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

[Divine Intervention]

::[ Alturiak 3rd : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

Curious events struck Upper Sanctuary this dark, beginning with the hosting of a contest of arms by one Doban Cherninshat the grand Sanctuary Stadium.  As citizens of all stripes went to do battle or enjoy the bloodsports, it is said a pair of strange men entered the vast complex and after a short while the larger of the two vanished into the backrooms.  Whether by design or chance, intrepid spectators are rumoured to have stumbled on a nefarious plan to take hostage all within and seize the Stadium for some manner of chaotic "game".  Evidently the security being insufficient, the armed criminals involved were able to wrest control of the entire colosseum, sealing terrified people inside the main chambers and cutting off communication or alarm with the rest of the city.  Those within report that they were then subjected to the insane shenanigans of the mysterious mad man known as the "Bloodshot Baron", a feared drug dealer wanted for producing the recent drug epidemic in Lower.  The specifics of this orgy of violence and anarchy remain hazy due to the reticence of many to speak and tight Spellguard control of any information regarding damage to the Stadium.  

This confusing and fearful event has left many citizens of Upper Sanctuary wondering if anywhere is safe from the dangers of that haunt the streets below and the world beyond.  Bodies covered in heavy cloth carried from the stadium along with the awful smell of charred meat belie a terrible fate for some of those who were trapped within.  The question on everyone's lips remains, who is this "Bloodshot Baron" and is there any agency in Upper Sanctuary capable of stopping the rising body count from his actions...?

[Howlando]

::[ Alturiak 23rd : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

After several sendings announcing that Gould & Company will be arranging for a herd of domesticated rothe to graze in the shroom-filled mines near Sanctuary, a large group of adventurers set out to assist in the defense of the herd. Their mission was a tragic failure and the people of Sanctuary will seemingly be deprived of the opportunity for cheap rothe-burgers.

According to reports, a monstrous, gargantuan PURPLE WORM managed to tunnel into the mines and devour the entire herd before finally being driven off by the adventurers. In its thrashings and wild wriggling, the huge worm even collapsed the precarious mine shafts and it appears the entire complex has fallen into ruin...

As for the worm, although greatly wounded, it was not destroyed - and will surely return once more, when it hungers again.
 

[Divine Intervention]

::[ Alturiak 24th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

A few strange happenings have occurred around Sanctuary in the past week and a half, beginning with a burgeoning spate of murders, most grotesque in nature. Twelve darks ago it is rumoured the Sanctuary Watchers found the mangled body of a streetwalker, dead from what appears to be a wild animal attack. This, it is said has been followed by two more murders in a similar vein, one a wandering salesman and the other a prominent merchant. The details remain unclear and numerous citizens whisper that the Watchers are keeping the matter under wraps to avoid panic, but it is commonly understood that someone, or something most foul is at work in Upper.

Meanwhile, just five darks past, those who were wandering beyond the confines of Dunwarren report a vast rumbling and shaking of the earth in the vicinity of the Dark Lake. Sailors and merchantmen speak in hushed tones of a great upheaval and terrible sounds emanating from the cursed spit of land known vaguely as "Cape Harrowden", a grim and ill fated place long avoid by decent folk...

[Howlando]

::[ Ches 17th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

Rumors spread of a major Mystrilite ritual attempted by former Director Aurelia Larskul in some hidden laboratory of the In Between. Although it's believed the Spellguard declared the ritual unauthorized and attempt to interrupt it, somehow the the Priestess accomplished an entire ritual in but a blink of an eye...

Wild magic and red star gloamings crackled through the In Between until the stalwart Warders of Sanctuary managed to contain them, but it's said that the Mystrilite and the popular Watcher Medic Flynn Ross were never seen again.

[ShadowCharlatan]

::[ Ches 17th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

The darks are full of the news that Sanctuary is at last unveiling itself to the Underdark. With construction work beginning on the Dunwarren Gate and Beetle Ranches in lands beyond, the humiliation of the failed Rothe farm seems behind the Red Guild's expansion agenda. This time, columns of Spellguard Animatrons shake the caverns with their steps, and the trained eyes of Watchers scan the darkness.

There is talk, too, leaked through the civil service or perhaps the Black Guild... of the Red Directorate's desire to organise diplomatic envoys to nearby settlements, as well as those across the Dark Lake.

