Registered Member #24486
Joined: 11:40:46 am GMT 06/28/18
Posts: 102
Regards to the front
A well sealed crate of goods has appeared in the vicinity of the eastern borders of Poisonwood brought upon by a nervous pack of common sellswords and thugs from the Cobblewall inn. The men seem paid well enough to dare approach the borders of the feared elves, but would disperse immediately after gaining the attention from the patrolling Arben guards. The elves would find a sealed message tied to the crate and would deliver it their superior for further examination along with the crate. The Hand of Syann in attendance would read out the message.
My humblest greetings from the Dragon's Eyrie to our newfound friends in the south.
I have been most pleased to hear your campaign is running smoothly and you've kept your upper hand against those you'd consider traitors of your kin. The company recognizes the vast strength of the armies of Poisonwood and will come to your aid as soon as possible, my men do have a knack for fighting on the winning side after all.... However, we have faced some unexpected logistical issues in our move towards the battlefront. Unfortunately, the wagon bearing all the necessary armaments and magical potions for the company has had all of it's four tires shattered and the kobolds are still working on them. We shall be on the road as soon as possible.
As a sign of good faith, the contents of this crate are to easen your battlefield tensions. Do pass my personal regards to Spyder.
Signed, C,G
As the Arben would unseal the crate in question, they'd find a fine sortiment of alcoholic beverages from drow cognac to finest elven wines with nothing suspicious involved.
Meanwhile in Greenvale
A battle tarnished mainland elf has made his return to the walls of the Queen's city and continues to volunteer amongst the Estel armies in fighting the enemy back. Having spent a week in the infirmaries of the ancient elven city after nearly drowning whilst captaining his gunboat during the naval battle of the southern bay against the Thayans, Elhan stands more convinced than ever that his devout faith in the Leaflord has not been in vain. His destined sense of purpose would still remain in not giving up and inch of the city without a fight... still seeking to prove his worth to the brothers-in-arms of the Estel and Queen Yu'su herself.
Registered Member #25436
Joined: 1:59:54 pm GMT 03/22/20
Posts: 58
((This post is going to catch up a bunch of stuff that has happened in the past week or two. A lot of this information has already been communicated IC to various characters. It is just reiterated here))
One day when Avaggdu was tending the second secret garden with the five poisonwood saplings, he was caught off-guard by the Leader of the Brotherhood of Rangers ((DM Cuchuwyn)). The Ranger was investigating a strange sight that some of his men had informed him about, and wanted to know exactly what Avaggdu was doing there. Avaggdu explained the project to the Ranger in detail- that he was testing to see what the effect of the truffles from the Lumenshire would have on the Poisonwood. The Ranger understood and permitted the Druid to continue his research as long as it did not pose a threat to the nearby community.
The Ranger and Avaggdu took a look at some of the truffles during their talk, and that is when the discovery was made that the truffles actually do absorb the toxins from the Poisonwood. However, if they are left to absorb too much, then they become saturated with the poison. This was evidenced by the larger, older truffles being impregnated with the poison while the medium sized to smaller ones were not yet poisonous. This presented a problem- what to do with the saturated truffles?
Avaggdu took a great deal of time to contemplate the implications of this discovery, and was able to deduce that the truffles of the Lumenshire must have always had these properties. He realized that through his gardens he did not actually do anything to spur a change in the truffles- he simply planted them around the poisonwood saplings and set up a containment to keep the poison isolated from the surrounding environment. Therefore, it is a possibility that the truffles are part of what is protecting the Lumenshire from the advancement of the poisonwood.
Additionally, since the medium-to-smaller sized truffles were effective at absorbing the Poisonwood toxins, Avaggdu believed that they could make an effective remedy against the poison. In the near future he would get two opportunities to test them out for this purpose.
Initially, Avaggdu had hoped to develop some sort of natural weapon against the Poisonwood with the Truffles. However, he did not know by himself how to accomplish this.
((5/1/2020- first picture))
Arakhor found Avaggdu napping in the Hellshire camp and woke him gently with the fluttering of her wings. Sitting atop his shoulder, they moved to an area outside of camp where they could discuss the war. Arakhor came to ask why Avaggdu healed her and took her to the faerie grove outside of Greenvale after she had been bound and captured by the Greenvale soldiers. Avaggdu told her that it was because the first time they met in the Poisonwood, when she was still known as "Seryn", that she could have killed him for trespassing but did not. It was a show of good will to reciprocate that mercy when he found her in Greenvale, heavily wounded. Also, since several high-ranking members of Greenvale ((I cannot for the life of me remember names- one is Jandari's character)) eventually met Avaggdu and Arakhor in the grove, there was a chance for them to begin discussing a cease-fire. This discussion did not last long, however, as Arakhor's kin promptly showed up to rescue her.
