Current Red Glove Research and Information

Hello Travance. Here is our current information in regards to the Red Glove.


Caelvan and Khala followed a group of archaeologists to a vault across the rift. It wasn’t long after that when a group of pirates attacked and slaughtered all of the archaeologists. They followed the group of pirates for a while and saw a few other things, including a strange tablet with runes on it. They speculate that it was part of this “Pieces of the Eternal Lock” artifact they are looking for, but are not absolutely sure on that.

Once they got to their base star globes were used and Caelvan and Khala were discovered. They tried to gate out, but a halfling woman used that strange artifact to cause their gates to open up about five feet to the left.

The High Priest of the Obsidian Raptors kept bragging that they are looking for something with the intent of killing everyone in the world. - It is assumed that this is the “Pieces of the Eternal Lock”.

An artifact was recovered and in studying the artifact it was determined that it is made from a Green Weave Strand and is something made by the Weavesmith. The artifact can redirect portals as well as keep two locations open in one place, it also has similar markings to what are on the Gates of Passage.

Django is leading an assault on their naval forces. If anyone would like to be involved in that please reach out to Django. Of note, sailors, be informed to watch out for the individual “Captain Bloody Bess” - her ship has some kind of mystical power connected to it, this is being currently researched, will update with our findings.

The Sagewardens, and anyone else interested, are conducting research on many things connected to this information, if anyone would like to be involved please send a raven to Sagewardens Keep addressed to Khala. ((OOG: I will add you to the ongoing research document))

This posting will be updated as we collect information and the fruits of our research and naval patrols yield results.

~Khala Stormbringer

The Obtained Weavesmith object.-
The creator found a way to smith the green strand, folding end over end into this shape and make it solid, crystalized almost. It was excited somehow, like the state of matter was changed. It was laid end over end on itself and the different pieces of the strand were forged into a whole, like folding steel and hammering it down. The grooves in it aren’t etched lines, they are places where the strand didn’t bond fully; the way the lines go together help hold it.

The object is fairly old, hundreds of years at least. It’s physical form is as stable as any object, and while it might, in theory, be possible to break it down to reclaim the strand within, that would take effort, and further understanding of its construction. It is also currently broken. Burnt out. It’s connection is severed.


The Red Glove -
There are whispers of a pirate called Bloody Bess and the bodies she’s left behind, but word is passed around in taverns and on ships, and in dangerous parts of the world. Leads are found: directions, names, and ports that will ensure those at sea don’t spend their time sailing around aimlessly. We are passing these leads off to Django and his crew.

It is definite that Bloody Bess existed before Osric was knighted by the Empire. The Obsidian Raptors existed long before then. How exactly they are related, or came together will require more digging.


The Weave Smith -
The Elf known as the Weavesmith, was a crafter of amazing objects who lived and worked in the early days of Quinyaria. The name (or title) could be translated from Tyrelian either to “Weave Smith” or “Weave Forger.” The name as a family name does seem to trace to a time after most Weave Smith objects were created.


The Lock Eternal-
We found a number of works written by a number of academics in which they discuss the possibility that it exists. There’s a lot of theorizing on what it would mean if it did, these works reference something called “The Gauntlet Eternal” as the only real proof that it might. Thanks to an eyewitness account from Darius last feast, we theorize that Ser Osric may already have the Gauntlet - which looks like a red gauntlet decorated with gems.


Academics to Contact-
Colin Flammel has opinions on the matter. It seems a few of the works we found are pseudonyms of his that argue over the different theories of the Lock Eternal. Dr Abner Livingston and Dr. Tara Seigfried have a lot of theories about the practical application of the Weave Smith’s work. Essvale Verrain offers a lot of Elven insight. Isabelle Baker holds the record for Weave Smith artifacts found, including the most recent.


~Khala Stormbringer

I have already reached out to Isabelle Baker regarding the Weavesmith and have invited them to tea this coming feast. I will update when I receive their response.

I can also reach out to Colin if no one else has.

