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

[Talir]

Once more blood runs freely upon the streets of the Docks despite the backbreaking efforts of its defenders. The ruins east of the Docks collapsed and secluded it off from the rest of the city as the Nightrisers used this to push undisturbed into the Docks, where the defenders met them in battle. Holding the ground they managed to keep the battle from spilling into the streets. This caused the Nightrisers to deviate from their course and instead attack from the ruins between the Ziggurat and the Docks on the north side, where the Gypsies reside. Drawn to the spot, the defenders stormed in vain to help them.

The Undead then once more continued their assault from their first direction, entering the streets unhindered save for the few guards remaining. When the defenders returned to the streets of the Docks, they quickly found themselves alone with the Nightrisers, barred doors and fighting coming from the many buildings where the living had retreated. Pushing the invaders out of the streets and into the ruins, the valiant protectors of life fought the risers and even entered one of the portals to stop the attacks, killing a powerful Riser within. Dawn arrived to provide a relieve of the battles and to greet a horrible sight.

Bones litter the streets of the Docks where the deceased and the twice-dead remain. Corpses are dragged by the still living to the Mausoleum and the tombs beneath, where proper sarcophaguses quickly are becoming a rarity. Blood mix with dust in the alleyways and discolour the ground. Despite the grim scene, the people of the Docks still raise their heads and acknowledge that once more, the cause of freedom has proven stronger than the hatred of the dead. Yet it is becoming clear that should these attacks continue, there may soon be few alive to treasure it.

Upon the Ziggurat the citizens of the Duchy whisper in fear of when the Risers once more turn their attention upon them. Few Pallid Mask scouts leave the Mausoleum these days, evidence of the dangers slumbering still in the Ruins Below. Militiamen man their posts with stoic demeanor and many of the residents keep their homes locked during the night.

The city is slowly crumbling under the onslaught of the dead.

[Daemonic Daz]

Terror grips the city once more as blood marred the ancient cobbles of The Colony, this time it was not shed by the rusted swords of Nightrisers but by the tensions of The Stygians and The Sons of Sabuth finally coming to a head. Rumours say that a Ruby assassin of The Count entered The Docks under the guise of invisibilty, brutally beating a Son with unrelenting fury and murdering several commoners before making his dramatic escape.

Things further spiraled out of control as an attack was made on The Temple District by The Sons in retaliation for the murders, leaving a Stygian Veteran and Militiaman dead in a pool of their own blood. The Stygians quickly made their move and barricaded The Docks entrance by The Inner Ruins with Duke Antoine Trenada leading them and demanding that Admiral Horton Grouse arrives to explain his actions.

Heated debated swiftly ensued, each leader accusing the other for the beginning of this bloodshed and each making demands of each other before swiftly departing to their respective Districts. Duke Trenada decreed that any Son that steps foot into The Duchy will be killed on sight and demanded the Son "Fleur" to be turned over to The Stygians in seven days to answer to her crimes. Admiral Grouse taunted The Dukes words, inviting him to come claim her if he wished and warned that further attacks will continue if The Count's bodyguards make their presence known in The Docks again.

As the nightrisers continue to wage war from below, one wonders. How long each side can keep up the hostility's between them before all is lost?

[Letsplayforfun]

Rumors of humanoid advanced scouting parties are spouting in the settlement. Say orcs were spotted on the reef, others speak of hostile goblins investigating sewers, while others pretend that kobolds ventured close to the gates. Whether these rumors are true, few can say for sure, but the scent of fear is in the air.

One cannot help  but wonder what would happen should another threat arise with daylight, when night is already filled with danger, and with the Colony’s defenders at each other’s throats...

[Gippy]

A number of men were arrested and sentenced to death in The Old Port Arena today after they took part in the brutal murder of a House Harvix associate. Some say the trial was a sham, some applaud the harsh sentence. Rumor has it that they'll be transported within the next few days to Old Port aboard the schooner "Timberwind" which is docked in the Gobsquat taking on supplies. Tickets to watch the execution are rumored to be between five and ten gold, with tickets to travel aboard the Timberwind to Old Port going for fifty gold a person.

// Ship sails at 6 EST Tuesday.

