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

[DeputyCool]

The Docks continue to undergo continued construction, as trees are cut and buildings go up..

Accounts of the Nine Hundred Brothers picking fights with passerby's become more common, and more than a single tale is told of brawls in the streets, between these men and colonists.

[9lives]

Business in The Ziggurat's modest marketplace was disrupted when a Dwarven bandit, obscured by magics and wielding a flaming axe, is said to have set upon the colony's most prominent Merchant, Escevar Malatesta. Rumour would have it that the assailant took little and left only a note, before subduing a score of Sharboneth's Armsmen and making off.

The Ziggurat's merchants now appear to be frightened and angry, clamouring for additional guards in the name of economic wellbeing, and decrying the rise of unsavoury elements in the Colony since the revitalisation of its Docks.

[ExileStrife]

Every corner, nook, and cranny of the island experiences a seemingly impossible event.  An enormous swarm of tiny, seemingly harmless, black and green spiders appear out of nowhere, spreading out and crawling over everything. They linger for a few moments, and then suddenly retreat to the darkness and burrow underground just as quickly as they appeared.

Women screamed, children cried, and men tried stomping on every  surface, but all the spiders seemed unaffected by anyone's efforts.  As they leave, citizens are left with a sense of shock and awe and an overwhelming feeling of confusion.  Some say "plague," others pray to gods, and a few more just go back to chopping wood and cooking dinner.

[DeputyCool]

It is said that for the first time in the Colony's history, a group of adventurers ventured below into the Underdark in search of glory, riches, and wisdom.

What went on below is a secret held only by those who took the perilous journey, it is known that fewer returned than left by a good margin, and that the group was lead by the "Mystic" Zulfiqar, Veteran of Red Eleint and well known dervish.

Rumors speculate that any group which has been to the underdark and back must be teeming with secrets, and riches.

[DangerousDan]

This morn, a ship made dock at the Colony bearing many kegs of ale and stores of food, along with two large tents and other miscilanious supplies. Talk of a tourney to held held upon Ymph is rife in the Colony, with many citizens excitedly looking forward to the announcement.

Citizens are also beggining to comment upon how tired and worn most Sharboneth men look these days. Having recently moved in small number into the Docks district, many begin loudly wondering how much longer Isengrim can maintain control of the Colony without the overt support of either the Order or the Stygian Armada.

[Mort]

Citizens can notice wooden cages being setup at the main gates and beasts, monstrous humanoids and other sorts of fearsome creatures being rounded up, sedated and caged within by members of the Stygian Armada.

Many hear rumors of raid across the isle and the capture of a great many beasts of the fauna of Ymph including a gigantic Great Lizard, and an exotic Saber-tooth tiger amongst its greatest catches.

Some say that the beasts are meant to be trained to serve as engines of war, others say they will most likely be shipped to Old Port and used in some gladiatoresque games to be seen whole before the city.

Whatever it may be, many dwellers of the wild seem troubled by these actions and do not hesitate to show their disapproval before the eyes of the masses.

[Howlando]

Word spreads of how a large group of laborers have been put to work clearing a field and erecting tents and structures for Lord Alemander's tournament, to the south of the Main Gate.

[Sinister Seneschal]

A menacing blue portal appears atop the Ziggurat. Many adventurers are seen entering, yet not all of them are seen to have returned.

Eventually, rumour has it, a wizard by the name of Craddock along with some assistants dispelled the portal, but not before managing to have it spurt out various hellish creatures upon the colony.

[DangerousDan]

The day has been fraught. What began with Grand Vizier Sardistan summoning a variety of colourful foes for Champions to slay ended with a chaotic Orc Hunt. It is believed that remnants of the Host of the Spirit struck the hunt and drew many of the freed Orcs to their banner. Nevertheless, the hunt triumphed and vanquished the remnant warband, with a Sir Sylverbrook and a savage northman drawing particular praise from the ranks of the hunt.

It is rumoured that Lord Alemander Sharboneth swore in his Court this eve, only to have the session loudly interrupted by General 'Longshanks' Berrupo. The General was seen angrily leaving the Governor's Tower shortly afterwards- and Lord Alemander was said to have departed for Old Port immediately following. However, the content of their discussion remains the content of much debate. However, many of the newly inducted Courtiers were seen to be visibly disturbed as they left the Isle, and it is widely said that whatever occurred within can mean no good for the nascent Colonial Government.

[DangerousDan]

Rumours quickly spread that the body of a Sir Alexandre Storne, a personal friend of the Lord Regent was discovered in the Kingsman. Several children are also noted to have gone missing since the Tourney's advent. There are those who blame the Tribe of Mummers who have made camp near the Tourney grounds, claiming they use the blood of innocents for their strange magics, although this is refuted by most.

[DeputyCool]

Word spreads that some Dog Fighting was held at the Tournament Grounds as part of the Festivities. Some protested it as cruel, though most were quick to shun them.

In addition to the dog fighting, it is said a few things of note happened. Firstly, that a kobold snuck in to watch, and was promptly put down by the large group.

Secondly, that a Divine Feud erupted between two priests, one of Torm and the other of the Reaver. During a duel, the Bloodletter was put down, and summarily executed.

[Secutor]

Only a few notice through the hubub and excitement of the tourney that a dozen citizens leave without a word but with ample provisions on the heels of the enigmatic Tortus d'Vo, heading towards the mountains.

[DeputyCool]

The Grand Colonial Tournament has drawn to a close. The events of the Jousting Tournament spread throughout the Colony on the tongues of every barkeep, drunkard, fishwife and whore.

Twelve men entered into the Jousting, including Old Port Nobleman Sir Cristopher Brunel, noted Knight Sir Regis the Regal, and several other well knowns. Along with them, were a smattering of the Colonies best warriors.

The Order and Stygians made impressive showings, both of their riders making it to the final melee. Their glory was short lived, however, as Sir Cristopher, Sir Regis and newly made colony hero, Stefan "Wyrmslayer" Baden were the last three standing in the final, mounted grand melee.

Eventually, Sir Cristopher took the day as Champion. For his prize, he was granted protectorate of the farmlands, and announced he shall build an estate near Johan's Mill, from where he shall oversee prosperity for the Colonies graineries.

Baden Wyrmslayer, as second was granted patricianship, it is said. All told, the Colony seems to have greatly enjoyed the Tourny, and House Sharboneth is enjoying a fresh wave of popularity amongst the people.

[DangerousDan]

Both the Nine Hundred Brothers Company and House Sharboneth appear upon high altert. The Stygian Armada are said to have bought in ten extra men from Old Port. Rumours of brawls between Sharboneth Men and the Brothers are rife. Finally, people begin to say that General Longshanks requested a huge sum from the Court in payment for services offered during the war, threatening uprising if the sum was not met by the tenday. The Numinous Order, strangely, appears aloof from concerns- their number rarely bothering to visit the Docklands at all.

[Mort]

Many rumours are spread across the colony that the Blade, once held in the Shrine of Targus and rumoured to belonged to the entity of the God of War, has been removed.

Aside from the usual thunderstorm, all seems quiet and peaceful. Nevertheless, most people can't help but feel a slight anxiety by what this may entail...