Poverty...

[rubik]

One of the older, pre-hunger bandit camps is slaughtered to a man with a vicious axe, and the head of their mage leader stuck on a pike outside with a simple note.

I don't feck with thieves during a famine.

Around the same time, one of the carts of welfare goods around the city finds a parcel of reclaimed coin under its seat.

[irishrover13]

Keerla has taken to helping hand out the free food being provided by the imp. She is just there most mornings and evenings donating her time and money. She also brings large bundles of toys and games for both Children and their parents making sure that this is less tramatac for the children. She is also seen regualar helping refugees around town. What normal healing she can, carrying what she can and generally helping people.

[leechedtalent]

In the dead of night, Pendra perches in the construction of Hope’s Cradle, her eyes closed, ears burning for the faintest sound. Through her discipline, she drowns out the humming of chattering around unsanctioned fires and narrows in the desired tone. Her ears perk as she hears the unmistakable pattern of one trying to move unheard in the night. She fishes into her pocket and flips a coin, eyes now alight with its magic she scans the city and leaps from the construction. She moves swiftly from rooftop to rooftop, dexterously flipping through the air, landing on the stones in silence. She finds the source of the sound, a thief stalking amongst the slums, fishing into the pockets of the sleeping refugees. Justice is swift and silent. A hand clamping on the thief’s mouth. Strong hands breaking fingers. A foot shattering a knee cap. The butt of a kukri knocking a man unconscious. Idiots. Pendra thinks to herself and scrawls a poorly written note. As the sun begins to rise, she drags the thief to the middle of the slums, leaving the note around his neck. “Criminals will not be tolerated.”

Pendra keeps her promise. Nightly she takes perch in the unroofed beams of Hope’s Cradle. Those that hurt, harass, swindle, or rob in the slums are dealt with in a similar fashion. Those that do worse disappear, bodies never to be found.

[ShadowCatJen]

Mynian is seen continuing to direct food supply carts, trying to keep tally of what is coming in and from where, making sure the relief efforts moved smoothly.

Rings under her eyes, she's been seen walking about and talking to the more affluent citizens of the city and desperately trying to convince them to not leave and stick it out just a bit longer. Telling them that they are needed and wanted here and that they have all been through worse.

Meanwhile she keeps her ears open. The Cat Lady of Valkur's Roar had told her that things were odd and she believed it. Though any of her own searches for more information were falling flat, she'd continue to try and keep folks calm, telling them she understood.

She felt some relief though. She'd seen the fliers, seen the extra food being handed out around the Tipsy Imp, heard of those in the white capes and robes wandering the city, asking questions.

Even the council was doing what they should, trying to meet the demand. The High Mage committing her own investigation.

While Mynian was more than exhausted, she at least didn't feel alone in the effort to tackle the problem.

Now if someone could only help solve what this .. undying hunger? ... was that was effecting the citizens.

[Raven]

On every tongue and with every mug of tavern ale people are gossiping of how some have just snapped and attacked others in a desperate attempt to "eat". Several gruesome remains have been found and the city watch have slain several poor souls driven to horrible deeds by a relentless all-consuming hunger. At nights the common folk seem scarce sensing the danger in the streets.

Yet with the day's dawning the now customary long lines of people asking for food appear.

[koffie]

Delaclya hides in the shadows, arms folded, watching the supplies roll in, and follows them to see where they go, and see where they end up at. If moved out again, she will follow them once more...

[irishrover13]

Close by in a second shadow Keerla also watches from a different angle ready to help or split off if they separate the food out between storage areas.

[rubik]

Tenna and Pendra spend an entire day and night investigating the city and its environs, the elven Ilmateri carrying a map and marking places of interest as she travels.

The two vanish into an alley for some time, and emerge with a large parcel wrapped in a cloak.

After a conversation with Old Jenny and Lucky, they depart for Suzail, and when they return to speak to the Captain of one of the seafaring vessels the parcel is no longer with them.

[Raven]

The lines for food are still ever-present sight; the sporadic attacks by people driven mad by hunger have abated. The unceasing efforts of the Ilmaterians have risen to meet the food demands for the moment. Still it is a narrow margin for error between out right starvation for many. People in the streets gossip and complain bitterly about never enough food and the strange weather with a wind that has blown from the south for nearly three weeks now. Flies are ubiquitous and there are reports of huge maggots trying to eat people.

