Isle of Ashen Winds: Sight and Evolution

[Lady Frost]

Well before arrival at the island's unkept docks, a faint haze can be seen over the island; an activity that brought about the island's name. On dry windy days, ash will collect on the ferry quite a ways off shore. Though unkept, the docks are still sturdy and provide a safe place for large ships to dock, though, with the island's dangers, many prefer to stay a ways out and send small rafts into the shore.

After climbing the steep walkway carved from the cliffside, the source of the ash is quite clear. A village of burned and destroyed buildings litters the island. Very few stand enough intact to even offer shelter. Should someone be able to hold off the attacks of the local kobold tribe they'd be able to see a small graveyard to the east that has had its connection to the main island lost, whether that was a constructed bridge or natural one. The north end of the island is covered by a large walled fortress. The walls appear solid and comparatively undamaged. The wall's gate is well sealed, though it is not hard to tell it does get opened at times.

The fortress's walls are unmanned and the fortress itself appears uninhabited, aside from the gate showing someone(s) recent and continued comings & goings.

From the water, the main castle is easily seen as it hangs on the edge of the huge cliffs. Rumors say, it's for this, the castle has recently been named The Gargoyle. Much less ash is seen from the north and the castle appears to be intact and undamaged. No fires indicate any sign of residency from the water or the gate, and no flags or banners mark a claim to who its new owner might be, though recent rumors may have answers to that. No Cormyrian units, Crown or from Valkur's Roar, are likely to be found on the island.

[Lady Frost]

A single, brand new banner, well fastened to a banner pole, appears on the beach near the dock. The banner depicts a raven clutching a crown in its talons in front of a stone tower. No words are found on the banner, only the simple crest. Once up on the land, two more banners can be found; one on each side of the main gate.

The grounds preceding the main gate have been turned to mud, likely indicating a large rise in traffic in and out of the Gargoyle.

Nobody yet appears to be patrolling the walls.

[Pedantry INC]

Sometimes she leaves from Valkur's Roar, sometimes Suzail, sometimes Marsember. She leaves the ground with a flurry of her wings, and over the sea she become a red speck in the sky seen by ships that she passes over. Those that take stock of her direction, should they correlate the sight, will agree that Mirrir has begun, several times a week, to take flights to the Isle of Ash.

Those visiting may see her now and then in the sky, perched on the walls of the fortress, or occasionally engaged with kobolds, in seemingly hostile, but non-combative conversations upon open ground.

[Lady Frost]

Those visiting the island would notice a much larger presence from the Gargoyle. While consistent guard patrols are yet to be seen, there are occasionally uniformed, armed guards seen here and there. A guard shack is in construction near the dock, and the sounds of people and construction are heard from behind the walls. No visitors appear to be welcome through the gates though.

[Lady Frost]

The massive undertaking of rebuilding the dock has finally concluded, allowing consistent travel to the Isle to return to normal. As well as posting guards to better secure the docks, visitors are greeted with posted laws and a warning to return to where they came from if they are unwilling to accept them.

Sentries are now always seen walking the Gargoyle's walls, and manning the gate. They do not patrol the rest of the island and will not leave the wall to the aid those under attack from the kobolds. Guests appear to be welcomed in if they are expected or escorted, but random visitors are turned away. Messages and letters will be received by the gate guards.

The lively sound of day to day activities is apparent now.

[Lady Frost]

Sometime during the night a large warship arrived, sails already lowered. The ship anchored a ways off the coast and a pair of rowboats brought people ashore. Over the course of the day numerous small ships continue to arrive, some ferrying a number of passengers then departing, others seemingly more private with only a single passenger being dropped off before then anchoring to wait.

Militia members patrol the area between the docks and the wall, but do not personally escort the visitors along. On most occasions, the kobolds are captured instead of being outright killed. They're then brought into the fortress.

