AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic

The following day after the attack on the Shrine Earalenia can be seen moving from location to location in the Benwick and forest areas to speak with friends and allies, and after a very long day she goes to the Salandran temple to watch Kacha, but ended up spending more time asleep than awake at the uncomfortable wooden chair.

There's a fire genasi clad in the colours of House bathrie, Of ostland, at the gates of the Elistraee Shrine. The warrior inquires about elerania.

Very_Svensk wrote:

There's a fire genasi clad in the colours of House bathrie, Of ostland, at the gates of the Elistraee Shrine. The warrior inquires about elerania.

He's asked if he's referring to Earalenia, or Elrienia. They both live at the Shrine, and one's a little easier found than the other.

Impossible for them to know what was going on, Virkelith and Crow port in to Kampo’s, from their home in Bendir Dale. Instantly drenched in the unusual downpour, upon exiting the storehouse, they run to the Shrine of Eilistraee, for a scheduled appointment. They find several of the high ranking drow on the hill, waiting for something, anything, to happen to their beloved home. Crow notices his candle, placed near the idol earlier, knocked over, and sinking in the forming mud.

The heavy rains become so bad, that ditches need dug to direct the flow of water away from cave entrances. While this is being done, Crow uses his empathic abilities, to move the rothe herd from their pen, to safety. The frightened creatures willingly follow the ranger, to the safety of a deep cave, where they can remain in relative comfort.

The few gathered, in the torrential downpour, slip and slide in the muddy soil, anxious and alert to the possible threat to the Shrine. Then, it happens, a horde of She’kats burst through the waterfall cave. Large ones, and small ones, hundreds of smaller ones, attack the few soaking defenders in full force. They struggle with all of their might, to defend the place of worship and home, of the surface drow. Calls out, and screams of pain, are heard in the confusion of the frenzy, amongst the screeching of the magical beasts that attempt to overthrow the few defenders that are there.

For what seemed like an eternity, Crow swings his sword with a vengeance, knocking down and skewering the vicious creatures. At one point, he loses sight of all, as he is surrounded by the spider looking beasts. His fatigue was evident, as he is taken down, and ended, by the repeated punctures and searing venom. Gasping in, the breath of life, Crow is raised by someone in a lull of combat, which lasts but a brief moment, for the attack was on yet again.

By some miracle, the magical beasts begin to retreat. Their numbers depleted, or their mission accomplished, Crow doesn’t know why, only that it is over…for now. He blinks, and looks around, at the damage and death. He notices how just a few defenders, turn into what seemed like the entire island’s population, milling about in confusion and loss. As orders are issued, and the survivors hustled off to safety, Crow and Virkelith slip away, as not much more could be done that fateful night, until the skies cleared, and the water subsides.

As predicted by the healers the high priestesses condition grew marginally better with each passing day in recovery and the taking of her medicine. The fitful half-awakened dreams giving way to long periods of silent rest. What ever was going on in her pysche was internalized now. Her condition still hovered at a crossroads between life and death.

Kard Kendri recently took up a new camp post with Tom Kolwer and some others in the southern Minmir Bridge region. He takes it upon himself to take a few minutes to speed through the Shekat Valley occasionally to search for odd goings on along the road through to Bendir and back. If he's seen going the opposite way, he'd only appear to fly passed as a white blur. If by chance he'd see a traveler he considered unequipped he'd warn them of the spider threat and urge them to either get escort or take another route, even offering his own escort, free of charge.

Laiath is also seen, or rather... hidden, silently checking the sorroundings, if any kind of help is needed, Yet usually heavy guarded camps, set a few days ago, doesn't need any.

As the days passed the high priestesses condition slowly improved, as the healers had predicted and many had hoped. She was now awake and conscious of her surroundings but barely strong enough to feed herself or do much of anything let alone talk or walk.

