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Hundreds sought shelter from the storm within the sturdy walls of the Port Hempstead Tower Academy on Apreal 23, 1457. Inside, an elven sorceress, one of the faculty, converted classrooms into refugee accomodations and large open lecture halls into infirmaries, and cauldrons meant to teach alchemy were filled with boiling water and healing herbs from the Tower supplies.
Once the waves finally passed, the Tower once again opened its doors, but to an unfamiliar Hempstead. Ships were wrecked all over the city, buildings collapsed and smashed like children's toys, thousands wounded and dead, and the city in chaos. Many steeled themselves against the sight, though, and began dealing with the tragedy, refusing to bow down to the force of the storm and give up. With many others, Jaelle headed out into the flooded city, to spread the word that the Tower Academy was being used as a base and to aid in the efforts.
For hours, she and other adventurers and citizens secured supplies, ferried injured through the cold seawater, healed who they could with both magic and mundane means, and tried to keep the city from panic. Eventually, once word had spread through the city and the first waves of injured had been brought back to the Tower, or to the temple of Deliar which was serving as another hub of relief in the city, Jaelle returned to the Academy to oversee things from there and to continue planning the relief of the city.
The Tower, always intended to serve the city, now does so in a very literal sense. The lobby and third floor are full of injured people. The few skilled healers treat the worst off, while less skilled but willing volunteers do what they can for others. Much needed supplies have been brought into the Tower, secured from places throughout the city in controlled loots, and the upper floors turned into temporary refugee camps where hundreds of frightened, bruised and battered citizens huddle. Many still evacuate through the portal, though this is slow going and for a long time there seemed to be more coming into the Tower than leaving it. Jaelle addresses a crowd of brave volunteers and adventurers who may have come into the city after the waves passed:
"Alright, listen up please! I know this seems overwhelming now, but we are a strong city, and together we can handle this and continue to weather this storm and find our feet, but to do so we all need to shoulder the burden and work together.
"Some of you have already been working for hours, I know, out there in the floodwaters bringing people in. If you need to, take a rest. There is no shame in it, and we need to settle in for the long haul rather than burn ourselves out and collapse within the first day. Those of you who have just arrived or are able to keep going, here is what is going on:
"We have turned part of the Tower into an infirmary. Those with healing skills would best serve there. There are still many who need critical attention, and hundreds of less serious wounds that need to be washed and bandaged. Disease is going to hit hard--it always does after a storm, and we need to do our best to stave it off. If you can't heal, you can still help. It does not take much skill to wash a wound, and if you can't stomach that there are hundreds of frightened people who need someone to tell them it's going to be okay and they can get through this. There are two or three floors packed with refugees up there, so you have no shortage of patients.
"For those of you who want to work out in the city, there are some other tasks that desperately need attention. The foundations of the Tower were somewhat damaged by the waves, so if we want to keep using this as a base we need carpenters and builders to assist in reinforcing them. Timulty Keel is starting to clear the docks, in golem form, and we need more people on that effort too. Aid is being sent down from Leringard and other places, we hope, but we need at least one working dock to receive it. Right now we are cut off.
"Beyond that, we still need people to collect any healing supplies, food, potable water or drinks, blankets or other supplies left in the city that can help us. There's some looting going on, so be careful and try to keep it from disintegrating into madness, but right now without supplies people are going to start to get sick. There is often a second wave of deaths after a storm like this, when infection sets in. And that, I fear, will be the worst of our tasks, so if you've a strong stomach or are used to battlefields, we need you there--I've started sending teams of some of the ex-soldiers and guards who were stranded here out to collect the dead once the injured were mostly brought in. If we do not want a plague to rip through the city or a horde of restless undead, we need to work quickly to gather them up too. They are being taken to Allurial's square, where the ground is a bit higher, and collected in pyres on the city walls. A few clerics are saying mass rites, to try to give them as much peace as we can offer.
"It is terrible, I know, but it is what needs to be done. The priests and priestesses are already overwhelmed tending to the living, and we do not have the resources to raise them all, even if they could all be brought back. In order to help the most people, we need to be willing to set ourselves to these hard tasks and pull through together. If you need anything, if you need a job, if you aren't certain where to start ... I am here, as are the others. We are in this together."
Jaelle goes back to her duties, healing the injured, managing the refugees, firing pyres of the dead, and trying to keep up people's spirits in the wake of the devastating tsunami.
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*Andrew Reid hobbles in, favoring one ankle, and falls in to whatever work he's given to do.*
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*Jaelle brightens somewhat when she sees Andrew hobble in. When she finishes quietly giving instructions to a carpenter and squeezing his shoulder to send him on his way, she moves over to Andrew, wrapping him in a relieved hug. Her body feels worn and tired in the embrace, but her eyes are bright and full of determination.*
"We searched the Scamp's Mug, during the first retrieval efforts, but you weren't there. I am glad you made it out. Your ankle ... we'll see to that. You came to help, I assume?"
*She waits for him to confirm, nodding and listening to his story.*
"I know you are going to want me to send you out there into the fray right away, but I think we should see to the ankle first, and get some hot soup in you. There are cauldrons of it upstairs. No, don't protest--you are going to need that ankle and if you do not get one of the healers to do it I'll do it myself. And you are going to need some warm soup in your belly for what is ahead."
*She leans in and says more quietly, drawing her head close to his*
"You have a way with people. I have seen you. They are all frightened, and hurt, and scared and bruised, and they have lost their homes and many loved ones and friends. I need you up there, telling them they can get through this, making them believe ... and then when you are in better shape to work--what do you prefer, clearing debris at the docks or gathering the dead? How strong is your stomach?"
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Hedessa nods to Jaelle as she enters the Academy "Minx...I've brought plenty of bandages and blessings. Where would you like me? " She scans the chamber, oblivious to her own bedraggled state, her voice lacking any of her usual teasing and flirtatious tones.
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*Jaelle once again disengages from what she is doing to greet another worn, bedraggled friend, offering another relieved embrace.*
"Vixen .. it is good to see you as well. The worst of them are down here, in this big hall and in all the rooms along the side there, save that one which is the portal where we're still evacuating and we need to keep clear. Those that were well enough to be moved are upstairs. The whole third floor is devoted to the healing, and there are other healers up there as well. They will be glad of the supplies though, and the extra pair of hands."
*She takes in the grim expression on the priestess's face, and the lack of any flirtatious teasing in her voice and frowns. She leans in closer and lowers her voice, reaching out to touch Hedessa's upper arm lightly*
"Look, I know it is awful, but other than healing what many of them need most right now is someone exactly like you. Someone who can tease them and flirt and give them a smile, let them pretend that their world didn't just end and that they are going to get through this. I know it is a hard thing to ask, as hard as any task those clearing the docks or gathering the dead might be doing, but if you can distract them with a smile and some reminder of better times as you patch them up, they will be all the better for it."
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*Ferrit shows up at the Tower with shovel, pick and bucket in hand.* Any place in particular you'd like me to work?
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*Sala enters the Tower right behind Essa with a full pack of bandages and healing potions.* Where shall I start, Jaelle?
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*Lana heads for Hempstead Fields with all the bedding, food and clothing she can pile on her ox. Once there, she hands it over to those who seem to be in charge and rounds up a few children for a singing game.*
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*Jaelle's day takes a turn for the better when she sees two strong women walk into the Tower. She gives each of them a smile.*
"It is very, very good to see you both. Sala, the worst of them are down here, so considering your skill this is probably the best place to start. We have tried to gather them together, so that those who are able can heal them in groups with a healing circle, but honestly there have been so many the priests and priestesses are getting worn. When you are too tired to do any more down here and need a break, there are those less badly off upstairs.
"The dead are being gathered for burning in Allurial's square. If we start to have a problem with any undead outbreaks you will be needed there, I am certain, but for now it just seems like enough bodies to make one's soul cry.
"Ferrit ... good to see you too. Oh, you brought tools, good, those have been a bit in short supply. If you want to work with them, Timulty is trying to clear a path to the docks right now. We are trying to get at least one working dock up. But Steel spoke very highly of your skill as a tailor for the guild--if you would rather, you could trade your thread for sinew and start stitching up wounds. Stitching flesh is not too different from stitching cloth, and you've the skill for it and we've enough that were wounded and have been sliced up by splintered timbers or shards of glass and metal that the clerics have their hands full."
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*Andrew bends to hold Jaelle tightly, his face mixed with relief and pain. His dark eyes are smudged with lack of sleep, but some of the shadows surrounding them seem etched in place from the horror of the aftermath. He only holds her for a moment, then stands straight.*
I've been helping to clear the dead until someone mentioned you here. I can continue when I can walk better.
*He finds a place to sit and eat and have his ankle tended to, then begins to help the refugees as he can while the bones set. And while his voice is strained and rough, far off his usual smooth tenor, he sings - tunes of hope and renewal, or songs he makes on the moment to bring a smile to a child's face. He takes special pains to help the little ones.*
There is gold in warm and caring hands
A home in arms embracing
Silks and velvets in giving hearts
Who knows what we are facing
This day you don't suffer as only one
This blanket of pain is shared
We all have lost and understand
Being alone, and hurt, and scared
Take my hand, sing with me
Or hold the one beside you
Today we face the world as one
Together we will see this through
*He will go out to find survivors and bodies when his ankle can support him, singing to Ilsare that they find more alive than dead.*
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A strawberry-blonde woman with a swimmer's build rushes in dressed in a blue nearly nothing. She's wet from head to toe but is otherwise healthy and undamaged. She has a soaking wet dog squirming under one arm and deposits the pup with the first set of arms she finds.
I'm here to help! I can check the harbor waters...Mother Ocean will aid me in my search. Who do I report to?
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*Jaelle, resting her feet for a moment but not her mind or her hand as she pens another letter to be sent off by messenger falcon, beseeching aid and supplies from an ally in another part of the world, looks up and takes in the athletic, strawberry-blonde woman, quickly assessing her and taking her measure. She pauses slightly at the comment about Mother Ocean, face frozen in a neutral, thoughtful look for a moment, then speaks.*
"If you wish to help with the harbour waters, there is certainly much to do. Many of the ships in harbour or in their berths in the dock were washed ashore and smashed, as were the docks, and the harbour is filled with debris and bodies. I am not certain whether any of the ships further out to sea survived--sometimes the storm effects are less further out, where the water does not swell into the great wave. If so they are cut off and cannot return safely until we clear a way for them.
"Functional boats are in short supply, obviously, but a few rowboats and dinghies and skiffs and such seem to have survived and could be patched up enough to be seaworthy, at least in the harbour. If you can find one, you can go out and start towing debris and bodies. Most of the ships were searched for injured but if you find any more send them or ferry them here.
"Right now we are completely cut off from the world, at least by sea, and cannot receive any aid that way. Timulty Keel is clearing a path to the docks in golem form. There are at least a few others aiding him by now. You can coordinate him and help him clear the water side of the approach, towing the debris away so that any ships bearing aid may safely enter the harbour. Bodies should be brought in too--we are burning them in Allurial's square. You can send any updates here, either to me or to the others here. We are trying to coordinate efforts from here. I'm Jaelle, by the way."
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Essa forces a smile and nods to Jaelle "I'll do my best minx...as always." Quickly adjusting her rather loose tunic, somehow making it looser, she pulls a bottle from her bag and takes a large gulp "The big room ya say?" Strutting off towards the chamber, she stops and attends to the first she sees in need of aid. With lingering touches, a quick smile, and sporadic giggles she attends to their needs. As she slowly progresses about the room, a similar story can be heard from her told to each she meets.
"Well, this is your lucky day cutie! You can tell your friends, your children, and all you know you were attended to by a queen! Not just any queen..the most beautiful queen of the gypsys. A queen at your beck and call..what more could one ask for. We'll get ya feelin' better and once we get this town cleaned up, there will be a wonderous celebration..and you can even introduce the queen to all you wish." Before moving on to another, Essa winks seductively at the one she was attending to as she leans in to whisper in their ear "Once we get through this, we'll make that day of celebration a lucky day as well cutie." She lets her lips brush against their cheek as she straightens to a upright position before turning to the next in need.
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The fire-haired halfling enters the tower with a belt stocked full of bandages, a bag full of fresh baked bread, and stacks of children's books and games under both her arms.
"Hey Miss Jaelle. Where is the children's ward? I've found the children like someone their own size to play with," Larissa says, blowing hair out of her face. "And I think I can speak for myself as well as many other halflings in saying that we'll be cooking as much as we can! I can see with so many here already, a lot of pie will be needed!"
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* Throughout the long night, Annwyl continues to fish bodies from the flood waters, stacking them in her appropriated skiff. Every limb she graps raises and then dashes her hopes that another survivor may be found. Each time the boat is full she drags it, wading, back to Allurial or the city walls and helps stack its contents on the many funeral pyres.
