EFU:R Gossip, Major Events, and Rumors (IC Knowledge)

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

::[ First of Marpenoth : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::



To the Bonepit of the In-Between, the Boneyard, and along the road leading to Fort Mur, they were told to come, at the hour of blood.  

And so they came, and well named the hour was, as portals were opened to a strange arena, within which an representative of the once-dead god Targus was presiding.  He brought forth treasures to show to those who would dare do the holy rite of battle within the confines of his plane, and so it came to pass.

Among the many skirmishes that were presided over, an interesting sight:  twisted and tormented creatures from Ymph, in these dark times a rare sight, now brought forth to the plane to do the bidding of the bloody master of the arena.  Many risked their body and soul for the trinkets and artifacts presented earlier.

It was not only the creatures brought forth that were strange.  Among the participants - Drow elves, Deep Gnomes, and even Goblins came forward.  And bloody battle was had between them - over a powerful sounding artifact that was a wheel of Earth, or so was told by the master of the arena.  Yet it was not the Powerful Dark Elves, nor the Sturdy Deep Gnomes, who prevailed, but a halfling named Booker who took the prize.  
 
But the end of the games took a sour turn, as in the grand melee, while many adventurers bravely battled a Great Wyvern beast, still others hid in the sidelines, biding their time to strike.  Two friends, who won out, over all who fought, and then battled in an unshowmanlike spar before the wrathful representatives of Targus.

But the spectators were not to be denied their sport.  The two friends were made to battle each other to the death - the avarice for an artifact being placed above the bonds of friendship.  And so the halfling known as Drogor Splints killed his friend Blake Kendon, in front of a shocked colosseum audience - one of his brothers watching onward.

The bitter taste left in many mouths remains.  His brothers swore bloody vengeance.  Prefect Abala reminded Sanctuary that this is the consequence of bloodsport.  But treasure and honorable battle is a mainstay of these citizens lives, and life, at least for some, will go on.

[Jayde Moon]

::[ Marpenoth 5th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

As rumors of Deep Gnomes, Drow, and worse prowling the near-Dark trickle down to the ears of the common citizenry, the last thing Sanctuary needed was a band of Cyricists terrorizing the area.  The depth of the Mad Prince's respect for the desire of Sanctuary's citizens has been felt, though, as Cyric's cultists -- violent cultists -- have made their presence felt.

A trial was held for the Tychan Acacia Vigne for her role in the death and capture of several citizens by the cultists.  It is rumored that she gambled with their lives, offering them to the Cyricists for the simple roll of a die.  While many condemn the act as malicious frivolity, others comment that it was the only chance to save men and women whose lives were otherwise forfeit.

The Priestess was spared of the charges of outright murder and fined for her role, while citizens grumble that not enough is being done about the real problem, that of murderers stalking the tunnels.

[Jayde Moon]

::[ Marpenoth 10th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Amidst the strife and troubles plaguing the citizens of Sanctuary, the governing body continues to carry on, ensuring day to day operations flow as smoothly as possible.

The Directorate met in private to discuss current events and policies.  None know the exact nature of the discussion, but many were surprised when Director Edgin Crane stormed out of the meeting, muttering about Director Abala Quickfeet's "Red Directorate" and complaining that if that was her attitude, then he might as well not attend any future meetings.

As the rumors circulated, Red Guild members simply shrugged, noting that the Black Guild had their time and now it was, indeed, a 'Red Directorate'; those in the Black Guild point out that this is what they were afraid would happen, that the Red Guild was use this opportunity to seize direct control and push policies too far towards their aims.  Together with the extension of time between elections and Director Kingsley's seat being next in contention, many grumble about the Red power grab and the potential consequences for Sanctuary.

[Jayde Moon]

::[ Marpenoth 11th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

The latest source of political tension was revealed when the Chief Herald made a grand announcement that the Directorate had granted official charter to Zsigmond Kadar and his Wayfinders.  Officially named Wayfinder-Captain, his Wayfinders were granted authority over Citizens outside of the Shield and specific tasks towards securing outside interests for Sanctuary.

