THE MAYOR IS DEAD!

When this rumor reaches the Hospital, Jonah takes a moment to address the crowds, banging on a large metal pot to draw their attention. He speaks gently, but with force; a voice like rolling thunder.

"People of Shadowdale; I am Brother Jonah, a Faithful of Ilmater. I am here at the request of Deputy Bryanna Lovich to assist you, until such time as she returns. With the Mayor having passed away, and the Deputies working on a permanent solution to our current problem, I hope that you will trust in my leadership until the Deputies or Commander Taeron arrive to relive me.

"Sister Laura and I have a Hospital setup in the Old School; If you are sick or injured or believe you may be infected with this strange disease, please stay calm, and seek help there. When Sister Laura returns, she will be able to purge this illness, and you may seek refuge at Myth Drannor. I have spoken with a man I trust to see to your safety along the way.

"I beg everyone not to leave town until you have been cleared of the possibility of any infection; Anyone that leaves before being cleared only puts everyone in jeopardy."

He pauses a moment to catch his breath.

"Any Clergy with gifts to Heal are most welcome at the Hospital as well. Thank you."

"But I heard that Lady Kendra attacked the dwarves!"
"I heard Commander Taeron ran away with half the militia!"
"The Mayor said Lady Bryanna tried to Kill her!"
"Where is the Sheriff!"
"My Son has a fever is he going to die!"
"Where is Harvestmistress Julia and the priests!"

*many other questions and concerns are being shouted out. The leaders of town seem to have either died or disappeared...

*Taeron arrives into the town, fully armored in his field plate (as always). He allows to be checked using the "sense life", but other than that, he does not talk to others - making his way to the group gathered in Shadowdale.

He waits for Jonah to finish his speech - checking him throughly with the spell in the meanwhile. For as long as the man speaks, Taeron stays in the back and checks several people, just to get an idea of how bad the infection is.

When Jonah is done speaking, Taeron speaks, loud and clear: *

"People of Shadowdale.

It has come to what we feared the most. The plague has spread, much like it did when the Shadovar came. This time, there are no Zhents here to hold you inside your houses and ban you from leaving, but I urge you not to flee into the woods. I know many of you believe you're not infected, because you have seen no symptoms, but I assure you - the symptoms don't have to be present for you to have the disease.

If you leave now, however healthy you feel - you will spread the disease. There are people trying to help you - priests, healers... Give them a chance to do so. If you wish to leave the town, do so orderly - wait for your turn to be cleansed and then proceed on.

You have ignored my warning when I first gave it a few weeks ago. Now it is clear that I was right - and you have a chance to fix your error.

*Taeron looks over the gathered men and women and adds:*

We've all lost something dear to us already. But unless we stand as one, we will lose far more.

*Some of the farmers might notice, that Taeron has warpaint on his face under his helmet. Some might even remember that he used the same warpaint back when Shadovar invaded the town*

We will not rest until a solution is found - just like we did not rest when the Shadovar came. All I am asking is for you to listen. At least this once.

Do not rush out of town on your own. Don't give it a chance to spread even further.

*Addressing the questions of the crowd, Taeron speaks with a calm voice:*

Taeron never ran away from a battle. And he will not run away as long as his allies are still on the battlefield. Such is his code.

The Mayor was among the first infected and the disease made her do and say certain things.

The sheriff is also among those infected. But we will do our best to heal him.

*his voice gets slightly softer as he talks about Kendra*

And as for Kendra... She was under the influence of the disease when she fought the dwarves. Much like the Mayor.

*and it returns back to normal right after that*

When this is over, we will gather those we have lost, and I assure you I will try to bring them back, no matter the cost. And if you so wish that the mayor returned, I will start with her.

But right now, unless there is order, all will be lost.

The people begin whispering and nodding to his words a general agreement seems to be forming to listen to his words. One women shouts out "please check my Son!"

*Scanning the group no one here has the creature inside of them, however it seems clear they want some sort of 'cure'. About twenty people are here, men, women, and children.

*Taeron walks towards the woman, and checks her son. He seems to have his guard up at all times - even when he checks the boy - with the spell first.

He then either uses a spell on the boy, if he is truly sick, or just provides him with some herbs and ointments.*

Hold on there little man. Your family will need your strength in these dark times.

*Taeron then raises up, looking over the group. He chants a blessing in Illuskan - casting the spell of bless to lift up their spirits slightly.*

None of you here is infected. I believe there already are people organizing the evacuation. I suggest you follow the instructions of the dawnknights and the healers. I will try to gather as many healthy ones as I can. Once you're in safety, I will do what I do best.

*Taeron then nods to Jonah - for whatever reason, and heads to the temporary hospital to see if the staff and the patients are not infected.*

///Edited

*Jarrin watches the whole proceeding and, when Tae had finished, he motions him to meet inside the inn. If Tae goes in, the bartender would point him towards the office.*

((I'll try to get in game when you are on if you want. If we can't get together, I'll shoot you a PM with what Jarrin wants to tell him.))

*Jonah seems relieved when Taeron makes his presence known. After the rousing speech, and the confirmation that none present are infected, he adds:*

"Commander Taeron has indicated that no one here is infected. I advise everyone to make their way to the East Gate and await the first escort. Please do not return to your homes; anything you need will be provided for you in Myth Drannor, and your homes will be guarded throughout this ordeal. Please show courtesy and respect to Sedrin and Kasia; they have been through as much as anyone, and are here to help.

"I will be at the Hospital to tend to any additional illnesses or injuries."