Finally, exhausted and soaked, she collapses into the semi-sleep that is her fate, within wafting distance of the continual burnings. When the hazy dawn and the stench keep her from resting further, she smears a pungent ointment across her upper lip, eats some cold rations, and heads back into the city to continue with the seemingly unending task of collecting the dead. *
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* On hearing of the disasters on the coast as he emerges from the Whitehorn Forest near Leringard, Caerwyn immediately takes the land route to Hempstead. He retrieves Seccea from the flood waters in Allurial to take her to high ground and, once she is safe, returns to the city.
His first stop is at the Orc Basher's guild shop and warehouse where he finds both innundated. He secures the guild gold chest and surveys the damage to the stores. *
"This mess will take weeks to clean up and gods know what we've lost in the way of stock", he mutters irritably.
* Locking the doors of both shop and warehouse, he works his way across the city, cloaked and cowled, to the Tower Academy seeking out his colleagues there. After getting caught up on what has transpired, he turns to Jaelle *
"Alright, how can I help?", he says in a tired and despairing voice that seems uncharacteristic of even his foulest moods.
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(Before arriving at the Tower Academy)
*Amgine wanders into Port Hempstead at some time later, his shoulders sagging as he sees the devastation. He doesn't even pause as he takes in the damage done to the guildhall, and instead goes immediately to helping with the rescue efforts, searching for folks trapped under debris, or helping to tend wounds of those already rescued but still needing care. At one point, as he pauses to take a breath before setting to it again, he can be heard to mutter,*
"So, this must be what it was like at Mariner's Hold a few years back... What a mess."
*his expression is bleak for a moment longer, and then he begins to smile*
"Well... Mariner's Hold was rebuilt since, and recovered pretty well. We'll just do the same here!"
(Some time later, after he hears the core of organized efforts are being directed from the Tower Academy, Amgine heads there.)
*Amgine steps into the tower Academy, still wearing the smile from earlier on his face despite all the desparaging things he's seen since entering the city. He looks about, stopping to ask who's in charge and where they might be found. After being directed to Jaelle, he drops off a bundle containing 100 clean healing kits, introducing himself as he does.*
"Amgine Lanif, here from the Blackford Castle area... I've got tools, skills with first aid and combat medicine, a lot of strength, and a willingness to help out in any way I'd be most useful in. Where can I best be of service?"
----------------------------------------
(Meanwhile...)
*A small figure, even for a Halfling, dressed in black and dark blues, slinks around in the shadows of the city. His eyes hidden behind mirrored goggles, he slips in and out of the debris. Where he finds loose Trues, he pauses to pocket them, but his main focus seems to be zapping any rats he finds with murderous charges of electrical death, or hacking them in twain with a wicked looking handaxe. Seagulls and other scavangers that might feed on the dead and/or spread plague are dealt with in the same manner. After dispatching the various scavengers, he adds their bodies to the burning pyres. Corpses he finds are frozen under his touch to help preserve them at least temporarilly from rotting, and if no one's looking when he comes across them he'll search them for small valuables he can quickly pocket at the same time. Not strong enough to move larger bodies on his own, he will leave and return with others from the recovery effort to show them where the bodies lay. Thus Emwonk T'noduoy carries on after the disaster, doing his own small part.*
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*Jaelle exchanges a smile with Hedessa from across the room--one of quiet gratitude for her work and her own talent for making her patients smile and forget their hurts. If Annwyl makes it back to the Tower for a rest at any point, Jaelle makes sure she eats some soup and drinks something warm, and if she doesn't see her for many hours eventually she'll send a message with the next team to head out fresh that she needs to be smart and take care of herself.
When the fire-haired halfling comes in she smiles, recognizing her from a couple previous encounters, but it's a moment before her tired mind can summon a name.*
"Larissa ... the injured children are mostly on the third floor, but we have clerics there. What we could really use is someone on the fourth and fifth floors, where a lot of those who lost their homes but aren't very wounded are, and there are still many children there, though many more have been evacuated to Fort Wayfare. They are frightened and could use someone up there. We've been trying to make soups--I've had some supplies scavenged from around the city and brought in, and pulled all the potion-making cauldrons out of storage to cook in, so you can help with those too. We are trying to keep the volunteers fed and warm whenever they come in for a rest. It's cold out there, and we need them to stay strong."
*When Caerwyn comes in, Jaelle breathes another sigh of relief. However as she catches him up on things she seems to notice something in his manner that is uncharacteristic of her long-time friend, even in a crisis like this one. She draws him aside briefly for a private talk before setting him to a task to which he'd be well suited.*
*After a brief talk with Caerwyn, she smiles as Amgine introduces himself, and nods*
"The healing supplies are welcome, and thank you for those. If you've much by way of carpentry experience to go with the tools, we could use someone helping the carpenters look at the base of the Tower. It sustained some damage during the waves, despite our shields of magic, and there are some builders looking at it now, trying to figure out what we need to reinforce it and the best way to go about it.
"Otherwise, if you've a lot of strength as you say and a knowledge of combat medicine, we could use you out by the docks, clearing the debris and starting to gather the bodies to be taken to Allurial's square to burn. I think most of the injured have already been cleared out but there's always a chance there are some more trapped in the wreckage that no one has found yet, and it'd be good to know there was a field medic out there working. The seawater isn't particularly friendly to injured victims, and if we find any more survivors much later than this, they are going to be in a bad way quite likely, and need a skilled pair of hands. I'm glad you're here."
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*a runner sends word to those in charge of the Academy that the Foundation's doors are open to provide meals, aid and shelter to any of those in need; however because of its location close to the docks it was effected by the flooding but sustained little structural damage. Miss Katrien was not as fortunate as her dockside home was hit harder. She will be staying at the Foundation guild hall until such time that repairs can be made, more vital structures of course taking presedence.*
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*Tod stands beside Jaelle, looking around at the refugees before looking up to her, and gives a big grin.*
Hiya Miss Jaelle! Well, I'm here, put me to work! I can play with the toddlers, make chit-chat to calm people down, or make some blankets an' clothes, you already know I'm pretty handy with a band-aid, an' I can make some potions... or! You can stick me outside an' I'll clear away sticks an' other debris. An' yes! I can do heavy work, it just takes me a minute or two longer than bigger men, but I can do it. So I can go out an' chop wood to make buildin' planks, or go out an' mine metal for nails, or I can make some glass, or... whatever else you need me to do! If none of that is needed, put me out to stop looters.
But some of these other helpers really need to straighten up an' brighten up their attitudes an' stop mopin' around. Attitude an' expression is really contagious an' we need to be hopeful an' determined, I think that would help a lot.
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*Jaelle listens to the runner from the Foundation and nods, thanking them before sending them back on their way. She is standing there, clearly trying to work out what best to do with this information and how to use the resources of both establishments to help the most people when Tod walks up to her and grins at her. As she listens to him, her worn expression becomes a smile and she claps him on the shoulder.*
"You are exactly right, Tod. You seem to have the right attitude for this, and you have such a diversity of skills ..."
*She thinks for a moment, then grins.*
"Tod, how do you feel about helping out here, running the base? You must know your way around the Tower by now, and I need someone with your determination and drive to help keep the refugees in good spirits and keep the volunteers on their feet.
"They are working hard, so hard they sometimes forget to take care of themselves. Make sure they take rests too, and eat something, or drink something. Make sure they don't wear themselves out to the point of collapsing. And you can help out around here, coordinating things. We have a lot of people around, some of them just regular citizens, who are doing their best, but they can't make all the tough decisions.
"I just received word that the Foundation is open and ready to provide meals and aid and shelter, but they are pretty flooded. Miss Katrien Hommel is there, so you can start with that. Figure out what they have, what we have, and how we can best work with them to help people. Maybe we can move some of the refugees there, though if they are flooded .. depends how badly, I guess. The water is very deep in some places. The Tower is lucky to have been built a little above the ground. But find out what they're doing, and how we can work with them. Sound good?"
*She pauses, then adds*
"I'm glad you're here, Tod. We need more people like you on this."
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The strawberry blonde woman nods at Jaelle's words.
Genna - Genna Brendimeere. I'll find this Timulty and get to work.
She leaves in the same hurry she entered and heads in the straightest path she can to where the docks once stood.
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Sala heals the injured until she can do no more, then collapses in a corner for a brief rest before getting up to do it again.
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After giving her tools to other willing hands, Ferrit raids the guild for juices and strong spirits and pulls out her sewing kit. On the theory that at least the liquid inside the bottles is clean, she mashes what belladonna she has into her pail and pours in the contents of a few bottles. Then she washes and stitches less serious wounds for those who can stand it and picks out splinters by the dozen. When volunteers for her services dwindle, she returns to the guild for pick and shovel and joins those searching the ruins.
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*After hearing of the devastation Vrebel rushes to aid those who are in need. He helps those that are digging and clearing debris on his way to the tower academy. Once inside the academy he looks for Jaelle and finally finds her among all the diplaced people*
Hi Jaelle, Im here to serve, got me axes, shovels and picks just point me in the right direction *grins*
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*Jaelle greets him with a smile, as she has greeted many of the other volunteers*
"Excellent. We need more people with your strength clearing the debris. Right now the city is a mess but the streets are wide enough that people can weave their way through. It's the docks that are the biggest priority, so you can help there. There are others out there already. You can join them."
//Nehetsrev, so sorry, looks like I missed yours earlier. I will edit my post after yours to reflect. Didn't mean to ignore you! You must have posted while I was typing.
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*Tod looks a little puzzled at getting his role but looks up to Jaelle and gives a very determined looking nod.*
You got it Miss Jaelle!
*gives Jaelle a thumbs up and rushes away to find Katrien Hommel to figure out what she has at the Foundation, what the Tower has, and how the tower and Foundation can work together to help people and Hempstead.*
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Benjamin stops at the tower and turns over several pies, breads, and dried meats to feed the hungry along with a bagful of various potions and bandages to the healers."A few supplies from the Angel's, Miss Jaelle," He shrugs then listens to her orders. After he hears what is needed, with a nod makes his way clear of the city and returns in less than a day with several oak beams tied to his ox. He lugs them to the basement and uses his carpentry skills to help firm up the foundation. Very colorful, occasional cursing can be heard clearly on the first floor wafting up from the basement as he works. From the sounds of it, Benjamin is having a fairly hard time of the work, but hasn't given up.
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A grim faced Daniel Benjamin reports to Jaelle with a few healing supplies in a bag. He immediately sets to work alongside Essa with a puzzled frown and a shrug, forgetting to even sneer at her in his determination to aid the healers as best he can. He works until exhaustion claims him, sleeping wherever he is, then rising to start over. "Lord Protector grant me your strength" is a common prayer heard on his lips.
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*Jaelle finishes conferring with the contractors, then calls over any volunteers about to head out to clear the debris, asking them to also pass on the word to those already out there, either working on the base of the Tower or out on the docks clearing*
"Listen up! The Tower took some minor structural damage in the waves. It's not serious at the moment but I don't want it to become so, especially not when we are using it as a base of operations and there are so many injured here that would have to be moved.
Here's what we need: iron bars or beams, some large blocks of stone, and some planks of wood. We need a good deal of each, but a lot of the houses in this area were ruined in the tsunami, as were many ships, so we should be able to scavenge a good portion of it at least from the city, enough to tide us over.
If you find workable metal, wood, or stone, send it back this way. The builders will use it to reinforce the base of the Tower so we can keep housing the people here while the city finds its feet."
//Alright, Pankoki has given me a list, but keep in mind that some of this is going to diverge between IC and OOC, especially in how things are gathered. The nuggets are the "stone" for example! We can RP scavenging things from the city, but OOC we will have to gather them from wherever.
What we need: (Total, then how many left to gather)
- 50 iron ingots (Finished)
- 50 copper nuggets (Finished)
- 50 tin nuggets (Finished)
- 50 iron nuggets (Finished)
- 30 oak planks (Finished)
***Note: The reinforcements of the Tower are now complete
The hardest are the iron and the oak. The copper and tin are either done or being taken care of already, so feel free to jump in with whatever you can do if you want to help. I'm happy to take supplies off characters--just let me know to log in and get them.
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[INDENT]A small, patched, oarless boat with a lantern hung from it is propelled from the shallows of the new shoreline with a length of flotsam pushed from the back, its motions made less than smooth by the large, gray muzzled dog that sits nervously in front of an only slightly larger halfling with bells at her wrists, a shovel on her back, and an assortment of keys about her person.
