Shadowgate

xnithi · Joined: 25 Oct 2017 Posts: 57 Location: Texas, y'all

Joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining joining

I get excite over RP and stuff like this.
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"[Aiden poses clinging to the ceiling like a gecko].
With a slight shimmer, Aiden is revealed to view.
Night screeches
Aiden drops down and lands on his feet lightly.
Night speaks softly: Why!?
Aiden smiles at Night."

Nienne · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 5:20 am Post subject:

As the sun hangs high above the land on 9 Harvestdays, 737SG, a second and lesser tremor is felt across much of the realms. It seems certainly that no major damage has been done, though rumors have it that the second tremor was centered within a similar region to the first - the Shadow desert. This is soon confirmed thereafter by the Grumbarryn temple, who state that there should be no need for concern, as it is not a sign of the Earthlord's anger.

Perhaps unrelated, a few hours later the Mystran temple sends out messengers to several nearby, non-evil temples, seeking a few competent and well-reputed adventurers for assistance in an unspecified venture. Interested parties may enquire at the temple, and payment will be discussed with suitable candidates.

OOC: The introductory plot segment will likely be held Saturday evening US/Sunday day-time Aus. It should probably only include a specific kind of character, but don't panic, following this the rest of the plot will be open to any/all expressions of interest! As always please contact/mudmail Nienne for any input or queries!

Sudelilah · Joined: 22 Apr 2017 Posts: 4 Location: Fort Worth, TX

I am interested. I'll be here Saturday evening.
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Sudelilah

Nienne · Posted: Sun Dec 24, 2017 2:57 pm Post subject:

The dawn of 17 Harvestdays, 737SG brought with it a third, lessor tremor and then a vision encountered in identical form by all sentient beings across the realm. A woman of pale skin and dark hair, with radiantly glowing eyes, who spoke of the gods as usurpers who would be cast down. She gave her name only as Kismet.

Almost immediate panic ensued in certain circles, particularly amongst those in service to the gods, as it seems without exception that the deities of the realm have quite abruptly gone silent. Curiously, priests find that most of their spells and blessings still serve their command, with only the special blessings unique to each god now failing them. Those few willing to speak (confess?) freely, however, seem worried at how even many of their greatest powers remain, given that they have lost the sense of their patron.

A scramble for further information is now taking place within every temple across the realm, and in many places outside the temples as well. Who is this Kismet? Why are the gods suddenly silent, and when will they answer again? Rumors suggest that a group of adventurers may know direct details of the event that led to the visions, and the ensuing realmwide silence. Certainly the next few days will be telling...

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OOC: Let the games begin! Thanks to all that participated today - sorry it ran so late, but hopefully it was enjoyed by all! Do note that despite the silence of the gods, all spells except for clerical domain spells are still currently functional - this is a temporary situation as part of the plot, so please don't panic that your class has been neutered beyond redemption! Please note further information will be forthcoming tomorrow as I get further time to summarise the realm's events (and ICly, as more information comes to light & public knowledge). For now, it's 1am so I need to keep it short. Merry Xmas from the future!

Nienne · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2017 12:39 am Post subject:

The days slip slowly by, and events continue to turn...

-It is suggested that Oghma's and Mystra's temples may be best aware of the event that triggered this vision and the ensuing silence of the pantheon - first-hand witness accounts are said to have been recorded.

-A great shortfall of any knowledge regarding this 'Kismet' seems to be a recurring frustration to many parties. Is it her real name? Is it a title? Is she, in fact, 'returned' at all, as her words seemed to imply? Some have started to question the truth of her statements. Certainly the gods are silent to prayers, so that seems to coincide with her threat, at least.

-Rumors are starting to circulate that some of the gods may now be walking upon the prime - or at least, certain powerful individuals are taking advantage of their silence to claim as much, or to rally their churches. At least a few witness accounts have been suggested for deities including Sune, Silvanus, and Helm. Sune is said to be in residence at her own temple, and scores of faithful from across the realm have begun a pilgrimage - whether it is truly her, or not, remains uncertain. Helm has been said to have arrived at Antioch's gates, and been taken behind closed doors with the highest powers of that city.

