A Vigil for the Lost in Marsember

[Pedantry INC]

In Marsember word his spread quietly, but spread none the less, through the community of the loss of fourteen students. Out of respect for the families, the names are hushed, yet they slowly became known, a host of the advanced academics from the Academy. The word carries the invitation to come to a vigil at the Academies ground, that will be held for fourteen days - a day for each of the students lost in the tragic events in the Tun.

In the somewhat humble yard open sided tents are raised, and within each renditions of the fourteen are placed, easels hosting their likenesses painted by artists of the Academy that knew them. With each, an open book, quill and ink pot stands, and the pages begin to fill with notes that speak of the deceased, from those that knew them, or those simply wishing the families well in the face of their loss.

The vigil is kept by Alizarin bards, who fill the yard with continual dirges, laments, and songs that honor the fallen, while a times their friends may raise songs that the Academics themselves were known to favor, mixing sorrow with sweet memory.

Mirrir herself is seen to join now and then throughout, though her presence is somewhat diminished. Contradictory to her typical casual airs, she radiates an air of tension, and perhaps aware of that, keeps herself sparse so that others may pay their respects comfortably.

No mention is made of the personal funerals by students or staff at this time.


// as the yards door is locked and the vigil objects are not represented in game, this will of course need to be a forum rp only event.
// NPC participation approved in advance by DM

[lucesi]

Vennis writes an entry in each of the open books, with glowing references to any students he taught or knew personally, and tribues and condolences to the families of those he did not. On occasion he joins I with the dirges and laments, though as a chorus member, rather than a lead voice.

[Defunct Fiddlesticks]

A small group of Ilmateri arrive, led by a tall figure in Triadic robes carrying a healer's staff.

They appear to be invited, they ask for Vennis and concern themselves with the families and friends of the dead, using a quiet room inside the Academy to counsel and offer comfort to the grief-stricken. Six times a day, the small group pray quietly between supporting those in distress, for the duration of their stay. They make sure not to disturb the Academy's residents.

The Triadic healer, as well as offering the same comfort, looks after the needs of his brethren during the day and heads out into the city to find anyone who cannot attend to see how they are.

When dusk falls, he heads out elsewhere to attend to other duties. With the dawn, he is back again, for as long as he is needed.

[sharpgn2]

The new Professor Ismene arrives to the Vigil, much more silent than accustomed to her character. She quietly writes in each of the books, and only speaks to offer condolences to those family members that are present.

In the Library, she is found staring at her class sign-up sheet, and for a long time waits before crossing out names. After this she asks to be left alone to her meditations. The Monk plans to remain at the Academy for all of the fourteen days.

[ren]

Elon follows where ever Henrik goes ...offering his skills and healing tools to Henrik when needed or able bodied assistant when needed. But Mostly he keeps silent ever ready to aid his brother....but never out of sight from said brother. His mood matches Henrik, but let his elder wiser brothr Henrik speak...not wishing to interrupt Henrik.

[MechaMistress]

Ang'nuavia would arrive at the academy on the second day of the vigil. Her expression would be dark and serious, though she would attempt to mask her sorrow. Despite her best effort to keep everything together, a persistent dead silence throughout the day would give away her grief. Those who saw Ang'nuavia attending services would note a peculiar absence of personality and a long, sullen face appearing to almost be in shock.

For the most part, Angy would avoid contact with any of the academy's students of staff. She would seem content observing the day's activities from a distance. She would pay her respects for the students and family before writing a comment in each of their books. On a scratch piece of paper, Angy would write down the known names of the fallen for her personal reference.

Before leaving the crowd of individuals present, Angy would make a quiet announcement that she was to host her own ceremonial rituals from the grace of Sehanine Moonbow. She would invite spectators to watch her as she lead a walk through the spirit world to transcendence. Like usual, Angy would paint her eyelids with the image of an open eyeball. However, in addition to her normal meditative preparations, she would paint two blue lines streaking down her face like tears. Extending from each of the blue lines, were additional branches of paint that spelled the names of each Alizarin member. When the painting was complete, the names seemed to create a map like stars spread out in the sky.

Angy would pass around several bottles of mushroom wine, and indulge in several glasses herself. She would spend the rest of the evening between prayer, meditation and hallucinations as she separated herself from her body and entered reverie. Although the fallen were not kin by blood, Ang'nuavia still felt it necessary to guide their souls as brothers and sisters of the academy. When the spirit walk was complete, Angy would appear to be more at peace with herself, and finally passed the first look of relief since entering the building.

