6 Hickory
4 Oak
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another delivery of supplies

@Prof-Misclick

[Tiatus wakes, still sore from battle. His room decorated with hanging double swords of many different designs. He gets himself ready to write at his desk, his helmet resting upon it]

Those involved in defence: Raposa, Sir Nicholas, Dextar Jestar, Esperanza Allomeigne, A tielfing halfing, Dawnsquire Muric Welten, Dawknight Tiatus Thornwind

Paul the Mad is dead. The Cult of Death has met it's end.

Paul started the day by challenging me to a duel. He then threatened the lives of Eveningstar's children if I were to decline. Knowing he lacks honor and I cannot trust a word he says, I directed preparations in defending Eveningstar to the best of my abilities. He attacked from the bridge and laid waste to all but myself. Seeing Sir Nicholas fallen on the battlefield I made it my priority to rush him to the Church.

I then stepped out to face Paul. To convince him to stop this madness, he said if I came with him to show me something then he would stop the attacks. To decline meant he would destroy the church or so he said. He gave me five seconds to decide where I then responded, "the church awaits you, Paul." Followed by me stepping inside. He did as expected and followed with his wicked summons, in the end I was the last Knight to stand. I had to outlast his powerful defenses before beheading him, my blade never more true. Once the menace was defeated, I rushed out grabbing the fallen and placed them before the High Dawnlord where they were soon raised in Lathander's glory.

I know not what Paul wanted to show me, I believe it to be he just wanted me dead.

This victory came at a cost, as we all know. I do not know the entire extent of the injuries Sir Nicholas sustained but I know our very best are seeing to his recovery as we speak. I am to send a similar report to the commander who then at her discretion will inform those of the council.

-Dawnknight Tiatus Thornwind

@Prof-Misclick

[a list of reagents finds its way to Seneschal Jelde Asturien, including the jar containing the blessed shards]

Our plan, after the blade is reforged, is to ritualize our adventures to 'awaken' it in the same way that we raise up an Awakened to a Knight. It will be taken to places of power and given song, tale, and exposition on what it means to serve the People of Arabel. We will do great deeds and prove to it what is required to serve Arabel, and lead the People from the Light. These deeds will include venturing deep into the vast desert of the Stonelands, rising from failure, and confronting the enemy of Arabel. We will finish the ritual with a final test: striking the White Witch herself. This blow will awaken the blade, give it life enough to search for righteous hands that might lead Arabel out of the darkness.

I will report on our deeds and rituals to awaken the blade here.

For the blade:
Jar of glowing shards, blessed by a white stags sacrifice
Adamantium x 3

Hilt:
Tymoran Coin
5 Cut Diamonds
Anaurian Gemstone
5 cut Topaz
Penelope
Cut Feldspar

For the Pommel:
Gem of Maluradek

Scabbard:
Dragon Scales
White Stag pelt
Gold Ingot to set gems
Ruby
Fire opal x2
Fire Agate x3

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I second this recommendation. He is the shield the people need. He respects the authority of his superiors, fine in combat, and most importantly his heart is true. I would see him become a Dawnsquire... I would see him become a knight.

-Dawnknight Tiatus Thornwind

See it done. Preparations will be made to ensure the gala is one for the history books. Now we'll see what viper's nest that house of coin has been concealing.

Myrkyr

It seems Obyn is taking action and betraying the forces of the White Witch far earlier than we expected. We need to discuss what complications this may have and secondly, what this means in regards to Paul.

-Dawnknight Tiatus Thornwind

[A donation of 10 ingots of pure gold find their way into the donation bowl of Eveningstars Temple of Lathander, given by Jessika and Danny Steele]

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Something rather strange has happened.

The clay pot that contains an ancient relic of Amaunator, one which I found in the Gnoll Pass impaled upon a stone dais was pulled forth, it is - or was, a sword of the old Sun. The inscription upon the stone dais reads "Look to the Sun at Dawn."

After pulling forth the sword, it shattered into a dozen pieces that glowed with magical power. I stored them in a clay jar to preserve them with the ornamented hilt which was missing a gem at the pommel.

