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

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

Previous topic - Next topic

Ironside

What began as a summons to speak of peace ended in bitterness, and death.  The Merchants Guild of Ticker Square assembled to lay down a plan of defense against the looming threat of the Sibilant Remnant, only for violence to slip in and make the proceedings it's own.

Amidst the pouring rains, the Butchers guild and their ofttimes benefactor Maldon Kirkland pursued an alleged traitor from the halls.  As they stood over the broken and bleeding Beodda Aethwin, they proclaimed that he had been guilty of treason -- that he had conspired to secret away a shard of the Sibilant's precious gemstone somewhere deep in the rings, where Solomon Krown and his Butchers could not reach.   Before they could finish their sentencing, a crowd began to form - and a host of objectors led by Stonebuilder Buck Wambles let their own accusations fly -- that Solomon and Kirkland are allied with dark powers, and that they are servants of Devils and Knaves and a dozen other damnable things.

In a violent clash between Stonebuilder and Butcher, the infamous devil-blood Verata Bosque struck a keening blow and buried her axe deep into the long-time servant of the people -- and Wambles fell, his neck severed near end to end, never again to rise.

The Stonebuilders have taken their dead and murmur promise of revenge.  The Butchers relish their victory, as drunk on bloodshed as kinder men might be on wine.  Banished from the square, the hero Beodda licks his wounds -- the Stonebuilder's sacrifice having bought him time to flee.  Fiendish powers grip tight Ticker's heart and soul... and all the Ring wonders what new terrors tomorrow may bring.



Howlando

Accounts spread of a terrible battle against the Lizardfolk of Szk'zul in the Old Harbor of the Grand Canal on Ring 97.

It is said that the Ironbuckle Mercenary Company, specialists in siege weaponry, were hired to prevent the Lizardfolk Armada from landing on the docks.

It is said  that a large contingent of Ticker-folk, Pondsmen, independent mercenaries and adventurers, and a handful of scattered Peers bravely fought as the Lizard armies swept in to claim the docks.

The battle raged on, but all the while the vast majority of the soldiers and retainers of the Peerage... did not come. With their offers of alliance and cooperation against the Lizardfolk spurned, the proud peers instead decided to host a grand feast in Velstra Vale.

As men and women died on the docks, the Peers made merry.

As the siege weapons were taken, the Peers partied.

And as the Old Docks were completely overrun... the Peers enjoyed the catchy tunes of a tambourine and clapped along.

In the end, utterly outnumbered and outmatched, the defenders of the docks were forced to retreat into the Muckboy's Ward and driven nearly to the Ponds.

Desperate the save their home, the Muckboys had placed a large supply of alchemical explosives along the unsteady wall of the breach leading from the Old Canal into their ward. It is said that there was a final act of sacrifice in which CEYRIOS ALWENWYLD blew the bombs, collapsing the breach... and preventing the Lizardfolk advance.

The Lizardfolk armies have been temporarily halted, although there can be no doubt that with a little time they will dig out the breach and continue their steady advance towards Ring 99.

Howlando

According to rumor, the Bloodbeard Gang - working directly on behalf of Baron Uld - disrupted the uneasy peace of Ticker Square and committed an act of brazen and shocking robbery..... breaking the door down Mr. Krown`s butchery itself and making off with a large, sealed safebox.

Mr Krown, away at the time for a meeting, has been seen stalking through the square in a rage. Violence has, however, been averted after a series of sendings from Guildmistress Webber herself. But there can be no doubt that Butcher Krown will neither forgive nor forget.

Meanwhile - there is the soft, distant booming sounds of explosive charges..... as the Lizardfolk Army blasts away the last of the rubble impeding their progress... delaying their campaign of conquest.

There can be no doubt that Ring 98 and Ring 99 will face the advance of the Armies of Szka`zul all too soon.

// Shooting for around 3:00 PM EST Saturday 9/28 //

Howlando

Not since the age of heroes has Ring 99 since as much violence and epic battle as has occurred this day.

