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

[Random_White_Guy]

As conflict begins to swirl and swell, lines are slowly being drawn in the sand.

In an unusual turn of events, word spreads swiftly of Lord Martyn Greywood, offering his fealty to Queen Sabuh. It is say the common man is his chief concern, and that songs of praise and cheer were shared through out poritons of the dock.

Offering to pay for food and drink for the hungry and poor, as well as hear the voice of the people, a surge of Ixpadian supporters descended upon the Wastrel.

The ale flowed, the hungry found bread, and for a rare moment, Peace was had.

Until a pair of Stygian Infantryman stumbled into the festivities, swiftly causing the conflict that has plagued the Docks returned in a heartbeat. Weapons were drawn, a standoff was had after a drunken commoner took a Stygian to his knees with a blow to the head.

Rumors swell and sway, some saying that Ixpadia has already gifted him noble title. Others that the man is being swept up in popular support.

Regardless, the Stygians continue to find the odds stacked against them, and the Marshal has allegedly begun taking a clear interest in this "Merciful Lord of the Black Keep"...

[Random_White_Guy]

// Rumors are flowing out a lot more recent as IC events pick up. Don't forget to check the last page of rumors for anything you miss, as well as keep an eye out for regular plot updates, plot murmurings, and information about the going ons of the colony. There is likely to be many in a day, as the server is becoming more active[/b]//

Rumblings flow through out the Ziggurat of dissent amongst the Patricians. Be it simply harm to business, or jealousy that such interest has been placed upon the filthy refuse of the docks, many eyes in the Kingsman turn unfavorable when the Ixpadians enter. Many merchants have begun charging slightly more to their "Benefactors". Many feel that their status as Patrician has been rendered moot as so many are able to simply do as they wish.

The once proud, arrogant, and perhaps even egotistical wealthy of the colony grow restless, jealous, and enraged that their social events are overtaken by drunken peasants.

Unable to return to Old Port and enjoy the finer things their status should offer, and such focus upon the the Patricians find themselves without a face to turn to, an allegiance to pledge, a champion to voice their concerns...

[Random_White_Guy]

With the speech of Lord Greywood completed, the masses were rather enthralled by his short but impartial statement: "If the Stygians do not end their thuggish ways, and serve as true guardians of the colony, I and my house shall throw our weight behind the queen."".

Shortly after the speech along with many raw fishes thrown at the Stygians and those who spoke up to support them, the Lord and his sizable entourage were witnessed by many making way to the Governor's Tower to meed with the Marshal. No word yet has surfaced but speculation on what exactly the two men discussed, many can only assume it is the drafting of action against the Stygian power...

[Random_White_Guy]

After a somewhat powerful speech delivered by a Stygian Specialist atop the Ziggurat, the resplendent and highly disciplined Stygian troops march back to the Docks, but not before one of Ixpadia`s prime agents attempted unsuccessfully to provoke them with crude jests.

The Scion Graveheart himself, a man esteemed by many of the nobility, as well as well as numerous patricians were on hand, while the spectacle was witnessed. Speculation continues to swirl as where exactly the Patricians who have quite literally paid for the Stygian's protecions, shall lay their loyalty...

[Caddies]

With the strict blockade of Old Port by Her Majesty Queen Ixpadia's forces, it came as a welcome surprise to gossips in the Colony that a slave auction was held at West Point today. It is told that a daring smuggler by the name of Horter Roose ran the blockade successfully and landed at West Point with a cargo of slaves he had rescued from the rigors of the Underdark. Apparently, these slaves were sold by Roose to colonial citizens today on the condition their buyers gave their word that the slaves would be treated well. Toward the end of the auction its said a squadron of Ixpadian frigates rounded the headland, attempting to catch Roose on the shoals. Roose and his sleek cutter managed to get away after a series of confounding maneuvers, sailing out to the safety of deeper water with the smuggler's mad laughter high on the wind.

