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

[Jayde Moon]

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

The Citizenry of Sanctuary are abuzz with tales of epic battles and dark magics, with the ultimate culling of the so called 'Flesh Forge' cultists at the hands of the 'Tempering' and their allies.  The disgusting and freakish body of one of the cult leaders, a green skinned , winged demon beast called Jovesque, was paraded through the square before being disposed of in fire.

With the loss of the cultists, many believe that the time to strike the heart of the cult, their demon-loving wizard, is now, and rumors persist of a planned raid to end the cult once and for all and perhaps save whatever Citizens may still live within their clutches.

[Halfbrood]

Reports from Society and Wayfinder patrols through the Badlands have, of late, been speaking of the somewhat sparse defences of Traensyr the old drow city, now in the hands of Ysinode forces. The walls, once bustling with thrall soldiers, seem eerily silent. Some say this is a good thing, whilst the more grim and cynical citizenry note that little good can come from a silent enemy. Whatever the truth of the matter remains to be seen, though like as not something will be revealed in time, for good or ill.

[Divine Intervention]

::[ Hammer 10th : Year 162 : 1384 DR ]::

Stories rapidly spread through Upper Sanctuary of bloody events surrounding the House of Knowledge.  It is said that a pair of minor criminals going by the names "Slim Jim" and "Pockets Maloy" set about a minor crime spree in Freedom Square, pelting citizens with laughing gas, paint bombs and attempting to make off with a large sum of gold taken from their purses.  Reports become confused at this point, with Watchers blaming adventurers and they in turn blaming others, but one thing is certain, one or more of those present savagely beat or hacked to death the thief Pockets Maloy.  

Thus enraged by the cruel murder of his friend, his accomplice called upon a gang of Lower thugs, and managed to sneak them into the House of Knowledge unopposed.  A brief siege ensued, wherein the gang took hostage a number of librarians and attached explosives to several of them.  After making their demands known, to be paid fifteen thousand gold coins and have the culprits of the killing of Pockets tried for murder, a tense standoff began.  Declaring that they would send out bodyparts taken from the captive librarians on the hour, every hour until their demands were met, citizens witnessed frantic Watchers trying to contain the situation and de-escalate rising tensions.

When the kidnappers began to shorten their time frame, a haphazard plan to scale scaffolding behind the House was abandonned as a beam canon was unleashed to blow open the doors, but not before one foolish Watcher had fallen to her death on the cold stones of Freedom Square.  A bloody skirmish thus occurred inside, with the gang being cut down, but not before three captives were killed by the panicked thugs.  

Few words abound of what later transpired upstairs in the House, but all agree that a large explosion was heard and a cloaked figure was then seen sprinting out the front door, pursued by adventurers.  Roughly one hour after this, Patriarch Lhesley Ferrick announced that the now infamous "Slim Jim" had evaded capture and was in possession of several incredibly valuable texts from the inner sanctum of the library.  A bounty of five thousand coins and an artifact from the vaults was offered to anyone who could retrieve the tomes and bring the criminal to justice...

[AllMYBudgies]

While Upper Sanctuary is often a peaceful and subdued realm of adventurers and those awaiting in freedom square their next contract a slow undercurrent has been building. The Humanity Herald, a popular xenophobic handbill of Pro-Human sentiment has been appearing more frequently throughout the settlement.

Despite its publisher's countless hundreds of coins in fines spent for slander of the Watchers and similar minor crimes the worminger Rufus Mackarthur continues to draw the populace's attention. Some dismissing him as a bigoted joke and pathetic coward who has refused countless duels others begin to look at Sanctuary's non humans in a different light.

Numerous human adventurers and watchers have been heard uttering the word "Speck" with a sneer. The Red Guild seems to take great amusement at the feeble attempts to start a coup amongst the Black Guild to expel the non-human residents from its ranks with upcoming elections looming. The name Lord Connel-Smythe Falconer, a Black Guild Wayfinder, has been on the lips of many as more and more criminals fall to his spear and his Prefect petition continues circulate. Sanctuarian dwarves, halflings, gnomes, elves, half-orcs and half-elves alike though have been seen nervously avoiding large groups of humans as tensions continue to rise...

