The Park

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SJ_the_Bartender

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The Town Park is a well groomed outdoor area, laced with dirt paths and natural beauty.

In the center of the park is a water fountain spewing a plume 10 ft into the air. A magic spell colors the water in a rainbow pattern which shifts as the water rises and falls. A plaque at the base of the fountain dedicates the fountain to the memory of The Town's founder, Samuel Barrington. A set of benches flank the fountain. The same magic that colors the fountain protects anyone who sits on the benches from getting wet from the spray. Several people use the fountain as a meeting place, and as a place to make wishes late at night. A coin is deposited into the waters in exchange for their bargain being delivered to the right ears of the right deity. Its a bit of a mystery what happens to the coins after they hit the water, because even though the water is clear as crystal, no one has been able to see a coin hit bottom. In fact, no one is even sure how deep the fountain really goes.

To the north end of the park is a grove of fruit trees. Apples, Pears, Oranges, etc. Winding paths snake through the grove, passing by each variety of tree.

To the east is a wide field of grass. Its a common location for picnics when the weather is nice in spring and fall. Youths tend to use it as a field for games of catch and other physical activities during the summer.

To the west is a small playground for smaller children. There is a rope-swing, and sandbox, and treehouse.

The south side of the park is the main entrance, with a pair of stone pillars capped with crouching stone lions.

The warden of the park is an elven druid named Jayliss Vendala. She spends day and night within the walls of the park, tending the plants, rejuvinating the magic that keeps the park clean and fresh.
 
Jayliss Vendala - The Park Warden

Jayliss, the Park Warden was busy with her duties within the park. She lovingly tended to the flowers which were in need of care. Pinching the dead heads from the flower stems so new life would grow she then tossed the withered flowers into a basket which sat beside her. As she tended to her chores she hummed a haunting melody of her kin. Sing to the flowers her mother had always told her so on any given day you could hear the echoing melody in which she sang.

She loved her job her within The Town Park, it gave her a sense of belonging, a feel of being needed and appreciated. Once done with this small group of flowers, she rose to her feet, collected the basket and her staff and proceeded down the path to the next group of wild flowers that needed tending to. Arriving at the next group of flowers she lay her belongings down and quickly tended to the flowers which had withered. Such a shame she thought that things so beautiful don't last long, but this was the way of life.

Now finishing with this group of flowers Jayliss realised that the sun was beginning to set. Once again she gathered her things but this time headed back down the path in which she came. The Park closed at sunset so it was now time to start her rounds to clear the park of it's occupants.
 
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Still found himself unable to manifest in a physical sense. It'd been only days since he'd awoken - and already he'd grown strong enough to communicate with his familiar. Was this the work of the Overgod? Toying with him? Teasing his insatiable thirst for destruction, with delusions of his great return? --It was of no concern, for time, most certainly, was working in his favor.

As Jayliss valiantly carried on her duties to mother nature - the flowers in her wake, which she recently attended, had again withered - rendered blackened and lifeless, as the vegetation had been tread upon by death incarnate. Soon, she would notice strange behavior in the animals, as well. Coyotes lingering closer than they usually felt comfortable, birds simply dropping dead from the skies; their bones rendered to dust by dark forces unknown.

A strangle constellation lit up the night's sky, tonight. It appeared as an odd symbol; similar to a broken animal's horn.

Then, just maybe, if Jayliss listened closely enough; she would hear his malicious purr of a voice; which seemed to originate from shadows that were a bit darker than usual. Would she listen?
 
Jayless continued back down the path heading for a small shed which housed a variety of tools and such. The air suddenly grew cold, not that of a winters day but more so like someone just walked over her grave. While still within the shed she caught the faint sounds of a voice but so faint she couldn't make out what it was saying exactly so paid it no mind. Once placing the basket in it's proper place she then pulled her cloak around herself in the attempts to rid herself of that miserable chill.

The sun was almost set, some how she had miscalculated the time and needed to hurry through the park to rid it of any stragglers. With staff in hand she left the shed and made her way along another path which led into the main section of the park which tourists and town folk usually hung.

