Tavern Tales and Rumours

[Lokan]

Citizens of Beregost awoke this morning to shrills and shrieks of horror as numerous bloodied bags filled with the hands of, elves, halflings and even dwarves are found amongst the city. The temple has issued warning to its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, and to avoid the wilderness until further notice. They have assured the citizens that they have knowledge as to the what may have planted these horrific symbols and are taking steps to protect the town not only with their own well trained force, but also with the expert aid of members of the Triad.

The Radiant Kelddath Ormlyr has eased the initial shock of most of the towns folk, but all those that enter the holy town feel a sense of unease from its citizens.

[loulabelle]

It was a hazy morning when the half-elf made her way downstairs from her room at the Burning Wizard in the small town of Beregost. While she did not need true sleep, the room had been adequate and the bed comfortable and she was well rested to begin walking back to the city. She walked with her head uncovered, letting the cool morning breeze ruffle her short black hair and caress her blue tinged skin. Unless the Maid had something up her grubby sleeves, the walk back to the city would hopefully prove uneventful and swift.

Then something red and white caught her eye. It was placed in a flowerbed in such a way to be both hidden, yet not all that hard to see at the same time. Her curiosity piqued, she took a closer look. A pair of hands, white from cold and bound with red ribbon. She did not touch them or lean closer for a better look at the gruesome deposit.

"The Ilmateri are going to extreme lengths to honour suffering these days" she murmured with a thin smile, to no-one, as she lifted her hood and continued on the road, unperturbed by the morning's grim discovery.

[dergon darkhelm]

The halfling was playing another round of Knaeves & Trups in the smelly common room of The Blushing Mermaid. The stakes were but coppers and although Hully could buy and sell every man in the tavern ten times over with the platinum bars in the extradimensional purse on his hip, that didn't mean he was above stacking the deck in his favor.

He was just taking the third King's Fold Hand in a row and the sailors were starting to foul on his company when the drover came through door speaking a tale of gruesome murder down South. As the details of the severed limbs came in earnest Hulurin drew a tight frown.

"So it's ginna start in Beregost eh?, he mused to no one in particular. "Well, ye ain' the only basterds who know how te make a bit o' fear. Mayhaps ye ought te taste a bit o' the panic o' the hunted yerself......an' I know jus' the feller te put the taste in yer torturin' mouths."

With a flick of the wrist, Hully tossed a pair of double-eagles onto the gaming table, drew his cowl, and and made for the exit. He winced painfully as the midday sun hit him square but he made his way quickly for the Beregost caravan. He sat grim faced as the cart creaked and bumped out of the city, blacking the studs of his leathers with a special oil and carefully arranging a number of green-tipped arrows in his quiver.

"Yup. Time te play with these torturin' basterds at their own game, Hully."

[Lokan]

Beregost is recovering from a gruesome attack. The champions of Lathander defended the town with bravery and honor. Most Radiant of Lathander, Kelddath Ormlyr, lead his forces to destroy hordes of crazed Loviatari. Covered in blood and marks of torture that they placed upon themselves prior to battle the Loviatari flung themselves upon the shields and swords of the Lathanderites. Kelddath lead the charge at every turn.

Grikius, a noble Preist of Torm was there to lend aid and counsel to the morning lords forces.

Much of the fighting seemed centered around the enemies attempt at gaining entry to the ruins of Ulcaster's magic school, but a small force from the Selunite temple was seen entering the school in pursuit of another group bearing the markings of Bane.

Many of the Lathanderite forces speak of the Selunites being forced back out Ulcaster's school, but Grikius rallied the force and lead them back into the ruins.

Once they reemerged, there were shouts and talk of destroying an evil artifact. Grikius and the Selunites then made haste northward out of Beregost.

Meanwhile, as the smoke of battle from Beregost could be seen rising for miles, sounds of explosions along the coast up and down the river along side of Cloakwood could be heard, as well as a second trail of smoke could be seen for miles rising out from within cloakwood itself.

Near Baldur's Gate, the Flaming Fist was said to have set up road blocks to Ulgoth's beard and were turning citizens away from traveling that direction. Witnesses say a large host of Banites were turned away from traveling the road near Baldur's Gate. The Banites, after turning away from the Fist, and the city, marched threw the wilderness toward Cloakwood.

Many citizens flocked to the market place and Dragons Gate to keep watch for a Banite attack... which never came. However, the group known as the Swords Edge were seen entering the city after leaving the Cloakwood with a small child, carried by an armored priest of Ilmater.

[Stormbring3r]

**NOTICE**
For sale or trade
Magical Cloak
Can be used twice a day

Iquire at the Elf Song Tavern

Ask for Merry

**Written in Halfling/Elvish/Dwarvish/Common**

[Brokenbone]

At the House of the Sharpened Axe, the former penitent Rhaggot has a few times between sojourns out of town, put out word for steady paid work for armsmen, not in the name of the mercenary band of the Sword's Edge, but in support of a shrine to Tempus.

From the brute's mumblings, it sounds like the shrine is "Unnerground," then he tends to go off about making big clashes and all glory to Foehammer, before going off "Unnerground" again.

[Ronan]

Dragon attack!

The news spreads like wildfire in the Gate: the blue dragon known to live off the coast near Ulgoth's Beard attacked at set ablaze the Baldur's Fortune. Word is that a few wounded survivors were pulled from the sea by the local Zhentarim garrison, though captain Allant was not among them.

Some say Allant was a retired smuggler, and the dragon snatched him up and forced him to reveal where his treasure was horded. Others say Allant had found Ulgoth's stash, how else could he have afforded the Fortune?