I've had lengthy discussions with the Elves of Arabel, and the Council of Twelve, wishing to rebuild this weapon not just for Lathander, but for the People we wish to champion. Arabel has long been in a state of chaos, and I wished to bring forth some level of stability. It is this weapon I would do so with, I would use it as a Kingmaker, and find someone worthy to lead Arabel from the brink of annihilation to a New Dawn.

Obviously most of my peers thought this the ramblings of a madman.

However, after carrying this blade, speaking to it of good works and noble deeds... It has come to life.

The blade, still yet unforged, began to glow red-hot when I met with Lady Krestal Vaylan and Sir Matrim Kingsley, the Dragon Bastard. As they grew closer, the blade shined a beautiful radiant light brighter as that of the sun.

I asked each to touch the hilt of the blade, and each did, it shined, yet no more beautiful - until, Sir Matrim Kingsley passed the blade to Lady Krestel Vaylan, and their fingers touched..

There was an explosion of beautiful light, and the blade dropped.

I quickly scooped it up, thanked them for their aid, and left without question.

We -must- reforge this blade. We must help it find its master, or in this case, Masters, Sovreigns who would lead Arabel back into the Light.

-Sir Nicholas, Dawnknight of Eveningstar

A missive has been dispatched to her.

[The Dawnsquire, with fresh armor and a sore body settles slowly into his chair. Weakly raising his arm to begin writing, yet having difficulty deciding where to start after so many challenges]

"Every dawn is a new opportunity and a gift. Never waste it. Grasp it firmly and hold to it until the final sunset on your life." Dawnknight Mykyr 1361 DR

Recent days has thrown many challenges my way. Many failures.. I remind myself often my failings are the fruit of success. The light would see it grow into something greater. Mykyr's words stick with me but more often than that, I ponder the Dawnknights question. "What is the greatest sacrifice?" There is no easy answer, in fact. I hesitate to answer it entirely.

Lately I've traveled through the vast deserts of the stonelands to recover the Lady of house Misrim. I fought an endless void of shadowcreatures blindly alongside the Dawnknight. All these recent victories, I still focus on my failings. To improve, to be better because one day.. I won't have the privelage of failing to rise again. The work I do now determines which day is my last sunrise. I do not fear death, I only seek to make the most of life in my path.

-Dawnsquire Tiatus Thornwind

Date: 1/24/2021

Members:
Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry, Dawnsquire Tiatus Thornwind, Fang Kirin Ashewood, Exchequer Osco Appleblossom, Holy Strategist Keline, Great Druid Nanthleenee, Aerlalorn of Mystra

Description of Event:
An Awakened of the Order of Aster and a Dawnlord were meant to arrive from Suzail with delicate information. An unsuspected attack occurred in Deadwell which resulted in the Dawnlord missing, however a note was spirited away through the brave actions of the Awakened. The note was a single word; "Hilthal" known to myself as a desert deep within the Stonelands, where the Portal to the Ruins of Amazandar reside. The Awakened informed us that they had received information from a ridable source (speculation: Cormyrian intelligence) that a high value hostage was being kept there. Several days prior to this a caravan was found raided with a fine piece of silk, green, like that of house Misrim. This lead us to confirm our long held suspicion made by Exchequer Osco Appleblossom that Lady Islyn Misrim was not who she seems. This also gave reason as to the attack sent by Obyn Misrim who attempted to end the life of the would-be imposter some months ago.

We're unsure of the unfolding of events, if Obyn was involved in the kidnapping of his sister, or if the White Witch intended her as insurance of Obyns' cooperation.

We can confirm however via our own first hand reports, that Obyn has been looking for something within the sands of the Stonelands. We had thought it some kind of method of controlling the witch, but perhaps it was Islyn all along, a method of the Witch controlling Obyn.

