Moat House Status

Sir,

I hope this message finds you well. I have a number of updates for you and then request your guidance.

Regarding the repairs that you ordered on the Moat House, I can report that we have prioritized defensive positions. The walls surrounding the perimeter are completely repaired as is the gate and we have secured the two tunnel entrances at the far and near end. The interior is coming together well, though we have destroyed all of the Silencer and Cult furnishings… we all found them too unsettling so it is even more sparse than you last saw it. The automatons… the Caretakers are a wonder! They keep this place humming as you have observed. They… can become a bit of a nuisance if you let them… claiming your half-finished plate from beneath your chin. We’ve come to lock the doors when we want a respite, which they entirely respect.

Bristol, under Lathrop’s tutelage has gained more facility with the Murgathen tongue than we had any right to expect. I know that I was not as enthusiastic with your intent to dedicate one of our precious few recruits to such a duty, but your plan is coming to fruition. I will endeavor to put more trust in your instincts in the future.

There have been a number of ships that have moored out on the water and sent a rowboat envoy to see what we might barter — I gather the Silencers often had stolen goods they would sell to these lot. At first, we ran them off… we have repaired the ballista at the foredock as one of our first matters… however ships continue to arrive. There used to be a substantial dock and warehousing operation at the end of the Old Port Road, so Ralluk tells me. I imagine when the Baron finds time to turn his attentions in this direction he will consider rebuilding that capacity.

The Murgathen are a good ally, I must say. Their knowledge and willingness to help… I have to keep my heart hardened against hidden treachery which our times have so prepared me to expect, but thus far we have seen only good-hearted sincerity. Ralluk has proposed that we might, once again, seek to bolster the Moat House’s defenses by employing the Shambler… the adolescent monster that still prowls the swamps. He states that rather than terrorize it into submission, he might be able to serve as go-between to attempt to strike a bargain with the beast. I am not at all sure this is a good idea. However, one way or the other we are going to have to come to grips with this beast in our own, so to say, back yard.

Some unabashed good news: one of our joint Moat House — Murgathen patrols managed to find a young girl, Lessip, who had escaped, so she says, the Cult’s clutches. The Cult’s assault on Greensward resulted in a group of Cultists skirting the swamps on their way to the Old Port Road, it seems, and one of their young captives managed to escape into the swamps and survive for days before we found her. She is a young girl, far from home and even our female recruits are not… motherly, I confide with all honesty. Lessip is tough and as well take care of as we can muster, but she needs a touch that our gauntlets preclude if you will forgive the flowery language.

Regarding your priorities, please advise on how you would have us proceed.

1. Continue Fortifications. The towers have not really been addressed at all, I’m afraid. They stand… but are in the same state you last saw them. The gaol has been entirely ignored to this point, if we are to serve as the Royal Goal as in days past, that will require much improvement.
2. Add to the Garrison. Shall we recruit more men-at arms? We are not yet at capacity, as you well know. I’m certain our People are more than willing to send us capable men and women.
3. Establish routine Patrols.  If the Barony would focus on making the possibility of improved commerce between settlements approach what it might be, we stand ready to clear the roads to facilitate this crucial activity.
4. Train our cadre. I could use a few corporals to oversee our shifts. I have my eye on those most suited for this responsibility.
5. Deploy a squad for duty, either as a) Mercenaries to serve in other lands and thus produce much-needed coin for the Baron’s coffers or b) Guard a location that you designate, where the locals might lack the ability to manage Cultist or other threats. I hear reports of significant activity at Anthracite and in the region of the Twisty Wood.

I remain your humble servant,

Captain Lassadorn, Castillian of the Moat House of Darkmoor