Conquest in the Dark

by Isenara Eiryant

5th Amerysday of Winter's End, Second Age 1853: On this venture, our pursuit of actionable intelligence led us to interrogate a corpse of Maeltheron Lith'Kael, yielding critical information about a covert route into the enemy city. Accompanied by Grikz and shadowed by Selestiel, we navigated through a mushroom grove, its air thick with hallucinogenic spores that we deftly avoided. The path culminated in a hidden back entrance to the city cavern—a route a larger force would need to tread with utmost caution to bypass the same peril.

Emerging onto an overlook above the city, we found it surprisingly unguarded, as if the shadow elves never anticipated discovery of this passage. Straightforward pathway descended into the city, easily navigable for a small, disciplined group. From this vantage, we observed fires in the slave quarter—contained, yet ominous. I suspected they burned bodies drained for blood magic, though other possibilities lingered. The city showed regular activity, but no convergence toward a single point, and no magical lights illuminated the streets, suggesting a reliance on stealth or secrecy.

The next day, after reporting our findings to the council. Lady Aria declared that we will take the mercenaries with us and send a strike force through the secret passage. Once we arrived, we were able to get a better look of the city. Approximately half a mile from the entrance and a mile from the main gate, we confirmed a slave revolt had seized part of the city. The fires were their means to see in the darkness while the magical illumination was turned off. Meeting their leader, Nauriel, gave us an overview of the situation in the city. With Lady Aria being able to point out where the lights were controlled from, a plan was formed. With Zaelith and Bhazel, we formed a strike team and as soon as we broke through the first line of the shadow elf conscripts, we moved on to the control center. We distracted and overwhelmed the guards, swiftly neutralizing them. My lockpick snapped, but Zaelith located keys on a fallen guard. The mechanism was simple to activate, and while we debated securing it, Bhazel smashed it, locking the lights on—a bold, effective move.

Rallying the remaining slaves, we prepared to besiege the inner walls. The battle to breach the gates was fierce, demanding every ounce of our skill, but we routed the enemy. As they fled toward a shadowy portal, we pursued, only to face a rear guard protecting a gateway maintained by the shadow elves. The skirmish was grueling, but we prevailed, though their lady escaped through the portal followed by a summer elf who upon seeing us, stepped in and closed the gate behind him, trapping hundreds of fleeing civilians to be dispatched by our troops. Lady Aria did not wish to take in any security threats. While surveying the now empty city, and interrogating its remaining inhabitants, we learned that Luthais and some of his followers had descended into aberration-infested tunnels below. The captain of the seaguard Luthedir decided to pursue their quarry and requested a week of time before we drop the mountain onto the city. My focus remained on the tangible gains—securing the city and its resources—proof that action, not deliberation, shapes victory.

The week has passed, and there is no sight of Luthedir or his company. Lady Aria will decide if we leave them to their fate or launch a rescue mission. If we abandon them, it may strain our relationship with Eglasil, and they're proven stalwart allies so far.

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The Expedition
2nd Judicday to 4th Respitesday of Spring's Birth, Second Age 1852

Mystery of the Winter Temple
4th Respitesday to 5th Judicday of Spring's Birth, Second Age 1852

Night of the Dead
5th Vaeraleusday of Spring's Birth, Second Age 1852

The Beginning
5th Amerysday of Spring's Birth, Second Age 1852

Home
5th Respitesday of High Spring, Second Age 1853

Ghosts and Dead Trees
2nd Judicday of Fading Spring, Second Age 1853

Far Afield
5th Respitesday of Fading Spring, Second Age 1853

Dead
3rd Quindirsday of Summer's Dawn, Second Age 1853

Wreckage
1st Judicday of Summer's Twilight, SA 1853

The Truth Revealed
4th Amerysday of Summer's Twilight, SA 1853

Of Ratmen and Skeletons
3rd Brahmarusday of Rising Autumn, Second Age 1853

The Neighbors
1st Judicday of High Autumn, Second Age 1853:

Eglasil, the Moon Elf neighbor
3rd Respitsday of High Autumn, Second Age 1853

Flames and Storms
2nd Respitesday of High Autumn, Second Age 1853

Island Ruins
3rd Seojungsday of Autumn's Edge

Ancient Discoveries
4th Judicsday of Autumns Edge, Second Age 1853

Visitors from across the Sea
3rd Vaeraleusday of Winters Chill, Second Age 1853

Lothithil Estate
5th Seojungsday of Winters Chill, Second Age 1853

Tirion Anor
3rd Brahmarusday of High Winter, Second Age 1853

Darkness Ended
3rd Qindirsday of High Winter, Second Age 1853

Unwelcome Visitors
1st Respitesday of Winter's End, Second Age 1853

War at our Doorstep
3rd Seojungsday of Winter's End, Second Age 1853

Conquest in the Dark
5th Amerysday of Winter's End, Second Age 1853

Terrors Beneath
1st Qindirsday of Spring's Birth, Second Age 1853

Conquest in the Dark

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