Candlekeep Role-Play

[DaloLorn]

THIS RUMOR HAS BEEN RETCONNED AS PER DM INSTRUCTIONS. MOVE ALONG, NOTHING TO SEE HERE.

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A frail, dark-haired half-elven mage visited the Keep yesterday. Known to some as the Waterdhavian transmuter Vilmar Dall, the young man spent a while listening closely to the Endless Chant, before retiring to a room at Winthrop's inn.

[DaloLorn]

A wild rumour comes out of the Library-Fortress, saying that the monks were up and about, chasing books that suddenly came alive and gained a spark of sentience, which amounted mostly to repeating random words written upon their pages with audible, loud voices. And flying everywhere they can.

Scribing duties have halted as all inks have turned into a poisonous syrup smelling of cherries.

The air surrounding had become pastel-coloured. One could, quite literally, see the colours of the wind without the help of any mind-addling substances.

It was a normal day at the Library-Fortress, until Scribe Edelgarde, busy with scribing duties, noticed that the natural light coming from the window suddenly dimmed to almost nothing.

"Meteors! Meteors are falling from the sky!" an avowed said in an agitated tone.

"What?! That's impossible..." Edelgarde said. "The astronomers didn't predic-"

The words died in her mouth when following the gathering of monks around the windows, she observed with an expression of utter panic that a rain of meteors was indeed falling from the sky.
Instinctively, she attempted a Premonition Ward and her heart sunk in her chest when she realized that she was looking not a few moments in the future but in the past, seeing herself casting the spell and the monk next to her moving again towards the window like he did a few moments before. One thing was clear: someone or something had messed up with the Weave.

She frantically followed the exodus of avowed towards the underground part of the Keep, which would likely be safer from the flaming rain.
Minutes passed, or maybe hours, and finally the situation calmed down. Magic was still all over the place, but at least the meteors had stopped. Struck by a sudden recollection, the tiefling scribe desperately looked for the First Reader across the premises but without success. She then produced parchment, ink and quill ready to pen a missive for Tethoril, until a strong smell of cherry hit her nostrils. Her ink bottle had been replaced with cherry syrup.

"CELESTIA!" she shouted "If that's your idea of a prank this is the wors-"

"None would dare to handle such a big cock and to do so single handed?" a loud voice said.

"I beg your pardon?" Edelgarde said before realizing that the speaker was in fact a flying book.

"Don't let it get out!" cried an agitated scribe, who was running after the rebel tome leaving a red hued trail of wind behind him.

"I SAID BACK IN YE COOP!" the book exclaimed in reply, sending a pink colored breeze from its flapping pages.

Edelgarde exhaled a small purple cloud from her nostrils and frantically looked around, realizing that a flock of runaway books was now swarming the library, creating a cacophony of random quotes and leaving pastel hued trails in their wake.

The tiefling scribe was still wondering if her mind had been addled by the fumes of the noxious cherry syrup, when another avowed stormed inside the library.

"We are doomed!" he said panting. "The priest... He said Oghma has gone silent!"

Not long after the chaos began, an air genasi bearing a Selunite holy symbol and a golden-scaled wood elf arrived at the Keep. After a conversation with Scribe Edelgarde and Guardian Emmanuel, the Selunite wandered back outside the library-fortress' walls... only to return later as a seemingly-disembodied voice, citing a mishap with one of her healing spells.

After she rematerialized, the distraught priestess sat down outside the gates, where the dragonblood spent some time comforting her before she dozed off in his arms...

[Almarea90]

Later that day, a tiefling avowed can be seen running and jumping after flying books. The cacophony of random sentenced spouted by the books as well as annoyed grunts and abruptly cut profanities from the scribe can be heard by those close enough.

When all the books are accounted for, parchment are left without fail at every window of the library. The below message is written in charcoal:

DO NOT OPEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, LEST THE BOOKS ESCAPE

[DaloLorn]

In the days before Mystra's death, the Selunite genasi and the dragonblooded elf returned to the Keep, somewhat battered but loosely healthy, and accompanying a pair of human women: a feverish, exhausted one with long, blonde hair, and another with shorter dark hair hidden under her hood, helping the blonde as they ascended towards the gates. Joined by Scribe Edelgarde, they quickly rushed their charge to the infirmary, where she likely remained over the following days, periodically visited by her companions to check up on her.

