Tavern Rumors of Peltarch
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There's a rumor spread among those who frequent the mermaid in the shape of farcical songs. Bards who pick the inn as their main income in the city, are backed up by a chorus of drunkards (mainly) who may or may not pay much attention to the intention of the verses:
And the voice of the voices has voiced an opinion:
"Like the people, like civilians,
I shall voice my displease:
Not civilians, but adventures
only strive to refill their beliefs
with the coins, and the spoils
that the crown should convoke with taxations.
Make them pay, for the crown,
make them pay with a part of their spoils!"Doesn't matter, if Far Scouts, or Ceruleans,
or Defenders that they only go out for rejoice.
They're on duty, they should serve to protect
all the people that defenseless are left
when they venture.
Make them pay, with taxation,
and especially those who have nothing to do with the crown!After laughs and toasts, some adventurers that frequent the mermaid to recover from the exhaustion of their treks are left with a concerned countenance, while commoners only toast with a grin in the name of more income for the crown.
Is it true that a tax for adventures is coming for those who gamble their lives in this tough and often unrewarding life of the adventurer? When was this idea left on the loose, and why are the bards singing such songs when nothing has been made official yet?
It's very notorious the support of the common people, while adventurers only seem to be concerned and speak about moving to one of the other two towns of the realm.
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Scott Grimm let's it known through rumors and the craft hall that he is looking to buy a master crafted mithril or adamantine bastard sword.
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A hin leaves town hall, looking furious, and goes to Vanity Plates, coming out looking rather different.
Later she is seen entering the town by stepping over the walls, causing panic amongst the livestock and citizenry, before heading off down the pass. Estimates say that she was 1000% larger than normal.
Later still she enters on a horse riding at ridiculous speeds that seem impossible, then shrinks down to the size of a pixie, then back to normal. Seems magical shenanigans are rife tonight!
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For a few days following the break-in at the college, word travels around Peltarch of an incident in the crypts. Hushed whispers tell of a pool of blood that ate magic and, perhaps, people too. Or of an encounter with a terrifying child with dead, black eyes. Some whisper of a tall, gaunt smiling man, who's rumored to stalk Peltarch's slums and alleyways even now.
It's not exactly clear whether this happened before or after the break-in, but some locals are claiming that the two are somehow connected.
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Bardic College Break-In!
It happened late one night - the door to the Masters' Quarters was broken down! The loud crash attracted a curious crowd of students and instructors alike. It appears several attempts were made to weaken the door with acid, before it was simply kicked down with brute force.
No word yet on if anything was stolen, but it seems that the college is taking the matter seriously.
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Rumour has it that a certain Hinnish Farscout is looking to sell some very powerful magical items that would suit the dexterous and stealthy
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A dwarf clad in fullplate makes a donation to the Lighthouse Temple, telling them that it's "in the name of Wert the Waukeener", and heads off quietly into the night.
In other news, posters begin showing up around Peltarch, promoting the business of "Wert the Waukeener" and his AMAZing ONtime delivery system. Apparently all one has to do is say "Wert the Waukeener is Wanted" and he or one of his agents will be in touch through the WWW system, which works across all planes of existence where Waukeen is worshipped.
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*Cerulean Shesarai announced in the Commons and the Mermaid that she found two profaned zombies hiding in the cemetery west of the ruined tower near Peltarch's south gate. She managed to put them to rest and said no more were seen the next night. But the presence of such tough undead outside the sewers is troubling. *
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Posters are put up around town, advertising that William Kyrie, descendant of the songstress and enchanter, Val Kyrie, is offering custom enchantments for those who have the coin.
He can be found at the Temple of the Triad, who will be receiving a tithe of all sales
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A red-haired priest is seen coming and going from various establishments in town, beginning the day wearing golden armor with the symbol of Kelemvore on it, and ending the day wearing steel grey armor with the symbol of the Red Knight on it. He also sports a fancy scabbard, new shield, and a few other accoutrements.
Afterwards, he is seen heading to the temple of the triad for an evening service.
