Category:What Lurks in the Dark: Difference between revisions

The official GemStone IV encyclopedia.
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(7 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
'''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.
'''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}}>
A series of brutal murders destroyed the relative peace and safety in the towns of Kraken's Fall, Wehnimer's Landing, and Kharam Zhu. With each murder, a person or persons were reported missing as well and assumed kidnapped or responsible for the murder. A young Ta'Vaalor Guardsman and a group of adventurers discovered that a vampire residing beneath Ta'Vaalor was responsible for the murders and had saved the missing persons from bullying and abuse.
~Scrawled hastily across the parchment is an article released on the 25th of Charlatos in the year 5123.~


This just in!
*11 Lormesta
Rumors...


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 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.


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


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.
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.


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.
*5 Fashanos
After the newest murders of the Goldspire family on Teras Isle, and believing all the murders to have been committed by the same individual(s) or creature(s), Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo has urged the cities of Wehnimer's Landing, Kraken's Fall, Zul Logoth, and Teras Isle to put in place a curfew for the residents. A curfew will start at sunset in these four cities. Citizens are urged to stay inside and try not to wander. Any individuals found wandering after curfew will be taken in for questioning. City officials say that once the murderer or murderers are caught and brought to justice, the curfew will be lifted.


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.
*5 Fashanos

After the latest murders of the Goldspire family in Kharam Dzu and the confession of an adventurer admitting to consorting with demonic entities and ritualistic cannibalism, concerned parties felt the need to take action.
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.
⚫
<pre{{log2}}>
REWARD FOR SLAYING OF DEMON


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!
100,000 silvers


The demon is a female half-elf thug that goes by the name of Tanai.


~~This article has been brought to you by the good people of Elanthia who like to keep in the know.~~
Offered by the Lady Daenamaryllis to restore safety to the streets of Wehnimer s Landing, Kraken s Fall, Zul Logoth, and Kharam Dzu.
</pre>
</pre>
These notices have been left on benches and desks throughout various cities.

*17 Fashanos
The twin sisters, Heliantha and Roseantha patrolled the streets of Wehnimer's Landing at the behest of the Lady Daenamaryllis. The twins encouraged others to join them on their patrol via the amunet but were met with ridicule and indifference by their fellow adventurers. Saddest of all was the disgraced former marshall of Wehnimer's Landing, Jaired Delone, deriding the efforts of the twins to keep the good citizens of Wehnimer's Landing safe at night. Unfazed, the twins patrolled the streets of Wehnimer's Landing for several hours and advised citizens to stay indoors where it is safe and to report any suspicious persons to Investigator Cogsmead Gizmo.


==Cast of Characters==
==Cast of Characters==
Line 54: Line 47:
==Character Vignettes==
==Character Vignettes==
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Reward_for_Slaying_of_Demon|Reward for Slaying of Demon]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Rumors|Rumors - 1-10-2023 ]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Out_on_Patrol|Out on Patrol]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Reward_for_Slaying_of_Demon|Reward for Slaying of Demon - 2-05-2023 ]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Bath_Time_Musings|Bath Time Musings]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Out_on_Patrol|Out on Patrol - 2-18-2023 ]]
* [[Daenamaryllis_(platinum)/Bath_Time_Musings|Bath Time Musings - 3-06-2023 ]]
</div>
</div>


Line 65: Line 59:


==In-Depth Summaries==
==In-Depth Summaries==

===May 2023 Gossip===

<pre{{log2}}>
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!"
</pre>

<pre{{log2}}>
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?!"
</pre>

<pre{{log2}}>
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}}>
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!"
</pre>


==Additional Information==
==Additional Information==

Latest revision as of 22:06, 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

Retrieved from "https://gswiki.play.net/index.php?title=Category:What_Lurks_in_the_Dark&oldid=199745"