Tavern Knowledge (II) - post your rumours and gossip here

[Swift]

Whispers spread like wildfire through the taverns that a silent war is brewing in the streets, as a new faction has formed to challenge the existing order of Silverymoons criminal underbelly. Some even claim the Shadow Swords are becoming more active, though they are quickly hushed, lest they draw undue attention to themselves.

Merchants in the markets are vocally calling for the Knights in Silver to have a larger prescence while others seem unwilling to wait, with heavily armed Irregulars becoming a more frequent sight standing guard by the stalls.

[Galadorn]

OOC Note: Seriously, a random encounter Blue Dragon, how awesome is that!?

This is awesome. cheers to you taking a screenshot...

"Hey there Mr. Dragon! just....take a step back ...one more foot, thanks!" >>CLICK<<

[Blindhamsterman]

*The elf, Elenaril was seen entering passing through High Hold and Quaervarr, some heard him give warning to the militia leaders in each of those towns, speaking of trouble in the mountains and the likelyhood of poisoning the tiver Waters, he spoke of a band of adventurers that uncovered this plot, explaining that this information came from none other than the Militias own Berendil the Ranger. Soon after He departed into the Moonwoods. Meanwhile the Militia begin Preparations to have supplies of water.

[NESchampion]

A young gnomish man can be seen studying at the University on a variety of subjects, ranging from poisons and history to gemstones and necromancy. When not reading through a pile of books and taking notes, he can be seen discussing his findings with Brightbells, and suggesting to others that they bathe their water in light before drinking it for the time being.

Word around the University is that this same gnome has also sought a meeting with the Spellguard and with Mistress Ostelle.

[danielmn]

Word travels through the Knights in Silver that a great Silver Wyrm has been seen flying about the Hawk's Nest of late.

The Dwarven Garlus was seen to stop at both High Hold and Rivermoot, speaking with Malraven and Marshall accordingly, and handing over sealed parcels.

The coopers of Silverymoon seem much busier than normal, some hiring extra hands. It seems that a large order for barrells has been made and paid for upfront by an unknown party.

[Killthorne]

A group of four, odd adventurers (being a scholarly-looking gnome, an albino girl clad in silver and gold chainmail, a golden-haired maiden dressed in a rather provocative outfit and a man clad in grey leathers and evergreen cloak) were noted to had have briefly visited Quaervarr, by the Argent Legion posted there. Apparently, word about possible poisoned water sources pointed out on maps and suggested means for testing and diluting the poisons were relayed to the officer in command.

Before leaving Quaervarr, the scantily, leather-clad woman was overheard speaking to the albino girl about the hard part of visiting Winter's Edge next and convincing them of the same plight.

[viigas]

-The now 12 weeks old "orders" to not travel east beyond hawks nest without proper papers is believed removed even if no statement of this is made yet and words that Felbarr remain in the federation is eagerly discussed among merhcants and traders in and around silverymoon.

-Legion guards speak of patrols towards Sundabar and upcoming shifts based on guarding traders heading out east of hawks nest...

-one can hear folks speak of how the threat, some beast most likely, out east have been taken down by the city mages and words are that its head is to be placed on a pole so the people can see the reason as why some of the trade of late been low.. one guest even said he had promised his son to practice the xbow on it once the head was put up there.

- talks is heard about that the goverment is up to something, its very convincing that trade suddenly return to normal with sundabar and felbarr when talks of caring what one drink is spreading.. apparently the next load of wine will be poisioned one guest say but gets corrected by another, its not the wine, its the ale.. I heard the dwarven ale got foul and thats why all those barrels is seen moved about, the dwarfs are panicken and risk to be all out of ale soon and need to produce alot in a short time so drink when there is any I say.

-words of a new faction of thiefs have surfaced of late among the people, apparently several books on the subject of poisons is missing from the vault of sages and checks on the "known thief's" produced no result. The government decline this rumor and ask the citizen to not spread false words that could lead to panic but rumors say there is a reward to be had to the one returning the stolen books.

[Mirabai]

Throughout Silverymoon talk is heard amongst the locals, some with worry and others with a tense excitement, of a "cursed bard".

According to the tale the locals are happy to share with any who will listen, every year at the same time since anyone can remember a bard appears -perhaps a spirit, perhaps something else, no one really knows- and sings a sad tale each night for three nights, in the same three places every year. He sings a tale of romance, ambition, and lost love, a wish and a price paid for that wish that takes a tragic toll on the young lovers in the tale.

The spellguard claim that the apparition is harmless, if pitiable, but many locals disagree. The locals say that every year the only thing that changes in the story are the two lovers- sometimes the young man in the story is a great warrior, other times a simple baker. They say that at the end of the third night, the third time the song is sung, two young people just as described in the tale will die tragically. When the bard appears, everyone prays to whatever gods they worship that they or their loved ones won't be the ones described in the tale.