But though much excited and sceptical talk is heard, it is not Upper Sanctuary that has felt the march of Greater Sanctuary. In the Sanctuary Below, news of Upper Sanctuary's movements has sent new waves of anxiety and malaise through the downtrodden folk... In response, the dominant cults have begun to jostle for influence... preaching, recruiting, and making claims, as though preparing for some expected conquest from above. Though none seems forthcoming, especially with Director Glademore's "Right of Repentance" finding resistance from his own guild. Rumours tell that Roaldhe Gould remains unwilling to consider forgiving the crimes and debts of those who occupied his mansion -- no matter how virtuous they may be in the eyes of the gods.

Last, but not least, comes the talk of the Spellguard's preoccupation with an old problem returned... some contagion in the Machine, spreading out of control. There is talk of a stern response, to shut down valuable access chambers and begin a Machine-wide search for the entity known as "The Host".

[Howlando]

::[ Ches 18th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

Rumors spread of some sort of assault on a Scrapper convention that resulted in the theft of unknown objects and deaths of many Scrappers. A huge band of adventurers, Spellguard, Watchers, Ordinants, and others mustered to make a response.

Rumors speak of grotesque creatures covered with maggots and fungal growths that used a huge worm to burrow into old Dunwarren, and battle at terrible cost.

All manner of strange and implausible rumors spread as to how the entire affair concluded, but it is known that whatever scrap that was stolen was seemingly not recovered.

 

[ShadowCharlatan]

::[ Ches 23rd : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

Rumours leak from the House of Governance of a diplomatic mission soon to be organised to formally meet the Master of the Mound in the name of Sanctuary. The details of the mission vary wildly. Some say that it is a cover for the slaying of the Red Dragon Magnatz. Others say that Magnatz, the great sorcerer, is to be captured and brought in chains to Serena Tower. Still others speak that the trickle of coal smugglers that secretly service Sanctuary's hunger for fuel will soon become much wealthier when a trade deal is struck. Some speak of the Mound's strategic importance to Sanctuary, as a route to the Lowerdark and a waystop upon the Low Road. Others say that Magnatz will be the first to purchase animatronic labour from Sanctuary, and free his monstrous minions.

The tales vary. But all agree on the one point... that Prefects and Officials - hungry to prove themselves and be chosen to lead the mission - are said to be scouting for a few suitable candidates to join them, and help determine the future of Sanctuary.

 

[SanTelmo]

::[ Ches 25th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

Citizens of Upper Sanctuary speak worriedly about a sudden assault that started in the middle of the Freedom Square. It is said that a small group of the Society of the Ordered Mind attacked a citizen from the shadows, kidnapping her right in front of the Watchers on guard duty. The motley crew of Ordinants managed to escape the Square swiftly but met resistance before they could reach their Chapterhouse. Two innocent citizens were caught in the middle of this fight, both of them seriously injured by explosive fire magic that the Ordinants were said to have used.

As the Ordinants bolted and locked the Chapterhouse behind them, the Watchers, some men of the Auxiliary and ordinary citizens gathered outside the Chapterhouse demanding the release of the assaulted citizen. Finally an angry Sergeant of the Watch arrived to the scene and cordoned the area. Then he entered the Chapterhouse with a group of Watchers as well as with a member of Auxiliary who pushed in front of him a badly injured Ordinant.

What exactly happened inside the Chapterhouse has remained blurry among the general populace but the rumours say a fight broke out again. After a while, the Watchers and Warders who went inside emerged from the Chapterhouse, carrying a burnt corpse of a citizen. Soon after them a battered crew of Ordinants, supposedly responsible for the kidnapping, walked out of the Chapterhouse and they all went to the Watchhouse.

A trial was held and one of the Ordinants, Hubert Cline, was sentenced to death while another by the name of Roland Vordhael received a heavy beating for his involvement in this unlawful and chaotic operation. Third Ordinant, Abberforth Bleakfyre, was exiled. At least one more Ordinant is rumoured to be receiving a judgement on her actions as the investigations to this sad affair continue.

