@mayasenden said in The threat from Jiyyd's shadows.: The next afternoon, after the awfull events taking place and the last caravan ambush, Maya will come at the Troff Legion Camp, asking for an audience with the General. Finding him not available, she will ask to escalate her request to him and mentions she will come back along the day. Upon being notified, General Theaon lets the Legion troops know to allow Maya into the Hall to speak with him. ((If we can't meet up IG, feel free to RP this over a forum PM or Discord PM.))

Following reports of the Renegade Defenders setting up artillery across the Scar near Jiyyd for a long range assault, General Theaon Thorn of the Troff Legion and Maya Senden - one of the adventurers who first saw the construction of said artillery - went across the Scar to further investigate. Upon their arrival they found what appeared to be the foundations of the aforementioned artillery, but the General could not help but think the location of it did not make sense. Soon afterwards, an orange glow in the sky and a loud boom was heard from the west. When they made their way back across the Scar to the Crossroads, another large caravan was hit. Soldiers of the Legion, Hinhold, and even Peltarch arrived at the scene, but it was too late as the attackers were gone and all members of the caravan were dead. One may be left to wonder if the construction of heavy artillery across the Scar was a ruse.

Maya was sitting at the edge of one of the riff along Nars Pass, her gaze locked on the small children doll coated with blood in her hands. She was staring at it as if it was hiding some deep meaningfull answers to the turmoil of crushing thoughts spinning in her head. The wind carrying the freezing chill haunting theses lands was making her clothes float around her rather frail shape. But since it happened... She was stuck, as if her body was barely more than an empty shell she was floating in. It all started with a trip to Jiyyd's ruins. Maya had heard before of some ancient monastery... Or what was left of it there. She was feeling dragged by the hope to find something left there, maybe some knowledge to strenghten her own technics, maybe something usefull to her. There wasn't so many monk orders around, none she was really aware of. Maya was expecting a lot of things, but none of them were prepared to face the awfull trolls there. As they were trying to survive a pretty vicious one, a man in armor appeared, studying them with a strange glance. Everything went fast, too fast. From what Maya was barely able to remember through the blurry tunnel of fast paced action, the time it took her to distance that troll, when she come back to Keeva, one of thoses mens in armor, a renegade, was trying to separate the sorcerer's head from her body. Maya took him down, saving her friend, her veins still burning with adrenaline, but the relief she felt at the thought Keeva was safe was short lived by the others gazes locked on them. As they were running away to leave Jiyyd alive, Maya noticed the fundations of some catapults in the distance. The catapults were designed to become impressive. Worse than anything she saw before. At this point, she had little doubts they would be able to reach the other side of the Scar and spread death there. Maya did what she could to spread the word, warn as many as possible, and, to her relief, some answered. Maya was intense, the fear to see another caravan attacked, to see more people dying after the time she spent bandaging and trying to save the people suffering from the last attack. She was almost still able to feel the blood covering her hands then. But it was just a big lie... As Maya and the General Thorn went to scout Jiyyd again, then came accross many catapults, much more. The General didn't took long to realize what Maya's lack of military experience missed. The position of theses new catapults... Wasn't making sense. It was a distraction... The orange tint filling the sky a few minutes later confirmed it, as some catapults, hidden elsewhere, were spreading hell in the distance, screams echoing from the distance. They made their way back as fast as they could, but it was too late... Another caravan... But this time... There was no one to save... Childrens... Womens... Mens... Nothing left but destroyed bodies and a strong smell of copper. Maya felt herself break. Was it a trap from the start ? Was it a change of plan to lure them after they realized the news would spread with witnesses escaping ? It was hard to say. But her mind was simply unable to process anymore, the voices of the soldiers coming to help echoing to her ear like a really distant muffled noise. Next to a teared off so little arm, in the general poodle of blood and destruction covering the area, a little children toy was there, displaying an embroidered smile partially coated with blood with a strange feeling of irony. She grabbed it on the floor, her blood pounding in her temples, and moved a bit aside to slide down along a tree trunk, unable to stop tears from rolling over her cheeks. Traumatized, visions of the dead bodies spinning in her head long after the soldiers finished to take care of the bodies, she eventually managed to stood, a dreadfull determination spinning in her head. Pale like a ghost, still tainted with blood, she moved back to Nars Pass, close to that bridge were, no matter the effort, some scoundrels and thugs would always come back to try to ambush some travelers. One of them would know. They HAD to know. She needed it almost as bad as she needed to breath.. To find something to focus on ; the hope to finally put an end to all theses deaths and this suffering. Keeva found her, standing broken, unable to articulate a word, the bloody doll still in her hand. She tried to comfort her friend, to bring her away, but they were interrupted by a group of grim faces in heavy armors. The kind of armors Maya recognized way too well already... The renegades. One of them was walking in front, visibly pleased to fall on the two vulnerable looking womens. The two others walking behind with crossbows, and the man with a mass and a shield, weren't looking less intimidating. The leader's words weren't even making sense to Maya's ears. Something was twitching in her gaze as she stared at them, her reddish eyes and the stains of the tears over her face contrasting with that inhuman pallor she was displaying. Maya wasn't listening to them, asking a few times... Or rather... Ordering Keeva to leave. But her friend wouldn't. Keeva was trying to convince them to let them leave. The renegades strangely agreed, provided the two womens would surrender their gold and their belongings. But nothing in this world would have moved Maya's away. A part of her knew she belonged here, as much as she did back then with Marvin, when they were still childrens. She was probably about to die, this time... definitely. But she was at peace with it. The second it was obvious to them she wouldn't surrender her gold.. The moment they joked about the catapults... That instant they would make a move... Maya was ready. She gave a vial to Keeva, as discretly as she could, expecting her to flee, then bring one to her lips, disappearing in front of their eyes. If there was a limit to the amount of potions you can sip down, Maya was way past over it. She pulled roughly a bunch of vial from her leather bag, dropping them quickly in her mouth, swallowing gulp after gulp, a decent amount of the potions leaking over her chin and dripping on her clothes. The magic mixtures were already making her whole body tickles, then radiate with an intense feeling of power. It was almost too much to bear... But compared to her state of mind, it was just a distant reminder she had a physical body. She appeared as she crashed into the leader, the velvet gloves around her hands, a gift from Reemul, turning almost as hard as stone as she extended her fingers, striking the space between his helmet and the torso of his armor. The man tried to hit her with the pommel of his sword to create some distance as he was emitting some gurgling noise, struggling to breath, but she was already all over him, hitting his joints, using his body as a shield against the crossbow holders. The one with an heavy mass and a shield was already starting to cast some divine spell. Maybe it was by luck, or maybe an alternate divine intervention, but at this time Reemul suddenly appeared, charging forward with his horse to take him down. Maya was lost in her own frenesy. A bolt whistled in the air, flying toward her. She turned toward it just in time to catch it, her heart beating like crazy. She broke the bolt, staring at the woman holding the crossbow who was looking back at her with an hatefull expression. Before she was able to load again, Maya ran toward her, jumped to strike her with both feets, then, falling on her back from the momentum, she kicked herself up on her knees with a kip up and closed the distance with the stunned woman trying to stand. She spinned to land a low kick straight in her skull, watching her collapse to the floor, her neck making a weird angle. Maya glanced around, rage, frustration and an intense pain burning in her chest. She was physically fine, but as much as she could have tried to prevent it was for greater goods, she wasn't in control. She lost herself to pure anger, seeking revenge for the horrors she just witnessed. It wasn't satisfying. She was feeling as if a fire was burning deep inside of her, wanting to consume more and more, its hunger growing with each more bite. The fact she killed them was only adding more weight to the pressure about to crush her down. She wanted to cry, to scream, but she was suddenly feeling nothing but really cold. And among the many thoughts spinning in her confused and traumatized head, one was pounding faster than the others. Whether she won a bit of time getting rid of thoses or not... There was still catapults out there. More of thoses mens... And probably more caravans to be attacked.