[ShadowCatJen]

Aug 26, 2021 5:16:24 GMT -5 Raven said:

Flies are ubiquitous and there are reports of huge maggots trying to eat people.

Going through the motions of rifling through documents, looking like she's not slept, Mynian comes across the report.

She flinched as if struck.

The sky turned a horrid red, the clouds thick and dark above Zorastryl Keep, and maggots began to fall from the skies. By the pool under the keep, Mynian held to her charge, and pressed the moss to his chest to staunch the bleeding from the wound that was made. She then looked over her shoulder as the massive form of the Aspect of Kezef lurched out of the portal.

Maggots teemed in the Chaos Hound's fur, making its coat shift and writhe over sinew and bone. A portion of the maggots pulled away from its maw revealing rows of needlepoint black teeth. It roared, the feted air of its breath threatening to make Mynian sick where she stood. Unearthly malevolent red eyes looked down at the figure of Matthias Zorastryl, his arms wide open. He stood between it and Mynian with the nearly unconscious Lord Marister Zorastryl leaning heavily upon her.

The hunger of the creature took over and it tore into Matthias Zorastryl with casual brutality...

Inhaling sharply, Mynian clutched to the parchment in her hands, crinkling the ends. She shut her eyes, trying to shake her mind of the images from the nightmare she had never been able to fully break free of since the day the Wild Magic ended. A horrid sinking sensation hit her gut. What if this was further the doings of the Chaos Hound or its agents still attacking the Western Reaches? What if the work they had done was for nothing? What if---

"Message for Mistress Copperhand!"

The voice came from the main doors of the Great Hall. It took her a second to come to her senses and she raised her hand to the messenger coming in, "'ere lad."

Mynian went about the business of handing the messenger lad gratuity and accepting the message. She read the letter mostly to try and pull her mind fully away from the sudden imagery and deep seeded worry. Seeing it was from the member of the House of Healing Anna Larsson trying to organize a group to deal with the issue of the Undying Hunger, she leaned back in the seat.

This would be resolved. It had to be. Hopefully it would with the aid being offered. Mynian wrote another note of confirmation to Miss Larsson, but for the rest of the day a fog of worry hovered over her.

[Raven]

While the long lines remain the hunger situation has stabilized. Still everything balances on a knifes edge. Through out the city flies seem everywhere and often the soft pop of maggots is heard as people now gingerly step through the city streets. Guards patrols the city have been increased in response to reported attacks by larger aggressive worms. Down at the docks the sailors mutter curses about the ill southern wind that never changes.

[vulpes]

The Roar smelled, of waste and filth also of fear and hunger if that could have a scent. Rats and mice scurried and oddly large worms, some aggressive even.


Meeting the priest of Ilmater by a food wagon and those less fortunate, some surrounded by flies and many pallid and sickly looking. Cooper left some supplies for them and then headed to his home in Shally for more goods.

After several hours fishing for some much needed protein the city folk could use, not wanting to take all the fish, he smoked the meats so it would last and not rot.





Then, he stopped by Droiblass farm with Hallie to buy some cheese. Even though normally he went there for the exceptional quality and selection, this time it was for hard cheese that could last the journey back to the Roar and spread some comfort.





Heading back riding Mayo and Hallie on Pepper, with their saddle packs loaded, they rode back to the Roar. To deliver, cheeses, fish and salted beef.






Something was not right about the situation, a curse of some kind he thought more like a pestilence than just simple hunger. He thought about Kyuss and the legends and wondered if it was in some way true….it was time to dig a bit deeper. He should find Mynian when he could.

[thehatman]

Come gather 'round all you fellows!

And raise up your spirits from below.

We came and brought succor from high.

For all who want to heed and toil.

Here's to you and this is for you.

Here's for this town and all it has claimed.