[maeglhachel]

Late in the afternoon of this bleak winter's day, the sun had just set in a dull leaden and overcast sky, there is a small moment of awkwardness as mourners queue up behind a woman at the first in the row of books. She had entered the yard with one of the groups of the bereaved, black ribbon on her black dress and wearing a veil of the same colour, and had walked up to the book, picked up the quill, but never wrote a single word. And no amount of polite coughing, clearing of throats or awkward glances between the people waiting could make her, until at last, after what seemed like an age of the world, she put the quill back down and headed back out through the academy.

[Deleted]

Alyster Darkharp writes the following notice and has it sent out to major cities of Cormyr and hung in public places. It bears the Seal of ALizarin, a Red Dragon clutching a Black Harp. The message is delivered publicly, by Alyster Darkharp, at the Vigil.

People of Marsember, and indeed all or Cormyr, it is with great sadness that I address you all in the wake of the tragedy that took place regrettably, as part of an Alizarin expedition to unearth arcane relics, writings, and enchanted items. Fourteen of our apprentice level students were killed in a stampedge of Gorgons and a fire set by Padrin the Tracker, who until very recently, I was quite fond of. One of the Academy's own members, the Overmistress Mirrir Thrasvin, the Redsong Bard and the Voice of the Beastlord has delivered vengeance upon Padrin for what he did. She has turned him over to the rightful authorities so that they can investigate what occured, and if it is able to be discerned, why. I will await that outcome as everyone will, and will submit to any questioning or steps that the Crown thinks needs to be taken on my own behalf. Alizarin has always cooperated with the Royal Order of War Wizards in anything they contact us about and we will of course cooperate fully in the investigation.

I have nothing but the deepest sympathy and regret for what has happened. For anyone to think otherwise in my own experience, is unthinkable. It seems that throughout Alizarin's history as an institution is has been plagued by suspicion of ill intent by many who had personal vendettas with it's founders. The founders of Alizarin never came together with a grand plan to poison the minds of children or to somehow gather our forces together to do battle with those who disliked, even hated us. We founded Alizarin on the principle that we would go where the journey, the quest for knowledge took us. That we would "Never Stop Learning", as set down by the hand of Mynian Copperhand, one of my dearest friends and one of the founders of Alizarin. In our history as an institution, despite dogging rumors of dark activity, the only facts that can be truly and in the light of day be stated, are that Alizarin was fundamental in the defense of Cormyr during two different large scale crisis. We did more than our share of unlocking the secrets to defeating the Silent Dominion, and we helped greatly in the research that minimized Cormyr's losses during the Year of Rogue Dragons. The latter would never have been possible without the presence of our dragon blooded members who came before Mirrir, to our school. Yes, Alizarin holds a proud tradition of the study of Dragons, and we welcome scholars who have descended from them to that end. In a nation who's very symbolic essence is that of a Great Wyrm, it seems a logical choice of study for scholars in Cormyr.

To address the concerns of those who hang notes about Cormyr and seek to, in this tragic time, use such a window of opportunity to further attack Alizarin with slanderous writing, I have some things to say in defense of your accusations. On the issue of Pirates and Thugs, do I err in saying that you refer to the agents of the crown as "Pirates and Thugs"? As a personal aquaintance of the Lord of Marsember, I can assure you that Lord Bledryn Scoril is neither a Pirate or a Thug. On the issue of the 'ignorance' of our students, I think some ignorance is abound, but it might rest in the minds of a dwarf hanging notes.

The dragon blooded this dwarf speaks of is the Voice of the Beastlord, representative of a religion sanctioned since times of old when this kingdom was carved out of the very realm of Malar, from the great forest. I do not personally question their competency in this choice, since the Lord of the Hunt and his divine influence hold much sway over a people who hunt and dwell in the forests as a matter or tradition and a way of life. If praising a deity who presides over the hunt and the bounty that feeds Cormyr's mouths is a crime, I have yet to be informed of it. Your ignorance of other matters, namely bards, seems to follow your ignorance of our educational standards as well. Bards as a tradition, do not blindly follow the orders of anyone, and if you think they do, the blindness is of course, your own.

Sorcerers who attend or serve Alizarin as Masters, need not be liked by their peers to pass on the knowledge of arcane secrets. Arcanists people do not like, are no less skilled or able to educate, than those who are loved by all, I can say this with experience in the matter. The names listed were the names of those who's families had been contacted and allowed their names to be used, I assure you that we have very detailed records of our students and who they are, that we might produce their names when needed to dissolve any thought that we don't know them. I am sure those records aren't needed though.

