Letter: Baba Dania’s Info on the Gates

Diana,  I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. As promised, I reached out to my contacts among the covens to gather information on the Owl Gate and the black sand that you spoke of. I have received some responses that may be of interest to you. Firstly, I heard back from a coven in Breechill, in the Kingdom of Isger. They whispered of a shattered gate beneath the Citadel of Jaxcheese, referred to in hushed tones as the Lotus Gate.  They can't confim its existence since the slightly unbalanced Gnomish Wizard that resides in the Citadel has not been forthcoming with more information.

But the town has been touched by a sinister trade in black sand, unearthed from the darkened soils around the citadel. Practitioners of arcane arts have been weaving it into their craft, creating objects of unnerving potency. However, this experimentation has borne a dreadful fruit—there have been troubling cases of madness and a horrifying corruption of the flesh, where veins blacken as if filled with shadows. Additionally, unsettling news arrived from a coven in the Cairnlands north of Absalom. They spoke of eerie black sand deposits surfacing in the desolate terrain. The local Pathfinders' lodge has delved into its mysteries, yet an ominous silence now shrouds their endeavors—no word has emerged for weeks. In their place, strange undead creatures have begun to roam, their flesh marred by inky black veins, as though the sand itself has seeped into their very essence.  I hope this information proves useful in your investigations. Please be cautious, as it seems the black sand possesses dangerous and corrupting properties. If you need further assistance or have any other questions, do not hesitate to reach out. Stay safe and may the spirits guide you,

Baba Dania