New Whispers at the Fire
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Screams of terror at long last turned to cheers in the town of Norwick as two purple worms were brought down by the Redcloaks of Norwick. The casualties were few enough thanks to the financial support of Reemul and his insistence on sparing no expense to arm the defenders of the town against every potential threat, but also thanks to the members of the Spellweaver Keep who put their lives on the line to provide spells of protection to the Redcloaks and an artillery of magic to help break the chitin of the purple worms.
As the chaos died and the Redcloaks restored order, Yllalynn, after being missing for so long suddenly appeared in the town square. The sight of her bringing a great cheer and sense of closure to the whole ordeal for the townsfolk. Not long after, the heroes of Narfell returned, all but Lence. They did not share the same sense of victory, but quickly began plotting their next course of action. Yllalynn herself, though giving thanks, took no cheer in her rescue. With a look of hatred never before expressed she quickly brought the warrior Varya into the temple where they remained.
After the tremendous earthquakes that preceded the return of the adventurers, scouts report a stillness South of the town that has not been felt in a year. The Hollow Gut tribe seems to have dispersed or relocated from the surface. Townsfolk celebrate the triumph of the Recloak's battle within the walls and toast to the return of their beloved priestess. The sacrifice of Lence is met with many rounds bought in his name, as well as the other Redcloaks who fell in defense of Norwick, and all seems to be returning to normal from the commoner's perspective...
Far off, Lence struggles to breath. His skin begins to burn as a pressure all around his body increases. He's being crushed, suffocated, and burned. The pain almost takes him before incantations dispel all of the discomfort. As he struggles to compose himself, he finds himself immobile, bound, in an alien cavern, and kneeling before a wicked little goblin with cloudy eyes looking far off...
"Welcome, butcher... To the true lair of the Hollow Gut Tribe... Heheheheh. Now witness the consequences of your slaying, one hundred chieftains in the making!"
The cackling laughter trails off as the screams begin.
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Adventurers, faithful, and heroes set out to recover the Chauntean priestess Yllalynn and manage to eventually recover her after delving deep into the tunnels created by the Hollow Gut tribe. However it was not without heavy cost, as the loss of Lence in exchange was too much. As a reprisal, the worms did attack Norwick but the brave Redcloaks had helped stave off retaliation for now, sadly at the cost of many of their lives. She thanks Raryldor, Maria, Vick, Blue, Theaon, Sam, Thau'lira, and Ethuil for the efforts they put in and vows now to either try to end the tribe's assault as well as either recover Norwick's hero who sacrificed himself in exchange for the Chauntean priestess, or avenge him.
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Samwell and a summoned earth elemental help clean up the rubble, fill holes, etc. after the battle in Norwick center. He also takes time to help with the repairs of any damaged buildings.
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The Hollow Gut tribe have laid waste to the land deep in the Rawlinwoods. Trees and wildelife that have been broken under the tribe's ruthless growth have been repurposed into fuel for their expansion. Numbers of goblins and bugbear have swelled in the forests and they are on the move Southward. Great rumblings accompany their march and their standards of a skull and bloody green cloak are waved above their ranks, rallying a chorus of wicked screeches, roars, and howling laughter.
The Redcloaks of Norwick, outfitted with new pieces of armor as well as bows and full supplies of arrows, cover every crenel of Norwicks walls and patrols keep a steady pace ensuring every corner of Norwick is readily defended. Crates of supplies including expensive potions are laid out and readily available to the defenders of Norwick. Chief Voss makes he way out of the barracks with several heavily armed Redcloaks in tow.
"Redcloaks, our walls are once again set upon and the people turn to you. They pray for protection and peace, and through our Gods we'll deliver it or die trying. Reemul has provided a great deal of support in the coming battle. Every cost for this battle has been met, it all comes down to us. We will defend the walls of Norwick as the heroes and adventurers of the land attempt to put an end to this threat and return to us our priestess, by any means necessary..."
The Chief looks out into the crowd and locks eyes with Lence, squinting them in a grimace before turning on his heel and marching back to his position.
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After a brief discussion at the North Gate of Norwick, Lady Varya Tiller of Peltarch, General Theaon and Corporal Labur of the Troff Legion, and Thorin of the Council of Moradin were seen heading south of Norwick. Word is they were looking for potential leads on the worm threat and the location of Yllaryn. They later returned to Norwick with two more in their group, Samwell, son of Z, and an Arvoreenite paladin named Dago. Unfortunately, it appears their investigation lead to no new leads.
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Ravos, Daedalus Guild forces commander heads again to Norwick himself, now that his wife the Lady Varya Tiller has taken up temporary residence in the temple due to the kidnapping of the Chauntean Priestess.
He brings with him a Dwarven aide from his military contingent, whom he intends to leave in Norwick for some time, whom is an expert on the building of defences by means of wood or stone, the chief tradestuffs of the guild, with orders to ascertain any trading opportunities with the town, in respect of the recent underground attacks and to aid directly in the construction and planning of any defensive, rebuilding or counter-mining operations.
He advises he will only be there for a few days, to brief his aide and to get eyes on the situation again before returning to the city to oversee armed caravan dispositions in the coming weeks.
He asks his aide to pay careful attention to the supply route to the north as well, as well as the river-borne trade, in order that high priority in-demand shipments can be made via secure routes avoiding any areas of goblin incursion.
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There seems to be some confusion or cross over on the rumors going around. It seems like multiple tribes of goblins are attacking the town. Giant worm tribe, umberhulk tribe, whatever is happening seems to be unrelenting and no one seems to know where to turn.
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The Crafters Union donates tools, materials, and labor to help clean up the damage/rubble and rebuild.