Arakhor openly asked Avaggdu about his project with the truffles, and he told her that the Lumenshire was protected from the advancement of the Poisonwood, regardless of any actions that he had taken. He said that he did not succeed in modifying the truffles in any way.
Avaggdu implored Arakhor to try and stop the war before it gets worse. Arakhor explained that the forest-kin were far too angry to stop, and that they had yet to see the worst of the war. She said that the forest-kin demanded respect and were tired of being considered mad, or insane for accepting the poison and living in their home. Avaggdu told Arakhor that slaughtering commoners in Greenvale seemed to be counter-productive towards a goal of demonstrating that one is not "mad." Avaggdu stated that anger is the true poison of the forest-kin. Arakhor responded by referring to the anger of the "other side" - particularly the anger of Rennelith.
Avaggdu was careful about telling the feyling too much about his future plans for the project with the truffles. Now that he understood their nature better, perhaps he could find those more knowledgeable to help him do something with it....
((5/2/2020 - second picture))
In the aftermath of the -literal- chaos in the Greenvale School of Magic, Avaggdu was able to update Teron Dian of his discovery regarding the truffles. He told Teron that he hoped to use them as a medicine to treat poisoned individuals. It would be difficult to weaponzie them though, since they become poisonous when saturated... with Teron being well-studied in Transmutation magic, Avaggdu hoped that he might have some idea on how to transmute the poisonous truffles into something more benign. Avaggdu provided a sample of a "regular" truffle and a "poisonous" one to Teron.
At some point, the Necromancer Morton Falone visited the Hellshire Clan Cavern to talk with the Kralshaman. In casual conversation, Avaggdu mentioned the discovery about the truffles and provided the Necromancer with samples as well.
Avaggdu hoped that with the truffles in possession by both a powerful Transmuter and Necromancer, than perhaps some future direction for the project would reveal itself.
((5/4-5/2020))
Avaggdu had two opportunities to test the truffles as a medicine.
The first was after Rennelith had finished interrogating Elarion after the young evoker had been captured on the Greenvale battlefield. Dele and Avaggdu were present during the interrogation, after which Dele attempted to clear the evoker's memory but accidentally got infected by the poison from his blood. Avaggdu used one of the truffles he had been carrying with him to help bring the poison out of her body.
The second opportunity came when Rennelith appeared on the brink of death at the Trade'n'Tackle. Avaggdu returned quickly to the Lumenshire to harvest some of the truffles and use them to help treat Renn's wounds, which had been steeped in the poisonwood's toxins. Dace,Darren, and Avaggdu moved Rennelith to a room at the bottom of the Trade'n'Tackle to begin working on him. After Avaggdu rubbed a paste made from the truffles over the Huntmaster's wounds, Dace begun performing a ritual of divine consecration. Avaggdu joined in trying to conjure healing energies. Eventually, though their combined efforts they were able to bring the Huntmaster back to consciousness...
Registered Member #24916
Joined: 2:58:00 pm GMT 01/23/19
Posts: 610
Things have gone on for far too long and both sides are getting weary. Those in Poisonwood grow tired of licking their wounds, and the mental scarring is taking it's toll of those of Greenvale. Lines grow blurred when both sides are pushed to the limit, and those supposed to be good loose their morals. They commit acts they would never otherwise do... but what happens with evil? Do they cross the line between them and become good? It certainly seems the case with some.. but for others, is there anything past malice?
Registered Member #1145
Joined: 8:28:45 pm GMT 08/30/07
Posts: 823
(From Styvn's journal)
I was headed south to make another foray into the poisoned woods, keeping up my effort to deny the aggressors as many bodies as I could in their assault on the city of Elisara. As I made my way silently past the Crossroads fire I noticed two of the Poisonwood agents standing casually by the fire, conversing with a few others as if they had not a care in the world. It was Rita and the human I had heard someone call Kana'ti.
A few days earlier, he was the one who stabbed me in the back and left me for dead on the ground near Elisara's cave during our fight to save the Queen. But I was not dead. And I managed to drink a healing potion and regain my feet.
