Whiteout (storyline)/Recaps (summary)

Mayor Nihala, the Mayor of Icemule, found a tome that she was able to unlock and read. Over the course of her studying the tome, she became very ill and magically linked to the tome. Around this time, strange orbs were seen around Icemule and inside the Penitentiary outside of Icemule. An odd disk materialized in the middle of Town Center. Deputy Mayor Hibbits took over most day to day operations in light of Nihala's illness. A committee known as ICICLE was formed. Townspeople are collecting clues and researching to solve several mysteries that keep them puzzled.

Chapter 1

The trouble seemed to begin with a small disk with an eye-shaped sigil on it, which formed in the middle of Town Center and strange orbs were seen around town and at the penitentiary. About the same time, the town was invaded by a variety of creatures.

It was soon after that Icemule Trace found out that Mayor Nihala was ill, and Deputy Mayor Hibbits would be handling a fair amount of her normal duties. It was also observed that the Deputy Mayor was acting strange, and he was seen with a shadow about his person at all times. This shadow seemed to shift or change every time they saw Deputy Mayor Hibbits, and when questioned about it, he seemed to be unable to see it. He was also unable to see the disk, the dome, the tower, or the arch.

Chapter 1: The Troubles This recap was written by Arnylon Cosset.

The usual was happening in Town Center. Askance for healing seemed to be what people asked for most often. Quiet contemplation and resting were not far behind. In short, it was a normal night in Icemule. Despite the normalcy, something was odd. It had been snowing steadily for much longer than even a series of winter storms should account. Snow, snow, and more snow. The town was beginning to be buried in a shivery, white blanket. Now and again cries to pull a halfling or gnome out of a drift that had buried them completely were heard. Nobody, even historians, could remember such a continuous and deep snowfall in and around the city.

The Deputy Mayor, Hibbits, ran through. Chanting was heard throughout town. Vague voices on the wind. Crackling in the air. Cries on the wind that someone, or something, was coming for Hibbits. He seemed rather concerned by the voices, and even out of sorts than was normal. Shadowy hands or some vague shadowy shape encircled his neck. The cries on the wind began increasing in frequency and volume.

A cry of invasion filled everyone's head - or at least those who had rubbed their crystal amulets. Creatures had been spotted in town. Apparently they'd breached the gates despite the vigilance of the guards. From all sides various orcs, trolls, and undead began approaching Town Center. It was surrounded. Battle commenced.

Most who fought lived with few to no injuries. The attack seemed halfhearted at best. However, the crackling in the air that had been heard earlier apparently heralded the arrival of something as before unseen within the walls of town. From the center of town, one could walk any direction and encounter orbs by each gate. They appeared to be of glass. Each was held aloft upon a tri-pronged electrum stand and was spinning rapidly. The stands had irregularities, almost as if haphazardly constructed. Each gave off the faint whiff of ozone on occasion. Now and again they'd wobble erratically sending off brightly colored energies into the surroundings. Their arrival and meaning was a mystery to all who encountered them. Also, Town Center itself was changed. Dead set in the center of the square was a circle of electrum. It seemed to have a vague eye-shaped sigil upon it. Many tried to enter, but it fended off every attempt.

After the attacks ceased, Hibbits spoke to those present. He told everyone that Mayor Nihala was sick, and as Deputy Mayor, he'd take over the responsibilities of running the city until a cure could be found for the Mayor. His announcement was not entirely well received, but besides a few grumblings and murmers, not much protest was made.

There also appeared to be a fifth orb. Originally a local Paradis Halfling Wizard, Joness, had found it and led an expedition to garner information to hopefully discover why the orb was there and what it might be protecting or guarding. He'd come running back to town exclaiming that it had zapped him. Void black in color, it spun much quicker than the orbs within the city. The tri-pronged base appeared to be polished, patterned, and contained two undecipherable magical sigils near the base. He asked any who would to return with him to explore. Three other citizens accompanied him: Pietra, a Human Rogue from Seareach, Laralana, a Human Warrior from Honneland, and Azerik, an Illistim Elven Wizard. Pietra would also be the first to discover yet another difference in this particular orb. It threw off deadly bolts of lightning. It struck her down.

All efforts to pull Pietra from the Penitentiary failed. Everyone who attempted it had to watch as her body quickly decayed before their very eyes.

Hibbits spoke again to the townspeople after Pietra's return. The gathering was outside Clovertooth Hall. Besides those visibly present, a vague shadowy was also seen. He'd be working on improving the town. Donations would assuredly be welcome for improvements. Shoring up to bear the weight of the snowfall, as well as new buildings, shops, improvements to Clovertooth Hall. Much silver would be needed. He asked for generous donations. VERY generous donations. Some who heard thought the timing odd, due to the accusatory calling for his head from the voices on the wind. Others were eager. Still others withheld judgment.

