Rumors heard throughout Oscura.
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_News from Soravia tell of goverment forces managing to retake two towns under rebel control, uncovering evidence of mercenary involvement, and also encountering a new weapon employed by rebels.
The Dragonsbane administration resisted the demands for independence for the Duchy of Soravia, and authorised the Church of Helm to conduct an Inquisition to stamp out deviant cults suspected of instigating the unrest. This is in addition to the military's investigation of suspected foreign influence._
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_Conflicting reports arise over what transpired at an iron mine in Soravia, this side of the Giantspires. The facts agreed on were that the mine had been collapsed, and the mining camp butchered with ruthless efficiency, bodies being hacked to pieces and impaled on spikes.
A lone, nearly buried survivor, spoke of an attack caused by dark elves for encroaching on their territory.
Letters have appeared in several towns decrying the Damaran forces' apparent incompetence in defending the mine, and called for "the overthrow of a dog government lead by a religious leash".
The loss of the mine will no doubt impact the economy of several dependent towns that produces goods primarily for the capital of Heliogabalus. Troops have been redeployed to sensitive areas, forcing towns to raise militias for their own protection._
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Varia is seen around tending to limited flooding in Oscura. Other than that she spends her time either Asleep in the coppers or doing some studies in the library.
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_Sources across the border tell of successes cracking down on insurgents by combined Damaran military and Helmite clergy, in the duchy of Soravia, although the region is far from being pacified.
While the government forces had little trouble suppressing the poorly armed and led insurgents, most of which were common folk, stiff resistance was put up in several regions which were suspected of enjoying mercenary support.
A government-employed inventor narrowly escaped an assassination attempt despite state protection, with the life of a guard claimed during a break-in into his tower._
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_Cray's hasn't been seen in the coppers for a couple months, in fact he hasn't been seen anywhere.
Guess he's gone on another one of his trips somewhere…_
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_It seems an entire Damaran checkpoint outpost near the Giantspires was sacked and its garrison brutually slaughtered overnight, with looters having picked the place clean upon discovery. The Damaran military blamed insurgents for this "barbaric act" and vowed to mete out "the just penalty to restore order" in the civil war.
Some local merchants however, look to be struggling to control their elation at the news._
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A strange pair of rumors floats about the dark city of a Paladin and a Golden Knight waltzing in like they belonged there, standing out like a pair of shiny sore thumbs.
A connected rumor sees them paired up against a big nasty demon, while father Dagon watched from the sidelines. Supposedly, they killed it.
Is demonbaiting a sport down there now, or is there some other truth behind this rumor?
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_Rumors from merchants fleeing a civil war underway in Damara - while the ruling Dragonsbane adminstration maintains a tenous hold on the capital, the country is in a state of emergency and martial law.
Any number of causes have been blamed; a succession crisis, the Black Network, Thay, Zhengyi… stories are recounted of Helmite faithful trying to contain an undead scourge; villages razed to the ground; mercenaries being hired as lawlessness increases_
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Arthur is seen traveling with Eragor and Varia in through Kuo Tua, then into the mines coming back exhausted, after some rest he goes to speak with the Minotaur blacksmith about Gond and is seen offering up some of his own hand made pickaxes to Gond. After the offering he begins searching for others of Gond to learn more about him.
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The Shiney Coppers has been busy of late.
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As Mystic has taken up her frequent visits underground again, she too notices the the busy docks, so instead of heading straight to the Coppers she remains in the area and settles by the bar where she knows conversations and gossip is easily over heard, especially if gold is offered.
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(deleated)
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A black and gold clad young woman, under thirty that is, asks a few questions here and there about those developments, but not just from one person, canvassing the area to get a better view of the goings on.
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_1)Those passing through the Raven Rift to Oscura may note the sounds of a raven cawing, and occasionally glimpse a large black winged shape flitting amongst the rocky stalacites…a wizard's lost pet, perhaps?
- It seems that there more unfamiliar faces these days down at the crumbling docks...glum merchants alighting here, while seasoned mercenaries board ships headed elsewhere. Either way, the word "Damara", and "developments" seem to be on the lips of these transient visitors, and there are even whispers of contracts for those of the right disposition..._
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_Anyone who frequents the library may have noticed Cray spending much time there.
He has many books spread out in front of him. Squinted eyes shift left to right constantly, as they follow his fingertips down the pages. He occasionally loses his place when the candle flickers. Followed by the scrunch of his nose and momentary loss of focus.
Anyone attempting to talk to him will be ignored initially. As he is very pre-occupied, and if pressed about his vigor. He will just smile, and say something like he is simply soaking up knowledge._
// Conducting research on Mordenkainen's Disjunction.
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The recently blooded Gold Dwarf who goes by the name Dogun Deepvein has been seen checking the board of bounties everyday. As he scans the board, he scribbles in a leather journal and tucks it inside his heavy coat before making his way to the surface..
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Word spreads around Oscura of a man in Knights armor in the colors of Red and White seen in the western area of Oscura aiding in the treatment of the sick and wounded and even with the dead. Word spreads that it is the Ilmaterian Priest Jason Selious, who randomly comes down with food, blankets, clean water and healing spells seeming to treat anyone from slave to Banite without question or argument.
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_After a several month long absence Cray is seen once again bustling and hanging about Oscura.
Immediately upon his return. Cray scurries back and forth, from Oscura to Peltarch by boat. He does this trip about four times in a couple days. Carrying a small crate up to the surface and coming back empty handed each time._
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After strutting around the docks and whistling at passing women an oddly spoiled half-orc slave is said to have 'tripped and fallen' into a tent full of caltrops. The bleeding disfigured horc proceeded to apologize to everyone in the docks before retreating to his master's ship to await its departure.
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A wiry framed Gold Dwarf strapped in dark leather armor has been wandering the many streets and establishments of Oscura lately, nodding to those he passes and giving a slight smile through his long, black and extremely well groomed beard. Walking confidently with his forearms resting on two finely crafted light hammers tucked comfortably into his belt, he doesn't seem to be looking for anything in particular and is quick to stop and make small talk with strangers. Most folks eventually learn his name is Dogun Deepvein and he is looking to put his hammers in service of anyone who needs his skills and can pay his price.
