Stark's visit to Polaris
Elbryan watched Stark work the croud from the edge of the croud. Stark's eloquent speach got the crouds attention quickly. The Ring just giving off enough heat to melt the ice and snow in the immediate area. Elbryan had left Stark to speak as he would to the crowd. Now he was glad that he did. Stark was a much better publicist than Elbryan could ever hope to be. Some people just walked away from the speech, but many others stayed and listened. Many of the citizens of polaris had never even known that there was a world beyond their small city. Stark's talk of the outside world made them curious about the way things worked. They had never had a ruling class to govern Things for them. Elbryan knew Stark would know how to play off of that to keep their interest in FLAME. Elbryan smiled as he walked away from the fountain. He whispers to himself, "Well done Stark."
Campaigning in Polaris
(Technically, Krog is out in the Wastes, sure to die of frostbite and hypothermia... for the moment, lets just imagine he stopped on his way in Polaris first.)
Handing the pelts to the man behind the counter, Krogenar turned to the window of the trading post - watched a group of people milling about.
"We're square now Krog... fine furs, fine furs..." the merchant purred at the thought of the price that the women of Polaris would pay to adorn themselves in such fashionably warm coats.
But the half-orc was growing into a wiser merchant with each trade. What he once traded for some simple supplies and a room, he now traded for supplies and credit on his next visit!
But the trader still came out ahead, and the strider often brought strange and difficult-to-find carcasses back - to which he gave him the first pick.
Looking up from his imaginings, surrounded by open barrels of goods, the trader saw the strider walking towards the gathering outside.
-------------------------------------------------------
Krogenar watched the people milling about the town square... - Polaris - being so close to the frontier - rarely had visitors.
"Stark..." he muttered under his breath.
Watching the FLAME wave his hands as he spoke, the people around him listened with earnest - curious to see what the stranger brought with him. Standing atop the fountain, he spoke of remaking the city into a paradise to rival any of the great cities of the Realms. Some of the people around Krogenar looked on suspiciously - but others were curious.
"A paradise? ... What's he on about? .. like New Thalos ... or Westbridge... what's this western bridge?..."
As they muttered, some cried out in concern when the speaker lifted a ringed fist, and his eyes shone with a crimson light that was matched by the ring he wore.
A wash of heat rippled through the air, melting some of the snow on people's coats, soaking them with water. Icicles hanging under the eaves of a nearby tavern dropped like deadly pikes, nearly spearing some greybeards who sat underneath, listening. A small wail caught the strider's attention amidst the chaos.
Atop her daddy's shoulder, a 5-year-old girl watched in horror as her ice cream cone melted under the furnace-like heat, dripping down her father's winter jacket. Her small, cherubic face turned scarlet - nearly losing her breath from the effort of crying. And then the tears began streaming down her cheeks, her little shoulders shaking as she cried.
Frowning, Krogenar looked back at the speaker.
"We do not, however, wish to force governance upon you by force..." Raising an eyebrow, he smiled - waiting for the inevitable rhetoric about Istishians. "We are aware of the lies which have been perpetuated by our rival, the Church of Istishia, in attempts to befoul Lord Flame's honoured name..."
Handing the pelts to the man behind the counter, Krogenar turned to the window of the trading post - watched a group of people milling about.
"We're square now Krog... fine furs, fine furs..." the merchant purred at the thought of the price that the women of Polaris would pay to adorn themselves in such fashionably warm coats.
But the half-orc was growing into a wiser merchant with each trade. What he once traded for some simple supplies and a room, he now traded for supplies and credit on his next visit!
But the trader still came out ahead, and the strider often brought strange and difficult-to-find carcasses back - to which he gave him the first pick.
Looking up from his imaginings, surrounded by open barrels of goods, the trader saw the strider walking towards the gathering outside.
-------------------------------------------------------
Krogenar watched the people milling about the town square... - Polaris - being so close to the frontier - rarely had visitors.
"Stark..." he muttered under his breath.
Watching the FLAME wave his hands as he spoke, the people around him listened with earnest - curious to see what the stranger brought with him. Standing atop the fountain, he spoke of remaking the city into a paradise to rival any of the great cities of the Realms. Some of the people around Krogenar looked on suspiciously - but others were curious.
"A paradise? ... What's he on about? .. like New Thalos ... or Westbridge... what's this western bridge?..."
As they muttered, some cried out in concern when the speaker lifted a ringed fist, and his eyes shone with a crimson light that was matched by the ring he wore.
