Excerpt from the journal of a dwarf Dalgarn, the Bane of Rats, member of the Redwood Raiders.
We're heading out today. Finally. Bringing two mules with us. Baron also sent one of his men.
We convinced baron to lend us the helmet Rarder previously stole from the statue. Statue said it'll be needed in the tower.
Amos put it on and said, he could hear our thoughts. Dangerous! Rozza took it in the end. I'll have to be careful around him. You never know who turns out to be a rat.
The elven tower should be some way to the northeast from the keep, if that elven statue is to be trusted.
Followed the river on foot, heading north. As we were setting up a camp we noticed a campfire in the distance to the east. Bandits probably.
Avoiding the bandit camp we kept following the river. It bent north east, then east.
Once we were a good chunk away we headed south to explore some of the forested areas further away from the river.
At first we found bits of broken statues covered in moss. Except they were no statues at all. No chisel left mark on them. Petrified men.
Griml and Grom! I heard of beasts who can do that. Question was, which of them did it. We soon found out.
Great serpent emerged from the forest. Caught glimpse of its yellow piercing eyes but immediately looked down.
We ran. Thankfully the serpent wasn't interested.
Beneath the mossy ground we found an old stone path leading northeast. Good track to follow.
We met some feline beast hiding in the shadows. Rozza convinced them we're more trouble than worth using the mindtalking helmet.
Later we found a sinkhole. Used to be some small building. Not sure what. Led to a underground cavern but didn't look like the tower so we let it be.
Finally came the tower. Front door folded in on itself as we approached. Then we heard the baron's soldier taking his last breath.
Incorporeal figure made of living shadows darted forward.
None of our weapons could hit it except the talking sword. Our enchanted shields could at least hold it at bay. It was otherwise like the air.
Path forwards lies open. I pray to Brothers Above, the elves left some gold behind.