Several of the gathered asked Hibbits about the shadow around his neck. At times it appeared as a vague circle, at others, hands that seemed to be caressing his neck. He seemed to have no knowledge of it and thought people were playing a prank. When someone pointed to the shadow outside the door of the hall, Hibbits also claimed he could not see it either. People pointed, touched it, all to no avail. He didn't see it.

Concern for Mayor Nihala prompted a few to ask Hibbits if a visit could be made to her in the hopes of discovering a cure for her woes. Hibbits stated she mostly was sleeping, but a visit would be arranged soon. He soon left, and the crowd dispersed amongst talks of the night's events, speculation about the circle and the orbs, and about whether Hibbits was corrupt or not.

Chapter 2

Deputy Mayor Hibbits expressed his concern about the Mayor's health, and Kilded was chosen to investigate. He entered the Mayoral residence and spoke to the Mayor for a time. He and others looking in through the window, witnessed a strange shadow in the room with her. And later, Kilded reported he had seen a similar shadow about the Mayor's person.

The Mayor told him about a tome she found locked away in a safe in Clovertooth Hall, and showed it to him. It was called "A History of Ancient Sorcery Recorded by Daukhera Darkflorr". He reported that the tome was locked, but the Mayor admitted to reading it and learning about ancient magicks.

Shortly after his visit with the Mayor, Kilded was observed with a similar shadow about his person, his hair began thinning and falling out, and he seemed to begin aging at an accelerated rate.

Chapter 2: A Visit to the Mayor This recap was written by Arnylon Cosset.

Time passed without anyone having a clue as to how to heal Nihala or whether Hibbits was good or bad for the town, or even good or evil in general. Since many gathered in Town Center regularly, it was literally the talk of the town. Finally, the day arrived that Hibbits had promised a visit to the Mayor. People seemed to come out of the woodwork as the time approached. Hibbits gathered to him everyone who wished to come, and many tracks in the snow were made as the multitude wandered to the Mayor's cottage in Spitfire Alley.

The cottage fit in well in the upper middle class neighborhood, none too austere for a politician. A sentry stood guard outside barring entry to all. Hibbits said one person would be allowed inside to ensure that Nihala was in good health and uninjured besides the strange ailment. After a brief discussion a local citizen was selected for the visit: Kilded, A Sylvan Warrior.

The sentry seemed to not wish anyone to disturb the Mayor, but eventually Hibbits prevailed and Kilded was ushered inside the cottage. Everyone outside gathered around the windows and peered through to watch events unfold. The Mayor was eventually roused from her slumber and appeared to speak to Kilded. She eventually collapsed back to the bed looking rather peaked. Kilded rejoined everyone outside and gave a brief summary of his conversation with Nihala. All the while they spoke, it was noted that a strange, shifting shadowy could be seen beside the Mayor's bed.

Kilded related that the Mayor had discovered the tome secreted away in a safe in a mostly unused corner of Clovertooth Hall. She had freely shown Kilded the tome when he asked her about it and offered to allow him to read it. When he tried, it was both locked and seemed to elude his attempts to touch it. Nihala also admitted to Kilded that she had read from the tome and was using it to learn about ancient magic. Even though he could not grasp the tome, Kilded reported he'd managed to discover the title: A History of Ancient Sorcery, Recorded by Daukhera Darkflorr.

During the remainder of the evening and in subsequent conversations, Kilded also told those interested that he'd inquired about Hibbits and asked whether Nihala trusted him or not. Her answer seemed to indicate total trust, but a worry that of late he may have begun losing his mind. She also felt the illness she suffered from to be of a magical nature.

Upon Hibbits returning everyone to town, again cries on the wind asking for “the Hibbitssss” and more attacks launched from the environs around town. Trolls and orcs once more poured through the gates. More undead cropped up to be smitten. But with a difference: The attacks seemed a bit more coordinated and the creatures that comprised the assault a bit stronger than the initial foray. Despite the stronger foes, not many lost their lives. A sense of happiness or thrill was felt by many during the attacks and a pervasive feeling that the circle in town was in some way drawing from the magical energies being hurtled at the attackers.

After things quieted and Hibbits had gone, many odd things were noted. Hibbits still denied being able to see any shadows around him, the Mayor, or even outside of Clovertooth Hall. He also appeared to be unable to see the electrum circle in town center, or the orbs about town. The orb in the penitentiary appeared to have migrated as far west as it could go. It now stood outside a door enscribed with magical patterns and sigils. It appeared to be rotating more quickly. It definitely tended to throw off many more lightning bolts than before. The other four orbs had also either moved of their own accord or been moved a little closer to town center. Finally, the circle had grown. It had a little height. A disc of electrum rather than a circle.