Missives were sent out; despite what is very patently Aly's slowly fouling temper, her drive to get the work -done- and get her people back into their home is total and all-consuming. She meets with engineers to determine the state of the Shrine, and sets about gathering the resources to fix the Shrine.

She seems, in fact, to be running herself absolutely ragged to keep her anger and frustration at bay, her skin pale and amber eyes shadowed. However, -most- people, the ones who don't introduce themselves with snide remarks or insults, are still greeted with her sweet, sunny smile, and a patient ear. The rest....well. She follows the Maiden...but she's still mortal.

Strand by strand the spider's web grows...

Tom remains vigilant in the camp near Minmir Bridge during his waking hours. The young paladin-aspirant has clearly taken intense focus in his job as leader of the Kohlingen and non-Winyan detachment, but stress has also been starting to wear on him notably. He is more and more fatigued each day after every new incident which happens in the camp. He still makes sure everyone has their duties, sentries are watching the roads and any problems, complaints and advice is tended to. When sitting by one of the campfires, he is rubbing his hands together and staring idly into the flames. During one such moment, he mumbles to himself quietly.

Si huven wer tafiafir ornla qe jalyur vur yth shilta itrewic nomeno authot..

He looks towards the forest a moment after saying that, then looks towards the Shrine of Eilistraee, more longly during the latter. Then finally returns to the fire.

As the days passed in the recovery wing Erelkacha's health waned and waxed at times seeming to verge on falling back into a coma and yet at other times a spark of determination and raw will power could be seen in her eyes that she was fighting the spectre of death that had taken to looming over her.

Perhaps it was faith, perhaps it had been the outpouring of visitors or just the simple care given by her many close friends, perhaps the skills of the hospitals healers but by as the tenday drew near its close Erelkacha had improved even more notably and it had started with a bowl of soup.

A cleric had arrived with her meal a vitamin rich broth and has had been the case it was going to be spoon-fed to Erelkacha. It had been a surprise to many tending Erelkacha when her hand reached out clawing itself around the spoons handle and bringing it to her mouth to feed herself. She added in a quiet but determined voice. "This soup needs more pepper"

Aly, filthy from cleaning and digging stone, dripping with sweat and a pale grey with weariness, stumbles into the Salandrans....it could be called "walking" were she not both visibly beyond the limits of her exhaustion and carrying an insensate Yudann. She reports that he's got a concussion, but she doesn't know from what, and the rotund dwarf trundling along behind her is a sheer lucky strike as she bundles her brother into the bed, takes a step back, and folds like a house of cards, her strenuous work, poor eating and poorer sleeping finally catching up with her. She gets grabbed by Storrdverg before she hits the floor, thankfully, and is summarily tossed into a nearby bed.

Storrdverg, for his part, seems content to lounge in a chair and watch over the unconscious drowess, until her housemates happen to show up to check on others and find her there. A bit of laughing ensues, and Aly is told to stay in bed, at least for the night. When she tries to stubbornly rise, the dwarf is quick to thunder at her to "lay her ass back in that bed or else". She meekly complies, amber eyes wide with shock at someone yelling at her that isn't a raging psychopath. Tucked into the bed, she tries to send out letters, but finds herself falling back asleep, her writing supplies removed by the same grumbling, cursing dwarf that tucks her into bed and sits guard over her while she rests.

When the morning comes, she unfolds from the bed and gently pulls a blanket over the now-sleeping dwarf, checking on Yudann once more before silently slipping from the hall, back to work again.

Grimdur's trip to the shrine had been worrying for a number of reasons, but all the same - he seemed intent to get things moving regards shipping what stone and supplies Barak Runedar could to their tenuous allies. Having surveyed the Shrine's damage carefully, under the scrutiny, of Maral and Jud'Vardas he went back to the hold ready to bring his conclusions to council;

Spot; 47, Search; 31

The charcoal and silver clad Priestess of Eilistraee is seen frequently in the outpost camp near Minmir Bridge as she stops on her patrol circuit of the Shrine, Tristram’s Path and the Beastmen’s caves. While she is pleasant and helpful to anyone present, observers would probably note that she spends most of her time talking to a certain commander that follows Bahamut.

