Rumor 1
The group finds a body lost in a hidden cave with a journal. The entries read as such:
Entry 1:
I don’t know how long I’ve been down here. The passing of time has blurred as there is no discernable source of day or night anymore. It took forever for my journal to dry off enough for me to even document anything. There is a passage below, but I dare not try it. It’s too dark and tight and I don’t know where it’ll take me.
Entry 2:
I swear I hear dogs or something gathering around the entrance. Maybe there are hunters around. Hopefully somebody will happen by soon and I can have them help me out of this predicament I’m in.
Entry 3:
The bucket was lowered tonight. I raced over to it as fast as I possibly could yelling for help. I looked up only to match gaze with three sets of glowing yellow eyes. Gods be damned I’ve fallen into a pit guarded by devils. My hopes for escape from above seem dashed.
I’m so hungry. I’ve scraped all I could from the cavern walls. The fungi was hard to keep down at first, but I needed something. Now there is nothing left to eat, luckily I at least have fresh water but that won’t be enough forever.
Entry 4:
I’m growing weak. I got desperate enough to try the underwater passage yesterday, but I wasn’t strong enough to fight against the current. I’m stuck here. I had so many plans for my future, the wealth the Icemonger’s staff would bring was supposed to set me for life and now here I am. Devil dogs block one exit and my own ineptitude keeps me from the other. If help doesn’t come soon, this is going to be it for me.
Entry 5:
I’ve failed, Markus. I don’t have the strength to go on. I’m starving and cold. I’m so tired now. I could sleep. That would be fine. I could sleep and this would all go away. At least when I’m asleep I can be free from this place. I’ve accepted the fact that I won’t make it out. If somebody does find my journal, please find Markus and let him know what happened to me. Tell him I’m sorry. I’m so tired now. I think I will sleep…
The back of the book:
This journal belongs to Gunthren del Rollst
The group then later finds a note in an old shack stating:
Gunthren,
I think I found it! It’s way out there so I don’t think I’ll be coming back here. Lord knows if I find it, I can cash my chips in and retire to Oranthos with the rest of those rich Bastards. I left you a map. Meet me here in three months and your bring weapons. From what I’ve seen, we may not be the only interested party.
Markus
The group has heard whispering of a creature known as the Grey Wanderer who is said to be seen on roadsides wandering through thick sheets of fog. Witnesses claim to have seen its presence in the fog but those that are smart known to move in the opposite direction of the fog. Those that have been foolish enough to go after this shade have been found the next day with their heads smashed open.