Tavern Knowledge (III) - post your rumours and gossip here

[Ithildur]

"Damned things ... came out of nowhere..."

The pikeman sat in the temple spitting out a mouthful of blood, wincing as various salves and bandages were placed on his wounds. There was a gash on his forehead that might've looked almost comical, but the man's mood was far from jovial.

"Fought a few deaders here and there before, but I doubt I saw anything like this in my time stationed here in Rivermoot. Had to be nearly a full dozen of 'em... skeletons ... a few of them shamblin' deaders mixed in... 't ain't natural the way they just... seemed to burst out of nowhere all at once... and moved with single minded purpose chargin' at us by the gate. Caught us by surprise, we managed to rally and beat them down eventually, but ..."

The man snorted angrily as he wiped tiredly at an eye.

"They got Meehan... good man, stood his ground... good man. Nearly got Heffer too... if it weren't for the Sarge jumpin' in just in time, would've been worse."

Murmurs and stares followed the man as he stood to his feet and trudged back outside to his post, but most eventually shrugged and returned to their daily routine. One figure was even spotted cackling to himself briefly, before slipping outside as well.

After all, it certainly wasn't the first time there had been rumors of undead things being spotted and dealt with in the area...


((small series of encounters placed, recommend a small group of lvls 1-2 for one, lvls 3-5 for the other...))

[Ithildur]

Patrols and scouting parties sent out to the nearby areas report no findings of additional undead things, though some crumbled bones and such have been reported.

((placed encounters no longer available... for now))

However,

New rumors in Rivermoot murmur about a second member of the defenders of the settlement being slain by undead in the night, this time a guardian stationed by the cemetary to the west... otherwise little is known in the way of details other than an unknown dwarf being involved.

Some say the dwarf was seen taking the customary post of an archer that was critically injured and taken to the temple, standing guard much of the night next to a somewhat grumpy pikeman.

[Ithildur]

Rumors begin to spread that the entire area near Fourthpeak has become a forsaken place haunted by undead. There seems to be no word about the small contingent stationed at the stronghold in the area; whether they have fled, been evacuated, killed or worse is completely unknown.

In the meantime, a new officer of the Argent Legion is said to have been dispatched to Rivermoot to oversee the investigation of recent incidents, though locals say that he's been rarely seen within the settlement.


((ooc note, for the sake of consistency with canon lore and dealing with ooc mechanics of server time and infestation mechanics, please attempt to RP that it is night time whenever you encounter a very specific creature in the infestation effected areas... and only that specific creature(s), i.e. not all undead.))

[Ithildur]

Rumors around Rivermoot speak of missing scouts, some of them quite accomplished, that went searching the nearby hills in light of the recent attack.

Some say a group of adventurer types have returned to town bearing less than good news, and the mood among the Argent Legion members stationed in Rivermoot is solemn.

[ImStrokerAce]

It had been more than a few hours since the group came back into Rivermoot; joy and sorrow, relief and anxiety bounded across the features of the rag-tag band of misfits. They talked at length to the two Sergeants near the gate; the conversation growing rather tense as grim looks and coarse words were exchanged between them. It wasn't long before they began to celebrate at the Tavern...
"Oi you there!" The armored and obviously drunken man shouted over to the Barkeep.
"Nother group of drinks fer everyone!" He pawed at the mug resting on the table, sloshing it about as he raised it to the air.
"Ta the ones who lost their lives this day; may they find peace in the next life!" Draining the remains of his mug, he threw a handful of coins at the Barkeep and stumbled out into the night air.

[Galadorn]

...accepting all drinks warmly, Willjo drinks throughout the early night and buys a few rounds as well. After several quick hours of shut-eye from a long day of exploration and battle alongside his new friends and adventurers he reappears in the tavern to drink some more, and sing and dance into the wee hours of the morning.

[Ithildur]

As the sun rises in Rivermoot, the latest rumors speak of a sleepy Pikeman muttering something about noise heard in the night north of the nearby plantation. A recently recruited scout later was overheard mentioning the discovery of several orc corpses near the strange ruins north of the plantations.

Meanwhile, word continues to spread that the areas further north of Rivermoot continue to be plagued by undead, though it seems that some of the usual inhabitants are fighting back; thus far no word has been heard concerning the fate of those once stationed in Fourthpeak's watchpost.

