Fallen from Faith

This is a storyline that took place in the Platinum Instance during 2019 - ONGOING. Official title is "Fallen from Faith".

Fallen from Faith

18 Charlatos:

A brief sanding of the parchment and she was ready to send it to the cleric for delivery. She glanced over the wording once more.

"Lord Murchadha,

As the snow has thawed with the onset of Spring and the passage has been clear for several weeks now, a delegate from the Landing made their way to the frozen north a week ago. The Faire of the North provided a suitable reason to be present and allowed a brief investigation into the rumors of undead activity in the area. It is unfortunate that you were not reachable to attend with the delegation, but I seek to share our information with you as you brought us the first concerns.

Rumors of a woman named Seika abound in the north, with discussion at the local taverns and among the guard that she seeks an army to bring upon her father who it is said lingers in the Landing on occasion. This is cause for alert, of course, and so the delegation is making their way back to the Landing to help prepare for the possible arrival of this vengeful woman.

We expect her to arrive this week's end, this Feastday, under cover of night. Having reached out to the Order of Voln, we are expecting to have support from the Shield and Sickle and would like to know if we can count on the Militia as well. My guard will be present of course, but should this provide to be needed, we would like to count on your support.

I hope to hear from you soon.

~Oreena Januth"

The parchment was folded and sealed with the mark of Moot Hall, then sent to the clerk to deliver with haste to the Murchadha manor.

Jaynon Murchadha, Commander of the Wehnimer's Landing Militia, and Oreena Januth, Town Official of Wehnimer's Landing, have previously consulted together about rumors of a great gathering of undead in the far north. A delegate from Wehnimer's Landing was sent to Icemule Trace during their "Faire of the North" to investigate these rumors. Their fear is that once Spring melts the snow in the passes, is that the undead army will invade the lands. It is also rumored that this undead army is being lead by a woman named Seika, the very same from years past that adventurers had previously encountered. Unfortunately, the delegate reports back that the rumors are true. The two make preparations to defend the town of Wehnimer's Landing once the passes can be traversed in the Spring.

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23 Charlatos: Wehnimer's Landing and Environs

Jaynon called to arms all members of the Militia and gathered any volunteers to stand against the undead army approaching Wehnimer's Landing. Oreena had already evacuated the town and anyone left was expected to assist in defense or with the wounded. Oreena's newly formed guards are also instructed to help defend the town and assist with triage. As everyone makes final preparations to repel the undead army, a gravely wounded scout manages to make it back to the north gate and informs those assembled there that the undead army is making its way towards the town.

The Militia forces, along with Oreena's Guard, decide to make a stand at the Abandoned Inn located in the Upper Trollfang Forest and meet the first wave of the undead army before it reaches Wehnimer's Landing. A tremendous crashing roar is heard throughout the area as the defenders wait at the inn and scouts report that a massive avalanche fell upon the undead army as it made its way through the trail leading from Wehnimer's Landing to Icemule Trace. Roughly half of the undead army is buried by the avalanche and those gathered relax a little at this stroke of good luck.

The first wave of the undead is met by the Militia and Oreena's Guard. The first few waves consist of mostly weak undead, but soon an ominous voice heralds the onslaught of stronger foes. Among these new waves are undead griffins and spiders that slaughter many of the defenders. Several adventurers are forced to make a "tactical retreat" back to town. Despite apparently having the upperhand, the undead army suddenly halts their attack and disperses back into the night. Everyone is relieved and yet confused as to the cause of their salvation.

As the survivors are tending the wounded and raising the dead in town square central of Wehnimer's Landing, the disembodied voice of Seika is heard. She demands that Jeofrey, her golem father, be surrendered to her. Excuses, suggestions, and taunts are traded with Seika and she vows to deliver unto all those gathered further chaos if her father is not delivered up to her.

