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MORDOK SUMMARY
The Mordok are indigenous to Mardrun. The ancestral enemy of the Ulven, the Mordok are a bloodthirsty, tribal and barbaric race. They range from small tribes to entire organized communities with leaders and even some spiritual leaders. Very little is known about the Mordok; all attempts at communicating or learning the Mordok culture has ended in blood shed. Constantly at war with the Ulven, the Mordok are strong, resilient, and savage. It is unknown just how large the population of Mordok is on the continent of Mardrun.

They’re bestial, barbaric, and vicious killers, more dependant on violence and crude magic than on great intelligence or tactics. They are the monsters that haunt the northern swamps of Mardrun. Roaming in small tribes, they are the ancestral enemies of the Ulven, seen as a corruptive scourge against their beloved home.

APPEARANCE
Mordok have skin tones ranging from purples and blues to greens and reds, large ears, tusks, and the clothing they wear is often rags. They move in a loping gait and communicate in growls and violence. Mordok are extremely resilient with thick skin and able to withstand a lot of damage and live, and even recover quickly.

BEHAVIOR
Mordok are vicious creatures only seen when raiding or conquering territory. They re violent and sadistic with other races and even other Mordok. They often are seen competing with each other to establish dominance. Furthermore, they delight in cruelty.

ACTIVITY

Current Mordok Activity
Previous to 265, Mordok were only really seen on raids. They would come in packs to raid settlements and take sacrifices. However, any large or determined force would turn them away. The only real change was the corruption of individuals that were accepted to their ranks. These were all colonists. The most notable of these was the Red Eyed Syndar; a man preaching the word of the Mother, the Mordok deity. He placed a large and resilient corruption site outside Onsallas outpost. After that the Mordok went quiet.

In March of 265 the Mordok reappeared after nearly a year of low activity. It started with Warpacks patrolling the area of the Great Forest being decimated. Shortly after, Mordok emerged from the Dirge Swamp and laid siege to Onsallas outpost. Pinning down the vanguard of the defenders, the swarmed past and down into Northern Ulven territory. The settlement of Serai as well as settlements in Clan Shattered Spear and Clan Whiteoak territories began to feel pressure from their advance. Although the settlements of Serai and Onsallas are relieved after a few months, Clans Whiteoak and Shattered Spear are continually assaulted. Shattered Spear was able to rely on Grimward warriors to reinforce their lines; Clan Whiteoak was not so fortunate as help came piecemeal from various sources.

Early in 266, reports started coming from Clans Riverhead and Spiritclaw that the Great Forest had a significant number of Mordok in it. Though startling, it was met with some skepticism. That skepticism was put to rest when in March a large Mordok force emerges from the Great Forest. Rampaging towards Clan Riverhead, it was all that could be done by their allies to stall the offensive. This allowed some of the civilians to evacuate, but the Clan lands fell to the Mordok by June.

Afterwards, the Mordok force split into three main parts. One attacked Clan Whiteoak from the south. Another returned to the Great Forest. The third moved down the Great Wolf’s Hackles. This thrust was met by Grimward and other forces, and eliminated. At the end of the year a cure for the new creeping corruption was found, leading to cleansing of individuals and sites. At the close of the year, the Ulven Clans decided to band together and push out the Mordok influence in their lands, and afterwards create a series of defensive fortifications across the border of the Swamp. Where it goes from there is still up to debate.

This letter was found by Starkhaven Militia at the Siege of Daven’s Reach. It was found on one of the bandit leaders slain. Multiple reports of identical letters confirm it’s authenticity.

Citizens and Leaders of Daven’s Reach,

You have fought hard for your independence, yet still Newhope refuses to recognize you as the sovereign state you are. Again and again, it over reaches its authority, and seeks to drag you back under its thumb. I too have experienced this injustice, and would like to extend my aid to your cause. Newhope is not the master of humanity, nor Syndar, and we cannot continue to allow it to assert itself as some kind of racial government. We are not their children to command and discipline as they please, and we are not subservient to their authority. We are free people, and if need be, we will die free people. I propose an alliance: I will come to your defense and condemn Newhope’s transgressions against you, if Daven’s Reach pledges to do the same for the Archmage, and the Archons of the Spire. The time has come to stand together and fight back, to end their oppression, to challenge their tyranny. Our foe may be mighty, but fighting together, they will learn that even titans can bleed.

