Something Wicked, Part 2

Notes

After the chanting had gone on for a bit, NPC lorekeepers arrived. We got Fiontar in the Rest, Dramar in the Landing, Motharan in Solhaven, and I'm not sure exactly who it was on Teras.

They told us that between old research and what they were now seeing, they had developed a theory. They suspected that beneath the continent's major centers of population dwelt giant insects they would call feithidmor (indeed, we players found out this meant "insect" in Gaelic). The cycle of the feithidmor was very long, hundreds or thousands of years. But when it was time for a feithidmor to arise and feed, several things happened.

The banaltra would begin to pop out of the ground beneath the population center, bringing down morsels to strengthen the feithidmor.

The feithidmor would awaken fully and ascend to the town, making a horrible noise that sent the whole town into a fugue state, while it fed on the stunned and senseless bodies.

In the aftermath, the few townsfolk who survived would come to and have no memory of what had happened. Suspecting anything but giant insects, they would begin to fill their books with theories about quakes, floods and disease, which over time became truth. How many of history's disasters were in fact feithidmor?

The lorekeepers told us that despite the great fugues, things had been learned here and there through the years, and had been secured for posterity in the form of the linden saplings and the chants the young and the old recited without even realizing it.

Acting on the ancient hints from the chants, the lorekeepers determined that the thing to do was to send teams of adventurers into the lair, to slay the feithidmor while all its banaltra were aboveground paving the way for the final feeding. Sign-up sheets for the endeavor were posted, and from them, primary and backup teams of eight adventurers -- one from each profession -- were chosen.

This log comes from Reiger. It was posted on the boards during the event.

Action

(Here are my notes on tonite's meeting in the Landing. Shortly after Dramar showed up at the tree, several banaltra attacked and Dramar was wasted. He was brought to Voln, raised, and came to the assembly hall to lead the meeting. Here's a transcript of the meeting, edited as best I could.)

Dramar stands up to address the assembly.

Dramar says, "If you are standing here today, it is likely because you know of the threat we face...the feithidmor."

Dramar says, "If you are unfamiliar with this creature, I encourage you to speak amongst yourselves. Time is short this eve and I fear I cannot explain what this creature is tonight." door.

Dramar says, "Over the past couple weeks the banaltra have been feeding upon townsfolk much more furiously."

Dramar says, "We believe that unless we stop this creature tomorrow evening..."

Dramar says, "It will surface, and be the death of us all."

Dramar says, "Many of you have observed various townsfolk entering odd fugue states, at which time they recite rhymes."

Dramar says, "We believe these rhymes hold the key to defeating the feithidmor, and with all your help these past weeks..."

Dramar says, "I believe it is safe to say a glimmer of hope remains that we can resolve this problem we face."

Dramar says, "Gullik and Ostan directed me to a cauldron in the brewery that will serve our needs well."

Dramar says, "And a group of you also found a knife within an establishment of ill repute."

Dramar says, "You have spoken amongst yourselves, putting together a list of the other ingredients we may need..."

Dramar says, "I concur with your thoughts, and encourage you to continue gathering them."

Dramar says, "Many of you volunteered to enter the feithidmor's lair in an attempt to slay it before it reaches the surface."

Dramar says, "I want to thank every single one of you who volunteered."

Dramar says, "My associates and I determined that the following course of action is our best chance for success..."

Dramar says, "Time will be short as we strike at the feithidmor."

Dramar says, "And those who did volunteer face an extremely perilous task."

Dramar says, "We have gathered two teams of eight volunteers."

Dramar says, "If any in the first group fall, and likely they will..."

Dramar says, "The second team will attempt to continue their works."

Dramar says, "These teams need to realize the following:"

Dramar says, "Time is of the essence. If they do not reach the feithidmor in time, it will surface. And we will die."

Dramar says, "This means if one of them falls in battle, they must be left behind."

Dramar says, "Lifekeep them, and pray you defeat the feithidmor in time to recover the body."

Dramar says, "But there will be no time to care for the dead."

Dramar says, "This may sound cruel, but many more lives are at stake."

Dramar says, "So to those who choose to go..."

Dramar says, "Please make sure Lorminstra smiles upon you. For if we do not defeat the feithidmor in short order...or at all..."

Dramar says, "Lorminstra may be your only hope."

Dramar says, "I do not know what dangers you will face down below."

Dramar says, "I will not be going with you - I will remain with the defenders of this city."

Dramar says, "I tried to gather a wide assortment of volunteers - of all skills and races."

Dramar says, "I can only advise them to prepare themselves for the worst."

Dramar says, "I will introduce you to those who will attempt to slay the feithidmor in a bit, but furst..."

Dramar says, "While the feithidmor prepares for its final feeding..."

Dramar says, "I expect the city to be overrun by banaltra. The bloodshed you have already seen will pale in comparison."

