1351 Campaign - Act 2: Incoming Calamity from the North

[LISA100595]

*After returning from the Misty Forest, the Knights rest a bit then begin to gather supplies and healing. Once prepared and restocked with what they can carry, they head out to Candlekeep to meet with Guide Teo to offer their aid against the approaching horde.*

[Steamer567]

Ghrimold attempts to aid the defensive preparations where ever he can. Be that digging trenches along the proposed route of attacking the golems, preparing whatever grease and oil he can in preparation for enemy scaling the walls, or making and renforcing the propsed defensive possitions.

[Duster47]

Some of Candlekeep's Avowed and defenders share stories of a large battle on the beach south from the keep.

Others may speak of an even larger battle, fought soon after, at the foot of the path to Candlekeep.

[DM Bloodlust]

"News reach the Baldur's Gate region that a battle has taken place in the Reaching Woods between a coalition army from the healing house of Lathander and various mercenaries, and a defeated gnoll tribe. Posters like these appear calling for aid in most taverns and bulletin boards".

[DM Theophanies]

Current State of Baldur's Gate:

Although food is still a bit stretched within Baldur's Gate, the refugees from Kheldrivver are indeed doing well thanks to the outreach of the community and donations made through the Temple of Ilmater. Although they find themselves in a very hard situation, leaving their homes and all that they know at the threat of an undead horde, they make the best of the situation. Being a hardy folk, some find work in the farmer's fields working the crops while others try their hand at fishing (albeit not successfully at first). Food is still stretched in the city in a post-plague economy though, as well as medical supplies.

Other news in the economics, the cost of alchemist fire and other such reagents including quicksilver and beetle glands including the bombardier and fire beetle species. The rumor of a kidnapped alchemist also circulate wildly. Looking forward, major losses to yield due to the lack of laborers to manage them indicate the harvest will be small for the remaining time this year. Losses to the population have hit the fishing trade as well, with small caches coming in.

[DM Dialectic]

Some rumored described scenes from the recent Battle of Candlekeep.

[Ghost]

Merchants, adventurers and other travellers coming from the north speak of meeting darkly robed figures, humanoid in shape, just as they start feeling an unexplainable sense of dread. These figures have asked for the travellers to retrieve or sell them various artifacts of power. There are no reports yet of these figures actually causing harm upon people, but it is clear they can be associated with the sense of dread many feel at the same time.

Similar descriptions have now been heard uttered in Beregost and Gullykin. Even the orcs of the Woods of Sharp Teeth can be heard talking about these ominous looking humanoids.

Specifically, the guards of Gullykin had seen a darkly robed humanoid walk around the village today and stand on the bluff in the dry valley below for several hours. As night came, they lost sight of the individual and when the sun rose again, it was gone.

[Moltrazahn]

"Dey', are fools..."

*Corvus walked the forest path, his eyes, ears, nose and touch, feeling the vibrations, the presence of nature around him*

"Dey' belive dat one arrow will end an army... dat by takin' down da' broodmother, da rest will just... fall"

*His lips curved into a snarl, as he beheld the unbalance that existed, that he had witnessed since he returned from his absence. He thought back to his return, and "chance" encounter with the other druids, Arch Druid Ivan ,and High Druid Berea*



*They had told him that the hive had been "possibly" located, and most were trying to figure out how to deal with it. When he asked if anyone was still watching the wilds, it was told that "some were told to keep an eye out" ... but nobody of name, just that some of the "local" druids had been asked*

"Local druids... pft... dey dun' know what dey' are even lookin' for. Dey' think der' gutless, nameless "other locals" can locate, or even contain the abominations roots, as it grows, festers and spreads... while da' "Big names" all focus on der' would-be heroics... One dont clear da' weed from a garden, just by doin' a really good job in one end..."

*He had, since the explanation, turned on his heel and walked out. Determined to investigate the wilds himself, given that everyone else had a tunnel-vision of the end-goal, but no clear indication of how to even get to it*

...

