Dark Herald - In Mist of Red

[DM Sauron]

*The red mist and the strange planet are no longer visible in Valkur's Roar, but persist in the Isle of Ashen Winds.*

[vulpes]

As a well versed sailor of the Thethys, Cooper sees the proclamation and tries to change what he has organised, to make sail with an all too familiar ship.

// will do my best to set sail !

[rubik]

//unfortunately unavailable as well.

[waxl]

*Pollyanna reads the missive and with a snarl comments*

"Time to kick some ash."

[ShadowCatJen]

In the early hours, rings ever present under her eyes, Mynian hands over to Captain Blake an open letter. She explains that all going upon this journey should be aware of it's contents.

She also explains that she'll be staying ashore and keeping eye from very afar the progress on the Isle. If she sees things are not going well, she'll order a further evacuation of the city from the eastern quarters "just in case".

The letter reads the following:

To Those Journeying To The Isle of Ashen Winds,

There be two bits of information that needs to be known.

The first bit of information comes from a Silver Dragon, spoken to by the druid Kerator. He had asked if the red dragon that was known to aid and assist the previous governess of the Gargoyle Keep, Zodika, had something to do with this situation. The answer be "nay". The silver had said that this was caused by something else, something from another plane.

The second bit comes from those in the Raven's Watch. Take this with a grain of salt. The lower ranked members among them seemed to not know much, but it was mentioned that the Captain had been mentioning about "wards".

Some facts:

- Zodika be dead. Slain last year under mysterious circumstances.

- After her death, those who resided at the Gargoyle had stated they were unable to get into Zodika's office. Many of us disbelieved they were unable to get in, but in hindsight perhaps we should have given some credence to this.

- Zodika were known to be under control and able to summon creatures as great as the Red Dragon and also a Balor.

Me theory:

- Zodika has something more under control within the Gargoyle Keep. Something that required wards. Either the Captain of the Raven's Watch had attempted to do something with the wards and failed -or- the wards had faded because the one who kept the wards up (Zodika) be no longer among the living.

If she did this on purpose or did so to keep control on the Keep be a matter for debate. However, if wards are involved there be two solutions:

- Restore the wards to cull back down the reaction of the volcanic isle.

- Destroy whatever it was that the Keep was being warded from and send it back to whatever plane it came from.

This be all the information me has. Me hopes it helps.

Me will be in Valkur's Roar continuing to mind the people of the city. Good luck in your endeavors to get this resolved.

In Luck and Death,

Mynian Copperhand
Minister of the City Interior, Valkur's Roar

//OOC Good luck y'all! Don't die ... >.>

Fiddlesticks

[Masterbard Alyster Darkharp]

Can't make it at 3pm CST, wont be off work till 515 or so. Have fun!

[Fiddlesticks]

Upon the return of the Tethys to port with survivors of the Ravenwatch, Captain Blake reports to Vera Gudwerks that the Tethys was attacked by a flotilla of pirate ships on its way to Ash Isle, the flotilla was dispatched by the Freesails vessel comfortably but on approaching the island they found it highly active and dangerous.

A mass of fiends appeared. The Hellish army attacked the crew and they could not save some of the Ravenwatch whose corpses were too far into the savage, volcanic landscape to be rescued and among the hostiles, were pit fiends and more devil-creatures he feels are being used as troops. The Captain reports the winged devils are massing, he fears for an attack on the mainland and urges the city to increase its defenses rapidly.

The Tethys and its volunteer crew had their supplies depleted but they managed to return and the vessel is readying itself to defend the city from the water or carry evacuees to other ports.

//DM Sauron

[Runa Rothgar]

As the Freesail ship settles into the dock of Valkur's Roar a lone figure perches within the shadows, prone and at her best to be unseen. 

Hearing the news spread of urgency and possible fiendish behavior amongst her old home, the once mysterious Citadel of Ashen Isle, Leah lofts a brow from under her cowl,

"Huh... I heard some shenanigans happening at the Gargoyle, but didn't expect the nine to open a planar mouth to spit out some pawns and pit fiends."

The Archer considers a moment as  she observes the volunteers, sailors and fellow Gargoylians offloading the ship. 