Diary, I've been deployed to the south as the Legion faces the renegade defenders. I shan't write any details of our deployment or our movements. Of my feelings however, my guts are churning. As always, it's my hope to return to Peltarch alive, but my hope melts like snow when the rays of reality burn against it. It is not mere bandits we march against. The renegades have shown mercy to neither civilian traders nor soldiers, littering the Nars with their corpses. Their training in martial conflict is second to none in Narfell, except maybe the Legion. I handed my coin over the servants of Illmater in Peltarch, trusting that they will use it to attend to the poor. I can't abide the idea of renegades looting my corpse and enjoying the spoils. I have been a soldier for more years than I can count. I would have thought that by now my heart would be steel when facing death. It's not so much the though of my own death that fills me with dread. Friends of mine are sure to die. We have diamonds and gold to bring back some, and by the grace of the good gods death may not mean the end of our journey here in the land of the living. But not all come back. Not all can be brought back. And there are only so many coins and diamonds. Who decides who returns and who remains in the grave? And of the renegades, my duty is to strive against them and to ensure their slaughter down to the very last one. But they shouldn't be enemies. They were once defenders of Peltarch. Their live as proof that any of us, even the most dedicated, can fall. A wrong decision here, a corrupt alliance there, and without knowing you're marching down a road leading to damnation. I have full confidence in General Theon, and the other officers leading the Legion. But I'm sure the renegades we face had a similar confidence once. I slay them without hesitation, but wracked with regret. At least he weather is fair. The nights have not been as bitter recently. During the war against N'Jast we slept on ice under a blanket of snow. I shall be thankful to not be on the brink of freezing to death. Blades, arrows and fire are frightful enough.