[Lady Frost]

Over the course of the evening and next day ferrys come and go as they return guests to their places of origin. The private ships anchored off the coast gather their passengers, and eventually the pair of rowboats return their crew to the warship.

Within the next few days heavy building begins on the docks: construction of a second pier and an overhead bridge to allow easier access up and down. Access to the previous method of ascending the cliff is then demolished. Abbort Jorits, the Stoneprime of Masonry, a human male Councilor of the Gargoyle, can be seen directing mundane construction while a magician would be seen conferring with the Stoneprime and directing magical means of building and assisting.

The barricades between the docks and the Gargoyle that were placed up for the Ball are not removed.

[Pedantry INC]

In Cormyrian trade districts, and trade districts in Westgate, Sembia, the Dales and Western Heartlands, representatives of the Claw and Flame Emporium being to circulate drawing attention to potential investment and mercantile opportunities for various markets by way of the Isle of Ashen Winds. With them they carry invitations for appointments with the Warden of the Isle, and Owner of the Emporium, Mirrir Tharasvin. Most of these envoys have tokens of the Cormyrian Church of Malar, or symbols of the Alizarin Academy.

[Lady Frost]

A red dragon can once again be seen patrolling the skies over the Isle of Ashen Winds and the stretch of water between it and Valkur's Roar.

[Lady Frost]

Aug 23, 2015 15:28:57 GMT -5 Lady Frost said:

Over the course of the evening and next day ferrys come and go as they return guests to their places of origin. The private ships anchored off the coast gather their passengers, and eventually the pair of rowboats return their crew to the warship.

Within the next few days heavy building begins on the docks: construction of a second pier and an overhead bridge to allow easier access up and down. Access to the previous method of ascending the cliff is then demolished. Abbort Jorits, the Stoneprime of Masonry, a human male Councilor of the Gargoyle, can be seen directing mundane construction while a magician would be seen conferring with the Stoneprime and directing magical means of building and assisting.

The barricades between the docks and the Gargoyle that were placed up for the Ball are not removed.

A year, nearly to the day, after the construction began, the docks and bridge are completed. Visitors are ushered up the steps from the docks and along the bridge. Barricades clearly mark areas dangerous to explore. The main gates still deny entry to unaccompanied visitors.

[Lady Frost]

The Captian of the ferry to Valkur's Roar has been commonly suggesting to anyone wishing to visit Ash Isle to avoid the trip. Should one attempt to visit, the ferry from Valkur's Roar now arrives to find numerous armed guards waiting on the docks. Everyone arriving is questioned as to their reasons for being on the island. Those without a reason, those without escort or personal invitation are turned away. Hunting kobolds is not currently an acceptable reason. Anyone found on the island without an escort is detained and escorted to the next ferry to Valkur's Roar. The overall attitude of the guards is very suspicious and quickly becomes hostile if their instructions are not followed.

At times, an adult red dragon can again be found patrolling the skies around the island, specifically between the island and Cormyr. People are always seen high up in the castle towers with eyes to the surrounding waters and far more guards than usual are found across the walls and island, not all of them wearing the colors of the Ravenwatch, but all well organized.

[grivel]

An eagle flys high above the island, hiding itself in the clouds when there is any sign of danger. She keeps clear of the dragon's patrols, but keeps her eyes on the ground, searching for anything unusual like a cave.

[Lady Frost]

The ferry to The Isle of Ashen Winds reopens to all passengers. While the guards still demand identities to be given/shown, and question those coming to the island, any wishing to come for the kobolds and their treasure are again let by. Visitors without escort or invitation are, as always, turned away at the Gargoyle's main gates, but, more or less, the island seems to resume to normal activities.

[Lady Frost]

With the escape of the Great Red Wyrm, The Gargoyle increases wall and roof patrols. Much attention is turned skyward, with various summoned flying creatures (none being of dragon-blood) being sent after anything seen flying above the Ashen Isle. Despite this increase, Rheyenthiel -the red dragon- is not seen involved in any of the patrols.

