Event I: Yearning For More

Southern Temple - Repaired Successfully!

This is left up for reference!

Ran from May 2, 2o25 - October 16, 2o25

Prologue

Change is coming, carried by the winds as they blow through the stagnant swamp of Umbreglade. Frozen in time, the swamp retains a stillness, a peace even while the population of Cypress Springs grows slowly at the swamp's center. With so many new youngsters eager to pave their way in the world and grow as individuals, frustration mounts as they're forbidden from leaving the inner city walls. Many yearn for adventure and excitement, but are relegated to cleaning up shrines, painting homes, and general city maintenance. Many want more, and aren't satisfied with this stagnant lifestyle. Many are asking questions, and many are demanding answers.

The elders continue to try and mitigate the frustration of the youngsters with small festivals or periodical field trips into the swamp. These methods are losing their effectiveness, however. Change is impending as the unrest grows...

Part I

Mossy cobblestone pathways lead to the center of the town of Cypress Springs. There are mushrooms, dandelions, and little purple flowers growing through the cracks between the stone on some pathways, as they haven't been traversed regularly in recent weeks. Much like the swamp that surrounds it, the town has been growing stagnant over the years, with the younger motti becoming restless and bored. What would otherwise be a quiet morning has turned into quite a commotion as young motti gather in the town square. Upon a stone pedestal, a fellow youngster stands tall. Their double antenna are long with bulbs at the end which glow brightly as they speak energetically. Guards have quietly started to surround the group, patiently watching as the assembly takes place, but the frustration that's mounting is palatable as the youngster on the pedestal speaks.

As you approach, you're curious to see what they have to say-

???

"-all know as well as I do that we're meant for more than rotting in the swamps! Even on our temple walls we are shown fighting the corruption. We have some means to fight back, we just weren't taught. And why do the old ones have those ferrowicks and we don't? What are they holding back? Why won't Akistro let us leave the city walls? What aren't they telling us?

We have the capability to do more, I just know it! We can't be the only ones left in the world. We should be allowed to make our own choices, and go out on adventures to face the world if we want to!"

There are mixed opinions from the motti in the crowd, but it does seem the majority are in favor of at least having the choice to leave.

"Zemi, we feel your frustration but things are the way they are for a reason. Please calm down and have patience. Things will get better soon, you'll-"

Tog of Kohorn

Zemi

"Don't just keep us in the dark or keep saying vague things like 'it'll get better soon' or 'it's too dangerous-', what does that even mean? What will get better, exactly?

Of course we know the world's dangerous, but why won't you teach us how to fight against it? Hell, to survive and thrive in it?

We can't rot away here, maintaining this dying city. We can't just keep doing the same boring tasks over and over. There has to be more out there for us!"

Baron Akistro is accompanied by two guards, one on either side of him as he approaches the town square. On his left, a large brute of an Arthramotti donned in varying browns and yellow accents and wearing worn, studded leather armor. With both pairs of arms crossed, he observes the crowd and assesses that they are relatively calm. To Akistro's right, there is a black and grey shorter Animotti, dressed in clean, crisp green padded armor that a lot of the guards seem to wear. She seems angry as she squares her shoulders, tense from the large crowd that has gathered.

None of the older motti bear weapons, nor seem like they're there to fight. Instead, Akistro approaches with soft eyes, and his hands raised to show he means no harm.

"The more we reveal, the more questions you'll have. Curiosity will tempt you out of the safe haven we have built, straight into the unrelenting world of darkness, corruption and blood. We have not suffered, rationed and meticulously planned all these years for you young ones to throw your lives away so foolishly."

Akistro of Umbreglade

Zemi

"That sounds like bullshit to me. You just say whatever you think we need to hear to keep us docile, but we want more to life than to wither away here, hiding in the swamps like you! If you old folks didn't withhold the ability for us to fight the corruption or prevent us from creating Ferrowicks, then maybe we could stand a chance out there! Instead, you force us to stay within these walls. I want to see the world! I want to go on adventures! I want to know what's out there! I don't want to just survive, I want to live!"