[Caddies]

Rumours spread of a rescue attempt on the convicts bound for Old Port by various dissidents and rebels, led by both the Order and the Sons; and even a member or two of the Conclave being present as well. Most of the would-be rescuers were subdued in an intense fight in the Gobsquat, with one or two managing to escape; one of whom managed to turn into a flaming demon calling himself 'Grey', fighting his way out. Defeated, the rest were cast in chains and shipped to Old Port to join those they would rescue in the pits.

All accounts verify that the staged gladiatorial bout in the Arena of Old Port was short and very brutal. Three managed to survive by sheer cunning and fortitude, mostly by playing dead until the last of the Count's gladiators had fell. These three were rewarded with their freedom, as Trenada promised.

A few commoners admire the bravery of these people, but most joke about the stupidity they displayed in either murdering Patricians or attempting to rescue convicted murderers of Patricians...

Amongst the dead were said to be the indomitable Sons warrior 'Old Man Franco' along with the Flower of the Docks, several Pallid Mask warriors, the Conclave's ambassador to the Duchy, and some amongst the Order too-- many speculate as to the political ramifications of this collective trespass against Duchy...

[Talir]

The gossip of the day within the Docks tell of an assassin murdering one of the Sons, Monald Asen, in the middle of the Docks in broad daylight. Under attack by the locals, the assassin managed to cut off the head and escape, bleeding profoundly from the many wounds inflicted. No news are heard of the assassin being caught and many discuss what the possible ramifications of this will be.

During the night the Nightrisers once more struck the Ziggurat. In the aftermath a portal opened which several citizens were seen entering, before it flickered out of existance. Eventually they returned under escort to the Stygian Citadel and remained there for some time.

[FleetingHeart]

Hunters return to the colony late last night with a strange story on their lips. Brilliant flashing lights were seen dancing about a stone circle. Most blame some foul Stargazer magic, as they were reported to be present in droves, chanting and dancing around the fae lights.

[Letsplayforfun]

A very large group of of adventurers were seen leaving town in the early morning lights, supposedly to disrupt a meeting of various humanoid tribes.

While the gathering humanoids were promptly crushed, a band of orcs took advantage of the absence of many colony defenders to launch an attack against the gates.

In the aftermath of the battle, although victory was achieved, some questions remain unanswered. What was the real issue of the meeting? How did colony defenders come about it's location and timing? Was the orc raid on the town coordinated with the departure of many defenders? How would the tribes react to the death of their emissaries?

For now, only time and gossip can tell.

[Letsplayforfun]

Today terror poured from the sky as hundreds of blood sucking stirges poured down upon the Ziggurat.

Although the foul beasts were no threat to most hardened citizens, many a child or unprotected colonist was left laying to the ground, pale as death itself, as the stirge left no single drop of blood to their victims.

As the danger flew away inland, a group of adventurers was seen leaving town to investigate this new threat. Later in the night, some were heard boasting of taking down a strange bat like lycanthrope that might have been commanding the blood sucking birds.

Citizens can only hope such tales are true, and that the threat is indeed over.

[Talir]

Several tremors shook the Ziggurat in the hours before sunset the 8th of Uktar. A trio of Pallid Mask Scouts alongside a Crusader ventured into the depths to investigate the cause of this. An hour before midnight and with no reports back from the earlier group, Infantryman Gimble alongside Templar Drake and Initiate Turnskull lead a group of volunteers to discover the fate of the scouts. Storming up from the sewers, they managed to alert the city just as Nightriser portals appeared and the beginning of an invasion occured.

The quick warning and the determination of the defenders managed to ensure few losses of civilian lives but the defenders were hard pressed as the Undead struck the Ziggurat, Noble's Gate, Docks and Transcendant Conclave. In a bold attempt to draw out the leader, Templar William Drake called out to the Sub-Warden through the use of the sending system. Upon the floating Conclave with the edge of dawn approaching, he was answered by the Nightriser Commander leading the forces.

Blood mixed with the rain as the defenders fought desperately to end the Commander and his forces. Nearing exhaustion and supplies approaching oblivion, a final push was made as Drake duelled the Commander under constant barrage by the two opposite forces before the Templar was able to land the final blow, forever banishing the mighty Nightriser and stopping the invasion.

Despite the victory, many are concerned about the rumours coming from the battle upon the Conclave floor. It was a battered gathering that descended from the battlefield and with the knowledge that the Nightriser defeated was but the leader of the initial strike forces, many fear that the Sub-Warden himself will come to lead the next attacks. The citizens now look to their defenders for guidance, with many beginning to cheer the pale crusaders for their constant vigilance and aid. They are eager to be assured that when their opponent marches upon the battlefield, there will people there they can trust and support that will ensure their survival. No matter who.

