Vallaki - Southern Forest - Degannwy

[AgentGibbs]

A shadowy figure enters through the gates of the grove, and meanders around silently before moving to the campfire. Lowering her hood to reveal fire red hair, she is welcomed by the other elves warmly as if a long lost sister had returned home.

[Eruheran]

Late in the hours of the night, figures moved through the moonlit covered verdure, many cloaked and garbed in dark colors and earthy accents. Each moved through the gates of Degannwy, where they would not re-emerge until dawns first light.

[Eruheran]

A tall man hooded and garbed in armor of green and gold is accompanied by a woman of clear elvish lineage, garbed in white, light pouring off of her as if radiant and defiant against the night. These two are often seen treading the forests south of Vallaki, between the elven settlement of Degannwy and that of the outskirts, rumored to be seeking newly misted elves and half-elves to bring to Degannwy to guide and shelter.

But to those observant of the settlement itself there seems to be a tenuous balance that can be felt hanging in the air and in those that guard it, with the appearance of the sick and tainted woods that began to border it some many months ago...

[Maverick]

A ghostly Sithican walks among the grove, escorted to Degannwy by a tall hooded man garbed in the armor of green and gold. For a moment they speak at the entrance before a third approaches and interrupts. The pale grey Sithican departs and wanders the grove, his clothes faded and tattered, whisping around him by the breeze. He watches the various creatures and elves with interest, pooled amber eyes like that of an animal glimmering out from beneath a crown of briar and dark berries.

It seems a new visitor has arrived in this Grove but for what purpose?

After some time the Sitichan is seen watching the cursed land to the south. Standing there observing for a few hours. As night falls he leaves the grove back to the south forest...

[QDS]

A feral woman returns to Degannwy carrying a dead panther. Soon after, a small mound can be seen in the south western corner, that same woman is seen sobbing to sleep next to the mound every night. A small mark is left next to the mound: "Here lies Catcat".

[Caerylia Talan'dir]

Three figures - one tall elf clad in radiant white, and the other two clad in verdant green -  were seen standing within the Autumn Grove's copse in silent grief over the desiccated corpses of two wood elven rangers.

The two corpses had expressions locked in horror, their eye sockets blackened. Stab wounds were upon the pits of their stomachs.

The high elf in white sang an elvish requiem and vowed retribution for her fallen kin.

The druidess among them sat in meditation for a while, administering druidic burial rites.

[DM Brimstone]

The solace and silence of the sanctuary of the revered copse, seat of the Autumn Grove and home to the kin of elves, is abruptly shattered immediately following the twilight hours of sunset.  Tensions are palpable amongst those who call the grove their place of refuge and few are willing to dare share of the terrifying eve. The voices which are coerced speak of the first of many strange tidings being the slow, rhythmic circling of a single, majestic black swan in flight.  The long necked creature roosted high within the treetops of the Nant Gaerwyn.  It is said that only the Marquessa herself was permitted access to the apex of the trees, her trusted eyes and ears alone serving as the only witness to what might have transpired above. 

When darkness had descended in full across the weald, a mighty tremor ripped through the landscape, toppling over even the surest of foot and cascading tents, posts, and supplies from their perches.  From the bowels the land erupted a blighted scar, the fissure blistering the soil and spewing forth impenetrable pitch of darkness from its depths.  Twisted, knotted, and profane trees sprouted from the ground and ebon vines spread like malignancy across an impossibly deep cistern rooted at the center. The southwestern edge of the grove was cloaked in a shroud of darkness, those present speaking of insidious and tenebrous whispers gurgling from the foul depths. 

The Marquessa was last seen descending from the treetops with her usual regal and ever graceful celerity, cordoning off the corner of her courtly "demesne," and assigning wards and sentries to prevent entry near the land's abrupt pustule. Lorelei lingered close to the cistern's edge for some time, pensive and wordless in her observation and study, before absconding and locking herself away.  The radiant Marquessa has yet to emerge from where she is sequestered, only adding to the growing tensions of her trusted kin and allies.

Spoiler: show

[Neuwwwo]

Spoiler: the time is past • show

A sickly woman can be seen speaking with the elven mages about a tome -- it's title perhaps misremembered or half-lost in rumors -- the Tale of the Sages, a tale of nine gods.
Their replies aren't of much use. She lingers about the grove for a night or two, her frustration and boredom growing...
Perhaps there is one exceptional elven scholar who could aid her in finding this book?

Spoiler: OOC • show

Send me a PM if you think your character could help!

Disappointed, the woman doesn't return.

[DM Brimstone]

The dark malignancy of the grove faded seemingly as spontaneously and uncannily as its appearance.  Rumors, once more, of the alleviation of the blight accompanied by the sighting of a single, majestic black swan in cascading upwards into the night sky.  As it's sleek, ebon-form disappeared into the backdrop of darkness, so did the twisted, profane vines, mutated, dead trees, and chasmic cistern. 

