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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jeremy E Grenemyer" data-source="post: 9370357" data-attributes="member: 12388">4 Uktar - The RottingFourth day of the first tenday1500 DR - Year of the Sea's Secrets RevealedShrine shrouded in darkness. ARCHENBRIDGE (ARCHENDALE) - For three days running, the Shrine of Swords has been cloaked in magical darkness. Due to the Shrine’s proximity to Swordpoint, that castle’s forecourt is shrouded in darkness as well. Sounds of battle, including shouts and battle cries, the clashing of blade against blade, the scream of armor rent asunder, and the death grunts of warriors receiving lethal wounds emanate from the darkness at random. Archenfolk are being kept away from the shrine, as broken weapons, crossbow bolts, and even spurts of blood and severed limbs have flown out of the darkness to land on the hard stone of the keep. Some Archenfolk think the Battle Chaplain and Swordmaster to the Shrine are the ones crying out, but no one can be sure. Thus far, none of the Shrine’s priests or lay servants have emerged from the darkness.The Red Sword of Archendale has, as a precaution, commanded one Ride of mounted soldiers to leave Swordpoint and take temporary lodgings in Archenbridge proper. Several unhappy mansion-owning merchants on River Way–still the most exclusive part of Archenbridge–have reluctantly opened their doors to Swordpoint’s soldiers. None dare voice their discontent, however, as Archendale remains a place of military justice. The remainder have been stationed in Whiteturrets, a rentable manor house.The Blue Sword of Archendale has issued a magical summons to Ride commanders stationed throughout the Dale to find priests of Tempus and return them to Archenbridge as soon as possible to study the phenomena. For the time being she has decreed the Shrine off limits to magical probing of any kind. Archenfolk share rumors about the identity of the Swords with each other (such conversations always had in private, usually at night behind closed doors, and only between folk who utterly trust one another, thanks to laws prohibiting anyone from speaking a Sword’s name out loud), including one rumor that claimed the Black Sword is a follower of Tempus. This rumor has found new life after the Shrine of Swords was swallowed in darkness. The Black Sword of Archendale has not issued any public orders regarding the Shrine. She has, however, personally warned the Temple of Lathander’s Mornmaster and high priest, Aphandra Ithrymm, to keep well away from the Shrine. (The Mornmaster has known the identity of the Black Sword ever since her sister was elevated to the position a decade ago.)</blockquote>

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