32nd of Spring
7th Bell
The Southern Outpost of Ravok is always a busy place. Between the mills and the farms, there’s a sizable workforce who gets up every morning and puts their nose to the grind so the floating city has what it needs to be sufficient. Ebonstryfe soldiers are everywhere keeping the peace and a watchful eye on Ravok’s anchor. The market was just getting underway as Syna’s rays began to filter through the clouds. In typical spring fashion, it had rained during the night which left everything with the smell of mud and lake. To some, this may have seemed repulsive but Ravok was founded by fisherman and farmers who had always lived near Lake Ravok so the aroma of her black waters was a thing of comfort and security.
It was strange to hear of the blast that placed the city under ice. Nothing like that had happened in five centuries and even though Rhysol’s forces handled it very well, the heavy ice remained in the canals and no explanation had yet been given. These were the thoughts on people’s minds as they opened their stalls and greeted one another. The fervency of worshipping Rhysol was strong in his soldiers, his agents and his citizens but it waned on the shores. The lakeshore settlement was like an unseen cog that was absolutely necessary but often underappreciated or ignored. That had changed a bit since the big freeze but it only served to heighten the awareness for some. There was a tension that brewed but it was held tight by those it affected. Even on the muddy banks, it was well known that to speak ill of the Savior was a good way to come up missing.
“Heck of a sunrise, eh?” A tall traveler commented to a man opening his stall. The older fellow was scruffy and carried a large pack that seemed mostly empty. He took it down from his shoulders then placed it at his feet while friendly eyes looked to the shopkeeper. “I’m heading for the northern outpost and will be buying a fair amount of food for our group.” his eyes twinkled a bit. “Do you have any discounts on bulk?”
The shopkeep was still setting out his fruits and vegetables in baskets and trays when the sounds began. A hollow noise like the sundering of a large tree was the first to echo across the sky and over the settlement. Both men looked up as clouds quickly gathered in a mass of grey and white. The sound repeated but was accompanied by a gust of wind that threatened to flatten the landscape. Smaller objects were easily pushed about and everyone awake was now intently looking between one another and the sky. From somewhere near the tower that stood next to the lake, a call came in warning.
“Get inside!!”
It echoed from a hundred voices after that and the mad dash for cover was made. The sudden realization of what was coming was enough to motivate even the slowest of workers to hustle but the brief period of preparation was cut short by the peel of lightning though a bolt never lit the darkening front. A thunderous boom flew down from the heavens around a flash of energy that was bright and cold. Everything else disappeared against the core of power that pierced the world. Its origin in the sky was hard to trace but the destination was right next to the docks. The sound of ice and the sapping of timber echoed as the frozen wave raced out across the lake and over the land.
Breath was stolen and life was put on hold if the energy came into contact with anything living as it made statues and sculptures of everything it touched. Buildings and tents were pushed against their frames; much of the market was leveled under a thick sheet of ice. The establishments in the outpost held up relatively well though any open window or poorly built structure was sure to be pierced with the unnatural cold. The burst that traveled the lake seemed to be reaching out towards the city and stretched on in a peninsula of solid ice. White and barren, the black waters of Lake Ravok now looked even darker against the sterile brilliance of the ice shelf.
It was all over in an instant. Several chimes passed before those who had found shelter began to trickle back out into the open spaces to inspect the damage. Most of the population had avoided being out in the open but many of the tents and temporary shelters were under no longer standing; there were simply small hills in the ice that tried to hide what was once a campsite. There was no word from the farms or the lumber companies yet but it appeared most of the damage was centralized near the tower and the docks. Ebonstryfe units were already performing the cold math of loss as orders came down to determine the status of the deployed force.
People were struck by the cold. It sent chills in their bones and made their hearts slow down which drove them to huddle together in masses that wanted to stagnate. Helping one’s neighbor didn’t appeal as much when a man’s hands were numb and his boots felt like they’d break from the cold. This made relief efforts slow. The outpost was not Ravok. It did not have the same leadership, pride or motivations so most of the bells following the strange phenomenon were filled with clusters of survivors milling about and talking about solutions rather than trying to put any plans into action.
9th Bell
As efforts became more organized and the army was gathered into a useful band of skilled individuals, a rider came down from the north on a Bloodbane stallion. He rode hard and fast and didn’t stop for anyone or anything that tried to impeded his path to the tower where the Ebonstryfe’s leadership had gathered to discuss strategy.
“Let me through! Let me through!” He shouted as one hand waved people out of his way- other soldiers included. “We know who launched the attack!!” The words hit everyone like a slap in the face. The rider was given passage right up to the doors of the tower and as he jumped down and faced his superiors.
