220 / 12 / 22 - Demons unleashed in Chirin
A wave of horror was unleashed in Chirin on 21st Ling, when strange creatures appeared in the market square in West Side. Appearing to be humanoid heads with bat like wings where the ears should be, they swarmed around the square letting out a dreadful shriek. All who heard this terrible sound found themselves unable to move and the entire square was swiftly immobilised. The creatures then went around planting a foul kiss on each of their paralysed victims. A squad of patrollers, alerted by those at the edge of the square, quickly arrived on the scene. But when some of them moved towards the flying heads and their helpless victims, the heads let out another shriek paralysing the approaching patrollers. The rest of the squad began ushering people away, and a runner was sent to alert the captain of the patrol.
As may be expected from an officer with his experience, Captain Vyken Guardian wasted no time in issuing orders. Patrollers were called in from all parts of the city to get everyone off the streets and the few lancers and guards still in Chirin were also ordered to help. Crossbows were issued to all the guards and despite the problems it would cause with issuing orders, Captain Vyken also ordered his forces to stop up their ears with wax. Despite the speed with which the captain responded to this crisis, the creatures had moved out of the market square and were roaming Chirin before his forces were fully prepared. Getting people off the streets is not something that can be accomplished instantly, and several people were assaulted by the creatures well away from the market square. With no way of knowing many of the creatures were in town or were they all were Captain Vyken positioned his forces to try to contain these monstrosities within one district while requesting help from noted loremasters like Perfin Searcher and Bowin Gableson. The first citizen and his longtime verbal sparring partner displayed their usual dedication to Chirin and willingly put themselves in danger to see these creatures first hand so that they could provide the best possible advice. Both looked worried after they had seen the creatures and after a brief discussion to confirm they had reached the same conclusion they were able to explain to the captain what he was facing.
The creatures were a form of fiend. A relatively minor one but as was becoming evident even a minor fiend could prove a threat, especially in numbers. The big danger the two sages warned of was not the shriek from the creatures but their kiss. The kiss of these creatures was a death sentence as it would infect a person with a horrible disease that would cause that person to develop fiendish features and for their ears to grow abnormally large before their head would tear away from their body giving rise to another of these monsters. Sunlight would help to slow the disease but it was already late afternoon, and the disease could run it's course in a matter of hours. Their usual rivalry set aside in the face of a crisis, the two loremasters asked that word be sent to the Mallory Centre for Healing and the crematorium about what was happening and their conclusions. Bowin volunteered to brief the council and get permission to release stocks of potons that could help cure any infected with the disease, while Perfin talked with the clerics and healers.
Now aware of the infection inflicted on many of those in the market square, Captain Vyken sent word to the patrollers to keep everyone who had been attacked within the square. Unfortunately by the time the orders arrived, many of the victims had regained the ability to move and had been allowed to leave.
The healers and clerics swiftly answered the call for aid and promised to send word to their fellows in the countryside to request further assistance. The Mallory Centre was prepared for dealing with a large number of patients, while those skilled in field healing were dispatched to the other side of the river. The fiends appeared to be waiting for this and a group of them that had been hiding below the bridge swept out to attack the healers as they crossed. This could have proved a further disaster if not for the swift action of Himinimim Humperdink. Himinimim pulled out a yellow stone and held it aloft causing the stone to admit an intensely bright light that could be clearly seen from either side of the river. The fiends fled from the light, allowing the healers to cross safely (at least once they had regained their sight).
In the first true test of the expanded Chirin Council they were not found wanting. As soon as the situation was explained by Bowin they authorised the use of whatever resources were needed to deal with attack, and orders to return were sent to the units of the Outer guard that were deployed away from Chirin.
With darkness falling the healers and clerics were in a race against time to help victims before the fiends' vile infection could progress to the final stages. Sadly not all of the infected were found and treated in time, and screams could be heard throughout the night as people's heads tore away from their bodies before attacking their families and spreading the disease further. A temporary treatment area was set up in west bank and the healers worked tirelessly to assess and treat the fiends' victims, aided greatly by supplies of potions from the council. With their ability to communicate hampered by the need to protect themselves from the fiends' screams the patrol, guard, and lancers were unable to pursue the creatures through the night and were instead forced to guard key areas like the bridge and treatment area.
Our forces maintained their vigil for the entire night, enduring multiple attacks from the fiends while keeping them mostly contained. When morning came the demons were nowhere to be seen having hidden themselves from the approaching sun. An urgent search was needed to hunt down and kill the creatures as Chirin couldn't endure another night like that. Despite being exhausted from their nights work the patrol and guards have now set about scouring the town. However, Captain Vyken is realistic about the chances of locating and destroying all the demons, and is asking for volunteers to help with protecting our home. Any willing to assist with keeping watch during the night or aiding the teams hunting down the fiends should report to the council building. Everyone's help is needed during this dark time, and even if you don't feel able to help by fighting these fiends directly you can still assist with helping the healers or recording the movements of the fiends.
For those not directly involved in the fight you are advised to stay indoors with windows shuttered and barred. Keep an eye on your friends and family, and if they start growing horns or fangs, or if their eyes change colour make sure they go to either the Mallory or one of the emergency clinics that have been set up in each district. There is no charge for treatment of the demonic curse, and it is in everyone's interest that those infected are treated swiftly.
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