2022.03.11, Castille Liescat

Report by Castille Liescat, submitted March 11th

Brief: In the second village survey we discovered a gold necklace with dust clinging to it and a series of corpses. Heading north towards the cliff went without a hitch. Northwest from there we encountered a group of creatures (see addendum A) of which we successfully managed to avoid. We reached our destination to the northwest and discovered a submerged village similar to the first we've seen. We found a drawing (see addendum B) and some melted stonework during our inspection. A river runs southwards through the village from the north, source undetermined (see addendum C). Return to portal resolved with no complications. Section 1: Further town survey Our group did additional surveying of the town close to the portal, notable new discoveries consist of the series of mounds near the base of the portal, each mound seems to contain a corpse that appears to have passed while kneeling head to the floor facing the portal platform, no evidence was found as to why. Worthy Friend dug up a golden amulet that appeared to have dust coalescing on it, it has some untranslated text on it. At the end of our expedition we brought a bunch of stone close to the portal for construction of a wall when we have free time. Section 2: Northwestern march At the beginning of our march we had a moderately long discussion about sending one of our members out alone to, and I quote, "see what happens". This brilliant plan by Cú Aoife was not realized however as we had more productive things to accomplish. We began our march north until we reached the cliff face, visibility was not the best but I believe there is nothing to be seen on the northern bulge in the terrain. We from there followed the cliff to the northwest, the closest the swamp gets to the cliff appears to be about a third of a mile away, we spotted a pack of creatures near the tree line (see addendum A) but managed to successfully navigate around them. Once you reach the northwestern plateau the land begins to incline towards the north with a river running to the south into the swamp. Section 3: Northwestern town Once reaching the inclined area we spotted a village to the southwest around the trees, it is somewhat submerged into the water of the river. The village maintains the exact design as the one near the portal. Surveying the village revealed a child's drawing preserved in the peat of the swamp (see addendum B) and some melted stonework. While less eventful than I would have desired we now likely know what the northwestern marker is, however I have more questions as to the environment of this area (see addendum C). After a bit of discussion we went back to the portal without issue, the creatures we saw previously were no longer present.

Addendum A: Fauna Creature that seems to be a cross between an alligator and a dog while still being low to the ground. They appear to hunt in groups but don't appear to be cordial between one another. The inside of their mouths are lined with many rows of teeth much like a lamprey. Addendum B: Drawing I have taken it upon myself to make a copy of the drawing as it is attached to an entire wall. ￼ Addendum C: River musings The river appears to run southwards through the swamp coming from somewhere up the incline, there is a lot of mist in the area so I was unable to get a good look of what is up there. I believe this is the same river that waterfalls off the island on the other side of the swamp. I am planning an expedition to travel back to this area and explore the top of the rise here, aiming to find the source of the spring to determine whether it is natural or artificial, as it runs through a village of which was previously to my knowledge not submerged.