Rumors of the Southern Sword Coast

[Eliasz_Kowalski]

A tireless dance of a forest dweller

Following the burning down of the druid circle south of the Friendly Arm Inn, a curious stranger can be seen by travellers passing by the desecrated grove. Dressed in furs and shabby clothes patched here and there and wearing a headpiece fashioned out of an elk’s pelt, the man pays little attention to the world around him. Instead, he dances in the middle of the burnt grounds, tirelessly, for hours and, apparently, hardly able to stop.

A merry tune can be heard sung by this odd fellow, those familiar with the Sylvan tongue would recognise the words — them being albeit a bit silly, but sincere hymn of renewal and growth. Strangely enough, the dance and the song of this forest dweller are accompanied by a melody, seemingly, coming out of thin air. Flute and lute sounds can be heard, yet no instruments are in sight and no one is there to play them. What’s even more peculiar, those weak of will find themselves enticed to join the dancing when they hear the jolly melody performed by an invisible host.

From the accounts of eyewitnesses travelling down the Lion's Way

[artemitavik]

After two years of general non-hostility between the Bladestone Foundation and the Gnolls not terribly far away on the way of the Lion, something seems to have possibly snapped.

A pair of unarmed villagers, a middle aged man and his son, were chased down by a group of gnolls and killed only a few yards from the Bladestone Foundation's gate on the road itself. The father was beaten to death savagely and the son struck down by magic before the guards at the gate could respond.

After an unsuccessful attempt by the elf Aska to bring the boy back, the bodies were taken into the Foundation infirmary to be identified so that the family could be notified, and for burial. The priestess called Luna was unable to successfully Speak to Dead to help identify them.

Shortly after this, like a breaking storm, Headmaster Derik Ranloss, Deputy Headmistress Lylan'Synor, accompanied by a mage Cadnos, were seen entering the gnoll camp and cave system with a singular intention in their eyes.

Only those three know the scale of the battle that was brought to the gnoll camp as they exited again, but it was likely not pleasant for the raiding tribe.

It was reported that they also rescued any prisoners the gnolls might have had in their bowers ((DM pending)) while also being noted by one of the guards via rumor that Derik had let one of the underchiefs live with this message:

"Two years. We have not bothered each other for two years, then you kill travelers ON MY DOORSTEP. Stay away from the roads. Stay away from the buildings and structures. Stay away from the villages and the farms. Stay away from the people and their livestock and fields. You are warned."

((Thank you to DM Mimic for all the events that led up to this player event. Thank you everyone who participated. If I missed you, mispelled your name, or something, let me know so I can update it))

[selhan]

*A man may be seen advising travelers to be careful when visiting Candlekeep
He warns of how there was an undead being within the public section of the Keep, often even giving people a physical discription.*



"I tellin ya! Theres a bloody Undead woman living in the Keep! It was damn near close enough to kiss me!"

"Readin books like a normal person it was doin I tell ya!!"

[ree]

-= Terror in the Tradeway =-

Rumor has it that a little Hin fled in fear for her life to Candlekeep after a disturbing set of events. She was returning from an adventure with her friend Fymrinn where the two were stopped along the path South of Beregost by an unusual elf in commoners clothes. While not apparent to the duo at the time, this 'ordinary' elf was far from it...

The pair agreed to escort "Ilduril" to the Friendly Arms Inn but were split likely due to the mind games he was playing on them. Alone and now isolated, its said the elf cornered Ree and covered the land in darkness before splitting into a horde of evil creatures looking to shred her to pieces. Sensing the impending danger and using her hinstints, the little Hin had already calculated her escape route and narrowly fleed in a horrifying game of cat and mouse.

Exhausted and terrified from the encounter, she arrived at the Candlekeep gates after being chased down the Tradeway. Its said that she all but collapsed into the Guardian Hinzels Arms where she frantically recounted the danger to the group. Retreating to the inside of the Candlekeep walls, its said Hinzel and a team of adventures wandered off to dispatch the creatures.

