Rising From the Ashes: Shadowdale Hospital

One morning, before dawn, Jonah is out by the campfire, measuring the footprint of the destroyed barn close by. He paces, carefully placing one foot toe-to-heel with the other, and takes measure of length and width, with and ease of balance that is rarely seen by men of his age. He writes down his measurements in the front cover of his prayer book, muttering and mumbling to himself.

When it seems he is done, he borrows a shovel and wheelbarrow from the gardens at the House of Plenty, and begins to remove crumbling foundation-stones, piles of caked ash, and charred debris. When the cart is full, he lifts the handles with a grunt, trundles the load out toward the crossroads, and spreads the pile out in the pit behind the old building-site, before returning for another load.... and another... and another...

With Jonah would appear to be another older man, known by some as Father Gregory. He aids Jonah in the task, getting a set of tools from the Chaunteans as well to work. Despite the age of these two men, they work hard in their efforts.

Snorri passes by on his travels. He watches the two men, then hails them. "G'day, lads. This be t'old 'ospital, isnae it?"

He watches a moment more, then says, "Ye need a 'and? Oi cannae stay long, but Oi got a little while."

Should he get an affirmative reply, he will pitch in with the work.

Coming back from a patrol Mara would look to the men.

Greetings, could you use another pair of hands? The woman of tall stature and the look of a warrior, she would pitch in lifting heavier boards and bricks.   It's good to work again.  To have a purpose. She smiles as she works.

Jonah says nothing as he works, or as help arrives. He smiles at their offers, bows his head in thanks, and will hand them tools to work with. Jonah's silence seems to be religious in nature, as if the simple task at hand somehow requires his utmost attention.

Barrow after barrow, he and his Old Friend continue to clear the ruins of the old barn. During a break for a meal, he asks around with some of the townsfolk as to who the barn belonged to.

Mara would look to Jonah at his question.

You know, I'm not too sure. Its been here for ages. I believe it was a community barn. It was here when the Zhents still controlled Shadowdale. So I'm just assuming it was owned by the town.

She takes another bite of her apple.

Father Gregory would continue his work at all, grateful for the assistance people provide. Even when he looks like he'll drop from exhaustion, he keeps going, pausing briefly to share a meal with Jonah.

The townsfolk all agree that it is indeed a community barn like Mara says. Some speculate it was there possibly to reign in the free chickens one day. Others say it was simply just a simple barn for any who needed to tie in their livestock briefly. Some children say their parents told them scary stories that the barn was haunted and they should never go inside lest the monster get them, but it's likely just a story to keep the children from going into the place and getting hurt.

He chuckles at the stories, and joins in with one of his own; "I'm told that a great Golden dragon, himself an ally of Elminster the wizard, lays asleep beneath the ground, here. That is why it is so warm, even in the winter... It is said that when evil threatens the town, the golden dragon becomes agitated, and it is his thrashing against that evil which keeps him awake that causes the barn to fall again and again..." Jonah tells the story with a smile ; "When the new hospital is built here, the dragon will have only peaceful dreams, but will still keep everyone inside warm with his heat..."

He shares a roasted apple with his Old Friend -- spiced with cinnamon and cloves -- and offers the treat to others who share their tales about the barn, before he eventually returns to work.

When the area is clear, Jonah begins to move foundation stones from the Old Hospital to their new home, dragging them along the road on sledges built from their own charred ruin. His toil is enough to make a Duergar blush, but he seems to take some small delight in it, none the less. When he drags the first foundation stone into place, he declares aloud, but to no one in particular: "Now it is begun... May the New Shadowdale Hospital keep Eilminster's Dragon in peaceful slumber forever. "

Mara helps with moving the stones

Brother Jonah, if you need any help at the hospital I would be more than happy to help. I am a priestess to the Red Knight so I'm used to patching people up. Healing is what I do. So if I can be of any help when the hospital is finished I will be more than ready to help.

She goes back to work.

Sordoc, on the return from one of his long patrols, notices the crowd helping with the building work. He steps forward and offers his services as a labourer. "I may no' ha' tha reach o' some o' yan folk... bu' I can help anyway I can."

Noticing Brother Jonah and Father Gregory helping and leading the rebuilding work, he comments, "can't leave tha older folk show us striplin's up, can we?"

Sylira Fry, priestess of Torm, brings word to the folks of Shadowdale as they work at rebuilding facilities of the town:

A new clinic has opened at Misty Falls, and Miss Fry will accept any patients in need of aid from Shadowdale and the surrounding areas while efforts to reconstruct the town hospital are underway.

