Crop Circles
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_The battle lines of the plants gives way, flowing from day to day. One..maybe three nights in a row it may seem the thorny thicket is growing and clawing its way out of the corner. THen within one night, it is driven right back again.
The skies over the fields of the Valley grow into a night display of colored lights One aurora and maelstrom will move only to be intercepted by a second before it may touch down. Blustery winds swirl around the ground under and around the outsides of the vividly colored supermaelstrom. The flashing and bright display is sure to dazzle any onlookers to gaze too long up at it. Those who do find themselves dazzled report feeling a longing to…follow the lights to from where ever they came.
No one being able to follow the warring lights, their feeling subsides once their snes are regained from being entranced at the display. Those dazzled or with wilder imaginations witness the occasional sight of knights on brilliant steeds crashing down on ugly, horridly faced, man-things riding giant spiders..in the sky amid the lights? and in fierce battle.
Reality or merely fanciful retelling...such an ill-defined and blurred line is the birthstuff of countless fairy tales...even on Toril._
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Tiffiny is the first to start a little clap amoung the people in regongnition of agood job to deet andsoon everyone joins in
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_Observing atop the hill, Dietrick watches in awe.
On the next day, Dietrick gathered the whole valley. With the dragoons standing behind him atop the hill , their red banners flabbering in the wind, and the many valley towns-folk and farmers gathering below looking up in curiosity, wondering what this is about._
"Is been long time and a hard fight. Dietrick understands everyone have suffered, everyone lost something. But this day, is the day that all of that is over! We will reclaim what is ours, and rebuild wat was lost. Dietrick is happy to let everyone know this blight evil is defeated!…"
Dietrick proceeds to draw his sword up high.
"I declare victory! This victory was not easy, was only by da power of our Goddess Yondalla to remove the blight, Princess Morgaine 's help to keep it from returning, and all of your cooperation to help in this together that it is over. Do not forget to give thanks to Yondalla, and when able, an offering to Princess Morgaine for her help. She is the one who prevent this blight from coming back, trinkets and ornaments women would fancy will please her. Simply bury them in a bag in the ground. And last of all, good work dragoons."
_Dietrick smiles his usual silly smile and assures the farmers to return to their normal lives, to regrow their crops.
Dietrick further instructs the dragoons to keep an eye on the last bastion of thicket the creepy crawlies live in. If it ever grows beyond its boundaries, have the priests cast remove curse on it at once.
Dietrick also further suggests that a great festival and celebration will be held soon, to commerate their victory, celebrate it, and to give thanks as well to their Goddess Yondalla and a "Princess Morgaine"._
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_Something the dragoons did, leads to the blight being absent for nearly a day, one night passing without any vermin or wild plants moving in, only mage bot flies swarming in strength over the center of the second circle that brought them to the valley in the first place.
By the dawn after the dragoon's charge, a swirling rainbow of sky lights again forms locally over the first affected and treated area. Strong winds howl within the maelstrom of prismatic, hypnotic colors. The same dazing hypnosis may strike any who dare glimpse into the colorful storm. When the prismatic maelstrom lifts , again the impression of a crop circle is traced out in the dirt and ashes. It is left directly over where the bag of jewelry and other hair and fashion accessories was buried with the note. Anyone digging down would find the earth undisturbed before beginning to dig down and yet find the sack gone.
The strange glyph…gives a soft golden glow in the light of the rising sun.That eve, in the setting sun, plants grow rapidly, taking advantage of the blight's inhibited state. All through that night and into the next day, a friendlier garden green grows up from the earth around the newest laid glyph. Vividly colored flowers blossom on rich, broad-leaved plants. A pleasant and stress-relieving aroma carries with the new growth.The speed of Nature greatly enhanced, these gentler seeming flowers grow and die as rapidly as the blight infected crops and thorn-laden wild plants that encroached in their place had. Growth that should take weeks...months even taking place in hours. Bright green caterpillars feed on the some of the broad leaves of the new plants, spinning themselves into cocoons by dusk.
As dusk sets in this day after the dragoon's charge, the residual magic of the blight reweaves itself, its bioluminescent blight returning to infect the leaves of the new plants while the thorny, wicked weeds reclaim lost ground. The blight doing the same number on the new flowers as it did on the crops. The first time it's attacked apparently wild plants.
Over the first couple hours of the evening, a putrid rotting, sulfurous odor grows thick on the blighted side with the return of the creeping crawling vermin. The swarms seem to find the new plants and their big, colorful blossoms to be as delectable as the blight does, aiding in driving the wondrous new garden back.
The cocoons spun at dusk open a couple hours giving girth to plain, pale white moths that flutter about amid the thick clouds of flies and moonlight. They dance and pair up all the while the new flowers slowly lose ground.
