Profitable Paths - An effort lead by Dualist Martok Dureth

[DOT]

PROFITABLE PATHS
An effort led by Dualist Martok Dureth



Tasked by Lord Dreiden Dureth, the house members made best efforts to patrol the roadway that led from the city-state of Proskur, to the Comyr border just past the Bridge of Fallen Men.

The woods house many a threat, most notably bandits that would raid unprotected caravans. 

Already has the dualist... taught... the bandits the error of their ways. 


"OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM


As the reports of banditry in the outskirts of Proskur leading to an increasingly dangerous situation for the caravan owners,

my patrols found a cove protected from the elements and adjacent to the roadways where the bandits make their shelter from the authorities.

The lax patroling with the area combined with the considerable denser forest around make it the perfect environment where the outlaws can hide from the Purple Knights. But they cannot hide from me.

The patrols are kept constant in between Greatgaunt and the Proskurian Enclave in the hopes of dissuading more bandits to pursue further activity in the area, creating a safe environment in which the caravan route can prosper without incident."


-Dualist Martok Dureth



...and here, is the tale to follow...

[gcmz]

    Leaving as the sun sets to find cover in the night as we transverse the road to south, the patrols depart from either Greatgaunt heading south to the enclave, or from the enclave itself back to Gaunt. The times and days chosen to patrol are always as random as possible, hoping that the unyielding unpredictable atrition mainted by our forces demoralize and dissuade the opposition from pursuing further acitivity along the route.

    Besides some local unfriendly fauna composed mainly by giant spiders, other hostile elements identified within the vicinity of the road include Kobolds hailing from a nearby cave complex that given it's size might prove impossible to pacify. In this particular section, the only way to ensure safety is to mantain constant watch to keep the kobolds at bay, which would require a guard outpost manned by local milita. For this end, the location of an old seemingly abandoned but viciously haunted house has been identified, even though the nature of it's ocupants would require some specialized power to deal with, this can be readily found with assistance of the Reds Wizards in the enclave. With some little adjustment, this house could be converted into a guard outpost with all facilities required to keep a permanent station there.

    Furthermore, the Enclave merchants have been complaning about the bandit activity for quite some time now, and are suspecting they could have a mole inside the enclave that reports caravan movements directly to the bandit ringleader, which would explain why they strike at precise moments before retreating with stolen cargo to the depths of the woods evading retaliation. This modus operandi has been responsible for the near complete halt of all merchantile operations going through the Gaunt-Proskur route, with estimated losses numbering the hundreds of thousands of gold coins.

    At the moment, the precise location of the bandit ringleader or the identity of his allegded mole is unkwnow. The bandits that are found around the enclave represent a forward force that practices attacks of opportunity and are constantly being replenished by new recruits. The final extermination of this group should require further investigation and planed and decisive action.

[Merogol]

Galeno Dureth’s Response: A Letter to Lord Dreiden Dureth



Esteemed Lord Dreiden Dureth,



With ink-stained fingers and a heart aflame with purpose, I pen this missive—a chronicle of our endeavors along the treacherous roadways that bind Proskur to the Comyr border.
The woods, my lord, harbor secrets darker than the midnight sky. Among them, bandits—like thorns in the side of our fledgling caravan route. Fear not, for the dualist Martok has danced his double blade, teaching these miscreants the error of their ways.
But let us delve deeper, into the heart of our operation—dubbed “Enduring Freedom.” Our patrols, like sentinels of old, thread the path between Greatgaunt and the Proskur thayvian enclave. Random as the whims of fate, they thwart the bandits’ ambitions.
Yet, my lord, there lies a shadowed glen—a cove where outlaws nestle like vipers. The forest, dense and unyielding, shields them from the Purple Knights’ gaze. But fear not, for they cannot hide from us.
And now, a revelation: Kobolds, cunning as moonlight thieves, haunt the vicinity. Their cave complex—an abyss of teeth and malice—defies pacification. A guard outpost, manned by local militia, stands as our beacon of safety.
The haunted house, its timbers groaning with ancient sorrow, beckons. Reds Wizards, wielders of arcane might, can cleanse its spectral taint. With adjustments, it shall serve as our bastion—a sentinel advanced outpost against the night.
Yet, my lord, a darker truth festers. Enclave merchants, their pockets lighter by the day, suspect a mole—a whisperer in the shadows. This traitor, like a serpent, feeds the bandit ringleader our secrets. Their strikes, precise as a bard’s sonnet, bleed our coffers.
The ringleader’s lair eludes us, veiled in enigma. Our foes, replenished like the tides, practice attacks of opportunity. Investigation, my lord, is our compass. Decisive action, our sword.
In shadows or in light, loyalty remains unshaken.


Awaiting your command,



Galeno Dureth

Commissar of House Dureth



May this letter find you resolute, my lord, as we carve destiny’s path.

//naughtysanta

[naughtysanta]

Galeno,

Your recent communication has reached me. It is encouraging to witness your resolve in the face of the myriad challenges we confront along the precarious roads of Proskur. You speak of bandits and their cunning, and I commend your actions thus far, particularly in utilizing Martok’s talents to impose order amongst the chaos.

However, your report of the outlaw cove and the Kobold menace is grave. We must treat these threats with the utmost seriousness. While we may not be able to eradicate their presence entirely, we can exert our influence to ensure they understand the cost of defiance. The notion of a guard post acting as our beacon of safety is sound; it must, however, be fortified and operate under strict regulations to prevent any lapses in security.

The haunted house you’ve mentioned intrigues me. Allow the Red Wizards to cleanse its cursed remnants, transforming this edifice into a bastion of our power. Let it serve as a reminder to all—dissent will not be tolerated, and the punishment for such will be severe.

Moreover, your reference to an informant amidst our merchants is troubling. Such treachery is unacceptable. We must root out this serpent and ensure that the lesson learned by all is one of loyalty and consequence. Utilize your connections and resources; I expect nothing less than the identification and elimination of this traitor. A display of our efficiency in dealing with betrayal will serve as a deterrent to any others who may consider undermining our efforts.

As for the bandit ringleader, your mention of investigation is prudent; however, it must be conducted with a firm hand. We do not merely seek to observe—we will outmaneuver and orchestrate their downfall with precision. The waters may be murky, but our resolve must be clear.

Continue your efforts, and report back promptly. Remember, in the game of power, mercy is a luxury we cannot afford.

With measured authority,

Lord Dreiden Dureth