EFUM Gossip, Major Events, and Rumors (IC Knowledge)

[Jayde Moon]

Flamerule 15th, 1381 DR

A comedy of errors had blackened the eye of Clan Caermyn as a series of incidents involving retainers and governmental appointees left tongues wagging throughout Mistlocke.

It started early in the day when the Muster made a general announcement that, with less than twenty four hours into the post, the Master Merchant Khanar Murrar was to be pardoned for the crime of Infernalism.  Shortly after, another announcement was made that Deputy-Mayor Basil Calbrooke himself was assaulting citizens and using his authority to 'pardon himself'.  While more level-headed members of the populace argued that there was more to mitigate the rumors, a majority of folks add the tales to the tally of grievances held against the current Mayor and his lackeys.

The mood of the town did not improve when news came that newly recruited Musterman Miko Matsuke took it upon herself to apprehend a pair of Banites accused of murder, resulting in a sensational sequence of events that ended with the brutal beating to death of former Musterman and once-mayoral candidate Jonathon Delturai by the Banite Maksym Zborowski and culminating in the execution of Salty Block'n'tackle, a halfling adventurer well-known and -liked for his irrepressible behavior and amusing antics.

Clan Caermyn attempted to rectify their errors by paying to have the deceased Delturai restored to life and reversing their decision to pardon the Master Merchant but many townsfolk simply shake their heads, calling it an empty gesture in light of everything else.  Further news that Zborowski the Brutal was then brought into the Muster sat ill with the townsfolk and many wonder how the House can continue in this direction before something gives out.

[Big Orc Man]

Frustration and anger are roiling in the Old Stones as word spreads of a brazen Muster invasion led by Zborowski the Brutal which, after the brutal melee, resulted in the abductions of Jonathan Delturai and of some tiefling.

In retaliation, several Old Stones bandits took the Caliphar Frankie Stokes hostage, and what ensued was a long, failed negotiation process which resulted in the Caliphar leaping from the battlements in a foolhardy attempt to fly to safety.

However, as the rumors go, he was hampered by the fact that he had been brutally stabbed to death moments prior, and so his lifeless corpse merely plummeted to the ground, nearly striking Miko Matsuke in the process.

The subsequent execution of the tiefling in the square has further infuriated Old Stones dwellers who simply, they say, wish to be left alone by the rampaging Muster.

[Iron Oligarch]

Flamerule 23rd, 1381 DR

Rumors abound of smoke rising from Sis Liman. Merchants at Mistlocke's market hall watch the horizon uneasily at the greasy smoke rising from the border of the forest, having expected a Caermyn caravan to bring goods for sale this morning.

[Iron Oligarch]

Flamerule 27th, 1381 DR

The hirelings of clan Caermyn mourn the death of prominent retainer Quintus Forecrest, who was slain in a duel with the infamous Gadyw Aberdenn, uncle of Earl Arthur Aberdenn, on the bridge over the River Tear today. The weathered axeman, actively sought by the government for inciting rebellion but praised by certain segments of the village population for standing up to the excesses of Caermyn rule, is said to have provoked a brawl just outside Mistlocke's gates before escaping into the forest, reportedly aided by several Aberdenn bannermen present.

[Johannes]

Flamerule 29th, 1381 DR

Mistlocke was a hive of shock, fear and gossip as a gruesome coterie of part-golem misfits casually sauntered into Mistlocke. Rumors are rife about the signification of their their strange red-and-black uniforms, and the undoubtedly nefarious purpose of their presence on the island.

Eventually after Mistlocke overcame the daze of their arrival, members of the populace formed a violent mob and drove some of the band's stragglers out of town. It seems that Mistlocke will not brook their freakish meanderings in the village lightly. The community now seems to be applying pressure on the Muster to take more decisive and official action to keep these "men" and their machinations away from their children

[Halfbrood]

A horn blew from the crossroads, and from the cool shadow of the trees galloped a weary traveller, clad in the infamous black ringmail of the Numinous Order, muddied by the trail.

He spoke with Plowman at the walls of Mistlocke, before heading toward the Priory. Few were there to witness what was said, but it was soon made clear as once more a horn blew from the forests; two banners fluttered in the wind, and a small coterie of Footmen and Knights marched on Mistlocke. The banners displayed two sigils, one the grey questing dragon of the Order, and the second the House sigil of Lord Blackhearth.

He made his way into the village, stopping only briefly to offer a small greeting and attend some courtesies before seeing his weary men sent to the Mist's End for a hearty meal of mead and mutton. The Lord himself then took to the stage, whereupon he was attended by the well known Footman stationed in Mistlocke, Amalrith Tremarus and a lesser known Knight that few recognised thought to be named Ser Percy Roderick.

The Lord spoke at length about the front, and the war of attrition that was raging throughout the West, and the island's need for new heroes and leaders to arise and drive the Maiden's Host back for good. He seemed to strike a chord with some throughout the crowd, whereas others simply looked about glumly at the floor.

