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

[Daemonic Daz]

Meanwhile away from the events of the election, a series of peculiar events occurred on the 30th Alturiak around the village.

The first peculiar event occurred when a hunter from the springs, announced to the town that a group of goblins were playing some sort of sport with what appeared to be a head. A motley crew of men and women of various races marched upon the springs to discover what bizarre behaviour was occuring this day.

Rumours flew back and forth from the springs with most containing a disturbing fact to the chagrin of some, the shock of others and the outright condemnation of most that the goblins were playing a sport with what appeared to be a dead baby, their wicked activity dubbed "Babyball". The goblins were last seen fleeing from the springs after sounds of steel and arcane incantations were heard.

On the return of the assembled, the second peculiar incident of the day occured. Plague began to grip the village! Sickness spread fast but thankfully the weak and defenceless quickly made their way inside their abodes, turning away those that were blighted. The villagers quickly thrust the blame upon an extremely large half-orc known as "Pebble", the sickly smell of fetid flesh and the hovering of flies around only led to the solidification of the accusation. Rumours from the adventurers who had investigated the goblins in the springs even accused him of aiding the monsters, bringing low some of those that chased the foul beasts out.

Guardian of the gates, Volkmar Plowman, quickly erected a barricade to keep those that are blighted out of the village as they gathered near Muskroots tower. The half-orc Pebl was no where to be seen and panic was setting in with anger and discontent being shown by two particularly irate individuals claiming to be Reavers of the bloodthirsty god Garagos, who were promptly brought low for their transgressions.

Mysteriously as it came, the plague however began to recede from the village. Some whispering that the druids of the wilds played a part in its disappearance as a gesture of good will towards the village. Others dismiss this as savage propaganda and say it was thanks to the good work of The Muster in segregating the ill from the healthy, the actual cause remains unknown.

What is known however is that the half-orc "Pebble" has been branded an enemy of the town, having made an appearance after Volkmar Plowman removed the barricade. The beast quickly descended into violence after numerous inhabitants of the town accused him of various foul acts and quickly retreated into the wilds after being vastly outnumbered.

The monster still lurks somewhere on the island, the Muster announcing a 2000 ducat prize for his head so that no more harm can come to Mistlocke on this most curious of days.

[ShadowCharlatan]

The election, finally, came to a close. General Secretary Estelline Nettlehatch, on coming to announce the results, spoke that only the votes of the citizens of Mistlocke would be counted - by the ruling of the Elder Council themselves. The result would have been different, she said, had they been counted. Most put this decision down to Gadyw Aberdenn's presence in the village, as- were the Caermyn to have gotten their way -many feel that the Aberdenn would have done something drastic and plunged the village even deeper into chaos and unrest.

The results of the election were as follows:

Squire -- 89
Jerod -- 36
Sid -- 27
Lester -- 24
Balthasar -- 17
Quill -- 5

The result, and the Squire's speech, gave some comfort to the natives of Mistlocke. But tensions remain, food rationing and a lack of work plague both refugees and residents, and there is growing discontent.

Many are now whispering that it is time for a decision to be made on Redthorn's refugees... that the Caermyn venom has to be sucked out before it spreads too thick in the village. Some others show the refugees compassion, and help them where they can. But these efforts of philanthropy are too small and have incensed natives for their considerable focus on the refugees. It is all too clear that the village is overpopulated, and cannot support the situation for much longer.

The offered solutions vary. The notion of food imported by the Caermyn, and food brought from the Withered Lands, both come up with regularity - and are both quickly dismissed. Very few are comfortable with relying on the Caermyn after their use of food supplies as political leverage over the Numinous Order.

On a brighter note, a number of Mustermen have returned from Aberdenn Hall with the announcement of Edygaer Volaunt's resumption of the role of Lord-Captain of the Muster. They now people the streets, joking and telling stories with old friends about their part in the tumult since Arthur Aberdenn's coup. The announcement of Volaunt's return is broadly welcomed, though he comes with a certain streak of unpopularity. A few still remain sceptical of his involvement in the Aberdenn coup (though most now accept deposing Sosay was the right decision), and the Caermyn and the Argenti seem especially sour about the appointment.

