EFU:R Gossip, Major Events, and Rumors (IC Knowledge)

[LiAlH4]

::[Sixth of Tarsakh : Year 161 : 1383 DR]::

It has taken a day for the rumors to cease flying with reckless abandon, for those of the Civil Service to come to grips with one set of facts among many, each competing for the limelight in an increasingly crowded narrative. All of them agree, however, that the candidate for Prefect, the late Civil Servant Renée Greystarred, advocate for the Blacks, prosecutor and defender through multiple trials, is dead following her direction of a foul ritual aimed at sacrificing a fellow Hin. The location, all the more horrific, the Katra Vermand Memorial Hospital, where men of Ilmater had apparently begun work attempting to bring some treatment to the withered and destitute of Lower Sanctuary. Had it not been for the timely intervention of the Watch, the responding officer reportedly Hin herself, and the heroism of a stockily-built newcomer to Sanctuary, the dark would be all the more black.

The Civil Service, with the support of the Watch and, it would seem, following careful Spellguard analysis of the scene, report a powerful signature of enchantment magics which suggest that the beleaguered Clerk may have been forced into committing the terrible act. An outpouring of support for the scandal-ridden clerk, from none other than the office of Chief-Herald Penelope Castling, backs the memory and character of the Clerk Greystarred as a devoted, dedicated Civil Servant who could not possibly have committed these acts except under the most extreme form of duress - mental compulsion.

Cheers and cries of jubilation at the news were heard from some parts of the Workmill, where talk of action is discussed more openly, as the very Clerk whose support for Director Gould's operation has had her credibility shattered. Among these and other circles, the rumors of her membership a cult to Shar or even the Night Serpent itself are taken at face value, with abject dismissals of the official line put out by the Directorate and the Civil Service.

Rumors swirl further at the prospect of an inquisition, as of yet unannounced, by the Spellguard into the existence of such cults and the possibility that their members may well be enthralled. Rumors which, of course, the Spellguard vociferously ignores. Amid worker unrest, terrible revelations, and ever-grim tidings from beyond the shield, Sanctuary endures.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Tarsakh 13th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Word spreads that a group of Watchers, in full Watcher regalia, ventured beyond the shield into the in-between ruins to deal with a dangerous cultist of some description.

On their return through the ruins, having incapacitated the cultist, they were attacked by Mad Marge. After a ferocious battle it is rumoured that the Watchers and their companions were thoroughly defeated, only to be rescued by Patrice Vermand and his Half-Orc Companion, who delivered a blow to Mad Marge that nearly killed her. The Scrapgirl fled into the ruins, heavily injured, though with a considerable amount of gold pilfered from the Watchers nevertheless.

Some have subsequently noted that it seems Mad Marge can bleed, just like everybody else.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Tarsakh 15th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Rumours abound that today the Watchers had visited extreme brutality upon the workers involved in the labour dispute.

Witnesses claim they saw a company of Watchers, led by a Sergeant many would recognise as Amory Balfour, raid a home in Sanctuary that was widely known as the publishing headquarters of the protest movement.

Following the smashing of the protesters' printing press, much of their propaganda has seen a greatly decreased circulation, and yet... half a dozen to a dozen women were widowed today, it is said, and their cries for vengeance have not fallen on deaf ears...

[AKMatt]

::[ Tarsakh 17th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

A small scene was caused by Gwyneth DeVries's revelation that the Causril Commune recruits new citizens against their will and indoctrinates them aggressively.

An emissary of the Causril Commune named Sylus Medret thereafter arrived in Freedom Square to assure the people of Sanctuary that no practice resembling slavery is used to bolster the ranks of the militaristic commune.  His admission that exceptional circumstances on the Surface occasionally required desperate measures have left a few questioning his honesty, though most of Sanctuary seems to believe him.

Those who support Gwyneth's version of the truth are quite vocal about it, however.

[Meldread]

::[ Tarsakh 21st : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

The town is afire with rumors of what occurred this dark.  There is a great deal of conflicting rumors as people begin to point fingers at each other. What is known and is confirmed is that there was a massive riot outside the recently rented Temple of Waukeen in the Residential District.

