Chapter 5 - EFU: City of Rings Rumors & Gossip Thread

Started by Howlando, January 20, 2019, 05:51:39 AM

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Dillusionist

It has been a tumultuous few weeks in Ticker Square. Magnus the Manslayer, now with a 35,000 groat bounty to his name, bought low the beloved Laura Bucklebeak and Wilbert Thornspike. Meanwhile throngs of brave, avaricious, and immensely stupid adventurers – including the once beloved Captain Adamantine – have thrown their lives to fate at the Feast and lost. But with the loss of so many long-standing Pillars of Ticker Square, new opportunities present themselves...

Today, the sharp, youthful voice of Oscar Tchammorar rang out through Ring Ninety Nine--

QuoteCity Sending by Guildmaster Oscar Tchammorar : Ahem! With the unfortunate retirement of Laura Buckbeak? Bucklebeak! And the sad, sad fate of Antoine o` Hara, known to you all as Captain Adamantine [He pauses, sounding almost sad...] Both the Ticker Square Apothecary, and Hall, are now vacant. I encourage the ambitious, enterprising, and daring among us to join the Merchant's Guild and claim these properties.

City Sending by Guildmaster Oscar Tchammorar : For that matter, the owners of ALL properties under Merchant Guild protection shall submit to the Guildmasters a report of your activities and verification you are still alive, and not simply using our beautiful square as some warehouse. Fail to do so within ONE WEEK and you shall lose protection of the Guild.

City Sending by Guildmaster Oscar Tchammorar : And lastly, I ask that Stone Builders be -extra vigilant- in the matter of removing riffraff and miscreants, from these properties. That shall be all.

SkillFocuspwn

A dark and terrible night in Ring 99, with the curse of Tchun set on. It started with a chill wind and a panic spread through the people even before anything stirred; but before long, a series of ominous whispers from the insidious Doctor Mench, long known and feared as the right hand of Magnus the Manslayer, who had been defeated in a duel mere days before. Having seemingly taken over a Doorkeeper's headquarters, she spoke of the terrible ailment that afflicted the Ring, and announced triumphantly and madly that she had defeated death itself and now came to bring salvation to all.

What followed was a night of terror; the sleeping dead marched upon the Peerage Ward from the Ponds while the beasts and outcasts fled and hid, even climbing out of the Druthers to assail the brave band that held the tide. Horrors stitched together by the doctor and sinister shadows routed and slew many of the defenders, but many of the Peerage's finest warriors, and even the distant Arbiters, stood their ground and saw an end to the invasion.

With the creatures finished, those who yet stood sought to bring the Mad Doctor to justice; marching upon the Manslayer's old manor, there they were met with his headless corpse made animate, Mench's last defender, and fell into a final struggle in which, even with the Doctor unconscious, her abomination fought on, taking the combined might of all those present to defeat.

Though she was finally defeated, it seemed the madness of Tchun persisted; as they dragged her to the Peerage Ward to be hanged, it is said that Errilam the Viper was overcome with infernal bloodlust and in cold blood butchered a Squire of Glitt, before sending a mocking letter to the House gloating about how much he enjoyed the murder. Many have lost any faith whatsoever in the Knight and whisper that he has lost himself to Tchun's sleeping madness just as the Mad Doctor did, though few are brave enough to say them to his face...

Dillusionist

Resentment toward the Stonebuilders had been stewing in Ticker Square for quite some time. With the robbery of merchants in broad daylight, and the rampages of Magnus the Manslayer and other Orza Enforcers, the competence of the strong men of Ticker Square had long been in question. The five guildmasters of Ticker Square made known their own thoughts on the matter:

QuoteCity Sending by Guildmaster Oscar Tchammorar : Quite honestly the protection Ticker Square has received over the past few months has been -disgraceful.- Merchants are robbed in the streets, one to the point he is even afraid to open his sad little shop. Geriatric nobles cloying at relevancy send their thugs at our merchants pretending to go to war. It has been irksome. Your pretty coins are safe in my Vault, but where would I be without your valued patronage? I am simply thrilled to announce the Ticker Square Guarding Contract shall is now up for review.

