The Isle of Dread - Part III

My name is Akuji. I write this for my friend, Roderic Fallstaff. I record his words for he is blind. He insisted that we take his book of spells and paper from guest hut. He wishes to leave a message for later travellers. Like the one we were given by the villagers. Warning and record of what we have seen.

Friend Roderic seems disturbed. I am not learned man and have never heard of these creatures. But friend Roderic has and is worried. He says that he should have seen this coming and been ready for our foe. He says that his magic has failed him.  Even now his wound continues to burn, and he fights to stay awake.

He asks me to write for him. I am no scribe and my Celenese is not good. But Roderic helps me with the long words.

“Destiny is funny. The last time I penned one of these notes I was also on a mountain top, facing what I thought was certain death. I escaped – we escaped – but fate may have caught up with us.

“I am Roderic Fallstaff of the Dummockton Fallstaffs. I am the aspiring-wizard of the adventuring company that I am told is known as Thia’s Troublefinders. We have ventured into the misty heart of this dreadful isle seeking the Lifecryst, to save our companion, Lilly.

“Our company is a formidable group. We have singlehandedly held off a gnoll army, felled a hydra, and fearlessly faced creatures such as a sea hag and basilisk that could kill with but a glance. We have easily dispatched mummies and devils and hill giants. Perhaps the gods believe we have grown too arrogant and now seek to humble us.

“Our first encounter with the unbeatable was the Deathbringer. Prideful, we believed we could handle the beast. When a fearsome and towering carnivorous reptile first appeared we foolishly believed it was the Deathbringer and effortlessly dealt with it. Then the true Deathbringer arrived, easily thrice the size of the massive creature we laid low. At least sixty feet tall and capable of casual devastation. We fled.”

Friend Roderic paus at this point. I feel I should add that talk of the Deathbringer’s size is no fish tale. I was trampled by the beast and still wear the scar from its claw. It crosses my entire chest. I can imagine little else as frightening.

“The jungle frequently proved deadly, with herds of massive lizards blocking our path and predatory winged beasts snatching up members of our party. These proved easier foes, and even something as simple as gravity proved more dangerous than the lizards.

“Our path lead us to the mountain range cutting the island in twain. We opted for the underground passage rumoured to be rife with undead. Our cleric, Lilly, had frequently proved her potency against the walking dead so we entered confident. This time our courage proved accurate as we easily dealt with waves of zombies and shroud-wrapped mummies.

“We also encountered massive centipedes whose poisonous bites proved debilitating. But even these gargantuan beasts proved no match for us. However, in the crypts under the mountain we found a clue we overlooked. A throne with a blackened skeleton, seemingly of a human, pierced through the chest with a bone spear. A skeleton with a feline skull. 

“The exit of the tomb was locked and the keys – two crystal rods – were hidden throughout. The first was easily found in a well while the second was more carefully hidden in a secret chamber. Inside the concealed room was a sarcophagus that proved to be trapped, with a nearly lethal result.

“Once out of the crypt we found a mist-shrouded plateau, crossed by a rope bridge. We began to cross but were met in the middle by a infernal parrot, the vessel of an unknown force seeking a golden box carried by the holy warrior, Zon. It was during the struggle on the perilous rope bridge that I was blinded! Oh, and we lost Zon over the edge. However, Lilly insists the paladin survived the drop of four-hundred feet into the obscured valley. Perhaps the canopy broke his fall or he landed in whatever body of water is creating the mist. Or maybe his stubborn rock-hard head proved unbreakable.”

Friend Roderic does not mention how he went alone to speak with devil bird in the language of the Hells. I know not of what Roderic and bird spoke but it was lengthy. It seemed to puzzle Roderic for he was silent for a long time after.

“Beyond the bridge was a steep cliff up the mountains, to the caldera of the volcano near the middle of the island. The climb was hard and tiring but after a lengthy day we reached the top and found shelter in my hut of magical force. A dangerous use of my now limited magical resources. I became very aware that I would be unable to prepare any new spells. I might never more be more than a commoner – and a disabled one at that!

“The next morning we ventured into the crater. Despite the cap of snow, in the centre was a lake, likely heated by a hot spring. Around the edge was small village and series of gardens. We were received well and honoured with a celebration. We even saw one of their lords, known as the Silent Chief, seemingly a statue.

“I am told that night was one of revelry, being unable to witness it firsthand. We were dressed in the local garb and given a feast. There was drink and dancing, and I drank to excess. At the end we were taken to the hut of Talking Chief Fana to smoke of the Peace Pipe. This was where things went wrong.

“Either the pipe or the drink was drugged, as Thia and Zook went down without a fight. Then hooded figures entered, seemingly the Silent Ones, yet mobile and armed with clubs. They quickly felled Lilly and injured Dar before we managed to defeat two of the three thugs; the third watching from the doorway.

“It was the third who proved most deadly, as Akuji and my indentured devil thralls were unable to inflict any lasting wound. Then the watcher acted, dismissing my summoned devils. I tried lightning with as much potency as I could muster but the bolt did nothing, crackling off him akin to rain rolling off an oiled cloak. Seeing my most potent and irreplaceable magic wasted, I felt I could do nothing more and called for a retreat. Followed by Akuji, I dove out the window and ran. I can only hope Dar and Sparrow followed but cannot be sure.

“I asked Akuji to quickly grab my spellbook and the supplies to pen this note. I have little hope my sight will return unaided but we have no other hope. Not with how our adversary was described: a human with the head of a tiger and backwards hands. It could only be an otherworldly Rakashasa. I recall precious little about our infernal foes but what I do troubles me deeply. I have difficulty thinking of a more cunning and dangerous opponent. And there might be many more on the island in the middle of the lake. All of them equally immune to spell and sword. 

“So I dictate this note. A warning for any who dares to traverse the heart of the island. Stay away. Return home while you can. Forget the Lifecryst and live the rest of whatever time you have left in comfort and safety."

This is what friend Roderic told me to write. I am not adventurer. I am but a simple sailor that knows how to defend myself. Never have I faced a foe that can ignore steel. I have seen Roderic's magic kill many and never have witnessed it fail completely. He continues to repeat that his magic has failed him and that he should have taken the deal. I know not what this means but I agree with his warnings. We may have journeyed to our deaths.

As I write this, Roderic has passed out.  I do not know if he will survive the night.  I am wrapping this to the leg of a small bird and releasing it. May it find its way into friendly hands.