Rumors & RP of Darkhold

[Rhifox]

Tarina departed Darkhold late in the evening on the 24th of Uktar, alongside two other women, one a blonde warrior, and the other pale with glowing red eyes. She would return some three days later.

The pale woman was also seen at Darkhold the previous evening for a meeting with the Dreadlord.

[Rhifox]

In response to the build up and deployment of Lords Alliance forces, Tarina sends out riders to all settlements in Darkhold's sphere of influence. The levies are called to their assembly points to ready for war.

[Rhifox]

Shortly after, Tarina orders several detachments of outriders, skymages, and other cavalry to lands surrounding Darkhold's borders, especially along the roads from Triel, Scornubel, and Berdusk/Iriaebor. Their orders are to burn the country side. Any supplies that can be absconded with are to be taken (including crops, gold, and conscripts), but the main purpose is to salt the fields to slow the Lords' Alliance's approach and make it more difficult for them to feed their army the closer it moves into Darkhold's territory. For now, these efforts don't include Darkhold's own lands... but as the army gets closer, that could change -- anything that can't be defended will not be allowed to fall into enemy hands.

Inside Darkhold's borders, soldiers are put to blocking choke points and destroying or preparing to destroy bridges and other crossings. Anything that can be done to slow down the enemy's advance.

[Wyatt]

A druid, known by many who traverse the woods between Soubar and Corm Orp as Cobb takes careful note of the odor of char and the ash upon the winds. Any who pass through the wood may notice him taking special note of the eastern borders as the burnt odor lingers on the air. Those who know him are well aware and the expression on his face would inform even the most obtuse stranger of his special disdain for fire in the wood. His one-eyed face displayed a wrinkled brow as he squares himself toward this new potential threat.

[DM Honk]

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A Speech to Corm Orp

It is said that Lord Harkonis himself came down from Darkhold to speak to the population of Corm Orp, in order to address the rising concerns about the war with the Lords Alliance.

Rumours say that the Dreadlord asked for the attention of the whole village, the details are not known by the mass but it seems that Lord Harkonis managed to calm down the distressed citizens showing concern for their wellbeing.

[Rhifox]

As this time of troubles rages, the east still knows war. Incidents of direct conflict have quieted, and reports indicate that the Zhentarim host crossed the River Reaching over a pontoon bridge into the eastern Reaching Woods and towards the Sunset Vale. It's moved a little less surely than at the start of the war - between increased Lords Alliance effectiveness in countering its raids, to holding position in one spot for a long time, to a shipment of much-needed supplies from agents down the River Reaching never showing up, the army found itself incapable of foraging as much as it needed to feed the bellies of its soldiers. The silence of the gods and the chaos afflicting the land has also eroded confidence. Some asked if the Bane or Gruumsh or Lolth or the other gods they serve have abandoned them, and what that means for their prospects in an already lopsided war.

In the Sunset Vale, the army has remained close to the Reaching Woods, relying on its rougher terrain to hide the army and discourage enemy attacks. As it has marched, it has sent out fast raiding parties deep into Lords Alliance farmlands, making off with whatever it can steal to feed hungry bellies and fill empty pockets. Over the weeks of maneuver, it has become clear the army moves to Darkhold to break the siege. How it intends to do this is not entirely clear — reports of its numbers still put it significantly below the forces assailing the fortress. Some reports also indicate the army has shrunken a little - some forces stayed behind nearer to the west for some other, unknown purpose.

Darkhold itself still stands. The Perimeter Gate at the entrance to the Darkhold Vale has held, though a collapsed section has seen sporadic attempts by the Lords Alliance to break through into the Vale. Inside, Darkhold's defenders have also been reinforced by an army of mercenaries purchased from Westgate, who snuck into the castle through secret roads in the Sunset Mountains, bringing additional manpower and supplies. Among Darkhold's refugee population, a small, shoddy village has been raised in the center of the Darkhold Vale, and the folk have tilled the land as best as they've been able to over the summer, though the harvest is expected to be small and some worry about the coming winter. Darkhold's grain stores have lasted so far, but the effects of the war and the selling off of Darkhold's surplus to Baldur's Gate last year have dwindled its savings significantly. Darkhold's Gateway and Underdark passage have been lifelines, though the entrance of Kraak Helzak into the war have lead to fears of further movement underground.

Among the Zhentarim themselves, the sudden death of its assassins in some freak consequence of the Time of Troubles has further diminished morale, though it has been offset somewhat by word of victories in the east against Cormyr. Those loyal to Bane are less thrilled at the news of Manshoon's coup, though many in Darkhold's leadership seem largely unphased. Indeed, it was with a certain level of glee that Lord Harkonis ordered the apprehension of Imperceptor Vyshasa, who now dwells within the black cells beneath Darkhold.

[Rhifox]

Initial reports from Darkhold indicate a battle to lift the siege was fought. Details are scarce at the moment, but word is that Darkhold won the engagement, though the siege still holds as the forces of the Zhentarim had to retreat back behind the walls before enemy reinforcements could overtake them.

[Rhifox]

Word out of Darkhold indicates that High Lord Manshoon, the founder of the Zhentarim, who recently reclaimed his authority over the organization, has arrived at the castle this week to eliminate any remaining elements of Fzoul's regime. Reports are that Lord Selengil has been transferred to Zhentil Keep, where he has taken a prominent role in the Zhentarim's Inner Circle, and leadership of Darkhold has passed to the witch, Tarina.

