View source for Case File A.R. 183 - Ssaerth V.2: Observing Spider

=== DEALING WITH THE BLACK WYVERN. CONSIDERATIONS, POSSIBLE PLAN. ===
General consensus appears to be that in order to sabotage the Ship, we will need to attack it from within.

The ship runs on coal. A generally liked plan is to spike a shipment of coal with explosives, to see the engines disabled.

Considering we lack remote explosives, and any chemical subsceptible to heat might react upon entrance in the engine room, rather than the engine itself,

it was recommended we seal gunpowder and similar explosives into lead shells. These shells should then be planted into coal chunks, slid into one of the shipments.

The lead shell is likely to protect the gunpowder from the engine room's heat. But the temperature within the engine itself, will be high enough to melt the lead proper, and cause a reaction with the shell's contents.

I have at the ready fifty of the aforementioned shells, ready to be used, and the coal to put them in. We could however use many more.

It was debated tasking druids and other animal handlers to fly over and around the Wyvern ship in different sorties to drop and use the acid on the chains binding the slaves.

I do not believe this to be wise. It is a relatively small, moving target. Chances are they will miss.

Furthermore, the Andunorians may send wyrms out to deal with the animal packs.

I believe these druids and shifters are better suited to, provided we acquire any, use mist potions on the ship, either by consuming said potions nearby, or dropping them on the vessel, whichever works.

This way, not only is the target much, much larger, and easier to hit. They also need to pass over just once, minimizing their exposure.

With the cover of mist, and the usage of the tracker issued to us, a smaller, allied vessel may be able to approach the Andunorian ship.

Those on board will carry ladders, acid, and may also be the transmuters spoken of occasionally.

Their task will be to cut the slaves loose.

They may also place explosives along the hull if seen fit and able.

Once that is done, they may lens to safety or sail back.

At that point, Gods willing, the vessel will be immobile and exposed.

The mist may make it difficult to bombard its hull.

Further speculation on the matter is required.

       Day 27, Month 3 (Ches), 183 AR
<br>       Gabriel Blackwood        

=== Observing Spider Bombardment of Cordor - 15/8/183 ===
Date: 15th of Elasias, 183 AR (15/8/183)

Involved: Cordor, Ssaerth's Forces

<nowiki>==Contex==</nowiki>

The "Observing Spider", a ship controlled by Ssaerth the drow, opened fire with its light cannon upon the city. It targeted the main square of Cordor first, then towards highly populated or areas of importance such as the Barracks, Palace, and Nomad.

Notably, the aim of the cannon seemed to follow the movements of civilians and whatever location the majority of Cordor was currently in.

Cordorians were ushered into the Mercantile Building at first, however when shots continued to threaten the wooden structure the crowds were directed into the barracks, and into the Records Room. From there they were brought below to the Abandoned Archives. Non-combatants were urged to use teleportation to leave Cordor entirely, and to head to Guldorand or Brogendenstein.

It was here the crowds lingered for a moment before using the subterranean dark area to move through the city towards the Cordor Library. An ambush was prepared in the Abandoned Archives however, as assassins poured in and attacked the moving crowds. The assassins however were swiftly dealt with.

The crowd moved upwards into the Cordor Library and then into the Red Temple, securing the location for a time while the Cordorian Guard, lead by Gabriel Blackwood, saw to the evacuation and recovery of additional Cordorian civilians.

The Palace was fired upon, however a notable arcane shield surrounding the palace negated any damage.

The crowd then moved to the Nomad and the Playhouse below, to get people further underground. This idea backfired as the Nomad was then struck, catching it on fire and filling the Playhouse with smoke. Finding no safe place in Cordor, the crowds were ordered to Brogendenstein to regroup.

Upon regrouping, calls came that the "Observing Spider" had ceased its bombardment of the city and to return. Emergency actions were performed to see fires put out in the Nomad, as well as across the city. Rubble was moved swiftly.

As a final act, the "Observing Spider" fired a selective light cannon beam, hitting Sergeant Reginali, vaporizing the man fully, save for his facial hairs. Resurrection was impossible.

