Rumors of the Northern Sword Coast

[Glowfire]

A few days ago, some in Soubar may have seen a few masked figured moving around in Soubar as if inspecting the whole settlement under cover of night. Two of the figures were clearly seen guarding a third, who without a doubt was a mage. They all had visible magic on them.

Then in the dawn just recently, two of the same ones were seen returning but with others; one of them the mage and the other a very spiky armored figure. Eyes followed a figure who had been watching them but ran away. No pursuit was made. Some left by magic, while others remained to go their own ways.

Anyone asking around for who the figures were, would be told that they displayed the insignia of Bregan D'aerthe and have only had peaceful business in Soubar. Some may even speak of that Bregan D'aerthe have been instrumental in releasing captives, including surfacers, taken by drow houses.

For those with shadier connections, it would even be revealed that two of the visiting drow were Vesche, the conjurer who is know to be the current leader of Bregan D'aerthe and Daug'aonar, one of the Masters.

[Rumors]

A grey-clad man was found carrying an unconscious woman into Corp Orp earlier today. The locals spoke of how he touched her with some magic ring and woke her up. She took a room in the inn but was gone before dawn the next morning.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Word spreads of two groups of armed and armored men and women that met outside the lone fortress that stands within Soubar.

On one side, the well kept shining armor and blades of knightly sorts, tabards and holy sigils in bright colors.

On the other, the black hoods and cloaks, and darker attire often favored by a local mercenary group who have made the area their home.

Tense words were shared, but over what, no two rumor tells of the rumor agree. Some say it was over collecting a bounty on a drow witch, and who should receive what cut of the profit. Others say it was over orcs - a lingering dispute from the nearby horde. Indeed, some rumor tellers speak of a ferocious, feral orc raging like a barbarian and splitting open an opponents head like one would an over ripe melon. Others claim it was over a blonde haired beauty caught in the middle of some honor duel between rival suitors. Some say those dressed in dark tried to drive out the foreign soldiers in their shiny platemail - an unwelcome sight in a settlement that well remembers well what doom knights upon horseback visited upon them.

But all tellers agree, at the end of the meeting, as Ebon Blade Mercenaries poured out of the fortress and the shining figures fell back - two men were left in the dust.

The taller of the two returning to life in a flash of bright, silvery light. The work of a priest or priestess no doubt.

The second, a much smaller figure, remained still. Others began to arrive and one among them took the time and care to cover his lifeless form with a white blanket. Sometime later he was carried away by a small crew and vanished in a flash of magic to places unknown. Never to be seen alive again in that small settlement best known for those who wish to be unseen, unnoticed, or just plain left alone.

[Cenerae]

A young paladin of the Radiant Heart stands vigil over Boareskyr Bridge this night. The bridge itself shimmers with a holy radiance, having been consecrated by several paladins during the afternoon. The squire has been warning travellers of a powerful army of devils that have she claims have taken Dragonspear Castle for themselves, and notes that even were one to slay one of the devils, three more always seem to take the place of the fallen one.

She does not stop anyone from travelling across the bridge, however. Trade goes on, such as it may be.

[YourMoveHolyMan]

Away from the bridge and its shimmer of protection, a small camp is erected, a small fire lit to provide heat and a meal.

A once more permanent resident of Soubar makes his return. And another watcher of the Boareskyr Bridge prepares to monitor the area. Occasionally, with the watcher departing the camp to the nearby town for supplies, a canine guardian familiar to some keeps watch over the site in his absence.

[SharpGn2]

In Soubar, a woman clad in deep blue coat, along with man in gray, speak with Mags and then post a notice within the Winding Way

Hidden: show

THE MAGIC DECK OF MANY TRICKS

*A sketch of The Imp and The Lord of Gold playing cards from the deck of Ric Yhondbe are rendered under the title of the notice*

Greetings and salutations! If you, anyone you know, has knowledge or possession of cards such as those rendered above, I implore you to contact my person at Candlekeep. I, Maurmeril Jvianin, Seeker, am leading a research project with the intent to record and preserve the knowledge of these cards and their use. With this in mind, I encourage any and all that have information to visit Candlekeep and exchange knowledge for knowledge – for donations of tomes containing knowledge – including allowing my person to copy said tome – and for donations of unique, individual cards – or allotting me time to sketch and study them – I will share what knowledge my research has provided thus far.

Please make note to exercise caution! These cards are known to disappear from perceived use, plays, and other actions with them. I recommend that you – or those you know – wrap the cards individually in cloth and refrain from handling them as playing cards. Tomes should be kept from the elements as much as possible, and preserved in their original state. I hope these words help preserve your find!

Fair Winds and Following Skies,

Maurmeril Jvianin

[YourMoveHolyMan]

A commotion was had on the Boareskyr Bridge as dusk was settling over the region. A struggle with several parties of various creeds, colors, and sigils broke out over a masked and hooded figure among their number.

What sparked it is a subject of debate, ranging from claims of bounty hunters at work, keepers of law bringing some order to the lawless north, or just a business deal gone wrong - as is often the case in Soubar. Some rumors seemed to indicate the recently arrived and little known Northern Watch had possibly caught a pactmage who had tried to entreat with the recent invading devils, but these are few and the least likely of the rumors. Others still paint a different picture, that it was just a bandit who got caught sneaking into the wrong camp at the wrong time.

