Rumors of the Southern Sword Coast

[JustAnotherGirl]

A ranger with long brunette hair tied up in a bun, walks through her patrols on silent feet. She leaves no tracks and no scent. She kneels at the edge of the rot and looks over the scene with a furrowed brow. Her hand touches the ground, not in the rot, but just outside it. With her ever present companion on watch, she closes her eyes and communes with nature in an attempt to learn more of what happened. She knows there are hard times coming, and she's doing all she can to learn and be as prepared as possible for them.

[GaretAthran]

Those traveling in the areas between Candlekeep, Beregost, and Nashkel might have spotted an odd pair of an aasimar knight with blood red hair and a petite bluehaired elf traveling among the hills, coasts and canyons of the land, often stopping at vantage points to make notes if certain terrain features. In particular the two can be seen discussing a (mostly) abandoned chapel north of Beregost as well as an overlook to the South between Beregost and Nashkel. After making their observations, the two return North toward Candlekeep.

[mastajabba]

After the recent Skirmish, The Emerald Archer made his way into the Cloakwood. He carried with him a small map that had been given to him by one of the Quarter Masters at the Order. The scout made his way swiftly through the Cloakwood. Camouflage applied expertly and enhanced with magics from the Forrest Queen.

The scout set about marking paths, major terrain features, elevations and natural obstacles that could be used against the Red Skull Gnolls and more important friendly forces. Likely ambush spots where marked and the best locations for observation and listening posts. Also locations for setting up support tents for medics and supply quartermasters.

The Emerald Archer keep a weary eye for the brutish hulking Gnoll with the wicked green abysmal blade. Once the area of operations had been mapped and scouted he walked to a tree and called forth the Forrest Queen to take him home. There was much work to be done.

[Firechchicken78]

The large white bear watched as the large group of metal wearers entered the forest covered in magics with many magical summons by their sides some even including demons and fire elemental's. The bear would stick to the shadows away from the large group watching as some went down and the others retreated. Even as the civilized folk began to beat the red skulls back the bear only watched as his ranger did from the other side counting the numbers of both the gnolls and the metal wearers. After the fight the two would meet before disappearing into the growing shadows of the setting sun.

[LivT]

The heart of the woodlands is blighted; the slow rot of what living plants remain tell that this was no natural purging fire, no spectacular storm, or flood, or earthquake. The battleground is supernatural, and more and more it is clear the tumbling course of events cannot be stopped until the final confrontation.

This sentiment is clear in the Eldathyn Druidess who visits these woodlands from her own in the Reaching West. She walks with silent resolution, salvaging what creature or plant she is able to and spiriting it away to safety. Where an animal is found that cannot be saved, she offers comfort, kindness, and a swifter and more painless end. The only growth spells she casts are those to consume the dead and return them to the earth; no other seed or sapling is planted.

She knows the hour of destruction is far from done, and when she looks on the blighted wasteland it is with the silent faith that the time for renewal will eventually come.

[DM All Father]

Felt by the keepers of the forest, a new threat has established itself along the fringes of the wood. While it’s presence is not always felt, it’s passing lingers heavy in the quieting forest. The messengers of this threat travel in small, but overly potent groups that pass quietly through the trees.

[JustAnotherGirl]

Shortly after a meeting between the Archdruid and the Fist, The High Ranger could be seen entering the Cloakwoods alone. She looked well prepared to be out for a long while. She stepped behind a large rock surrounded by heavy brush and wasn't seen again for hours, perhaps even days. Anyone trying to follow her would have thought she just disappeared in that brush. There were no footprints and no trace of a scent. Just where had she gone and what was she up to?

[Blaze]

Recently, a man in shining armor appears to be prowling around the Friendly Arm Inn, observing the Flaming Fist during various patrols near Cloakwood Forest.

Hidden: show

Approaching the tavern he asks for some provisions for the night and some water.

Hidden: show

During the night the man seems to enter the forest, some green lights can be seen coming from it in some scattered points.

Hidden: show

Who goes into the forest notices that no trees have been destroyed, animals killed but there are many heavy footprints left.

[JustAnotherGirl]

The high ranger can be seen leaving the Cloakwoods after having been deep in the woods for several days. She wears a troubled look on her face. If anyone tried to talk to her, she would seem distracted. . .if she even noticed them at all. She moves with swiftness and purpose in her step.

[Order of Blackrose]

A light supply wagon could be seen stopping at the quarry on the lions way unloading supplies to the soldiers stationed there. The wagon would then continue onward to the Bladestone foundation before dropping off the rest of its cargo.

[yyj]

An elf dressed in green robes and sporting a mohawk is seen slaughtering several orcs by the river bank of the Chionthar, a number of them escaped deeper into the forest, then chased one by one until none of them were left alive. Then the mohawk elf went into the orc cave of the sharp teeth, just to return outside shortly, carrying several orc heads with her.

[Alexander Holgart]

=The Watching Knight=

The Tormtar Knight spends the days watching the borders of the Cloakwoods, before returning to the Temple of Ilmater in Baldur's Gate during sunset.

His watch is limited to the outer part of the woods and outside perimeter, watching for Gnoll and Flaming Fist activity, to help the mercenaries if and when necessary.

He takes a break around mid day to have some food by the fire next to the trail going into the woods.

Most of the time he can be seen doing this alone, with the occasional passerby stopping for a brief chat.

[Louvaine]

Those paying attention to tracks around the forests would be able to discern delicate pattern painting itself on canvas of forest litter. A confident, subtle step of bare feat. Joyful, lightly chaotic step accompanied by strong step of a wolf paw. Barely visible step precisely treaded through shadows of the forest. Those tracks may seem left in random places to some. Those with enough wit to notice and connect them would see a path between Cloakwood, Sharp Teeth, Reaching Woods, Forest of Wyrms and Misty Forest.

[Louvaine]

Those paying attention to tracks around the forests would be able to discern delicate pattern painting itself on canvas of forest litter. A confident, subtle step of bare feat. Joyful, lightly chaotic step accompanied by strong step of a wolf paw. Barely visible step precisely treaded through shadows of the forest. Those tracks may seem left in random places to some. Those with enough wit to notice and connect them would see a path between Cloakwood, Sharp Teeth, Reaching Woods, Forest of Wyrms and Misty Forest.

[mixafix]

Admorin Oakbound, Druid of Cloakwood watches the intense activity around the woods as the Flaming Fist followed by a procession of both noisy and hidden heroes of the coast march and glide through the well worn paths and beyond.

Planting a few trees to test the balance of the woods he sets off south to help with those displaced animals and the avatars of the Gods themselves that once stalked them. Content in the knowledge there will be temporary changes in the Cloakwood beyond the care of a single Druid he opts to single out a more mundane but yet important task. Reflecting the mood of the forest he travels both noisily, and also often without trace.