AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic

Jerand Whiterose, paladin of Ilmater, doctor of Salandra, walks around the Recovery Wing in an almost zombie like state. The many hours and days of work and the extreme lack of sleep have given him dark circles under his eyes and a constant yawn.

He walks amongst the many now in the Recovery Wing, used more as a shelter than a treatment center. People with looks of exhaustion mixed with fear are worried about the disease that even now knocks on the door. Dead birds and animals emitting the ooze that are found dead outside in the temple grounds are quickly removed and burned.

Inside people lay on makeshift beds filled with straw or cloth. Some beds contain more than one person. Nurses, aides, volunteers, doctors and clerics constantly clean everything, and buckets of fresh, purified water are brought in and the "used" ones removed.

Every cough by anyone is closely scrutinized by others around them and even a passing doctor or nurse takes notice.

The latest rage is a bandana, a makeshift mask. The cloth unable to be used for bandages or bedding his been cut into triangular shapes and people constantly tie one around their mouth and nose as protection against any airborne illness. But the left over cloth is bright in color, often garrish, giving the rooms in the recovery wing an odd mixture of browns and grays of peasants clothes mixed with bright colors on top. A truly odd sight.

Some have come to volunteer their services. Dashirun Akuma and Audrey Zinata are seen changing out buckets and washing walls and floors. Sometimes the exchanges between them are unpleasant but they continue to work diligently.

At one point, barely able to stay on his feet, Jerand retires to a Consultation room and takes a brief nap.................

Baden

Salandran temple guards -- along with the Salandran healers themselves and the Ilmatari in black robes -- keep their peeled for any people attempting to exploit the Temple grounds for a profit.

// If anyone is doing this in the temple grounds without a DM, don't. //

----

In Sky Forest and Crystal Lake, famine has set in. As the populations of deer are near extinction, other prey is over hunted by wolves, creating a very critical situation where extinctions of multiple animals within the forest are a very real threat. Hungry wild cats, mountain lions, wolves and other predators begin to venture outside the forest for a meal. There are reports of more attacks on people, and even reports of some deaths at the paws of hungry wolf packs. In it's current state, the forest is a sadder sight than even the harsh and savage Forest of Despair -- which is also now seeing dead bird fall as well.

Winya's situation continues to be dire, as Elves continue to die despite the valiant efforts of the clergy. Still it's clear that if these efforts had not begun when they had, the situation would be catastrophic indeed. In the last few days, a total of 30 more Elves have traveled West, much too soon. There's a concern in Winya, as a shortage of Remove Disease potions and scrolls, Restoration potions and scrolls, and feverfew herbs become very real issues. A few guards have reported troubles with wild cats and mountain lions who have become aggressive in their hunt for a meal.

In the Salandrans Temple, a similar situation occurs with herbs. Temple guard begin to watch closely over the herbs, denying anyone not working at the temple access to the herbs. Instead, they inform people seeking these herbs to help someone with the disease to bring them in for treatment. The treatment center for the disease switches from the Recovery halls to the Temple itself, as the number of patients continue to rise. Salandrans and Ilmatari alike, work "around the clock," as it were. The Ilmatari in black robes who wear bird-like masks have spread their style to some of the Salandrans themselves, as they take up to wearing these masks as well. Most Salandrans use a cloth mask over their mouth and nose however.

Amia Forest continues to see an increase in animal deaths (birds, rats and deer) to the illness. The forest seems to be on the fast track toward disaster, like its neighbor, Sky Forest. Some of the savage Gnomes in the Western areas have show signs of stomach aches.

In Wharftown, more dead birds fall, along with the arrival of dying rats. There is good news to report here though. So far, no one appears to have been infect. The Temple of Selune is well prepared and ready, in anticipation. The town guard have set up a pyre -- much like Winya and Bendir Dale before them -- to deal with the corpses of dead animals.

In Bendir Dale, more dead cattle and chickens fall victim to the illness. The citizens of the small town begin to panic, worrying about a possible famine. Where will the chicken come from for the pot pies?

Matters mostly have stayed the same in Kohlingen, as things begin to stabilize there. There are some concerns about a food shortage however, and people are encouraged to eat only what they need.

In The Shrine of Eilistraee, a rothe begins showing signs of illness. It drools a thick mucus out of its mouth and nose, as well as throws up a lot of its food.

The spread of illness continues down the Western coastline and into the Delta. In the center of the island, the illness falls over most of the Frontier. The only area seeing slow spread is the Skull Craig mountains. The mountain tops have yet to be affected, though the lower areas have been.

As the two elves decide to go to the city instead, the druidess does not return to that area of Skyforest anymore. She rather seems to work more on searching for the new hideout of the responsibles with the other members of the grove. During the time they do not, she helps burn the diseased corpses and help cure the animals which are not dead yet.

Brân would notice these changes and seek out the other druids of the Grove.

