New Whispers at the Fire



  • Norwick's fairground recently played host to a beautiful and joyous wedding, that of Legionaire Akseli of Norwick and the radiant dancer Orianna. Tears were shed, music played and much fine wining and dining took place before the festivities rounded off on the dancefloor and the happy couple departed to the nearby inn.



  • _Meanwhile, Nuwairah and allies have kept working diligently on the new Tradeskill Hall, to have it ready for the public as soon as possible. It appears she also intends to use the field attached to the farm to plant flax, and other textile seeds.

    She seems uncaring on whether the attempt for extortion and murder was orchestrated by members of the Union or otherwise, and she does not seem interested in the least with giving speeches or rumour mongering. Her point was made - the Warrior's Soul is going to be opened, unless someone can walk over her dead body to prevent it._



  • The townspeople of Norwick murmur and whisper of the attack. The dwarf who intimidated and bullied Nuwairah and her friends is named Grimdak Gavelhammer, that much is clear. However, there are several rumors floating around about its exact nature.

    One version of the story claims that Gavelhammer represents the views of the overall crafting union. This version is quickly scoffed at and rejected by the majority of Norwick's population.

    Another version of the story, which appears to be more accurate as it is confirmed by the guards who arrested Gavelhammer and who were apparently nearby when the attack happened, is as follows: Gavelhammer is a not a member of the crafting union. He acted alone, with three of his own personal lackeys who were not members of the union, to bully and intimidate a foreign woman. He claimed to be a member of the union for intimidation and threatening purposes. He is a spiteful and bitter dwarf who does not accurately reflect the views of the crafting union.

    Rumor has it that the crafting union intends to punish Grimdak Gavelhammer, who is currently sitting in jail.

    [DM Xanatos Gambit]



  • @e713adaf25=Emerwyn:

    _More a cry than a rumour, the voice goes around that there was a fight right in the middle of Norwick between two factions. In one side, four dwarves from the Union, who apparently attempted to threaten, extort or bribe the other side - Nuwairah, Cormac and Lunia.

    In the centre of the conflict, the new Crafting Hall that is being opened by Nuwairah herself. After words were exchanged, the resounding voice was "I'm not for sale", which broke up the fight. Nuwairah was quickly aided by Cormac and Lunia, managing together to take down the assaulting dwarves, who were knocked out, but not killed, before the guard appeared and dragged them away, warning the standing party that they had picked the wrong enemy.

    It appears that the Union is not going to play nice about the new Crafting Hall being open, and unfortunately for the Shieldmaiden, the odds stack against her when being marked as an enemy by the most powerful and influential guild in Norwick_

    Upon hearing the rumor, Z responds vocally to any and all who will listen.

    This is a complete lie.

    First of all, who were these mystery Dwarves? All of our members are well known and respected members of our community. We don’t even have 4 Dwarves in the guild anymore. Most of them have retired or…pauses a moment passed. So, whoever they were, they certainly wasn’t Union members.

    Second, we have rules that specifically prohibit our members from harassin’ independent crafters. It ain’t good fer business and it ain’t good fer recruitin’ new members. So, whoever they was, they wasn’t Union.

    Finally, the Crafters Union is a business, and we work hard to be helpful, upstandin’ members of our community. We have built an impeccable reputation over the years, and I ain’t gonna stand here and listen as these false rumors spread like a foul disease. With the exception of folks standin’ too close to Brumir when he’s eatin’ eggs, the Union harms no one. And y’all know it.

    But, that said, we ain’t gonna stand back while these newcomers enter our town and stage a false fight in order ta trick y’all and gain yer favor by playin’ the innocent victim to the big mean crafters guild. Please… scoffs

    Y’all know me - I’ve lived here many, MANY years. Ya know what I stand for - what the guild stands for. Please do not let these newcomers waltz in and, within a matter of days, taint what took the Union years to build.

    And think about this… If their first action is to come into town, take ya’ll for fools, and pull a stunt like this, what does that say about their integrity? Are some of these other "rumors" that are being spread accurate or are they staged, as well? Do you really want to do business with them? Think about it.

    Earthmother be with you all. blesses



  • _More a cry than a rumour, the voice goes around that there was a fight right in the middle of Norwick between two factions. In one side, four dwarves from the Union, who apparently attempted to threaten, extort or bribe the other side - Nuwairah, Cormac and Lunia.

    In the centre of the conflict, the new Crafting Hall that is being opened by Nuwairah herself. After words were exchanged, the resounding voice was "I'm not for sale", which broke up the fight. Nuwairah was quickly aided by Cormac and Lunia, managing together to take down the assaulting dwarves, who were knocked out, but not killed, before the guard appeared and dragged them away, warning the standing party that they had picked the wrong enemy.

    It appears that the Union is not going to play nice about the new Crafting Hall being open, and unfortunately for the Shieldmaiden, the odds stack against her when being marked as an enemy by the most powerful and influential guild in Norwick_



  • _It's a quiet day in Norwick when three leave through the south gates - Lunia, Cormac and Nuwairah set off into the forests, towards the Ostromog mines. But a day later, six return - the same three, and three Norwickian villagers in tow.

