Archive: Zarafae's Declaration of War Against Waterdeep

[Raona]

This is an archive of a series of postings to the public in-game noteboards, related to a specific subject with lingering ramifications. As there is a cap to how many messages can be posted to the notice boards, such messages are now transferred here, that new players may refer to them to better understand the history of the events.

Zarafae: A DECLARATION OF WAR
Tue Sep 2 06:03:23 2008
To: FAERUN Language: common
Throughout the history of the realms there have been periods during which
great changes have come to Faerun. These periods define history for all
subsequent generations, tales are told of the deeds committed by those who
live through these times, even though many thousands of years may come to
pass. The Crown Wars, The Fall of Netheril, the Time of Troubles, who among
us has not heard of these monumental struggles? Yet I tell you today that
thousands of years from now they shall speak of our own deeds in this... the
War of Broken Shackles, as the greatest struggle of them all. For the War of
Broken Shackles is a conflict not on behalf of a race, or an empire, or a
God, but a war for the very soul of the world that shall be built by those
who survive.

What is this monumental struggle? A war of freedom against slavery. A war
between those who would impose their will upon others through laws and
regulations and those who would question the very philosophical basis upon
which such laws are built. A war that frees the natural being, created to
strive constantly for improvement and progress, from the shackles placed upon
them by those who lack the strength, intellect and cunning to improve their
station in life through anything but arbitrary regulation. What is a law but
a defense of the status quo? What is a noble but an adventurer who has
acquired enough wealth and force of arms to impose his will over those who
are weak, poor and powerless? Perhaps that female may deserve her station in
life, but should her daughters inherit such positions, regardless of their
individual worth or strength?

We who bring forth this struggle say decidedly No! It shall go no further! In
the past it was possible for individuals of strength to escape the boundaries
imposed on them by society. But humans have spread their influence to every
corner of this world, so that c 'freedom of movement' has been forced into a
series of ever-shrinking islands. The wildest lands, the deepest forests, the
highest mountains, the most profound depths... these are the places where
freedom finds refuge, where strength is still a way of life. Yet every year
the armies of humanity march further into these places, cutting down the
forests, transcending mountain passes, sealing off the darkest places in an
attempt to make this world nothing more than a tame garden and a stage for
their petty squabbles.

As of this time, all land outside of cities is free, and no law shall reign
upon any who tread the wilderness. The only law shall be the law of the
strong triumphing over the weak. The sharp over the dull. The woman possessed
of indominatable will and force of personality over the male made a slave to
his expectations and the basest of his desires. We must abandon all
expectation of safety, for it leads to weakness, and what is the spreading of
human society and human law to every corner of the realm but assurances of
safety to those too weak to defend themselves? We must admit that there is
nothing but what we alone can muster to protect us from the horror of
oblivion.

Rumor has spread of a Drow invasion into Waterdeep. I say to you that these
rumors are true, in a sense. The Drow have been slaving for months now to
weaken the thin layer of stone between the Waterdeep and the vast chasm of
Skullport. Skilled Duergar craftsmen possessed of intimate knowledge of
alchemy have mined these tunnels with flashpowder and soon shall bring that
city crashing down into the cavern below, flooding the chasms of the ocean
and removing a great stain upon the world. We come not as conquerors but as
destructors of the old order! People of Waterdeep flee your city! Flee for
your lives and livelihoods! Turn out into the wilderness where the strong may
prosper and the weak may perish!

If you have it within you, you may join our army, and break the shackles of
society at our sides. The halfdrow, living between two worlds and despised by
both shall be the first to rise up! Zarafae, Araavar, Ryldaen, Violetta,
Helixa and even our spy Kienva who you so foolishly accepted into your
midsts, who learned of your organization and your leaders and who cares for
who has made our job all that much simpler. We shall repay you every slight
ever imposed upon us for the crime of being born. At our side is the
Stormspell Mazikeen and the Legions of Talos, who shall rain destruction upon
the world. The Druids and Hunstmen of Malar under Danten. The Legions of the
Black Sun under their Strifeleader Layna and the armies of the Ebon Spur led
by General Lath'lain Dy'nesir. Join with us, or fight against us, but do not
expect to stand on the sidelines as war comes to Faerun, a war of liberation
for all peoples who fear for their freedom! To arms! To arms!

