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

[Mort]

The Sun finally rose back after a time of darkness that seemed endless to most. The attack by the undead had taken its toll. Hundreds of civilians had perished. The refugee dwellings had crumbled and crushed a great many as well as the lost of many great figures such as Courtier Shepard, Captain Galvin, Infantry Halloran, Man-at-Arm Berelle Cestera and the Great Marshall Sharboneth as well as many other less visible figures.

The heroic acts of a few who ventured forth into the lair of evil to slay the Nightriser Syndri Larenius will never be forgotten. But it was due to the noble sacrifice of the remaining members of the Iron Halo, Marcel Rolthor, Mustafa al-Rijat and Tenesti Veraski, who gave out their lives so that the evil that was brewing within them not would return.

As the people of the Ziggurat were still mourning their loss, a group of Stargazers aided with powerful beasts attacked the main gate slaying several Stygians and injuring a few deputies who had answered the alert. It is said that they also captured a member of the Armada and have given their demands to the military power of the Ziggurat in exchange for her safe returns...

Most natives of Old Port in the colony curse the cowardliness of the tribals and natives, while a few portal-rats, who dare not speak it in the open, believe that the Armada deserved retribution for their strike upon the otherwise peaceful natives.

[Random_White_Guy]

The Ziggurat continues to bustle and flow as often the blossoming metropolis does. Its citizens are in high spirits after the vanquish of the Nightrisers but as things proceed there is an air of cautious optimism.

The Stygian campaign upon the Stargazers is slowly beginning to bring in revenue and resources. The Docks continue to bring in ample business, numerous individuals daily moving from the refugree camps and otherwise to its well protected walls.

As the Sharboneth Armsmen continue to mass-recruit it is said that their ranks begin to swell to unheralded numbers. Some attest however that the lack of a prominent criminal adversary has simply meant they are lasting longer than usual, not simply recruiting.

Amongst the community various forces continue to strive and seek to make a name for themselves, The Palid Mask leading numerous raids against Nightriser Territory within the ruins. The swift and almost overnight rise of the Mendon Estate cannot help but be noticed.

It is said that racial tensions begin to rise and stir however. Elves and Dwarves alike begin to cloister within their ranks and xenophobic trouble begins to rise. Dwarf-beard-hunting has become a regular practice in some regions and it is said that a few Armsmen have been paying for elven ears. While many discount this current conflict, it is said strange markings begin to appear upon the back alley walls of the Gobsquat and Docks. A human skull, with a lengthy blade skewered through the back and out of the mouth.

As the "Rainy" season approaches numerous citizens begin to make their way to the Umberlee shrine as well as the last remaining courtier, Korgath, appearing rather pleased with these developments.

All in all things upon the Ziggurat are said to be rather blessed of fortune. Expansionist sentiment runs high, Citizens seem content despite racial boundaries, and it is said that "Mist Business" has been completely run out of the Temple District in a series of raids within the sewers by adventurers.

[Random_White_Guy]

In a rather dramatic speech, the Governor has named Ex-Master at Arms Rowan to the post of Marshal of the Armsmen Forces.

In a riveting speech she spoke at length of redoubling efforts inward rather than worrying of external forces, specifically stating an end to hostilities with the Stygians, pressing forth efforts against corruption, as well as Crime in general upon the Ziggurat.

A sergeant took her place as Master of Arms, and a Private was named Sergeant in his place.

Moments after this, the collective armed force was seen returning tot he Citadel. The Marshal and Master at Armssaw the Governor escorted to the tower and the Sergeant Ferdinand led a small army of deputies and Armsmen out of the area of the speech in a hurry...

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

A black day for shapechanging creatures.

The stargazer terrorist known as Neeshu has been slain, its head piked upon the gates as a reminder to the natives of what happens when the 'stone tower' is messed with.

'Squixxle the Grey' has also been killed.  According to all reports, the retainer Kharst simply marched in there, and marched out once, with its head upon a pike.  A standoff was observed at the gates later in the day.  A bugbear and a goblin were taken from the gates and trialled.