    The story as told in taverns and rumours, speaks of an ambitious bugbear demonologist seizing control of the duergar forge in Ostromog's mines with plans for striking a coup upon the bugbear leadership and proclaim himself as their new leader. To achieve that he brewed concoctions that made his warriors extremely powerful as well as kidnapped several Norwickians to perform a sacrifice, possibly to some demonic entity, that would grant him the charisma and grandeur of a true leader.

    His plans were thwarted by the bold trio who not only defeated the bugbear demonologist before he managed to escape via teleporting spell, but also were in time to rescue the three villagers before the ritual could be completed, mostly unharmed and well. There are versions of the story that speak of Cormac buttkicking the bugbear demonologist into a furnace head-first, filling the air of the whole place with a less than pleasant stench.

    After the grateful villagers were returned safely to Norwick, they were left on their own to reunite with their families and loved ones._



  • @9fc07658a1=Emerwyn:

    Another batch of crated goods arrives in a cart to the old Biswan Farm, this time it appears like it's furniture mainly. Amongst the things the things, there is one large banner that reads in sharp, steely letters "Warrior's Soul Crafting and Tradeskill Hall".

    Somewhere in the memory rich halls of the Union, over the faint sound of a hammer banging against an anvil, a true warrior's soul takes notice of the banner and snorts a laugh.



  • Another batch of crated goods arrives in a cart to the old Biswan Farm, this time it appears like it's furniture mainly. Amongst the things that are piled up there is one large banner that reads in sharp, steely letters "Warrior's Soul Crafting and Tradeskill Hall".



  • Shieldmaiden Nuwairah Zarah'kifa has been seen the last few days down in Norwick's east valley bringing in carts with large tools, furnitures and machinery into the farm that belonged to old Norwick's Chancellor Biswan, which has belonged to Nuwairah herself for a few years.



  • A group of adventurers haste through Norwick at night, seemingly in search for some type of holy tree somewhere in the Rawlins. They return some time later, looking severely beaten and bloodied, making equal haste due north again. A pretty redhead in their midst can be overheard complaining that Satyrs play ~entirely~ too rough!



  • Aranwe has recently been seen around Norwick. Those that take an interest to stop and chat with the locals will hear he's taken a room at the Grapevine for a time.



  • An explosion goes off at the campfire near the south gates. Some people feared the town was under attack, but when they found out the dwarf Brumir was nearby they simply shaked their heads in disgust.



  • A chilling rumour goes around about a hideous swamp hag kidnapping women, draining them of youth, beauty and life itself, in order to enhance her own appearance…



  • A few nights ago, goblins attacked the South Gate, led by some super goblin mage who began the assault with a powerful fireball spell aimed at the archer's platform. Only three women were available to defend the lower town: Hen, Helene, and Shesarai. Luckily, they were enough. Helene summoned a Water Elemental and Shesarai summoned a Hound Archon to successfully defend the gates. Meanwhile, Hen slipped outside and went after the mage and his adept cohorts.

    When all were dead or had fled, the defenders discovered most of the goblins were from the Moldy Rat Tribe of graverobbers. Leena joined them and the four (plus the archon) decided to make a preemptive strike on the goblin's base in the Old Norwick Ruins. There they easily defeated the Moldy Rat Tribe goblins, but the high-level mage proved much more difficult. He kept going invisible, and then casting large fireballs at our heros. Eventually, the combined efforts of the four vanquished him. On his body, they discovered three seriously evil necromantic scrolls (along with some decent potions). Helene destroyed the scrolls.


    AubreyMaturin

    Characters: Romulus Grey, bard the bowman
    Trotter, spooky Halfling ranger
    Shesarai Foutopolis, red-haired cleric of Mystra



  • _Rumours say that Chea spends a part of her time in Norwick recently, perhaps it's related to Lycan-related troubles.

    … She's Selunite after all, among other._



  • _Strange tales are being told about werewolves attacking travelers outside both north and south gates of Norwick. Even stranger is what has been discovered near the woodline southeast of Norwick's south gate. Several dead werewolf bodies are piled on the ground there. Some who claimed to have seen them say that when approached some of them appear to be standing up, though still seemingly dead. Too spooky, the observers claimed as they ran away.


    AubreyMaturin_



  • Rumour around the campfire has it that Brumir is honing his ever gassy gut into a lethal weapon. Apparantly the goblins had the dubious pleasure of playing guinea pigs to a combination of grease, web and fire, coupled with Disin's spiciest eggs coming out of the dwarven backside… no wonder the greenskins attacked in force afterwards!



  • Curious of their intent, Rasuil can occasionally be spotted meandering around the worksites, though with Raumviri direction and no word of a Union contract he steers clear of any labor himself.



  • Brumir can be seen outside the Union Hall giving the workers in the Fairgrounds a hard time

    "Oy! Ye watch where yer diggin'! Ye best nay be damagin' our craftin' hall an' throwin' dirt an' mud on it! Ye do that an' ye'll be smellin' tha eggs ah had fer breakfast!"

    He grunts and heads back inside the Union Hall.



  • "Its going to be a great surprise, a gift from the Raumviri chiefs! Pick up a shovel, friend, they're payin' well for labor!"

    The commoners continue their work and slowly begin to level off some of the hill behind the temple of Chauntea.