The piles of the dead lizardfolk are heaped ten high, the acrid stench of their burning corpses fills the Commons. Tales of the battle and the great heroism of those who did battle  fills the reverent and awe-struck people of Ticker and Peerage both; the folk of each ward more accustomed to tales of back-alley knifings or brutal accounts  of single combat duels. Only in crumpled and damaged tales of heroism and the old fantastical stories are writ the legends of such immense and exhausting epic battle.

It is said -

That the Lizardfolk, led by the Warlord Yozkhiss  himself, claimed the Ponds after terrible and terrific battle - but its residents simply hid away.

It is said -

That the Stonebuilders blocked the gate from the Ponds to the Commons with huge mounds of stones, forcing the Lizardfolk to go around through the Mongrelwoods and the gate of the peers or risk significant delay.

It is said -

That an emissary of the Lizardfolk sought permission from the people of the Peerage to pass through their lands and around into the Commons. But that the lesser envoy was simply murdered, and the general scene descended into wild battle.

It is said -

That the Lizardfolk pushed through the Peerage, forced the Peers back to their gate, and managed to send the bulk of their forces into the Commons from that direction.

It is said -

That after terrible battle, the Commons were claimed, and scaled feet trod upon Royal Plaza once more.

It is said -

That Warlord Yozkhiss entered into the Open Door, and faced with the threat of complete destruction, Guildmaster Uld - despite the howling protests of the tavern's defenders - turned over the shards to the titanic lizard.

It is said -

That the huge Warlord took the stones and withdrew to the Canals, pursued all the while. With renewed energy the defenders of Ticker and a fresh battalion of Peers led by Maximillian Orza followed the juggernaut of a Lizardfolk; a terrible and running battle from the Commons to the docks of the Old Harbor.

At the last moment, moments before being cut down from ten thousand wounds, the huge Warlord flung the sack of shard-fragments to a waiting Lizardfolk vessel. There the tiny Emissary Ks'k collected the shard and watched with cold reptilian eyes as the Warlord was cut down and its head removed.

The little emissary offers a bow to the frustrated people of 99 on the shore, and gave  orders for his vessel to depart home - to return to the Ziggurats of Szka`zul.

Tensions continue to run high between the Wards, and the people of Ring 99 are exhausted with horrific battle and one further tale of how one final gemstone shard was collected from the dead dwarves-smith Vargot and spirited away to the Peerage.

Meanwhile, a solitary female figure is found nailing a sign to a stake within the Commons itself....

SkillFocuspwn

It is an uneasy time in Ticker Square. Over the past few months, with the introduction of Ib'javi the Unbound and the Butcher's acquisition of the guard contract, tensions have been high between the various powers and brawls have broken out often between the Butchers, the Builders and Uld's private mercenaries, the Bloodbeards, including most recently two attacks on the same day, both centred around a representative of the Unbound. Worse still, rumours of Knave involvement is common on many lips; many accusing either the Butchers or the Bloodbeards of being in league with them and assisting them in open robbery and murder in the streets of the Square, most notably of the ex-Knave Maldon Kirkland.

Public opinion on the Butchers is low; many see them as having done little but protect their own power since becoming guards of the Square, and the brazen assault upon their headquarters by the Bloodbeards in recent days proving to many their incapability of even protecting themselves. Though some support them for their hardline stance against the Peerage, many more question them and the Guildmasters' decision to give them the contract; only the intimidating presence of their men stationed around the Square quiets the whispers.

The Stonebuilders are not doing much better, however; with many of their number leaving the Guild without stable pay and more still engaged in acts of protest, they are a shell of their former selves; and of those who remain, their loyalty to Ticker Square is doubted by many. Their harbouring of the divisive Beodda Aethwin and the more recent brazen acts of violence in the streets against the representative of Ib'javi has left them with a few supporters, but many more who once viewed them as a staple of the Square now discussing them as anarchists and vandals.

Behind all this, the Guildmasters are silent; after Webber's unpopular support of Uld's surrender of the gem fragments, nothing more has been heard from her, and Tchammorar stirs not from behind the heavy doors of his vault. The people feel unprotected, vulnerable and ignored while the political feuds erupt into bloodshed around them.

It is an uneasy time in Ticker Square indeed; and an unstable one.

