Rumors & Events of Soubar

[Babiree]

Pirate: "Knive-ear eh?"

Warrior: "Yeah, a prissy one at that."

Pirate: "Ye gut er?"

Warrior: *snort* "Nah..."

Pirate: "Peh."

Dwarf: *grins*

[...]

Raider: *He shrugs.* "It wasn't one of the tree-huggers. I found the whole thing amusing. She said she was Baldurian."

Pirate: "This prissy elf from Baulder's, wot she want? An did ye get a name?"

Raider: "Yes! She had a very long and fruity name, I remember as much!"

Warrior: "Yeah, very fancy one."

[...]

Dwarf: "That's what she said! Elves are lyin' all day."

Raider: "Aha! Even more amusing then. What in the Hades was she doing all the way up here, hm?"

Warrior: *nods at the dwarf* "True dat."

Pirate: "Out of place, tha's fer sure. Should of kidnapped her fer ransom."

A group of raiders was chatting about the sighting of an unusual kind of elf in the Northern regions at the marketplace of Soubar, whilst unloading merchandise. Having concluded their business, they gathered to go on another expedition. The dwarf in the party allegedly knew of a safe passage into the Underdark, which the other three were curious to explore.
The group would return to Soubar much later through the use of magic, with the exception of the sailor, who was seemingly left behind during the trip. After a brief rest, two of them would be joined by a passing warlock woman and would go on to march southward for more plundering.

[Babiree]

Raider: "I'm sure he'll enjoy it, given that you two go far back! And, I'm sure you'll enjoy it too..."

Knight: "Yes, the main subject ...what can you tell me about it?"

[...]

Raider: "Sure. That's always an option. So long as someone knows how to crack heads and enjoys the mayhem, they should be fine. *He snorts.* It's not like we're going to expect oaths and decorum. *He eyerolls and smirks.* We're not Banites!"

Knight: "Some Banites were around in the past. A part of them must be dead too now...."

Raider: *He chuckles, eyes squinted, speaking in a very light tone.* "Looks like there aren't any left now. It is their fate to wither away alongside their dead god."

Knight: "Not easy to change of religion, indeed. But how can one continue to follow a dead power?"

During one unassuming evening, the long-haired tiefling ,frequently seen in the past month resting at Soubar in-between raids, spent a few hours chatting with a warrior in red armor, whose sight would also not be unfamiliar to some of the locals. The two covered a varied array of subjects, including news, combat tactics, local politics, faiths, and the proclivities of some of the Soubarites. Nearing the end of the conversation, the knight was witnessed making use of some manner of magic to take on the shape of various creatures, much to the delight of the tiefling.
Afterwards, the two parted ways, though any who overheard their chat would assume that another, larger gathering of their ilk has been planned in the town at some point in the not too distant future...

[Babiree]

Lord Castellan: "...Though if you drain what is here you'll have to find another source yourself."

Warrior: "Fair 'nuff!"

Lord Castellan: "I am not that kind to give you free hospitality as well."

Raider: "Yes, yes, that wouldn't be a problem! We can kill our own meals." *He chuckles, seemingly slightly distracted.* "Raids, hm?"

In an unexpected turn of events, Soubar was briefly graced by a surprise visit from the dreaded Lord Castellan of Darkhold, who appeared to have some manner of business in the keep of the Crimson Watch. As it later would become clearer, his visit wasn't unforeseen by all of the locals, as a Tiefling and an Earth Genasi often seen in the tent town were seemingly expecting his arrival, and would eagerly enter the fortress after him.

The group was witnessed coming in and out a few times, in what might have appeared as some kind of inspection. As the Lord of Darkhold was preparing to depart, a local witch, already acquainted with the others, joined the group as well, and a brief and cordial exchange of items took place outside. Having concluded his business for the moment, the Lord Castellan left, while the other three moved into the keep once more.

It is rumored that much discussion took place inside, and although the group left once again for the wilderness that night, the three would return yet again later. A pair of bugbear slaves was seen no long after carrying crates into the keep.

[Babiree]

Caravaner: "Of course the bastard..made sure he looked like a regular man at first."

Raider: *He smiles and narrows his eyes.* "Hm, yes, ogres can be crafty sometimes!"

Caravaner: "Some outcast all the way from the Shou Empire."

Warrior: "Damn, that's a long way from here..."

Caravaner: "Oh yes.. past even the steppes, those are bad enough with the Tuigan clans. Excellent archers, temperamental as..f...well difficult to deal with..."

Raider: "Yes, a bit slippery."