Authorities dismiss this claim as being myth, simple legend. They say it is mere coincidence that two people die on the third night, and are as described in the tale. They also say that the deaths in past years have been fully investigated and no foul play, magical or otherwise, has been detected.

But any shopkeep, goodwife or artisan will tell you different...

I plan to run this for whoever is interested in investigating, tomorrow early evening (Christmas day, probably late afternoon/early evening PST). I'll post an approximate time when I figure out what it'll be.

[Audark]

sounds interesting, I'll do my best to be around after ye olde christmas dinner with the folks, should work out ok since I'm EST

[Mirabai]

All around Silverymoon people are repeating the lyrics to the song sung by the bard last eve, while waiting in dread to find out who the unfortunate Knight and Lady were...

((reposting the poem here so that people can refer to it and I don't have to type the whole thing out IG again!))

On silent nights I remember
As the wind dies away
A Song of Love and Ambition
That continues to last to this day

A young man, a swordsman... a knight!
Who wished only to be the best
He worked and he prayed and believed
That he'd be greater than all of the rest

As he traveled and learned and moved forward
He met a young woman, so fair
With bright shining eyes and a beautiful smile
And lustrous long auburn hair

They laughed and they danced and they played
For days and their love had grown fast
But the young man had a first love, a passion
And he could not let go of the past

So after the romance, he left her
He continued to go on his way
But she followed, for her love was not fleeting
she found him, she begged him to stay

And he loved her, oh how this young man loved her
But he could never be so content
With only a woman, no matter how she loved him,
He must follow through with his first intent

He left and she followed, he moved on and she followed
Together they stayed though apart
Even though she came second to him
She had given him all of her heart

Then one day a man came with hope to give
He told them he'd grant each a dream
A single wish, a hope, a desire he'd grant
Though the man was not what he had seemed

He smiled such a smile as villain's smile
As they each gave their dreams unto him
He would grant what they wanted, certainly he would
But just how? they would soon understand

The woman she wished such a simple thing, surely
Only one thing was sown in her mind
she wished to be with this young man forever
Could he grant this? Could he be so kind?

And the young man he heard this but still was not swayed
He had only one quest at heart
Could he be the best swordsman in all of the land
Could he be the Master of his Noble Art?

And the Wish Giver smiled and he steepled his fingers
He laughed and he said, "So it will be!"
To the man he said, "You will be the best
Here's the sword that will make it be!"

The woman cried out in such pain and horror
As her form slowly twisted and bent into
the shape of a sword
And to the man's arms she was sent

"Each has what they want," said the Granter
As he slowly faded from the place
The man cried out as he held his True Love
This is not what he wanted to face

He never had thought how he'd loved her
For granted he'd taken the girl
Now that he had what he thought he had wanted
He'd seen he had given up the world

So he worked, and he worked with the gift she gave him
He showed he was greater than all
But when you are the best it can create envy
So thus would the great swordsman soon fall

A man set to plan a vision of murder
He came upon our swordsman at night as he lay
And killed him quietly and stole off with the sword
To become the best the next day

But the sword would not work for the killer
Apart from the swordsman was a bargain unkept
In frustration the killer tossed it away
As the woman inside softly wept

Now two souls that belong together
And were bound to stay close, for all time
Are forced apart and can never rest
Because of ambition, love, and a crime

***Props to Jayde for providing me with a poem to fit my tale***

[danielmn]

The early hours of the morn saw the delivery of a multitude of barrels to High Hold, and many many hours later Rivermoot. It is said the barrels are marked with both the stamp of many coopers of Silverymoon, as well as the stamp of Felbarr itself. The barrels appeared to be empty upon delivery.

[danielmn]

Wagons rolled into the burnt husk of Quaervarr early in the morn, as the workers continued construction upon the small hamlet. The almost unfamiliar sight of gold, one winged armoured men escourted the small train of wagons accompanied by a few dwarves, as barrels were unloaded. Without much ceremony, the Legion Tower was approached by two of the escorts, a small time later the same two departing. The empty wagons were left, as those still full proceeded onward into the Moonwood. Near dusk the wagontrain returned, empty. The rest of the wagons were hitched, and the golden armoured men proceeded back down the road from whence they had come.

[Regas]

Rumors echo of a group of men said to be bandits (according to a Legion scout) harassing travelers and merchants, even fighting with the Patrols. Some speculate that the men are Luskan or Zhent agents; others believe they are common highwaymen.

Perhaps related, there are rumblings of wrong doing by the Legion itself inflicted on innocent travelers. A regular story is of a band of Legionnaires led by a gnomish spell-guard fond of torturing innocent men for information....

[NESchampion]

Rumors spread from a busy High Hold about a group of irregulars accompanied by a gnomish spellguard, bloodied and worn, arriving just after dawn and being paid and commended by the Sergeant for their collective efforts.

[gribo]

A red dragon was sighted on the road..