He would also plant more seeds at the Salandran temple, helping new flora to bloom in the time of need.

Hand of Ieyrn Saylgarix helps out the others in Wharftown in keeping the dead animals in check and properly disposing of them. He wears some rather thick, heavy gloves as he does so, and an amulet with a Salandran symbol on it. Of course, he's also in uniform when he does so.

He spends most of his time when he's on-duty doing such, and some of his time where he would normally be off duty as well. However, when off duty, he sometimes makes quiet expeditions outside... He usually takes the north exit and scouts out the area, though he might have something else on his mind as well...

Quote:

In The Shrine of Eilistraee, a rothe begins showing signs of illness. It drools a thick mucus out of its mouth and nose, as well as throws up a lot of its food.

After perhaps a day has passed, the illness of the rothe is noticed by one Jocelyn Kenlyl. After a short shriek of exclamation at the discovery, she returns shortly after with thick leather gloves on her hands and a cloth mask over her mouth. Perhaps strangely, the rothe was merely corralled on its own across the pond and away from the other rothe, away from the farms, and away from the normally occupied parts of the Shrine.

Some time after, Jocelyn returns to the Salandran Temple across the Minmir River and politely, if persistently, asks for a small allotment of the Feverfew leaves for "experiments" and exploring possibly more efficient treatments.

A man in a bright golden-coloured armor wearing a notable crested helmet and a symbol of a full sun arrives at the temple of Salandra. He identifies himself as Marcus Sembianus Aurelius, Apostle of Amaunator and explains that he is compiling a report on the epidemic for the city of Cordor.

If given the time to ask some questions, he keeps them brief and to the point; the who-what-when-where-how's. Mainly, he asks for the Salandran clergy's knowledge on the origin of the disease, as well as its nature and possible treatments. Lastly, he asks for an overview as to any ongoing initiatives that are being undertaken by the temple and other parties to contain and combat the disease.
----
A few hours later, Marcus also appears outside of the grove, seeking similar information from the druids.

A man followed by a large hound and a wolf could be seen
heading towards the shrine of Talona, placing the animals
bellow it to guard the position as he would climb his way
up to the idol. The man approached the deity statue and
after a few minutes of concentrating placed an open palm
on the stone before the idol and started chanting in some
old, strange language known only to a specific circle of
people.

"Chae, Chae, Chae! Gebo og Aihwaz Grumbachae!
Chae, Chae, Chae! Gebo og Aihwaz Grumbachae!
Chae, Chae, Chae! Gebo og Aihwaz Grumbachae!"

The man would close his eyes concentrating and opening
his mind to the ritual or a spell he was trying to cast as
he would start slowly moving his palm above the stones
in front of him, chanting and vibrating the formula. After
roughly ten minutes, the man would grow silent and just
stood there, without any noise, before departing towards
the forest, once again followed by a pack of cainines.

After a long night, Malandria sends a letter to Kohlingen before she begins to visit the animals.... trying to calm some before they start to enjoy the easier meat of adventurers. Her main aim to try to speak with and calm, are certainly the larger predatory cats.

Those animals who seem near extinct at this point, she tries to temoprarily relocate to a safer region within the Skyforest/Crystallake area and try to cure them.

It wasn't long at the Shrine before the sick Rothe was separated from the herd and remainder moved underground entirely to be feed off the cave born Lichen that made up most of the natural grazing in their diet forswearing potentially infected grass entirely. However the unwell rothe was kept in the pen outside, alone for observation and something else the shrine had in mind.

Meanwhile the shrines food stores were being rationed carefully should that food be needed by anyone they would help with what they could. Though the high priestess could be heard wishing that Kampo had recovered because right now a trading post would be a life saver.

Silent2001 wrote:

A portly gentleman places a letter upon the door of Kampo's before departing on a nearby cart. It reads as follows:

Silent2001 wrote:

Faithful Allies,

I will press on rebuilding efforts. Sorry for my delay and absence from the meeting. My health took a turn for the worse but I am on the mend and out of the Salandrna Temple. I am staying with friends. I have heard of the plague and if you wish to use the storehouse as a makeshift hospital to house the victims please, do so, you have my permission.

I have been making plans for the Storehouses refurnishing and with the gold you have offered, and the support of others it should be an easy enough fix.

Waukeen fill your pockets,

Kampo

Ravenovf wrote:

It wasn't long at the Shrine before the sick Rothe was separated from the herd and remainder moved underground entirely to be feed off the cave born Lichen that made up most of the natural grazing in their diet forswearing potentially infected grass entirely. However the unwell rothe was kept in the pen outside, alone for observation and something else the shrine had in mind.

Meanwhile the shrines food stores were being rationed carefully should that food be needed by anyone they would help with what they could. Though the high priestess could be heard wishing that Kampo had recovered because right now a trading post would be a life saver.