According to confirmed rumors the Priestess of Waukeen, Blythe Silverscales, set about to give her planned sermon regarding the current events surrounding the Workmill.  The crowd was deeply divided along political lines, with those of the Black Guild supporting the Workers, those of the Red Guild supporting Director Gould, and average citizens deeply divided.  Things took a turn for the worse near the end of the sermon, when Blythe began to give the workers present a meager sum of gold.  The meager sum caused some to protest.

According to the most widely believed accounts, members of the Black Guild then offered a substantial sum of gold to be distributed to the workers.  This gold was given to the priestess of Waukeen, who immediately was assaulted by sad stories from the workers.  She began to hand out even larger sums of gold, which in turn began to solicit desperate cries from average citizens.  Rumors of gold being handed out by the priestess quickly spread about Sanctuary, and soon the Temple was overrun with desperate citizens looking for their share.

As the crowd grew more agitated and desperate, and more than a few agitators among those present started to show signs of violence, magic was used to try and subdue the crowd. This caused a panic, which almost allowed the priestess to escape unharmed.  However, she was spotted before she got away, and the crowd began to surge toward her.  As this happened an all out riot broke out, leaving many wounded, and a handful dead.  Quite a few citizens spent the dark crammed into a Watcher cell for disorderly conduct.

Things grew worse still, after the Watchers cleared out the area, some individuals - it is unclear who - went back to the Temple of Waukeen and vandalized it.  

From this point forward it is difficult to know the truth, as rumors devolve quickly into finger pointing and political propaganda.

[ShadowCharlatan]

Tarsakh 25th, Year 161, 1383 DR

The rumours say that it was the actions of Alexei Antonov, a lowly and  some say incompetant and embarassing Auxiliary - though now it is contended by many that this was simply treachery in disguise - that provoked such sweeping wrath from the Spellguard. Agents can be seen stoically leading expeditions of Animatrons and Auxiliaries into  Dunwarren, and Lower, searching the sparser and emptier sectors of the Svirfneblin  city and the Machine and questioning every resident found...

All this because, this dark, Alexei stole an  animatron and delivered it into the hands of the Masked Man and his  associates. The betrayal has sent ripples of anger and confusion through Sanctuary, and there is a mood of sullen fury and determination about the Spellguard Auxiliarymen who traverse the ways and streets of the city, placing bounty notices and speaking with Watchers... plastering the city with the name "Alexei Antonov".

The only word from the Spellguard thus far is that the events of this dark, if their results cannot soon be undone, will cause the emergence of an existential threat to Sanctuary.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Tarsakh 26th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

It is wildly known that Blythe Silverscales was mugged in plain view of everyone in the middle of the House of Governance by an assailant armed with a crossbow and wearing rusted chainmail.

A group incensed by this audacious crime were deputised by Watcher Argan Brows and Agent Nuul Shazeem to hunt for the perpetrator in Lower Sanctuary, culminating in a daring raid on the Crone.

Chuckling Bill, a one handed man and the mugger were seen later ejecting a battered and bruised group of Upper Sanctuarians from the Crone. Thereafter Chuckling Bill appeared to be sporting some memorabilia his collection was until now lacking: a brand new Watcher Helmet and cloak.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Tarsakh 28th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Cries and screams of terror erupted from the House of Trade when an assassin emerged from the shadows behind Blythe Silverscales as she addressed an audience of customers at her trade stall and ran her threw with a knife. The assailant could be heard saying the following words before plunging the knife into her back:

"What cruel fate falls upon you, my dear, when foundations of love are built on treachery. My Lord cares not for your tale, only that you now welcome his silent embrace."

After painting the floors and walls of the hall with her blood, the assassin fled and was quickly lost to the narrow streets of Upper Sanctuary. Many Sanctuarians mourn the passing of the Holycoin, yet, in some dark corners of Dunwarren, others wring their hands with mirth...

[Ladocicea]

::[ Tarsakh 28th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Shortly after the assassination of Blythe Silverscales, the outlaws Onehand and Slugtongue launched a raid upon the House of Knowledge. It appears that they had attempted to smash one of the glass cases to steal an exhibition piece.

