1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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DM Theophanies
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1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Ebondross Citadel

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Rumors begin to spread from somewhere north of Trollclaws. The rare travelers and scouts that dare to face the dangers of the region, speak of a new structure in the area. Black as ebony, it is said to built through combined effort of many shackled trolls, that were forced into service by their unseen masters. Slimes are seen around it, along of all with all manner of refuse. The stench surrounding the structure can be felt from significant distance away, but... those who dare to investigate the structure closer... simply do not return.

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//Supporting DMs: Dragonclaw, Doom, Chant, and Theophanies
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Black Tar Ooze Marsh

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In the southern reaches of the High Moor, odd fiendish marshes have been creeping up throughout the vast moorland. Fiendish mosquitoes infest the area where the ground shakes and black tar ooze is expelled. Curious adventurers whom stumbled upon them and slew the oozes, fiendish mosquitoes, and other denizens nearby. Even with their work, the spread of the fiendish swamp continues to creep into the High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge areas.


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((map for clarification, red dot marks the rumored location of the Ebon Citadel))
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DM Chant
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Aizaroiin

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Bloody tears fell down the Erinyes' cheeks as though from open wounds, streaking from eyes that glowed red. They spoiled her perfect face.

"All I want is to serve you," she sobbed. Hands with black fingernails wrung together in despair, and pouting lips blubbered, quivering. "...to serve you...p-perfectly!"

The crying tripped up her speech, but it seemed that it was a natural part of her. Like she was all too prone to anguish. It was palpable, and it clothed her just as much as the pale robes she wore, tied with a rope that wound around her waist like a living snake.

The aura of grief surrounding her made her stoop in a cringe. HIS presence made this response in her posture even more articulated.


"Then do it, Aizaroiin." He wheezed. The words were lazy, yet terrifying in their authority. His tongue flicked out to one side, having found a particle of leftover food at the corner of his mouth. The Lord of Maladomini's bloated bulk wobbled on his throne as he looked down on the Erinyes before him. The threat within the look was clear.

"Do it better this time."

Her feathered wings shrank up against her back. His command, like the snap of a greensteel lash, was the last thing she heard of her master's realm. Tears splashed down afresh as the stench of Maladomini lessened in intensity and the walls of Ebondross Citadel shot up around herself. A film of filth coated her wings. It was all that remained with her of the Slug Lord's domain for the moment, but she wore it like a precious gift and lifted her dripping face to the work ahead.

Spatters of blood followed as she walked into the realm of men.


— Let chaos be undone —
Canticle of Victoria 1:3
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Persistent Ooze

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The invasion of fiendish oozes continues to slowly penetrate into the High Moor, turning the natural boggy swamp into a hellish one. Adventuers fight back the fiendish denizens but the problem persists.


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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Whispers

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A new face begins to crop up in the north, a cherubic priestess speaking kindness and warning to adventurers who journey near Soubar. A holy woman, perhaps; a friendly minister whose whispers are discreet but laden with concern to those she speaks with. Soon enough the denizens that have begun to return to the lawless settlement of Soubar buzz with rumor and turn their eyes with suspicion toward the Winding Way Inn...

— Let chaos be undone —
Canticle of Victoria 1:3
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Ebondross Expansion

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A large contingency of various allies led by the Helmite Valen, journey into the High Moor to investigate the fiendish incursion. Given the dramatic and persistant incursion those from Ebondross Citadel, the group easily finds what they seeks.

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Thanks to scouting from the ranger Vendor 'Xon, the group are able to follow a trail leading eastward in the Moors to a particularly curious site. Lizardfolk are bound and chains, slaving away at the direction of fiends to build foundations of what would become a forward outpost from Ebondross Citadel. Thanks to a coordinated attack, the fiends are cut down and the lizardfolk rescued from their bondage. The lizardfolk, led by Chieftain Saltanazan, retreat into the High Moor to their ancestral hatching-grounds to recover and prepare for war. Perhaps a new ally has been gained.