Everyone seemed to have their own theory on the orbs and disc. Someone mentioned that the orbs appeared similar to the sphere in the Cavern of Ages that heralds entrance to the Rift. Nobody disagreed. Wonder of why electrum was used and not some other metal was discussed. People began mentioning that they'd begin research into magic, into ancient magic, into sorcery. Each went their separate ways to ponder the changes. On a side note: Before he left, Hibbits told everyone that donations were pouring in, but not quite near where they needed to be. Also, he would return in a few days, or a week, to discuss an idea he had.

Chapter 3

Enestrie was also similarly affected, when Mayor Nihala died under mysterious circumstances, and she went to restore her life. Enestrie's skin took on a blue hue.

Throughout the next several days and weeks, Icemule was invaded by a wide variety of creatures, the Mayor continued to study the tome, and strange apparitions were occasionally seen in Icemule. They would often speak to those close enough to hear. Once such apparition bid the witnesses to learn from it and not to fear.

The apparitions would sometimes travel near the orbs that are seen about town and the penitentiary, then would travel back to the disk at Town Center. However, it was observed that when this happened, the apparitions would be absorbed into the disk itself, and some unknown energy would transform the disk. From a disk into a dome, then into a tower, then an arch. The orbs also seemed to move, and some were quite dangerous to be near.

Dirvy attempted to heal the Mayor of her affliction, but while her mind was connected to the Mayor, she had a vision. She heard tormented wailing and maniacal laughter. She saw shadows shrouding Mayor Nihala's soul, forests that resemebled Pinefar, and once their minds were separated, the tome the Mayor held was on the snowy ground. Unlike Kilded and Enestrie, Dirvy did not seem to be suffering from any ill effects from being near the Mayor or the tome.

Later, Icemule Trace found out there was a bounty on the Mayor and the tome. The leader of a group called Far Market tried to claim the bounty by burning down the Mayor's home.

Chapter 3: The Far Traders This recap was written by Arnylon Cosset.

The snows continued without showing signs of stopping. There were lulls and times only a few flakes would meander down from the heavens, but never a complete stoppage. The town was in danger from the weather and quite possibly the Tome. Nobody had heard of Daukhera. Wonder on why Clovertooth Hall hadn't been thoroughly searched by previous Mayors or local town clerks appeared to be the order of the day. It was all rhetorical. Hibbits was nowhere to be found, and nobody actually knew the answers.

Various attempts to destroy, manipulate, or aid the electrum disc failed miserably. It seemed impervious and indifferent to any attempt. A standstill was reached.

Kilded seemed less than enamored with the disc. Simply reading the cover of the tome, or perhaps being in close proximity to it had affected him. His hair had begun falling out in clumps. One side of his face appeared to be prematurely aged and full of wrinkles…

Hibbits again showed, deftly deflecting all inquiries about the now larger shadow that was wrapped around his body and about the orbs or disc with a simple answer. He continued to state he couldn't see any of it. He cut off the line of inquiry as that wasn't his reason for addressing the town. He'd come for something better. It seems that the unstated goal for donations had been reached. White Haven had generously added to the portion of the coffers slated for town improvements. Plus he wanted to tell of his idea.

He began, but was quickly cut off because a spiritual disturbance was felt by the gathering. Mayor Nihala had fallen. Hibbits quickly grabbed anyone who was curious and raced to the Mayor's cottage. The sentry was in an extreme state of agitation. The Mayor was dead. Someone would have to go into the cottage to attend to the body. Hopefully she could be returned to life if she had favor with Lorminstra. The clerics gathered outside the cottage discussed who should enter. Eventually Enestrie, Human Cleric of Lorminstra, was chosen. Despite having seen what had happened to Kilded, she entered without hesitation. While she was inside, the gathering expressed hope that perhaps the Lady of Winter could aid Enestrie in bringing back the Mayor. It turns out Enestrie, and Lorminstra, could. Grievously injured, Nihala breathed once more.

Enestrie emerged from the cottage quite some time later. She discussed her visit and what Nihala had told her during their conversation. Nihala had been reading the tome but had not as of yet finished it completely. Apparently she'd died while having a dream. Nihala expressed amazement at the power it would take to kill during a dream. The Mayor's corpse had a crushed skull and a deep cut on her belly. She offered to give the tome to Enestrie, but when Enestrie had attempted to grab it, the tome scooted out of the way. Nihala was left to heal and recover.

It turns out Nihala had given something to Enestrie, and so apparently had the sorcerous tome. A page from the second to last chapter was the Mayor's gift. The tome's gift showed physically on Enestrie. She now had bluish, mottled skin. The tome's page contained a riddle:

Primeval power long ago forbidden With simplest words can be unhidden

Apparently not only were Nihala and the townsfolk interested in the tome, but also someone or something else.

