A Land Far Away

Talk in the city is of fewer merchants moving on the roads, and with smaller cargoes. Some days no ships at all are coming into the harbour. Merchants from the south are saying that there are more Aminans in Nashkel, and they are patrolling the road as far as Beregost, merchants from the north talk of a shortage of goods in waterdeep and a near shut down of trade in the smaller towns along the route such as daggerford. One rumour says that Waterdeep has had to open its granaries twice already due to lack of grain in the city.

Every household and place of buisness in the city has been levied a hefty tax to pay for the raising of more guards, from a handful of silver in the pooer docks disctricts to several hundred double eagles in the more wealthy ones, theres even talk of those who can't pay being press ganged onto the cities warships.

The city is jumpy, the guards are on edge and the flaming fist are recalling their outlying garrisons...rumour is rife as to the reasons, but more an more commonly the finger of blame in the taverns about the city is pointing southward, to Amn.

The price of grain has risen sharply in the past tenday as the city buys up stocks to fill its seige stores, as has the price of commodities such as boots, tents, packs, shovels and all tools and equipment required by an army on campaign.

Shipwrights have been working day and night in the docks to refit conscripted merchant vessels for war.

Word spreads like wildfire, carried by merchants, carters and travellers alike.

War in Amn! A prince called Rohav has raised rebellion in Eshpurta.

Nashkel has fallen, some say to the rebels, some say to the loyalists but one fact is certain. A force of Amnians is politley, but very firmly, refusing any entry to the town of Beregost.

OOC:Note - Entry to Beregost is off limits without a DM, Amnian soldiers will turn away anyone attempting to enter the town.

Word passes through the towns like wildfire. After an advanced section of the First Lance of the Flaming Fist arrived in Beregost itself, the Amnian forces surrounding the town retreated to the southern tradeway, and then to Nashkell altogether. The seige of Beregost turned ineffective, some say due to the Fist, some say due to Thalantyr himself. What is known, is the remainder of the first Lance marshalls near the gates of the Gate, as well as the Second Lance. Camp whispers among the Fists also tell of the Third Lance gathered and on standby. Rumors float that the First Lance won't be quick enough on the March to catch the Amnian dogs as they tuck tail and run back over the Cloudpeeks. Beregost is once again open, though the status of Nashkell remains uncertain at this time.

News around the Gate from the tradeway this day, sometime in the night the First and Second Lances of the Flaming Fist departed for southern action. The Third Lance remains on standby within the city itself.

News around Beregost is that sometime in the wee hours of morning, the remainder of the First Lance arrived from Baldur's Gate, then pushed onward toward Nashkell. The Second Lance has arrived in Beregost as well, seemingly taking up positions around the town in a defensive manner.

Word reaches the city that the Tradeway is now cleared for travel again down to Nashkell. The First Lance is reportedly in control of Nashkell itself, whilst the Second Lance has gone beyond into the mountain passes deeper into Amn...no word as to what the Second Lances mission is. The Third Lance has been called off of immediate support detail, though farmers do say they have seen elements of the Third Lance, complete with carts laden with gear, in the hills nearabout the city, and other elements patrolling the Tradeway.

The gates at the friendly arm inn are closed more often than not. People arriving are ushered inside quickly with the gates swung shut afterwards. For the last several days the Flaming Fist tabard has been seen about, maybe bolstering the Inns guard. Nothing has actually attacked the Inn but people watch the Cloakwood warily from the walls.

Several caravans or travellers have not arrived at the gate as expected. The Fists have reinforced their patrols of the tradeway as far as the Inn and travellers are taking to walking with those patrols rather than on their own.