However, not long after the goddess' dying screams echoed across Faerun, one of them broke their vigil outright. When she next left her room at Winthrop's inn, the air genasi seemed almost dazed, wandering not to the infirmary and the patient resting within, but to the gate and beyond, only acknowledging what few monsters might have tried to kill her as she made her way north along the cliffs...

[Kayle Walker]

Lately, a red-garbed, blonde-haired woman can usually be seen wandering about around the Avowed quarters. Walking with the aid of a cane, she (or some of the acolytes she talks to) would tell them that she is a patient in their infirmary, were one to ask. Calling herself Red, the temporary resident is coming to be somewhat of a fixture around the living quarters, restlessly moving about, chatting up with idle acolytes, and perusing the public selection of books in her apparent boredom.

[Hullack]

An overly polite young halfling man stops by the Infirmary asking after one, "Ms. Red." Unable to locate her, he leaves his only well wishes for her health and a pot of Wagon Trail Soup.

He also stops at the Library of Candlekeep and leaves a note for Scribe Edelgarde with Gorian:

Ms. Edelgarde,

I was able to read through the folder mentioned by Mr. Sir God Lord Deneir, and wanted to extend all my thanks for illuminating the cause of these recent dark events. I was very troubled by the words of warning regarding the planes. As it wasn't mentioned in the folder, do you or Lord Denier know how fares the Summer Queen and those in her Court. Are her realms facing similar trouble? Is the court of the Queen of Light in exile? My apologies for imposing, but any knowledge you might share would be greatly appreciated.

- Mr. Jak Dimburrow

[Kiran]

A courier arrives at the cliffs of Candlekeep, guiding his horse the rest of the way up the steep cliffside. He does not enter the courtyard but hands one of the guardsmen there a letter which was sealed with the mark of Mystra.

The letter was addressed to Scribe Edelgarde and to be only opened by her.

[Almarea90]

On the 14th of Flamerule the ordaining ceremony of Scribe Edelgarde into the Church of Deneir is officiated by Priest Rowan Whitebrooks from the temple of Berdusk, with the First Scribe Himself in attendance.

On the following days, the Keep is abuzz with visitors, many of those seeking to speak with or take a glimpse of the avatar.
Edelgarde can be seen diligently updating the board with date and time of the scheduled lessons for the local scribes and attending the aforementioned lectures without fail.

[DaloLorn]

Among these visitors is a peculiar figure: A drow woman in blue-trimmed black leathers, treating most of the others she speaks to with a mixture of obvious familiarity and increasingly-clumsily feigned unfamiliarity. Introduced to newcomers as "Ilhara", an Eilistraeen mage (though she reportedly self-identifies as more akin to a colossally misused assassin) from the Upperdark settlement of Rockrun, she initially wastes no time inquiring about ways to resolve the current crisis and return the Tablets of Fate to their rightful owner.

After her initial interview with the avatar of Deneir, Ilhara is also seen making offers of assistance to those in need, consistently bracketed with acknowledgments of their likely-imminent rejection, before resigning herself to an odd blend of melancholy and relaxation: In her words, if she can't do anything better with her allotted tenday at the Keep, she might as well make a "long-overdue holiday" of her visit.

Whatever sinister agenda may have been her real reason for visiting Candlekeep, she seems to hide it well, and an alarming proportion of the people she speaks to seem willing to take her words at face value...

[DaloLorn]

As her tenday at the Keep expires, Ilhara doesn't wait to be kicked out, and wanders out into the wilderness...

[arakan94]

A new visitor arrived to Candlekeep just yesterday, escorted by hooded figure of Elven features.



After wandering about and taking in the sights, he began to pester people with questions about learning magic. At first, he didn't have much success but then one of the scribes, Eldegarde, took notice of him and they talked at length. Since then, he could be seen in public portion of library, almost devouring books or at the local inn.

