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Research

Conducted by Farmer Jeff and master Trembleston

Cornelieus was first encountered in person by a group of adventurers at the autumn equinox last year. Cornelieus and his followers (the mimes) were engaged in hostile actions against the colony of Haintone. Cornelius stated in a series of letters recovered and then lost by the adventurers that he would kill an orc every night until Shard returned "his" scroll. At the time no one knew what this was so it clearly could not be returned.

Adventurers joined forces with Shards colony Orcs but were unable to stop cornelius killing Shards son Dante. Reprisals and other attacks began Elwings Freak Show who were incorrectly believed to be sheltering Cornelius. It looked as if the peace treaty between Haintone and Grimsburgh was about to end.

A second adventuring group followed the instructions left by a man called the leper mage and found an escapologist named Caine. Caine knew the location of the scroll and the group fought the heaviest resistance in retrieving it. Cornelius who was looking for the scroll was unable to find it in time before he was "sucked" into an oak tree just yards from where the scroll was hidden. Research indicates that Cornelius is an Alshanti. An almost legendary woodland race that many thought were a myth created by the elves that worship them. Cornelius appears to have been a disciple of Longstor, but has since fallen from his faith. It is also clear that Cornelius only has power during the summer and falls in to a state of slumber at the autumn equinox only to awaken (Presumably) ant the spring equinox - The first day of spring.

Cornelius seems to be a newcomer to the area, perhaps arriving with the freak show just over a year ago. However research does indicate that he has been in this area at least once before. Records at the Longstorian Monastery record a prophet of Longstor called Corneli who performed miracles in Longsors name. Corneli and a tribe of elves that worshiped him disappeared from the scriptures over 80 years ago. Some of them now deposed members of the court at Lindium claim to be the direct descendants of an Elven miracle child who's description matches young Cornelius. They claim that this miracle child led an army of Elves across the sea to the east and brought backthe head of the giant knight who lives beyond the sea in a mountain kingdom. When asked if this miracle child could be known as Cornelius the descendants all vigorously denied the possibility. Any how the chances of such a well told family story being accurate are very slim indeed.

Cornelius now operates using a group of followers known as the "mimes". These mimes appear to as normal men and women but with white wooden face masks covering their faces. Any attempt to remove the mask results only in tearing the face off the subject. Apart from in one case where the leper mage commanded afflicted members to take off the mask, which they did. When the masks are removed the subject seems to have varying accounts of the experience. Some claim to have no knowledge of their actions, some have full knowledge. It is clear however that it is only through enchantments such as this that Cornelius gains any followers, his Elven worshipers either forsake him or have been killed.

Cornelius has been seen casting spells although not wounding ones. Orc spies have reported seeing him sticking silver objects in to a black doll as if were the source of his spell casting. He is also known to use enchanted weapons and poisons. Although he appears to wear little or indeed on armor he seems to be able to resist many blows that would kill a man. However this research does not indicate that Cornelius has any supernatural or demonic powers as such. He does have however the ability to "shift" in to various forms. One of them is of a man of average height wearing a white mask which covers much of one side of his face. This mask is adorned with black sigils or runes of an unknown nature. The second is that of a wolf like creature, with dangerous claws although information is limited. The authors also believe that Cornelius may be unaffected my natural poisons and maybe able to close wounds when he changes from one form to another.

On the times he has been engaged in combat he has not been rendered unconscious although struck with enchanted weapons. However when engaged by the Leper Mage, Cornelius was struck once and apparently fled from combat in pain. It does seem likely that he has a weakness to either a particular weapon or being struck in a particular place. If this is true the only person who knows is the leper mage who has not been seen since the autumn equinox.

Cornelius's mask is all that remains to mark the tree he inhabits. The mask which has grown to become part of the tree appears to be resistant to all blows and cannot so far removed. The mask if touched through any medium conducts a sharp numbing pain similar to a writhe spell. Longstorians have prevented the oak from being cut down and so far no magical means (including dismissing or teleportation) have been able to move or damage the mask. Orc guards on the mask sight have stated that they have seen for a moment eyes looking back on them from behind the mask. Forest animals seem to flock there and the oak is now a nesting place for many birds and other forest animals. The guards have also reported hearing whispers coming from the mask although they couldn't make out what they said. One guard who had just completed a 12 hour watch of the site disappeared and then was later spotted by adventurers claiming to be, and acting like Cornelius. The orc who later snapped out of the delusion claims that he was taken by the spirit of the creature. Since this incident a priest has been required present at the mask site at all times. Witnesses have also reported plants moving out of their way on approach and growing at unnatural rates. Generaly the area should be treated with extreme caution.

The mimes of Cornelius have also been seen worshiping a creature known as the Watchman. This is an orb around a foot across with a single eye and a mouth in the center. It was first seen on the night before the autumn equinox and mimes bowed to it on its approach. The creature who did not seem openly hostile paid particular attention to Serien Warn and sources of light. Research indicates that this may be some form of demonic creature although details are unknown at this time. Adventurers did however receive a vision whilst illegally held in a cell in two horse of a stone engraved with a symbol and a short rhyme. The rhyme is believed to contain information about the Watchman although no one remember its content. Also the Hag of the Marshes, who is now missing again, said the name "The Watchman" repeatedly when escorted by adventurers back to Grimsburgh. She looked high in to the trees as she said this, in a similar manner to the Leper Mage did on the day of the autumn equinox.

The only link between these three characters (The Leper Mage, Cornelius and The Watchman) seems to be the scroll. Cornelius wants the scroll , it is the Watchman's power that the scroll works upon. Also it is believed that the Leper Mage created the scroll. Although the scroll has been recovered and deciphered, it's effects are still unclear. among some outlandish theories the most likely is a ritual to kill Cornelius, created by the Leper Mage, who once worked for him. This would explain why Cornelius wants it, if it is in his possession then it cannot threaten him. The secret to all seems to be in casting of the scroll. If cast correctly it may end this once and for all, if cast wrong it could spell disaster.