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This is a GM storyline that took place in the Platinum Instance during 2022 and is ongoing. The official title is "What Lurks in the Dark".
==Summary==
'''What Lurks in the Dark''' was a GM-led storyline that took place in the [[Platinum]] instance. It started at the end of 2022 and ran through early 2023. It was run by GM Wylloh and GM Naionna.


⚫
<pre{{log2}}>
==What Lurks in the Dark==
~Scrawled hastily across the parchment is an article released on the 25th of Charlatos in the year 5123.~


This just in!
''25 Eoantos:


Over the last few months, there were several reports of missing women and murders associated with their disappearances. First was a woman from Kraken's Fall. The next was a woman from Wehnimer's Landing, and so on. Each murder becoming more gruesome than the previous. It wasn't until the disappearance of Opalhilde Orebreaker from Zul Logoth that the case begin to take a turn.
⚫
<pre{{log2}}>
As friends gathered at The Sea Hag’s Roost for a nightcap, it was interrupted by a woman screaming about murder! The friends Vyrshkana, Leiana, and Doj went to investigate, running into the alewife Losaria from the pub, Rising Pint. Losaria said she tripped over some bodies outside the pub, hidden in the beach grass. When the trio went to look through the grass, they too stumbled across the gruesome scene. Three dead men were slashed and torn by something very sharp and strong. While they had large gaping wounds, no blood flowed from them. There was a light scent of lilac perfume on one of the bodies, but other than that, there were no witnesses. Tune in next time friends!
⚫
</pre>


A recollection of the events on Charlatos 10th, 5123, as told by Ricas Konreed and Opalhilde Orebreaker .....
''6 Lormesta:


Ricas and a group of adventurers managed to track down the whereabouts of Opalhilde and the other women reported missing over the last several months. Deep down in the catacombs of Ta'Vaalor, a sub-tunnel system was found filled with trials and ghoulish monsters.
⚫
<pre{{log2}}>
All seemed quiet in the Landing, a lone guard on patrol enters the Town's Square to chat with traveling adventurers. After some time a cool breeze picked up, causing a thick ominous fog cloud to roll in, obscuring everyone's vision. A shadow darts by but all remains quiet until a bell begins to toll from South Ring Road, signaling the guards. All the guards, including the one patrolling the town square, rushed to the area. They put up a barrier to keep townsfolk out, although one guard was persuaded by some adventurers to let them through, saying they'd seen an event like this before and with their word they wouldn't mess any evidence up, the guard let them through. The scene was a bloody one. A human male body, brutally mutilated, skin flayed and peeled away to expose muscles and bone. The other, half-elf male body, was in mostly pristine condition except for its heavily thrashed throat. Through investigative means, the adventurers were able to glean some information. The bodies had their tongues cut out and put into the other's mouth, the half-elf's throat was gnawed down to the spinal column and esophagus, and a very neat silk scarf tied around both, featuring a very skillfully neat bow.


Ricas and crew made quick work of creatures summoned to stop them - traps and locked doorways only slowed the group until they nearly met their match at a dead end in the tunnel system. The ceiling collapsed in, blocking their pathway back, and the room began to quickly fill with water. As the water rose above their heads, the floor cracked beneath that water's weight and sent them swirling through multiple water-filled tunnels.
Two sets of bloodied footprints lead away from the scene, down the road until they finally disappear near Shanty Town. They were humanoid in nature, but it was too difficult to make out if they were made by a male or female. Soon after, the bodies were carried away just as the rain began to pour down, erasing everything else away. The town became abuzz with gossip about monsters roaming the streets and wild beasts killing off people, even learning that these aren't the first murders like this in Elanthia. Shortly after the adventurers moved to gain warmth and cover at Thrak's Inn, an elderly couple barged in frantically looking for their niece. No one answered and they didn't find her and they ran back into the night looking for her. Something truly is afoot, stay tuned in for next time!

Just as panic began to set in and all nearly drowned, the group was thrust into a beautifully decorated cistern where they were greeted by the vampire Cordahlia! She admitted to killing men who had wronged or tormented the missing women for their disfigurements and subsequently took the women with her for their safety. Ricas dispatched of Cordahlia quickly as she was weakened from her summoning efforts.

The cistern was set on fire, burning the area and Cordahlia's remains just before Ricas and the crew made their return to the surface of Ta'Vaalor. After reporting this to Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo, Gizmo sent guards in to confirm that all that remains is a collapsed tunnelway. With the women and the missing staff of the Goldspires returned, Gizmo signed this case as closed and removed the curfew for the cities of Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu.

With the good news of the murderer finally being taken care of and the missing women brought home, Ricas Konreed and Opalhilde Orebreaker officially announced their betrothal. Keep a look out for wedding invitations, folks!


