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45th day of Nuxis in the year RH: 6739
Today is the last day of Nuxis and at last we have arrived in Ecclesia. More specifically in the port city of Free. It being such a major trade city, I found no difficulty in refreshing my ink stocks. Free is a marvelously diverse city, full of both the very wealthy and the poor, criminal ridden elements. It is a unique city in that it actually fought a war of independence from the monarchy of Ecclesia which ended in the creation of the Freedom Treaty. This treaty allowed Free to govern it's own affairs while still adhering to some of the laws of Ecclesia and still being considered an Ecclesian city. Free had started out with a Democratically elected council. However, since its founding, the oligarchical forces of the trade barons of the city eventually took over the council and rule in favor of only their own trade interests.
Our expedition team took this opportunity to buy all the essentials we would need for the last leg of our trip. We purchased a fleet of three covered wagons and six work horses. Enough camping gear and science gear to fill one of the wagons, and enough food to make the second wagon uncomfortable for it's occupants. The last wagon carried most of our team and a few other odds and ends supplies.
I received very grave news from a messenger upon visiting the mail office in the city. Of the five colleagues whom I had written to for their expertise and correspondence, I have heard back from four. Though only one was whom I had written and the rest were disciples. I have been informed that three of my colleagues have suffered very grim deaths. Vollum Sagris of Barios was found dead in his home, a dire scorpion having made a meal of him. Investigators are puzzled as to how the thing got in, but given the struggle to get it out and kill it evidence could likely have been destroyed. I have a dreadful suspicion as to the cause after reading the other missives. Sagitis Xu of the ancient islands of Yiang was nearly torn in half by a Yuan-Ti abomination. The attack was so bold that it had taken place during daylight in public view while he was on his route to a play. The creature was dispatched swiftly, but not swift enough to save old Sagitis' life.
Gran Crowel of Ecclesia's death was perhaps the largest clue to the cause of these mysterious massacres. His disciple had witnessed the whole thing and had managed to get help in dispatching the assailants. The young lad Bo Sherig had witnessed a hooded man in a grey cloak approach Professor Crowel in his office after hours. They seemed to be talking civil enough, but suddenly the grey cloaked figure performed some somatic movements and summoned a displacer beast. The creature held the professor down while the mystery man ran his dagger through him. The young Bo had witnessed this from the hall outside the professor's office and ran off to get help after a moment of disbelief. By the time help arrived they found the cloaked figure dead and being devoured by the displacer beast. Bo informs me that the authorities have named the mystery man as a member of a cult known as the Void Cultists. Apparently their attacks have been very bold and well known in Ecclesia and sometimes end in their own conjured beasts turning on them. I fear that the other deaths are related to this cult, particularly as a member of it had made an attempt on my life while we were at sea. My suspicions were solidified when I read the last message in the group.
Frix Haliba Mericot Shalazar Hashmalum the Fifth of the Gnomish kingdom's wrote me:
Cease your study. Whatever lay on the grounds of Glyph Lake is not for us to know at this time. It appears some dreadful cult whom can tap into the raw powers of the Void have taken an interest in it first. They came for my life but were not clever enough to get through my illusion traps. Five have come since you wrote and I fear soon they may try to conjure something beyond their means but will have no qualms getting through my defenses. I may already be deceased by the time you read this. It is uncertain. You have doomed us by seeking this direction of study. But I do not fault you, none could have known the dark cult you would awaken with your inquiries. Turn back now and at least you may live. But I suspect you will not adhere to these words so I beg of you to at least hire good guards and avenge our deaths. I hope you find something worth our lives.
Elizaba, my hired guard read these letters with a very grim face and formally requested I allow her to hire more guards. I consented. We leave tomorrow with 5 more guards in our group. My grant is quite depleted at this decision, but I believe it to be for the best.
