A report delivered to the former Temple of Sune

[Snowmane]

A report is received in the temple now claimed by Auril:

Icebreath Priestess Kvedulfsdottir,

We have not met. My name is Khyron Brinsbane, Fury of the Frostmaiden. I was charged by Aelfric Herjolfsson, the priest of Auril who resides in Geimhredh, to aid the Snow Leopards in their task of securing Aquor in Her name.

I wish to report to you the recent incursion of three strangers into Aquor. One was a human, a petty spell caster of some sort. One was an elf of considerable power, whose name I did not discover. And one was none other than the Judicator of Wrath, Dain Tornbrook himself!

I took it upon myself to confront them on the stairs in front of the Blackwood Headquarters. I told them that if they wished into the entry into the city that they would be required to pay tribute. They refused. And so I called on the Snow Leopards to aid me in removing them.

It was then that another man, dressed all in white, approached from within the city behind me. He claimed that he had already given tribute and he provoked the others. Before I could challenge the newcomer on this, Tornbrook drew his blade and moved to attack him. I attempted to interpose myself between them, to prevent the heathen from entering the city, but his damned elf struck me with a spell that drained my strength. The Snow Leopards and I managed to drive the elf off, but we were unable to give chase to stop the paladin Tornbrook.

It was then that Khoss, the Wrath of Auril, arrived and called down the power of the Frostmaiden on the paladins head, forcing him to withdraw. It was a wonderous sight! Khoss charged me with securing the city while he dealt with the paladin. Using the speed granted by a simple supplication I was able to quickly search the city and found no intruders.

I returned to the city gate and reported to Khoss. There I found him confronting the paladin and the human spell caster. A show of strength soon turned the paladin away, but before they left, the spell caster confided that there were fire-worshippers at the Thayan Enclave!

I went to the Enclave to investigate. I went to the second floor and, sure enough, I discovered the truth of the man's words. There is an abomination in that building! A Shrine of Kossuth!

I prepared to destroy the shrine, but somehow I held myself in check. I could have caused considerable damage, but I would have been overpowered by the Thayans and unable to report my findings. To their credit, the Thayans on guard did not detain me. Surely they feared to engage a Fury without provocation! After exchanging some hard looks, I left the Enclave and came to the Frostmaiden's newest temple in Aquor to give this report.

I await your instructions on how to proceed with the removal of this abomination. In the meantime, I will continue to patrol the streets of Aquor and claim for Her that which She is due from these people.

[Snowmane]

Shortly thereafter, an addendum is added:

I have met the man in white wandering the streets. He claims his name is Dreadmaster Adeodatus Exitium and that he is the new ruler of Sestra. He gave me a tribute of 500 stags (which I have included with this message) and asks that the Icebreath give him audience so that he might know our disposition towards him and his people. He is wise to approach us with the proper respect for the Frostmaiden and her followers, though his intentions must be questioned.

[Snowmane]

A new report is left for the priestess:

Icebreath Priestess Kvedulfsdottir,

I must report to you of my actions in the recent reeducation of the Blackwood Mercenaries, of which you no doubt have already been made aware.

It all began as I and another Fury, Corbett, were questioning new arrivals at the city gate. We had just confronted a man who introduced himself as High Doom Datton who allegedly had diplomatic business to attend to at the Thayan Enclave. Upon granting him access to the city, I moved to close the gate when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw another man dressed all in black disappear into the shadows.

We were unable to locate the man, so our first thought was to secure this temple which you have claimed. It was just outside the doors of this very temple that the same man assassinated a sunite who was worshipping at the statue. No great loss that, another dead sunite, but he had shown his true colors as an assassin and I was concerned his target might be you.

Again the man slipped into the shadows and eluded us. I entered the temple to warn you, but as fortune would have it, it seemed you were not there. So we resumed the pursuit.

This assassin led us on a cat and mouse chase north of the city to the caravan outpost. We attempted to question one of mercenaries posted there when he mentioned something about a recent outbreak of strange murders. The man refused to answer any more questions unless we paid him. We bid him answer our questions or face Auril's wrath. It was then that some other Blackwood claiming to be an undefeated champion, approached us and refused us yet again!