BUG FIXES/TWEAKS 2-25-25: Lence: Placed Defenders around Pelt and environs Fixed wandering Norwick Guards Scar Rocky Incline and Scar Rock Face transitions fixed Fixed Steppenhall transition issue Cold Road maps transitions fixed Citizenship papers should be listed correctly and will land you in those start-up towns on server resets - you can now choose to seek citizenship of Pelt, Norwick, Mavalgard, Oscura, Blackbridge, or Uthmere Abandoned Druid Cave spawn depot issue should be resolved.

Many nights later of frequent dusk to dawn searching Glír Nightenggale gritting her teeth, kicked the sundial in frustration, "How can I still not find her? I've been running and skulking around the city for weeks now and haven't spotted or heard from her once, and I've searched this entire city several times!" She had stopped her personal messaging business, purely focusing on this search, yet had not seen a shadow or heard a whisper since she made her decision to figure The Poofy Lady out. Sighing Glír made her way to the gardens in Peltarch commons to relax for awhile and think, after entering and sitting on a nearby bench she looked up at the well lit moonlight, "Seriously, she must've left the city at some point... Will I have to expand my search further..? The roads haven't been very safe of late though..." Sighing again she pulls an apple from her bag and takes a bite out of it as she continues to think aloud, "It might be good practice to sneak down to Norwick and begin searching there... But it might also just turn out to be a major time sink, with no results to be yielded... Wait..." Stopping herself from taking another bite of her apple as she comes across another idea, "Maybe I can pay other people for information..? It might work, but I haven't been doing my messaging business the last couple of weeks and my funds aren't doing so well... And cutting back on apples is unacceptable." Shaking her head as she takes another bite of the apple. "But seriously... What do I do to find the Poofy Lady..? I should've at least tried to get her name... Maybe I'll have to find Mr. Raryldor and see what info he might cough up? They seemed to know each other..." Tilting her head as she finishes yet another bite of the apple and nods to herself, "Yeah... I am going to have to seek out some outside help at least... But no one else will see her if she doesn't want them to... Hmmm... Yea, I'll look for Mr. Raryldor, then see what information I might be able to get from him on the Poofy Lady." Finishing up the apple with another big bite, Glír takes the seeds and scatters them around the garden while kicking dirt over each spread out seed before leaving the gardens and heading back to Sundial Circle to search some more, "Well, might as well keep searching until I see Mr. Raryldor again."

Varchess DeLeon- PRIESTESS OF WAUKEEN Physical Description: Varchess DeLeon - Is known after conversations with a few locals in Peltarch as an unusual devotee of Waukeen. She appeared quite out of the blue, and physically is not large and burly in appearance but appears to be strong in arm, being seen in light-order armour as well as heavy plate, shields of large size and only armed with hand-to-hand weapons. She always appears with a blue symbol of a crescent moon on any white background, tunic, cloak or tabard, as well as wearing a rich golden holy symbol of the Lady of Coin around her neck. Public Knowledge: All that is known about the priestess is that she hails from Telflamm and came on the request of the high priestess of Waukeen in the region after an outpouring of faith among the traders in Peltarch after numerous troubles and hampering of their daily trade. She is known to have been assisted by other friendly faiths in the region, but it is not known why this is. She has been seen in the company of messengers of the Herald of Peltarch, as well as some heavy infantry who flank her at all times when in the city. Whose company she keeps outside the city is not known. Defenders, Seafarers and Wavebreakers have all been seen very prominently at the new shrine, while many of the nearby traders are almost giddy with excitement, for however long her presence is there. She has been observed to carry herself with a degree of perhaps haughtiness, or maybe simply a degree of separation and keeping of herself apart from others, though she appears gracious in compliments and thanks, and seems highly socially adept. Thematic Music: HBO Rome Theme.

General Theaon again meets with Legionnaires and allies on the Bluff. "I have recently learned of increased activity in the woods west of the Crossroads, specifically in the spider cave in those woods. There has been increased traffic going in and coming out as of late. At this point it is not conclusive if it is related to Renegade Defender activity, but it is worth a look." "There is also a cave under the waterfall in the southeastern part of the old Gypsy Camp. Though I cannot say I noticed anything in particular, the cave itself seemed too..... clean. And it was also as if some debris and rocks were in almost too perfect of locations. A trip there with a few keen set of eyes may be in order."