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As local apartments become vacated and put up for rent, the residential district is also abuzz. The house near the bathhouse seems to be undergoing some extreme renovations. A local redhead icon is seen directing the flow. For the most part, it seems the priestess has gone local, hiring Peltarch carpenters, masons and laborers, and buying the supplies locally as well. The woman's expensive tastes certainly fill the pockets of those who work for her. A few exotic goods do make their presence as well as some odd (gnomish?) mechanisms. Seems the Lady was installing quite a bit of plumbing as well!
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Rumours speak of a mysterious incident recently, in which a waitress receiving a spectacularily red rose by a dashing Peltarch Defender fell into deep sleep. Neither the Defender nor the adventurers gathered could wake the young woman, who was eventually carried into the temple of Sune, to be tended by the clergy there. Only true love's kiss can wake the sleeping beauty, claim some gossip mongerers, while others insist the classic fairy tale involves a prince.
The buzz around the Residential area revolves around businessman Oliver Holloway's soirée, a glitzy and well attended affair by nobles and various well-to-do people, including some high profile adventurers and Defenders. It is said the often reclusive Holloway invited the latter crowd to a personal meeting after the night's entertainment, though what was discussed is a subject for speculation.
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A yellow robed monk hands over the wrapped body of a small dead girl to the Herald. The girl's skin was frozen and blue, and there were multiple parts town away, as if by a wild animal. The monk woman asked the Herald to find the shepard girl's parents and apologize that there wasn't more that could be done. She also said her body was found in the mountain passes of the Cold Stone Mountains by an expedition led by an Inquisitor of Oscura to take advantage of the portal opening that is leaking out devils. And they did not seek to close the portal. Simply to mine it for mithril and platinum. The Herald retreated with an angry and frustrated look to him.
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"Hey Claire my dear... I need a strong drink, seems I was just stupid enough to loose a nice blade... ,,, tell ya what .. make it a double." He saunters into The Ferret, and with only a couple of locals, The fine lady behind the bar, appreciates his return, and pours a drink.
" Hey, big guy. I could use a hand behind the counter here, some kegs and other heavy lifting, can you help me out. Might give you a Chance to let loose some?" The fine looking lady behind the bar, admired him for some strange reason, much like many other in her position, it really only took a wink and a soft smile for convincing.
"Sure, I can tell you how the soft touch of a fine hammer removed a cursed blade from my hand."
The burly drunk slips over the bar, complete at ease in full plate. Picking up the glass he shoots it back, and begins to move some kegs.
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A local redhead is seen almost always within the walls of the city. In recent times she has been leaving less and less, seeming more hesitant to toss herself in with the adventuring populace. Her trips out with adventures seems to have trickled to remarkably low frequency, seeming to only care about doing things for the benefit of the city or to protect very close friends, and even then, only if it isn't straying too far.
She seems quite eager to prove she is here for the citizenry of the Jewel.
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As the clocks struck midnight, the sky itself was obscured by a cloud, or was it a cloud? No! Not so much a cloud, as a flock of winged beasts of nightmarish origin, who swooped down across the realm to cause mayhem, including in the streets of Peltarch.
Brave heroes and Defenders fought them off, protecting the citizenry and slaying the monsters wherever they showed themselves, leaving the city streets littered with the dead.
Shortly thereafter, an expedition mounted to find the source of the creatures.
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Rumor has it.... opinions differ in the Commons to what the Silver Host are up too.... tensions rise.... names are exchanged and tempers flare
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During the heated times of the standoff, a certain red-headed public figure was seen briefly at the southern wall before she spent most of the time inside the city. Taking in residents of the Jewel who lived outside the gates, or anyone wishing shelter with her, she kept them fed and safe in the Festhall. It would seem that the priestess is quite serious in the interests of the people and keeping them safe.
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Fear ruled Peltarch for two days.
