Tavern Tales and Rumours

[Ksiel]

A foul odor has been permeating the streets of Baldur's Gate recently. As the city guard investigated it's source, it was discovered that the sewers of the city were backing up. A local that went by the name Dirk kept the drainage working properly has recently disappeared. Officials of the city said the issue would be taken care of promptly.

Due to the back up in the filth, more have been seen at the shrine to Ilmater. Luckily for them, an elderly priest by the name of Father Bastille has been tending the sick.

[Ksiel]

The city still smells of backed up sewage, but the city guard assure that a crew has found the problem and are dealing with it. All will be back to normal in a few days they say.

Father Bastille is seen tolling morning to night and even longer. Most of his healing is spent on kids, while adults are seen to only after all the children are taken care of.

Rumor has it that there was a murder in the baths. A group of three, 2 men and 1 woman entered. The 2 men were seen leaving the scene of the crime. City Guard have been tight lipped, but one informant says they have a good description and that they will be found. Mant Carlton was seen leaving the baths the same day crying and yelling, "I want their heads..."

There are still no reports of any attackes on the Trade Way, though merchants and travelers still report howling and being followed by creatures at night. City Guard suggest taking extra care while traveling even though there has been no attacks.

The word is the City Guard has increaed the reward for information on the death of the Bott brother from 100 coins to 150 coins.

[dergon darkhelm]

Fliers are placed throughout Nashkel:

Writ of Arrest:

Let it be known that Koriten A'Balinar of Nashkel is wanted to answer to the crime of assault on a member of the Amnian Army. Those who provide aid, respite, or assistance to this criminal will be punished appropriately.

A stipend of 100 gold pieces and one year abatement of tax collection is being offerred to those who provide information of value leading to his capture or who present him alive to any Amnian army officer.

In the name of Amn let this writ stand as law!

[dirsa]

a drunken man sits in the feldposts inn. he seems happy, he's ordering from the list of expensive wines, offering a drink to any who will sit with him a moment or two. many have seen him in here before, although today he seems different. instead of his usual dark hood he's wearing a hat with feathers in it. he laughs. smiles. smiles, like he really means it, instead of offering a grin. he seems genuinely happy and care free...

a young boy runs up to him. mister! mister! i have a letter for you! he happily flips a gold coin in the air for the boy to catch and takes the wrapped parchment. he smells it. a smile comes across his lips, as if he already knows who it is from and what it is about. that was fast... he mumbles to himself and orders a bottle of the finest samuel feldpost has in his stock.

he pours himself a cup, sips the wine, and breaks the seal on the letter. smells the paper again. oh, have i missed you... i'm coming home... finally... he takes another sip of wine and slowly unfolds the paper and starts reading it. his smile brightens, he chuckles as he starts reading. only for a second... in the time it would take to get to the third line of the letter, the mans face darkens. the smile is wiped off his face like a fly that would get splattered by a quick hand of a barkeep while patrons aren't looking. he reaches out for his cup. his hand trembles...

sip of wine. another. he steadies his hand, setting it on the table, gripping the wine glass in white knuckled grip. he keeps reading. crack! the glass shatters in his hand, pieces cutting deep into his palm. as the blood drips from the cut, he sets down the letter with his other hand, takes off his hat and places it over the piece of paper.

after what felt like eternity for the man, but could have been mere moments, he wipes his face with the bleeding hand, leaving streaks of blood across it. with a frown he stands up, turns, takes three steps towards the bar, then spins around, tiny little crossbow produced from under his cloak with an uncanny speed, and fires off a bolt that pierces the hat in it's absolute center, nailing it and the letter to the table.

master feldpost. i would like to rent the place for a funeral feast. two days time. fine wines for all who would attend. and a meal. whatever you may think appropriate... let me know what it costs.

the man steps out into the cold night. a single tear has made its way down his blood streaked cheek, making a jagged line. as he looks up to what used to be a full moon just a night before, he let's out a scream.

never. never again...

[Ksiel]

Rumors abound from any near or at the Friendly Arm Inn this past full moon, that around midnight a most ominous howl was heard for miles and miles around. It was as if a thousand wolves of different tenor howled at once mingling their voices. Moments after the howl, everything in the near by woods fell silent, not an animal or insect could be heard, and then all at once returned with a howling of wolves in all directions. Most say the feeling of the woods felt as if a panic had washed over the area.

