Rumors, gossip and innuendo

[Doubtful]

Hushed words have been over heard in the Aquor region that flighty shadows and strange shapes have been seen at the edges of town over recent days, some people talk of seeing strange and glittery eyes in the darkness, or women with fantastic and iridescent clothing. Others say that some people should stop drinking so heavily.

Talk on the socialite scene indicates that the part time architect, fashionista, explorer, archeologist and poet Armatis ‘Flash’ Trouserman will be giving a talk and magic lantern show on his recent excursion to discover the secrets of the Eastern Ant Queens.

There is also word that the Sundren City butcher Ambrose McCain has a particularly well packed sausage and has been known to slip a portion to his regular customers.

[Doubtful]

Across the lands of Sundren there is one industry that never rests, that occupies the time and minds of a great many people and seems to take place wherever there is more than two people, or in some special cases where there is just one.

The Rumor Mill; it’s vast doors open to a constant flow of truth, half-truth, fabrication, gossip and lies, the vast millstones crushing these together with dreams and hopes, aspirations and wishes, hopes and failures. Its output is consumed and dissected at inn tables, family hearths and meeting places throughout the land.

….

The dark alleys of Sundren City echo with whispers of a new and dangerous threat, a girl stained red with the blood of her enemies, her face masked by long and lank black hair stalks the nights and dreams of the unwary. Vicky, and her necrotic monkey Jari are spoken of with dread respect.

…

Visitors to the Oghma temple within Sundren City have spoken with some contempt of the latest batch of acolytes, one rather vocal man has condemned the dangerous practices used inside after witnessing one woman’s project burst into flames “Damn thing was dancing around on fire with a grin like a mouth full of nails” Others have called for the temple to be relocated to a place where any large accidents won’t level nearby housing.

Others have complained about the use of the Oghma temple as a sleeping place for drunken vagrants, some claim to have seen a man in a state of total drunken unconciousness being carried into the temple, only to leave a short while later staggering and raving.

…

In the fetid and bustling streets of Port Avanthyr word spreads of a possible new and terrible visitor to the busy docks; the Vizier Jafa from a far flung land, known for his ornate robes, foul temper and grand army of skeletal warriors.

…

Stories have circulated regarding the destruction of a hovel within the Viridale, some claim the arboreal accident was a result of the hovels owner having upset the druid grove. Other simply point out the dangers of high winds in dense woodland.

…

In the farming township of Sestra a recent resurgence of popularity has seen an increase of people staring at old posters and a linked increase in membership enquiries at the towns Militia Headquarters.

In other Sestran gossip one of the towns more outspoken members has begun to place hopeful phrases written on cards along the towns bridge – He claims his action is as a result of seeing a number of people standing staring out to sea there and he worries that the seaside township may become a popular suicide destination.

…

Mixed reactions to the news of another wanted Veritas agent cross the land, some back the idea of change (although never near known Legion members) while others see such change as an unwanted and unneeded thing in this day and age.

Amongst the Anti-Veritas rumors comes the horrific murder of two valiant defenders of Sundren, viciously put do death while attempting a glorious attack on the nation’s enemies.

Pro-Veritas whispers simply point out that anyone stupid enough to run into a sleeping bears home and poke it with a stick deserves every bit of mauling they get.

…

SQUID! Confused rumors have surfaced from the Exigo mining operation; the most outlandish rumors speak of a mindflayer attempting to invade the operation. These are easily dismissed however on account of the miners still being alive. A more realistic version of events has begun to circulate, concerning devious goblins wearing captured squid as face masks in a basic attempt at psychological warfare.

[Doubtful]

Three things in life are certain; Death, Taxes, and people talking about other people behind their backs…

…

The land is abuzz with stories regarding the goings on within the Triumvirate and what happened within the necropolis – The fact that no-one knows, or no-one is talking, about what truly took place simply means that wilder stories are more likely to be believed.

Hundreds of versions of events, theories and implausible witness stories emerge; the Triumvirate worked hand in hand with a dark evil to defeat a more pressing evil; the Legion provided dread Baneite clergy from within its own ranks, the foul plans of the Legion thwarted only by the brave and selfless actions of a heroic freedom fighter; Some say that the Veritas supplied black robed worshipers of eldritch horrors, and that the sole survivor of their attempt to control the threat to Sundren was arrested by a heroic Scholii after being subdued.

Some say that behind the doors of the Triumvirate temple a polite battle rages, not fought with swords or spears but with pointed politeness and viciously wielded introspection. The spoils of this war? The future of the church.

On the intertwined fates of Balthazar and Baragorn the rumor mill seems respectful; both had earned the respect of the churches and the people, one for his longstanding service to the peoples of the land, the other for the shiny newness and passion he brought to the church.

