Rumours of Sshamath

[kleomenes]

A figure in spiked armour and a hound shaped helmet enters Sshamath via the old way, using the spire path rather than the portal. His squat shape would be a once familiar figure to many in Sshamath, for he is Daug'aonar, former Master of Hounds and then Lieutenant, of the Sshamath chapter of Bregan D'aerthe. What his role is now might not be clear, but Bregan insignia are still emblazoned on his apparel.

Beside him walks the one known as Blackblade, a behemoth of a jaluk clad in the heaviest steel and shrouded in a jet black cloak, crimson pools of radiance staring at the world around him from within the depths of his dark cowl, sword hand resting idly on the rune-engraved pommel of his weapon.

A stocky female in black unembellished duergar plate follows. Her white hair rough cut and pulled back into a ponytail blended with her ebon black skin marks her distinctively as Drow. She rattles like mobile armoury as the various weapons she carries on her person clink against her. Some may know her as Verona.

Daug'aonar has a wicked looking cleaver at his side, as always, but in his left hand he carries a cage containing a juvenile giant spider. The type that might be reared as a pet, were such a thing possible. It does not seem docile in any way though, and the keen observer would notice several spider bites on the drow's bare hand holding the cage. Perhaps the creature put up a struggle before it was so imprisoned.

Daug'aonar and his companions swagger through the city to the south, heading to the Darkwoods. They avoids use of the portal. A product of the Darkwoods shebali himself, Daug perhaps has claim to be one of the more successful and prominent of those who rose from such origins. He certainly walks with an easy confidence through that dangerous district itself, but appearances can be deceiving.

It is a short walk to the Nau'klar, which they enter to buy a drink. Daug'aonar sups his quietly, his helmet off to reveal a face swathed in black cloth, beady eyes looking around at the residents and ignoring his arachnid cargo. Verona's narrow purple eyes sweep the room. Her gaze an appraising judgement of the patrons and establishment. Blackblade orders no drinks, merely standing close by and towering on the majority of the establishment's customers, the aura of fear radiating from him almost solid. When he stands up to leave, Daug leaves a large tip, a hundred times the worth of the drink.

Once out of the door again, Daug'aonar unceremoniously sets down the cage and removes the spider, receiving more bites to his scarred flesh in the process. Its now that the other contents of the cage, a hammer and a large nail, become evident, as he nails the twitching spider to the door of the tavern.

"Darkwoods for life." He says, to no one in particular. "Sshamath is strong." before heading back to the Darkwoods portal, and thence to the Bregan Headquarters.

"The caverns are dark, In them, you are free." are the only words the female has spoken since joining the patrol. Her weapons clinking once more like rain on a tin roof walking ever one step right and behind Daug'aonar.

Silent as usual, Blackblade observes the scene, then the onlookers one by one, as if daring them to intervene. He lingers a moment more after Daug takes the portal, and then follows him through.

Yet their arachnid victim remains...

[Wildsheep]

The armored figure of the half-breed jalil with long white hair, bangs and blue eyes known as Lyth'raina would arrive at the Nauk'lar after hearing the rumors that members of Bregan D'aerthe were seen sacrificing spiders.

She stared at the nailed spider for a few moments and then opened the door and entered the establishment. She approached a witness and using a cold tone of voice she asked what exactly had happened and who was involved. The half-breed left a few coins to the helpful patron and turned around to exit, pulling out the spider's carcass from the door.


She made her way through the city where she was seen carrying the carcass of the spider with a very pissed off look on her face, walked through the portal to Varallas and entered Bregan D'aerthe's headquarters...

[Darradarljod]

RUMORS AND HEARSAY:

To those who had an ear to the affairs of The City concerning religion: rumors had begun to circulate through the center of The City the last few cycles. Two drow - the bard Galawyn and Nawen Rahn, "agents of Bregan D'aerthe" - were publicly challenged by Nargazul of l'Orbb Glennen on separate occasions one cycle apart with the confident assertion that they were Eilistraeen heretics. The former outright objected to the accusations, but the latter had apparently begun to try and teach the doctrine of the Dancer right in the middle of Gloura's Wings.

To those who had an ear to the affairs of The City concerning intrigues: It is quietly murmured in the bazaar that Bregan D'aerthe have an arrangement with a rivvil faction called The Harpers. In exchange for plakta from these Surfacers, it is said, Bregan D'aerthe have agreed to release any darthiir imprisoned by drow in Sshamath. Some might now consider this could explain the interference of Bregan D'aerthe recently in rescuing an elven prisoner of l'Orbb Glennen and, perhaps, sheds some suspicion on the mysterious Surfacer "merchants" that arrived in The City and entered Bregan D'aerthe headquarters during the events - especially as these rivvil were reportedly sighted teleporting away with Galawyn and the elf in company.

