Winding Water Fort — Frontline RP Thread

[Snarfy]

The same cloaked and hooded elf who might have previously been seen "experimenting" past the barricades the night before, lurched magically into sight within the fort near the waters edge, only hours after the most recent incursion by the devil-led forces.

He lingered within the walls a while, silent and somewhat detached, as the defenders spoke of the days ordeal. A conversation which quickly meandered off into rumor, interspersed with jovial repartee. It wouldn't be long until, after several polite attempts at engagement or inclusion towards him, the elf wandered wordlessly off towards the barricades again. The forest was dark, much like the night before, although the ground was that more trampled, the blood stains on the ground that much darker, and the barricades that much more ramshackle.

The din of argument rose and fell as he approached, a heated debate that seemed to be waged between a burly human wearing a cloak bearing holy insignia and four other individuals of varying armament, gender, and disposition. The elf leaned sideways on the barricade a long while, seemingly listening to the verbal jousting while staring off to the north, as the various other defenders of the barricade lingered. Some went north to scout briefly, only to return to heated discussion.

The seemingly brooding elf even wandered out north, on his own, only to return a short while later, quite unscathed, while blandly stating,"... how boring."

Long moments of idle banter would pass between the defenders of the barricade... but not for the elf, whose eyes seemed to be fixed on something or other. The black-cloaked elf would trade whispered words with the burly human then, both of them staring transfixed to the same spot: the silhouette of a large tree, albeit one of the quite mobile variety, pummeling something in the distance. The elf would remain a fixture there, until a name was spoken by the others at least: Wisp.

The elfs lips would purse under his hood at first, and then he would gain slightly in mischievous demeanor. Thirty heartbeats later the elf would murmur something sidelong to the human, then arc outward around the trenches, and slip off into the forest.

What transpired out in the woods is anyone's guess, but those still present at the barricades when the black-cloaked elf returned would likely see him return in a fashion they clearly had not anticipated: dour-faced and cradled neatly in the arms of a huge treant as it lumbered, accompanied by a smirking white haired elf woman no less, to carry the sullen male elf back to the tattered wooden blockade and set him gently down. The hooded elf nodded begrudgingly to the tree, and spoke something in woodland words before resuming his bored stance at the barricade. The walking tree, after a communicative shake of it's branches, shambled off to the south, while the white haired elf woman vanished north into the forest(tittering endlessly, no doubt).

A short while later, the hooded elf(after much muttering) and the two other remaining defenders went their separate ways.

[Wade]

Frontline guardians and volunteers work hard on repairing the defenses after the recent arson. Once filled with holy water, the moats are now snarling with deadly spikes. Later on, several Doron Amar citizens were seen on the frontline. They declared their intent to build an outpost, but refused to name the organisation they were acting on behalf of.



Another massive attack followed soon with weapon-immune enhanced trolls causing havoc and chaos on their way. Frontline defenders did their best to hold the monsters for as long as they could until the reinforcements have arrived and pushed the beasts back.



The next few days were rather quiet, but still troublesome. Zhentarim and Ebon Blades peresence has increased, it's rumored that notorious criminal called Morgan Blackrose was spotted sneaking around the fort, but was quick to flee once exposed. There was a tense confrontation between a certain Radiant Heart member and Ebon Blades soliders, including their Captain, but it ended with no blood, and so the watch continued.



Devils are waiting. Are they recovering their losses, or is it merely a calm before a devastating storm?

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Rumors begin to float of two mercenaries of the Ebon Blade Company coming to blows on the frontline.

What sparked the fight was unknown as was who the victor turned out to be, both of dark armor, one was said to be a hunter, the other a priest.

[mixafix]

Suton Dykes of the King's Tear Emporium, emerged from the front line with the dawn and made his way to the Fort.

He made corn pasties available during the day later explaining to customers about a rumour of a fight circulating. He explains it thus "Yes two adventurers, I mean supposed to be on the same side of course were going hard it at trying to bring each other down. I mean what happens at the winding stays at the Winding, but you can see where this is going why if we were not here raising morale and keeping back the Devil, look I get it, you cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs but seriously, say perhaps it is safer eating these corn pancakes?"