[Caster13]

::[ Hammer 16th : 1384 DR ]::

This dark, the area surrounding the Dark Lake was rocked by a large number of tremors and earthquakes.

Rumours spread of a group of Stewards and their Guardians, along with other wildsfolk who make their home in the natural caves of the Underdark, making their way to an island upon the lake within the maw of a gigantic lake-inhabiting beast.

The area around the lake fell quiet for a time but then an immense pillar of light appeared upon some island of the lake, its light shining brilliantly and flaring with great intensity before dissipating.

What consequences the events upon the isle have wrought is yet to be seen, but those well versed in the magics of the natural world note some subtle changes in the ley magic in the caves of the Underdark.

[Caster13]

::[ Hammer 21st : 1384 DR ]::

In the wake of Spellguard Agent Doatelu Robal's death, a sending was made announcing a procession that would travel from Serena Tower to Freedom Square where the departed Agent would then be remembered. Bells from somewhere within Serena Tower rang as the procession made its way, at the centre of which was a tall Spellguard Defender animatron, one that many noted had served alongside the slain Agent.

As the the procession came to a halt within Freedom Square, the ringing bells fell silent. The crowd within the square grew as more and more citizens congregated to listen to colleagues and friends of the fallen Agent offer a number of eulogies.

As the kind words came to an end, however, a sharp and piercing screech stabbed the mind of everyone holding a sending stone. Words spoken by a woman's voice followed...

Oh... Oh Hells... I think I got something in my eye... That was just... Just so sweet... So beautiful... But... It's time to dry your eyes, ladies and gents. The time for mourning's over. Why? Cause it's TIME FOR BLOODY!

Panic quickly swept through Upper Sanctuary as those familiar with the voice explained that it belonged to a terrorizing bandit who had been active long ago. A bandit who had just announced that she had planted a bomb within the city. Citizens quickly fell into a mad scramble, goaded on by the bandit's taunting hints of the bomb's location.

After twenty minutes of desperate searching, a large barrel was rushed out of the House of Trade upon the shoulders of a dwarven Watch Sergeant. The Sergent threw the barrel over an edge and into a chasm just in time as it exploded a mere second afterwards. The shock wave from the explosion caused dust to fall and the ground to rumble

In time, the tremors passed and the stones of Upper Sanctuary fell silent. Frightened and dismayed whispers, however, grew in volume amongst the populace for Mad Marge Miggsley the Scrapgirl had return.

[Ladocicea]

::[ Hammer 23rd : Year 162 : 1384 DR ]::

Scavengers and paupers have begun to report finding a series of gruesome scenes in the sewers of Lower Dunwarren. On more than one occasion a ratcatcher has returned wan-faced to the Crone to tell of the carnage he has witnessed: the dismembered bodies of Chosen torn limb from limb, splattered across the floor like over ripe fruit crushed under the wheel of an apple cart.

Already the rumours have begun as to what manner of nightmare could be responsible for such savagery. By the nature of the injuries sustained to the Chosen, some have suggested an ogre has taken up residence in the steamworks. Others have conjectured that a large defense animatron has found its way to that part of the sewers. Yet one or two whisper of something far more sinister: that they had felt themselves watched as they explored the aqueducts, stalked as if by the shadow of death itself...

[Howlando]

::[ Hammer 23th : Year 162 : 1384 DR ]::

Rumor speaks of large quantities of peculiar, distorted undead clambering and digging and crawling about in the Crossroads Caves. A huge number of Sanctuary's adventurers rallied forth to destroy this new threat, with a large group heading forth further to destroy the source of them. Among wild rumor and frightful word, can oft be heard the phrase.... 'Accursed Hammer 23rd'

It is said that those who went forth to deal with such a terrible threat returned bringing with them the lingering traces of the Withering Curse.