Archmage Vazra

To Brother Oliver, Acolyte of the Chapter Master of Arnath’s Light

From Sergeant Basil Gavras, Starkhaven Militia on detached duty to he Chapter of the Light,

Last month we undertook a mission to finalize the Creeping Corruption Cure along with members of Pack Longfang, Broken blade, and the Rangers of Crows Landing, as well as some additional associates. This mission was in Clan Shattered Spear territory, south west of Sera and north of Clan Grimward. A corruption idol had been placed in their territory with the Creeping Corruption. It was needed to refine the ritual.

The Order contingent consisted of Brother Dom, Scholar Kantas, and myself. Scholar Kantas was on loan from the Great Library. The Griffin in charge made sure I understood his disapproval if he did not return. Both Dom and I were in our armor while Brother Kantas wore none.

As night fell we moved towards the place of the idol. The group was highly disorganized with no clear leader. Our guide at one point wandered off, and it is by providence we found the camp site. Once there we started a fire and I immediately assessed the perimeter. There was a path heading west, south, and east. The brush around we believed was thick enough to deter any fast or silent movement.

As we started camp one of the Broken Blades, a man called Drex, was ill with the Creeping Corruption. I had seen it in Starkhaven with the refugees; he had not long. We decided it we could not let the man suffer. Using our ritual to delay the corruption, with the help of Sarmion of the Broken Blades and Reyna of Pack Longfang, we were able to bring the man to his previous health, if only for a bit. This was instrumental later as the man was a skilled archer. However that process took a considerable amount of time. With haste, our schoalrs began to work on the corruption cure.

Coordinating with Volrok of the Broken Blade, Ranmir of Pack Longfang, and Tobias of the Rangers, we posted guards at the three paths. Brother Dom stayed with the researchers while I took the south path guard duty. Volrok of Broken Blade patrolled between the paths as we did not know how easily navigable the brush was. After the first skirmish it was determined it was nigh impossible to navigate through with any speed, and such focused on gudrding the paths.

Mordok presence was light. There was a probing attack at first; howeve, after seeing our numbers they broke off. Midway a corrupted individual came into camp notifying us that the Red Eyed Syndar wanted to talk. A member of the Agnosco wanted to play cloak and dagger games. I let him know that he was on his own. I informed Tobias, Volrok, Reyna and Ranmir of the sitaution. I advised that we should not go out to meet him as from reports his defining tactics is luring people out to slow down their objectives or to isolate their people.

The Agnosco got into trouble when the Red Eyed Syndar showed up, and the Rangers and Longfangs got in a standoff with him and his Mordok. After observing the situation, I returned to camp as left as 2/3 of our forces were outside. Only the Broken Blade, and us were still on guard duty. That meant there was four people to guard the scholars. Had there been a concerted effort to break into camp it would have been a difficult situation. Our only reserve was Brother Dom, who was vital to the research.

After sometime the groups came back with the Agnosco, but the Mordok attacked hard soon after. We were pressed for a good half an hour or more. After eliminating them, we returned to the news the ritual had worked. Volrok was adamant to test it on his man Drex, as any good captain looks after his men. Unfortunately, that left Volrok, Dom, and myself away from guard duty. Ranmir was overseeing the main path. A Mordok slipped into camp, and could have done major chaos had it not run into Brother Dom, who promptly put it into the ground and kept it there. Afterwards we completed the ritual on Drex, and hope to see it fully gone.

We retreated in good order with no wounds.

An observation of the Mordok:

As the Order has not had substantial encounters with the Mordok, I wil live my threat assessment. Mordok are tough, relentless, and seemingly inexhaustible. However, their crude fighters that can easily be baited and struck, but hard to take down. While dangerous, they do not work well together. A strong force can easily overcome them in the field.

Signed,

Basil Gavras,

Sergeant of the Starkhaven Militia

On Detached duty to the Chapter of the Light.

Sergeant Gavras of Starkhaven’s Militia, attached to the Order of Arnath’s Light, September Action Report:

The Order moved into the small village and set up camp in a warehouse we paid the Mayor to occupy for the day and night. After setting up our area, members of the Phoenix (and affiliate) also housed inside.

During our set up we were harassed by the Captain, who aggressively called us murderers and bandits. Brother Oliver responded passionately, and Sergeant Gavras passed out numerous copies of the treaty shortly after the Captain left. Afterwards part of the research team was escorted in by Order forces. It appeared they had been harrassed coming in and had split up. However, we did have the mana construct and it was secured in the warehouse. The night passed with some incidents but none inside the warehouse.

