These letters can be found in almost any settlement one happens to pass by:

To all of Amia and surroundings,

Apologies if this letter is difficult to read or understand, but this is the first we've ever had to send out. To the point: we are being threatened by odd-looking monsters not typical to these lands. Nobody has ever seen them before, but they look ferocious and intelligent. They want us to surrender what little wares we have, as well as our children. We will not. They informed us that unless we comply, they will level our town to ashes and take what they want. We only have one week, and I'm afraid that time ends immediately should they find out we've called for help, but this is our only chance. Therefore, we beg of you to aid us, all of us.

Town of Thordstein, Forrstakkr

_________________
Krimmor Nurad ~ Master of Greed

Lev darken of the Dawnguard sees a letter, and send a swift reply...

I will lend you aid in this matter. I am gathering my forces and will arive in Forrstaker soon.

Sir Lev Darken... Dawnguard

A very aloof Sun Elven who has grown tired of many things comes upon one of these notices in her daily wanderings. She spares it a fugitive glance and ready to leave, she's caught by a few words and lingers. "and our children..." she repeats in a soft whisper.

Her steps take her to Thordstein.

Huh... guess i could take a look..

*A wolf is seen bounding off with large leaps*

Your bravery and resilience shall not go unnoticed. I will give you what aid I can.

- Scout Stonesnake

Gurth comes across one of the letters in Guldorand. Upon reading it he quirks a brow.

"They have a temple of Helm on the same isle, and they send out a blanket plea to Amia for help?

Interesting."

A piece of vellum parchment is delivered by boat to the town of Thordstein. No specific individual is addressed in the letter as no recipient was specified by the original blanket letter.

To those in need in Thordstein,

I am the knight and protector of your neighbor to the South, Fortress Wiltun. I have read the letter regarding your plight and promise what aid I can give in my capacity as a warrior. Simply send reply by whatever means possible and I will make a boat trip if my help is needed to aid your defenders. Do not give in, and stand steadfast. I and others like me are sure to rush to your aid.

Sire Avadon of Wiltun

The parchment is signed and sealed by Avadon's personal noble seal.

*chanced upon a letter on one of her trips to Ceyren's Mill to drop off some goods and gather up others. Looking at the letter she made a frowning sound and hurried away. Above her head, a hawk gave a shrill cry as his package of promised fish was never purchased.

She didn't hear him though. She needed to speak with two people about a patrol.*

*seeing the notice stormy quickly replies in her elegant hand*

Yes quite so, the Dawnguard have offered our aid to Forstakkr in the past and will do so now especially with the threat of children being a concern.

Lady Ar'rn'ah Voronde E'lear 'Dawnguard'

*she walks off searching for Lev as he gathers forces*

*A message is sent fast from the Temple of Tempus*

"The Tempurians wish to aid, though we are stretched thin at the moment by various obligations and the War on Bane. So it is with great regret I cannot issue a complete promise of aid to your town. I can however, and will, let it be known to my knights that you require aid, and that should they have the time to do so, they may aid you however they see fit. I apologise again for not being able to make a full commitance of forces to this cause.

-Signed
Warlord Calin Katar."

//I'd love to do this, but I think it may get a bit unrealistic if my faction gets spread that thin. We already have a number of stuff we are involved in IC.

*No replies seem to be sent from Thordstein anymore, for whatever reason*

_________________
Krimmor Nurad ~ Master of Greed

upon seeing there is no reply for some days, the Dawnguard continue to muster there troops and plan a journey to Forstakkr in force. They can be seen gathering at the Keep in Kohlingen preparing for any encounter that would befall them. Training daily on squad tactics as well as gathering healing supplies and scrolls that will be used to help give medical aid to the citizens of the town if needed.

As phalanxyrian saw the letters he frowned and muttered:"Well well what dwells now upon Auril's blessed snow?
For sure they will draw the wrong kind of people towards her hallowed embrace of frost." He shook his head and looked towards the dark clouds above him and dissapeared in their snowy veil.