And I'm back!
Back in the saddle again...

While the day wasn't filled with as much rest as she could have used, a very irritated, hovering husband and some friends who might have otherwise hit her with a poison dart to knock her down helped Aly maintain an even keel. Teasing poor Tom mercilessly probably had something to do with it as well, but (she hoped, at least!) that the poor Paladin knew she did it out of honest caring and amused good nature. It was nice, in all the strife, in all the hatred and anger, to see two people managing to bring forth something kind and sweet, and she couldn't think of many people that deserved it more. Well. Maybe Triel, but that was handled, wasn't it? And both parties there were happy in ways that made her little love-crazy self just giggle and dance.

She was still hewing wood, after a discussion with Emilly about what kind to use for the support beams, and still lugging stone, and still helping clean, but she was careful now, careful about the twinges and the aches, a little fearful. Meetings took priority today, first with Gromida, then with Alakton and Corinn. Hearing Alakton laugh and at least relax a little around her made her feel good about herself. She was under no delusion that the man was even anything approaching Eilistraeen, but perhaps...just perhaps...this would help him see that the hate and the venom he'd been attacked with wasn't Her way, and it wasn't how they all acted. Maybe he'd see that there could still be a place for him. After all, Tom liked him, and Tom was a paladin. She trusted Paladins, for the most part. And she got the feeling, under his trained exterior, if they could get past the fear and distrust that were beat into every Underdark drow, especially the males, there was really something worth the dig there.

She leaned into Vinn's shoulder, watching the gathering by the Minmir bridge with faint amusement, and just took the single day to relax a little and let her stresses dissolve.

On his regular patrols, Crow makes circuits near the Minmir camp, he shakes his head, at what he sees. People sleeping at their posts, fighting amongst themselves, general mayhem, and pockets of people, with little form of solid defense line. The lack of preparedness alone, is enough to make him wince, as he remembers all too well, falling in combat, trying to hold off a wall of the magical beasts that broke easily through a wall of force.

He is amazed, that they can't see the folly of their actions. Don't they realize their camp is nothing but a beacon for the She'kats? Hasn't the devastating attack on the Shrine of Eilistraee already proven that, or even the attack on them, where he fell, protecting them from their own ignorance.

The ranger keeps his eyes and ears alert, on his patrols. No one else seems to.

After staying in the Salandran recovery ward for two days and spending one night at home, in the arms of a loving wife, Yudann returns to duty. He helps with the heavy lifting, keeps a watchful eye on the Shrine and makes irregular patrols around the Benwick area and occasional visits to the camp at Minmir bridge. If asked about his stay with the Salandrans or a reason to it, he simply grins and warns the one asking not to eat anything he cooks.

After going to examine the forest on his free time to think about things said Izariel went to turn and head back only to feel the ground quiver below him. He had enough time to have his eye twitch and look down and speak a few words before such colapsed causing him to fall through.

"By Helm....bloody...spiders..."

Due to recent attacks in the area it seems that the ground where he stood was slightly weakened. Given his high and battle armor it only worsened causing him to fall through. Though falling deep he knew he was going to have to find a way out. Four days time passes before the Helmite crawls out of the holes. No attacks came on him below but he walks out tattered, dirty, tired and slightly dehydrated. Though he kept enough supplies to last. He twitches before walking back to the keep to make his report cussing his lovely lack of grace the whole way.

OOC: Seemed the best way to explain my absence due to internet being down for four days. Hope you don't mind Galenson if you do I will remove it. But seemed rather comical and well sort of the characters luck in truth.

To those brave enough to scout the valley despite the dangers ascociated with doing so, the Valley of the Arachnid is now home to another giant corpse.