City Sending by Guildmaster Silas Sparrowbroth :Thank you... Oscar. The Merchants Guild will be making a FORMAL announcement in the Chamber of Commerce atop our Guildhall. It will be in fifteen minutes. Ticker Square is invited to hear us out.

A tense meeting was held. In one month's time the five guild masters would put the question of who stands guard at Ticker Square to vote. They touched briefly on what it would take to earn their vote, and a public forum erupted. The Butchers and Stone Builders emerged as the main contenders for the contract. Solomon Krowne, a former lieutenant of Orza, made the bold claim only his Butchers could could stop the tide of Peerage influence and grizzly perversions of Ruul Velstra. But the Stonebuilders told a different story, one of overlooked victories at the dispensary, kindness toward the awakened, and common heroism in the face of the Nephezar's coterie of inbreds.

How these Guilds expect to earn the favor of all five Guildmasters remains to be seen. Oscar Tchammorar of the Adamantine Vault has created a competition of who can collect the most debt on his behalf, from Ticker and Peer alike. The Daughter of Walda Webber suggested her mother has an interest in the beautification of the citizen and its culture, and that the salvage of Prestigious relics would be much welcome...

The surprise of the evening was the arrival of the elven brightmage Amonkas Inaran. The wizard boasted of the victories and martial prowess of Ticker's elven population, most notably their recent defense of the Adamantine Vault against a planar invasion. This comes at a time where the Temple of the Lady of the Moon, the cornerstone of elvish culture in the ward, was tasked by the Guild with recovering the golden prosthesis of one Adrian Winespill. Some do whisper that elves only care for their own, and this is merely a gambit to avert conflict with the Peerage. It is unknown how the elves of Ticker shall organize themselves, but the prowess of the fair folk is not in question...

SkillFocuspwn

An open brawl erupted in Ticker Square last eve following some business on behalf of the Cheese Baron Khur Uld, who is said to have for some reason confronted a group of Stonebuilders. Tempers rose, with insults flung on both sides, until at the Baron's insistence the Butchers intervened and chaos broke out. In the aftermath, the Stonebuilders are widely believed to have emerged triumphant, knocking down both Uld's guards and their rivals the Butchers before retreating to their headquarters.

The Builders stand triumphant for now, though with a Guildmaster now set against them, many in the Square whisper of an inevitable comeuppance; Khur Uld is a Dwarf not known for mercy or rising above petty slights, and already the Baron's thugs are seen roaming the Square more frequently, jeering and threatening the Stonebuilder enforcers who guard it. Most believe more violence in the coming days is all but a certainty.

Dillusionist

It has been two weeks since the announcement of the reevaluation of the Ticker Guarding Contract. Much to everyone's surprise, and delight or disappointment depending on who you ask, the competition between Guilds has been shockingly civil and with few street-brawls. But it has been an eventful two weeks, with much weighing on the minds of the minds' of Guild masters and Tickerfolk:


  • Despite inferior numbers the Butchers have demonstrated remarkable ferocity and resourcefulness. The minions of Solomon Krowne have twice humiliated the Peerage. First they forced Ruul Velstra to withdraw his grizzly bounty upon dwarf, elf, and gnome body-parts by ransoming an heirloom of the House. Following that they were said to have saved a number of elves from the clutches of Velstra and Nephezar after an ill-fated brawl. Such victories, coupled by their dogged pursuit of debtors to the Adamantine Vault, have won them the favor of Guildmasters Uld and Tchammorar.

  • The Stonebuilders have won fewer victories than the Butchers for certain, but have begun to show some signs of reformation and professionalism thanks to the efforts of Manus Opalstone. Many builders eager to flex muscles for groats have been expelled from their ranks. Most notable was the mason Arto, popular among the common folk of Ticker, and renown for his feud with Doctor Soppira Hinkley. The mason was later killed under questionable circumstances when the halfling apothecary hired the Butcher Santiago Lopez for protection. The Stonebuilders were said to have been fair and measured in bringing them to justice. The Builders' seem to have the favor of Walda Webber for their efforts in preserving the City's history and culture.

