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

[DeputyCool]

Battle sweeps the streets once more. A concentrated effort seems to have been made, when a sudden attack by Stygians and Loyalists came during the night. House Sharboneth, declaring their loyalty for the count, turned on the Ixpadians where they stood. Inch by inch, and with a heavy death toll, the Ixpadians were forced from the Ziggurat by citizens and loyalists alike. Many speak of the fledgling Banite church having been present, and extremely vocal. Many also noted infamous loyalist "Gallo" blowing the war horn, to signal the attack.

Another group seems to have been responsible for the daring rescue of Governor Zakarias from deep within the Ixpadian territory.

As the dust settles, a vicious stalemate has arisen. The Ixpadians have fortified themselves into the docks, and seem prepared to make a stand against the Loyalists. Neither side is yet willing to cross the barriers seperating them, fearing their forces not sufficient. How long this will go on, none can be sure..

[DeputyCool]

A bizarre occurance is on the tongues of all the common folk. At sunrise, a strange shape filled the air. As it drew closer, all were perplexed to see that it was in fact a ship. Sporting three masts, and even sails, it flew through the air. It soon became evident what their destination was, and it drew to a stop just over the floating enclave. As figures descended onto the large floating island, others came below to the area referred to as the "Smash". Reports of their welcome vary, but it is known that their leader, an elderly, overweight man named "Bartemius" turned a man to stone after the man reportedly made lewd comments at his daughter.

Many fear the new arrival of what is, reportedly, a group of powerful mages. Others however, doubt it will be anything more than a scholarly expedition, quick to point out that amicable Zyphaem Faussad began his stay on Ymph in exactly the same capacity.

The group for now seems to have set up a small camp in the Smash, as others in their number stay above on the Enclave, studying tirelessly.

[DeputyCool]

The reign of Ixpadia Sabuth has come to a close.

As night fell, ships were spotted heading into Old Port. Shortly thereafter, battle was heard ringing from the shores of the Old City. As their battle waged on, the Colonies was only beginning..

Ixpadian reinforcements landed in the Colony, and waves of soldiers pressed against the Loyalist barricades in the Ziggurat. Eventually, former Marshal Marius Lestrade led a force that was able to break the barricade and wreak havoc upon the Loyalist forces. Meeting Grand Larson Burkden in a deadly duel at the top of the Ziggurat, the two man battles for nearly half an hour, before Burkden finally succumbed to the blade of Lestrade, who collapsed of his own wounds shortly after, atop the Grand Larson, dead.

Just after their death, an explosion rang out from the docks, as a group of Sharboneth's men sabotaged Ixpadian vessels. The Loyalists used this opportunity to push against the Ixpadians and bring the fight into the Docks. Ixpadia's best Lieutenant, Admiral Horton Grouse landed in the Colony with news that Ixpadia had been captured by the Count's men and was being held in Old Port. The Ixpadian's quickly left the Colony in the hands of the Loyalists, to retrieve her...

The Loyalists gave no quarter, however, and followed the Ixpadians to the shores of Old Port, where the Ixpadian Forces were quickly rended asunder by the Colonists, Rubies and Stygians. One Ruby in particular is said to have led them with a vicious and singleminded bloodthirst. General Drexia, who many of the Colonists whisper is the son of a Matron of Traensyr.

The Loyalists proved successful, as eventually Grouse and the remaining Ixpadians, along with the rebellious lords of Old Port who lent her their aid fled away from the Archipelago. The Colony rejoices in a freedom it has not enjoyed in months. Some, however, wonder what became of Grouse, and fear what shall happen if he returns..

[Daemonic Daz]

As the dust settles in the docks and remenants of Ixpadia's reign begin to disappear, men and women can be seen banding together to form close knit communitys for safety. Those that would stand idle being forced to choose their friends more closely as the docks become a more sinister place.

The bloody (and glamorous to the bankruptly corrupt) art of gang warfare has taken hold within the docks with a iron fist. With House Sharboneth and The Stygian Armada unable to spare the men to police it, a massive power vacuum has appeared within the district as gangs rise and fall within days of their inception and the amount of dumped bodies found in the reef's are becoming more numerous at a alarming rate.

A group of particular note called "The Longshoremen" has appealed to the mass's, asking them to take up arms against House Sharboneth and their slaves to coin as they openly begin to proclaim the docks "freeman" territory. Johnny Lazare is also often seen holding "discussions" with the various unsavory individuals now found in the docks, many in the Wastrel speculate at why a good, honest working man would speak with such undesirables but the general consensus is that it cannot mean any good for the degrading district.

