Tavern knowledge - post your rumours and gossip here

[Regas]

News travels among the University and members of the various guard and military groups of the Marches that a well organized smuggling ring was broken by members of the south shore constabulary. The smugglers had uncovered several significant treasures of antiquity, including several chests of rare books. The items are being examined by leaders of the University in an undisclosed location. The conspirators await questioning and prosecution in the South Shore constabulary.

[dergon darkhelm]

At the same time as some House Invincible forces have been on Silverymoon catacomb duty this month it seems that the presence of vermin is increasing. One older Knight in Silver on guard at the upper levels of the catacombs said he hadn't seen an infestation this severe since before the Time of Troubles.

Rathalan Whitsword, Watchknight of Helm has volunteered his services in attempting to eradicate the vermin. With many of his men pulled to other theatres, he is seeking able bodied civilians to delve with him.

[Vendrin]

While few are sure what has happened, many whisper of a tragedy at the orphanage. Many whisper of impostor Knights, and kidnapped children who are dead. Jonas Therin is battered and bruised, walking aimlessly around his empty house. It is also said the mad cyricist escaped, but was hunted down and killed.

[davidcurtisjr]

Guards in and around Rivermoot were seen to Jest of the poor luck of one White Haired chap working on patrols in and around Rivermoot.

Guard #1 Did you see him coming down from the Ridge?... That poor chap he drug with him was torn to pieces and he himself were beat to blueberries.

Guard #2 *nods* Yes I saw him. His head were split wide open. I would have thought him one of the walking dead if he didn't cough and carry on so. Guess one of those tuskers made hay with them. *coughs*

Guard #1 *chuckles* Well ifn he's walking dead he'll be faring better than he did when he lived. Seems when I stand post here he can do naught but crawl back through the gates from what the marshall give em for work.

[Magile]

A man wearing black, heavy plate while carrying a scythe bearing a mounted skull was seen boarding a ship on the Rivermoot port. Before stepping below deck, the figure removed his helmet and gazed longingly toward the small village, as if toying over the idea of never returning to the soil. Witnesses have suggested the figure looked strikingly similar to Louen Therin, son of the Jonas Therin the Dragonslayer.

[Regas]

The towns and cities along the Silver road are abuzz. A well armored caravan of Silver Knights was overrun by what appears to be a large group of well armed orcs. There were no survivors of the caravan, and some 25 men were lost, ten knights and fifteen porters, travelers and scholars, bound for Candlekeep it is said.

Rumor has it the wagon they guarded has gone missing, only the bodies remained, they were found littering the road not far west of Rivermoot.

[Regas]

Many reports are heard about a strange and terrify development. Sometime during the night, beginning West of High Hold, a large war band of orcs moved rapidly East to what appears to be the outskirts of Silvermoon, stopping a few miles short of the walls themselves. The horn blasts and war drums sent terror into the hearts of the citizens of the Marches.

Several smaller bands of orc scouts engaged patrols and adventurers on the road during the night, but the main group, staying clear of traveled areas, never attacked anyone, passing near farms and settlements without interest. The orcs were completely gone by the morning, but scouts estimate the main group may have numbered well north of 100.

Most strange of all, these orcs took the very unusual action (for orcs) of recovering all of ther fallen, to a man (erm orc). The orcs had previously shown no care at all for their dead, they barely care for their living after all.

Patrols are doubled along the road and around the Silvermoon and High Hold, authorities encourage any with interest to investigate further these strange and troubling developments.

[Regas]

The old man next to you smiles through the gaps in his worn yellow teeth. He graciously accepts the ale you push toward him, nodding his thanks. With a quick pull from his mug, his lubricated tongue wags into action.

"now as I be sayin", the grizzled man begins, "it weren't no ordinary night 'er at the Angler, that be sure ta any wat saw Selune in 'er perch, ask any wat saw 'er that night and they tell ya, she was red as the blood of a virgin".

"Wasn’t long after that they came in, the Lathander priestess, pretty thing, and the mother. The woman, she was in a bad way, er belly was round as a prize winnin pumpkin at the 'arvest festival, her face was twisted in pain, white as the pure driven snow."

"soon after that the screaming started. went on for what seemed like hours, got so ya could barely enjoy your ale". He takes a long, slow drink, gathering strength to continue. "on about three hours before first light was when things got a bit doggy. Word was that no one could open the door and check on the lasses, was stuck. I went up to 'ave a look and I can tell ya, it gives me chills just thinkin about it. Funny thing, wat I remember most was the smell. Filled the air, hung like meat on hook was so thick. The way a fish might smell after it's been in the sun a week, mixed with well.. it's hard to describe but .. it were bad." His hands shake as he takes another swig. "weren't just the smell mind ya, though that would be nuf.., there were sumtin wrong wit the torches and lanterns. They all just kind got weak, like they were having to work extra 'ard or something. At times was nearly pitch black even with five torches and lanterns." He shivers " was cold too mind ya, not cold like ya expect on a cool night, but cold like we was at the summit of the Nethers. I could see me own breath."


