Late last night we gathered in the Great Hall of Castle British where Queen Dawn appeared looking tired and worried. We learned that the recent attacks in Felucca by one called Orion the Haunted weighed heavy on her mind and that she had received information that his true identity may be Orion Ironfeld, once a member of the Royal Forces, thought to have been lost in the battles during the reign of Casca. Ironfeld had served under the guidance of Xavier Braddock, now retired and living a quiet life in the village of Nujel'm. Dawn asked that we seek out Captain Braddock and bring him to the castle for questioning to gather any information that might be helpful in determining whether Orion the Haunted was, indeed, Orion Ironfeld.
Near a modest home in Nujel'm we found a note on the door from Xavier Braddock saying that he had gone to mine near the dungeon of Deceit. Arriving at that location we found Captain Braddock and after some explanation for the invasion of citizens at his quiet mining spot, the good Captain seemed ready to agree to meet with Queen Dawn. He was not, however, given the chance to do so. At that moment Orion the Haunted appeared amongst us, and Xavier Braddock recognized him at once as Orion Ironfeld, former soldier. Orion blamed his old captain for leaving him for dead on the field of battle and said his revenge for that act was nearly at hand. Before we could move to protect the Captain the dark one invoked a spell, one I have never seen, that transported the both of them from the area in a flash of light.
To prevent us from attempting to follow or search for them Orion left in his wake a horde of minions ranging from minor undead to deadly shadow wyrms which kept everyone busy for a clean getaway. To ensure that we not leave the area for quite some time he even left a very large blackrock infected shadow ancient wyrm which was capable of calling down lightning from the heavens. The battles lasted long into the night, and when we finally returned to Castle British we had to report to our Queen that we had failed in our mission to return with Captain Xavier Braddock, and that, indeed, his very life was now in danger.
Dawn listened to our accounts of the encounter and while heartened that we had confirmed the identity of Orion the Haunted she was very concerned for the good Captain, indeed for all of our citizens, for more reasons than she had previously disclosed. She then told us of three items, items of enormous power, that had been hidden in various locations until recently. When all three are held by one, and their powers invoked, these items can cause a rift in the void, which could then allow the Shadowlords to once again enter our realm. All are made with the most dense, powerful blackrock ever found, the intensity of just one item greater than any before seen. The first is a necklace, Jewel of the Shadows, given to the True Britannians to hide and keep safe. Second is The Staff of Darkness which was entrusted to the Council of Mages in Magencia. Last is the Blade of Shadows, a sword like no other, fashioned of this intense blackrock.
Queen Dawn believes that these three objects are the focus of Orion the Haunted's murdering rampages, that he seeks them to allow the Shadowlords to once again enter Britannia. Scouts and spies will be sent out to determine his whereabouts and the Queen requests that all citizens remain vigilant and report any sightings or information.