The lightness of her black-eyed gaze seems to some almost obscene in the wake of disaster, her lilting voice counting the wrecked ships and buildings one-two-three in rhyme akin to children's verses of events that have faded so far into history as to have become mere words. The singsongy melodies are broken by splashes as, at a word from her, the dog upsets the boat by leaping from it into the water and paddling to concentrations of rubble and debris, sniffing. Now and then she follows shortly after with her shovel, shaking herself off and digging where he pauses. It is soon apparent that she is singing gaily to the dog.
My stomach she is growling,
Because she has no food
Danto, you are a'howling,
For want of something chewed
We've enough for next day's end,
And then we have no more
But we sail with a friend,
Along a broken shore
Being small of stature, she is often calling the dog back to help her dislodge things as they aid in the search for the increasingly unlikely survivors, and while she gets her share of odd looks, dirty looks, or being unnoticed altogether, there are those here and there that hide a smile where none had been before. Small hurts and bruises and wounds gained in relief efforts close slowly over as she passes crews of volunteers, singing, and those of those she joins that appear to need the help of her and "Danto."[/I][/INDENT]
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*Tod comes back from the Foundation and he goes around the crowds asking for able people and those he knows personally to help defend the vulnerable from looters and scavengers and become a part of an unofficial militia similar to the Silverguard.
As he spots those who have already volunteered with helping the wounded and sick in the Tower, he gently urges them to get themselves something to eat and rest as he takes over until they're ready to continue, and is pretty persistent if they're stubborn.
Tod helps around with little chores and helps instruct volunteers who are not sure on what to do or how to do something.*
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*Without a thought, Vrebel listens to Jaelle's words and heads out to the docks were he is told he is most needed. While there he asks what needs to be done and works tirelessly almost in a frenzy helping to salvage what is left and to look for survivors.*
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*Huntemara comes in Hempstead together with her mother Sonya Darsus. They look around at the devastation and they go to teh angels guild hall to help there a bit. Soon Hunty leaves the guild hall and goes to the tower academy to help there. She enters the Tower academy and looks around to see where she is needed. Then she starts helping wherever she is needed.*
-
*A large wolf is seen paddling through Hempstead past some small boats and on the back a small green halfling is hugging its neck.
Keppli eventually finds the the people working on the docks, and scrambles through her pouches for some materials she's been working on...
The wolf barks loudly and Keppli cups her hands round her mouth and shouts to them
"Hey! I know it's not much but I made some supplies! I hope it helps... even just a little...!"
She holds out a large plank of oak with two copper ingots stacked on top, two loaves of bread and a roast for the people working.*
-
**A wet and bedraggled Lareth, stumbles into the tower academy, a hollow look on his face. Quietly, he listens to Jaelle speak and then heads out to help**
I too can take the form of a Golem, I will aid Timulty in clearing the docks...
**he speaks quietly, a look of determination on his face**
-
*Andrew returns. His nearly six-and-a-half foot frame is stooped, face haggard and eyes haunted. His stomach is growling audibly but he refuses food with a look that says he might never eat again. His red velvet finery is stained, matted with muddy salt water and other more horrible fluids.*
Is there...*he turns his head away a moment, holding his breath but his hands tremble*...is there something else I can do for a while. I've had my fill of death.
*He listens as an assistant ticks off the list of the building materials still needed and relaxes a minute bit. He nods and leaves without further speech, heading back into the floodwaters. He does not sing.*
-
*Amgine smiles pleasantly as he recieves direction to help repair the Tower Academy's foundation, nodding politely before heading off to confer with the folk already working on that detail. After being given an assessment of what will be needed, he begins salvaging materials from other buildings too damaged already to be repaired*
--------------
(Meanwhile...)
*Emwonk continues his 'Current-guided' mission of zapping scavengers and leading other workers to corpses that need hauling off to pyres, or the occasional survivor found burried under rubble.*
--------------
(Sometime later...)
*A halfling dressed in a purple suit with a matching wide-brimmed purple hat sporting a large white feather arrives on a pony. Violin in hand, he plays soothing and uplifting melodies as he makes rounds between the various groups of volunteers, occasionally pausing to hand out small packages of fine pipeweed from his family's farm near Haven to those who appreciate such. For those who seem especially weary or are wounded, Lyle plays and sings songs full of healing and renewing energy, often in the name of Prunilla. He also sets a large, humanoid-shaped mound of compost and debris, which he calls "Lump," to work in helping to move heavy debris and rubble along side those clearing the docks.
Eventually he makes his way to the Tower Academy and the Foundation, setting about interviewing survivors, and writing down their names and locations and making special marks next to names of individuals who tell him of missing family members. Later he heads to the sites of the pyres and begins interviewing workers there, checking to see if any of the missing persons he's been told of have been found and identified, and what fate befell them, in hopes his efforts will help to reunite families, or at least bring closure to those who don't know what happened to a lost loved one.*
-
As she passes through Hlint the news reaches her ears by way of town cryer and she immediately heads back towards Port Hempstead gathering whatever bandages and supplies for food along the way to offer to aid those in need, and to find her friends to make sure those she knows are alright.
Her heart sinks though as she passes the fields and then makes her way carefully through the waters and debris. Forced to swim in some places and in others to move along by aid of what she can find to keep herself afloat.
Stopping first at the guild hall, she looks on the verge of tears, a quiet feeling and eerie darkness lingering over what is left, if anything as she turns to make her way towards the docks assuming there is anything left.
Finally Elohanna reaches the Tower Academy, very wet, cold and shivering as tears mingle with the rain, she enters the tower to find the sounds of children, and survivors helping others, and the voice of Jaelle having taken charge.
She steels herself and moves toward Jaelle, looking much like a drowned rat and offers whatever aid she can.
~~~~
Amireana having heard the news come to her from Amgine, has headed the way to Vehl to find out if there is anything she can do to help and if the city itself is still there before turning her way to Port Hempstead.
-
*Tralek wades into Hempstead passing bear jerky and water canteens out to those he finds as he meanders around. After hearing her cries, he helps one elderly woman out from under some fallen beams and gives her aid. He then learns that the base of operations is in the Tower, and makes his way there. He takes a quick mental note of the items being requested from Jaelle and sets out to get some oak and iron.*
-
*The knight clad in blue and gold finally reaches to the city, his expresion is lost for a moment as the tragedy drifts slowly upon his head, As he advances into the debris and the flood.
After some hours he's seen carring an elven lass on his back moving around the city, Together they move over the Tribute to Allurial, helping with to whom they found to reach to a safer places, After some hours, they are seen entering the Orcbasher guildhall.*
___________________________________________________________
Some hours after a man aproaches to Jaelle near the Tower :
Milady, I come in behalf of the Orcbasher guildhall, And I've come to express the intent of our guild to help in with this tragedy.
I see you have some advancement in the coordination of this, Please let us know if something is requirered.
*he awaits for her answer, and once he's dismissed he moves near Where Caerwyn is to greet him and check what he can do to help him as well *
-
*Tod runs around making sure that volunteers are resting a least the minimal amount of time and begins to wag a finger in Andrew's direction for being so reckless with himself before he rushes off.*
*He sometimes goes out into the docks and the merchant district to help there, he brings bits of food for Vrebel and tries to get him to take five.*
No need to get all worked up, we gotta last else we'll be too pooped to poop an' then we'll completely crash an' then nothin' will get done an' then it'll just get worst for us! So take a breather every once in a while an' everything will go great!
*He yells at Tim and Lareth until they finally hear him over the noise they make in golem form. He pulls out parcels of food containing strips of meat and an apple, secretly slipping them a slice of pie.*
How about if Lareth works a while in golem, an' then in a couple hours, Tim, you can work for a few, an' then Lareth, an' then Tim, an' back an' forth! I was just tellin' Vrebel down yonder that we can't over do ourselves, we need to make sure your golemy joints don't get rusty. So maybe spreadin' out our efforts so they'll last the longest would be great instead of gettin' a bunch done in a short amount of time then havin' to take a big break. Good job out there!
*If he spots Amireana before she heads off to Vehl, he pauses her a moment to say "Hi" and to talk a little*
Anyone of Rof'ren can help with stoppin' the greedy Missus Amireana, would you like to work on that? I'm lookin' for others who know how to guard really well too so they can maybe help ya. How does that sound?
*Then sometime later when Tod spots Lance's representative looking around for Jaelle, Tod waves him over.*
Hiya! Glad you're here, Miss Katrien said that a miny militia would be good. So if you could Lance to maybe gather some church buddies like Miss Daniella, Argos, um... *snaps his fingers trying to think* Oh! Miss Jillian, Jacob an' Jacob's brother, how about Aesthir? Surely he could help with looters...
*Tod nods and grins to the representative seeing if he remembered it and would go tell Lance*
-
*After working hard for an extended period, Amgine manages to gather enough stone blocks (49 iron nuggets) for the Tower Academy's foundations, as well as quite a bit of salvaged iron (18 iron ingots). He sits down to eat and rest for only a little while before heading back out to work some more.*
--------
*Time passes and Amgine continues to work like a tireless ox, and eventually the rest of the required iron (26 iron ingots) is salvaged and brought back to the Tower Academy.*
-
A messenger from the Trade Council arrives at the tower, asking for those in charge. Concern is written all over his face as he queries for the leaders managing things here.
-
Buddy Arrives home to his house in Hempstead and fid the awefull mess. He immediately goes to inspect it to make sure it is safe to inhabit. Once he feels safe to enter he rolls up his sleeves and starts to clean up. Once it is somewhat clean he then opens his home to any dwarves that my need shelter. Leaving Azka's area alone.
//I'm away from game and have no idea what it looks like. Buddy's house is next door to the Academy but closer to the water. If anything is required to to repair his house please let me know. He would rather replace anything broken with higher quality materials.
-
*Vrebel looks over to Tod who has finally caught his attention. He drops from his shoulder what appears to be a ship's mast back into the water which makes a huge splash*
Oh hey Tod *smiles* yer right I should pace meself.
*He walks up and takes the food that Tod was offering and plops down with exhuastion on whats left of the dock*
I do tend ta get in a rut I guess. Thanks fer the food and water.
*After a short breather he goes about trying to salvage what is left of the dock area*
-
*Many things happen at the Tower as the city continues to find its feet after the tsunami. So many adventurers are seen working tirelessly there and elsewhere in the city, Jaelle only one of the dozens of adventurer volunteers who have stepped up in this time of crisis. However, she tries to make a point of speaking to each volunteer who comes through the Tower Academy doors, if only just briefly, trying to raise their spirits and thanking them for their efforts*
*When she hears Keppli donated some supplies, she smiles as she remembers the little green-clad halfling from previous meetings*
*When Lareth shows up at the Tower Academy door, she nods and expresses relief that he is alright.*
"It is good to see another familiar face made it through. Yes, I think you will indeed be best served working with Timulty."
*As Tod suggests they work in shifts, she nods in appreciation of Tod's suggestion*
"That is an excellent idea. See if you can convince him to take a break, Lareth. He works too hard sometimes and I fear he will wear himself down."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
*She looks up as Andrew comes in, taking one look at his expression and says something quietly to a young woman who is working as a messenger for her, who disappears and returns with a simple mug of weak tea, sadly the best they can offer in terms of strong, warm drinks or spirits with resources stretched so thin. She carries it over to him, speaking to him quietly.*
"It is bad out there, hmm? I know," softly spoken. "I have been making trips to the square to fire the pyres of the dead. But please, drink this, you need your strength."
*She tries to spend even just a few moments with him, lending him her own quiet strength in a crisis. She agrees with her assistant that he should spend his efforts gathering oak for now. Having heard that he was doing the same for the Arms at one point, she says that he will know what planks are usable.*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*When Elohanna arrives, Jaelle drops what she is doing to come over and greet the woman.*
"Elohanna ... I know, I have sort of taken over and made a mess in our Tower, hmm?" Her mouth quirks in a light attempt at humor. "I knew this would be what you and the others would want though--our place has always been to help the city in what way we could, though I never quite pictured this if I am being honest."
*She spends the next five or ten minutes getting Elohanna up to date as fast as she can, then offers a suggestion on where her skills might be well put to use, if she wants it*
"I have heard that they are collecting donations in Port Hemsptead Fields, in Aerimor's house, and the Foundation and the temple of Deliar have some supplies as well. I am a bit concerned about our reserves of food and water. With no aid yet coming into the city, we need to be careful. And the Tower was never stocked for this kind of thing, so we have to bring aid in from other places in the city, to make sure we continue to have enough food and water for those currently under the Tower's roof. I would feel better, knowing someone with your competence was looking over the matter of our supplies of food and water and blankets, and coordinating with the other places in the city and rationing to make certain we can last comfortably for a while, in case aid is slow to reach us."