Some morale rousing food sold and with a stoic look he waves and returns to his post on the front line.

[Rain]

Whispers and gossip soon breaks out in the northern regions of a small hin traveling around the area accompanied by a small battalion of undead soldiers behind her step. The necromancer in question was soon sighted at the front-lines of of the winding waters approaching the area with her undead in question. A small skirmish seems to have broken out at the front lines and blood was shed. The necromancer spoken to have successful pushed her way into the central of the winding waters afterward.

The rumors themselves are a clear warning to any who would come across the hin necromancer in question.

[Wade]

A large crowd gathered tonight at Winding Water fort to meet general Scar and discuss business. By the end of it, following rumors are in the air:
— A necromancer recently causing troubles at the frontline was invited to talk to general Scar, but she didn't come. Later that day, several corpses were found in the river instead.
— Golden Wheel company recieved Scar's permission to initiate some construction work.
— Glimmerwood Wardens' Herald agreed for some compromise after Scar's request.
— Water in fort's well was purified by some druidic magic.



Soon after the meeting, portals razed open and an army of Hellsteel legionairs attacked the frontline, but they were defeated and the rifts were closed. The following enchanted trolls attack was much more deadly and devastating, being the second time enemies broke into the fort, but defenders managed to withstand it once more, suffering heavy injuries.



Still, the fort stands, and rumors circle around about an upcoming counter attack.

[MithralMelody]

In recent days, members of House Darius and their close allies have made their presence known and felt at the front lines.

[Rain]

A new post is soon enough pinned onto the bullet-on board of the Soubar. The culprit of the newly pinned parchment a small hin women with snow white hair dressed formally in black attire. A few crest and declarations may be able to be made out if viewed upon the upper right of the part of the black vest of the women.

The first a clear symbol of Ubtao hanging along a golden necklace upon her neck.

A Zentarium crest is pinned upon her black vest above an iron token of from sort that would be indistinguishable to those without much knowledge of chultan society.

The women turns and leaves the area traveling south after leaving the letter on the board.

"Purchasing corpses, no questions asked."

"Prices may vary from 5 bags, to 200 bags depending on the rarity, size, previous disposition, or bundle offered."

"If you have an offer, drop the body off nearby bridge at dusk."

"Don't waste my time with scandals, undead or questions."

At dusk, with shields bearing the crude lizard mark, two armored males lingered in the bridge's vicinity for a few minutes before leaving behind two humanoid corpses wrapped in stained linen. Using a rusty knife, they pinned a message to one of the bodies. They were seen heading to the High Moor next.

Leave the payment at the Winding Way.
The Frilled Lizards

Batibat nods her head a few times after gathering the information from the autopsy from the bodies before her. Afterwards her eyes soon lifting up to the message pinned onto the heads of the bodies with the knife. She attempts to pull the knife keeping the message pinned, to collect the note and examine it.

It took a bit of effort to pull the rusty knife out, and the handwriting of the author left a lot to be desired, but the woman had no issue deciphering the content.

After examining the note batibat soon pockets it. Then looking to the bodies attempting to pick them up and toss them onto her ebony donkey to then ride to her destination. The winding waters.

Batibat soon enough makes her way to the winding waters out-skirts after some time. Ontop her ebony donkey with two linen covered objects thrown over the top she gazes upon the area for a moment to survey if she was being watched or if anyone was around the out-skirts. In the process of her survey she dismounts her donkey and readies a hefty pouch of 5000g. She ties the pouch of gold closing it with some rope and hangs the pouch underneath the southern bridge by covering the end of the rope with some wax and sticking it on promptly.

She takes a parchment from her back pocket with a crude image depicted on the page, soon enough pinning the page to a nearby tree with the same knife that was used to pin the note she obtained from the bodies she collected before-hand.

She checks again to make sure the coast is clear before saddling up and beginning to ride off into the distance with her newly obtained fresh trade goods.

[Rain]

As batibat rides into the distance she stops short a moment then staring blankly in-front of her.

After a brief moment she takes out the small note in her pocket and reads the message once more. . .