SkillFocuspwn

Ticker Square is abuzz with rumours after last night when the Wakefield Detective Agency, hired and aided by a group of Planar Prospectors, returned one of Belacq's travelling companions from imprisonment within the Seams. Zelia N'dare, known to the Square's older residents as a deadly warrior and matchless planar explorer, has only been back a day and already caused quite a stir.

The Stonebuilders have been given a new contract renovating the Prospecting Hall; as she recovers within, a steady stream of visitors have been seen coming and going, including Valentina Webber herself. Supposedly she has called back every Prospector in preparation for a meeting in a few days time, a meeting whose topic has become the subject of much gossip across all of Ring 99. While many think she is looking for a new crew to continue her jaunts, others suggest she intends to reform the Guild into an active presence in the Square; though those who knew her and her reputation from before her disappearance laugh at the idea of the fearsome planar pirate entering into politics.

What will come to pass is uncertain; but for a volatile Ticker Square, the addition of yet one more unstable element is keenly felt. To all, it is plainly obvious; change is upon the wind.

Ironside

A time of relative calm is giving way to new beginnings in the Rings.

Rumors abound...

...Of Necromancers and black magic, of the name Blacksmile being whispered darkly in places of ill repute.

...Of Knaves, pinching purses and pursuing their shadowy aims, preying upon the good folk of the 99th.

...Of Changelings, moving throughout the City in great numbers, engaged in strange rites in hidden places under the light of the moon.

...Of a Lord who again stakes a claim upon the cursed Manor of Pauper's Ponds

...Of the House Sunpurse, issuing decree and dictat, dividing up the Rings to serve at a feast of bluebloods.

...Of Prospectors and Seams, and the riches to be found in planes beyond our own.

...Of Runners in the Rings, who stumble upon realms untouched for centuries.. disturbing halls long quiet, raising up dust that long lay still. 

Awakening things, that ought been left slumbering.


Vlaid

[ :: Day ??  Year ?? :: ]

From the lowly beggar of Ticker to the Noble of the Peerage, rumors are heard that the Ponds have grown increasingly active with all manner of dwellers and visitors. Strange stories drift from the muck ridden Ponds...

A small group of clear eyed, Arbiters searching for something or someone was seen patrolling the grounds. Their patrol was interrupted by a tense meeting with the local Pondsmen and Groundskeeper, questioning their purpose to approving nods from men and women warming their hands over trash fires. Whatever their purpose it wasn't clear for a sudden duel broke out between one Visimar Stormchild and a dwarven Arbiter Dovan Ashenforge. The duel did not last long, some heated words followed.

Broken rumors swirl as to the nature of the duel, some claim Visimar was reclaiming some fell object taken by the Arbiters from one of his retainers or lovers, other claim it was over some slight said against Meredith Winespill, yet others say much more certainly, that the duel was over some twisted love triangle between Visimar Stormchild, Dovan Ashenforge and the local Groundskeeper, the object of his desire a number of personal love letters he did not wish seen by his dearest Meredith Winespill.

Whatever the cause of the duel, it did not last long. After but a few moments of recovery the Arbiters set upon a visiting man with steel and spell. With little explanation the whole of the Ponds burst into a running battle onto the narrow walkways of the Willow Ways with unclear divisions of loyalty. Spellfire erupting from the fingertips of one Arbiter as bloodied axe swung from another. More than a few men were heard to have been sent careening into the murky water to either side, so packed were the walkways with the bodies of those thirsty for a bit of bloodshed.

The strange and violent night came to an end with few outside the Ponds having a clear understanding of what just had transpired that night, but leaving many a tongue wagging and speculating.

Ironside


...The Peerage Ward is electric with hearsay and gossip, worried looks and murmured threats.  Something is happening, between the Great Houses.  The proclamations of one Visimar Stormchild have not gone unnoticed. 

The man raised up by House Sunpurse, it seems, now dons a Velstran doublet.  The question of his holdings -- the Manor of Lord Desmond Sunpurse -- and how it shall be answered, are on the minds of socialites near and far.

...somewhere in the gloom of a dusty crypt, a thin man mutters a hateful prayer. 

But the spite of those unmentionable is irrelevant, as commisserations are in order.  The union of Stormchild and Velstra is nigh at hand! Cups are raised, in spite of uncertain tomorrows!