The titan-sized arachnid, the very same that matches the description of the one which stormed the camp at Minmir bridge, lies deceased. The fleshy components of its body have started to rot, leaving the exo-skeleton as a carcass.

A significant boost to the morale of the Road Wardens and the Salandran Undead Counter Operations is noticed once news of such a revelation reaches their ears.

Of the Drow who led it however... there is no sign.

//For all those involved, your efforts have not gone unanswered:

The time for "the plan" is Sunday, at 18:00 GMT. (that's 14:00 sunday, EST if that makes it easier). This time is not negotiable and won't be re-scheduled if you can't make it. This also applies for DMs too, which regretfully brings me to my next point:

Just so it is no surprise on the day, I will not be present for the event. The curse of being Australian on an international server is that what is convenient for me is not convenient for most. However, I have trust in the team and the DMs who've been running this with me from day one: You will all be well looked after.

Happy hunting folks... and good luck.

A fair amount of activity was to be seen at the Seven Stars Academy lab facilities. Tuomas, Tazlin Kenlyl, and Sabune all walked into the lab and spent the better part of a night working away.

The sounds of mortal and pestle grinding, banter from the three and two additional fey could be heard. At one point, a delivery of two barrels was brought up to the lab through conjurative magics after Tuomas went downstairs briefly to recieve said delivery.

The lab smelled of a great many pungent chemicals but aside from jerking tears they did not seem to have ill effect. After some time, Tazlin and Sabune left the facility, leaving Tuomas to finish up in the lab. In point of fact, it wasn't until he'd finished, cleaned everything up and took the contents of what they had been working on, a number of vials which Tuomas seemed to request be kept secure in the keep before promptly making his way to the bedroom to summarily fall asleep in the Keep's library.

As the battle took place movements were made. The first move was on a first offensive by the allied forces. A certain drow priestess was taken down and a signal flare launched to signal the assault. This was the first key element of the battle. She was left in the hands of the Shrine while the Militia in the North of the Valley lead by Tom moved into place along with the elven contingency lead by Enniysae. In the South were most of the Knights as they stood under Knight-Captain Sir Abdullah’s watch and with the Arch Druidess Fey’ana and her people. It was clear that this was going to be a battle.

Within the Shrine lied the Dwarven forces lead by Whurak and Reddok as well as Chancellor Ulrik, Ser Robert, Izariel and a few of the drow. After the priestess or the one thought to be was subdued and the battle began the group split. Ser Robert and the dwarves moved to the front lines to join in the assault. After such occurred and the area cleared it left the tunnels. The Vanguard which was mostly made up of the Militia and the dwarfs’ tunnel fighters advanced on the tunnels to aim for the heart and go for the Queen.

A few of the Silver Dragons, Grove, Master Whurak and some of the elves held back which would latter form into defensive lines barricading the entry points off. The North, South and Shrine. To help control the flow of battle. The south met resistance during such from an unknown drow assault from there flanks. It was met with hostility and ended and prisoners were secured. A young drow priestess named Maral made her way to the tunnels with a map gained on the Queens location to bring forward to the Vanguard.

Ser Robert, the Elves and some of the Silver Dragons held the defenses at the HQ outpost in the North by the bridge. This was a secure area and was made for the forces to fall back to. Its lines were held by these people while the battle waged. After such happened scouts and rovers were sent out to make there way through the field to get reports. Once confirmed the Queen had been slain, more patrols were made. To secure the area and find out if this Queen was this shape shifter or thought shape shifter. The priestess that was captured still remained in custody by the ones of the Shrine. Tuomas and a few others were sent to give aid and watch over them to make sure.

As people work every direction order is trying to be kept by those assigned to be Officers on the field. As the chaos dies down certain actions are taken. Prisoners to be secured and confirming of the Queen to be the one thought to be the shifter goes in first priority. Speaking with the Drow Priestess captured also goes into the plan. As the allies work there magic the rest is left to be seen.