A new pair of faces has been seen running around Valkur's Roar. redheaded woman and dark haired man, both young and neither looking particularly well off, with worn, if decent, clothes of muted colors, usually preceded by song in cheerful, drinking song-like tune to gather attention.
Their efforts seem to be focused on helping the worse off people in effort to find any sort of day labor or looking for shelter for people living on the streets, as well as handing out pouches of food, simple fare usually consisting of things like bread and cheese, to those needing it.

The man is also seen making effort to keep people, both children and adults alike, entertained and in good spirits with songs, stories and simple sleight of hand tricks.
The pair introduces themselves as Marcus and Nicha when asked, but any inquiries as to where these supplies and help are coming from, are answered only with a smile, a wink and evasive mentions of a 'generous benefactor'.

[Kat]

Having searched south with Cooper for a possible source of the prevailing winds, and east for the Lester Estate and finding neither, Hallie returned to the task of gathering supplies to help as best she could. Negotiating with suppliers in Arabel and Alena Swift in Immersea she was able to bring in substantial quantities of food to the Roar. 

[Kat]

Hallie, continues to source and drop supplies into the city, leaving them at the Town Hall.

[vulpes]

Pondering his theories over the cause of the hunger in the Roar, Cooper headed to Talbots where the meeting was to be held. He had his notes on what he thought and was going to pass them along to Mynian to help if they could. It was all he could find so far on "The Worm that Walks", just a theory, but something to go on at least.

Entering Talbots the room was full and though noisy, somewhat hushed under the current circumstances.

The meeting began and a plan or rather three were made...



Leaving after the plans were drawn Cooper dropped off supplies in various locations helping where he could.

[Raven]

The strange hunger while ever present has been held in check through the herculin efforts of the various Ilamterian chapters, local Valkur volunteers and several merchant houses of Valkur, most notably the Lester Estate. Still the strange unchanging southern wind now grates on the nerves of many. The people of Valkur seem short, curt and easily angered these days. Fights break out constantly and the Valkur guards have had to restore the peace in a ceaseless fashion. The populace is angry but when asked never seem to reply to one thing. It is a diffuse unseen current of unfocused anger that grips tightly the citizens of the city.

[ShadowCatJen]

After the meeting on Eleint the 5th. Chyrsthania and Mynian head for the local museum, hoping that they don't find any connection between The Worm That Walks and the events at Zorastryl Keep.

They search through the tomes found at the shrine of Oghma within.

Regardless of what they find, they then head to Shallybrook to see if the books in Mister Vesper's tomes have anything to offer.

Days later, Mynian comes back to the Roar to find the citizens worse off mentally then they had been in moonturnings. She spends some time among the populous, but not before sending out information to some individuals.

Raven

[vulpes]

Walking through the Roar at night to see if they could find where the worms were coming from and if daylight affected the citizens of the Roar, Cooper and Hallie searched the docks to speak to some of the Ships Captains regarding the constant wind and if it went out to sea. Though some lifted their gangplanks others just commented that it was an ill omen.



After a fruitless search, and dropping off some supplies for the hungry dock workers they stopped by the Barren of retribution to check with the priest if he knew anything. Cooper told the priest about his research into famines, worms (giant and otherwise) and Kyuss the only lead that seemed to match, though may just be coincidence in hopes the priest knew something... well anything really.



After speaking with the he decided he could kill two birds with one stone. He needed gargoyle skulls for an experiment and had been told of some ruins nearby the Roar.

Remembering the lore on the Worm that Walks he knew it was possible he or his followers could be bound by ruins so decided to get two birds with one stone as it were. They ventured to the south to the ruins only to find there were no birds for his stone to hit. No skulls and no worms in the ruins. He could however report this back to Polly and Mynian when he saw them next.

[ShadowCatJen]

Looking a bit worn, Mynian goes about the city trying to talk to the people and help settle their minds. Telling them the city and some volunteers are helping as best they can to alleviate the problems.

//sorry I can't be on at the right times to interact while in game. I seem to keep missing when and where to act.

[Raven]

What is becoming known as the night of the South Wind, riots broke out across the great city of Valkur. All sorts of rumours fly about the taverns and marketplace the next day. Some claim dragons attacked the city, other claim orcs. Lending credence to the rumours, the Great Hall shows a relentless battering by numerous bottles, rocks, stones and bricks. Many people were trampled to death during the nights strange event. It is also known that some of the out-laying farms were burnt to the ground. Most notably the Lester Estate, which was completely consumed by fire. Again fuelling rumours of an attack upon the city.