"we could all 'ear a wind blowing too, but there were no windows open" He shrugs. "then about an hour afore first light, we eard the chanting, like prayers, started normal nuf, but after while it wasn't anything like we ever eard afor, so odd language, made all of us kind a sick in the stomach to 'ear. Not loud mind ya, soft, but close, closer then wut it shuda been through a solid oak door."

The old salt's face is pale and sallow now, his hands barely manage the mug to his lips, you help him find his strength deep within the cup. " I guess the last bit worth sayin be when we finally 'eard the child cry out. We was all relieved, as there were clearly something wrong wit the birth, to ear it cry. Thing is, and mind ya we all 'erd this I swear it to Tyre, Torm, 'owever ya like friend, there were two babies wut were crying in that room. One was louder and.. stronger then the other, stronger then most, but there were two to be 'eard, that's for certain."

“we was all stunned when the priestess opened the door, ta see there be only one babe in er arms, it makes no sense..."

"The mother's name ye ask? someone said it wer Emily, dunno if it's right though."

“Nay, the child was born before first light, of that we were all sure, Selune 'ad well retired but was still black as, well as the babe's eyes. Funny thing about that, clouds were so thick and dark I don't think we ever saw a single ray of sunlight that day." He shivers his cup is empty.

Looking down you realize that the floor is wet; you come to see the old man has relived himself where he sits. He looks at you in horror "damdest thing, happens every time I talk about that night". The old grizzled salt looks down sadly, tears flow from both of his eyes. A shiver rolls down your spine as you thank him, leaving a small stack of silver for his trouble.

[Dorn]

(sorry to interupt, but that was cool Regas)

[Wynna]

"Aye, sir! No sign of the kidnapper or the girl, but we found the wagon off the road between the Keep and the Hold as we returned from our fruitless search further west! I regret to inform you, Captain sir, that there was blood in the cart and on the rug used to wrap the child in. Shall I inform the grieving widow that we will continue to track the half-elf murderer of her husband and find her daughter?"

"That will be all, Lieutenant Freeburne. I will speak with Lady Swernferd myself."

******************************

Later, posted on the gates of Rauvenwatch Keep and Silverymoon:

"Let it be known that a REWARD of 250 gold has been offered for information leading to the arrest of a half-elf male Pythiran "Pepper" Siaithil, or 500 gold for his apprehension DEAD OR ALIVE. The same amounts will be paid for news of Sali Swernferd, daughter of the murdered Lord Swernferd, or for her safe return. Pepper Siaithil is described as a half-elf of approximately 5', 120 lbs, fair-haired and blue-eyed. Last seen wearing embroidered robes and carrying an ornate wand. He is to be considered arcanely proficient and extremely dangerous. Sali Swernferd is an 8 year old girl with black, curly hair, last seen wearing a blue dress. Please apply to the Legion Garrison at Rauvenwatch with information."

[Wynna]

Rumor spreads that two trackers and two officers of House Invincible recovered Sali Swernferd from the clutches of a kidnapper, although the criminal escaped. Word has it that a large reward was paid by the grateful and wealthy family.

[Wynna]

Torik Gravellek, convicted in the death of a visiting nobleman and the kidnap of his daughter, Sali, was hung by neck until dead, at dawn today, at Rauvenwatch Keep.

[NickD]

After several days, the few people in Rivermoot who take notice of such things speak amongst themselves briefly on the disappearance of the half-orc savage woman, Gruu. She was seen leaving Rivermoot on the road to Silverymoon, but she was not seen entering High Hold. The news of her probable demise is met with reactions that range from interest to indifference to relief.

[Ithildur]

Strange, unfamiliar sounds have been heard on a near daily basis in the Lady's College recently: students and faculty that pass by one of the dormitory wings speak of sounds like strong, rhythmic and disciplined breathing accompanied by faint but distinct sounds of quick and vigorous movement, occasionally punctuated by a clear male voice counting out cadences and uttering things like "Once more, focus!", "Move your feet, come now!", "Perfection, perfection, perfection; a long ways to go!", "Ah! You and I become one!" etc. Once in a while these sounds are interrupted by the distinct intoning of arcane syllables followed immediately by more of the unfamiliar sounds of physical exertion. Those with keen hearing claim that they hear what may be the sound of a bladed weapon whistling through the air.

It is whispered that one or two younger female students became curious and lingered outside the door of the room where these sounds seemed to be coming from, and were horrified and yet strangely thrilled when a tall, tautly muscled and good looking gold elf stripped to his waist suddenly strode forth out of the room, giving the students a faint smile and proceeding past them unperturbed. One of the students supposedly stated that there were 'exquisite beads of perspiration glinting on his forehead like transparent sugar crystals' and that 'his arms and chest and bu... his arms and chest weren't flabby like most of the other students here'.

The same student claimed they peered into the room and saw much of the furniture rearranged as if to make more room for whatever strange exercises the elf was conducting within.

[Riotnrrd]

Marcus Wands was overheard to say that while the desire to exercise and practice the Art are quite admirable, the Spellguard Practice Room within the University should be perfectly sufficient for any martial use of the Lady's facilities, and that perhaps some students might be inconvenienced by losing a study area to a sweaty exhibitionist.