AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic

When time permits and Dawn isn't about hunting in the frozen region of Forstakkr for meat she's gathering for Andrews Food Drive she takes time to visit the chapel and prays fervently to Lathander for this catastrophy to pass and to be with her as she willfully gives herself as one of his hands to reach out against this disease.

After praying she fixes her attire so no skin is exposed redonning a mask over her mouth and nose which has become commonplace and flips up her hood. As the air crackles and her fingers contort into strange positions she conjures an unseen servant and goes outside ordering it to follow. Walking, at the most, fifty feet behind the unseen servant, as ordered it takes one corpse after another placing them in bags then sealing them up and the whole process continues until the spell expires or she's to tired to continue. The longest this has gone on is for twelve hours straight in south cordor the spell not expiring but Dawn being exhausted before it's sixteen hour spell duration reached it's limit.

To the average onlooker this could be seen as a most eerie sight since all that would be noticed is the corpses apparently -floating- into a bag one after the other with a shadowy silouette approaching, covered from head to toe head facing downward the lower part of her masked face would be the only thing showing, she in a somber state trying to avoid the realization of what she's walking through with her hands pressed together tips of her gloved fingers resting on the mask around the lip area in silent prayer. She's been known to do this during the day but at night and into the morning hours is preferable with her darkvision and it's less crowded being less likely to spread disease to those that venture to the great city.

If the guards approach her she will explain that Captain Nevaeh asked her to help but she hasn't had time to meet with Meursault due to current pressing matters.

//if use of pnp Unseen Servant isn't allowed she'll just use a pitchfork or spear and I'll edit the post.

The Minister of Health & Public Welfare's words are certainly heeded by city officials. As the days have passed, the situation in Cordor has grown more dire. Afflicted birds and rats are seen in the city often, both dead and dying. The city is simply too large for the guard to do an affective job, causing there to be decaying animal corpses in different parts of the city. If Cordor, being a large city, didn't stink enough already, it certainly does now.

A tired, overworked sun elf paces the Nexus Falls late one night mulling over something that, given the look on his face, has him very worried. He waves off anyone that approaches him to speak.

Senior Keeper Babette d'Astier de la Vigerie wrote:

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

Masked, revealing your face to any guard, Templar or Triadic that asks (hoods and helms 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.

Senior Keeper Babette re-posts the Quarantine measures for Kohlingen, annoyed at the number of people that claim to not know then then complain about being stopped by a guard or templar.

After a frustrating vist to temple of Salandra Erelkacha pauses to write a note for the senior members of the Shrine then determine when she would chance using her commune spell and hope her goddess could provide answers about the possible corruption of the temple.

*News of the happenings on the Isle finally reach Zammikyra, having been secluded in the Thykvybaer Monastery for some time now. Uneventfully, she gives her blessing to the monks and heads outside into the blowing snow, her exact destination unknown. A few new scriptures appear stitched into her vestments as she passes by the braziers in the darkness.

Not many hours later, a winged silhouette is cast over Benwick Hollow.*

Malandria seems spend all her time between helping out in the Temple of Winya or working in the lab. In between she is seen doing occasional patrols in the Amian Forest, the trummels and Skyforest.

She clearly is not in a very good mood.

The magus Marister Hull spends most of his spare time in his rental home in Kohlingen pouring over the various books in the reading area as well as the books made available at the Academy of the Seven Stars. He stays up long nights burning the candles at both ends studying both ways to combat the plague as well as brushing up on his combat spells. One book is laid aside with a page marked with a note.

The note reads "For the Triadic Knights."

Looking at the pages marked in the book, one would find the instructions to cast the spells Dimensional Lock and Dimensional Anchor.

The mage can be heard mumbling to himself about the innumerable projects listed in his to-do list...

Something darker still is lurking within the forests. The corpses of dead animals no matter the stage of decay begin to disappear, only to be found later at certain junctures within the forests cleaned of flesh. Greenstick fractures are evident in the large bones of wolves and lions. All the bone piles possess commonality, scratches on the bones typical of an apex predator with the serrated patterning evident of sharp teeth.

The young, tussle-headed druidess known as Danika, brings some of the bones back to the Grove. Her only explanation is a soulful, and worried, look to Malandria, with a simple phrase.

"It's getting bolder..."

A sealed letter is again 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

Quote:

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

Following are the records of different settlements related to the number and racial nature of those infected within their borders. Please note that due to the dynamic nature of the disease, this addendum may contain inaccuracies.