Noticeably absent from the House of Governance during the proclamation was Director Edgin Crane.  Detractors of the 'Red Directorate' point to the obvious cronyism in the lines of succession, with Kingsley raising Quickfeet to power and now Quickfeet granting Kadar an official role in Sanctuary's government.  Resentment towards sweeping Red Policies is building at a steady pace.

[Howlando]

::[ Marpenoth 12th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

It began with a curious and alarming sending....

  :[ Spellguard Broadcast : Attention citizens. Sanctuary defense forces are hereby ordered to mobilize. A Class B threat is approaching the Dunwarren Ruins. Citizens are advised to go indoors and await further instructions. End broadcast.  ]::

Following the sending, gigantic war machines lumbered forth from hidden warehouses as Upper Sanctuary's defenses whirred into power. A siren sounded as flickering lights emanated from pylons and Watchers mustered from the barracks.

And yet no attack was forthcoming, so as was soon revealed it was the Lower Wards that was under a potential threat. A modest fleet of three drow vessels had sailed up the old Dunwarren Canal and anchored within the dilapidated ruins with a motley band of dozens of drowish pirates, corsairs, and soldiers demanding audience with one of the Directors of Sanctuary.

Director Abala Quickfeet in the company of a full thirty or more adventurers, Watchers, and others descended along with a representative of the Spellguard and several lumbering animatronic war machines. It is believed that the Director and the sinister drow Pirate Lord Captain D'rul, a flamboyant figure dressed in a remarkable lavender coat, bandied words about in reference to the conflict between the svirfneblin of Sapphire Isle and the drowish armada of pirates and Traensyr-survivors. Apparently Captain D'rul offered great prizes and aid for the support of Sanctuary in locating and crushing the mysterious Sapphire Isle of the dark gnomes. It is whispered that this was but the latest culmination of weeks of fierce subterfuge involving both the svirfneblin and drow groups and their deadly conflict between each other. The drow spoke at length of the virtues of alliance, and ended with a dire warning - if Sanctuary refused their offer of friendship, then they would become a target of assault.

After the drow vessels departed, the Sanctuary Directorate held a hurried conference within the House of Governance. After what is said to be fierce debate, apparently a consensus was reached in which a public referendum seeking permission for Sanctuary to go to war would be held. The referendum would be an opportunity for all Sanctuary citizens to weigh in upon the conflict. The details of this unprecedented referendum are seemingly to be announced later.

[Howlando]

::[ Marpenoth 15th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Voting for the special referendum to decide whether the Directorate will be empowered to seek alliance and declare war has begun. Although it is a subject of great debate and discussion, few of the simpler folk who populate Starag's Rest and the Public Housing Vault are seen to be voting... it seems that this question will be largely decided by the adventurers and mercenaries most likely to make up Sanctuary's fighting forces.

[Howlando]

::[ Marpenoth 17th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Rumors spread of the infamous gang 'The Sons of Cyric' conducting an insidious ritual to bring forth some manner of fish-demon in the old Lower Sanctuary Fortress. Scattered reports suggest that although they succeeded in bringing forth the demon to terrorize Dunwarren, they and and the demon were ultimately destroyed by the combined forces of Sanctuary's adventurers and other, more mysterious denizens of the 'dark...

[Letsplayforfun]

Some say it started because Upper officials were seen parading in Lower. Some say it was long overdue. Others say it's because Upper folks empty their shitting bowls down the chasms that lead down... But whatever the reasons, many a thug, or desperate-a-man took arms and barricaded the In Between. Within moment adventurers, Watchers, and opportunist pain bearers engaged the rioters, leaving nothing but bloodied corpses on the ground... Nothing good will come of this, says the commoner...

[Howlando]

::[ Marpenoth 26th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Several rumors, as of late:

A rothe-hunter passing the lands near Fort Mur claims he witnessed explosions of fire and heard sounds of an naval battle occurring somewhere out in the midst of the vast Dark Lake.

