April 1005
Written by: ((Carrie Dolph))
Meanwhile, in Tuath Fusach, on the second day of the second month of Spring...
Date: April 2, 1005 Late last night, screaming was heard throughout Victory. Guards were called to several parts of the city for the first few hours of the disturbance, to reports of ghosts, and other such. Gate Guards began to sound an alarm at the front gates roughly an hour after the disturbances began. It was quickly discovered that various ghosts are walking abroad, most benevolent. Some few are poltergeists, throwing things, hurling curses at the living, and generally bad tempered. The Gate issue, however, was another thing entirely: several hundred, perhaps thousands, of apparently starving, beaten, and injured people had camped themselves at the gate. A single scout from Victory went out to try and figure out where these people were coming from... None had been yet admitted into Victory, though many looked on the verge of death, simply because there were so very many, and none seemed to speak the common tongue. Several were obviously trying to plead for aid. The scout returned roughly an hour later, unscathed, looking a little wild-eyed and as if he'd seen some combat. Screaming could still be heard in the distance. The Steward of Steel, Sir Elwick Dragonsburrow, reached out to the Steward of Spirit and Magic, Rel Zhirah, and to Magus Borjid. "Can we look into this surge in spiritual activity? I'm very interested as to the cause, and any information we can obtain may give us an early warning as to what's about to hit us." To the scout, Sir Elwick said: "What happened when you went outside the gates? Tell me everything that transpired once you left." To Captain Brighthammer, Sir Elwick said: "Make sure the guards posts are secure on the walls and make sure we have at least four patrols of no fewer than four guardsmen patrolling the streets. Put our veterans on the streets and leave the green guardsmen on the walls." Time passed (two days). The people (still at the gates) had started to make camps outside. Some were laying out the dead, or trying as best as they could to help the injured. There was a minor altercation near the edge of the Northern Wilds, but the strangers no longer go that way, sticking to the southern or eastern forests. The guards on the walls tried to take a rough count - the guess was that there may be as many as 2,000 people out there, perhaps more if they are hiding in the forests. Trade to the city of Victory had completely halted, and the only messages were coming via pigeon, as the gates were still held secure and shut. Despite this (what should rile these people into a frenzy, or perhaps an attempt to open the door), they made no move towards violence. Sir Elwick was given the tale from his scout and praised him: "Well done, Gregory. Go take up watch at Brighthammer's leave." To the rest of the members of Tuath Fasach, Sir Elwick said: "Gear up and head southeast to the wood. One of our scouts reported that these refugees are coming out of the woods, being pursued by monsters. We'll route the enemy force and secure the portal until we determine whether or not it is necessary for us to close it permanently. I will ride ahead to discern what I can, but I'm sure you'll all be right behind me. Standing orders to guardsmen are to keep the gates locked and secured until we have more information." Elwick took his spirit steed Kareku and his standard wargear and headed to the southeast to find these creatures. Borjid pulled out a flute and started blowing out a gods-awful racket. Enough to wake the dead, if they weren't already... Borjid also grabbed a mace and spell-stuff and joined the expedition, as directed to. After a while, with the spirit problem in hand, Rel grabbed his pouch and dagger, and also prepared for the expedition. Gryf moved from his room slowly without a word to the refugees outside, passing Elwick and only saying a few words to the Steward of Steel. "There were refugees from the Lost Kingdoms Makela told me about... All of them utterly infested with rotling disease... Even if it's in the earliest stages, don't let anyone in until we've thoroughly checked them out..." With that Gryf headed outside to where the masses were assembled and systematically began checking them for anything out of the ordinary, such as strange wounds or marks. He returned to the others after an hour or so, stating: "So.. there's no rotling disease, thankfully... They're beat up pretty bad, though... And uhh... They aren't human. They just smell... off... and they have these odd spot-like marks on their bodies... like birthmarks except they ALL have them... Can anyone try to figure out what they are?" "Can we let these people in?" asked Captain Brighthammer. "I'm sure that they could be cared for better in the walls from what ever is after them... And I can post guards to make sure they stay out of trouble..." BrightHammer added before packing up to leave. BrightHammer was packing a chain-mail