The Ordinants claimed that the citizen had been a thrall who needed to be eliminated but in the trial, no substantial evidence to support this claim was actually found. Their wild, sudden and unauthorized actions against a citizens of Sanctuary have been largely deemed as unneeded vigilantism. Not only did the citizen Sybelle Verlisk suffer a burning death by their hands in a situation that was more than vague, two innocent bystanders were injured in the poorly planned abduction of this supposed thrall. The condition of the other two citizens is still critical but fortunately for the Society’s already tarnished public image, they are said to likely recover from their wounds.

Citizens are having a mixed range of emotions regarding this whole event. Some speak of the Ordinants with fear and anger, whispering that they are nothing but zealots who will attack anyone they want - with or without a proof of thralldom, paying no respect to the law enforcement of the Sanctuary. Other more aggressive souls have been seen and heard publicly shouting rude comments at any Ordinants passing by. Whether this event will calm down as "just a few bad apples in the basket" remains to be seen.

[ShadowCharlatan]

::[ Ches 28th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

Rumours tell that a deal was struck between Magnatz the Red, and the city of Sanctuary.

But the events of todark tell of a price paid in blood. All of a sudden, it seemed, dozens of people made their way out of the Sanctuary gates in a trance. Knights and nobles, among them the old Donrick family of Sanctuary and other familiar faces. They travelled into the Underdark, followed by worried relatives and panicky adventurers, who vainly attempted to deter them from their destination... the Mound of Magnatz.

It is said that Magnatz had cast some spell over them, used some powerful ill-gotten relic containing a remnant of Siamorphe's power... in a ritual to call forth those of noble blood to his domain. There, to have their veins drained.

The rumours speak that Prefect Albrecht Vauclair did battle with the powerful giant sorcerer Magnatz to regain the lost relic, but after a valiant battle fell to the savage might of the Bloodmage.

Todark, the people of Sanctuary grimly observe, Magnatz drinks the blood of Sanctuary, toasting to its new alliance.

[Mort]

::[ Tarsakh 5th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

Rumors speak that Director Szul and select few Spellguard Agents are garnering support for a dangerous freedom raid on the Outskirts of Ysinode. According to the tavern whispers, the director has stumbled by chance upon key information that could help strike at the heart of the Dread and free hundred of slaves.

Nevertheless, should it be successful, the names of those who ventured on such a dangerous task would surely be the talk of the town, and greatly aid in the Directory's popularity. Other voices are greatly worried that this operation would attract undue attention from the Dread Empire...

The assault is said to happen in the next few darks...

[ooc: EST Evening]

[Mort]

::[ Tarsakh 7th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

On this cycle, a joint operation between the Spellguard, the Watch, the Society and the Knights of the Golden Chalice -- led by Director Szul -- in the outskirts of Ysinode led to the liberation of hundreds of slaves, whom were all promptly checked for thralldom by Sanctuary's finest. While many slaves have perished during the escape, the operation is said to have been a success with hundreds of foul creation of the Dread Empire fallen by our saviors' hand as well as several illithids finding their demise.

Sanctuary, as a whole, was in festivities regarding the strike and the surge of new population is slowly being integrated into the city.


 

[Howlando]

Wild Rumors in the Dark

The residents of the great Vault of Dunwarren are filled with all manner of rumor and wild tales of recent deeds and occurrences. Of particular note -

- The streets of Lower have become noticeably more tense as of late, with residents being rallied to the causes of three major cults: the gloomy Dwellers of Darkness, the optimistic Brotherhood of the Ascension, and the fearsome Cults of the Ooze. Although tensions between the three are merely simmering at this point, there's no doubt that eventually matters will come to a head.

- There is likewise a heightened tension between three major institutions of the Upper Sanctuary Establishment: the Watchers, the Reformed Order of the Spellguard, and the Society of the Ordered Mind are all seemingly at odds over various matters. It's known that many among the Watchers stand deeply opposed to recent political relations reached with the Mound of Magnatz, particularly the provision that calls for Sanctuary to start providing rare bloods to the fearsome Master of Magnatz. It's also whispered that both the Society and the Spellguard seem to perhaps both be searching for something somewhere in the darkness. Although what this may be is not known, it is noted among certain sly gossips of the Grotto that the Society seem more interested in matters of the Machine than in the past, and that the Spellguard have enlisted a gravel-mouthed dwarf on regular prospecting missions into the 'dark.

