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

[Talir]

18th of Mirtul, year 1381 DR

The hours after the battle have been difficult to many. Bodies are carried by weary and crying friends from the Last Keep, pyres being formed to deal with the hated ruby soldiers while the heroes and victims are kept in the Tower of Gods for proper ceremony. A group of Jergali has volunteered to this assistance and has taken temporary hold of one of the many shrines within the Hallows to no protest from the Elders. The barracks of the Mayor's Muster in particular has been hit very hard, to the point where most of the militia rest within quarters prepared at Mist's End rather than live in the bloodbath and horror that is their home. Roughly a third of the Muster militia has been decimated by the Ruby forces, a burden very visible upon the remaining soldiers. They hold their own private ceremonies of honour for the fallen, led by a stone-faced Lord-Captain Volaunt.

To assist the diminished defenders, bannersmen from clan Aberdenn and mercenaries out of clan Caermyn have stepped up to assist in the weakened defenses and peacekeeping. While the law seems to have taken a rest, so too has any criminal notion of taking advantage of the current state. While most villagers are thankful that the clans now seem to be under an uneasy temporary truce as they deal with the fallen and tattered government, some are worried what this new responsibility and stand will mean for the future. Both Arthur Aberdenn and Menaster Caermyn are often seen attending personally to the work done by their retainers, directing them in the efforts of rebuilding a broken society.

The passing of Mororn Glaemril has hit the village hard yet also driven several initiates of Ilmater to conduct service in his memory. The white-robed servants of the Broken God can be seen plying their trade freely amongst the weak and hurt, tending wounds and soothing through words the many survivors. Yet the pain intensifies as reports come in through the day, for many villagers sought refuge within the woods when battle begun in Mistlocke and there they found a new horror that mercilessly grasped all that it could. The packs of werewolves living in the surrounding forest descended upon the desperate villagers and many are said to be dead, or worse.

Morale is at an all-time low amongst the residents. Yet hope has been brought in the light of the victory and the burden of war finally having been lifted. The villagers now look to a future and the empty seat of the Lord-Mayor.

[Talir]

18-19th of Mirtul, year 1381 DR

The announcement of an election in the coming weeks has brought some hope to the villagers of Mistlocke. Villagers thinking to run as candidates have been told to approach Secretary Nettlehatch for registration and many residents now wonder who of their community will put themselves forward. Already, retainers of clan Caermyn have announced that they will see Mistlocke prosper if only they are supported -- although it is vague whether it is a chosen candidate they mean.

Some say that Aberdenn will propose one of their own to step up for office but it is unclear what agenda they will propose. It is said a group of Mustermen tried to register their own Lord-Captain, to the immediate disapproval of the man himself. Other than the interest of the clans, very few have announced their intention so far and with the election starting within two weeks many fear that representation will be low. Rumours has it that the remain of the Brotherhood of Mercy will propose a candidate from their own circle.

The village is starting to show signs of improvement and the Last Keep is again inhabitable, although the signs of battle remains prominent within the keep itself.

[Halfbrood]

In the wake of the Comital Host's defeat, those that range far and wide through the scorching heat of the Dead Plains can notice a flurry of activity beneath an immense Stone Head that juts forth from the ground within the Great Expanse. The Empire of New Netheril, known to most as the Transcendent Conclave, have begun erecting tents and sending caravans of provisions to this spot. Work has begun digging in the ground surrounding the head, but for what reason, none outside of the Conclave know...

[Iron Oligarch]

Mirtul 25th, 1381 DR

Mistlocke discusses with interest the curious announcement of Earl Arthur Aberdenn in the wake of Warlord Morn Greycastle's divestment, designating his son Owain Aberdenn as a candidate for Lord-Mayor and emphasizing the importance of a strong, trusted citizen to hold the office. Few in the village have heard much from Owain personally, but Aberdenn bannermen claim him a fine lad, and well able to manage the village's highest office.

[Mort]

Kythorn 6th, 1381 DR

A brilliant strike against the Count was down this day! A group of stalwart adventurer led by the gallant Sir Gaelan Caermyn managed to assault the prison of the Iron Isle, a dreadful fortress built into the cliffside of the Isle where the count sent political dissenters, criminals and other refuses of Old port society. They managed to abduct the Imperator, a drow warship with peculiar qualities, from the nose of the Comital forces.

Many adventurers who had come along left their lives upon the isle to ensure the success of the theft, and their sacrifice will be mourned by the survivors and Mistlocke, whole.