The sick rothe that can't keep down it's food gets a bit of special treatment from Jocelyn. It's taken off a grass diet, and is instead left to drink some vegetable stock with some boiled grasses for energy via the starch. At least once a day, she also tries to feed him steamed vegetables by hand. The hand, however, is covered by a thick leather glove which is burned after each feeding. Jocelyn wears a cloth mask while treating the animal and trying to encourage him to eat.

Tuomas leaves a missive in Kohlingen's ongoing communications regarding this particular crisis to the attention of the Triadic Knights and Kohlingen's court.

*Aylomen, clad in his leathers and forest green attire, continues to travel to Actand on a regular basis. His efforts there are directed toward keeping the town from getting sick- which tends to be the simple act of collecting diseased birds and rats and burning them far from the village. He is careful when handling them, often times using a shovel to carry and shutting the diseased creatures to his pyre. Aylomen makes a concerted effort to keep from bothering the villagers or appearing strange or threatening. He is polite if approached and keeps a watchful eye on the villagers from a distance, ever-cautious of one becoming sick.*

A sealed letter is delivered and specifically addressed to the following individuals, their offices, secretaries or any of appropriate representation:

The Mayor of Bendir Dale
The Mayor of Uhm
The Mayor of Wharftown
The Justicar of Kohlingen
The Grandmaster of the Triadric Knights
The Council of Winya Ravana
The Temple of Salandra
Malandria of the Druid Grove
Dawnmaster Llinyari of the Cordor Temple of Lathander

The report itself is accompagnied by a short note:
I hereby present you with a copy of my report on my preliminary investigation into the Raven's Plague I conducted on behalf of the city of Cordor. I have been given authority to provide you with a copy, and I pray you may find the information gathered within of use in combatting the current plague.

Sol Invictus

Marcus Sembianus Aurelius

Quote:

Report of Preliminary Investigation into "Raven's Plague"
By Pvt. Marcus Sembianus Aurelius, Cordor Guard, Adventuring Division

1. Origin of Raven's Plague
The origin of the current "Raven's Plague" has been identified as "Blighter", a male human Chosen of Talona of Tethyran origin. Blighter is believed to direct two lieutenants and an estimated dozen other followers. He has been observed to be clad in skin tight black clothes and is armed with a hooked dagger. His motive for releasing the plague appears to be servitude to Talona and personal hatred of elvenkind.

The disease was first encountered via the infection of ravens. The disease spread to other avian creatures, and from there to ground animals and elves. It has since spread to infect individuals from a variety of different races. At the moment there is no accurate record of the total number of infected nor the number of casualties due to infection, yet the number of Winyan casualities is at this time estimated to have exceeded 30.

2. Nature and spread of Raven's Plague
There seems to be disagreement on whether the disease is natural or magical in nature. The disease itself has shown to infect the throat and nasal passages, and may also spread to the lungs. At this time two variations of the Raven's Plague have been observed; one that provokes notable, visible symptoms and proves lethal in a manner of weeks, and a second that provokes few visible symptoms and proves lethal in a manner of hours.

The disease has currently spread to the Sky Forest, Winya Ravana, Nexus Hills, Wharftown, Uhm, Kohlingen and the western Amian Forest. It is expected to reach the city of Cordor within the next days.

3. Symptoms of Raven's Plague
First Form

Production of excess nasal fluids.
Swelling of the throat
High fever
Severe Dehydration
Death within a period of several weeks.

Second Form

Production of excess nasal fluids.
Death within a period of several hours.

4. Methods of Prevention of Infection

Avoidance of direct contact with infected
Sufficient coverage of the nose and mouth
Careful and decisive removal and incineration of infected and dead matter

5. Methods of Treatment of Infection

Combination of Cure Disease and Restoration has proven to effective in removing infection.
Application of Feverfew, Glow Berries, Greenbrier Root, Hallowseeds have proven effective in alleviating symptoms.

6. Personal Recommendations
Based on my preliminary investigation, I hereby recommend the application of Ministry of Health and Cordor Guard resources to implement and maintain the following initiatives:
Preventive

Medical examination of all individuals, animals, meat and fowl entering the city of Cordor.
Immediate apprehension and interrogation of clergy and lay followers of Talona.
Restriction of public access to sewers

Combative

Segregation of each district via guarded checkpoints.
Organisation of independent medical centers in each district
Isolation and incineration of infected matter.

Dawnsinger Andrew shamelessly steals Llinyarrii's mail.

The Triadic Knights continue to work to protect their people and aid against the plague.

Patrols search near the abandoned temple and idol of Talona for signs of activity or hidden accessess in the hopes of catching any Talonites.

Frustrated at being confined to Kohlingen and Her needs alone, Keeper Babette sets about taking a comprehensive census to begin addressing the food and clean water needs. Speaking with all guards and Templars, ensuring no one that shows any symptoms gets inside until she or one of the other clergy can examine them.

