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One foggy morning, a large man with a cart approached the abandoned farm of Petre Chomski. Sinking into decay since the whole family had moved out, all that remained were the shambling home and a few rusty tools among the overgrown weeds. A stone cairn marked the grave of late Babushka Chomski near the house, that is where the man set out to dig, a few feet away from the original grave, once he was up to his neck into the ground (for the man was quite tall) he dumped a box into the ground, long enough for a body. Slowly covering the grave with dirt, the job took at least half a day, later returning with a priest to bless both graves. Most that witnessed the procedure, figured Chomski himself had finally kicked the bucket and a good soul had returned him to his wife, only being in the land that ever cared for him in this world or else.
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Rumor spreads, as Barovians overwork themselves preparing for the winter, some arrive with food and provisions, hooded figures are seen distributing goods to the good hard working community of Vallaki. The rumor on everyone's lip carried over the farmlands, the one of Vrolocks being married to Outlander guards, those same Vrolocks that took Chomski's kids lives, some whisper; the hooded men watch as some enter their homes, securing them under heavier locks.
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Farmers mutter, shaking their heads at the lack of spine from the nobles. Having witnessed the lack of sportsmanship displayed by the younger Stravokov on his duel with Aurel Popescu, they curse at the higher class for having no class nor honor.
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Farmer's wives murmur about the death of one of their neighbours. The man was found dead outside of his home with a large, deep gash similar to that produced by an axe. Rumors spread over whom would have killed the shoemaker. Already, people dared not to cross paths with him due to his freakish white skin and red eyes. Some comment on how the fey disease took his wife and daughter while making warding gestures to keep evil at bay. Others speak disapprovingly of the young girl that was seen with him from time to time. Words such as kidnapping and dementia spread like wildfire.
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/Feles/RVT.jpg)
A hole was dug, a stone was erected. Before it were present men and women of red and black. The Red Vardo Traders mourned the loss of a friend, of a brother. Not only did the stone figure crumbled but voices rose above the rumors and the hear say: the ruthless thieves cried tears for the fallen.
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Vincent heads east out of Vallaki following the Old Svalich road. the eastern farmers stop what thier doing holding thier tools in hand as Vincent passes their land. the farmers make warding gestures against evil as he passes each one. his chin poised, ignoring them as he makes for the long, and troublesome road ahead.......
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*At a gathering of concerned farmers and other locals met at a barn in the Eastern Farmlands, a dark mustached man stood up and addressed the people.*
"I am Stefan Borchinsky, hunter of de forests of land. I am trapper, and archer and I am sad by de tings dat I see. Der vas time vhen de smart Barovian nu vent outside vhen de sun go down. It vas de time of de vrolok and de neuri. On de nights dat I got stuck in de voods past dark, I thanked Ezra for her protection, and any other god dat vould listen. De guarda, vere de law and de law vas strict and it vas obeyed or dere vas consequences. I nu broke de law, so I nu had to vorry. Those vere good times. Nu vitch or varlock vould dare valk de lands vith dere demon powers burning about dem. Dey knew better.
So vhat has changed? Vhy do I come into to town to sell my pelts and see de vitches in front of de Lady's Rest Inn vith dere Ewil eyes and powers out for all to see?! Vhy does Radu, a good man, nu smash dem vith his hammer?! Vere is guarda?! Hawve dey bevitched dem all?! or, are dere number to few to stand against dem?
I Stefan Borchinsky say to you, ve must take back our lands from de vitchs and outlanders."
*He unrolls a poster of Guard Recruitment*
"If you can sving an axe or shoot a bow. If you are strong like bull from vorking de land, den come vith me, join de guarda! Dey vill train us, and ve will stop dese vitches and vitch spawn from bring de darkness down upon us de good folk! No more of De outlanders trying to breed our vays out by charming our young Vemon! De law needs our help, and I am going to sign up! Who is vith me?"
*There is mumuring through the croud, and as Stefan leaves to go to the Citidel, there are looks of concern and some of determination that cross the faces of farmers, their wives and their children.*
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Neighbors have been heard commenting on the poor state of affairs at the Iorgovan Farm. It would seem the veteran Vallaki Guard, Gergori Iorgovan does not possess the talent for agriculture that his older brother had. Perhaps running a farm and serving in the Garda is too much for The Old War Dog.