The death of Lord-Captain Midah Resher still weighs heavily on some. Rauryk Aberdenn's aggression has been variously celebrated and condemned (depending on who is asked), and many wonder what will be next in a string of brutal reprisals by the Aberdenn against the vestiges of Redthorn's rule. It is said that Resher's last words were to "give the men a bonus" and indeed, mustermen can sometimes be heard thanking Resher, talking about what they spent their coin on.

[Jayde Moon]

Voices in the village are raised in concern over the increased activity in the surrounding forest and farmlands by Fey creatures.  While most incidents are little more than trivial inconveniences nervously laughed off as practical jokes, a darker undercurrent threatens to erupt as events occur at a more rapid pace.

The appearance of the blue skinned Fey-creature known as Kali-Ma the Hound has mothers nervous for their children as the creature can be heard baying just outside the village proper.

Most notably, rumors have circulated that some bogeyman abducted Deputy Mayor [/i]Emily Jacobson from the middle of the Town Square in broad daylight, a brazen move for creatures normally relegated to the periphery.  What occurred during her abduction is uncertain and many ruminate over her fate had not the bannermen of Clan Caermyn rallied a force to rescue her from their clutches.

Others whisper that whatever purpose they had with the Deputy Mayor has been served and now sits a pawn of the Fey in her place: a changeling tasked  to their capricious bidding.

Who can ever be certain with the Fey?

[ShadowCharlatan]

Ches 17th, 1382 DR

The earliest news came in rumour and hearsay. The Conclave had come to Mistlocke to drag away mages. They had come in force, and were skulking about, press ganging spellcasters. Then they had left.

It was Sergeant Dolokhova who first broke the news that the Transcendent Conclave had annulled its peace arrangements with the village of Mistlocke. On the Lord-Mayor's orders, the Conclave were said to be once again banished from the village. Some of their own members, confused and unaware, were allowed out without harm.

Some time later, a large entourage of the Transcendent Conclave arrived through the gates of Mistlocke and pushed toward the Square. Violence broke out, briefly, between the village and the Imperial force. Though it soon became apparent that the Conclave had come only to deliver a message.

So it was that a tiny shadow wyrmling dragon, flanked by the Transcendent Conclave's membership, stood atop the stage in the square. Calling itself Slithushulax, the Envoy of the Triumvirate, the dragon gave a screeching speech to the village.

MISTLOCKE.

Slithushulax, Envoy of the GLORIOUS, ABSOLUTE, BRILLIANT, ASTOUNDING, UNQUESTIONABLE, PEERLESS, SUPREME, UNPARALLELED, PERFECT, ALL POWERFUL, ALL KNOWING, TRANSCENDENT TRIUMVIRATE...

...greets you.

He comes, with words from the ORACLE HIMSELF!

The Transcendent Conclave's preparations, for what is to be the GREATEST EVER STRIKE against the MAIDEN H'BALA... are nearing completion.

CONSEQUENTLY... The ORACLE has deemed that ALL MAGES must join in this CULMINATION of all efforts.

To be apart from the TRANSCENDENT CONCLAVE, to shy from the REBIRTH of the NETHERESE EMPIRE as one of its ESTEEMED PROGENITORS... WHILE GIFTED... is to be...

A TRAITOR!

RENEGADES... will not be brooked. Protect them, and oppose the works of the Conclave... and H'bala will WIN.

Slithushulax is finished.

For the glory of Netheril that was, and the GOLDEN AGE TO COME!

The village is left unsettled. The prospect of renewed conflict with the Conclave frustrates and dismays many. Others relish the opportunity to bloody the Transcendent Conclave and its "New Netherese Empire". Yet there are also some few apologists (and some frightened folk that remember the Conclave raids full of demons and weird creatures) that dare to say that the Conclave should be allowed to fulfil its strike against H'bala. And even that their "renegades" should be given over to them. The village in general, though stolidly resistant to the Conclave's pompous demands and imperial overtures, and suspicious of their recent tendencies toward arrogant diplomatic whimsies, is caught off-guard by the magnitude of the Conclave's promise and the ever monstrous desperation of its methods.

[ShadowCharlatan]

Ches 20th, 1382 DR

Deputy-Mayor Emily Jacobson's words spoke of an important announcement to be made in the square of Mistlocke.

It was revealed that the sinister artefact known as the Soul Archive (long claimed to have been destroyed by the Transcendent Conclave) was stolen from them by the Renegade Zeulisad Ecthelios Xemes and spirited away in the hope that the soul and the knowledge of Zyphaem Faussad - a former member of the Conclave's ruling Triumvirate - was stored within.

Xemes, present and in possession of the Archive, claimed his intention was to find out what the Conclave were planning to do. Adventurers defended Xemes while the Conclave made to retrieve him and the Archive. But they were rebuffed for long enough such that Xemes was able to reach someone within.

What came out was the image of a man with greasy black hair, pale rotting flesh, a skeletal arm, and the gross green eyes brought on by the Withering. The traitor, Maurus Rodagh, who was said to have been the singular reason the Conclave's first strike against the maiden failed.

Rodagh screamed hysterically into the night that the Conclave had to be stopped before their plans were fulfilled, their New Netherese Empire should never come, and that H'bala was the hope of the village. Xemes, exhausted by the process and shattered by the discovery, uttered repeatedly his realisation that "Faussad is not inside..."

The Transcendent Conclave arrived in force to retrieve Xemes and the Archive. Drexia, the Oracle's very own Consort, emerged to lead them within. Rauryk Aberdenn and a motley gathering stood to stop them, and the confrontation went on long enough that the listless Xemes, spurred by adventurers, managed to escape with the Archive... to a fate as yet unknown.

The Conclave left, to see to the man's capture. None followed.

[Daemonic Daz]

Ches 21st,1382 DR

Whilst Mistlocke was in strife, Mayors were being kidnapped and the clans clashed with adventurer as well as outsider. A single sending from a Wyrm Watcher sends those of pale skin and of Sanctuarian origin into a frenzy...

Bresley Lives

[ShadowCharlatan]

Ches 23rd, 1382 DR

The events of the twenty first remain vivid in the minds of villagers:

The refugees of Old Port, vastly, have been evicted from the village. Many are relieved by this, though others see it as a stain upon the conscience of the village - particularly as 'adventurers' were left entirely free of the Lord-Mayor's orders to evict. While a few are herded variously to the Wyrm Watchers, the Order, and the Conclave, the majority are left with no where to go. From time to time, people can be seen stealing back into the village, only to be chased down by Mustermen. Some even claim that they weren't even from Old Port, but simply didn't have papers and the Aberdenn and Muster threw them out. The fate of the majority of these folk remains unclear... some squat on the outskirts, others head to Sis Liman, others can be seen dead in the woods.

Lord-Mayor Squire Reach is said to have taken away the right of the Caermyn to give out citizenship papers in light of their seeming abuse of the privilege by giving them freely to refugees. The Caermyn declare that theirs are acts of benevolence, though most eye Caermyn with suspicion or open hostility, blaming them for the position the village was put in. Of the Broken Shield Mercenaries, villagers express some concern. Wild rumour still surrounds these figures, who've scarce been seen since their arrival in Mistlocke. What plans and allegiences they have are yet a mystery, though some say the Caermyn have been giving them lodging.

In response to the Lord-Mayor's act, the Caermyn announced that they would institute a new form of citizenship. The "Caermyn Coin". Merchants who wished to maintain imports, and villagers who wished to be considered true villagers, would bear this coin and gain certain privileges for it. This announcement put the Mayor's Office into a frenzied state, and- it is said -forced the resignation of Rauryk Aberdenn from the position of Lieutenant. The Caermyn have since quietly ceased giving out the coin. Word arose subsequently of the Aberdenn's assault of Gareth Caermyn and kidnap of the Lord-Mayor.

The Lord-Mayor left Aberdenn Hall a time later and pardoned Rauryk for his actions. The village has since grown disgruntled at how weak their Mayor seems in bowing to the wishes of Rauryk Aberdenn and pardoning him for a second time.

In more recent days, rumours have spread among adventurers of skirmishes throughout the city of Nebezzdos. Most curiously, these conflicts are reported to be between Nightrisers.

[Talir]

[COLOR="DarkRed"]30th of Ches, 1382 Dale Reckoning[/COLOR]

An eerie stillness has settled over the village in the aftermath of yesterday's destruction. The first deserters from the Muster can be seen throwing down their arms and armor in protest against the office of the Lord-Mayor, leaving to fend for themselves. Some still remain at their post, carrying out their duties in an half-hearted attempt to cling to something familiar. Inadvertently, many turn their eyes up to the top of the Last Keep where the scent of smoke and ashes still linger in the air.

It began with a strike from the Transcendant Conclave upon members of the Muster near Muskroot's Tower. There they kidnapped Musterman Axirios before escaping under heavy pursuit into the forest. While they managed to take away one, brave villagers and adventurers stepped out of the Underwood carrying not one but two members of the Conclave, quickly taken to the cells.

An attempt at negotiation followed afterwards where Zeulisad Pharaxes and his Consort Khrym arrived at the village doorstep, demanding their members back in return for the Musterman. Lord-Mayor Reach, pressured by Lord-Captain Volaunt at the side, demanded that the Musterman would be handed over first. It's said that Rauryk Aberdenn left as negotiations begun, taking a few with him into the forest. With neither side buckling in the negotiations, the Conclave left towards their home. Worse, rumours started to spread that one of the Conclave captives had already been executed for attacking the Lord-Captain in the cells.

Not so late after the failure of negotiations, Dagmer af Jorikyr of Aberdenn came back from the forest despairing that the Conclave now had managed to capture Rauryk Aberdenn, after the proud Clansmen attempted to ambush the leaving party. With the release of the Caliphar denied until the Muster received their man back, Squire Reach took it upon herself to travel to the Transcendant Conclave in negotiation. While she was gone Rauryk returned to the village and turned to the Muster barracks, demanding the captives to be released. Reach followed not long afterwards with Axirion.

Ekaterin Nadia Dolokhova, Sergeant of the Muster and among the ones to help drive away the earlier assault, brought out the beaten Caliphar Alastar Constance from the Muster cells and let him go at the bridge. It's said that his passage to the Conclave was ensured to be safe by the Aberdenn.

It should have ended there. But just as the villagers caught their breath, rumours of argument between the Lord-Mayor and Lord-Captain began to drift around, the last of an on-going opposition between the two. The Lord-Captain refused to hand over the prisoner that was executed, whereas the Lord-Mayor insisted. As a pyre was being built atop the Last Keep, Reach's echoing voice thundered in the late night, proclaiming Volaunt had committed treason against her and Mistlocke. Just as the pyre holding the body of Consort Kirin was set alight, battle broke out between Volaunt and Reach atop the Last Keep. In the chaos a few of the gathered joined either side, while the majority stood stunned. Rauryk, Dagmer, Watcher Galen, Mustermen Axirion and Aazzedar joining Reach, Deputy-Mayor Emily Jacobson aiding Volaunt.

Ealdorman of the village and Lord-Captain, Edygaer Volaunt, fell at last under their blows. In the confusion former Lieutenant Harriet Thistlespike had managed to recover the burning body of the Consort. The Lord-Mayor had won her will and upheld her promise to the Conclave.

The following hour was spent in heated argument as accusations of treason for those who stood against the Lord-Mayor were announced preemptively, and speeches were held at the podium in the square. Deputy-Mayor Emily was among those that spoke most visibly against the recent action. It's said that those who fought on both sides were pardoned and that the Lord-Mayor is considering Rauryk for the now empty seat of Lord-Captain.

Mistlocke is in turmoil. What support decried for the office of the Mayor after pushing the Old Port refugees into the woods is slowly being eroded as they learn of the Ealdorman's demise. Many Mustermen speak harshly against their leader for killing their Captain to hand over an executed criminal to the Conclave, executed for attacking an Ealdorman and striking at men and officers of the Muster. Some villagers have begun to compare Reach to the reviled Redthorn.

Restless the village awaits the decisions to come from the office of the Mayor and the Council of Elders. All the while dwelling on the last announced words after the act by the Lord-Mayor. Squire Reach would stand for Mistlocke. She would keep them safe.

[Jayde Moon]

A stew of frustration, outrage, and bitterness simmers in the Mist-shrouded hamlet.  In the wake of the death, that some... most... say was 'murder', of the late Lord-Captain, more than half of the Muster have abandoned their posts.  Most notable amongst the missing peacekeepers are Volkmar Plowman and Jacey Steel-Eyes, long a fixture at the main gate to Mistlocke.

The Lord-Mayor's proclamation that 'Mustermen who had left their service had but 24 hours to return to duty or face consequences' rankled with the villagers and only more fully encouraged the mass desertion by displaying to those Mustermen on the fence that she was out of touch with the particulars of serving as on the Muster, that they were not her lapdogs serving at her whim.

With this heavy blow to the only visible law enforcement body in the town and surrounding forest, the results are already seen in a rise of banditry and theft, as well as an upswing in other dangers.  Fey and monster incursions even dare the village proper and more than a handful of villagers have been lost.

Support for the Mayor has reached an all time low amongst the village as many wonder if she truly has what is best for the people in her heart... or merely wishes to feed her own ego.

[ShadowCharlatan]

Tarsakh 9th, 1382 DR

After the great duel upon the bridge between Lord-Captain Harriet Thistlespike and Armsman Rauryk Aberdenn, the village settles into an uncomfortable wait as the Elder Council deliberates on the fate of the village.

The Elders have been seen, or heard, approaching their respective peoples to gain the village's opinion on what course to take. The Clans seem resolute, each deeply offended in one way or another - the deaths of Rauryk Aberdenn and the innocent Loughlin Aberdenn haunt the Aberdenn Hall with an air of bitterness and mourning... and the merchants associated with the Caermyn repeat the slights they have been dealt noisily as they hand over coins at the gates for the goods they are exporting. "She should have listened to us about those refugees...", "An export tax... pfah, obviously it was made just to pick Menaster's pockets. Who else exports?", "Can't believe she made him a Lieutenant in the Muster. He punched Gareth! Did you hear?"

The Elders' decision is thought to be very soon. Within several days, if not sooner. But while the Clans and perhaps other Elders await the last, deciding votes, it is said that the fighting in the city of Nebezzdos between Nightriser and Nightriser has died down... whatever the nature and purpose of the long disruption, it is now coming to an end.

[AKMatt]

Tarsakh 9th, 1382 DR

In the midst of a dismal evening rain, Squire Reach made her announcement that she was resigning as mayor of Mistlocke.  Emily Jacobson subsequently ordered her detainment so that she could stand trial for the murder of the late Captain Volaunt but the Squire had different plans.  Leaping from the bridge, she disappeared into the River Tear, swallowed by a murky cloud of sediment kicked up where she hit the river bottom.  Efforts to recover her corpse turned up nothing.

[Jayde Moon]

The Village reels in the wake of a vicious and bloodthirsty attack by the savages of the Forgotten Forest.  In the late hours of the day, several wildlings stormed the front gate, knocking the guard there flat and storming over the toll gate.  From there, they proceeded to indiscriminately murder whomever they found whilst seeking for those they claimed had assaulted and stolen from them: The Muster.

Amongst the dead were the now ever remembered names Joe, Mark, Mariana, and Sid, the last an Orderman who was kidnapped and then killed when the Deputy Mayor refused to hand over that which they claimed was stolen from them.

Coming after the suicide death of Mayor Reach, the incident is yet another example of instability in the Town.  While many applaud the efficiency of the new Lord-Captain and the handful of Mustermen she leads, it is apparent to all that the mass exodus of veteran defenders has still left the Village without suitable defense from attack.

The wildlings caught the village completely by surprise, while most of the current Mustermen were at their rest, after a long day of attending their duties.  Said to have been involved in the attack were a druid and a pack of wildlings seen about the village before:  Artemis Lyonal, Karisa Firehead, Mchawi the Shaman, and Jora Holang.

After the attack, they returned to announce that any 'retribution' would be visited back upon the village threefold.

Since then, a bounty was placed upon the heads of the attackers of 1000gp each and the man Jora Holang was taken and put to death.

Most villagers are pleased with the quick action taken by the undermanned Muster, further proof of the Lord Captain's competence, but some worry about the 'threefold retribution' that is certain to come.

[Gippy]

The village awakes to the news that respected Mayoral Candidate Emily Jacobson is dead. Having left her Muster escort, Elizabeth Claxton, at the Priory of the Numinous Order Emily Jacobson was struck down on the very bridge leading to Mistlocke. All accounts point to a very brief struggle in which not even a word from either side was choked out. The wounds were acid pitted and exotic and covered Emily Jacobson's back, meaning she did not even have time to turn and face her attacker.

Not an hour later there was rumors that a group of a dozen Musterman and Adventurers set out to capture the single Conclavist Nuberius Bhaalaruun whom they felt may have played a role on the attack. People whisper that the entire force was soundly defeated and after taking the life of a heckling Musterman arcanist the Clavist departed. The limping force came back in calling the woman some sort of dervish, a whirlwind, and a destroyer.

A frantic sending by Sgt Bebel of the Muster calling for war upon the Conclave was met with shuttered doors and frightened wailing from children. The people ask themselves: if just one of their warriors can do this to our guardians... is this a war we could win? Others make their way to their Elder's and make quiet requests that Bebel turn in his Sgt key and stop speaking for the Muster.

[Jayde Moon]

On the 26th day of Tarsakh in the year 1382 by Dale Reckoning, after an short election season that saw three candidates disqualified from the race for their state of being deceased, one of them assassinated on the very bridge into Mistlocke, General Secretary Estelline Nettlehatch called the village to gather in the square for the announcement of the Ninth Lord-Mayor of Mistlocke.

To the cheers of many gathered, the General Secretary announced that Caermyn Retainer Zoe Lisette would serve as the new Lord-Mayor of Mistlocke.  None of the other candidates were on hand for the announcement, the villagers believing that they did not bother as the result was a foregone conclusion.  Indeed, the Retainer won the election by a landslide 48% of the total votes, making her the most popular candidate at the time of voting since records were kept.

The results of the election were as follows:

Zoe Lisette -- 91
Lester Creevy -- 44
Yahsulah Zihayar -- 25
Jacob Moravi -- 19
Jomineroy Elkins -- 12

However, not all were pleased with the announcement.  Many in the Old Stones are stewing over the loss of their chosen candidate, [/i]Lester Creevy and turn to him for leadership in spite of the goings on in Mistlocke.  The Aberdenn scoff at the notion that a lackey of Menaster Caermyn can lead the village in any worthwhile way, steeling themselves for a mayoral term of graft, cronyism, and profiteering.

Several villagers recall the generally good mood after Squire Reach was installed as Lord-Mayor and are wary lest the popular vote once again prove to be disastrous for Mistlocke, the office seemingly blessed by Black Bess herself.

Anyone looking for a further glimpse of what the term would bring were disappointed, when the new Lord-Mayor, a woman more minded for sharp deals and sharp blades rather than charismatic words, gave a lackluster victory speech upon the pronouncement.  Yet, words are not what Mistlocke needs, several point out, hoping that perhaps a level of pragmatism might come with Lisette.

With much to repair, only time will tell whether history recalls the deeds of the new Lord-Mayor or forgets her entirely.

[Howlando]

Rumor spreads of a large assault conducted by Nightriser raiders against the Transcendent Conclave's floating Enclave. Explanations for how the ancient bones were able to go so far from their ruins vary, but what is known is that Mistlocke villagers were essential in defending the Chains that tether the great structure to the earth.