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``Zarafae````\\()//
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Zarafae: THE WAR OF BROKEN SHACKLES - OPENING SALVOES
Mon Sep 8 04:36:58 2008
To: FAERUN Language: common
People of Faerun!

The War of Broken Shackles rages across this land like a fire spreading over
the dry plains of the east! On every front the forces of freedom combat the
tyranny of law, the chance to throw off the chains of your contemptible
expectations can be yours! Join with the forces of chaos to rise up against
the yoke of mediocrity! In Cormanthor Forest, once the ancient realm of Myth
Drannor, the Druids of Malar have begun a grand campaign to drive out for
once and for all the remaining refugees of that fallen empire. The mages of
the Circle of Rust and the Worm believe that vast secrets lie within this
forest, secrets of destruction from the Abyss which they shall put to great
use against all those who would make themselves our enemies. Shall you stand
at their side, or fight against them?

In Zhentil Keep, the intellect of the followers of the Dark Sun was put to
the test and found far superior to that of the naive followers of the path of
tyranny and false hope proffered by the squires Briek and Alfrid, of Tyr and
Ilmater respectively. These two symbols of all that we despise were tortured
and held prisoner, while the hero of Waterdeep, Gwain Rambash, fell before
the hands of General Lath'lain Dy'nesir and the Strifeleader Layna Deveraux,
and the servant of Ilmater found that true suffering was far beyond his
imagining as he was forced to feast upon the flesh of the fallen former
leader of Waterdeep's City Watch! Do you think that you are mightier than he,
to stand against the power of the Dark Sun's chosen and the commander of the
Ebon Spur?

In the depths of the Undermountain, Zarafae, the Queen of Chaos, Lolth's hand
upon the surface of the world, struck down one of the mightiest of the
Rangers, Telnier Talmar with her command of dark and secret magics! Now he
lies prisoner at their mercy, what vile tortures shall he experience at her
hands? It is no secret, for they are the very same tortures she would and has
placed upon all those who questioned her power! The warrior of Kelemvor,
Nera, was to be sent to the surface to act as messenger and tell all the tale
of what happens to those who will rear their heads foolishly against the
legions of freedom. Instead she chose to spew out false words insulting those
who held her life in their hands, who had acted with clemency. Her corpse
told a very different story, lying in a broken and shattered heap upon the
surface of the world.

Jaenoic has called us cowards for our methods, but which among us acts with
cowardice? A woman who dismisses the terrible danger we truly represent by
sticking her head in the sand and wishing that we will go away? Who takes a
position of leadership among the people of Waterdeep yet refuses to step from
the city to truly lead you all? We respect the strength of those who show
true courage, even if we disagree with their means. When Telnier strove with
his last thread of strength to oppose us, that was courage. When Nera spat in
our faces, that was freedom! Freedom from fear, freedom from regret, in
opposing us they have learned something of themselves, we salute their
strength while we question their wisdom. Yet Jaenoic now says that she shall
array the forces of the Deep and her allies to meet us upon the field of
battle. The armies of revolution shall take up this task, and soon shall
march to bring vast war to Faerun.

For those who have no desire to take part in this war, who lack the courage
of their convictions, or who truly have no convictions, there is nothing for
you. You gain no respect, your deeds remain unsung for they are unworthy of
song. To fight for and die for what you believe in without knowing the
outcome, that is courge. To strive for a new world through the destruction of
the old social order, that is freedom. To waste away the days of your life in
the Market Square, that is slothfulness. To clear out a den of orcs and call
it an adventure is absurdity. To live a life that is safe, secure, without
threat or some great thing to strive for, that is a life unworth living. Yet
none would deny you the right to this life, so for those who feel that this
great war is a nuisance to their lives, go about your business, you are of no
interest to we giants who stride the world, who through the will to power
shape this world in our very image.