*She pauses, then offers the wet, bedraggled woman a quick but fiercely sincere hug* "Goodness! You are soaked to the bone, Elly ... there are some cauldrons of soup. You might find yourself a bowl, and warm yourself up. We will need you strong for the work that is to come. I am glad you are here now. There seems to be so much to do."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Jaelle happens to be busy when the Orc Basher representative and a few others come by looking for her, and there is a look of relief on her face when Tod intercepts and gives them some advice on how to help in her stead. She offers the volunteers a quick smile and nod from across the room.
When her path and Tod's next cross, she says sincerely, "I made exactly the right decision, keeping you around here to help manage things. Thank you. They were good thoughts. If any clerics or paladins come back, let them know to pray to their gods for spells against disease--I keep waiting for the second wave of deaths to hit."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*She doesn't have time to exchange many words with Amgine when he returns with his salvaged iron, but her quiet look of gratitude says it all. A nod from across the way as she spots him unloading it says his aid is greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten.*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*As Tralek comes by, checking in on the supplies needed, she tells him that it is oak planking that the Tower needs most at the moment, but that if he happens to find salvageable metal that she is certain that too will be needed at some point in the rebuilding efforts, and lets him know that supplies are being stored out in the fields. Apparently Aerimor Lightbringer has turned his farmhouse into a warehouse of sorts.*
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
*When the Trade Council representative arrives at the Tower, Jaelle hurries over to speak with him once someone tells her that he is there. If Elohanna happens to be around, Jaelle tells the Tower volunteer to find her if she can, so that Elohanna can hear this too.*
-
*In the days following the flood the light of the Raven Trading Company burns never ending, the workers tireless make a wall of sand bags and drains the water. Critical repairs to the foundation and supporting structures are being made as well and the debris cleared out, making room for the people working to clear the docks.*
//more to come
-
At the tower, Elohanna and Jaelle are ushered to a private room where the messenger delivers his missive. Not long after, he is seeing exiting the room in a hurry.
((PM sent to Elohanna and Jaelle))
-
Two men hold a discussion at the front of a small caravan making it's way across Mistone. A younger man in his early twenties, another in his late forties. The younger man is marked by a sabre with the word "Lionheart" engraved on it's blade, and an unusual combination of symbols hanging at his neck on a small silver chain. Though his arm hangs in a sling, he walks with a confident gait. The older man is more humble in his stride, and often gives the younger man an appraising look. The bright scales of his armor and a green cloak of Deliar draped on his shoulders, each kept pristine condition, might mark him as a rich and pious man; however, the great sword hidden (not so well) under his cloak, the chipped war hammer in his hand, the battered shield strapped to his arm, and the hardened look on his face are telling signs that this man is not unfamiliar with harsh conditions (and why on earth would any man need a sword that big?).
Both the men eye the horizon as they walk ahead of the caravan, awaiting the sight of Hempstead. The older man speaks first,
"Gabriel, Imma need ya to do somethin' fer me when we reach the gates. See tha' tower there?" *He points to the lone tower standing watch over the devastated port city* "I wan' ya to head there as fas' as ya can. Look fer one Miss Elohanna, Steel, or Miss Jaelle Thornwood... Let 'em know they 'ave three more helpin' han's.
A small figure sticks it's head out from the small pack hanging on the older man's side. A tiny voice pipe up.
"Whadda you mean 'we', Idoran?" *He peeks around Idoran's shield at Gabriel.*
"I mean tha' we're all gonna get down there an' help with the wreckage, Richie." *Idoran gives Richie a small smile* "Think o' it as payment fer all those rations you an' Oeri ate the other night.
"erm.. right.. heh..." *Richie reddens a bit*
*Gabriel chuckles at Richie's remark. He glances up to Idoran* "Right. As soon as we get there... How bad do ya think it is?"
"I dunno... well see soon enough, frien'. soon enough."
The trio wander ahead of the caravan for the last stretch of the trip, steadily approaching the gates.
````````````````````````````````````````````
Meanwhile, A young elf, covered head to toe in a drab robe eyes the city walls. The tsunami's, what would seem to be the wrath of Mist to one such as he, have piqued his interest. A bluish hand reaches up to pull the cowl closer around his face, and he makes his bold move to enter the cities walls, out of curiosity, and out of hope to find familiar faces drawn by the incident.
-
*When Gabriel approaches the tower looking for Elohanna, Steel, and Jaelle, he grins and waves before trying to get him to pause for a moment*
Hiya! Three more people would be great! We're sorta needin' someone to take part in a militia an' just makin' sure that bandits an' bad people don't go around on a lootin' spree. I'm not sure what lil' Richie could do, maybe he could help around in the kitchens! Idoran can help with the mini army an' you can too if you want. Besides that, if ya know any spells that helps prevent disease, that'd be much appreciated! If ya have any more questions or run outta stuff to do, just come talk to me or if Missus Elohanna or Miss Jaelle is around, they can also give ya somethin' to do. Just make sure you eat, sleep an' your other business, it's gonna be tough with out workin' so hard you break your back an' then bein' weak from not eatin'.
*Tod grins and nods once up to Gabriel to see what he thinks of it.*
-
*Perhaps it is fortuitous timing, and the trio arrive just as Jaelle and Elohanna follow the messenger out of the room. Jaelle looks grim and quietly rubs her temples for a moment. She speaks quietly to some people running messages, asking them to gather as many of the volunteers as can leave their stations for the moment, and that there is news. She then has another quiet word with a carpenter or two, checking on the reinforcements for the base of the Tower.*
*As she waits for people to gather in the lobby so they only have to give the message once she twists a ring on her finger--an old nervous habit. The long days are showing their strain on her and she looks tired, and like she could use a rest as badly as most of the others here, but she sets her mouth in a line of grim determination. When people are assembled she addresses the crowd (and perhaps Elohanna does too--will leave that to her)*
"Alright. I am sorry to take you away from your posts. I know how hard you are all working. But there is news. And I am afraid though it is important, it is far from good.
"The man who just left was from the trade council, and brought two important pieces of information. The first is that the sewers are about to violently overflow. As some of you know, the sewers are a series of canals beneath the city streets. They connect to gratings at many places in the city, which is where citizens are supposed to dump refuse, sewage and waste. There are many such gratings, though most are usually covered, and they all drain into these canals, and finally to a grating into the sea some short distance from the city.
"The storm waters have backed up the sewers and completely flooded them. It has been a small problem in recent days but is about to become a much bigger one because tide waters are rising again and going to wash everything up out of the grates into the city. I do not need to explain that this is more than a matter of aesthetics and pleasant smelling air--with the rotting rats and sewage down there spread throughout already flooded streets, disease will rip through the city. Priests, priestesses, paladins or any else who can stave off disease, start praying. And anyone with an idea for preventing this or mitigating the effects, let's hear it after this meeting.
"We are going to evacuate as many of our injured as possible as they are the most susceptible to diseases, starting with the most injured and working down to those with only moderate wounds. They will be evacuated to the Port Hempstead fields for now, where refugee camps have been set up. A team is coming in to evacuate as many as possible later today, and any aid that can be spared is appreciated."
*She pauses and seems to gather her breath and collect herself, readying herself to drop the next piece of awful news.*
"I wish that were the worst of it, but it is not. The sea elves some have reported seeing in the harbor have delivered a message. Another storm front is coming, and with it, another series of these tsunami waves, and they are expected to be worse than the first."
*A slight pause as she lets the wave of shock and reaction die down, giving them a moment before raising a hand again for their silence so she can continue.*
"I know, I know--we are not even on our feet from the last surge yet. But it is coming and it will be here in a few days, and we will rise to meet it as a city. We have warning this time, and can make preparations. The builders assure me the reinforcements are almost done for the tower, and all they need to complete them is the oak planking. We will reinforce further, with sand bags--first here and then at the other hubs of relief in the city. Our mages will shield the tower with magic as best they can, and we will endure through this again if we have to.
"We have at least a couple of days to prepare, but everyone should be aware that these waves ARE coming again. We will continue to evacuate as many as possible and brace the city against the onslaught. People need to be told so they can prepare as well, but have a care--we do not want to create a panic. We will spread word of the waves, but we will also spread this message: Hempstead endured the first tsunami, and it will endure this one too. And when the second half of this storm has come, we WILL restore the City of Gold to its shining glory."
*Her voice is decisive, full of conviction. As she finishes speaking, she turns to the volunteers and adventurers, ready to field any questions as best she can, already preparing for the next hurdle.*
-
*After the meeting and hearing the news Huntemara thinks to herself about what was said. Then she moves towards Jaelle and tries to get her attention and when she does she speaks*
About the sewers problem. isn't it possible to plug the gratings with something so that the sewer waters won't go into the city? We could use something like...wooden planks to cover it and then Sand bags to keep the wooden planks from leaving there place?
What do you think miss?
-
*Andrew drops his latest load of planks outside the tower, then speaks briefly to Jaelle*
I would volunteer to knock on doors and help evacuate. Stars and song, I'd give anything to be part of helping them live rather than...*he waves a hand vaguely toward the corpse piles out of sight but easy to smell even at the Tower.*
-
*Larissa finally collapses after days of reading children's stories and directing cooking on the fourth and fifth floors. After cooking everyone a good hardy breakfast, she heads for Spellgard to get some well earned sleep. Before heading back down the coast, she collects more books in Lucinda's library and fills her bags with more cooking supplies.*
-
*After hearing the call to go to the tower, Vrebel tosses some wood planks he salvaged onto the wood pile as he enters the tower. He listens to Jaelle's words and as she gives the dreaded news his flushed and sweaty face begins to turn pale*
Were gonna need more wood looks like *he says with a slight smirk*.
Seems like with the sewers overflowin' and bigger and badder waves comin' only one thing ta do. Fortify the remaining structures, temporarily evacuate and quaruntine the entire city, and baracade the city from outside the main entrance walls so no one comes in or out until the storm has passed. Once passed, we can send in a team of priests to cleanse the area before anyone enters.
*he sits back down and licks a open wound on his wrist*
-
*Tralek reports back that he and Vrebel have delivered 30 oak planks for the rebuilding effort. He soon hears the bad news about the sewers overflowing and the incoming second tsunami. His face is one of total shock and bewilderment. He sits down on the rock floor and begins to think with his hands grabbing his locks of green hair. Then he speaks:*
The force of the water coming up from the sea...and with the tide water so high...there is no place for the sewage water to escape....it will come up and up and up. Two rough ideas pop into my head...and yes they are rough..but here goes: (1) get a team to dive down into the sea and close off the exits of the sewage system so the water won't come in from there and like Huntemara said..also seal the grates in the city. We could fabricate iron plates for this and weld them in place with magical fire; (2) find a way to pump the sewage from Hemstead to somewhere...maybe the swamps in Battlehelm Moores.
If there is anything else I can do to help let me know.
-
*When Gabriel approaches the tower looking for Elohanna, Steel, and Jaelle, he grins and waves before trying to get him to pause for a moment*
Hiya! Three more people would be great! We're sorta needin' someone to take part in a militia an' just makin' sure that bandits an' bad people don't go around on a lootin' spree. I'm not sure what lil' Richie could do, maybe he could help around in the kitchens! Idoran can help with the mini army an' you can too if you want. Besides that, if ya know any spells that helps prevent disease, that'd be much appreciated! If ya have any more questions or run outta stuff to do, just come talk to me or if Missus Elohanna or Miss Jaelle is around, they can also give ya somethin' to do. Just make sure you eat, sleep an' your other business, it's gonna be tough with out workin' so hard you break your back an' then bein' weak from not eatin'.
*Tod grins and nods once up to Gabriel to see what he thinks of it.*
*Gabriel glances down, grimacing as he shifts his arm*
"I ain't gonna be of much use in a fight..." *he makes a point of adjusting his left arm in it's sling* "But I can hold my own... I'm sure Richie would be more useful out on the field than in a kitchen. There might very well be some places you and other folk can't get to that he can... seein' as he's so tiny. I'll let Idoran know about the Militia, just gimme some details on where he and I can set up to get to work."
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*Idoran carries Richie along through the gates after exchanging hushed words with the caravan driver. He makes haste for the Tower, looking for Gabriel.*
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*Copper eyes watch the seas from the devastated docks of Hempstead. He shudders for a moment, and slips into the waters. Better to be out of the way, and draw less attention. Better to be far from such a place...*
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*A wicked grin is played across the face of a hood figure in blue. He watches the havoc from the fields of Hempstead, avoiding patrols and the like.* "Seems that this city can't go very long with out something or another happening... Perhaps I should bother Solena or Duchess again... could make us of the chaos." *With a bit of spoken arcane word, and a gesture, he fades from sight...*
-
"The storm waters have backed up the sewers and completely flooded them. It has been a small problem in recent days but is about to become a much bigger one because tide waters are rising again and going to wash everything up out of the grates into the city. I do not need to explain that this is more than a matter of aesthetics and pleasant smelling air--with the rotting rats and sewage down there spread throughout already flooded streets, disease will rip through the city. Priests, priestesses, paladins or any else who can stave off disease, start praying. And anyone with an idea for preventing this or mitigating the effects, let's hear it after this meeting."
