TITLE: Our Failure to Infiltrate the Schatten Alfen AUTHOR: Tessarael Porador, Sergeant in the Second Shadow (TIMELINE NOTE: All dates are given according to the surface calendar. Tess would have specified dates by the Shadow Elven calendar, but I lack an easy conversion, and it's easier for the GM. :) RECOMMENDED INITIAL DISTRIBUTION: - Generals in the First Shadow, including the Radiant General - Princess Tana De Lao and King Telemon - the Radiant Shaman and shamans of the next lower rank NOT RECOMMEND FOR INITIAL DISTRIBUTION, UNLESS GUARANTEED TRUSTWORTHY: - Second Shadow (due to the likelihood of an internal compromise, as outlined below) - wizards (initially, due to a number of their elderly members being involved in a plot to allow Wanderers to remain amongst us in Aengmoor City - without having taken recourse to appropriate legal measures to ascertain the situation and solve the problem in an open manner) CONTENTS ======== 1. Background: The Expedition to Reclaim Aengmoor City 2. Worship of Atzanteotl 3. Wanderers within Aengmoor City, a Reconnaissance Failure, Recommendations 4. A Solution to the Wanderers 5. Addendum 6. Appendix - Prophecies 1. Background: The Expedition to Reclaim Aengmoor City ====================================================== Eight years have passed since I approached my superiors requesting support to locate the lost city of Aengmoor (20th of Crystal, 2123). After some discussion, I convinced them that the mission required a balanced group to be successful. We sent out four groups, each composed of a leader, two members of the Second Shadow, two members of the First Shadow, and a priest. I was the leader of exploratory group B. Having been sent to explore the territories below Eastern Darokin and Eastern Glantri, Group D reported that they had found Aengmoor (12th of Army, 2123). The city is beneath the Altan Tepes mountain. I lead a forward scout group, consisting of a Death Shaman, one mage, and four members of the Second Shadow. The Dwarves were preparing to invade, and were protecting an area with tunnels to the lava cavern from above (for bombardment and deployment of their forces). Our initial deployment consisted of about 200 teleported warriors from the First Shadow. Additional soldiers arrived over the next several days to increase this forward (teleport) deployment to 1500. Combat ensued with the Dwarven legion consisting of approximately 1000 Dwarves, to close in on the area they were protecting. I was head scout during this operation. On the arrival of an additional 2000 of our soldiers, the Dwarves retreated down the ropes to Aengmoor City. During the following months we fought with Rockholm and the humanoid inhabitants of Aengmoor City. There were approximately 3000 Dwarves, 10000 humanoids, and 3500 of our people. Humanoid food supplies were provided by fungus fields and their shamans, water was supplied via magic wells as we discovered from captured humanoids. During the course of this time, there were several truces as the three sides vied for superior military strength. Dwarvish reinforcements were able to take the citadel, then two additional humanoid armies arrived and the Dwarves retreated. At this stage, there were approximately 8000 humanoid combatants in the city, and 5000 additional humanoids, including ogres, had arrived. Our armies numbered 10000. We were able to sneak into the lower part of the city, and a magical gate was built, enabling us to overwhelm the humanoids from beneath. A peace was organized between Rockholm and the Shadow Elves via Darokin. Chief negotiators were Gzrk for Rockholm, and Phoranin for the Shadow Elves. Darokin contributed to the settlement, by revealing that Darokin spies had located books on our history within Aengmoor City (12th of Shaman, 2124). 2. Worship of Atzanteotl ======================== Given the chaotic battle and large number of forces deployed, it is not surprising that Darokin was able to deploy spies during our military campaign to reclaim Aengmoor City. It is most likely that this occurred through Rockholm, as Rockholm and Darokin have extensive ties (indeed Rockholm had been a member of the Western Defense League). It is unclear where the army of 5000 additional humanoids arrived from. Presumably from near the Broken Lands. There has been no further investigation of this. However, for reasons I reveal later, I suspect they may also have been worshippers of Atzanteotl. It is likely that they had information from humanoids within the city and came to help fight off the invaders. The humanoids were surprisingly well-organized in the art of war, and this again indicates the likelihood of Atzanteotl being involved. Note the history of the City of Aengmoor: Shadow Elves fled from the holocaust of lava. Yet, powerful magics were used by those who remained - the magic wells for example. It was unclear who might have remained, and if they were Shadow Elves, why we were not contacted. (As discussed later, the reason we were not contacted was because the Shadow Elves who got to the City of Aengmoor were Wanderers.) On 19th of Army, 2124, I was informed that some of the architecture in the City of Aengmoor indicated a third race (neither Shadow Elven, nor humanoid) had lived in the city. From discussion with Minora of the Seekers (who hails from the Milenian Empire in the Hollow World), the architecture is Azcan in design. The Azcans are an extremely warlike race dwelling within the Hollow World. The Azcans engage in warfare with every country around them, including the Schatten Alfen. Notably, both Azcans and the Schatten Alfen worship Atzanteotl. Worship of Atzanteotl is characterized by sacrifice, and both of these civilizations indulge in sacrifice. Of further note, blood stains indicated sacrifices had been held in the large humanoid temple in Aengmoor City. Given the warlike nature of the humanoids, it is highly likely that they too worshipped Atzanteotl. It is imperative that we talk with the Shadow Elven inhabitants who were in the city (i.e. the Wanderers) to find out what they know of the worship of Atzanteotl, and of the presence of Schatten Alfen within Aengmoor City. The remainder of the humanoids have only recently (2131) been banished from Aengmoor City. Prior to this, a priest came upon a humanoid who was disguised by illusion, but failed to capture the individual. 