I had only been observing Rita and Kana'ti for a few moments when Renneleth and the knight called Sollis appeared. Sollis had a squire with him. I heard him called Darren. Renneleth made his intentions clear by suggesting everyone who did not want to be a part of the imminent battle should clear the area. Some did, while some others merely backed away to watch.
Renneleth positioned himself behind Rita and put a blade to her throat. He asked her where the "ashes" were. Rita did not answer the question, and instead taunted Renneleth with a condescending voice. I expected to see her die, but at that moment Kana'ti used a shadow gem to take Rita and himself to the shadow plane. Renneleth insisted I follow them, taking he and his companions along as well. I obliged.
To say Rita and Kana'ti were surprised to see us appear next to them would be an understatement. Renneleth wasted no time with banter. He knocked Kana'ti to the ground with his first strike and placed another across his chest as he lie on the ground. I put an arrow in his leg, and another in his heart. Kana'ti was dead.
At the same moment, Sollis engaged Rita, and struck her twice. As Sollis struck her a third and fourth time I put an arrow in her side, and she disappeared. We searched the immediate area for a few moments and then regrouped near Kana'ti's body.
A short time later, Darren was calling forth blessings from Tyr upon us when Rita reappeared from the shadows. She went straight for Darren and struck him severely with her blade. A lessor man would have fallen on the spot, but Darren managed to keep his feet, though he was seriously injured. At that point the rest of us engaged Rita. Sollis got to her first, and knocked her down with his first strike. I shot several arrows at her, but only one struck it's mark. She was using some magical force to conceal herself. Sollis had invoked a magical shield of some sort upon his armor and when Rita regained her feet and struck him, she fell to the ground dead.
Renneleth searched their bodies for the "ashes", and though he found many unusual and interesting things, he did not find what he sought. He instructed Sollis to use a scroll to bring Kana'ti back to life so he could be questioned. The interrogation was not a long one, as interrogations go, and it was not as brutal as some. As it began to unfold, Sollis and Darren left us and went to take care of other business.
Renneleth wanted to know who took the "ashes", where they were, and who's plan it was. He swore to Kana'ti that if he did not speak the truth, and without deception, he would send Rita's body back to her goddess with no ears, eyes, or tongue. Kana'ti was less than pleased with that thought, but still resisted answering quickly and in a straight forward manor. That resulted in some small pieces of Rita being removed. As he continued dancing around the answers Renneleth wanted I promised him that if he did not speak the truth, I would cut out his tongue and feed it to my cat. He began to be more forthright with his answers. But then he made another mistake. He accused Renneleth of being a liar and without honor. I made him another promise. I promised if he spoke ill of my brother again, I would end his miserable life once more.
It was then that Arakhor arrived and began to speak with Renneleth. She heard me speak my last promise to Kana'ti and threatened to hunt all of us down and kill us if I harmed him. At the same time she was making her threat, Kana'ti once again insulted Renneleth, and informed me that I would be a liar and without honor the same as Renneleth if I made good my promise. Renneleth began to fight with Arakhor and shouted to me to kill Kana'ti and put an end to his evil existence. Once again, I obliged. And it was here that Rita's body vanished.
As Kana'ti died a second time in less that a couple of hours, Arakhor shifted into a huge beast of some type and I sheathed my blades and began to fire arrows into her form. Eventually, Renneleth and I managed to inflict enough damage that she literally exploded and fell to earth as her fey self. But not before she swallowed Kana'ti's body. Renneleth and I departed to the material plane, and left her lying in the dust.
In the hours after, I thought about the things that Kana'ti said, and I could find no lies or dishonor in either myself, or Renneleth. Rita departed with her tongue, a small pin prick in one eye, and most of one ear. She would have been more intact if Kana'ti had been more cooperative, and less contentious. And because I felt that he eventually told the truth, I did not cut out his tongue and feed it to my cat. I only killed him after he insulted Renneleth again. Renneleth and I both kept our promises. And that is more than those evil, treacherous Poisonwood agents deserved. They are the ones without honor. May their souls rot in the hells for eternity.
Registered Member #1120
Joined: 4:36:33 am GMT 07/27/07
Posts: 491
“An opportunity has been wasted, but perhaps with more preparation, and better self-control, this can be rectified.”
