Winds of Change
(by Mephisto McSnaga)
When: October 21, 1100
Location: Stormbulls Barn/Tavern, Cudbright, South West Caledonia
The evening got off to a good start as Teran (Chuffy) McYokel, acting Clan Chieftain of the mighty Clan McYokel welcomed all comers to the Stormbulls Barn, now converted into a tavern. Formerly the training facilities of the elite military forces of Caledonia (read: Lunatics with no magic), now a reputable drinking establishment (read: Shrine for drunken Lunatics).
And a fine tavern it was, bedecked with its famous shield wall and the glorious queens' banners. The turnout was excellent with around 120 people turning up to celebrate the end of the foamorri war. The event was attended by representatives of many factions, many who themselves had aided in the defence of Caledonia.
As none of the 3 queens were available, it was down to myself as Laird Provost to receive visiting dignataries. I had the great pleasure of once again meeting Lady Morven, Ambassador from the Wolves who introduced me to a noble friend as well as their High Incantor and High Healer, both delightful ladies.
Morven explained to
me that the White Hand, who had previously been attacking the Wolves in all
manner of different ways had been banished by a group of people known as the
Hyperborians, an ancient people, possibly even the original people to walk the
northern lands of the Heartlands. They followed one calling himself their great
leader who was referred to as the Serpent King. They live in the land of Vanya
(if any Wolf is reading this, please correct any errors here) which is becoming
increasingly uninhabitable due to advancing ice caps. They disappeared at the
same time making it very clear that they would be back to reclaim their rightful
land.
On a more personal note, the High Incantor had, over the past year, been receiving increasingly amourous letters from an unknown admirer who has always delivered the messages by using a number of unassuming messengers. The most recent message was delivered that very evening. I asked her whether on all the occasions that she had been receiving the messages that Bears were present; they had.
Shortly I was approached by a man wearing my (black and white) tartan. We had met at the Gathering in Aegyptus. The visitor carried a small metal re-inforced box which he had been handed by his ritualist with strict instructions never to open the box. He considered placing it into our hands for safe keeping (was he mad ?). When people tried grabbing it he took it away realising his error. Since I was fortunate in that I was still in full command of my senses (i.e.; not an orc), I instructed that the best minds present study the box without opening it in order to determine what was inside and gave strict instructions that it was under no circumstances to be opened.
A few minutes later I was presented with the contents.
It had contained a map of unknown (feudal-looking) lands, 4 white unused candles, 2 magical scrolls and some black dust. Shortly afterwards it became apparent that metal weapons were brittle and if used would likely as not shatter upon impact.
I was introduced by craggy to a
man he had rescued from the Isle of Muck, recently hit by savage storms. He
was called Seamus McArdle and it turned out that Seamus (a short, ginger haired
chap) was not in fact from the Isle, but had a small farmstead just north of
Morven on the main land. When the foamorri invaded he was captured along with
a number of other solitary hill farmers. He was knocked out and woke up in this
pit on the Isle of Muck, where the foamorri used them for food, only feeding
them enough to stay alive and fattening them up as required.
He was one of the lucky ones - There were over 200 captured he recalls but now there's only about 30. They have decided to unite under one name - there being safety in numbers and adopt the name of McArdle, and accept Seamus as their leader. He remembers seeing ghouls and zombies and last saw the foamorri a couple of weeks ago, when they stopped eating the prisoners . He petitioned me for himself and the other McArdles to be granted the Isle of Muck in order for them to resume their life as farmers together. I had reservations due to the state of the isle and the fact that further investigations of the isle need to be carried out before it is handed over to anyone. I offered them instead some of my land in the south east of Caledonia in the meantime.
The descent into a drunken
oblivion was interrupted by 2 angry stormbulls. Most of the rest had stayed
away in protest at Teran's decision to convert their training barn into a tavern
without checking with them first.
The Bears High Incantor, Kindling McTaff has recently been suffering from a rare disease that has been sweeping through the Bears' Treemen. Cures had been sought involving the application of a concoction of a number of rare herbal substances. The McTaffs got to the event seeking only tea-tree oil, formerly stored in the stormbulls barn for use with deep cuts. Since it was converted the bottles have been misplaced and much searching was done and the aid of a number of skilled herbalists was greatly appreciated.
Two ratmen (skaven) were brought to me who had been stealing items from around the tavern. I called on the Knights present to deal with it as it was a matter of law. I told the ratmen that whatever the Knights did, if either of the 2 thieves were seen in the bar again, they would be killed.
I was then approached by 2 gentlemen in dark clothing seeking the a man wanting to leave a box here. In my usual diplomatic way explained that they I had seen a gentleman with a box but he had no intention of leaving it here and he had left a good while ago (all true.) They claimed the box was evil and the man didn't belong here; well at least the latter part was true.
Goblins came into the bar at several occasions during the evening. They were accepted as guests, but once they broke the trust of hospitality they were quickly disposed of.
It wasn't long before the visitor returned looking for his box (presumably stolen). i explained I hadn't seen it since he showed it to me (true) and that indeed the last time I saw it, the box was closed (true), I had given strict instructions for it to remain closed (true) and if it had been opened then I did not know who had opened it (again true) nor where it was (all of this is true). He never asked me if I'd seen the contents.
During the evening it became apparent that
the Head of the Eagles, Connor Rose, had some foamorri blood in him. It transpired
that he had shared blood willingly with someone who had some of Balor's blood.
The reason he had done this is because legend tells that Balor can only be defeated
by someone of his own blood. Terran McYokel announced this to those present
to put a stop to the growing concerns of those present.
Whilst wandering amongst the guests I was approached by a drow who said that a man outside was trying to sell documents that could bring harm to the Wolves High Incantor. I immediately informed the Wolves contingent who rushed outside and forcibly seized the documents from the man, cutting him down. After being healed he protested, claiming that he was a member of the militia, but since he had clearly wronged them I felt that any justice delivered should be the responsibility of the Wolves. The man refused to apologise for his actions and the Wolves decided to take no further action.
Whilst chatting outside, a Lich approached with a couple of ghouls, only to find themselves up against some of the greatest heroes (Rory excepted as he wasn't there) the Heartlands could offer. The ghouls were quickly despatched, and the Lich I understand was cut down soon after.
I heard afterwards that Sir Feargus MacBain, Knight of Squires was on the receiving end of an assasination attempt. When asked who did it, he replied "I have no idea. An assassin asked if I was Feargus MacBain, then cut my throat with a poisoned knife. He then legged it but was caught by Wee Mad Hamish. So I killed him and Wee Mad had lunch."
It came to light that there was a way to solve the problem of the brittle weapons and that was to place them in direct sunlight - alright for most people, but us Caledonians may have to wait a while 'til direct sunlight hits the autumnal Caledonian soil. Teran announced this to the guests and this appeased most peoples concerns.
I still need to find out exactly who opened the box - they are in big trouble.