Tavern Tales & Rumours

[Zelknolf]

Rumors circulate around Corwell that a blood-soaked hin with a face tattoo recently bought some dozen slaves from Skaug and shipped them to Gwynneth to grant them freedom.

A few are overheard drinking Corwell, trying to plan what to do next and commenting that they're "not even from here."

Not that they'd argue: that probably wasn't pig blood she was wearing, they reason.

[Isenheart]

During late afternoon a darkclad and heavily armored man could be seen carrying the lifeless body of a female into Cantrev Koart. With a grim look upon his face he gently set down the corpse next to the guards. No obvious sign of pillaging of the corpse was to be seen except the lack of gold in the misadventurous purse.
Before taking his leave the armored man utters a few words to the nearby guard.

I came upon this poor soul to the west from here. Probably killed by them big brutes roaming the fields. Such a waste. *he casts the female a long glance and lets out a distant sigh before turning the gaze back to the guard* The gold of hers I consider to be mine for the effort of hauling the body here. The rest of her gear should be intact, as far as I can tell. Farewell.

[CloudDancing]

*rumor is the High Queen Alicia is having trouble with her foster son, Gregory Kendrick. A few months ago he was seen making rather lofty and embarrassing claims about total sovereignty over the confederated Isles*

*rumor is there is a bounty hunter at large in the Isles. This woman is described as dark of skin, often in a dark hood and cloak, and very fancy leathers of gray and brown. She was seen most recently in Skaug. The rumor states she is wanted for the killing of three Knights of Helm south of Beregost and a hefty bounty is offered for HER capture, by parties contactable at the Calidyrr Dancehall.*

*rumor is the early plantings of spring down in Gwyneth were killed by a late coming frost. Farmers are struggling to find more seed to raise up and plant again*

*rumor is a hunting band has disappeared in Lyrath forest. The people of Wyngate are offering a collection to the person who can discover their whereabouts*

*rumor is the Temple of Sune welcomes three new priests to it's fold. They are male triplets from Calisham. Comments to the effect of "I wonder what sort of donation it would require to be thrice blessed by Sune."*

*rumor is the Northmen woman have been falling ill to a dark sickness that saps their strength and has taken many lives. Some think this is what is driving the raids and kidnapping. No one knows if anyone has reached out to cure them because no one can get close enough to them to try.*

*rumor is that Ruathym has had some strange events happening. The animals there have become so panicked on occasion, they burst forth from their pens then take off into the hills, and must be rounded up again. And at the apex of the dark moon, shadows with red eyes have been seen stalking the streets. And finally there have been a series of small fires around town, most happening in the late afternoons, in haymows, in the forest, and in the rubbish heaps. The priests of Tempus are sorely pressed of what to make of this phenomena as no one has come to harm yet.*

(These are all possible plots one could pick up with a random DM (especially those learning the ropes of dming)

[Zelknolf]

Five halflings were seen leading a very sickly and disoriented man covered in what is best described as "slime" from the wilds, to Lowhill, to the walls around Corwell, and then off to the north.

People who got a good look at the small folk noted that they were badly beaten and wounded, and had a solemn quiet in their demeanor. Speculations of lost friends in attempts to save the slimed man are shared over drinks, but people don't seem to think much of it after those conversations die out.

[dusk13]

Rumours around corwell and the souther cantrevs that rangers are gone missing at the salt flats north to winigate. some orc patrolls have been spoted and with the raiders closing from both east and north ti winigate it seems they are looking to cut winigate off.

meanwhile shortage of man is reported in winigate. and some ffolk has seen leaving the cantrev via ships.

[gonz.0]

Tales have spread from Graystaad of a elfboy that visited them from the south. It seems the lad was seeking adventurous warriors for challenging battle, to come to the south to form with the ffolk in repelling the Black Sail raiders form their shores. He even managed to keep his wits half a tenday.. but then fell to the drink not to be roused again. Most didn't know he was an elf till he was out.. but when they had seen it.. they cleaned the dirt from his lip and chin and dressed the elfboy in a floral embroidered gown, and shipped him off to Skaug.

Many a man near on regurgitates his ale telling the story they laugh so hard about it. As if they have the time with the troubles of their own, to go helping ffolk.

[CloudDancing]

*The strange fires and shadows have disappeared from Ruathym. Early on the seventh day, a local man witness a gaily-dressed band of adventurers, hin and human, put out three fires in the distance at the borders of the town. He also mentioned them being attacked by flapping gray creatures, but it was the wee small hours of the morn, when no one else was awake, and this man is known for being a drunk. The town guards also saw these adventurers as they trekked into the local blacksmith, no doubt for repairs to their singed armor. And strangely enough they were seen shipping out of town, led by the blacksmith's wife. The blacksmith simply said his wife was going on a free vacation to Caer Calidyrr to visit relatives.*

[CloudDancing]

*A weird tale has popped up among Corwell of a fisherman casting out his nets and pulling up a pretty, but mostly naked young girl among his fish. Dressed in sodden clothes and tangled with seaweed, she sobbed she had been thrown overboard by some pirates and begged for the fare to take her home to Ironkeep. A collection was taken from the fishermen and she was sent home in a dry dress, boots, and a big sack of fish.

Strangely enough one of the Corwell to Ironkeep skiffs had not returned from its usual route that same day. A woman and three children are waiting for the word on Captain Petra's whereabouts.

All sailors and longshoremen are on the look out for the skiff, Petra's Dagger. *

[CloudDancing]

*The bardic news is from Ironkeep. Bards detail how the servant of a local boarding house keeper's servant was attacked at her home in Ironkeep village. There is rumors it was a raid from the feared Blacksails*

Perd, a local half-witted man was cruelly stabbed in the neck and left to bleed out in front of his beloved chickens.

Nute, her house servant, was dragged off and on to a boat by these scurrilous pirates. She said she begged for her life and they threw her overboard, but the captain perished.

The Ironkeep Guard is paying a reward for any information on the whereabouts of these pirates. They are detailed as a large blonde man with a beard, a bald man, and a brown haired man with a mustache by the boarding house keeper.

A local bard with skills in drawing made these sketches:

[danielmn]

((So wait.... we're looking for Thor, Capt. Pickard, and Magnum PI? ))

[Galadorn]

^
(( dam..beat me to it, ......Cloud, was this a joke? or were you just in a hurry to find 3 "hand drawn" pictures of a long haired blonde fella, a bald fella, and a dapper washed up feller with a MOOStachio? ...we need j000000sssss on this one... stat))

[danielmn]

((I like to rib every once in a while, know it is good natured, and we're all extremely thankful you DM. Ment for a grin, nothing more. ))

[CloudDancing]

*the bard providing the portraits its known for his specially "enhanced" paintings and drawings of semi-unattractive nobles*

[Ithildur]

((too funny... ))

[JonnyJerny]

A gorgeous bardess sits in the corner of Trapper's, drowning her sorrows in alcoholic beverages of her choice.

"No one appreciates me! If only... If only...! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Hiccup.