       Day 19, Month 8 (Elasias (Highsun)), 183 AR
<br>       Aberran Oakley        

=== Scry on Ssaerth ===
- At the time the guard was being attacked by spies of Ssaerth, we got a pie made of human meat with pieces of guard uniform in it

- We then got a distressed message from a marine asking for help, so we went to the customs house

- When there there was nothing out of the ordinary, against my better judgement I decided to try and scry Ssaerth so we can have something to use against him

- I was then assaulted by his scry protections, almost killed if it weren't for the help of those around me

- Eventually my scry worked and a voice projected through me saying

"New artillery is working perfectly, but the fuel cells are rather costly. We tested it on the First Sister. Even sailing out of our spyglass view is useless once we've locked on to the vessel."

- Afterwards, while still engrossed in my scry Ssaerth's protection kicked in again and I was turned to stone

- Someone eventually freed me from my stone prison before they went off to the swamp to help find marines and I woke up later confused with Laelia only, following after them.

       Day 16, Month 4 (Tarsakh), 183 AR
<br>       Cal Quinn        

=== 13/5/183 Meeting with Rikus and Brotherhood of Dawn ===
I was supplied a City Watch uniform and attended the meeting alongside Rikus and Brinja as Watchman Margot.

The knight of the Brotherhood said that they did not yet have a date or location for the auction. Maxine Majesta will be helping to organize it.

They are considering Sibayad or Guldorand. Rikus asked for a list of the auction lots to help find the best place. The knight advised that the auction will be a description-based auction only, and the items will not be revealed until after the bidding is completed. The Brotherhood is concerned for their safety, stating that the items up for auction are trophies from war and as such, there could be an attempt to reclaim them from the parties they were taken from.

The items will remain safe in the cargo of their ship until the auction is over.

The knight spoke of a few surviving members from the raid in Ched Nasad, but they are back in Cormyr and are too old for the lengthy travel it took to arrive in Arelith.

The knight said that there have been sizable offers for many of the lot items already. None will be sold privately, but the bidding ahead of time will set the starting price.

Rikus provided myself and Claude (Watchman Fredrick) with a writ to obtain a cargo manifest from the Dock Master. There was none provided to him upon the Brotherhood's arrival and he mentioned their ship was no longer in port but anchored out in the bay, away from land.

Rikus said he will reach out to me to discuss next steps after he is able to get some sleep.

Another report will be written after meeting with Rikus.

       Day 13, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       Rosette de Le n        

=== Auction List Brotherhood of Dawn ===
Horn of a Balor, won in the Abyss in 165 AR

Black gem with the symbol of a white spider within its heart from the Ched Nasad raid

Intricate Spider Pendant, from the Ched Nasad Raid

Moon stone from the Ched Nasad raid. Cloudy, swirling

Another moonstone from Ched Nasad, it could communicate with the holder, in a limited capacity

Ring from a priestess in Ched Nasad, allows the user to become more spider-like

Cutlass of a pirate lord from the sea of swords (enchanted piece)

A piece of onyx from Ched Nasad. Odd piece. Sometimes you can see a face in it.

Shield recovered from incursion into the abyss

It is a tower shield that once belong to a paladin but has since been perversed. They have removed the darkest and most dangerous of the perversion, and it now remains a curiosity

       Day 13, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       ''Watchman Margot''        

=== Report: Recon on Amnian Warship ===
<nowiki>==============</nowiki>

Kethra Nagel

Rosette de Leon

Wilhelm Rimanah

Cinders Char

Cal Quinn

<nowiki>==============</nowiki>

Day 10, Month 5, 183AR

<nowiki>==============</nowiki>

At around 4am, I was within Cordor Square, and saw a bright light in the distance, which I have come to recognise as the weapon known colloquially as the 'Star.' Acting on some intelligence from Dockmaster Ellison, the above named boarded the Weary Troubadour, and set in search of survivors, as we were told there was an unsubstantiated report of some starnded Amnian's in need of rescue.