"Hold your tongue child!"

Diana of Umbreglade

Horace of Umbreglade

"You will show some respect to Lord Akistro!"

Akistro gestures gently to his accompanying guards,
lowering his hands slowly as he gives them a soft look.

"You know me, but pray tell, you might be...?"

Akistro of Umbreglade

Zemi of Fencer

"I am Zemi of the Lodge of Fencer, and I'm not ashamed to bear the truths that we are all thinking. I'm not afraid of you or your guards. We have a right to be heard!"

"You do, and we hear you. We have always heard you. If you fear me or any of those meant to protect and serve you, then that is my failure.

Your survival is and will always be my top priority."

Akistro of Umbreglade

"One day you youngsters will understand why we do what we do. I know your concerns and I carry your frustration with me every day as I consider what we can do to alleviate it. We have been working on something special for all of you and it has taken many expeditions over the last few decades to build up the resources to allow this, but now's the time to reveal it."

Akistro of Umbreglade

Tog of Kohorn

"Wait... You don't mean-?"

Turning to Horace, Akistro holds out his hand. The large Arthra pulls a small, cream colored tallow brick from his satchel and hands it over. Akistro presents the brick to Zemi.

"While we old ones have had Ferrowicks for centuries, we understand that it has been frustrating to prevent you from also attaining them. We didn't want there to be fighting amongst you youngsters for resources to create them, but now have built up more than enough for everyone to embark on this special journey together."

Akistro of Umbreglade

Zemi of Fencer

". . . . . ?"

"As you mentioned, these ferrowicks were blessed upon us by our goddess. They are her gift to protect us from the Devouring Darkness and you all are entitled to one now that we have the resources to supply them.
The local temples need some repairs and cleaning to the infusion sites in order to create them, but afterwards anyone who doesn't have one, may make one by simply speaking to the clerics. The resources will be provided for all of you for free while we have them. The bishops and keepers are all at the temples, ready to answer your questions and assist you."

Akistro of Umbreglade

"I am sorry, for all the pain you've felt Zemi." Akistro turns to the crowd. "I'm sorry for the pain you all have felt, being trapped within these walls. We are working on making it safer for you to traverse the outer city limits, and providing more fulfilling opportunities within the walls in the meantime, but we old ones are few and our resources are limited. I beg for your patience, for your understanding while we attempt to ensure your safety and comfort here in Cypress Springs. I assure you we do plan to teach you how to use your ferrowicks, we will explain things and we will allocate time and resources to teach you how to defend yourselves against the dangers of this world, but it is not yet time for that journey. Utilize empathy as we work hard for you, I promise your concerns are important and valid. There is nothing more important to us than your safety and happiness."

Akistro of Umbreglade

Tog of Kohorn

"Akistro..."

"Later I will be around to answer any questions you young ones have. I look forward to speaking with you all soon."

Akistro of Umbreglade

Location Details

The area is very swampy, with large Cypress Trees scattered about. The Cardinal temples are all built upon mossy cobblestone footing, often near a large Cypress Tree with dorms built up the length of the trunk for the clerics to live in. Civilians do not typically live in the Cypress dorms adjacent to temples. There are often dozens of Ferrowicks scattered about the shrines and temples, as Clerics are the only class of Motti who can create multiple familiars.

Solid natural ground is a rarity in the center of the swamp, with most of the traversable ground made up of peat, dense moss, and quicksand. It is highly recommended to travel by small jon boats, canoes, or rafts if you're not a Motti that can fly.

While there are many temples with ritual sites located within the city, the most notable are the four Cardinal Temples surrounding the town square. The center of town is made of mossy cobblestone with temples located in the four cardinal directions, and a large circular structure in the center which is the town hall. Baron Akistro, a couple dozen guards, and several clerics can be found at Town Hall on any given day.

For some examples of the the Cypress Springs area, check out our [inspiration board]!

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