Devasting. The only word fit to describe this turn of events. But let me start from the beginning. I met with Caithe and Malice in the delta to begin our search. As we feared, the fog clouded our sight like a gray film over our eyes. We wandered the woods, each path weaving us deeper into disorientation. It's easy to see how one could get turned around in such a place, veteran or not. We trudged on, the fog thicker and more putrid with each breath. The further we trekked, the more a sense of unease seemed to follow, like unseen eyes lurking beyond the trees. Watching... Waiting... And then, an ambush. The first of many. Our combatants were packs of disturbing creatures, their appearance a foul mess of rotted earth. Upon reflection, they looked similar to the creatures I witnessed when closing the rifts for Vanak, the setting making them all the more sinister. Then we found the corpse. The first one. Based on its condition, it had been decomposing for some time. We thought it was far too decayed to align with the scouts' timeline...until we found the others. Corpses strewn across the cold ground like discarded husks. In years of battle, I've seen what death does to the body. But this... It looked as if the soul itself became infected and rotted the body from the inside out. And the smell... The way it stung my nose, seeming to burn straight through the backs of my eyes. I fear it's seared in my memory forever. Suddenly, a voice cut through the horror. Faint but distinct. Seeking life amid the carnage, I discovered Graced by Fire, the party's lone survivor. She lay collapsed in an injured heap. We ran to her aid, determined to get her home with her last bit of life still intact. And that's when it decided to show itself. The "stranger." No stranger to history, if what Malice assures us is correct. She believes the creature to be a titan. Of course, none of us had seen one with our own eyes. But I've heard tales, read of their legacy. All I can say is that as it towered over us, it certainly looked like a creature fit for ancient tombs. Before we could process its arrival, it fled, leaving a minion to fight in its stead. A first-class maneuver in cowardice. After a heated battle, we subdued the beast. Then we prioritized our next moves. Graced by Fire's need for medical attention was our most pressing matter. Given the deep historical vendetta, Malice was most hesitant to give up the fight. But if we're to stand a chance against these monsters of near legend, our fight must be fueled by intent, not impulse. Once Graced by Fire is returned to safety, there's one clear course of action. It's time to call the alliance to council.