OOC: Small report that I had, though between lag, crashes and massive lightning storm had to log off. Sorry all was huge fun though when I could get on.

Something in Tuomas features did not seem as though he saw victory or even respite from the defeat of the She-kat forces as he returned to Kohlingen with Sir Robert.

Instead, there was sadness, a bit of anger and reflection. He considered a great deal to himself as he made his way to the Shrine of Mystra in Kohlingen, bowing his head to himself as he sat there, cross-legged.

~.. Is my heart truly too soft for these lands? The path I strive on would drive me against others who share common foes.... ~ he thought to himself as he sat in the Mystran Grove and shrine, deep in meditation and contemplation.

Lady Le'Quella joined the forces in Campsite of Minmir Bridge, she was accepted but met only with suspicion, still after promises being made of improve in Kohlingers conduct. Nothing. Nontheless, she remained and followed, giving her arcane support in forms of battle control spells.

Inside the the cave system, she casted a few divination spells to learn where the spiders would be and getting even direction where it was, yet her words went to the deaf ears. Not until they had searched half the cave system they heard out Lady Le'Quella and with, what she took a mockful tone, they let her know: "The way was found already."

Trough her whole process of being there, she just disappointed to the lack of command and control in each situation. People rushing about as they pleased or rushing inside without hearing other words. Or triggering traps carefully set for defense. She might not have understood them.. But certainly she was smart and keened eye to notice what was taking place. She went as far as speaking to one of the men that there was no leadership in here. Despite the lack of manners, commands and the amount of distrust she met, she still did her best to offer aid.

After returning to the Campsite, she observed from the side as the crows celebrated, all of them talking together, reveling in the glory they received through their deeds. The elven mage at the side, watching for a while before organizing her own matters through a chain of sendings casted. Knowing that the worst was still ahead for her.

Several hours after the victory in Shekat Valley the drow named Yudann can be seen in the Eilistraeen Shrine, stuffing his last belonings into a bag of holding. He doesn't say anything, ignoring everyone who doesn't directly talk to him, his expression made of stone. Once done with the packing the battle-weary lifts the bag over his shoulder, walking out of the Shrine and to the ship sailing to Salandran Temple.
Anyone who comes across him and asks him where he is going, the answer is cold, short and simple; "Leaving.".

Laiath, after helping with the first second of the assault and later standing guard with Ser Robert, stayed to watch the celebrations, yet he did not join them. After listening to reports and relevations, he left brave warriors celebrating, thanked everyone for holding the line and went to rest.

With news traveling of the victory the Salandrans Undead Counter Operations return to their Temple, each of them ragged and lacking the angelic visage they bore when they first set off. Each has a new story to share, a new scar to bare, new nightmares to dream and an old friend to mourn.

Sister Rose, the rising aspirant and considered by many to be a future Temple Mother in the making was declared deceased by the Salandran infirmary fifteen hours prior to the final push. Escorted by an Honour Guard made of her brothers in arms, she was buried in the Temple Crypts by a tearful Mother Victoria in the tradition of the Undead Counter Operations: an unnamed grave with a simple inscription.

One life given so that many may continue. May Salandra forgive my previous sins.

With the near decimation of the mutant breeds the local fauna begin to emerge from their hiding holes and hidden nests, once again taking their position as the alpha predators in the valley's food chain. The Road Wardens begin patrols through the valley once more and the arterial road from Bendir Dale to Kohlingen resumes its trade. However, the wardens keep a close eye upon the nearby canopy at all times; the horrors which they experienced and friends who will never again join them continue to haunt them and the corpses of wagons along the road they patrol do nothing to calm their memories.

The Shrine still remains a shadow of its former beauty; its meadows lay ruined by large mounds of dirt and its interiors eroded by the acidic ichor of their enemies. Despite the repairs being made to the physical, the psychological wounds in the psyche of its remaining residents still remain open: all preconceptions of truly feeling safe from the Spiderqueen's grip were shattered. A pessimistic few go so far as to vow never return to their former home, leaving to find their own path to freedom and safety.