Lastly, I will defend myself, though that is of least concern to me. I was born in Cormyr, in the halfling village of Shallybrook. Those there who I grew up among, know my name, know who I really am. Many people in fact know my given name, among them, patriarchs of the Dwarves who reside in Cormyr. The name Darkharp is an affectation, a stage name, a tradition common among bards, another point of ignorance in this hopefully, lone, dwarve's lore.

My name is Alyster Lang, I have never hidden it from anyone who asked. The fact is that I am known as Alyster Darkharp now and long before. It is a name that I have grown comfortable with and regard now as my 'real' name. I took the tradition from my master before me, and he from his. We all use stage names in our craft. Stage names that became our real names in time because that is the way of history. I hide nothing but my face when I take to the stage, and that isn't out of any foolish wish for anonymity. I do it because the voice of lore and history should be without the face of any one man, elf, halfling, dwarf, or otherwise. I have revealed my face to the public long ago, and my name even longer before that. I don't recall ever meeting this dwarf who lays accusations upon me and my school and I am assured that he does not speak for all dwarves who dwell in Cormyr.

I have been presented with no actual physical evidence of any dark deeds done by any member of Alizarin since this tragedy took place, but I would welcome some if there is any so that I might deal with any wrongdoing. I hope that the Royal Order of War Wizards will investigate fully and bring me any evidence or help me to put to rest these newly scribbled slanderous details. As for 'striking out' against Alizarin? What would you seek to do, burn our books so that none other might read them? Burn us as our students were burned to death in that tower? Perhaps you feel we have stolen some lore from your people while combing through the dwarven ruins for any books or writings that the Drow didn't steal when they conquered and destroyed the civilization of the dwarves who once dwelled below the Tun? I assure you that such is not the case. Nothing has been found there, yet. If it is found, my plans are, to return them to the dwarves and jointly study them.

I am truly sorry for the loss of life. Every scholar who died was a contributing member of the Alizarin Academy. They will live forever in the words they scribed into the many tomes of research in our libraries. Their names a footnote in the eternity of history, not for how they died or why, but for the contribution to a lorehouse that exists to end ignorance. I refuse to let whatever occurred there to tarnish that end that they dreamed to be a part of. If those who seek to strike out at Alizarin come, I will be there to defend the lore I have dedicated my life to gathering, and to die beside those who also dedicated their lives to that dream. All that remains to be seen in that instance, is who the people of Marsember will stand with. Will they defend Alizarin who has stood beside Marsember and Cormyr in the most troubled times, or will they stand with those who have forever stood apart from Cormyr and maintained loyalty only to themselves? I hope we never have to know.

The Bard, Alyster Darkharp "Lang"
Lord Master of The Alizarin Academy of Bardic & Arcane Lore.

[...]

A lithe elven woman approaches the note and skims through parts of it. She draws a long sigh and smirks.

Fancy them self this and that, when they're nothing more than a few blobs of soft, tender flesh slapped around a rickety set of bone. No matter their station, race or creed.. they all bleed the same.. voices bleed.. lords bleed.. everyone bleeds.

She leaves.

[Tania]

A young elf finds her way into the vigil grounds. She studies the assorted happenings with a grave face; but without joining in song or writings. Eventually she murmers a respectful prayer and departs

[Charon's Claw]

Alaethyl attends the vigil, though she seems to stick to the outskirts. She pays her respects, but if any come to her seeking comfort it is awkwardly given due to her less than developed emotional expertise. As Darkharp gives his speech, she bows her head in a reverent silence, then goes about observing and helping in what way she can.

[Pedantry INC]

Mirrir makes many more appearances, and notably each passing day she seems more haggard, unrested and entirely lacking her typical social grace. Often times she does no more than join the present performances, plucking harp stings rather than lifting her voice. Every visit is brief, ensuring the visiting Ilmatari have what they need, joining in a single song, or commenting on the various contributions to the academy made by the Fellows that were lost.

After Alyster's address her presence becomes even less frequent as she shies away from any interest on the matter of vengeance - being willing only to say that Padrin's screams will not bring back the lives of those he sacrificed, thus warrant no present consideration.

Unknown to all but the most observant, she can far more frequently be found than most believe - perched atop the roof of the Academy was she watches on with an increasingly ill tempered air.