To those who had an ear to the affairs of The City concerning l'Orbb Glennen specifically:
The timing of these two rumors might shed suspicion on what is told to have been a non-discrete meeting several cycles ago. One of the militants of l'Orbb Glennen is said to have met a drow male at the back tables of Gloura's. Details vary on what was exchanged; some say a bag of gold "too large to be easily concealed", others say a magical ring, more say both - nonetheless, something was supposedly exchanged for an envelope from the drow who was described as "a lowlife local of the Darkwoods", introducing himself at the bar that cycle as Caelor Va'azir.

[Cinta]

The female sargtlin of Selvetarm could be seen one day leaving the pits of the Darkwood district in a rather battered condition. The neck piece of her armor hung on one clasp like a broken boat-mast, her snow-white hair colored to crimson under a long cut on the left side of her head. Drying blood run down from her forehead and neck from several wounds, drawing a grotesque war-paint around her blazing eyes. Pulling her right leg a bit, she relatively quickly made her way towards the northern part of the city.

Though there were not many who saw the fight, the patrons murmured about the female bowing her knees before the "Supreme Commander" of l'Orbb Glennen at the end.

[Invoker]

RUMORS AND HEARSAY:

To those who had an ear to the affairs of The City concerning religion: rumors had begun to circulate through the center of The City the last few cycles. Two drow - the bard Galawyn and Nawen Rahn, "agents of Bregan D'aerthe" - were publicly challenged by Nargazul of l'Orbb Glennen on separate occasions one cycle apart with the confident assertion that they were Eilistraeen heretics. The former outright objected to the accusations, but the latter had apparently begun to try and teach the doctrine of the Dancer right in the middle of Gloura's Wings.

To those who had an ear to the affairs of The City concerning intrigues: It is quietly murmured in the bazaar that Bregan D'aerthe have an arrangement with a rivvil faction called The Harpers. In exchange for plakta from these Surfacers, it is said, Bregan D'aerthe have agreed to release any darthiir imprisoned by drow in Sshamath. Some might now consider this could explain the interference of Bregan D'aerthe recently in rescuing an elven prisoner of l'Orbb Glennen and, perhaps, sheds some suspicion on the mysterious Surfacer "merchants" that arrived in The City and entered Bregan D'aerthe headquarters during the events - especially as these rivvil were reportedly sighted teleporting away with Galawyn and the elf in company.

To those who had an ear to the affairs of The City concerning l'Orbb Glennen specifically:
The timing of these two rumors might shed suspicion on what is told to have been a non-discrete meeting several cycles ago. One of the militants of l'Orbb Glennen is said to have met a drow male at the back tables of Gloura's. Details vary on what was exchanged; some say a bag of gold "too large to be easily concealed", others say a magical ring, more say both - nonetheless, something was supposedly exchanged for an envelope from the drow who was described as "a lowlife local of the Darkwoods", introducing himself at the bar that cycle as Caelor Va'azir.

The warrior known as Blackblade would prove very interested to the rumor, encouraging anyone knowing details to share them with him with the usual...charme. However, upon hearing the early part where Nawen Rahn would be described as "an agent of Bregan D'aerthe, preaching the Eilistraeen doctrine" his interest would drift away. Some might even have heard him comment:

"Nawen in Bregan D'aerthe, and a priestess, no less?! If the rest of the information matches the quality of this, perhaps by the end of the story someone will claim Lolth is in fact a male..."

before walking away, chuckling with amusement.

[Tsidkenu]

A rumour quickly flits through the Dark Weavings Bazaar that the mistress of the Black Claws Emporium was brought unconscious into Varalla's Passage in the arms of a summoned green slaad.

A half-drow female known to associate with l'Orbb Glennen took the unconscious merchant and actress away to an unknown location in the Darkwoods.

It would be a few cycles before the bardess would be seen once again walking Sshamath's street, emerging alive from whatever ordeal had befallen her in distant caverns of the Underdark

[Invoker]

A rumour quickly flits through the Dark Weavings Bazaar that the mistress of the Black Claws Emporium was brought unconscious into Varalla's Passage in the arms of a summoned green slaad.

A half-drow female known to associate with l'Orbb Glennen took the unconscious merchant and actress away to an unknown location in the Darkwoods.

It would be a few cycles before the bardess would be seen once again walking Sshamath's street, emerging alive from whatever ordeal had befallen her in distant caverns of the Underdark

Upon learning her predicament, Blackblade would inquire on the "unknown location in the Darkwoods", using his network to track down everyone with that kind of information, and counting on the fact Green Slaadi aren't exactly inconspicuous. In order to personally evaluate his business associate's conditions, the rather well-known dark warrior is rumored to have employed his most charming side, being as persuasive as possible...and leaving more than enough gold behind to pay for the damage caused to those ending on the wrong side of his armored fist.