Order of Voln monks by the name of Gentre and Vernin arrive in town square central to consult with Oreena. Gentre and Vernin are members of the "Shield and Sickle," a sect in the Order of Voln. Vernin informs the adventurers of the devastating effects of the avalanche upon the undead army and believes someone caused it and blessed the snow. Neither he or Gentre know the identity of the person that caused the avalanche. Gentre tells the gathered adventurers of "The Fallen." The Fallen are a dark sect that was expunged from the Order of Voln for practicing necromancy. The pair of monks leave with a warning to not trust the Fallen. Oreena departs as well to consult with various town officials and prepare for any more attacks by Seika and the Fallen.

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24 Charlatos: Wehnimer's Landing, Town Square Central

Oreena and various adventurers meet with Vernin and Benly to discuss the events of yesterday and how best to prepare for Seika's continued attacks against Wehnimer's Landing. Benly, is a novice in the Order of Voln and also a member in the Shield and Sickle sect. As the discussion is ongoing, Guiseppi shows up to join the discussion.

Guiseppi, is a former member of the Order of Voln and a member of The Fallen sect. He takes credit for his sect having caused the undead army to retreat last night and proposes that all those seeking to stop Seika and her undead army by any means join with him and his sect.

Vernin and Benly vehemently disagree with the methods used by Guiseppi and the other Fallen and plead with Oreena and those gathered to join them in prayer the next evening and seek Voln's blessing for the battles yet to come. Guiseppi proposes to hold a meeting at the same time where he will instruct those gathered in the methods used by The Fallen to combat the undead.

Jaired Delone, a vagrant and wastrel with a proclivity of cross-dressing in revealing skirts to showcase his alluring legs, claims to have orchestrated the blessed avalanche that destroyed half of the undead army led by Seika.

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25 Charlatos: The Abandoned Inn

Various adventurers met with Guiseppi in the Abandoned Inn to learn more about The Fallen and to see a demonstration of necromancy. Guiseppi led the participants to the Wehnimer's Landing Graveyard and proceeded to animate a goblin and hobgoblin. He explained that the animates are completely under the control of the necromancer. He commanded his animates to attack the undead found in the graveyard and some onlookers admitted a grudging respect for the power he demonstrated. The undead animates under his control did not tire and only attacked whom he commanded.

With the demonstration concluded, the party proceeded back to the Abandoned Inn and Guiseppi explained that the undead army that had attacked Wehnimer's Landing and its many defenders had in fact been directed by The Fallen. The undead army was meant to be a demonstration of the sect's power and effectiveness. Seika did not have command of the undead at all and The Fallen had only provided her with an army as a means to further their own agenda.

Guiseppi's revelations were not well received by those assembled to hear him speak that evening. Most everyone present was quite flabbergasted as to the logic displayed by The Fallen in attacking Wehnimer's Landing with an undead army in order to demonstrate their ability to stop the attack and cause the undead to retreat. Many of those present had been wounded, killed, or had a friend or loved one experience the same. It was quite natural for them to be upset at Guiseppi's offhand comment of having done no "permanent damage."

The evening ended with frustration and few answers that made sense or were willingly accepted.

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25 Charlatos: Voln Monastery, Wehnimer's Landing Chapter

The Brothers and Sisters of Voln gathered in the courtyard of the Landing's Monastery. Before the sermon began there was a brief discussion about the Fallen and their heretical use of necromancy. A novice by the name of Benly informed that the Fallen had taken control of several of the more powerful undead during the recent assault on the Landing. Also present was Winter Keeper Vernin the leader of a faction within Voln known as the Shield and Sickle. He advised that the Fallen were a sect within Voln that were expelled because of their heretical belief that to fight the undead, necromancy must be used and they took up this practice in Voln's name.

Vernin then went onto to give a brief explanation of his faction's purpose at the behest of Brother Hirle who was leading the proceedings. He explained that the Shield and Sickle had been formed long ago with the mandate to keep the Order free of corrupting influences within and without. He decried the use of necromancy. He declared the Sickle's motto to be 'Reap what evil sows'.

Brother Hirle stated that the Fallen deny the brotherhood of the Order but retain Voln's teachings. Stating that they walk amongst the Order spreading lies and deception.