-It appears that the armies of the Tsarven empire have been directed to mobilise. No word as yet on their intentions.

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OOC: Welcome to the plot proper! As of today I will be starting the main plot segments and taking any requests for information, interactions, or offscreen events/follow-up. Please note I will be on for stretches most days but not at all times - on holidays I will still have family looking for me and such! For a basic run-down of how this will work:

-all players are welcome to participate as far as they are interested, or if not please feel free to simply ignore things going on! Attendance is not compulsory by any measure so please only involve yourself as you are comfortable. All levels of roleplay experience are welcome, whether you are familiar or just looking to learn Smile

-while I intend to include everyone that expresses an interest, preference will first be given to non-alts so that everyone can have some air time; I am only one person so my hours only go so far! You may get a chance to participate with alts, but that will be a later consideration, so please consider a focus primarily on whichever character you'd most like to see included.

-as per previous, PK will not be considered part of the event. Feel free to continue stabbing each other as you like, if your own interactions lead to it, but I will not be accounting for anyone being killed out of this arc by others; it feels a little too cheap to exclude someone from major realm-shaping events that way.

-segments are available for groups or solo play, and across all levels, alignments & races. Please feel free to mail me with anything you're actively wanting to do if you have something in mind; if not please also feel free to mail me & just express an interest at being included if something appropriate comes up. I have many of my own segments already in mind & can include players - though taking your own direction may yield more expedient results!

Alena · Joined: 13 Dec 2017 Posts: 1

Looking forward to taking part in the plot and helping it unfold Smile

Nienne · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2017 11:54 pm Post subject:

Movement seems to be increasing across the realm, as it seems the silence of the gods has not lifted after several weeks. More rumors of the gods walking the realms now seem to be flying past at almost a daily rate. You wonder if many of them are simply due to excitement and overreactions; some range from the mundane to the simply bizarre. Some, however, seem more feasible for the corroborating accounts on many sources...

...many faithful now speak in awed tones of the inspiring beauty of Lady Firehair in person, where audiences have been granted at her temple...

...several villages across the Charu highlands speak in hushed tones of the damage caused by a group of sorcerers, led by a man with an eyepatch claiming to be the Stormlord himself...

...Azha, Antioch and Tonovi all seem to be rallying their armies, though none have made any indication beyond defensive measures at this point. Rumors abound for all three cities suggesting these movements may be at the direction of their divine patron, or at least bear some of their involvement. Perhaps the rumors are for inspiration to the masses, if nothing else...

...numerous accounts speak of finding horribly mutilated bodies along the borders of the Dark Forest, where the fey have been torn apart, and a monstrous beast is said to hunt within the darkened pathways...

Nienne · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 1:05 pm Post subject:

Across the realm, numerous temples are now known to be rallying their faithful and preparing for the worst. Rumors are becoming prolific - and not all are believable - about the gods walking the realm. The Tsarven empire's armies have moved into action, and certainly living up to their name for efficiency, have quashed several malign uprisings almost before they had begun. Reverent whispers speak of a mighty warrior in battered armor, whose appearance with notched battle-axe in hand turns the tide of battle where all might otherwise be lost.

Closer to home, most of the cities' citizens are subdued or under the watch of heavy guard patrols, like the calm before the storm arrives. Mercenary groups sell their services to the highest bidder, adding to the defensive formations of several cities, particularly in the more wealthy Shadow and Torm. An unsettling silence hangs over Tharis like the shadow of the fortress that hovers above; unlike most of the rest of the realm's cities, their activities seem almost unchanged.

In the wilds, the druids of the Vale speak with relief as no sign of the monstrous beast is found for a ten-day, but now the scattered villagers and guardians that once hailed from Asgard, speak of similar attacks upon the outskirts of Parnelli. Meanwhile, Kelemvor is suggested to have finally set foot within his own temple, but if so, has not been seen since. Healers and oracles from distant lands have travelled far to rally to the call of Selune's faithful, as have a powerful contingent of the Order of the Aster to the Dawnlord's sanctuary.