Now thats odd Jayliss thought as she arrived at the main section of the park. There wasn't a soul about, the park appeared to be completely empty, very odd indeed she thought but shruged it off and didn't give it another thought.
 
Gryphon Stewart
The Town Mayor


Gryphon comes walking up to the park at sunrise, holding a steaming cup of coffee. He's got a plaid lumberjack style shirt on to keep out the early morning chill. He steps in front of Jayliss' hut and knocks on her door.

"Morning, Warden. Care to join me for a stroll through the park?"
 
Just as she returned to her natural form there was a knock at her door. Ajusting her clothing she then makes her way to the door, opening it She finds the Mayor standing there with coffee in hand. With a slight bow of her head she greets the Mayor.
"To what do I owe this early morning visit Gryphon?"

Not really suprised to see him she steps from her hut into the brisk morning air.
"It's always good to see you Gryphon."

Smiling to her old friend Jayliss leads the way down one of the many paths which led throughout the Park. As they walked along she noticed that the flowers in which she tended to yesterday, and Were alive, were now witherd and dead. Stopping she knelt down to take a closer look. She lay her staff down and reacher her hands to cup along both sides of the patch of flowers. Confused as to what exactly happened her hands brushed along the tops of the flowers as if carressing each and every one her hands moved over.
"I don't understand this. Something is definately wrong here Gryphon, these flowers, I tended to them just yesterday and", Jayles grabbed her staff and rose to her feet. "and they were alive and beautiful." With a look of bewilderment she turned and looked upon the Mayor.
" I am at a lost, I seriously don't understand what has happened here.

Just as she finsihed speaking she then realised an odd event which occured yesterday. The feeling she had gotten just as she had finsihed her chores. Her face grew emotionless, her eyes a blank stare as she rememberd the sensation she had experienced.
"Gryphon", she paused as she looked up to face him, "I think we have a problem which I can't explain...yet."

No sooner had Jayliss finsihed speaking, a crow fell from the sky amd landed at their feet. Eyes closed and motionless the body lay upon the ground dead.
 
Gryphon Stewart
The Town Mayor


"So it would seem, Warden. I can't imagine why anyone would want to damage the wildlife in our park. I expect you will investigate this fully and keep me informed of your findings.

If you like, I'll have the Guard assign a watch over the park tonight."
Gryphon kneels down next to the flowers and sniffs. "No scent trail left. I don't know what to make of it."
 
Honestly Gryphon, I believe we are in need of a cleansing. Yesterday I had this strange sensation rush over me. You know me well enough my dear friend to know what I say is true. I cannot explain to you well enough for you to understand how I know this, but take my words as truth and get someone here to do just as I suggest.

Taking the Mayor by the arm Jayliss led him further down the path which led to the magic fountain. As they walked along the eerieness of complete silence was deafening.
"Gryphon," Jayliss spoke softly."There is not a bird chirping, nor is there any squirrels running about."

Continuing along the path they also noticed that there was not one flower which hadn't withered and died. Arriving at the fountain there was another odd sight to be seen. The beautiful colored water was black and think as molasses. It was spilling over the fountains walls and flowing along the grounds around the fountain.
 
Gryphon Stewart
The Town Mayor


Gryphon looks shocked at the scene of the fountain. "This appears to be more serious than just a few withered flowers.

What do you need to perform this cleansing?"
 
Turning to the Mayor Jayliss was at a loss for words, her expression was that of seriousness and concern.
"Honestly, it would all depend on what exactly is causing such an occurence. If we knew that it would be much simpler to rectify the problem. But since we are unsure exactly what is causing this we will first need to figure this out so we can bring in the proper authorities. I suggest we call upon the owner of that Tavern your so fond of to assist us in this matter.
As of what we can do at the present time, I suggest we try to keep this mess contained. Perhaps sandbags would do the trick."

Jayliss led the way to the maintainance shed, there she would fill a wheel-barrel with what sandbags she could find. She only wished that they had more than enough to control the messy goo.
 