Bandits and ruffians began peeling off from the night's shadows. They attacked any and all present. At least one preferred for the moment to remain hidden, demanding that the tome be turned over to him. A terrible fight ensued, but the attack was fended off by the gathering. His troops retreating, the leader of the band stepped forth.

He let everyone present know that he'd been commissioned to obtain the tome for a client. His band of - mercenaries - was known as the Far Traders. A deal had been struck to have the tome turned over to him and he expected Icemule to honor the bargain. He would return in a couple of days, expecting the tome to be handed to him without further altercation. He seemed uninterested or entirely ignored the protests that nobody could actually physically hold the tome. Slipping back into the shadows, he chided the throng once more, entreating that the tome be given freely.

Seemingly out of sorts, Hibbits spoke of his ideas. One, a gathering of townsfolk, both citizens and non-citizens to utilize the collected donations for town improvements. It would be named ICICLE, Icemulian Collective for the Improvement of Civilian Life, Etc. Two, an invasion training class would be held to give those less battle-hardened some experience on what it would be like when creatures began pouring through the gates. The goal was to hopefully ensure better coordination and survival.

Hibbits left after a few questions about the time and date were answered. The Deputy Mayor would come around again for the training.

Chapter 4

It was around this time that Deputy Mayor Hibbits fled Icemule, after he failed to control summoning magicks, during a training exercise.

Chapter 4: Invasion Training This recap was written by Arnylon Cosset.

The night of invasion training had arrived. Trudging through snow well over his head, Hibbits led everyone outside the East Gate of Icemule. Accompanying the young recruits were two more seasonsed in the ways of battle and invasion. Dirvy, Sylvan Master Physician of the Lassaran D'ahranal, and Arnylon, Giantman High Priest of Charl, had agreed to help any wounded or dead that might arise during the training.

Hibbits was questioned again about the orbs, particularly the one in the penitentiary and asked if he knew who or what was imprisoned behind the magical door. He informed everyone that he’d sent a missive to the Warden asking that very question. Unfortunately, the warden was currently not in town and would answer upon his return.

The training turned into a fiasco. At first things went well. Hibbits called forth various local denizens with magical gesticulations. Everyone managed to hold their own. Time and again, Hibbits recast the magic that brought the creatures to the trainees. Then he decided to call forth some stronger beings and creatures to test the mettle of all. Something went awry. What began as another series of sounds and movements, nearly exactly the same to the last, turned into flailing and screams. Hibbits had lost control of the spell. Dirvy and Arnylon, and once recovered, eventually Hibbits, had to help the trainees to even remain alive. Despite the aid, most soon perished.

Cries for help went out on the amunet. Others rushed to aid, but it was too late. Some rather large beings and monsters had already entered Icemule. Powerful undead, extremely large trolls, and icy beings were seen upon the streets. Soon the town was fighting for its life.

Disorganized chaos ensued. Quakes and gusts of wind randomly appeared, hurtling people asunder. At some point the disc in town center had grown into a dome. It would appear that the theory that the magical energies being unleashed to fend off the creatures was somehow feeding it. The hard choice was made. Fight with magic and feed it, or allow the town to perish. Fight. Eventually almost everything that didn’t belong in town was killed or sent back to its plane of existence. Something remained. A shadowy apparation. Also, the shadow outside of Clovertooth Hall apparently had absorbed energy. It was now towering, almost monsterous. The orbs had scooted closer to Town Center. They had originated near each of Icemule’s Gates, but now were merely a few paces in any direction from dome.

The apparation beckoned for any to follow. It floated through town, eventually arriving at Town Center. It told any who would listen to come and learn. It asked to show others the truth. Many tried attacking it, to no avail. It appeared impervious to all attempts made to dispatch it. With a sigh, it merged with the dome, turning it into a squat tower.

The tower had the familiar eye-sigil on one side beneath a depression similar to an inset window. Where the additional electrum had come from to add to the bulk was anyone’s guess.

It was noted during the attacks that Hibbits had fled town. Apparently the Far Traders had again made an appearance accusing Hibbits of not honoring the deal for the tome. They demanded it be handed over. A local townswoman made mention he’d fled to Pinefar. Town itself seemed to have quieted, so an expedition to fetch Hibbits was launched. Searching around revealed no clues to his location, and eventually those who had made the journey headed to the Pinefar Trading Post to ask one of the local proprietors, Belle, if she’d heard or seen anything of him. Belle never even deigned to answer.

Many who made the trek could sense Hibbits’ death in a nearby elemental instability. It seemed he had fled to the confluence. Nobody really wished to go, fearing they’d fall as well. It was decided to return to Icemule and perhaps seek out Hibbits’ corpse another time after more preparations could be made. Frustrated and exhausted, the town’s defenders headed to get some much needed rest.