((encounters placed... and growing:

1 recommended for a lvl 1 group, partially engaged by 2 adventurers
1 recommended for lvls 1-3
1 recommended for lvls 4-6

and one extra encounter recommended for lvls x

1 encounter defeated

Note that the current infestation of certain specific creatures are spawning without their correct default attack 'weapons'... to balance this with the intended aim of making things feel somewhat 'grittier', expect some adjustments in raising the overall challenge of placed creatures.

Highly recommend organizing groups...))

[ImStrokerAce]

((moved to separate thread, I think it's best to try and keep this thread to rumors/knowledge that would be broadly available to multiple PCs and/or shorter posts))

[dergon darkhelm]

((moved to separate thread, I think it's best to try and keep this thread to rumors/knowledge that would be broadly available to multiple PCs and shorter posts))

[Ithildur]

Recent rumors in Rivermoot:

- scouts report that in spite of the occasional skirmish here and there undertaken by adventurer types, the areas north of Rivermoot still continue to be haunted by restless undead.

- There seems to be difference of opinion among the Legion officers stationed in Rivermoot regarding how best to respond to the threat. It seems that Captain Dyke, the newly arrived officer temporarily assigned to spearhead a response, has either been extremely patient or slow to respond while he is 'continuing investigations in his own manner'. Very few outside of the Legion have even seen his face thus far.

- In the end, after a fierce debate a very small contingent of the Legion has been dispatched to investigate the areas near Fourthpeak and beyond. They have not yet been heard from.

- someone has been spreading rumors that adventurers who successfully deal with the threat or at least find the source will be generously rewarded. Seemingly within hours of such rumors spreading, at least two such groups are already rumored to have arrived in Rivermoot and left after supplying and gathering information, presumably going after said reward before anyone else can claim such. One group left behind a mess in the tavern after starting a brawl; the other was said to be highly disciplined and professional in demeanor.


((several new placed encounters of varying CR have been placed; ingame location and other clues should give idea of danger to the observant. As always, organizing at least a small group is highly recommended; these encounters are not meant to be soloed. note that infestation mechanic mean random chances of encounters being increased or decreased in difficulty))

[Ithildur]

Rumors speak of a hooded and robed stranger passing through Rivermoot who caused a stir. Some claim the figure boldly wore a skeletal symbol that mark him as a necromancer and likely tied to recent troubles, while a few shake their heads and say it featured scales as in a symbol of Kelemvor. A small crowd apparently began to gather, guards were called, at which point the stranger seemed to vanish from sight, drawing even more alarmed reactions from many.

The sky over the region remained menacingly overcast for much of the day.

[Galadorn]

Willjo has been seeking companions for a trip to the Evermoors to please the Marshall and complete his commissioned job about some rambunctious Lizardmen that might be scouting for an ambush closer to home. He also would like to see just how far the current undead threat is spreading. He brings it up often in the tavern and hopes a few able adventurers can join the cause. He also has no idea what's the best trail to take to the Evermoors so an able scout who knows the area would be much appreciated of course...

[Ithildur]

Rumors in Rivermoot speak of a pair of experienced looking adventurers that returned to town from a long trek; the pair apparently looked exhausted and visibly worse for the wear, their armors dented and covered with scratches, gore and blood. One of them, a half orc, in particular exhibited symptoms of some kind of serious illness, though some days later he seemed to have recovered.

Good thing too, so go the rumors... as Sergeant Wilson was overheard by some giving orders to put down the half orc without hesitation if he exhibited 'any signs of turning into one of them...'

Other rumors speak of a fight nearly breaking out in the middle of town... unsurprisingly, the half orc is said to have been involved.

[HEEGZ]

A human and a gnome return to Rivermoot bearing the corpse of Wilfrid, slain by the many darts of the nefarious kobolds.

(( playing a gnome bard now, looking forward to seeing you all in game on the new PC ))

[Galadorn]

Willjo's worthiness proven, the Marshall hands him a shiny Militia Badge. Willjo soon after outfits himself with cloak, helm, and a crisp new smooth Tower shield bearing the proud colors of the Legion. Saluting the Sergeants, he stands at post happy to guard Rivermoot during these cursed times....

While at post a human and curious looking gnome drag the corpse of Wilfrid by, a single solemn word from Willjo's lips escapes followed by a deep frown of sadness:

"Fuck."