The rumors concentrate instead on what may have turned Balthazar into the creature that threw down the head. Some say it was jealousy, the older knight consumed by envy of the younger one; some say it was a curse, an evil attempt to undo in death all the good he had done in life; but the most popular of the rumors is that the two had fought over a woman, the identity of this woman is unknown, but she is said to be the most beautiful woman to have walked the land, and Balthazar was willing to sell his soul to save hers.

…

Not all heroes are equal, at least according to the rumor mill. Stories circulate that while almost all of the of the near-dead folk rescued by the Legion Scholii were well treated and helped back to health one of their number has been arrested and locked away.

The reason for this varies; some say he is an agent of the undead things the heroes had battled, sent back to our realm to consume the souls of the unwary; some say he is a wanted assassin and servant of Bane captured while attempting to slaughter the heroes; others claim he is indeed a hero, but one of kingly blood and that the Legion have arrested him to stop him from claiming the throne; some point out that Sundren has no throne; others say he is just a man who battled to save the nation he loved.

Whatever the truth is a crowd has been seen milling around the jail calling and petitioning for the mans release. He was rescued as a hero and should be treated as such.

…

Dragons! Only two of the great beasts have come to Sundren in recent memory; a great and noble Silver, whose ruined body plummeted into the icy crags above Aquor and a deadly Blue, stalking the lands in search of something stolen.

But recent stories have spread regarding sighting of a young and stupid Red. The creature has been sighted within the Viridale and Mossdale forests, attacking a traveler on the road to Exigo camp.

Several orders for dragon skin boots, handbags and armor have been placed at stores around Sundren City in anticipation of a successful dragon hunt.

Stories that the dragon had snatched away a young woman near Sestra were proved false when she was found to be vigorously working in the less than reputable public house, the Gently Inn.

…

Rumors abound regarding the dark and dangerous Viridale woods, strange lights and shadows have been seen within its herbaceous borders.

Even among the great unwashed there have always been worries about those who simply won’t wash.. The Druids; always under suspicion for interfering with animals, talking gibberish and

Hissed rumors of walking dead, unholy unions and the Keeper himself calling up great darkness within the grove spread out across the land. The soldiers of the border fort seem more nervous than normal when night falls, though they do not say why.

Some suggest it is the work of the dread undead Balthazar, out to bring unholy death on those who walk the woods at night, some say it is the soul of Xithis, returned to finish what he started and to steal away the children of his worst enemy.

It’s clear to some that the undead already have a foot hold within the grove; the once bubbly local girl and bard lover Annie Wiltenholm has recently begun to show signs of some foul undead curse – Her once cheery and pleasingly feminine frame has been ravaged by the rigors of undeath, leaving her a hollow-eyed, emotionless walking corpse.

Others say that her state is a result of some foul druidic practice where she had to dress up as a bear and eat her children. Her current disheveled and hollow look is a physical manifestation of her tortured soul. Some Sunites are quick to back this statement up – No-one who looks has bad as she currently does can have a good and noble soul.

…

In recent days it seems as if even the weather has decided to become an enemy. From Aquor to Sestra, Port Avanthyr to Mirakus Post people have been busy complaining to each other that the normal mists and fogs seem thicker, shadows longer and deeper, rains more penetrating and winds more cutting.

Several people already known for choice phrases such as “I can feel the weather changes in my bones” “My lumbago plays up something chronic in the damp” and “This weather makes my arthritis worse” have become social outcasts due to their increased complaining.

…

Some say it’s a new and interesting form of public entertainment, some say it’s the lead-in act for a new circus, others merely regard it as a public nuisance.
Whatever the truth behind their origin Sundren’s newest gnome light-entertainment troupe have quickly established themselves as a source of amusement, second only in mirth to public executions.

Critics praise their contemporary twist on the time honored ‘Little people having fights’ routine. They deliver their shows with a passionate aplomb; working as street performers allows the group to effectively reflect the greater social conflicts at work in the land with a cutting urban narrative, rather than the staid and stale environment of the Talent and Balance theatre.

One thing that all of the rumors agree on is that heckling during one of their acts is a mistake people only make once.

…

[Doubtful]

Another steaming pile of hot truth is deposited on the doorsteps of the nation’s minds.

…

The dragon stories seem to have died away slightly, but have taken on a more sinister edge. According to some stories the creature can take the shape of a man with flame red hair and has been working to influence political groups, or steal wives / virgins / gold / horses / small dogs.

…

Mixed stories emerge from Exigo. Some say a man was shot through the heart by his male elfin lover, punishment for some indiscretion. Other say it was a tragic accident, and that the bow went off by mistake.
Some quite unbelievable rumours say the shot man was a preacher for Bane, murdered by a crazed elf, the people who spread this version fear the repercussions of the Black Hand, for a strike against them never ends in happiness.

The stories behind what happened to the murderer are vaguer still, some say he eloped with another man, some say he threw himself from the Sestran cliffs, some say he was nailed to a tree and some say he now rots for his crimes in the Sundren jails.