Hidden: show

Ree Tosscobble: Ilduril... what are you really after . . . looks at him totally unconvinced Here you are in the middle of the roads and despite the ambushes not a scratch on yah. no weapons. no armor. just plain clothes.. your so plain its almost a joke.
Ilduril: "After? Miss, there's nothing wrong with living a minimalist lifestyle."
Ree Tosscobble: Commoners dont -act- like that when monsters come running to gutt them, unspecially unarmed ones.
Ilduril: "No. I suppose they don't."
Ilduril: The elven man's face became difficult to focus upon. Blurry, almost.
Ree Tosscobble: positions herself instinctively in the shadow of the trees
DM Verjigorm: The elven man's eyes flash a deep yellow before he fades into a dark mist that spreads over the area.
Ree Tosscobble: watches the darkness around her unwavered by its presence
DM Verjigorm: From the mist emerges a multitude of faceless beings, all lunging out towards Ree.
Ree Tosscobble: Disapears into the shadows vanishing into the darkness and quietly trys to sneak away
DM Verjigorm: Ree can hear faint scraping against the tree above her.
Ree Tosscobble: ever so slowly she looks up, then returns her attention to a shadow in the distance, looking for her next avenue of escape
DM Verjigorm: She can make out the faint shapes of multiple humanoid figures perched along the trees.
Ree Tosscobble: gotta escape she thinks to herself while carefully keeping her back against the tree being as still as possible, identifying her next shadow to move too
Greater Doppelganger: It lets out a low gurgle as it slips into the shadows.
Ree Tosscobble: She slows her breath down, taking a moment to calm herself, and then jumps towards the next
shadow
((... and this game of cat and mouse continues on till Candlekeep))

((Thank you DM Verjigorm for the terrifying experience!))

[artemitavik]

Hope's Landing saw a fair bit of activity today. Several ships from the Anti-pirate patrols made landfall as it were and were seen negotiating with the local farmers and traders for services, goods, and supplies. It was noted that the Admiral was amicable for other follow up trades either regularly or on occasion if any of the ships came past the area again on their patrols and voyages. He would leave that up to the quartermasters of the individual ships and the time of need though.

Derik Ranloss and Durlog Orcslicer of the Bladestone Foundation were seen conversing with a Chauntean priest and purchased a large quantity of high grade, blessed fertilizer. The pair then shoveled it into sacks, loaded it onto a cart, and took it up to the Lighthouse for storage in the underground facility the Foundation has there.

OOC: Thank you DM Spartacus!

screencast

[xEmeraldx]

A thick, dark fog blanketed the forest.
A labored, wheezing breath. The creature looked about in agitation.
A sharp hiss. It continues it's search further into the forest.
Even the most base of examinations would make it clear that the body lacked a face. It had been carved off by either blade or sharp claw.
The wanderer lets out an inhuman screech, ringing out over the forest.

"Survivors. Hidden. Call in the others!"
The path further into the woods seemed the clearest, as the dopplegangers were perhaps trying to cut off the exit out of the forest rather than inwards.
A Quasit had come flying through the forest to join into the scouting of the forest's perimeter, ascending far above to weave invisibility onto themselves.
The fog seemed to dissipate the farther away from the eastern outskirts of the forest that they went.
"CALL. SHE CALLS. SHE CALLS!"

*Some adventurers that might had traveled through the Cloakwoods, would had came upon many areas with patches of fresh blood. Whatever corpse that wasn't violently dragged away would had appeared mangled with their faces clawed off, leaving a gruesome image. Druids would likely come across the disturbance within their domains during their frequent patrols, however other then the many patches of blood and few faceless corpse, there would be nothing else left to see or be found. Few people would know in detail what had really disturbed the Cloakwoods. But whom they are wouldn't be easy to find, nor likely would they easily speak about such a thing. Unless the right person was asked if that was even realistically possible...*

DM Verjigorm

[Riddance]

During the past few days a particular group could be spotted patrolling the forest. Red-haired woman with shield, hodded half-elf, archer in green clothes and wolf were searching through the woods for something. At one day they were doing it together while at other they would be seen separatly and at different time of day of night.

However, it wasn't clear at all, what - or who - they were looking for. As well as not clear whether they did find tracks of what they were searching

[JustAnotherGuy]

On the eve of 26 Kythorn 1360, a sight was seen on the grounds of the Friendly Arms Inn. A thieving kobold was being lectured by a large, green-haired druid on how to properly harvest strawberries so the kobold wouldn't have to steal. A few thrown rocks and peace offerings later, and the kobold was intoxicated and professing his love to a woman. Eventually, the kobold passed out, and was taken into the Cloakwoods by the green haired feykin. The kobold was hidden to sleep off the alcohol, with an announcement made to the forest that the kobold was off-limits for the night.

((DM Goat))

[artemitavik]

A recent patrol of Bladestone Foundation members returned after a bloody confrontation with bandits wandering near The Way of the Lion.

A large group of bandits ambushed the patrol, the leader of the band demanding to know if the Bladestone patrol were harboring any tieflings. This particular patrol did not, and so the bandits demanded a significant toll. Not tolerating the villainy of highway robbery or the presence of tiefling-hunters, the Bladestone patrol attacked the bandits.

The bandits' fighting was ruthless, and they appeared to have the upper hand with their ambush and a combination of bruisers, cutthroats, archers, and two mages. Against the flurry of daggers, arrows, and fiery magic, the Bladestone patrol put their excellent training to use and fought with strategy and tenacity. However, one member of the patrol, a human man, Jerric Mikals, was instantly felled by a half-orc bandit's greataxe, and many of the patrol were severely injured. But the larger number than usual on patrol resulted in victory against the bandits, with only a single mage and two brigand archers fleeing via Dimension Door in cowardice once the tide of battle turned.

