Calendar of Events
Ymiden 719
Ymiden 1st: An area-wide vision strikes all sleepers; an Image of two humans disrupting what appear to be the representative Immortals of Emea. Being of belligerent self-importance, most avriel have never tried to know the names of these two beings. This attitude is now seen as even more justified seeing that they were undone by two humans. The humans themselves are also unknown to anyone expressing a take on events.
Ymiden 3rd: With magic forbidden to non-avriel and only practiced by a few avriel, the lack of magic response to the usual efforts goes mostly unremarked upon. When it is brought up, those avriel that have no affinity for such disciplines only cite this sudden inability as further proof of its overrated status among "those who do not need it". This of course, is in reference to the avriels' teachings of having defeated the Immortals long ago to win their autonomy. But it is highly likely that those humans and avriel that DO practice magic of any kind are greatly puzzled and alarmed.
Ymiden 8th: Talk now changes to the fact that no one has dreamt since the vision event. Most people, avriel and non-avriel alike, try to laugh it off as coincidence. It is hard to say if anyone is truly convinced. A few oddballs, the sort that people humor to keep them from getting upset, but try to be rid of at the first opportunity, begin preaching of disaster to come. A few more people than usual listen for a little longer than usual. Their eventual laughs of disregard are noticeably flat.
Ymiden 15th: There has been the usual sporadic rain, but a dark cloud rolls in with a slightly peculiar greenish hue to it. The doomsayers strongly advise the Overguard watchers to leave their posts for the evening. Reprisals punctuated by accusations of plotting are immediate, and the doomsayers are taken into custody. A few of the kinder citizens implore the avriel guards to show mercy. None is forthcoming. Other than a few that were stuck with the arrest reports, the Overguard return to stand vigil during the storm.
Ymiden 16th: The storm does not seem to be any too powerful to those listening from inside, nor is there an excess of the usual debris from a good blow. But there is UNusual debris in plenty. It is as if a snowfall of feathers has left drifts against many buildings. The Overguard personnel are nowhere to be seen. Avriel of other factions are plainly in shock, but will not speak of what has transpired. The casual guards stationed for the eccentric doomsayers is increased tenfold.
Ymiden 20th: It is noticed and agreed upon by all non-avriel that visible numbers from all avriel factions have noticeably reduced. Slaves have been tasked to clean up the feathers for the last few trials, and have been surprisingly well-treated, with any initiative in collecting, separating, collating, categorizing and stocking them, being rewarded with substantial freedoms. A new rumor is whispered that the bodies of many of those Overguard that endured the storm were found dead at the bases of their watch positions as if they stepped off and fell to their deaths. Even among the avriel, nothing is said of this. There is a reason beyond the merely peculiar, but it is being kept very quiet.
Ymiden 24th Sudden appearances of ghostly spectres begin manifesting. They are unanimously avriel in shape, and all are seen to be in the throes of anguish. Most humans do not let this second detail cause them any concern. But there is perhaps something to be realized from it. Some seem to pop up near the bases of Overguard towers. Many others look to be walking toward the city from the city of stone. Even though many have images of wings, some seem only to have appendages that are void of feathers. The presence of wings do not seem to bring gladness to those sporting them, and none of these spectres ever fly. No citizens are allowed into the Forest of Stone.
Ymiden 27th: The term "ether storm" is being heard in whispers among both avriel and non. Rumors arise that members of those factions that are most often present in the high pillars of the Stone Forest are no longer seen coming down from their roosts. The occasional run of food to the Temple of Glory by those hoping to win favor among the elite becomes an every-trial event; sometimes more than once per trial. It is noteworthy that those doing these favors do not show any expressions indicative of hope for the favor of the Aerie for doing this. They show only confusion and anxiety. Other rumors of newly "grounded" avriel start to crop up, despite the unbelievable rumor that they are apparently still being housed above in the Temple of Glory.
Ymiden 33rd: Councils have been missed. The free humans start to demand an explanation for the bizarre circumstances. Most of the likely accounts of what has befallen the city are suggested by the NON avriel in town. They believe that the avriel have been affected by the odd storm that blew through the city fifteen trials ago, calling it an "ether storm".
The avriel, on the other hand, have concluded that it is some new weapon devised by the hateful Raskalarn in punishment for siding against her empire in the war against Nashaki. Those who question why those actually in the air in the Hotlands have not reported any such affliction are scolded by the obvious fact that Raskalarn does not know where they are based in all that desert expanse. Whereas, the Immortal of Conquest knows where Athart is.
Ymiden 35th: Everyone notices that they have begun dreaming again. There is an upsurge in optimism due to more restful sleep. Those few who had noticed the sudden blanking of magic at the start of the season now take definite notice of its return. The talk of Temple members not coming down from the heights is called out as several identifiable members fly down from above in hopes of dispelling the rumor. The representatives of the human sector act as if they are assured that no ill fate has befallen their "betters". But inside they know something is definitely wrong with the avriel.
Ymiden 40th: The rotation of forces to go to the desert is missed. There is no transfer for fresh troops, nor any influx of veterans for rest and recreation. It is said that a squadron of avriel were seen inbound, in keeping with the usual rotation schedule, but were met by an outgoing party that turned them back. This is denied angrily when posed, but the stories of what happened are often at odds or plainly contradictory. It is also said that the denied squadron returned to duty without the expected protest, as if they suddenly did not wish to enter the area.
Ymiden 45th: A second storm, larger than the first, but lacking the odd greenish hue forms on the horizon. Not one avriel remains outside for any part of the duration. The humans however, go on splurges of freeing slaves, without even any need of the Door Wardens' efforts. They show little concern over the uncomfortable weather conditions, reveling in a mass escape of hundreds of slaves. (If any avriel PCs choose to brave this storm, let me know)
Ymiden 46th: The avriel want to punish the humans for this blatant rebel action, once it is discovered, but only a fraction of the usual reprisal force of armed, winged avriel can be mustered for the exercise, and the greater number of humans stand them down. Normally, one would assume there would be great celebration among the non-avriel over this, but curiosity has overtaken belligerency at this point. Still, there is some partying. It is suddenly noticed that all the ghostly avriel have vanished.
Ymiden 50th: A few survivors of a shipwreck are washed ashore. Normally they would immediately fall prey to the avriel Overguard or Shadow Wings, but while the winged masters are made aware of these newcomers, they are taken in and hidden by the free citizens. One of them turns out to be a skilled healer, a member of the world-wide Order of the Adunih. Her location is soon tracked down by the avriel, despite being frequently moved.
Ymiden 70th: After a long stretch of trials where humans are not intimidated by anything avriel-related, the healer is finally confronted by avriel guards. Violence nearly erupts, as it is assumed the winged figures mean to arrest her. The guardrel back off, arms lifted in supplication, asking that she allow them to take her and any assistants she chooses to come with them to the Temple of Glory. They go so far as to acknowledge that they have nothing to offer but their own lives should any treachery occur. Everyone present is stunned by this unprecedented act of humility by these otherwise arrogant and cruel overlords.
Ymiden 71st - ?: What does the healer find out? How long, and what processes, does is it require to solve the mystery? And why the secretive nature even among fellow avriel?
Pffffft!.....I'm not going to just up and TELL you here!!
Saun 719
Saun 1st: We will see what we will see when we see it.