…

A few stories about a servant of Talos have sprung up, the man in question is rash and unpredictable, laughing like a crazed hyena at anything and nothing. Some people say he’s a wiry white man, with floppy hair and a crazed expression; others speak of him as an ebony giant, looming across the land with a serious look in his one good eye.

Whoever this man is, the people are asking, why hasn’t someone done something about him? A servant of death and destruction is as unwelcome in the land as a sense of humour is in the Triumvirate; even the Baneites have rules, the sons of Talos have nothing.

…

A recent trend in unpleasant tree decorations has caused upset within the farming community, another poor soul was found brutalised and maimed tied to the tree at Crossroads. Most speak of Bane, and that the bodies are those of people who’ve worked against the dread Black Hand. A smaller group claims that the bodies were left as a warning from the druids, and that those tied to the tree were a symbolic declaration of war; the feeding of the land with the blood of those who’ve acted against it.

…

The travelling gnome entertainers seem to have set up permanent shop within Sundrens borders, their acerbic bickering is still a crowd pleaser. There is even talk in some circles of them working with the famed Bard Osclow Wiltenholm the Slayer of Xithis. His tireless work on new material seems to have drained both him and his wife physically and mentally.

The glitterati await this rumoured piece with an air of professional boredom and aloofness.

…

A lack of stories from one quarter has caused a flurry of rumours; The Triumvirate are Broken.

Since the sightings of the undead mockery of Balthazar and the casting down of d’Lockes Head, much has been seen to happen behind the closed doors of the temple, rumours of division, arguments and intense prayer have arisen, but from the heroes of the Temple, there has been nothing.

The Blue Grace, famed for her compassion and work in Sestra has barely been seen, and none of the temples other knights other heroes have risen to public acclaim.
The rumours say that when needed most, the Triumvirate has failed.

[Doubtful]

A steaming loaf of fresh rumours drops onto the breakfast table of society, it’s quickly buttered with half-truths and smeared with the jam of gossip.

Wait an hour before swimming.
In Port Avanthyr several bodies were recovered from the docks, some eye the church of Umberlee with suspicion but do not speak out publicly about their thoughts for fear of the Legion, and the Gods, reprisals. Others say the deaths were the result of some bizarre love polygon, featuring the three dead men fighting over spawning rights with a luscious aquatic maiden. The less imaginative blame alcohol and drunken bets.


Mirakus Farmers Market.
Strange stories emerge from the recently over run Mirakus Post, those citizens and farmers who didn’t flee or die in the Baneite attack have been seen working again in their farms and fields, watched over by the living or dead forces of the Black Hand and their allies.

It seems that even evil enjoys fresh produce, be it farmed or farmer.

Unlikely rumours insist that the Black Hand will be holding a regular farmers market every Swordsday, featuring food stuffs and local crafts.


Injustice done?
In the pubs and inns of the land there is much discussion on the fate of Mathell the Black. His public trial ended not with what many perceive as his just fate, public execution, but a lenient sentence of 30 years of body-and-mind destroying hard labour.

Patrons debate the finer points, some camps maintain that the man seemed honest in his claims of penance and redemption, others point out that he seemed devout in the service to Kelemvor, and we all saw how that turned out.

Some maintain that the attack on Mirakus Post is part of a Baneite ploy to free their ally, and bring a reign of terror to all Sundren, and that worse still, elements of the Triumvirate are in league with these devils and seek to free Mathell.


Veritas; friends or freaks?
Numerous fallen mercenaries and adventurers have apparently been recovered from near the Veritas Hold, some of them with vicious brand marks on their faces.

This has captured the imaginations of the populace who wonder what these brands truly mean. Is this a sign of a future under the Veritas? That mutilation and disfigurement await all who refuse to bow down under their regime?

Some rumours say that the marks burn deeper than the flesh, going so far as to brand a mans soul for all eternity, or trapping the soul in a state of eternal torture, depending on who you listen to.

Others merely state that the Veritas are trying to defend what’s theirs as any man attacked on his home soil would.


So smart in their fine uniforms.
In the small farming town of Sestra preparations are underway for a siege and war. The Red Blades have established a small training camp and the Corps De Grace militia are driven hard in preparation. Much of this sits uncomfortably with the towns residents, a palpable unease and fear that, having only recently begun to truly recover from the death and devastation visited upon them by the Lizards, they are once again being dragged into a war they did not choose.

Some moral has been restored by a delivery of new weapons and armour, paraded around by the men and women of the Militia with a confident swagger.

Many say that the weapons came from the Legion themselves, but some maintain they were brought in by the Skullcleavers, not by soldiers.


Surly Dwarves.
While many fail to notice the difference in the Skullcleavers manner, dwarves often being a surly and ill-mannered lot, a few have remarked on the dour demeanour of the dwarven delegates.

Idle chatter suggests this is due to anything from a failed attempt at establishing a clanhold, poor quality smithing, the price of beard braiding, a lack of bearded women or simply this attitude being naturally dwarven.