The morning had begun tensely, and continued in that manner throughout the day. The blue-clad mage, along with Lomir, Ryleena and Lily, had been invited as guests to the Hellshire Clan’s council meeting by the Kralshaman as guests and witnesses. After hours of tense discussion, the Clan had, to Teron’s immense relief, decided to support the cause of Greenvale in the ongoing conflict. Despite this good fortune, Teron found his emotions roiling soon afterwards, at the visit of a Fae agent of the Poisonwood. The being had come in a diplomatic fashion, simply to confirm the decision made by the council, and had even taken the time to begin teaching her(her?) perspective on the history of the conflict. All the same, he had to excuse himself from the encounter before the storm inside slipped out.
Only later, with his mind and heart calmed, did he realize how much he had potentially lost in that decision as questions formed in his mind and battered themselves against his foolish pride and anger:
-What, truly, was the Poisonwood’s “victory condition” in this conflict? What was this fae’s interest in this conflict? Are they as tired of this standoff as he was?
At the same time, another thought enveloped him, thinking of the condition of the northern wing of the city he called home:
“Abstract, Negative, Concrete.”
“Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis.”
He had heard tell that, from their perspective, the denizens of the Wood saw themselves as fighting for recognition, for respect, to not be seen as corrupted monsters. The poison of the Wood seems to have changed from merely being a toxin to something else entirely. Both sides saw themselves as the “Thesis” in this conflict, as was usual in most conflicts of this nature. Was there a way to bring about “Synthesis” without heaping up another mountain of dead elves? Would this even be feasible with atrocity after atrocity being carried out every day?
All this brought him back to his most familiar setting, in a room full of dusty books, hastily scouring for information.
Registered Member #25300
Joined: 6:37:11 am GMT 06/04/19
Posts: 153
Dele looked at the figures around the table in the Queens outer chamber as she approached it, friends, allies, family.
Renneleth and Dele has put out the call for aid, and so many had answered. This had been months in the planning, growing the grafted Phel’zar plants in dark secluded locations, Moving them when necessary to avoid Poisonwoods eyes. Avaggdu’s research and experimentation on the Poisonwood’s saplings, confirming their suspicions, and giving them direction. Renneleth and their spies gathering intelligence and then spying out the target. Dele and others enlisting many to aid, to help collect what they needed and fighters to protect them while they worked. Brazik & Lily collected the explosives. Her heart had skipped a beat, when Caster, Avaggdu and Acanthus all agreed to help. They were the final part of the puzzle.
Finally the spores were ready to be harvested and collected and more were collected directly by Gram from the underdark just to make sure, all things felt in place. Distraction Diversion and the mission would be done.
She heard Anyndel’s voice detail once again the plan and she smiled, who would have thought.
The Plan was clear, everyone was briefed: Step 1 We met in the Queens Tower, to make sure everyone was on the same page, two teams formed. Step 2. Left Greenvale and fought our way close to Poisonwood Docks, they would burn! A distraction, but a purpose and intent in itself. Kellendil and Brazik in charge. Step 3. A diversion, a small group will broke off and used stealth to reach the target – The Tree, a union between Poisonwood and the the Dark Fey.. Seryn’s creation. Something that empowered the attack against Greenvale. Something they all agreed had to be destroyed Step 4. Time is against us here. The trees speak to each other, it will be 15 minutes at most to get this done. We dig in the many black rocks we have accumulated around the roots. Step 5 We release the enhanced Phel'zar spores into the canopy. Those that can fly into the canopy were given bags of spores to distribute, while others used their shields to fan the spores up into the lower branches. The explosives mixed with celestial crystals were also placed. Step 6 We waited and waited, the wait seemed to stretch interminably. Wave after wave of Poisonwood and Undead Greenvale soldiers came at the fighters, while the divine casters and druids threw everything at the tree they had to help the spores and rocks weaken it, the team of fighters doing everything they could to keep those that worked on the tree safe. ..And then the tree trembled, was it a tremble? Or was that just hope in the imagination of Caster, Avaggdu and Dele as they stood around it, their hearts racing, sweat dripping down their faces, revealing their exertion, their faces a picture of grim determination. No, it truly trembled. The leaves started to shrivel and fall as the spores sapped their magic, the branches seemed to groan and twist as the black rocks drained the magic from them. It was weakening! She waited, watching, watching each leaf fall to the ground as if accompanied with a defining thud. time moved so slowly as she watched... Step 7. Finally it was enough! She shouted through the din. The explosives! Any, Ren it is time. Anyndel broke off from the fighting and raced to light the fuse, moving quickly we all stood back. The explosion was enormous, we were all thrown back, many splintered with poisoned shards from the tree. The cry went up to leave, hurry!! The job was done. The tree was no more.