1. Records of Infection
Winya Ravana
The official statement of Councillor Voronwer Amakiir on behalf of the Winyan Council is that the number of infected Winyan citizens, including those cured, currently under treatment and those fallen to the disease, is unknown.

Temple of Salandra
The clergy of the Temple of Salandra have observed infection in an estimated 100 individuals, mainly elven and human. No accurate records exists at this time.

Kohlingen
Only a handful humans and elven individuals were infected and these were promptly and properly treated by the local clergy. At this time, there have been no casualties

Wharftown
The Mayor of Wharftown stated that at this time no individuals in Wharftown have been infected.

Shrine of Ellistraee
The shrine has been least affected of the Nexus region. Thus far the only victims have been a number of chickens and herd beasts. No drow have been reported infection, yet this is more likely due to the shrine's diligence and measures than inborn immunity. The shrine has been rationing dry foods and observing proper water treatment, only partaking from underground sources.

Druid Grove of the Amia Forest
Two individuals have been infected but promptly cured.

Bendir Dale
No information has been provided at the time of this addendum.

Uhm
The Mayor of Uhm refused to provide further information.

2. Origin of the Raven's Plague - Addendum
Druid Malandria, with confirmation from priestess Erelkacha of the Shrine of Ellistraee, that there are multiple Blighters. They dress similarly, and are expected to be servants of an as yet unknown leader. A lair in the Underdark was destroyed, yet it is expected other such locations exist. The lair it self was filled with a variety of undead animals and corrupted plant creatures, as well as elven test subjects. The location was cast in unnatural darkness, and was very well hidden.

Elana heads back to the Kohlingen hunting grounds, tracking down and curing the deer she missed the day before. She also searches the area for any other sick animals and tends to them as well.

A note is hand-given to mayor Garth from Saylgarix, it reads as follows:

Garth,

The Talonites have been operating -very- closely to our east border, in the Blood Moon Pass region. To this end, I would recommend that you station more than one regular guard on that entrance until the crisis is taken care of.
The perpetrators behind this are people garbed entirely in black, have concealed hoods. They usually smell like dead animals or rotten plants. They are extremely dangerous and if they enter town limits, I recommend that the guards call down significant backup to expel them.
I'll continue to work with the Grove in hunting them down. I'll inform you if anything else develops.

Saylgarix, Hands of Ieyrn

With the days passing, the North parts of the island still see many rats dying off and running around. Thought there is an eerie and saddening new development. She sights and songs of birds become rarer by the day.

Winya and the Salandrans Temple continue to be hit the hardest by the plague, caring for a large number of patients at a time. The Salandrans Temple has had 1 death recently, while Winya has had another 8.

The Sky Forest looks and sounds so very void of life. Amia Forest has seen an influx of predators, while it's prey populations dwindle further.

Bendir Dale has seen it's first case of illness. A young dramatic Hin, who was quickly healed.

Further South, the situation is getting worse as well. Especially in Cordor.

Cordor sees a sudden, frightening and sobering event where multiple Elves are found dead. Exact numbers are unknown.

The Southern and most Central Amian locations still have many birds in the skies that continue to fall and die, along with rats. Cattle and deer also continue to drop dead all across the island.

In Wharftown, a female Elf nearly dies, before she is saved by the local Selunites who worked hard to revive her.

In Cordor, Marcus has begun focusing more on the disease in his patrols, clad in the armor of the Cordoran Guard. He pays particular attention to rumours and sightings of diseased or dead animals or individuals, and seeks out those who have been reported to be infected in the streets and their homes to offer the Amaunatori variety of prayers of Remove Disease and Lesser Restoration, and words of courage.
"Per gratia Amaunator te sanavit. Ad verum corpus et anima.

Brother, Sister, I know you feel fear at this plague, as we all do. But know that our Father is ever watchful, and His guidance never far. No matter how terrible the times may seem, there is always a new dawn, and a new day. Some of us may fall, yet countless more thrive. This illness, this -inconvenience- cannot break our spirits. We will overcome. The Commonwealth will overcome. Humankind will overcome. Sol Invictus."

In the event he finds his resources strained, Marcus seems to treat those infected along a set line of priorities: first the human Citizens, then the non-human Citizens, then "foreign" humans, and lastly "foreign" non-humans. When prompted about it, he seems to consider it quite natural, and answered with a "I serve Amaunator, the Father of Humankind above all, whose blessings are most effective for His children, as the blessings of Corellon, Yondalla and Moradin are reserved for their own most of all. It is most efficient to prioritize those I can aid best. As Cordoran Guard, I serve the Commonwealth and its people. My resources are limited. All that I can further spare, I offer freely. I have shared what knowledge I have with the other settlements, and should my assistance be required and my leave permitted, I will answer all calls for aid from our allies in these trying times. However, for now, my duty lies here."