"With the darkness to the north and the unrelenting threats we all face, Headmistress Elektra wishes it known that Misty Falls' doors are open and the services of its residents available in this time of shared peril. Contact her, Ranya, Isiolia or myself if there is need."

((Apologies for the delay -- IRL has reared its ugly head))

Jonah offers Sylira his trademark crooked smile. "I'm aware of Elektra's new clinic; I've added it to my rounds between Shadowdale and Myth Drannor.  Thank you for the update." He bows politely and returns to his task before turning to add one last thing: "If you would mind passing a message to Elektra on my behalf?  If she could spare some of her stone-masons and carpenters, our task here would become much easier.  I have coin enough to pay all of them well."

With that, the old man returns to the remains of the hospital to drag another foundation stone to its new home...

After some days, the site might actually begin to look something like a real project -- rubble cleared; ashes swept; foundation re-leveled; cornerstone in place.  Given enough time and helping hands, the Hospital looks like it might stand a chance.

Just the same, Jonah posts another flier soliciting help from master builders and carpenters -- he also sends an invitation to the Ironhouse Halls, politely offering them the same handsome pay that Elektra's workers would otherwise receive.

As the sun sets each day, Jonah takes a break to fix a meal for everyone involved in the building that day.  It is usually simple fare; a hearty beef stew with a hunk of fresh bread.  Simple, but satisfying, and much more than this old man takes for himself most days.


((I was wondering if, for the next update, we could remove the old, burned barn and maybe put a couple of foundation stones in its place?  I think this would get a better reception if the results were seen in game.  Many thanks to whomever is willing to take this on!))

Once Elektra hears of the need for workers, and offer of Jonah's , she goes up to the Commander's Tower, high over the Keep , with a clear view of roads coming and going to Misty Falls.
 The narrow pass into the Orclands was easily defended , unless undead marched from Dagger hills..., but the passage to Beastmen lands, and the road up to Krag , left her feeling far more vulnerable.
  Then after glancing up the icy mountain , she turned to assess the progress of the walls, towers and fortifications. After a time, she pulled the long blond hair from blowing in her face, and spoke a prayer into the sky.
  " Red Knight, hear and forgive me. For in service to you, my duty is clear... Fortify our position that we may stand against aggression , and provide sanctuary for those who lose their safety in other lands.
Yes, I know , I do ...
  But Zhents are already on the move, and undead hang over us like a deadly storm.  We cannot complete our defenses in time to save ourselves here.
 Sune would have me change direction, using our resources to help those in the nearly defeated Shadowdale. They not only need workers, they need hope. Forgive me , Lady of Strategy , for I know your clear , unemotional stance ... But I must help , ... Some one has to prove that we all must work together... Not just for ourselves."

With this, she gives orders for half the Blackwood dwarves to march to Shadowale and report to Sylira, or if she were not found, to Jonah.
With them, she sends a parchment:
" Use these men to build. I shall pay them even if you do or do not. Send them back to us when you are done. Sune has seen your need, and I have heard her call.
Elektra Mysteria
Misty Falls "

Then she shouts down to the remaining workers:
"Work! Unless ya wanna march forever in ranks of the undead! Until your brethren return, you get time and a half pay, and free ale after sunset!"

(( if Dm wishes to take some gold for this , I shall comply ))

Sylira nods with a crooked smile as the dwarves march into town and they inform her of their orders.

"Very good. I'll show you the site, and introduce you to mister Jonah. He'll be giving you the specifics of the job.

"I'll be happy to provide some blessings and make sure to report to me or Jonah with injuries that might occur...not that such skilled workers would have any, but accidents happen even to the best of us."

She shows them to the rebuild site and looks for Jonah.

Seeing that the work continues at the Keep, and that no apparent danger is detected down the roads, Elektra goes to her master suite, and dons conservative attire, high neck tunic, pants and boots
Taking a moment to rest, she gathers gestures and phrases of possible spells she might need to walk alone through the crossroads area.
After the short rest, she tells Bubs to handle any problems that might come up , and to stay sober until her return.
If she sees Conrad before setting out for Shadowdale , she would ask him to accompany her.

She then steps out into the day, with its cloudy skies and peeking sun over head, and strolls on the road towards Shadowdale, the rush and babbling sounds of the falls diminishing behind her.
Unless an encounter happens on the way, she would come to the east gate , and enter the town seeking to view what was happening with the workers and with Sylira.

It seemed like there was a goodly amount of organization at the building site, so Sylira left the work force with those in charge and who knew the plans to get them acclimated and have work assigned. She felt a little superfluous - she was no mason or carpenter, and the plans looked like mysterious runes to her - but there was one thing that people always appreciated.