3. Wanderers within Aengmoor City, a Reconnaissance Failure =========================================================== It should be noted that I have my suspicions about an intelligence failure regards the Schatten Alfen. I was informed around 2127 that we had found an entrance to the Hollow World, and made contact with a race of Elves similar to us, known as the Schatten Alfen. Given that the Schatten Alfen are similar and Elves, they are no doubt quite competent. However, so are we. Given that four years have passed since 2127 (it is now 2131), an intelligence network that could penetrate Alfheim with such success, should also have had at least some initial success with the Schatten Alfen. We have had no notable success in penetrating the Schatten Alfen. I expressed my concern, and was rebuffed with "They are not considered a significant threat." It is strange that a group of warlike elves, likely as smart as ourselves, are not deemed a threat. Frankly, I don't believe that response - it is an attempt to dissuade further questioning, and assumes that the investigator is naive. Perhaps our success is strictly on a need to know basis. However, individuals with significant rank in other parts of the military infrastructure have confirmed that this is not a cloud of ignorance, but indeed the failure of our intelligence organization. I have asked questions in Aengmoor forest, Aengmoor City, and the City of Stars, and have been met with similar responses: "Things are progressing slowly, it is early days yet." So for some time, I have been deeply concerned, but had little opportunity to check further. Having adventured with me and the Seekers, knowing that I was a member of the Second Shadow, Phoranin requested my help investigating the incident of the illusion-disguised humanoid. This gave me a significant chance to investigate Aengmoor City. A brief summary of my findings: - limited intelligence infrastructure - failure to report humanoid worship of Atzanteotl, and the implications that Schatten Alfen may have been present for centuries (as evidenced by their architecture) in Aengmoor City ... along with an ample opportunity to infiltrate us, while we were unaware of them - failure to observe the presence of Wanderers within Aengmoor City Specifically, my investigations in Aengmoor City failed to turn up much of significance, beyond a group of elderly mages migrating to the city. With other tracks of inquiry barren, I examined this further. The mages were joined by companions. While the mages from our other cities were traceable, some of the new companions were not mentioned in any of our city records. It became apparent that they were in disguise, and priests confirmed that they were using illusions and disguises to appear younger, with false identities to avoid arousing suspicion. Huge quantities of provisions were being procured by the mages to feed a large number of wanderers, who presumably inhabit the city. The provisions were more than sufficient for 6 months, which suggests on the order of several hundred mouths to feed. I did directly enquire about the wizards with one elderly mage I know. It was clear that he knew something, was uncomfortable talking with me, and didn't want to reveal information. It seems that a number of the elderly wizards may be involved with this decision to try and circumvent the rules regarding the Wanderers. Please note the failure of the Second Shadow to notice this. It appears we have no significant infrastructure for internal investigation currently within Aengmoor City. This is particularly disturbing, given that some of the humanoids were living in the city for 6 years, as servants and so forth, after we reclaimed it. Frankly, I consider this complete failure of intelligence intentional. There are those who do not want Aengmoor City to be investigated in detail. Perhaps those too are the people who continue to claim that the Schatten Alfen are not a significant threat, and lack of progress is merely our intelligence network biding its time. RECOMMENDATIONS: I strongly recommend a careful external investigation of the Second Shadow. Specifically: - why has progress against the Schatten Alfen been so slow? We look very similar and speak a similar dialect. It should be straightforward to insinuate some initial agents, unless they have been compromised. - why wasn't the similarities in infrastructure and religion reported? - why has there been no internal investigation, given the high likelihood of infiltration by the Schatten Alfen prior to our first contact with them? - why are investigations within Aengmoor City so limited currently? and why have they failed to locate the presence of the Wandered, which one operative (me) was able to determine within the space of a month? Given the warlike nature of the Schatten Alfen, if they are going to attack, any attack is likely to come before they lose the advantage of superior intelligence. It would be likely that Aengmoor City would be of some significance to them, given the temple to Atzanteotl, and their architecture. An external investigation, by its very nature of exposing compromises, will likely force the Schatten Alfen to play their hand ... if they have compromised our intelligence network. Our military infrastructure must be ready to deal with an imminent attack by the Schatten Alfen. Given the Schatten Alfen's history of constant warfare, they will likely