Shield Raised, Sword Drawn

[MelonBallZ]

Dreams have been invaded to convey ominous and taunting messages, the minds of loyal men and women polluted so they turn against their comrades, ghastly rituals of human sacrifice to summon despicable creatures from their unholy depths. These dark whispers and more drift across the collective consciousness of Esshar in the neural network of taverns, parks, and homes, but it has not been ignored, no longer would this be tolerated.

Almost five years have passed since the discovery of the verdant Moonfall village and in that time no common ground has been found between the alleged haven for the Druidic peoples and those of Osrona. Time and again the hand offered in peace and goodwill was gnawed and left raw, but the well of tolerance runs dry. The Order has stayed its hand long enough and as it reaches for the blade a final offer of benevolence falls to the feet of Moonfall.

The Ultimatum

Messengers are sent forth to the far reaches bearing the same news the criers shout on the pristine stones of The Shimmering City:

The Druids of Moonfall have precisely one year to cleanse their village of its Occultic taint to The Order's satisfaction or it shall be cleansed by fire and sword.

When the crops are blighted you burn those afflicted or risk the entire field to rot. The Order shall not take up arms against the Druids, no matter their past slights, who comes forward to speak with the officials of The Order on their progress in these efforts or to request aide in finishing the job, but the terms shall not be reconsidered. The ultimatum is met by 1669 AC or the hammer shall fall.

Already programs are being established to ease the burden for those who might seek refugee during this time of strife, but not without heavy screening and investigation to insure that the insidious forces do not infiltrate in retaliation.

[Tattles]

The Order's Ultimatum was heard,
but Moonfall's response was not one of messengers or letters.

As the knights' made their preparations and advanced into Esshar's forests in search of the small village once again, a deep and suffocating fog rolled in to meet them. The smog, a thick mist that blanketed everywhere within a radius from Moonfall itself, has been reported to inspire fear and terrible visions of nightmares in those who get lost within it.

Though the Order pushes on to meet their enemy, the hindrance is a reminder of the dark magic their foes are capable of, and an obstacle they will have to face during this war.

Battle of the Forests @ 7PM Tonight (January 5, 2020)