Report #339 Willow of Return Astrel

[Hinoten]

Dicun 24th

Report #339

I traveled to a neighboring area to research a report of a farmer having severely mangled arms and his family suffering hallucinations and temporary psychosis, all originating from the cooking of an egg in the earlier morning. Upon arrival the family seemed to have recovered from their psychosis but their actions showed their paranoia was still rampant. Application of a lesser ailment potion appeared to alleviate their conditions, and I was able to visit with the farmer. The farmer’s injuries ended up calling for amputation in one of his arms, the other would take a very long time to heal. I was able to inspect the remnants of the shell from the egg that had been cracked that morning. Bright green in color, and strangely smooth in texture. I kept the samplings and retrieved several other brightly colored eggs that the farmer’s children had gathered that morning. I began a hunt through the forest and followed a trail of eggs that felt almost purposefully placed.

Upon arriving at the outpost I was informed that many eggs had been opened in the vicinity of town. Luckily several had ended up being confiscated before being opened. Unfortunately because one of the locals had been enthusiastic over the chaotic energy and attempted to grab the eggs from me, one became cracked. Damage had not been done enough to break the internal membrane, so I relocated the egg to the outskirts of town and broke it open from a distance with a blast of wind. The magic became dispelled and the egg became inert.

A witness of the beast had been brought to the local infirmary speaking strangely. I interviewed the man though upon questioning him on the appearance of the beast, he went into a fit and ran into a tree, Knocking himself unconscious. I shook him awake and he began to flee. I was about to pursue him but I received a blow to the head that knocked me cold.

Reported Effects from the Eggs:

Maimed Limbs
Temporary Psychosis
Blindness
Deafness
Random Blast of Invocation Magic
Assorted Resources

I can only hypothesize that because this beast had fey-like aspects that upon opening of it’s eggs caused a blast of chaotic magic energy, making the effects randomized. The allure of possible resources caused locals to open the eggs with reckless abandon, in an almost insane disregard to safety. I had wondered if this was also a side-effect of the eggs, but after speaking to military and order officials, it was confirmed that this was not an unusual behavior, so I cannot justify it to be listed as an effect. The colorful shells are a possible warning sign as many animals sport bright colors to ward off predators and show venomous qualities.

Sighting of the beast came to light in the afternoon. I spotted from a distance, and pursued with a group from the outpost. Upon request, I approached to observe the beast. It looked that there were bystanders attempting to corral the beast in order to harvest it’s eggs. This beast was hostile, and showed aspects of a prey animal though it appeared to attempt to mimic the appearance of a rabbit-like creature. Bright white fur, pronounced front teeth, with colorful rainbow accents to it’s ears. Production of eggs from a mammal while not unheard of are extremely rare. I concluded that this beast was a very high risk to the local populace and environment to allow to still exist and chose to allow it to be eradicated. Battle ensued and many suffered injuries. The beast showed great strength in it’s legs, able to shake the earth around it hard enough to knock people off their feet. Large jagged teeth were used to consume limbs off the faltered victims. Teleportation made it hard to track and thick flesh gave this beast intense resilience. Eventually it was downed. The corpse emitted a stench of rotten meat and jelly beans, though another reported that they smelt chocolate peanutbutter and excrement. I attribute this to the further chaotic nature of this beast.

Fire was set to the beast, but extinguished as there was some battle over the corpse. Eventually I was able to take a closer look to anatomy of the beast and was able to verify that the eggs were originated from the rabbit-like creature. At further inspection of the organs, I found traits that lined up with reptilian aspects. I can only conclude that this creature was some sort of chimera.

All eggs had been collected and exterminated in a proper manner. Continued searching and communication to local populace ideal before more incidents occur or another of it’s kind hatches.

Additional sighting accounts of a similar creature originate to Duchy Stenstrom. Sightings are seasonal in their timing. I hypothesize that this creature may have migratory patterns. I am calling it the Bunny of Stenstrom. I have included a sketch of the creature.

[Author]

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