[Daemonic Daz]

During the daylight hours where the sun is rised high above the lands, a great deal of debate amongst the more intellectual and scholarly population has sprung up regarding peculiar activity from their airbourne protector.

People speak of the sun shining brighter than ever whilst others say that the sun has infact grown in size, the more fanatical and outrageous rumours say that a group of Lathanderites were behind the suns apparant change in appearance and are hoping the recent change will do some good against the onslaught of Nightrisers.

Whatever is happening, no one seems certain.

[Wiggyboy]

This evening a brutal scene played out in the docks. In the dead of night tiny assassins were said to have made their way to the tanners shop, wherein they butchered both the proprieter himself and three local hunters. Many citizens speak with disgust and fear at the scene within. The tanner himself appeared to have been partially digested by one of the attackers and regurgitated bit by bit.

The Sons of Sabbath boast at having slain one of the Stargazer killers, though lament that its conspirators managed to spirit away the body before they could secure it.

Some citizens in the docks now speak fearfully of the local savages, and and demand for the fine pelts of the jungle cats has dropped somewhat in the settlement.

However, a few citizens in the docks remark that the Stygians never allowed such things to happen. More than a few proclaim that, "At least those mercs knew how to keep the savages in line." - though few are bold enough to do so in earshot of the Sons.

[wcsherry]

Far to the Northeast, a brilliant streaming light of orange energy pierces the evening sky, illuminating several miles of landscape that is clearly visible to all citizens of the Ziggurat... many look up in wonder, though some simply dismiss this as yet another seasonal shift in an already bizarre climate. Still, doomsayers are quick to place the blame on Stargazer tricks, or even worse, Nightriser magics.

All things considered, however, business continues as usual on the Ziggurat.

[Daemonic Daz]

As well as the usual flood of rumours following the mysterious streaming light, alot of speculation coming out of the rumourmill is pointing towards The Conclaves "experiments" within the Inner City Ruins as the cause.

The first test held twoday ago resulted in the decimation of a whole building with frighteningly large scorch marks being left behind. Although the Conclave are quick to warn any citizens in the vicinity of the experiments that will take place, anger is growing from the citizens of The Duchy that claim The Conclave are attempting to build and restore ancient Netherese weaponry so they can blackmail the Duchy for whatever they wish.

In a rare sight of reluclant union, citizens from The Docks also appear to be wary and somewhat disturbed by The recent development, claiming that The Conclave could be the next tyrants they will oppose.

There are a fair few however that find the whole affair fasinating and possibly have the ability to create a better home for all within the ruins, these people can be seen heading towards The Conclave camp within the Temple District.

[Talir]

The final days have come. Rumours have long foretold of the decisive strike from the Nightrisers, led by a Sub-Warden, to arrive at last upon the city. After months of trepidation and battles, the lines are drawn and the still before the storm has the citizens at unease.

Upon the Ziggurat, there appears to be few preparations made. The Armada stoically patrol their domain, the militia appearing more nervous as the hours pass and few efforts made to contribute towards the defenses. From the pale crusaders' side, the very same told to have the means to end this, no visible preparations have been made. The few active members upon the Ziggurat appear confident in their dozen or so members being able to halt the advance of the undead. The Lords have focused their defenses at their respective estates, Lord Durjure also opening his house to those seeking shelter inside. A few have also put their trust into the Shrouded Isle Syndicate Library and sought shelter within nervously. Some of the richest patricians have approached the Inner Piers seeking passage to Old Port to weather the coming assault.

Within the Docks a few efforts have been made to bolster the morale prior to the invasion. Many of the inhabitants spend their gold drinking the anxiousness away or pursuing other means to alleviate their fear. A few daring has been seen approaching the drug traders seeking botanical means to bolster their resolve for the coming fight. Eyes are turning to the Sons of Sabuth as time goes by.

Above, the Floating Conclave flies resolute and little activity can be seen from their side. Roughly seven days ago, their members were seen coming from the ruins below in ragged and torn outfits with little voice to their doings there. Since then their calls have rung out in warning through the Mythallar about the coming attack and many speculate of what they will do once battle is joined in full.

For all the misgivings, thoughts and deeds, one thing remains clear.

The Nightrisers are coming. Soon.