She directs the diseased cattle and fowl to be burned and the others to be quarantined under cover, in sheds or barns, ALL handlers are to take extraordinary precautions, wearing clothing covering their bodies completely, in spite of the early spring heat, gloves and full coverage masks. All dung is to be disposed in a special compost pile for burning.

After much thought she readies a number of contingency spells, restorations, neutralize, antidotes, and Remove Curses; noting after a talk with Senior Squire Jerand Whiterose and Seneschal Sir Justin Fairfax, the common cold can be cured with a moderate healing, allergies with a restoration, or at least alleviated for a time, and a few other ailments can also be treated simply, there by helping the Battle Priestess of Torm to figure common illness triage vs the symptoms of the plague.

Standing orders for the City Proper, issued by the clergy, are:

Masked, revealing your face to any guard, Templar or Triadic that asks (hoods are still dis-allowed)
If a visitor to Kohlingen, sign in at the gates
If a visitor, must submit to an inspection by a guard and cleric for symptoms
Currently there are no open eating establishments, all food is needed for the residents
Do not visit Kohlingen unless your business insists on it.
No loitering in the streets

In large printing below these rules:

These are not issued by the Justicar, nor the temple, but by the Clergy of the Triadic Knights for your safety, refusal to comply, however, will result in your removal from the city until the plague is over.

*a very exhausted looking druid, also quite dirty looking and probably preferrably not to be smelled at one, returns to the Grove and writes a few notes and letters.*

Tuomas would return to Kohlingen initially to send a missive to Ulrik, and then head to a quiet space in Kohlingen's keep to take out all of his spellbooks and texts to begin working on something, setting himself up in the same fashion he'd lay himself out as though he was going to be in spell development.

Doomed!

The plague has finally reached Cordor. Dead and dying raven, crow, seagulls, pigeons and other common birds -- and even some more less common breeds, like barn swallows -- begin to rain down over the whole of the city.

It's now obvious to anyone traveling anywhere on the Amian surface that the plague has reached where they walk -- and even some underdark areas see dead rats.

After hearing of the plague spreading into even Cordor, the young Artificer Ranallas retreats back to the relative safety of Kohlingen to gather up his notes...

In Cordor, the frightened citizens stay in doors for the most part. Some citizens had been gathering small hoards of food in anticipation of the coming plague. A busiest and largest city on Amia appears as if a ghost town at time. An almost eerie sight, what with all the dead birds on the ground, too many for guards to pick up in a timely fashion.

In Winya Ravana, the situation remains critical, as more Elves have died. The total is upwards of 90 lost now. One of the more recent victims of the plague is a Winyan guard. An Elf who had served Winya for many years and took on some of the more dangerous shifts. The guard mourn his loss and seem even more grim than before as they do their job. The citizens remain in doors for the most part, hurt and shaken to their core by the events. The issue of famine becomes a popular topic in Elven homes and even in the few public circles of conversation. The threat is indeed there, though it's not the worst of Winyas worries. If there's one thing Winyans can find some measure of comfort in, it's that the deaths seem to finally be slowing. Hungry carnivores more are creeping closer to the city, lashing out at travelers and any animals they travel with.

In Sky Forest and Crystal Lake, the situation is at its very worst. It's every animal for itself, or at least it feels this way. Animal attacks on people continue, claiming a few more lives. Reports tell tales of wolf packs and mountain lions taking people down. There's also a migration happening, where animals have begun leaving the area for new ground, in search of more plentiful meals and safety. Most of these fleeing creatures find their way to the neighboring Amia Forest.

At the Salandran Temple, the patients continue to come, leaving the clergy and their allies overwhelmed. The herb shortage continues to worry the temple and its workers. The temple guard disallow picking of the herbs by those not working directly under the temple because of the shortage. A few Salandrans and their Ilmatari allies in black robes and bird-like masks are seen planting new seeds in a desperate attempt to spawn new herb plants to keep up with demand.

In Wharftown, conditions remain fairly controlled. There is concern though, as the first three people make their way to the Temple of Selune for healing, believing themselves infected. Otherwise, the only other concern is news that some refugees from nearby settlements are flocking toward their borders for aid.

In Kohlingen, there's a similar situation to Wharftowns. However, here, refugees are already at the gates. They come in, looking for aid, avoiding the overwhelmed Salandrans Temple. Luckily, with so much clergy and the refugee numbers being low, the situation is well contained and under control. Though there have been a few reports of infected in Kohlingen, none have died.

In Amia Forest, the forest is on a fast track toward the same fate as Sky Forest. The migrating animals aren't making matters any better for the forest either. There's a higher demand for prey and a decrees in prey. The Gnomes in the Western forest also aren't helping, as they become more aggressive in their hunts.

In Bendir Dale, the fear of famine is becoming a more real threat, as the chicken and cattle populations fall to dangerous numbers. Grains are plentiful however and is said to be enough to carry the town through should a true famine set in. A few Hin have reported feeling sick, but were taken care of in a timely fashion by local clergy.