*He spend the next few days to systematically go through the former areas which plague-spitters had been purged. Re-checking the areas for any signs of corruption*



*Much to his displeasure... yet not surprise, the ignorance of his absence were not a hard thing to discover. From the fields of the dead, the uncharted moors, the troll hills and cloakwood*



* ... he re-meditated there, and once he was done, he grind his teeth in frustration. Earth, rocks and sand ruched around him, as he let lose his frustration on a nearby hill, quaking its surface violently... once the dust settled, he gathered his composure, and walked of.

He would need a talk with the high druids once more... there were old-news to tell*

[Invoker]

"News reach the Baldur's Gate region that a battle has taken place in the Reaching Woods between a coalition army from the healing house of Lathander and various mercenaries, and a defeated gnoll tribe. Posters like these appear calling for aid in most taverns and bulletin boards".

Two black robed figures, one of which carrying three large and heavy-looking bags (and seemingly doing the carrying for both...) are seen traveling the main road linking Soubar to Scornubel, and then heading towards the Reaching Woods. They seem to be heading towards the section of the Woods southward with respect to where the coalition army is rumored to be camped. Once reached the forest, they would disappear into its shadows...

If two bystanders were to see the sinister traveling duo in two very distant areas, and then meet and talk about it, they would conclude the other one is wrong about the time and place of the sighting, or that the two are enhancing their speed by magical means.

[Invoker]

"You're early"

Despite the brevity of the sentence and the hushed tone, the deference in the creature's voice was evident. The approaching figure just passed him by, directed towards the depths of the cave. As the mage's black mantle brushed his figure, he added:

"How did the meeting go?"

The cowled wizard stopped dead in his tracks, before following a soft laugh with the answer

"Exactly as expected. They did not listen, they do not know, and they will pay the price for it.

We proceed with the plan, unless I get contacted from the Misty Forest. If that happens, we will relocate there and stage the same operations.

It begins..."

The last words echoed in the cavern as the black-robed figure proceeded deeper, cold and foreboding enough to chill any mortal's blood.

[DM Theophanies]

Planar Fissures



Rumors spread of several rifts opened up all over the Sword Coast today. No extensive damage is mentioned though a few elementals escaped as well as a necromental, an elemental corrupted by undeath.

[MedalOfValor]

*Corvus, after around a week of mental recovery, meets with Squire Eleanor at the fields of the dead near the crypt they used to meet Griselda. Here he looks at her with a horrid expression. The lines under his eyes dark, giving the impression that he has not slept well*

“I be no man of virtue, nor of would-be-heroics… I survive… I hunt, I eat… But dat’ abomination of rot, decay and pestilence… it’s wings spreads in my dreams, it’s horrid visage be one of despair… of terror. of doom” *The Druid scowls, then shakes his head*

*Ellie’s stance remains vigilant as she stands by the crypt looking at the druid, her features soft and attentive. The girl allows the man to speak his mind.*

“Dis land be weak… and I along with it feel the desire to flee, instinct… kicks in, a thing I be proud ta follow. Yet in dis case, abandonment would mean da doom of dis land… and where I hold no love for its atrocious human civilisations… its wildlife would suffer, and perish… and I desire to see it stronger…. But, with the lack of people of late, be dey’ dead or ‘ave fled… we face a force beyond our power ta’ handle as it is.”

“There will be more of those angels of decay, given the stone was divided in pieces. Magmire’s reign is growing stronger more rapidly than we can answer whatever move she makes” *Ellie rubs her chin, her features shifting a bit into a thoughtful expression* “Both the nature balance and one of civilization are going to suffer. We are too few of people to handle it all and in addition to all those allies currently absent… It’s hard to come up with a plan that would at least derail their plans, given we do not have neither the power nor resources, not to mention a stable alliance between the factions, to actually fight this effectively.” *The young girl looks up, her gaze traveling across the Fields and she shakes herself slightly as if to remind herself about something.* “From where I stand we have few options. I know there had been more about the prophecy spoken around, we should gather more information about that. We should meet with Griselda and try to talk to her some more about the recent developments. If possible we should track the cultists and try to do something to prevent the Talona’s priesthood from ascension into the Angels or at least delay that. Do you have any other suggestions?” *Eleanor tilts her head slightly, eyes intent*