[Almarea90]

*A tiefling in blue robes bearing the symbols of Candlekeep can be seen attaching the following page in the noticeboard of Candlekeep*

Coastal Chronicles - Flamerule 1358 DR Year of the Shadow


1st of Flamerule, Everywhere - The sky darkens, cattle dies, a dark thick rain that causes rashes and kills plants falls. The earth trembles and meteors fall from the sky causing damage to people and property, although these events eventually cease. Abominations arrived seemingly out of nowhere attack the travelers and the Weave becomes unreliable, causing spells to either fail or generate unpredictable effects. The gods become silent and all clerics are unable to cast any spell above the Third Circle. Helmites still retain their full powers, but Helm remains silent as well. Factions of the Coast immediately mobilize to help the population in this chaos: House Darius, Order of the Radiant Heart, Order of the Silver Rose, House Vale, Everwatch Knights, Bladestone Foundation and other religious orders and adventurers.

1st of Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - Magic items seem to be malfunctioning or to have lost power completely. There are several cases of simple, rudimentary spells turning into fireballs of gigantic proportions, spawning writhing masses of nightmarish creatures, trees growing out of walls and mold growing rapidly in proportions and gaining consciousness. Some of the building are damaged by the meteors, however a particularly large one falls on the Halls of Inner Light. The Hanalite priestess Tia'tae and the dwarven priestess Danya die in the attempt to shield priestess Lily of Sheela Peryroyl, who survives albeit in shock. Keeper Runa Helvig loses a leg and is brought unconscious to Vale Estate. Spellcasting is now outlawed in Ducal Lands.

1st Flamerule, Candlekeep - Books gain a form of sentience, pronouncing random sentences written on them and flying around. All ink turns into a poisonous, cherry scented syrup and the air becomes pastel colored.

1st Flamerule, Beregost - A blizzard of blood hits Beregost.

1st of Flamerule, Nashkel - Every wooden or stone object exposed to direct sunlight causes an electric discharge. As the event only lasts a day the death toll is relatively small. Five peaks disappear overnight from the horizon.

1st of Flamerule, Roaring Shore - Strong winds and furious waves are witnessed, along with a strange pest in the form of watery slugs that have found their way inside people's homes. Word spreads that the High Captain Rensby Caine, known as "The Pious" and a true Favored of Umberlee, went into a thunderous rage and for now has sailed from Roaringshore, even amidst the angry waters.

1st of Flamerule, Reaching Woods - A black dragon spits acid seemingly at random in the forest, and deliberately destroys many Eldath shrines desecrating them and corrupting the land. The forest dwellers who die become undead.

1st of Flamerule, Zhentil Keep - An item falls from the sky and hits the Black Altar.

2nd of Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - River Steel's Bibliotheca officially opens.

4th of Flamerule, Western Heartlands - The war between Alliance and Zhentarim slows down. The Zhentarim's raids are less effective as now the Alliance knows how to move. The unreliability of magic makes both sides hesitant to attack.

5th Flamerule, Cormyr - Mystra is killed by Helm in the Stonefield. Her dying shout is heard everywhere and Her divine casters as well as all arcanists can feel her death.

5th Flamerule, Trade Way - The Everwatch in recent days as well as friends in the Vanguard, Triadic Knights, and Order of the Silver Rose marched from Nashkel in Amn to Baldur's Gate and back along the Trade Way in a March of Vigil.

5th Flamerule, Lion's Way - A group of mage slayers begins killing spellcasters in the area near the Friendly Arm. They have been identified as a group travelling with a wagon and luring spellcasters away with the request of a Remove Curse. The Bladestone Foundation pledges to protect all spellcasters from them.

5th Flamerule, Nashkel - A series of tornados spontaneously appears in the middle of Nashkel. Ser Alexander Marshall, Ser Gaven Arkalis, Maevyn Edgar, Thok, Yuri Lichelina and Jak Dimburrow assist the population.

6th Flamerule, Amn - Amnian trade suffers due to the silence of Waukeen, however Milil's avatar appears in Atkatla among His faithful.

6th Flamerule, High Forest - It is rumored that a god walks in High Forest, where nature is being celebrated.

6th Flamerule, Waterdeep - Selune makes Herself manifest at the House of the Moon.

7th Flamerule, Greenest - The group of mage hunters who has been executing spellcasters after Mystra's death, visits Greenest Inn asking for someone capable of removing curses. Rhaeg of the Commons volunteers presenting himself as a mage. He follows them at an isolated place and is attacked, but manages to defeat the assassins. There the body of a Red Wizard is found, along with sharran pamphlets that hint to the fact that this might not be an isolated cell.