A certain eastern tiefling was spotted having a very long conversation with a hooded woman in black, near the market of Soubar. Though their tones were friendly on the surface, an underlining tension could be felt throughout. Whatever issue there might have been between them, it seems it was resolved, at least for the time being, without violence.

Later on in the evening, the tiefling would be witnessed returning to the town from south with two genasi; one being the Earthsoul frequently seen with him, and the other a first-time visitor from the far south. The two locals would spend some time chatting with the visitor and showing her around the tent town. Then, the three retired, the woman heading for the tavern, and the two men for the Crimson Watch Keep.

[Babiree]

Pirate: "Elf slaves go fer a pretty penny."

Raider: "That is true, yes! They are a dying race, after all. Not many to go around..."

Warrior: *scratches cheek* "Hard to keep too, I heard."

Raider: *He shifts in his place, leaning over his elbow.* "Setting that aside, we still have the matter... [...] ...I have gathered most of the items needed. The primary thing still left to get is a suitable sacrifice..."

Pirate: "Aye, aye. " *Swig*

Raider: "The day can't come soon enough! It'll be a glorious sight!"

Warrior: "We'll see."

Raider: *He leans over.* "Oh, you'll see alright!"

Another regular visitor of Soubar, a pirate from the Roaringshore, was seen entering the Crimson Watch Keep alongside two of the new residents. The three were reportedly discussing several matters in the dining hall, before leaving for one of their usual raids in the wilderness.

[Babiree]

Wizard: "I enjoy the company of a paladin also." *pauses a bit* "In my spell components and experiment materials."

Warrior: *snorts*

Raider: "Do they make for unusual components?" *He tilts his head.* "I do know they make for excellent offerings!"

Wizard: "Unfortunately very boring ones." *smirks, gets some apple out and starts eating very slowly.*

Warrior: *sets down the mace*

Knight: "Oh are you from the Temple in the gate....Thay temple?"

Warrior: *snort chortle* "Thay temple?"

A friendly conversation between two locals and two visitors would be heard in the market square of Soubar. The tone between the four remained pleasant over all, and though the Thayan Wizard would later depart, he seemed interested in returning soon. The warrior woman on the other hand would follow the other two to the keep of the Crimson Watch, and spend quite a while within.
By the coming of the dawn, the three would be seen leaving the keep and heading northward together, seemingly going on a raid somewhere past the Boaerskyr Bridge.

[Babiree]

Pirate: "The whole world fears our Gods, little paladin, and you are to meet them, very soon. How I envy you. Baha!"

Raider: *He holds up a final gem.* And finally a gem overflowing with the power of the storms, symbol of TALOS, the Stormstar, the TRUE THUNDERER, ruler of ALL Destruction!"

Knight: *The man remained defiant in his glare, fear truly not manifesting in the least as his impending doom was falling upon him.*

Raider: *He then moves over closer to the altar, readying his sword.* "Oh, mighty Thunderer, Father of the Skies, Lord of Ruination, let this valley echo with your mighty voice!"

The ominous rumors coming from Thundar's Ride would be far less mysterious to those familiar with Soubar.
At the coming of the dawn, the familiar figures of a tiefling, a human pirate, and an earth genasi would arrive to the tent town, the latter of them being heavily charred and unconscious, carried by a large skeletal undead.
The group would, not surprisingly, head for the Crimson Watch Keep. While the unconscious genasi was left to recover, the tiefling and the human would go on to celebrate very loudly in the dining hall, sparing no details of their exploits to any within earshot, and a more complete version of the rumor would soon spread through the garrison and then the locals, assigning responsibility for the events of the night to the favor of the Destroyer and the other gods of Fury.

Later in the morning, an official message would be pinned by one of the Watchmen on the public board in the marketplace of Soubar, stating in clear terms that the shrine had been desecrated by the hands of two champions of the Furies, that it was now claimed by the Church of Talos, the one true Thunder god of Faerun, and urging all those who feared the power of the Destroyer to bring offerings and call to his name whenever passing by Thundar's Ride, lest they may incur in his terrible wrath.

The message would also briefly go on to mention the missing merchant caravan, claiming that its doom and the necromantic enslavement of its members was merely the result of it not seeking the right kind of protection when trekking through the northern stretches of the Trade Way...

[Babiree]

Priestess: "Let the cold grasp the big bellies of giants!"

Raider: "Hear hear!"

Priestess: "Forever!"

Warrior: *cough* "Yeah, sounds about right."


*************************

Warrior: *nods respectfully*

Visitor: "You found a winged friend?"

Priestess: "Great. Another one who define me by wings..."

