Tavern Tales and Rumours

[orangetree]

In the temple district, a young halfling attempts to do a bit of preaching to the divine (though probably ignored.)

"I speak today not for my goddess but for all that explore our relationship to mortal life and the gods. The divine exists in us all, and it is up to us, to decide where our soul will go. This will encompass our commitments, and our faith to the end. Now, some of you may have heard of other religions that do away with the gods, and might be tempted by the appearance of a philosophy that does not hold the soul accountable to your actions... and indeed will do away with any commitment to a faith as simply... this is, what it is. "

The halfling pauses a moment with some sternness. "Please do not wrap a philosophy you have half heard about and end up becoming a Faithless. The divine rewards those who try to follow the path of the gods. Though your journey is yours as an individual, I say to you it is better to pray to a god, seek guidance, act in accordance to faith, and your soul will be on a path to greatness. Keep moving rather then let your soul drift to the wind, where it might end up on the Wall."

[oldgrayrogue]

A group of adventurers sets out from Beregost, with the blessings of Father Richar, intent on driving back the gnolls plaguing the southern road and finding a lone scout the priest had sent out earlier to investigate. The talk among the off duty guards and locals in the taverns is that not far from the town the band of heroes encountered something much worse than the dogmen and their beasts:

"I heard say it was a witch! And she ensorcelled that strange priest who worships the North Wind who led them. Can't say I trust that one, he talks funny."

"Ye bloody paladins wouldn't trust yer own dam if ye seen 'er layin wit yer pa *snorts" Twasn't no witch. I saw what dat priest held in 'is hand," *voices lowers to whisper* "'twas the servants 'o the Dark Sun I say, mind my words an lock yer doors." *makes a sign against evil*

"The old man is right" another temple guard says, "They encountered a servant of vile Cyric. A caravan out of Amn had been slaughtered to the man, and the villainess was letting her undead servants feed on the remains."

"'Tis true! 'Tis True!" *shouts the old man* "I seen it wit me own eyes. Dis big burly girl comes carryin a half eaten half elf lass on her shoulder, right up the bloody road!" *cackles*

"Respect the fallen!" reprimands the young paladin cuffing the old man upside the head.

"Hey! Ye spilt me brew!" *grumbles*

"It is no matter for jest." says the other. "The girl they carried back was the scout Kit that father Richar sent out to patrol the road" *solemn look* "One of their number, a dark skinned Amnian girl who has been hanging round the temple, seemed to know the victims in the caravan as well. They brought the leader back for burial. Amnians all it seemed, but for the doomed scout."

"We're like to see a crowd of these so called 'adventurers' lining up for the bounty the Temple's placed on the gnolls." says the young paladin shaking her head, "I don't know which are worse, the gnolls, the servants of murder, or those motley vagabonds killing for treasure and glory."

*The old gaffer hunches over his ale stein frowning* "Be dark times I say, dark an bloody times."

[orangetree]

In beregost, a halfling knight makes a report to the guard:

"It is my sad duty to inform, a body has been sighted on the path between Beregost and Gullykin. I regret I could not secure the body, due to the very high number of orcs on the path. I advise all to stay away from the path, until a sizable force is organised to restore order."

[Twin Axes]

A group of weary adventurers, consisting of a woman with a huge axe, a bookish looking mage, and a heavily armed dwarf and human, both very wet and bedraggled (obviously from something worse than Sword Coast rain), took up lodgings at the Ruqel inn late last night. As they were drying out in front of the fireplace, tales were told of many orcs having been slain by these fellows over the day, and apparently an assault on an orc hold in the region was being planned.

[Ithildur]

Rumors circulating in Nashkel speak of a strange conversation overheard in town, the participants said to be the most unusual group of foreigners to have passed through in a long while: a dark haired beauty, two elves, and a white haired armored woman with wings...

Wild speculation and exaggerations abound about details of the conversation (some claim the group was clearly coven of unlicensed mages and wicked elves that associated with demons, or even that the winged woman herself was a shape-shifted demon)... the more level headed claim there certainly was talk of demonic creatures, but of battling and defeating such creatures, not allying with them.

There are some whisperings that one of the elves is a horse thief, stealing one of the town's finest white mares right out from under the nose of everyone.

[Zelknolf]

A path of beaten demonic corpses lines a path off of the trade way into gnoll territory and up to its fortress. Few look close at the temporary peace of the fort. Those who do are the desperate keen to see if missing loved ones were taken by the demons, but they say that the creatures' bodies become closer to piles of corrosive goop and mangled limbs until the end, where a dozen dead-but-unmarked demons lay fanned out from a point by an especially-savaged succubus. As if some vengeful god simply... snatched the life out of them all at once.


Hostility returns to the fort not long after, and tales remain of an elusive, enormous demon spider that no one has claimed to have brought down.

[Arianna]

"A caravan guard in the Elfsong was overheard talking about some large woman with an axe they picked up not far outside of Bergost. She had been sorely wounded with a gash upside her head. It was heard that she passed out in the back of the wagon after muttering something about goblins and feeding a stoneman."

[orangetree]

"Blue scaled Kobolds were seen on the mainroad. Two have been dispatched near the lions way. Travellers be cautious.

Sora Littleknight.

The halfling sighs after signing the note. "Is this honestly newsworthy? I know.. well, it's something anyway."

[orangetree]

"There were more blue scaled kobolds on the road near the Gate. These were battle hardened and too fast to be hit by arrows. They were out in much higher numbers too. It is only by the skill of The elf Aglaril, that the roads are safe again."

"I would ask vigilance. If you see one of these things don't be tempted to engage it without an experienced ally and be prepared to flee. These are not normal kobolds."

Sora Littleknight.

[orangetree]

"I have heard there is a dragon... yes a DRAGON in the Forest of Sharp Teeth. Please do not travel there. Kobolds are roaming the roads and are not considered safe. Do not travel unless necessary. Evacuate in a calm manner if inclined, I suggest travel southerly."

Sora Littleknight.

The halfling mutters something. "Let's see, one almost died so far... I suppose I should be glad some people are getting the message."

[orangetree]

A halfling knight warns Beregost and Gullykin of the presence of a dragon in the woods. She urges preparations made.

Patrols are organised to maintain a route to Nashkel for reinforcements and escape of the common folk.

Requel offers some possible safety and is being looked into.

[Ithildur]

Rumors in Ruquel suggest that one of the Elves that actually saw the dragon seems to be taking a very different approach, urging hearers of the dragon talk to remain calm and downplaying it all.

"The Wood of Sharp Teeth has been a home to dragons for many years; this is not the first time one has been encountered. One way or another the situation will be handled." the Elf was overheard saying inside the Angel Feather Inn.

"It may not be easy, but keeping level heads and stout hearts is called for, not panic. So please, another round of wine, and let's discuss how the distinct lack of Evermead in this establishment might be remedied."

[orangetree]

((Could we have a DM ruling on what the public does? Maybe with influence of charisma checks?))

[orangetree]

((Charisma roll to encourage people to make preparations in case of a dragon attack, vs Aglaril's suggestion. Result: 11 on IRC. I accept it wasn't requested (or denied) by a DM, but I thought it would make it more interesting and engaging. Sorry ))

[Rumple C]

A well known elven adventurer has been making a nuisance of himself at the blade and stars, first riding his horse into the building, then jumping up on the bar and threatening all and sundry. Flaming fist were called in to defuse the situation, due to the threat level presented. The elf spent the night sleeping it off in the cells