~~This article has been brought to you by the good people of Elanthia who like to keep in the know.~~
</pre>
</pre>


==Cast of Characters==
''11 Lormesta:
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
* [[Cogsmead]] - An inspector looking into the murders.
* [[Ricas]] - A Ta'Illistim Guardsman looking for his love Opalhilde.
* [[Opalhilde]] - A blind dwarf girl and love of Ricas.
* [[Cordahlia]] - An elven vampire living beneath Ta'Vaalor.
</div>

==Official Vignettes==
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
* [[What_Lurks_in_the_Dark_(storyline)/Previously_on_Platinum_is_Our_Life_(vignette)| Previously on Platinum is Our Life]] - 11-26-2022
* [[What_Lurks_in_the_Dark_(storyline)/Monsters_Roaming_the_Streets_(vignette)|Monsters Roaming the Streets]] - 01-09-2023
* [[What_Lurks_in_the_Dark_(storyline)/An_Ominous_Figure_(vignette)|An Ominous Figure]] - 01-14-2023
* [[What_Lurks_in_the_Dark_(storyline)/Murderer_on_the_Loose_(vignette)|Murderer on the Loose]] - 02-11-2023
* [[What_Lurks_in_the_Dark_(storyline)/A_Very_Not_Dead_Ricas_(vignette)|A Very Not Dead Ricas]] - 02-24-2023
* [[What_Lurks_in_the_Dark_(storyline)/Demon_or_Whatever_(vignette)|Demon or Whatever]] - 03-06-2023
* [[What_Lurks_in_the_Dark_(storyline)/This_Just_In_(vignette)|This Just In]] - 03-15-2023
</div>

==Character Vignettes==
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Rumors|Rumors - 1-10-2023 ]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Reward_for_Slaying_of_Demon|Reward for Slaying of Demon - 2-05-2023 ]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Out_on_Patrol|Out on Patrol - 2-18-2023 ]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Bath_Time_Musings|Bath Time Musings - 3-06-2023 ]]
</div>

==Logs==
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">

</div>

==In-Depth Summaries==

===May 2023 Gossip===


<pre{{log2}}>
<pre{{log2}}>
ask Raeva about Ricas and Opal
Rumors...


Raeva leans in and whispers conspiratorially, "Oh, you didn't hear?! Ricas and some adventurers tracked down the missing women and found a tunnel system deep under Ta'Vaalor!" She pauses to take a breath then continues, "They nearly met their match when the ceiling collapsed, and the tunnel filled with water. Just before the end seemed inevitable, the water carried them into a cistern and landed them at the feet of the vampire, Cordahlia!"
A trio of locals saunter by, murmuring amongst themselves, "I hear it's someone taking women as a sacrifice to take over the lands with demons." One of the locals laughs nervously as they continue to walk by.
⚫
</pre>


⚫
<pre{{log2}}>
A duo of women pass by you saying, "I hear it's a beast of a man taking all these girls, getting rid of the uglies in our cities." The second girl pipes up, "Yeah? Well I heard the aunt and uncle hired someone to kill their niece because they didn't want to take care of a crippled anymore." The two girls giggle as they go on their way.
ask Raeva about Cordahlia


Raeva's eyes go wide and leans in close to whisper, "She's a vampire! Or at least she was." A puzzled look crosses Raeva's features before she shakes it off and continues, "She admitted to killing men who had wronged or tormented women for their disfigurements and subsequently took the women with her for their safety. Ricas took Cordahlia's head! And then!" She pauses to glance around and says, "The cistern was set on fire, burning the area and Cordahlia's remains just before Ricas and the crew made their return to the surface of Ta'Vaalor. Ricas, of course, told Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo who then sent guards in to confirm that all that remains is a collapsed tunnelway. With the women and the missing staff of the Goldspires returned, Gizmo signed this case as closed and removed the curfew for the cities of Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu. Crazy, right?!"
A large group of patrons walk by, murmuring amongst themselves, "I hear the aunt and uncle hired someone to kill their niece, they were tired of taking care of her. You know she was missing an arm?" Their voices drown out as they move on.
</pre>
</pre>


<pre{{log2}}>
==Credits==
ask Raeva about what's next?

Raeva rubs her chin thoughtfully and says, "I'm not sure, but if I hear anything, you'll be the first I tell!"
</pre>


<pre{{log2}}>
<pre{{log2}}>
ask Raeva about gossip
GM Wylloh

Raeva blushes and says, "Oh yes. Since the murders that happened in Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu, this place has become quite popular with adventurers and retelling tales. I hear all kinds of juicy stuff! I'm happy to share, just ask!"
</pre>
</pre>


==Additional Information==
⚫
[[Category: Platinum Instance Storylines]]
* [https://discordapp.com/channels/226045346399256576/387271396218241024 Official Discord Platinum Instance Channel] - Get involved and chat with GMs and players.
* [https://discordapp.com/channels/226045346399256576/1046213590136410143 Official Discord Storyline Forum] - OOC Discussion of the storyline with GMs and players.