At the Oakmist Vale Grove, dead birds fall from the sky and dead rats lay about. Luckily, their numbers keep the place relatively clean. Two member have reported feeling ill, but thanks to the heavy presence of healers and divine spell casters, the issues were quickly resolved.

In Cliffside, there have been reports of no sick people. The place is literally a ghost town and no one leaves their homes for long. There is a rumor of dead rats and birds walking and flying again here. There's also a rumor that a dead man was found a half mile away from town, but that he was taken away by hungry wolves.

In Guldorand, the situation is similar to Cliffside, minus the rumors. It's a ghost town in Guldorand. The hardy people of this small settlement have seen a lot of hardship over the last few years and had just overcome one of their worst trials recently with the destruction of most of their settlement. The mood is gloom and doom here.

In Uhm, people are becoming anxious. Some people have dared to venture out more regularly again, much to the chagrin of others. Still, no one has been reported infected in Uhm. The guard does a decent job collecting dead animal corpses and removing them from within the town walls, though they're replaced quickly with more.

At the Lowland Delta, Casino employees keep their premises clean. The few local merchants also keep their areas clean. Elsewhere, however, dead creatures just sort of lay and rot like in the wild. No one has been reported infected here.

At the Shrine of Eilistraee, the Drow have done a good job at saving what they have, moving their Rothe where the plague is less likely to reach them. They have, however, lost their chickens.

At the Crouching Lemur Monastery, some areas are kept fairly free of dead creatures, while other, less traveled, areas are not. No one here has been infected.

In Tarkuul, a few dead birds do fall, but not many. The city is relatively unphased.

After writing a few letters and treating several animals and people in the Grove, a very tired looking druidess is seen making her sleepless way to Kohlingen. Upon reaching the city she begins to look for Tuomas.

A wood elven druidess increases the frequency of her patrols through Amia Forest, tending any sick animals or disposing of dead and infected animals. She also makes sure to eliminate any feral gnomes she encounters.

A paladin of Kelemvor keeps looking, town to town, for deceased people plague-stricken, taking note about their aspect and conducing a proper burial. Also, whenever it's possible, Mikal Blacksword keeps watching for the recent graveyards he has helped to dig up, looking for any trace of undeads.

Gunz wrote:

In Kohlingen, there's a similar situation to Wharftowns. However, here, refugees are already at the gates. They come in, looking for aid, avoiding the overwhelmed Salandrans Temple. Luckily, with so much clergy and the refugee numbers being low, the situation is well contained and under control. Though there have been a few reports of infected in Kohlingen, none have died.

In Kohlingen, Senior Keeper of the Triad's Faith, Babette Liliana d'Astier de la Vigerie has the few ill that do not respond to treatments for colds, flu, allergies and the like, confined to the Infirmary with instructions that only the Ilmatari are to enter with extreme caution and with proper precautions. No others are permitted to enter, and no other sick patients are to be left there. She talks privately with High Priestess of Ilmater, Kellinanah concerning the precautions needed, stressing the need to comply implicitly, though as she leaves she gets the feeling the High Priestess was well aware, and only humoring her insistence.

During a break in his studies, Tuomas hears word of the state of the Isle and shakes his head, returning briefly to his spell work to put it away.

~ I have not the time to try to research a new spell to keep these blaggards from escaping readily, I'll just have to remember the tools that do work. ~ he thought to himself.

He then made effort to try to speak to Malandria.

((Malmal, I'll be on a bit later, say 2-3 hours from the time of this post for sure but possibly sooner. Poke me on MSN))

*Letter would be given by Runa to one of the Salandrans to be given to person in charge. Runa would then comment she'll be helping around with sick while she waits for an answer. Letter bears official seal of Barak Runedar and is written in neat common script*

Quote:

Honored Temple Mother,

I wish to inform you that Council of Barak Runedar has decided to offer assistance to Temple of Salandra. This offer will consist of one-third of our available clerics and healers, with their medical equipment and prayers from Mordinsamman.
If you allow, we would like to set up additional tents on Salandran grounds where we could house patients that are waiting for their turn, and patients that are already treated/recovering. Those tents would be separated of course, to evade people getting sick again. Our relief force will firstly focus on healing patients we have best knowledge of - dwarves and gnomes, but we will assist anyone else if able.
If this is acceptable to you, I will have relief group assembled and ready by tomorrow morning.

On behalf of the High Administration of Barak Runedar
*singed and sealed*
High Councillor Runa Steelfist
Chair of Financial and Religion

Zephyr_of_Discord wrote:

Gunz wrote:

In Kohlingen, there's a similar situation to Wharftowns. However, here, refugees are already at the gates. They come in, looking for aid, avoiding the overwhelmed Salandrans Temple. Luckily, with so much clergy and the refugee numbers being low, the situation is well contained and under control. Though there have been a few reports of infected in Kohlingen, none have died.