“What’s this rabble, soldier?” One of the sentries asked.
“It was a band of snakemen!!!” the rider shouted. “They were coming out of the water right after the ice came down from the sky. Our unit- “ he paused to catch his breath. “They saw us and started hurling magical attacks of ice and water as well as spears.” The man’s eyes were wild and his face red from exertion. “We drove them back into the lake but they disappeared. My commander sent me here to report.” Within ticks, the man and the sentries vanished inside the tower and several units of soldiers created a perimeter that spread out to clear back the emotional crowd whose fears were now beginning to take hold.
Attack???
News spread like wildfire and soon, the entire lakeshore had some theory or nightmarish tale that included serpent folk and insane deities or mages. The Ebonstryfe were on high alert. Anyone not with papers or proper verification of employment were shuttled off to a series of caged wagons kept far from the encampment on the remote property of the Calico Lumber Co. Nonhumans were also being questioned for involvement while the ‘regulars’ were being tended to by the small group of Black Sun agents who had formed a makeshift hospital and processing center righton top of the ice-covered mound that used to be the market.
The ice was mostly white but there were places here and there that remained opaque and the occasional limb or face could be seen- reminders of the tragedy that is now understood as a malicious endeavor to weaken the followers of Rhysol. By mid afternoon, riders had began to explore the ice that extended outwards onto the lake to discover that it nearly reached the city proper. Efforts were already underway from both sides to establish a line of supplies, information and aid to the crippled lakeshore endeavors.
The blast was heard like a distant storm but easily seen from the city by anyone who had a westward facing window. Forces were quickly marshalled to bring help and to investigate but once word reached the Vitrax of a source behind the event- things changed. The bell tower sounded and all official parties within the city were instructed on what to do. Patrols by the City Guard and Ebonstryfe in the city were suddenly synchronized and methodical. Any non-human was taken to the nearest place of authority to be questioned and any person caught without papers was taken directly to the Vitrax. While the entirety of the situation was unknown, the bit of knowledge that outsiders had caused the mess was enough to create a thorough investigation of every single piece of Ravok for anyone not of the city. The tension was not only on the side of the organizations in power but the regular people of Rhysol’s beloved city felt called to take it upon themselves to help round up the ones who don’t belong; those not worthy to remain in Ravok.
7th Bell
The Southern Outpost of Ravok is always a busy place. Between the mills and the farms, there’s a sizable workforce who gets up every morning and puts their nose to the grind so the floating city has what it needs to be sufficient. Ebonstryfe soldiers are everywhere keeping the peace and a watchful eye on Ravok’s anchor. The market was just getting underway as Syna’s rays began to filter through the clouds. In typical spring fashion, it had rained during the night which left everything with the smell of mud and lake. To some, this may have seemed repulsive but Ravok was founded by fisherman and farmers who had always lived near Lake Ravok so the aroma of her black waters was a thing of comfort and security.
It was strange to hear of the blast that placed the city under ice. Nothing like that had happened in five centuries and even though Rhysol’s forces handled it very well, the heavy ice remained in the canals and no explanation had yet been given. These were the thoughts on people’s minds as they opened their stalls and greeted one another. The fervency of worshipping Rhysol was strong in his soldiers, his agents and his citizens but it waned on the shores. The lakeshore settlement was like an unseen cog that was absolutely necessary but often underappreciated or ignored. That had changed a bit since the big freeze but it only served to heighten the awareness for some. There was a tension that brewed but it was held tight by those it affected. Even on the muddy banks, it was well known that to speak ill of the Savior was a good way to come up missing.
“Heck of a sunrise, eh?” A tall traveler commented to a man opening his stall. The older fellow was scruffy and carried a large pack that seemed mostly empty. He took it down from his shoulders then placed it at his feet while friendly eyes looked to the shopkeeper. “I’m heading for the northern outpost and will be buying a fair amount of food for our group.” his eyes twinkled a bit. “Do you have any discounts on bulk?”
The shopkeep was still setting out his fruits and vegetables in baskets and trays when the sounds began. A hollow noise like the sundering of a large tree was the first to echo across the sky and over the settlement. Both men looked up as clouds quickly gathered in a mass of grey and white. The sound repeated but was accompanied by a gust of wind that threatened to flatten the landscape. Smaller objects were easily pushed about and everyone awake was now intently looking between one another and the sky. From somewhere near the tower that stood next to the lake, a call came in warning.
“Get inside!!”
