I think that with the sending system change and a focus on gathering folks in game it might be nice if there was some sort of system that ICly supported this idea even more.
My thoughts are:
- Characters trigger some manner of event in taverns or even Pond strongholds (enhanced by eating / drinking / sitting in a chair in the tavern or something? Designated area in tavern?) that can spread a rumor after a duration, lowered by the more characters triggering it
- Characters can pay gold to increase this effect (possibly with a minimum of two people?) Charisma can modify this effect
- Bards can increase this effect in some form
- Rogues can increase this effect based on charisma modifier / perk
At the end of the day, players might see a notice that says something like "A small/medium/large gathering of adventurous fokk is rumored to be in the TAVERN X" or whatever.