Preparations for War
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With rumors of the bugbears once again becoming a nuisance, and the recent attack on the south gates by stegadons and bugbears; the town has been abuzz with questions of what will happen next. One bright day, Norwick residents got their answer; a large group of militia, watched over by the militia commanders, Dwin and Aramuil observe as multiple catapults and ballistae are brought out. They're then set up pointing to the south, a clear indication of who they are intended to greet; rocks and giant bolts are set in neat piles nearby. Finally, the militia cover the machines and the ammunition with green cloth to help them blend in to the grass and salute the commanders. Aramuil nods to them in turn, then grimly stares past them to the forests to the south, before returning to the Great Hall.
In the following days, militia patrols have increased and seem sharper and more focused. The people of Norwick know what is coming next now; war.
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_The guards at the north gate seem particularly rattled at the news of ogres.
Several people in town claim their friends and relations, all Norwick employees, vanished soon after Fendon's treachery and are said to be imprisoned by the Militia.
On a positive note, patrols south report a slackening in the hit and run attacks carried out by the goblins and bugbears._
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_Abner comments to those who inquire that he was the only person to have inspected the contents of the ogres forges, observing the mineral ore types contained within, also commenting that he retained a sample weapon and set of their armor for further study.
Anyone wishing further information regaurding these findings should inquire in person to Abner. Speak to Bingo at the Spellweaver Keep, or leave word at Legion Hall._
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Dondiah is seen stopping Cori for more information on this issue of the caves and arms. She looks more serious than normal.
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[As preperations are made, it is not uncommon for Elidur Ginen to be seen riding south from Peltarch to play his bird-pipes and performing to boost morale for the local troops, guards, militia and generally anyone who cares to listen.]
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Coravel Dumond arrives in town appearing quite battered and bruised. She Finds Dwin by the fire and recounts a tale that began in the Gypsy camp, lead to the cold caves. She reports that a party member of there group found a heavily gaurded forge and crates full of many weapons and Arms. She states her concernes that the ogers there may have aligned themselves with that Bugbear for this impending war. She limps off after discussing said concerns
Pastrion
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_A huge blast shakes east Norwick, and many citizens scramble to grab weapons on the assumption that the long awaited bugbear onslaught has finally come. But no attack does.
Instead, the curious find guards picking through the blazing rubble of what had been a two-story home just across the way from the horse dealer.
Rumor quickly spreads about an assassination attempt, though on who and how successful it was varies from story to story.
Other rumors say that the elf Elith, who conspired with the Shade against the town, was seen in Norwick shortly afterwards._
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_In the wake of Fendon's unmasking as a traitor, a pall of unease settles over the town. Citizens note a bonfire in the bailey outside the Great Hall one morning, and the rumor spreads that Norwick is destroying all documents and records deemed to important to fall into Ostromog's hands.
A small panic erupts when rumor leaks out that explosive kegs have been buried around town, and the guard has to quell the talk.
Finally word breaks that a second wave of arrests has taken place, and that the Constable has arrested Lana Ogden and Tristina as 'enemies of the state'. Word has it that any member of the Druid Circle will be arrested on sight when they enter Norwick. The guards seem wary of each other, and a few fistfights, quickly broken up, erupt._
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_The long slow grind continues, with Ostromog's forces never attacking town aside from a few stealthy infiltrators or a wave of disreputable goblins. There are, however, multiple attacks by the forces of the Taint, both spiders and undead bugbears.
The anger and frustration is becoming apparent among the militia and especially the Norwick Scouts, who are more and more becoming fatalistic and given to gallows humor. Both are more and more being heard to wish that 'King Furball' would just attack already rather thank lurking in the Rawlins and picking off patrols.
Anger is also running high with the hinnak, who many militia swear are "vicious little vermin who ought to be exterminated."
Farmers continue to report 'bugbears at the door' to the fatigue and increasing exasperation of the guard.
On a bright note, however, an anonymous benefactor has donated the large sum of 10,000 gold pieces to the Apothecary, to be spent on small diamonds to raise those who fall in defense of Norwick. Kia and Tristina seem visibly relieved, and in higher spirits than they have been in days._
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Zeldor is seen putting many quivers of copper tipped arrows in the crates outside the Norwick Crafters Hall
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A patrol of the Iron Chain Clan returns from one more patrol, they look badly injured as they enter Norwick. When they sell their loot to Gimli, the commoners can see that they sell gobling size equipment, however this equipment isnt like the common gobling soldier standard gear, some well crafted maces and chestplates are traded on top of Gemlis table
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Word around town is that a small strike force of mercenaries (not affiliated with Norwick in any way) and their duergar allies massacred dozens of bugbears near the entrance to the warrens.