[Tsidkenu]

Rumour of a public whipping taking place at Lolth's Temple find veracity with a later showdown between 'teacher' and 'pupil' in the Gloura's Wings.

It is said that many barbed insults were exchanged between the femme fatale duo, coming only just short of violence at the stern intervention of Turq, the Gloura's indentured guard.

The cat-fight came to its conclusion when Jabress Schezalle, apparently unharmed from her most recent ordeal in distant caverns, relayed a sending to her Ilharess requesting her own beating as evidence of her faith in the Spider Queen and ability to be subject to her superiors.

Aunrae immediately desired it to be from her own hand. Whether that would be the case would be up to Ilharess Dugoloth.

[Cinta]

The heavily armored sargtlin know as Chalindra could be seen entering the Darkwoods district to order two dozen slaves of high quality from the slavers before the U Darby, to "strengthen a new Qu'ellar", as she said.

[The Darkest Heart]

During the quietest time of the cycle a new resident may be found within the same cell a recently escaped darthirii was confined. A look of macabre remains on the paralyzed expression despite lacking eyes, ears, lips, or a tongue. Additionally the short haired drow's feet appear to have been removed. The nails that were thrust through her tiny frame were just enough to keep her stationary on the stone wall. On her chest running vertically is the word OG'ELEND, intersecting this word is another VEL'XUNYYR carved in a rather vicious manner. How anyone managed to smuggle this corpse into the U Drabzy without notice, is anyone's guess.

[Invoker]

During the quietest time of the cycle a new resident may be found within the same cell a recently escaped darthirii was confined. A look of macabre remains on the paralyzed expression despite lacking eyes, ears, lips, or a tongue. Additionally the short haired drow's feet appear to have been removed. The nails that were thrust through her tiny frame were just enough to keep her stationary on the stone wall. On her chest running vertically is the word OG'ELEND, intersecting this word is another VEL'XUNYYR carved in a rather vicious manner. How anyone managed to smuggle this corpse into the U Drabzy without notice, is anyone's guess.

Following the rumors as he often does, a jaluk clad in obsidian black steel and shrouded in a dark mantle stopped by U Drabzy, and contemplated the scene for a long moment.

"Impressive decorations. I shall compliment the artists personally, before the cycle ends."

He then turned around, walking away from the scene and leaving the Darkwoods behind.

[Tsidkenu]

Another rumour spreads, again originating from the Spider's Kiss, that Lolth's Shrine was again subject to another public lashing. This time, however, it is reliably reported that the victim was none other than the mistress of the Black Claws Mercantile Company. Apparently, she had personally requested it from Yathrin Dugoloth as a demonstration of the level of obedience she expected of her own 'pupil'.

Oddly enough, the jabress bore no injuries or scarring whatsoever after the ordeal, despite not being subject to any significant healing magic in the aftermath. A plausible explanation remains of how she managed to survive her ordeal from a few cycles previous, perhaps?

[Cinta]

Those entering the baths in the Spider's Kiss at the unfortunate moment, observed a rather strange event happening: the two Selvetargtlin of l'Orbb Glennen, the viciously beautiful Aunrae, and a cunning looking orc was enjoying a few glasses of wine in full battle gear (maybe except the mistress Aunrae) next to the pools.

Later the Sarol'Veldruk and Chalindra left the baths together towards the inner chambers, the female sargtlin especially seeming to be in an intoxicated state. When the female next emerged from the inner sections, adjusting her armor parts back in place, she regarded the patrons with an unusually balmy smile.

[Invoker]

Rumor has it that last cycle, a rather well-known dark-clad warrior going by the name of Blackblade walked to the very heart of the Spider's Kiss, the altar of the Spider Queen underneath, in order to meet with Yathrin Dugoloth and her faithful. The jaluk was seen departing the establishment some time later. No word has yet transpired on what was actually discussed, and with which outcome.

[Moridin]

Rumour has it that a rather distinct figure was browsing the market stalls last cycle. One that was not attempting to blend into the crowds. She held herself with purpose and dignity, and talked to a few of the merchants before once more leaving the city. The thing that made her stick out was the armour she wore, made of the interlacing scales of an unknown creature, as well as the symbol that was emblazoned on the chest piece of her armour. A giant spider eating its food.

The news of this happening would spread through those that know what the symbol means. The primary rumour that would float around is that this is the first time she has actually been in Sshamath since the events of last progression.