*Somewhere in a inn in the north lands rumours reaches Toag a mids his preformances in the Frostmaidens name.*
Hmmm... Interesting so so, well the seperatists have discovered flaw in their ideas. Well far be it from me not to involve myself!
*He then orders another mead and strike a new court on his harp.*

::It all started...In silence. Eerie silence that spread over the frozen tundra. The wind howled over the frozen ground; And the half-frozen trees creaked in the blistering cold. It was a cloudless night; where stars gleamed down upon William Johnsson, As he arrived upon the shores of Thordstein.::

::Little did he know; that many more of the pleads for aid had reached not only himself, but numerous others. A man introduced himself as Valygar; A lithe elven woman, dressed top to toe in White stood in the blistering cold herself, William never heard her mention a name. And there, towering 6 or 7 feet, Stood a half-orc. Complete with a Crude rusty axe over his shoulder, as he glanced around in the night::

::These four had all come; when the letters of help had been sent out. Little were they prepared to meet what they met... For as they arrived; The residences in the small fishing village quickly huddled up in their huts and bunkers. They sealed their doors shut, and only stopped to wish the four comrades "Good luck"::

::Twenty...Thirty seconds may have passed when a shout echoed outside the gate::

-"OPEN THE DOOR! OR WE SMASH YOU!"

::The four comrades blinked; And immediately got to work. They chopped down a local tree, and threw it up towards the Gate, in a feeble attempt to block it. By now, there were HUNDREDS Of voices outside. Their shouts soon became one unison chant; They were bugbears... and they called for B.L.O.O.D::

::A Fierce battle took place in the icy square of Thordstein; Four comrades, A Paladin Of Kelemvor, A Ranger of the woods; A Sorceress of elven Heritage and a Crude Warhungry orc; stood side by side and held the gate as horde upon horde of Bugears threw themselves at the gate::

::The battle which endured was to chaotic to describe; snow coloured red in the night; and the mighty roar of the Half-Orc whom blitzed around the battlefield with his axe in high grip. The Paladin had taken foot; and held the gate from the masses... A barricade had been quickly set up to fend off the masses of monsters. But there were not only Bugbears now::

::Nay, For on the horizon, Bugbear Tamers had come.. And in long chains they lead GREY RENDERS into battle; Some riding them like horses, other running by their side as bugbear and Render fought side by side, trying to raze the village of Thordstein::

::The battle lasted for hours it seems... And just as daybreak came; And the first rays of sunlight rose over the cold icy sea; the last bugbeard was slain. Amongst the PILE of corpses; stood a proud Half-Orc, Absolutely drenched in blood, from top to toe, with what looked like a huge grin on his face?::

::The Two humans, The knight and ranger, had chosen a more subtle way of fighting. The knight held the hordes off at the gate; With help from the elven sorcerer, whom were throwing support spells upon the two. The ranger had been firing arrows over The paladin's head all night, and his quiver were empty. But they were all alive::

---------------------

::The sun stood high upon the cloudless sky; as the four comrades were busy looting and searching the fallen bugbears for anything of value or clue, of why such a horde would threw themselves into the maw of death just like that. The four comrades; the half-orc maybe be excluded from this, had sensed that their enemies were more afraid of giving up, than dying almost. So they had thrown themselves at the gates, horde after horde, dying horribly and forming piles upon piles of bodies::

::But amidst the gore and blood; The knight had found one interesting thing. There was a specific bugbear; whom were looking slightly bigger, and had a slightly more fancy Bear skin over his shoulder; And hanging from his neck was a note...

The note read -"I do hope you understand the seriousness of the situation, Chieftain. I believe you will overcome any surprises easily, but in case you disappoint me with failure, you are to say nothing of me or this mission. Better yet, Die before anything of that nature happens. Remember what faith awaits those who betray me."

An odd seal was stamped upon the bottom of the note: An Oak leaf.


-------------------------

::The party of Four and a half men (Counting the Half-orc as One and a half) had realised something. They had been talking to a shepherd before, showing him the note they found and the oak leaf stamp; and he was positive that there existed neither oaks or people adoring themselves with oak leaves in either Thordstein; or Howness... or anywhere on the isle of Forstarrk. But he mentioned that this was surely some noble man who wrote it. He pointed out the pompous writing and the stupidity of adding a personal seal 'Such a letter' to be typical noble::

::The Four and a half Agreed; and it didn't take them long to figure it out... Where had all the nobles gone? Cordor had none left, but for all they knew - The nobles had moved to Kholingen. The group immediately marched away and took the fastest ship to kholingen, and marched in on the very spot they knew they'd get the most Intel from::

::The pub::