The city was also rocked by a near gale force south wind. Several boats were beached and damaged by the winds. More than a few trees were toppled by the powerful gale-force winds. Strangely people seem to have little or no recollection of any wind, not even a breeze. They dismiss the wind-damages as old or rotten trees ready to fall and grog-fuelled captains ineptly grounding their vessels.

As for the rage that held the city in its grip, it has melted away with the dawn’s coming light. Food stocks remain tight, yet first minster Mynian and the Ilamterian's over-see the distribution ensuring enough goes around. With the passing days the memory of events during the night of the South Wind fades from the minds of the citizens. Yet none can dispute that something did happened.

As to Gary Lester, the villain has vanished from sight. Many claim dead and say good riddance sealing the sentiment with a wet glob of spittle, but conspiracies abound with Gary Lester returning one day to plague fair Valkur again. People recall, pausing to make the sign against evil, that the dawn of the next day was one of exceptional redness, the colour of blood.


//Thanks to all for the fun and to DM pPrivate and DM Flash for assistance in my machinations.

[vulpes]

Ledgers were filled of the events as details came slowly in, some of the ledgers were locked and bound, the information not something the Roar would want let out.



Anecdotal and first hand information was gleaned from those who visited the Lester Estate and the strange goings on there. Some of the details too fantastical to be real surely !



Stories of dragons walking the streets in the Roar were told by hearth fires to the wonderment of hungry children, tucking them up their eyes wide with excitement of such fairy tales surely!



And the man called Lester and the bargain he made, could it be true? Surely not, such fables were written down though and kept in the Roar for later discussion.....

[ShadowCatJen]

In the days following the Night of the South Wind, Mynian is seen either making sure the flow of the food continues on coarse or surveying the city and the damage done. It isn't long before a post is placed up fairly everywhere within the city.

To the Rioters

You know who you are.

Regardless of your reasons, you have damaged this city.

Regardless of the fear you let yourselves slip into, you have caused harm.

If you have any shred of regret, any bit of remorse, then me asks for the following:

Remove what trash has been littered about the city in your rage

Help the boatswains restore the ships that were beached

Offer ships captains to help scrape off barnacles of landed ships

Or help to guard the ships while they are under repair

Assist the Ilmatari in their dispersal of food

Do not hoard food or ask for more then you need

Help the raided farmlands upon the edges of the city who suffered attacks by helping restore the grounds


Do this and we can begin to step forward

Signed, Minister of the City Interior, Mynian Copperhand

Some would note that it looks like the Minister still is suffering from a lack of rest, yet presses forward.

[Raven]

The city wearily musters itself to clean up the various damages and slowly the line-ups for food being to dwindle with each passing day. There is still a great deal of belt-tighting but enough food is available for any in need. The infamous Ilmaterian "thin soup" does take on a whole new standard but the rabid hunger that afflicted so many is gone. As time passes Valkur returns to its old ways but with the name of Lester reviled by many.

[ShadowCatJen]

*more posters appear around the city*

The City of Valkur's Roar

Gives Thanks To

The Following groups and individuals
who helped and assisted
before, during, and after
The Night of the South Wind

For their contributions of food
Their investigations
And martial aid

Ambassador Arak Smithson
Chrysthania Tharkusdottir
Cooper Vulpes
Hallie Het
High Mage Pollyanna Pea
Ru
Tenna

The Guardians
Kali Jarnna
Marister
Runa Stery
Taran Wanderer

Torm's Table Members
Anna Larsson
Art'ticulus Ryklor
Dylan Dove
Jaran Ashan Florian


... and many other hands that may not have been mentioned

Thank You All for Your Help

- Mynian Copperhand
Minister of the City Interior

//apologies to any I may have missed, there were quite a few of you involved and a lot to keep track of!

[arcadiadragonloy]

A tallish muscular woman looks at the poster...*Sighs* "Really Myn, ye had to put me name second on that list" *grins as she looks about and walks the city humming the tune "drink Cormyr dry"*