In Cordor, the ravages of this strange plague took their toll almost without anyone being any the wiser. The death of multiple birds and rats created a surging panic that was quickly managed by the Ministry of Health and Public Welfare, with clerks of the Ministry giving especial attention to all citizens and "citizen neighborhoods" (or those streets and city zones the Bureau of the Census identifies as having the most high citizen to non-citizen ratio).

People line up outside of the free health clinic in South Cordor, overburdening Secretary Karse Ignoma's time and resources. Although they complain about the amount of time it takes to gain entry to see him, the office does nothing to be a burden on taxpayers or the city budget and simply treats each case of the possibly plague infested one citizen at a time. In fact, it begins to get a reputation for being willing to treat non-citizens of the Commonwealth, as well, in the interests of doing all that is necessary to eradicate the plague.

It is only four days after the plague mentality settles into the Commonwealth of Cordor that an elven city Guardsman, Private Belligrose, pays a visit to an out of the way neighborhood along the waterfront in South Cordor, ostensibly known as "elftown" for having not only the highest concentration of elves in the city, but for being a series of city blocks that houses almost exclusively elves, many of whom are Winyan diaspora or travelers from abroad who prefer the company of their own kind but in a metropolitan area like Cordor where, it would seem, there is always more opportunity and freedom than in traditional elven communities like Winya Ravana.

Belligrose is the first to report the situation of "elftown" in Cordor, and Bill Hurst of the Amian Recorder wastes no time in getting the elven official's account into the paper.

"I always went to elftown to buy figs and nexus trout. The family who was allowed to fish the falls by Winya brought them back to Cordor every other week. It wasn't just the fish I was interested in, but the way they were prepared, descaled and spit-kissed rather than filleted and overseasoned like most fish caught in Cordor. When I crossed Lily Street into elftown, I noticed a lot of the porch vendors were shuttered. It was like a ghost town. When I knocked on her door, there was no answer. I tried the doors of a few other friends and contact I know in the area, all with the same result. Fearing the worst, I exercised my legal authority and broke down the first door, a home in the trade square, and found food rotting in the pantry. The family had huddled together upstairs in their communal bedroom, at the foot of the bed, and died arm in arm. Panicked, I fled, and that's when I noticed that the dead had not been confined to their homes, but had perished in the streets, as well, some having lain down in the gutter in a fit of coughing or dizziness and...I guess, just never getting up again."

Although Hurst spents a great deal of the article explaining the tragic loss of several excellent restaurants in Elftown, such as the Stuffed Leaf, a buffet style eaterie promising easily rendered elven cuisine at a reasonable price, and Myth Cafe, which had in Hurst's opinion the most select options for original coffee spices and small pastries, the article also covers the fate of Elftown: some six or seven score dead of the plague, with many suspected of having fled Elftown by fishing boat in the middle of the night rather than run through the city. The entire area is quarantined and clerks of the Ministry of Health and Public Welfare, under the direction of Secretary Karse Ignoma, are employed to clean and sanitize the area.

The Amian Recorder reports that a period of two days is going to be given for any necessary claims upon the deceased before the bodies are cremated in the interests of combatting the plague.

A response from the Commonwealth Ministry of Health & Public Welfare is issued shortly thereafter, with copies sent to Winya Ravana and to the Shrine of Eilistraee.

Hearing of the plague ravaging south Cordor, Sir Justin heads to Cordor to offer what aid the Triadic Knights of Kohlingen can spare at the moment. He sends word for others to join him in Cordor.

The Cordorian guards and clergy under Minister Xaviera welcomed the aid. As all agreed when fighting the plague, "We are in this together."

Soon Sir Azeriel, Lady Knight Nicha and priestess Babette join him. He uses his own resources to provide restoration scrolls that they use to restore the Cordorian clerks who were tasked with cleaning up the plague area. As well they restored those in the hospice.

The new Chapter Marshall of the Triadics sent Priestess Babette to Moribund graveyard to secure it after some adventurer had left te gates open.

As more of the clergy and guards of Cordor came to see to the plague area the Triadics seeing that their services were no longer needed returned to Kohlingen.

Upon his return he reported into the Justicar.

Saylgarix comes home to Wharftown late that night, quite a mess. He cleans up, then spends some time recuperating after the ordeal.

Afterwards, he gets into his guard uniform, and starts asking for details about what happened with the elf resident. Mostly, he asks about when it happened, how it happened, and whether there were any completely black-garbed individuals that smelled like dead animals or rotten plants present around or before the time it happened.