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Investigation at the site shows a new, modified slime is discovered being used to protect and strengthen the foundations. While not weaponized and monetized, such as those peddled by the cultist Gideon, it is the first modified slime to be found since the Slug Lord's agents relay station was destroyed. The architect of the weaponized slime, a cultist and alchemist named Addison, was thought to have been killed in the mayhem.
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Ebondross Incursion

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Rumors continue to swirl out of the High Moor, as a large force of shackled trolls and lesser devils continue to push their way north-easterly deeper in the High Moor. While initial efforts by the Shadowy Cloak Knights to divide the army were successful, further success has not been found. Guerrilla efforts to slow down their movement have been successful, but still the army pushes forward at a lumbering pace.

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Lizardfolk continue to leave the area ahead of the army. Rumors do circulate of the successful capture and shackling of a few tribes who refused to leave. The majority of the lizardfolk do abandon their homes, moving deeper into the High Moor.

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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Aaron Lyonaler, Tactician of the Red Knight, can be seen by any foot traffic still going about the area of the Boareskyr Bridge and The High Moor to be patrolling near to the Bridge Fort. The young Knight of the Radiant Heart is very observant as he patrols, a book with maps and notes in one hand and charcoal in the other. Distances are measured from the Moor to the bridge, the width and length of the bridge, amount of cover in the area, the road diameters coming out of the Moors and from down the Tradeway. After several days of marking, tallying, and noting in his book, he would make a visit to the Northern Watch Camp near the Bridge Fort, leaving two copies of his written work and advice for placements, for two different strategies, before returning to the Baldur's Gate.
Aaron Lyonaler - Favored Soul of The Red Knight, Grand Knight of the Radiant Heart, Advisor to Duke Eltan, Order of Lions Member
Bio, Journal

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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Those who find their livelihood or their preference of locale in lawless Soubar seem more shifty and on-edge than usual of late. A tale that has been often retold of a certain innkeeper single-handedly standing up to a fiendish attack some months ago begins to change. Where it used to be bragged about with a sense of local pride and slack-jawed wonder around a raucous campfire where ale spilled freely, it morphs now into a story relayed in quiet. Mistrust and doubt begin to have its way with the tale, and only one question appears to come of it now: "where did Mag get those powers from?"

— Let chaos be undone —
Canticle of Victoria 1:3
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DM Chant
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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A man in an eyepatch muttered to himself, arms crossed, shooting one-eyed glances furtively toward the tavern that he found his steps had moved him to stand before. He spat, walking off in the other direction until he came upon a halfling woman's tent, where he spat again, clearly on edge, and struck up a quiet dialogue.

The woman eyed the Winding Way with deep mistrust at the topic of conversation brought up, and a snip of their chat might have been heard about the immediate area as she addressed it.


"Fine, eh? Ye're right an' we all know it. But sayin' it aloud?" Biscuits shook her head harshly, going on. "D'ye want to invite the same destruction on all of us?"

Bitterpill scoffed, until the halfling woman's little hand yanked on his ratty shirt, bringing him down to her level. She whispered with an intensity that could be utterly felt, though her words were no longer heard to anyone but the man she addressed.

He scowled at the Biscuits, prickly in response to the quiet thing said by her.


"Have it yer way!" He broke free of her hold on his garment, speaking up again. "But I dinna trust that Mag any further than I could throw a bleedin' Worg! And you shouldn't either - ye heard that blonde wimmen sayin' so."

He shuffled away, flinging one hand out to the side in frustration as he did, giving the tavern a wide berth.

— Let chaos be undone —
Canticle of Victoria 1:3
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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More often as of late, the High Moor has been experiencing very deep, short-lasting tremors. The cause is unknown but they are notably different than before, when fiendish slimes were expelled from the ground.
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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Battle at Boareskyr Bridge and High Moor Expeditionary Forces

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Rumors circulate from the northern reaches of the Sword Coast regarding a battle that occurred at Boareskyr Bridge about a tenday ago. A united group of adventurers stood opposite an auxillary force from Ebondross Citadel and the High Moor incursion army.

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The battle came in waves, but the tactical strategy of several indiviudals, notably Wai Li, Thedran the Rock, Aaron Lyonaler, and Maximilian Blackthorne kept the defenders orderly and from descending into chaos.

