Tavern Rumors of Peltarch
-
High on the gossip list of late is surely the well-attended trial of the farmers on Meadowfield Lane vs Oliver Holloway. Rumours claim that despite the prosecution's best attempts and several noted adventurers testimony, the treason charges were dismissed by Magistrate D'Arneau. But at the heart of the case lay the farmers plight, and here the Magistrate's ruling was crystal clear - all contracts were declared invalid, the land itself not only to be returned, but Holloway to pay a sum of compensation to each farmer. Cheers and jubilations broke out as the trial concluded, thankful farmers surrounding their counsel Syltria for hugs and handshakes.
-
Two short women were seen running through town, one a red haired elf the other a silver haired human. Both were covered in blood and appeared to be highly intoxicated and kept merrily yelling about "MURDER!!!!"
Those present reported that the silver hair wouldn't stop giggling and had the most ghastly of smiles.
-
As of very recently a woman clad in white and red religious garb has been been looking for a pregnant woman or recent mother who would be willing to become a wetnurse or donate her breast milk to save a motherless child. She has been asking random folk on the street and also went to the temple of the Triad, telling everyone her name is Sister Zola of the Order of St. Dionysus.
-
For the next month a tall slim elf can be seen about the city. Covered in dirt and sweat he can be found mucking the stables, cleaning the gutters, scrubbing graffiti from the walls. He works alone and silently. In the courthouse he can be found scrubbing the privies and mopping the floors.
--If someone were to really pay attention they might notice that he seems to be in places where Magister Borodin might be passing through--
-
Fresh news concerning the Holloway affair spreads: it is said that the recently impoverished and evicted farmers case will be heard by Magistrate D'Arneau, with the Bardic College's most recent apprentice, the pinkhaired Syltria as their counsel. On Holloway's side, the sharp and relentless Quince Harkreath, also rumoured to have gotten her training in the bardic arts. Harkreath has already declared the intent of countersuing the farmers side for slander and vexatious litigation, claim loiterers in the busy commons area.
-
The latest rumours from the King's Court speak of several noteworthy petitions: firstly the scandalous exploits of Defender recruit Fabian Reinhard, whose shiny-armoured allure has brought ruin to a marriage, much to the jilted husband's distress. Secondly, a group of petitioners including Isolde Garibaldi, Roslyn Underhill and Far Scout Erurk Hurgenpox, brought several grievances towards businessman Oliver Holloway to light, the accusations ranging from contracts abusing trusting local farmers to suspicions of treason. While the case was deferred to the Court, King George I declared a halt on construction on the former farms until a verdict might be reached. Thirdly, and no doubt the number one gossip subject of those present, was Defender corporal Reyhenna Jorino's brazen appeal to be appointed the King's heir...
...but the King declined. Didn't he?
-
While rumours in the residential district may make mention of a local nobleman's mining expedition going up with a literal bang, the talk of the Commerce district continues to be related to very small persons stirring mischief. Has the sizomancer cloned himself, or are these latest rumours of tiny figures chased around the commons something else entirely? The bardess Isolde Garibaldi, who claims to have lost several pieces of clothing in public, pins the blame on "brownies"...
-
Shesarai posts a notice in the Meremaid.
I found a very valuable bag of treasures on the floor of the Sewers beneath the Commons. I will gladly return it to its rightful owner, but the items it contains are quite valuable so anyone wishing to claim it must name for me three items that the bag contains.
AubreyMaturin
-
Rumours abound throughout the Commerce district about a peculiar gnome, offering make-overs in size, hairstyle and colour. This so called sizomancer seems to have the Cerulean Knights ever in hot persuit for some of his more volatile experiments, often dodging the law by self-miniaturization...
-
Rumour has it the known Paladin of Arvoreen has surrendered himself to jail after a confrontation outside of Peltarch, the facts of the matter seem largely focused on the bearing of one's soul.