The next morning we moved further down to another staging area. Brother Dom had went out to meet up with other forces but never returned. It was later found that the research team as well as Brother Dom had been captured by bandits. The bandits asked for ransom, but due to aggression on their part, and response by forces there, negotiations broke down into violence very quickly. Some hostages were killed, including a mother and her baby; however Brother Dom was saved. During the confusion, the mana construct was stolen.

Brother Dom brought news that the Archons had been treating with the bandits. This was supported by members of the groups there as they had spotted Archons, specifically the Captain, speaking and leaving with the bandits. Brother Dom added they had conversations in front of him looking to hire them for defense of the Spire.

After this news, the bandits continued to harass the forces there. After the bandits figured out what they had, they had looked to sell it back to the group. However, others fearing the corruption worse, were convinced to steal the construct back from the bandits for some coin. The operation was successful, and the camp held out until New Hope forces arrived.

~

Reyna Longfang’s letter after the Incident
Justice Minded Peoples of Mardrun,

On Saturday the 16th day of the 266th year a group of allies banded together in defense of the key to a cure for the Creeping Corruption. Representatives of Pack Longfang, the Order of Arnath’s Light, the Broken Blade Company and the Rangers of Crow’s Landing were all present and fighting fit.

Our force encountered problems with a group of Bandits who had managed to take hostages; including a Mother, her infant child, and a Brother of the Order of Arnath’s Light. Attempts at negotiations failed. The bandits executed several of the hostages, including the mother and child, before the rescue could be mounted. The fracas provided cover so that other members of the Bandit group were able to make off with the Mana Construct.

Brother Dom survived his captivity to bring us dangerous news. The Archons, under the Leader of an Affiliated captain, treated with the bandits in question. These individuals, in clear allegiance with the Criminal Vazra who continues to defy the justice of the Free People’s Court, procured an agreement to services of the bandits for the Defrense of the Archon Spire where Vazra continues to hide and an Alliance has gathered in service to enforce the rulings of the Free People’s Court.

The Bandits, on realizing the value of the item they had, attempted to ransom the Construct back to the protectors. It was only through the good sense of a bandit who feared the corruption more than his comrades being convinced to take a contract to return the item. This man truly earned the silver he was offered, taking grievous wounds from his former allies as he fled. This man rose about his reputation and restored to our hands the precious Mana Construct.

Following this the group continued to hold while waiting for the arrival of the New Hope Forces. One of the Archons approached the gathered allies. He committed himself to the defense of the Mana Construct and the future cure. However, the Archon Aifric and the Captain, did not join themselves to any sort of noble mission. Before night could fall the slayer of the Infant was apprehended. Myself, Magnus Ironmound and Brother Dom interrogated him and saw that he was made to confront his crimes. He willfully surrendered to sentence he had rightfully earned.

I am proud to say that the Mana Construct has been spirited into safer grounds, and a number of bandits have been brought to justice.

Runeseer Reyna Longfang, Daughter of Gaia to Pack Longfang

The following letter is available for public review in regards to the ongoing investigation of Serai and the undead. Members involved in the investigation team, the recent inquisition, were made aware of the availability of this letter before returning home.

Field Report
Brother Ree
Bos Mezar settlement of Serai

Upon arriving at Serai, we deployed our unit of troops in front of the unit of Bos Mezar’s. This was to keep them from interfering with the inquisition. We approached the city and were met by Al-Haddad who invited us to eat and drink. If we did not partake of this, we were not allowed to enter the settlement. Only Brother Coswell accepted. He was taken into the city and talked to Al-Haddad and returned back to us. He was going back to discuss with Al-Haddad why we were there and we refused to let him go alone again; the rest of our investigation team and our allies agreed to eat or drink of Al-Haddad’s hospitality.

We met in the village and Al-Haddad was informed that we came to verify if he did ineed have eight undead in his possession. Al-Haddad was very straight forward and honest. He told us he had nine undead. He then made the argument that the undead were a natural thing occurring in nature and they were protecting his village and therefore he would protect them as citizens of Serai. We asked to see one up close and he consented and had one brought forth. It was led by two children and a handler to keep it calm. A hideous and unnatural sight to behold. The creature remained calm until it felt our hatred and then started to get agitated and restless. The handler calmed it down by magic.

Brother Coswell then named our terms.
1) Surrender all of the undead to us for destruction; we would even do it respectfully the best we could.
2) Hand over all research related to this; it was proven that Bos Mezar could make more.
3) Al-Haddad and his Second in Command, Al Maffajar, were to come with us back to Starkhaven for questioning.