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Meanwhile, in the last few days, bands of adventurers, including a large contingent from the Bladestone Foundation, were rumored to have traversed the High Moor at the direction of the Shadowy Cloak Knights and sanctioned by Grand Duke Belt.
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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///My apologies I've been traveling over the last month, so this plot was put on the back burner. So, I'd like to push forward, and we'll have the final climax event next weekend on Saturday, March 2, 2019, starting at 15:00 GMT. I have a few outstanding PMs I'll respond to prior to the event to finalize matters.
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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A letter is delivered to the Flaming Fist compound for Duke Eltan sealed by red wax with the emblem of a flaming sword.

My Lord Duke,

I am writing to report to you the state of affairs after the battle of the Lizardfolk Hatching Grounds earlier this day.

As you are aware, Flaming Fist mages opened a portal in the Northern Farmlands to the High Moors to deliver a large group of adventurers to assist in the final defense of the High Moor Lizardfolk Hatching Grounds. We found gnomes from the Shadowy Cloak already there along with the provided siege engines for the defense, and barricades set up. There were also several groups of Lizardfolk armed and ready for battle. When we arrived we were given a tour of the immediate area and informed that the shaman were working on summoning the Guardian for the Hatching Grounds.

We broke into two main teams, one at each choke point that had been established, as well as some skirmishers to make sure the siege engines were defended while on the ridge. Several waves of light and heavy infantry were defeated by both teams while the Lizardfolk dealt with the skirmishes on the edges of the battle. Wounded were tended to behind the lines as the established triage point.

Part of the way through the battle the enemy General was seen flying over the lines to scout out our numbers and positions. However, immediately following that the ritual to summon the Guardian was completed as well as a gnome-constructed golem teleported in. This caused a great deal of confusion within the ranks of the Dragonspear forces. However, we were not able to lend enough support in time due to some miscalculations and both the Guardian was slain as well as the golem destroyed. However, the Dragonspear forces were broken and scattered. Lizardfolk hunters set off to engage stragglers and end the threat more thoroughly.

While the Lizardfolk were truly grateful for the help and survive because of it, due to the loss of their Guardian I find it unlikely they will be able to commit much if anything in the way of troops to any campaign against the rest of the Dragonspear forces. Their numbers are heavily diminished and without the Guardian they must remain alert and united for the time being or suffer the same fate again should Dragonspear commit another attack force of equivalent size. However, we were successful in the goal of keeping Dragonspear forces from subjugating the Lizardfolk tribes, thus keeping their numbers from growing due to yet another large group of thralls or souls to feed to their devil armies. It also had the benefit of removing a large force from the field, including a higher level commander, and stunting if not crippling Dragonspear activities in the north.

I have spoken with Arch-druid Sane Fensen who has agreed to speak to the Elder Circle in assisting the Lizardfolk Shaman in locating another Guardian. As the Guardian was not a spirit in the traditional sense, it may also be able to be resurrected via high-level divine magics. However, that option was not able to be explored at the time. If a new guardian is found or the current guardian able to be restored, it may be that the Lizardfolk could be approached to assist with the conflict more actively. Ranger Qist has agreed to contact me if there is any further need.

Strength in Battle,
Derik Ranloss- Bladestone Foundation
Derik "Crimson Bulwark" Ranloss: Thugging for GREAT JUSTICE!!! (yes, I know he doesn't wear red)
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Re: 1354DR - The High Moor and Boareskyr Bridge

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A man known only as the Copper Fox, longtime benefactor and self apponted voice of the common folk can be seen throughout the farmlands and refugee camp. His banter is lighthearted as he regales with tales of heroism and bravery as a company of heroes met the northern horde and drove them back. He reassures them repeatedly that he will continue to fight for their voices to be heard and their safety to be maintained. He brings with him small gifts of food and wine, and articles of clothing to share throughout.

When finished, he can be seen moving throughout the city, particularly amongst the poor and homeless, sharing tales and food. He makes it a point to ask after a specific young urchin with a peculiar cat named “Elminster” inquiring as to his well being. He is ends his journey at the temple of Ilmater, sitting amongst the commoners there for the soup kitchen, all the time spreading the good news of the battle won.
*Yellow text means the marshall is in town*

Characters:
The Copper Fox - Scoundrel and Sailor, in that order.
Ol' Ran'll Cobb
Kellan Armstrong - Deacon of Lathander
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