Whispers at the Fire
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((Yet something lurks..
))
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_Wren and a number of guards can be seen checking the site prior to the speech for buried kegs, death hexes, lurking bugbear assassins, Corde-in-the-boxes, Fendon, gobber sneaks, Skara, the Defiler, high-end electrical traps, homicidal drow assassins, hinnak snipers, Talona-Cult poisoners, deadfalls, booby-traps, tiger-pits, IEDs, dragons with rogue levels, The Little Lady of Infernus, Zargothis, Ostromog, devil cows, demon cows, ghost wolves, murder-hobos, Peltarch senators, whores, roustabouts, runagates, rapparees, Rass, Sharn, Scythohalingfel, Kara DuMonte, kobold arcanists, beholders, quaggoths, lawyers, the Dark Enchantress, Penguanus, Dentin Strauss And His Mighty Organ, vicious badgers, blue-clad bards, vampire-werewolves, or FitzSqee.
What they find is a drunken lumberjack and 3 silver pieces under a bench, which the Constable snatches and uses to buy drinks for the detail after the sweep._
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_The Chancellor can be seen regularly with a bright smile, strutting around town chatting idly with everyone.
The 'stand' has been prepared on the hill overlooking the fire where Dwin gave one of his last speeches.
Rumor has it that he'll be addressing the Realm sometime soon to commemorate the recent victories over the drago-lich and Wendigo.
Another rumor is that he plans to announce his engagement to any number of potential mates.
Due to some of the assassination rumors, security will likely be tight._
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an insanely large half orc is seen walking next to Dwin and walking into his private quarters. both seem calm
- A onlooker was heard shouting in the large halfers direction: " OI! I bet he ate Z's cow look at that belly!"
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Word spreads through Norwick that there was an attack on the Legion Hall. Although Militia Colonel Albryanna and Master-at-Arms Aelthas were present for the attack and Aelthas was credited with healing spells, the rumors have it that neither of them took an active role in fighting at the side of the Legion.
Whether the Legion deaths could have been prevented with their help is not clear.
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Possibly based on the assassination rumors, or possibly due to a tryst with a local dwarf-lass, it is rumored that the Chancellor is running the Realm's Operations from within the Dwarven Hold where security is tight and the ale is fresh.
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Said Paladin's just fine, enjoying a cordial relationship with anyone who doesn't strike women in anger. He mumbles and groans about no one taking the time honored tradition of fisticuffs and honor duels seriously anymore. And something about kissing in a manly fashion.
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Benji barges in to Dwin's office.
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Later the next day, the same recruit is seen having an altercation at the Southgate with the Big Druid Horlamin. Whatever they spoke about in a thick toungue, it ended with the druid slapping her, and beating down a hapless paladin.
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_At some point during the evening, sounds can be heard from upstairs in the Grapevine. At first inaudible, they rise into screaming that could be described as someone "murderi'n te fark" out of something.
Despite this, a new Guard recruit is seen leaving the Inn with a beaming smile, and spring to her step._
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Afterwards, Constable Halfabrick holds the Norwick version of a press conference, aka 'people clump up to Wren as she heads for the bar at the Grapevine and toss questions.'
"Is it true the Legion is letting the gnolls through to attack us because the militia sided with Jay the Infamous?"
"Don't be an ass, of course not. The Legion's still guarding the pass like always and we have an alliance. Also, we didn't side with Jay. I believe some militia officers were present unofficial-like, and while they didn't take part in the actual fighting did, I'm told, help heal Legion members."
"Is it true the Order of the Divine Shield is trying to assassinate Dwin?"
"No. Paladins don't do assassinations. Suffering Ilmater, where are you guys getting these from?"
"So why do people in Divine Shield armor keep trying to sneak into town?"
"By 'people' you mean 'goblins'. I suggest you ask them."
"Constable, is it true FitzSqee has sworn to rob Norwick's treasury?"
"Sounds like him."
"Constable, is it true Locrian was fired because Dwin suspected he and FitzSqee were partners?"
"No. He quit, he weren't fired."
"What about this story that Aelthas ate Z's cattle raw?"
"I don't know, what about it?"
"Well, is it true?"
"If it is, Master Z hasn't filed a complaint with us."
"Hey, hey Wren, is it true we're facing famine and Dwin's talking to Miss Biswan about food rationing?"
"Are you kidding? With the cold-demon dead and a Temple of Chauntea, we're expecting bumper crops this year."
"Constable, is it true the Chancellor is planning to marry Miss Biswan?"
shifty look "I cannot confirm or deny any rumors, reports, or statements about dwarven weddings at this time."
"Oi Wren, is it true YOU and Biswan are getting married?"
"I cannot confirm or deny any rumors, reports, or statements about dwarven wedd- HEY! VERY FUNNY. Ha ha. Since we've clearly exhausted the serious questions, and I use the word serious real loosely, how's about getting the hells out of my way and letting me get to my boozer, eh? Only it's been a long day and I need a drink or five. Thanks."
Still mumbling under her breath, she goes to park herself at the bar.
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Stubs guards the door, proudly wearing some recently acquired dwarven stoneplate.
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Dwin and Biswan are seen spending much of their days together, walking through the Realm and visiting with certain long-standing Norwick famillies and businesses.
Most recently, they spent the better part of the day in Dwin's private conference room with the Constable, the Herald, and everyone's favorite guard Davos. The door was only opened several times, mostly to let food or ale in.
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*Z is seen clutching a rolled up piece of parchment and a large animal hide branded with a "Z". He's wandering around town asking for Loc.
Apparently, Locrian recently killed his best milk cow "Bessie" and now Z's looking for some sort of compensation.*
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Lots of gnolls were attacking the north gate in waves!
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_People have been seeing the scruffy redhaired ranger of the Rawlinswood, Clayton Greyfeather… at the creek behind the Grapevine with his hunting knife shaving his stubble off! The strange thing is... he seems to be shaving at night, before going to make camp in the Rawlinswood. Every morning, his red-tinted scruff is back, and stays there all day, only to be shaved again each night.
What?_
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Some say…. that they have seen Locrian without his cape recently.
What in the world?
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Whatever was discussed seems to have lit a fire under Farmer Biswan, as she drops her usual routine in the fields and goes racing around town with a somewhat dazed look on her face, paying calls on the Temple of Chauntea, Regrin Deed at the lumbermill, Vroka, and a good many other people. She even seems to have neglected to bring a book, a first for her.
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The Chancellor can be seen about the Realm with his new Gold Cloaked personal guard, Stubs, travelling from one business to the next.
He's also spent a great deal of time lately with (specifically) Dwarven business owners and kin-residents at extended dinners at the Inn, or long (ale-inspired) meetings within the Great Hall itself.
Amongst those at most of these meetings are Gemli the Merchant, Biswan the Farmer of Old Jiyyd, and several other well-known merchant dwarves from the Dwarven Hold. An unexpected attendee of some of these meetings is also Davos, everyone's favorite guard, though he may be there just for added security.
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After the airship crash, Stubs can be seem with a new fetish attached to his belt, the head of a hell cat. He also can be heard having boasting of having survived three implosion spells (though he wouldn't call them that) and of killing a Bebilith, while completely naked.