Leave the payment at the Winding Way.
The Frilled Lizards

A quick glance from the from the paper to the immediate area is soon followed by an even quicker face palm, before riding back over to the bridge and collecting the pouch of gold then riding back into the direction of Soubar.

[mixafix]

Suton Dykes of King's Tear Emporium tours the somewhat depleted battle line with a collection of empty bags. He explains to any who listen he has been supplying replacement goods and foods to his fellow fighters after a recent lemure onslaught, one of many. The lines are quiet, one or two Flaming Fist offer little reassurance in his opinion it is the might of the volunteer adventurer that makes this place what it is. Death a constant companion here on the lines a regular supply of spell and bandage vital he offers. He takes his place in the line a while ready for the shadows that scurry on their way to Soubar or wherever. When his time is done he gathers up his burdening sacks and returns to the City promising a return.

[Stanley The Male]

Subdued, yet intrinsically aware of an impending doom, the Sun Elf wizard Naryl has been seen on the frontlines. After engaging in a few skirmishes, and spending most of his waking hours behind the barricades, it's noticed that at some point, he had chopped his ponytail off. Prone to a support role, unless direct combat is provoked, Naryl spends much of his time offering minor wards for Fist equipment against rust, Mendings on the fort and Conjuring Food and Drink for tired men at arms. He seems at home, in the war theater.

[Rain]

Rumor has it that the hin formally known as "The Collector" was spotted with a large amount of undead around the outskirts of the Winding Waters near the roads leading to the central plaza once again. A few brave adventurers traveled out to waylay the necromancer causing a long fight to unfold. The necromancer was said to have disappeared into the distance towards the central after the scuffle.

[Snarfy]

As the rumors of any supposed necromancers and their undead cohorts lurking in the area become more frequent, an elderly looking man wearing a blue tunic and weathered hat(who had been frequenting the fort to offer healing where he could) can be seen speaking to the Flaming Fist officer briefly. The elderly man, usually of a warm and welcoming temperament, seemed rather concerned as he spoke to the officer, and with a hint of sternness(but not too stern) in his tone...

"Now, I know it ain't ol' Arnyle's place t'be saying so, but yer may wish t'be puttin' a guard or two closer t'them on the lines, aye? P'raps one closer t'the bridge even. I know yer got better things t'do than listen to the warnin's of an ol' feller like myself, but ain't no good can come o' any ne're-do-wells bringin' undead around when yer got so many on the front lines with they nerves so tightly taut, hmm?", the old man finished with a wizened smile toward the officer.

"Tell yer what, ol' Arnyle will go an' bless th'other side o' the bridge, and keep an eye out for any nasties crawlin' up t'yer backside, heehee!"

The elderly man would wait long enough for any type of response from the officer before moving off out of the fort with a stride full of purpose...

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Chaos on the Frontline!

Dark clad mercenaries pursued a local Zhentarim necromancer menace through the ruins north of the Fist's position when enemy forces marched upon both parties.

This was answered by defenders and volunteers - including several members of the Darius Company and Siren's Song crew entered the field to do their part.

Instead of forces converging on the necromancer hin and her minions, the defenders met the start of an assault on the war front, including a powerful fiendish magi.

When the dust settled and fiendish forces still roamed and milled about, four wounded figures were drug south, by a huntsman in dark black and blue, and a dusky skinned magi in white.

Taken back to the held position of the frontline, Darius Company and Siren's Song affiliated were brought back from their wounded state, and breathed life once again.

Preparations made, the volunteers and scouts headed back north to finish the job, before a new found sense of urgency pulled three of the mercenaries away in a flash of magic - the Boareskyr Bridge was aflame.

Hidden: show

(Thanks to Mara's player for the screenshot!)

[Snarfy]

... later in the evening, the same day of the attack on Boareskyr bridge, and after a delivery of explosive barrels to the Winding Water front by the Flaming Fist, the devils' forces seemed to have renewed their attack on the barricades. Rumor has it the position was, once again, defended successfully against hordes of trolls, as well as a swarm of imps and erinyes that had poured through a large portal which had opened up in the middle of the newly scorched forest.