The assault was not carefully planned. It was a race against time with trusted allies proving their support of the Order of Aster. We took great care in assembling our allies. Exchequer Appleblossom was an obvious choice as he of our party likely knew the most of Lady Misrim and could aid us. Next was the Great Druid Nanthleenee, a known friend of Lady Misrim. Fang Ashewood - was necessary, as her extensive Stonelands research has proven critical in the past, and as we only had some basic information regarding the Hithal Ruins, we needed an expert. Proving to gain her trust was difficult, though in the end she showed when she was needed. Ex-commander of the Council, Keline and Aerlalorn the Mystran Elvish Paladin have long been supporters of our cause against the White Horde and hesitated little in joining us without question.

We attempted to disguise our approach however the Stonelands are fickle in their ways. We were lucky, high winds and sands disguised our approach. Nanthleenee stated the whole of the Stonelands: Hilthal felt tainted and unnatural beneath her feet. This we can only assume, was an illusion we'd lifted over the desert by having the fabric of Lady Misrim. Three layers of magic were laid in place at the Portal which generally led to the Ruins of Amazandar. Several Anuaria stones were placed in a square around it/ Green ruins of magic unknown to us laid around it. Fang Ashewood attempted to breach the portal with several enchantments, even a "Spell Breach" spell, all of which failed.

Until she used a spell, "LESSER" spell breach, which dismantled one of the wards. (suspicion: The White Witch has evolved so far beyond our level of magical knowledge that simpler spells, dispel, lesser spell breach are considered infantile and unnecessary to protect against.)

Still, several of these spells were needed to break the barrier, and once the true portal was revealed, we were onset by the White Horde in strength.

We fought back the horde, then jumped into the portal, arriving in a strange stone lain tower.

The defenses in place were contructs warded to a level where we could not harm them. Flesh Golems, Iron Golems, Helmed Horrors and warning systems in place. These are the tools of a master of the art. These are what we must expect when facing the White Witch at her full strength.

At the end of a cavern of corridors and defenses, we found a singular ritual room with a huge Iron Golem blocking the door. The Golem was near impossible to touch, nevertheless, Tiatus and mine self charged forth. We had hoped a distraction of the beast might allow others to pass. The battle was hard fought, and I was thrust against the wall - thought to be slain. I awoke in a stupor, dazed by the incredible blow, and watched as Dawnsquire Tiatus Thornwind toppled the Construct. It was his blade alone, mildly enhanced by electricity, that could wound it.

Special note: Iron Golems are weak to electricity.

Beyond the yawning chasm laid a monstrosity that spoke word pained to the very ears. Its essence and being an abomination to magic. It held our prize in a set of magical wreath of ward and chain. Lady Islyn Misrim, trapped in some kind of shield of magic. We battled the creature, which towered like the size of a giant. It made all sorts of horrendous claim, as if Isyln was his by ownership. That it had been abandoned. We did not attempt to reason with said creature. I gave order for Osco to get the Lady out, and we all engaged. Again, it seems, the spell sharper than the steel. None of us could wound the being of magic. It was found in some way to this place. It wasn't until a stray dispel struck Islyn that we noted the creature weakening. Dispel magic broke down the wards set in place binding the creature to Isyln.

After Lady Misrim was completely dispelled, the creature could be harmed, and we made our way through its unholy being like a lumberjack in summer.

Lady Misrim was then spirited away to Eveningstar, to regain her faculties at the House of the Morning.

Special notes after our conclusion: Exchequer Osco Appleblossom has been seen pacing outside our door for several days without sleep, awaiting the arise of his lord. I spoke with him at length, and encouraged he take time to rest at the Lonesome Tankard. He is a true and loyal man to Lady Misrim, a woman he's never truly met. We spoke long into the night, and he claimed to want to sort out which of the Retainers of House Misrim were loyal to him. I had ventured to offer a time for him to do this, during my Supper with the False Islyn Misrim. He will begin to speak with her retainers whilst she is distracted by my company. Osco also wishes to send word to Obyn Misrim via a question, likely in person, through the Hunters Union of Arabel which extends to Tilverton:

Oscos words for Obyn Misrim: "What would you do if your sister were safe and free?"