[/B]
*Gabriel quirks a brow*
"What about water supply and food? Can we keep it from getting contaminated (anymore than it is)? Perhaps we could ask the druids for help with the issue? surely they could help eradicate the disease and get the rats outwith much more ease than us?"
-
all they need to complete them is the oak planking.
Benjamin ties fodder with a pack full of oak planks outside the Tower.
//I will give them to Jaelle first chance I get. - Change of plan, Left them in a quest chest outside the Tower. :)
-
*Tod nods a little up to Gabriel*
If Richie wants to climb through rubble, find bodies just sittin' in water, let him do it. But I think it'd be hard for him since he's scared of everything. But if you think he is capable, then don't let my suggestion stop him.
As for the militia, nothin' is really set up. But if he could get maybe a couple buddies an' just make sure no one's goin' out an' tryin' to threaten the weaker people, that'd be neat. But I think, as of now, the militia isn't as important as it was since disease could spread like wild fire now. So those who are exposed will get infected an' it won't matter if they loot. But if you can do like Miss Jaelle suggested to do, get the injured away from the nasty water and bodies, an' then you can guard them from kobolds an' other bad things that live near the fields.
If you don't think any of this fits you all, you can go check with Miss Jaelle or Missus Elly.
*Tod gives Gabriel a thumbs up*
-
**Katrien hobbles in on her crutches, bruises on her face and arms have turned a lovely shade of greenish yellow She hears the news of the impending sewage disaster and another wave.**
It would seem to me that those creatures the city keeps hiring people to eliminate to clean clogs out of the sewage system might be the ones that know those pipes the best. Perhaps the sea elves might be able to garner some information from them. They would in all likelyhood prove hostile to one of us.
There is little time to reinforce the Foundation guild hall for another wave. Supplies have been moved to higher ground within the building. William and those men have depended on the Foundation for work that are building walls of sandbags.
We have supplies for about 50 or 60 tents. People will need shelter. We also have some basic clothes on hand and a small store of bread, flours and dried fruits and nuts. *she hands Jaelle or whom ever seems to be handling such things a list*. I will be in the Foundation kitchens if you need me. Jharl and some other men are digging sand for more sandbags.
*she turns to hobble carefully thru the refugees, humming softly as she goes*
-
An robed elf might have been seen near the sewer entrance, and any who watched him strip down to a simple loin cloth and harness would note the blueish skin and silvery hair. Many might think he was crazy to enter...
// who do I PM regarding this? (pretty much dealing with something along the lines of what Minerva said... she beat me to it, though.)
-
*Jaelle listens to each of the comments and suggestions offered about the sewer problem. She nods, listening carefully to each one before speaking*
"I do indeed think there is some kind of blockage. They have always been prone to clogging, and the tsunami has not been kind to them. I believe from the reports I heard that there were many dead sahuagin and rats down there--and perhaps other things as well. The sewer creatures seem to have suffered along with the rest of the city.
"The blockage is preventing the mess from draining easily into the sea, and the constant rains from the storm have filled them to overflowing. With the bloating of the bodies and I believe they said something about gases expanding and now what little draining they were doing being reversed by the rising waters again, there is a lot of pressure building in them. I fear if we simply stopped up the grates in the city, what we would get would be a violent and messy explosion. Similarly, at this point, even if we could unblock the drain into the sea, at this point the storm surges would drive the waters back up into the city, like a drain flowing the wrong way from too much pressure.
"The idea of blocking up the grates does have merit--but we cannot block them all up. The planks and sandbags seem a solid idea, though. I propose we strategically block off as many as possible, so that it will all flow out of one or two openings when it is forced out. And to that end ... I believe we should attempt to dig a channel, reinforcing it with sandbags. We cannot simply evacuate the city altogether, and if we let the sewage simply flow through it the clerics will be many weeks after the stormwaters have receded, trying to make the city habitable again. I would rather do something about it now, so that people may return to begin rebuilding as soon as possible.
"I believe if we blast out a channel into the city streets, we could channel the sewage in a more controlled manner. Like .. a sort of canal, I suppose. Divert it, and get it to flow out of the city. And if we can also find a way to unstop the seaside drain, the sea water may wash them clean for us, forcing it all out before the next tsunami hits. If we can find some way to channel it and force it out of the city and away into the sea before the waves spread it all over the city, perhaps the next series of waves may actually sweep clean this place of any remaining rotting flesh and filth, and ease our road to rebuilding."
*After she finishes speaking, she notes the entrance of a familiar figure. She turns to Katrien as she approaches, accepting the list and nodding.*
"We can store some of your supplies for you until the next wave passes, or help you move your supplies out into the fields through the portal if you wish. Ours survived the waves and is still functional. Things are being stored at the house of Aerimor Lightbringer there, I hear. I am sure they could use the extra tents. I have heard things are very crowded at the moment. Let me know if you want any help moving things.
"As for sandbags, we have reinforced the Tower enough to withstand the next waves, hopefully. Perhaps we can help reinforce the Foundation as well."
//Link, you should PM Pankoki. He is the one handling these events.
-
Some time after the initial event, Trouble wades through the water and muck of the once Golden city of Hempstead. He stops on occassion to help people here and there, carrying goods or planks or sandbags, helping injured people through the water... but continually making his way through the town.
Making note of where the most contruction is taking place, he wades his way through to the Ravens guild first, standing knee deep in the water and overlooking their reconstruction on the foundations.
With a sad sigh, he waves some of the workers out the way and moves around the foundation, his hand gently brushing the wood as he circles the entire site, whispering soft words with his eyes half closed.
The wood seems to darken slightly and harden at his touch, becoming stronger and sturdier, with an almost glistening sheen to it.
Stepping back and nodding at it satisfied, he nods to the workers to continue what they were doing and wades back through the city, eventually coming to the site of the Orc Bashers.
Much the same, whatever repairs they are attempting, he moves around the construction, strengthening wood and stone supports and foundations with soft whispered words and gentle brushings of his hand.... then helping carry goods and supplies to and fro for them.
Eventually, irritable and done with the work, he wades angrily out of the swamped city and to the outlying forests where much of the timber required for construction appears to be coming from.
Overlooking the mass lumbering crew, he shakes his head and begins to move amongst them.
" No.. not that tree... leave that one! I said NO! You chop that down an I'll bloody chop you down! That one there... yeah... if ya have to... that one, leave the trunk... top branches.. thick ones... yeah those! I said not that one! Mate... Im gonna chop your bloody head off if you go near that one!!"
After sometime of trying to direct the workers to take only whats necessary from specific and certain trees, and coming very close to bobbing some of them over the head, Trouble moves amidst the sites that have already been cleared of trees.
Reaching into a pocket, he digs small holes in the ground, placing tree seeds and acorns into the little holes, pouring water from his canteen into them, and gently covering them with soil, all the while whispering softly, coaxing the little seedlings to grow and flourish.
Finnaly, having replanted a large amount of what was taken, and now more calm, he wades his way back into town, soaked through and through, and just stands before Jaelle or whoever may be trying to bring control to the chaos, arms folded.
" Well... where ya want me?"
-
*Jaelle's answer to Trouble is short and to the point. After a warm but weary greeting from the slender elven woman (he can even have a hug if he wants one!), who looks strained and tired but never less determined, she only has to think for a moment before answering.*
"I heard the druids up in Krandor were able to counter some effects of the waves. Figure out what they did, please. Figure out how they did it, and what it might take for us to do the same. The more we can prevent, the less we have to fix."
-
*Andrew goes door-to-door, looking for survivors who have returned to their homes, and advises them of the new storm coming in a calm and matter-of-fact manner. He helps pack and carry when he can, persuading, cajoling or pleading as necessary to get the remaining people out of the city.*
Milady, no, you can't take your settee. I'm sorry, there isn't room in the cart. Yes, you can take your clothing chest; please hurry, delicate flower, there are more people who must be advised of this evacuation.
*a block later*
Sir, I do understand. I know you want to show solidarity to the city. It's my home too. And we welcome your help. But we need to get your family safe, sir. They'll be needed when the reconstruction begins. Help me get them to the Hempstead Fields, then come with me and I'll take you to someone who can put you to work preparing, and you can have the peace of mind that your wife, daughter and son are safe while you do. Does that sound fair?
*a few houses later*
No, of course not - this is not the end of the world. It's nature, nothing more or less, sir. And we'll survive this as we've survived before. But we'll need every man, woman and child to do so - and your obligation to your city and your community is to survive. Do I make myself clear?
*near the docks, a shattered backbone of row-houses with a single intact door and a six-year-old girl standing in that door, near her mother*
Milady, no! He won't come looking for you here. He won't. He'll come to the fields or Wayfare or the Stormcrest Shack...staying here is folly. You have warning, and the chance to get out and live...wait, LISTEN to me! Listen! Do you know what I've had to do the last week? *his eyes are rimmed red with tears held back by anger and pain* I will not, WILL NOT, pull another little girl or boy out from under a chunk of stone or dock wood and wonder who will miss them, or who they could have grown to be! If you want to stay, stay. But when your husband comes looking for his family, let him at least find his daughter safe and sound. Don't make her the next child we find buried in the rubble. *he listens a moment more* ...of course. Give me your name and I'll put it on the evacuee list. If he comes looking, we'll let him know where you are. I'll carve a note into the door for him if you wish. We'll find neighbors for you to tent with in the fields. Get some clothes, get your beautiful girl a toy or two, and let's get you both to safety.
*Andrew helps the cartman load another chest of someone's most treasured possessions into the bed and leads a group of evacuees out toward the Hempstead Fields. After a week of grim silence while piling bodies or gathering materials, he once again opens his voice and sings*
Life and pain lay twain in twain and joy's a fleeting mistress
At mercy we to air and sea and nature's fickle caresses
But with resolve we march to solve the problems surge before us
We'll take what's thrown and through it shone and turn it into progress
This is our city
This is our home
This is where our songs we blend
This is our city
This is our home
Together family, together friends
Port Hempstead will stand strong again
-
[INDENT]For some time she can be seen with the large dog she sing-songedly addresses as Danto, digging and dragging and diving, and aiding where she can with both the work crews volunteering from the Tower and those that belong to the kingdom. Here and there she can be seen trotting lightly across broken cobbles, delivering messages, and then again when a strong-armed farmer and member of the Silverguard stripped to the waist help her drag her little boat over and around some of the debris, tiredly and without bothering to ask why she would want to go further out in a less-than-seaworthy vessel, though she has somewhere acquired some makeshift oars.
A few working in the wreckage of the docks stand and squint when she is noticed quietly paddling off, dog in tow, with no apparent destination in sight, but with an elbow to the ribs from another they quickly get back to their bone-weary work.
She must eventually arrive back, as she is later seen making a light run to where some of the gathered druids have paused in their rounds, stepping into their circle as though she belonged and were simply late. Two of the druids shift to make room for her without looking, then glance and blink at the halfling they were moving for. A moment's conversation later, they are back to discussing, with the bedraggled pair listening and only occasionally making a comment or question.
Never long in one place, she is also seen rejoining the company from Spellgard, most of them speaking with her and gesturing to different parts of their surroundings, while others seem uncomfortable with treating her as a peer.
Those interacting with the other concentrations of injured in the refugee camps outside, or inside the market housing Deliar's clergy, can find her running water and bandages back and forth, or occasionally see the beast of a dog loping across the fields with a package hanging from its mouth. She walks through the temple, singing lightly and apparently just to visit, making only a few stops to help in the cleansing of large batches of water.
Many, many lengths of time later, when the stars are shining on those still working to exhaustion at the tasks of salvage, rescue, evacuation, and everything else, she wades barefooted back towards the water, blinking wearily with dark shadows beneath her eyes and looking around for the little boat, and finally just continuing to make her way toward the tower, where she places herself outside and near the flow of traffic. She lifts a wooden carved flute to her lips and plays a rather different melody that calls on the wind, a touch of magic in the notes that needed no magic to draw attention to them, as though in spiraling music somewhere in the city, a hand beckoned, turned and ran, then beckoned again, like a small bird whistling and chirping and hopping from branch to branch.
