah the likelihood of them going north is slim. Them going towards Quail Straits makes a lot more sense.

If they're heading South they are heading towards the Quail Straits. If they're heading North it's likely into Pendarvin. I don't know if they would be able to get through the mountains.

Thalia just spoke to me. She had people investigate this caravan. Her agents were found at dawn murdered, alongside multiple animals. As for the Society, they're on the Aris river by boat. We need to move soon.

Kanas and interested parties,

My team has intercepted another communication from the Society of Benefactors. Fortunately, the Society’s encoder neglected to change their methods. This would indicate that they are not yet aware of our watchful eyes. Yet.

If you plan to do any kind of reconnaissance, do so with great caution. We do not want to jeopardize this advantage.

The message reads as follows:

”Slight resistance was met. Problems has [sic] been dealt with.”

Subsequent reports from my team corroborate this. Nearby guardsmembers have gone missing, some found dead.

If anyone has additional insights, I welcome them at this time. I do believe Kanas is still seeking aid for this effort. Continue your outreach.

Faithfully,

Consul Verity E. Arkwright

The Baronial Guard stands ready to assist.

- Darius Goldmane, Lieutenant of the Baronial Guard

Kanas, you have my help. Let me know how you'd like me to aid you when the time comes.

-Sir Wrenton Revlis, First Knight of Albriar, Knight of Wands, Steward of Sagewood.

Spelling errors aside, the correspondence reads as follows:

”Move the products through Auralion. Expect sharp eyes and woodland spies. Bring animal speakers with you. Kill or convince any animals you find. Bring protection with you.”

Kanas’s interpretation is sound. If I may advise, it would be in our best interest to run a counter-reconnaissance mission in the forest, to mitigate the number of animal casualties that may result from their incursion on the woods.

With that addressed, it is unconscionable that the Society would deal in the capture and trade of slaves. As lives are at stake, I would consider this incident to be of high priority. Please inform your friends and cohorts, should they be interested in contributing to the counter-effort.

Thank you in advance for your concern and assistance.

Faithfully,

Consul Verity E. Arkwright

I can't abide anyone who would kill animals in such a fashion. And the slave thing is reprehensible as well. You have my aid, Kanas.

~Khala Stormbringer

Please do Verity

As always, you have my aid. Fortunately my team and I had little difficulty decoding the message. With your permission, I can provide our interpretation.

Faithfully,

Consul Verity E. Arkwright