Report of the Crimson Harvest from Kenear

Part 1: Last Wish and Warning of Kenear

   The following was found scribbled on a piece of paper near the town of Lullin. "I write this by my dying flame to anyone who finds this body. The nobles of Lullin LIE. As she spoke of unity and working together the baroness killed Mousse Gren. I barely escaped now but I still hear them reveling in their crimson harvest. If you find me dead, bring my sword back to Shylenshara and the news that Kenear son of Callewen has fallen and you shall be rewarded. I hear some approaching now may Shiandria keep me safe and these words not my last.

Part 2: Report on the Hunt for Blood as told by Kenear

   Kenear's hands tremble due to the combination of the night's events and the constant whispers that have increased in frequency, his only comfort being Saphara and the knowledge of the rising sun. "I suppose I should start where all stories do, at the beginning. I was traveling the Emerald Lands when a courier gave me a letter from Duke Guaicaipuro, a vampire and the landlord of Lullin, requesting aid because the land was in need of help. I arrived a day early and found that the dwarven Clan Gren was hosting a tournament. Sadly the day had gone by before the tournament could end and not all people have the low light vision of elves. The next day was filled with adventure as I teamed up with Dakken Morrow, and old acquaintance; Isadora, an elven hoplite; Marek Morrowind, a tiefling merchant and mercenary; and Jack Evergreen, a fae paladin and a new close friend. We had to go to the newspaper stand for the Lullin Harbinger to get a map of Lullin to start our journey. On our way to the salt mines, which we heard needed guards, we came across Vex's house, and Jack found a stone that the Elemental Temple had stolen from them. We then went and guarded the salt mines on behalf of Creme Gren when two lizardfolk approached the mines wanting some salt and the leader Bubba managed to negotiate a duel between Marek and the other one who if they lost would give us some scales as "proof" that we killed them, but if he won they got a bag of salt. Marek won the duel and some scales that Creme believed was enough proof that they were dead. We assumed that we were relieved from duty due to the fact that the lizardfolk promised not to come back, but were proven wrong when Creme came and threatened us because all of his salt was missing. Asking the lizardfolk gave evidence as to that the Twin Talons stole the salt as the new celestial born member said he could "get salt to trade", but was later revealed to be a prank by the other Grens and they went and returned it later. We did go back to guarding it later, but then some members found some of the blacksmith's missing gold which we went to return. When we returned the Grove of Shiandria was being burnt down, luckily the Grove was protected from the blaze. After helping with the fire Mousse Gren managed to sell the lizardfolk some salt and relieved us from our duty. I did go and check in with the Grove of Yggdrasil often, and they had a new face, Koa of the Misty Grove, an elven druid. Young Cunan Crann discovered who the Midnight Carver was, killed him, and ended his killing spree. The local nobles held a weapons only tournament, and Jack got third place and an invitation to the Duke's court. After quite the busy day the Grens decided to continue the tournament they were hosting and I got second, bested by Noctis, a member of the Talons, but barely defeated a catfolk called Obi. As the sun was setting the Duke's gate was opened. My fellow members of the Grove warned me it might be a trap, and I went and told Jack as a payment of sorts for all he had done throughout the day. As we entered they had us remove our weapons outside the manor, but made an exception for Ar'Calima since he couldn't part with his willingly or not, increasing the doubt that this was an innocent affair. Our suspicions were only raised as we saw a succubus in the manor in the open. I should've sensed when my magic dissipated but I was too worried about other things to notice. The gathering seemed innocent at first as they encouraged us to socialize, but I was secretly communicating to the Grove and Jack to be on guard. The facade was dropped when the baroness took Mousse's hand and while talking about unity said livestock putting everyone on edge. Then she sank her fangs into Mousse not even trying to turn her just consuming all of her blood, killing her quickly. As soon as I saw that I dashed out of the manor, taking two spear wounds to the side, and grabbed the Grove's weapons and hid waiting for them to come out and return them. After returning them I saw the baroness chasing after Ar'Calima, and I fled with Jack to escape the chaos through the Whispering Warrens and hid behind a house where I hid while he ran off immune to the vampires attacks. When the coast was clear I sprinted through the Warrens again jumping over the fences in an impressive display of athletics that I could never repeat towards the Governor's mansion. thinking no one would try to look there. For a second I swear someone was chasing me but that may have been Nerull thinking I was near my time. As the Hunt for Blood was slowing down as all of the innocent villagers were being slaughtered to prevent a possible uprising. Jack approached the mansion and found me, and we carefully helped the rest of the Grove safely escape from Lullin. Before Jack and I parted ways I offered him a place in the Grove and he accepted, then he said that we would see each other again and went his own way. The only known people who survived the hunt were me, Jack, Eldigan, Cunan, Koa who I was shocked with as I think this was her first time in battle, and rumors of Lemon Gren being the only Gren to survive. I hope they are true because he told me of a dessert called "pop rocks" that only Grens know how to make, and I have been wanting some since he told me about them." Kenear goes to set down his quill, but he drops it leaving a small splotch on the paper, and grabs his head oblivious to his surroundings; the only thing he can focus on is the pain almost falling out of the tree he was in. After a few minutes passed he regained awareness of his surroundings and Saphara softly asked "They are back already?" Kenear lowers his hands and nods "Yes, you haven't been hearing them lately have you? That is because I was trying to stop them from reaching you but it seems to have taken a toll on me. I couldn't stop them any longer. I need to understand their language and I may learn their secrets like how to block them out." He puts up his journal and looks at Lullin covered by an ashen cloud blaming himself for not looking hard enough for the rest of the stones. "You know you keep thinking that loud Saphara and I'll end up saying it." He makes eye contact with Saphara while she is around his wrist "Yes I am curious about Koa as well where she came from and who she is, but like the voices that is one thing that I will have to wait to ask about. It is rude to ask about someone behind their back, you know. Next time we see her I'll ask, does that satisfy you?" Saphara flies up to face level and puffs some smoke to show that it does and goes to hunt for her some dinner. Kenear tries to ignore his wounds, but inevitably looks at them "I guess I need to find a healer for this." he says as he rewraps them for the third time this day.