Here and there, some follow, though not necessarily having even come from the tower. A few members of the guard and other volunteers, a few dim-eyed survivors that tugged the arms of their rescuers her way instead of out. There is no compulsion in its song, and so all make their own choice of whether to stay or go.
She waggles her fingers in hello after lowering her flute, when it appears she has as many as she is going to get.
There are many people here, working. Adventurers using Tower as base, adventurers using themselves as base. Silverguard, and farmers, and some from Prunilla and also the Wind Trader. Spellgard has been called in at request from them, and one of the more noticeably organizations of druids, from the Silkwood I think.
There are the sea elven envoys, they are about a mile or so that way, charity organizations that way, people burning their loved ones this way, and so on. Best if it is not each to his own.
The druids from the Silkwood are not stormchasers, but think they might aid with a natural barrier further out to sea, as they can't do anything for the city structure itself and prolly wouldn't anyway. That is good. If there are any of you that are inclined that way, they probably also could use help. The barrier itself will need help, because it will need maintenance. Focused on what they have to do to put it up, they have not yet gotten to that part. I think in this there is room for use, and now that the druid from the sea elves is talking with the druids from the Silkwood, maybe they can make arrangements. Also, I think they will be trying to use diamonds as components for their earth and stone rising, so maybe they could use a handful.
If the druids can be aided in not so much shaping but maintaining a natural barrier out to sea, then those of the arcane can make a second layer. Great shields of magic and force are good for stories, but against that kind of force would probably be more death than life... and also it would just wash off to somewhere else, and I think no one - including the druids - are very happy about that. We are thinking of the floaty things - what? Yes. Buoys, created in a hurry, but shielded with magic individually, to break up what comes after the barrier.
I am saying that Storold would be of good use in this, and so somebody should poke his head, but many others as well. Those to help make floaty things, those to help with shield spells, those to make shield scrolls, those to gather the things that are needed to make shield scrolls... If many can be charged with magic and anchored a shorter distance from the city, the great force of the united water will be further made into smaller forces of smaller waters. What is making them talk far too much instead of acting, though, is how to anchor them there? Surely nothing to be spared for structures at such short notice? So I don't know. Tying down, weighting down, not my brain area!
The ones outside are dipping into stores of food and are probably causing damage to the fields that are their life support just by being there in numbers. A lot are under ration. They can be helped with food, and clothing, and healing supplies. I think that soon they will be getting some help from elsewhere in the kingdom, but I think also that it will be land travel, and that is very slow. Things that will help in the removal of diseases are most greatly prized, whether magical or herbal. They are also out of belladonna and angelica, but I couldn't tell you what that is for. Anyone with any healing ability both in the camps and in the temple and of course here are working triple time as they are trying to take care of the volunteers as well as the injured and the milling throng.
Um... maybe of nothing we can do anything about, but also more than just water has been moving - there are deep creatures drifting into sea elven territories, so maybe they will be having their hands full. Webs full. Fins full. Hee hee. I cannot swim so far, though.
The general agreement seems to be that the fastest aid in material form is sand on the west side, but while I don't know what they were thinking to do with the sewers, somebody said that the builders were getting some plans together and would announce them in awhile... maybe if those that are focused on the sewage problem, especially those with good ideas, could combine efforts, it would help?
Not that anyone should stop working! But maybe we can coordinate, no?
Everybody is very tired. Yours and theirs and also mine. She pats the wet dog that has a bandage wrapped around a paw. Few said it outright, but I think too that many are heartened that so many came to help, and do so tirelessly and without complaint. The first was a surprise and catastrophe, but I think that with the many shoulders together on all sides, that the next and any following can be shunted off without much hurt. That is all, all done! Many roads branching and joining ahead! Only a show-er of possibilities and nothing more!
[/INDENT]
-
*A dwarf with a graying beard is seen leading two oxen through the debris of Hempstead. He manages to get them to the damaged structure of The Foundation. He first thinks of tying their leads to a post and heading inside but realizes it would be much safer to enlist the aid of three refugees.*
"Ye two grab dat chest an' me an' dis feller got dis one."
*upon entering the building, he appears to know his way around..."
"Miss Kat, Miss Kat. It do be Durgen. Oi 'ave been away from our work for too long. Word spread ta me about dis disaster. Oi've been busy bakin' bread an' pies knowin' ye'd be openin' up da doors for any survivors. War do ya wan' me ta set dees supplies?'
"Oi gotta one chest 'ere full o' breads, still fresh enough from da trip oi'd say. Dis other one nearly be full of pies. Oi 'ope dees 'uman folk can 'andle a bit of rhubarb although some of 'em do be berries of some koind er 'nother."
"Naw Oi do nah 'ave a good bedsoide manner but Oi can do me best ta raise some spirits if'n me grin does nah frighten da children. Ahh *snaps his fingers* maybe some magic tricks."
//Durgen will deposit the dozens of loaves of breads and pies in the available donation chest, preferably if they exist at The Foundation.
-
* A woman mostly adorned in red garb manages her way through what remains of Hempstead*
"Darn it Wilbur, you dumb ox, I hope you ran yourself clear of the storm and the butcher's cleaver!"
*She heads toward the tower and seeks out Tod. Finding him, she can't help but produce a small crooked grin*
"Tod, I hear you are putting together some sort of militia. Well, you can sign me up. I can bop some on the head if need be and provide a helping hand when not."
-
*Andrew walks in, staggering into the doorframe and pushing off it into the room. He speaks to the person in charge.*
I think we're nearly evacuated. I've gone door to door and no one else is answering. Oh, and Mr. Fenbrook here *he gestures to a stocky and weather-beaten man beside him* would like to help with the preparations, if someone can put him to work?
*He stands back in some shadows and takes out a bottle of clear liquid that smells like moonshine. A hearty swig later he tucks it back in his pack, missing the flap twice in the process.*
What else needs to be done?
-
//As an FYI, see here: Pankoki's absence (http://forums.layonara.com/layonara-server/252782-pankoki-out-until-further-notice.html). Until he's back, a lot of the things related to the next wave of the tsunami will be paused. By all means, continue to RP! But be aware that an OOC occurrence is affecting the IG schedule of events here, and as such any delay in the continuation of events and the delay of the coming wave should be placed in that mental "suspension of disbelief" category, unless Pankoki says otherwise when he returns. Likely the easiest thing to do is to ignore any passing of time for now and wait for his return.
-
*Unther comes to town from Ft. Wayfare, oblivious of the disaster at first, but he notices the need of others.. But first continues to Ft. Vehl, meets a group there and comes back with a frown on his face and muttering something about deities.
He comes to the Hempstead fields, and heals the injured there with the gifts Dorand grants him, and after exhausting all of the blessings he has, he ventures forth into the city, and recedes into the Hall of Dorand, located in Allurial's district.
From here he is seen to exit and enter the city and the Hall, healing and feeding the ones that lost their homes, belongings or just plain injured.*
"Weh'll make dis place anew, by Dorand oi shall..."
-
*Andrew moves among the survivors in the Hempstead Fields. He stops here and there to perform magic for a child, or to sing a song to dry a tear. He spends the better part of an afternoon showing several groups how to prepare charcoal as a substitute for alum in water purification and helps to dig a charcoal pit. After the noon rest, he falls into a rhythm helping to put up a pole barn to contain loose livestock, and begins to sing a song of hope for the men and women around him*
Wake and rise, stretch and pray
We've lived to see another day
And while we mourn we still can say:
We are here, here we are, here we stay.
Backs to work, children play
Livestock graze and chickens stray
Manure and sweat our new bouquet
We are here, here we are, here we stay.
Hitch the cart and haul away the city's disarray
Like a courted maiden she reveals more everyday
Peeling off the sea's debris the better to display
We are here, here we are, here we stay
Bunched together we in a storm induced soiree
Our city holding tightly to the hopes that guide our way
But yesterday, tomorrow, and certainly today:
We are here. Here we are. Here we stay.
*He takes out his violin and carries the tune, a mishmash of marching song wedded to country dance, wandering the camp to raise spirits and bask in the smiles he receives. Only after dusk does he retreat to a small tent near the forest edge, where a long-legged girl and a bottle of something clear and firey awaits.*
-
*Once Tod notices Hanta, he waves cheerfully, if tiredly, and nods up to her.*
Yep! But I don't think the city's goin' to need the militia as much as the camps do out in the fields. Y'know those pesky gnolls, bugbears an' kobolds right? Don't let any of 'em come near the camps! If any griffons decide to live dangerously, come let me know an' we can shoot 'em down if they're plannin' on carryin' anyone off.
*He grins up to her and pauses to see if she wants to do that.*
*Tod notices Andrew singing in one of the camps and comes by to drop off a canteen of water for when Andrew's finished, before going to go check on something else.*
-
*Hanta monitors Tod's demeanor but does not comment on it*
Of course Tod. How can I say no to those droopy eyes. Protecting the camps it is. Bugbears and gnolls huh? Nothing hairier than a dwarf will get near those refugees.
I hope a griffon does show up. *ponders* I wonder how many families it would feed? Don't worry about that Tod, you can count on me.
*Now with a purpose, Hanta heads outside the city in the direction of the camps*
-
((Alright guys, thank you for showing patience while I was hospitalized. The time lapse makes things a little awkward as usual and we lost some momentum because of it but we'll slowly work our way back into action.
For the sake of saving typing time, the section in bold in Acacea's last post before this one is a fairly accurate accounting on the general flow of the different factions, rumors and needs in the city. Some extra updates below and some more "Wordly" updates in the other thread (http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/252262-massive-tsunamis.html) soon.))
[INDENT]...City builders are seen entering the tower and asking for skilled evocation mages that have some experience or feel capable of dealing with some structure demolition...
...Word goes around the city that some minor earth tremblings will be felt in the immediate future. Citizens are told to expect this and not be alarmed, that this is simply the druids doing something off the coast to help with protections...
...Outside in the fields, the skies see more activity as griffon riders from the halfling tribes in the desert bring aid in many different forms, whether it be food, healers or other type of personnel. Anyone attacking any griffons would quickly find out a very great deal of arrows and guards taking special interest in them...
...With the arrival of more halfling tribal activity, pairs of halfling always one dressed in dark greens and the other in light blues, start contributing to the sand bagging and reinforcement efforts. The magic they use is perhaps odd to many, using blood and strange runes on the floor to move large amounts of sand into place. One of these pairs easily does the work of two dozen strong men, and so a lot of this personnel is diverted to other pressing needs...
...The Donation Center sets up a faster runner system for the donations needed to reinforce the city. Any diamonds, angelica, belladona, sand bags, components for shield scrolls are being sent under heavy armed guards to the docks or the Deliar temple...
...Through the sea elves, it is heard that the next wave is not too far away...
[/INDENT]
((Second wave will be hitting Friday night around 6 PM PST, depending on donations and player action it will have several different results, expect some fun action either way. I'll put it in the calendar soon, but I wont be running it too late so as to not disturb Darkstorme's quest
Edit: As I've been informed from multiple sources, Darkstorme's quest is actually the day before, so nevermind on that!))
-
*Andrew throws himself into the work to be done once the expanding bubble of "maybe the next one won't come" is pierced by the sea elves and druids. He helps with the re-evacuation of those who have snuck back into the city and volunteers his services, be they ever so humble, to the magicflingers working on whatever magical defenses the city is building. When he has time, he's either volunteering at the Tower Academy or bolstering the spirits of the citizens gathered in the Hempstead Fields. One evening he finds a gathering of children, newly frightened after they had only begun to recover, and makes up a little song for them, gently projecting all the power he has of his Goddess to soothe them*
Gather, listen, children dear
I'll sing to you a story of fear
A little boy and a little girl
Lost their home in a storm's fierce whirl
The storm it hit with no warning gave
And brought with it a killing wave
The children ran, their parents too
Ran as if death itself pursue
And came to rest on farmer's field
Alone and hurt, wounds needing healed
But they remembered well their parent's word
And, finding others, they made a herd
This little girl and little boy
Were left with nothing, not a single toy
But they pulled together others scared
Gathered close, the children shared
The dread, the pain, the loss and tears
Confusion in the face of fears
Of losing more, who'll care for me?
Where is daddy, where is mommy?
Held together frightened all
Huddled, shaking, crying, small
But close they stayed and found a glow
In friends that would not let them go
Men and women came to assist
Fed them, warmed them, wounds they kissed
Families reuninted, some
And others found new loving home
And this our promise made anew
We will all take care of you
You have each other and hands that love
And the watchful eyes of the Gods above
-
When Jaelle hears that evocationists are needed to help with controlled demolitions, she goes up to her office in the Tower and unlocks a few carefully warded cupboards and assembles a crate of items. She then moves back downstairs and asks for any mages, wizards, sorcerers or other casters who feel like they want to help with demolitions. (There seems to be some tiny regret that she cannot go and blow up large parts of Hempstead, as this is probably the only time she might get away with it, but she defers to the other casters and lets them have the "fun"). She also tries to find the person asking for demolitions help, so that people know what actually needs to be done. When she has both parties hooked up to work together, she addresses any Tower students going to help--and by extension the other casters.