He ended his speech, on a final, striking chord of a promise that he would provide the people a hero for them to rally beside. He then bade the Footman Amalrith kneel, and so he did, and in front of a crowd of adventurers and commoners alike, he raised him to the station of Knight -- the Footman arose as Ser Amalrith the Stalwart, Bulwark of Mistlocke.

Lord Agravain was then seen to smile to himself, and make for the Priory alongside Ser Roderick, as the people greeted the new Knight with roared cheers of "STALWART!" and "BULWARK, BULWARK!".

Ser Amalrith was then seen to address the people, before also returning to the Priory.

[Talir]

Third of Eleasis, 1381 DR

A caravan from Sis Laman arrived in the afternoon, bringing much appreciated supplies and stock from the rest of the Archipelago. Leading it was the Lord-Mayor himself who proceeded to host a gathering at Mist's End to speak of recent troubles. Through expressions of regret for having been absent too much from the political view, the Caermyn son brought reassuring news that the recent attack upon the smuggler port had not shattered all trade agreements and he spoke his disapproval of vigilantism from clan Aberdenn. Upon opening the floor for questions, the discussion drifted to worries of political and lawful tyranny, questions raised by Miko Matsuke that culminated in sergeant Fitch Nefzen of the Muster stepping forward and issuing a charge of assault against the Deputy-Mayor Basil Calbrooke. A crime Gareth took responsibility for.

To an astonished gathering, sergeant Nefzen carried out the punishment of assault with a beating against the Lord-Mayor himself in the Mistlocke square. As the judgement was coming to an end, voices were raised from the crowd that they too wanted to attend, in line with the laws of Mistlocke. Most notably this came from Aberdenn associate Jack Bughouse, who against denials of the Muster and threats of death from clan Caermyn sought to do his fair due as a villager. Several roared their disapproval when the Muster sergeants Nefzen and Gordon Kraegg denied them to partake in the beating, crying out accusations of corruption. The disgraced Lord-Mayor was carried off into the clan mansion to tend injuries suffered.

While the majority of the community holds the Caermyn son's actions as noble, there are some that have begun to worry about the stability of the village. A few cynicals believe the recent event to be nothing but a ploy for public favor from Caermyn, the last pieces in a gamble to drive out Aberdenn in full. The actions of the Muster have raised questions with the more adventurous population, where liberal interpretation of the set laws and exercise of authority have begun shaping them more as a force of government than a local defending militia. Most anxious are the villagers of clan Aberdenn itself, its long tradition of honour and stalwart defense of Mistlocke seemingly diverting into fractions of radical vigilantism only vaguely denounced by its earl.

A term built upon cooperation, stability and growth is coming towards an end, and Mistlocke has never been more fractured.

[Halfbrood]

Worrying reports filter through the Gates of Mistlocke, from roaming traders and scouts of the various factions that dwell therein. The reports speak of increased activity of the Grey Raiders in the waters beyond Ymph's shores. These rumours spark a solemn worry in Mistlocke's locals, the superstitious villagers seeing dark omens everywhere. The Raiders have not been seen at all in many months. and what this new revelation portents, it is agreed, is worrying indeed.

[core]

The Mist's End is abuzz with talk of the elections. Caermyn men mutter darkly over their mugs that Gareth will not be standing for re-election, and that the popularity of their House has waned over the course of his Mayoral term so much that House Caermyn likely won't put forth an overt candidate at all. The rest of the talk is mostly around the other Mayoral candidates.

The merchant Pleate is talked of with excitement, though others curse him for a scoundrel and claim that only the priestess of the Morninglord, Mira Ayrin, can protect Mistlocke from the schemes of H`bala`s agents -- though some worry about inviting a priest to become Mayor, especially as a threat of 'excommunication' was heard in a recent heated sending exchange. Some duller residents seem to believe that excommunication from the Church of Lathander may mean exclusion from the sun itself.

Much merriment was made of the back-and-forth between the two candidates, Ayrin inviting Pleate to a duel and Pleate replying that he is simply too old. While some curse him and say he will be dead before his term is finished, others admire the stability of the businessman when most other outsiders have been 'lunatic adventurers', and dismiss Ayrin for wanting to brawl with the ice-cream salesman. Others speak quietly of a man known as the Bantam, an Aberdenn bannersman running on a platform of isolationism and governmental reforms.

[core]

Renovations can be seen taking place in the Last Keep, crumbling old chambers cleared out and restructured. It's said that Gareth Caermyn has used a little of the village's surplus to provide a number of improvements for his successor. A Muster guardsman can be seen arguing with Captain Volaunt before retiring within, evidently displeased about having been reassigned permanently to guard the Mayor.