Still others claim that no, the beast was only after blood, and vanished shortly after setting the Fortune on fire.

Whatever the case, the Harbor is getting crowded. Some captains have refused to leave port, instead marching en masse into the Ducal Palace. No one knows exactly what resolution is being reached, but there's not a sailor in the city who isn't waiting with baited breath.

[Ronan]

Among sailors and captains alike, spirits in the Gate are raised with welcome news: the blue dragon Key'Nayek has been driving from his island lair. The heroes, an adventuring company known as the Fate's Edge out of Waterdeep (along with Beregost's own Stephen Soulbright), are toasted at all the bars along the waterfront. The Grand Dukes and the Zhentarim of Ulgoth's Beard are quick to take credit for their part in financing and organizing the expedition.

Still many (pessimists, some would say) are heard whispering that the beast is not slain - and so may return to wreak vengeance on those who seized its horde. Despite the massive amounts of gold they are spending in the Gate, many agree it will a good day when the Edge leaves town.

[Ronan]

Anyone passing through Beregost within the last few rides would hear word of a battle, fought inside Feldposts of all places. The common folk know little of than there was a huge explosion, taking out much of of the second floor, and killing one Lathanderite priest. The offender was brought low by Kelddath Ormlyr himself, and dragged to the temple in chains.

Some whisper the attacker wasn't a man at all, but a winged elf! Others scoff at this, calling his appearance a "sorcerer's trick". Whatever the case, the Lathanderites are tight-lipped about the whole ordeal.

Samuel Feldpost is hard at work rebuilding his inn.

[Ronan]

Rumor has it that with the absence of the powerful Selunites, the Way of the Lion has become more dangerous... Folk speak of a band of gnolls and goblins who have raided the road of late, some putting their numbers at three dozen or more.

The Flaming Fist advises caution if traveling in the area, and not to venture into the hills for any reason.

[jmecha]

Word spreads along the Trade Way that the Lion's Way is once more open for trade and travelers on account of a small band of adventurers who successfully bested the Gnoll and Goblin Forces.

[Mick]

Some talk has filtered into the Gate from outlying farms of goblin bands becoming more organized in the Cloakwood. Some dismiss this as merely the latest talk of a rising goblin threat.

Others, however, are not so quick to dismiss it. When questioned, some mention that a young warrior, Tybalt Thren, from the House of the Sharpened Axe recently was seen heading out to put down the threat. When warned of the threat of fey in the wood, he scoffed and reassured those concerned that he was not worried about fey. He has yet to return.

Encounter set for party of lowish (2nd-4th) levels. If someone completes, send me a PM.

[Ithildur]

Earlier in the day a messenger of the Flaming Fist was seen rushing into the Gate; the words were hurried and vague but apparently there was some kind of an attack on or near the Ducal estate in the Cloakwood Hills.

Some time later, two elven warriors returned to the Gate with rather grim expressions on their faces, one of them going around various locales to post a warning written in flowing script.

Let all take warning that wyverns have been attacking near the Cloakwood Hills. Furthermore, one of the towers located in the ruins south of the Ducal estate now holds deadly creatures called Basilisks; these large lizard-like creatures possess the power to turn victims into stone by a mere gaze. The pair of petrified wyverns just outside the tower are ample proof of what they are capable of. Two of these creatures have been slain, yet at least two more remain within; it is advised that only those fully prepared and capable even consider venturing into the tower.

Further warning, it may be that some of these creatures have means to turn away damage from edged weapons.

((not sure whether that's a bug or not, but apparently they have DR x/blunt or similar))

[rorax]

Earlier in the day a messenger of the Flaming Fist was seen rushing into the Gate; the words were hurried and vague but apparently there was some kind of an attack on or near the Ducal estate in the Cloakwood Hills.

Some time later, two elven warriors returned to the Gate with rather grim expressions on their faces, one of them going around various locales to post a warning written in flowing script.

Let all take warning that wyverns have been attacking near the Cloakwood Hills. Furthermore, one of the towers located in the ruins south of the Ducal estate now holds deadly creatures called Basilisks; these large lizard-like creatures possess the power to turn victims into stone by a mere gaze. The pair of petrified wyverns just outside the tower are ample proof of what they are capable of. Two of these creatures have been slain, yet at least two more remain within; it is advised that only those fully prepared and capable even consider venturing into the tower.

Further warning, it may be that some of these creatures have means to turn away damage from edged weapons.

((not sure whether that's a bug or not, but apparently they have DR x/blunt or similar))

A stout, dark armored warrior and a tall, mysterious hooded person who followed him from a safe distance behind were seen entering the ruined tower only to come out shortly after, carrying two bloody sacks.

The tall hooded figure paid few coins to the local boys back in the city to spread the word that if anyone is interested to buy the beasts heads they are welcome to seek him out in the Blade and Stars tavern.
(send pm to dusk13)

[Gebb]

A man and his elf companion (neither familiar to the area) carried a lifeless human corpse into the Friendly Arm courtyard, claiming they'd found the body in the road just south of there. The victim looked at first inspection to be a roguish bandit, but on closer inspection seemed better groomed and clothed than such brigands. His body was pierced in many places, by what implement unknown, but he bore a post pouch from the Gate and papers identifying him as "Ottis".

After abruptly dropping the corpse off in front of the chapel with their explanation, the two quickly washed the residue, said a brief prayer in the Sylvan tongue, and departed as quickly as they had arrived.