[Caddies]

Those astride the cliffs overlooking the sea between the Old Port and Ymph on this day espied a large flotilla of ships of questionable seaworthiness careening ever nearer on the swells. Eventually, they disappeared into the caves of the Inner Piers below the Docks.

Throngs of haggard people, their faces drawn in exhaustion and their eyes hollowed by desperation ascended thence into the Docks, shuffling about uneasily. The observant may have noted that a number of these people must have once been affluent, their expensive clothes now stained with the offal of violence in Old Port and the rigors of travel from it, yet nevertheless bearing themselves with a semblance of regal pride.

Talk quickly spreads that this mass of people are those Old Port residents, nobles and the the lowerborn alike, who supported Ixpadia during the war and who have now come to Ymph seeking refuge from the retribution of the Count's Rubies.

As the dark clouds of another Flamerule storm gathered over these new arrivals in the the Docks, they quickly began picking out shelter in the corners of what these days could now genuinely be called slums...swelling the population immensely, and speaking to even more tumultuous times ahead for the seething district.

[DeputyCool]

Today, was to be the day that Lord Alemander landed and reassured his people that they were entering a new age. Well, that end was certainly achieved...

Preceding Alemander was a retinue of Lords from Old Port, all of whom appear to have been cast from their homes in the Old City to an exile on Ymph for uprising with the False Queen. They arrived shortly before Alemander, who took his place at the top of the Ziggurat to address his people.

As his speech wound on, however, the infamous General Drexia arrived declaring Alemander a Traitor. Reading a proclamation from the Count naming Alemander guilty of High Treason and dissolving the House of Sharboneth, Drexia went on to defame the Lord further, telling the people that even after the House of Sharboneth went back to the Count, Alemander plotted to kill the Count, and sold weapons to the Ixpadians, weapons which were used to kill Colonists.

Zakarias, Governor of the Colony, spit at Drexia's feet and denounced him for a liar. A duel ensued, wherein Zakarias was quickly slaughtered. Alemander and Martel went quietly after that, as Sharboneth men denied them as their masters.

Drexia announced that the Colony had been given over to now Duke Antoine Trenada, who shall be arriving in just over a tenday. Until then, the Colony lies subdued in Ruby Rule, with General Drexia at it's head.

The new lords scavange through ruins, setting up their new estates..

[Talir]

In the aftermath of the dissolution of House Sharboneth, Colonists have begun to voice their fear of the defenses and the present situation. The Armada is battered after the Queen's War and the few forces they have stoically defend the Main Gates and other areas, spread thinly. The four Rubies quell any thoughts of open rebellion or dismay, yet their presence do not give the Colonists comfort. Fear hangs in the air that one single major attack will leave countless dead in its wake. They now look for someone to champion them and guide them forth before the arrival of Duke Trenada and his men.

[Talir]

As Shieldmeet was at an end, a large force of gnolls approached the Colony and aggressively struck it after failed negotiations. Their demand was rumoured to be the hand-over of someone responsible for the death of one of their tribes, who were consumed by rot. Adventurers and defenders alike rose to defend the Colony and were victorious, but at a cost. Volunteers usually at guard duty upon the walls and three Stygians perished in the attack, further dwindling the number of defenders able to hold off the native forces of Ymph. As the day passed into dusk, only Drake was seen standing upon the wall waiting for more Infantrymen to arrive.

[DeputyCool]

A jet of purple light was seen shooting from the Floating Enclave tonight, into the sky. The cause of it remains widely unknown, though what is certain is that the inside of the Floating Island has been opened.

Many wonder on what will come next of the boy prophet Razul, now that most of his prophecies have come true...

[DeputyCool]

The City stagnates, waiting for the Duke. Many begin to angrily whisper that he may never arrive, while others say that the Count intends to simply turn the Rubies loose upon them when the time is right, to slaughter them all.

Tensions are high. In the Docks, gang warfare continues to flourish. A dozen gangs rise and fall, and more come to take their place. Still, many speak of the Sons, who seem content to bide their time, recruiting from the fallen pieces of other gangs, or beating them into submission. Still, none have seen them abuse their power, and most speak of them reverentially as a last remaining force of good.

In the skies, the Floating Enclave has opened itself to the people, but the Coterie has monopolized it's study almost entirely. They cannot agree amongst themselves, however, and it is not uncommon to see them fighting amongst themselves over rights to specific studies.