We went to scout, and to offer our aid to any that we might find. The intelligence suggested it was at the Western edgewaters, so we went to Azoun first. Finding nothing we headed Northwards, to Quadrant South one, West four - The Infernal Edge, as it's named upon nautical maps.

As we drew near, we saw two ships. One, a larger Amnian ship, which I could not identify the name of due to the ash and smoke. It was on fire, and clearly had been hit by the weapon known as the Star colloquially.

The second ship was a smaller merchant, waterdhavian by the looks. We managed to get aboard that one - the Coinpurser - which had a cargo hold of textiles. She was dead in the water, and the crew was mostly strung up; the bodies had been mutilated - likely drow.

I collected the Ship's Log, which suggested that the Coinpurser had seen the Amnian ship hit, and had managed to get a wisp to the Dockmaster, which is where the report came from in the first place. On neither ship were any survivors left, and only the undead attacked, through veil of heavy fog, ash, and smoke.

We returned to Cordor, wherupon the Admiral Freya Montgomery gave her report to the Amnish Embassy - who is now going to look into the situation, and potentially avenge their fallen countrymen.

       Day 13, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       Kethra Nagel        

=== 7/5/183 Soul Gem Auction and Interview with Rikus ===
Informants passed along that the Brotherhood of Dawn are the ones hosting the upcoming auction and are also the ones in possession of Miz'rena Ssaerth's soul gem. The auction will be held in Guldorand, as they want nothing to do with Cordor after learning of the ceasefire.

Gabriel Blackwood and Rosette de Le n went to Guldorand to speak with Rikus Vahl.

We caught Rikus up on the ceasefire, the terms of it, what we learned about Miz'rena so far, and what we know of the Order by their own admission. When he learned that the Brotherhood both has and intends to auction a necromantic gem that holds a soul, he offered to help however he can to take it from them.

We advised him of the extreme discretion needed, as Ssaerth will break the ceasefire when he learns that Cordor has information. We also made the point that if Ssaerth learns the order camped at Guldorand's walls are responsible for Miz'rena's death, he will likely turn his ire to Guldorand as well and will not spare the city in his attempt to destroy the Brotherhood of Dawn.  

Rikus will be reaching out for a meeting with the Brotherhood and will advise when it concludes.

There are three courses of action for the gem;

Compel them to give it to us, buy it, or steal it.

If all else fails, Rikus has offered to help us with the third option.

More information to come after we meet with Rikus again.

       Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       Rosette de Le n        

=== 7/5/186 Additional Information: Miz'rena Ssaerth ===
From records in Ched Nasad, Miz'rena Ssaerth was sent on a raid to the surface in 150AR.

There, the unit she was assigned to suffered significant losses. She was found ten trines later by scouting forces and was taken back to Ched Nasad. Miz'rena retired from the temple shortly after returning to the city and they began to keep watch on her, which then ended at her death.

A silver longsword was found amongst the ruins of the raided area in the aftermath. Along with Miz'rena's lengthy stay on the surface as well as her prompt resignation from the temple after she was returned, this began the case against her that she was secretly a Dancer.

The Brotherhood of Dawn who raided Ched Nassad in 153 AR were mostly killed in action, the rest dishonorably discharged from their Tyrran order. However some are said to remain alive.

Claude and I will follow up with the Brotherhood, likely in guises, to try and see who may be left from that raid that we can interview.

       Day 7, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       Rosette de Le n        

=== Ssaerth - Cordor - Assassins ===
Cordor sunk the Black Wyvern (details to be found in the Black Wyvern dossier on the shelves) prompting (drow, male) Ssaerth to swear revenge on Naval personnel and Cordorian city officials; namely Freya Montgomery.

Assassins have been plaguing the city disguised as all manner of individuals including elite guards. They are believed to be sent by Ssaerth. These may be related to the attempts on Speaker Rav.