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The usual patrols along the walls and gates are bolstered by a new group of warriors.
Elite Dwarven guards known as Clangeddin's Axes and Moradin's Hammers now take up spots on the watch, trading shifts off and on amongst themselves.
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Dwin is seen travelling back and forth between the Great Hall and the Dwarven Hold with more frequency than usual, always flanked by a pair of Gold Cloaked Dwarven Guards.
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The Militia patrols are pulled in tighter to the walls and the guards can't keep their eyes away from the effects that are building to the south. Murmured prayers go up from many of the guard and furtive glances are cast toward their leaders as they move among the populace.
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_The sequence of patrol, raid, patrol, raid continues with little change. Some scouts report increasing sightings of the strange burrowing spider-creatures, particularly in the east wood.
Tension mounts in Norwick, although there are no more murders and some claim that Dwin, Aramuil, Wren, and Mord tracked down the bugbear infiltrators that did it and exterminated them. False alarms persist, guard shifts double and then triple, and Tristina and Kia are practically dropping from exhaustion.
A visibily frustrated young militiaman is heard to loudly wish that 'King Furball would just start the war for real already and attack us straight up at the gates like they always used to.'
But one evening the air is still, and darker than usual. To the southwest, lightning crackles along the distant trunk of the Irmunsul, and those residents who have grown used to the tree and its electrical outbursts look at each other with worried eyes. The tree is angry. Very angry.
Far to the southeast, a darkness that is not stormclouds grows in the sky.
The air is still and heavy with the calm before the storm._
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Tiffiny takes time to help the night patrol out with her keen ears. She often waits on the ramp to come into norwick form the rawlins but not hiding, just standing, listening for any bugbear sneaks wandering up and past
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@1738871d64=Clan:
@1738871d64=Black:
Days go by and everytime the Iron Chain Clan Half-orcs change their daily patrol shifts, the ones beeing replaced by fresh warriors, are seen crossing Norwick with their armors, axes and shields adorned with several gobling heads hanging from their hair, an obvious sign that theres some sort of arrangement between Norwick and the Iron Chain Clan.
They walk tall and proud passing by the commoners that look wearily at these brutish half-orcsThe first time they parade through town with goblin heads as hair-decorations, Thir cigar smoking leader is summoned to speak with Dwin. Immediately.
After half an hour of meeting, Arak´Hur was seen leaving Dwins office, he walked up to his brethrens and grunted somethign in orcish to them, right away they were seen removing the gobling heads trophys. The vision of these already brutish half-orcs marshing in and out of town is now somewhat less macabre with out the gobling heads hanging from their hair, armor or shield. Never the less, the patrols continue and when a fresh group of Iron Chain Clan Half-Orcs replaces another, the replaced patrol can be seen marching into town showing evidence of a troubled patrol
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_Norwick guards and scouts wearily limping in from the south, wounded and tired, soon becomes a common sight.
Hit and run tactics seem to be the rule of the day… rather than massed attacks on town, lone goblin snipers try to lure patrols into chasing them deeper into the wood. Those who follow are inevitably hit from multiple sides by bugbears.
Many patrols take losses, and now and then a patrol simply fails to return at all.
Tristina and Kia, clearly overworked, struggle to keep up with the amount of injuries needing attention.
Meanwhile in town, hysterical reports of bugbears breaking into farms and houses keep the night shift jumping... though investigating these always turns up nothing but perhaps a broken window. Memory of the farmhouse massacre is still fresh in people's minds however, and they are not easily soothed._
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@271ed2095c=Black:
Days go by and everytime the Iron Chain Clan Half-orcs change their daily patrol shifts, the ones beeing replaced by fresh warriors, are seen crossing Norwick with their armors, axes and shields adorned with several gobling heads hanging from their hair, an obvious sign that theres some sort of arrangement between Norwick and the Iron Chain Clan.
They walk tall and proud passing by the commoners that look wearily at these brutish half-orcsThe first time they parade through town with goblin heads as hair-decorations, Thir cigar smoking leader is summoned to speak with Dwin. Immediately.
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Days go by and everytime the Iron Chain Clan Half-orcs change their daily patrol shifts, the ones beeing replaced by fresh warriors, are seen crossing Norwick with their armors, axes and shields adorned with several gobling heads hanging from their hair, an obvious sign that theres some sort of arrangement between Norwick and the Iron Chain Clan.
They walk tall and proud passing by the commoners that look wearily at these brutish half-orcs
