The Cult of Death
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Seemingly lead by one rogue priest who has found his way into the graces of some unknown power, Nihlos Carver worships death itself. No - he does not worship the black sun, nor any other deity, but the domain, the act, the folly of Death. He walks these lands with all manner of poisonous creatures following in his wake, loosing poisonous bolts into his enemies, or bludgeoning those too strong to die from his toxins with a mace.
He openly challenges the House of the Morning, and the Order of Aster, to a duel.
I accepted and fought him, falling to his unseemly tactics. He casted darkness and summoned giant scorpions which began stinging and devouring my person.
I was spared by the Light on this duel.
On 12/24/2020 I met him again at the bridge to the Eveningstar Township. He was dragging a pair of his giant scorpions along with him, and so I banished him from Eveningstar as he was clearly a threat to the people. He has not done anything outwardly criminal, though his faith is a danger to Eveningstar.
On 12/25/2020 Nihlos Carver approached me. He attempted to offer friendship, and I offered to accept if he cast off the shackles of darkness and evil, and received absolution by confession. He refused, but threatened to "show me death" soon, when "preparations" are finished...
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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To defeat the cult of death, it will take more than military might.
Simply slaying a death cultist is giving them what they desire. Perhaps before Dawnknight Aritian declared holy war, this form of absolution would have been enough to stop them.. However now, I fear it will only draw out more supporters.
Arlee Caspian is a man of little self reliance. I have seen him numerous times aiding Priest Nihlos Carver of the Death Cult. I believe they are in league together, and Arlee has recently joined as a bannerman for House Misrim. He is a monster of a man, fighting with a scythe, and wishes to make his way in the world through the House of Coin.. A sinner for sure, though one who has thus far proven to work in the eyes of the law.
And so, I will endeavor to find a great artifact of the Light. I have found a magma tunnel deep within the Stonelands which is called the Cavern of the Sun. I believe this could be the death site of Amaunator, and perhaps the birthplace of his son, Lathander.
The place must be searched thoroughly. I will employ whatever scouts and wizards, and priests necessary to scour these tunnels. An artifact of the Light will be found, and I will use it to bring youth and vitality to the lands.
This will prove the Cult of Death is nothing. To show that a fallen god can be reborn stronger than ever before? It will shake their false beliefs in the finality of death to its core...
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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Arlee Caspian
A Copper Dragon-touched man who wields a scythe that I believe was in the service of Nihlos Carver. He has worked with him on several occasions, and they have stood together in the dark whispering harsh whispers. I believe it was Nihlos Carver who introduced Arlee Caspian to the House of Misrim. Arlee became a bannerman for several days, and was seen stealing gold to horde for the house.
Arlee Caspian then quickly quit the House of Misrim, for reasons unknown.
He has then wandered the land lordless. He has said on several occasions that he does not think much of himself and wishes to find someone worthy to follow.
I will attempt to take Arlee Caspian under my wing and lead such a noble bloodline of the Copper Dragon into the Light.
If truly anyone can be redeemed, this one is among them.
We begin tomorrow.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry.
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While traveling the lands with my elvish companions, Kerym, Kirin, Felaern, and Emissary Selifrey we came upon -numerous- sites of great death.
I suspect the Yutrus orc who has recently arrived in the city has joined the with Cult of Death, as these undead are recent.
Two separate ritual sites with numerous goblins, worgs, kobolds, and orcs turned to undeath. A piece of Onyx at the center of the scene.
the second scene, coaxed with blood around an old beech tree, led to the deaths of many citizens in Slingdyke. The tree became tainted with necromantic energies and charged the town, killing all in its path. Senior Retainer Aric Polk of House Misrim saved Elaine from certain death.
Now, in the West, we see dozens of undead rising. Someone is killing all manner of badgers, deer, boars, wolves, and bandits then raising their copses and sending them our way.
I suspect the Yutrus orcs in this, as I recently sent challenge for their actions in the Hullack.
WIth the permission of mine brothers, I will banish them from Eveningstar.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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Nihlos is DEAD
His body will be burned at sunrise this coming morning, where our town will rise in celebration as this DARKNESS has finally been lifted upon the land.
A detailed report on this event is forthcoming,
however those involved include:
Fang Kirin Ashenwood, Floki Baardesn, Laurel Wildwalker, Luckbringer OttilieThe fight was hard, but the sentence was past, AFTER he admitted to the murder of Dawnknight Aritian.
Our brother, is avenged.
-Dawnknight Nicholas Alwin Appleberry
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[Tiatus settles into a chair, covered in bandages he writes with his primary and wounded hand..]
Paul the Mad summoned Sir Nicolas to the forest of eyes. Myself and Muric a newly awakened accompanied him. Paul arrived to share words and challenge myself to a duel unknown to me before then. After he mentioned that Obyn would do anything his sister demanded, Paul's summons wildly attacked me. No honor was found on his behalf, surprising to none..
One of these creatures was a hooded figure, wielding a scythe with a distinct darkness about it. It felt similar to that of Nihlos. I fought as hard as I could, as did the others but our efforts fell short. Paul nearly killed me, asking that I take back an insult or that death would find me. Fighting for life, suffocating under his boot. I denied him the pleasure of taking back such insult. As a result, he cut off my pinky finger. [a bit more ink drops at this point, that which may indicate a pause.] He wishes to meet me again, I assume to finish what is between us. From this we found out what he knows and it is very little in regards to our plans.
The Awakened fought well. In fact, he was the last of us to fall. A brave and worthy effort to take note of for his future days. If I am to beat paul, I am to do more with nine fingers than I could with ten. I am eager for more training.
-Dawnknight Tiatus Thornwind
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[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
