Tavern Tales and Rumours

[shad0wfax]

Rumors slowly trickle out of Gullykin and into Beregost that the Halflings recently had a town meeting and the mayor has exiled a Genasi who hails from Calimshan and goes by the name of Rain. Though details are scarce, rumors range from scandalous behavior with Halfling women in public, the disappearance of two Halfling women, and the report to a Gullykin Militia by one of the two missing women that Rain murdered someone in his former dwelling inside of Gullykin.

Those who visit Gullykin may hear more details.

Those who visit Beregost hear little, other than that the guards of the Song of Morning in Beregost are keeping a watchful eye out for any misbehavior, but can't comment on the details, and assure the townsfolk that it's probably an internal matter for Gullykin, and not something that citizens of Beregost need worry about much.

Other rumors also indicate that Rain has performed several heroic deeds for the town of Gullykin and that he contributed significantly to their defenses over the last couple of years.

[shad0wfax]

Beregost:

A shadowy figure, perhaps even a shadow itself, was seen in the Temple of the Song of Morning in Beregost, driving a local resident into near-hysterics. Despite assurances from Father Richer that all was well, and the man was merely a shade being returned to his home, the woman spoke of it to any who would listen.

The Tradeway:

Rumors slowly spread from south on the Tradeway that merchant caravans were being attacked. Horses and Oxen were being slaughtered and dragged off by "beastmen", though the men and women in the caravans were normally allowed to escape. This persisted for a ten-day or so, but then suddenly ceased. No one has claimed credit for ridding the Tradeway of the "beastmen" and the people still look over their shoulders as they drive their caravans north and south along that road of commerce.

Baldur's Gate:

A smuggling operation out of Baldur's gate, using canoes and skiffs along the River Chionthar and a network of sea caves along the Sword Coast was partially disrupted by a group of adventurers who also managed to stir up nearly every menacing monster and magical beast of the Cloakwood. Rumors of vicious packs of worgs, wicked fey, foul smelling trolls, and bands of goblins stirring in the dangerous wood have increased.

The Cloakwood itself:

An all-out assault was launched against the goblins of the Cloakwood, decimating them and their leadership in the cave. The goblin presence of Cloakwood is severely diminished ((pending module update)) and although the wood remains incredibly dangerous, the Goblins of Maglubiyet seem to have been forced out of the region. Where the few displaced survivors will go remains to be seen.

The Sword Coast near Candlekeep:

A woman claiming to have unearthed arcane Netherese writings, and translated them correctly claims to have made a breakthrough. This entirely bookish scholar managed to lose her precious copy of the tome as well as its detailed margin notes to a rather unlikely thief, a kobold, who saw the glittering Arcane Marked leather binding, and thought that it would make a pretty hat for his kobold mate to be. Alas, the kobold romance was cut short by a halfling who talked to trees and squirrels as if they could understand her as well as a wood elf ranger, who seemed more inclined to pat the halfling on the head as if she were a simple child. These two oddly paired heroes recovered the book, and the scholar, with the help of her own research assistant, managed to speak to the kobold female (bereft at the loss of her mate), and get the rest of the story.

The scholar has gained access to Candlekeep, and the normally quiet monks there are positively excited, that is to say a few of them even spoke above a whisper, when they began to verify the provenance of the original tome and its copy with the margin notes.

High Hedge:

The red flickering lights are still seen at night on occasion, and folk are beginning to speculate on just what the missing mage is up to, and why no one has seen him in nearly a year.

[dergon darkhelm]

A mule-drawn cart being led by a halfling woman and two burly dwarfs entered the East Gate of the City of Baldur's Gate, carrying the corpses of three other hinfolk.

One of the dwarfs mutterred something about a "mining accident" as they passed the gate guards, despite the fact the corpses seemed to have been pierced by numerous crossbow bolts.

[dergon darkhelm]

A dwarf has been asking around Baldur's gate about where to find large scale mining equipment, particularly hoists and come-alongs.

[dergon darkhelm]

The dwarf approached the Castle District manor house, letting go the lead on the mule-drawn cart, leaving the contents on the cobbled street below. He rapped three times firmly on the heavy door.

He waited but no answer came.

He rapped again..... still no answer.

"This be the right address for the Sword's Edge manor if I got it right," he mutterred to himself, going to retrieve the berlap wrapped corpse from the cart, hoisting it over his shoulder and carrying it to the door. "This ring says you lived here."