Cordor is hunting Ssaerth. If you have any information, please coordinate with Abberan of the Institute. Ssaerth has no known associates on the island other than those that were interested in buying the Black Wyvern or his other vessel (thus far unnamed but has an arcane cannon)

Update as information becomes available

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Signed: S.L*

       Day 4, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       Anonymous        

=== 14/4/183 Conversation with Vhuraen Saerth ===
I decided to take it upon myself to send Ssaerth a wisp. I desired to see a productive step forward, as we were in the last many trines sitting and waiting for his next atrocity. I am aware that I should have asked permission first, but given that Ssaerth is a drow and also a mass-murderer, I thought the notion of conversing with him would be received poorly.

After the guard returned from the disastrous swamp excursion, I received a messenger with a box. The messenger was a thrall to Ssaerth and said one thing before he expired from heart failure.

"He said your request is accepted, Rosette de Leon."

It was at this point that I told all those in the room that I had sent Ssaerth a message, asking if he would be willing to speak to try and spare the bloodshed and loss of innocent life. The room did not remain calm, many voices raising to express an opinion about the act including a very interesting notion that I had committed treason. I stand by my actions, even if they were viewed as hasty.

I removed myself down to the prison with the delivered box, anticipating the arrest. After a brief conversation with Lady Albet and Lady Abigail, the box began to shake and ran into the interrogation room and threw it on the ground. It was then that a projected image of Ssaerth appeared.

The following is a transcript of his words, translated by Salem Al-Akir.

Present:

+Laelia Laetoria Olennius

+Rosette de Leon

+Salem Al-Akir

+Vhuraen Ssaerth

[Description of the projection, though it was hard to see as the overwhelming purple light of the magic muddled most visible attributes: Tall and thin drow male, wearing wizard robes of fine make and a scholar's hat upon his head. Dark eyes, dead and soulless.]
<nowiki>---------</nowiki>
Ssaerth: "I understand you have friends around. Go on, bring them in."

(I left to bring Salem and Laelia upon arriving back in the interrogation room, I offered a 'Saludos'.)

Ssaerth: "We both know there will not be peace."

"But, let us understand one another. This is not wanton destruction."

"I was born, the fifth son of Matron Ssaerth. My mother."

"I was lucky to be kept alive, to stay alive."

"And one cycle, I met a priestess. one I devoted myself to fully. In time she and I had our offspring."

"We had nothing to do with raids agaisnt your sunlands."

"And yet, your expeditions cared little."

"You sunlanders took her from me. Killed her from ME."

"And that is why you will never find rest. Because I never did."

"When my house fell, I managed to save all our wealth."

"And now, I have nothing left. Nothing but time, and gold."

"Nothing but the rest of my centuries dedicated to the sunland's destruction."

"Each of you now will feel the pain I did, one thousand folds."

"I wish you luck in the wars to come. This has only started."

"And if you do reach me, a better fate awaits me. When I shall finally rejoin with my beloved Miz'rena."

"You vile sunlanders know what you did to her! You cursed her , never to rest, and so you will never know rest."

"You know what you did to her."

"You are all the same, and you will suffer the same."

"This is war, you took her from me. I will take countless from you."

"We have many more weapons. Many many more against you."

"A physical weapon can be destroyed. Knowledge, less easily so."

And with that, Ssaerth's illusion vanished.

       Day 14, Month 4 (Tarsakh), 183 AR
<br>       Rosette de Le n        

=== Orders from the Temple of Ched Nasad ===
Addressed To: Temple of the Spider Queen - Andunor

Order Type - Observation

Individual(s) of Interest: Vhuraen Ssaerth

Orders:

The former priestess, Miz'rena Ssaerth, is suspected to be an Eilistraeean follower, after internal investigation. While her physical body was killed by sunlanders and her soul sealed within a gem, her male (Vhuraen Ssaerth) remains at large. Your orders are to observe Ssaerth for heretic tendencies. Rumors from our agents state that the soul gem of Miz'rena Ssaerth may be put on auction as a curio on the isle of Arelith. Look into this rumor and update us.

