Tavern Rumors of Peltarch
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In related rumours, numerous travellers, merchants and even seasoned adventurers report bandits extorting tolls for 'safety' within the Nars pass. According to eye witness accounts, these bandits were numerous, well organized and well equipped - though ~something~ still drove them from the pass abruptly. Rumours mention thick, whirling dark clouds over the Nars shortly before this exodus, eerie sounds upon the winds and a palpable sense of dread. Defenders Jorino, Tiller and Autumn, Cerulean Aelthasson and a small number of allies returned from the south some time after the clouds had passed, exhausted and bearing signs of extensive combat.
A brief time thereafter, the city's Ceruleans seem to have engaged in some manner of rescue mission, as Nate Wingates, Eowiel Senella and their allies lead a ragged group, about 20 women, children and men, from whereabouts unknown through a shadow door into Peltarch proper. Many bore scorch marks and seemed shocked, taken into temporary care at the Festhall and the Bardic College to recover.
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Rumours following the recent recapture of Portown from bandits suggest that numerous former Defenders have been recruited back into the fold, including the likes of Varya Tiller, Lorn Hresh and Reyhenna Jorino. Sally Williams has not been seen publicly since the Tribunal in which Jorino left the Defenders, and rumours suggest she is missing or taken a leave of absence, having been replaced in an interim capacity by erstwhile retired General Frederic Del'rosa, who has been spearheading recent recruitment efforts.
Rumous also say Jorino appears to have been sent on a clandestine mission by Del'rosa not long prior to rejoining the fold, only to barely returned with her life. Indeed, her injuries seem to have included the loss of her entire right arm, and she's since been seen occasionally sporting a golem-like prosthetic in its place. Clearly whatever bested her in battle left wounds too grievous for normal priestly magicks to regenerate.
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A note, written in such orderly letters as to trick the eye into believing them printed, appears on a few public noticeboards across the city:
"Rudo Bobbett & Associates: beware return of lich! Much displeased at ruination of experiment. Making threats against individuals involved - and their allies. [Serenity]"
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The people of Peltarch are abuzz of late not just with news of the successful operation to Port Town, but also with word of the large dust cloud that appeared in the Giantspires a day ago. Some even go so far as to say that, following the dust settling, one of the mountains in the Giantspires itself seemed to be simply missing.
In perhaps related news, a group of adventurers was seen returning to Peltarch shortly afterward. All bore signs of having recently been in battle, and one was even deceased while another was unconscious, having apparently been flayed at some recent point.
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With a victory in reclaiming Port Town with minimal casualties, the soldiers seem to return in relatively high spirits after a successful operation. With some of the Refugees heading to the defender barracks as possible trainees and others heading to the Tiller Farmstead for food and a place to work while efforts will soon be put into place to rebuild Porttown, it seems things are looking better for the city.
Varya herself can be seen at the farmstead, helping hold a feast for the refugees in honor of their liberation while her mother tends to any health concerns. Murmurings can be said that while she was told to see if any of the others would like to join the defenders when back in good health, she did notify them of the dangers that would be accompanied in such. The paladin would educate tell them though that others like then were in need of help though and to reflect on how they suffered, and how perhaps their efforts could liberate others from said suffering as well.
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Business owners and prospectors have been chatting about the new bridge that crosses the scar to the east making way for new trade routes and better access to natural resources. Though the threat of lizard and troll attacks is still present they are reassured that there will be a permanent defender outpost to keep the threat at bay. It's been said that Defender Lt. And Voice of the commerce district Scott Grimm worked diligently with the trade guilds and the crown to secure funding for the project which was largely paid for by investors and that it will be eventually charging a toll for anyone entering the city in order to help recuperate costs and generate revenue for the city.
An Inn has also begun construction for weary travelers to rest up before entering or leaving the city though who own it has not been disclosed as of yet.
The view over the bridge is breathtaking but people are asked not to fish off the bridge due to the boats that still use the scar to travel south.
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Docks District Councilor Roslyn Underhill has, of late, been seen paying visits to the various labor unions throughout the docks. What she is doing there is never outright stated, but given her recent activities it's likely attempting to coordinate some sort of new push for workers rights.
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According to recent reports, Councilor Underhill of the Docks District was part of an adventuring party with Isolde Garibaldi, Star Elizabeth Light, George Longcloak, Reemul DaCosta, Salin Ashald V, and others. It's said that the group investigated a loan sharking operation on the city's waterfront, which had connections with a series of mysterious deaths in the area.
The investigators managed to find their shark - one J. Haddock, beneath the Bottleneck Apartments. However, it seems all was not as it appeared, as the group supposedly also uncovered an illithid elder brain! Indeed, the councilor has been spreading the story of how Star got the killing shot on it far and wide.
Following the battle, the brain's remains were apparently destroyed utterly by Salin, the better to keep it from becoming a troubling loose end later.
