Whithering Crops Across The Land

During the nights a beeing wearing black armor with tentacles on its head can be seen sitting ontop of the old skull. In a circle roughly 10 meters around the humanoid lies horrible rotting stench, the ground right beneath where the tentacleman is sitting turns black.

It seems the beeing is simply watching the land die. Its yellow fiendishly eyes glare around Shadowdale, a mad disturbed grin that shows yellow pointy teeth rests in the beeings mouth.

Sometimes maniacal laugher sounds from the mountain.

Seminole wrote:

As the Commander hears the words "Filthy Banite scum!" and feels the rock ping off his helmet, he turns slowly to look at the two responsible. Before even being able to move forward, he would note Meryann putting a blade to the neck of one of them before he stops. He'd bend down and grab the rock and approach the beggar, tossing it up in the air and quickly catching it..

"That was unwise...I bet you think you'll suffer a similar fate as that one" He'd point to the man with a large gaping hole through his head. "Tell you what, I'll give you a chance to live and if the Dread Lord desires it so, he'll grant you strength" He'd hand the beggar the rock and order a Swordhand to put a blade at his back. "Here's what I want you to do, hold your hand out in front of you with the rock. I'll grant you life as long as you remain still and keep your arms extended. If however you drop the rock or your arms, the Swordhand will relieve you of life".

"Extend those arms now!"

The beggar looks at the rock in his hand and then Raegar directly into the eyes. He hesitates for a brief moment and his shoulders sag, his hand with the rock slowly lifting. Raegar would see a moment of relaxation and the expression on the beggars face becomes calm. With a suprisingly determined voice he says: "My name is Arakon and i will no longer bend my knee to tyrants!"with that he takes a strong step back into the sword, letting out a stiffled groan, as the sword slips through his abdomen and potrudes from his belly, blood flowing through the wounds. "By Illmater... you .. dont.. control me..anymore"

The startled Swordhand behind the beggar looks confused to Raegar

*Many pamphlets can be found around all Shadowdale and region with copies of an official letter sent to all known Shrine and Temple of Chauntea in the Continent*


To All Shrines and Temples of the Great Earth Mother
A Call for a Holy Crusade
Official Epistle


I send this to inform you all about the grave and monstrous disrespects and crimes the Zhentarim  have been perpetrating in our Lands, against our people, the families and farmers,

against our Church, Clergy, Temples and even with our Blessed Mother Earth. They’ve persecuted, harassed, banished and tortured our Sisters and Brothers from years now since they invaded and stole our lands.

Shadowdale had one of the greatest and traditional Sanctuaries of our Church in the Continent, The “House of Plenty” that was forced to be abandoned and lies now beyond the reach of any blessing because of the Zhentarim offenses.

I send you irrefutable evidence of their crimes, from their own hands, copies of what they did with one of our high rank member the High Harvestmistress Glamerie Windbough:


“…so I've attached this eye from the Harvest Mistress to help you once again look it over... ...I'll continue to send you body parts from her and keep her alive here so she cannot be resurrected. Before being appointed as a Commander I served in the Clergy and I have vast knowledge of torture which the Harvest Mistress is experiencing now…

…let me provide these ears for you as a gift directly from the Harvest Mistress. She gives her best... ...The excitement on her face was quite enjoyable, I'm wondering how long I should allow her to retain this hope before telling her that she will spend the rest of her life locked, tortured and mutilated…

Signed,
Commander Raegar Anteos”


And I also send you proof of their alliance with the Dark Elves, the Drows, to pay them 500 slaves every year, people they kidnap among our farmers families, something they call the “Treaty of the Grey Mists”:




Now I plead you all to declare a "Holy Crusade" against the Zhentarim,

I request you to recruit and send us volunteers, Clerics, Paladins, faithful followers to join our cause here, spread all around the continent this Sacred message,

I demand you to use your contacts, your power, to strangle the supply of food to every Zhentarim garrison on earth.

Shadowdale should now be declared "Nurturing Forsaken Land", our Mother removed her Sacred Hands from there, Clerics of Chauntea shall not remain in that region under the penalty of Perpetual Excommunication.


We need your prayers,
May “She Who Shapes All” bless us.

High Harvestmistress Glamerie Windbough, recovering from her suffering, signs this with me too,


Julia Navarre Sallavarian
Harvestmistress of Cormanthor and Myth Drannor

Orren, has finished preparering his supplies. He will wait for reply from the Harvestmistress. If he doesn't see the reply by the next morning he will continue his duties.

tjhyland wrote:

Orren,  has finished preparering his supplies. He will wait for reply from the Harvestmistress.  If he doesn't see the reply by the next morning he will continue his duties.

