The Bladestone Foundation

[artemitavik]

Brawl-room Blitz Conclusion!

Thank you to all who came out to watch and participate!

Winner of first place was Callo, who chose a purse of 20 bags for her winnings.

Second was the Bladestone's own Adrian.

Third was the towering half-orc Grobb.

There was a lot of good fighting, good fun, and good partying after!

[artemitavik]

An invitation was hung up here and there from Soubar to Beregost. It was signed with no name
but a mage rune familiar to some as that of the Elven wizard Sirion Te'dwa.

.

Mages of the Sword Coast

I am once again asking you to join me for an evening of mageduels, this time in Warrior's Rest on the Way of the Lion.

Expect a tournament with some kind of reward for the winner. Registering in advance is not required but since pairings will be made before the tournament begins, please be there in good time!

Be there in the evening, 22nd of Flamerule.
Rules and information follow below.

(( July 23 @ 17 UTC - link ))

Mageduel rules:

1) Attack only with spells, including weapons conjured in the duel and magical shapechange.
2) You may hold a magic weapon not conjured for its effects, but not attack with it.
3) You may make use of scrolls, wands and other magic items so long as they do not attack directly. For example, a scroll to conjure a weapon or creature.
4) When you would normally have died, you are out of the duel.
5) When you leave the circle, you are out of the duel. The last to remain inside the circle has won.
6) The duel also ends when both parties declare it to be a draw.

Rules to abide by in Warrior's Rest:

1) Do not cause damage to the establishment in any way.
2) Do not harass or scare the staff and patrons of the inn.
3) No undead and no outsiders.
4) We have been told it would be appreciated if we abstained from casting "evil energy spells" and given the example of Abyssal might, that conjures energy from the Abyss.

The infirmary and its healers are available to us, and the arena has been paid for for three hours. If anybody chooses to stay longer than that, feel free to tell them it was my fault - Sirion

Beginning the duel:

I) Agree on a number of up to 3 wards.
II) After a count, cast your wards or wait as long as it takes you to cast them.
III) Then enter the arena and attack.

Quickening one's wards is allowed but considered by many to be against the spirit of the mageduel.

(( OOC note on AoE spells and damage: RP wise nothing should leave lasting damage or affect anyone outside the duel. But since the room is pretty cramped, you might consider holding back on huge AoE spells cause you will hit the audience OOC xD ))

[Moonsong]

The Mage Duel

On a night full of surprises, four pairings stepped up in Warrior's Rest's arena, making it a magical battleground temporarily. The pairings were put together by Tiawyn and handed to Sirion, which made the Hedge Wizard grimmace for a moment as he saw them.

At first Aeala and Mathilde Winterthal delivered a small hunt, for each other. In the end, Mathilde had enough of playing, transformed her worthy opponent into a chicken and bested her! After them, the Red Wizard Xorgael and Cold had a duel, that went surprisingly fast, compared to the former one, with Xorgael on the ground. The third pairing were Tarina and Merenia, in an impressive fight. But still, the Witch of Darkhold lost to the Bronze Dragonblood. The last pairing of the first round was elven. Sirion won against Natariel.

The second round had Mathilde and Cold as the first pairing, with Cold being the last man standing. Maybe not expecting to get that far, Sirion still was beaten by Merenia. Which left her and Cold in the finale, which showed which woman not to mess with. But Cold was still too tough, so the winner of the Warrior's Rest Mage duels is

Cold Wesh!

He had the choice, between three prices and chose wisely. While Sirion handed the prize, Tiawyn would oversee few more casual duels for practise. The event ended on time. There were no serious troubles, as several healers and backup healers did good work and reacted quickly.

The Church of Mystra is grateful for the Bladestone Foundation, letting them rent the place!

((OOC: Shame on me, i have no screens, but if you want to watch 1 1/2 hour of fun, here for those who couldn't be there. Thanks to Pimple for recording and uplaoding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Fxab-jXJc ))

[zhazz]

Harvest Revelry

The Harvest Revelry hosted by the Bladestone Foundation at their tavern: The Warrior's Rest, went off to great success. An opening speech by Administrator Adrian Baker was well received. Delivered in typical Adrian style with some stutters and stops throughout. Following the speech was the opening performance of Tiawyn Aleaneldeth, which helped set the mood of the evening, and had couples dancing right away.

It wasn't long before the Bardess of Roaringshore, Rose Wintertal took the stage to deliver performances of her own, adding another take on the evening's theme. Throughout the evening Tiawyn and Rose continued to take turns on the stage, delivering performance after performance, which had the revelers cheering and dancing.