A wash of heat rippled through the air, melting some of the snow on people's coats, soaking them with water. Icicles hanging under the eaves of a nearby tavern dropped like deadly pikes, nearly spearing some greybeards who sat underneath, listening. A small wail caught the strider's attention amidst the chaos.
Atop her daddy's shoulder, a 5-year-old girl watched in horror as her ice cream cone melted under the furnace-like heat, dripping down her father's winter jacket. Her small, cherubic face turned scarlet - nearly losing her breath from the effort of crying. And then the tears began streaming down her cheeks, her little shoulders shaking as she cried.
Frowning, Krogenar looked back at the speaker.
"We do not, however, wish to force governance upon you by force..." Raising an eyebrow, he smiled - waiting for the inevitable rhetoric about Istishians. "We are aware of the lies which have been perpetuated by our rival, the Church of Istishia, in attempts to befoul Lord Flame's honoured name..."
FLAMEs in Polaris (part 4)
Stark levels a piercing gaze about the gathered crowd as he continues to speak the tempo of his words matched by the people's chilled breaths.
"The Istishians claim that they were forced to create their church as a means to counter the spread of Kossuthian influence throughout the lands. Given that there was no devouted worship to Lord Flame until well after the Istishians became actively promoting his downfall in the realms, we must ask what exactly their true motivations are. There have even been accusations made by the Church of Istishia against the Crimson Guardians, claims that the clan is merely a pawn of Lord Fire in enacting his plots about the realms... again unfounded and clearly untrue.
FLAME was created by Lord Fire in order to balance the growing expanse of power and misinformation that was being spread by the Church of Istishia. Alarmingly, the Istishians espoused the extinguishment of all fire from the realms. Not only would this effect magic profoundly, but it would also cause a detrimental and lethal effect upon the very realms, should this ever be permitted to come about. The elemental balance must be maintained. It is FLAME's duty to maintain it, not eradicate or eliminate CoI as they are want to do of us.
We accept the necessity of the Water element in the balance of life and expect the same respect from them in return. For what is life without the SPARK of flame, the BREATH of wind, the BODY of earth and the VITALITY of water.
Lord Kossuth is a beneficient and gracious god. His blessings ensure that our crops grow, that the harshness of winter comes to timely end, that the realms are bathed in light, and that we have the use of almighty fire in all its forms against the wilds and beasts of the realms.
Allow us to aid your suffering city by bathing it in the warming glow of his blessings. The time for Polaris to be recognized by the realms has come... allow us to take you there."
Stark takes a deep breath as he steps down from the fountain. He smiles broadly as he hands out all of the parchments to the waiting people.
"The Istishians claim that they were forced to create their church as a means to counter the spread of Kossuthian influence throughout the lands. Given that there was no devouted worship to Lord Flame until well after the Istishians became actively promoting his downfall in the realms, we must ask what exactly their true motivations are. There have even been accusations made by the Church of Istishia against the Crimson Guardians, claims that the clan is merely a pawn of Lord Fire in enacting his plots about the realms... again unfounded and clearly untrue.
FLAME was created by Lord Fire in order to balance the growing expanse of power and misinformation that was being spread by the Church of Istishia. Alarmingly, the Istishians espoused the extinguishment of all fire from the realms. Not only would this effect magic profoundly, but it would also cause a detrimental and lethal effect upon the very realms, should this ever be permitted to come about. The elemental balance must be maintained. It is FLAME's duty to maintain it, not eradicate or eliminate CoI as they are want to do of us.
We accept the necessity of the Water element in the balance of life and expect the same respect from them in return. For what is life without the SPARK of flame, the BREATH of wind, the BODY of earth and the VITALITY of water.
Lord Kossuth is a beneficient and gracious god. His blessings ensure that our crops grow, that the harshness of winter comes to timely end, that the realms are bathed in light, and that we have the use of almighty fire in all its forms against the wilds and beasts of the realms.
Allow us to aid your suffering city by bathing it in the warming glow of his blessings. The time for Polaris to be recognized by the realms has come... allow us to take you there."
Stark takes a deep breath as he steps down from the fountain. He smiles broadly as he hands out all of the parchments to the waiting people.
FLAMEs in Polaris (part 3)
Donning his ermine trimmed cloak, Stark steps out into the chilled streets of Polaris. His arms heavily laden by billets and flyers, he trudges cautiously through the slickened streets until he finds himself in the central square of the city.
Placing the documents upon an overturned crate, Stark sweeps the billowing folds of his chill-shielding cloak aside as he steps atop the ice glazed marble of a fountain and prepares to address the gathered citizenry. His eyes flare as he twists a ruby encrusted ring upon his taloned hand and activates a crimson aura which emanates a soothing warmth about the entirety of the area, stealing the frosty kisses of the cruel Polaris breezes.