I was actually thinking of reaching out to Colin. Always enjoyed getting to chat with him and it would be nice to see him again. But if someone else wants to do it instead I don't mind.

Khala Stormbringer

I got some small tidbits of information to add.

The Obsidian Raptors are essentially Osric's "acquisitions team". Baliol knighted Osric so that the team could be used for him as well. Bloody Bess is considered part of the "research team" along with two others that I do not know the names of. All I was given about one of the two was that they were a "pirate without a ship". In addition, there are no records of the Red Glove's existence before Baliol's reign.

I urge anyone else with information to send it to us at the Sagewardens so we can continue compiling or even just post it here if you would rather do that. Even if research isn't your strong point, but you have questions that you would like us to look into, feel free to field those to us and we will see what we can do about getting you the answers.

Khala Stormbringer

For those not in the know,. The Obsidian Raptors are a fanatical Galmachian Assassin Guild. Mostly murder for hire, but they take a dear amount of pleasure in their work. Notably, they have attacked in the past under service of demons and other groups who just want easy killers to push in a direction. We haven't heard from them in a while, but they are very dangerous. Sometimes they have been escorted by creatures that appear as floating skeletal hands that rip the souls out of the nearly dead. The only solution to dealing with those is simply keep our allies off the ground.

They have also used a cypher in the past. I will see if I can dig up the specifics of the cypher when I find the book I wrote it all in.

Obsidian Raptors aside. The man known as "Osric" is being used as an agent to locate legendary anchor points as per my request. A deal has been made as such "Osric" is my charge until our arrangements are met in full. When the war ended so did Sir Osric. When the time comes to meet I ask that I am able to treat with "Osric".

To all whom it may concern,

Over the last night and day, we’ve learned a great deal about the artifacts that the Red Glove have set their sights on, and I have organized and transcribed my notes for any who wish to read and learn:

The Weavesmith, whose given name was Delleras Sol, was a Quinarian sorcerer who lived and worked approximately 700 years ago. They crafted a wide variety of objects that were crafted with, and now somehow contain, weave strands of various colors.

Their goal was to provide the effects of sorcery to those who could not practice it themselves; it seems they did their work in a demiplane known as the Arcanist’s Forge. To our understanding, nobody has been there since Delleras.

These objects are very delicate - being jostled, dropped, or, for instance, kicked, can damage them and render them inoperable.

Known Weavesmith Artifacts:
(all of the following have been proven or conjectured to have been produced more than once)
Iron Cage Configuration: uses a red strand. Seals an object within it, or seals a container closed. Travance has an operating Iron Cage Configuration in our possession.
Unwound Clock: uses an orange strand. Halts aging and entropy.
Eyes of a Thousand: uses a purple strand. Allows scrying.
Arcane Crossroads: uses a green strand. Creates temporary relocation of one space to another.
Name Unknown: strand used unknown. A small gem that wards a fairly large area in the way a Sanctuary might.

The Lock Eternal and the Gauntlet Eternal:
These two artifacts, unlike the others, appear to be one of a kind each, and until recently have only been rumored to exist.
The Lock Eternal is exactly what it sounds like - a lock that seals off another demiplane known as the Tower of the Blinding Glory (n.b. I think this is the accurate name - it was at this point in taking my notes that a bar fight broke out with those who we discovered were hired or sent by Bloody Bess, so if someone can corroborate that I’d appreciate it - my notes are quite messy after that).
Nobody seems confident of what, exactly, is in that Tower, aside from a general agreement that it’s something quite bad. It seems that legend holds that it can only be opened on the twenty-ninth day of the second month of the year. (Which, if you’ll recall, is a date only recognized once every four years.)
The Lock Eternal sealed this place off - and then someone (perhaps the Weavesmith?) split the Lock into many pieces and scattered them, to prevent it being opened again.
The Gauntlet Eternal is, as I understand, the key to the Lock, and we can confirm it is in possession of Ser Osric.