All versions end in the same manner. A bearded man in a dark hood hurling a blade into the back of the fleeing, hooded figure. As she tumbled to the stone and mortar of the bridge, brought low by the wound, any in direct line of sight would see the silvery pendant worn proudly about her neck, a silver sigil of the goddess Eilistraee, for those who had 'ken' of such a patron.

The figure was caught, and moments later whisked away in a bright flash of magic, taken from the scene.

[kleomenes]

A notice put up in the Winding Way Tavern.

[parchment]

The Bregan D'aerthe is open for business!

Bregan D'aerthe is a mercenary guild composed of elite operatives with diverse skillsets and freedom of action.

Services offered include escort, combat, negotiation and information gathering.

The Sshamath chapter has opened the doors of its bar in Varalla's Passage to visitors. We hold an open house every seven cycles for drop in clients. All who come in peace are welcome to make inquiries (illithids included).

If you have a problem and no one else can help, maybe you can hire: Bregan D'aerthe.[/parchment]

///Bregan is setting aside a regular time when one or more members will be available to RP with in the hopes of fostering some UD RP. Our pub area is open so all are welcome!

Well. "Welcome."

The current pan is to hold these sessions at 20:30 GMT every Tuesday.

[Fury_US]

Rumors continue to buzz about the happenings along the Boareskyr bridge- this time the mutters seem to be about heated hostilities between members of the Ebon Blades and the newly arrived Northern Watch. Word varies from teller to teller, some talking darkly some likely laughing over the tale that grows more elaborate and preposterous upon each new pair of lips-

Eyewitnesses seem to agree, however, to key details- insults were traded and a fight broke out, with a sneaky ranger type eventually getting the better of of a heavily armored dwarf while the silver haired self-styled commander of the Watch looked on.

Those having a good laugh over a tall cold one tell of two men dusting off after a rousing good row, trading compliments and parting amicably while the prim Commander muttered about "bloody men".

Those speaking of darker things are likely just trying to stir the pot.

((To the player of the dwarf in question, you sir, are a scholar and a gentleman! Thanks for a great scene and a pvp scenario that went the way they all should!))

[LaceAndLeather]

Murmurs of a new tent erected in the camp of the Northern Watch is brought back through the village by those who pass north through Soubar into the Boareskyr Bridge area, its bright blue canopy rising above the crumbling walls of Bridgefort where the growing outfit is assembled.

Some say there is tell of magic in the camp: a few rumors speak of the influence of the devils themselves taking hold in the pass, though such is likely suspicious—or worried—secondhand hearsay. Others swear under the moon a radiant silver glow emanates from the long-abandoned place, sparkling lights glittering above the ruins like the stars themselves...

[V'rass]

*Exordius would be seen inside Soubar passionately preaching to anyone who would listen. His message was simple...*

"Think for yourself, make your own decisions on matters, dont blindly follow those who have proven themselves to be corrupt such as the leaders of the Gate, and never abandon or compromise your beliefs for any reason even and up to death."

"Do not hate anyone merely because you are told to by society or because of their race unless they prove themselves to be vile and dangerous, everyone deserves a fair shake and a chance to prove their worth. No one, neither mortal nor deity has the right to pass judgement on anyone without first determining what truly lies within their hearts."

"Those who advocate mindless hatred, obedience, and paranoia are a much greater threat then any other issue."

"May the gods of neutrality bless you in these dark times."

[Sapper Woody]

A red-bearded man some would recognize as the Archmage of the mage's guild would be seen leading a small group of mages north of the bridge to get a better understanding of the situation at Dragonspear. They would not have remained near the castle long, but they would have all come back completely untouched.

[DivinityDelayed]

A buzz about the Winding Way Inn is that recently a bard of particular talent in fancy clothes has been playing there the last few nights. Some say she is from the east, and others say from the City of Splendors. Why would she be in a hovel like this particular inn, with such unrest around its environs, is yet unknown.

[Apis]

A slender gnome minstrel, bald with a long fiery beard and dressed with crimson accents, has composed a rousing drinking song about the recent happenings, and can be heard singing it around Soubar’s large open fire pit.

--

Hordes to the north in Draaaagonspear
The south still id-ol-y byyyye
The Nobles in their manors and their faaaancy silks
A’partyin and eatin their piiiiiie.


We got fox-es mindin the chiiiicken fence,
Hay-men sitting on a wallllll.
Devils in the dark and their creeeeepin in,
Waitin and a’plottin our fall.


What comes next, hey noooo one knows
Mayhap-it-all tum-bles on dooown
Whatever may be, we’ll know for sure
Right here in Soubar tooown

--

While there, he performs a handful of other songs for those interested. He uses his wit and charm to attempt to find any merchants with extra foodstuffs that may be passing through. If located, he would enter negotiations with them to purchase said food.

[aaron22]

Rumors spread that the orcs must have taken notice of the activities around Boareskyr Bridge. A group of several orcs confronted the watchmen of the bridge and while no blows were made the orcs passed by the bridge guard toward Castle Dragonspear. The orcs seemed persistent that the humans must be hiding something.

The orcs picked up a quick pace and were out of sight quickly. Any that would follow would have lagged behind quickly. Rumor says that no one wanted to follow.