Post by Corey the GM on Jun 13, 2015 8:57:38 GMT -5
It was quiet this night as Old Man Bran sat on the outskirts of Gashmere. Instead of his cheery self the party had met previously, he was gloomy looking off into the forest. A darkness welled somewhere in the trees, a darkness that he could touch. He heard the voices, as many did, and feared the power behind them. Power that was stronger then even him. He sighed, running his hands through the dew stricken grass. He felt the sadness there. Even the plants were affected by that strong darkness that slithered across the land. He felt their loss, their mourning that they knew too that the sun would eventually fade for them. He could feel the once proud, magically tendrils of life pulling away from the deepest chasm of the forest. Even the forest wished to be away from this darkness and escape itself.
Another depressing though struck Bran, that of the party that was supposed to be the saviors. They were scared, splitting apart at their hearts. They were not above the whispers and some had already succumb to the strong allure that pulled them into the forest. He had witness from afar as members disappeared with no word. They were lost to him as they were lost to the others, cut from the good of the land and covered in darkness.
New players fell unluckily into the path of the group. Twisted into some unknown fate that would most likely lead to their demise. He grumbled, got to his feet and vanished with an instant as a slice of moon light touched his vantage point.
Queen Jesslyn sat with Lord Silverton in her meeting room just outside her personal chambers. Her hand held a white note that dangled now at her side. She leaned back in the large chair that sat at her desk in a lounging manner that wasn't very queen like. Stress made her not care anymore for stately appearance, and the sour Silverton did not help her mood any longer.
"We can no longer ignore Brintak's request, my queen. The roads must be opened, regardless of these disappearances." Silverton had been speaking for some time now, chattering at the mouth at what the Kingom of Blackdawn must do. "Strom will think us week and the peace will be broken if we do not act quickly. We need to form the ranks and send the armies south. Clear the forest once and for all and stop relying on some fool hope that a band of criminals will 'save the world'." He said mockingly.
He thought the quest was a fools errand, and she was beginning to think so too. So much was happening, life was being sucked from her kingdom. The homeless numbers were increasing fueled by some new drug that created chaos on the streets. If it wasn't the drug making people go mad, it was the whispers that drove them south to the forest. With all that was going on her mind had become muddled. She must have been crazy to think that a group of miscreants could save them. What had she been thinking, Silverton was right. She was afraid to admit it though and hoped beyond reason that the old man was right.
Perhaps that old man was just crazy. What had she done?
"Form the ranks, Lord Silverton, and send word to Brintak of Strom that we accept his plea and will send a thousand troops south along the Merchant Road. The wash shall be quick." A lump of sadness slumped her over more as she spoke.