shirt, chain coif, two-point bracers, The Blood Axe (Magic 3'8" axe), 3'8" Hammer, Shield, and Magic Ice Cube. Sir Elwick, To Brighthammer: "No, they stay outside until we know more. Our first duty is to the citizens of Tuath Fasach, we will be able to help these people soon. We both know that allowing an influx of a couple thousand starving people who don't know our language is bound to cause severe problems with the current populace." To all, Sir Elwick said: "Okay, looks like we're ready to head out. We'll go out the second gate, the main gate is too crowded, and those people might go berserk." After hearing the rumors of what's going on out on the streets of Tuath Fasach, Criv opened his doors to his room and grabbed his gear (backpack, some tenting supplies, food and water, his two 3'8" weapons one hammer and one sword, his shield which he straps over his shoulder, his chain mail armor shirt and head piece, leather gloves, and his Slaying kit). He then moved swiftly to Captain BrightHammer and Sir Elwick's sides, to them both: "Okay, so what's going on now? I heard about the people," he motioned to the front gate, "What are we going to do about this many people" Criv turned to Elwick. "Can this place hold that many?" Sir Elwick replied to Criv: "That's difficult to say, really. We have enough food stores in the granary to last perhaps six weeks if we need to include feeding that many people. Temporary housing can, and will be erected, while there are empty houses left from Tabitha's attack a few years ago, there isn't enough space for this many people. There are a lot of things to worry about, but the first is dealing with whatever is threatening this column of people." Sir Elwick began leading the group to the second gate. ----- The 'back' door wasn't occupied, and all of them easily left the city without interruption. The people out front watched with a mix of curiosity and sheer adoration as the group made their way out into the forest. It didn't take long for them to find the portal. It was roughly the size of a barn door. Several of the people, wielding pikes, were facing the portal, apparently trying to keep anything from coming out. There were obvious signs of recent battles here, from the tang of fresh spilled blood, to something slightly more noise-some and unrecognizable. There were no signs of monsters at that moment, but the living and the dead scattered around the gate certainly attested to an altercation. The guards at the portal seemed surprised and pleased that members of Tuath Fusach had come, and back away, not being threatening in the least. ---- Gryf bounced in as he had come along, loaded with his basic weapons named Girthane and Eligor, and Guardian over his back. The ritual magic bag was tied to his pack. Gryf approached the gate with a raised eyebrow, taking a sniff, and looked back to Sir Elwick. "If it's a bainen gate, then we can assume those people came 'from' it, or the immediate surrounding area. I'd assume from the gate itself... So could they actually be refugees from a dead world?" Sir Elwick said: "Borjid, maybe you can figure out where this gate goes and where these people are from, and maybe what they are...?" BrightHammer stepped into the line of strangers and put up his shield and ax, waiting for something to come out of the gate. "Maybe a Speak spell might be handy with these guys," the captain said. Criv carefully walked closer to the portal, examining his surroundings. With a crinkle of his nose, he says, "TYhe smell of battle still lingers here." Gripping his weapons tighter, he got ready for any unexpected suprises. "what do you think, everyone?" Sir Elwick appraised the portal, casually lifting Icicle from its' resting place on his back. "Well, let's have ourselves a look-see." Elwick walked up and stuck his head in the portal, looking from side to side for sign of monsters, or anything else of note. Criv craned his own neck over his steward's position: "Anything, Elwick?" Elwick resurfaced. "Nothing but dead lizard-men and dead humans. Smells slightly of smoke on the other side. I'm guessing we're near the site of these peoples' razed villages. Here's what I think we should do. First, we need to begin healing and feeding these people. It will be a strain but preserving and protecting life is our first duty towards these strangers. Tymora brought them to us, our duty will bind us to them until they are safe. "Secondly, we need to determine more of the nature of their conflict with the lizard-people. How tenacious this battle is. I'll grab a lizard-man body out of there in a moment, we can raise it, cast speak and question it. The more we know about this whole situation, the better. Obviously we need to converse with these people as well. Third, once we learn more about their battle we can determine whether or not it is their best interest to have their homeland reclaimed. Their homes and relatives are likely on the other side of a portal," Elwick gestured towards the swirling