Foul weather
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_Meye Spark has been seen going through Aurilians in the town, talking them face to face. She does not bring any secrecy in to conversation, but instead it can be often heard of her telling that now it is time for faihtfuls of Frostmaiden to act. Time for them to start offering help for town of Norwick, as enemy is striking with means of blade, magic and weather.
Each and every time she is also heard to end the discussion to the words_
**"I sayeth no how thee areth to act. Whimsical are ways of the Icedawn so whimsical is ways of Her servants. Thee do what thy skills are most useful. But as can be ice and cold called when needed by those whom are blessed by Her, so haveth the ice and cold of Her faithfuls called by Her to help this town in war.
Whimsical! Be whimsical as winter breeze! Be whimsical but thee haveth been summoned for now. I sayeth no how thee areth to act, but I sayeth to thee, it is time to act. Now."**
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The Herald and ten men in full battle rattle show up in Norwick and head to the Great Hall. Their colors proclaim them to be Grey Blades. ((MOB willing, of course))
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@e2d8e1af63=Speedy_Z_:
After a very long absence, the farmer and crafter simply known as "Z" returns through Norwick's north gate. After a brief visit to his fallowed farm, he heads towards the Norwick Craft Hall…
Brrr... It's colder 'n I remember...
*After catching up on some of the news revolving around the recent cold snap and Telli's efforts to keep the crops alive, Z heads to the farmlands to help.
He calls a townhall meeting (with food and drink from his own stores) to discuss their specific needs (food, warm clothing, coal to burn, etc.). He reassures them that through their hard work, their courage, and their faith in Chauntea they will see their way through this ordeal.*
We are people of the earth and, like the earth, our lives are hard. We knew it would be when we chose to live this life and work the land.
We take pride in hard work; it makes us strong. We work hard and we play hard, but we also fight hard. We fight for our families, we fight for our friends, we fight for our farms, our lives, and our livelihood. And we don't quit.
Our faith in the Earthmother and our faith in each other will see us through this test. We will be strong, we will help each other as a family, as a community, and we will overcome this challenge - we always have and we always will.
Z ends the meeting with individual blessings and a group prayer to Chauntea, the Earthmother.
*During the day, he roams from farm to farm to preach, to pray, to bless crops, and to aid the farmers in any way he can.
He is often seen praying near the shrine that Telli had built.
He advertises to young adventurers that he will purchase coal from them and/or accept donations on behalf of the farmers.
At night, he spends most of his time on patrol, making sure the farms are safe and secure. He also spends time in the Union Hall crafting extra warm cloaks and blankets for the farmers and their families.*
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*Wog, dressed in full kelemvorite armour strides into Norwick followed by a preist and two paladins.
On arrival they head into the great hall, shortly after the two paladins head to the top of the hill overlooking the south gate, and the preist heads into friar freds.
When asked they claim "Norwick is in trouble, we are here to help, Paladins to protect the town from undead, and the preist to tend to any dieing or heal the wounded alongside Kia."
Wog often stands at the south gate alongside the paladin on shift, chatting and giving watch.
He also lets it known, if any wish to leave the town at present, in fear of the cold or the attackers, the temple of Kelemvor nea the crossroads is open to any who seek refuge aslong as they obey the temple rules.*
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::A figure rides into Norwick, mounted upon a massive steed, in the figures arm is a Banner bearing the symbol of the Order of the Divine shield. Behind him are several other armoured figures, their armour resplendent in the light. Those that come near them feel a sense of courage return to their hearts. Dismounting the Figure makes his way to the Town Hall::
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_Several times in the past few days, a chill, clammy fog has drifted into Norwick, freezing the marrow from anyone caught in it. Most people start barracading themselves in their houses the moment it appears, especially when word gets around of the shapes in it.
Unnerved townsfolk and farmers huddle in the Grapevine, talking of ghostly wolves loping down the middle of the town through the fog, and of clumps of mist that suddenly attack, draining the life from their victim.
Several mages and defenders have fought such horrors and worse as the fogs persist; some hopefully say that ways have been found to temporarily disperse them.
On top of this, word spreads that demon-tainted goblins have used the fog to slip into town over the walls, the mist hiding them from the normally watchful guards. Hunted down and killed, they nevertheless slew five commoners first.
Oldtimers speak grimly of the last killer fog to hit Norwick… Old Norwick, the now-abandoned town. Hesitantly, more and more people start to speculate that the new town may need to be abandoned as well; that the town is doomed._
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@2d3ee80a8a=ArUlric:
_Adding to the bizarre assaults on Norwick in the last days, weeks and months, a fresh hell and new horror has been visited on the slack-mandible locals of the burgh. Carrying a rusty-rustic looking scythe, a blonde dwarven figure waddle-pegs around town brashly hauling strangers and introducing herself as "Telli". No simple blonde hair this, however, but a radiant, candy-bright corkscrew curl wig framing Mercy's puggish ugliness in lewd and ludicrous parody of the authentic Telli. Draped in a filthy, greenish cloak, the stealthy Mercy proceeds to dispense medical and agricultural advice in Telli's name.