8th Flamerule, Candlekeep - A meeting of all faiths takes place in Candlekeep to discuss the silence of the gods. In the middle of it two mystran acolytes arrive and explain the circumstances of Mystra's death. This happened in the Cormyran Stonefields, where She called her followers to "bring order again". There she was met by Helm who killed Her. Later on, Deneir, the Lord of All Glyphs and Images settles in Candlekeep. He explains that all the gods have been cast out by Lord Ao, the Overgod, because they had become lax towards their faithful and because someone among them stole the Tablets of Fate, that have engraved all the gods portfolios and the order of things. Helm was left to guard the Celestial Staircase with the strict order of not letting anybody through unless they had the Tablets of Fate. This is likely the reason behind Mystra's death. Candlekeep immediately mobilized to spread the truth far and wide.

10th Flamerule, Lion's Way - An altercation takes place between Rhaeg and a Grey Orc. The former is defeated, however the arrival of Ser Alexander Marshall, Ser Gaven Arkalis and Maevyn Edgar forces the orc to flee.

11th Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - The trade company Deck of Cards predicts an increase in their profits due to the great demand for wands and potions.

11th Flamerule, Triel - Alber Fobhalt and Basil Schollar win the annual Triel Trophy for research with their Everwatch Golem.

11th Flamerule, Roaring Shore - The Seer Rabbie Rivers declares his intention to take shelter at the Broken Goblet of Roaring Shores.

11th Flamerule, Nashkel - A group of adventurers defeat a lich, taking advantage of its dependency on magic.

11th Flamerule, Winding Way - A river boat full of luxury foods is lost in the turbulent waters of the winding way. Bandits, adventurers, and local islanders research and recover some of the lost cargo.

13th Flamerule, Amn - An unusually cold weather is registered in the Cloudpeaks. An unusual number of paraelemental of ice have gathered near the temple of Auril.

15th Flamerule, Amn - Magic is outlawed and the Cowled Wizards purged. Mages in amnian territory are punishable with death or exile.

17th Flamerule, Candlekeep - Deneir, the First Scribe, confirmed that the chaos of the Weave will get worse the longer Mystra's seat remains vacant. He also explains that a portfolio, if unclaimed, may vanish.

18th Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - An altercation takes place between Rhaeg of the Commons and a member of Ordo Veritatis, a group of Helmites known to spread the false narrative that the unworthy gods have forsaken their faithful and are being killed the "the only true god" Helm and uses their unrestricted divine magic to corroborate this narrative. Rhaeg has been denounced to the Flaming Fist.

20th Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - An art gallery is opened at Everwinter Estate.

21st Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - Rhaeg turns to the Flaming Fist to be questioned about assaulting a man. The matter is settled with a fine.

22nd Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - Acid rains on Baldur's Gate. A series of portals open near the orphanage and spawn flesh abominations. Thanks to the conjoined efforts of the Flaming Fist, City Watch, Knights of various faiths and adventurers, the manage was defeated. Traces of a summoning ritual are found nearby.

24th Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - Ser Amos Thistle turns himself to the Flaming Fist and is arrested. On the same day, a tiefling known as Lazlo Kern manages to access the Ducal Palace and attempts to the life of Duke Belt. The attempt fails, but everyone now has to uncover their face when entering or leaving the city.

24th Flamerule, Uldoon's Trail - A wanted demon summoner was defeated by a traveler she ambushed.

26th Flamerule, Amn - Rumors spread of a noble who turned his village into a communal settlement where everyone receives a set income provided by the many hands of the village. The small village begins restructuring to provide and accommodate its richest and poorest all the same. It is rumored that the change happened after the noble read Common Cause, a political manifest written by Rhaeg of the Commons. The book is outlawed in the neighboring city.

28th Flamerule, Amn - Many Mystrans relocate from the temple to Vale Estate.

30th Flamerule, Baldur's Gate - The play The Tale of Two Sisters takes place at the Whitemask Theater. Written by Nea and directed by Rose Rivineth, it counts Firenzio Del Ama, Lucretia Chastain, Netanya d'Abdelledion'dy'Quellium and Lily Summerheart among its cast and Sirion Te'dwa as supporting cast.