Tuomas awakens in the Grove, and after assuring any present he is fine, he quietly heads out and begins making his way home. He seemed pensive, and curious but he left word to Malandria he would like to hear what happened after he passed out.

Malandria returns tense and quite beaten up to the Grove that night. She speaks to the guards and Neley and makes sure everyone is fine after the Grove was attacked while many of the Grove members, including herself were out fighting the Talonites. Her orders to the guards to double security were delivered by Elana before she writes a short letter to the council in Winya.

If anyone would approach her about the events she explains briefly what happened, each report however ending with the same sentence. "The idol of Talona in the Trummels is finally destroyed"

After some time resting in Kohlingen, Tuomas gets a copy of the Amian Recorder, and with narrowed eyes on reading the .. belittlement of the Elven lives lost in lieu of bemoaning lost restaurants, the Gnomish magician quietly makes for the Keep.

A tall man with great white wings known as Jace can be seen helping out at the Salandran temple in the early mornings.

He helps the other healers as best he can with skill and divine magic. Though he is all smiles and hope, he keeps a subtle eye on the healers in black robes and bird masks.

He is often escorted to the temple by a short lithe elf with tan hair, sometimes she can be seen wandering the grounds waiting for him to finish.

After the large battle in the forest, Malandria returned to the Grove only briefly and left the guards and protectors new instructions.

She did not linger long however, for she went outside right after to retrieve the bodies of the two fallen wolf protectors. They were burried inside the Grove and the druidess prayed for them at dusk, before shifting into a large direwolf herself, beginning to howl a sad song at the moon, mourning their deaths.

Sir Justin Fairfax, looked about the ruined area of Amia forest where he and the others stood against the latest Talonite attack. His foes he had met in battle were all dead. Three of the the Grove defenders had been raised to their feet during the combat by the precious scrolls he carried.

Even the bug swarms had been dispelled and driven off to the north pursued by Malandria. Where did they go north?

The new Chapter Marshall was confident that the defences of Kohlingen would hold. As he cleaned his blade and became sure the immediate danger to the Grove was past he returned with all haste to Kohlingen.

There he raised the guards awareness to watch for swarms. Then he gathered Lady Nicha, Sir Azeriel and Kurchin to search the northern areas.

No swarms had approached Kohlingen, Salandra, the ruins of Kampos, the gre tunnels or Winya... He puzzled where would a swarm of bugs have its source or be unnoticed? The Quagmires came to his mind.

By this time there was only Kurchin and himself. They headed to the quagmire entrance off the road between the beastmen lair and West Kohlingen.

His instruction to Kurchin if we find them run and alert the Grove as well as Kohlingen while I hold them. he gave the Kobold a ring he had made so that all in Kohlingen would know he had met Justin giving any report from the kobold credence.

Kurchin asked, "Shouldn't we both run?" Justin replied, "I want you to have a headstart as my legs are longer." They both laughed but Justin knew if it the Talonites were there the likely hood that one would fall was almost certain. Therefore as the strongest he would guard the kobolds retreat.

The stink of the swamp was great. Greater than Justin remembered and the both agreed. They prepared and entered the quagmires.

The vines struck suddenly. The Kobold was valiant but wasn't running his small form got by the vibnnes and he went down. Justin's mind went to the teaching of the Edge of Faith. The edge where belief and reason form the razor edge of faith.

Run to warn the city or fight to likely death defending the fallen which would leave city and grove unwarned. A terrible choice as he cut down sveral vines to reach Kurchin even as many more vines reached out to pull the knight into their deadly embrace.

Then he saw his third choice even as he saw more vines rising up. Justin sheathed his sword and bending down grabbed the kobold hoping his strength enough to tear them both free.

Vines snapped some still clinging themselves around his shield and armor trying to choke him as he ran. Once out of the quagmires he lay Kurchin down drew hsi sword to cut down teh vines that still clung as well as those few that had pursuded.

Reviving the good kobold he sent him to the Grove with warnings of what they had found. He then went to West Kohlingen reporting teh danger and ordering for a warning guard to be set up near the quagmire so that Kohlingen would have warning of any attack.

It was then that a traveller came asking for help for a fallen companions in the Quagmire. Sir Justin sent him to the city to gather hlp in his name as Justin would await him near the quagmire. The traveller returned but there was no additional help to be found.

Again Justin plunged into the Quagmire with the traveller. They made it clear through to the road on the other side before they were atatcked by the vines. Fortuantely the travellers friends had already been rescued and with their aid the vines on the road were defeated.