As the evening progressed some guests left, while others joined. The Harvest Revelry was as much a celebration of the harvest season, as it was the people living in the small communities all throughout the no-man's-land patrolled by the Bladestone Foundation. It was therefore no surprise, but certainly further cause for celebration when people from those communities arrived too to join in the revelry. This of course prompted an encore of the opening speech, since many of the guests now there had not heard it.

The evening continued in good spirits, including a wrestling match between Headmaster Derik Ranloss and Administrator Adrian Baker. Though calls were made for it to be shirtless and in a puddle of grease, they two politely declined such a spectacle. It was a very one-sided match, won through sustained effort by Derik. Experience and sheer bulk outmatching lithe nimbleness — though he certainly had his fair share of troubles folding Adrian into a pretzel!

Music, dancing, laughter, and high-spirited revelry continued throughout the evening, and well into the night. Just like it had begun.


Opening speech

Thank you all for coming, and to all who are still yet to join us.

Tonight we'll be celebrating the turn of the Harvest. There will be music, song, dance for those so inclined, wrestling for those wanting to engage in such, and of course food and drinks.

We are celebrating not only the Harvest, but more so the combined efforts of the local communities that are fighting to maintain a living and thrive in the no-man's-land t-that we are a part of. Some of whom may still join us tonight to partake in the celebration of a successful harvest.

While the magical mist down by the beach and harbour does provide a challenge for us and the communities we are a part of, we are still honoured to be part of those communities, and glad to see the progress they've made over the years.

Tonight is a celebration of the Harvest, and the communities all around us, whom have endured much, yet still stand tall, and tells all the trouble coming their way: 'This is our land, we're not leaving.'

I hope you all have a grand time. Enjoy yourselves with music, food, dance, song, and drink. And bid you welcome to the Harvest Revelry.

And now . . music!

(( A big thank you goes out to DM Mimic for adding to the atmosphere of the event with so many NPCs! ))

[artemitavik]

As the issue with the Nashekel crisis continues, Derik Ranloss is seen giving orders to the small number of guards that the patrol the lands south of the Lion's Way that have been helping keep banditry against the villages there down and refugee transit safe as possible.

However, with rumors among the staff that there may be negotiations with the dwarves of the north for supplies, a full half of the guards employed once more are sent into the wilds to help with refugees and survivors of this new and latest issue if any flee the northern boarders of Amn. This leaves the guards stationed at the Trade Dock at the Lighthouse and the Foundation building of the Warrior's rest itself a bit thinner than normal, but it seems it can't be helped.

The headmaster himself is seen performing guard duties and deep, several day long patrol routes...

[zhazz]

Posters go up all around the Bladestone Foundation's assets, notifying both guards and travelers of a recent proclamation by the management.

5th of Ches, 1360 DR
March 6th 2024

Let it be known that the male gnome known as Worbert is henceforth banned from the Bladestone Foundation due to allegations of poisoning the woman known as Nalissa Colds, as well as openly admitting to trading with drow.

The ban extends to the Warrior's Rest, and all affiliated holdings. This includes, but is not limited to: Hope's Landing, the lighthouse by Hope's Landing, the refugee camp near the Bladestone Foundation, and the caravan stop by the Bladestone Foundation.

Should Worbert violate the ban he is to be apprehended and escorted off the premises.

Signed,
Administrator Adrian Baker
Bladestone Foundation

[artemitavik]

As the issue with the Nashekel crisis continues, Derik Ranloss is seen giving orders to the small number of guards that the patrol the lands south of the Lion's Way that have been helping keep banditry against the villages there down and refugee transit safe as possible.

However, with rumors among the staff that there may be negotiations with the dwarves of the north for supplies, a full half of the guards employed once more are sent into the wilds to help with refugees and survivors of this new and latest issue if any flee the northern boarders of Amn. This leaves the guards stationed at the Trade Dock at the Lighthouse and the Foundation building of the Warrior's rest itself a bit thinner than normal, but it seems it can't be helped.

The headmaster himself is seen performing guard duties and deep, several day long patrol routes...

With the immediate issues of the Floating Citadel over Nashkel dealt with and the possible influx of refugees stemmed once more, Derik gives orders to resume normal numbered patrols and guarding to the Bladestone Foundation, now with at any given time one third of security at the Foudnation proper, one third on patrol in the Coastal Plains/Noman's land south of Lion's Way to assist with banditry and any refugees that do trickle in, and one third at Hope's Landing/Lighthouse along the coast.

[Hakken2]

Previous month Bhor spoke to Adrian at the refugees camp near Bladestone foundation. He promised to speak to his king to send a caravan to aid the people there. The Amnian refugees have fled the oppressive environment targeting mages. Bhor is informed that several other organizations and communities, whether big or small, are also currently housing similar refugees. To avoid any one place being overrun and overwhelmed by the resource and personnel, any aid will be welcome.

