Talk Of Demons Spreads Through The Farms

Eyewitness reports state that a demon of some sort was seen again walking the streets of Shadowdale with no reaction from the guards. Terrified children were running scared while grown men scampered for the relative safety of local buildings. Within hours, all talk among the farmers revolves around the Zhents and their demonic allies or summons. Anyone that pays any attention to the conversations of the farmers and their families will pick up bits of talk as follows. Only the presence of Zhentarim or their known associates and allies will keep this talk at bay as no one is willing to risk being overheard by the guards.

"As if them walkin deaders wernt bad nough, now they got demons walkin the streets."

"Greenhorn city folk bein sent ta farm the lands of them what disappeared, uppin the taxes and placing guards all round ta watch us, and runnin off some of the families what been here for generations was bad nough. Now they got deaders and demons scarin the heck outta our wives and kids."

"Them Zhents done sold their souls to the hel..." ((talk comes to an abrupt stop as a pair of guards comes near on their patrol))

Alex and Liza would probably overheard some of these things while undercover doing their work to help those in need and spreading their faith. What kind of information would they gather from the locals they were helping?

Cordovan, the paladin of Helm, who visits Shadowdale now and then would talk to each citizen he sees in panic and try to calm them down asking what exactly happened.

Audrey continues her work of meeting with every farming family, bringing dinner everytime. She asks to hear their concerns and how they are preparing for the winter. Should they mention the demons, her lips would purse and she would promise to look into the situation.

Hearing the talk he wonders if the Weavemaster has anything to do with this. Remembering the day he seen him change into a devil at the well in Shadowdale. He ask the people around about the number and description of the demons?

One of the human beggers who has been helping out the women around the farms to earn a bit of food (looking to sickly for farm work) listens in on the complaints about the demons. He makes comments now and then about how things are worse with the new "authority " but not much else. He listens to see whom is the most disgruntled and upset.

((He has been a begger for the last two months..ever since the Zhent peasents arrived helping out and being friendly. Toon is Junstal.

Hast'ad looks a powerful demon-like critter half-flying to Shadowdale direction in Fox's Ridge and relaxes his bow waiting for a fast death, but the critter didnt notice him, so for a moment he lowers his head and thanks Shevarash for grant him a chance to continue his journey (Zaburra passed him in WoC form)

Should word of this grumbling ever reach the Patriarch, he'd know of who they speak - seeing as how Zaburra has been transforming in plain sight in SD for a solid rl year now - and invite him for dinner and conversation.

As the two men relax in the posh Shadowdale Flats and a servant serves them each a glass of dry Zhentil Red, the scarred veteran addresses his counterpart. "I've been thinking for some time that we need to change how things are done around here. But first we need to address this nonsense talk of demons."

He takes another drink. "Now this is all suggestion, of course, but I'd like you to go among the farmers for a few days. Show them your devil form, use it to help them build a new farmhouse or dig a well if you can. Tell them what you are, what you believe in, and why you are here. Let them ask questions, and answer them. Show them that such powers are not only to be feared, but understood and honored as well."

"You're a charismatic man, Zaburra. I know that the right words can be found to dispell these superstitions and make them understand that yours is an evil that shields them from harm."

"Its something Ive thought on and something I intend to do. I assume I'll have to wear some form of identification easily seen so they know its me after this has been done. Seems its not enough that they've seen the fiend constantly and in some cases warding off attackers of those considered enemies"

*Sips the drink given*

"I'll make sure they understand"

*a grey robed and masked woman may be glimpsed beyond the borders of the town watching from a small vantage point every few days, if any approached her and spoke with her asking why she stood there they would recieve the same answer*

foolish men and women make deals with things they believe they can control, and they ignore the damnation they bring.....blinded by the power they briefly recieve before see-ing their mistakes.

I observe this nightmare as it unfolds and take solace in the simple fact that I escaped its clutches.

a shame......I once liked that town.

*A notice is posted, various arcanists might hand similar notices to farmers for with a meeting being held by a member of the Zhentarim*

Cordovan would look at the post and chuckle to himself then just comment:

"The Zhentarim want to meet with the farmers? To do what? Drink tea? I thought the city was ruled by Banites..."

The paladin then would shake his head and move on still snickering now and then.

*A female masked figure (Yua) seems to be a Magnet to the lower-planes. She watches the Szene from a save distance to the guards. With her familiar eldrich Power she tries to figure out the source*