With that done Justin returned to Kohlingen to set their defences in place. A patrol though would need to check the Mercenary Camp...

Tuomas rested after the battle, quietly contemplating and meditating to himself.

Having recieved a mysterious letter from someone, he looked to it and scratched his head with some measure of confusion.

A messy, though not overly wounded kobold came home to Wharftown. After spending some time cleaning himself up, Saylgarix gives a short note to Garth and captain Alanna.

The pass east of Wharftown to the Blood Moon territory is invested with blighted plants, notably vines. They are extremely dangerous. I'd recommend setting up a greater watch there, have the men equipped with bladed weapons and alchemists fires. I do not believe blunt weapons will work well against them.
As well, I'd recommend to have the guards stationed there stop (or at least warn) travelers going in that direction, in case they retreat and the vines follow them into Wharftown jurisdiction.

Saylgarix, Hands of Ieyrn

After a brief rest, Saylgarix heads out again, through the north.

Kohlingen guards heed Justin Fairfax's words and station themselves in appropriate locations to keep guard.

Kohlingen continues to fair well, for a large city. The city was shocked to find that there were dead Elves found a few weeks ago by Knights. The first casualties from the plague in the city. Since then, another five were found dead in their homes.

Meanwhile, in other areas of Amia...

Amia Forest has been hit by destructive powers over the last few days and it shows. In the popular central area, the signs of a massive battle linger. Burnt trees, bushes and grass can be spotted randomly by anyone with decent enough eyes. Ash also lingers in the area, along with a few fallen trees.

South of Green Lake, a large pile of rubble sits along the bank of the lake. The cliff over top looks to have collapsed in part. Further North on the opposite end, there are signs of battle and a small fire.

Just today, the loud yell of a massive monster of some kind echoed out of the forest which caused the forest to stir with ancient life, replacing missing sounds of nature with new ones.

All across the borders of the forest, humans dressed in all black can be seen screaming and fleeing from the forest, claiming that "the forest is alive and it tried to kill me!" and "don't go in there!" and "Run!" There are a few macabre sights however, where the crushed bodies of humans are left on borders. Though those encounters are few. People entering the forest can almost feel the forest watching them.

In Wharftown, a few refugees reach the borders and head to the Temple of Selune for help with their illnesses. Elves and humans mostly. Rumors that an elven resident was lost recently spread in the small town. Too late for the Temple to help her, they say. A small private service was held in her honor, where a few friends and her partner were present.

Winya Ravana continues to see deaths in the city, but after finally stabilizing, the number of deaths have steadily declined. But the shock and horror lingers in the hearts of the citizens. Melancholy is the dominant theme and feeling among Elves.

Sky Forest looks nearly void of all life when people travel through it. Few animals are spotted and there is a smell of rot in the air from all the disgusting carrion that lingers, uneaten.

The people of Bendir Dale horde food stuffs, continuing to fear a famine might come. And cart drivers report more deaths in Ox numbers, proving their fears aren't unfounded.

In Uhm, people strangely begin to come out more often again. There are still no reports of death.

In Cordor, a few new deaths occur around the city. All Elves. Plague rats and birds continue to crawl, fly and die around the city -- one of the last locations on Amia with regular sightings of birds still. Only areas surrounding Cordor have regular bird sightings anymore.

Beyond Amia...

Something frightening has happened. In Khem, Brogendenstein, Wiltun and Caraigh, birds and rats are showing signs of illness and a few have fallen dead in a similar fashion to those on Amia. Whether the spread was intentional or a simple case of the plague spreading isn't entirely clear -- except maybe in Khem.

Luckily enough in Wiltun and Caraigh, precautions have been made. Citizens and soldiers a like were well informed of the threats and what to be on the lookout for, what they need to avoid, and how they need to handle any believed threats. Heavy food rationing, limited shipments from Amia and stringent checks on the cargo contained are just a few of the implemented tactics used to try and combat any potential outbreak.

Any reports seen by Wiltun's First Knight would be met with an order to follow the protocol put in place, to avoid exposure and to burn anything questionable. Bird, animal or adventurer if the need arose.

In time, an announcement is issued from the Captain of the Adventuring Division to, perhaps not surprisingly, the adventuring community. Printed announcements show up on the city's notice board's asking for members of the adventuring community to register at the South Cordor Watch House to help with capture, treatment and-or elimination of plague animals for a monetary reward that, for the time being, remains unlisted.

((Will be making a topic perhaps in PC story or noticeboard soon with specifics. Stay tuned!))