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The Hollow Gut tribe made it's big debut to a chorus of Norwickian screams and death throes as purple worm's rumbled from the deep forest of the Rawlinwoods and emerged in an explosion of rock and stone directly within the walls of Norwick.
Scores of goblins followed in the wake of the exposed tunnel openings as the worms emerged from several locations before adventurers caught up with them and fended off both greenskins and purple worms. One of the worms opened it's giant maw of teeth and poison as a high pitched voice screeched and echoed from within. The beast then retreated into the hole it had emegered from just as the heroes closed in and the stone quickly filled the tunnel's place.
Patrols of Redcloaks filled the town to ensure it's security and assist the townfolk while D'Cameron swiftly called a meeting behind closed doors to determine the next course of action.
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As rumors of goblin activity to the south spread, it seems a new rumor is heard at the inn of goblins setting traps in the city, luckily a tough adventurer walked into one by the store so no civilians were killed.
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A small group of redcloak scouts returned to town after lumberjacks reported a series of rumblings coming from the woods. The scouts confirmed the consistent tremors and also reported an increase in goblins south of Maria's tower.
These goblins carry a new standard, a humanoid skull on a bloodstained green cloak as it's banner. Many goblins from various tribes have been converted or enslaved by this new force and even the bugbears do not challenge the goblin's movements further south in their lands.
Though the goblins keep to their territory, the tremors seem to be on the move through the forest, inching ever closer to town.
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Rumor has it that Norwick's local former N'Jastian warrior who had been living in Norwick for 10 years came back bloody and bruised. Cauterized scars visible through holes in his armor might have had a tussle with fire giants. He would tell the cautionary tale of how after fighting them himself for the first time, that they aren't an enemy to be trifled with or taken lightly, as they even gave a very experienced warrior like himself some deep trouble.
Thankfully they're far enough that they won't try to return the favor... he hopes.
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A traveling cleric of Torm is seen talking to the gate guards, then leaves out the South gates and coming back an hour later wiping green blood from his sword and armor. He talks to the guard again then can be seen later up on the hill praying.
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Reports of rumbling heard from the northern part of the city and then screams and yelling as the sounds of explosions and spells set off a panicked flight of residents. In the end, when silence fell, there was a gaping hole in the ground by the large tree just up the road from the Lumber yard. Blood and other fluids as well as dozens of goblin bodies, most riddled with arrows, littered the ground. It is said an old man and young woman had gotten caught up in the excitement.
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A tall man of strong build who bares the crest of Tempus on his back known as Ax who seems to mostly keep to himself that has lived in Norwick for the last decade looks to be making efforts now to help the community a little more. Often seeing bringing large quantities of exotic meats from massive creatures from his hunts, the crockpots and cauldrons that rest over the fires always seem to have fresh delicious food within them of late, filled with aromatic spices and herbs that tease and tantalize the locals and redcloaks alike. In turn, the actual cooking equipment near the fires seem to now be very well maintained, with extra care and effort being made to keep them clean whenever he's around.
Another overheard rumor about him thats made public of late was that the Chultan was a former citizen of N'jast. Rumors are that worked both as an officer in the army and then a debt collector for the city, having lost his family as a concequence of his latter work, and chose to resign from his position after the tragedy, having moved away since then.
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A relatively quiet day in Norwick was interrupted by shouting and threats of violence around the Mavalgard caravan. A foul odor was smelled by those nearby, followed by the sight of a dwarf being chased north by the caravan operators. A short time later the dwarf could be heard screaming back towards the caravan.
"OY! YE WEAK-STOMACHED LOT NEED TA LEARN TA APPRECIATE A GUD MEAL!"
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In an echo of the past, N’Jast once more stood at Norwick’s gate, demanding the return of a traitorous deserter who stole important schematics from them and ran for refuge in Norwick, else Norwick wholly be razed. Armsmaster Iona called their bluff, and Norwick’s forces, as well as a small contingent of adventurers, were able to drive back the waves of assault with no harm to the town or its civilians- though at the cost of the gate itself.
As they retreated, a venomous vow was made- so long as Norwick had what they wanted, N’Jast would be back.
A drunken Gondar is seen after, hiccuping while swaddled in his cloak by a barbarian in the Grapevine inn, with other adventurers grimly sitting about, spitting no good words about N’Jast’s audacity. Reportedly, a shattered mug had to be cleaned from the floor.
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Some strange rumors spread about Spellweaver. Apparently in the lobby a group of adventurers had a lively discussion which ended with one stabbing himself violently in the thigh, bleeding all over the place, while another adventurer then proceeded to fire a divine beam from his helmet into the adventurers bloody wound. There was blood all over the floor, it was a real mess. And why? Well... uh... good question.
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A shaking, familiar Gondar is seen cradling his own head, an eyepatch and bandages around where his left eye should be.
"It was, it was N'Jasti!! The whole operation! They had slaves down there, a battlemage from the Order of Jassa, a general of sorts- The snakes- in the pit, around a contraption of sorts, and a gauntlet- over pits of ravenous, magical snakes--
Th- It burned so badly!!!! I can't, I couldn't- My eye is gone! Cormac's regeneration didn't-- Cursed-- It, it won't grow back with magic-- They must have taken them! I couldn't see I couldn't feel it was just screaming and burning and itburrowedINTOMYSKULL--
Wh- what if it can get worse?"
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The rumors turn sour as a group of scouts find themselves halved, dragging the corpses of their slaughtered squad back to Norwick. Rumors even state that one of the deceased scouts was murdered with a common pickaxe, jammed through his skull. Red Cloaks at the tavern speak of a conversation with the Herald, of a hostile force in the Rawlins that have set up around a dig site. Human forces. On top of which, the earthquakes continue, leading to fearmongering and exaggerated rumors of terrible things.