Author's note: if anything is incorrect or missing, do not hesitate to contact me.

In faith,
Scribe Edelgarde Spades

((OOC Disclaimer: Thank you for reading the ToT special. If you would like something added in future works feel free to send me a PM or poke me on discord. In order for me to avoid involuntarily metagaming I kindly ask that the request is delivered as follows:

- Either IC (missive or in game if you prefer)
- Or OOC with a link to the relevant rumor post in the forum

A huge heartfelt thank you to the community for filling the server with wonderful stories))
[/quote]

[Almarea90]

In the late evening of the 14th of Eleasis a young man approaches Scribe Edelgarde and Arcanist Sirion. The boy and the scribe spend a few moments talking: the former with a grim expression, the latter with shock.
After the boy leaves, the rare visitor who would happen to pass by the quiet courtyard would notice the unusual sight of the stoic scribe's resolve utterly breaking down, her face buried in her arms and shoulders shaken by sobs.

[Urem Dal]

A rotund dwarf enters Candlekeep. After browsing goods for a while, he can be seen entering the library, asking Reader Demetrius who could help with the valuation of a book. He would request some delicacy in the matter, out of fear bandits might target him, should the book be worth a lot.

[Almarea90]

*A tiefling in blue robes bearing the symbols of Candlekeep can be seen attaching the following page in the noticeboard of Candlekeep*

Coastal Chronicles - Eleasis 1358 DR Year of the Shadow


The silence of the Gods and the chaos of the Weave still plague the Realms.
Increased attacks of lycanthropes are recorded on the Coast. Rumors say that this is due to the presence of Malar's avatar. Meanwhile, increased snowstorms in the Cloud Peaks cause rumors of the presence of the Frostmaiden to spread.

The undead that dwell in the Fields of the Dead, once organized and guided by an unseen power, are now completely out of control due to the steady decline of the magic taking hold of them. Driven only by the urge to extinguish all life, these creatures have been seen several times in the northern Ducal Lands.

An impressive package of measure to increase security is put in place by Triel after consistent donations from the Order of the Radiant Heart and other factions of Baldur's Gate. The new trespass law is making farming safer in the area.

In Baldur's Gate Eon Eyzt, the third son of House Eyzt, is offering a reward for the return of a valuable recipe book and a short sword, stolen from the family in unknown circumstances.

Cases of people suddenly departing to pay off their debts are circulating around Baldur's Gate.

A giant spider is plaguing the Cloakwoods. Large numbers of the goblin races have also been found probably slain by this odd beast.

Negotiations continue around the Friendly Arms hamlets about working practices in the forest trades.

Further north, the trading ship Winterwind of Neverwinter is lost at sea, likely due to pirate activities.

Land caravans around Beregost have gone missing in the night.

The Zhentarim forces cross the River Reaching, albeit moving at a slower pace due to the more effective tactics of the Lords Alliance, the scarcity of supplies and the Silence of the Gods. In the Sunset Vale, the farm raids perpetrated by the Zhentarim forces continue, while the army moves towards Darkhold to break the siege. Darkhold still stands, despite a collapsed section of the walls.

In Amn, rewards are offered to those who capture unregistered arcanists.

1st Eleasis, Uldoon's Trail - A trader from Triel is ambushed, bringing the recent record of safe travel to an end.

1st Eleasis, Ulgoth's Beard - A prominent farmer near Ulgoth’s Beard, subject of recent threats over his aggressive land buy policy, is found poisoned.

2nd Eleasis, Baldur's Gate - By decree of the Dukes, for the duration of one year, a stipend is granted to the most vulnerable citizen of Baldur's Gate. This decree, called the Common Courtesy, is met with mixed feelings. Strongly supported by the Commons, it is met with dread by the representatives of the Chalice of Siamorphe, fearing this would encourage people to not work. The Triadic Collective has mixed feeling, with strong support from the Ilmatari on one side, and concerns over fairness from the Tyrrans. The Prosperity League seems to have no opinion about it, mostly focusing on promoting the freedom to worship the evil deities dogma in Ducal Lands.

2nd Eleasis, South of Beregost - A gargantuan blue snake appears south of Beregost. The creature causes violent bursts of Wild Magic and the appearance of elementals of all elements and creatures that respond to the description of white slaadi. It "devoures the earth" and then disappears below ground.