The dwarf laid the corpse gently at the door, being sure that it remained completely and securely wrapped. He waited another few moments, but finally was resolved that no one was at home.


"Sorry for your luck, fella," the dwarf mumbled as he made his back to dock ward for ales.

[orangetree]

*placed on the boards is a notice at balders gate*

Ignore the hin at your peril, humans.

I am a hin, and concerned at how my people have been treated of late by your kind. We are a people as much as you are. We live, and pray to our gods as you do. Treat us with respect, and you will be blessed with our friendship. Abuse this trust, and you will know our fury.

Sora Littleknight,
Yondallan Sister.

[orangetree]

Ceremony to Yondalla

A hin sends a few messages to the inns and pubs.

"To all Hin on this city of Balders gate, I invite you to remember, the All Mother.

I know the feelings you have felt, that we are in some ways all alone... but that is not true. You have your cousins. As a family, we will understand and nurture you, and find better use of your skills then you can ever imagine.

Yondalla... She has never forgotten you, as you are her child.

Pray with us, either at the city near the Shrine of Chauntia, or at the Friendly arm's inn at the shrine of Her ally, Garl Glittergold.

Sora Littleknight,
Yondallan Sister.

[Galadorn]

*placed on the boards is a notice at balders gate*

Ignore the hin at your peril, humans.

I am a hin, and concerned at how my people have been treated of late by your kind. We are a people as much as you are. We live, and pray to our gods as you do. Treat us with respect, and you will be blessed with our friendship. Abuse this trust, and you will know our fury.

Sora Littleknight,
Yondallan Sister.

...an aging woodsman squints to make sure he gets the message right... then frowns and shrugs as he slowly pads off to East Gate, a quiet tap tapping of his staff upon the cobblestones can just be heard above his words spoken to himself...

"I suppose she did not like the enchanted Breastplate ...or perhaps it was not enough... nor the Masterwork Sword... nor the Zalantar Shield... oh well."

...he sighs and exits the gate to find a comfortable spot for a sit near the Cloakwood...

[Lokan]

Thayan Knights as well as a lesser Soldiers have stationed themselves outside of every gate entering BG. Another large group of Thayan Soldiers are searching the surrounding woodlands. An official release by the Thayans state that they are searching for a group of adventurers who have murdered one of their mages in cold blood just south of the bridge gate near the cloakwood hills.

A Thayan spokesman was quoted as saying "Even if our host city is unwilling to uphold justice, we will see it done. These criminals must pay not only for the death of one of our own but also are financially responsible for those soldiers they have killed."

He went on to say that
"if these folk or persons are not brought to justice we may indeed think about cutting the sales of our supplies of magical items to such".

A reward was offered for anyone that can offer information about a group of human bandits, dressed in blue and brown leathers. No other description was given.

[gonz.0]

A man clad in a green so dark that witnesses argue over if it was black, was seen carrying a body over his shoulder from the Gullykin trail to the Song of the Morning.

Father Richar was said to have been told, that the corpse was identified as Kara, though no last name was given.

[gonz.0]

A man clad in a green so dark that witnesses argue over if it was black, was seen carrying a body over his shoulder from the Gullykin trail to the Song of the Morning.

Father Richar was said to have been told, that the corpse was identified as Kara, though no last name was given.

[HEEGZ]

*Rumors reach the Gate of great spiders appearing in greater numbers in the Cloakwood. Most shrug it off, as danger and the forest go hand in hand.*

[Zelknolf]

A few copies of a message are distributed at the south bank of the Chionthar river and at the side roads which lead to the Cloakwood.

Be it known that the masters of spiders which have recently been harrassing the farmers in this region are drow. They have occupied one of the known routes to the surface and the only report we currently have of a squad leader was wielding fifth circle spells before she died, and had charmed or enslaved a giant as a guard. Though they have lost some of their numbers by that discovery, the drow are a brutal and tenacious foe who should only be engaged with caution.

[HEEGZ]

*Many caravans turn back from Nashkel and Beregost as the Trade Way erupts in violence and death. Many are caught unawares by traps and arrows, to be slain outright or eaten alive. Screams echo from the distant hills and forests.*

[oldgrayrogue]

Two elves and a dwarf set out South from Beregost with promises of bounty for the gnoll marauders. They returned hours later with the pelts of several hyenas and gnoll scalps, claiming that the road bordering Beregost had been cleared of the vicious dogmen.