Nienne · Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:27 pm Post subject:

Word spreads from city to city of a sudden Tonovian attack on Torm, as well as the temples of Selune & Istishia. There were not believed to be heavy casualties from either temple, though some were taken by the city, and both temples are heavily damaged. An Antiochian scout and a Tempussian barbarian are said to have been integral in holding the city until a contingent of Lathanderite and Helmite paladins, led by Jarmila of the Order of the Aster, could arrive to break the siege. Sadly, damage had been done - a betrayal by one of the hired mercenary groups in Torm led to the capture and murder of woman believed to be Sune, at the hands of the Tonovian army.

As if this were the opening of the floodgates, a spate of murders breaks out across the realm in the following days. Posters and doomsayers appear in most towns (both of which are usually promptly removed), calling for the realm to repent and kneel before the Dark Sun, now that the other pretenders to divinity have been cast down. Even after their removal, fearful whispers remain long after...

Nienne · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 12:40 am Post subject:

As the spate of murders continues across the realms, an uneasy silence hangs over the many cities, each now fortified as best they can manage. The morning of 18 Colddays, 737SG broke with a brutal winter storm sweeping down from the Charu Mountains, down towards Shadow. While the citizens of the city have breathed a sigh of relief upon being spared its worst, its full fury fell upon the temple of Mystra, in what some are saying is no coincidence of circumstances, and surely no natural storm. Minimal loss of life was taken, with many witnesses speaking of a woman with radiant rainbow-hued hair and glowing eyes, who would appear to conjure defenses around those in flight from the now-shattered temple. As the refugees take shelter in nearby Shadow and Tabor, the rumors about the end of times and the age of the Furies and the Dark Sun only increase...

Nienne · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 1:29 pm Post subject:

The morning of 3 Winterstime saw a sudden and brief wave of localised hysteria sweep across the Dagger region. Those who slept spoke of waking in a cold sweat from terrible dreams, while those awake would suddenly fall to the ground shaking, or speak of dark visions and whispers. Fearful rumors now sweep the streets of Torm, wondering what terrible arts may have been unleashed by the insane servants of the black tower far to the north. Information is less readily gained from its opposed city Tonovi, but what few snippets escape its walls suggest a similar madness had, for a short while, befallen their people in much the same manner.

Elsewhere, the rumors of terrible beasts and their feral master hunting the forests of Parnelli have quite abruptly died off, leaving many to wonder if the menace has been dealt with, or if again the creatures have simply chosen to stalk elsewhere.

And far, far to the south, beyond Talzashaar's Teeth, reports now suggest the Tsarven Empire has turned its focus to its troubled northern neighbour. Their armies are said to be on the march, quashing all dissent as they go with minimal challenge, and perhaps for a good reason - witnesses tell that the Emperor's own guardian, the ancient gold dragon Kreysneothosies, flies above as their protector...

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OOC: Finales are now approaching on multiple fronts, for those who have not already ended their plot arcs! Expect fireworks of various kinds, as I have only four days left of holidays! At this point in the tale most pieces are well and truly in place, so I won't be able to pick up new side segments - please don't be disappointed, you're still welcome to join into any last events if they suit your character Smile

xnithi · Joined: 25 Oct 2017 Posts: 57 Location: Texas, y'all

I lmade the mistake of checking my email before falling asleep... why do you have to make things so exciting?! I'm supposed to be sleeping, not hyped!
_________________
"[Aiden poses clinging to the ceiling like a gecko].
With a slight shimmer, Aiden is revealed to view.
Night screeches
Aiden drops down and lands on his feet lightly.
Night speaks softly: Why!?
Aiden smiles at Night."

Nienne · Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:01 pm Post subject:

After weeks of preparing defenses and expectations of the worst, on 12 Winterstime 738SG the realm finally erupted into all-out war...

In the deepest reaches of Tharis Forest, the terrible beast that had been stalking the wilds was finally put down by a group of adventurers, at the behest of a Silvanite faithful. Across the realm, forest-dwellers of all kinds breathed a sigh of relief or a prayer of thanks, released from the fear of its terrible claws and teeth.