[Lady Frost]

As time passes the patrols return to normal, including Rheyenthiel returning to occasional patrols of the sky over the island and between it and Valkur's Roar.

Outside the Gargoyle's wall, attention seems to turn towards the ashy ruins of the totaled village. At times, a small group can be found examining the nearest ruins. The kobolds appear to be well aware of the group but leave them be, while the posted guards do not seem to pay specific attention to the kobolds either.

[smacrasmacrasmacra]

Wind whipped and undeterred, a cloaked man in armor with a copper mask disembarks at the docks and makes his way to the keep. He hands a sealed letter to the watchmen and departs.

[Lady Frost]

Patrols are common around the cliffs of the island and it's not uncommon to find the red dragon, Rheyenthiel, soaring high up over the island and surrounding waters.

Bow-wielding sentries along with an arcanist typically watch each ship arrive at the docks and suspicious persons are questioned and turned away at the gate if found to have arrived without reasonable intent. Martially-armed guards man the gate at the docks, as well as the main gate into the Gargoyle, with sentries scattered across the walls. It is not unusual for Rheyenthiel to fly-by over, or escort in arriving ships. Cannons above the docks are usually only manned if unknown ships approach the docks.

Large warships or trade vessels that cannot dock are met off the coast with rowboats to ferry passengers and crew back and forth.

The general feel of a visit to the island would be that the guards are overly cautious and untrusting, commonly turning people back and refusing entry when one cannot specify good reason for their visit. Those that disagree or argue would receive a single warning that they will be arrested if they do not leave. An attempt to arrest them would occur next. Should they then flee back to the ferry or whatever ship they arrived on they would be left to depart, but would have a posted notice that they are to be arrested upon returning, unless cleared beforehand by the Ravenwatch.

[Lady Frost]

Hypothetically, a Triadic Knight that arrived with reasonable business would be allowed onto the island but would be escorted only directly to the Gargoyle's main gate where only the Head of State, or someone with the authority of an Advisory Council member would greet them.

Should they plant a flag outside the gate, they would be pointed at and laughed at, then all services, including water transportation, would be cut off, effectively stranding them. The guards would carefully watch for any reason to arrest them while their stay continued and the kobolds would likely pester them anytime opportunity arose. The guards would not interfere with this. If they somehow found a way to escape, they would be left free to leave, but would likely be denied access to the island forevermore.

[StabbingNirvana]

From a distance some unidentified fellow wearing white, or gray, or some combination of white-gray, could be seen shaking his fist wildly at the Isle of Ashen Winds. He may have a mustache. Or is it a beard? He may not even truly exist. Though he might. Regardless, he will never be caught. Ever.

[Lady Frost]

Rheyenthiel can be seen near-daily making patrols over and around the island, signaling that Zodika is likely spending a considerable amount of time around the Gargoyle. Rarely is she seen however, and even rarer does communication go out from her without it coming in first requesting or requiring it. The infamous Loviatan's days of outward and progressive action seems halted as she pursues quiet, unseen tasks within the confines of her island-fortress.

[Lady Frost]

Rheyenthiel's patrols take him farther out from the Ashen Isle, particularly towards Valkur's Roar. Approaching the coast, he moves to significant heights.

[Lady Frost]

A temporary shrine to Umberlee, Queen of the Depths, is set up near the docks. A masquerade mask hangs from a corner of the shrine.

Those unwilling to tithe to Umberlee for safe passage are barred from using the ferry to return to the mainland.

[Lady Frost]

Jun 13, 2017 13:19:40 GMT -5 Lady Frost said:

Patrols are common around the cliffs of the island and it's not uncommon to find the red dragon, Rheyenthiel, soaring high up over the island and surrounding waters.

Bow-wielding sentries along with an arcanist typically watch each ship arrive at the docks and suspicious persons are questioned and turned away at the gate if found to have arrived without reasonable intent. Martially-armed guards man the gate at the docks, as well as the main gate into the Gargoyle, with sentries scattered across the walls. It is not unusual for Rheyenthiel to fly-by over, or escort in arriving ships. Cannons above the docks are usually only manned if unknown ships approach the docks.

