Tavern Tales and Rumours

[Dorn]

Children run squealing through the inner bailey and into the market by the eastern gate.

The small gate market has swollen over the last few days in response to the sea of billeted recruits stationed outside the walls. The normal gaffs about the 'layabout part-time policemen' of the city guard have been silenced as the young, and not so young, recruits are pushed hard around the clock by their sergents and several grizzled veterans of the Flaming Fists.

But the children come to watch the hard but friendly bouts between the strongest and best of the recruits, and the off-duty members of the 3rd Lance of the Fists.

At first it was a simple thing. A jibe followed by a challenge followed by a fight. A former blacksmiths apprentice with arms the size of ale kegs, and the towering Fist recruit just called 'northman' by his sergent.

But now the kids watch in glee as a simple scrap has become an open melee between two teams. The stern advisor to the Gates army down from the citadel Red Knight was heard to say something about 'adapted small unit tactics'.

While the Fists win nearly every bout, the city guard recruits keep lining up for a chance at the veterens. One of the recruits told a sausage seller there was a bounty on putting down the Sergent of the 3rd Lance..yet to be collected. And another smaller one on the bellowing northman. But the Fist veterans seem to make it hard for anyone to blindside the huge young man as he flails about himself calling down Tempus gaze on the melee.

The children laugh and join their own mock battles. The cry of "Tempus Tempus Tempus" can sometmes be heard as they giggle and immitate the fighters.

The parents look south....and worry.

[Dorn]

"Did ye see th' last bout down teh Eastgate Trev?"

"I dinae have t' chance pal. What' I miss?"

"All goin' t plan ye see. That big Fists-garbed oaf throwin' down his challenges and the city guard hopefuls charging in." he moses "musta had even more of a bet on than normal i'd say..an eager bunch".

"Get on with it.."

"Aright aright. Well them Fists lads circle back round the Northman like they normal do. Then the whole thing stops the brawlers all staring past us mouths open catchin flies...we looks round and there at the inside gate it's only the bloody Duke!"

"Shitt'n me!"

"Big 's life i'm tellin' ya. Anyways, dont int'rupt. He gives the nod and the fight gets back underway. Liek i said. Accordin to the script. That is....until ther's but two city guard hopefuls left against 3 of the fists..including the Norhtman and that surly bloody Sergent of his. Noones taken im down you know the Serg that is? Anyways no win fer the guards eh?'

*snorts* "Say so"

"Well money already be changin' hands when this slight fellow in leather runs at the Fists. And then grows three more sets o arms as he takes em apart."

"Wo wo..three sets o arms?"

"Well mays well 'ave he was swingin so fast. Anyways. Bim bam and it's over. All the fists on teh ground and this lad standing over them. An that's nit the last of it. 'is grandness th' Duke leans over says somein' to his second. That Cap'n comes down and asks the vicious lad if he wants into the Fists. Then calls out to the crowd that anyone that can beat em in the 3rd like this lad...well they should see him about signin' up"

"Imagine that eh? Being part o' the mighty Fists!! 'fraid me bones are a bit old to be followin' that dream eh? Heheh"

*frowns* "Dont be too happy there Trev. When was the last time you heard the Fists publicly recruitin'? If this war talk got that lot of hard asses stirred to swell numbers....well can't be good fer the likes o you and me"

*silence settles over the table and nearby listeners hunch back over their drinks*

[Sir_Belisarius]

A tall broad bearded human wearing a purple cloak and hood has been seen entering from the East Gate. Rumor has it he has a room at the Elfsong Tavern.

[Dorn]

Rumour has spread through the market.

Georg, was camped over the east gate bridge waiting for the morning opening of the gate were awoken by the thunder of hooves at midnight. "Shaking the bridge they were". He swears at least a hundred mounted Flaming Fist galloped south fair bristling with weapons.

Goodwife Mildred, spoke to her knitting circle about the Fists headquarters being all up in arms about something. Weapons and all sorts of things being pushed around. "Why shouldnae bothered with t sweepin' i tell you wot with the mess they be makin'." One of the knitting circle told her husband Rolf, a notorious big mouth and barfly, who insists to all that would listen (which for him is not many) that the Fists are invading Amn. "They've decided t' clear off and set up their own country down there! Mind if i'm not wrong!"