*He seeks out the woman with the fevered child, and personally escorts them to the Hospital for treatment.*

*Taeron would also talk to Kasia and whatever adventurers might be ready to escort the people to the elven city.*

Be on high alert. Move fast. We have a large part of the militia missing. I know not of their fate. They can still be out there - perhaps even serving as an army for the creatures.

*After checking the hospital and those about to leave - as well as those who will provide the escort, Taeron can be seen drawing his axe - heading towards the Twisted Tower.*

Arjay arrives once word reaches the Moon, and begins assisting those keeping charge of the town, trying to keep matters calm as only a skilled bard can. Guards might mention him watching to use a wand of dismissal should it be needed, but generally seems interested in helping keep things as orderly as can be arranged.

When he sees Taeron moving toward the Tower, he makes his way through the crowds to join him. "Something in there made the Mayor decide to turn on you, I think," he mused. "I doubt it'll go quietly. I hope you don't mind a bit of assistance."

Sister Laura returns to the town, She walks briskly. Hopefully carrying the knowledge she has learned from Cleo. (DM pending.) She currently stays away from the crowd as she has her own rites to prepare for helping the infected.

After making sure Laura and [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] catch up safely, Lucent would  leave them to make sure nobody's left in town and would walk past the Old Skull towards the Twisted Tower, to check on his camp in Shadowdale West and see if there's any trace of the creatures around to be reported.

Crypto would send sample bunches of the finest flowers ~with roots still intact and sacked in wet burlap so that they may be replanted~ from the House of Redemption gardens to the House of Plenty with a letter of condolence.

"Revered Chaunteans of Shadowdale,

It is with great sadness that I offer our sympathies for your loss of the former High Harvest Mistress and friend Lady Glamerie. She was a champion of the people and a model preistess of your faithful. I offer you these flowers to plant in her rememberance from all parts of the land and I offer you a sense of hope that we will prevail in the end and that her death is not in vain. From all the members of the House of Redemption, we stand with you and are always at the ready awaiting your beckoning call.

Humbled and Sincere,
Headmaster Crypto and the House of Redemption"

*Taeron looks to Arjay, then back to the Tower.*

It's not about the tower just yet. The militia camp was next to it and from what I heard, most of the men are gone. I want to see if I can find anything that will tell me what happened to them... And yes, I have a feeling that we might even find something at the tower...

But you're wrong about one thing. The thing that turned Glamerie against us was not in the tower - but inside her. It was a strange parasite...

I also wand to find Traivs. The priest who tended to her... We have some unfinished business...

*On her way back to Shadowdale Julia is being told about Glamerie's death, tears come to her eyes in a way she's unable to hold them. She prays for a long time in favor of her old friend and mentor soul.*

At the last moment was she who saved us all, she sacrificed her life to give us a chance to escape, so brave in that day she showed how a real great leader must be.

*After that Julia goes to a calm place and summons a special friend asking him a very sad but important favor.*

My Celestial good old friend and kin, please show the meaning of haste and travel fast to the High Gardens of Goldenfields and deliver this message to Your Holiness the Onum of Chauntea.









((I'll post more about this message later.))

*After that the High Hasvestmistress will walk around Shadowdale surroundings, helping her friends in their effort to save the refugees, teaching every spellcaster who wish how to detect and destroy the worms. As soon as possible she'll ask about Taeron, and when the circumstances allow it, Julia will go aid him fully armored and prepared for battle.*

halfcentaur wrote:

Crypto would send sample bunches of the finest flowers ~with roots still intact and sacked in wet burlap so that they may be replanted~ from the House of Redemption gardens to the House of Plenty with a letter of condolence.

"Revered Chaunteans of Shadowdale,

It is with great sadness that I offer our sympathies for your loss of the former High Harvest Mistress and friend Lady Glamerie.  She was a champion of the people and a model preistess of your faithful.  I offer you these flowers to plant in her rememberance from all parts of the land and I offer you a sense of hope that we will prevail in the end and that her death is not in vain.  From all the members of the House of Redemption, we stand with you and are always at the ready awaiting your beckoning call.

Humbled and Sincere,
Headmaster Crypto and the House of Redemption"

The Package sits on the floor of the great church. A massive bloodstain on the floor with what looks to be a chopped up corpse not far from it. No priests or guards can be found with in the building.

Taeron wrote:

*Taeron looks to Arjay, then back to the Tower.*

It's not about the tower just yet. The militia camp was next to it and from what I heard, most of the men are gone. I want to see if I can find anything that will tell me what happened to them... And yes, I have a feeling that we might even find something at the tower...

But you're wrong about one thing. The thing that turned Glamerie against us was not in the tower - but inside her. It was a strange parasite...

I also wand to find Traivs. The priest who tended to her... We have some unfinished business...

Those of the Milita whom remain report that they watched thier fellows pretty much drop thier weapons and walk into town, or just walk into the surrounding wilderness. Those left are doing thier best to prepare for the outside threat Commander Tareon warned them for, but with the plague rumors and the chaos going on many are worried about comming attacks.

Word soon reaches Taeron that a body was found in the Church. They whisper that it was chopped apart...

it would seem as if blue has urgent news for taeron so he still sits and waits for the group to be gathered and cleared of parasites or taeron to show up for the news he has for him

(can send it in pms if you want or do it in public)

*Taeron can be seen organizing the quarantine zone around the hospital - the quarantine zone stretches to the main gate so Blue could probably see Taeron*

//Pm would be better