In Kohlingen, Senior Keeper of the Triad's Faith, Babette Liliana d'Astier de la Vigerie has the few ill that do not respond to treatments for colds, flu, allergies and the like, confined to the Infirmary with instructions that only the Ilmatari are to enter with extreme caution and with proper precautions. No others are permitted to enter, and no other sick patients are to be left there. She talks privately with High Priestess of Ilmater, Kellinanah concerning the precautions needed, stressing the need to comply implicitly, though as she leaves she gets the feeling the High Priestess was well aware, and only humoring her insistence.

Each day the Seneschal rises and prays before going about his duties in the face of thethis challenge.

Sir Justin continues with the dual efforts of controlling the plague and hunting its source. The procedures along with increased guards and clergy at the gates to inspect all travellers seeking to enter the city are screened based on the criteria that Jerand, Babette and he had set up.

Food and fresh water are augmented by divine creation to meet short falls.

Patrols of Kohlingen territory are regular with contaminated animals separated, slaughtered and burned where the wind would take the smoke away from the city and out to sea.

Beyond Kohlingen borders special patrols hunt out suspected Talona locations.

What aid can be sent to their neighbors at the Salandra Temple and Winya is sent.

Duty done at end of day he returns to pray and given thanks for the Triadic Lords' blessings that has aided them in meeting the day's challenge.

Upon finally meeting, Tuomas and Malandria share a very long conversation and finally head off to seek out the Council of Winya. Due to the late hour Tuomas decides it would be better to start with their laboratory work in the morning.

Malandria agrees and decides to accopmany Voronwer to the Winyan Temple meanwhile. On the way Voronwer explains to her which disease proression is the deadly one and which responds to the so far treatment. The druidess spends the night checking all the patients, those on their way back to health aswell as those who are likely beyond help.

If any of the elves willingly agree, she takes blood samples and samples of the nasal fluids of the two different disease progression types to analyse them later for any differences.

While offering a few restorations, she mainly keeps to the more traditional cures of various herbs to aid the magical healing.

With each patient she checks the fever, puls, eye reflexes and breathing. The later especially to discern if the lungs are heavily effected or not.

Should any vomiting of blood occour, she'd check the person for inner bleeding by feeling along the abdomen and also check their throats and nose to see if the cause may be a tear in the small blood vessels of the throat through the coughing.

The young Sy-Tel'Quessir had yielded the hunt to the more powerful and experienced. While the elders and their allies sought after their prey, Caelisarqueya spent nearly all of her time in the blighted Sky Forest. Doing as she had done for days prior, a familiar routine had begun again after her health returned, and she could be found turning infected carcasses to ash, sewing the seeds of stripped, over-harvested herbs, and singing to the flora as though to coax strength into the spirit of the land.

The forest would endure, she knew; is was her charge to see that it did so with the most mitigation of detriment than she could afford it, for this was no natural thing, no change that followed natural cycles of the wild - and where it had swung influence heavily to one side, she had swung in the opposite, seeking to achieve a balance in the aftermath.

Arms with herbs, spiritualist prayers and natural magic, the Sy-Tel'Quessir tended the ill where she found them and culled the most numerous of the predators to be left as easy food for others.

The Commonwealth Center sees a substantial increase in activity, with lights burning in the windows late into the night. Clerks and guard personnel are summoned to meetings and later leave grumbling and muttering. Eventually, official notices are posted on various bulletin boards around the city.

A communication from the Ministry of Health & Public Welfare wrote:

Notice of Measures to Combat the Plague

// I don't have DM backing for this at the present time so 'official' (ie. NPC) response may be inconsistent and/or nonexistent. Stay tuned for further information

A small group of dwarves, carrying a load of medical and camping equipment, portals to Salandran Temple at dawn. Their entire bodies are covered in protective clothing and their faces are protected by doctor's masks. After a short conversation with one of Temple Sisters, dwarven female in silver finery orders others to start setting up camp.
Two large tents are raised, with bedrolls and cots and dividers between them. Large campfire is put up, with couple of large pots constantly boiling water for use. In coordination with Salandran personnel, dwarves start accepting patients. Patients are divided in two groups, depending on seriousness of their situation, each group moved to their tent. Most severe cases are being dealt with silver-clad female, who calls for certain divine blessings in an attempt to cure them.

It was beautiful outside today. The sun shined overhead and birds whistled merrily as they darted from branch to branch. It was a grand symphony of nature's sounds, the perfect companion to a day filled with adventure! Leaving her mother's side once more, Gabria returned to her search for only the best flowers in the Keep's courtyard. Her father stayed by the celestial priestess, naturally, while big brother Marcus turned a page in the massive book he held in his hands. A yellow flower was tucked into the boy's raven hair, testament to his sister's affectionate attack on his person. It was Daddy's turn now and Gabria all but pounced on a small cluster of blue flowers in the prime of their blooming stages. Once her tiny hands were full of them, she raced back to her family, blue eyes alight with excitement.