'People of Polaris, I come to you on behalf of Lord Kossuth and his devout followers known as FLAME. It is his divine wish that you choose to allow his followers to aid and assist you in making your long-ignored city into a paradise which rivals the other great cities of the realms in commerce, trade and adventure. We do not, however, wish to force governance upon you by force, moreover we pray that you would choose to accept our aid by voting our faction into power in the impending elections.
We are aware of the lies which have been perpetuated by our rival, the Church of Istishia, in attempts to befoul Lord Flame's honoured name. We merely ask that you judge such accusations in the light of the evidence and not the conjecture which they are often clouded by the Istishians. FLAME realizes that there are some questions which have arisen concerning our... relations... and we would like to come forward with the facts in order to provide you with a clearer picture.
Lord Kossuth has taken no part in harming the realms. He has often been accused of many attacks upon the City of Westbridge through the use of the looming comet, yet this is plainly and obviously not true. Our confused compatriots in the Chapel of Water wrongfully assume that merely because the Rok has some capability of fire damage that it MUST be sent by Lord Flame, and yet they refuse to accept or see that the Rok is an agent, or device rather, of much older and more powerful forces than even Lord Kossuth may call to bear."
Placing the documents upon an overturned crate, Stark sweeps the billowing folds of his chill-shielding cloak aside as he steps atop the ice glazed marble of a fountain and prepares to address the gathered citizenry. His eyes flare as he twists a ruby encrusted ring upon his taloned hand and activates a crimson aura which emanates a soothing warmth about the entirety of the area, stealing the frosty kisses of the cruel Polaris breezes.
'People of Polaris, I come to you on behalf of Lord Kossuth and his devout followers known as FLAME. It is his divine wish that you choose to allow his followers to aid and assist you in making your long-ignored city into a paradise which rivals the other great cities of the realms in commerce, trade and adventure. We do not, however, wish to force governance upon you by force, moreover we pray that you would choose to accept our aid by voting our faction into power in the impending elections.
We are aware of the lies which have been perpetuated by our rival, the Church of Istishia, in attempts to befoul Lord Flame's honoured name. We merely ask that you judge such accusations in the light of the evidence and not the conjecture which they are often clouded by the Istishians. FLAME realizes that there are some questions which have arisen concerning our... relations... and we would like to come forward with the facts in order to provide you with a clearer picture.
Lord Kossuth has taken no part in harming the realms. He has often been accused of many attacks upon the City of Westbridge through the use of the looming comet, yet this is plainly and obviously not true. Our confused compatriots in the Chapel of Water wrongfully assume that merely because the Rok has some capability of fire damage that it MUST be sent by Lord Flame, and yet they refuse to accept or see that the Rok is an agent, or device rather, of much older and more powerful forces than even Lord Kossuth may call to bear."
Polaris
Elbryan Picked up the note that apeared on his desk and looked at it. The contents pleased him greatly. He wondered if the people of Polaris would want the heat that Flame Offered them. Elbryan decided that he would write a Few Flyers and post them about the town.
Atention citizens of Polaris. The Order of the FLAME offers you a better life. The cold that you live with every day can be dealt with easily. We propose an aquaduct system that would pipe steam from our very own temple satraight to every business in the city. We also propose a tax system that would stimulate the growth in the area and allow the businessmen of the city to do buswiness. With us you will live warmer and easier. Tourism in the city will go up and the standard of living within the city will be raised.
Thank you
Elbryan Dragonfire of the FLAME
Elbryan tacks the flyers up about the town and hopes that everyone will read them. Elbryans intentions for the city were truly noble. The hope that he would piss off the istishians was only an added bonus to the deal. After looking back at the note one more time Elbryan slips back into the shaddows.
Atention citizens of Polaris. The Order of the FLAME offers you a better life. The cold that you live with every day can be dealt with easily. We propose an aquaduct system that would pipe steam from our very own temple satraight to every business in the city. We also propose a tax system that would stimulate the growth in the area and allow the businessmen of the city to do buswiness. With us you will live warmer and easier. Tourism in the city will go up and the standard of living within the city will be raised.
Thank you
Elbryan Dragonfire of the FLAME
Elbryan tacks the flyers up about the town and hopes that everyone will read them. Elbryans intentions for the city were truly noble. The hope that he would piss off the istishians was only an added bonus to the deal. After looking back at the note one more time Elbryan slips back into the shaddows.
