The Dunwich Dryad

[Old Dwarf]

Isabella Von Took Field Journal

Feb.2nd,1792

I have arrived in the area of Dunwich...God what
a forsaken place!The locals are the most degenerate
looking people you will find in all New England.

The village is in a state of disrepair & I am forced
to camp in my carriage ,which is cramped but still
preferable to setting foot is such squalor!

The Order did me no favors by giving me such a dismal
assignment but still the reports of a Forest Spirit/Being
intrigues me.It apparently is important enough to
attract the Free Masons,as I saw Inspector Cooke
on the Village Common this morning.So I shall have
competition in the Hunt & this Inspector has a
reputation but he has never faced Isabella Von Took!

Feb 3rd,1792 Morning

After an all too uncomfortable night I set out to
the Backwoods Country as it seemed a logical
place to start looking for a Forest Creature.
Apparently my intuition was correct, although
I saw no creature something had stirred up the
local militia.Unfortunately with all their milling about
any clues or signs were totally lost.But I shall press on.

Noon-still no real progress,the major topic around
the village is that Inspector Cooke was set upon & mauled
by Wolves to the East of town.Amateur!

Evening-The day wasn't a total lost,I was exploring around
a local landmark called Wizards Hill & ran into a very
strange man.He was very dark but not a Negro & he was
most disturbing.He seemed to know of my mission
& offered to help.I accepted for lack of any better
option & he then whispered hellish things to me.
I felt so violated I turned from him & when I regained my
composure he was gone?Nevertheless,the information
was useful.

Late Evening-there seemed to be a disturbance in
the village & I sent one of my servants over to
check on the cause of the clamor.I thought it was just
drunken rabble but my man tells me several of the
village elders were attack by this wood spirit,although
all survived.Things seem to be getting darker,I shall
redouble my efforts on the Morn.

Feb.4th,1792 Evening

I poked around Sentinel Hill with no luck all morning.
The afternoon was spent in Dunwich village & gained a
little information.A local was ranting about burning the
woods down to flush out the entity that is troubling
the town and while hardly practical it did give me an idea
to secure a torch.

Other than that not much progress ,I wonder how Cooke
is progressing?My servant reports the locals are
claiming to have seen living trees,so it might be a good
to return to the village tomorrow & try again to to get
something useful out of the locals.

Feb.5th-Noon

Another wasted morning trying to make sense of
the locals babbling.I did pick up a little information,
it appears Inspector Cooke actually encountered one of
these living Trees & it ran him off!

I can't help but feel the village is the key to whats going on here,
so I'll keep trying.I must say the local elders are not
an impressive lot,they all seem in their own world,probably
the enchantment of drink.The local preacher is spouting
all sorts of nonsense & urging the burning of corrupt books.
Frankly it surprises me anyone in this village can even read!

Evening

I am furious after several hours of trying to get the locals
to give me some real information I am again teased with
half answers.Then as I was leaving the wolves attacked,
I held them off but it would appear someone or thing
wishes to keep me out of the village.

My servant has learned Cooke & the Militia were attacked
in the Backwoods by something,perhaps I should
try around there tomorrow.I can't help but feel things are
getting darker.

Feb 6.,1792-Noon

I was on the Village Common this morning & learned
a thing about the Magistrate but nothing that will help
my investigation.I intend to try parts of the backwoods
Country this afternoon as thats where the recent attacks have been.I also saw Inspector Cooke,he seems
no worst for his Entity encounter.I wonder if he learned
anything?I won't risk engaging him in conversation
as I'm sure he is unaware of my mission & its best
not to give myself away.


Evening

I write in trembling hand having been up against
this Woodlands Being.I was exploring the area
around Cold Spring Glen in the Back country,when
what I can only describe as a great tree attack me.
I fought it off or at least it left,oddly enough I have
the strangest feeling the Being was feminine!
Things are coming to a head here but I fear I
don't have enough knowledge to meet this challenge.
I must redouble my efforts as I feel time is running out.

Feb.7th,1792-Evening

An eventful if not overly productive day after trampling
around the back Country getting nowhere I met a local
who directed me to a Harney Jones.I found this individual
in his rocker on his dilapidated porch.I first thought him
dead drunk like most of the degenerates of this region,
but upon shaking him found he was just dead!Probably
from drink.I poked around some as I'm sure the late
Mr.Jones would not object,an old journal did have
some mention of this Woodland being but probably
most helpful will be his musket which I took.

My servant informed me the creature attacked Cooke
again & it appears he will not be able to continue
his investigation for awhile.I am very troubled it
appears things grow darker here by the day.

Feb.8th,1982-Evening

Lord I hope I can finish this mission soon my larder
is diminishing & buy supplies from the locals sends
shudders through me.I did discover the Reverend here
in spite of his intolerance is a good man who holds no truck
with evil.More importantly I know the Woodland Creatures Lair,
it's right in Dunwich,I knew my instincts were right.Still I
don't feel ready to take her on.My best guess is that
the creature is a Dryad.

Feb.9th,1792 -Noon

I fear that Inspector Cooke has discovered the Dryads lair also
as he turned up this morning in Dunwich Village.
He seems to have accomplished nothing yet but he worries me.
I picked up another torch which should be useful
in my showdown but I fear things in Dunwich have
gone too far towards darkness.I must however press on
with my duty.

Evening

Dunwich be damn! all is lost for now,the jolting
of my carriage only intensified the fury with which I write.
The Dryad has won & I leave this accursed place to her.

Inspector Cooke beat me to a show down with the creature,
but I did have time to try to thwart him.I had discovered
the town midwife was the Dryads pawn,so I told her what
Cooke was doing & was pleased when she scurried off
to stop him.

Cooke had persuaded both the Reverend & Mrs Handbrook
to accompany him to challenge the Dryad.It was a terrible
battle the midwife was killed along with the Reverend
& Mrs Handbrook & Cooke was found by the locals
unconscious.

I had thought to confront the Dryad but its too late
she is too strong now & holds the village in darkness.
I must report my failure to the Order,bitter though it
will be, & perhaps later a team will be sent back
to try again.

I am glad however to be free of this dismal village
& my wine provision needs to be replenished,thus
Sone good may come of this.At least Cooke bears
the burden of failure heaver than mine.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
This Game used the AH/AToE Varient from the Varient
Section "A Touch of Dunwich"

OD