Later that night, the Docks were rife drunken revelry. Apparently Roose had made his escape, only to reappear at the Wastrel to shout the whole district to free rounds with the proceeds he made, securing for himself an overnight cult-like following amongst the denizens of the Docks.

[Wern8]

The execution of the woman known as Claudia Harloch was announced several hours ago on this fair but uneventful afternoon and a small group of commoners and adventurers alike did travel to the center of the Docks to watch her execution. A cadre of Stygian Soldiers was seen there and Grand Larson Burkden made a short speech mentioning that she had stolen from the Stygian Armada and that such is the fate of those who act against the Armada, she was hanged moments later before all who were present and was immediately strangled to death.

[FleetingHeart]

Strange drumming and a mass of smoke can be heard and seen coming from the Starwood Village. The rope leading to the village has been pulled up and all access to the village is cut off for a period of days.

Reports are unclear and rumors have little meat to go on, but most seem certain the stargazers are preparing for some sort of war.

[Random_White_Guy]

The calm before the storm, many Dockworkers and Patricians alike begin to mutter amongst their circle of friends, drinking partners, and what have you.

Within the Kingsman numerous patricians and their brandy-sipping sessions bring forth talks of swift and quick victory over the rabble of the Docks. Terms are kept vague and support kept concealed to avoid duels of honor, challenges to merit, and other noble acts that Patricians often partake in. Also the issue of Treason mounts, as rumors spread some have already been executed by the Ixpadian's for speaking out against the Queen.

The Wastrel continues to be a nightly hotbed of political debate, conflicts, stabbings, bar-brawls, and controversy. The wooden floors are becoming so stained with blood they are taking on a red tint, and in some spots there has been a complete lack of attempt of cleaning up. Be it the Stygians or Queen, Dockman or Fisher, Merchant or Beggar, no man is innocent from the conflict. Some say Brawls have started over a simple sneeze and a cordial offer of "May Ilmater and the Queen ease your suffering", many Stygians taking offense at the gesture. Others say the Duergar Barman himself instigates these fights in hopes of continuing to bring in business.

Gobsquat, in their efforts to mimic legitimate society, have begun to have a revolution problems within their own ranks. Frantic screams of goblins being tortured for attempts to usurp the king, and worse sounding noises emit from the massive gates, further driving away any sane man from venturing within.

Amidst the swirling chaos and mayhem it is said that the oppressive fist of the Black Hand has made its venture to the Colony as many begin offering prayer for peace and for a true ruler to step forward and end the chaos caused by the disgruntled factions.

Others decry them as shameless opportunists, but turn to religions of their own, the Chauntean Temple and Hallway of Hope booming in visitation. The Wavemaster within the Inner Pier has begun forecasting outcomes of the war, heralding Umberlee's presence as the deciding factor between the Ixpadian Blockade and the Forces of Old Port. The Temple District as a whole, begins to bustle with people seeking refuge.

The Workshop Guild slowly begins to hire and train more apprentices as a fortune of coin trickles in as every man and woman attempts to arm themselves.  Farmers begin to over-harvest their crops, tradesmen of all sorts drawing in their tools and skills, trying their hardest to produce as much as humanly possible for the rising demands as every individual attempts to prepare themselves and their families for the impending conflict....

[Daemonic Daz]

News spreads like wildfire that a Ixpadian Solider was mugged and stripped of his uniform in broad daylight by two men of little description in the Docks. Stygians are seen in the street quietly laughing and taunting other Ixpadians about the incident, some of the taunting leading to a few drunken barfights in the Wastrel whilst Norrin takes bets from his patrons on who will fall first.

The Armsman of Sharboneth seem slower than usual to investigate the mugging, most people shrugging it off as "Typical Hawk laziness" whilst the more wild and conspiratory circles in the colony claim to have seen certain Armsman giving Ixpadians the cold shoulder treatment.

Whatever happens, one thing is for certain amongst the Colonists. Dark clouds are gathering above Ymph.