Large warships or trade vessels that cannot dock are met off the coast with rowboats to ferry passengers and crew back and forth.

The general feel of a visit to the island would be that the guards are overly cautious and untrusting, commonly turning people back and refusing entry when one cannot specify good reason for their visit. Those that disagree or argue would receive a single warning that they will be arrested if they do not leave. An attempt to arrest them would occur next. Should they then flee back to the ferry or whatever ship they arrived on they would be left to depart, but would have a posted notice that they are to be arrested upon returning, unless cleared beforehand by the Ravenwatch.

//To remain clear, the above is still true. These actions are commonplace at all times unless otherwise noted. All persons (or person-like things?) would be identified, and questioned as to their business, upon arriving.

[Lady Frost]

An altercation at the docks leaves the shrine to Umberlee toppled and broken. The man creating the disturbance is arrested, then dragged off down the stone road towards the Gargoyle. He's dragged face down by his ankle as he screams profanities by a large, armored, Copperwing (officer rank) of the Ravenwatch.

It takes just a day for the shrine to be replaced, though tithes are still required during the replacement process.

[Lady Frost]

//PM sent regarding this.

[Lady Frost]

All the projects outside the walls of the Gargoyle are suddenly abandoned. Workers spend the next few days packing up all their construction equipment and materials, and bring it back within the walls.

[Lady Frost]

Having been erected for a month, the shrine to Umberlee is carefully taken apart and removed from the docks. Passengers are no longer expected to tithe for transport off the island.

However, no sooner is the shrine to Umberlee removed than the docks are put on alert and a shrine to Talona (again with a masquerade mask hanging from it) is put in its place. This time, a small unit, including Copperwing, Lieutenant Buldorgon, a human male Cleric of Helm, rides on the ferry and questions those attempting to gain passage to The Isle of Ashen Winds. Anyone attempting to travel to the island are questioned as to their recent whereabouts. Anyone that's been in contact with someone sick from the Mistowood, or has been there themselves in the past ten-day are turned back into Valkur's Roar. Those who claim they have not, are issued a warning before their fair is collected and they are let onto the boat.

"If you are found to have lied about contact with those sick from the Mistwood, or having been there yourself, you will be charged with 'Willful disobedience of any edict uttered towards one by a state official ranked as a Goldwing, State Advisor, or the Head of State', a crime against the Sovereignty. Should your lie cause the spread of this plague on the Isle of Ashen Winds, the charge of 'treason' will be sought. Upon arrival on the Gargoyle's docks, you will be expected to tithe to the Mistress of Disease. If you accept these terms, you are free to travel."

--

Should someone arrive at the ferry who is sick or someone who is sick is brought by another to the ferry with the intention of seeking treatment within the Gargoyle, Lieutenant Buldorgon would find out the details of their infliction and move them to a special, semi-quarantined room, where they could travel away from others.

The Gargoyle would not turn away the sick who are intentionally coming for help.

[Lady Frost]

In common times, Rheyenthiel's typical patrols take him in high circles around the island as he patrols equally in all directions. However, starting recently, the red dragon has begun patrolling way out to the east over the Dragonmere, not even within sight from the island.

[Lady Frost]

Over the past few days and continuing over the next tenday many large ships come and go, anchoring off shore and using small boats as ferries. Dozens of large crates are moved in both directions between the Gargoyle, the docks, and the large ships.

While this occurs, a large unit of Ravenwatch spend the days repairing any defects -even very small ones- and fortifying the outer walls and towers with both material and magic.

This activity sees Rheyenthiel's patrols return to above the island.

[Lady Frost]

A number of unidentified workers begin repair work on a building near the docks. They camp outside the walls though they are delivered food and supplies each day by the Ravenwatch.