This braggart then dared to say that we needed to learn that they were mercenaries and would only respond to payment! But it was we who were the teachers that day, and we taught them a hard lesson. At my command, Corbett changed form into a dire wolf and he and his scaly beast defeated every mercenary in the camp single-handedly. The Blackwood braggart however escaped from the battle under a veil of darkness, showing him for the coward he is.

Believing that this man would return to Aquor and gather his forces for a treacherous counter strike, we raced back to the city. I called on the Snow Leopards to join us as we blockaded their headquarters. Wave after wave of mercenaries poured out from the building and I added my strength to that of Corbett and the Snow Leopards to teach them to Fear the wrath of the Frostmaiden. When it was done, many frozen corpses lay strewn on the ground. Corbett and the Snow Leopard's are to be commended for their service to Her that day.

I shouted my demands to those remaining within the building. As I did so, a Thayan of some standing approached us, flanked by a pair of their dog-man guards. He chastised us for our actions, but in the end he did as instructed and returned to his Enclave. Sometimes I believe we give these people too much freedom, but we have been instructed to let them be as long as they do not offer direct insult to the Cold Goddess and her authority.

In the wake of this, I realized that the assassin escaped. I now wonder if his movements were not meant to instigate this conflict. Perhaps we owe him a debt, as it was by his actions that we discovered the need to reassert our dominion over these lands in the minds of the Blackwood.

In any event, I believe an example must be made. The town must show their submission to Her will in the wake of this blatant disobedience. Grant me permission to require that every door of every building in the city be removed for one week, that they may be reminded of Her power by the cold snows and winds that bite at them as they huddle for warmth. Those who refuse, will be stripped to their underclothes and forced to march the cold climb in bare feet.

Fury Khyron Brinsbane

[Poltergeist]

As Lathander's light dims behind the horizon a chill wind makes its way from the occupied Temple of Sune to the bedroll of Icefury Brinsbane. On it are the whispered words of the priestess, "Do it."

[Yevelian]

Meanwhile, Corbett stands over looking Aquor and its people, awaiting word on his next task.

[Snowmane]

Khyron assembles the Snow Leopards and has them post notices of the decree throughout the town. Then he leads them and any other faithful which might be around, to enforce the edict.

[Vladadier]

Lazklesh leaves note for Khryon in Geimhredh.

"I believe it is Aurils will that I follow your command. My blade, body, and fury are at your disposal"

[Vladadier]

Also in the letter.

"I have been doing ask I was commanded, the day we met in Geimhredh. Fires have been doused, and the people are learning of Aurils might. I also wish to report insults to the Icemaiden. They were spoken by one called Mimi, and another Treena. They refered to our lady as weak, and claimed her fury can not pass furhter south. I witnessed one using a blade of fire, in the mines of Mirakus."

Lazklesh, Of Aurils Essence

[Snowmane]

A new report is left for the priestess:

Icebreath Priestess Kvedulfsdottir,

As command by Wrath Khoss, I write you to inform you that the paladin Tornbrook, his golden elf, and other have been spotted violating our lands. I confronted them near the castle of the Whurest clan, but I am ashamed to say I was unable to stand before them alone.

Though I was overwhelmed, the Frostmaiden granted me a boon. I awoke some distance from the battle, buried in the hallowed snow. I managed to make my way to the entrance of the dwarven hold where I attempted to regain my strength.

I did not know the hold was the paladin's destination however, and we met once again. I have no doubt they would have finished me in my weakened state, had not Wrath Khoss arrived to lend me his support. I was prepared to lay down my life and engage them once again, particularly this golden elf who has escaped his fate at my hands on numerous occasions, but at Khoss's bidding I did not.

The contemptuous paladin left us with a threat. He told us to withdraw from Aquor and then tried to scare us by naming our deaths as the alternaitive. Though he is a fool, he wields great power. I believe we must make preparations now for the inevitable assault this man will bring.

If you recall, I previously reported that Dreadmaster Exitium has recently reached out to us. I would suggest we entertain an alliance with the man sooner rather than later. For even if the paladin does not make good on his threat, there is still the spectre of the Bloodmaim to contend with. I would be willing to make the trip to his lands should you deem this a wise course of action.

In the meantime, I will see what arrangements can be made to strengthen our defenses.