Editing Umara's Correspondence 1: Dan's Gopher Problem

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Dear Ms Redfang,

After a short journey through the beautifully calm countryside, we reached the farmstead that was plagued with a gopher problem. At a cursory glance around the farm gave the appearance that it was unattended and empty. While our half-elf and dragonborn companion went to investigate the barn, Mags and myself went to the small home and knocked on the door.. Farmer Dan answered the door and while initially startled by our unique appearance, we assured him we were there to solve his problems and he led the four of us to the fields.

We encountered holes within the ground that would lead us to believe that this is where the gophers had been infesting. Dan had not actually seen a gopher from the holes (he was sure they still were there), so we asked for some different tools and materials to flush the gophers out. I had the idea to use fire, and a bellows to blow smoke down into the holes in order to bring them to the surface. Dren thought we should just dig the holes larger in order to exterminate them. We had to explain that it would drive the creatures deeper into the ground. 

After waiting a few moments and discussing the issue at hand, the ground underneath us began to move and skittering could be heard all around us. Large swarms of rats emerged from holes and began to accost us. While we worked to rid ourselves of these pests, Dan reappeared. He was covered with rats with enlarged, exposed brains. Where Dan once wore a hat, one of the large brain rats stood in it's place. Dan ordered us to stand down and submit, but it was very clear he was being controlled by the rats. Enna and Mags tried to rid him of the rats, but in our haste he became a casualty of battle. 

The brain rats then targeted myself and began to try and command me to approach them through mental suggestion and once I got close enough they began to pet my temple and tried to work their magic stronger on my mind. Enna noticed a larger hole on in the field, that perhaps a humanoid could fit in. Upon their closer investigation they found it to have dark powers that could be very dangerous. We worked diligently to eradicate the rat problem and lit the field aflame in order to drive them away. With my wits, Mags' magic, Enna's bow, and Dren's feet the rats were dispersed and I was freed from them trying to mess with my mind. The rats did exhibit strange behaviors as the battle went on, sometimes just stopping and staring at us, or cocking their heads as if to try and better understand us. 

We decided to investigate Dan's home to see how long he might have been under the influence of these disgusting beasts. His home seemed to be very disheveled and infested, like the rats had been controlling his life for quite a while. We laid poor Dan to rest in his front yard and decided to head back to [[Wodesville]] in order to rest up and fortify to investigate the hole. 

After we divulged what we discovered at the farm to [[Peggy Redfang|Peggy]] and [[Aloysius Pridd IV|Aloysius]] we were immediately told to stay behind and allow a tactical team to strike as all signs pointed to a dangerous Mindflayer might reside within the larger hole in the field. Our mission was completed and seemed to be a ruse set by the Mindflayer (by way of the rats) in order to draw people in. Enna was very disappointed about the loss of fund that was supposed to come from the assignment. I have to admit that the gold would have been nice as well… Hopefully our next assignment will be more lucrative. 

Sincerely,

Umara Besorus
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