::And indeed; Amongst the patrons, there was one special woman, gifted with good memory and enormous appetite to smalltalk; whom informed them that there was indeed a noble around; whom adored his outfit with an Oak leaf. He had come from the Faerun mainland; and was usually seen in the temple of The Triad. So, The group nodded and thanked the woman, and with some strain, they pushed the now slightly un-sober half orc out of the pub. And for your information, the orc was still armed::

::Upon arriving to the temple of the Triad; They were amazed that at this very moment, there was a man standing at the altar of Tyr, speaking to the Priest. He wore clothing with a black Oak Leaf on it. They immediately confronted him about the letter; and just as they thought that this must be a mistake, that they had the wrong man, He started to laugh::

::It was a Deep resonating laugh; And he pompously declared -"You will not have me alive!"; and upon that point. Fired off three spells. The first killed the ranger; One shot. The second barely harmed the Paladin... But the third spell..:

::The third spell hit the slightly intoxicated half-Orc. And with a roar out of anger; it launched itself towards the man with ENORMUS Force; and made extremely quick work out of the attacker. The paladin sighted... Whom was now going to give them answers?::

::The priest was. Apparently, This Nobleman had been a frequent visitor of the temple. The priest could not mention a good name, But he could mention a problem regarding the man. He had been at the temple numerous times because his clerical summoning spells were out of order. . . Each time he attempted to summon something, A fire elemental was created. Always::

::This was the last bit of information the Four and a half Adventurers would get out of him; because a slightly agitated Priest of Tyr showed them out of the temple and explained that he had to take care of the bloody mess they had created::

::The Paladin went towards Nes'Ek; And informed his order. Where the three others went, he does not know::

Neliel stepped down away from the boat that had brought her to the frozen Thordstein only to look around and see two men and a savage creature with an axe talking to a local. Her instincts spoke against making her presence known, the very sight of the foul and stupid beast before her a clear indication she did not belong. Moments passed and she decided against leaving, not for herself this day and she had condemned herself to keep it that way.

It wasn’t long before the vivid threat appeared under the form of many, blood-thirsty creatures. She summoned her guardian and not long before it, the gates were breached and the battle ensued as the others tried hard to form a viable barricade. Before she even had time to side-step the swarming hoard she was caught between them, along with her guardian. She kept quiet as they battled him, the diamond of his making starting to be chipped away by their weapons. At this time she wondered why she had come, but the answer came back all too clear.

After defeating a vast score of creatures almost single-handedly she was greeted by reproaches. It was normal, she decided, the foolishness and ungratefulness of humans was legendary. Only thoughts of her purpose for being kept her on the spot.

After deciding the best road to take would be one who leads into the woods, they did so, following a vague track that lead them to a man, and his hazelnut trees, none too inviting nor inclined to share any information with them. Not a surprise, he was human. Little did he care the problem was moments away from his safe heaven.

A memory lead them to Howness. It was time to get some real answers. She appraised the nearest local to no avail, these people seemed to have be holding a contest of “Who can be denser?” She honestly wondered if they cared nothing for their surroundings and the happenings around their neighboring towns. They sure acted like providing information for their own benefit was doing -Neliel- a favor. The nerve of these people.

Valygar seemed to be on their side, she considered the same ungrateful behavior humans had always shown her, moreso, spiced with petty insults. It was time she left. She paused, looking after them, and her back was near turning before the same thought she had come with returned and stop her dead in her tracks. She had not come here for them, she did not risk life and limb for their benefit, she did it for the threatened children and they were the only thing that returned her on the path and spurred her step to wander after them.

When her sight me that of the half-orc and her nose felt the scent of such a creature she wanted nothing more than to see it lifeless on the ground. Such thoughts would have to wait. She looked to the captain that would take them to Kohlingen, the new destination of their quest. She lauded the man for seeing the foulness of the creature before him but his greed took over soon enough. All humans were the same.

It wasn’t long after they reached the keep that they found the culprit. Apparently stationed as a newcomer in the Temple of the Triad, it didn’t take long for him to panic at the sight of the note that incriminated him. Neliel’s eyes widened as a death spell left the man’s fingers and collided with Valygar’s chest. The blow tore the life from the rude man. As the criminal continued attacking her company she attempted to seize control of his mind, to no avail. She had not prepared for such an event, she had no proper spells to use with an innocent priest of Tyr so close to the assailant. So she warded herself as the half-orc stepped in and crushed the man to his death.