[artemitavik]

As the storm makes landfall, the refugees staying at the Bladestone as well as any visiting merchants and villagers are brought inside. Food is made, though rationed out as there may be a bit of a long haul. Children are entertained with illusions and bunnies (Celestia) for a while. Isabella also helps in the infirmary.

Derik is seen heading out into the storm, often using his shield as an umbrella, to get anyone else who was trapped on the road when it happened as able.

However, it is clear that the resources of the Foundation are stretched to capacity at this point.

Hidden: show

Thunder and Lightning, the Storm has come.

The tournament within Baldurs Gate came to an interruption, when a contestant, a man bringing word of Talos within the arena, warning of the cities refusal to bring proper homage to the Stormlord. A red bolt of lightning came from the clouds above striking into the city, which could have been seen for miles out. In the arena, it was observed to have hit this same contestant, with no apparent ill effect. This man was slain soon after by other men and woman eager to face this contestant.

Soon after, the denizens along the coastline could see the storm moving eastward. Inland! With it came rain, thunder and lightning and hail stones the size of large tomatos until it started to worsen. The storm had just begun.

[DiceyCZ]

*As the storm rages on, Niyressa can often be seen walking around the grounds and the camp, using minor spells like Harden to protect the roof and walls where tear seems to accumulate more, and where damage is already done she uses Mend to fix up the Inn*

[artemitavik]

Upon the lifting of the storm, Derik makes sure the Foundation building and the Hope's Landing is all squared away then gets patrols back out to make sure that the villagers and farmers don't need anything.

Hidden: show

The Storm Recedes

The storm has finally lifted, with last night for the clouds to recede to a weather more welcome of the spring. Some claim divine omens were seen, but what is clear the rain, hail and lightning have gone, and the people's along the coast were greeted with a warm sunrise finally drying the environs. What had been interrupted by the period of furious weather, steadily starts to find its course back as also the lasting damage is being assessed.

[artemitavik]

The Headmaster of the Bladestone Foundation was seen arriving carrying the lifeless body of a male tiefling who had been slain on the Tradeway, his horns ripped from his head. Derik himself had the look of someone recently in an intense fight.

The body was taken to the cellar where a sketch is being circulated to the locals to find the family of the man to return for burial. However, apparently several other tiefling horns were buried the next morning near the Foundation in the fields with full Tempurian honors for those who fell in battle.

((Event DM Limerence, thanks!))

[artemitavik]

A posting is made at the Bladestone Foundation facilities.

Let it be known that the bandits and cuthroats issuing and collecting bounties on tiefling horns and tails are hereby unwelcome and considered enemy by the Bladestone Foundation.

Any such people found attempting to collect such bounties in, near, or around Bladestone facilities or patrols will be removed if not slain on sight of action. The Foundation declares a zero tolerance for this act.

Any questions regarding this may be directed to the office of the Headmaster.

Derik Ranloss
The Crimson Bulwark
Headmaster of the Bladestone Foundation
Security Council Member of Duke Eltan

Effective as this is posted, the BSF patrols in the coastal planes are reduced a bit in frequency but are heavier armed with larger teams.

((DM Limerence notified))

[artemitavik]

Although a sketch of the dead tiefling was circulated, no one came forward to claim relation to the man. Perhaps this man was simply a random traveller with no local friends or family, or maybe no one wanted to claim association with a tiefling.

Regardless, Derik gave orders for the man to be buried in the fields with Tempurian honors for one who fell in battle.

It is shortly after this that reports of the combat with the bandits that killed one and wounded serveral of the Bladestone guard patrols was received

(( viewtopic.php?f=17&t=74321&p=966018#p966018 ))

Upon turning to retreat to his offices, some nearby did hear the Headmaster talking to himself. The word "war" was said to be mentioned as he disappeared upstairs.

[Findriel]

Today, the large mountain orc went into the Bladestone foundation house, like he was a few days ago. Hurn shows his face to the guard upfront the door to the guild hall, then went in, looking around, then walking up to the bartender.

"I wanted to inform the Bladestone foundation members of some strange red mist that appeared near the FAI in eastern Cloakwood today. It was full of human-sized corpses and body parts and those persons, that went into it told that it seems like walking through corpses itself. A shaman burnt it down, which made the red mist vanish. But the mystery remains ... where did the mist come from, is it dangerous and where were those corpses coming from. Beyond that it seems a rather gigantic worg was defeated, but that I haven't seen myself ... missed the fight." For a moment he sounded quite disappointed. "Just wanted to warn the other members of Bladestone foundation to be careful."