By the hour, Peltarch's Military sent more Defenders to the walls. Ceruleans hustled through the streets on unknown errands. On the southern wall stood Lieutenant Reyhenna Jorino, whom rumor suggested was to be tried by the Silver Host that day. That band of Torm's crusaders had recently demanded the Defender be retried for her crimes. The city had stood against turning over one of its soldiers, and the decision, rumor suggested, caused strife between the city government and the Order of the Divine Shield.
~*~
South of the city at this time gathered the Second Conclave Tribunal of the Silver Host. Many came to gawk, including a number of famous adventurers. Sir Robert Holmsmead stood in sole judgement before the accused as their history was related through the divination of his companion, a hin in a green robe called Vere the Knower of Truths. The pair's eyes glowed an unearthly white, and the spectacle lent an overwhelming sense of a divine presence at work. The crowd of commoners jeered for the villains Chaevre Vaelen and Marie Andersdottir. Muttering accompanies tales of how several adventurers spoke in favor of these evil women, both of whom were ultimately found guilty and sentenced to "exile" amid a display of powerful magic. It is also said that a representative from the druid circle demanded the final prisoner be turned over, a green-skinned elf, and that the Silver Host strangely conceded.
~*~
What happens next seems unbelievable. The Silver Host sent an emissary. Some say to negotiate, some say to threaten the city. Commanding the southern wall, Lieutenant Jorino did not entertain him long: "I think you'll be staying to answer for your master's crimes, Zachary. Unless he sees fit to find the courage to answer for them himself." She gestured pointedly, "Take him," and a host of invisible Defenders appeared and teleported away. The Silver Host marched to Peltarch, camped outside the southern wall, and Sir Robert Holmsmead himself demanded Jorino and the release of his emissary. Two days, he said.
The city couldn't sleep. Farmers sought shelter within the walls. Hin in large numbers ran to the docks to abandon the city. The confusion grew worse when the Defenders issued a decree, "ORDER OF THE DIVINE SHIELD! STAND WITH YOUR KING! DEFEND YOUR WALLS! Or do you STAND with FOREIGNERS?" Some say half the order's Tormtar abandoned the city, and that the Ilmateri and Tyrran who joined the Defenders did not look easy about their decision.
Dawn of the second day came.
Lt Jorino shouted to the host, "I will gladly return Zachary if you return Marie Andersdottir."
Sir Robert's voice boomed. "Is this your justice, then? Lives for lives? You seek to barter away freedom without judgment? Zachary is a servant of the faith, a kindhearted man with nary a stain on his soul! Marie Andersdottir is a woman who let the world's circumstances darken her heart, and who committed many murders!"
Jorino replied, "I can't speak for his soul, but he works for a brigand, a kidnapper who seeks to usurp the lawful rulers of Narfell with his own thuggery! Your crimes are his crimes!"
After a time, Robert's voice boomed anew. "Surrender Zachary, and yourself, Reyhenna Jorino, and only then will the scales of justice be balanced. Do this and we will release the woman."
Eventually, Jorino did surrender herself to the Silver Host. At the end of the two-day siege, the city of Peltarch traded a Defender and a hostage for a traitor.
~*~
A third Conclave Tribunal gathered immediately. The crimes stretched back before Lt Jorino's days working with the Orcus cult, presenting a pattern of a cruel quest for personal power. Adventurers spoke of Lt Jorino's repentance, including details such as buying an orphanage, but Sir Robert was not persuaded by that nor by the legalistic complaints about the Tribunal's authority.
The Defender was exiled in the same fantastic manner as the others, and Holmsmead, tired of complaints, banished the crowd to Peltarch's southern wall with a single word.
But Jorino's exile was not to last forever. Hours later, she stood again in the commons, waving to the crowd. "Let any who doubted know now, the Silver Host are nothing but a scam! I'm living proof. I go now to inform His Majesty of my timely return, and doubtless to receive every several honour within his power to bestow upon my humble person."
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*Lt. Scott was seen speaking to one of the Marine Captains. Apparently booking passage to an unknown destination. The Marines have been seen getting a couple ships ready with provisions for a large crew enough for a few days. *