[Mort]

Kythorn 8th, 1381

Gaeseric called a moot back at his camp within the Scar in order to organize the liberation of the Unyielding Pass from the forces of the Fellwitch. There, it was established that the retaking of the Pass would be impossible without the aid of the native inhabitants of the mountains, old enemies, such as a tribe of Bloodhowlers led by the powerful Hyaulk Grut, and a tribe of mist ogres led by the Dreamwhisperer Ur. In the end, only the tribe of Mist Ogre managed to be swayed to the cause, much to the disdain of the dwarves of the delving who tagged along.

The battle of the Pass was gruesome and violent as the endless waves of minions of the Fellwitch clashed with the force composed of both adventurers and ogres. All was going well, with minimal casualty, before the Agony of the Hunt slowly rose from the depth a cave in the cliffside of the mountain. The fight continued for hours, right until the hero who had held off most of the fury of the Agony, Haryat Mahgo, fell to the creatures' claws. It was at this time that the party scattered and things seemed hopeless that Gaeseric, with all his might, charged at the beast and managed to shove it off a cliff along with himself...

...The Agony fell down the cliff; the stitched skin of the many creatures making it being shred apart by the rocks below. Despite being torn apart, the agony seem to slowly crawl away with its claws in order to eventually rebuild itself. There were no sign of Gaeseric as the dust settled.

Despite these losses, the adventurers were able to banish the last remnants of Hbala's army atop the mountains, and bring peace back to the Unyielding Pass.

[derfo]

Kythorn 14th, 1381

Citizens are in fright of the death of former warlord Morn Greycastle, his head being piked upon the peak of Old Stones Tower, the dripping blood painting the walls of the crumbling structure. The populace seems to know little of the incident save despair.

While rumors of the celebrated warlord's defeat vary from a product of the mist, anarchists from the depths of the Stones, or avaricious dark dwarven, informed Wyrm Watchers are outraged that such could happen in Mistlocke itself to one of their most decorated members, and many are concerned with who may be the next victim.

[derfo]

Kythorn 15th, 1381

More terror finds Mistlocke in the form of the patrons of the Mist's End, who witnessed a goblin exploding within the lobby for pursuits unknown. Eventually a Musterman and commoners at the scene were accusing two men heavily, a man garbed in red and yellow robes, and a mustached mercenary who were subsequently beaten and thrown out of the poor hamlet, assumed to have masterminded the attack by those present.

Whatever the reason for the rise in horrible atrocities against Mistlocke, citizens are anxious to hear the completion of the election and witness a Mayor rise to power to put an end to them.

[derfo]

Kythorn 16th, 1381

During the rainy early morning of the much anticipated final announcement of the Kythorn election, many commoners and adventurers waited anxiously within the town square for the eventual appearance of the candidates, to which the two that came found themselves showing late. With time, the most prominent candidates Owain Aberdenn and Gareth Caermyn surfaced. A significant portion of citizens were apprehensive about the absence of other favored candidates, Stokes, Delturai, Jereb, and the now missing Barandos Hawklin II.

After a time, as Lathander rose from under the boughs, the secretary's office announced Gareth Caermyn as new Lord-Mayor of Mistlocke, to which he immediately gave his acceptance and victory speech, much to the dismay of Aberdenn sympathizers in attendance. The new Lord-Mayor Caermyn also announced a new position of Deputy-Mayor, to which he nominated Caermyn Associate Basil Calbrooke as the first of this collection of advisors.

While most would say the two sons of the clans of Mistlocke took their respective defeat and victory amiably, Owain is said to have stormed off after a comment of a cocksure Gareth, to an Arthur Aberdenn that is said to have been furious about the results. Furthermore, some bannersmen even outright claim foul dealings and trickery.

Many seem split to the clans' quarrels as ever, subsequently reflecting in their opinion of the mayoral seat's new occupant. Caermyn associates and supporters rejoice at the prospect of what riches may come to Mistlocke (or perhaps themselves), other citizens worry if the fiscal responsibility of the new Lord-Mayor will truly manifest in his actions. A vocal minority of Aberdenn supporters fear that Lord-Mayor Caermyn's avaricious tendencies and desire for rapid expansion will be Mistlocke's doom, urging their friends and families to seek refuge in the woods.

Whatever the case, all agree that the overall wealth of the village will likely undergo significant changes.

[Iron Oligarch]

Kythorn 19th, 1381 DR

Villagers talk of a climactic duel between William D'Elretch of  the Numinous Order and Raffaella Fondriest of the Wyrm Watchers fought  on Mistlocke's bridge over the River Tear. Employing every stratagem at  their disposal, the two fought to a standstill and agreed to have their  seconds finish the duel lest the contest continue into the evening  hours. In this second duel the Wyrm Watcher Tobias Markham proved victorious, and the defeated Footmen retired from  the scene in foul spirits. It is not known exactly what sparked the  duel, although many speculate that the affair was sparked by a dispute  over the Crown of the Isles, which both organizations are well known to  seek.