-
Similar tales of Duergar ambushes and assaults may ring across the entirety of the Nars. One account places Cormac Randolph at the fore of some such an attack with the Legion boldly repelling a massive assault; his words are filled with renewed and energetic hope, and a vigorous call is put forth for 'all' peoples to set aside their differences so that they can descend as one and commit nothing short of mass genocide upon the entire race of grey dwarves! This harsh and violent message naturally is received better by some than others...
-
Rumors spread about more Duergar sightings in the Orcish Cave. Apparently two wolves, a former mlemite and a warrior of some remarkable size decided to venture beyond the winter wolves to face Elite orcs, only to be chased down by a bunch of Duergar in their way back to the city. The tale involves a lot of 'handling' once close to the city walls.
-
Word spreads from the commons and through the taverns, apparently several more dark dwarf attacks have occurred in the last few days. It is whispered one of the far scouts was overheard speaking of them to several dwarves. One is said to have happened in broad daylight. But that can't be true can it, they are allergic to the sun right?
-
An unusual sight is seen in the early evening as the usually sturdy and unwavering Warziver waddled into town haggered and bloody looking like he had been kicked around rather violently. His armour was stained in all manner of blood and large cuts where seen leaking his lifeblood as he hobbled to the temple. Once he returned still looking rather under the weather Warziver attempts to report to the guards about unusual happening in the KuaToa caverns.
Warziver goes on to report to the guards of a dangerous ambush of Yaun-ti, multiple casters, elite guards and even an assassin jumping him in the tight corridors. having killed over half of them Warziver said he barely made it by them to regretfully flee with his life barely intact. Upon reaching the mouth of the cave he reported being greeted with a very ready Duergar. After a long fight near the end of his limited Warziver claimed he was able to just barely lay low the seeming mastermind of the ambush.
Warziver reported that the Duergar was clearly waiting, and rather calmly exclaimed in common that it seemed they could not finish Warziver off so he would do it himself instead. He concluded that it appeared the Deaugar was using the Yaun-ti like henchmen to ambush and try to kill him.
-
Scott boards a ship bound for Thay and lets his acquaintances know he will return in a few months or so
Lady Irene' boards a boat bound for Cormyr to attend the annual meeting of nobles with the matriarch. She is excited to see her son and husband again.
-
Rumor has it that a breakout was staged from the Peltarch Gaol, and a recently captured hin cutpurse of no particular note has been freed by unknown associates! No guards or prisoners were harmed in the escape attempt, but the city's constabulary has been left red-faced in light of such an escape.
All around the city, posters have sprung up offering 1000 gold for the capture or information leading to the capture of the hin cutpurse, Plankton Flintburrow. His rough likeness adorns the posters, and he is said to be a male halfling with an olive complexion, a lean build, a bald head, and a red beard. Last seen wearing a dark robe, likely draped over him to conceal his prisoner's uniform. He is believed to have fled from Peltarch to Oscura, but his current whereabouts are unknown.
-
It is heard that the Mighty Knights Requietum recently took a delve into the cold caves and returned to the city several days later, packs filled with magic items and potions!
-
Rumour has it that the Black Sails Trading Coster have exciting new stock for sale at the back room of the Lucky Ferret Inn. Fresh off the boat, these imported items are limited in numbers, but customers may speak to the proprietor of the store, captain Sabre Seesaw, if they wish for additional shipments.
-
"What is this, ~Norwick~?", remarks the bardess Isolde Garibaldi to a small group of adventurers, whilst staring in horror at the ogre head roasting on a spike in on a roaring bonfire at the Commons. She shudders, a petulant pout forming on her red lips in her continued lamentations: "It's an alarming trend! Adventurers obsessively closing city gates, bully guards, brutish 'champions' thumping their chests - and now this? By Sune, we must fight it, even if I must prance and scatter fairy dust and rose petals all across the city! The Jewel shan't fall into barbarism, not on ~my~ watch!"
And on that brutish champion note, rumour has it a fierce Garagossan fighter took on the best the city had to offer at the jousting grounds, making short work of most challengers but for a few. Most noticably, a brazenly cheating mercenary claimed a dubious victory, whilst the grey-plated Sonja landed a resounding win.