The Harvestmistress of Daggerfalls would show Orren a letter she received from Julia.
"You are free to go whereever your heart leads you Orren, i would suggest you meet with the Harvestmistress of Myth Drannor before you consider entering Shadowdale"

Slartibartfaß wrote:

After a meeting with Zidanja, Jey enters Shadowdale again.
Making sure to avoid guard attention she visits several farmhouses during the next hours, choosing those families who have little childs.
She hands each of the families half a bread, 2 dried apples, a piece of hard cheese and a small piece of smoked sausage.
With lowered voice she tells the families that this comes from a shiny-armoured, young female who has recently been banned from Shadowdale and therefore can't come herself.

Jey adds that if the farmers should expose the source they deny themselves any opportunity for further deliverances, as she - Jey - endangers herself of being banned from the town for being allied to a "criminal".

"The female I talk about is Zidanja Blake-Aseph, who promised you to care for you and to help you the best she can. At the moment she is trying to gather more food for you. She hasn't forgotten you and she'll honour her word."

The food Jey carries with her is enough for at best half a dozen families this evening.

After delivering the few supplies, she enters the Old Skull Inn and orders herself a soup before going to bed in the room she has rented in the Inn for years already.

The Farmers thank Jey for her generosity and share the food among their families, taking care to hide it from the Zhents.
"May the Earthmother bless you for your generosity miss!"one of the Farmers tell her with tears in her eyes.

Maskedshini wrote:

After hearing that another person has been killed inside shadowdale, Mylanis stops all collecting for the farmers, instead she sends in a few birds with messages, the birds, should they arrive, would lands in the homes of the farmers, with the message that Mylanis will be giving away some food, but only to those that comes to her outside of shadowdale, near the shadowdale forest.

Should any brave souls dare to follow the invitation, Mylanis would indeed be there, with small baskets of fruit and bread. But she'd ask that they eat as much as possible of it there, as to not give the zhentarim a chance to take it from them. If any have starving children, they will be given a little extra.

Should any Zhentarim show up, they will be asked to move away, if they so refuse, Mylanis, will leave, bring with her all the food she hasn't already given out.

very few come to Mylanis as this would mean having to pass the Zhentish Guards. They tell Mylanis that they fear what the Guards may do to them if they discover what they did. Those that do make it to Mylanis are very grateful for her help and a few try to smuggle food back for their children.

Navarre_Sallavarian wrote:

*Many pamphlets can be found around all Shadowdale and region with copies of an official letter sent to all known Shrine and Temple of Chauntea in the Continent*


To All Shrines and Temples of the Great Earth Mother
A Call for a Holy Crusade
Official Epistle...

Trip Kindred, in his daily rounds of purchasing bread from the Theater and sneaking it to the hungry farm families and beggars of Shadowdale... would find some of these fliers. He would keep one on his person, tucked in his boot and send the other to his Chauntean clan on the farm country borders of the Hullack forest along with a personal note.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"To my father and my Harvest brothers and sisters,

A great abomination is being perpetrated against our holy allies in Shadowdale. When I left home to check on this chapter of our temple, I could not have been prepared for the transgressions I would bear witness to. The persecution and torment of the very people that feed the Zhent's is inexcusable, unrepentible, and demands the action of all who are brave and able.

Though I may never see any of you again, know that you are always in my heart and my fond memories of fighting side by side with you in the war to protect our lands always gives me strength and hope. Please send aid if you are able. There is a sacred grove near the blighted town of Shadowdale that will welcome you.

May the purity of nature never be spoiled. May the great harvest be bountiful. Rise up against the disease of tyranny ye wolves of Immersea!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After this message is sent, Trip would secretly inquire with the farmers he's been in contact with to see if any would be willing to try to sneak their family out of Shadowdale to the refugee camps of Myth Drannor. If any are willing, he'd fashion their horse drawn cart with a false bottom, just roomy enough to fit a family of man, wife and a few children underneath... cover them with an aerated piece of plywood and sacks of grain, bunches of wood, furniture... whatever the family can muster to try to ride them all past the guard by the light of day. He even has a silence scroll to get the first family out without even the slightest moan or breath being heard by the guards should they examine the cart.

If even one family gets saved in this manner before he is discovered, it is well worth the risk and serves Chauntea well.