Vernin called for the Reaper Benly, to lead the gathered in a prayer. The novice's prayer called for Voln to bless those present, and for the souls to be freed from their binding and the Fallen's heresy.

Vernin then gave a brief history of the Sickle, explaining they were formed in Fairport, Torre, but were independent of the Grandmaster there. Hirle noted that he thought they were once theological by nature, and questioned what had caused the shift to secular defense. Vernin advised it was because of the success of the Dandrellians and the spread of the Waterford Creed. Brother Virion, then recited the Waterford Creed, 'Voln is our Lord. We, his servants, seek out his Enemies. To being Mercy and Balance to the Suffering. For this is our Mandate, and this is our Duty.' A simple creed designed to unite the Order.

Hirle then recited the tale of Voln how he lost his family and village to Luukos's minions and taught himself to fight, before daring to challenge the God directly. Lorminstra came to him and revealed to him that his Father was in fact Koar. Lord Voln ascended to the moon Liabo and joined his family becoming a deity.

Hirle then recited the words of Brother Dandrell, a scholar of Nydds; "... From the point in which we, as followers of our Lord Voln choose to take up his faith and mandate, we cleanse ourselves of the evils of the world. In essence, we are born again as children, and upon this birth receive our holy mandate from our Lord. As those who walk the path of our Lord, it is expected of us to mature under his divine words and guidance. The literal mandate is the stepping stone to the greater mandate. Every soul has value, and it is for that cost that our Lord Voln sends us into the wilds to free those in bondage, not simply as a mission of bringing balance to the world."

Hirle then called to the gathered advising them that it is their duty to oppose the Fallen and all they stand for. That the use of necromancy serves Luukos, no matter their claims to serve Voln.

Several of the gathered asked mercifully if the Fallen might not be redeemed and returned to the Order, and other doubts were raised asking if the control of the undead was such a sin. Kiel confirmed he had witnessed a Fallen ritual and that they were not only controlling undead but creating them. And that they claimed responsibility for the Undead attacking the Landing. Several calls of blasphemy went up at this.

Hirle called for the gathered Brothers and Sisters to band together to defend against the Fallen.

The Meeting was closed with a prayer this time lead by Vernin asking Voln for guidance in eliminating the corruption and threats within and without.

Hirle's final announcement was that they would meet again when the Grandmaster of the Landing Monastery was present.

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28 Charlatos: Wehnimer's Landing, Raging Thrak Inn

While everyone is enjoying a relatively quiet evening lounging at the Thrak Inn in Wehnimer's Landing, a scholar by the name of Telsprin stops by the inn to enjoy a hot meal and rent a room for the night.

The assembled patrons of the inn were curious as to the reason for Telsprin's presence and he reveals that he has been traveling in company of the Fallen in order to study their use of necromancy in controlling animates and using them to fight the undead. Guiseppi arrives shortly after Telsprin makes his introduction and remains silent for the most part to allow Telsprin to share his experiences and insights regarding the Fallen and their methods.

Most of those gathered listen politely to Telsprin share his opinions of the Fallen and their use of necromancy. The scholar is all to happy to share and mentions that he would like to present his findings to another sect in the Order of Voln, the Solacebringers. The Solacebringers are the record keepers of the order. Leiana asks quite a few questions of Telsprin as she has been mysteriously absent despite the danger that the town has been faced with and is quite clueless as to what has taken place so far.

A few are angry at the revelations from the night of the rallies and want Guiseppi and the other Fallen to be brought up on charges and face justice. Rouste makes a promise of holding Guiseppi to account personally.

The night winds down with Leiana leading Telsprin away to his room at the inn and Guiseppi returning to the Fallen's camp outside the Abandoned Inn.

