47th of Spring
9th Bell
Ever since the second blast of magic froze over part of the inland ocean better known as Lake Ravok, the Druvin and Black Sun increased security along the shore. This was done to track movements of the population in these times of crisis but also with the odd hope that the mysterious coven of snakes would reveal itself to the protectors of the realm. Rhysol’s faithful had done well to deal with the aftermath of two powerful blasts that shook the very heart of the city on the lake.
No one questioned the savior’s motives or power. Instead, the Black Sun had been able to twist the catastrophe into a call for more devotion and trust in the almighty Rhysol. As always, the responsible folk in their tranquil paradise responded by pouring over the frozen canals and toppled buildings to find opportunities to serve the Lord of the Lake. Coffers over-flowed and the organizations that ran the city were able to increase their localized activities to crack down on anything that resembled blasphemy or doubt of the one true god.
Dalliances such as ice skating, ice fishing and ice sculpting filled the voids left by a fluid city immobilized by some kind of strange attacks. Details were never released but the Druvins stopped being so mystical and walked among the populace and ensured that those responsible would be found but none so much as Amelia. Her tall stature, long hair and lean build was often seen in a form-fitting white dress and a single long dagger however, that was not her attire today. White leather armor garbed her body from head to toe with parts of her muscular thighs and upper arms exposed. The sheen of it all appeared ceremonial but the wrapped pieces of chain were very effective and well-placed to cover many of the weak points often left exposed by lesser armor suits.
The woman stood upon the bow of a ship that’s only recently made its way on the waters of Lake Ravok. A single-masted vessel slipped along the small waves with a massive timber bent down into the water like the crest of a shark’s fin parted the black water. Water gliders were used with nets to and from shore but the navy had been working on something more substantial for years. Decks replaced the netting and the ballasts on either side were hollowed out and open at the top. Benches and oar posts were set for when there wasn’t the right kind of wind or if the cargo became too heavy.
Today, however, the winds were fair and blew the vessel along its course with a smooth power born of the gods. Amelia stared through the low fog towards the northern shores while a second vessel flanked her own. Their patrol was full with several dozen apprentices, a handful of agents and ten stout soldiers; all in black save for their seemingly fearless leader.
A young commander on the starboard side of the ship shouted and broke open the silence like a jar being smashed against the rocks. All eyes shifted to follow the strong arm bound in black leather. In the shallows of the lake, a group of something was stirring and moving about. There was a thrashing of monstrous entities and then one by one they disappeared from sight beneath the waves. Calls rang out and courses were changed. A robed figure flashed of light and collapsed into a heap of fabric where seconds later, a raven emerged. The bird took off towards the city with haste while everyone else began to prepare for battle.
Chimes later, the vessels were near the shore where the disturbances had been seen when an eerily familiar sound clattered from the clouds. Amelia’s eyes burned like white coals as she called forth her magical prowess to drive the sail full and barrel the ship towards land. The other crew manned the oars and tried to follow suit but were much slower. The Druvin expelled her djed until the sail tore when the ship’s bottom ran aground. The crew followed her but few could keep up as she made for an outcropping of rocks some fifty yards up the shore.
The ear-splitting shift from the atmosphere reverberated before it was heard; a sensation of pure tower and the morbid realization that one was utterly small and meaningless- expendable. A blast of light ripped from the clouds just north of the city and came down at an angle towards the water’s of the northern lake. The energy laid down a smack like a palm across the cheek as it made contact with the water. The area instantly froze and propelled outwards but not like it did with the first or even the second blast. This assault was at such a steep angle that it flew along the surface of the lake towards the northern shore. The sounds of ice forming and tearing was deafening in the immediate area but the frozen burst did not stop at the shoreline, nore did it seem to be stalled by the emergence of land.
Amelia leapt to shelter with a handful of screaming soldiers just in time as winds stronger than anything any of them had ever witnesses carried a frozen breath further north. Sod and sand became blocks and projectiles that were swept up and used to level trees and other structures in the path of devastation. The temperature instantly dropped from the somewhat chilly weather Ravok had been experiencing to something more akin to a Talderan winter. As quickly as it had come, it was gone. When the lady Druvin rose and looked back towards the lake, she felt her jaw drop open. There was a road made of solid ice and snow that ran from a few chimes’ rise from the city all the way to the shore where two ships were partially destroyed and fully entombed in the icy mess. Peaking through only a stone’s throw from where she and her few survivors had found shelter was a single figure shrouded in frost… his face caught in a silent scream inches above the surface.
It was in quiet observance of this travesty that the waters far to the east rippled with activity. Snakes moved slowly in the cold water as they made their way for land. The white eyes burned and sizzled despite the frigid temperatures that swirled about her face. Hand signals drew the attentions of her men to the violators as over a dozen slipped from wet to dry and shed their skins. This was far from over but the priestess knew she needed more resources to engage such powerful sorcerers. That day would come soon.
