The elves of Kyonin have not truly known peace since returning to Golarion over 2,000 years ago, for this return was bathed in blood. Immediately upon arrival, they faced the demonic forces of Treerazer, a mighty demon lord who had taken control of their ancestral homeland. The elves spent centuries purging their land of his corruption and driving him back into the twisted swamps of Tanglebriar. Yet despite years of struggle and numerous resources deployed against the demon, they’ve only managed to contain him in his rancid realm beyond Kyonin’s southern border. Defeating Treerazer for good has proven elusive, and with the nascent demon lord seemingly uninterested in launching a second attack against Kyonin, the elves—and indeed all the Inner Sea region—have grown complacent.
Never more so than today, as more pressing and burgeoning problems draw the attention of Queen Telandia and her court. The return of Tar-Baphon, the Whispering Tyrant, has every nation that borders Lake Encarthan casting a wary eye toward the Isle of Terror at the lake’s heart. Over the last several years, the waters around the Isle have become dangerous to navigate, and growing reports suggest that the Whispering Tyrant is building a fleet of ships crewed entirely by the dead. Stories have spread of haunted ships raiding smaller communities along the shores, leaving only ghost towns in their wake. Some believe that both the living and the dead are being shipped to the Isle of Terror, as the Tyrant has uses for both.
With this threat looming in everyone’s mind, Kyonin is more content than ever to let Treerazer brood in his swamp. Unfortunately for the elves, he has been far from idle and has been carefully and quietly putting a devious plan into motion. Treerazer is almost ready to fire the first salvos of what will soon come to be known as the....
Part 1: Whispers in the Dirt
Prologue: The Battle of Lantana Beach
You have arrived at Lantana Beach, some five miles west of the port city of Greengold. It's just after sunset, and an unsettling fog bank races eastward over Lake Encarthan’s waters ahead of roiling dark storm clouds. The fog thins enough for those on shore to glimpse several dark shapes gliding across the storm-tossed lake—plague barges! It was not a false alarm, then.
Lantana Beach is a flurry of activity. Teams of elves led by stoic Commander Nuandiall Ciranviash frantically work to push a bank of catapults into position, having deployed them from an old bunker nearby. The hope is to get the catapults deployed in time to sink the barges before they pass over a deep underwater cliff; if the plague barges are sunk in shallow waters, after all, the diseased undead aboard would simply walk underwater and into town. Sinking them over the deeps would instead send the shambling, diseased cargo deep into the waters below, where they would be unable to reach shore.
Your job is to keep the elves and the siege weapons safe long enough to accomplish this task...
Rani scoops a piece of driftwood form the beach and runs her finger along it, swirling seawater into a familiar shape: Atryl, the rune of fire.
The branch blazes into a torch, despite its soggy state, as he stands next to a catapult and addresses the squad gathered there for defense.
"Wretched plague bearers. We'll pollute the lake with their foul remains."
The tall Kallijae elf is plainly clothed, her utilitarian armor only decorated with runes of power. In the torchlight, more glyphs flash on her sword and buckler.
"Look at that!" Takarias says, lifting his eyes above the oncoming threat to the final glimmers of light from the still setting sun. "Isn't it beautiful! Every day here in Kyonin is a gift!"
With a beatific smile on his face, he seems almost oblivious to the oncoming threat.
"Oh," he startles as Rani's driftwood becomes a torch. "shouldn't we try to keep them from polluting the lake?"
Blooms in Darkness waits, eyes fixed on the plague ships as they drift nearer, robes draped in petals and foliage preserved just before they tip over into rot.
"To sink them will not be enough. To clean the waters of their passage will not be enough. Taint must be cleansed by blade and fire." The voice is sonorous and deep, especially for the leshy's small stature, the words well practiced. "It must be cleansed at its source. Fight as you will today, but Treerazer must burn."
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"Blooms in Darkness, that's the best attitude I've heard all day! I love your enthusiasm!" Takarias says as he starts unfurling a banner with a howling dog emblazoned on it.
Standing stoically still, his icy blue eyes following the path of the plague barges with contemptuous Repulsion, the Ilverani Elf, Idari Lucien , emits a forceful demeanor. Clad in blue/silver full plate, matching heavy shield strapped to his arm, free hand resting on his Cold-iron curve blade, the Twight light Speaker presents that of a warrior more than diplomat. His companions know that both hold true for the Snowcaster.
