Silvanost - Everything Changed When the Dragonarmy Attacked
Silvanost - New Year's Eve
30 Frostkolt 348 AC - 01 Newkolt 349 AC
Arthur leaned back slightly, studying her face in the flickering light of the tavern’s hearth. The laughter and music from the other tables felt far away, as if the two of them sat alone in the whole of the building.
“Lady Agnes,” he said gently, “these last days have gone by faster than I’d have liked. Before the festival’s lights go out and the winter streets grow quiet again… I’d like to see them through your eyes. Show me your favorite places, the ones you keep close to your heart.”
He offered her a small, genuine smile, “No grand halls, no formal feasts—just where you would choose to be, if this were your last night of the season. Let me know the corners of this city that make you feel at home.”
His hand rested lightly in hers. “I can think of no better way to remember this festival than to spend it walking beside you."
Ag'nesallynn smiles, "And I, you, Dear Arthur. I did not expect to find... this ... when I left my island but here I am. I would be content to remain by your side for the rest of my days."
30 Frostkolt 348 AC - 01 Newkolt 349 AC
Arthur leaned back slightly, studying her face in the flickering light of the tavern’s hearth. The laughter and music from the other tables felt far away, as if the two of them sat alone in the whole of the building.
“Lady Agnes,” he said gently, “these last days have gone by faster than I’d have liked. Before the festival’s lights go out and the winter streets grow quiet again… I’d like to see them through your eyes. Show me your favorite places, the ones you keep close to your heart.”
He offered her a small, genuine smile, “No grand halls, no formal feasts—just where you would choose to be, if this were your last night of the season. Let me know the corners of this city that make you feel at home.”
His hand rested lightly in hers. “I can think of no better way to remember this festival than to spend it walking beside you."
Ag'nesallynn smiles, "And I, you, Dear Arthur. I did not expect to find... this ... when I left my island but here I am. I would be content to remain by your side for the rest of my days."
Meanwhile...
"Kysek! My man!" Grotto says through a grin, pointing at him with both of his index fingers. The dwarf's mood is exceptionally high after being in the fae realms. He looks at Raven, "You still owe me some naval training, but after all that one on one time with this ugly mug, I'm sure your eyes need a rest! The ice is still thick. Naval training can wait till tomorrow!"
Grotto then asks Kysek if he is able to get a feel for what the amulet, ring, bow, and armor may be. If he is not able, he will look around town for Romulus and Shadow for their wizardly expertise.
Kysek looks at Raven's tired grin and Grotto's over excitement. He smiles, turns to Summerwalker and says, “See, I told you he’d be back. No need for worry. “
Shadow greets Grotto and Raven before chiding them for causing a hangover of epic proportions for him and Cassidy in their “search” of the taverns in town. He then chuckles at the tale of their fey encounters. Once again he fights off the urge to look at the conditions of their footwear. Damned cobbler’s curse! The drow knows that the curse is not active outside of the Grimmlands but the reminder that his mind was tampered with to begin with still bothers him.
Shadow does volunteer to use his magic to determine what loot Grotto and Raven came away with. After a few hours of preparation and spellcasting, Shadow identifies the properties of each item (a total of four minor healing potions and one that allows the user to breathe underwater, an amulet that makes the wearer's skin tough like the hide of an animal, a ring of protection, a very oversized suit of studded leather armor that is resistant to fire, an oversized bow carrying a simple enchantments to improve accuracy and damage, and a gem that can be crushed to summon an air elemental).
While working on the items, Shadow remains busy trying to keep Cassidy from getting blasted accidentally by anything he touches. A mighty task indeed.
Ra’ziir finds a secluded area and sets the two griffon statuettes on the ground before speaking the words of magic that call the constructs into being. When they appear, he looks them over as any rider would a mount, checking their flanks and looking for any areas of concern in the magical automatons. Once satisfied, the black-robed elf leaps astride Icarus and the three take to the air.
Ra’ziir climbs high into the air, well out of bow or spell range, and then banks toward the waterfront. He races out over the Thon-Thalus River in an effort to monitor the status of the ships he sees there. All of the ones along the wharfs are icebound while those anchored off shore near the main channel where the current is stronger are encircled by only the thinnest of sheets.
He flies away from the capital for several hours covering dozens of miles before banking left and beginning a diminishing spiral. His eyes constantly scan the ground, searching for signs of the enemy - searching for any hidden or camouflaged structures, troops, or anything unusual back to the city, canvassing the area again and again all the way back to Silvanost, before landing with the griffons in the same secluded area he left from. While the forest stretches out for more than one hundred miles in all directions, the well-groomed paths are plainly visible wherever the trees thin out and the mostly frozen river is basically a highway leading to the heart of the elven nation.
Before dismissing them, Ra’ziir checks over the constructs once again. He looks for wear and tear or any sign they may need some sort of repair. Once complete, he pets each of them as once would a living animal and speaks softly to them, thanking them for their service and releasing them from their duties until called again.
"Kysek! My man!" Grotto says through a grin, pointing at him with both of his index fingers. The dwarf's mood is exceptionally high after being in the fae realms. He looks at Raven, "You still owe me some naval training, but after all that one on one time with this ugly mug, I'm sure your eyes need a rest! The ice is still thick. Naval training can wait till tomorrow!"
Grotto then asks Kysek if he is able to get a feel for what the amulet, ring, bow, and armor may be. If he is not able, he will look around town for Romulus and Shadow for their wizardly expertise.
