GRIMSWIND MONASTERY AND RUINS, MALAS - October 16, 2006

The Monastery at Grimswind Ruins is in danger once again; in fact, all of Sosaria may be in danger.  Fresno the Monk asked people of Sosaria to come to the Monastery's aid against the one know as The Shadow.  Several Sosarians came to the call for aid and listened to Fresno explain the difficult situation ahead.  The situation would require a re-devotion to the Virtues.

Within an hour, evil struck.  A small contingent of slimy evil bog things entered the Monastery. The Sosarian fighters quickly fought them off, but were now convinced the balance of Sosaria was once again shifting towards evil and darkness.

The monks had recently overheard conversations between The Shadow and some other dark entities who assembled at the dark pit of corruption, right in front of the Monastery.  It was there the monks became concerned.

As a result, Fresno the Monk put out a call for aid.  He told the people there was danger at the pit of corruption, which is also apparently a gateway of some kind.  If the Shadow and other evil were able to take and use the black ooze of corruption as ink or for other foul purposes, then Sosaria could become unbalanced.

Fresno explained there were two ways to stop this threat.  One was to stop The Shadow, but someone or something else would probably take its place.  Another way would be to increase the devotion to the Virtues, thus increasing the good in the Realm.  This would make The Shadow's efforts much more difficult.

Lord Seth of PV said he had heard of a Dark Prophet and the Order of the Night.  Fresno the Monk advised such a rumor should be investigated.

In the coming days, the Monks will remain vigil at the Grimswind Ruins and Monastery.  Sosarians will try to learn more, help protect the area of Grimswind, and meditate upon the Virtues.

Bog Things invade the Grimswind Monastery

[This is a player-quest] 

Fresno the Monk explains the problem

An earlier overheard conversation ... 

Meret looked around the ruins and then to the dark bubbly pool they had stopped at, "I really enjoy the field trips, Shadow."

"This.." He reached into the dark pool of corruption and pulled out a slimey substance, "This is why we are here. Why I chose this shard above all others!"

Alyzia looked at the pool and winced, "Its icky. You aren't going to make us touch it or you?"

He sighed and shook his shook his head, "Shall I explain what this is in word that you will understand?"

"Oh please do, we love when you talk down to us." Meret replied. "I'm sure that Kali would appreciate it." Alyzia said and smiled sweetly to Kali who simply stuck her tongue out at Alyzia."

They are the Followers of Darkness. Their leader, is of course, the Shadow. His "Angels" consist of Alyzia, Meret (a former Justicar), and the drowess Jade. The demon lord, Nominus Aprobus is his personal assistant (for lack of a better term). They were recently joined by a young girl named Kali (her dad's a demon and her mom just acts like one). She's recently adopted the Shadow as a father figure. But I digress..

"This.." he pulls up some of the goop, "is evil." He paused for dramatic affect and did manage to get an "Oooo" from Kali. "Years ago this area was almost a gateway to an evil dimension. Creatures were pouring out of it, the dangerous sort, of course. Naturally, the heroes of the realm saved the day and closed the gateway before any real threats could come thru."

"Unlike the back door that we all came in," Meret added.

"Yes, well as you can see.. the gateway was not completely closed and this foul corruption leaks in from it."

Kali smiles, "So you want to open the door and let all the baddies in?"

"Ha!" Alyzia retorted, it was no secret that she didn't care for the brat, "Shadow doesn't want whats on the other side coming here any more than the heroes do. He wants the goop!"

"Ah Aly, you know me so well. The goop.. is the stuff that sin is made of."

Alyzia's eyes widened as she understood, "This is the ink, isn't it? This is the ink used to create the Books of Sin?"

He nodded, "Not this exact pool, but one like it. This one was formed when the realm was shifted out of balance. A wrong man killed, or something like that. Needless to say, it caused the balance to shift towards Sin. I won't bore you with details, but this shard almost fell. I believe," He smiled beneath his bone helm, "I believe we can push it the rest of the way!"

There was a gasp from someone hiding in the shadows. Jade reached behind a pillar and pulled out a terrified monk. "Company."

The monk tried hard to look at the Shadow as he spoke, "Y-You must leave! These ruins are under our watch!" Jade pulled her blade up under his chin.

"Your watch," Alyzia chuckled, "Your's and what army?"

There are many times when a phrase is uttered while in a position of confidence that almost always leads to your downfall. Often they are called, "Famous Last Words." For just uttereing them is just tempting Fate. So naturally, as if on cue.. six monks stepped out of the shadows.

"You will leave our brother and depart." This monk, apparently the head monk, stated this as simple matter of fact. There was no fear in his voice, nor a threat of "or else" which was obviously implied.

The groups eyes all shifted to Alyzia who just shook her head and sighed. The Shadow took the moment and bowed to the monk, "Never let it be said that I am one to overstay my welcome." He shifted his gaze to Jade, "Let him go." She snarled, but removed the dagger. Then Shadow's gaze shifted to Nominus, he simply nodded with no words needed.

"Vas Rel Por!" Nominus Aprobus summoned forth a blue moongate and the others began entering. The Shadow reached his hand into the goop one last time as he walked away. He turned back for the cliche, "We'll be back." And then they were gone.

On the other side of the gate, the Shadow arrived. He removed his glove and tossed it to Alyzia, "Get what you can off of that."

The monks gathered within their monastery to discuss what has transpired. It was decided that they would need help. And with that, a message was sent to the people of Britannia...

A Call for Aid ...

People of Britannia!

We are the monks of the Grimswind Ruins. We seek men and women of virtue to assist us in these dark and trying times. Recently, we have learned of a grave threat to our lands. This threat is a threat to all of us.

We ask that those of you who follow the path of Virtue to come to our monastery on Monday evening at 9:30 eastern. We are located in the Grimswind Ruins. Our monastery rest just north of the ruins.

We will be discussing the nature of the threat and how best to solve it.

Fresno the Monk
Protectors of the Grimswind Ruins