Later, this bugbear was executed.  Some have suggested that this is a precursor to war.  That gobsquat has been deliberately antagonised to give the people of the ziggurat an excuse to march into it and take the land back.  Others say that the goblins have gotten what they deserve for harbouring known criminals.

A proclamation has been made.  All dwarves that enter the gobsquat do so on penalty of death.  Some humans names are added to this list.

There are whispers of war in the air, but still gobsquat sits where it always has, and maintains its form of 'civilization'...

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

The Stygians have been extremely surly, and quick tempered, the last few days.

Word has it that two of their number disappeared last night on patrol, their bodies as yet unaccounted for.

Thusly, patrols into the wilderness have doubled to try and account for the source.  Well known enemies of the Stygians include the Stargazers, and their allies, and the Stygians seem quicker than usual to jump into combat.

Elsewhere, hushed rumors among the common folk have started spreading regarding a mysterious group calling themselves the "Benefactors".  If questioned, the commonfolk speak only in hushed terms about how they, or someone they knew, had been questioned about them by the armsmen and the Stygians.

[Random_White_Guy]

Chaos erupts amongst the port, as a trio of elven slaves are rescued by an elven fanatic from a Manchakan Slave ship which resulted in the death of numerous guards as well as a Diplomat. It is said that a half dozen Armsmen as well as a Ruby were seen in the Martyr's Rest graveyard of the docks by many paying their respects, only to be turned away as an elf was being tortured.

Mum is the word on the events concerning the Manchakans but it is commonly agreed that the elves continue to grow bold, as clearly a sole man pursuing a ship full of slavers is simple suicide...

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

The docks have lately become a very dangerous place to be at night.

Children disappearing, banditry doubling, and raucous fights outside the Wanton Wastrel have been commonplace, as has the oldest profession become the newest fad in a place starting to reek of depredation.

The Stygians are becoming more indifferent to all this as the days pass by.  The docks, having trebled in size, are no longer an easy target for monsters or nightrisers, and real justice now comes with a price tag.

Shipping and boating business is booming, however, and the Stygians guard the sea trade with a jealous abandon.  No man or woman no matter how reckless dares assault a sailor or ship, as those men are protected most zealously by the blue uniformed men.  The same does not apply to the locals who find themselves faced with a barrage of reckless drunken matelots, all intent on enjoying their shore leave.

[Gippy]

The night has been an eventful one. A ship struggles into harbor claiming to have been the last survivor of a convoy sunk on its way to Amn. Its captain tells tales of improbably large ships, and deadly crews, only to have to stagger off to rest in the Kingsman his face soot blackened from battle.

Within hours an Emissary arrives, stating that he serves a true heir of Sensuper, Ixpadia Sabuth, and that his mistress bids him demand the unconditional surrender of the colony and its forces. The Emissary claims that the Stygian Armada has met with defeat outside Old Port and that Trenada himself rests with Umberlee. The governor, demanding proof of both the defeat of Trenada, and the woman's claims to be an heir to Sensupur, refuses to surrender the colony and his brave retainers beat back the savage attack of ogres and goblins that served the emissary.

The Patriarch, the Sharboneth vessel, is seen returning in the early hours from an attempt to reach Old Port. The Emissary's claims that Old Port is blockaded at the least appear to be true. The Sharboneth Master at Arms is heard saying that he will ready the colony's defenses to hold out for as long as they should need.

Most of the men and woman from Old Port debate vigorously on the subject of true heirs, while the adventuring populace stumbles about clueless as to what any of it means, hoping that the matter can be cleared up so that they know which side to fight for.

[Wern8]

Several hours ago, a cadre of Stygian Infantrymen and several Specialists were seen marching from the Docks to the Main Gates before leaving for the Webbed Woods with a large group of adventurers. It is said that soldiers under the banner of the self-proclaimed heir to the Senuspur Throne, Ixpadia Sabuth were spotted within the woods and thus did the Stygians march to challenge them in battle.

Yet they returned not with victory but defeat, for the battle swiftly turned sour and only one of the Stygians who marched there returned alive with the group of adventurers. There is also word that Ixpadia herself was seen on the battlefield and that she was a fearsome foe who easily turned the tide of the battle.