employ tactics as good, or better than ours. What other advantages can we use against them, given that their tactics will be better? We have a military force spread across Aengmoor forest, Aengmoor City, and protecting our other cities ... An internal attack on our other cities at this stage could be devastating. I strongly recommend analysis of attacks on our three main cities. Simply based on my limited knowledge of the likely significance of Aengmoor City to the Schatten Alfen, I presume that would be their primary target. Targeting other cities would be a diversionary tactic to force a recall of forces from Aengmoor City ... in any case, it might be wise for our forces to proceed in that fashion, as it is easier for us to afford some setback in Aengmoor City, than in our other cities. Furthermore, I recommend including a clause in the contract with Rockholm. Our current agreement requires that we hand over gold and similar valuables to Rockholm. I recommend specifying that Rockholm and the Shadow Elves agree to cooperate militarily to expel any invasion by humanoids or other forces [i.e. the Schatten Alfen - but obviously, this is unstated] in the event of an attack on Aengmoor City. Similarly, I recommend treaties with Darokin to stabilize the military capacity required in Aengmoor forest, and allow a reduction in the event of the need for forces to be stationed elsewhere. 4. A Solution to the Wanderers ============================== The Wanderers in Aengmoor City have essential information on the infrastructure of the humanoids. Specifically, we need to know about their religious practices in more detail, and whether or not the Wanderers know of any other elves that may have been present in the city. The Wanderers followed Rafiel's laws, by leaving us. We found them. It seems that it might be reasonable for them to continue to inhabit Aengmoor City. Clearly, there are far too few Wanderers for them to be the sole inhabitants of Aengmoor City. The question then is of a practical and religious nature. To be specific, I am quite certain that it was Rafiel's intent that we discover Aengmoor City. While I do not presume to interpret the nature of Rafiel's guidance, my suggestion of searching for Aengmoor City was certainly divinely inspired, and we would not have found Aengmoor City without Rafiel's blessing. Given we found Wanderers in the city, it seems that we should allow Wanderers to inhabit Aengmoor City in future, but if so, perhaps this implies that this a sign from Rafiel that it is time for the Wanderers to be integrated within our society once more. The Verse of the Wanderers states: "Keep the strength of the shadow elves, and let none who is weak remain among you or follow after you. Turn these to me and I, Rafiel, will guide their path." Certainly, there was a time when we struggled greatly to survive, and those who could not provide for themselves were a burden, but this time has passed. Many of the Wanderers are knowledgeable elders of our community, and their knowledge of Aengmoor City may be of great importance to us. What is strength in a time of turmoil and lack of food is the ability to provide food ... what is strength in a time of expansion may well be knowledge of our enemies and wisdom gained by years of experience. It seems Rafiel guided their path to Aengmoor City and in turn, many years later, guided us to Aengmoor City. It would seem that we have followed them ... 5. Addendum =========== I am prone to caution. It is part of my training. As noted here, I have no direct evidence to indicate that the Second Shadow may have been infiltrated. It is clear that either their performance has been poor, or I and other individuals relatively significant in different chains of command have been mislead about our intelligence gathering activities. It is not unreasonable that individuals such as myself are not well informed, however if those higher in the chain of command who receive this letter also don't have information about the Schatten Alfen ... then there is a serious lapse, probably intentional. In penning this report, my intent has been to forewarn of a possible threat, but perhaps this is false paranoia. If I have overstepped my bounds in not sending this report through the appropriate channels, then feel free to let my superiors know. I am willing to receive appropriate disciplinary measures meted out by a military tribunal. 6. Appendix - Prophecies ======================== According to the Seekers, the Azcans (Hollow World inhabitants who also worship Atzanteotl) have a prophetic "belief that some benevolent feathered serpent will one day aid them." This is particularly disturbing given the shared belief system of the Schatten Alfen and the Azcans, and our ties to the Schatten Alfen ... specifically, there is a portion of the Second Shadow which uses the rank "Feathered Serpent" for commanders. At the very least, this implies a coincidence from similar mythology (though I recall nothing in Shadow Elven mythology that refers to a Feathered Serpent, nor do others that I have spoken to). Given the number of prophecies (e.g. the Hammer of Rafiel) that have come true recently, and the momentous times throughout Mystara itself, I am concerned about this prophecy. Let's suppose it is true, and refers to the Second Shadow. There are two possibilities: the Second Shadow infiltrates the Schatten Alfen and Azcans, and helps liberate them from the sacrifice worship of Atzanteotl (i.e. eventually convincing them to worship Rafiel); or the Second Shadow helps the Schatten Alfen and Azcans in some other way ... presumably one that would not be beneficial to the typical Shadow Elf ... worship of Atzanteotl would imply war would be on the cards. Do the Shadow Elves have any foreboding prophecies that are applicable to dire situations such as I have outlined? If so, they merit further investigation.