"I wonder what they found?  Gawds.. I think I lost my arrow head stash... I got some culturally diverse points from across Faerun... that still have dried blood on them!" 

Leah then ponders about what she lost at the Gargoyle and then shrugs it off,

"This is all part of suffering and pain...praise the Whip Mistress!"

"Still, these fiends..." 

Leah purses her lips as she thinks it over,

" Meesha must not be around and there is only one person I know from the Gargoyle that is an expert in planar travels of the Nine kind that could of  caused this ruckus... or maybe it wasn't."


"Maybe I'll talk to those who know a thing or two about stuff I need to know about..."


Leah shrugs and wanders deeper into Valkur's Roar , sticking to the shadows. 

[brygun]

[in Dwarven]


To Inquistor Vera Gudworks of Valkur’s Roar



On the matter of the rescue of the Ravenwatch from Gargoyle Island

As Furin, Pollyanna and the officers of the CMS Tethys were present we will go forgo a high detail of all aspect and focus on her own experience. Xandy will affirm that pirate ships were encountered and sunk same. On the landing there was demons of various types engaging our melee line.

Using an invisibility potion Xandy slipped through the combat lines to reach wounded Ravenwatch soldiers. There Xandy provided health to several wounded with several more non-recovered. As the battle line pushed into the island Xandy directed the Ravenwatch to get to the ship. An additonal Ravenwatch guard off to the side was found by a tower, minding a flank or perhaps in mental shock. He too was guided back to the dock.
Xandy was busy with the survivors though glimpsed Logan using healing magics and may have restarted the Ravenwatch Gatekeeper officer, who joined in the fighting. Perhaps the Gatekeeper should be noted for his valor.
The forward lines seemed to recover a few more Ravenwatch survivors. Several fallen Ravenwatch were near the outcrop buildings but could not be recovered nor restarted at that time.
An estimate of eight Ravenwatch survivors made it to the dock. Due to the chaos and fluidity of the fighting an accurate count could not be made at that time. It is unclear if the Gatekeeper is among the survivors.
On ship the survivors were tended to with no losses noted in transit.

Of the demons there were larger winged ones, succubus styles, fetid squats in some variety. At one point the winged one led a flank attack on the healing and bridge station with a force of squats but was stopped. The fire and earth elementals were not observed.

As only a guess that the significant energies of that made the volcano have now attracted or allowed a planar combat force. Whether this is a raid or invasion has not been determined. The circling gathering does imply forth coming attacks with the nearest population center being Valkur’s Roar.

A way of closing the gate or dispersing the energy needs to be considered.

Thus the report of,

Xandy Pebble

[DM Sauron]

People in Valkur's Roar enjoy their last days of calmness before what is coming to their shores.

Meanwhile, guards, reserve guards and some purple dragons from the nearest outpost prepare the defenses...

//OOC: Hello Cormyrians!

The finale of the Dark Herald events will be this Friday at 6 pm Central Time. Do not forget to bring the body bags raise scrolls.

- No level cap

- Expect powerful invaders

Lower levels (1-10)

- GG vols will also muster up and help in the defense of another of the VR districts

[ShadowCatJen]

Not long after the defenses start to be worked on, Mynian heads out and starts to direct all the citizens into designated safe areas. The evacuees in the western fields are even moved back in. The entire dockside of the city is ordered to be emptied out, moving the populous to the Western Quarters.

Some areas are cordoned off and designated as "defensible areas" where the citizens are gathered. Escape routes are planned should the defenses fully fail.

It takes Mynian and other city volunteers at least a full two days to get it all arranged and organized.

... she spends a very long time trying to convince Gram, the old surly cook at Talbot's, to evacuate. Her success at it is not quite fully known.


//ooc going to be at least an hour late to the event, maybe more

[Ascension]

A young druid roams the wilds around the region trying to convince the wild life and out of the way farmers of the situation for the devils that do not attack the city and attempts to find cover and safety for the animals and people in the short time given while flying around.

[iamthecircle]

After passing the poster a few times paying little attention to it save in passing for the past few days, Gias walks directly up to one to read it carefully. He nods, then walks off.