Indicated Organization:
The White Horde, and the White Witch

Resolution:
Lady Islyn Misrim has been rescued and is kept safely within the House of the Morning.
Lord Jastyne notified by Fang Ashewood.

Certainly a strong move. With the recent upheaval I am unsure how open the council will be. I also would expect House Misrim and the Crimson to jealously guard their two seat status. There may be a way to address but I will need to talk with the High Dawnlord.

Also, we will be having guests arrive later today. See that you and the Squire are prepared to welcome them.

Myrkyr

1/17/2021

Dario is dead.

The details on the occasion I feel are a private affair.

The city Morgue was kind enough to leave me the details on his parents, they are buried in Deadwell not far from the farmstead I grew up in.

I made a sending for Paul the Betrayer, knowing full well Dario could not resist to see me. I questioned Paul on Obyn Misrim and his treasonous affairs for several minutes. Our meeting place was the Forest of Eyes, the first place I took Paul. I found a narrow crossing - a fallen tree that I could fight one summons at a time. Paul does not favor offensive magics, so I thought this a good place to break his summons one at a time. He brought Kell Beetles and bugs as support. This would lead to indicate he is not "the Necromancer."

I commanded him to dismiss his summons. I was surprised that he did. I lowered my sword, remaining on the bridge.

He was intentionally vague, accused Lady Islyn Misrim of being a false leader of the rebellion, denied taking part in Senior Retainer Aric Polk of House Misrims death. All things one could assume a liar might say. Once I grew tired of his winge-ing, I shouted for Dario Darkmore to show himself.

This I don't think Paul expected. He broke the rules of our treat, meaning Paul was open season - to steal a phrase from the hunting lodge. However Paul was not my target. Dario Darkmore, was.

I told Dario Darkmore that I knew where his parents were buried, and promised to see him laid at peace beside them.

I commanded Paul the betrayer to leave or suffer the consequences. He did not resist.

The rest is history, Dario Darkmore, the wererat Talonite murderer is dead. My dear friend has been laid to rest beside his parents. His death will haunt me until my dying day.

I ensured two members of House Misrim and the Great Druid were present at the 'funeral' for the criminal. His body was burned to prevent reanimation, and he was buried with his remains intact. His equipment did not include the remains of Aritian, so I fear we will never find our lost brother. I request a bounty of 5,000 coins be placed on the remains so that adventurers might be encouraged to seek out lost/fallen Knights to be returned home.

I have sent a letter to House Misrim accepting a the 50,000 coin charitable donation to an organization of my choosing, I have selected Eveningstar to be the beneficiary. I will be having dinner with Lady Islyn Misrim at the end of the week to discuss the ordeal.

-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry

Myself, Kirin, and Ottilie have made our way to what we believe is the end of the Ruins of Amazandar. There are surely extensive secrets hidden from our untrained eyes, however we found a large statue of a woman shrouded in the regal robes of a queen, two fountains of water dripping from here hands like an offering of life to the people she ruled. The room, damp and cold, felt empty even with my company. I will travel here again, and I will leave a gift for the old Queen, as I am sure it has been some years since tribute has been given.

I will also endeavor to bring trained eyes below, so that we might continue our exploration.

-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry.

This is grave news indeed...

Myrkyr.

The Oath to the People
Be without fear, even in the darkest of night there is Light.

Be true, and without wrong, or injustice will reign.

Rise from failure, as long as there is light, there is hope.

Protect the weak, for compassion is strength.

Seek the enemy, each dawn brings challenge.

Confront all lies, no word but that of the righteous can prevail.

//I'm adding some IC notes to this to avoid confusion in the future but if you read the Faction information it says

How to Join:
Major faction members of Rank 3 or higher are automatically on the council but with a maximum of 2 from each faction. Lower Ranks can be assigned if needed to fill the seats
Special positions/lesser factions/non-factions are dealt with on a case by case basis
To join all that is needed is the recommendation of 1 major faction council member (Crimson and Misrim) or 2 non-faction/special position/lesser faction council members after demonstrating IC merit and reputation.