*Corvus grunts… blue gaze distant*

“I would rather seed dis’ land with the soils of Chult, force it to grow and send nature in its purest form against the ravages of dis’ blight… yet I doubt such action would be heeded by da locals… So, since I am both horrified of dese… blight-winged monstrosities… and not yet where I’ll push da… “ethical” bounds of my bonds… I shall comply with your suggestion pup … for where I look upon our foes as a force that cannot be halted by regular mortal means… you stood valiant, like an alpha, securing ‘er pride… for dat, I will let you lead into dis’ endeavor… even if it means recolliding with da crone… Griselda”

“Very well” *There is a shadow of a warmer smile in the corner of Elarnor’s lips* “I will make a list to tend to our priorities regarding the issues at hand. One thing tho…” *The heterochromatic gaze hardens ever so slightly* “Cara.. Her curse and by the same token her involvement in this. I cannot guarantee that her motives are entirely on the side of… let’s say... saving. But to the degree she can and is willing she helps and I will also talk with her about the things that came to light. I hope you can be fine with that. You must understand that her bounds as a Jergalite are making it difficult to act the way we do. Everyone has bounds, just like you have your druidic ones.” *The young squire clear and level voice is laced with a not yet fully formed echo of austerity.*

“Bah!” *The man throws a dismissive gesture* “Dat woman hides behind her wards, barks orders and expects them followed, while she does nought to aid us but her fancy words… no wards granted, no spells cast… she hides like a coward behind her faith… and a curse that empowers a foe already too much for us to handle… I will have nothing to do with that -witch- when we are out there battling the foes of blight. You wish her council… take it. You wish her insight? Let her do so… but i am half a mind to butcher her flesh and send her cursed soul to her lord if she barks at me again”

“If only that was available for her..” *Eleanor mutters and shakes her head dismissively* “No matter, I will speak to her and see what can be done. As for the rest… Once anything is settled I will contact you. Stay safe and may the gods look over you and may the nature guides you.” *The young squire inclines her head respectfully then walks away briskly, in an almost militaristic manner .*

“And you… young wolf” *Corvus grunts silently as the girl leaves*

[DM Bloodlust]

Shocking news reverberate across the lands, among those who are listening for such news. The Army of the New Dawn has been decisively defeated in the Reaching Woods, its few remaining survivors hunkering down in Scornubel. The Undead threat is real.

Hidden: show

[Invoker]

Shocking news reverberate across the lands, among those who are listening for such news. The Army of the New Dawn has been decisively defeated in the Reaching Woods, its few remaining survivors hunkering down in Scornubel. The Undead threat is real.

Hidden: show

Upon receiving the news during his travels, the dark-robed figure mutters a potent curse in a long-dead language, before turning towards his baggage-carrying companion:

"And so it came to pass...The fools did not listen, and paid the price that was foretold. Darkness is loose upon the lands, and the dead are burying the dead. All the power I summoned to help them win the first battle...wasted. The moment I avert my eyes from the battlefield, they accomplish complete planar deletion...

This incompetence has been entertaining for a spell. I could afford to sit back and watch, hoping against hope they would achieve something, despite successfully managing to be outsmarted by rotting brains...Now, it's time to get a bit more involved, and win this war."

His companion only nodded, silently, as if not even daring to make a sound.

[DM Theophanies]

Foothold



And so a sinister and evil presence settled into the northern parts of the Sword Coast, north of the river Chionthar. It gripped upon the land and violently fought against the antithesis, pushing back any of the living that dared stand before it. Small homesteads and villages began to empty at the rumors circulating among the roads of the undead threat which had emerged the disturbed Warlock's Crypt. The Crypt itself is the ruins of Orbedal or Sanctuary, the Netherese flying city which once stood for peace and hope but now in ruin and defiled by undeath, reaching up to the heavens in defiance of the natural order. Rumors fly wildly as the peasants flock into the larger population centers and comparing rumors and heresay. A common map easily marked by any whom put their ears to listen:



((X's indicate known massed presence of undead. O's indicate rumors or sightings of undead.))