As with the previous deaths in Elftown, names and addresses of the deceased are taken, their houses quarantined for several days and guarded against looters, and anyone else living there treated at Dr. Ignoma's hospice and/or with Restoration prayers. Where no family or acquaintances can be immediately identified, notices are sent to Winya to advise possible next of kin. The bodies are kept in a secure location that is regularly scoured with lye or strong vinegar and entered only by a few Ministry of Health workers, who receive prayers of Restoration at the end of each shift. After three days, the dead are placed on barges and towed out beyond Moribund, then incinerated before being sunk. If no cleric of the Seldarine can be found in Cordor to say prayers for the deceased, Winya is asked if someone there will volunteer.

Given an earlier Ministry decree that access to the underground is to be restricted, the various guard divisions are requested to increase surveillance of known entrances (including outflows under or near the docks) - people climbing in and out of sewers are to be questioned, identification demanded and names taken. Suspicious characters may find themselves escorted out of the city or, perhaps, detained.

A pair of letters are left, one at the building housing the Cordorian Ministry of Health, for Minister Xee, and one with the gatekeepers at Oakmist Vale, addressed to Malandria. Both read the same:

Greetings in the name of Jarl Arsant of Wiltun,

I, Lieutenant Kwalu of the Jarl Wardens, wish to speak to you regarding the current plague problem. It seems to have come to the Jarl's holding, and it is part of my duty to help contain it's spread, and thus I am seeking more information on it and it's technicalities. I, or my superior Sir Avadon, may be reached through Master Parrico's offices at Fortress Wiltun, or through Morgan & Son's box #9123.

Sincerely,
Lt. Kwalu, Jarl-Warden Sturmvarg Division

In Barak Runedar, decrees put up by Council are already in effect. Food is being rationed, all food stores and shipments are being regularly checked and vermin exterminated. Every citizen returning to the Citadel from abroad must pass medical examination to enter the Citadel, and guards are being informed to report any sighting of dead birds or vermin.
If such are reported, dwarven female in silver finery (or armor, depending of the situation), can be seen going to the location and organizing safe burning of the dead animals.

Forestsong would make frequent sweeps through the keep now looking for more rats, she would be muttering to herself now and then as she did so about how the hell the other wardens couldn't see a big diseased rat.

Sir Justin's reaction is not one of shock about the elves as it had been expected. Everything he could think of along with the council of his order has been aimed at defending the city. Yet as a veteran of many campaigns he knew that a defence can only minimize the losses and not prevent them.

He orders Lady Knight Nicha who he has placed in charge of the city's defence to secure and quarantine the homes of the dead elves. To record their names.

Sir Jerand is commanded to work with Priestess Babette to see what they can learn from the dead elves including speaking with the dead as well as letters, diaries and so forth to see if some clue might be found about how they contracted the plague. Then under Sir Jerand's guidance the elves are to be properly disposed of with appropriate religious rites.

Orders given the Chapter Marshall writes condolences to the dead Elves surviving families.

After getting rest in the early afternoon, Tuomas went for a contemplative stroll through Kohlingen, heading to the Temple of the Triad and spending careful time viewing each of the idols in contemplative consideration. He then travelled onward to the Grove of Oakmist Vale, where if permitted, he would ask permission to view the Shrines of the various deities within.

((As a note, doing this in game now))

It seemed as though Tuomas found the inspiration he was looking for, in looking to the idols of Silvanus, Mielikki, and Eldath whilst visiting the Grove.

He left, making out for the road once more and travelling towards the Nexus falls, and making for Winya Ravana.

There, he briefly spoke with Captain Amilith before heading returning to Kohlingen.

The response in Wiltun is simple. Guards are seen killing all rats and shooting all birds around the jarl's fortress. The corpses are tossed in a bon-fire. The fortress' resident cleric, Coris, is seen 'doing the rounds,' ensuring no residents of the fortress or the jarl's lands display any symptoms of the plague. Those that do are treated with a few healing spells, all done in the name of the Bitch Queen, "who washes away this foul plague with Her might."

The response to non-residents and adventurers is simple. Any who are ill, or show symptoms of any sort of illness, are forcefully removed from the fortress by "order of Master Parrico." No aid is given to those who have not sworn fealty to Lord Arsant. Resistance of any kind is met with deadly force from an increased guard presence. More than one traveler who has coughed has found himself tossed out the gates by Wiltun's green clad armored guards.

