Post by DM Hawk on Oct 24, 2010 1:57:34 GMT -5
Towards the end of the summer heat as the leaves shed green for gold, gossip and tavern tales turn Cormyrean eyes to the east. Folk speak of a conflict that comes into being overnight, sending the lands on the far side of the Thunderpeaks into a whirlwind of chaos.
At first the tales are wild and contradict themselves, taken by many to be greatly embellished. Folk begin to watch with concern however, as weary Purple Dragons begin patrolling the roads leading east and north with greater frequency.
Over time, the tall tales become more coherent and settle into the realm of possiblity while remaining difficult to believe. They speak of armies of fiends, elves, and men contending with one another all throughout Old Cormanthor. Trade ebbs and flows and soon traveling merchants add to the stories being told.
Sembia, Hillsfar, and Zhentil Keep took to the field and invaded the Dales from all sides. Concurrently, a horde of fiends emerged from Cormanthor's boughs to raze the rural settlements. Tales of valor come about that speak of the occupation of the Middle Dales by Sembia, a heroic stand where Shadowdale once again turned back the forces of Zhentil Keep, and the daring maneuvers of the Riders of Mistledale who appeared everywhere to oppose the invading forces.
And then the tales speak of something new. An elven army marching beneath the green shadows of the great wood for the first time in centuries. Moving to the defense of the Dales, the elven host was given a name: The Crusade.
During the hot months of Flamerule and Eleasias, these forces vied for control of the region while the rest of Faerun looked on. Battles raged from the southern shores of the Moonsea to the northern reaches of Sembia as alliances were forged and broken in the desparate struggle.
The great city of Hillsfar was sacked by fiends and the opportunistic forces of Zhentil Keep marched upon their old enemy. Hillsfar was forced to yield to the Zhents, further skewing the balance of power in the Moonsea towards the Black Network.
To the south a fragile agreement was forged between the Crusade, the Dales, and Sembia. This alliance marched on the ancient ruin of Myth Drannor to vanquish the fiends that had amassed there in a victorious but costly campaign.
By the end of Summer, elven flags fly over Myth Drannor once again. The Crusade has melted away and has been overtaken by a greater purpose. From the reclaimed realm of Myth Drannor, the call goes out for the elven races to Return.
