A letter, written on a small scroll of parchment and sent by raven south on the 21st of March, Year 1 of the Crossing:

To the Council of Osterra,

Hail and well met fellow travelers. It has been a few weeks since last we sat round the fire and talked of both our pasts and our futures. While I have learned much in the days since then, I find myself yearning to be back in the company of such fine folk. As some of you may know after the Winter Council I made my way north in the hopes of meeting more of the people of this land we have named Osterra, and learning of their ways and customs to better help our situation on this world. These are my findings thus far:

Those I have encounter are mostly human from what I can see, though rumors abound of other races throughout the land, and I myself had a brief encounter with a band of Orcs not two days after leaving the King’s manor. From what I understand Orcs do not seem to be native to this area, and many of the Osterrianz fear their presence is sign of a coming darkness to which I would have to say I agree. However as with all things, there are rumors of the light that fights such darkness, and of ancient magics that protect the fields and forests in which these people live.

And while dangers abound in this strange and wonderful land, live they do. The winter has been harsh, but I have found great warmth by the hearths of many a farmer or merchant, and even a clan chieftain or two. All have welcomed me with nare a second glance and have taught me much through tales of adventure and daring. While some of these tales are obviously embellished beyond reason, I have gleaned that there does seem to be an active portal somewhere in the vicinity in which I have been staying most recently. As we have yet any cartographers among our ranks I cannot say exactly where I am, but I intend to take down as much information as possible in order to return with other travelers and discover the portals location.

In addition I have gained a great deal of knowledge on the plants and herbs of the region, and while my memory of my past life still eludes me, I have some inclination that I once studied the art of herbalism and potion making. Perhaps with further practice I might regain these skills and use them for our cause. I was fortunate enough to gain a sizable amount of parchment and ink from an enclave of what seemed to be religious scholars, and have taken to making notes on the various properties of any interesting flora I have come across. As such I will be sending several recipes with this letter for what I believe will be a useful healing potion, as well as one that gives the drinker respite from bad dreams.

This brings me to the final and most concerning bit of information I have discovered so far. Many of the villages I have visited have been afflicted by a plague of bad dreams and night terrors. It sounds strange I know, however I myself have seen an individual suffering from these fiendish hallucinations and it is a frightful sight to behold. The locals seem to think these dream originate from a dark spirit that haunts the land and while this may or may not be true, I would nonetheless stay on your guard.

I hope that, while my tidings be grim, they are of some use to the council and I am heartened at the thought of returning when the weather begins to warm and the trees begin to bloom. Until then farewell and the road you walk be a pleasant one!

Your humble wanderer,

Kailos