Rumors of the Southern Sword Coast

[LivT]

The troubling rumours summoned another Druid to the Cloakwood; while the wolf pack and stray shadow druids patrol the woodlands, this one seems to be ‘stealing’ kills now and then from the Flaming Fist hunters as they pillage. Some report having seen the woman crouched over their quarry and removing bolts or arrows, others claim it is a doe itself. Whichever is seen, she always vanished with the injured animal in a flurry of leaves, leaving no further trace.

[RoseMiriel]

*Rose would make illusionary deer for hunters to shoot that would cry like human children when shot*

[DM Gixustrat]

Leaf the Disciple of Ki has slain both a Werewolf and a Vampire in Northwestern Cloakwood with his bare hands. Evidence was brought to the proprietor of the FAI. A reward was offered but none was taken according to witnesses and patrons of the inn.

[DM All Father]

The full weight of First Company arrives at the forest, led by Lieutenant Nails personally. The soldiers loiter on the edge of the forest only briefly before moving further into the wood and away from the road.

[Ashenie]

Small conflicts between Flaming Fist soldiers and Gnolls start to spill out of The Cloakwood over the coming days. With the bodies of the gnolls found left in open after each encounter thus far.

Quiet endeavors of a hooded Sister of Ilmater attempts to honor the dead with care, herbs and prayers. Chants ans lullabies are sung in an old language. Some of the corpses are tended, cleaned. Faces marked by red skulls paitings are washed. The Ilmatari could be seen performing rituals of sanctuary in attempt to cleanse suffering and restore peace, especially where battles have been bloody. She plants white daisies where the dead have fallen.

[JustAnotherGuy]

While a constant presence already in the Cloakwood, the green haired, fey-kin druid can be seen even more in the forest. There are mutterings of prayers, and a close attention paid to animal tracks. Animals are watched, and it's obvious he's noting their movements and habits. While this may seem normal for druids, something is off about the way he's going about it. Perhaps it's the earnest way in which he is going about it, paying even more attention than usual, rather than just passively noting it.

[JustAnotherGuy]

Shortly after hearing of a battle between the Flaming Fist and some gnolls, the green haired druid heads to the druidic circle in the Lion's Way. Upon seeing the carnage, he engages in cleaning up and burying any bodies he finds, as well as cleansing it of any blood he can. Where he cannot cleanse the blood, the ground is turned and tilled, so that new life can take hold in those spots.

[JustAnotherGuy]

A Green Haired Druid and his Brunette Ranger were seen following their canine companions through the Lion's Way to the druid's circle of stone. Any seeing them would note that the canines' eyes were glowing blue. Others traveling by the circle would note that it was guarded by large lizardfolk. The Druid and Ranger entered, and spoke with the lizardfolk for a while.

Before it was over, people would have heard word of the druid suddenly tackling the Chieftain, though it seems no harm was done.

[LivT]

Some hour later, the Lizard folk had returned; Shaman Sazilus, accompanied by King Spoonache Beeblebub, Keeper of the Current. They joined as part of a gathering of the forest folk, many druids and wardens of nature. The discussion was held at length, interrupted only once by some commotion at the arrival of Lieutenant Nails of the Flaming Fist.

The Flaming Fist have agreed to end contention with the forest folk, working alongside them instead to guard the Coast from the coming threat of Kazgorath.

The Lizard Folk departed in peace, having shared all they knew of the dangers, and asking the druids, rangers, and shamans for their help.

It is unclear what else was discussed, but most of their number lingered into late hours to talk.

[JustAnotherGirl]

The Archdruid, his High Ranger, and a familiar looking noodly elf could be seen stepping out of a tree in the Cloakwood with two canines whose eyes were glowing blue. The three quickly followed the canines through the woods and could be seen coming upon several fallen stags. All but one were dead, emaciated as if they hadn't eaten in weeks. The brunette ranger knelt to tend to the still living deer in an attempt to calm it and get it to eat. While she worked, the Archdruid communed with nature. He soon gave the ranger the order to put the deer out of it's misery as it wasn't eating or calming down.