While one librarian was slain in the raid, the rest were evacuated, and the Watchers and Spellguard, incensed by the brazen killing of a noteworthy citizen in the House of Trade, quickly surrounded the building and demanded the immediate surrender of the men within. When Slugtongue and Onehand emerged and refused to lay down their weapons, the Spellguard representative directed several Artillery Animatrons to bombard them, nearly reducing the pair to dust. Many observers note that there was no trial for the pair after they were apprehended, and that the Spellguard's no-nonsense approach was an attempt to bring a sense of order back to the streets of Upper Sanctuary after a recent spate of increasingly audacious crimes.

The pair were never seen again.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Mirtul 16th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Mad Marge is at it again.

Today a Watcher was taken while walking alone, and in uniform, through the In-Between ruins. It is said Marge dragged the Watcher into the Bowels of The Machine, and issued a ransom of five thousand gold pieces.

A group was quickly assembled to rescue the Watcher, and, unusually, he was returned without further incident. The circumstances that led Marge to return the Watcher are unclear, only two things being certain: the ransom was not paid, and there was no significant fighting either.

Many have begun to wonder if this move signifies a change in Mad Marge's methodology: some say she has become more cautious, while others speculate that the significant increase in the sums of money she is aiming to take indicate either a growing ambition, or growing desperation.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Mirtul 17th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Sanctuary was today plunged into chaos.

Following an explosion at the work mill, in which many workers were horribly burned and injured, there was a large riot in the streets. As tensions reached breaking point, indisciminate violence broke out on both sides, with many Watchers, workers and innocent bystanders getting hurt or killed. The Workmill has subsequently been shut down.

During the riot, a large group of well armed bandits launched a raid on the House of Trade. While most of the tradesmen and merchants made it out before the hall was set on fire, the vault was broken into and plundered. It is said that the relief party that arrived to combat the raiders and douse the flames glimpsed Mad Marge moving in the thick, dense smoke of the House of Trade, although no other trace of her was found.

According to a preliminary estimation made by the Scriviner Carmen Evans of the Mausoleum, 18 workers, 7 innocent citizens and 3 Watchers lost their lives today.

It seems certain that they won't be the last.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Mirtul 18th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

The workers have today seized both the wares of the workmill and subsequently Director Gould's mansion. One of his personal guard was killed in the struggle and his lifeless body was found below the director's residence: whether he was thrown or fell in the melee is unclear.

The workers retracted the lift to the Director's residence and spent the rest of the day shoring up their position. A series of repeating ballistae bristle threateningly from the elevated platforms, and a surprisingly well-drilled rotation of very heavily armed guards, clad in the finest wares of the workmill, take it in turns to keep watch. It is clear the workers have been planning this for a while, and they have quickly made their new headquarters amongst the most impervious locations to attack in the entirety of Sanctuary proper.

Following their success, they issued a public invitation to members of the Black Guild, Elven Mourners of the Garden, and men living beyond The Shield to join them. It is clear that, should such a coalition be formed, it could prove to be the largest and most well-equipped militia in Sanctuary, surpassing even The Watchers.

[ShadowCharlatan]

First of Kythorn : Year 161 : 1383 DR

With Director Gould's residence occupied by revolutionaries, and the Workmill shut down, Sanctuary has begun to get a bitter taste for the impact. The first signs of the stalling Workmill are observed in the House of Trade:

"But that was only five coins yesterday."

"You sold that to him for forty nine. Don't think I didn't hear you."

"What do you mean there's no more purple buttons?"

It's mild yet, and folk are finding ways to make do... borrowing, or handing down, or what have you. But predictions in the House of Trade are dark indeed, and some merchants in their cups at the House of Heroes have never seemed so sad.

Yet resolute are the hopes that a solution will be found in times to come. With what seems a deafening silence coming from the Black Guild, the elves, and others called upon for revolution. And with no further altercations, the tension has melted some. Indeed, Citizens of Sanctuary are even heard speaking positively that the Watchers have the violence under control, that the revolutionaries can't hide in Gould's mansion forever... and one dark the important people on all sides will just sit down and sort it all out.

But there are others, grieving for friends and family lost in the riots, who watch the Workmill and the guardians of the fortified mansion with quiet, vengeful hope.

And there are those that loudly declare that the lazy rebels should be thrust aside, arrested, tried... to make room for those coming fresh to Sanctuary, who want to work.

Guesses abound, as to whether it is the quiet before the storm, or the last scratchy page before the book is quietly closed on this chapter of Sanctuary history...