Pleasantly Surprised

29 Charlatos:

Hirle left the Grandmaster's office and made his way down the hall to his sparse quarters to grab his walking stick. He would make the trip to the Landing and over to Moot Hall to seek audience with Oreena Januth, the Landing official who now seemed to be running well... everything. The Order had not really had a relationship of much importance with the previous official, Izaar, but Oreena had made a point to engage the Order in matters of the army that was rumored to be bearing down on the town several nights ago. She had even approached them proactively to ensure that they had security in place and offered her assistance for their observance of "The Day of Our Lady" , a holy day for the Order on the first Volnesday of Lormestra this year. He could not remember a time when a Landing town official had taken interest in such a thing, and if he was honest it both pleased him and made him nervous that she had done so.

Making his way into the town walls, he nodded to the various guards posted at the gates and along the streets to Moot Hall. This was also a change - the previous administration had guards, this was not new, but their attentiveness and discipline was not the norm in his experience. He'd had to come into the Landing on occasion for Temple events or to provide guidance to a young monk here and there, but had always found the guard to be a bit slovenly and rather unconcerned for their job. Additionally, they smiled at him. Actually smiled at him! He was pleased yet again and found himself looking forward to speaking to the office of Oreena.

As it turned out, she was not present, but her clerk was very accommodating and smiling too as he spoke to her about the reason for his visit. She promised to let Oreena know that the Grandmaster at the local chapter of the Order of Voln would like to meet at the Assembly Hall to discuss the concerns expressed by Winter's Keeper Vernin around the undead activities taking place nearby. The clerk assured him that Oreena would give this the utmost attention, as it deserved, and would be available for this meeting on the morrow at around 3 bells in the afternoon. She also reassured him that this threat is being taken seriously and that Miss Januth had issued orders just this day that the Fallen were not permitted within the walls, and if found within the town, should be immediately detained. Hirle felt good about that and thanked the young clerk before leaving.

Perhaps change is beginning, he thought as he left the town walls and down the path back to the Order.

**************************************************************
A Notice Posted on the Moot Hall Announcement Board:

Oreena Januth, a Grandmaster of Voln from the local chapter of the Order, and Winter's Keeper Vernin will be meeting in the Assembly Room of Moot Hall to discuss the recent undead activity near the Landing. Those interested from the Militia or other concerned citizens wishing to offer their thoughts and assistance are encouraged to attend. Disorderly conduct or disruption will not be tolerated and Oreena will act swiftly to limit it.

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30 Charlatos: Wehnimer's Landing, Moot Hall

A meeting takes place in Moot Hall of Wehnimer's Landing between Oreena and two Order of Voln monks, Brother Paval and Vernin. Brother Paval is the Grandmaster of the Wehnimer's Landing Chapter of the Order of Voln. The purpose of the meeting is to further build relationships between Wehnimer's Landing and the Order of Voln and to discuss concerns regarding the Fallen and next steps. Members of the Militia, concerned citizens, and busy bodies are present to observe the meeting and take part in the discussion.

Oreena shares with those gathered that Leiana stole the scholar Telsprin's notes while he was sleeping and shared them with her. The pair discover that Telsprin was not completely forthcoming in recounting his observations of time spent with the Fallen. She copied down some important pieces of information and had Leiana replace the notes without Telsprin knowing.

In the notes, it is revealed that Guiseppi and his Fallen brethren used Seika in order to distract the Order of Voln from learning that they were behind the army of undead. The real goal was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Fallen's tactics and convince the Order of Voln that necromancy could be safely harnessed as a tool to combat the undead. Guiseppi revealed to Telsprin that the knowledge to create animates and control the undead is actually knowledge that has been lost to the Order of Voln. The notes also reveal that Telsprin thinks his findings on the Fallen might just be his ticket to fame.

Paval decides that Telsprin will be contacted by the order and invited to present his findings to the Solacebringers. It is also decided that the order will not engage in open hostilities with Guiseppi and the other Fallen. Vernin announces that he will be leading an expedition through Danjirland to the Glatoph Mountains in order to release the remaining undead that wandered away from the main host of the undead army as it made its way towards Wehnimer's Landing.

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2 Olaesta: Glatoph Mountains

ENTRY PENDING.