I'd ask the Crimsons to find out exactly how it works. I somehow thought it only took one of the Coin grubbers or the Blood Cloaks to recommend someone because of the sway they hold with our First Peer and the city. I could have misunderstood.

Myrkyr

[A report is filed by Dawnknight Appleberry regarding the Battle of Redwood, including a first hand account.]

A strategy was formed by Commander Keline prior to the defense, involving only the Dolmen which we believed was the primary target of the Black Tribe Warlord. This strategy involved a set up of summons in the field with invisible support of soldiers, knights, and wizards. This stategy was never implemented, as on the day of the battle, new information lead us to believe there were two other targets - the Dead Tree, and Cracked Runestone. This new information rendered all prior battle planning inert, so much so that House Misrim advocated we not deploy.

I had given an oath to defend the Dolmen no matter the odds. Dawnknight Aritian and Awakened Kora supported us on this. I slept against the Dolmen prior to the day of battle after spending some time warding the place with Sacred Dawn markings.

12/18/2020 22:00 hrs, Pre Battle Movements:
The Arabellan Warhorns began at precisely 22:00hrs. I began patrolling the greater Redwood area at this time, alone. Aritian and Kora were known to be preparing the troops of Eveningstar and assisting villiagers with moving into the House of the Morning for protection. A report I received later stated they then moved to Arabel to rally troops.

Several Trees sprung to life cracking down old dead trees, and spreading them like barricades. Shrubberies rose from the ground spreading thorn-walls along the barricades and forming massive funnels of spikes and thorns for the onslaught of orcs to die upon.

The forest was building barricades in one direction, and this direction lead us to know where the Orcs would come from.

At 22:30hrs, Senior Retainer of House Misrim Aric Polk arrived on scene with several druids, woodland rangers, and elves in tow. The druids began raising massive guardians near the Dead Tree, Runestone, and Dolmen.

At 23:00hrs, A large contingent of Arabellan troops arrived on scene. They were lead by Commander Keline. Dawnknight Aritian and Awakened Kora were with them, as well as a contingent of Free People mercenaries, House Misirm Retainers, Elven Embassy warriors, more folk than I know the names of. I spoke to one - a mercenary named Sybil, and commanded that she stay at my side if she wishes to earn Lathanders favor. For the following battle she did just that, and proved herself worthy of praise.

At 23:15hrs, We received our first assault of Black Tribe warriors-orcs, shaman, and spellslingers. They were far stronger than the previous reports indicated, and nearly annihilated our vanguard of Druids, Elves, and Guardians (NPCs). They broke through, slew Great Druid Nanthleenee immediately, and scattered our forward line.

At 23:54hrs, Aritian, Kora, myself, and Sybil, along with the Embassy elves, were trapped across the bridge surrounded by orcs. Keline called to hold the bridge, from the other side. This was a good call by any commander, as any attempt to reach us would have seen our second line shattered, something we could not recover from. Aritian and I carved our way to the bridge, we were slammed against our own barricades - again, from the wrong side. I watched in horror as a great axe carved into Awakened Koras very fist - yet by Lathanders Light - she caught it, and broke the beasts neck. Dawnknight Aritian - fighting like Lathander himself, took on six orcs at a time. Bashing them with shield, broadsword, and the will of a hundred men. We somehow fought our way back to the second line, and then across the bridge. the elven warrior Felaern stood shield to shield with Aritian holding it against all- everything.

At 3:00hrs, A small contigent of orcs were seen breaking through the fringes of the second line.. It was then that I realized to my horror - not one adventurer, not a single soldier, knight, or warrior, not even myself were at the Dolmen, or the Runestone. We were distracted.. Completely focused on the forward assault. It was here that I broke rank, and with Retainer Aric Polk, and another druid assisting me, we ran to check the Dolmen and cracked Runestone.

To my horror, we found a contigent of orcs exiting the Runestone, having alread corrupted it. Yet we stopped them in time to save the Dolmen. I commanded Retainer Polk and the druid to run back for re-inforcements... Polk, up to his shoulders in orcish corpses, attempted to break off, however when he turned a greataxe caught his shoulder, and he was slain instantly. The Druid, however, heeded my command, and ran for reinforcements.