  • There was much excitement surrounded the declaration that the elves of Ticker would form a company and guard the square. Sadly, such a thing has not come to pass and there are few hints they ever plan to organize. It is said the elves have entered into a three-way war with House Velstra and Nephezar over the fate of the wizard warrens. For now it seems the Temple of the Lady of the Moon is more concerned with appeasing Guildmaster Tchammorar than the contract.

The opinions of Silas Sparrowbroth, owner of the Opener Door, remain a mystery. Pleasant but tight-lipped he has declared for neither Guild yet. Some say he shall base his evaluation on their performance in the upcoming Ticker Tournament. But will such frivolities really prove the Butchers or Stonebuilders more suitable as protectors?

Pigadig

Though there were many conflicting narratives about what came to pass in recent days, what is known for certain is this: that Ruul Velstra managed to obtain the Ritual Stone of the Court Wizard Tower from deeper within the Rings, and that he intended to use it for some ritual involving the condemned and haunted Oldspyre in the Peerage Ward.

What occured when he started his ritual however, is well known to all.

It began with a fantastical display of wizardry enveloping Oldspyre as Ruul seemingly attempted to create his own wizard tower within the Peerage Ward. Whatever once haunted Oldspyre has been exterminated and the building would certainly be fit for habitation if what had followed had not occured. For it is said that soon after the cleansing of Oldspyre that Ruul lost control of his ritual and instead of creating a new tower, he somehow instead managed to summon the old one... tearing a hole in the fabric of reality between the two Rings in doing so...

Through these rifts in reality also came strange beings of faint form that hungered for the living, proceeding to attack all the gaping onloookers to Ruul's folly - all the while, high above them, the broken and shattered form of Isiratuu Tower floated above them, raining rubble down onto the Peerage Ward. It is said that through the rift, all of Ring 99 could hear the screams of agony and fear of the residents of Ring 93, as they clearly suffered the brunt of the invasion of the strange creatures.

Out of this chaos appeared a strange magical projection, that of a giant head. Condemning Ruul for his wreckless destruction of the City, the projection announced itself as one of the King's Architects and proceeded to imprison Ruul within a magical sphere, cursing him to remain in place until the damage he had wrought to Ring 93 was completely repaired. In an incredible display of power it then proceeded to close the rift that had opened and reformed the fragmented and shattered floating remnants of the Court Wizard's Tower into a staff that subsequently disappeared...

Though the damage to Ring 99 was repaired, the departure of the projection and news from Ringrunners made clear that Ring 93 has been severely damaged and continues to be plagued by the rift that is slowly consuming it and all nearby living beings. It is unclear as to how, or even if, the destruction there could be repaired or ended.

One final mystery was resolved later the same day however, with the Royal Herald announcing that the Court Wizard's Tower, now know by its old name of Warrenwatch, would be placed as a grand prize at the end of a Certamen Tourney to occur in the future - for the King long ago decreed that there must be a Court Wizard, and therefore there would be one.

Many wizards, initially frightened and turning to hiding after the destruction wrought by their colleague, Ruul Velstra, have subsequently re-emerged - their greed ignited by the possibilities of the staff of Warrenwatch. Some frenzied rumours spread speculation suggesting that it is not just a staff of great power, but perhaps a key to somewhere, or something... perhaps to another plane, perhaps to a great treasure, or perhaps to another version of the Tower itself. Whatever the truth, only the new Court Wizard will be able to say...

Dillusionist

A brawl between Butchers and Stonebuilders has errupted into Ticker Square. The merchant Maldon Kirkland, and several Butchers, were seen marching on the Adventurer's Mart with the intent to evict Ted Shopkeepson. Ted had been tasked by the Merchant's Guild of doing -anything- significant enough to make the Front Page of the Rumor Mill, but failed to deliver. All were expecting his quiet eviction on Saturday. But Maldon and Butchers came Thursday.

A brawl errupted in Ticker square when "Sorcerer Lyon" and Stonebuilders loyal to Ted stormed the shop, retreated, and were pursued by the boystrous Alexander Tallstag and Rivirsh Amblerblade.