That sense of safety for the nearby city of Winya Ravana has also been shattered; the threat which mauled the Shrine came not from without but within the Treaty of Light's own territory.... and may happen again. The once confident Glade Guard now exhibit much more caution when watching their borders. The Kohlingen patrols also exhibit a similar degree of caution; the attacks of both the She-kats and beastmen paying toll upon their confidence to secure their own lands.

As for the Drow who orchestrated the entire uprising, there is no sign. The more pessimistic amongst the Road Wardens whisper that the daughter of the dark will return. When or how she will return however is a story for another time...

The tired commander would rise to a new day from his tent. A day involving much less shekats and camp activity. The whole area was empty, only Kard and perhaps a few others still being present. Tom still hasn't been able to relax completely though..perhaps he needs to sleep in a much better bed than a simple bedroll. And have a bath..

It was done, perhaps with some chaos. But still, the forest was now safe again. He was irked that the main puppeteer eluded them, but things could have gone much worse. Ser Robert and Izariel seemed proud of him, and some of his men congratulated him too. With him complimenting them aswell.

The young paladin-aspirant learned lessons here which will come in handy in the future.

As he looks around the now empty camp, he lets out a long sigh. He turns his gaze towards the Shrine to the east, contemplating and then lowering his gaze to the ground infront of him. He shakes his head slightly.

He starts to make himself some soup in the quiet calm.

Finally well enough to travel the high priestess returned home to the damage she had only briefly seen before collapsing. She looked over her damaged home and the wreckage. The attackers had laid waste to so much. Yet she did not despair. She walked through the torn lands a stoic mask upon her face to the circle of the Moon Stones.

The attack had been terrible but not total, the Idols had been laid to waste but the holy relics the moonstones that had been her charge to protect after Viki had passed away, the sacred oath she had taken in Skullport to ensure their safety so long ago still held. It was a miracle the relics were unharmed and that the destruction had not been absolute. A miracle that had nearly consumed her and swallowed her life as its cost.

"Id martyr myself thrice over it meant keeping them alive" she quietly muttered to the circle of stones before her. In spite of the insults and personal attacks that had been leveled against her, in spite of the that upstart and borderline heretic poisoning people against her Erelkacha held her faith. It was her shield, her sword and its strength was absolute.

Determined the high priestess moved to the remaining trees in the Shrine. Once more their limbs were adorned with wind chimes carved from the fangs of giant spiders. Lolth would never break her spirit not now, not ever and the spider fang wind chimes would sing her defiance, her peoples defiance to the winds.

A Certain, Darkly Clad, Pale-skinned Tiefling, trickling with small shadows would be quietly seen in the Camp, every 30 minutes or so, on standby, and heading to and for, fading into the shadows towards the forest, and be seen making returns, after surveying the Valley, In the camp he would be seen writing things, and calculating after each return from those now battle-worn woods

"Now, begins.. the waiting, the watching, making sure what we did.. would be fruitful, or Not." Noirel would Sigh out a Purred Hiss, and grunt, speaking quietly to himself as he writes down a Scouting Report of the Forest, during his last Scout as ordered.

-Scout report, Noirel of Illith'vir-
Written and Sent to Tom Kolwer
"This Scouting, I Report a Still Quietness in the Valley, However, the common five She'kat groups previously Reported I have not seen as per 'Normal', It is believed that the Spiders may have Relocated to a New Hive, More evidence will be needed, but due to our Assault and 'Destruction' of the Spider-Queen, this possibly could prove true; But the Possibilty of a Re-groupment of their forces should still not be ruled out."

A man in white cloths with bright blue eyes peering from under his hood can be seen walking at a pace most run at through the shekat valley along the paths, any that look to him would be offered a simple nod and he'd carry on with out uttering a word. Kard would make this trip between Bendir and Minmir regularly.

The Spider's Forest

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