Keline, Aritian, the Embassy elves, and the remaining Free People arrived on scene rescuing me from several orcs attempting to reach the Dolmen. There was a narrow passage - the same passage Commander Keline and Nanthleenee discussed holding before a last stand effort... This was where we planned to make our last stand.

At 05:00hrs, For two grueling hours we fought here. The battle was thick, orc and adventurers each covered in gore, leaves, and sheered hatred for one another stood shoulder to shield pushing back and forth. Aritian, our center and strongest shieldman, as struck in the head and unconscious for a short time. To our relief, the orc which put him down was also the final orc of a long wave. However it was here that the Free People began to lose hope. Nanthleenee, Aritian, Falaern, Polk, and many others I cannot name lay down or worse. We needed to make a decision. Keline, the commander of the Free People, needed to make a decision. All eyes were on her for direction.. Though Aritian, Kora and I had made our choice the day we made our oaths to Lathander. We were here to see the Dolmen kept safe, at any cost...

Nanthleenee was laid down as we awaited the decision of Commander Keline. The grass she laid beneath immediately began to grow.. and indeed revived her, as if the Redwood itself refused to surrender against our enemy, the Black Tribe.

A warhorn sung out in the distance. The adventurers looked to one another and felt the kiss of Cyric closer than ever before.

At 0600hrs, A New Dawn: Aritian, Kora, and myself knew the battle was won the moment the hour struck Lathanders Dawn, 6:00AM. We had won, we merely needed to hold on to hope. We needed to pull together. Nanthleenee had been revived by the will of Chauntea, and the Light of Lathander was breaking through the darkness which orcish shamans cast upon the land. All we needed was to hold for one more hour and the day would be hours.

We fell back to the Dolmen itself, Nanthleenee merged with - what I can only assume was the Redwoods heart, and large plantile fortifications surrounded us. What little remained of our defenses stuck shoulder to shoulder - and became enriched by Light and Wood. Chauntea herself - along with her lover Lathander, would not abandon us. The battle was thick - harder than ever before. Orcs rushed us from all sides and the darkness clouded them. They began climbing the barricades of plant matter and dead orcs. Yes, orcs climbing over the corpses of their fallen companions - diving down from utop the barricades attempting to reach Nanthleenee, or the Dolmen. We knew not at this point.

Then suddenly, like a... A ... A bright light.. Perhaps the fire of the sun.. perhaps an ocean of heat... Fire made water.. Light made flesh.. it fell from the heavens and cracked open the horde of Black Tribe orcs. Earth rose from the ground encompassing everything - us included - though I recevied no bodily harm I could hear through the rock and dirt orcs screaming in agony. The Fire rose higher and higher, eating away at the darkness - the sky itself. I was released - all of us free people were.. Hundreds of dead orcs lay everywhere. Crushed, burned, drowned, suffocated, torn to shreds..

Yet still - through the trees.. More came. Chauntea had broken the hordes body.. Now it was up to the Light to break their spirit.

Dozens poured from the trees, the looked on in horror as their brothers and comrades fell into ruin. We slew as many as we could - and indeed, we saw their Black Tribe warchief himself, sneak from the shadows and attempt to make contact with the Dolmen. I commanded Kora to take him down. Awakened Kora performed a feat of grace I did not think possible by mortal men. She lept to the top of the barricade - and ran from shoulder to shoulder -atop- the orcs. She dove for the Warchief himself, striking him in the face. The craven then enspelled himself with invisibility, and ran,

At 0700hrs, We found ourselves looking up at a new day. The Light of Lathander shining brighter than I had seen him in many days. A fine rain fell upon our armor, and the clinking of steel, the squealing of orcs, had ceased. We won a great victory.

Commander Keline informed us much later that the strength of Arabel was sent against a flank of the Black Tribe supply lines, this contributed to why we only received -half- their number. The Legionnaires are commended for their efforts in this.

-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry