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

[Howlando]

Some recent rumors and events:

Those who dwell within the Docks would have heard a strange tale being passed from lip to lip. A ship was coming back from Old Port, taking on a strange and silent little girl traveling on her own. Apparently the girl went into the ship's cabin on her own, and then sailors report hearing horrible sounds of foul magic within. When they entered, they found no girl, but rather a bizarre kobold with some kind of undead wings cowering before a dreadful animated skull. Panicked and looking for the girl, the sailors attacked, but both appear to have somehow escaped off of the ship.

The Dominion is abuzz with word about the speech from the Duke. Food prices continue to rise, and according to gossip a group of mad docksmen attempted to burn down a ship belonging to the Manchakan Enclave while it was in the process of having its grain unloaded. Thankfully the effort mostly failed, and there is food - for now.

[Howlando]

It is rumored that the Duke along with several trusted guards and those prominent citizens who contributed the most to the food relief fund departed Ymph for a time, on a mission unknown. Master Tau was said to have been carrying a great pack that jingled with the sound of a huge sum of gold.

A smaller group returned the next day, with several missing, the Duke's face tight and concerned. Master Tau's pack seemed empty...

As yet, it is unknown what exactly transpired.

Food prices are going up.

[Howlando]

Groups of militiamen and other Dominion employees are seen turning in their uniforms, after it is revealed that the Duchy is completely broke and even heavily indebted to Calishite money-lenders from Old Port.

It's even rumored that the Duke, known for his risk-taking and gambler's nature, collected a huge sum from recent levied taxes and donations from adventurers, and descended into the Underdark in order to wager it all on the toss of a roulette wheel in an elite drow casino in Traensyr.

It did not seem to go well....

Hunters and adventurers have begun to place foraged food into several baskets within the Ziggurat for the use of the hungry, but with the food barges no longer coming regularly from Old Port many of the citizens of the Dominion no longer have a stable source of sustenance.

It is whispered that the worst is yet to come.

[Iron Oligarch]

Eleint 4:

A number of slaves, evidently sold by the drow of House Jultar in the Old Port, trickle back to the Dominion on a series of ships. Among them, dressed only in rags, was the Lord Meriwether Dalton, who is said to have spent time as a prisoner of the drow in the depths of the world below. The presence of the new Lord is a cause for celebration for few, however -- in these hard times, it is only another mouth to feed.

[Wern8]

Eleint 4th, 1377

On this rather busy day, there was more than just a slave auction held in the Great Arena out in Old Port. Closer to home, back in the Colony, it was more eventful, with ancient Netherese magic strongly at work atop the Ziggurat during the night, and this time bringing in not one unfortunate soul, but a band of Dwarven miners led by a wizened Dwarven Sage with a long white-beard and his trusted companion, a portly Dwarven warrior armed with a fierce double-axe. It is said that a plain looking Dwarven Woman clad in a simple brown dress was seen appearing several hours later as well.

Meanwhile, on the very same night, there was a riot in the streets. A small group of disgruntled Colonists led by three Militiaman made their way to the Stygian Citadel and began to cause chaos, the Militiaman turned in their equipment, abandoned their duties and along with the rioters they shouted out against the Armada and Duke Antoine Trenada, insulting him for gambling away the funds of the Dominion and as they began to hurl rotten fruit in anger, Infantrymen hurried out to quell the rioting and this resulted in a small violent clash, but as the former Militiamen were wounded by Stygian blades, they fled and soon after, the rioters dispersed.

Fortunately, there was no death over this chaotic clash, but it is a sure sign of the dreadful and deteriorating situation facing the Dominion in these trying times. Who knows what else may occur in the days to come and how the Duke shall respond to the crisis.

[Wern8]

Eleint 5th, 1377

A band of Dwarven miners led by the white-bearded Dwarven Sage, Thronûr Longbeard was seen leaving the gates this evening and a single hour later, an adventuring party traveled out to join their expedition into the depths of the Misty Mountains. Their fate is yet known, but to the worried, starving people of the Dominion, it is of no concern to them.

Back in the Colony however... rumors spread like wildfire about an explosion in the Citadel, word is that the fallen and disgraced ex-Lord, Meriwether Dalton had traveled there in a bid to meet His Grace, Duke Antoine Trenada, but he was caught wearing an explosive vest by Infantryman Batturan, and due to the Infantryman's swift action and heroic sacrifice, the traitorous Patrician failed to kill anyone else with his suicidal act. It is said though that the Duke's trusted aide, Boris Kuulenov was grievously injured and has been disfigured due to the incident.

[Talir]

Eleint 7th, 1377 DR

Rumours are abreast of the event that took place at the Inner Piers. Docksmen give cheerful and loud praise of the efforts of one Thomas Hall, who alongside other reckless companions placed it upon themselves to free the Inner Piers from the grasp of the Dominion. While but a few returned out of the dozen that struck, the Dominion was forced to relinquish its hold and the Inner Piers now sprawl with renewed activity. It is said that the few vessels that were docked were mercilessly raided for the sparse supplies kept in the holds, spread around the Docks in shameless celebration of the newest victory. Among the quaffs of beverages, loud praises were given those who were lost during the attack: Thomas Hall, Eveningstar Lorelay, Mert Gein, Breston, Ranaldo Bhaltair, Bruno Cairn-Burn, Bruce Almshaven and Yin-Mi Heishu.

Within the Dominion, an uproar has gone up about the savage murder of several militiamen that stood guard at the Inner Pier. A survivor, posted near the northern dock of the Piers, tearfully elaborated upon the event within the Kingsman in detail. Apparently the attack came out of nowhere, the aggressors brimming with arcane enchantments as they mercilessly struck the militia guarding the border down. They proceeded to cut down all perceived loyalists and sent the veteran of the Armada running of the ferocity of the ambush. While the veteran eventually was able to turn away the attackers, the casualties were too grave for the Dominion to retain their presence there.

With the Dominion lines and defenses retracted to cover the Main Gates and the Ziggurat, the ruins are less defended than ever, and with famine wrecking the Dominion populace, things have turned for the worse.

[Talir]

1st of Marpenoth, 1377 DR

The Dominion rejoices in two consecutive victories. At the end of Eleint, emissaries acting on behalf of House Durjure set sail for a distant island and returned with a ship full of grain and meat received from a remote village. The doors of the noble house opened to hungry citizens eager to get a share of the newfound treasure, praising the efforts of the few who made the deal a reality.

Another victory was had under the lead of the Stygian Armada, relieving the Inner Pier from the hands of Docksmen and Grey Commander Anatoli. It was said they met little initial resistance and defeated the honourable mercenary who made a futile effort to prevent their victory. Not long after the Pier was seized the cultists of slime attacked the warband. In a volatile skirmish the Pier was almost relinquished from loyalist hands again but the defenders stood firm and achieved their double victory. Naming the merchant Angelo de la Sol as harbourmaster of the Pier, they left battle behind and returned to the Dominion.

Yet the victories have their price. Along with the renewed food stores fourty or so villagers arrived in the Dominion, telling drear tales of the village and mayor they left behind and his consort with a horrid creature to keep them safe. At odds and with a deep suspicion of the leaders in the Dominion, they have separated themselves from the other citizens and there is a tense feeling in the air. While the acquired food stores have proven a sparse relief in the famine, the more hungry mouths pose increased difficulty ahead. The renewed claim over the Inner Pier is fickle as no militia or infantry have been sent to affirm the claim with security. Docksmen have once again moved into the Pier to live away from the streets and they watch their fallen friends, murdered in cold blood during cries of surrender, with revulsion.

[Johannes]

Colonials returning from the ruins at night have begun to report the presence of strange, furry monstrosities who slink in the darkness, causing mischief in packs and disturbing the silence with their loud and unintelligible cries (which has caused some to begin to call them by the name "Gibberlings"). It seems that the infestation has appeared practically overnight. A day or two ago, nobody had even heard of the irksome creatures, and now it is rumored that they are nesting in unmanageable numbers beneath a tower in the Smash. If the population isn't controlled regularly, then they may begin to represent a genuine hazard as they spill en masse into the borders of civilization.

// In the EFUA setting, Gibberlings will not have existed in other parts of the world and indeed, it can be assumed that they are a novel experience for everyone.

[Talir]

4th of Marpenoth

A large force of lizardfolk was met head-on within the Drainage Pipes by courageous, if reckless, adventurers and defenders. It is said that the group was supported by other lizardfolk coming from the wilderness and into the ruins beneath Nebedzzos, before the majority ascended in force. Strangely enough nightrisers were reported to have fought the lizardfolk within the drainage pipes, battling them all the way from the depths.

The rumours speak nothing of the reasons for this event.

[Mort]

A large horde of trolls, shambling monsters and bog creatures marched upon the city of Nebedzzos this eve. They were led by a mysterious pale skinned woman of perfect complexion wielding a crimson staff covered with maggots.

Warned of their coming by one of their scouts, the loyalists of the city fortified the gates and entered brief negociations with the would-be invaders before the battle broke off.

Fighting finally errupted as trolls threw their giant boulders upon the courtyard, creating a rain of stone and magical spells. Rampaging war trolls were seen swinging rotten trees at the adventures and it is rumoured that over hundreds of these creatures were slain by the loyalists forces led by Saircrost, Farsun and Monteblanc. Of particular note, are rumours of the bravery and prowess of a robed monk, Gethin, Consort Rhodes, and a man in shining armor going by the name of Legenis.

Further praises are given to a mysterious man and a sturdy dwarf who fought alone on the other side of the bridge to take down the terrible witches of the Covenant, before ultimately collapsing to the onslaught...

As trolls are being carved off the city's fortification, many wonder what was the reason of the attack and what the city is to do against this threat in order to stop it once and for all.

[Mort]

Again, in the middle night, screams erupted from the temple district as commoners fled the eastern ruins where more vile trolls and shambling mounds of rotting flesh had crawled up from the water. It appeared to be nothing but a diversion as the attack did minimal damage, and during this time a smaller group of cultists, a man with tendrils sprouting from his hands, a woman taking the shape of a large Giant Spider and followed by many lesser spiders as well as a pale skinned woman similar to the one who had held a negociation at the gates, entered the city slaying all Militia and stopping every adventurers who would dare stand in their way.

Despite the many who reinforced the guards and tried to stop them, they managed to enter the city and kidnap the children as well as their caretakers carrying them outside the city as confusion reigned. It was the sacrifice of one of their cultists, a mage of considerable power, who unleashed devasting magical energy upon their pursuers to slow them down who guaranteed their escape. The cultist in question is rumoured to have been slain in his cell and simply rotting away into a grotesque skeleton instantly following his death...

Tribal screams of celebration could be heard coming from the bogs as the servants of the Darkbringer fashioned whatever dark ritual they were planning. A brave, but foolish band of adventurer tried to enter the lands in order to save the children from their gruesome fate... To their rescue, Elite guards of the Numinous Order , alongside a black helmed figure rumoured to be their leader, came out from the forest to aid in their retreat against the overpowering swarm of the Darkbringer's minions. It wasn't without loss as many nearly left their lives behind in the dreaded swamps...

As a new day dawns, the Numinous Order vowed to erase the taint of the Rot God from these lands.

[Mort]

The horn of war sounded back from Blackhearth and the patrols of the Numinous Order were recalled to lead one of the biggest battalion of Adventurers, Stygian soldiers and Templars to ever have walked upon the soil of the Ymphian Bogs.

Led by the zealous Jacques De Villiers, the battalion march upon the swamp to meet into the fields of war an horde of the gathered tribes of trolls, lizardmen and vile minions of the Jawed God larger than anyone could have imagined. The battle was long and hard, but the courageous heroes were victorious this day as they even put down the monstrous rotting remains of a large Undead Dragon, the acting Champion of the forces of Darkbringer.

The group managed to reach the inner sanctum, where the supposed ritual of the rotting hag was taking place. Little is known about what truly went on so far... but rumours go far and wide saying that the cult was destroyed entirely on one hand, and the other saying that this destruction might have left room for an even greater evil to step in....

[Talir]

20th of Marpenoth, 1377DR

Victorious adventurers return with news that one of the nesting wyverns at Wyldwater and one juvenile wyvern were slain during the day. Rumours of these beasts had come in earlier from rangers trekking the mountainside and the demise of these terrible creatures spread a relief in otherwise grim days. It is said that the largest wyvern was buried in honour of the hunt.

[Letsplayforfun]

While searching the Smash for sites of archeological interest, a team of explorers lead by Graham Greyfell unleashed -by mistake, or willingly - a huge Iron Golem into the Ruins.

Although the construct was swarmed by defenders up in arms and targetted by the mightiest spells, nothing seem to bring the golem down, and only a few dents were made unto it's metal body.

It was finally cunning that lead to it's fall into the deep waters of the Smash, so deep that no one has dared swim to make sure it has really been disabled.
Rumors fly as to whether simple immersion is enough to deactivate such things.

Time will tell quickly enough...