The moth's eggs are laid upon the blight infected leaves, giving rise to a new generation of caterpillars. Their voracious appetites devour the infected leaves greatly slows the spread of the blight, giving the flowers true nature time to show. Without the blight stunting their own spreading growth, parasitic tendrils sprout and wrap around the weeds growing along the frontlines of the silent battle.
Caterpillars fat with blight-infected leaves become moths glowing with the same faint light blue glow as the fungus that fed them and by dawn fill the air with constellations of fluttering blue wings. An army of metallic blue ants crawls from the golden third glyph. With the bite of a single metallic blue ant stinging with the fire of a bullet, the swarming vermin make easy prey for the methodical attack of the ants on the swarm around the flowers the swarm feeds on. The parasitic new flowers advance back, choking off and feeding on the saps of any thorny weeds in their way.
Even the mage flies come under predation from iridescent blue-green swifts and prismatic golden-eyed geckos whose colors change to make perfect camouflages to bright, vivid warning displays and back again in a blink.
Mid-morning light shows the blight to be on its heels, covering roughly only a quarter of the land it did just two nights before. The blight plants are forced to grow so thick and densely together, they form an impenetrable thicket over the last few acres whose shade allows the vermin to remain even in day. Stalemate, the predatory new garden stalls around the twisted, thorny tangle and the weeds cannot sustain any countergrowth outside of the solidified battlelines. An odd and precarious ecology settles in amidst the warring plantlife. Geckos, swifts and even a few colorful spiders predate on any vermin wandering out of the bramble of weeds adn the vermin swarm overwhelms any such predator that wanders into the thicket.
On the plus side, the mage bot flies can only be found in small wispy groups no bigger than a cluster of gnats in a normal day's twilight._
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_As a new day starts and daylight breaks, the valley residents might be surprised or shocked at the view within the valley. The entire dragoon force have assembled, standing still and at attention in orderly files. At their helm , mounted on a war pony, is Captain Dietrick himself, looking as serious as ever before. Cloak flabbering in the wind, it appears as if the Captain is about to make a final stand against the blight. During the six hours of mobilization, the dragoons had been briefed and instructed, preparations made. They are ready.
Unflinching on his mount, Dietrick's eyes look up at the sky, following the light that is slowly breaking. He draws his sword up high, and shouts "Formations!!!"
The dragoons begin to spread out and surround the blight area. On the front ranks are the arvoreen aegis shields, the yondalla faithfuls forming the second behind the first, and the third rank formed by the Brandobaris shadow archers.
Dietrick digs in his heels and charges in, riding around the path in between the blight and the assembled dragoons, cheering out loud "Down with the blight!!!! This day it ends!!!" The dragoons wave their weapons cheering the same, a morale booster.
Dietrick then rides back atop a hill over watching to pass orders.
"Front Rank! Move up!"
The first rank of warriors move closer to the perimeter of the blight with shields locked. They each pull out a glass bottle filled with burning oil and throw it over-head into the midst of the wicked thorn plants. The bottles shatter into glass fragments with the burning oil splattering onto all the thorn plants and evil things. The front rank dragoons then each proceed to take out a torch and lights it, holding up their burning torches, "a ring of fire" surrounds the blight as the first rank of warriors retreat several steps back.
"Archers!!!!"
The first and second rank kneel down, and the third rank of archers place burning arrows to their bows, aiming at the blight and drawing back the bow string.
"Fire!!!!"
Waves of flaming arrows whiz into the blight, setting the blight area and everything within aflame as the oil catches fire. As Dietrick expects any crawlies to start squirming out of the burning hells…
"Archers Halt! Aegis shields move up!!!!"
The first and second rank stand up, with the first rank moving towards the blight. Using their cloaks, they begin to fan at the fires, building it up and blowing the smoke towards the blight center to give the flies a torture session. As for crawlies that crawl outwards from the flame, some among the front ranks would use their burning torches to snub them out, giving them a bludgeoning fiery death.
With the smoke being fanned around the perimeter towards the center, a great column of black smoke rises up into the sky....
After the fire had died down, the arvoreen aegis shields draw their blades and enter in to cut down any surviving alien thing then retreats. When it is secure...
"Second Rank Up!"
The second rank of Yondalla faithfuls begin to move in towards the now clear and secured grounds and begin to chant in harmony. Blessings are casted in unison, only two spells are used by them: remove curse and remove disease.
Next, after the blight is removed temporarily, the priests are ordered back while Dietrick rides to the the spot where a hole was dug previously. He gets off the horse and takes down the bag of pretty ornaments and jewelery loaded on the horse. Slipping a note into the bag (will pm you what the note says) and tying it securely, he puts it into the hole respectfully and orders the dragoons to fill up the hole. After the whole thing, Dietrick mumbles silent words like a prayer...