Kysek looks at Raven's tired grin and Grotto's over excitement. He smiles, turns to Summerwalker and says, “See, I told you he’d be back. No need for worry. “
Shadow greets Grotto and Raven before chiding them for causing a hangover of epic proportions for him and Cassidy in their “search” of the taverns in town. He then chuckles at the tale of their fey encounters. Once again he fights off the urge to look at the conditions of their footwear. Damned cobbler’s curse! The drow knows that the curse is not active outside of the Grimmlands but the reminder that his mind was tampered with to begin with still bothers him.
Shadow does volunteer to use his magic to determine what loot Grotto and Raven came away with. After a few hours of preparation and spellcasting, Shadow identifies the properties of each item (a total of four minor healing potions and one that allows the user to breathe underwater, an amulet that makes the wearer's skin tough like the hide of an animal, a ring of protection, a very oversized suit of studded leather armor that is resistant to fire, an oversized bow carrying a simple enchantments to improve accuracy and damage, and a gem that can be crushed to summon an air elemental).
While working on the items, Shadow remains busy trying to keep Cassidy from getting blasted accidentally by anything he touches. A mighty task indeed.
Ra’ziir finds a secluded area and sets the two griffon statuettes on the ground before speaking the words of magic that call the constructs into being. When they appear, he looks them over as any rider would a mount, checking their flanks and looking for any areas of concern in the magical automatons. Once satisfied, the black-robed elf leaps astride Icarus and the three take to the air.
Ra’ziir climbs high into the air, well out of bow or spell range, and then banks toward the waterfront. He races out over the Thon-Thalus River in an effort to monitor the status of the ships he sees there. All of the ones along the wharfs are icebound while those anchored off shore near the main channel where the current is stronger are encircled by only the thinnest of sheets.
He flies away from the capital for several hours covering dozens of miles before banking left and beginning a diminishing spiral. His eyes constantly scan the ground, searching for signs of the enemy - searching for any hidden or camouflaged structures, troops, or anything unusual back to the city, canvassing the area again and again all the way back to Silvanost, before landing with the griffons in the same secluded area he left from. While the forest stretches out for more than one hundred miles in all directions, the well-groomed paths are plainly visible wherever the trees thin out and the mostly frozen river is basically a highway leading to the heart of the elven nation.
Before dismissing them, Ra’ziir checks over the constructs once again. He looks for wear and tear or any sign they may need some sort of repair. Once complete, he pets each of them as once would a living animal and speaks softly to them, thanking them for their service and releasing them from their duties until called again.
Romulus returns to the city on the eve of the new year to enjoy the holiday with his companions.
Cedron catches up with the others. He’s a bit quieter than usual as he ponders the social setting sculpted by his hosts. He makes a daily walk to the Tree of Progress to pray, but otherwise focuses on helping the town prepare for what is to come.
As evening falls, the streets begin to fill with revelers, party-goers heading out for a night on the town to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Shops throw open their doors to allow last minute shoppers the chance to partake of their wares. Food of all varieties is in available in abundance. Music plays on every corner, the tunes blending instead of clashing to create a carnival atmosphere.
Ornforithalas, Tephysea, and their son join the group at Lorraine's along with Agnes and Alara in preparation for a night spent amongst friends. Eilra arrives, bearing a small gift for Lorraine - a bundle of herbs she acquired on a voyage a few months previously. She then makes her way around the room, politely greeting everyone before joining Raven and slipping her hand into his. The warrior leans in close and gives her a gentle "bonk" on the head.
As the group makes ready to head out, Lorraine tells them that she is too old to be out gallivanting until the wee hours of the morning so she will be staying home.
Once the group is gathered, Raven will give them a run down of the events of the last day. Afterwards, he sits down with Eilra and tells her that she can ask whatever questions she has.
After a short while, the group heads out to take in the last evening of the year.
New Year's Eve - a festival atmosphere has settled over the elven city of Silvanost. Despite months of rumors, the non-aggression pact with the Dragonarmies has held. Music plays, children scamper in the street, wine flows freely, food is gloriously abundant. The Silvanesti dance and party as they celebrate the arrival of the new year.
As midnight falls and the New Year begins, a strident horn sounds its warning call. It is quickly joined by others from towers along the city wall moments before the first of a half-dozen red dragons fly over the city, flickering into view as spells of Invisibility are dismissed by their attacks. Gouts of flame pour from their mouths, engulfing partyers and setting centuries-old buildings, grown from living trees ablaze. Crystalline towers are superheated by the inferno and explode, sending razor shards falling into the streets below.
Magical fear washes over the throng as the dragons pass above the crowd. Many of those below are paralyzed in terror, unable to flee as the second wave of dragons flies in. The reds are followed by six blues who spew lightning at the tallest of the towers, blasting clusters of defending archers into the air and sending rubble raining down on those below, crushing anyone not fortunate enough to escape. Those dragons are trailed closely by a like number of greens. Poisonous gas pours into the streets, choking elves as they try to reach safety. Dozens of Silvanesti are killed in the first few seconds and hundreds more are injured. Chaos erupts as elves, some on fire, some with their flesh being melted away by the caustic gases, run screaming through the street in search of shelter. Riders on the backs of the dragons fire spells from wands and staves, adding to the carnage as their mounts soar overhead.
Elven defenders appear in windows and on balconies. Fireballs, pounding hailstones, giant disembodied hands, and cones of cold are the elven reply to the dragons' attacks. Soldiers begin rush to mount a defense, some only half-encased in hasilty-donned armor and begin firing arrows into the night sky. Bucket brigades form, carrying water to douse fires before they can spread out of control. The dragons bank hard and loop back over the city for a second pass.
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