She borrowed a large pair of kettles from the House of Plenty, conveniently nearby, then cheerfully drafted whatever adventurers were at the Chatting Campfire (as she thought of it to herself) to buy some of the early harvest vegetables and grains from nearby farmers...Sylira knew that the chatting crowd had coin, and many of them would feel good about contributing to the rebuilding of the Hospital, so she asked them to pay for the supplies and to be generous with the local farmers. She also asked Mara (who she had heard of from some of the old-timers but had not really met as of yet, so this was a good opportunity) to go see if Ella could spare some chickens (not the magic one!).

She got some herbs from the garden at the House of Plenty and started to assemble a pot of stew and a pot of boiled grain and corn. She had also borrowed an apron (she was going to need to say some special prayers for the Grain Goddess after this was all through!) and was deep in making a mess on the freshly laundered gingham when a guard from the East came with word of Elektra on the way. She wiped futilely at the apron and then itched her nose, layering it with soaked grain and tomato pulp before looking over at the gates.

A modestly attired blond enters the center of Shadowdale, looking about for the dwarves of the Blackwood Construction company.
She had come to discuss the possible need for stone, mortar and scaffolding still at the Keep.
Under her arm was a ledger, plume pen and sealed ink jar.
Her ice blue eyes searched for anyone appearing in charge.

Mara searches out Brother Jonah.

Brother Jonah where do you need me? It seems you have plenty of workmen. It's my duty to help and my pleasure.

She smiles to him.

Conrad was found easily at the Keep and accompanied Elektra into town.

As they arrive he would ask what he can do to help. He will wait behind Mara for brother Jonah's instructions.

One day during rebuilding, Commander Vorik looks the area over and the numerous people rebuilding. His brows furrow and he folds his arms, seeming confused as to what's going on. After observing for some time, he appears to leave.

The next day, he is seem escorting Elder Dorn towards the site, talking quietly with him and motioning at what's happening. Dorn rubs his beard, looking rather confused as well. He pulls out some pieces of parchment, likely blueprints, and looks back from the blueprints towards the torn down bits of barn. He stratches his head and murmurs low with the Commander, shaking his head.

Jonah asks no questions of anyone that helps; the work until now has been simple enough to be followed by example.  As the last of the foundation stones are laid, and the Dwarven workers show up for the first day of work, Jonah produces a set of plans.

The outline of the new Hospital is laid out in careful detail -- only a few specifics are missing, and such would be the province of Master Builders to sort out.  The overall plan looks simple, but solid:  a new Hospital, with plenty of space left for the contents of the former barn as well.  Protected in stone, the New Hospital appears -- at least on paper -- to be a compromise between the two buildings, and a true hub of Shadowdale.

Throughout all of this, Jonah seems not to speak a word -- he produces the plans, makes sure everyone has the same idea, and he continues back and forth from the old to the new Hospital, dragging stones on a wooden sledge built from the charred ruins of the Old Hospital.  After some days of this, Jonah looks exhausted, but somehow he manages to keep up his pace.

He bows deeply to Elder Dorn and Commander Vorik as they visit the site. For whatever reason though, he remains as silent as the grave.

((Spot Check for additional info -- please PM, but respond in thread))

A blond woman looks to Vorik and Dorn, and stepping to conversation distance, she speaks to them.
"Power of the People . . . ", she states with a slight pause to let the words be heard. "I suppose it is an odd concept for those not used to the common man giving his all for the good of the whole. . . . you need not take it as a loss of authority. .. it is. . . the common man's need, with a certain urgency that can not be quenched by any other way . . . than by action on their part. . . . our. .part.
You know who i am. Elektra Mysteria. I bring workers and possibly can have materials delivered as well. .which is what i was just assessing , when i spotted you two.
I am even willing to delay our own construction at the Keep to bring your town hope and a place of healing."
She stops, her face slightly mused as she awaits a reaction.

Commander Vorik steps closer to the remaining Elder as Elektra approaches. Elder Dorn chuckles and waves to Vorik.

"She ain't gonna do a thing, Commander. Calm yer nuggets, aye?"

Vorik lets out a small sigh and looks to Elektra. "Yes, w-we know who you are. Are y-you the one in ch-charge of this?"

Elder Dorn doesn't seem to pay Elektra much attention, his gaze focused towards Jonah and Brother Gregory as they work.

"The people are in charge...I only offer help. Since every man, woman, child is threatened by the same terrors , I tend to see all of us ... together ... With the lines and imaginary boundaries fading fast away.
I see that what ever I can do to help here , helps us everywhere.
I am considering bringing stone , mortar and scaffold from our Keep walls , to build here. It would take time to move all that.
So, is there any reason for me ... Not to?"