The first turbulent rumbles of a thunderstorm broke the quiet din of a Lanosian afternoon. While not an unusual occurrence for an autumn day along the eastern seashore, as the day progressed, so did the rain. The cloudburst moodily brushed sea and sky, and the firmament took on an ugly pallor. Soon, heavy winds surged overtop the choppy surf, the storm menacing the coastline as the inclement weather and tempestuous winds whipped closer. With how near to the Beryl Sea the gale was, Enorian sprang into action. The citizenry alerted the denizens of Stonebridge and ship captains alike to bataan down the hatches. Children were shooed inside, and all sought shelter from the encroaching squall.

In between flashes of brilliantine lightning and cacophonous thunder, the silhouette of a vessel was visible impressed upon the heaving tides. Realization that a ship was out there, and caught in the riptide, spread city-wide. Was this a raider intent on using the storm as cover, or a vessel in distress? Despite their unease, the Beacon mustered as Zealots, Ascendril, and Luminaries lit up the entire coastline with pale, pure light in an attempt to ward away the merchant ship. The Lighthouse flickered coruscating beams into the dismal cloud cover, with the occasional staccato of a foghorn blaring its alarm. The hurricane-strength storm refuted it all. Despite the Captain's valiant attempts, an enormous wave grappled the vessel. Soon, barely heard above the storms blustering percussion, came the sonance of wood shattering grievously against rocks.

Not long after, the first, and perhaps only, survivor of the ship wreck washed ashore along Enoiran's southern dockyards overlooking the ocean. Debris followed soon after. Eilyn Saravhin was the first to come across the half-drowned woman, informing the city of her whereabouts. Sryaen, Kalena, Eliadon, Roux, Finid, Czcienn, Renault, Rurthina, Aloli, Benedicto, and Inthirath arrived swiftly. Knowing that time was of the essence to save the injured woman, it took the combined efforts of the Dhie Lacinier Roux Aquila and Eotaia Eilyn to pluck her free of Death's thrall.

Slowly she stirred, informed that she was safe, secure, and in Enorian. The questions came then, not from the citizens, but the woman. Where am I? What happened to the ship? Are the crew okay? What about the cargo? And most importantly of all - where is my husband? Unease and realization spread through the throng. While some told the woman point-blank of the shipwreck, others were hopeful that survivors would be recovered. Despite the continuing storm, many wanted to go out onto the seething water until the Vanguard promised to launch a recovery mission once the storm broke. Eventually, more pressing matters revealed themselves.

Where the woman and the broken remnants of her cargo had come ashore, all guards and citizens existed in a petrified state. Enorian then noticed the eclectic treasures around her. Immediately, the effects of looking upon them were felt as flickers of petrification threatened to engulf those who stared directly at the items, or touched them. Death claimed Magus Eliadon twice over as he toyed with the objects. The citizens laments were swift. Worries of disease, or a curse, ran rampant. For now, though, all focus was on the woman. Plagued with worry and guilt, the woman was bustled off to the Illuminai's infirmary for further healing and succour, while the items on the seashore were cleverly concealed from view.

With gentle coaxing by Roux and Renault, the woman's story came to light, and repeated to the city ether nearly verbatim. Her name was Coralee, a researcher and enchanter trained in Mournhold, who had moved to the small northern village of Enadr with her husband. They were transporting five dangerous items made from the conquest of a gorgon . Its bones, flesh, teeth, and even skull had been made into trophies. As the story took shape and unfolded, Roux realized what was needed: a new chest and a cure. Would this traumatized woman be able to provide the answers they sought?

As Roux and Renault tended the woman, carefully extracting the information they needed, the citizens of Enorian spread out in search of materials. Mandrake for the cure, which was found by Herald Velheima Valtameri in the Ithmias. Live gorgon blood, which took the efforts of Knight-Sergeant Rasani Morrog as gorgon bait and Roux's swift agility to secure. Magewood, glass panes, and silver by way of Knight-Aspirant Rurthina Cardinalis whose aptitude with both furniture crafting and enchantment led her to assemble the mirror-lined chest to the proper dimensions. With the necessary items in hand, they returned to the dock with mild trepidation.

With Vanguard Sryaen Cardinalis risking his own life to secure the ill-wrought trophies, the items were once again crated with the woman pleading at them to bury it, sink it, or otherwise get rid of it. They were dangerous to have and more perilous to know about. Roux then turned his attention to the guards and citizens. Dribbling the curative into their frozen mouths, the assembled citizens hoped and prayed it would work. As the cure permeated their forms, the stony paralysis gave way, returning the citizens and guards to life.

Dismissed from duty to rest, the guards were replaced by a fresh battalion. As for Coralee, an open invitation to remain both in Enorian and within the Illuminai's Vebae Hialearo was proffered. Agreeing to stay, at least until she knew of her husband's fate, the shipwrecked enchantress returned to the guild estate with Roux and Renault.

Penned by my hand on Tisday, the 24th of Lanosian, in the year 501 MA.
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