Where to begin…
The events of the last gathering of the Council of Nova Regnus have filled me with feelings of mistrust of those around me, those I should call friend and ally.
As if the corruption being spread unchecked by Shagarash the Orc Sorcerer and minion to the Demon Orzalon weren't enough, a new threat has emerged that has the power to control our minds and behaviors.
The Illithid.
Tentacle faced interdimensional beings that can control even the strong willed, walk among us unseen in the guise of friends, and devour our very brains. What their true purpose here is I cannot say.
Laya and Meryn had words with the Vile One, Shagarash that day. He told them of the monster that had taken up residence in the Arcane Ruin that Grisson scouted. He made a deal with the adventurers, offering half of a scroll that would supposedly protect our minds in the ruin...if we could locate the other half that he lost in his own assault.
He bargained for his freedom, and when denied that, thrust a waiting blade into his own throat, dissolving into a puddle of noxious black slime.
They had meant to take him into custody for questioning about the disappearance of the Rose Orb, but lost their chance to his trickery. He did not have the orb on his person in any case, but I doubt this will be the last time he troubles us.
His words were a mix of truth and lies. The scroll was real, but the threat lying in wait in the ruins was much more terrible that we had imagined...