The cause of the brawl remains unclear. Some say it was because Maldon failed to present documents indicating Klink had allowed him to evict Ted early. Others report the temperamental Stonebuilder known as "Sorcerer Lyon" ignored the document, or simply was unable to read. There are whispers the eviction notice was a cheap forgery, or some stunt by Klink to cause confusion in the name of the news.

"Dumb oafs might be good for laying bricks, but if you can't read and mess up orders you have no business at guard duty." - Gawking shopper

"Ted made all the right moves. He was good to those Stonebuilders, even paid his way into the Guild, and what did it get him? Lord Norbert and Lady Sunpurse wouldn't do that..." - Anonymous Tickersman

"That Tallstag boy is a menace! Gave my son a whole box of cigars. And matches to light them! Is this what Krowne's men stand for?" - Fretful mother

Dillusionist

After a series of brazen assaults on merchants of Ticker Square, the Guildmasters had declared they would be looking for a new mercenary company to guard Ticker Square. Interested mercenary companies were given one month to impress the guildmasters and secure the contract. The Butchers' and Stonebuilders' guilds emerged as the frontrunners of the race, with the Elves of the Luminous Order a distant third.

The hour of the vote now soon approaches. It seems so far Guildmasters Tchammaror and Uld are for the Butchers. Walda Webber has been quite silent through the entire affair, her daughter Valentine offering polite thank yous now and again to the Stonebuilders for their efforts to beautify and preserve the square and City. Sparrowbroth appears undecided. Stonebuilders proved their prowess in the Ticker Tournament, and the Butchers managed to recover a rare vintage he coveted. Klink, similary, has kept her mouth shut. Perhaps she is impressed by neither, or simply holding her tongue until the final day...

The sudden expulsion of Manus Opalstone hangs heavily over the Stonebuilders, however. Despite his interest in masonry over mercenary work the dwarf garnered a reputation for being level-headed and fairminded during his tenure as assistant foreman. His loyalties came into question after aiding the Arbiters against the elven seer Teniluae Saefril.  The spirit of the masons seems to have broken since, and not recovered...

Dillusionist

The Guildmasters have met and a vote was cast. Solomon Krown and his Butcher's Guild shall now serve as defenders of Ticker Square:

  • Baron Kur Uld voted for the Butchers for ending Ruul Velstra's strange bounty on dwarf-beards. Uld took the time to emphasize anyone caught consorting with the Rat Queen, a grave threat to the Baron's cheese stores, would be forever banished from Ticker Square unless they return with her severed tail.
  • In upset the flustered daughter of Walda Webber, for whom the Stonebuilders have done extraordinary work, cast her vote for the Butchers instead. This was only after offering the masons a sizeable grant of her own money. The usual cheery Valentina Webber fainted into her chair soon after.
  • A bored and slouched Oscar Tchammorar said "Butchers" in the middle of a yawn.
  • Klink held an impromptu vote of Tickerfolk to decide who her's went to.
  • A smiling Silas Sparrowbroth thought both guilds did very well, then abstained as his vote did not matter.

Grinning Wolfishly, Solomon Krown and his men departed the guildhall to celebrate for one night before beginning their duties. It is said Krown simply spent the evening brooding, smoking a cigar and sharpening his cleaver. The usual jovial Foreman Burnside, nervous and sweating, trudged with the Stonebuilders to their guildhall in silence. A number of prominent Stonebuilders, known more as thugs and adventurers than masons, seem to have left the guild entirely. Some worry what will become of so many now unemployed strong men...

***

Shortly after the vote Manus Opalstone lead a march Pauper Ponds to capture the Rat Queen and take control of the Old Manor. There was a great brawl joined by Tickerfolk, Pondsfolk, Elves, and Arbiters. Now, the cursed manor sits in the hands of the former Stonebuilder and Arbiter Duncan Lovejoy is dead at the hands of the Rat Queen. Rumors and accusations begin to fly about who fought on behalf of whom...

Flyers begin to appear in the open door...

Pigadig

Word quickly spreads that the long awaited, or feared, Tourney of the Peerage has come about again. This time with a twist. It seems that the mysterious Architects have somehow beseeched the Royal Court and seen fit to punish the Peerage for the mess made by Ruul Velstra with regards to Ring 93 and his failed ritual. Or at least, that is how many residents of Ring 99 are interpreting matters.