Gryphon Stewart
The Town Mayor


Gryphon looked confused. "I don't see what a tavernkeeper would be useful for, but if you insist, I'll go get him. I'll send some of the guards over to help you with the sandbags too. Thats a good idea for containing the ooze." Gryphon turned and left the park at a jog.

A few minutes later, a couple of guards showed up at the shed, and helped Jayliss work on containing the ooze.
 
Mithrandir walked out the front door of his tavern when the last of the patrons walked out and the sign in the front windows switched from open to closed. The Sound of the dead bolts and locks snapping into place seemed to leave an eerie feeling that it was hardly empty. As Mith heard the last lock snap closed he smiled and turned to his left and began up the short stint of the road towards the park. The Sun was rising slowly and Mithrandirs eyes needed to blink a few times to grow accustomed to the grand brightness. Turning left at the corner he continued toward the park. While it was entirely evident that Mith was left pretty clueless as to what Jayliss would want with him, other than perhaps to complain of drunkards stumbling through the flowers, he could not guess to the purpose of his summoning.

Turning at the next intersection to his right he followed the path down the road his eyes drifting from one side of the street to the other. Catching site of the Census building and the town hall he smiled to himself at how well the town seemed to be doing as it was so new. Looking towards the dirt roads he pondered how long it would be before cobblestone paths would litter the country side from this town. Making a left he could see the edge of the park and the massive trees that lined the outer wall of it. As he came to the split in the road he continued to the right of the path entering the park with a slow and tired gate his side was still aching. It was unusual that he would still feel pain after taking on a mortals wound but perhaps that which hurt the man was not a normal creature.

With slow and planned steps his feet sunk into the moistened soil and pushed down the dew covered grass as he moved across it with each step. He could see the fountain near by as well as two of the Towns guard and the woman he could only guess would be Jayliss. The Park seemed oddly quiet and the air permeated with a silence not of the land of the living it was not a happy sensation and Mith knew that it was probably the cause for his summoning. Licking his lips he spoke loudly so that Jayliss would hear him over the two guards grunts as the heaved Sand bags back and forth " Excuse me I was told by the Mayor that I had been requested here by a Madam Jayliss, warden of this park would I be correct in assuming that would be you ? " he said with a curious turn of his head.
 
Jayliss thanked the men that the Mayor had sent to the park to help her with the still growing black liquid.
"Well, if nothing else it would at least slow down it spreading. Thank you both, and I will make sure to tell our dear Mayor how well a job you both have done."

Nodding to them both she then looked to the direction of the aproaching tavern owner known as Mithrandir.
"Yes, that is I."
She waved him closer so he could get a better look at the problem that was occuring. She walked over to meet him and extended her hand to greet him. "I am Jayliss, tis a pleasure to finally meet you Sir Mithrandir."

Brining back her hand after shaking Mithrandir's hand she then pointed over to the magic fountain.
"I was in hopes that you, if anyone, could explain why this may be happening. As you can plainly see our fountain seems to be posessed. Not only that, but the enitre park seems to have fallen under some sort of spell. The life within it seems to be cursed, the creatures are falling in their tracks and dying, the flowers whithering, and you I am sure can feel that there is something in the air that just is not right. I am at a lost as to exactly why this is happening."
 
Taking her hand he shook it softly as he spoke " A pleasure to make your Acquaintance madam Jayliss, and please call me Mith " Releasing her hand slowly he turned his head and looked at the Fountain it was certainly not what one would expect when dealing with a standard fountain. Licking his lips he moved towards the sand bags and pulled a piece of grass dipping it into the sludge that was being vomited from the fountain and stared at its effects if any upon the grass before sniffing the end of it. Grimacing a little he shook his head and dropped the grass into the thick building sludge on the opposite side of the sand bags and stood straight up.

Mith Nodded slowly looking around the park with a longing gaze as if trying to ordain the cause of the issues but its reasoning was not clear by any means directly there was no scent upon the air of sulfur or poison, the air seemed heavy but it was clear. While the sludge would give most animals the urge to run the carryons seemed to be closer than they would normally be. " Well it could be a spell of death placed upon the land, or a evil spirit trying to become one with the land to absorb the life that is found in this park. Either way the bodies of the animals need to be gathered and burned along with sage, fox glove, and weeping willow leaves. That should at least purify the air with in and around the park for the short term, as for the fountain.........That will be harder to deal with"
 
Nodding as Mith explained what needed to be done Jayliss removed from her pouch a pad and pencil and made list of materials needed. Replacing it she then called over to the men whom the Mayor had sent to help her.