Perhaps, we could hurry the seasons and allow winter to freeze their progress. Would allow for a more preferred direct solution to allowance.
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Focus: Soothing word
Cantrip: Light, Message, Divine Lance, Rousing splash, Stabilize
1st rank: Bane, Bless, Command
2nd rank: Dispel Magic, Gentle Breeze, Peaceful Rest
3rd rank: Water Breathing(H+1) Annoonted ground, Holy light
4th rank: Cloak of Light, Fly, Soothing Spring
5th rank: Blessing of Defiance, Rip the Spirit, Divine Immolation
6th rank: Cleanse Air(H+4), Blessed Boundary
Arcane Sense: Detect magic(6th rank)
Ancestry: Augury, Calm
Font: Heal(6th rank) x5
Daily prep:
Leftovers(preserved food unused from the day before):1 Preserved Moonflower, 1 Phantom roll, 1 Rainbow Vinegar
The not so subtle shuffling of supple wood, wrapped chimes, and various trinkets woven into the many interlocking branches that make up it's hull herald the arrival of Alkabah. The strangely grown Conrasu approaching the group, unfolding three of the many vaguely hand shaped appendages, many solidified into various symbols of prayer, from it's core. Pinched by the tendrily fingers are delicately wrapped meals.
"This one has brought you all the promised sustenance that shall promote your success in the upcoming engagement. Though this one recognizes that this food is more suited to a different time of day."
Unwrapping the parcels reveals large stacks of waffles prepared in the elven style, infused with nuts, berries, and seeds of various plants, and topped with a light paste-like syrup made from mixing honey and powdered sugar cane.
Once the meals are deposited to the group, Alkabah folds it's good hands into several varying signs of prayer and offers thanks to Findeladlara.
"True Faith and Starlight,
Light the path to Victory,
Begone servants foul."
The void dark orb that makes up Alkabah's core twinkles with faint pinpricks of light, as the hands at it's current 'top' orientation clap together softly. Those same lights vaguely share the patterning of a draconic constellation.
"This one finds joy that Speaker Idari has allowed us to serve, may the goddesses blessings preserve us and our wonderous work. For I am but a locus of her splendiferous will."
Clasping pulling a staff from a pouch, embedded in it's twisted frame, too small to fit such a thing. Alkabah dedicates two of it's limbs to holding the scepter, which seems to be all it can manage without losing it's stability while in motion. By which it waddles around using the arms located at the base of it's current orientation as a tangle of legs. Though you have seen the conrasu choose to roll, as a wheel does on a wagon, in times of desperation.
Though lacking clothes, the conrasu sports many adornments twisted and tucked into it's frame giving it some mockery of decency including a bundle of robes that when examined closely have the iconagraphy of Findeladlara.
"Where might this one be needed most companions of most faithful?"
Takarias' eyes grow wide as he bites into one of the waffles. "Alkabah! This is amazing! I don't think I have ever tasted anything so good! Does anyone else want to share one with me?"
"Share a waffle with me, tree-soul," Raneshi offers half the confection to Alkabah.
Idari Lucien's blue eyes seem to thaw a bit at the approach of Alkabah. The Chef's enthusiasm contagious. The Ilverani turns to meet the Conrasu warmly.
Certainly a welcomed respite prior to our demise. Findeladlara be wise in her choice of servants.
The Twight light Speaker does partake of the expected (but definitely desired) meal from his friend. The two share more than Waffles in Findeladlara's service.
Turning his posture back to reviewing their options in the coming conflict, the Dandy chuckles.
Takarias and Raneshi any ideas about how we help here?
The tall elf looks helplessly at his curve blade.
He munches...
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"Thank you for your praise. I shall continue to make improvements where necessary. I am unsure how it may be improved with local ingredients. As you know this one lacks the ability to taste, and that seems to be a great portion of the appeal for many like yourself."
Alkabah shuffles back over to Raneshi and gentle places the staff on the ground before taking the offered half of the morsel. "Delighted to share with you Raneshi." Lifting the half of waffles to it's core the dish quickly disappears into the void-like sphere that makes up it's true self. "May we succeed in aiding our fellows in the defense of these sacred lands."
Looking around the Conrasu surveys the area.