These include, amongst other suggestions, inciting those suffering from the pangs of hunger to "prod them a pinecone up yer corkhole tae keep'ee feelin' full durin' th' lean weeks o' summer, yarr? Yon be a free drop o' advice fer Telli, yer favourite titstand an' cockroacher." To another, she suggests that simple manuring of crops is insufficient, and instead the Goddess suggests that local babies should be lashed to "shite dispensers" around "Chauntea's holy … er ... planty things" and regularly squeezed better to restore the nutrients to the soil. Added to these fraudulent Chaunteaisms, Mercy - the blonde bombshell - also makes a bold and sticky stab at hawking "holy" vials which she claims are curative but also have erotic applications. Close inspection of these bottles - which contain a phlegm like, viscous substance - will reveal a label marked
"Telli's Weepin' Gash Ungent. Free refill. May contain nuts..."_
Word of Mercy's buffoonery finally reaches Telli as she waddles the farming area making sure the hag's venom hadn't spread too far. Those claiming vile sickness are restored as soon as she's able.
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_Meye Spark is seen to spend lots of her time in Norwick, having a faint smile on her face most of the time. Whenever she notices any of those visitors, she greets them and introduces herself, after which she takes them aside for discussion.
She can be heard offering them possibility to be escorted to the cave, even though she states that there are still some construction works on going and if they wish to stay there before those are finished, they may camp outside.
For those who are not wishing to camp outdoors while waiting she points to the inn which she is heard to tell to be very high quality one._
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Telli notes a lot of the newcomers and waddles off with purpose to find Dwin as soon as she can.
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There seem to be an increasing number of visitors in town prone to wearing white and blue, many with a snowflake motif. Most seem uninclined to cause trouble, but several can be heard inquiring of guards or shopkeepers about the location of a cave in the woods, and what dangers they can expect traveling there.
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At times another Legionnaire, Yngdír, will visit Telli in the fields. He is known to return straying livestock at times - and warn farmers of loose fences. He visits her frequently with all manner of strange infusions - or teas. Ranging from common nettle or spruce, to a thin soup made from fish-stock and wild mushrooms - and things easily foraged.
Mostly, he just keeps Telli company - although quiet, he is at least a friendly presence. Other times he demonstrates simple ways to keep warm to the same people that Telli orders about the fields - his more traditional ways of checking sores, and soothing bruises are also applied when time permits, or necessity demands.
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With increased talk of a strike on the Hungry-One's quarters, Telli's instructed farmers, workers and their kids to bundle up and begin packing hay around the edges of each farming field. Telli stands at the altar often throughout the day with her head cocked to the sky waiting for any signs of change in the weather. One things evident, without someone of capable hands to releave her of her duty Telli plans to keep her stalwart battle drawn at the Norwick farmlands.
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The farmlands of Norwick are abuzz…nearly all the Semi-hardy and Hardy vegetables have been planted. Once the final fields finished the farmers meet near the Altar built to Chauntea as they unite in hand. With a firm nod and waddle to her step Telli takes her place infront of the Altar completing the chain of workers, farmers, adventurers, and anyone whom helped in Norwick's dire season. A final prayer is offered up to the earth mother as each whispers in their own accord.
@a3f119599e:
Plant Growth
Transmutation
Level: Drd 3, Plant 3, Rgr 3
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: See text
Target or Area: See text
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: NoPlant growth has different effects depending on the version chosen.
EnrichmentThis effect targets plants within a range of one-half mile, raising their potential productivity over the course of the next year to one-third above normal.
As the altar shimmers and some of the vegetation and fauna begins to trickle out from the altar across the farmlands people are instructed and reminded to pull vegetables as soon as they begin to show signs of ripeness and beyond.
Farmers are reminded to share any odd happenings around their farms with the pair of legionaries accompanying Telli or Telli herself.*
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*Telli stands there on one of the hills on the farmlands watching the wrath taking place on the southeastern skies. Leaning against her scythe she watches the lightening bolts slam to the ground as she hopes and prays the wrath unleashed doesn't undo the progress they've been going through in Norwick.
With tired eyes she walks the farmlands in the morning with some of the farmers as they begin to pick up debree and other loose branches and odds and ends scattered about from the previous nights maelstrom.
With the farmlands finally blessed with Hallow blessings, Telli continues to help coordinate and direct farmers to appropriate locations to make sure the fields are being tended to properly.
Rumor has it one of Norwicks Milita by the name of Crux Kurukusu has been seen in the farmlands patrolling more often then normal. When approached her response is somber and to the point.*
"Repaying a debt to the Chauntean priestess…"
Her steady eye scans the farmlands each morning, afternoon and evening she's scheduled as her hand rests firmly across the hilt on her hip.*
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_A stormfront boils out of the now perpetual mist and overcast hanging over the southeastern Rawlins. It heads west towards the looming bulk of the giant tree the druids planted some years ago, the Irmunsul.
As night sets in, the shrieks and howls on the wind make it clear that the storm is no natural one.