[core]

An attack is said to have been perpetrated upon Muster Sergeant Fitch Nefzen as he auctioned off confiscated goods in the Mist's End Tavern. A posse composed of Conclave auxiliaries and said to have been led by Finster Voegal abducted him from the crowded tavern in the midst of many villagers, though a couple of the assailants were apprehended - one, Hjalmar Erston, transformed into a chicken and later executed. The Muster Sergeant is said to have died at the hands of Voegal. The village went into uproar, the vast majority demanding at least the expulsion of the Conclave and a considerable few wishing for outright war. Shortly after, the exile of the Conclave was declared. The Mayor calls for calm, just days before the election...

[Talir]

30th of Eleasis, 1381 DR

Chaos erupts in the village as a possible werewolf is reported to have been seen entering Mistlocke. While every other villager accuses each other as suspects, mayor candidate James the Bantam led the search that successfully discovered the girl seen running into the village. Against a rising tide of protest, Watcher Leopold, Aberdenn asscoiate Cedric and the candidate fought for the accused in an effort to prove her innocence to no avail. After a long-winded effort to see the woman executed inside the cage, she was at last brought down by Cedric and burnt by James himself in grief.

While the majority of the populace respects the mayoral candidate for his stand of justice, some are becoming increasingly frustrated by the efforts of the newcomers to forcibly determine the village's decisions and go against the norms and wishes of the longer residents. A lot of suspicion and fear is hinted whenever the villagers speak of those seemingly coming out of the mist to the village, with few ever saying from where.

[core]

A populace weary of the machinations of H'balan antagonists make their way to the stone of election; polling has begun.

A public election was held in the Mist's End tavern, wherein three of the four electoral contestants held forth on a variety of topics, from their election promises to the focus of their activities should they be elected. Though only Antoine Godson and Joe Pleate were present when the debate commenced, a bloodied and battered James the Bantam arrived shortly after, a number of Wyrm Watchers in tow.

Following more than an hour's lively debate, including a much-discussed interruption for a quiet back-room discussion between the candidates, Entoni Zagan seemed to become tense and worried. A bead of sweat on his brow, some minutes later he let out an exclamation and turned to hurl something at an unseen foe.

What followed is a topic of debate (including who landed the killing blow), but at the end of the night the corpse of Shitbrowns the rat lay coiled and burning inside of the incineration cage. Some say that he plotted to murder one or all of the candidates present, others that the candidates themselves somehow planned the event to associate themselves with the destruction of the volatile H'balan servant; whatever the case, townspeople praise the sharp eye of Entoni Zagan, celebrate the eradication of one of the myriad threats to the town and chatter eagerly about who is to be their new Mayor as the votes trickle in.

[ShadowCharlatan]

On the Third of Eleint, in broad daylight, a heavily enchanted troll is said to have lumbered into the town square and snatched James the Bantam, the Mayoral candidate and Aberdenn Associate. Nobody has seen him since.

Though a response was formed shortly after, it dissolved among conflicting reports of the troll fleeing with Bantam into either the forest or Old Stones tower, and no trace of troll or Bantam has yet been found. Long-term residents and Clan Aberdenn are dismayed by the event, and Wyrm Watchers have been seen snooping about the village more than usual since.

Some speculate about foul play on the part of the other candidates or Clan Caermyn, gossiping on which would be the most likely to strike a deal with monsters. Others lay blame on the expansionist Transcendent Conclave, citing James' long-held opposition to their influence in Mistlocke. Still more vocal commentators hold the Muster responsible, complaining that Mistlocke's defenses are as weak as they ever were after the Comital War...

[core]

After a hard-fought election, Jokast Pleate has been announced as Mistlocke's new Mayor. Having been hamstrung early on in the election, Mira Ayrin came last in the ballot, acquiring only seven votes of the hundred and seventeen cast. Despite a strong start, Antoine Godson's name was muddied by his association with the Numinous Order due to the perceived cruelty of their actions against those who sallied out to save a group of abductees from Murder Town. The late James the Bantam came a close second, and many believe that had he not been murdered and the Wyrm Watchers' support switched to Pleate, he would now hold the mantle of Mayor. Jokast Pleate, however, having won over half of the total outsider vote, along with the support of Clan Caermyn, the Wyrm Watchers and the town's merchant bloc, has won the day.

A raucus crowd turned out to see Gareth Caermyn name him victor, many shouting their support though detractors accuse him of tampering with the vote somehow, or of having a hand in the death of James the Bantam. Nonetheless, he has taken the Office of Mayor and the vast majority agree that it is fairly won.

Joe Pleate -- 51
James the Bantam -- 33
Antoine Godson -- 26
Mira Ayrin -- 7

------------------------

Voter Total Turnout -- 117
Outsider Votes -- 42 (Pleate 21, Godson 10, James 10, Ayrin 1)
Mistlocke Population -- 270
Voter Turnout (%) -- 44%