[Caddies]

Tensions between those loyal to the Count and those loyal the Queen continue to flare, yet this day the rumour mill is mostly unconcerned with such things. Instead, people wag tongues about a very sudden alliance between the Magus Morv and Zyphaem Fassaud, with both regularly seen entering the ruins near to the Smash together with assistants in toe. Just what they are doing there precisely remains subject to speculation, yet the avid delving and studies into that section of the ruins under daily joint expeditions speaks to something of importance...

[Gippy]

A huge flock of harpies passed across the sun heading out towards Shipwreck beach. Sailors whisper that they've been fighting and singing amongst themselves for hours now. What has caused the commotion nobody knows, but the Ixpadian soldiers in the colony have grown tense, and the sailors in on their leave have sobered slightly from their drunken revels as if this dark cloud was a very ill omen.

[DeputyCool]

Word spreads around town of a peculiar night, sparked by the joint research venture of Thrask Morv and Zyphaem Faussad. Those who were not present know little of the events, other than that six people set out, only to reappear some hours later at the top of the Ziggurat, with a young child in tow.

Rumors abound that the child was found deep within the ruins of the colony. Even wilder rumors state that the boy is a prophet, and the six adventurers bore witness to him prophesying about days to come in the colony. All agree, however, that the boy has come under the private supervision of Morv and Faussad.

[Gippy]

Rumors swirl that Lord Greywood was brought back upon a burial liter from a raid in Old Port on behalf of the queen. They say in the streets that he personally killed the Uncle of Count Senuspur, Malcolm Senuspar, in a duel, before being slain by a Ruby from the shadows. Many morn his death and many more question what will befall his thriving House.

Other whispers speak of the Count openly using Drow mercenaries to supplement his forces, Stygian bravery under Trenada in battling the Queen, and the man known simply as Drexia having assumed control of the loyalists within Old Port- brutally turning back every push Her Majesty makes against the entrenched forces of The Count around the Palace of Princes.

[DeputyCool]

Today was a day the likes of which the Colony is unlikely to ever forget. Tremors shook the Ziggurat, forcing all to seek cover and striking terror into the hearts of many. The epicenter, all agreed, was the ruinous expanse of the Colony known by many as "The Smash".

Many flocked to the area to find what the disturbance was. Upon their arrival they found the Scholar Zyphaem and the Thayan Thrask Morv weaving intense spells at the waterside. Between them was a small boy, whom many have come to think of as somewhat supernatural. Rumor names him as "Razul", the boy found by an adventuring party days before, deep in the ruins. Whoever he may be, none can deny that he appeared to be leading the ritual, casting with the two powerful wizards and at one point even issuing them orders.

The result of the awe-inspiring casting was clearly visable as chunks of the earth rose all around them and from the waters of the Smash rose an impossibly large chunk of earth. It rose far into the sky, until it's lowermost point rested some five hundred feet of the ground. Upon the completion of the ritual, Morv and Faussad are said to have collapsed, while the boy spoke to the assembled.

None are sure what such a bizarre and portentious turn of events can mean, but none can keep their eyes from the large floating island which now resides some five hundred feet above the Temple Distriict..

[DeputyCool]

A trying day has hit the Colony. It began as the Stygians slowly pulled out of the Docks, when a confrontation began and small scale rioting between Stygians and Ixpadian soldiers broke out.

Reports on what House Sharboneth's reaction was vary, though most admit they saw a Sergeant, Armsman and Retainer doing very little. Rumors also indicate that those same three were later exiled from the Colony due to their failure to help the Ixpadians, as an act of House Sharboneth to assure their loyalties.

For now, the Stygians have relocated to their Squatter's Den Outpost, where all eyes await what will come from them next. Their first act, however, seemed to be the execution of infamous Ixpadian Soldier, Kethra Marsk. Ixpadians mourn her loss universally, all afraid of what will come without this hero of theirs.

The colony seems ill at ease..