*************
The northern outpost would certainly hear the coming of the blast same as they would have heard the first two. As eyes stared from the gates and peered over the walls, many witnessed the powerful force rain down icy devastation upon their lakebound home. It was only after a few chimes that one man began to raise an alarm. It was Gus, the one-armed hunter. He began to run about and shake any who would listen as he warned of the storm’s direction. He gathered furs and tore apart several chests as he rapidly began to brace the front of his hut with angle panels and extra trusses.
This panic set every body in motion as commanders began to bark orders. Self-preservation rose above much of the call to duty until Samara entered the picture. She climbed the wall to gauge their situation and realized that the attack was losing speed though the woman was smart enough to realize the need for preventative action. “Everyone inside a building...NOW!” She had to trust their engineering and skill because to do otherwise would leave far too many exposed. The paladin had been given reports of the attacks on Ravok and the southern outpost. The key to survival was to be covered as only a handful of buildings had fallen under the weight of these devious strikes.
A low roar like the coming of an army rose from the south and gradually grew louder until the sound paired with a tremble that shook the buildings at their foundations. The howl of wind and whistle of debris added to the clamour and finally, the chattering of bone and limb completed the symphony. When the impact landed against the southern wall, the gates blew from their hinges and let in the cold like a bear forcing its way into one’s home on a cold night. The growl as supplies and tents were tossed mingled with the clatter of timber being snapped from the joint or ropes snapping at the knot. Some men screamed, some remained silent but everyone prayed.
Then, just as it had come, it was gone. Samara was the first out and her commanders gathered to her quickly as none wanted to bear the brunt of a bad decision under such dire circumstances. The delicate gaze peered from behind her curly hair as her breath clouded up in front of her face. Snow- heavier than she’d ever seen, covered the outpost. Several feet deep, it left a silence over the area that testified to the natural world pausing in awe at the disruption.
“I want a damage report- yesterday!” She barked in a voice that didn’t fit her small frame. Samara was a paladin, twice marked by Rhysol and deadly in many regards but it did not transfer into an intimidating figure so when she chided those around her for now having the same innate understanding of what comes next, it was extra motivating.
Nothing was shattered but almost every structure in the outpost suffered damage and was either leaning or missing pieces. The project would take a major hit from this event and it made the brunette fume in silence. She needed someone to blame.
9th Bell
Ever since the second blast of magic froze over part of the inland ocean better known as Lake Ravok, the Druvin and Black Sun increased security along the shore. This was done to track movements of the population in these times of crisis but also with the odd hope that the mysterious coven of snakes would reveal itself to the protectors of the realm. Rhysol’s faithful had done well to deal with the aftermath of two powerful blasts that shook the very heart of the city on the lake.
No one questioned the savior’s motives or power. Instead, the Black Sun had been able to twist the catastrophe into a call for more devotion and trust in the almighty Rhysol. As always, the responsible folk in their tranquil paradise responded by pouring over the frozen canals and toppled buildings to find opportunities to serve the Lord of the Lake. Coffers over-flowed and the organizations that ran the city were able to increase their localized activities to crack down on anything that resembled blasphemy or doubt of the one true god.
Dalliances such as ice skating, ice fishing and ice sculpting filled the voids left by a fluid city immobilized by some kind of strange attacks. Details were never released but the Druvins stopped being so mystical and walked among the populace and ensured that those responsible would be found but none so much as Amelia. Her tall stature, long hair and lean build was often seen in a form-fitting white dress and a single long dagger however, that was not her attire today. White leather armor garbed her body from head to toe with parts of her muscular thighs and upper arms exposed. The sheen of it all appeared ceremonial but the wrapped pieces of chain were very effective and well-placed to cover many of the weak points often left exposed by lesser armor suits.
The woman stood upon the bow of a ship that’s only recently made its way on the waters of Lake Ravok. A single-masted vessel slipped along the small waves with a massive timber bent down into the water like the crest of a shark’s fin parted the black water. Water gliders were used with nets to and from shore but the navy had been working on something more substantial for years. Decks replaced the netting and the ballasts on either side were hollowed out and open at the top. Benches and oar posts were set for when there wasn’t the right kind of wind or if the cargo became too heavy.
Today, however, the winds were fair and blew the vessel along its course with a smooth power born of the gods. Amelia stared through the low fog towards the northern shores while a second vessel flanked her own. Their patrol was full with several dozen apprentices, a handful of agents and ten stout soldiers; all in black save for their seemingly fearless leader.
