Return of the Blights
"Return of the Blights (and a Pillar of Corruption)"
Posted by Atei
My brother Joshua was fishing yesterday when Skeeter notified him that she had spotted some Dailgas near the Brit Swamps. He went to investigate with Xanola Remings, Shadowstone and Ehran and indeed did find some of these renegades.
They were quickly dispatched, but they also found some diseased animals. This led to the discovery of nearby blights that Xanola treated, and then the real search began.
What was causing this plethora of blights? Several people had reported seeing them in various spots around the lands, but they needed to find the cause of these diseases.
In searching they discovered a Pillar of Corruption surrounded by blights in the Heart Grove. There were also many reapers, ents, summoner adepts and various diseased animals. They were able to defeat this initial batch of problems and they headed back to Brit. At this point Josh contacted me and I went to the Bank to learn what I could. Most of the Realm was preparing for Raybell's party, so I went there too.
At the party we were greeted by an ancient druid, Linder. He said he knew about our blight problems and warned us to stay clear of the Heart Grove until he returned. Some of the group decided to go back there anyway and were killed. We had to regroup and head that way to save our fallen comrades.
(The group that went included Raybell, Ciara, Melody Wolfsong, Xanola Remings, Ogden, Edison, Archus, Roc Silivan, Legion, Nia, Amanil Tel'Imoen and me.)
The fighting there was indeed fierce as the reapers, ents and Summoner Adepts had returned. Several of us fell in that battle but eventually they were all defeated. The blights were treated and then Linder returned. He said he had a map that led to the location of the powerful weapon we would need to defeat the Pillar.
Melody, as our resident Carto, deciphered the map that led to a cave nearby. In the cave was a chest with another map that led to Ice Island. We went there and the chest was dug up.
Everyone held their breath as the seal was broken and many dragons poured forth. The battle was handled well but the chest had disappeared. Linder commented that perhaps he had the wrong map. He asked us to search out the blights and defeat them while he consulted his paperwork again.
We went back to searching out blights when Linder returned with another map. This one led to us a plateau near Fire Temple where spectral drakes of an unearthly color stood guard. They were defeated and then the chest dug up. Again, when the seal was broken, dragons poured forth. They were dispatched but alas, the secret weapon was not within the chest. Linder left again to look for another map and we headed back to fighting blights.
Linder returned with another map and this one led us to another location (can't remember where it was, sorry). We dug up the chest, defeated the dragons and discovered a book and a staff. The book told about how to use the staff, so we headed back to the Heart Grove to destroy the Pillar of Corruption.
Once there Linder spoke the magic words "Nigh Tir Totalis" but failed to affect the Pillar. He handed the staff off to Amanil Tel'Imoen and he tried but also failed.
Linder told us that the staff may have to be recharged to be used and told us that we had to go find Old Ben in Yew, an alchemist/blacksmith who might be able to charge the powerful stave. We gated to Yew and with Linder in the lead, we searched out Old Ben.
Unfortunately, his home was secluded with many various "keep out" signs. Clearly he didn't like visitors, but we persevered. Linder left to gather some material and Benson arrived. Apparently Old Ben had passed away, but he handed down some of his secrets to his son, the surly Benson.
Benson didn't like visitors but agreed to try to recharge the staff. He said his fee was "only" 10 magical items and 50,000 gold pieces. The group provided the magics and the 50,000 gold came from the loot. He spoke the phrase "silatot rit hgin" and the staff recharged, much to the surprise of Benson.
When Linder rejoined us we quickly headed back to the Heart Grove. Again Linder spoke the magic words "Nigh Tir Totalis" and the Pillar was engulfed in flames. Within moments it was ashes and we had succeeded!
We returned to Brit to toast our victory at Raybell's party. Even Linder joined us and had his share of good food and drink, provided by Skeeter.
By the way, the staff and the book are safe in Fellowship Hall for the next time a Pillar of Corruption appears.