Ironside

The feud between the Houses of Velstra and Sunpurse has cost each dearly.

Merredith Velstra, legitimized in death, has been struck down by assassins before her marriage to the ambitious Visimar Stormchild could be officiated.

In revenge for her slaying, her betrothed as ended the like of Steward Melkoth of the House of Sunpurse, an elderly sorcerer who was as much decorated and loathed in the Peerage Ward.

So far, the bloodletting has teetered on the brink of war, without tipping over the edge.  As the aggrieved and grieving lick their wounds and tend their funerary rites, the other Great Houses and Powers of Ring 99 look upon two hamstrung giants... and in the gloom of mourning, it becomes difficult to tell if neighbors brandish knives.

SkillFocuspwn

It was a quiet morning when, from nowhere, a colossal explosion shook the City. Visible from everywhere in 99, some particularly violent aberration of the Rifts broke through beneath the ground and rose high into the sky, before coming tumbling down once more. A band had already assembled to witness the event and defend against whatever new threat might come from that unstable place; and when it finally crashed back to earth they were confronted with a titan of fire and steel that went on a rampage. The motley crew was quickly broken and scattered to the winds, unable to stop the beast, yet they held it long enough for the powerful magic that animated it to dissipate; just as quickly, there was nothing left but corpses and burning debris.

As the survivors collected themselves and returned, unpraised and unrewarded for their heroism, a series of whispers rang out seemingly related to the event. First was a warning from veteran Arbiter Alexei Harlowe, accusing a strange device called the Needle of causing the chaos and warning the city's adventurers to not meddle in such things. The second was from Oscar Tchammorar; in it, he warned against meddling in the seams, and named Zelia N'dare, leader of the Prospectors, directly.

In return, there is nothing but stony silence from the Prospectors; though travelers come back reporting suspicious news, that already at the site of the explosion, a team of labourers working under the Guild's surveillance can be seen digging...

SkillFocuspwn

At last, the fruit of the Prospector's labours can be seen. Gathering in Prospect Hall for an announcement, the Needle was declared operational and a group of brave or curious citizens made their way to the Rifts to join the prospectors on their maiden voyage, which to the surprise of many went smoothly.

The news is the talk of Tickertown; merchants dealing in more curious wares speak excitedly of the guaranteed link to the seams and the Guild has experienced a minor boom, with more come to try their luck in the chaotic seams. It is not all positive, however, with both the Arbiters and Oscar Tchammorar speaking out against the foolishness of tearing open seams, a response that has struck a cord with many of the Square's terrestrially-bound citizens.

Though the announcement has had little effect on the lives of most of Ring 99, it is clear that the Guild of Planar Prospectors is emboldened; they look toward a future of bright opportunities and fortunes, the calls for caution unheeded...

Letsplayforfun

Seams appear more often than not, leading to strange places, some unheard of before...

The breaches in reality mostly seem to lead to dire dangers to the Rings, and to little else...

Although some adventurers look forward to such opportunities, common folks, and reasonable folks, fear that the day will come when some outworldy outbreak will not be stopped by whatever defenders happen to be there on time...

To most, it is only a matter of time before some foolish wizard calls irresponsable deaths upon many....


Ironside

Year ?-?-? DR - On what will come to be known as "The Coming of The March"

The thin stream of pilgrims from the inner rings has broken the floodgates of the 99th on this day.  Early in the morning, a ramshackle barge of rotting planks made landfall in the old harbour of the 97th.  Stepping unsteadily onto the shores, a man in rusted armor and a cloak of silvery-white proudly boasted of his comrades speed -- but no sooner could these poor fellows spread their libations, than another vessel dared the mouth of the harbor -- and another, and another, and another.  A panoply of ships, some proud but most humble and ill-cobbled, rushed into the harbor like a stream of occupied driftwood.  Men who looked to have been hard on campaign, rough and disheveled formed the multitudes, all bearing some scrap or shift of white cloth to mark their allegiance.

Here and there among the masses could be seen silver specks, tall and broad-shouldered men in armor bearing the tell-tale sigil of the long forgotten House of Moonspear.  As the midday sun burned high over the Rings, two more seaworthy ships cut a smooth line through the flotilla - bearing billowing sails of azure, they were moored in the harbor.