FLAMEs in Polaris (part 2)
Finally completing the missive, Stark reviews what he has written one last time, the crimson quill grit in his razor sharp beak:
******************************************************
High Flame Atandella and Lord Elbryan:
Per your request, I am reporting some of the things which the righteous forces of Lord Fire may strive to bring to the cold and troubled peoples of Polaris.
- aquaduct waters from the Dark Lake through the proposed Temple of Kossuth, thereby heating the liquid to steam and piping it into the businesses and homes as an ambiant heat source.
- import various endangered species from the realms into the Polaris Forest to create a wildlife sanctuary for the beasts.
- prepare tax incentives for the merchants of the city to import and sell more exotic and desired goods.
- encourage the guilds to better prepare their pupils for the wilds of the realms through practice and training
- balance the patrols of the uncaring Shimmering Guardsmen of Polaris with more populace friendly guard to police the wandering bands of thugs and street tuffs.
- temper the clergy to put the wandering spirits of the Polaris graveyard to final rest, fire the current gravekeeper for hitting the spice wine too often and not doing his job.
- increase the housing for the poor and downtrodden
Istishian activity has been limited in this area at this time.
Signed by my hand, your loyal Servant... STARK
******************************************************
Nodding in affirmation, Stark invokes a prayer to Lord Flame and watches in rapture as the message is consumed in a blazing ball of fire... magically transported to his lady and liege.
******************************************************
High Flame Atandella and Lord Elbryan:
Per your request, I am reporting some of the things which the righteous forces of Lord Fire may strive to bring to the cold and troubled peoples of Polaris.
- aquaduct waters from the Dark Lake through the proposed Temple of Kossuth, thereby heating the liquid to steam and piping it into the businesses and homes as an ambiant heat source.
- import various endangered species from the realms into the Polaris Forest to create a wildlife sanctuary for the beasts.
- prepare tax incentives for the merchants of the city to import and sell more exotic and desired goods.
- encourage the guilds to better prepare their pupils for the wilds of the realms through practice and training
- balance the patrols of the uncaring Shimmering Guardsmen of Polaris with more populace friendly guard to police the wandering bands of thugs and street tuffs.
- temper the clergy to put the wandering spirits of the Polaris graveyard to final rest, fire the current gravekeeper for hitting the spice wine too often and not doing his job.
- increase the housing for the poor and downtrodden
Istishian activity has been limited in this area at this time.
Signed by my hand, your loyal Servant... STARK
******************************************************
Nodding in affirmation, Stark invokes a prayer to Lord Flame and watches in rapture as the message is consumed in a blazing ball of fire... magically transported to his lady and liege.
FLAMEs in Polaris (part 1)
Billowing clouds of chilled breath spill from the dark recesses of a fur trimmed cloak as a lithe figure rushes through the ice covered streets of Polaris. Bird tracks betray his lineage in the snowy pathways as he hurries onward. His cold-palsied talons shakily pick the locks of a nondescript iron-bound door and throwing it aside, release a hissing stream of heat into the darkness of the alley before hastily retreating inside the back of the establishment.
Stark relishes in the warm steam exuded by the public saunas, allowing it to wash away the lingering remnants of Polaris' unforgiving icy tendrils from his bones. The last vestiges of frosty snowflakes melt away from his crimson feathers as he makes his way down a dark escarpment to a back room.
An audible sigh of relief escapes Stark's beak as he enters the impromptu altar room of Lord Fire. Soothing flames lick at the surrounding walls without consuming them, while the crackling fires whisper with Kossuth's warming promises.
Stark seats himself at a rickety desk, plucks a feather from his arm and sets the quill in a vial of oiled ink. From a flame embossed scroll tube, he withdraws a length of warm parchment made of salamander skin and prepares it to receive his report.
His quill scratches hastily upon the pebbled parchment, the penned runes set in barely recognizable script... likely little more than chicken scratch to the uneducated observer.
Stark relishes in the warm steam exuded by the public saunas, allowing it to wash away the lingering remnants of Polaris' unforgiving icy tendrils from his bones. The last vestiges of frosty snowflakes melt away from his crimson feathers as he makes his way down a dark escarpment to a back room.
An audible sigh of relief escapes Stark's beak as he enters the impromptu altar room of Lord Fire. Soothing flames lick at the surrounding walls without consuming them, while the crackling fires whisper with Kossuth's warming promises.
Stark seats himself at a rickety desk, plucks a feather from his arm and sets the quill in a vial of oiled ink. From a flame embossed scroll tube, he withdraws a length of warm parchment made of salamander skin and prepares it to receive his report.
His quill scratches hastily upon the pebbled parchment, the penned runes set in barely recognizable script... likely little more than chicken scratch to the uneducated observer.
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