[arcadiadragonloy]

*chrys is pretty much glued to Myns hip for the duration of her work*

[vulpes]

Coopers magic circle was made and made again and then strengthened. Though the random devil parts he had collected into a warded bag, most likely had no attachment to the devils banished as they were killed , well destroyed at least, in the Roar, he was not taking any chances. A huge vat of Holy Water a priest had been kind enough to bless for him lay within the circle should anything go wrong.

Julia looked on from the desk eating a maple pecan cookie, rolling her eyes at Coops as he prodded and poked and cast various spells on the remaining devil organs and detritus. He was trying to figure out a link, or in all honesty he thought to himself he was as ever curious probably beyond his own sense.

There was a bright flash and another piece vanished. Sighing he plucked out a broken horn and examined it carefully.

Julia sighed again and watched out the window as D ran rampant chasing butterflies and Coops prodded and poked. She sure had chosen an odd mortal to bond with.

[ShadowCatJen]

After the battle was settled Mynian -- apparently told to stay in the defended areas to keep the citizens calm -- goes about the business of checking to see if it's fine for the people to be settled back into their homes and assessing the damage.

[DM Sauron]

Singularity 1 - The Lieutenant

Sixteen Days Ago

Waking up to commence his shift in the dead of night, Uland Kavam, lieutenant of the Ravenwatch, patrolled alone the outer walls that face the Daragonmere waters. Once again, and as had been the case for some years prior, all appeared to be in uneventful order. Aside of lesser security breaches involving Ash Eater Kobolds or the sighting of pirate ships that remained sightings alone, nothing worthy of mention had tested the defenses of the old Gargoyle Citadel nor the mettle of Ravenwatch and its commanders.

As second in command after Kotna Ravenheart, Uland was not insecure of his battle prowess and experience. The veteran mercenary soldier had seen his share of battle and this current contract was everything but challenging. The council and the governess were generous, equipment was of good quality and of course the dangers of the trade were lesser than in other mercenary private security companies.

Upon reaching one of the battlements, he picked up a small stone and tossed it over the edge. He watched with attention as it fell into dark void until it reached the white foam of the waves clashing with the base of the cliffs several feet below. For him, this ritual of his had the effect of making him feel big and small at the same time, for the stones would reach impressive distances, yet these served as a crude measurement tools or reference points to truly grasp and have an idea of the height of the Gargoyle Citadel.

Unless he was requested elsewhere, every night he would do the same, and that night, his presence was not required by the councilors either. As for the so-called councilors of the Gargoyle, none of them had been present recently to issue orders or for anything pertaining to the maintenance of the organization. Neglectful treatment, apathy and lack of direction were not invisible to him and the rest of his unit. For what concerned him and the rest of the Ravenwatch, since the demise of the priestess, nothing mattered anymore. Still, payment was good and all they had to do was be a guard of an unused keep located in an island with a name that denoted and ominous past.

Standing near a brazier to ward himself against the cold for a moment, lieutenant Uland relaxed until reaching the next stop of his solitaire patrol. He remained there in silence until the sound of heavy footsteps belonging to an armored man of his unit echoed through the walls and stone flooring of the keep. Lt, Kavam! Lt, Kavam! - The urgent young voice of a private shouted.

Uland turned and squinted after seeing the figure of his subordinate approaching. Now out of breath after a long sprint from the keep interiors, the private of the Ravenwatch concluded his desperate race after finding his superior. Lt, Kavam, sir! Commander Kotna Ravenheart requests your presence in the summoning chambers. - The private explained.

What happened, private? - Uland asked.

Nobody knows, sir! Something about wards weakening and failsafes fading. Yvonne Stormcrest cannot stop it! - The private replied.

Taking in the words slowly and pondering about their meaning, the usually solemn expression of lieutenant Uland began to deteriorate, slowly becoming one of contained terror upon realizing what all of this could indicate. Left livid and now with cold sweat running through the back of his head, Uland spoke with whatever calm he could muster.

Sound the alarms, lad. Wake everyone up and no word of this to them Purples, not yet!

- To be continued...

//OOC: These will be posts meant to explain what happened and that maybe will hint what becomes of Ash Island next.