Expedition Journal: The Redcap Hunt
Date: August 26, 1887
Location: Blackwood Forest, Scotland
Lead Magizoologist: Alexander Blackwood
Introduction: The Haunting of Blackwood Forest
For centuries, Blackwood Forest has been whispered about in fearful tones, its shadowed paths said to be the domain of something sinister.
Travelers speak of an eerie presence, a lurking menace that watches from the darkness. Recent disappearances near the old ruins at the forest’s heart have reignited tales of Redcaps—vicious goblin-like creatures that thrive in areas steeped in bloodshed.
Drawn by these reports, our team set out to confirm the existence of these malevolent beings and, if possible, document their behaviors.
Creature Profile: The Redcap
Classification: XXX (Dangerous, Hostile)
Habitat:
- Ruins of castles, battlefields, and execution sites
- Dark forests with violent histories
Creature Profile: The Redcap
| Abilities & Traits | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Bloodlust – Soaks cap in blood to survive | Vulnerable to magical wards and light spells |
| Inhuman strength for their size | Bound to their territory (ruins, battlefields) |
| Deceptive speed and agility | Weak to fire-based magic |
| Wields iron pikes and claws | – |
Did You Know?
- Redcaps are bound to violent places, such as ruins or battlefields, and cannot leave.
- Their caps are dyed red with the blood of their victims, which they must replenish to survive.
- Despite their ferocity, they are repelled by protective wards and light-based spells.
How Would You Survive a Redcap Attack?
Expedition Log
Lillian Hawthorne’s Entry:
The forest was thick with mist when we arrived, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth. As we advanced, we spotted signs of disturbance—clawed markings on tree trunks and animal carcasses torn apart with alarming brutality.
“A sudden chill crept down my spine. We weren’t alone. Something—many things—were watching.”
We reached the ruins just before nightfall, a crumbling tower surrounded by jagged stone. Evelyn and I scouted the perimeter while Alexander and Tobias prepared defensive wards. It wasn’t long before we felt the weight of unseen eyes upon us.
Evelyn Rosethorn’s Entry:
The attack came as night fully settled. Shadows moved unnaturally between the trees, darting closer with unsettling speed.
Then, we saw them—small, hunched figures with gnarled faces and glaring red eyes. Their caps stained a dark crimson, dripped with fresh blood. They carried jagged iron pikes, their grins stretching too wide to be human.
Alexander shouted the first incantation, sending a bright flash of light through the ruins. The Redcaps shrieked and scattered, only to reappear from different angles, their movements almost playful in their malice.
“It wasn’t a battle—it was a game to them. A twisted hunt, and we were the prey.”
Tobias managed to strike one with a Stunning Spell, causing it to crumple momentarily, but the others only cackled, emboldened by the fight. We had underestimated their numbers.
A Moment of Terror
Tobias Flint’s Entry:
The Redcaps were relentless. Every time we repelled them, they circled back, using the ruins to their advantage. One managed to swipe at my arm, its claws raking through my sleeve, drawing blood. The others howled in excitement at the scent, their hunger intensifying.
We needed to turn the tide before we were overwhelmed. Lillian took charge, carving protective runes into the stone floor while Alexander cast a barrier spell to buy us time.
Evelyn, ever resourceful, remembered an old legend—Redcaps are bound to their territory, unable to stray too far from their chosen grounds.
The Escape
Alexander Blackwood’s Entry:
We made a break for it, forcing our way through the ruins as the Redcaps shrieked and lunged from the shadows. The protective wards slowed them, but we knew they wouldn’t hold forever. The creatures chased us with unnatural speed, their laughter turning to enraged screams as we neared the forest’s edge.
“We had survived the hunt, but the Redcaps remained, lurking in the ruins, waiting for the next unfortunate soul to stray too close.”
With one final burst of magic, we crossed the threshold into open land. The moment we stepped beyond the last tree, the Redcaps halted abruptly, snarling but unwilling to pursue. It was true—they were bound to their cursed home.
Conclusion: A Warning for the Future
Blackwood Forest remains a place of danger, its ruins infested with creatures drawn to violence and bloodshed. The Redcaps, though small, are far more dangerous than their size suggests. For those who dare to enter their domain, the message is clear: do not linger, do not bleed, and above all, do not play their game.
Key Discoveries
- Redcaps are bound to their territory and cannot pursue beyond its boundaries.
- Their strength and speed make them formidable, but they are vulnerable to magic.
- Protective wards and light spells are effective in repelling them.