"Daddy!" the small half-elf called to Ulrik as she ran through the last stretch of grass. So intent on her target, she failed to notice a large rock that stood in her path. Her little boot caught the stone and she yelped in surprise as she dropped face-first into the billowy grass of the Keep grounds. Her small blue flowers showered the ground around her as they fell from her fingers. She pushed herself onto her hands and looked at the ruined bouquet. Her lower lip quivered and tears gathered in her eyes, but before a single tear fell she felt large hands lift her.

"Aw. There, there," the aging human wizard said as he eased his daughter onto her feet. Gabria wiped at her face with her arm and then wasted no time scrambling to gather the fallen blossoms while her father looked on in tender amusement. On the nearby bench, Escine gazed upon the pair with a warm smile, although Marcus seemed quite used to the attention-grabbing antics of his baby sister.

When she finally found the very last flower, Gabria lovingly crushed the stems together to make them stay in place. Then, triumphantly, she sniffed quickly and turned to Ulrik. Lifting her grubby hands, she offered the small, disheveled bouquet to him.

"Here you go, Daddy," she said. "Pretty blue for you. Like my eyes and your eyes!"

The mustached wizard smiled gently and took the offered flowers. "They're beautiful, sweetheart."

The little girl gave him a brilliant smile, and then hugged him tightly while he was still at her level. After planting a big kiss on his cheek she darted away once more.

"Mommy's turn!" she shouted.

"Watch your feet this time, darling!" Escine called after her. Gabria only partially registered what her mother had said - although she heard Ulrik's laughter - but after taking a spill in the grass she instinctively slowed down as she ran about looking for flowers best suited for her mother. They had to be bright and colorful, like her wings. Anything else would simply look too boring next to her and she couldn't give her mother a gift that was boring!

As she hurried to the side of one of her favorite bushes, she paused and looked toward a sound of rustling leaves. Far too young to be afraid of rustling bushes, she curiously peered into the tangle of branches and leaves. Within, she saw a small shape move. She parted the bush more so she could see whatever it was better, and then she gasped quietly. It was a bird! But it looked sick. It hobbled around and flapped one little wing, but didn't go anywhere. She heard it squeak at her and she wondered why it didn't make the shrill calls of the other birds she had seen.

Boldly, she reached out and grabbed the bird. It struggled very briefly, but her grip on it made it impossible for it to escape. When she pulled the bird out of the bush and into the sunlight, it went still, as if momentarily blinded. Oblivious to this, Gabria stood up straight and raced back toward the bench where her mother, whom she knew was a healer, still sat with Ulrik and Marcus.

"Mommy!" Ulrik and Escine turned their heads, expecting to see all manner of flowers in the little girl's arms. When they didn't see any flowers at all, their conversation ceased. "Mommy!" Gabria paused for breath and held her hands up. Only then did they see the bird she held. "Mommy, little birdy's sick. Can you help him?"

The dull thud of a book hitting the ground was the only preface to the chaos that followed such a simple request for help from a young, innocent little girl. Spells were cast, both from priestess and wizard. A young boy watched on helplessly, his book forgotten. A vortex of panic enveloped the small family as a single word ran through each of their minds: plague. Gabria was so young. She didn't understand what had happened, or the danger in her actions. In that moment, fear clutched at the hearts of a mother and father while tears stung the eyes of a brother who could do nothing but wait...

-----

Hours later, when all had settled, a celestial priestess murmured a final restorative spell over a bird with a broken wing. Gabria leaned forward to look at her mother's handiwork, and then squealed with delight when the bird finally took flight and disappeared into the trees outside. Ulrik paced nearby and Marcus sat with his head in his hands, watching the pair by the window. The "sick" bird had not carried the plague, after all, but as Escine put her children to bed she could not shake the fear of how easily it could have been different. Their simple family outing had ended frightfully and had placed a shadow on the light of hope and peace that rested with them.

"It was too close," the priestess murmured much later in a dark bedroom. Ulrik slid his arm around his wife as he whispered his agreement. Escine curled up against him and shuddered. That night, they both rested uneasily.

After spending a god deal of time in the Winyan Temple, Malandria and Tuomas finally met and spent several hours together in examining, comparing and analysing various samples they had taken over the last weeks.

Returning to her work in the Temple, following a visit to the Salandran grounds to collect Feverfew to ease the suffering of the ailing, Kaithan reports to the other clerics at work that she was told by the Salandran guards that any further such foraging would be turned away for the duration of the crisis. She distributes such herbs as she has left among the toiling healers, hoping that it will be enough.

Idan can be spotted moving around the Temple now. His rapier is back at his waist, and he seems to be nearly recovered. His pacing becomes increasingy more restless as he's brought up to speed on the outside world.

