View source for Citizen's Log, A

==A Citizen's Log==

by Dhidow Modum


PREFACE

Simple words cannot explain the horror and tragedy [[Mer'Kresh]] and
her ringed city experienced in the year 358.  In many ways, I
feel that even the [[World Dragon]] in all of his malignance could
not compare to the pirates of the [[Red Sash]].  As I fought to
protect my home, I wrote several logs to be sent to my family in
Zoluren by [[Moongate]] if I were to be wiped off the face of
[[Elanthia]] during this cataclysm.  At the end of the struggle, my
notes were lost while climbing a treacherous cliffside on the
isle of [[Hara'jaal]].  Almost as if fate had intervened, my
faithful familiar pranced into the area with my journal.

I do not claim to be a scholar nor a [[Bard]]ic historian, but I do
feel that my personal logs should be shared.  Perhaps in the
near future, it can be used as an advantage if and when the Red
Sash shall strike again.

 
LOG # 1

I cannot even begin to explain the travesty that has plagued
[[M'riss]] this very day.  A captain by the name of [[Terak]] was seen
roaming [[Fala Inisharon]], his odd clothing and brilliant red sash
immediately made me suspicious.  I had heard rumors from the ZEF
([[Zoluren Expeditionary Force]]) about these men, and knew that
this was indeed a Pirate Captain.  He appeared in front of a
small group of citizens in one of the bog's cypress trees,
making it clear that [[Mer'Kresh]] and [[M'riss]] were to be surrendered
at once.

Shortly after he uttered those very words, we dispatched him for
making such inane and preposterous demands.  In a blink of an
eye, his corpse was snatched by ...  something.  That
-something- was scores and scores of pirates, who killed most of
us and severely injured the rest.  While we helped more of the
dead, they ambushed us, severely crippling our attempts to give
help.  Most of us were bleeding critically, and already an
[[Empath]] had joined the stars.  With a sigh, a valiant [[Paladin]]
leader took a few of us across the galley to Mer'Kresh.

Our nightmares were only beginning, when we docked, we found the
entire city swamped with pirates.  I gazed at the catastrophe
with disbelief and shock, we were all picked off one by one. 
One of the pirates, [[Miloubrae]], appeared before us and set up a
barricade at the galley docks.  Swarms of pirates arrived at his
call, and dispatched several of us, and those who did survive
were scattered and lost.  I ran to the [[Carousel]] for shelter, but
not one place was safe from these beasts, they chased me out and
murdered me in cold blood.  My prized broadsword was confiscated
as 'plunder' and I was thrown aboard the [[Jolas]] by a rogue
pirate.  Thankfully, there were reinforcements on board and they
dragged me back to the dock, though they too died from the
pirate's sinister hand.  His eyes blazed with hatred and sadism,
his pugnacious demeanor was enough to drive off any would-be
rescuers to my location.  In what seemed like eternity, a
swirling black moongate opened up and I was rescued from my
captor.

My body was placed with a mountain of other corpses, the most
I've ever seen on the island to date.  Clerics were overwhelmed,
and told many of the dead to depart.  They didn't realized that
the dead would depart back into the clutches of the Red Sash,
some of the departees were killed as soon as they stepped out of
the gardens.  The mishandling of the dead proved to be
disastrous, we unnecessarily lost too many casualties.

[End of entry]


LOG #2

(Author's note: This is a few days following LOG #1)

Pirate Miloubrae made it clear that for every pirate we kill,
100 Mer'Kresh citizens would be slain in retaliation.  Many of
us, including me, did not take his threat seriously or to heart. 
We 'invaded' Mer'Kresh to kill pirates, and he in turn, invaded
M'riss.  He and his pirates stalked us all around the timber
bridge stretching beyond Fever Point Road.  As his pirates
engaged us, he killed us one-by-one by shooting us from the
shadows.  We did what any strategic army would do -- formulate a
plan.  We had two Paladins stationed in one spot, who constantly
cast the 'Banner of Truce' spell so the Empaths and Clerics
could do their part without fearing the invading armies.  Moon
Mages would stay with the healers, opening Moon Gates to
transport goods (herbs, naphtha, weaponry, and general supplies)
and to allow reinforcements to join the our army.  Bards played
soothing music that eased the suffering of the sick and dying. 
Everyone else left in adjacent areas killing off the pirates, I
stayed with the Empaths keeping a constant breeze to aid in
fatigue recovery.  (Author's Note: A few hours later)

This might be the end, I'm starting to see the futility of even
fighting Miloubrae and his minions.  A fellow Warrior Mage and I
turned the sky a crimson color several times, even fiery
destruction from the heavens is not enough to subdue these
pirates.  The pirates mocked us, even putting platinums on our
head, Miloubrae told them that they'll receive 10 platinum for
every mage they kill and 15 for each Paladin they slay.  After
several days of battle, I think I will go to sleep, and record
tomorrow's events.

