Hammer 19th, 1467 DR
Finding this place had taken longer than I'd care to admit. It's location was a mystery until I came across that map. I was gifted it by a quiet girl, one who had seen better days. She must have overheard me asking Oakhurst's innkeeper about the ruin. My luck surprises even me sometimes!
Tarsakh 27th, 1467 DR
The beginning stages of my study, and my instillation in the Durbuluk tribe, is now complete. They obey my every whim, and that fool of a chief they call Durnn will serve as a fine, impressionable puppet. While installing myself atop this seasoned tribe may be trivial, acquiring the tools necessary for an in depth study of the peculiar "Gulthias Tree" will require calling in the last of my favors. I pray that Chauntea hasn't led me to a den of inbred subhumans on whimsy alone.
Eleint 15th, 1469 DR
These first two years have yielded very few findings, despite my best efforts. I have determined that the Gulthias Tree is the product of foul magic, most likely that of a lich's or warlock's. It produces two types of fruit on a regular annual rotation. During the summer solstice, the tree bears an average of three ruby red, apple-like fruits that have astonishingly potent restorative properties. On the day of the winter solstice the same occurs, however, the fruits produced by the tree are bone white and shriveled. I ordered one of my goblins to ingest one, only for its life to shed from its body like water off a spruce.
All attempts at communicating with the Gulthias Tree have been met with silence. This is assuredly not the fault of my practice, but of one prevailing theory. My hypothesis is that the Gulthias Tree is in a state of undeath, not unlike that of a zombie or spectre. Unfortunately for me the only way to test this theory is to dabble in necromancy. While I'm not thrilled by the prospect, I should have plenty of subjects to practice with, given how often the goblins rely on my magic as substitute for medicine. Considering they reproduce like mice, who among them would notice a few being "too far gone to be saved."?
The tree unnerves me, but this study must be done if we are going to see any progress in reclaiming the Savage North.
Hammer 3rd, 1471 DR
The mysteries of the Gulthias Tree are being unraveled! Progress is glacial, but the revelations that come with each passing year are astonishing. The seeds of the tree's fruit only produced simple shrubs when sowed and irrigated for two months. However, after a year's time the shrubs come alive. They are ambulatory, and take the shape of small humanoids. This appears to be functionally identical to the awakened shrubs of the Neverwinter Wood, but they are far simpler things — their intelligence being similar to dogs. And just like dogs they are quick learners, and very obedient.
I have instructed the goblins to sow these seeds on the surface. Cultivating these seeds in my arboretums is no challenge, but the environment is far too controlled for me to understand the full scope of the Gulthias spawn's behavior. Should they prove capable enough, they may serve as ideal soldiers in the fight against the Church of Talos.
This project, if my hypothesis is true, has the potential to complete swing the balance of power in our — no, my favor. I'm sure my dedication will go rewarded, I'll be a hero of the north! I just need more time...
Uktar 9th, 1473 DR
Nothing but a year for disappointment. The blights won't make for ideal soldiers. They are cunning, deadly, and they can rapidity adapt when needed, but they are too difficult to keep organized. They do best in ambushes — their tactics akin to the tribal warfare used by Uthgardt or Tabaxi tribes. Attempts to actively select a more traditional form of infantry resulted in a promising new subspecies, but those hopes were dashed when the test subject escaped. Balsag insists that he can recover it, but I know better. You can't track the blights by any conventional means, and the subject will be too dangerous for him to handle in a year or two. No, the blights won't make for ideal soldiers.
In truth, their bodies are what I'm after. The blights do not tire, nor do they hunger or thirst like we do. They grow from the ground, so you can never run low. Best of all they do not complain or loose moral! Necromancy has served me well these passed few years, so I've begun to experiment with fusing their bodies with that of the rodents found so commonly here. It will be challenging to find and ideal compromise, but if successful I will be able move onto the goblins and see how they measure.
It would break Chauntea's heart for her to see what I've been doing. But the Emerald Enclave matters more. I don't care if I have to spend my whole life in this ruin, I WILL find a way to win back the Neverwinter Wood. The Savage North was never meant to be this savage.
Kythorn 21st, 1475 DR
I never wanted to kill my fellow man. They came down here all of a sudden and raided my arboretums — bedecked in fine mail and bearing arms. It didn't take long, but like Talos' goons they fought like animals. Thankfully though their loss has not gone to waste.
The Gulthias Tree always preferred blood, but when presented a living thing it will take their mind. I was never certain of how this worked until after I spoke to a human thrall. In fact, the thralls act as a voice for the tree. My time with them has be my greatest breakthrough! Unfortunately it didn't last. After a few months the thralls begin to wither and die. The thralls can't travel far from the tree either, a mere day without its presence results in death. This can be stalled with healing magic, but this will only last for so long.
The blights also obey the Gulthias Tree like the thralls, which means it is possible to organize them. But now I'm afraid I've hit a crossroad. Do I push for a hybrid army to take the wood back, or do I attempt to enhance the tree's reach? My research has progressed to the point where I can present my findings to the Emerald Enclave. With their support, I should be able to explore both paths before me.
Flamerule 29th, 1477 DR
They expelled me. After everything I've done, the Enclave declared my work heretical! BAH! A man doesn't spend over a decade sleeping with rats and subhumans to just forsake all that they believe. What's heretical is letting our precious North get soiled by those monsters we dare call people. My work is still seeing breakthroughs year after year, but that doesn't matter to them. Well I'll show them — I'll show them exactly what I've been working on.
I finally managed to synthesize an living blight-rat hybrid. It's just a test — not meant for combat by any means. With so much progress made I have moved onto goblin subjects. I'm sure I can have a prototype completed by the start of 1479. I have also received reports that a small group of kobolds have made a "pilgrimage" to this ruin. Durnn wants to crush them with our combined might, but I do believe they will serve me better alive. I have heard that kobold clans are far more organized than any goblin tribe. If that's the case than I have the perfect catalyst for my army.
Yes, in just a few more years I can finally emerge from this tomb as the savior of Neverwinter. The Emerald Enclave will be forced to have me back! The wood will be ours again and I'll be a hero! I just need to keep myself focused. There is no telling what other dangers fate may bring.
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