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Carrying bundles of faggots & some larger branches of dead wood, mostly by the veiled women of the Hospice on Strada Sobolan, a bonfire is begining to take shape on the hill overlooking the eastern farmlands & the Savlich road.
As the days pass more & more join & heap thier toils upon this pyre, woodsmen, trappers & folk from the elven settlement....some say the culmination of this work is to be the 30th, for some considered to be the first day of spring .......others including the mysterious Halites call it Beltane.
//OOC: Any & all are invited to this little gathering , esp those druids & rangers amonst you aiming for about midnight GMT, this comming friday , to commence at the closest sunset in game , thank you.
Edit: forgot the timezone
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A green-clad young man, who is seldom seen around Vallaki, but the few times mostly around the hospice, has been seen asking for information and nodding.
// OOC: let me know, I'll try to be there.
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The elven cleric Calor still feels the ties to his elven heritage. Although he is a priest of Lathander, he is still elvish. He wistfully remembers celebrating Sheelala in what feels like centuries ago.
Upon hearing of the coming gathering, in his mind celebrating Sheelala, he makes a mental note to attend.
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:bump:
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An abandoned farmhouse has been refurbished and turned into a workshop for none other the the famous toymaker, Von Karstein. Wealthy citizens and collectors of Vallaki have been seen standing in line for hours at the workshop door leaving orders with the Dollmakers assistant. Collectors of dolls and toys consider it worth the wait to own a "Von Karstein Original".
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Yet another Child has gone missing in the clutches of old night. the peasant mother who lost her child spoke with the local Garda giving a description of her little girl. she mentioned her Daughter Raduja was born with no left hand, an easy trait to identify, should she be found.
The local authorities are baffled by the strange occurrences which have recently swept over the land....
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(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g247/Morefizzle/leg3.jpg)
Word of an attack on the Dumitrascu household is on everyone's lips. The good and kind family of the current Captain of the guard has been victim of a brutal attack by what seem to be Gundarakite rebels. Farmers and curious peasants alike gather in front of the farmhouse, which has been put on a lockdown - it is said the sons of old Dragos Dumitrascu lie in a critical state.
Guards say the crimes were committed with the use of blunt weapons. Many suspect that this attack could be a retaliation for the growing gundarakite executions taking place these days...
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Rumors spread of a group of bandits holding up merchants and travelers on the stretches of Old Svalich Road just east of Vallaki. When resistance has been offered, it has been put down coldly and brutally. One witness claims the leader of the gang had a large axe and spoke with a strange accent. Each subsequent report attributes larger numbers to the group, but it's unclear whether this is true or whether each victim wants to have a taller tale to tell than the last.
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The youngest son of the Petrescu family in the Eastern farmlands of Vallaki has gone missing, Petrov Petrescu. A group spent all night plus more looking him-- so far, to no avail.
Garda were aiding in the search, it seems--the garda engaged to Ismene, Lance Corporal Zaitus, and also helping was Corporal Orlov. As well, there were two outlanders, along with Petrov's siblings, especially Ismene and Dimitriv.
Before the bad noapte was through, Ismene was brought back, badly hurt, to the home-- a wolf attack when she'd gone too far alone in her desperate search for the little brother she was known to favor and dote upon.
And even though the others went off again to search some more, nothing has yet been found of the boy. It looks very bleak, indeed.
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The eastern farmlands play home to a rare, odd sight in Vallaki. Just before dark, a gathering of what would appear to be wealthy Barovian's can be seen near the small plot of land once owned by Gavril and his wife Esmé Lanovich. A large engraved stone is hauled in and erected beside a small sapling. Family members mourn the death of their beloved, successful son. Gavril's father, Cosmin Lanovich, is seen shedding a few tears as the ashes of his son are scattered about the earth. He vows that he will see to it that the killer is brought to justice.
Onlookers speculate over the absence of Gavril's widow, Esmé. Many believe that the fragile state of mourning is what has kept her from attending the memorial. Others spread more scandalous rumors, claiming that Esmé's late night walks were actually made to visit a secret lover. Whatever the case, word spreads like wildfire that the Lanovich family, having now put their son to rest, will begin the hunt for the person guilty of claiming his life.
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Horribly, true rumors fly around Vallaki, starting in the Eastern Farmlands around the beleaguered Petrescu homestead.