[End of entry]


LOG # 3

Today, a delusional Cleric wandered in claiming visions of an
angel that is suppose to aid in this battle.  I've always
scoffed at such metaphysical claims, but anything is worth
checking out in such desperate times.  I led a small group who
believed in this Cleric toward the Dunes, Fever point Rd, and
finally the treacherous journey to the altar where the Lun'Shele
reside.  All useless and fruitless.  Even still, she [the
Cleric] seems very warm and truthful, but was obviously misled. 
Despite my doubts, I still pretended to be supportive of her,
there is no room for pessimism right now.

Two more people walked to the stars today -- an Empath and a
Ranger.  My memory escapes me, and I forget the names, but both
in their way helped in this mass effort to save the province. 
Battle-scarred and fatigued, I clamber back to my feet and
wander to the barricade blocking off entry to Mer'Kresh.  A few
comrades were there, banging on the barricade but to my dismay,
even more pirates appeared and attacked us.  Beyond the
barricade, I heard a faint rustle which quickly intensified to
an all-out calamity.  The citizens of Mer'Kresh were rioting!
Long moments passed, the rioting slowly dying down, we stood
there crossing our fingers hoping that they would be victorious. 
A pirate, in the most smug voice exclaimed, 'All dead!' brutally
smashing down our hopes of gaining Mer'Kresh back.

Shortly after, I talked to Miloubrae who above all shocked me
with his responses.  He claimed that the Rissan government
(Which is comprised of several rich families) not only advocated
the destruction but applauded it.  He even went as far to say
that the Red Sash was actually invited by the government itself. 
At first I thought he was lying, but I noticed the guardsmen
ignore our attempts to get help.  The lack of help from the
government discouraged many of us, and the uncertainty that they
may be involved was simply unthinkable.

Sadly, we're getting -too- many reinforcements, too many people
wanting to be leader.  We're critically disorganized and are
even turning on each other.  Today, the new reinforcements waded
into Mer'Kresh and one by one, they each got struck down. 
Before we can reach for help, the wafting of screaming citizens
assaulted our ears as Miloubrae started to fulfill his promise. 
I sheathed my blade, it was over, nothing else to be done.  P.S. 
If I'm called 'Scurvy' one more time, I'm going to scream!

[End of entry]


LOG # 5

A mixed blessing to write in my log today, in fact, I don't even
have to write my journal anymore it seems.  Reinforcements
arrived today, under the leadership of an experienced Knight. 
They traveled around Mer'Kresh bank and up toward the furrier,
engaging and successfully killing many, many pirates.  When I
got news of their achievement (Since no one was able to have
such success in the past) I decided I would join to help rid
Mer'Kresh of her infection.

Hours and hours passed, the fighting teetering of the edge of
pure monotony.  My knuckles cracked from clutching my blade and
arms heavy and tired from spell casting.  I persevered, knowing
that we must win and this nightmare must end! Miloubrae and
Terak arrived, as we began our final assault to take Mer'Kresh
back.  Just as we were getting the upper hand, we heard cannons
boom over head near the local bank.  We fled to M'riss to watch
their hasty retreat in their pirate ship.  They fired several
cannons into Mer'Kresh city, and just as many onto M'riss as a
final strike against us.

Several hours passed and the smoke had cleared, the city was in
ruin and the stench of decay was horrendous.  Dead bodies strewn
from one end of town to the other, their sight sending chills
down my spine and their smell stomach-churning.  The bank was in
shambles, the exterior was badly damaged and its interior
staircase completely decimated.  Tamris bridge, which allowed
for easy maneuverability, was completely torn apart and in
disarray.  The ZEF hailed our takeover as a 'victory' -- but is
it really a victory? Sure we've got back Mer'Kresh, but was it
worth the thousands of lives it took?

[End of entry]


Author's Notes:

My logs are hardly complete and I missed many details since I
wrote them in such haste.  I hope those who have read this far
will look at Mer'Kresh in a new light.  A small place with
inhabitants who have pride, conviction, and tact.

I am a simple Warrior Mage, only [[Silvyrfrost]] with her eloquent
words and vivid imagination could write a book deserving this
prestigious event May this book serve as a reminder that we
almost lost Mer'Kresh, but our companionship and mutual respect
for one another has overcome what other highly populated places
utterly failed in.  This is for -all- of the Rissans.  By my
hand, Dhidow Modum.

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