Journal Entry 24 - The Chillbringer It has been done. I have succeeded! She answered my call and granted my revenge that I've been craving. Feeling the rush of cold air, hearing the cracking of the elemental ice forming... seeing the campfire dim out, all proof that she had lent me but a speck of her power. Those men that mocked me and cut me down that day, may be long dead by now. But those on the hill this time represent them and the doomed life they choose to live. THEY are the sacrifice; THEY will serve as an example of what winter's wrath can bring! Now in reflection, I remember the old stories from back home in my village, of the lone travelers that would occasionally show up to make sure everyone remained respectful and fearful to the Frostmaiden. There were also the stories of those villages that opposed, the harshness of what followed and the whispered name they would call these travelers; The Chillbringers. I will now take that title. Auril has heard my call and responded to me. My reverence has been rewarded.

@alynna said in Lana seeking apartment in Peltarch: Hi, could I rent one of the apartments in either the Docks or anywhere in Peltarch really? I am looking for a 3 bedroom with Kitchen apartment with Storage chests in it, and could I get 3 keys? (One for Lana, one for Elizabeth, and one for Anna) I understand if this takes time. Thank you Alynna still looking Hope everything will be oky

Hearing the rumors of the ant attack in Norwick, Calistra had to visit and see the aftermath for herself. Walking about and seeing the clean up, she stops at the pile of giant ant carcasses. Inspecting the creatures, she makes a comment out loud but towards no one in particular: "Hmm, perhaps the blessings and bounty of Chauntea are too great. It calls even to the monstrous and unwanted..." She turns around with a cold and uncaring expression and makes her way to the Spellweaver's tower.

[[A hooded halfling, one of Peltarch’s gardeners, takes position in various places about Peltarch, standing on the sun dial in the commons, on a barrel in the market place, on the rant stand , and on the city wall. She sings in her loudest voice the words of a familiar song, but it is more of a dirge than the jaunty tune some have heard before. Rather than her usual tapping on her tambourine, she bashes on it loudly to keep a steady beat. (The song is sung to the tune of "Go Tell it on the Mountain": Peter, Paul & Mary Mahalia Jackson )]] Go tell it to the moun-tain Over nature he takes good care-yeah Go tell it to the moun-tain Jerrick Rafe is there. GLACIER is ADVA-A-NCING, To freeze our fields so fair But SLOWLY now he’s in the mountain We’re sustained by his love and care. Go tell it to the moun-tain Over nature he takes good care-yeah Go tell it to the moun-tain Jerrick Rafe is there. [[Finishing her song, Marty pulls back her hood, revealing a scruffy mop of blond hair, and a stripe of black painted across her eyes]] SONs of PELTARCH! You have heard this song sung to you many times, and for many years! Many, many years ago, Jerrick Rafe became one with the sacred mountain, granting him the power to maintain balance between the seasons. His daughter Leena Rayfe, and Captain Romulus Grey of the Legion of Troff, both testified to his ascension. [[Marty holds up a small leather bound tract - the SCRIPTURES of St JERRICK]] According to the testimony of Leena, we know that "Gradually, winter is coming back. ... The land of snow and seasons is returning.". We know that "He would return Narfell to the way it was… but slowly", the Nars once again being covered in snow and ice as it was in old days. We had this time by Jerrick's grace! What have we done with the time granted to us!? Have we prepared? Have we changed our crops to produce more hardy against snow and ice? Have we mended one another's roofs? Have we given warm cloaks to one another? [[She holds the small book of scriptures up again]] Have we, as Leena declared, held a festival at the beginning of winter to celebrate balance? Would it not have been, in her words, "appropriate", knowing the sacrifice that Jerrick made to keep the balance? The Servants of Auril are upon us! Their goal is to cover the land in SNOW and ICE! Their plan is to make us SUFFER! They toil to force TRIBUTE to be paid to their Frostmaiden. HEAR ME! She will not be APPEASED! All homage and supplication made to her only empowers her and gives momentum to her agenda! Peltarch WILL be COVERED IN ICE and SNOW! But by the grace of Jerrick, not so fast that we are not able to ready ourselves! So I BEG YE! SONS and DAUGHTERS of the JEWEL! DO NOT BEND THE KNEE! PAY NO TRIBUTE! Instead, celebrate Leena's festival IN YOUR HEARTS! BRING FAITH TO BEAR for BALANCE, and surely JERRICK's GRACE will continue to slow the advance of the frost, and thwart the servants of the Frostmaiden in their attempt to DEFILE the NATURAL ORDER!