[Talir]

23rd of Hammer, Year 162, 1384 DR

Following the conclusion of the expedition, a heated debate rose in the Halls of Governance regarding the status of the afflicted. Spellguard broadcasts proclaiming the removal of citizenship and immediate expulsion of those carrying the withering led to a quarantine in the Halls of Governance, where Director Naerfaine, Segeant Bjornsson, Ordinant Dess and Jayesh of the Causril Commune took their stand alongside their supporters. Protesting against what they proclaimed as a coup and break of diplomatic ties, they refused to depart the shield. Director Quickfeet, Agent Mackarthur, Watcher Foltyn and others did their best to contain the situation and ensure the withered did not threaten the rest of the city. Eventually Quickfeet's assembly was able to move the withered into exile until the Directorate could decide upon the matter.

In the aftermath the majority of the outspoken citizenry has agreed with the actions of Director Quickfeet, saying Director Naerfaine and the rest thoughtlessly risked Sanctuary by returning to its streets in the full knowledge they carried the curse. A sizable Black number applaud the swift actions of the halfling director, calling it a surprising but welcomed touch of Black ideology enforcing a previous decision and law of Sanctuary that has yet to make its noticeable marks in the books of law.

While the public is in favor of the imposed exile, a majority especially among the Red political party laud the group which sought to end such a terrible threat to the last bastion of safety. Some echo the propaganda of Naerfaine that this should indeed be officially commended.

As Sanctuary breaths again easier after the political turmoil, eyes are now set upon the Directorate awaiting a decision regarding the withered. Will they stand with the previous accord that all citizens carrying the withering are to be expelled into the Withering Pit, condemning important officials and others to the embrace Sanctuary below? Or will they allow the recently withered to retun within the shield, showing that the actions of the months past may have been unjust to the people evicted below?

[Ladocicea]

::[ Hammer 29th : Year 162 : 1384 DR ]::

On this day a number of Sanctuarians were led beyond The Shield by a man known as Rauvorus to conduct a religious ceremony in the name of Helm. A placard was erected outside the old gates of Dunwarren, some twenty paces from the door of the ruined Helmite Shrine, espousing the virtue of vigilance and commending those that watch on in his name.

Shortly thereafter, an enthralled Drow scouting party arrived, and upon taking note of the sign, ordered a full survey of the hazy devastated ruins that cloak Upper Santuary. Such was the volume of drones and creatures that arrived to search the ruins for signs of sentient life that citizens reported glimpsing ghostly silhouettes of drones and aberrant creatures beyond The Shield, seemingly moving around Freedom Square, waxing and waning as the illusion shimmered and fluctuated.

While many Sanctuarians battened down the hatches and held their breath as the Dread Army conducted its search, a small minority of citizens panicked and decided to remove their rings and attack the aberrations. A group of between half a dozen to a dozen adventurers, led by the Ordinant Baelian Kalvath, suicidally removed their rings and were ripped to pieces by the horrors that awaited them beyond.

This grave breach of security has given Sanctuary a terrible scare, and the Spellguard and Directorate have been seen working tirelessly to both ensure that the integrity of The Shield and the location of Sanctuary was not compromised during this incident, and further, to ensure that this never happens again...

[Caster13]

::[ 1st Alturiak : 1384 DR ]::

The beginning of the new month brought little, if any, relief to the common people of Upper Sanctuary. Instead, the crises of the past few darks linger as ever present reminders of Sanctuary's precarious existence.

Despite the trial and subsequent execution of the man many deemed responsible for attracting a Dread scouting party to the city, the common folk continue to whisper with worry and anxiety. Some wonder just how long it will be before another adventurer foolishly attracts the attention of the Dread to their home once again.

Worried words are also spoken of adventurers who may or may not be carrying the Withering Curse. Even though many have offered reassurances that the curse is not in anyway contagious and note that those who do carry the Curse have been ordered to carry an identify badge, many adventurers--especially those of pale and unhealthy complexion--are given a wide berth on the streets and in public areas. Despite there being no reliable way to identify indications of the curse early on, many common people keep their distance from adventurers on the presumption of a mere possibility, no matter how minute, that perhaps any adventure could somehow contract the curse while out on their adventures.

More recently, Watchers can be overheard speaking with common residents about a small rise in missing children who have disappeared from seemingly open, public, and previously thought safe places such as the laneways of the residential flats and Simms Square in the public housing vault. A handful of families are grief stricken over the fact that their boy and girl haven't been seen in darks now. Neighbouring families fret and fuss with the unanswered question of where these children have gone while clutching their own children tightly.