Regardless, it seems now that not only is the Grand Tourney of Ring 99 now open to all within the Ring, but also it seems so too is the Banner of the Peerage up for grabs. With House Velstra's rise from complete joke to now-weakening powerhouse coinciding almost entirely with the late Sir Errilam Winespill's grand victory in the most recently held Tourney, greedy eyes from all walks of life look forward to obtaining the Banner for their own purposes and desires.

Yet, perhaps the one spanner in the works is the identity of the strange new host for the Tourney. An unfriendly, drunken fop of a gnome whose last event held in Ring 99 was the disaster of the Certamen Tourney - where a battle to declare the Court Wizard of Ring 93 ended up being won by an elf with no magical powers. The Gods, and perhaps the King, alone know what sort of farce the upcoming event might descend to at this rate...

ShadowCharlatan

Tensions in Ticker Square are rising as the remnants of the Stonebuilder's Guild troubles Ticker Town with protests and blockades. After the recent speech from Foreman Burnside, the struggling guild has been busy. Rumours spread of Stonebuilders seeking work throughout Ring 99, in all sorts of places, from all sorts of people. Meanwhile, those tired of trying to quench their thirst at dry wells have turned to wallowing and bloody-mindedness. They despair for how their lives have turned out, or lay blame on Merchant, Butcher, or other figures around Ticker who helped decide on the contract.

Today, Stonebuilders led by Alharim Khora blockaded the Merchants Guildhall with boulders and rubble. For now, the Butchers seem reluctant to get involved, and the Merchants Guild is far from caving to the Stonebuilders. A few Rumour Mill reporters question Stonebuilders about what the guild actually wants, hearing only a litany of mumbled complaints and desires for assistance. Few of the working men and women can articulate clear demands. Nevertheless, the wretched mood among the Builders shows no sign of abating, and all sides are only hardening in their stances.

Pigadig

The Grand Tourney has finished leaving all with an unsurprising result - except for the manner in which it was obtained. Old House Sunpurse holds the Banner of the Peerage once more, as they have many times in the past. Yet it is doubtful that it has ever been claimed through such means as this tourney.

The Least Fool lived up to his reputation however, with the gnome delivering farcical scenes throughout the entirety of the tourney.

First to come was the sight of the Shootout, ostentibly meant to be a display of skill and talent in archery. It instead devolved into a display of magical supplies and talents as various spellcasters of all types proceeded to outdo archers who had been pulling bowstrings their entire lives. From the rubble of this display however emerged a victor, one Sastan Highsworn, an elf who surprisingly declared that his victory would go towards House Sunpurse. Rumours abound that the likely source of this is the fact that a group of elves have taken to squatting in the Sunpurse Manor of Ring 98...

Following this came the Brawl, an event that saw some thirty odd contestants squeezed into a small section of land and told to fight one another. Chaos inevitably ensued, with some unexpected results as otherwise strong contenders for the victory were mobbed and swarmed down into the sand. Yet, in the end, a victor emerged who had managed to avoid such a swarming - one Sargon Zuadaram-Sin, Retainer of House Orza, who obviously declared for his House. Sadly the Retainer did not live many more days after his victory, likely assassinated in a fit of pique by competitors attempting to prevent his futher participation in the tourney.

Finally, on the first day of the tourney came the Joust, an event that should've been a martial spectacle... became instead a farce. As the Least Fool screamed at those who complained however - he had been sent, not a knight. As such the display involved: a love story between an elven runner and a hairdresser of Ticker Square; Sargon Zuadaram-Sin carrying his steed into battle; a wizard reciting poetry as they flailed ineptly with their lance - until, at long last, a victor was declared by the Fool. Lance Huxley, Retainer of House Sunpurse, who declared for the same, was named champion of the Joust for striking a final blow via throwing his lance at the competition.

So ended the first day of competition with House Sunpurse on two victories to House Orza's one.