[hr]

This afternoon, we ventured into a temple in northern Coasthaven, wherein was buried an Iron Cage Configuration in working condition, and sealed. Essvale Verrain and Isablle Baker accompanied us, and proved that their aims align with ours as far as countering the Red Glove’s attempts to secure more of the Weavesmith artifacts. A member of the Red Glove, Dr. Tara Seigfried, arrived, along with a member of the Obsidian Raptors and quite a few of Bess’s thugs. Dr. Seigfried was chased off before she could try to take the Configuration for herself. We successfully opened it, and found inside two objects - one, we strongly believe to be a piece of the Lock Eternal, and one is a stone tablet that appears to be a map that leads to this temple, an Arcane Font that can be used to repair the Arcane Crossroads, and two other destinations we are as of yet uncertain of. (One looks suspiciously like a tower, though.)

With Essvail’s help, we will be attempting to repair the Arcane Crossroads as quickly as we can, well before the twenty-ninth of February. The piece of the Lock and the stone map are under close protection.

Please do not hesitate to ask any questions if I have omitted something or you wish for a point of clarification.

Aiki, I have a fast question - is there a reason you place Ser Osric's name in quotation marks? Is there something about the man's identity that we should know?

Sq Talaniel,

I do not know if this is relevant to our needs but I magically memorized the Arcane Crossroads, while it was still working, during our meeting with Ser Osric. If that is of any use in getting it up and running, please do let me know.

Talaniel,
I know you are already aware of this, but any way that I may be of service to this please let me know. Certainly I have great interest and very much want to see these items in the right hands.

A lot of this is certainly out of my realm of expertise or knowledge. But I have a vested interest in these Obsidian Raptors. They are fanatics that slander the name of my God and twist His teachings. I would like to send them directly to the Reaper if they are so eager!
Lord Demirosz, if you are able to find this cypher that they have used in the past, I would be very interested in it, please!

The obsidian raptors use a simple cipher.
The cipher follows a substitution pattern, where each letter is elevated by one, except for O and R, which remain the same.
ie. A = B, B = C, N = O, O = O, P = Q, Z = A, etc.

*** Not Caelvan ***

Muqad Morana is correct. This group has been on my list of people to show the correct path for some time. However, with this new development, I see that is not an option.

Any Galmachians that read this take heed. The Obsidian Raptors are to be instructed that they have one chance to accept that their interpretation is wrong. If this is taken, it is your duty to bring them to any clergy of our Lord that understands His true teachings.

On the likely chance that they refuse, deal with them accordingly.

By My Will,
Gal'Azin Merikh Tazam
Death’s Will


——————————-

I could be very wrong in this, but please correct me if i am wrong. I think Galamachis is about the death of the physical body not the destruction of the soul.

Merikh,

I have promised to aid you in your endeavors against the heretics of your church. It is just and right to do so.

Yours [strike]in the Light,[/strike] from the Light,

Primus,
I was going to help the Goblinoid Rebels we support. If you wish me to divert and assist Merikh and Morana, I shall do so. Just give the word.

-Father MacFhionnlaigh

Gala’Zin Merikh,
I of course will give them a fair chance, and I really hope they are willing to listen and see the true teachings of our Lord. But sadly they sound far too much like the Blazing Suns to me.

Lord Demirosz, thank you for finding that code!

Sir Nesterin - that might well be useful - certainly, if you have a perfect memory of all the symbols inscribed upon it and can look into them, that might prove useful. Your understanding might also help in our attempt to restore it, if you are able to travel.

Tari - forgive me, should it be Dame Tari? - your expertise in these matters will be invaluable, wherever you choose to share it in the days to come.

Generally speaking: goodness, that's a simple and quite egotistical cipher.

Gideon has spent the last month researching the weavesmith in the dwarven capital city archives. He may find more about the creator.

I will be going to the main temple of Brazen to try to find if the church has any lore regarding the items in wquestion.

Btw, the unknown item may be of one of the ‘missing’ strand colors.