Trade vessels bound from Amia are stopped outside of the dock of the fortress, boarded and searched, and either turned away or permitted to dock with their cargo as deemed fit by Wiltun's men. The boarding parties are those accustomed to dealing with Luskanite raiders, and show little in the way of 'professional courtesy,' more than one foreign sailor has been heard to attest in hushed tones at the No Way Inn. Passenger vessels suffer the same treatment at the hands of Wiltun's navy. Explanations are curt, "We're searching for signs of plague. Comply or else."

The chultan druidess leaves a message for the other grove protectors and patrols the forest regularly. The guards at the Grove gates are still doubled in these times.

Should she find and of those mashed bodies she'd examine what is left and either burn them or bring them to a resurrection if they seem to have been mistakably brought into that state.

When not doing either of those things or tending the sick, she can be seen in the Grove, sitting below a tree and studying several maps.

After a discussion in the Grove with some others, Tuomas in particularly poor spirits returned to Kohlingen before the idol of Ilmater and fell to his knees in prayer, unable to focus on anything else for the immediate.

Gers wrote:

A pair of letters are left, one at the building housing the Cordorian Ministry of Health, for Minister Xee, and one with the gatekeepers at Oakmist Vale, addressed to Malandria.

A copy of a report on the plague is forwarded to Lt. Kwalu care of Master Parrico in Wiltun. A handwritten addendum notes that the plague appears to affect mainly elves but there are unconfirmed reports that other races might occasionally be vulnerable as well and so appropriate cautions should probably be taken by everyone just in case. Thus far, Restoration is the only known cure.

A similar story is repeated numerous times for a variety of species most impacted by the plague in the Sky Forest; the young, new-born, and orphaned that are found without signs of the disease are absconded with to the relative confinement of these terran wombs, to be nurtured and nursed by a Sy-Tel'Quessir that spends all of her waking hours moving from den to den, providing appropriate nourishment and as best as she can of necessary socialization.

Herbivores are let to mingle amongst each other, while their predatory counterparts are kept in separate burrows to maximize the chances of survival even at the risk of blunted hunting skills. The instinct would remain strong through even several generations of interruption and deviation from the natural order, and skills could be taught to the survivors when the plague had passed - but now, with the chance of local extinctions becoming permanent, Caelisarqueya's sole concern was to counterbalance the devastation wrought by human hands and ensure the survival of the species she is able to recover - and by proxy, the survival of the forest. It was no matter she left to chance, but used all the empowerment bestowed upon her by the spirits to command the obedience of the animals, designating their new territories and boundaries.

Calls occasionally echo through the forest from the cliff tops when the Sy-Tel'Quessir prowls for food; whooping shouts in a language known to only those who speak with the spirits of divine nature - a call for succor, a call for others unable to fight along side the eldest against the plague-bearing foe to come and tend the animals with her.

"The forest must live.
The animals must live.
Even when the sickness is purged, the silence of death will deafen.
There will be no prey to flee, no hunters to chase.
We must become mother and father, not only brother and sister.
I am the arrow that seeks; I am the Sky Forest protectorate.
I call for mothers and aunts, fathers and uncles to provide succor with me."

After spending some time in the Temple of the Triad, Tuomas arranges the procurement of a Cilice the size of a belt through whatever means would be availible there, wearing it around his middle under his shirt. The sadness in his eyes would suggest he was accepting it as some form of personal atonement.

Tuomas has ceased wearing his Cilice, and seems at the least to be quiet, but focused and contemplative on the task ahead.

The Triadic Knights contonue with their reorganization and training in the event of being needed.

Malandria writes several letters to allies of the Grove and re-organizes the partrols and stationed guards of the Grove. In between that and her own patrols she seems to regularly disappear with a certain gnome wizard for several hours in one of the huts of the Grove.

Vera's usual appearances patrolling the roads seem to have changed. She is no longer seen in Amia forest or the spider valley. Her patrols seem to have diverted from Cordor to Bendir Dale, then west through the mylocks, ruins of wyrmhold, wharftown, and from there north and around to Kohlingen.

For some reason, she seems to be completely avoiding the forest. Furthermore, she stops for virtually nothing unless there's a distinct problem. Powerful hastened boots carry her so fast, any appearance is a blur accompanied by the buzz of her impossibly quick steps.

Tuomas would indeed spend time with Malandria in study when he could, thoughtful as he went over what was in their hands.

Something within the little Gnome's mind seemed to take a part of his considerations though it seemed to only vaguely distract.

Chapter Marshall of the Triadics looked over the core of Knights as they assembled with their squires and clergy with sense of pride. They had come out in force shining and ready to face whatever lay ahead.

