Changeling Hysteria
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_The stories of a few tragic deaths and one or three changelings actually found in Norwick plus stories of maybe one somewhere in the Silvery Balley itself, sends wild stories swelling through the commoners and peasants. Otherwise level-headed people accuse their neighbors, their friends, their own children of being impostors. Even with only a handful of the accusations being true Fear and distrust brews just under the surface.
After rumors rise of one woman who supposedly killed her own baby fearing it was not really her own child. The story goes that it was her own infant and she was struck down with grief. This cautionary rumor a alack of any new true changelings discovered put a lid on the hysteria, if not quash it. The seed is planted in the back of many a commoner's mind. The whispers continue amongst closest friends only, but no one says anything in public. Are their worries mostly assuaged or[ will one more incident with a real changeling spark something worse?[/color:112036fc24]_
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Both Maryannes behave themselves after Dietrick's warning. They may not like it, but neither one has a fondness for going into captivity, especially the rescued Maryanne.
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_Dietrick assures the valley that the situation is again under control. He urges all residents not to speculate on the rumours and not to worry in the least, to also as far as possible leave the two Marys alone.
Dietrick orders a few select guards to watch and follow the two Marys closely, but otherwise allows them free reign in the valley, they are however not allow to leave the valley.
Dietrick makes it clear to both Marys to stop their accusations, stop their arguments but to allow him to sort the matter out himself, assuring them he will find out the truth of the matter. Should any or both of them fling accusations or make any trouble during which, they will be "invited" to sleep in the barracks instead"._
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_Trellin seems none the worse for wear , physically, once he finally does get back home from Norwick. That is except for the fact he seems years older than he should be since this whole furor over changelings began. The days that follow his return, it's clear he is not the same brash, young child he used to be, Trellin proving to be quiet and extremely cautious, taking a greater interest things that grow from the earth.
Let there be no mistake, rarely has there been an occasion as infectiously happy as Trellin's reunion with his family seen in the Valley. His parent's joy knew no bounds the day they laid eyes on their son returned home. The Brambfoots expressing their eternal gratitude by giving those responsible for Trellin's rescue an open invitation to share a meal with the family any time.
Only one other happening matches this reunion and that is the return of a halfling woman with Trellin from among those rescued. She resembles a hin woman, named Maryanne Lightree. Maryanne was never suspected of being a changeling, so no one reported her to be tested. And the Maryanne who had been in the Valley along accuses the rescued Maryanne of being a Fey trick and ruse. While the the rescued Maryanne is way too confused and out of it to counter any such accusations.
To further complicate matters, BOTH Maryannes show a rash when put the test of rubbing iron on their arm. Sometime after the test, the rescued Maryanne's mind clears up enough for her to start sounding her own defense, making counter accusations of being poisoned somehow by the Maryanne from the valley. This why she failed the test.
An accusation easily dismissed by restating the original accusation on the rescued Maryanne of being a Fey impostor, just lying to cover herself.
So the spiral of accusations flies out of control both ways, each Maryanne accusing the other of being the one who is a puppet of the Fey.
Trellin if tested, is most assured the real thing. No iron allergies for him._
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The latest rumour in the Silver Valley is that hin youngster Trellin Bramblefoot has been reunited with his family. People say he was getting medical treatment at the Norwick apothecary and has recently returned home. Word has it that Silver Valley residents Dietrick, Benji, Mallis, Gears, and Ginger all had a part to play in his safe return.
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_One quiet, clear night in the valley, a few people may have witnessed the following:
Legionnaire Benji, Council Elder Tealeaf, and Aramuil, the elven Arcane advisor of Norwick visited Trellin's parents, the Bramblefoots. After talking in private for some time, they exited the Bramblefoot burrow and headed to the yard of the Stout Fellow, where they met up with Dragoon Captain Dietrick Dardragon.
After some casting of spells, the Bramblefoots disappeared. The rest of the group went into the Stout Fellow barracks. Trellin's voice was heard. A short time later, the group emerged from the barracks, and the Bramblefoots re-appeared. They seemed distraught. They left for home together.
The Dragoon Captain and the Arcane Advisor of Norwick went inside the barracks again. After a short time, the grim-faced pair exited. The Dragoon captain carried some farm implements bundled together.
The frightened voice of halfling youngster Trellin Bramblefoot is no longer heard in the Silver Valley._
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_While most people take great comfort in the precautions being taken in around their homes, ther's always a little voice of doubt in some of their heads. General calmness prevails, except for a few stragglers who still want to see Trellin strung up.
Trellin himself, shows now sign of hesitation in entering buildings dusted with iron several days later. Nor does he flinch at a blessed dwelling when he goes to visit home.
One two reports filter in of strange visitors seen peering in through peoples windows. Some point to prints found ouside the next morning as proof the blessings are working, the Fey can't get in. Others dismiss the tracks as just wild animals or even livestock and dismiss anyone who goes on about such stories of changelings and dream-stealing fairies as people who are little too friendly with their favorite drink or children's fanciful stories.
One stalwart cynic is heard, "Why do pepole waste their time worrying about drunkard'ds tales and bedtime stories for the litlte ones. We've got REAL things to worry 'bout like them hobgoblins and the harvest and..I cold go on!" It is known the old curmudgeon was deep into a second or third mug of ale at the time._
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Parsley decides, for his safety, to watch from a safe distance, say, Norwick.
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Yondalla Priests were being instructed to go from household to household, blessing each home with Yondalla's blessings and protections.
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For some reason, the angry mobs mostly fall apart with Peppy being wielded against them or around them. And with Trellin's family soothed over, one side lat least loses its fire. Those who want to string Trellin up only dissipate to avoid being toasted by a stray fireball.