Dramar says, "Your city needs you all."

Dramar says, "You alone can prevent the children and citizens of this city from dying at the claws of banaltra."

Dramar says, "So I beg everyone to prepare themselves this evening..."

Dramar says, "Rest well, and be prepared for tomorrow."

Dramar says, "I am uncertain of the exact hour when we will strike, but I expect it to be early evening."

Dramar says, "Before I introduce those who have been chosen to undertake the mission in the feithidmor's lair..."

Dramar says, "I want you to know that it was a difficult choice. Some of you chose not to join the list, intent instead of remaining on the surface to protect the town."

Dramar says, "The lives you save will be many, I am sure."

Dramar says, "We need you on the surface also, for we need to ensure we have a city to return to."

Dramar says, "To those who have been chosen - I stress this to you."

Dramar says, "You MUST be here tomorrow evening."

Dramar says, "I apologize for the pause, I fear my earlier death has robbed me of some of my senses."

Dramar says, "Those who will be in the primary group shall be..."

Dramar says, "Welan, who is not present this eve."

Dramar says, "Ostan, who is present this eve."

Ostan stands up to address the assembly.

Ostan says, "Hey."

Ostan shifts his weight.

Ostan grins.

Dramar says, "Rhad, who is also present this eve."

Rhad stands up to address the assembly.

Rhad bows.

Rhad says, "glad i kin help in some way"

Ostan nods to Rhad.

Dramar says, "Psiodon, who is present tonight."

Psiodon stands up to address the assembly.

Psiodon bows.

Dramar says, "I hope your faith in your god serves us well."

Dramar nods to Psiodon.

Psiodon says, "I hope it does too"

Ostan grins.

Psiodon just touched a silvery Charl medallion.

Dramar says, "Ryshan, who is present this eve."

Ryshan stands up to address the assembly.

Ryshan grins.

Ryshan nods.

Dramar says, "Clorius, who is not present this eve."

Dramar says, "Celeina, who is present this eve."

Celeina stands up.

Celeina stands up to address the assembly.

Celeina says, "I'm honored to have a chance to protect what I care about..."

Celeina blushes a lovely shade of bright pink.

Dramar says, "And finally, Dandee, who is present."

Dandee stands up to address the assembly.

Dandee says, "I have not much, but all I have will be focused on the death of this thing. This I vow."

Dramar says, "If any of these brave souls should fall, the second group will be..."

Dramar says, "Kriztian, who is not present this eve."

Dramar says, "Sayrena, who is not present this eve."

Dramar says, "Aurach, who is present."

Aurach stands up to address the assembly.

Aurach just touched a waxing crescent moon pin.

Aurach bows.

Dramar says, "Dgry, who is present this eve."

Dgry stands up to address the assembly.

Dgry says, "I wish to speak to my group in private at the conclusion of this meeting. Not to exclude the rest of you but to make plans should the first fail."

Psiodon turns towards Dgry and renders a sharp salute with his deeply engraved falchion.

Dramar says, "Indica, who is present."

Indica stands up to address the assembly.

Indica says, "I am quite grateful to have this opportunity, and I pledge ta do my very best fer my beloved city."

Dramar says, "Wizadora, who is present." Wizadora stands up to address the assembly.

Dramar says, "Kraniak, who is present."

Wizadora says, "i will stand untill i fall if it is to be"

Wizadora curtsies.

Kraniak bows.

Dramar says, "And finally, Contesserina, who is also present."

Contesserina stands up to address the assembly.

Celeina sniffs at Marietta.

Contesserina says, "We shall do our best"

Contesserina smiles.

Dramar says, "The rest of you will face no easier task than they."

Dramar says, "I fear time will grow short, as I must attend to some last minute preparations for tomorrow."

Dramar says, "Please everyone, work together."

Dramar says, "Make plans how to save this city."

Dramar says, "Offer shelter to the weak."

Kraniak asks, "Where tomorrow eve shalle we enter the abyss?"

Dramar says, "Meet at the linden tree in the early evening."

Dramar says, "If one of you cannot make it."

Dramar says, "Someone else will have to stand in your place."

Dramar says, "One last thing..."

Dramar says, "The rhymes speak of a stick or baton of sorts..."

Dramar says, "That shall protect the group."

Dramar says, "We believe it is this baton that will protect them from the feithidmor's sound as they travel in its lair."

Dramar says, "Unless we successfully create this vital item tomorrow, they have no hope."

Dramar says, "Yes. Prepare for what is to come, and wait by the tree."

Dramar says, "That goes for everyone."

Dramar says, "Those who will fight below AND above the surface."

Dramar says, "I will see you all again tomorrow eve. Be safe."

(On a personal note, good luck to those brave souls who are descending into the beasts lair tomorrow. The rest of us will make sure you have a town to return to. I'd be proud to buy every one of you a drink any time after this is over. Good hunting.)