[ShadowCharlatan]

::[ Kythorn 4th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Thomas Blanqui today delivered a speech outside the shut-down Workmill, rejecting the deal offered by the Directorate and making an impassioned call to the people of Sanctuary and the workers not to lose heart in fighting for what's right. But his words were met by hostility, indifference, and suspicion from the onlookers. He had come as a furious bear of a man, and left a wounded dog. It seems none, if any, heeded his call.

As his words ended with solitary cries from revolutionaries of "AN END TO DEBT BONDAGE!", "BETTER PAY!" and "FREEDOM!", some say Watchers were chuckling on the sidelines.

For the workers of Sanctuary, the whole event was salt in their wounds. Tales of their suffering filter through the rumours of the dark. A worker forced to sell his only boots to feed his family. Master Zurkhwood Artisans ashamedly begging their friends for coin. Folk already hundreds, or a thousand or more sovereigns in debt taking greater loans to make ends' meet. All the while, it seems... no one cares.

With Blanqui's occupation looking increasingly hopeless, and demoralised workers hurting while the Workmill remains closed, Sanctuary waits.

[Meldread]

::[ Kythorn 18th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

News quickly spreads around Sanctuary of the trial of Prefect Liruwen, the self-styled Matriarch of the Elves.  The trial itself was overseen by Prefect Sinclair by majority vote by the Directorate, who had also agreed to abide by his decision.  She was put on trial for numerous crimes, but chief among them treason for consorting with known or suspected thralls and attempting to endanger Sanctuary by letting them into the city.  All who witnessed the trial speak of Prefect Sinclair's open and unconcealed contempt for Liruwen and any who sought to defend her.

Ultimately, the fallen Prefect was declared guilty and sentenced to be burned at the stake as she had sentenced Bjorl the Troll, her most widely known case in her brief time as Prefect.  Prefect Sinclair is said to have been amused at the thought of burning a "knife-eared witch" alive.

However, as she was carried off to Freedom Square to be executed, one of the elves gathered there started to protest openly.  He called on the crowd to not allow the injustice to take place and to take action.  As he was speaking, Prefect Sinclair ordered Sergeant Balfour to begin beating him until he became silent, but before this could happen a horn sounded from the rebel occupied mansion of Director Gould.

At that moment the elf speaking cried out for those gathered among the commoners who had amassed to see the execution to reveal themselves.  Numerous elven warriors, elven marksmen, worker revolutionaries, and a scattering of cultists from Lower Sanctuary revealed themselves to be armed and armored under their robes.

What took place next varies from account to account.  However, it was a massive and chaotic battle, where it became difficult to tell friend from foe.  Bystanders, spurred on by the actions they had witnessed leaped to join the fray.  Friend turned against friend, revealing at last the deep divisions in Sanctuary.  

In the end the majority of those who had rebelled escaped to Director Gould's mansion, where they regrouped and remained for some time.  Each side began to assess the damage and their losses.  It became clear that the rebels had successfully spirited away the disgraced Prefect, but it did not come without a heavy cost.  

Thanks to the advanced planning by the Spellguard and the Watchers, animatrons and additional watchers were on duty.  They were able to capture three prominent rebels, two lesser known Elves, and the high valued rebel named Sigvar who is believed to be the public leader of the Cult of Ascension.

Sigvar was immediately dragged off to Serena Tower, no doubt to endure harsh interrogation at the hands of the Spellguard.  What he will reveal is unknown, though the rumors are many.

However, the rebels had captured a prisoner of their own, a member of the Watchers.  An exchange was arranged and the Watcher was ultimately swapped for one of the lesser known elves.  Immediately after the exchange took place, the Watchers fired upon the occupied mansion of Director Gould with incendiary flames. All who did not make it inside the mansion perished.

After this Sanctuary fell silent and life slowly started to return to normal.  However, what remains of the elves of Sanctuary are fractured, with some elven civilians now the objects of scorn from their neighbors, and hostile anti-elven graffiti begins to appear near the garden of the lost.

Life has returned to normal, but deep resentments and anger seems to be boiling under the surface.  It is only a matter of time before it erupts again.  Meanwhile, the Watchers quickly move to keep the peace through whatever means necessary.