Even after young Petrov Petrescu's return from his terrible kidnapping, even after the miraculous healing of his leg, after his safe return to home, the boy is found dead in his bed, having been perfectly well when he went to sleep.
The family is hunkered down and beside itself with sorrow for such a loss. What makes it worse-- their second son, Dimitriv, is still missing, said to have gone out to look for the boy's captor.
The second daughter of the family, Ismene, made a bit of a scene-- well known to have favored her little brother Petrov above the others, she came running out of the house, looking for an Outlander-- a woman named Rhian, and saying to anyone who would listen: "That was nu priest that came to see him!" looking madly about, and finally succombing to her grief, re-entered the house looking as if she might be ill.
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It seems there are some unseen protectors lurking around the eastern farmsteads of late. Although no one unusual has been seen or heard, come morning many infected wolves have been found to be routinely dispatched. Their usual prowling, hunting, and scratching at doors and shuttered windows has been greatly curtailed.
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Tragedy has struck Dumitrascu's turnip farm. In the middle of the night a dispute was heard outside and then the sounds of a fight. Come dawn young Matai was missing and a large pool of blood spread across the floor inside.
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//OOC Note: This was originally posted on Jan. 15 2014, but I posted it in the wrong farmlands thread.
A small cairn is hidden in a stand of trees near the river. The largest stone bears the name "Harold Dyland III" carved into it in crude elven-script. It appears an old human male was laid to rest here not long ago.
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[A large ruckus is made as farmers discover their barns have been broken into and robbed during the winter. Not only has all of their remaining food been stolen, but all of their stored seeds as well!
Some farmers roamed around aimlessly throughout the morning in a state of shock, while others have been going to the other farms in a panic to see if they could have any of their seed surplus.]
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[For days, the Romulich peasant militia has been hard at work cutting logs and building walls around one of the fields in the the eastern farmlands. Inside the enclosure, they set up a small base camp. Word spreads quick that they've acquired a few bags of seed, militia members have been helping farmers sow the seeds and patrol the fields throughout the day. While the militia men are not yet outfitted with proper weapons, when asked they say they've been told they should be receiving equipment soon.]
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[With autumn's arrival, the first crops are finally being harvested from the farms being guarded by the Romulich militia. The yield is far lower than usual due to the late start to the season and small supply of seed, but it's enough to make the winter far less frightening. The Vallaki peasantry is somewhat more upbeat at the news-- They won't outright starve this winter.]
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[A private of the Vallaki Garda some may know as Bogdan Antonescu is seen burning a man's corpse and then carrying the charred bones to the citadel.]
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A train of serfs and their beasts of burden, laden down with crates, pales of hay, kegs of ale and wine are seen throughout much of the day filtering towards Vallaki and after getting to the gates, making their way to the Citadel. Many are spreading the word of the benevolence of Vanda Atanasius and speaking kindly of the poisoner Nathaniel Byrne, her emissary...
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The rumour spreads now that someone wished to ruin the harvest by pouring salt on the field. Fortunately one of the Garda noticed such fast enough so the layer of the salted ground was stripped and the harvest was saved. Even though the Garda watches over the fields now, perhaps the Romulich militia was disbanded too soon?
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For the past several days various farmers claim that they witnessed several off-duty garda leaving what is slowly becoming known as "Fort Farm", and returning late in the day with building materials. These daily supply runs finally culminated in a day of construction. The new additions were constructed by off-duty garda, and the sounds of their labor echoed late into the night. When the sun rose over the farmlands, a new checkpoint sat on the road next to the makeshift fort, and several upgrades are rumored to have been added behind the large wooden gates. Vallaki Garda Private Niculescu, rumored to have been the one spearheading the improvements, is often seen patrolling the farms or manning the new checkpoint.
It has become clear that the garda take the protection of the farms very seriously.
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Although the summer crops have been less plentiful than previous years due to smaller seed stores, the townsfolk are quite relieved to be eating fresh fruits and vegetables once more. The Vallaki Garda have made a point in stepping up their patrols of the fall harvests, having a frequent presence in the eastern farmlands.
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A lone vistani wanderer lays murdered and robbed along the Old Svalich Road. His throat slit with two arrows in his belly. His lifeless body discarded like refuse for the crows to feast.