energies, "but not this one. "Fourth, we need to begin erecting temporary housing near the back gate. A few thousand people on our doorsteps have all but ceased trade to and from Victory over the past few days. Another option would be Coal Town; I haven't been there in a few months, is it still empty? I would offer to house these people within the walls of Victory but an influx of so many foreigners who cannot speak common... would be certain to cause serious problems with our people. Any other suggestions or questions before I or Rel begin doling out any of these tasks?" Captain BrightHammer spoke up. "Elwick, I'll take a couple of guards to defend against anything coming out of this portal. We should get Speak cast on one of these people and find out who they are and what happened to them. Borjid, Gryf? Could one of you handle that?? If anything, we need to determine if these people can go back to their home, and if not we should be shutting down this... thing." ----- Over the course of the week, about a third of the people outside the gates died. Guards on the gates estimated the numbers to be a little over two thousand people all together, though only about a thousand were near the gates. The citizens of Victory, while minding the standing orders of the Stewards, were growing a little restless, desiring to help those folk outside the gate. The guards confirmed there has been no violence, implied or real, on the part of the strangers. A large group of strangers (about 300 or so) left the front gate sometime on Sunday, heading into the Eastern Forest. They were following several people on horses, with barrels of food. On Monday night, there seemed to be some sort of outburst on the very fringes of the woods to the south. Whatever transpired drew the attention of all the people near the gate, and they moved away from the city toward whatever it was. They have been there ever since. Faint chanting could be heard from the area that they have thronged to, the words 'Anani' and 'Grot' seem to be the most prominently used in their chanting. The guards were anxious for the return of the Stewards and Captain of the Guard. ---- Meanwhile Sir Elwick: "Okay BH, take a detachment of men from Victory, no more than twelve and set up a watch here under Criv's command temporarily. Meanwhile I'll be getting into the Granary stores to see what we can provide these guests. Criv, I'll be back to relieve you once I'm sure the plans are in motion. Gryffin and Rel, you two need to see if we can set up some magical healing for these folks. I'll contact Cain and see if we can get some additional support from Ivory. Borgid, let me know what comes of your divinations, the sooner we know about these people the better. Criv, stay here and watch this gate until Brighthammer gets back with some additional guardsmen. -Elwick heads back to Victory to begin putting supplies together --- Jason Couture [Hide Quoted Text] "right, lets get this done. BH ill help you here. . . unless Elwick, you need me for anything else?" Criv awaits orders standing in between the portal and BH. --- Elwick, Brighthammer, Rel, Gryff and a few others begin the journey back to Victory. Just as they clear the forests to the south of the city, they notice that a throng of people have gathered around, and are apparently worshipping Grot... Seems they were *quite* stunned when he brought somefolk back from the dead.. Antolicus might also make an appearance at this time, wondering what the heck is going on.. As the group reaches the gates of the city, they meet up with Tetch, Kyomi, Zeek and Metron, who are emerging from the East Wood with a different throng of people in tow. "Oh, good," Tetch comments, "you are in one piece.. And Brighthammer, after this emergency is in order, we *really* need to talk... Elwick quickly begins to mobilize the city and guard into getting food and shelter for the people outside.. Zeek (more than likely) would like to chat with him at his earliest convenience.. Brighthammer (presumably) heads out with nearly a dozen guards shortly after returning to the city. A single, older woman begins to talk at length with many of the gatherered people.. she may not be their leader, but seems to be respected well enough. She also seems to have some sort of report with Zeek. --- "Thank the gods." Gryf looks extremely relieved and starts making his way through the crowd to Zeek, healing those he finds along the way with an almost complete non-chalant repose. "Zeek I take it you've broken the ole' language barrier. Elwick found a portal that had the ends of a war more or less on the other side. What've you learned?" Gryf sets to work among the people healing those he can, raising those who need it, but of course, taking special care that all the children are alive and out of agony as soon as possible. --- |
Created by Janna Oakfellow-Pushee
at 09-26-23 07:42 PM
Last Modified by Janna Oakfellow-Pushee at 09-26-23 09:07 PM
Last Modified by Janna Oakfellow-Pushee at 09-26-23 09:07 PM