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

[Mort]

Citizens of the Ziggurat can see certain groups slowly distancing themselves from the vague masses in the hope of claiming some influence over the construction of the fledgling city.

Those entering the city can see that a fervent helmite known as Karzan "Dogshead" Fyoris has taken a solitary vigil at the top of the gates incitating citizens into stepping down from political entangling and simply taking in hands the simple values and needs such as the one for protection. He can seen encouraging citizens to take a proactive step in the defense of the city and to join the local volunteer militia.

Similarly, a group known as the Fellowship of the Cheerful dead is seen moving into the Mausoleum. Despite the group's grim disposition, they seem to be willing to do what's right in order for the dead to be taken care of respectfully.

Another figure overseeing the development of the religious aspect of the Ziggurat is Samael Lashneveous, an extremely dogmatic preacher of Ilmater. Initially interested by the local construction of the Hallways of Hope, Samael has taken a more visible disposition amongst the masses in the hope of strengthening the religious faith of the City.

Finally, An elderly-looking woman going by the name of "Mother Oggla" can seen directing the young and fervent workers to the temple district in which they undertake the long, but worthwhile task of clearing the rubbles from the old shrine of Jannath, long buried amongst the fellow shrines of the District. She is currently installing herself in these new chambers with hope of bringing the people of the Ziggurat closer with the bonds and gifts of The Great Mother, Chauntea.

[Mort]

A few hours ago, a massive group of lizardfolk Raiders was said to have landed upon the docks near the settlement. Many citizens spoke that they were seeking something, something stolen from them and that someone within the settlement was holding it captive. Despite efforts from both sides, a massive battle broke out where Commander Tornincasa and the Battle Priest Martin Farden were seen leading the protectors from the people of the Ziggurat.

They manage to drive the lizards back to the Isle of the Warden where most of the raiders simply dissapeared, swimming away in the water in order to avoid certain death at the end of the adventurers and warriors. No one has seen where they have taken refuge now since then, but maybe wonder when they may.. strike back.

[Mort]

Rumours spread throughout of the settlement of the Ziggurat of a massive brawl erupting within Kingsmen's tavern with multiple wounded, deads and other unaccounted citizens going missing afterward. Little is known of the specifics, but many have seen men of the Stygian Armada storm the place looking for something or someone.

Following the initial deadly altercation, fighting broke down in the streets where several members of the militia were trying their upmost efforts to keep face and enforce their own laws over the Ziggurat. Following the bloodshed, the settlement fell once again extremely silent as most people tried their best to barricade and lock the way to where they have built their primitive homes. Most people too concerned by their own safety to try and uncover the end of this violent altercation between the forces that be around the settlement.

[Mort]

Large tremors could be felt over the Ziggurat as a legion of dogmatic Nightrisers rose from the ground in the templar's district and marched upon the settlement. Many adventurers were summoned and in the end were successful in driving the threat back. Of peculiar interest, however, are the chants of the Nightrisers which spoke of something refer to as the Darkening.

Following this, an older man calling himself the High Prophet summoned a meeting atop the highest point of the Ziggurat enticing many to help him in his search of a way to defeat the Darkening. Many could be seen listening and the average citizens were intrigued by his words and the confidence in his words.

[Mort]

Of similar interest, as the metal from the various artefacts and ornaments littering the grounds of the ruin gets exhausted. Many are seen harboring the forests neighboring the Ziggurat in the hopes of finding sources to supply the settlement. Many speaks that whoever shall control these sources of food, ore and other rare resources, if they exist, will indirectly control the settlement itself...

[Mort]

A large vessel is seen having anchored recently not far from the settlement. It bares neither colours of the Fleet nor of the Stygian Armada. Most people of the settlement become to wonder warily what this may be about..

[Mort]

Earlier this day, A large battlement of wild orcs had surrounded the settlement as the rain continued to pour upon the Isle. Screaming fanatical warcries, the orcan hordes ambushed many citizens walking upon the roads leading to the settlement. All had seem to be but an elaborate diversion for the orcs to enter the city through the water conduits below the city. Pouring from the sewage pipes, waves after waves of orcs smashed upon the shields and swords of the defenders, which despite their best efforts, couldn't contain the orcs and prevent a massacre within the camps from happening. Many citizens died this day, but as only consolation was the piles of orc corpses littering the steps to the Ziggurat.

A group of armored guards said to have come from the ship currently anchored at sea debark toward the conclusion of the invasion and offered their help as a token of good will. Little is known about them, yet rumors that the ship belongs to an important noble house of Old Port spreads across the settlement.

Following the defeat of the orcs at the end of the defenders of the settlement, the Fellowship of the Cheerful Dead was seen walking the streets and picking off the bodies of the fallen to be returned to the mausoleum...

Despite the blood spilled, many inhabitants gaze upward in hope toward better days for the settlement.

[Mort]

Following a brief visit from the House Sharboneth of Old Port, Seekers of Old Sanctuary were seen walking to the Mythallar and taking it by force for the moment of delivering, what they thought to be, an important warning to the people of the settlement explaining the journal of Frederick Bresley, the founder of the Seekers and of Sanctuary had passed through Old Port, approximately 170 years ago, as a slave before being sold to the Drow of Traensyr. For this grave instance, opposition was inevitable or so the seekers thoughts.