From the woods, light flares and flashes split the sky as magics are unleashed and lightning bolt after lightning bolt strikes down from the sky. With each flash, the terrified guards at the gate can see dozens of winged, leathery shapes circling and diving nearer and nearer to the lightning-wrapped tree, like moths round a lantern.
And then, like moths, they erupt in flame and fall burning, as the strokes of lightning increase tenfold. The ground shakes and objects fall from shelves; some citizens awake thinking a second Cracking is upon them.
Then, abruptly, the lights cease and the shaking stops. The storm recedes, the howls and hooting calls die away from the wind. An uneasy peace falls again on the forest, except for the angry tree, glowing and sizzling in the distance like an enraged firefly.
Few people sleep that night in Norwick._
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Telli spends the following day standing at the Altar whispering prayers and praises to Chauntea waiting to see a divine sign of the earth mothers approval or disapproval of the Altar erected. As the day progresses the area of snow around the altar begins to melt and as wel as any accumulated ice. Soon the wilted dying grass begins to grow… flowers bloom and the area around the altar looks warded and thriving. Nothing flashy from the nature goddess, but evident signs indicate her approval. Telli nods pleased as she stands there with her hands on her hips. Suddenly a farmer comes rushing up to her and Telli’s disposition turns from one of praise and adoration to one of rage and discontent. Apparently a group of demonic goblins broke into the farming fields and unsanctified her efforts in one of the fields. The next day Telli fixes the field messed with and begins the rigourous task of completing the last of the fields Hallowing spells. As one farmer walks by she grips the mans tattered clothes to stop him uttering the following.
“Hey ders feller… woulds yuhs pass da words ta all da famers and workers dats we mightededs be gettings somes helps soons froms a couple a priest and priestesses. Tell ems ta be on da lookededs outs fer a Mr Leogold and a Miss Yllalynn… Deys a couple a Chauntea follers dats livings in Norwicks nows…
we sure coulds usededs ders hands… in facts…. Fergets keepings a looks outs fer ems…why don’t yuh go see if der at Friar Fred’s nows… da fellers a humans…and da girlies a half-elf Telli tinks… if der willings ta helpedededs tells ems ta head ta da fields and lookededs fer Telli eh?”
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*Days pass and Norwick is abuzz… Workers set foundation of rocks forming a small table in the center of the farmlands. Telli was hopeful to see Master Z around to help her design and orchestrate the construction of this beautiful monument. Sadly he never showed and Telli set into motion the following…
Workers began to carve out a round cylinder out of the center of the main stone top. A basin was measured and formed to sit within the cylinder hole with precision and care. Another stone slab was set against the back of the altar as Telli began to whisper blessings of ”Stone Shape” pulling out small shelves that overlapped one another from the top to the bottom…
Small groves to catch rain and funnel it down the altar into streams were carved out. And the altar looked nearly complete. Standing back Telli smiled her second altar dedicated to Chauntea much more elaborate then the first if a little haphazardly constructed. She had the workers tip the back stone down against the ground as she waddled over and chiseled Chauntea name into the top of the altar for all to see.
As the workers shifted and hoisted the stone backing back into place Telli whispered a final blessing of ”Make Whole” hoping to solidify and complete the project at hand giving it some stability. All that was left was to set a candle atop the altar lighting it as she began to pour a pile of grain near it offering prayers of thanksgiving and praise.
She began scattering rose petals about the altar with care and a blessing from Chauntea requested with each petal set.. Finally she asked the tallest of those gathered to pour a few canteens of water down the altars water containers as she uncorked a vial she received from Master Z years ago. The vial was nearly empty but she shook out yet a single drop of Chauntea’s blessings from that bottle into the pool of water settled at the basin below.
Telli stood back as the altar glew lightly smiling from ear to ear going quiet as others gather around to observe the spectacle. Norwick and more importantly its farmers finally had a place of refuge and solace to go to when their crops were under strain and on the verge of destruction. Telli couldn’t help but stand there in reverence reflecting on how far she’d come since her loss of Chauntea and reaffirming of her faith…*
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After about a weeks worth of routine hallow blessings Telli abruptly changes her pattern and course of actions. Townsfolk rumor that Dwin and Telli had a serious conversation days after their joined crop blessing. Dwin walked off tired and looking a bit sore while Telli seemed to look around almost looking for something. She would stop in between farms looking around measuring with her hands and counting out foot steps before shaking her head and moving onto the next location. Finally a location was selected as Telli began motioning over four to five of the stronger workers gathered around. One of the Legionaries accompanying her has recently shifted to take over leading the small band of workers. With Dwin's approval and consent it looks like the forming of an altar are finally underway…
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A rather oversized Fox is sighted in the fields from time to time. It seems to be helping out too, by dealing with any small animal pests.
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After the long day, Dwin thanks Telli for showing him what she's doing, and quietly prays to Vergadain, the Trickster, to grant this over-worked dwarf a better sense of humor and a thicker skin for future well-meaning, albeit sarcastic remarks.