The sentries and elves seemed to breathe a collective sigh as the cordons were removed and normalcy returned to the sacred weald.  Whether the terror has ended or this is simply an ephemeral reprieve seems largely unknown and highly contested in hushed debate, but regardless, the solace is welcomed by those who reside in Degannwy.

[gotesu]

A hooded emissary makes his way to the Autumn grove, delivering a missive to whatever man or woman of authority he comes upon. He would soon thereafter leave the small encampment making his way back to wherever he came from.

The missive would read as follows:

Dwellers of Degannwy

It is thereby requested by the esteemed house Elevashe of Har Thelen that an official representative of yours would be sent at the earliest convenience to discuss matters concerning the alleged assaults made upon your grove in recent years.

Said representative is requested to make the way to the city by the Musrade ferry.
They will be required to show this invitation to the Dockmaster to be directed to the place of audience.

Quenta solari nen heth y mori

[inkcorvid]

A notice is posted at the elven settlement by an elf in the regalia of a Sithican Preserver:

Spoiler: show

To our kin,

Should fellow daughters and sons of Sithicus find themselves displaced from our lands, know they that the retinue of Lordson Nehorai of Har Thelen keeps watch beyond our borders. Should you find yourself lost, yet remember duty and tradition, contact us, for we are readied to ensure your safe return.

Protector Takmarin of Har Thelen, sworn to House Elevashe

// Placed in-game

[Cody]

That elf has visited the grove again, with skin holding a pale azure hue, and wearing a near ever-present smirk.

Appearing as drunk as he was during his past several visits, rapaciously hunting through every part of the grove holding a half-drunken bottle of wine close to him, and bothering whoever would listen to his inebriated ramblings or flirtings. He seemed to enjoy boasting about his own escapades, one them apparently having been conquested the white shining star Caerylia herself, using his self-sourced amazing skill of seduction.

In all likelihood judging by his growing habits, he may come to assault the grove again tomorrow in the evening. Easily found by the trail of empty wine bottles left behind.

[cheese tornado]

As has been often the case, a human male travels at great speed across country to the little elven settlement. His eyes bleary and showing no signs of good sleep lately. He opens the doors to the encampment, bowing politely to the elven guards and murmuring a greeting in their tongue. They regard him stoically, he has been before and they know why he has come. Bound to a guest quarters in Nant Gaerwynn, he passes Feu Follet and Pixie, none of which seek to comfort or appeal to his emotions tonight. A crackle of Barovian lightning illuminates outside through a window, setting contrast between gaps in the canopy. The fireplace roars, and he begins by peeling off sodden clothing, the weariness kept at bay by magic now fading into the quietude of the glade. At last, in his small clothes, and relatively dry, Killian collapses onto the silk bedding, and permits the magic of Degannwy to permeate his senses, thundering him into, at last, a fitful sleep. But flashes of Sithicus and Ebon Order fracture this sleep, and he awakens the next day, only mildly better than before...

[Vastgoten]

As the morning light broke the shapes of three wanderers approach the gateway to Degannwy. The escorting elven knight Ser Eruheran, guardian captain of Degannwy, had the lead, his sword drawn and by the looks of it he has exited combat recently.
Behind him, strode the white lady of Degannwy,, the elven sorcerer, the witch of Degannwy, the defender of Degannwy… or merely Caerylia to others.

The third one did not fit in as well. The elderly human wearing grey robes leaned heavily on his staff, necessary to lift heavy feet as they reached their destination where he came to a halt. The two elven kin seemed to notice and turned their heads offering him a respectful nod.

Fendal lifted his eyes, a tear had formed in the corner of his eye as he watched the two. No more words were necessary. They had reached an understanding of each other. One that they wizard was proud to claim theirs. Never the less, with a sorrowful heart, he had decided to walk the path he believed his. He lifted his hand in response and watched them continue forth without him, soon swallowed by the green gates of Degannwy.

He remained there, at that spot for a good length of time. Listening to his own breathing, reflecting on what has just happened, what he had been told and what he had seen. His entire being wanted to follow, to enter what many would claim to be the last sanctuary left worth to defend in these vile lands. Only a good amount of willpower and determination finally made him turn away. His eyes reached the far away silhouette of the grey city. With a deep inhale he straightened himself, clasped his staff firmly and with a determined mind started to make his way back to Vallaki.

[Vissy]

In the dead of night, clawing and banging is head at the gates of Degannwy. It lasts but for a short moment, and soon as guardians of the fey grove stream out to investigate, heavy mist flows in and spirits them away.

Some of them return, hours later, looking equal parts nervous and relieved.

[DM Stygian Witch]

The rangers of the grove are on high alert after a report of Hazlani wizards from the Red Academy were seen traveling the land. The report was substantiated after numbers of dead animals and destroyed vegetation where found. The Marquessa was heard commanding the rangers to search the wildlands and question all suspicious outsiders.