[Divine Intervention]

::[ First of Alturiak : Year 162 : 1384 DR ]::

It began with an ill wind, a howling gale that swept down upon the city of Dunwarren from the depths of the dark.  Amidst the gathering storm innumerable lights were seen, spectral forms of great wolves, predatory cats and savage men astride steeds born of nightmare.  At the gates of Dunwarren spews of blood and crimson light battled for prominence with flashes of sinister lightning that plowed furrows in the black stone of the earth.  The confluence of fearsome power continued for some time, building to a frenzied crescendo and hailing the arrival of a solitary figure, flanked by enormous ghostly felines.  

Shrouded in shadows, this creature spoke in a voice that boomed across the Underdark with reverberations of power.  It's demands, and its offer are agreed upon by most to be simple enough.  That in TWO darks hence that a great Hunt would be called for the worthiest to test themselves against one another, with death for the defeated and enormous savage power for the lone victor.  After delivering this ominous declaration the individual vanished amidst another display of power, leaving only a deathly silence in his wake...

[Caster13]

::[ 2nd of Alturiak : 1384 DR ]::

Shortly after the announced capture of the wanted criminal known as Shaakara, a panicked resident of the Public Housing Vault made a sending saying that Molly, the child bartender of the Beetle and Baby, had been taken hostage by what appeared to be a green-glowing zombie.

As adventurers rushed towards the Vault, they found a horrifying scene unfolding within Starag's Rest: the hostage taker was a heavily withered Jayesh of the Causril Commune. Held in his arm was Molly who whimpered and cried fearfully. In one hand, he held a strange rotted fruit, covered in maggots and twisting roots.

Witnesses within Starag's Rest speak of ineffective negotiations despite the efforts of Ex-Watcher Ksenia Foltyn offering to take Molly's place. Seconds after Jayesh learned that Shaakara had already been trialed and executed, someone threw a pouch of choking powder into the mix, causing all out chaos to erupt.

When the cloud of powder finally cleared, Jayesh was gone, presumably having escaped down through the Worm Pits, chased after by a few adventurers. Molly, however, lay upon the ground, the rotted fruit pressed against her chest. The strange thing was removed by others but the maggots and roots had already done their work and Molly had taken on a pale and sickly complexion.

The fears of the common folk of Upper Sanctuary were proven this dark as the Withering claimed another...

[Divine Intervention]

::[ Alturiak 6th : Year 162 : 1384 DR ]::

Following the Great Hunt of Malar, a Champion was announced.  Decreed in blood upon the walls of the arena, Kavruun Benegor was named the bearer of the Heart of the Hunt.  Evidently not content with the blood letting during the Great Hunt, the servants of the Beastlord further declared that which was won in savage violence must be held by the same and encouraged all hunters great and small to track down and kill the new Champion, thus taking his mantle for themselves.

Amongst the strange happenings of these few darks, a rumour has spread from Lower with frenzied speed.  It is said that as many were settling down to sleep, an enormous werewolf with burning red eyes sprang from the tunnel leading to the Pissing Crone and fled the Lower Wards into the canal district, hotly pursued by two heavily armed figures.  The men of the slum eye strangers with deep suspicion and women hurry their offspring inside at any disturbance.  The heavy pall of fear hangs over the streets at the prospect of yet another Lycanthropic infestation...

[Howlando]

::[ Alturiak 18th : Year 162 : 1384 DR ]::

Rumor spreads of a bold and audacious assassination or kidnapping attempt on Director Abala Quickfeet that took place outside the Gates. It's said that a band of brightly colored Lowersmen favoring colors of gold and white were responsible, and that the indomitable Director was twice driven down into Upper before the defense forces could be fully mustered and the bold Lowersmen forced to make their escape into the 'dark.

With it being the first assassination attempt on a Director since the dark days of the Sanctuary-that-was, many citizens whisper with fear of the possibility of there being a return to the bad old days of bombings, murder, and armed insurrection...