Day 26, Month 4 (Tarsakh), 183 AR

Inquisitress Hlarae

       Day 26, Month 4 (Tarsakh), 183 AR
<br>       Claude Alazahd        

=== Shadow Statue & Sewer Bomb Situation - 26/4/183 ===
Date: 26th of Tarsakh, 183 AR (26/4/183)

Involved: Cordorian Officials, Cordorian Guard, Cordorian Navy, Additionals

Context:

An alert went out to officials that a structure, a statue of some kind, had appeared in the Cordorian Barracks. Various people gathered to inspect the new addition.

The structure, nested between the entry meeting room and the mess hall, was a large shadowed statue of the drow Ssaerth. The statue's eyes moved to observe those in the room.

Initial inspection by Rosette caused a shadow version of her to appear and strike at her and others after Rosette touched the statue. Aberran inspected the statue further, discovering it to be a purely made shadow construct, made entirely of shadow material.

The Statue began to send out disjunctions to nearby people, to remove them of protections. In turn, Aberran casted his own disjunction on the statue, and it vanished after. Juniper and Aberran perform a short divination to inspect the area where the statue was, to find how it got there. Due to Aberran's affinity, the two were able to reveal a shadow portal, or shadow door.

The two made an effort to keep the portal open as others tried to decide what to do with this information. As the portal began to shrink to close, various guards and others decided to throw caution to the wind and go through. The portal closed behind the group.

The group entered a between space, tentatively a void space used to move unseen about Cordor and possibly elsewhere. It seemed to be either adjacent to the Plane of Shadow, or a controlled demiplane of sorts. The group had little room to move in this area, which was void of any colour and appeared black in all directions.

A voice, like a whisper, spoke. They seemed surprised we entered the space, and informed someone to close the ley. The group was then trapped in this space. Attempts to open portals, use lenses, or potions did no longer work.

The voice continued on speaking to someone else, mentioning their scheme in the Cordorian Sewers. Surprisingly wisps and illusions still worked, and we quickly informed those still in Cordor to inspect the sewers.

Vice Chancellor Thomas Castemont and others attempted to speak out towards the person speaking. The person vaguely spoke back, stating this was for slaying his wife, in which it became known to the group that the person speaking was likely Ssaerth. Thomas spoke outwardly that he was a follower of vengeance. That he could act in that regard to find vengeance for the slain wife.

This was initially ignored, instead Ssaerth commanding his people to continue their operation in the sewers, a collection of bombs placed within. This information was additionally delivered to those still in Cordor.

The group was fully trapped, and being made to wait while Cordor was to be assaulted by an army, with explosives used to destroy much of the city. Thomas once more spoke out, this time in Xanalress, of his willingness to assist Ssaerth in vengeance against his wife's murderer. After a pause and some minor back and forth, Ssaerth agreed at the last moment to Thomas's offer to deal with those who killed the wife.

Ssaerth called off the attack on Cordor. His army in the sewers pulled back and out, leaving behind a stack of bombs within the sewers. Alaina Castemont assisted and led the efforts to make the explosives inert with water, and had them moved into the barracks for later disassembly.

At the same time, after the deal was struck, Laelia stood by in the barracks after some communication with the trapped group in the void. Vsshshsh ordered the ley to be reopened, and Laelia reopened the rift to allow the trapped group to escape. Afterwards, the portal was closed.

The explosives were overseen, and the situation in Cordor came to a close. It is, at time of writing, for Cordor to use this delay in attacks to either do as was promised to Ssaerth or to discover something else on it.
<nowiki>--------------------</nowiki>
- Ssaerth seems to be able to move and operate within Cordor as well as he has been due to the use of temporary portals, likely connected to the Plane of Shadow.

- Thomas has stated he will help Ssaerth find vengeance in return for leaving Cordor alone.

- The void space used seems to be controlled by Ssaerth or those he works with, able to cut such spaces off from the rest of the planes.

- Miz'rena Ssaerth is the deceased wife to Vhuraen Ssaerth, who is currently simply going by the second name.

