Episode: The Sack of Bastion
Posted by Story on 06/22/22
Delays in reports are expected in such tumultuous times, especially with a looming Civil War in the Isles and increasingly emboldened shav attacks in the Crownlands and the Oathlands. Few had been paying much mind to the Lycene County of Balsamo, the seat of House Ricotti, just on the Lyceum-Oathlands border... until the dust settled. The city was the target of a string of horrific attacks over a period of three days leaving many troubled by the notion of a band of shavs causing such devastation in so little time. The merchant square was ablaze as the marauders torched stalls and warehouses, and whichever houses they happened to pass by in their rampage. Galleries were looted and sculptures were either destroyed or stolen. Lady Azaela Ricotti was slaughtered in her carriage, during her return home from a hunting trip, along with her companions and armed escort while her murderers took off with a precious family heirloom, a beautiful amethyst pendant.
As can be expected in the aftermath of such carnage, there was no end to the tall tales and wild theories that spread among the survivors. With some claiming to have seen centipedes the size of dogs scuttling through the alleyways, insisting that the creatures are still at large. One of the more consistent recollections mention a blonde woman in golden armor, ostensibly the leader, who called out directives from atop... a tree. One botanist is adamant that it was in a fact an absurdly large oleander, which her fellows find a dubious claim at best.
As can be expected in the aftermath of such carnage, there was no end to the tall tales and wild theories that spread among the survivors. With some claiming to have seen centipedes the size of dogs scuttling through the alleyways, insisting that the creatures are still at large. One of the more consistent recollections mention a blonde woman in golden armor, ostensibly the leader, who called out directives from atop... a tree. One botanist is adamant that it was in a fact an absurdly large oleander, which her fellows find a dubious claim at best.