So rally, friends or foes! Those who would taste freedom, who would try to
make some sort of difference in this world, to arms! To our side, or theirs!
Jaenoic builds an army to contest our forces! The Rangers shall not ignore
this slight upon one of their mightiest! No doubt they shall strike back
against the Huntsmen of Malar who now seek to drive them from their forests.
And for those who wish the accolades of the masses while suffering nothing,
to lead without inspiring, to claim glory while never risking any real
defeat, what have we to say to you but that you have made your choice? Life
is a vast struggle, a momentous conflict between opposing forces. Glory is
not found upon the sidelines of this conflict, fame and everlasting renown
are not to be had when nothing is risked. As you spend your time wringing
your hands over the deeds of those greater than you, rest assured that you
shall be ignored, you need fear nothing for the safety in which you place so
much stock.
Zarafae

*A MESSAGE FROM THE STRIFELEADER LAYNA*

The Church of the Dark Sun wishes to extend its forgiveness to heretics who
have been led astray. All shall be welcomed back to Cyric's bosom if they
only seek the light. As for the faithless, they shall continue to be struck
down, in glorious retribution for past atrocities committed against those who
hold the light of the Dark Sun in their hearts.


Jakoora: Beware the Spider's Web
Mon Sep 8 17:45:45 2008
To: All Language: common
There is a saying in Skullport: "How can you tell if a follower of the Spider
Queen is lying? Her lips are moving." Of course, in Skullport, no one will
say that very loud. That is because Skullport is a place without laws.
Skullport is a place of slavery. The spider worshipper, Zarafae, talks about
silly ideas of laws being like slaver. She says that because the laws fight
her whenever she tries to enslave the world to her will. Leave no doubt
that allying with the spider worshipper will enslave you to her. It will
not be some fancy idea, but there will be real shackles on your limbs and
the real pain of a real whip on your back.


Roderick: Attention Travelers of the Land
Mon Sep 8 21:17:14 2008
To: All Language: common
Attention travelers of the land!

The best thing any of us can do to ensure the safety of ourselves and our
friends is to be wary. The instigators of this so called 'war' rely on
tricks and deception to further their cause. The best defense to
counteract this is knowledge and common sense. Be wary of your
surroundings and of things around you that seem somewhat...unusual.
For example, one of the ring leaders of this band has been known to
throw her voice to deceive. Another popular tactic is to use amulet
communication to attempt to lure unsuspecting folks into trouble by
claiming to be fallen adventurers. They then steadfastly refuse to
give you a name or details of their situation.

If you see things or hear things that sound out of the ordinary, use
caution. If you insist on acting on them take every step you can
to protect yourself in case it is a trap. Be wary and alert and
always have emergency plans in place. Help spread the knowledge by
posting about any tricks or traps that these forces attempt to use
on you.

Practice patience and good sense. These are sharper and deadlier
than any weapons made of steel.

Roderick


Enig: People of Waterdeep
Tue Sep 9 05:45:34 2008
To: Waterdhavians Language: common
People of Waterdeep,

Even the most debauched of ideas, veiled in sophistry and allusion, can be
made to appear glorious and worthy. When laid bare, however, the true virtue
of an ideal can be seen, and that is how I shall continue.

It is true that Telnier has escaped from his dire circumstance and has asked
me inform the people of Waterdeep about this so he can serve as an example of
hope, despite the forces that currently rally against the good names of order
and law. He doesn't need fancily worded speeches to prove the strength of
his convictions, his actions speak for him and cannot be silenced with mad
debate.

As well, I have an appeal of my own, to you citizens of Waterdeep who would
be swayed by Zarafae's words; do not go to war only to prove yourself.

There are a great many types of sacrifice and the loss of life in battle is
not the only one of worth. Those of us who choose not to face Waterdeep's
enemies openly in this conflict will not become legends or be remembered in
stories but we can resist in our own way. By living our lives in safety,
guided by the compasses of law and virtue, we devalue what little they have
gained with murder and lies. It is neither glorious nor heroic but we
commoners of Waterdeep are entrusted with the city's spirit. We must honour
our defenders by maintaining the ideals of the city in our day to day lives,
else it will be lost forever.

-Enig Quetia