So much more to do, other plans started but needing to be brought to fruition. Now however she just wanted to sink into a hot bath.
// Not knowing exactly what went down at the docks. I will leave it for someone else to give a run down on that part of the plan! Cudos to the players that stuck to the plan and rp'ed it amazingly!
Registered Member #1009
Joined: 7:04:13 am GMT 03/26/07
Posts: 539
Should the Hellshire Clan pull out from the Poisonwar and focus on a new direction?
This question was made possible through an unexpected series of events. Byran had been brought to the shire by spirits of the Bonesaw, and spirits of the Hellshire had challenged Jiztroyir to prove himself the Kralshaman. The consequences of their choices in the past were revealed before them as they watched the birth of the Bonesaw from the Hellshire Clan. As this new clan grew larger and more powerful, a Chieftain arose and in his climax he betrayed the Hellshire and slaughtered all who had remained. This revelation was a surprise to even Byr'an. With the vision's conclusion the the Spirits had made their desire very clear. The Bonesaw and Hellshire needed to resolve their past and move forward.
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And that was the problem, the differences that caused the schism in the first place were most perfectly embodied in the debate that was to decide things. Byr'an the Blood Baron, last survivor of the Bonesaw Clan, and Jiztroyir the Kralshaman, Founder of the Hellshire Clan. Though early discussion supported Byr'an's position, as the matter progressed a middle ground soon formed which many in the clan had found more agreeable. It was when Byr'an issued a challenge to the guests present, to prove they had been supportive of the Clan, that his position fell apart. As each was called forward and spoke of the great many things they had helped the clan with the, those present in the discussion saw less and less worth in the idea of abandoning the Clan's allies. By the time the fourth speaker had stepped forward, one of the more vocal supporters had left the cavern in frustration and the matter was settled. The Clan would march to battle openly in defense of Greenvale. It was clear the subject was of great concern as several guests had been seen exhaling.
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From the moment of the visions to the the matter discussed, it had been nearly one week. Byran's offer of peace had encouraged the Poisonwood to a truce in that time, as befitting the responsibilities and history, they were informed about the decision of the Clan. Arakhor made a personal visit to speak some on the matter and then departed with Lily. Byr'an declared that this war was not his to fight and voiced that he would seek out other Orc clans in order to create an Orcshire. Some in the clan had voiced support to the notion and that matter was clearly one which would appear again in the future.
The very next day, Avaggdu, Vroshnak, and Jiztroyir arrived armed and prepared for the coming battle. Alongside was Liekki, an officer of the Ravens and friend to the Clan, who had been aiding the Clan in their defense. All gathered in the Queen's Tower. A battle plan was laid out and the Clan's people were split in half as the two objectives were made and the many in the room moved to prepare for their coming duties. The battle at the Docks was fierce beyond question. Many times did people fall, blood soaked the ground and it was a wonder the docks went up in flames with how slick they had become from all that had died upon them. Yet through the endurance of Brazik and the others victory was achieved, Styvn took those gathered to the Shadow Crossroads and there began a second battle. This time the shadows pursued. A Dread Wraith appeared in the Moribund Bog, and as it fell an even greater creature appeared, a Ghost Dragon. Though the creature was nearly felled, the morning light ended the battle before victory was complete.
Upon returning to the City, those who had been part of the Docks attack found themselves assaulted by raids from the Poisonwood East. Among the number that spilled into the city streets was undead. It did not take long to realize that these faces were those of former warriors and sages of Greenvale. The Poisonwood had perverted them into killing the very people they had lived to protect. The other half of the overall group arrived just in time to battle against a full scale attack. Many undead, and Poisonwood alike streamed from the vile woods and it took much to finally stem the tide and beat it back.
Shortly after battle, the Queen's court was filled with the bloody, sweaty, and tired bodies of those who had acted in the defense of her city. Reports were made about the destruction of the tree and the burning of the docks. Anyndel was made to wear a ring similar to those who walked the streets of Steinkreis. Liekee spoke of the Raven's desire to protect the south and a future meeting between the current leader and the Queen was to be arranged soon. As always the Kralshaman stepped forward and petitioned for aid in protecting his people and as always he was reminded that the choices of his tolerance would earn him no pubilc support in the Queen's Court. Something the Clan did not take well, yet the truth was that it was truly just a question of whether such support might come from the independent actions of her champions instead. Surely they would act in defense of those who bled to protect their city. Right?
[ The Island of Thain ]
Poisonwar
