The First Land Herald/433-10-37

Article Number: Unknown article number

Dateline: 433-10-37

CROSSING INVADED BY DISEASED RATS, OTHERS The other night, while standing inside the gate of the Crossing Ranger Guild, I saw a small skunk run past me.  Finding it odd, I gazed north to witness a struggle between a young female Elf named Lilifae and some large animals that appeared to be constructed of paper.  I pinched myself, not dreaming, and the skunk ran in front of me again. Not sure if it was rabid or dangerous, I summoned Eagle's Cry and eliminated the threat before moving on to help Lilifae at the entrance to the guild.  As I defeated a champion origami mouse, another shaped like a yak and one in the form of a grasshopper, a swarm of ichor rats showed up. Standing on four legs, the ichor rats were small but clearly viewed everything as an enemy.  When they attacked the area, I ended up slaying about four of them. Lying motionless on the ground, they began to rapidly decay.  Before I knew what was happening, their bodies were exploding in a spray of blood and bits of flesh! Luckily, I was able to dodge all of the flying parts. I met up with Navesi and Saragos, and, on our way to the Empath Guild to find out more about the possibility that the rats carried disease, we passed the Alchemist's Shop in Gildleaf Circle.  Amidst the hazardous vapors of sulfur, formaldehyde, alcohol, and methane coming from inside the store, we discovered about a dozen tiny arrows and a dead velver next to the body of Malbecca. Knowing velvers meant a greater danger lurked nearby, we moved on as another kind soul dragged Malbecca to the courtyard. Entering the Empath Guild, we walked into a rather large crowd talking excitedly about the recent events.  I slowly assessed the area and recognized the faces of Lilifae, Volpone, Killashandrea, Jaydam, Zynell, Cenewyg, Wesdrolin, Hoger, Ryprian, Fostisch, Barristers, Arrate, and Zanaide. Suddenly, a rancid stench wafted from Zanaide, as chunks of greenish flesh peeled away from her diseased body.  Some time later she would lay dead before us. Navesi asked if anyone had come in with a disease recently. Killashandrea replied, "Many have." Next, Navesi asked Wesdrolin to describe what he witnessed, as he was named as one of the ill.  Wesdrolin matter-of-factly said to Navesi, "Some origami creatures showed up and then some ichor rats.  Think I saw something called a velver as well, though a lot was going on." She asked Wesdrolin to describe how he became diseased, and he  spoke of how the rats exploded and sprayed everyone with blood and guts, similar to what I had experienced earlier. He said, "As an Empath, I sensed it… shortly after the first one exploded," presumably referring to sensing the illness inside him. Lilifae added that not only did she also catch the disease from the rats, but she was infected three separate times.  She described the rats emphatically, proclaiming, "Foaming at the mouth they were. Spitting, biting. Attacking! Exploding.  I'm not sure, I was just trying to retreat." Jaydam asked if it was Killashandrea who made everyone sick, to which she confessed, "If killing them caused it, then yes, I guess I did."  By this point, the invasion appeared to have ended for the time being. Feeling safe, and a bit tired from battle, I bid everyone farewell and retired to a nearby inn to get some rest. Be wary of foul-looking rats, Zoluren.  If you do kill them, step away from the body immediately.  If you infect yourself, you could end up adding to an overwhelming number of patients at the Empath guild, not to mention experiencing the discomfort of flesh rot.  Fortunately, there was no evidence that this disease can be spread person to person, but always remain vigilant, for a pandemic could always become the next threat. Sincerely, Shaylynne Sauvage Assistant Reporter, the First Land Herald

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Author(s): Shaylynne