To the north, Tonovi marched in a two-pronged attack against Antioch, catching the faithful of Lathander and Helm by surprise. A gathering of adventurers broke through the Tonovian forces, cutting down their undead servants and returning a summoned pit fiend to the hells before it could cause terrible damage to the city. Casualties were numerous, including a mighty warrior believed to have been Helm himself.
A final stand was made against Bane and his servants by Jarmila, leader of the Lathanderite forces, only for her to be cut down by his cursed blade. Still, this delay along with the the turn-coat attack against Bane by the hired mercenary Varda and her company, caused the citizens to be mostly spared, and spurred the Black Lord to flee the city with his remaining scattered forces. He was reportedly later found slain, hanging as an example outside the gates of Tonovi. The responsible party has yet to be revealed...
Jarmila was returned to her temple with a guard of honor, where conflicting reports suggest she was raised from the dead - some say by a priest, others by Lathander himself - and rose from the altar to vanish in a flash of brilliant light. Rumors are now rife that she may have ascended to divinity, and already the citizens of Antioch speak of her with a reverence usually only afforded to the gods themselves.
At some point during the attack, it also seems that Helm's own temple was destroyed, and now lies in disarray along with the faithful of his church. Auril's temple, too, has come under attack, melted by a terrible barrage of flames.

Meanwhile, far away to the south a great explosion of fire and fury was seen upon the horizon, even as distantly as the northern mountains. Reports from the region are still being pieced together, speaking of an attack upon the armies of Azha. Tyr, Torm and Anhur were said to have been in direct leadership of their forces, which put up a valiant defense against a chaotic onslaught of beasts, mercenaries and spellslingers that surged upon the town from all sides. Even as they faltered, reinforcements swept down from Talzashaar's Teeth, led by the glorious form of an ancient golden dragon in flight.
As the Tsarven forces held strong and finally seemed on the verge of victory, witnesses claim to have sighted a cloaked, bearded man with an eye-patch, who rose to hover above the town and unleash a spell that scoured the land for miles around with the fury of the elements. The outskirts of the city were razed, and numerous casualties are presumed, but the heart of the town was spared by a defensive shield of force that sprang to life at the dragon's invocation. With the siege finally broken, the people of Azha are now piecing together the events of the day and the pieces of their lives...

Nienne · Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 1:17 pm Post subject:

In the wake of chaos, the realm grows quiet, as forces in every corner look to rebuild, and discover where they stand...

The temples of the elements have been found to have crumbled, presumably at the same time as the attack on Azha, though who caused the damage remains uncertain.

Rumors, meanwhile, sweep the realm that the oldest of the pantheon have finally fallen, Selune and Shar bound to the last with each other's fates. Balance was said to have been recovered, however, by the efforts of a group of adventurers, who saw to the ascension of Lysara, the new Lady of the Dead. What happened to Shar's prizes remains unconfirmed by any witness accounts, but it is said that the Shadovar have emerged again into Tharis' streets, proclaiming the rise of Lord Shadow.

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A huge thanks to everyone who jumped in to participate - the plot has finally come to an end! Your new pantheon are now installed (albeit roughly), and you will find helpfiles have been updated/installed, along with their addition to the creation sequence.

Please note - you will all find you log in with no deity, now that the old pantheon is past! If you travel to any church, you will be able to select from the new pantheon - as well as select new domains if you are a cleric. This is only a temporary measure, as efforts are already underway across the realms as the faithful build temples to these new deities (aka I'll have them installed shortly!).

I'm back to work tomorrow & pretty exhausted, but I'll still be around as I have a lot to do to finalise this installation! Please be patient with me and I hope everyone had a great time Smile

For reference, currently updated: deity helpfiles, creation sequence, deity & domain selection (in standard churches).
For reference, yet to be updated: kreys' faith-based groups, new temples, new symbols (basic ones will work but not <new symbol>), offestry shrines, any in-game items with deity specific details