The second day commenced with the Melee, whereby the audience was greeted with the sight of teams of warriors facing off four at a time... while being painted garish colours for the Least Fool's amusement. Through the many twists and turns of this event, where strong contenders such as the Devils of Ticker Square and House Orza eventually felled each other, the ones to rise from the ashes were none other than a team from House Sunpurse - Retainers Lance Huxley, Antoine Durand and Veradith Durothal together proclaimed their victory for their House, though there was some initial confusion, thanks to Retainer Durand's womanising, that perhaps he had declared instead for House Glitt...

Afterwards came the Magebrawl, where many demonstrated skill, luck and talent, while others displayed a distinct lack of all three. From the amazing come-from-behind victory in the initial round of House Glitt's broken old janitor-wizard, through many displays of overdressed ponces slipping about in puddles of grease, the battles of the arcane raged. A rivalry was even sparked between the Inquisitor of Ring 97 and a wizard of House Sunpurse - one that was fated to end a few days later when the Inquisitor beat the man to death with his bare hands. Eventually a victor was declared, one Vai`cairn of the semi-stable seam of Teohoto became victor through his effective use of the elements. Strangely however, even he declared for House Sunpurse, leading many to ponder exactly how much planning the House had put into possible outcomes for this tourney.

Finally came the Duels. Though the Banner had already been won by House Sunpurse by this point, even the Least Fool took them seriously. There were many brave deaths this day, from contestants who either refused to yield or were not swift enough to do so. By the end of it, two contestants faced off - Genovalio de Rossa of House Glitt, who had cut down a number of friends and acquaintences who had refused to yield in a fight... against Janne the Ogre of House Orza, who had mercilessly slain all opponents except for a very, very lucky Lance Huxley who narrowly avoided being smeared into paste. In the end however, it was the mighty Janne who triumphed in the final duel, proclaiming his victory for his House - House Glitt being forced to drag their lifeless champion off to the Shrine of Waters to beg for mercy from the Gods.

In the end the overall result was House Sunpurse with four events and House Orza with two. The Reeve of Sunpurse has subsequently been seen in public talking proudly of the three victories of House Sunpurse... conspicuously not mentioning the event won for them by an elf. What House Sunpurse will do with the Banner remains to be seen, and though there were many twists, turns and a variety of possible outcomes (after all, this was the first Tourney where non-Peers could've declared their victory for organisations other than the Peers) for this Grand Tournament of Ring 99, tradition triumphed in the end.

When the next tourney shall occur and whether the Least Fool shall still be in charge of it however is anyone's guess.

Howlando

Rumors spread of the coming of a large group of escaped slaves clad in rags and broken chains who escaped from a large and dangerous settlement of Lizardfolk located distantly on the Canal of Ring 97.

According to some, the Lizardfolk will doubtless soon be coming to look for their former slaves and whatever they may have escaped with....

Howlando

Rumors speak of the coming of an armada of Lizardfolk that has docked in the long-abandoned Old Harbor of Ring 97. From the largest of the Sauriod Travel Barges disembarked the richly robed and bespectacled Emissary Ks'k.

Ks'k sought audience with the notables and grandees of Ring 99, and in turn large numbers of important representatives from Ticker Square, the Peerage, and Pauper Ponds came for a meeting.

Quote from: The EmissaryGreetings, warmbloods! Greetings, respected denizens of Ring 99! I bring to you the most cordial salutations of Master Szka'zul, servant of our Sublime Empress, and reprentative of her will in these lands.

He bids me deliver to you a message, which I will do so now.

We understand our custom of enslavement is odious to you, but I assure you - many of your customs are equally deplorable to my kind!

Master Szka'zul is anxious that further bloodshed be avoided, and he bids me travel here so that a peace can be realized....

He requires, above all else, the return of these gemstone fragments.

The return of the slaves would also be welcome.

He bids me offer the cold hand of friendship if you will accept this arrangement.

But also a warning...

You people are not united, and few in number.

Regrettably, if the slaves and shards are not returned....

... my Master will find it necessary to unleash....

Warlord Yozkhiss.

His legions will burn and devastate your Ring.

Thankfully, today it is I - Emissary Kz'k that comes! With all good will.

Now, I ask you.... what is your response?

And some of the responses...

Quote from: Mairead GlittUm, uh, House Glitt will, um, do whatever we can to make you go away.