As news of this incident and the Stygian defeat begins to spread, the common people grow worried of the days to come.

[Wern8]

One week has passed since Queen Ixpadia Sabuth and her Pirate Fleet began their naval blockade, and the Colony has been suffering heavily due to it, trade with Old Port has been completely halted and thus far there has been no contact at all with the Port. Commoners and Patricians alike are growing weary of the situation, a small minority of the people have begun to think that it may be best to recognize Ixpadia's claim and many have decided to huddle within the Colony walls, even the number of hunters heading out into the wilds has dropped considerably and the news is that the Queen's men are roaming the Island in large numbers, no doubt in search of the fabled Crown of the Isles.

And recently today, the Stygian Specialist known as Kethra Marsk was seen being dragged in shackles towards the Courthouse in the Temple District, word has it that she had committed a grave crime and was sent to be trialed, but somehow managed to escape during her trial. Several commoners and the like are now saying that she was probably rescued by her fellow Stygians, but no official details have been revealed yet.

[Wern8]

It was a grim day for the Colony and its people. As night fell, several ships bearing the mark of Queen Ixpadia Sabuth sailed into the Docks and soon a large force of her soldiers landed upon the shoreline, thus beginning a standoff with the defenders of the Colony that lasted for quite some time. Yet the Ixpadian soldiers never did launch an attack and soon, the sounds of battle was heard from the Governor's Isle and numerous adventurers quickly moved there along with several armsmen to investigate.

Word has it that the adventurers and armsmen were defeated by a band of armored mercenaries at the Governor's Tower and that these mercenaries were later seen dragging Governor Zakarias Sharboneth in chains to the ships docked near the shores. By then it was already too late however, the remaining defenders have already been defeated and with none left to stop them, they sailed away with the Ixpadian troops.

At the end, this incident resulted in the deaths of numerous Stygian Infantrymen and Sharboneth Guards, but most were merely wounded gravely and subdued, Master-of-Arms Jeremiah Arkauin was among the dead though.

Nevertheless, the casualties suffered by the Colonist was not as high as many had expected, but there is now a strong feeling of uncertainty within the Colony and thus far there has been no news on the Governor's fate.

[Gippy]

There is much gossip about why L'aisa Rowan, the incredibly skilled Marshal of the colony, was missing from the fighting. Grand Larson Burkden however was indeed seen near the end of the battle, but retreated with several Stygians as the battle turned sour.

[DangerousDan]

And so it is. Ixpadia Sabuth, now Senuspur has entered the Colony triumphantly at the head of her host. Apparently having convinced the Governor in his captivity of her claim, he proclaimed her Queen before the Colony, and bid those still defending the Colony's walls lay down their arms. After a short conversation with Burkden, the Tertrach fled to the Stygian Fortress and has not been seen since. After a short speech atop the Ziggurat in which she spoke of her descent from whores in service of the House of Princes, the Queen retired to the Governor's Isle where she met with petitioners begging mercy or favours in the wake of her victory. She has not yet emerged.

[FleetingHeart]

A strange site over the colony today as hundreds of birds begin to flock to and circle the Ziggurat. Why they do this is uncertain, however one thing that is... the mess is getting a little out of hand.

[Gippy]

The first of Ixpadia's ships to be rotated off blockade duty has arrived on Ymph. At first skeptical business owners shuttered their shops as the sailors and pirates passed through, but very quickly they were lured out with ready amounts of coin by men who'd not seen a service in months and were eager to spend. The taverns for the first time since their creation were packed, with plans for more in the works, and even the Touch of Class hosted a special night for the officers of Ixpadia's forces. If they be murderers, conquerors, saviors, usurpers, or gutter trash has not been agreed upon, but the colonial merchants are almost to a man eager to make a profit off these newcomers.

Farmers entire crops have been purchased to be taken out to the blockade and successful hunters of meat are making a good living and always have a ready buyer. The talk of the town is that within the first few days of the occupation the colony will have had more gold flow into it then in the past three months of steady trade with Old Port. How long the insatiable appetites of Ixpadia's forces will last is a point of much speculation in the parlors of businessmen.