The First Land Herald/437-10-30

Article Number: Unknown article number

Dateline: 437-10-30

BASALT ISLE EVACUATION LARGELY SUCCEEDS The mission to evacuate villagers from Jeihrem's Barrow on Basalt Isle ended with mixed, mostly positive results. Several villagers were rescued, with minimal casualties among our fighters, but some villagers were killed on the isle, and the dreaded Sivroch the Mysteriarch took a few swipes at us. The now quite large force calling itself the Coalition Against the Lich first gathered upon Ratha, then split into three main groups, led by Mazrian, Sir Kenamer, and Sir Madigan. A gate to Basalt Isle was opened from Ratha, and two banners were set up there, surrounding the gate into Jeihrem's Barrow. We prepared a safe space on Ratha to use as triage, which I will refrain from naming. All three groups went to the Isle at first, and we were met by several Necromancers just inside the gate, who did their usual taunting. Again they were led by the Demonic Nefis, and the familiar married witches Zehira and Agalea were there, along with the Reaver Kretona and the skull-faced Nuzack. I spotted one more whom I had hoped had returned to the Immortals. I pray that I was mistaken that he stood with these forsaken ones. He must know that should I see him with them again, his name will be written along with the others. My mind filled with laughter suddenly, and I heard a loud feminine voice saying, "Really, such simple magics, and here? Of all places, here?" Our banner was then shredded, and we faced the Necromancers in battle, handily defeating them. We called out to the villagers, inviting them to flee that wretched place. After some time, several arrived, looking panicked. Sir Madigan's group stepped back through a gate to Ratha to help escort them, while Sir Kenamer's group roamed the village trying to draw out enemies, and Mazrian's held the gate on the Basalt Isle side. I saw two villagers make it through the moongate to Ratha myself, saw two head in that direction, with one confirmed through by Angel, and saw one, unfortunately, get torn apart by banyakeas. Saragos was also approached by a calm villager, who ran up to him and exploded, killing him instantly. Thanks be to Chadatru for His favor upon him, for he returned to us. Those villagers that I saw to safety ran off before we could offer to aid them further, perhaps too shaken by their experience, though one did call out in thanks. I have included sketches of them, and if any should see them, know that I am interested in connecting with them so that we can ensure they receive Empathic healing and a proper set up in their new home. [Included are four sketches of men and women wearing the typically drab apparel of common folk used to hard living. Their faces are somewhat difficult to identify given that they are all rendered in various states of screaming and panic.] Sivroch was spotted several times in the air and a few times on the ground. I was not present for the ground sightings, but Sir Tankata told me that he was torn in two by her at one point, thank the gods for his resurrection, and Father Rakkor was cut severely in the neck but otherwise not much injured. After some time on the isle, a villager warned that the banyakea were coming, and we heard again the feminine voice: "Now's your chance. A few souls have fled. Do you want to see what happens to those who remain?" Most of us left then, though a few may have remained, perhaps with more bravery than sense. Ultimately, several lives were saved today, of those who otherwise were almost certainly doomed to death or, worse, some form of subservience to the Lich, may his teeth rot and disintegrate until he must gum his foul lip service to his demon masters. We have done what we can to protect those who would otherwise be trampled between us. Let it be known that when next we visit the dread Isle, we will be coming in force. One final piece of good news before I part, dear reader. The Lady of Elamiri, Ayrell, reached out to me to report that Ilithi is now officially offering support to our coalition, in addition to Zoluren and Therengia. She wrote that the words of the Sentinel Captain Cierzen were, "Certainly you have the Tower's support in the matter. It's not a complicated or nuanced decision when it comes to one so twisted and perverse, by all accounts." Naturally, the bulk of the planning and execution will still fall to House Moglin, but nonetheless I am heartened by the growing acknowledgment that this Lich must not be suffered to exist. Citizens of Ilithi, stand with your leaders and join us! In solidarity, Navesi Daerthon True Bard, Zoluren's Herald Editor in Chief of the First Land Herald

Real Date: 4/23/21

Subject(s): Raid on Basalt Isle

Author(s): Navesi