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half drunk worker waves friend over Yo, Lem, ya hear da dust up at the docks. Dat priness wavin her dick around in front of ole lady White. Den bunch of clavary charge in and poof ad one . Hhahahhahhhahh ,gulp
leans in gits betta, was walkin by da commons and dey was talkin, the p..pp.priness and bunch...yeah goin ta lay some hurt os ome bard...yah know...does voic trowers wit a dummy..yeah ven...vent...vent , ya know what I mean. Tallking all dis big magikin, portin in and magikin behind it then WHAM...giant magics...yeah..all sutin up dey were....
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Lines into the temples of Peltarch back up with commoners seeking aid for pain in their stomachs or carrying dark tales of battles of the bowels fought and won but without glory.
Two adventurers march valiantly from out of the sewers, covered in excrement and the flies that love it so much. After a quick aside with the guards, the seeming culprit is arrested: an unsuspecting food vendor recently set up shop along the docks. Much cheers and flatulence can be heard through the alleys of the docks district as the adventurers find their way back through town and the perpetrator brought to justice.
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::: Augustus Farthingdale, who appears to have no association with any lodge or city authority, a self-declared businessman seems to be making his wards available sometimes for zero cost to those who furnish him with scrolls he has an interest in, or charging a highly competitive fee for wards of very high duration. :: He remarks in public: "Cast immediately for you, before you step forth upon the hazardous roads of the land."
:: He's available to consult,from the comfort of his armchair in the mermaid or even provide a magical lesson or two for those who are not adepts of the art or to simple soldiers wishing to test their resilience to magic. ::
:: He reminds all who speak to him about the excellent permanent magical wears available from the Mystic Lodge.. who he is certainly not affiliated with in any way, and makes no comment about the origins, cleanliness or uncertain divine origins of any items sold there.. :::
:: Heading back to a nearby Wavebreaker table, he then goes to buy them another round of drinks - seeming to spend a fair bit of his coin on such socialising ::
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There is quiet talk in taverns of an odd fog or mist (and arguments about what the difference is) that occasionally seems to roll into Peltarch from the alleys on occasion. It's a bit odd, but as it happens in the early hours, few are prepared to pay it much mind. There is also, probably unrelated, some talk about a missing person or two. But people tend to show up eventually in Peltarch.
Nothing to worry about. Just drink your drink.
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The new rumors abound that Morgan has chosen his inquisitor. Droim, the notorious(?) mage(?) who Morgan claims he recruited because he heard that Droim already had a uniform. And that saves on costs. Morgan pointedly did not question how Droim had a uniform, or why. He just sort of... trailed off and wandered away.
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Tavern rumors spread that the newest Magistrate is seeking an Inquisitor to
bully and do all the actual workaid Morgan in his duties.
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Despite much publicity around the formation of a new mercenary company, former Captain Reyhenna Jorino is said to have departed Peltarch the day after the Military Tribunal which saw her long career as a soldier come to an abrupt end. She exited through the South Gate on foot and has not been seen in town since.
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Ravos Calchais has been appointed by Guard General Velhar to replace Oscar Halbrook as Captain of the Commerce District Guard and the administrator of the Gaol.
Calchais has been the Guard General's second hand since his allegiance with her on the Council. His appointment follows a high-profile arrest of the Princess Reyhenna Jorino several days ago, which Ravos and Velhar carried out personally.
[DM Xanatos Gambit]
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Things overheard in taverns and inns around Peltarch:
I tell ya Henry, was a guard for 20 years, there will be blood aflowin in the streets afore da days out
Hey darlin, give me the Jorino special, got me some coppers ta burn
Ya heard? Ole Jakes cousins wife heard tell the carpenters are building a gallows. Got all the wood ready
Best hunker down lads, this goin ta be a rough one
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Upon hearing the rumor, Sam just shakes his head and chuckles
Everyone knows Dwarves don't drink milk...
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*Rumor has it that the Tiller Farm will increase production in dairy as advised by Lady Varya Tiller in order to help provide milk for the dwarves. 4000 coin on possibly importing some rothe to meet the dietary needs of the dwarven people. She would also let all the dairy farmers know that the dwarves Bunus and Dalton are to thank.
Furthermore, 500 gallons over the next few days of regular milk as thanks will be donated to the dwarven Refugee camp as a gift, courtesy of the Tiller Farms on behalf of Bunus and Dalton's needs to purchase large quantities of milk in the future.*
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The talk of the taverns for a few nights is that of the mysterious, incredibly loud entity that tore up part of Peltarch's wall as it pursued unknown individuals. This strange, firey creature let out roars of fury and threats of death as it bowled through several Defenders, just after two guards were slain by unknown assailants. The creature, and its prey, vanished south, leaving only awoken and confused Peltarchians and shaken and battered Defenders.