With the death of one patrol member, and other injuries, the Bladestone patrol immediately returned to Warrior's Rest to properly tend to the wounded. The hideout of this particular group of bandits remains unknown, although The Trade Way is likely safer with a few less tiefling-hunting bandits.

The healers of the Foundation have their hands full for the next few days, tending to wounds both magically and mundanely. The guard, Jerric Mikals, was too far gone for the Stabilize spell, and is being magically kept from decomposing for the time being depending on if a Raise Dead spell is used.

After receiving the reports, it was rumored the Headmaster was at first angry enough he threw a mug across the Arena space, causing it to shatter, but suddenly began moving and speaking in a controlled calm manner before disappearing to the office.

OOC: Off-screen event posted with DM Limerence's permission.

[Titania_1]

A woman with silvery-blonde hair, donned in red and gold armor was seen walking and talking with a few adventurers as they made their way to the Friendly Arms Inn. The group looked rain-soaked and a bit disheveled, but otherwise in good spirits. There was talk of a portal, undead, and a giant, acid-breathing black dragon. Arriving at the bridge, the tired priestess made a beeline for the inn, something mentioned about a warm bath calling her name.

[kenichiyagyu]

A Whisper on the Wind

---

*A shadow moves through The Wood of Sharp Teeth, a melody of death carried in its wake...*

Across the Wood of Sharp Teeth, tales begin to circulate among hunters and wandering traders. They speak of a young elven woman, clad in dark, form-fitting attire, moving with predatory grace. Her presence is heralded by the remnants of her deadly craft: bodies left strewn across the forest floor — orcs, wolves, and even werewolves, all maimed and dismembered with ruthless precision.

Evidence of destructive magics scorches the earth, painting the landscape with wild, untamed power. Burn marks in the shape of jagged arcs, pools of acid that corrode even the thickest of bark, and a lingering aura that prickles the skin mark her passing.

Some whisper she is a blade of vengeance, seeking retribution against forces unknown. Others murmur of an arcane predator, honing her craft in preparation for something far more sinister. The bravest — or perhaps the foolish — have started to search for her trail. Few return.

"Stay clear of the woods. That elf... she's no mere traveler." - An unnamed trader, trembling after recounting his tale

---

*Rumors spread as fast as fear. Perhaps some will seek her out... but will they find her, or their end?*

[artemitavik]

With the Grove near the Way of the Lion having been cleansed and healed, despite a bit of drama from a Talossian trying to seize the moment to disrupt and destroy the ritual, the scar that has been in the ground apparently has begun to heal.

With permission given by Emmanuel and Sane after the ritual has been dispersed everyone's gone their way, members of the Bladestone Foundation arrive shortly afterwards with several pallets worth of natural-only, Chauntea blessed topsoil and fertilizer that has been in storage for just this occasion. Derik can be seen himself both supervising as well as shoveling and spreading under the direction of the Druids to make sure the material is spread and placed as it is needed and will be most useful.

OOC:
Thank you DM Mimic for the event!

[predrag]

The old druid , Sane Fensen , has been seen around the Lion's way and the new grove , tending to plants and animals , plucking some weeds , planting others .

[Sundown]

Naer'eanque had been resting and recovering for the last few days.
Yesterday Aerakiir had helped her with the remaining effects of the lightning, the symptoms had become significantly weaker.
(but not fully gone)

Now she was ready for physical work again.

In the following days, she joined Sane at the renewed grove and tried to contribute.
Even if he was not her mentor, he was still a more experienced druid than she was.
And so she followed his example attentive.
Young plants needed to be cared for, as did the animals that might already have found their way to the newly regenerated place.

To see as nature reclaimed a previously destroyed place, was certainly an educational experience for the young druidess.
A teaching of nature she doesn't want to miss.

[Valleriani]

It was whispered amongst the shadows, and now it echoes in the air. Zerros Ozmir spoke of it - of the coming tide, the rise of the Zhentarim and the Vale, his family.

"The time of complacency is over. My people, those loyal to me, will be rewarded. Protected. Cared for. A king is not a king without those who follow him. But those who oppose us? They will die. It's not Amn, or nature, or the weak that are my enemies. No. The true enemy is one who continues to betray us. The true enemy continues to belittle us, and now they are weakened. They will understand fear. They will understand the name Zhentarim, and what it really is."

"But listen carefully. If you do not stand in our way, if you stay out of the conflict, you have nothing to fear from me. Your lands, safe. I will not tread upon them if you do not provoke me. But -- if you decide to interfere, if you become an obstacle, prepare for the consequences."

"The Age of Terror is coming. And if you are in my way, you will learn what fear really is."

The fires were coming. It was only a matter of time.