It echoed from a hundred voices after that and the mad dash for cover was made. The sudden realization of what was coming was enough to motivate even the slowest of workers to hustle but the brief period of preparation was cut short by the peel of lightning though a bolt never lit the darkening front. A thunderous boom flew down from the heavens around a flash of energy that was bright and cold. Everything else disappeared against the core of power that pierced the world. Its origin in the sky was hard to trace but the destination was right next to the docks. The sound of ice and the sapping of timber echoed as the frozen wave raced out across the lake and over the land.
Breath was stolen and life was put on hold if the energy came into contact with anything living as it made statues and sculptures of everything it touched. Buildings and tents were pushed against their frames; much of the market was leveled under a thick sheet of ice. The establishments in the outpost held up relatively well though any open window or poorly built structure was sure to be pierced with the unnatural cold. The burst that traveled the lake seemed to be reaching out towards the city and stretched on in a peninsula of solid ice. White and barren, the black waters of Lake Ravok now looked even darker against the sterile brilliance of the ice shelf.
It was all over in an instant. Several chimes passed before those who had found shelter began to trickle back out into the open spaces to inspect the damage. Most of the population had avoided being out in the open but many of the tents and temporary shelters were under no longer standing; there were simply small hills in the ice that tried to hide what was once a campsite. There was no word from the farms or the lumber companies yet but it appeared most of the damage was centralized near the tower and the docks. Ebonstryfe units were already performing the cold math of loss as orders came down to determine the status of the deployed force.
People were struck by the cold. It sent chills in their bones and made their hearts slow down which drove them to huddle together in masses that wanted to stagnate. Helping one’s neighbor didn’t appeal as much when a man’s hands were numb and his boots felt like they’d break from the cold. This made relief efforts slow. The outpost was not Ravok. It did not have the same leadership, pride or motivations so most of the bells following the strange phenomenon were filled with clusters of survivors milling about and talking about solutions rather than trying to put any plans into action.
9th Bell
As efforts became more organized and the army was gathered into a useful band of skilled individuals, a rider came down from the north on a Bloodbane stallion. He rode hard and fast and didn’t stop for anyone or anything that tried to impeded his path to the tower where the Ebonstryfe’s leadership had gathered to discuss strategy.
“Let me through! Let me through!” He shouted as one hand waved people out of his way- other soldiers included. “We know who launched the attack!!” The words hit everyone like a slap in the face. The rider was given passage right up to the doors of the tower and as he jumped down and faced his superiors.
“What’s this rabble, soldier?” One of the sentries asked.
“It was a band of snakemen!!!” the rider shouted. “They were coming out of the water right after the ice came down from the sky. Our unit- “ he paused to catch his breath. “They saw us and started hurling magical attacks of ice and water as well as spears.” The man’s eyes were wild and his face red from exertion. “We drove them back into the lake but they disappeared. My commander sent me here to report.” Within ticks, the man and the sentries vanished inside the tower and several units of soldiers created a perimeter that spread out to clear back the emotional crowd whose fears were now beginning to take hold.
Attack???
News spread like wildfire and soon, the entire lakeshore had some theory or nightmarish tale that included serpent folk and insane deities or mages. The Ebonstryfe were on high alert. Anyone not with papers or proper verification of employment were shuttled off to a series of caged wagons kept far from the encampment on the remote property of the Calico Lumber Co. Nonhumans were also being questioned for involvement while the ‘regulars’ were being tended to by the small group of Black Sun agents who had formed a makeshift hospital and processing center righton top of the ice-covered mound that used to be the market.
The ice was mostly white but there were places here and there that remained opaque and the occasional limb or face could be seen- reminders of the tragedy that is now understood as a malicious endeavor to weaken the followers of Rhysol. By mid afternoon, riders had began to explore the ice that extended outwards onto the lake to discover that it nearly reached the city proper. Efforts were already underway from both sides to establish a line of supplies, information and aid to the crippled lakeshore endeavors.
***Ravok***
The blast was heard like a distant storm but easily seen from the city by anyone who had a westward facing window. Forces were quickly marshalled to bring help and to investigate but once word reached the Vitrax of a source behind the event- things changed. The bell tower sounded and all official parties within the city were instructed on what to do. Patrols by the City Guard and Ebonstryfe in the city were suddenly synchronized and methodical. Any non-human was taken to the nearest place of authority to be questioned and any person caught without papers was taken directly to the Vitrax. While the entirety of the situation was unknown, the bit of knowledge that outsiders had caused the mess was enough to create a thorough investigation of every single piece of Ravok for anyone not of the city. The tension was not only on the side of the organizations in power but the regular people of Rhysol’s beloved city felt called to take it upon themselves to help round up the ones who don’t belong; those not worthy to remain in Ravok.