And from the curious throng that had by then gathered on the shores, Prince Trystan Moonspear deigned to welcome a treasured few into his counsel. 

There were bold proclamations,

There were daring thrusts into the heart of the Sibilant,

There was tragedy, and the flapping of putrid wings,

All these things the Prince and his March brought with them, when they came to Ring 99.

Arc

Year ?-?-? DR - The Shattering of the Sibilant Empire.

Late in the night, a whisper echoed out over ring 99. A declaration of war, a signal of the end. And promptly, Ticker Square dissolved into riot and panic. Commoners burst into stores, taking non perishables and bashing down windows.

And above, far above, a cry pierced the night sky. The dreaded Emerald Wyrm. The gates of 99 burst forth, as the sibilant empire marched on Ticker square.  The great wyrm of the empire swept down upon ticker, as the multitudes of the empire's forces broke down Tickers few defenses. Ticker burned, white hot. Men and women died, and the butchers marched, or fled. Great siege weapons were unleashed upon the beast, to no avail. Ticker, to all appearances, had fallen. Hope was gone, and now was to be the time of occupation. Just as all hope was lost, for the city, a last whisper escaped. Paps Stone's voice echoed: "Prince Trystan! We are about to be overrun! For the love of the gods, SEND THE SILVER MARCH! Help us!"

And in response, came three blasts of a silvered horn.

Without hesitation. Without fear. Without thought to history, between himself and Ticker, the Silver March came in force, at this call. And so, too, upon hearing this call, rallied the surviving men and women of Ticker Square. And in a sea of white cloaks and shining blades, the empire was driven off Ticker, and in doing so, its defenses weakened. And so, as the lizardfolk fled, Prince Trystan Moonspear gathered to him his companions. His allies. Ticker square and the peerage. A vast army, to strike at the very heart of the Empire itself. And so, this army set off, on Muckboy raft and broken ship, to face the might of the sibilant empire. The battle was long, and fearsome. Names beyond counting were lost in the timeless muck of the swamps, but ever did the party push on, until finally, they broke their way through to the great Emerald Wyrm itself. Its decomposing wings blotting out the sky, and empowered by the sacrifice of many slaves, it descended in fire and blood upon the company, and the company was decimated. However, Maxwell Moonspear and Prince Trystan Moonspear strode forth, and met the beast head on.


And so too, did their company fall upon the beast. Tearing, and ripping. And as their numbers winnowed, so too did the beasts strength. Until, finally, with a last thunderous collapse, it lay dead. However, in the battle, the Prince was gravely wounded, and could not continue safely. And a select few remained, to march inside the ziggurat before them, to face Master Szka`zul, the Second Scale himself. Led by Ser Vladislav Orza and Maxwell Moonspear, they stepped forth into the ziggurat that would become their grave, and met the guards of Master Szka`zul himself in battle. One by one, the remaining host fell, or retreated. They broke their way through the mighty defenses, breaking spell and trap alike, until they met Master Szka`zul, the Second Scale. And upon him, they were broken. What few who did not flee, killed. The knight himself tossesd carelessly over the ledge, by the master. Who then strode above, definitely, to pursue those who fled.

However, as he ascended the steps of his ziggurat, he met not those fleeing him but the Prince himself. Limping, and wounded, pulling himself up the stairs. Contempt clear in his eyes for those fleeing, he limped up, to face the Second Scale.

His blade in his shattered hand, nearly limp at his side, his gaze fell upon the creature. And he spoke:

"Your Empire crumbled long ago. It is time this revolt was put to an end."

And, as he spoke a misty white wreath formed over his head and with a voice like that of the heavens he commanded:

"Kneel."

".. Kneel, before your king."

Caught by some force far beyond him, the master of the empire kneeled before the prince and bowed his head. And the prince spoke- "I have crossed ninety-nine rings, in search of men with faith in me."

And, with a harsh motion of his hand, he callously opened the lizard's neck with his blade. The body fell, and tumbled down the structure before him. As he watched, he spoke

"It seems I must cross a hundred."

And he departed. And so, the Sibilant empire.... has fallen.

And Ticker Square, so diminished by the battle, begins to rebuild.