She quickly unsheathed a dagger at her side and plunged it into the stag's heart as she looked it in the eye. Her own eyes grew moist as she saw the life leave the stag, but she knew it was for the best.

Shortly after, smoke began to rise from each of the stag corpses. Out of one, an aspect of fear manifested, angry that it's dinner had been taken from him. The aspect was dispatched by the three with the help of a Flaming Fist scout who had been in the area.

[bharring]

An elf in a blue dragonscale breastplate could be seen throughout the Cloakwood, dissipating into air and winds from time to time.

He could be seen in the aftermath of encounters between the Fist and the Gnolls, but assisting neither side. At the most violent sites, with the most corpses, a sudden flash of lightning and a roar of thunder could be heard, as the bodies went up in flames.

Those observant enough, or in tune with nature, would recognize how was seeking to cross words, not swords, with the gnolls.

[bharring]

Pinned to the Old Grove is found a copy of an announcement stolen from the walls of Baulders Gate.

This announcement describes two folk, whom local druids would know as Taka and Ceirinohr, and makes clear their banishment from the Gate.

Below this announcement, in Sylvan, is an angrily wrought screeching screed:

This is what the Gate means by peace.

The Gate makes "peace" with those druids who would serve it, while banishing and hunting those who will not. Even those who do not act against them.

Our crimes were merely to take offence to demands of service. To refuse to bend nature to their will. And for this "aggression", on the edge of the Cloakwood, they demand their vengence.

As if the demands of service were not enough, the penalty was supposed to be the burning down of the Cloakwood. How can any who call themselves a Keeper, how can any who listen to the needs of nature, accept such actions?

Some druids would beg for peace. Would bow for scraps. These druids have supposedly come to an accord with the Gate. Knowing the Gate would prove themselves the villain, I did nothing to provoke them. Nothing to harm them. My only offence was not forcing nature to bow to their whim.

As I said when others took the knee, where they thought words and weakness would cow the Gate, when they thought claims of strength without action would be enough, the peace is a lie. It is only surrendering to the steady expansion of the Gate. They do not accept that they do not own nature. And by supporting their brazen expansion, you are neglecting nature. Neglecting the balance.

Balance must be restored to these parts. The Gate must be put in its place. If not, all so-called druids will be forced to submit or flee.

[AlwaysSummer Day]

A few days ago a mage by the name of Marheg hired three adventurers to enter the mines in cloakwood and protect him during his research. A silent monk, and two armored figures agreed to terms before they departed.

Hidden: show

Some time later they emerged from the mines. Undead creatures began surrounding them in great numbers. These undead were destroyed by the group as they quickly left the forest.

Hidden: show

[DM All Father]

Signs of a small but incredible battle can be clearly found in the depths of the forest. Smaller trees have been obliterated, some to splinters. Larger trees and even boulders have been cracked, scorched and a few even tipped over on their side. The grass in the general area has been turned to ash, leaving the ground bear to the burned dirt.

Strangely there are signs of a 'rot' on the outer edge of the area, anything growing seems to be in the slow reverse of the act. Although the effect would not seem to be spreading.

[GaretAthran]

HOUSE WAYNN
IN WAR, VICTORY. IN PEACE, VIGILANCE. IN DEATH, SACRIFICE.

HOUSE WAYNN seeks men and women of courage and honor to aid in our mission to protect the people of the Southern Tradeway and the Uldoon Trail. With your help we can bring the people of Beregost and Greenest a greater feeling if safety and prosperity in these times if strife and anxiety.

To join us in our mission to help the Southern Heartlands, leave word with Dame Kamine Waynn at the Risen Phoenix Inn in Beregost.


Dame Kamine Waynn, Matriarch of House Waynn