A young commander on the starboard side of the ship shouted and broke open the silence like a jar being smashed against the rocks. All eyes shifted to follow the strong arm bound in black leather. In the shallows of the lake, a group of something was stirring and moving about. There was a thrashing of monstrous entities and then one by one they disappeared from sight beneath the waves. Calls rang out and courses were changed. A robed figure flashed of light and collapsed into a heap of fabric where seconds later, a raven emerged. The bird took off towards the city with haste while everyone else began to prepare for battle.
Chimes later, the vessels were near the shore where the disturbances had been seen when an eerily familiar sound clattered from the clouds. Amelia’s eyes burned like white coals as she called forth her magical prowess to drive the sail full and barrel the ship towards land. The other crew manned the oars and tried to follow suit but were much slower. The Druvin expelled her djed until the sail tore when the ship’s bottom ran aground. The crew followed her but few could keep up as she made for an outcropping of rocks some fifty yards up the shore.
The ear-splitting shift from the atmosphere reverberated before it was heard; a sensation of pure tower and the morbid realization that one was utterly small and meaningless- expendable. A blast of light ripped from the clouds just north of the city and came down at an angle towards the water’s of the northern lake. The energy laid down a smack like a palm across the cheek as it made contact with the water. The area instantly froze and propelled outwards but not like it did with the first or even the second blast. This assault was at such a steep angle that it flew along the surface of the lake towards the northern shore. The sounds of ice forming and tearing was deafening in the immediate area but the frozen burst did not stop at the shoreline, nore did it seem to be stalled by the emergence of land.
Amelia leapt to shelter with a handful of screaming soldiers just in time as winds stronger than anything any of them had ever witnesses carried a frozen breath further north. Sod and sand became blocks and projectiles that were swept up and used to level trees and other structures in the path of devastation. The temperature instantly dropped from the somewhat chilly weather Ravok had been experiencing to something more akin to a Talderan winter. As quickly as it had come, it was gone. When the lady Druvin rose and looked back towards the lake, she felt her jaw drop open. There was a road made of solid ice and snow that ran from a few chimes’ rise from the city all the way to the shore where two ships were partially destroyed and fully entombed in the icy mess. Peaking through only a stone’s throw from where she and her few survivors had found shelter was a single figure shrouded in frost… his face caught in a silent scream inches above the surface.
It was in quiet observance of this travesty that the waters far to the east rippled with activity. Snakes moved slowly in the cold water as they made their way for land. The white eyes burned and sizzled despite the frigid temperatures that swirled about her face. Hand signals drew the attentions of her men to the violators as over a dozen slipped from wet to dry and shed their skins. This was far from over but the priestess knew she needed more resources to engage such powerful sorcerers. That day would come soon.
*************
The northern outpost would certainly hear the coming of the blast same as they would have heard the first two. As eyes stared from the gates and peered over the walls, many witnessed the powerful force rain down icy devastation upon their lakebound home. It was only after a few chimes that one man began to raise an alarm. It was Gus, the one-armed hunter. He began to run about and shake any who would listen as he warned of the storm’s direction. He gathered furs and tore apart several chests as he rapidly began to brace the front of his hut with angle panels and extra trusses.
This panic set every body in motion as commanders began to bark orders. Self-preservation rose above much of the call to duty until Samara entered the picture. She climbed the wall to gauge their situation and realized that the attack was losing speed though the woman was smart enough to realize the need for preventative action. “Everyone inside a building...NOW!” She had to trust their engineering and skill because to do otherwise would leave far too many exposed. The paladin had been given reports of the attacks on Ravok and the southern outpost. The key to survival was to be covered as only a handful of buildings had fallen under the weight of these devious strikes.
A low roar like the coming of an army rose from the south and gradually grew louder until the sound paired with a tremble that shook the buildings at their foundations. The howl of wind and whistle of debris added to the clamour and finally, the chattering of bone and limb completed the symphony. When the impact landed against the southern wall, the gates blew from their hinges and let in the cold like a bear forcing its way into one’s home on a cold night. The growl as supplies and tents were tossed mingled with the clatter of timber being snapped from the joint or ropes snapping at the knot. Some men screamed, some remained silent but everyone prayed.
Then, just as it had come, it was gone. Samara was the first out and her commanders gathered to her quickly as none wanted to bear the brunt of a bad decision under such dire circumstances. The delicate gaze peered from behind her curly hair as her breath clouded up in front of her face. Snow- heavier than she’d ever seen, covered the outpost. Several feet deep, it left a silence over the area that testified to the natural world pausing in awe at the disruption.
“I want a damage report- yesterday!” She barked in a voice that didn’t fit her small frame. Samara was a paladin, twice marked by Rhysol and deadly in many regards but it did not transfer into an intimidating figure so when she chided those around her for now having the same innate understanding of what comes next, it was extra motivating.
Nothing was shattered but almost every structure in the outpost suffered damage and was either leaning or missing pieces. The project would take a major hit from this event and it made the brunette fume in silence. She needed someone to blame.