Following this exchange of words, the Seeker Lewis, with an air of mad zealotry, insisted all to take arms against any from Old Port forever and always! He, then, call forth deadly magic to assail those of House Sharboneth who had been drawn by the sending... Injuring many, and killing two house guards and a member of the Stygian Armada. After a short battle, the Seekers took off into the forest taking advantage of the cover of the Night to dissapear.

After the incident, a grim-looking southern man dressed in a blood-red outfit was seen asking for details on the assault and offered a steep reward to any who would bring these dangerous madmen to justice.

[Mort]

A large fleet of vessels rumoured to belong to House Sharboneth are seen docking not far off the shore of the Island. Large shipment of supplies and men are then transported to the main land.

[DangerousDan]

Word filters through Sharboneth men that there was a small riot within the Gladiator Pens of Old Port within the past few days. It is said the Count's favourite gladiator, a Half Orc the size of an Orog and twice as savage, is reputed to have escaped during the troubles and swum the waters to the Island proper. A small group of soldiers lead by one of the Count's Rubies was said to have departed for Ymph shortly afterwards.

[DangerousDan]

Two large barges are seen to have laid anchor off the cost of the Ziggurat, and it is widely supposed that they are here to offer ferry for the Grand Tourney that will occur within the week. Shortly afterwards, their crews rowed ashore and proceeded to get famously drunk at the Hanged Goblin. The settlement begins to bustle with excitement, with various small traders and street peformers speaking excidedly with crew members attempting to book preferential passage to the Port.

As the bustle building up to the tourney increases, treasure hunters and wildsmen bring to the settlement fresh rumours of movements of Wild Orcs beyond the mountains. Speaking loudly numbers not seen in generations, most just discount these rumours as the tall tales of half-mad frontiersmen.

[DangerousDan]

Large numbers of Citizens board the great barges docked offshore, and set sail for Old Port in preperation for the Great Tourney. The streets seem quiet, and muted. Late into the evening, a clipper named the Gutted Amnian arrives at the settlement, and begins taking on adventurers, na'e'r do wells and thrill seekers who fancy risking the faster, more dangerous route to the Port.

[DangerousDan]

With the return of the great barges containing the majority of the settlement’s citizenry, rumours spread like wildfire. The tourney itself was rife with political infighting and spectacle. Tales of the Erasmus Ortred’s duel with a lowborn Guardsman over the honour of Count Zarono’s cousin have already become legendary, along with Grand Larson Burkden of the Armada’s subsequent intervention and defeat of the Governor. And yet the spectacle provided for the colonists by the Count has dimmed in the memories of those in attendance already; replaced instead by the fires of the Orcs.

Conflicting rumours are abound of what exactly happened at Old Port last eve. Some claim rabidly that there were no Orcs at all, and that the Slaves were freed by some nefarious group intending to use the revolt to launch a coup. Others say that the Orcs set fire to the city and liberated the slaves from their bondage as a precursor to an attempt to destroy the Port entirely. Whatever the specifics, all can agree upon one thing: Old Port burns. No sooner had the citizens fled Old Port, than dire warnings of an imminent Orcish attack upon the Ziggurat were broadcast by the Governor himself, along with a summons of all citizens of able body to take up weapons in the defence of their home. The reaction was spontaneous. Numerous bodies claiming to be ‘The Militia’ have risen up, all brandishing poor quality (and often homemade) weapons. Flitting between lounging about upon the top of the Ziggurat, launching impromptu salients into the Webbed Wood, and hunting down ‘Orcish Spies’, they are under the nominal authority of Captain Fyoris. However, it is clear to all that they lack the adherence to central authority that is usually required of soldiers, often heading towards the Kingsmen or their homes according to when it suits them. Guardsmen are seen frantically rushing about the Ziggurat, putting up barricades and transporting large amounts of food into the Governor’s Tower. Despite the widespread panic, the promised Orcish invasion has not yet come. However, the Guards keep their eyes stoically turned outwards, although there are some who mutter that their number is precious few against the threat that opposes the Colony.

In the early hours of the morning, four ships set sail for Old Port, and they have not yet returned.

[Sternhund]

Word spreads quickly among former Sanctuarians that Adelia Tyrell, former Sanctuary Town Councilor and author, was brought up from the Underdark, and rescued by members of The Archaeological Society.

[DangerousDan]

The Colonists are calling it 'Red Eleint'. It began with the Governor departing upon a rumoured ambush upon Orcish forces, deep in the Island. Leaving the gates solumnly with perhaps five men with him, he did not return for many hours. What followed was farce. Within minutes of him leaving, the Stygians, the Colonial Guard and the rag-tag militia gathered under Karzan Fyoris and Tertrach Burkden and marched for the woodlands to the south. The bloody 'Battle of the Webbed Wood' followed. Ambushed by a combined force of Orcs and Men, dozens of the Colonists fell in battle, with the militia taking the largest brunt of the casualties. Captain Fyoris was struck by a perilous blow, and rumours spread that he still lies terribbly wounded, a hair's breath from death. Bodies and the wounded littered the Ziggurat, and barricades were hastily constructed. But the Orcs did not come.

And then there was the Order. In the early hours of the morning, a great war horn resounded from the Gates. Guardsmen, hastily armed commoners and adventurers alike rushed to the walls, only to be greeted with the sight of a column of men, clad in black. Lead by a great bear of a man, it is rumoured they desire to aid the City in its war with the Orcs. He was seen entering the Gates with the Governor, emerging an hour or so later, and ordering his men to make camp. Despite this, the word on everyones lips are the same: When they were within two hours march from the City, why have they not yet come?