Rumors of the Southern Sword Coast

[JustAnotherGirl]

Ashling stepped into the restored grove. Nearly immediately, she felt something off. The grove seemed unsettled. She could be seen kneeling, hands in the earth, praying quietly. She held the position until it started feeling more settled, which happened to be when Emmanuel stumbled into the grove. She rushed to his side and held him as he told her of Triel. Her amber eyes nearly glowed with anger.

[JustAnotherGirl]

Early in the morning of the 19th of Ches, the aroma of roasting meat began to fill the air aound the small grove on the Lion's Way. Early arrivals would find Ashling turning the spits of venison and boar every once in a while and making sure baskets of all manner of fruits (even strawberries that somehow were kept from a certain druid), cheeses, and bread. Bottles of fresh spring water, dark ale, and druid's whiskey were placed carefully in the shade to be kept cool. It was a feast fit for this holy day. Banners of the Green Traid were placed inside the circle of statues. She stood when all was ready, looked to Emmanuel, and smiled.

Guests began trickling in, some of the Enclave, some initiates, and many, many more who were simply friends and allies. The High Ranger did her best to greet each newcomer with at least a smile and a wave as Emmanuel kept order over the proceedings. She tried to get around to speak to everyone personally, but there were just too many.

The Archdruid opened the fest giving everyone who wanted the chance to leave a gift in the very center of the grove. All sorts of gifts were left. Fruit, honey, wine, a bear pelt, and a small carved figurine of Sune were among the gifts left by the attendees.

A prayer was given for a fallen friend.

Once there were several gathered and it seemed everyone who wanted to leave a gift had, the Archdruid's voice lifted and carried across the small grove.

"Today is a joyous day! The first of spring. We hope you all enjoy yourselves on this day. It is a time of fun and feasting, celebrating the sensual side of spring! Eat, drink, and be merry! We will have music after a while, as well as some poetry and such."

People began mingling and visiting as others continues to arrive. Soon, the music began and several joined in dancing and merriment. Many songs were played by the Archdruid, Rose Winterhal, Oona, and even Ashling.

As Oona started playing there was a disturbance in the grove, but not an unwelcome one. Many were surprised to see a large tree like creature with antlers rise from the ground. Some called him The Traveller. The creature's limbs twitched with the music before it suddenly sprung out in a leaping motion across the grove, twirling in dance. Several onlookers blinked in surprised. As he moved back to his original spot near the food and drink in the grove, the leafdome overhead spiraled toward the center of the dome, much to the delight of everyone gathered. As they continued to watch, it was as if some maelstrom formed from a playful plain beyond. Loosened leaves formed into a gathered force to explode skywards into a shower of golden leaves which spread wide over the region.

After much more music, merriment, food, and dancing, the gathering began to disperse until there were just as few people in the grove as when the feast began. Emmanuel and Ashling gathered up the remaining food, the drinks, the banners, and smiled as they left the grove to pursue more private celebrations that honored Mielikki and the coming of spring and renewal.

[Mork]

Sometimes alone, but often in female company, an armored man bearing the standard of the Red Knight stands by the bridge leading out of the Balduran lands toward the Friendly Arm Inn.

A penitent of the Trade Way, he offers aid to those passing by - whether as an escort or by taking on tasks that require him to travel elsewhere temporarily. He either waits or approaches with an offer of his own. Never intrusive, always polite, always patient. He occasionally refuses those who openly bear the symbols of evil faiths, but is otherwise eager to help.

The knight will at times patrol the road between Baldur's Gate and the Friendly Arm Inn, ensuring the waymarks are well kept and that no bandits lie in ambush for the unprepared.

[Sundown]

A calm day at the Grove near the Lions Way...


A day, like most days at the season of spring. The grove was calm and peacefull. A place to dwell.
Kissed by the warming rays of the spring sun, the leaves of the bushes and the blades of grass stretch upwards towards the sky. Like the plants would cheering the warmth and have completely forgotten about winter. A gentle breeze carries the sound of birds, joyfull and energetic.

Outside of the stone structures in the middle, nutshells were fallen in a messy way on the ground. At the end of the track a squirrel was sitting on a piece of bark in a corner of the grove, toying with not yet eaten nuts. Sometimes the play seems to lead a decision, which one it will nibble as next. And so probaly producing the next empty nutshell.


Later at the day...the squirrel will be no longer spotted, and also the nutshells had vanished, like it had never been there
No scent was left. No trace to follow. Like a faded dream on a calm day.

[Cattko]

In the recent days travellers of the Trade Way on their route south to Beregost could spot a single woman near shrine of Supreme Ranger. With company of teen wolf, whose fur was as silvery as her hair covered with hooded mantle. Older gray one was standing guard nearby as she was sitting before the statue in prayer.

Those with keen senses and wits to get closer would spot her being shaken in stress and broken voice whispering into the air: Why?