A group of foragers looking for shellfish report that several badly burned drow vessels were found washed up along the shore. Curiously, judging from the mangled and burned bodies found, it was drow fighting among drow, with not a drop of svirfneblin blood to be seen...

Meanwhile, in Sanctuary, it's said that the Special Referendum has as much as passed and only a formal announcement of war has yet to be declared. Director Quickfeet it seems has been busily hammering out the diplomatic arrangements of an alliance with the svirfneblin of mysterious Sapphire Isle. It is likely that soon Sanctuary will be at war.

[Howlando]

:[ Marpenoth 28th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

Several hours after Director Abala Quickfeet announced that Sanctuary had declared war upon the Dark Lake Drow Armada, several large explosions were set off in Starag's Rest. The explosives were not of great potency, and more victims were badly burned rather than killed.... yet it was nonetheless a great shock to the common and humble folk of Starag's Rest.

Rumor suggests that most of 'Snaphiss' kobolds responsible, perhaps allied with the drow, were destroyed while they sought to escape from the scene of their terrible crime.

[LiAlH4]

:[ Marpenoth 30th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

There is a shockwave of fear and concern that runs through Sanctuary at the news of the blinding, by none other than some terrible agent of the Drow, of Wayfinder-Captain Zsigmond Kadar. With Sanctuary gearing up for war, many now question the fervor with which the city made this decision, wondering how many more will fall victim to the Drow.

Watchers are seen to be tense and troupes of Auxiliaries march through the streets. The Workmill, despite the ongoing lack of copper, hammers out blades, bolts, and ballista in preparation for the conflict to come. The city waits with baited breath, as the lower city hunkers down...

[Howlando]

With wild rumors of drow threats and frightening negotiations transpiring beneath Sanctuary's feet in the slums of Lower below, a steady stream of refugees begins to head from Lower to various locales of supposed safety: the majority to hidden places in the ruins, but many also opt for the Public Housing Vaults of Upper above. Various elves, faces streaked with Lower's grime, are also seen to be entering into the Garden of the Lost in Upper above once more. A few are said to even head out into the wilderness.

A deadly quietly comes upon Lower Sanctuary....

[Howlando]

:[ First of Uktar : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

... all of Lower's baddest and most dangerous seemingly mobilized to defend their home from the apparent imminent Drow Threat. Although the first drow emissary was not provided the sought after ten rings, a second and far more frightened messenger soon arrived with a most curious and alarming message:

"I have been told to offer the greetings of Captain D"rul, who admires your courage in the face of certain annihilation...

.... he bids me say that he has long sought a port for his fleet, and had hoped to conquer Sapphire Isle.....

.... alas that its illusion has not been so easily breached....

... his intentions, therefore, are to claim his port.... here. He shall take your Canal, and make it his own...

... he wishes to inform you. That he will be coming. With the full strength of himself and his followers.....

... in some darks time. And that if you think to keep him from his prize....

... you had best be prepared far better than now!

// The timing of this event is subject to the OOC availability of certain key players, but tentatively I am hoping for sometime evening GMT in this coming week or perhaps next weekend. Date and time will be announced.//

[Howlando]

::[ Uktar 7th : Year 161 : 1383 DR ]::

As Sanctuary`s motley defensive forces prepare themselves for uncertain conflict, there is a certain chilling to the air... a certain scent of brimstone, ever so faint.... characters attuned to planar matters or sensitive to magical emanations might detect the shuddering presence of some new evil.... .. distant still, somewhere, lurking out in the Lake.... but waiting.

As a group of adventurers lingered in Freedom Square discussing preparations, a scaled kobold covered in explosives and with a stolen ring placed upon its gnarled finger emerged from invisibility, screaming that 'Captain D'rul sends his regards!' as he tossed fire bombs about. His final act was to detonate the explosives strapped to his body, and a number of adventurers were badly burned....

[Howlando]

A curious rumor spreads rapidly through the frightened citizenry of Upper and Lower..... several mercenary barges and sloops appearing from the gloom of the Dark Lake to join the anchored Armada just outside the mouth of the old Canal...