3rd Eleasis, Beregost - The town decrees no refuge will be offered to the arcanists fleeing from Amn. The town will maintain a neutral position on the matter.

4th Eleasis, Scornubel - A battle takes place between three silver dragons and the black dragon Vuthairmalsvirjhank. The black is defeated, although one of the silver dragon perishes in the battle.

5th Eleasis, Baldur's Gate - House Divine opens its doors for an exhibition of art created by local Baldurian artists.

5th Eleasis, South of Nashkel - An explosion erupts while a group of prisoner is being escorted to their execution, leaving some wounded. A woman is killed after stepping in front of a wagon.

5th Eleasis, Waterdeep - A battle ensues between the Moonmaiden and the Lady of Loss. Selune is rumored to have the upper-hand, forcing Her sister to retreat.

6th Eleasis, Baldur's Gate - A ceremony is held in honor of Priestesses Tia'tae and Danya, who passed in the untimely destruction of the Halls.

7th Eleasis, Baldur's Gate - The common populace identifying with the Mystran faith has starts protests in front of the local Temple of Helm in the Palace District.

7th Eleasis, South of Beregost - A meeting of the practitioners of the Art takes place to discuss the current amnian stance. At some point, conflict sparks due to the presence of necromancers and undead, although the latter are defeated. According to the witnesses, a duel takes place between a dreadknight and a member of the Triadic Collective, although in the end the former retreats north after collecting the symbols from the necromancers. The Bladestone Foundation agrees to give shelter to the persecuted mages and five of them are escorted to Warrior's Rest.

13th Eleasis, Tantras - After tormenting the Dalelands, Bane moves towards Tantras. A battle takes place between Torm and Bane's avatars. In order to defeat the empowered tyrant, the Loyal Fury reaches out to His clergy on Toril and gives them the choice to sacrifice themselves to empower Him against His foe. Alexander Holgart, Simon Sainteclaire and Thomas Garlendt are only some of those who make this noble sacrifice, dissolving into gold dust. Both deities perish in the strife, but a sense of relief washes over the realms with the realization that the Tyrant is no more.

15th Eleasis, Baldur's Gate - A giant flesh monster appears in the Palace District and attacks the Vale Estate. With the aid of many, including the Flaming Fist, the flesh monster is destroyed, though not before dissolving an unfortunate soldier.

15th Eleasis, Sword Coast - Suddenly, various people drop dead for no apparent reason. In Baldur's Gate itself, over 57 persons, mostly humans and halflings, are affected. It is believed that this is related to the Godswar.

15th Eleasis, Lion's Way - The Green Enclave is banished from the premises of Warrior's Rest, after a disagreement over the Bladestone's Foundation project to build an outpost in the beach south of Candlekeep.

17th Eleasis, Zhentarim controlled lands - A coup orchestrated by Manshoon takes place after the death of Bane. The members of the banite clergy are assassinated, although Fzoul Chembryl is rumored to have fled.

18th Eleasis, Cloakwoods - Hedge Knight Yuri Lichelina comes across a cave filled with spiders, although he finds no trace of the giant spider that is rumored to be stalking the woods.

20th Eleasis, Baldur's Gate - The Grand Opening of River Steel's Bibliotheca takes place in the Eastern Farmlands.

21st Eleasis, Greenest - A group of adventurers is attacked by minotaurs outside the settlement. Although the creatures are pushed back, it is unknown where they came from.

23rd Eleasis, Lion's Way - The dispute between the Bladestone Foundation and the Green Enclave is solved and the ban lifted.

26th Eleasis, Cloakwoods - According to the local rumors, Hedge Knight Yuri Lichelina finds a well leading to a cave full of spiders and drow hunters.

Author's note: if anything is incorrect or missing, do not hesitate to contact me.

In faith,
Scribe Edelgarde Spades

((OOC Disclaimer: Thank you for reading the ToT special. If you would like something added in future works feel free to send me a PM or poke me on discord. In order for me to avoid involuntarily metagaming I kindly ask that the request is delivered as follows:

- Either IC (missive or in game if you prefer)
- Or OOC with a link to the relevant rumor post in the forum

A huge heartfelt thank you to the community for filling the server with wonderful stories))
[/quote]