"Please accept this gift of offering to you, Princess Morgaine, hope you are pleased with it and in return, please keep the stench and rot of the slime lord at bay."
Pairs of dragoon scouts are posted to guard the hole against covetous people, while the rest of the dragoons are ordered back for a good rest._
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_Dietrick gathers the towns folk one day and boldly declares to them that he has found a cure to rid the crop blight. He reveals he needs everyone's cooperation however, and asks for the townsfolk to donate any pretty jewelery and ornaments for females that they are willing to spare for this cause. The dragoons hold a sack going from door to door to collect from the people these jewelry. The sacks are then stored in the barracks, locked and guarded.
An order has also been passed down to the dragoons to be ready to mobilize as a whole within six hours. During these six hours, every sergeant is called into the barracks office where Dietrick spends an hour briefing them on what is to come, and what they are to do. After that, the sergeants proceed to carry out their orders, coordinating the men. Part of the dragoons turn up at provision stores in both valley and jiyyd to purchase large amounts of burning oil and filling up bottles with it. Swords are sharpened, plates are polished.
Dietrick himself with the escort of a few Arvoreen Aegis shields, walk down to the area where the blight lies, at its perimenter. Going as close as possible, a hole is dug in the ground. Oddly enough, after its dug, they leave the area leaving the hole there._
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Dietrick orders a number of the dragoons to condone off the area. Warning signs in the appearance of a simple cut wooden boards hung on a long stake thrusted into the ground are placed around the perimeters of these new plants, saying:
"Danger! Poisonous and sharp thorny plants ahead! Enter at own risk!"
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Jerrick takes in all of this, runs his fingers through the soil, and thinks on something, then shifts into a wolfshape, running towards the Rawlins.
((Pm forthcoming))
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((Yes…and burning plants creates ash, something plants grow very well in.))
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@18ef0b6afc=acmefalls:
_The bugs do indeed look like all the bugs that eat stuff…and rats too and a few other crawling things. Whether because of all the blessing or because of the rich soil left behind by the blight's accelerated decay of plant matter, wild plants have no trouble moving in and flourishing where crops once held sway over several weeks. Maybe its the magic of the crop circle still working its mojo, but it seems a majority of the wild plants moving in are the kind that may be poisonous or known for causing contagoius, itchy red rashes from the spread of its oils on contact with skin.
There are a few medicinal and edible plants sneaked in among the more vigorous weeds that move into the ashen fields, among the more thorn-filled areas of the field..some thorns razor sharp.
The three mages have since recovered from their infestation of maggots, if only because they emerged as flies, as they did the first._
@18ef0b6afc=Pyrus:
Crops are not replanted in the same ground. Nothing is going to be replanted until this blight is over. All outlying crops nearest to the blight have been burned, leaving only burnt dry patches where nothing will grow out of it. Farmers are not even allowed near as the area have been condoned off.
((Are these wild plants truly going to be able to grow in where the crops once where? Cause its burnt dry patches of ground now.. completely dry and burnt…))
Dietrick appears very happy towards the recovery of the three dragoon mages. He checks on them immediately upon receiving the news, asking them about their health and asks them to rest and not to participate in the crop blight trouble any further until further notice, assuring them he has it under control.
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A leather clad elf stops by for an intrigued examination of the blight.
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_The bugs do indeed look like all the bugs that eat stuff…and rats too and a few other crawling things. Whether because of all the blessing or because of the rich soil left behind by the blight's accelerated decay of plant matter, wild plants have no trouble moving in and flourishing where crops once held sway over several weeks. Maybe its the magic of the crop circle still working its mojo, but it seems a majority of the wild plants moving in are the kind that may be poisonous or known for causing contagoius, itchy red rashes from the spread of its oils on contact with skin.
There are a few medicinal and edible plants sneaked in among the more vigorous weeds that move into the ashen fields, among the more thorn-filled areas of the field..some thorns razor sharp.
The three mages have since recovered from their infestation of maggots, if only because they emerged as flies, as they did the first._
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Bear nods and smiles.
I might just do that, thanks for taking the time to listen to me Dietrick.
Bear looks around for Aramuil, and when he finds him, offers his aid
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That might work bear. We already have a plan under-going to solve this prob but it needs time. If you want know of it you should talk to Aramuil.
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Tiffiny is seen looking at the blight all bent over and confused taking more interest in the bugs moving around in the craps and chimes in a little something of her own
"You know what this looks like, it looks like that spell that telli casts with all the bugs that eat stuff"
She then calmly walks away not wanting to get an ear full of the cpt.
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Parsley seems happier now that he knows his efforts have some effect on the crops. He still blesses the field every night in hopes that something will happen in his favor.