A grubby urchin calling himself Spence was overheard yammering at the gate guards that there are talking Ogres on the tradeway. "I swears t the Earthmotha they is! An they is pickin flowers!!!" The lad was sent into a rubbish pile with a hefty cuff over the ear to the laughter of the east gate marketplace.

[Mord]

Rumor has spread around Baldurs Gate of a Flaming Fist guardsman apparently going berserk inside the Elfsong tavern. Witnesses report that "he seemed overly intoxicated when he entered, and wound up bloody well smashed eventually". Several chairs were flung haphazardly about the tavern, and one unlucky patron received a broken nose. The guardsman was apparently dragged off by two of his fellow guardsmen, screaming and kicking like a madman.

[Mord]

The last week, several caravans coming eastwards from Scornubel have been attacked, apparently burned to cinders leaving no survivors. All cargo has been strangely accounted for, though severely damaged by what appears to be magical fire of some sort. No witnesses have survived the attacks to tell their accounts of events, and there are no clues as to who perpetrated these crimes.

[Mord]

There is hushed talk of a group of about four or five Banites roaming The trade way a couple of miles east of Baldurs Gate. Some suspect the group may have something to do with the destruction of several caravans en route westward from Scornubel, and yet others say they met the group, claiming in fact that the group is patrolling The Trade way to protect unwary travelers from the dangers of the road.

In either case, suspicion and distrust seems to be the prevailing attitude.

[davidcurtisjr]

A man in black robes and festooned with tattoo's and piercings of Loviatar has arrived of late and has been seen about the city and through the camps on the outskirts of the city walls.

[CloudDancing]

*a small hand written note is posted near the two armorers of Baldur's Gate*

For Sale: Set of black fine studded leathers of highest quality. Have fallen on hard times, must feed baby. Armor is at par with Elven make and desirable to the most stealthy of hunters. Buy this armor and you should never need for another set the rest of your life. Possibly it might save your life. Inquire at the Sword's Edge Guild Hall to Trapper Wind only with a very full purse and intent to buy. Will barter/trade for Gems as well as Gold.

((can log in various odd times if you are interested, any time zone))

[jmecha]

Three battle worn and wounded adventurers recently handed over a corpse to the Flaming Fist stationed at East Gate. Rumor has it the slain man wore robes and armor that brazenly displayed the markings of Loviatar.

[Lokan]

Offerings of bread and meat, as well as clothing, shelter halves, and other items have been appearing at the foot of the statue of Ilmater. A white robed man, which some have described as a priest of Ilmater has been seen leaving the offerings and encouraging the local homeless, and less fortunate to take them as needed.

Some of the older homeless have been heard talking of a young farm boy that had done something similar at the shrine a few years ago, but he hadn't been seen for quite some time.

[Ksiel]

Two bodies were found stuffed in crates in the harbor district. It was discovered the bodies were the Bott brothers, Liam and Lester. The word around the city is their younger sister was watched running the streets to the scene and upon seeing her now dead family began ripping her hair out while screaming and even tried to throw herself from the docks before being subdued.

City guard has been seen asking questions and have put up a reward for 100 gold for anyone with information that will lead to the person or people responsible for this evil deed.

[Greasemang]

At several inns and Taverns in Baldur's Gate, as well as the Friendly Arm Inn, there are notes written with clearly clumsy handwriting, warning that travellers on the Trade Way should beware of werewolves.

[Lokan]

Priests of the temple of Lathander have issued a warning in the town of Beregost. They advise travelers to beware werewolves near the Tradeway.

[Ksiel]

It can be heard from Baldur's Gate to Beregost that those traveling the Trade Way hear increasing howls in the late hours of the night and even a merchant or two has been over heard speaking of being followed or stalked at night by creatures just out of sight of their fire light. They only knew they were there because the reflection in their eyes could be seen. However, there has not been a single report of an attack.