"These should mean that even those with meager stamina for casting can help without draining themselves dry. I think things are still soaked enough and the rain is heavy enough that as long as you are smart about things, we can get away with using controlled blasts of fire to take things down. There are firebrand gems here, which are good for controlled structural weakening, and wands of fireballs and burning hands, if you are very certain you can take something down safely."
//Assuming she manages to find the city planner or whoever it is ...
"Listen to this man (//or woman). He will tell you where to go and what you need to do. Be very careful not to do more harm than good, though."
She tries to make sure the wands, gems and scrolls go to people she trusts.
(//In the crate, donated: 9 wands of fireball, 4 wands burning hands, 30 scrolls of chain lightning, 5 scrolls of icestorm, 10 scrolls of shades (either fireballs or cones of cold), 45 gems of firebrand)
-
Hopefully catching one of the runners, Jaelle asks what the angelica, belladonna and diamonds are being used for. When she learns, she posts up a message in the Tower or another point in the city where adventurers check in:
Needed: Diamonds, Belladonna, Angelica
The druids need diamonds (raw, cut or polished) to maintain their earth shaping for the barrier.
The Prunillan healers are out of belladonna and angelica, to control the worst of a spread of disease.
Both desperately needed!
[/font][/color]
-
When she first hears about the barrier, Jaelle seems dubious. She murmurs quietly to herself,
"No good will come of trying to control the storm. Bottling the tempest will only make things worse, I think."
However, when she finally catches someone to explain the nature of the barrier, and how it is not meant to stop the tsunami from hitting but merely to absorb some of the shock and break up the wave, she looks thoughtful. As she listens more and more, she nods slowly.
"I see. So it is less about stopping the wave and the storm, and more about making the barrier part of the city and readying it to withstand the force. What about tying the buoys together, like a spiderweb, and anchoring them to various points in dock and harbor? Spiders know their business with webs, and it is the easiest way I can think of to build a structural network with little support. Perhaps we can take another lesson from our spider friends too, and use silken cord with some elasticity to it, so it will not snap under the force of things? Many of Mist's temples are built the same way--they appear delicate but can withstand the storm because they can bend or adapt and have some inner strength. Perhaps we can model the barrier system on that.
"And it is certainly clever, splitting up the wave. Like trimming the sails and tacking at the angle to the wind that allows your ship to ride the storm rather than be bowled over. Hmm--I wonder if we could do something similar? There is force in the wave certainly, and power. Is there any way to harness that power to keep the shield spells going longer? Someone should fetch one of the Spellgard experts or someone very good with that type of thing ...
//Assuming no PC jumps in here, Jaelle will eventually find someone to ask about this herself, but wanted to leave others the opportunity if they are interested ...
*Again, Jaelle digs into her own supplies and finds some materials to help them shield the buoys--three wands of shields and seven gems of the same this time. She promises to scribe some shield scrolls when she has a chance to sit down for a break, especially if anyone has the materials (eggs, honey, skullcap, fire agate dust, hickory scrolls) for a scroll but just needs a scribe.*
-
*From a nearby bench, Andrew puts down his snack and stops practicing his newly learned dwarven battle tune (in it's intended language) much to the relief of quite a few. He throws out a suggestion*
Is there any way to layer the webs? To set a web of buoys to weaken the storm, then another closer, and maybe another? A successive weakening of the force, like multiple lines of battle. Then each barrier would not have to be as strong.
*listens to the idea of using the storm's power to regenerate the shields*
I'll ask around for someone with that knowledge, if you wish. *He takes a last bite of blackberry pie and heads out, striding with all his long legs toward the first magicflinger he sees to begin inquiring*
-
*Zari and Raz and Zira and Zak travel to some of the smaller outlying towns and farms that might be in the path of the tsunami along the coast and try to warn them to get out of the way and evacuate before the wave hits*
-
**Lareth stops by the tower when he returns to Hempstead, he quietly catches Jaelle's attention when he sees her**
Jaelle, I hear you need some assistance with demolitions to shore up the city before the next waves come ashore. I can help lend my skill to this end, do you know who in the city I should speak with to find out more?
-
Jaelle listens to Andrew's suggestion and nods.
"I'll mention it to those organizing the buoys, see what they think. Thank you." (When he heads out to speak to the Spellgard mages)
When Lareth shows up, she greets him, listens, and nods, then offers to hook him up with the city official overseeing demolitions. (//Would offer a name, but Pankoki is still getting back to me!)
-
[INDENT]Having lingered for some time after sharing the information she had come by, in case of questions or complaints, she grows at first bemused and then amused... when it is clear there are none forthcoming, or indeed response or action of any kind, she grins to the dog and lifts her hands in a shrug. Later, with clothes blackened from the pyres, she notes an exchange and, audaciously in the middle of the dead, begins to laugh. She nods to someone and then to the dog, saying, "I guess we did not have badges. Tall people." Having worn out her welcome in the spirit-crippling work with the dead in laughter, she is seen a short time later dusting her hands and making her way from the city after speaking with a few people and gesturing in different directions on the way. She palms a few letters to one or two others on the way and then disappears into the refugee camps.[/INDENT]
-
*Tyrian picks her way through the wreckage and looks about*
Who needed a demolition expert?
*she spots Jaelle and starts walking to her*
Miss,
*she looks Jaelle up and down*
You need to blow things up? My name is Tyrian Baldu'muur, The Firestarter. I believe I can help with that. Tell me where to go.
-
The Angels Guild in the person of Ferrit, donated 2 wands of burning hands, 5 wands of lightning bolt, 2 wands and a gem of fireball, 7 wands of firebrand, 1 wand and 3 gems of bull strength, and 2 wands of cure light wounds to the Hempstead demolition effort.
-
A group of mercenary types were seen moving briefly among the camps of the displaced offering gardening and cooking advice, before they were moved on by an over zelous and mud covered guard - concerned that one of their number had been encouraging the kids to play with mud when they should have been working.
The group travelled to Vehl dealing with groups of bandits lurking on the now well trodden aid trails. They then took ship at Vehl and saw off some pirates who had hoped for easier pickings on a return journey to Hempstead. The supplies flowed a little easier for a while.
Argali, Ygraine, Lilli, Sonya, Alandric (I ask you!), Verdin, Frakk, The Gardener, The Ilsarian Sister, and anyone else who knows me (forgive me if I forgot anyone)
-
Angels Guild members helped reinforce sandbag barriers around city buildings, donating 100 sandbags to the effort.
-
A young druid travels down from the diseased and ruined Palden lake, to the shattered docks at Hempstead.
Bouncing a rubber ball as he goes, he approaches the Druid's stationed by the docks who are preparing and discussing how to hold back the next wave.
His appearance is met with various looks, most surprised and uncertain at his participation, one or two clearly not amused, and still a rarer few giving welcoming smiles.
He holds back a moment, a little akwardly, before he walks over to join them with curt nods to each, the rubber ball going back safely in his pocket, as he amazingly presents himself as a Leaf of Palden, and puts himself at their disposal.
-
Those interested in demolitions are gathered in cleared out section, west of the Crimson Eagle's memorial. Heavy conversation and murmuring of what is to come run around the gathered group of heavy muscled construction workers, mages and the occasional druid. This continues until a wiry middle aged human bangs on some nearby debris with large hammer to get everyone's attention. Those who were listening to conversations near this man or are more familiar with Port Hempstead figures would know him for the city planner and people simply address him as "Ron". With a heavy western Brelin accent of strong consonants and somewhat rapid speech he addresses the people gathered.
"Right lads and lasses. The sewers are ready to pop anytime now, we don't want this. The disease is already bad as it is, if we get all that's under, over, we're going to be looking at a horrible epidemic. Right under us lies an old abandoned sewage system part of an old Hempstead, that's connected by a somewhat thin wall to the newer one. We're going to reopen it and extend it south of the city. There we'll have some freedom and breathing room to burn this stuff up."
He places some large city architectural sketches on a table nearby and continues his explanation. He points a finger in front of him to a number of houses.
"All these houses were built on top of this old sewage system. After the first wave, most of these need a near full reconstruction, so we're going to expedite that process. I want small groups here, here, here, and here. *His fingers following a pattern on the map* Then I want anyone that can dig clearing the path of whatever madness has decided to make home in this old tunnel. We'll reinforce as we go along, and then burst the wall where we stand now to bleed the new sewers into this one."
Another pause, letting the plan sink into everyone. Then he continues once more, pointing to an elf most know as Aerimor and a halfling sorcerer to his side, some might know as Rodi Vaeran, one of Joy Vaeran's sons.
"The elf lad here has a special gift and will be tearing down the large structures. He'll be turning into something scary but Rodi is going to be keeping him invisible, so pay no mind to that. You keep doing your own work and pay heed to where Rodi might be about, and listen to his instruction. That's it then. So unless someone has any clever ideas lets get to it."
Ron remains behind talking with some, answering questions and the like, but the majority move out, grabbing some supplies from the crates that hold all the wands, stones and scrolls of evocation magic and using their own talents to begin demolitions.
-
[INDENT]Having lingered for some time after sharing the information she had come by, in case of questions or complaints, she grows at first bemused and then amused... when it is clear there are none forthcoming, or indeed response or action of any kind, she grins to the dog and lifts her hands in a shrug. Later, with clothes blackened from the pyres, she notes an exchange and, audaciously in the middle of the dead, begins to laugh. She nods to someone and then to the dog, saying, "I guess we did not have badges. Tall people." Having worn out her welcome in the spirit-crippling work with the dead in laughter, she is seen a short time later dusting her hands and making her way from the city after speaking with a few people and gesturing in different directions on the way. She palms a few letters to one or two others on the way and then disappears into the refugee camps.[/INDENT]
//I just want to clarify with this--the reason I didn't respond to Acacea's initial post is because I thought she was elsewhere in the city. It sounded like you had gathered people, but I didn't see where from my first (admittedly quick) read of your post. I found it difficult to figure out exactly where she was, and only just now, rereading your post in detail, can I see that I think you brought her back to the Tower.
In that case, apologies for missing this! Rest assured, it was certainly not deliberate, at least not on my part--I just couldn't figure out how to talk to Acacea when she was on the other side of the city. If she came to the Tower to share info and Jaelle was there, I'm sure Jaelle would have greeted her and listened with the others and thanked her for the info. And OOC, I know that I definitely appreciated the sharing. I don't think anyone was deliberately snubbing Acacea, either IC or OOC .. it's just hard to follow so many posts, especially when we kind of lost our rhythm when Pan's appendix decided it wanted some fresh air. Let me know if you want to work together on a retcon! I'd not like to see Acacea feel excluded because of an OOC misunderstanding.
-
*in the various areas around town hit the hardest by looters, a halfling makes her way, every so often she stops and reach into the crate that happily follows in her wake snapping at anyone coming to near. Once gone people who venture close will find a post*
[size=+2] 25 TRUE FOR A MONTH OF HONEST WORK[/size]
The Raven Trading Guild is willing to offer 25 true for any male or female in return for one month of work, either in aiding the wounded or clearing out debris, if interested contact can be made in the merchant district at the Raven Trading
-
As the hour approaches and most non-essential personnel is evacuated, on the docks a group of far too drenched druids, Trouble included amongst the group, gather and word spreads that the underwater coralline wall is finished as a first measure of protection. They worry about upkeep due to low diamond supplies.
Not long after, an equally drenched group of arcane spellcasters gathers nearby saying that their initial system of buoys with the Shield spells have been setup. The design was improved with Andrew's assistance, layering it in a more harmonic manner so that it increased its cushioning.
A massive shipment of Belladonna arrives in the nick of time, a trading group known as the Three Silvers managed the much needed herb in massive amounts. At first there is suspicion due to the normally shady uses such things have, but the healers go over the massive shipment with much care and the herb is just what they need. A representative from the guild simply informs any who question that their products require large amounts of the herb, and their paperwork indeed checks out for this. This comes as a blessing to the many needs the healers have for it.
The Silverguard and a great many volunteers now walk their posts in the city, all assigned careful watching for the storm to come.
-
A dwarven lass comes running up to the druids.
"Oo, oo. Argali has diamonds."
She beams somewhat, despite herself, presenting a bag of raw diamonds to the bedraggled druids.
"Do you need them grround, orr cut and polished?"