Al-Haddad refused and said they would not and would fight to stop us. We regrouped for a short at a distance to discuss our options. We then reformed our battle line and advanced back into the heart of the settlement. Brother Coswell then restated our terms and the consequences for refusing, hoping not to kill anyone or burn the city if possible, Al-Haddad again refused. We pushed forward and moved to fight them as they brought our their undead to face us.

Just then, three mordok came from behind us. Vazra of the Archons yelled “Let them through!” and I wanted to see if the undead would fight the mordok so I immediately moved aside to let them pass. However, the mordok must have feared being pinned between both of our groups of soldiers and the undead so they retreated hastily. The fight started as our lines clashed. Sister Ree and Vazra went to a building on our left flank to remove the archer threat on the second floor. It turned out that Al-Haddad had also just arrived and with great bravery, Sister Ree and Vazra fought and captured Al-Haddad with powerful death bolts of magic. On the frontline, Al-Haddad’s second in command was fighting against our shieldwall with magic but was also eventually wounded and captured.
Note: Before our forces entered Serai, all troops and our allies were instructed by Brother Ventaris to stick to low level combat magics and to support our lines and our flanks so we don’t unnecessarily injure or kill anyone.

During the battle, Vazra was seen to have struck down and killed an unarmed civilian and move towards the children handlers of the undead, his intent to be hostile to them unknown. He was then attacked by surprise by a Naran woman named Sakura and her retainer. He fought back and struck her down with another death bolt of magic. Our commander, Brother Coswell, bravely healed her and kept her alive while the mordok and the undead repeatedly attacked. At this time, it was unknown why she would attack our ally; was she a traitor? She did not fight the undead or any of Serai’s troops but did bravely fight against the mordok. At this time, Al-Haddad managed to escape when the Archon members holding him captive were brutally attacked by mordok. He managed to run and escape deeper into the settlement. We tried to check the village for survivors, gathering any we could behind our defensive line. Corporal Gavras bravely volunteered to run and break through the mordok line, run further into the settlement, and attempt to find any survivors or citizens. He was able to return and everyone we could save was already in our group.

We organized a fighting retreat where our Chapter members kept the mordok at bay and protected our group as we fled the settlement. We withdrew safely without any casualties. By the time we regrouped with our soldiers camped nearby, we had lost one Order militia, named Brindle, to the mordok and reports say we lost half a dozen or so soldiers in the fighting in the city and with the oncoming mordok attack. Our forces will consolidate here and attempt to link up with the Master Lion and his detachment coming north; we will also try to organize the defense of the Serai civilians to the best of our ability. A small group will be sent south to bring the prisoners directly to Starkhaven for questioning.

Final Details:
– All nine of the undead were destroyed.
– Al-Haddad was apprehended but managed to escape.
– Al Maffajar was apprehended and is in our custody.
– No research regarding the undead was recovered.
– Many mordok were killed in the battle.
– A large portion of the Serai settlement was lost or contested to the mordok.
– Serai defenders were spared and helped to the best of our ability; many were wounded but few perished from the fight.
– Chapter military units are currently engaging mordok near the settlement and awaiting reinforcements.

Recommendations:
1) Put out a reward for the capture of Al-Haddad, alive only, for questioning.
2) Investigate the conduct of Vazra on the battlefield and the accusations of the murder of civilians.
3) Investigate the actions of Vazra in what linked him to Al-Haddad and Bos Mezar’s activities with the undead. From close ally to wanting to see Al-Haddad dead is a concerning shift in allegiance.
4) Investigate the home settlement of the Archons, the Spire, to see what research their arcane magics are currently working on.
5) Interrogate Sakura, who attacked Vazra, about her conduct, who had puzzling behavior during the course of the day, who
6) Interrogate Al-Maffajar, who is currently in our custody, about his involvement and Bos Mezar’s plans.
7) Put out “Call of Summons” to any members of Bos Mezar to willingly turn themselves over from questioning with a time frame of one month. Known accomplices are Shiloh, Ren-La, and Umm Haddar. After that, put out a reward for their capture, alive.
8) Care for any Serai refugees but disperse them into separate areas so that they are unable to coordinate together at this time, to see how deep this undead menace is
9) Make a strong point to emphasize that all who willingly turn themselves in or who are in Order custody, either the Chapter of the Fist or the Chapter of the Light, are under the protection of the Order of Arnath. All in custody who are targeted by others will be defended.
9) Update the Tomes of Valor of all new Chapter members of the Order of Arnath’s Light; their bravery and actions were paramount in the success of this mission.

Signed by my hand,
Brother Ree, Griffin of the Chapter of Light, Order of Arnath