It is said that Imperceptor Vyshasa, who has been held in Darkhold's dungeons since Manshoon returned to power in the east, was paraded out before Manshoon and gifted to Grimnail of Uruk Lurra as payment for past treacheries (as well as to eliminate Fzoul's most prominent agent in the west). The Imperceptor decried his captors as traitors, before his tongue was ripped from his mouth by Grimnail and he was dragged off to be sacrificed on the altar of Gruumsh.

[Ghost]

Oath Fulfilled

Only minutes after High Lord Manshoon's arrival, he had motioned for Chieftain Grimnail of Uruk Lurra to enter the courtyard. He then sent the Pereghost to retrieve Imperceptor Vyshasa from his cell in the dungeons.

A furious Vyshasa ranted and raged as he was brought into the courtyard, calling them all traitors, his anger growing even hotter as he noticed the orcs and divined his fate. He was soon silenced by a powerful punch to the gut by the Pereghost.

Then Manshoon spoke, his voice loud and clear - proclaiming:

"Today we cast down the foolishness of zealotry that has plagued Darkhold from the very top, as we also fulfill a promise made to a valuable ally! We discard the religious connotations of the title 'Dreadlord', and today elevate Tarina to carry the rank Lady Castellan of Darkhold. Darkhold shall prosper under far better under her leadership than that of this cretin who once betrayed our orcish allies. And now, I leave it to the new Lady Castellan to hand over this betrayer as per the pact made!"

The Pereghost handed over the chained Vyshasa to the new Lady Castellan of Darkhold, who fulfilled her oath to the orcs of Uruk Lurra: After several years, their betrayal by the Zhentarim repaid with the blood of the leader of that betrayal. Rage again made the doomed man shout his protests, only to be silenced by the orc Chieftain's brutal hand, and dragged off to be sacrificed to He Who Never Sleeps.

[Eien]

=The New Arrival=

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As the fires of war fade way a small wagon arrives at Darkhold's doors.

A middle aged man comes off the wagon while smoking from his pipe, taking some time to look at the high towers of the impressive and intimidating keep.

"Here is your gold, as agreed." He says as he pays the driver.

The sound of the wagon going back to the valley fades, the man puts out the smoking pipe and approaches the bell at the gate to announce his presence.

[Rhifox]

Word spreads from the east that Darkhold is seeing a flurry of activity since the war's end. Common folk of the northern Sunset Vale—former residents of Corm Orp and other villages—who sheltered in the Darkhold Vale or served in the Darkhold army during the war have largely remained there. A new village is growing, and plans for new farmland are being made in preparation for the spring. At the Perimeter Wall, soldiers, carpenters, and mages work to repair the damage inflicted by the Lords' Alliance army. And at Darkhold Castle itself, word is that the lady of the castle has commissioned a thorough remodeling. Among the developments is the refurbishment of the temple of Bane into a temple of Cyric, and an expansion of the mage wing of the castle to house the new mages Darkhold has been recruiting into its service.

Some concerns have risen over Darkhold's ability to finance this. Darkhold's coffers have dwindled as a result of its war expenses and pre- and post-war promises, and the cessation of trade with Baldur's Gate has had a significant hit in its economic fortunes. Trade at the castle does continue, however, regardless of the western embargoes maintained by the Lords' Alliance. Caravans move regularly through Varalla's Passage as Darkhold increases its dealings with the city of Sshamath, and Darkhold has increased its patrols of the Tunlands as commerce with the cities of the Dragon Coast is expanded and caravans through Anauroch from Zhentil Keep resume. Rumors from local bandits and Tunlar tribes unfriendly to the Zhentarim claim that drow activity in the region has increased recently as well. Still, it will likely be some time before Darkhold's economic influence returns to pre-war levels.

[DM Ink]

The Arrival

A series of wagons arrive at the gates of Darkhold. Each vessel of the caravan seem to have the marking's of Amnian lettering. When the cracking of the wooden wheels stop upon the stone bridge of the looming keep, several cloaked figures are seen heading for the gates. Among these individuals, two are much less uniform. They carry bundles of their belongings, and are helped with their things by the nearby soldiers. Upon entering the massive keep, the arrivals unpack methodically, while one settles in with trepidation. The call had been answered.

[JustAnotherGuy]

A tall, white haired man that would be recognized as the Archdruid of the Green Enclave can be seen making his way north to Darkhold. With him is another druid covered in brambles that some might know as the Thunderbird. Once there, the pair requests entry into Darkhold, and are granted it. They remain in Darkhold for some hours, and then leave.

[Rhifox]

Word spreads from the east that the lady of Darkhold has returned to the castle after an extended trip abroad speaking with allies of Darkhold and the greater Zhentarim.

[DaloLorn]

Rumors slowly begin to trickle out of Darkhold of a visit by a lone Waterdhavian girl several days ago, armed only with a spellbook and a minimum of magical items to protect her as she made the arduous trek through the Sunset Mountains. Introducing herself at the gate as Caili Wender, and claiming to be an old friend of the Lady Castellan, Tarina.

What they spoke of, only they would know for certain. But at the end of their lengthy discussion, Caili would head back down the mountain, seeming disappointed but not altogether disheartened by the outcome...