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@ed7c5233de=Pyrus:
@ed7c5233de=rei_jin:
Bear shrugs
My apologies, you didn't say so when I mentioned this before, so how am I supposed to know what you're thinking? And I'm not being a smart arse, I'm trying to help. Geez, give a guy a chance, would you? I don't know how you've decided that iron filings won't work, but that's fine. You could have at least told me that before when I first suggested it, instead of jumping down my throat.
_Maybe Bear try being Dietrick for one day he understand why. All day long~ Dietrick have so much mess to clear, and have to explain to every outsider who expect he tell why he not do this or that, and why he thinks this and that work and not work. If he don't they say he -don't- listen to them WHILE having to fix probs at same time and then his own people dun even appreciate what he does anyway.
And no Dietrick din say, because Bear did not ask. Bear just tells what Dietrick should do. Dietrick's duty is not to hear others tell him wat he should do and answer them but to find out what he should do and do it. Understand? So after all this , it just end up Dietrick explaining alot to Bear but Bear not contribute so far in anyway to help fix this prob. Maybe Bear can start by going to bless crop with druid magik or sumthing?_
_I didn't tell you what you should do, I was making a suggestion. I haven't done anything else so far, as I don't think that normal magics will work against it. But if you would like me to use druidic magic, I will. I just can't promise that it will do much, but you already know that.
I know that you've been trying to cleanse the area with various spells, but have you considered using the spell Diminish Plants? It may slow down the growth of the plants, giving you longer to counter the blight.
You just let me know what you want me to do, and I'll do what I can for you._
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@0b06310e5a=rei_jin:
Bear shrugs
My apologies, you didn't say so when I mentioned this before, so how am I supposed to know what you're thinking? And I'm not being a smart arse, I'm trying to help. Geez, give a guy a chance, would you? I don't know how you've decided that iron filings won't work, but that's fine. You could have at least told me that before when I first suggested it, instead of jumping down my throat.
With that, he wanders off, a little hurt at the shortness of the response to his words.
_Maybe Bear try being Dietrick for one day he understand why. All day long~ Dietrick have so much mess to clear, and have to explain to every outsider who expect he tell why he not do this or that, and why he thinks this and that work and not work. If he don't they say he -don't- listen to them WHILE having to fix probs at same time and then his own people dun even appreciate what he does anyway.
And no Dietrick din say, because Bear did not ask. Bear just tells what Dietrick should do. Dietrick's duty is not to hear others tell him wat he should do and answer them but to find out what he should do and do it. Understand? So after all this , it just end up Dietrick explaining alot to Bear but Bear not contribute so far in anyway to help fix this prob. Maybe Bear can start by going to bless crop with druid magik or sumthing?_
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@da7e11b840=Pyrus:
@da7e11b840=rei_jin:
Bear watches the goings on, and the attempts to remove the blight. After a while, he approaches and speaks again.
_I already told Dietrick, but he didn't listen to me. This blight might be caused by Fey magics, and if so, iron filings might clear it up.
You've already tried most everything else you could think of, right? Would it hurt to try that? Worst case scenario, you waste a little iron, but at least then you've removed that possibility._
With that, he turns and leaves the valley.
Slightly irritably, Dietrick speaks to bear:
"Dun ya be blaming people fer not doing wat ya want and act'in all smart arse when yer not even sure what da hells is going on and when yer not even sure yourself if your suggestion is going to work. This IS caused by fey magik and your idea of iron filling WILL NOT work! get it? If Dietrick knew there might be a chance Dietrick woulda tried, but it won't solve this prob.Bear shrugs
My apologies, you didn't say so when I mentioned this before, so how am I supposed to know what you're thinking? And I'm not being a smart arse, I'm trying to help. Geez, give a guy a chance, would you? I don't know how you've decided that iron filings won't work, but that's fine. You could have at least told me that before when I first suggested it, instead of jumping down my throat.
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@121afdfa17=rei_jin:
Bear watches the goings on, and the attempts to remove the blight. After a while, he approaches and speaks again.
_I already told Dietrick, but he didn't listen to me. This blight might be caused by Fey magics, and if so, iron filings might clear it up.
You've already tried most everything else you could think of, right? Would it hurt to try that? Worst case scenario, you waste a little iron, but at least then you've removed that possibility._
With that, he turns and leaves the valley.
Slightly irritably, Dietrick speaks to bear:
"Dun ya be blaming people fer not doing wat ya want and act'in all smart arse when yer not even sure what da hells is going on and when yer not even sure yourself if your suggestion is going to work. This IS caused by fey magik and your idea of iron filling WILL NOT work! get it? If Dietrick knew there might be a chance Dietrick woulda tried, but it won't solve this prob.