Storyteller wrote:

Seminole wrote:

As the Commander hears the words "Filthy Banite scum!" and feels the rock ping off his helmet, he turns slowly to look at the two responsible. Before even being able to move forward, he would note Meryann putting a blade to the neck of one of them before he stops. He'd bend down and grab the rock and approach the beggar, tossing it up in the air and quickly catching it..

"That was unwise...I bet you think you'll suffer a similar fate as that one" He'd point to the man with a large gaping hole through his head. "Tell you what, I'll give you a chance to live and if the Dread Lord desires it so, he'll grant you strength" He'd hand the beggar the rock and order a Swordhand to put a blade at his back. "Here's what I want you to do, hold your hand out in front of you with the rock. I'll grant you life as long as you remain still and keep your arms extended. If however you drop the rock or your arms, the Swordhand will relieve you of life".

"Extend those arms now!"

The beggar looks at the rock in his hand and then Raegar directly into the eyes. He hesitates for a brief moment and his shoulders sag, his hand with the rock slowly lifting. Raegar would see a moment of relaxation and the expression on the beggars face becomes calm. With a suprisingly determined voice he says: "My name is Arakon and i will no longer bend my knee to tyrants!"with that he takes a strong step back into the sword, letting out a stiffled groan, as the sword slips through his abdomen and potrudes from his belly, blood flowing through the wounds. "By Illmater... you .. dont.. control me..anymore"

The startled Swordhand behind the beggar looks confused to Raegar

He'd wait momentarily before moving and let death take the farmer before looking at the confused Swordhand.

"Well, that's nice and all except I didn't give him permission to die"

He'd bend down and place his holy symbol of Bane on the man's chest and attempt to resurrect him.

"You'll die when I say you'll die peasant".

The man would not come back no matter how hard the Commander tried.

After attempting to bring the man back to face punishment unsuccesfully, he'd stand and place his holy symbol of Bane back into his robe. He'd take a long look at the Swordhand he'd ordered to put the sword to his back and backhand him for his stupidity. He'd say nothing more before leaving and letting the remaining Soldiers handle the rest.

Iwean will continue his patrols.  If he sees Trip in a wagon he will provide cover if needed.  He will do hit and hide runs leading with Electrical Elemental Storm.



Orren will finalize his supply gathering, whether he has a horse or cart will determine how much he takes. He will make sure he has seeds,  corn, wheat, beans and tomatoes.  He will also bring cured meat and bread, as much as he can carry. He will make sure they are sealled and packaged so they will keep.  His destination will be the temple of Chauntea and report to the Harvestmistress. One day out of Myth Drannor he will find a spot to stash the seeds safe from vermin and pest.

A figure in black joins the Zhentarim Commander as he departs the scene. He speaks in a low voice, mindful of anyone who happens to near.

"Raegar," he begins, using the man's given name as though an old acquaintance, "you were right to slay that man for his show of defiance, but recent events as a whole have me concerned. The new Dreadknight slays farmers wholesale, someone atop the Old Skull spoils the ground unimpeded... control, and more importantly its image, so carefully crafted, is slipping away."

"The situation here can only be called unsustainable, and what was asked of me may very well be needed. The farmers can die along with their dale, if they are determined to do so, but what of the faithful? War will soon come to this land and their lives hang in the balance... we must discuss their fate."

Sedrin Leah

After learning about the disaster that have struck the dale, Sedrin ran out of the Dancing Homunculus in search food. Lots of food - and a steady supplier. He leaves a message at the billboard reading:

*Seeking merchant able to provide a steady supply of 110 pounds of flour, 22 pounds of cheese, 22 pounds of sugar and 45 pounds of dried fish, every other day.
The contract will be for the total sum of 50.000 gold.

Leave a message at the Dancing Homunculus
Sedrin Leah *

After thinking it over twice, he asks the clerk in the Dancing Homunculus if he can leave his note at the entry-hall at the establishment. Then he walks over to the Bastardssword to ask the same.

When that was done, he went to Natalya the caravan mistress.

"Woman, you have to help me out! Im sure you know of the troubles in shadowdale, blood and ashes, crazy huh? Soon, hopefully, ill have my hands on some goods - which i need transported to Shadowdale. Perhaps we could make an arrangement so you can deliver my goods on a regular basis? . . .and of course you will be well compensated for the trouble. "

He uncorks a bottle of whiskey, and takes a swing.

For some mysterious reason the beggars in Shadowdale seem to suffer not as hard as the other citizens from the famine.
Infact their behaviour hasn't changed much since Chauntea took her blessing from the land.

They still sit in their usual places, begging for a coin or a little food.
They seem to be not as desperate as the majority of the farmers though.