-
After much rest, and more than a few jugs of wine. Cormac Randolph tells his account of the siege. The saga begins with himself, a lone rider approaching from the south.
"..and as I looked across the sorry battlefield I couldn't believe my eyes. The Ogres' siege weapons had caused panic and scattering among the ranks of those heroes who had sallied out to meet them. All appeared confusing.. chaotic. Grrrhhh... what else was I to do? I drew my sword and blasted my horn to signal my arrival; and charged heedlessly into battle with the first beast I saw. One fell easy, the next I charged and was rushed from the side by an ally! He smashed my horse's skull and I was thrown, vulnerable and injured from the fall. I pushed myself up, and with sword and shield in hand, I rejoined the fight..."
His tale continues with an account of much blood and gore. He spares no detail in the savagery of his longsword and his axe; a great deal of self praise is given to himself and his battle prowess.
"...All at once, from the North I watched as a flaming boulder fell from on high; black smoke streaking from behind like the tail of some malicious beast. When I saw it land upon the great bear I knew as my good friend Uljas's wife, my heart became as stone. I raged with an uncommon bloodlust and charged the two Ogres nearest the smoldering ruin of my friend's woodland bride; and I stole their lives away..."
He gives an account of his journey to the higher ridge further to the northwest along the treeline, and of his daring and rage-fuelled thunderous approach to where the enemy siege weapons were positioned. He told the tale of his command over the battlefield and his great fury in this now very personal one man war. Embellishing greatly; but such is the life of a bard.
"...when I saw their ranks thinning and when they were the ones who had been thrown into chaos, I slung back my shield and brought forth my axe. T'was then that they knew death and doom was upon them. I issued many challenges on the field of war and all who faced me fell. When I finally lead the charge into their siege lines all Hell seemed to actually break loose! As each catapult operator fell a team worked at my back; when I finally reached the end of the line a great roaring explosion ripped through the line of catapults and destroyed them all! I leaped forth with the fiery blast and was carried far..."
His tale continues with obscene and gratuitous violence and bloodshed. The description of guts strewn upon the ground and skulls split with pouring brains is repeated often to delight the patrons of the various taverns he visits. He always ends his visit with a vigorous and celebratory song of victory. It goes something like this...
Victory! We fought hard and prevailed
Brutally! We were fightingStormy seas! Rolling thunder, piercing hail
Battlefield! lit by lightningEagerly! We filled the waves with enemies
Hungrily! Ravens cawingHome shore calls!
We return on bloody seasTwilight falls!
Darkness crawling...So pour the beer for thirsty men
A drink that they have earned!And pour a beer for those who fell
For those who did not return!Raise your horns raise them up to the sky!
We will drink to glory tonight!
Raise your horns for brave fallen friends!
We will meet where the beer never ends!No regrets! We went out to war and strife
To protect! King and countryVictory! Honor those who gave their life
Willingly! We will not grieveSo pour the beer for thirsty men
A drink that they have earned!And pour a beer for those who fell
For those who did not return!Raise your horns raise them up to the sky!
We will drink to glory tonight!
Raise your horns for brave fallen friends!
We will drink tonight!By the time the chorus is sung for the third time, the hall usually is joining in with patriotic and battle-savage cheer. Especially in Norwick where Cormac's fame is perhaps greater...
Raise your horns raise them up to the sky!
We will drink to glory tonight!
Raise your horns raise them up to the sky!
We will drink tonight!Raise your horns raise them up to the sky!
We will drink to glory tonight!
Raise your horns for brave fallen friends!
We will meet in Valhalla again!...He earns his keep with tale and song, where the ale and wine are offered freely he stays longer -- but such is the way of Cormac that he keeps few friends, and travels often. Bleak and cheerless and without taking much personal merriment; and traditionally with no more warmth beyond what a jug of wine and a cheap woman can provide...
((Raise Your Horns - Amon Amarth