- Miz'rena was slain by sunlanders, and suspected to be a Eilistraeean follower by the Temple of the Spider Queen. Her soul was sealed within a gem, and the whereabouts of said item are unknown.

       Day 1, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       Aberran Oakley        

=== Black Wyvern Recon & Cordor Siege - 20/4/183 ===
Date: 20th of Tarsakh, 183 AR (20/4/183)

Involved: Cordorian Navy, Cordorian Guard, Cordorian Officials

Context:

Admiral Freya Montgomery called forth an operation to gather intelligence on the wreckage of the "Black Wyvern", and sail to recon information on the "Observing Spider". The "Observing Spider" had reportedly received a new weapon of long range, a Light Cannon of some type.

After a planning session, the operation was set into motion. Admiral Montgomery took out the "Leviathan" with her crew, the Guard invited on as additional borders or hands as needed.

The "Leviathan" was joined by the "Starlight", Myon's vessel captained by Shandy, to partake in the recon mission. Upon sailing to the wreckage site, two other ships were found. What appeared to be a fishing boat and likely unrelated, and the "Observing Spider". The "Spider" was in the process of dropping explosives into the water above the "Black Wyvern". This is either to scare off the fishing vessel, or to ruin the remains of the sunken vessel.

Warning shots were delivered to the "Observing Spider", to warn it away. In response, the "Observing Spider" surrounded itself with a dark fog. A flash of light could be seen from the ship within this cloud, a beam of light going into the sky. After twenty-one marks (seconds), the beam of light curved and fell down upon the Leviathan, striking it with devastating results. Naval combat ensued. The Allied Arelithian vessels assaulted the "Observing Spider", though unlike the "Black Wyvern" it was swift and agile, dodging most projectiles aimed at it, while returning in turn. It fired its Light Cannon again, this time hitting the "Starlight".

The "Observing Spider" began to leave the area, though not to flee. The Light Cannon fired again, showcasing its long range, beyond a naval sector. The allied vessels were forced to pull back, their recon of the "Observing Spider" complete. The "Leviathan" returned to port to debrief and speak on methods to counter act or best the Light Cannon. After arriving at the dock, another beam of light struck the "Leviathan", aimed directly at Admiral Montgomery.

This seemed to be a pre-planned act. The Admiral was rushed to the barracks clinic, where she was seen to by healers. She was in a bad medical state. Upon the crew entering the barracks, a secondary beam of light struck outside the barracks, barely missing hitting anyone.

The call was made for everyone to get into cover within the Barracks, including those about the city. Having taken cover from the "Observing Spider"'s cannon, an assault and siege of the city took place. The Barracks was assaulted by a large group of assassins, and the barracks lobby became a holding point.

The City went into chaos. Foot soldiers and assassins assaulted the people of Cordor. Bombs went off across the city, setting fire to the Almshouse and Cordor Library among other places. Several attempts to get into the barracks to assassinate Freya as she was being treated. One of such was a blackmailed Cordorian Guard whose family was threatened. He attempted to charge Freya while in the clinic with a knife.

With great effort of the combined Cordorian people, the threat was eventually forced to withdraw as dawn broke. Fires were put out across the city and Admiral Freya was stabilized. She was moved to a secure location to better recover.
<nowiki>------------------------</nowiki>
- The "Observing Spider" is highly agile and only the best projectiles can hit it. Its Light Cannon has extended range, resulting in it moving to range to fire upon its enemies.

- The Light Cannon can fire from near coastal cities and hit within them. The arc of the cannon has it fire high into the sky before falling almost vertically upon its target. It is vaguely understood that divination is used to assist in aiming and guiding the cannon.

- Plans are in place to counteract this cannon and best the "Observing Spider".

- The cannon takes Sixty-five marks (seconds) between firing, though this can vary slighty. The time to impact depends on distance, but is roughly twenty-one marks (seconds between firing and impact of the light beam.

       Day 1, Month 5 (Mirtul), 183 AR
<br>       Aberran Oakley        
[[Category:180-189 AR]]
[[Category:Cordor]]
[[Category:Reports & Records]]
[[Category:History]]