With the announcement that they've finally found something of worth, many in the Colony are curious to see what it is, and at least take their mind off of the leaderless Ziggurat, or infighting Docks.

[DeputyCool]

Rumors abound of the events at the Coterie's announcement. It is said that they discovered a way to repel Nightrisers from the Colony, and forever end the frequent attacks by them. However, shortly after this was unveiled, Zyphaem Faussad arrived, followed by Thrask Morv, and the boy prophet Razul. Behind them came a shrouded figure, who said nothing, and no one seemed to acknowledge.

Razul announced that the Coterie would no longer control of the Enclave, and that a new group would be formed, which would allow the Coterie to join with it. A Transcendent Conclave, to turn the Enclave into a bastion of peace and learning. He then encouraged mages to flock to them, and see the vision realized.

Many are curious to see what becomes of such a group, while some seem wary that even more mages are flocking towards the area.

All however, are hopeful for the new development that could possible end the Nightriser threat.

[DeputyCool]

The ropes that hung from the Floating Enclave allowing entrance have been pulled up, seperating it from the island. Though Zyphaem and Morv remain below for now, it is said the boy Razul is above.

Some say he hides in fear of the Count's proclamation, while others say he is overseeing the transformation of the Enclave into the grand paradise he always proclaimed it to be.

There is no sign of when they will once again lower the ropes to allow passage above.

[Daemonic Daz]

As the more scholarly and learnt portion of the population look to the enclave, the average man and fearful citizen cast their gaze to the docks district where a particularly brutal battle took place.

It is said that a Tempuran hailing from the ziggurat was at odds with the infamous Bloodhounds and led a small portion of citizens who wanted to put an end to the gang once and for all. As steel was drawn within the alley's of the docks, beggars, drug addicts and individuals fearing for their lives left the scene quickly.

It was then that The Sons attacked the invading group from behind and quickly put down any resistance with the assistance of the bloodhounds, declaring that no "followers of Tyrants" shall lay a hand on those that make the docks their home.

As the blood drained away and the invaders fled to lick their wounds, Remy Crallet of The Sons called for a gathering within the square at the docks for an announcement. He quickly denounced the recent attack and called for all inhabitances of the docks to unite against all symbols of tyranny and to fight for the freedom they deserve. He also mentioned that The Bloodhounds, in return for their assistance in the attack, now rally under The Sons banner.

The Longshoremen were quick to critisize the move, saying the bloodhounds only wished to seek protection whilst they cause more pain and wanton destruction. The Craftsmen seemed indifferent but their leader Droggus Munt was overheard mentioning that it maybe worth throwing their lot in with The Sons if the coin is plentiful.  

[Caddies]

The Docks have become very dangerous. The entire district seethes, imploding upon itself regularly as the various factions clash in violent attempts to gather power and mark territory, or merely defend themselves from aggressors. As the struggle develops, several groups emerge with the influence and strength required to defend their claims; the Longshoremen, the Fishmongers, the Freemen, the Merchants and the Craftsmen. All these groups however are overshadowed by the 'Sons', a gang that seems content for now to remain largely unobtrusive.

Law in the district has broken down completely. Thievery is rife, brawls are commonplace and murder is a near-daily happenstance. Yet for all the chaos and bloodshed, a strange sense of 'unity' has developed amongst the folk of the Docks, who irregardless of their current loyalties are always quick to join in the chorus against the 'Tyranny' and 'Oppression' of the Count...sentiments the otherwise quiet group known as the Sons take particular concern with spreading.

Moreover, angry demands swirl on desperate streets: "Where is the catch?" For it seems that within the last few days, the fishing fleets have been bringing in much less than normal despite the season being high. Johnny Lazare of the Fishmongers claims his lads are trying their best, yet for many living in slums facing famine its not good enough.

Tensions rise...

[Daemonic Daz]

Terror grips The Docks once again as more violence erupts. This time the casualty being none other than Lady Haley Mendon of The Mendon Estate.

Rumours are varied depending who you speak to, but it is generally agreed that discontent inhabitants of The Docks wished to oust "Tyrants" from their homes once and for all. Three men were seen entering the Estate and fleeing from it moments later with a large bag of looted goods whilst The Estate burnt to the ground.

With no sign of Haley Mendon, The Ziggurat mourns the loss of another well thought of political figure and cries for revenge and for something to be done about "these damned rebels" become rampant about The Colony.