// Edit: 10 Cut Diamonds donated to the Port Hempstead Tsunami Relief. //
-
One of the druids nods appreciatively to Argali and responds.
"Cut is best. We can work with polished ones with some effort, but the ideal is half way there so that they can be shaped with the spell."
((Feel free to donate those to the Hempstead Relief Effort, we're keeping track))
-
Though from a distance the waves seemed ready to swallow Port Hempstead once more, all the work to protect the city paid off. With the aid of a large group of adventurers, Spellgard mages and the druids, the city was cushioned against the waves.
Tales are being spun of the heroes that stood at the edge of the storm. Of how a group of diverse bards harmonized the efforts of those protecting the docks. Of how spell-gifted formed circles of protection to enhance shielding spells. Of how strongly built fellows kept mages safe with shield and muscles. And even of a powerful wizardress named Amanda that slowed the very passing of time so that all involved had an edge against the weather.
Stranger events are rumored too, of a priestess that for no rhyme or reason began to bleed. Unharmed from the waves itself, yet had to be carried away by her friends as her screams of pain echoed still within the city. Strange too was the sight of a deep sea whale, moored upon the barrier the druids had erected. The creature's presence, quite far from home boggles the mind of sailors and druids alike. It is said that with the aid of one known as Trouble, the creature was made safe.
Now that the city's defenses have been tested against the waves, improvements can be made to it to enhance any future assaults and rebuilding can start in earnest.
OOC Part:
The city is now somewhat stable with the barrier placed in case more waves come, so rebuilding can happen in earnest. The Brelin Kingdom's network will provide resources for a lot of the reconstruction of the city, but considering the damage done to other cities and all the nuances of diplomacy, there's plenty of room for the enterprising kind to jump in.
So, with that said, not only will player donations be considered for the reconstruction of the city, but aid from other places can be sought as well.
Right now the most significant donations are as follows, the explanations in the parenthesis are for the sake of balance/difficulty:
- Food (Any type of CNR made food - In Dire Need Of)
- Wood (Oak and above)
- Stone (Which we will use ingots to represent, Iron and above)
- Healing Supplies (Angelica in particular)
In addition, to keep the barrier up and running it will need a constant supply of cut diamonds. The bare minimum will be five diamonds per week, or one diamond per RL day minus weekends. A supply of Shield scrolls or the materials to scribe them as well. At least twenty scrolls per week.
Other donations will be appreciated, but donating say for instance a weapon enhancement is not as useful. Consider this an opportunity to make an impact in the world.
-
*Sporting a finely designed white coat, Andrew Reid strolls the fountain square of the now-bustling Port Hempstead some days after the second wave was thwarted. He plays his violin to raise spirits, and eventually has a bit of a crowd.*
Ladies, gentlemen, survivors of this fair city! Gather round while we *he raises his violin* sing to you a song of that long day and longer night when the second storm threatened our city! A song of fear and hope and resolution, a song of heroes!
*he tunes the violin a little, fussing over the sound, then starts slowly into a tune with bow swinging like building waves, and sings*
Brine to cover brittle skin and salted cross the shore
Men and woman standing in an uneasy rapport
Their fate set hard and jaws and teeth in face of what before
A task unfinished by the furies churn the ocean more
*the tune lightens a bit, an arrogant hammer stroke*
Tempest in a teacup
What’s a wave to me?
Standing on the edge of death and waving merrily
Chaos is a mantle
A gaily waving stole
I’ll chorus with the clouds and rain under which I stroll
*the violin drops again into the wide strokes with tremors across the middle range*
Ten and nine were all that stood storm and city in between
Strangers, friends and lovers mixed in fear inspired mein
Rang gaily as with festival the music started in
Singing back rebellion on the snarling howling wind
*again hammer strokes*
Tempest in a teacup
What’s a wave to me?
Playing to a tsunami’s face and then go home for tea
Chaos is a mantle
A gaily waving stole
I’ll fiddle down the waves and then I’ll sing the waters whole
*sparse now, the melody a thread in an omnious E chord*
A skeleton of lives fled east awaiting epitaph
And each life left to spite the storm set foot upon the path
Soaked inside the typhoon gale of Lady Doom’s own bath
The ten and nine began to fight against the tempest wrath
*here the song gets wild, the notes a battering wind*
Tempest in a teacup
What’s a wave to me?
Cleave the waves to pieces under magic revery
Chaos is a mantle
A gaily waving stole
Heartsong in the shrieking winds and give up all control
*shrieking as the bow is dragged across the strings, then a light touch on the almost feminine-sounding upper strings and the melody moves to a resolute march*
Bluster screaming bloody rage tears words from waiting ear
A gypsy lady with her bells sings quiet in a sphere
And concentrate to form a wedge to cleave the waters clear
At once together wills in synch with faces set austere
Tempest in a teacup
What’s a wave to me?
Minds as one and braces done by those with sturdy feet
Chaos is a mantle
A gaily waving stole
Music in the magic holding fast to simple goal
*deep notes, the bow moving to the lowest strings, hard long strokes bringing out a feeling of monstrous feet ending in a discordant crashing and vibrato*
A mountain range of water march across the churning sea
The motley crew stood fast although shaking at the knee
One heartbeat passed too quickly of an odd quiet reprieve
And the wave crashed down upon them as a thousand ton banshee
Tempest in a teacup
What’s a wave to me?
Swept aside as rubble by a squalling rush of glee
Chaos is a mantle
A gaily waving stole
But live we rise to soldier on in keeping our parole
*the strings are played in wild succession up the violin*
Lightning flashes traced the sky and magic rent the air
Foot by foot the wave was chipped before it hit the square
Rendered less to spend itself against their fervent prayer
And wash them down across the town in rushing current tear
Tempest in a teacup
What’s a wave to me?
My jaunty affect in repose shook by the storm’s decree
Chaos is a mantle
A gaily waving stole
But chaos always knows its own and always takes its toll
*the storming of notes subsides until but a single string, G, is pulled until it screams*
One down among them bleeding fast while still they fight the storm
Another frozen to the sight of Lady Doom’s transform
Music plays down shrilling winds that blend now to perform
The ocean stills to screams of pain in one whose blood runs warm
Tempest in a teacup
What’s a wave to me?
Music soothe the savage storm to dying by degree
Chaos is a mantle
A gaily waving stole
The price was paid to stay the waves but who has lost their soul
*the song ends, and Andrew bows, and continues to stroll with his violin before heading back to those reinforcing the buoys to lend his aid*
-
*A donation of six cut diamonds is made to the center in Lor. Those that aided in the outing are scribed on the receipt:*
Tralek
Talia
Trenton
Darthirae
Flynn
Fehriel
Vrebel
-
Jaelle is seen in Port Hempstead still, at the Tower, though she comes and goes more now. Those who see her might mark a certain look of strain and worry in her eyes. She seems to be quietly making arrangements to hand over any duties she has taken up and to leave the city. She thanks any who step up to take over much of the initiative and keep the current efforts going. She says she does not know how long she will be, and will try and come and go as often as she can afford, but that personal business demands her attention elsewhere.
Jaelle stresses to any potential worried commoners or volunteers who might take her leaving as a sign of retreat and defeat that she has not given up hope for the city--only that she has other matters that need her attention, and that they should of course continue to work with the many skilled and courageous adventurers who have stepped up to ensure the city's safety. She reassures anyone who will listen that her peers are certainly as well or better equipped to deal with the emergency than any aid she has offered to date. Nonetheless, she warns them that she fears the storm has not yet blown itself out, and to be prepared for things to get worse before they get better.
-
Ben hears the news and frowns. Rummaging in his pack, he pulls out several wrapped packages of food and leaves them next to Jaelle's things with a note in elvish. "Ya best eat more, Elf..yer nearly a buggered wraith" he leaves the note unsigned.
-
A donation given in Hempstead of 8 cut diamonds with more to come in the future as well as planks of wood, and food. When asked who is making the donation, the woman replies "The Orc Bashers".
-
Essa is seen milling about the camps set-up in the fields outside Hempstead checking on the general welfare of the refugees. She takes time to look at any malady they bring to her attention, with lingering touches and a bright smile for those she attends. As she progresses through the numerous tents, she distributes bottles of wine stuffed with a variety of berries to the mature population, and for the children she passes, she offers a variety of trinkets. Some, two disks joined in the center by a spindle with a length of leather leading off it, for the some of the girls, dolls, and for others, rough carved figurines of animals. With a smile and a wink "A little something from Uncle Benji and the Angels."
-
A petulant girl in her mid teens huddles with several others around a fire in one of the refugee camps of water logged western Mistone. She and the remains of her family are trying to keep warm on the blustery winter night.
"Its just not fair" she gripes to her younger brother. "Marlis, Sarah and Trey get to go with that woman because they're orphans. They will have a warm hearth, wool cloaks and boots while we freeze. I wish we were orphans so we could leave with her. It's just not fair"
Up and down the coast in small villages and areas hit hard by the storms there are stories of fortunate young orphans being given warm clothing, food and clothing by a middle aged woman offering passage away from the destruction and chaos.
-
Zira put together a charity event for Harmony's Orphanage in Hempstead. When all was said and done at the end of the event (through the efforts of many people and I thank all that showed up), we donated the following to the orphanage.
Gold - 37,400 Trues
5 Pecan Pies
2 Blueberry Pies
4 Rhubarb Pies
3 Blackberry Pies
7 Apple Pies
1 Blueberry Raspberry Pie
1 Venison and Mushroom Pie
1 Caramel Apple Pie
2 Cherry Pies
1 Chicken Stew Pie
1 Peach Pie
-
As spring creeps around Mistone, a small elf can be seen plowing the lands and planting crops of wheat and corn. She works tirelessly from dawn to dusk, occasionally accepting help from the stronger survivors of the tsunami. When asked her name, she replies, "Kaelyn, Lucky Clover of Prunilla," with a smile.
-
*Just a small note of happiness in these momentous troubles*
Joyful returned from her travels to find Hempstead in a terrible state, but her rather bedraggled Ox, Basil the avenger, happily munching away at his patch of grass near the bank.
*It may not sound like much, but to an Elven girl from the wilds an Ox is a heavy investment*
-
*Amanda can be seen spending several days at a time in the fields of Hempstead. Each time she brings with a bag filled with a bundle of food, drinks and of course books. She normally has at least one or two children with her, sometimes more. May it be a little girl clinging to her leg or a rowdy little boy begging to hold her staff... she is often found sitting and reading with the children somewhere out of the chaos of the workers. Other times it may be just taking walks, taking them on gathering trips with her or creating illusion to play with them. Anything to keep them busy while the parents work on replacing everything they lost. *
-
*Andrew Reid donates three-thousand Trues to the Harmony's Orphanage in Hempstead for items purchased from Tyrian Baldu'muur at Alazira's Pie Contest, as well as some tailored items and robes for the children*
-
A Gnomish architect specialising in buildings and sea defences was found and enticed to Hempstead, but was kidnapped enroute. A ransom of 20,000 trues had the hirers uncertain as how to proceed. A group of passing adventurers offered to look into the matter and take responsability for the investigation. They set off enmasse along the coast to meet the ransomers at a small island off shore. However no one ever turned up and the poor Gnome was presumed lost. It seems there large presence may have deterred the kidnappers - we may never know. Restoration work will need to proceed without his skills.
refers to to Argali, Ygraine, Cardin, Annwyl, and Argos
-
*Tralek is seen at the Donation Center in Hempstead handing over some heavy boxes*
Please accept these mylady and may they help the efforts to rebuild and keep this town safe. I bid you farewell.
//127 Blank Scrolls of Hickory for making Shield Spell Scrolls
//2 Cut Diamonds
//46 Branches of Oak
-
//unfortunately since the current deed to the Tower Academy is held by Another, I can only RP this but as Head Mistress it is my right to do so. Again my apologies to all for my very limited involvement as I have had a lot going on outside of the game, and while I still do. I am going to make a very strong effort to be more involved. Thank you Jaelle for all you have done so far and your patience with me.
Notices go up in secure places around various cities and Port Hempstead in sheltered areas where notices may stay dry from the increasingly worsening storms that once the storms are over and the Tower Academy has been deemed safe again, that the doors will be opened on a permanent basis to the people, signed by the familar hand of Elohanna.
-
Essa continues to move among the refugees distributing pies, breads, baked fish, wine and boxes upon boxes of angelica. Flirting with all as she passes, she is careful not to touch any. As her supplies run dry, she hurries away to scrub herself clean, muttering under her breath "I've been in swamps that smelled better."
She quickly clears her throat as she glances at those she passes "Um...Will the suffering never end."
-
Information update. (http://forums.layonara.com/rumour-has/252262-massive-tsunamis.html#post1587082)