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Peppy offers to examine anyone who is willing to be seen via True Sight spell and iron dust if needed, in public or private as requested. Any shouting mobs that gather near her are threatened to be dispersed via fireball if required, as she does not want to hear the noise. They are encouraged to protest by showing… not shouting when near her.
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_Dietrick seems confused as he never asked for Trellin to be kept in isolation. Merely having him stay over at the barracks instead. His friends and family are still allowed to visit him freely anytime they wish as he had said before. And other than him staying at the barrack instead, he is also allowed to go out freely if he insists.
Towards those who cry about freeing Trellin, Dietrick says to the crowd
"Me can allow Trellin to stay in his own home as before, but can you ensure he be safe? In norwick, there were children suspected of being changeling who have got killed by people in their town for that. If Trellin have no protection, how safe you think he will be now der anuther group claming him to be a changeling???If you continue insist for him to go back, I will see to it. But you -WILL- answer the consequences of this yourself, me will not be held responsible for any harm dat shud befall him outside. Think wisely."
With that Dietrick walks away from the crowd._
In addition, the dragoons are asked to seek out Pepper if she should be seen more urgently than before to perform the examination on Trellin.
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((To keep it simple, I will say ingots of iron per doorway you wish to have sprinkled with dust))
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_Council elder Tealeaf meets with Trellin's parents and assures them that their son is being held for his own safety, and that he will be returned home once he's deemed healthy. She confirms that he has regular meals and a clean, comfortable room.
Additionally, the Council Elder has been busy in the craft hall lately, grinding down iron ingots into a supply of iron dust for Councilor Peppy._
((Let me know how much iron is needed and I'll trash it or give it to you to trash.))
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_Trellin protests and makes a lot of noise general about being kept away from his home and family. During his strolls he goes to visit them often and begs his family to get him out. He swears he hasn't done anything and truly does not understand what the Dragoons want. Trellin seems uneasy about entering building Peppy has 'dusted', absolutely refusing to enter unless he is made to.
His family agitates for the release of their boy, insisting there's nothing wrong with him. They demand to know why the dragoons would do this to one of their own. A small but very vocal minority of the community rallies around the family. They stage protests outside where Trellin is usualy kept in isolation shouting chants of 'Free Trellin! Free Trellin! Free Trellin!" or "Stop Dardragon Now! Stop Dardragon NOW!" When dispersed that just reinforces the stories their side believes and spreads of Counselor Dietrick Dardragon is using hysteria over fairytales and bedtime stories as an excuse to grab more power for himself.
A second group forms counter to the first, driven by the fear that these people demanding Trellin's release are an example of the Fey's influence spreading and that every one of them must be a changeling. Soon everytime the 'Free Trellin' crow gathers to demand his release, this group gathers to demeand Trellin be brought out and strung up along with the rest of the changelings demanding his freedom.
Anyone in the 'Free Trellin' group tested as Trelin was show no signs of iron allergy as Trellin did. They go away more convinced of Dietrick's power hunger than before.
Both sides are relatively small compared to the whole community, but both sides have their less vocal sympathizers in the greater populace._
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_Trellin is asked to stay in the barracks from now on for his own protection since his peers may mean him harm. Dietrick instructs there to be one to two dragoons keeping watch over him at all times. His family and any friends are allowed to visit him. When he wishes to go out for a stroll, he is also allowed so, but with the escort of at least one dragoon usually who would follow him wherever he went.
If anyone like his family asked when he would be released, Dietrick answers that the councilor of arcane will be need to examine him first to check if he might have any "health disorders" before he may be discharged.
Aside from that, Dietrick advices that people can attempt to try putting a circle of salt around their beds before sleeping. As such may prevent feys from entering their dreams.
Last instruction was for the dragoons to inform Pepper of the finding of Trellin and that Dietrick beseech her help with examining the boy._
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Peppy begins walking the valley with a true sight spell on whenever possible. Most people avoid her, but she's seen to be sprinkling what appears to be black dust across the doorway of all the houses and buildings. When asked what is it, she calmly replies..
Iron dust. Don't bother it and it won't bother you.
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_A spike in local hysteria casts suspicions on anyone and anyone is even thought to be a bit eccentric when compared to the rest of the community.The Dragoons have their hands full to the detriment of other concerns for a couple days. When it becomes more wildly known that after all that fuss, there is only one possible changeling was found through the test.
One teenaged hin, Trellin, who still insists he is '…no farkin' faerie!' Besides the rash he seems to have developed on his arm where it was laid over the iron, there is no other evidence to prove he is not who he says he is. Tellin insist the rash is from from some plant while playing in the woods a few days before, not the iron.
Trellin's claims repeatedly and without fail that a few other boys his age who have a a habit of picking on him that were the first ones to level the accusations that he was a changeling. It is not easy to determine who first cast aspersions on Trellin, but witnesses can verify the boys did indeed pick on him before._
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_A new order is passed down from Councilor of Defense Dietrick. Citizens with sound reasons may now report to town guard dragoons of anyone suspected of being a changeling. All changeling suspects will be taken away by the dragoons into the barracks. There, an iron metal bar is laid upon a table, provided by Dietrick himself. The suspects are to lay their forearm against the iron metal bar for a short while, under supervision of the dragoons.
Orders are for dragoons to watch and see if suspects have any adverse reactions to the test. Those who do have unusual reactions are to be detained in an un-used room in the barracks by the dragoons. Orders are clear not to harm the changelings if possible, but to use force if necessary in cases where they resist.
In addition, Dietrick warns the civilians not to follow strangers and make deals they are unsure about, especially with suspicious strangers of dubious origins. All such figures to be reported, and the dragoons are to invite these people to the same "test" for changelings._
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Dietrick quirks his brows, sitting in the valley looking and watching, wondering if this is too good to be true, that the fey have decided to leave the people alone?