Perhaps they are just used to starving?

The Dreadknight can be seen at the building where most of the food of the people was stored by Sergeant Bainyrr weeks ago. He is accompanied by a dozen of soldiers. They would then bring several tables out.
On the same day the towncriers would be ordered to tell the people that food will be handed out in the next morning.

*Trip mutters and shakes his head as he sees the Zhents handing out food as if to somehow buy back the loyalty of the same people who've so long been persecuted, driven to near starvation, and some even murdered where they stood in the middle of town and along the roads.*

"Far too little... WAY too late....."

*In between making quiet visits to the farmers most in need... to see if he can help with food, coin, or delivering letters from them to the refugee camps at the Lathander Farms... He manages to send a few letters of his own via trusted courier to various parts of his homelands in Cormyr*

//PM of the letters sent to the DM realm//

*Afterwards, he scouts out the passages into Shadowdales North, and It's West to spot any noticeable supply lines to the Zhent army. In particular he is looking for food deliveries or reinforcement soldiers.*

comodohead wrote:

The Dreadknight can be seen at the building where most of the food of the people was stored by Sergeant Bainyrr weeks ago. He is accompanied by a dozen of soldiers. They would then bring several tables out.
On the same day the towncriers would be ordered to tell the people that food will be handed out in the next morning.

The Dreadkight would soon realize that the crops and fruits the Zhents gathered one month ago, that were ripe enough to be harvested so soon in the year, would not be enough to feed all farmers

Suprisingly very few Farmers would even come to the distribution, most of them men, some commenting among each other "First they take what is rightfully ours, only to give it back weeks later to make it look they are benificial? I aint buying it man!"some other farmers would nod in agreement and mutter among themselves.

They would still take the food grudgingly and walk away as fast they can.

halfcentaur wrote:

*Afterwards, he scouts out the passages into Shadowdales North, and It's West to spot any noticeable supply lines to the Zhent army. In particular he is looking for food deliveries or reinforcement soldiers.*

The movements of the odd, peculiar man with the huge scythe are followed closely by several pairs of eyes as he moves through and around Shadowdale.

Orren arrives in Myth Drannor and reports to the Harvestmistress. (done IG) He met with several people at the Shrine in the Lathander Farms. Ther he was accepted into the church to continue his studies and training. He can be seen around the Myth Drannor area.

One of the Zhentilar soldiers watches food being handed out.

"love this" he says, shaking he head. He casts a spell of invisibility on himself and discretely slips away, looking for someone.

Lathos wrote:

halfcentaur wrote:

*Afterwards, he scouts out the passages into Shadowdales North, and It's West to spot any noticeable supply lines to the Zhent army.  In particular he is looking for food deliveries or reinforcement soldiers.*

The movements of the odd, peculiar man with the huge scythe are followed closely by several pairs of eyes as he moves through and around Shadowdale.

Always attuned to the danger of his surroundings and his actions, Trip would sense being watched after a short time and decide he had done enough 'deeds' for now.  He'd speak to one more farmer on his way out of town.  A girl he had offered food to in the days passed...



Hello again Miss,

I was wondering if you'd do me a small favor.  I see you selling pets out here day and night next to the road.  Have you noticed any large Zhent shipments move through recently?  If you could just keep an eye out for that, I'd be most appreciative.  Hopefully I'll be back with more food within three days... but just in case here *hands her 500 coin*.  If any guards ask, I'm just a random adventurer putting a down payment on a donkey. *smiles*

He quickly heads west across her farm in the night, past the pig pens and cow fields, past the crops out to where the land crosses over to river side flora and fauna.  He plucks a long reed from the bank and slices off the ends to fashion a breathing tube.  He slips silently into the river... swims fully underwater at least 50 feet out and naught pops above the serface but a few inches of reed among the waves from time to time... like the the tiny head of a garter snake.

He travels a quarter mile up river and crosses to where his beloved friend and animal ally has been waiting patiently.  Trip slips out of his common armor and garb and into his trusty grey wolf outfit of old.  Originally used to track and hunt deer, it became indispensable in the times of the Goblin wars to track and dispatch Orc scouts patrolling the edge of the Hullack.



Trip and Blixin trek through the forest west of the river of town all the way until they get to the road that enters Shadowdale from the West... for the next 18 hours, from the cover of tall grass and dense brush... they watch and wait.  Looking for the supply line into Shadowdale.  He returns to this spot as many nights a week as he can, but he must also make long treks' to other parts of the Dales in between.