"Gentlemen, I will need you to go through the park and collect all the dead animals and then bring them to the dumping ground so we can do what Mith has specified."


Looking back to Mith she thanked him for taking the time to come to the Park to help. "I would very much appreciate it Mith if you could think on how we could possibly solve this fountain problem, or suggest someone we could call in to aide us with this delima. Now, if you will excuss me I will tend to collecting the rest of the items we need."

With a nod of her head to Mith she followed the path back to the shed in which she would get a basket to place the other items that Mith had mentioned. 'Damn, I hope this works, if it doesn't I will have to contact the Mayor and have him officially close the park.' Jayliss had many thoughts going through her mind right now, and she was concrned that if this didn't work she could be out of a job.
 
"Indeed I shall think upon it Madam Jayliss and if I can come up with a solution or someone who may have a solution I shall let you know" Mithrandir Nodded slowly his eyes closing for a moment as he slowly knelt and then sat upon the ground. This problem had to have an outside source. What and where, those were the real questions certainly the burning of the Animal carcass and the herbs and plants he specified would certainly weaken whatever the hold was upon this park but at the same time it was a temporary fix, and with the smell of the fox glove it would force most animals to avoid this place so as to not die.

Clicking his tongue as he sat upon the ground he sniffed the air again checking for perhaps a hidden agent he had not noticed a source or oddity in the air that could define what had caused the fountain and the random deaths of the Animals. The Sludge from the fountain was also a concern with the flow of it as it was even a portal a mile into the sky would only delay its progress, while feeding it in to any other source on this plane would cause the evil to spread let alone burning it into a vapor that could hold over the land for centuries. Focusing his senses from his nose to his ears he listened as the slime slurped against the sand bags. " A Source for the fountain it must draw its water from a source, and that source must be tainted, unless its source is blessed......" He said to himself .

Slowly he rose from his sitting position his eyes opening slowly as if he had awoke from a long sleep and moved towards the sand bags. His silver colored eyes narrowing on the sludge as his right hand searched his pockets. Pulling forth three separate objects he inspected them as he could feel the familiar burn upon his skin from two of them. The First was a piece of natural silver unsmelted and fresh from the earth its burn was far stronger than that of smelted silver and often considered a great find for one who hunted creatures of a darker alignment.

Dropping the first object into the slime he waited for a result hoping it would either purify of burn upon the surface. The second odd and end was a chip of Mithril also called true silver the burn it left as it was tossed into the goo smouldered and bubbled in Mithrandirs hand. The Third was a simple Icon of a local deity that Mith had picked up when visiting the shrine. It did not burn but did seem to hold some level of holy power, albeit slight in compare to the two pieces of silver. It was a different form of power than the other two and could perhaps be the right type of energy to purify the fountain. But only time would tell.
 
The Park

The magic seemed to be taking effect. The goo in the park began to stiffen and break apart, disolving into the waters of the fountain, which began to slowly reassert their normal coloration.
 
Thanking the men Jayliss then made her way back to the Park and upon arriving she quickly took notice of the pleasant scent that now filled the air. Smiling and her step quickened, she was curious to see if Mith had accomplished his task, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. If it didn't it at least smelt better than when she left.

Passing through the Gateway the sound of running water greeted her, that and the rainbow colored mist that was floating along the gentle breeze. 'damn good job' she thought, it appears that Mith was successful indeed.
 
Mithrandir shook his head looking over the park slowly it seemed indeed the spell or rather the cure to the magic had worked it was not a true spell in the need of an incantation or use of magical power, but simply a cleansing ritual and the silver and small talisman. Shaking his head slowly as he turned and started his way out of the park he could feel little to no malignant evil about the place and smiled as he began to walk back to his tavern.
 
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