The First Time We've Witnessed Flying Elves

Preparations are being made to travel south to the Krag's keep. We know it by that name since the chieftain of that tribe is named Krag; an Orc that has worked in collaboration with the giant men and the Hobgoblins of this region. Scouts have said to us that this army of Orcs will be a challenge for the men. Destroying the Hobgoblin armies and the Ogres was easy, but this time we face a stronger opponent, capable of fighting like well trained warriors. We feel outnumbered, rumor from the scouts have suggested that the number of Orcs out number our
men both at Thrag's Keep and at Baldin's Keep.

But men of the Dales do not fear numbers nor the weak steel of the Orcs. They may have numbers, but...WE HAVE LATHANDER!

Men are preparing by sharpening their sabers and daggers, and repairing their broken bands and leather strings from their armor. They know the Orcs present a threat to the people of the Dagger Dale. No matter what, they will do everything in their strength to face Krag.

We received word from messengers at Baldin's Keep that Randal Morn had sent us supplies and 490 Dagger Dale Guards. That makes us 1367 strong!

While many were training, eating, and resting for the march to Krag's Keep, the men looked to the sky to see birds circling over the camp. Later, more birds came as they began to fill the sky. It must have been 50 or so. It was a spectacular sight. They looked like Eagles. Could they be from Eagle's Erie. But the Dwarves have not been there over 150 years.

None of the young men have ever seen so many birds at once. It feels as if the distance between us cannot be measured. These animals looked as though they could touch the sun. Sargeant Elenar called for Captain Alessandro to see. He rushed from his tent to see these birds flying above the keep in a circular formation as they began to descend to the keep. All, including the Captain, became fearful. Captain called out to the men: "Men, get ready!" Suddenly these Eagle-like creatures no longer looked as the birds of Eagles Erie, but as men with wings. They encircled the keep in speeds which we could not measure, but they were beautiful in flight. One by one they began to land on the sides of the keep where we gathered. They looked magnificent, clad in beautiful armor as though they shined as bright as the sun. Our men stood in amazement seeing that these creatures were males and females. Then one came to the center of the camp and with a powerful thrust of his wings, he landed before the Guard. He must have been a smaller giant, he stood above many of the men. We were captured by this creature's beauty. They appeared to be of Elf Kin.

Captain Alessandro commanded the men to put their weapons away. The tall winged creature came forth as he spoke, "Where is the man they call Alessandro?" The Captain walked forward and presented himself, "I am Alessandro."

The winged creature gently smiled at him saying, "I am Dovian of the Winged Folk, Captain of the Eagle's Claw, and servant of Princess Casandra, Cloud Giant of the Island of Tyrnos. We came to aid you and the folk of Dagger Dale in the defeat of the goblinoid armies. We give you our swords as a pledge of Princess Casandra's blessing to the men of the House of Morn." With that, Dovian bowed before Captain Alessandro to show his allegiance. I have never seen Alessandro so amazed as he walked towards Captain Dovian, giving his arm to Winged Creature as a sign of friendship.

All in the camp cheered! We all knew that Lathander was watching over us - we will defeat the Krag's Army.

The Fall of Thrag's Keep

The men are enjoying their time of rest after the quick defeat at Thrag's Keep. We took the keep with great numbers, thinking that these giant men would crush our army. They are called Ogres: ugly giant men who live in the hills and mountains. Thrag stood no match for our Daggerdale Guard. Thanks to the help of the spies, the trackers, and the hunters, we were able to catch them by surprise and get rid of them once and for all.

Our people in Daggerdale called these giant men "the tribe of the Man Eaters". They have been known to capture wondering travelers near the western parts of Dagger Hills. On defeating these "Man Eaters", we came across 15 survivors from Dagger Morn and Dagger Valley (12 women and 2 men.) Some were wounded by mistreatment, others were badly bruised. One of them appeared to be pregnant. It is known, according to some sages, that these giant men take the women of our towns to have their way with them, breeding a new race of giant men. The offspring are known to be smarter, but more aggressive as they are raised to be brutes.

This woman as well as the rest of the survivors will be taken to Dagger Falls where they will recuperate for the time. I do not know if the woman will survive. They are very lucky to be alive. One of the women captured by the Ogres told a Guard that they would take the prisoners out of the cage and beat them with clubs. After the beating, they would chop the prisoner to pieces, then eat them raw or sometimes roasted. Horrible to imagine the suffering these people endured.

Among the prisoners was an Emissary from the Kingdom of Cormyr, named Don Reinaldos Diaz de Vivar. Rumor has it that chests were found in one of the caves bearing the seal of Cormyr. Don Reinaldos is not speaking to any of the Guard, for it seems as though Captain Alessandro and Calis have angered him. Many of the Guard do not trust him, but some say that Captain Alessandro should ask him for help in defeating the Orcs in the south. Maybe we may just get the reinforcements we need to defeat the Orcs.

Men continue to speak of our fallen, especially Robert of Dagger Falls, who faught valiantly against the Ogre known as Dunador. According to Captain Calis, the young man battled the giant in the caves. Witnesses said that Robert was pierced by Dunador's blade, but Robert managed to free himself from the blow as he thrusted his saber into Dunador's chest. Robert did not move after the stabbing Dunador. He laid on the chest of the giant still holding the hilt of his saber with both hands. Valiant Robert will be remembered.