- On the subject of the Machine, certain Scrappers have begun to report the presence of heightened Chosen activity and renewed zeal of the monsters in its deepest sections. Strange new forms of Animatrons have been spotted, and some complain of an unpleasant mold that has begun to grow in damp & dark corners. On a more pleasant note, the water piped into Upper Sanctuary for the benefits of its residents has never been cleaner or done so with a greater water pressure.

- Of concern to some are reports of a powerful band of Chultan necromancers prowling around in the 'darkness, rumored to possess the ability to conjure forth powerful shadows and assemble armies of the undead. It's whispered that the Chultans have been digging up old bones of long dead monsters, and are working with the necromancer Thomas Alqvin to create some manner of powerful undead creature.

- And above all else, there is discussion of the Dread. Is it true that they are working to refit the old drow Traensyrian navy, once greatest naval power of the Dark Lake? How goes their conquest of the surface? Why have they made no great response to the recent raid on one of its outlying laboratories? Will they ever turn their attention to an emergent greater Sanctuary? What will happen if they do?

If you are current or returning player and interested in getting involved in any of these plots, don't hesitate to contact me or another DM on IRC to discuss how that might happen

[ShadowCharlatan]

::[ Tarsakh 18th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

It has been some darks since Sanctuary and the Mound struck a deal and exchanged Ambassadors. Rumours - often wild, or paranoid - persist about the details. What is true is that there is a half-drow provocateur serving as the "Mouth of Magnatz" in Sanctuary- and it is said that he refused testing for thralldom, flaunts the laws, and has been given every accommodation in the High Apartments along with his monstrous servants. This despite the extensive demands of blood, doubtless to fuel the giant's sorcery from the veins of Sanctuary..

Red Guild members are holding fast against the unrest, anger and criticism coming their way. Some claim the best is yet to come in the relationship with the Mound, particularly as trade truly begins to flourish. Their opponents among the Blacks counter that "Bloodhunters" are already being marched into the Watchhouse, that soon monsters will be walking the streets - and even sooner, perhaps rioters may mass violently in the streets again as they did during the Workmill Revolution.

Watchers are careful not to speak their minds in the open, as it is said the Patriot Inquest will very soon be felt in the ranks, and without the strong voice of Prefect Hyram Sinclair (gone to represent Sanctuary as Ambassador to the Mound) to defend their interests.

[Howlando]

::[ Tarsakh 21st : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

The denizens of Lower remark upon the arrival of a motley band of individuals with large, prominent silver collars....

And what follows is a curious sending:

::[ Unauthorised Dunwarren Sending by An Unknown Voice with a Sembian Accent : People of Sanctuary, within the streets of Lower Sanctuary can be found individuals around whose neck you will find a prominent silver collar. These individuals are bound by ancient magic to be utterly loyal to whoever defeats them last. ]::
::[ Unauthorised Dunwarren Sending by An Unknown Voice with a Sembian Accent : They are presently loyal to none, and surely need your help lest they be put to some terrible purpose. ]::

After some fracas in the streets, the word is spread that they do seem indeed loyal to any who gives them a good beating.

[Howlando]

::[ Tarsakh 28th : Year 163 : 1385 DR ]::

The streets of Lower have grown increasingly violent, with Ascencionists and Dwellers in Darkness often to be found scuffling on the streets. Many of the non-aligned of Lower are pointedly not yet throwing their loyalty to one side or another, instead weighing and evaluating how the respective cults handle themselves over the coming darks.

Of far more concern to many are the increasingly common and highly out of the ordinary presence of Rotting Creatures throughout the territories near Sanctuary and even within the Machine itself. Most notably the Machine has become filled with a strange and unpleasant mold with clumps of disgusting wet fungus seen growing here and there also, with the Rot creatures often to be founding crowding around the fungal clumps, almost as if they were drawn there....

Certain Scrappers report that they've spotted pools of rotting sap and juices glowing green at occasional moments, and it's almost as if the mold starting to cover much of the Machinery then grows stronger.

Perhaps most alarming yet, some Scrappers report that the mold seems to be rusting and damaging sections of the Machine and some of the scrap they've been finding has been of a very poor quality.