An odd find might occur in the trummels as the stench becomes quite strong - Dozens of rotting beetle corpses spread out in a circle in the secluded southeast section. In the center are the remains of some sort of ritual.

Careful examination would seem to indicate that several objects were once layed out. The shape of the bottom of a skull imprints the ground along with a couple rib bones in front and some other impressions that can't be identified. The burnt remains of a remove disease scroll are left in the mess. Finally, someone has been kneeling in the center with the ritual in front of them. The person must have been kneeling for at least a day since the impressions are deep and well used, though this has also made it impossible to be certain of the gender and size of the person who was the center of this ritual.

Scavengers that would have come to the area to clean up the mess would appear to be sick indicating the potential of the plague or some disease at least. What's left of the beetles themselves indicate dying by a more direct means and seem to have been torn to shreds and eviscerated. Unfortunately the decay is too much to determine what sort of weapon killed them, though there is evidence of negative energy burns.

The most recent footprints that haven't been eroded by the rain would seem to indicate the presence of at least four people recently being in the area - two men and two women by the shape of the imprints.

Whatever happened here has come and gone.

Last edited by Kal Sar on Sat, Apr 21 2012, 16:08 PM, edited 1 time in total.

Sir Justin Fairfax and Saisha Jai Diem patrol the trummels near the abandoned Talona temple. Seeing the remains such as they are Justin careful collects small shall fragments small enough to fit into empty potion bottles.

The fragments are from various shells in the circle. He seals the bottles. wrapping them individually in cloth then places them in a separate bag.

Taking alchemy fire he pours it over his gauntlets to pruify them wincing at the heat. Closing the bag, he carries it back to Kohlingen and places himself and the bag in the cells of the keep.

He dictates his report which is sent to the Justicar, Chapter Marshal, Priestess Babette, Ulrik, and Malandria that he has what may be fragments from the ritual in the hope that these might lead to capturing the Talona agents or may be used to find a cure.

Last he orders paladins to be used to guard him and the dangerous bottles holding the fragments in the cells.

That done the Senschal prays as he awaits instruction.

//Can a DM check to see if his collecting actually netted fragments from the actual bugs used? Search check was 23 spot check 40. (corrected for spelling)

Keeper Babette goes to the Keep Cells and speaks briefly with Sir Justin before leaving, then returning a bit later with the elements needed to perform a scrying on the shells he collected. She has made an attempt to protect herself should they be disease laden; donning a mask, leather gloves that fit snugly. She then invoke Torm's divine protection for them both and begins the scrying attempt to discern origins, her attempts fail, of course, and she looks for other means to find out what Justin has asked her to find out.

//Edited to reflect an attempted misuse of a spell.

// Editted due to oopsy on scry mechanics

The dead beetles are.. dead, so scrying on them wouldn't reveal anything in particular.

Attempting to scry on whoever might have been at the grounds of the ritual from things they touched seems to consistantly end in failure.

// If you want to do a roll for this, we can, though the unknown subject of the ritual is extremely strong willed and had resistance to magic in play.

// I don't think you guys know how scrying works. Re-read what it does. You have it confused with a different spell, I think.

//It is very wrong. Learn PnP before you use it, please.

Jocelyn Kenlyl continues to show up at the Temple of Salandra to do what she can and to still try and build up enough credibility to get her hands on some of the feverfew leaves.

However, during her breaks she wanders around the temple grounds with a couple forked twigs. When confident she isn't being watched, she would cast a single spell and continue her walk around the grounds.

((Assuming PnP spells are allowed, Joc is using Locate Object to look for pendants with Talona's symbol.))

A lithe elven figure with purple hair wanders around with a bag that smells like grass, soil and rain. His hands are stained with mud and leaves, and his sandals soaked with wherever he lingered at. He may frequently be seen around Winya Ravana, the Salandran Temple and around the Amia Forest. If asked, he might talk to you about some herbs...

//Feel free to talk to him. This is Zyl for those who know him. If I do not answer, send a pm ^^

// Apologies for the scry bit. My story overrode the mechanics in my head x_x
*Edit*
// I've editted my original post in regards to what would have been found, or not found rather
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=64962&p=1086691#p1086691

//Edited to reflect better what would have happened
posting.php?mode=edit&f=38&p=1086643

A certain Captain in Tarkuul takes the time to dispose of the dead birds within the City, using a trident to toss any stray corpses back into the sea.

If the number of dead birds and/or animals in Cordor should exceed the ability of the guard to gather the corpses, the Ministry of Health & Public Welfare deputizes additional citizens to assist, ensuring that they are carefully trained to handle and dispose of the bodies in the approved manner. Xaviera offers her services as a priestess to provide restoration prayers to those handling them as a preventative measure, or at home in Kohlingen if needed. As a result, she is only seen briefly rushing here and there.

// my computer time this week is reduced so I wont be on as much as previously

A Conspiracy Rains Down

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