There was no bringing him back after this, she had expected as much. The man had enough brains not to answer a call after being fallen and return to the clutches of those who pursued him. Their journey had lead to a sudden stop. However the situation looked to the others she knew it was not over. This man had given up all too quickly, he was not the master-mind behind it all. More death would come to the doors of Thordstein, but she would not spend another moment with those who presented her with nothing but disrespect.

The elven clad in golden clothing left before the others, offering a word of parting only to the priest of Tyr. It was time she left from the lands of men and seek another form of disrespect. In times like these she longed for the shores of Siiluth and Evermeet’s pearl and her heart’s home… Leuthilspar.

Having made preperations for what could possibly be a long and exhausting stay on the hostile island of Forrstakkr, Valygar disembarked in Thordstein only a few hours before what would be the bloodiest battle he could remember to have fought. He was imediatly greeted by a human he recognised to carry the colours of the Eternal Order of Kelemvor, and a beast of a half-orc with the largest axe he had ever seen. The locals in Thordstein had little information to offer, and were quick to flee indoors once sounds of grunting, cursing and howling beasts were heard outside the gates.

What little time they had to prepare was spent in prayer to Shaundakul that He would protect the besieged village and those who now stood defending it. Suddenly an elven woman made an appearence, and with her a creature out of shiny crystals, a beast that Valygar had never even dreamed of seeing. He did not get much time to study the construct before the harsh voice of a Bugbear demanded the gates be opened. Having dealt with such creatures before, Valygar attempted to offer them gold to turn back, something that made their Chieftain pause, before exclaiming that they were looking for something starting with SIL- or CIL-. The Bugbear turned to the others to get the word straight, but were cut short as the elf's diamond golem suddenly barged through the gate and charged the Horde. Valygar cursed the elf's impatience and foolishness as the gates were about to be overrun. Only the steadfast determination of the Knight, and the furios swings of the Half-Orcs axe kept the wild bugbears at bay while he dropped one after another with his arrows. Time an again he called out to the elf to fall back, and every time he was ignored.

When the Bugbears were finally defeated, and their corpses lay in huge piled at the gates did the elf return from the outside, unharmed and detached, like all the self-important magelings he had seen in battle. Those cowards would hide and let their constructs do their dirty work, while good men died because of their arrogance and recklessness. He certainly did not hide his feelings on the matter when he greeted the elf.

A tattered note found on the Chieftain lead them on a goose chase into Niflewood until they came to the realization that answers were better sought in a city where nobles who fancied themselves with symbols and coat of arms would live. Togheter they reached the conclusion that Kholingen would be the most likely place, seeing that it was where all the nobles from Cordor fled when Duke Montgomery was overthrown. On the way back, the elf did once again demonstrate her knack for complete disregard of local customs, to Valygars continoued annoyance and the ire of the locals, to which Valygar after much work had come to good terms with. Time and again he cursed the elf for her disregard and arrogance, to little avail.

Upon reaching Kholingen, the Unlikely Four gathered at the Mayflower Inn in hopes of finding someone who knew about the coming and goings of Kholingen, and hopefully about whoever sported a black, oaken leaf as their symbol. After a rather long chat with an eldery woman, which Valygar had to summon all his charms and willpower to endure, the lead pointed to the Temple of the Triad, where a man carrying the aforementioned symbol had been spotted several times. Eager to see an end to the mystery, and eachothers company, they hurried to the temple, and in retrospect, made the fatal mistake of not alerting the guards.

Well inside they asked the priest of Tyr if he had seen the man carrying symbol of a black, oaken leaf, and was suprisingly directed to a man who had just failed to sumon a fire elemental. Valygar pleaded the priest of Tyr to apprehand the man in the name of justice, to which the accused responded with casting a spell that valygar would forever remember as the most horrible thing he had experienced in his entire life. As the finger was pointed at him, he could feel his very life being snuffed from him in the split of a second, and everything went dark.

Somehow revived, by the priest of Tyr he was later told, he discovered in a daze that the accused himself had been slain by a mighty stroke of the half-orcs axe, and thus took his secrets to the grave. A search of his corpse gave no answers, and the real power, as well as the reason for the attack upon Thordstein, remains a mystery.