[Iron Oligarch]

Kythorn 22nd, 1381 DR

The crumbling edifice of Old Stones has loomed large in recent village gossip. It is said that the merchant Hortense Higgins fled there with her stores on the day before yesterday, chased out of the market hall by Caermyn retainers checking for merchant licenses. And now this afternoon, the ancient tower was raided by several watchmen of the Muster and a handful of Wyrm Watchers when a man named Tarius, evidently serving with the Muster, was murdered in the aftermath of a duel on Old Stones' roof.

Never has the building's curse been as evident in recent memory as it has when horror-struck villagers watched as several bodies bearing horrific wounds were dragged out by the raid's survivors, and even Captain Volaunt is said to have left the Last Keep to keep the loitering crowd from nearing too close. Most are happy to do so: one would have to be a special kind of fool to dare and enter the place.

[Daemonic Daz]

Kythorn 27th, 1381 DR

Rumours fly about the village of a man from the Netherese Empire who was charged with two accounts of attacking a citizen of Mistlocke. Some say it was over a slight to the man's skill in combat whilst others say it was over a book of demons that was torn apart by the recipient of the aggressors attacks.

Few men and women actually partook in the beating of the man, not only for his seemingly unbreakable spirit but because the Mayor's Muster had decreed he was to be exiled for two days after the beating for his rash actions and blatant disregard for the laws of Mistlocke. The event fuels speculation of tensions within the alehouses for days between the two specks of civilisation on the blighted rock they sit upon.

Still though... The occasional mercenary and adventurer do make mention of "something" in the woods. Something that flickers for a instant at the corner of your eye before disappearing completely

[Iron Oligarch]

Flamerule 2nd, 1381 DR

Villagers speak tremulously of a small skirmish in the village square late last evening, in which several Aberdenn retainers posing as peddlers came to blows with a gathering of Muster watchmen and Caermyn retainers over a refusal to pay for the Lord-Mayor's notorious merchant licenses. Two of the Aberdenn bannermen were slain in the chaos, and two more taken into custody at the Last Keep.

A heated exchange is said to have followed afterwards between the Aberdenn patriarch Arthur and several Caermyn retainers, wherein a certain Quintus Forecrest demanded that Arthur's uncle Gadyw "One-Eye", whom he believed responsible for the attack, be delivered into the Muster's custody. Arthur denied the charges, and claimed ignorance to the One-Eye's current whereabouts much to Deputy Mayor Basil Calbrooke's chagrin, who threatened legal consequences before Arthur stormed into his family halls.

Clan violence is new to few in Mistlocke, but with Caermyn ascendant over the political institutions of the village, rumors of Aberdenn bravos skulking in the forest past the village walls, and much of Mistlocke still ruinous from the aftermath of the Comital invasion, many worry that the village might be host to yet another conflict, this one a bitter struggle between its own heroes.

[Jayde Moon]

Flamerule 9th, 1381 DR

The plaintive cry of a wolf very near the village sends shivers down the collective spine of the villagers.  Their fears are realized when adventurers report that a werewolf was indeed stalking the Crossroads.  The recent memories of lycanthrope infiltrators and missing family members are all too fresh in the minds of many and rumors speculate that a local pack may be preparing to bring new horrors upon the town of Mistlocke.

Later, it was said that Musterman Glimtwiss, the Gnome, managed to take down a foul animator prowling the forests around Mistlocke.  A trial was held in the Town Square and the culprit was exiled forever from the safety of the Town.  Some of the more hopeful townspeople pray that the Muster can work the same miracles when it comes to tracking down the werewolves.

[Talir]

11th of Flamerule, 1381 DR

In the early hours of the morning, the Mist gathered heavily around the village. Faced with the desperate request of the lottery and in Gareth Caermyn's absence, Deputy-Mayor Basil Calbrooke took upon himself the responsibility and gathered group twenty-four together in the Last Keep. This was not met without resistance and it is said that the Caermyn associate alongside his assistants went hard on anyone trying to shrink away from their alloted duty, even chasing down and dragging back someone seeking to escape. Many called to question both the lottery itself and the group selection, the Templars Colden Green and Vincent Gerhardt denouncing the election of a champion while Aberdenn associates Urlen Durlaine and Tharaz`Athur proclaimed suspicion on the selection of so many pro-Aberdenn within the group.

Despite the rowdy aura surrounding the affair, it was conducted without violence. Lucien Tezzerus is said to have selflessly taken the place of another villager in an attempt to save them all, the single allowance given from the Deputy-Mayor, but a different number was drawn from the lottery hat. The Champion was led into the Mayor's office by Gareth, returned to the village at dawn, and has not been heard from since.

The Mist receded its tight clutch soon afterwards.