Those who study sorcery would know what color protection would be.

Kleidin (Kleidin) wrote: Btw, the unknown item may be of one of the ‘missing’ strand colors.

Those who study sorcery would know what color protection would be.

Wards were set with Red before the World Curse.

Though, honestly, all of these had to have been done with Blue. This makes me incredibly interested in this... Arcanist's Forge, and its connection to the Blue strands. I would not be surprised if there is a literal forge & set of "pour" molds made up entirely of Blue strands in there.

I'm also wondering about the wording on the Arcane Crossroads - does it actually transport places? As in, not just you, but the entire area you're standing in? If so, what happens to the destination area? How big of an area? Is it a temporary swap? How long is "temporary"? is it set by the user, or does it have its own timer? If I were to try and recreate this object as the description reads - and I might, for the fun of it - I would use a Yellow strand in part of this. I'd be curious to see if this one does.

And why would someone who was capable of this level of sorcery split the Lock Eternal, instead of just destroying it completely, if their intent was so that the Lock could never be opened again? Would destroying the Lock remove whatever separation exists between our plane and the Tower of the Blinding Glory? Does the Tower actually exist entirely within the Lock itself?

Also, judging by the [strike]incredibly boring[/strike] simple functions & delicate nature of the multiply-produced objects, they were likely made to fund greater research. These are cheap baubles that play to the base vanity & paranoia that we all (particularly the kind of people who have money to throw at these sorts of things) have. I'd bet my blue hat that he made some kind of disguise kit, too. I wouldn't be surprised if the Weave Smith created more powerful, more stable versions for himself - nor would I be surprised to find that he's still alive and hiding using more stable configurations of these things, either.

What a glorious set of questions to look into! I will begin researching immediately, though I'd be more than happy to join up with another group, if someone wants to tell me where one is (or I suppose I could just wander around Sagewood and see if I run into any of you).

Lois, some of what you're questioning and positing is positively thrilling. If the Weavesmith is still living somewhere - and if they had access to an item that stopped aging and at least two confirmed different demiplanes, well - I'm sure I am not the only one who would love to meet them*.

On the matter of the Arcane Crossroads - apparently it stops if it's kicked, I can say that much is verified. I've never personally seen it work, but would love anecdotal evidence from those who have. If you are able to join this expedition to try and get it repaired, you might get the chance to test and validate some of these theories.

Re: the Lock Eternal, and why in the world one would make it something that could be reopened - that is one strong possibility. Or possibly, while the Tower is dangerous, the Weavesmith also believed it was necessary to have access to it in case of some eventuality?

* As a note, every piece of scholarship or contemporaneous reference I have yet seen uses exclusively "they" and "them" for the Weavesmith.

When the Arcane Crossroads was working, it could project a field that had part of Travance and part of the land where Ser Osric met us in the Dukes territory. It seemed as though, just by a strong enough thought you could possibly change the location to best suit your needs but that may have been a misunderstanding on my part. Either way, the device seemed to be able to create pocket areas from different places being able to exist simultaneously within an area.

His bracer might have had some control over it as well since they seem to be related in some way, though I did not inspect it that closely as it was on Ser Osric's person.

I recorded the markings on the Arcane Crossroads before it was sent for repairs and I also currently have the key stone/map to research. If anyone is interested in symbology, stars, and maybe a bit of adventure, please seek me out. This may be confined to some books and looking over the symbols for the gates of passage and not much else, but we will see where the path leads. The end goal is to see if we can cross reference a handful of these to get an idea of how to utilize the device properly when its time to try.

Also, we successfully captured an Obsidian Raptor to question. I... was unsure what to properly do with him. If anyone has questions for him and wish to try, he is very secured with the baronial guard currently. I warned them of everything I watched him do ahead of time.

Ilana Darkwood
Lady of Pendarvin
Head Mistress of the Darkwood Academy

Dear Lady Ilana,
That sounds really interesting! I think I could help you out. I'll bring some books and some snacks.
~Eden Heimdell