Post by DM Hawk on Sept 7, 2013 6:01:48 GMT -5
An event now known as the Storm of Highsun shook the Swamp City of Marsember at the end of Eleasias, 1377. The tales speak of a devastating thunderstorm that rolled over the eastern half of the city in the dead of night. Though brief the storm wrought more damage to the city than previous weather events, including the Frog Flood of 1011.
Though the storm did not outlast the night, the City Core was nearly flooded and lightening reached down from the sky like the talons of a bird of prey. Counts very by source, but somewhere between 30 and 300 people and several animals were killed by lightening strikes or by the fires they caused. Many buildings throughout the City Core were flooded and burned. Fortunately, the landmark Alizarin Academy escaped ruin.
Reports become more confused regarding events that took place during the storm. Some say that Storm Giants rode the bolts of lightening down into the city and had a jolly romp at Marsember's expense. Others say that Pirates sailed in to pillage and burn. Mermen rose up during the flooding to thrust tridents into the bellies of those fleeing the lightening, or dark wizards hurling spells all about, or a tribe of aquatic orcs swinging steel in a frenzy. The favorite tavern tale speaks of a bloated siren stalking the streets and blaring an enchanted horn of black coral to summon sleepers out from the beds to walk helplessly entranced into the storm.
Perhaps the greatest tragedy of the Storm of Highsun were those among the refugees displaced by the hostilities to the east who sought shelter in Marsember only to be ravaged by the weather. At least a dozen refugees were slain by the lightening, including one upon the steps of the Morningmist Hall.
Several tavern patrons throughout the kingdom call for a free drink before they set off to Marsember to help with reconstruction...only to return to their favorite tavern the next eve.