Quote from: Grace d'OttavianiWe cannot tolerate the return of slaves.. but to return what was stolen of you in exchange for preventing war.. that seems reasonable.

Quote from: Druss Ironstone of the ArbitersThe Cube has weathered worse than the ire o' a pack of lizards who refuse to accept their time has passed.

Quote from: Claudian SadalfusIs the blood of Dorvant and his heroes cowed by lizardmen? Let us see these monsters dead.

Quote from: Guildmaster Oscar Tchammorar of Ticker SquareMy best minds have several times reviewed and calculated the impacts of your fallen race's temporary rule. Vain unproductive construction projects, unnecessary cruelty and practices of enslavement, rigid unmoving hierarchies.

Your small brained species led to nothing but dissipation and waste, and your demands are as laughable as your threats are empty. The wealth of your age was produced by the men and beasts you enslaved, and still today you are nothing without the slaves who have fled you.

It is becoming that your treasures have fled into our lands, the Ring of 99, and there they will stay.

The Guildmasters of the Merchants Guild will richly reward the one who delivers the gemstones into the possession of the Adamantine Vault, by raising them to become a fellow Guildmaster.

Baron Uld is said to have inquired as to how much the Lizardfolk would offer for the gemstone-shards. Then announcing:
Quote from: Barond UldFREE CHEESE FOR LIFE, for whoever assembles these gems for me! Hear that? Beat that, Peers!

Quote from: Outis of the PondsYou made a mistake in coming here, I am sorry to say. 

You could have just been a myth, a whisper from a bunch of bedraggled new folk spouting half-truths. I doubt anyone would have listened, that is frequent enough here.

The free folk at this end of the Rings did not know you existed, but now we do. We know, now, that newly awakened are falling into your nets, becoming slaves, even as we speak.

And for those of us who matter - not these gilded lillies and groat hoarders - I assure you, this will not just be a matter of your lost treasures, or escaped slaves.

The war may start here, but it will end on top of your ziggurats. We will not rest until your community renounces it slavery, or is dispersed to the four winds.

Quote from: Reeve Jodfry a'ValarI wish to offer you my assurances, Emissary, that -- should your people find it necessary to breach our Ring...

We of the House Sunpurse, and the Peerage Ward, will ensure to make all the traditional arrangements.

Courtesy is key, and we value our history highly...

...And I think we have a mantel that would just fit you.

After negotiations, the Emissary announced that he would remain in his barge for seven more days to receive stolen gemstone. After which point, the Warlord would come.

What will happen to the gemstone fragments of the Eye of the Serpent?

How will the disunited residents of Ring 99 face the coming of that most ancient of old enemies?


Howlando

In recent days it is known that the Commons and Ponds were disturbed by the shocking presence of a huge, baleful, and enraged Spider Demon from the darkest webbed pits of the lower hells.

According to rumor, the demon was summoned by the master artificer Eowadra Te`fer in an act of vengeance against the feared Inquisitor Xvim who was responsible for the killing of the Elf Priest Sastan.

The battle raged for a time across Rings 99 and 98, until - at last - Inquisitor Xvim was able to kill the elf-artificer with a spell and... after long, grueling battle.... the Spider Demon was eventually dispatched by a huge crowd of adventurers from Ring 99.

Among people of the Peerage, there is some talk of the latest Inquisitor; and many speak approvingly of his aggressive chastisement of the changelings of the Ponds who have lately been responsible for the killing of several well respected retainers of the Noble Houses. Many say that too many changelings have grown over bold with their forbidden practices and that the tolerance of such is certain to bring the displeasure of the King.

Among Ticker, opinion is more mixed; with some declaring that the summoning of the Demon only proves the untrustworthy ways of the changelings and those who choose to dwell in the disreputable Paupers' Ponds. Others, however, say that the Inquisitor has been too zealous; and that with a Lizardfolk invasion perhaps mere days away it is more important that the Ponds and communities of Ring 99 broker some kind of peace.

In Paupers Ponds itself, word spreads among those who dwell by the campfire of a reward for any who would succeed in slaying the feared Inquisitor and cast his body to sink among the reeds....