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x443/thedarkestsunrise1/Dead%20gypsy2_zpsqjzw92fq.png) (http://s1182.photobucket.com/user/thedarkestsunrise1/media/Dead%20gypsy2_zpsqjzw92fq.png.html)
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Alan hunter cautiously hides and tracks the area where the Vistani was found. Having tried to raise the female vistani that was murdered back at the morning lords church he began to question recent information of of the new countess no longer protecting the Vistani and people now taking advantage of the fact. Carefully he checks each track to get an idea what assailed him how heavy boots or non. Signs of undead or shapechanging as his favored foe to give an idea what his assailant may be. Often he trades and grives wares to the Vistani of the woods to help with these trouble times discreetly as he travel the woods to the Seele Court and to the Vistani camp.
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A blond Kartakan has been toiling on one of the farmsteads east of Vallaki. He tends to the fields, chops wood, and carries water.
He refuses to speak to anyone but the family who run the farm: the Dumitrascu family.
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Long before the moon has risen to its peak, an elven warrior with golden hair and white garments strode through the farmlands.
His destination was a cave near the easternmost farm which, from time to time, has been home to a tribe of hobgoblins.
Sounds of battle could be heard echoing from the caves until they died down through the night. How the skirmish went is unknown, but
the body of the dead warchief lies on the fields, near the lair - riddled with arrows and deprived of its riches.
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In a snowy morning, atop a rise in the center of the farmlands where all could see, a small congregation of the Hailed Final Revelation faithful, simple farmers and their wives alit an effigy of a Morninglordian priest. However, at the coming of the noon day sun the group was dispersed by representatives of the Ezrite church with what is rumored to be threats of violence.
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The din of battle and cries of anguish erupted from the Eastern ramparts of the Grey City during the mid-morning hours. Vallaki Guard trumpets blared into the skies before being abruptly silenced. Blood stained the crushed dirt and grass near the towering walls. Bodies of monstrous humanoids draped over the still corpses of stalwart defenders of the Grey City which fell valiantly upholding their duty and station.
The massacre spread to the East and South, the farmlands decimated by the carnage of Barovians butchered while tending to their fields and crops. Those not fleet of foot cut low; spilling their blood and viscera into the fertile soil. Meanwhile, the sound of battle raged on throughout the day and into the twilight from when the thunderous booted footfalls finally dispersed and grew distant. Figures emerged from that direction, rumors rife with tales of outlander and dutiful guards banding together towards the common menace and finally returning home – battered, ravaged, but unbowed.
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Odd rumours permeate the farmlands all the way to the walls of Vallaki, that labourers were subdued and forced into participating in a dread ritual by a dark host from across the boarder. Few survived...
(https://i.imgur.com/zO2oG8p.png)
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For the past few days and nights a strangely clad woman in mossy green has been seen setting up temporary camps near the farmlands. She has been observed leaving useful things upon the doorsteps of the homes of the farmers - a peace offering for her time skulking, perhaps.
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A man armored in pale-green and brown halfplate stands over the hillside, looking down at the now-gravesite of someone passed. In the midnight rain, he belts out to the night:
"So, that's it, then? As quick as she came?
Of course... of *course.* Like anything *else* would have happened."
He stands there until the sun starts to rise, brooding and visibly angry.
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A low mist clung to the gravesite of Lavinia Paslaru in the night before figures in similar armor appeared upon the ridge. They spent most of the night overlooking the grave often silent- othertimes quietly conversing.
Towards dawn, other figures arrived and the two night-time visitors departed in peace...
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Various corpses of slaughtered farmers begin to crop up. Some look tortured to death... others are more gruesome... deaths ranging from being ripped in half, their intestines lying in the bloody grass, heads torn off, eyes gouged out, tongues ripped out... Some are even hung by their own line of intestines or their throats ripped out...even one with it's spine ripped out.
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In the late hours of the evening, just before dusk, a cloaked and hooded figure enters the eastern farmlands. With a great sword in hand he moves toward the cattle pens and begins slaughtering the beasts, left and right. The mad man blathers on about the dark times approaching. The farmers were left unharmed but meat stores would run a little lean for a time
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[Those that pass through the Eastern Outskirts of Vallaki may find darker scowls and more suspicious glares than usual from the Barovian farmers that make their homes there. Muttered rumor of some terrible beast glimpsed at through gaps in shuttered windows has the locals on edge, and forlorn screams and howls coming from the Old Svalich Road heading east, away from Vallaki put a dark unease on the area…]