He looked over what intially came in as a trickle but grew to be a torrent not unlike when spring rains melts the snow on Skull Crag mountain. The Grove, Shrine, The War Knights, the Lathandarans, Cordor, Winya, Mystra, Siamophe's best on Amia and others of good heart who had been touched by the plight of the plague victims gathered in the ranks.

Sir Azeriel's plan could be carried out given the numbers. The question in Sir Justin's mind was would the mighty blow fall on a largely empty Quagmire or one armed to the teeth. He had hoped armed as it would mean they would catch the bulk of the enemies efforts and maybe their leadership ending the threat once and for all. The plan had been kept secret and aid asked for at the last moment in order to achieve surprise.

The blow fell on what was a lightly defended Quagmire. Losses were light with mainly vines though the stink of the Talonites was great.

He and the leaders of the force were uneasy. "Where were the enemy?"

Malandria in command of one third of the force advised she wished to check the Grove's Duir area and Justin told her to take her command with her but whether she heard him or not she left with but a few attendents.

Warlord Malartril in command of another third Justin ordered to check the Yuan-ti's for any signs. Justin would stay with Sir Azeriel who commanded the last third with its core of Triadics and form a defensive position in the thick of the swamp. Justin's intent being that they might bait any hidden forces to attack the Triadics.

Before the Warlord's command moved out a sending came that Malandria had encountered the enemy's main force and Duir was in jeopardy. Like all good battle plans Sir Azeriel's and Justin's were rendered largely useless now contact with the enemy had truly been made.

The blessing in all this was core of the plan of assembling an army at this tiime. Justin issued the order which was hardly need for the army to move with all speed to the aid of Duir.

The allied blow fell upon the Talonites like hurricane or monsoon on a forest fire which rages, glorying in its firey destruction. At first came an increasing breeze and drops of rain of the vanguard arriving then the brunt of the army fell upon the Talonites and there could be only one outcome.

Losses among the vanguard as they rushed to Duir's defence were significant for some of the fastest and strongest were there to by time for the others to arrive. Justin fell losing conciousness defending Malandria against several figures in black. Aylomen, Sir Robert and many others slammed into the Talonites as the battles shifted from desperate rescue to overwhelming victory.

Not one of the fallen were lost. Aided by the victors they were healed and raised to their feet.

Surveying the victory the stained and battered survivors Justin gave thanks to the Triadic Gods and all who served that day.

The fallen diseased enemy were removed from the grounds and incinerated at the Salandran temple by the Sir Jerand, Squire Bizane and Sir Justin after which the three cleansed themselves.

Victory while not complete must be having a telling effect on the enemy. They had gained what might be significant information in the form of the poisons that the black garbed warriors used.

::

The Knight of Cormyr was the last to arrive through the root portal. As he stepped upon the most sacred grounds of the Great Duir, the carnage already unfolded before him. Even Jud'Vardas and Sir Justin, without a doubt two of the most capable warriors of the region, had fallen to the onslaught that had descended upon them at their arrival. All but Aylomen had been struck down, and his old companion in arms was hard pressed by one of the dark figure's that pushed him back with attack upon attack.

As he spoke a prayer to the Lady Siamorphe, he charged forward, throwing the enemy away from Aylomen with a powerful blow of his his shield. Bringing down three devastating strikes upon his foe as Aylomen cast a powerful spell of destruction upon the black figure, their enemy fell to it's knees a second later. It's head rolling against the trunk of the great tree in the center.

They had fought together in Caraigh against the forces of Orcus, against the black inchor at the Temple of Salandra, and in many other great battles. As two more of the dark figures rushed at them, the servants of Lathander and Siamorphe fought back to back against their enemy in a perfect harmony of swordplay.

Perhaps in their prime these two powerful men could have matched the skills of these ferocious foes by themselves, but they were well passed it. They were exhausted, battered and their enchantments had begun to waver even before they entered the Great Duir. Aylomen seized the opening as sir Robert made the desperate attempt to lure them away to give him the chance to raise their fallen companions and buy as much time as he could for them to prepare.

-----

His battered shield was discarded upon the ground as he slid down against the tree. Lifting his helmet he spat out blood and closed his eye. He could hear Arch Druidess Malandria give orders to undo as much damage as possible, as well as the shuffling of feet and exited voices of the rest of the force that had arrived. Every muscle ached as the adrenalin wore off. His armor was dented and he felt a white flash of pain each time he moved his shield arm, having continued to use it even as it had broken.

An exhausted smile formed on his lips. It has been long since he felt so alive. He opened his eyes and looked up at Aylomen as he spoke. The priest of Lathander was coated in a film of blood and gore. "You owe me a drink, Robert. Like in the old days."

::

A Conspiracy Rains Down

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