===Announcements===
* [[What Lurks in the Dark (storyline)/saved posts|Announcements and Saved Posts]]

⚫
[[Category:Storylines]]
[[Category:Platinum storylines]]
[[Category:2022 storylines]]
[[Category:2023 storylines]]

Latest revision as of 21:06, 14 June 2023

Summary

What Lurks in the Dark was a GM-led storyline that took place in the Platinum instance. It started at the end of 2022 and ran through early 2023. It was run by GM Wylloh and GM Naionna. 

~Scrawled hastily across the parchment is an article released on the 25th of Charlatos in the year 5123.~

This just in!

Over the last few months, there were several reports of missing women and murders associated with their disappearances.  First was a woman from Kraken's Fall.  The next was a woman from Wehnimer's Landing, and so on.  Each murder becoming more gruesome than the previous.  It wasn't until the disappearance of Opalhilde Orebreaker from Zul Logoth that the case begin to take a turn.

A recollection of the events on Charlatos 10th, 5123, as told by Ricas Konreed and Opalhilde Orebreaker .....

Ricas and a group of adventurers managed to track down the whereabouts of Opalhilde and the other women reported missing over the last several months.  Deep down in the catacombs of Ta'Vaalor, a sub-tunnel system was found filled with trials and ghoulish monsters.

Ricas and crew made quick work of creatures summoned to stop them - traps and locked doorways only slowed the group until they nearly met their match at a dead end in the tunnel system.  The ceiling collapsed in, blocking their pathway back, and the room began to quickly fill with water.  As the water rose above their heads, the floor cracked beneath that water's weight and sent them swirling through multiple water-filled tunnels.

Just as panic began to set in and all nearly drowned, the group was thrust into a beautifully decorated cistern where they were greeted by the vampire Cordahlia!  She admitted to killing men who had wronged or tormented the missing women for their disfigurements and subsequently took the women with her for their safety.  Ricas dispatched of Cordahlia quickly as she was weakened from her summoning efforts.

The cistern was set on fire, burning the area and Cordahlia's remains just before Ricas and the crew made their return to the surface of Ta'Vaalor.  After reporting this to Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo, Gizmo sent guards in to confirm that all that remains is a collapsed tunnelway.  With the women and the missing staff of the Goldspires returned, Gizmo signed this case as closed and removed the curfew for the cities of Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu.

With the good news of the murderer finally being taken care of and the missing women brought home, Ricas Konreed and Opalhilde Orebreaker officially announced their betrothal.  Keep a look out for wedding invitations, folks!


~~This article has been brought to you by the good people of Elanthia who like to keep in the know.~~

Cast of Characters

  • Cogsmead - An inspector looking into the murders.
  • Ricas - A Ta'Illistim Guardsman looking for his love Opalhilde.
  • Opalhilde - A blind dwarf girl and love of Ricas.
  • Cordahlia - An elven vampire living beneath Ta'Vaalor.

Official Vignettes

Character Vignettes

Logs

In-Depth Summaries

May 2023 Gossip

ask Raeva about Ricas and Opal

Raeva leans in and whispers conspiratorially, "Oh, you didn't hear?!  Ricas and some adventurers tracked down the missing women and found a tunnel system deep under Ta'Vaalor!" She pauses to take a breath then continues, "They nearly met their match when the ceiling collapsed, and the tunnel filled with water.  Just before the end seemed inevitable, the water carried them into a cistern and landed them at the feet of the vampire, Cordahlia!"

ask Raeva about Cordahlia

Raeva's eyes go wide and leans in close to whisper, "She's a vampire!  Or at least she was."  A puzzled look crosses Raeva's features before she shakes it off and continues, "She admitted to killing men who had wronged or tormented women for their disfigurements and subsequently took the women with her for their safety.  Ricas took Cordahlia's head!  And then!"  She pauses to glance around and says, "The cistern was set on fire, burning the area and Cordahlia's remains just before Ricas and the crew made their return to the surface of Ta'Vaalor.  Ricas, of course, told Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo who then sent guards in to confirm that all that remains is a collapsed tunnelway.  With the women and the missing staff of the Goldspires returned, Gizmo signed this case as closed and removed the curfew for the cities of Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu.  Crazy, right?!"

ask Raeva about what's next?

Raeva rubs her chin thoughtfully and says, "I'm not sure, but if I hear anything, you'll be the first I tell!"

ask Raeva about gossip

Raeva blushes and says, "Oh yes.  Since the murders that happened in Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam-Dzu, this place has become quite popular with adventurers and retelling tales.  I hear all kinds of juicy stuff!  I'm happy to share, just ask!"

Additional Information

Announcements

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