[dergon darkhelm]

A caller ran through through beregost proclaiming recent news while at the same time hawking sales of jerked pig livers

"Numulin Hardlat to go to the stocks for two days before being hanged! Crimes of adultry and twice a murderer! Jerked livers! Chewy and spiced! Numulin Hardlat to go to the stocks for two days before being hanged! Crimes of adultry and twice a murderer! "

[Galadorn]

*grumblings around Baldur's Gate alude to a relentless and seemingly endless thundering of hammer to anvil near the merchant's district much more than usual even for that bustling and busy place. The banging lasts for hours two and sometimes three times a day*

[kmj2587]

Early morning market-goers and drunks stumbling home from the taverns tell a curious tale of two men dueling with rapiers in front of the Helm and Cloak, atop the fence that surrounds the Herbalist's garden. One man was short with dark hair, and the other taller with his face concealed by a hood. After a long and impressive display of agility, balance, and swordsmanship on the parts of both combatants, the shorter man was finally dislodged from the fence by his opponent. The two then shook hands and spoke for a few minutes before parting amicably.

[Brother Humphrey]

A dark haired half-elven woman was seen to debark from the Rivermoot Raven, a large, black panther padding along at her side. Both looked rather unpleased and a bit unsteady after the voyage. Word from the crew is that the pair spent the trip south together in the ship's bilge, as the captain refused to permit the cat to travel without her keeper, and the cat refused to allow itself to be caged. The pair headed out of town immediately, the local guards eyeing the sleek animal warilly but not daring to stop their progress. They were seen heading toward the Duchal residence and the cloakwood once they crossed the river and the guards and merchants outside the gates sighed from the release of tension.

Several hours later the pair returned from the same path they followed, covered in blood and gore, the woodswoman lugging a huge pile of assorted weapons. Much to everyone's relief, the half-elf stopped at the far end of the bridge and seemed to give the cat an order, at which she turned and headed back into the woods with an easy lope. A short while later, word began spreading from the market arm's merchant's stall about how the latest supply of weapons at Hakkun's shop was acquired through the half-elf's powers of persuasion, and not some small amount of archery skill, from a pack of over thirty goblins that appeared to have been preparing some sort of action against the nearby Duchal residence, as they'd at least half a dozen shamans and twice as many well trained warriors among them, far exceeding the number of regular grunts. The elf-blooded woman met up with a companion and, hefting a rather large coin pouch received from Hakkun, wandered off to get a drink, leaving behind a hundred pounds or so of weapons that ran the gamut from clubs to greatswords.

[dirsa]

it was a sunny afternoon, as two hooded men were crossing the gate bridge into baldurs gate. they wore signs of battle on them, the shorter one walking forth with difficulty, while taller one walking with ease, but covered head to tow in crimson spray... however, there was something else that had everyones eyes fixed. the taller of two men was carrying a head. a head, with skin of dark mohagony and hair of snow...

[Greasemang]

In Beregost, there's a degree of unrest as a local butcher brought himself to one of the taverns, clearly unnerved as he rambled about an encounter with a demonic pig possessing his knife and escaping for parts unknown. Meanwhile, reports have begun to arise regarding rabbits of unusual height and girth on the road leading into the town.

Local druids had no comment.

[randomrper]

It has been noticed for the last several days by both guards and regular goers to the Harbor that the Shrine of Tempus has been at least partially cleaned. Weeds and debris have been cleared out around the base and vines and such have been removed up to about six feet from the ground. It is rumored that some have seen a young woman, probably still a teenager, wearing black and grey with dark hair tending to the shrine on a semi-regular basis.

It's not completely clear if this is the same young woman who shows up to pray there as well. That woman wears enough armor and weaponry to make a raiding party of orcs think twice about showing up.

[Ksiel]

...it is being said that a group of Flaming Fist approached the Guild House of Sword's Edge on the eve a few nights back. After a short while, a gnome was lead from the house to the Flaming Fist Headquarters...

[paazin]

Peculiarly enough there have been rumors going around about the hamlets surrounding Baldur's Gate of whole pens of livestock vanishing in the middle of the night. Many of the farmers suspect wolves or goblins at fault and are raising bounties for payment per each killed.

[Adanu]

The city guards are currently seeking a man calling himself Eli for questioning (rough description follows), stating he is wanted for involvement in a potential theft. This came after a large blue man was seen chasing someone down one of the busier streets in the market area.