Raider: *He chuckles.* "Yes, we've known her for a little while!"

Days have passed since the sighting of thunderous lights over the hills of Thundar's Ride. Though the local goblinoids may keep their distance from the charred shrine, there's no shortage of fresh footprints of armored boots coming and going from the location, and small piles of gruesome offerings being left day after day.
Rumors in the markets of Soubar would have some believe that more devotees and clergy of the gods of Fury have been visiting the town, whether on their own accord or following invitation by a certain tiefling...

[Babiree]

Visitor: "Soubar sure has a lot of shit spots, this ain't one of them. Plenty of room to train when needed too!"

Warrior: "True 'nuff! Considerin' the size of the keep, it's a pretty roomy spot..."

Raider: *He nods eagerly.* "Yes! And we're right above the dungeon and the kennel, which makes it very convenient when using it for entertainment too!"

Visitor: *laughs* Sounds like it does *with a malicious grin.*

A new visitor was seen entering the Crimson Watch keep, escorted by a certain pair of local planetouched. According to the rumors trickling down from the garrison, the overseer was all but waggling his tail with delight while giving a tour of the facility to the man. Though the reason and identity of the visitor are somewhat unclear, given the enthusiastic welcome and the luxury guest room set aside for him, one might reasonably assume this isn't the last time he comes to the keep...

[Babiree]

Visitor: "Do you or the others have any skill in sculpting?"

Raider: *He nods eagerly, eyes glinting and tail whacking the air.* "Yes, let it be so! I am giddy with anticipation! -- *He tilts his head.* "Sculpting? No, I don't think so...?"

Visitor: "Aye! [...] We need the proper shape."

Raider: "The Destroyer blessed me with the grace of ruining things, not creating."

Warrior: "Heya."

Visitor: "Greetings Rodakk."

[...]

Warrior: "All's well, I hope?"

Raider: *Eagerly he turns to the other.* "Rodakk! Do you know how to sculpt things?"

Warrior: "Uh? What?"

A group of familiar faces gathered at the gates of Soubar at the break of dawn. For whatever strange reason, the main topic of their chat revolved around the seeking of a sculptor or mason of some sort.
As no immediate solution to their need was at hand, the conversation shifted towards the more usual topic of raiding and religiously-inspired mayhem, and the group would be soon seen heading off by way of magic to unknown destinations.

After a long day of killing, the tiefling would return to the keep, sending off a pair of guards to relay the message in a more official capacity to Soubar's board and beyond: the Crimson Watch was looking for sculptors or masons. Though the message mentions significant rewards, it is quite vague when it comes to the type of job being requested...

[Babiree]

Priestess: "You sitting by the fire? What is wrong with you?"

Warrior: *respectful nod* "Heya."

Pirate: "Hail Priestess."

Raider: *He snickers.*

Priestess: "Much better."

Warrior: "Aww, come on..." *sighs, pulls back his meat.*

Pirate: *Snorts as she dulls the fire.*

Priestess: "You will have to like it frosty."

Raider: "It is a test of endurance!"

Priestess: "Watch your step orc."

Pirate: "What brings you down from your frozen temple, lass?"

Barbarian: *The orc woman is still seething with barely contained rage, eyes focused largely on the seated tiefling. She doesn't look like she's noticed the new arrival yet.*

Raider: "As you can see, Storm Sister, Soubar is quite lively today! We were just getting acquainted with some new faces..."

Soubar was quite lively this past dawn, as large gathering of questionable characters was seen slowly finding place in the shady tent town. At first, just the members of the Crimson Watch, and an odd, wary orc woman who seemingly could not or would not speak in the Common tongue, then, one by one, more joined in, some being familiar faces, some less so. The Storm Sister from the Icedawn House had come to visit Soubar a second seemingly to meet with the representatives of the Crimson Watch in particular, and the tiefling and the genasi would be seen escorting her inside the keep, and spending quite some time within with her.

The rowdy gathering would go on for a while, with the she-orc leaving in anger over some dispute with the tiefling in red, while another blue-skinned tiefling who had joined the group, would leave much more quietly by way of magic.
The remaining four, having exhausted both food and topics of conversation, would then depart together, heading to the Boareskyr Bridge and beyond, to bring destruction and mayhem in the names of the gods of Fury...

[Babiree]

Pirate: "All I hear is pig squeelin'."

Warrior: *Groans, shakes his head at her words.*

Raider: "Oho! Well, seems like you've been given a challenge, Quint! Vartha says you should shut up before she takes your other eye."

Pirate: *Barks a laugh* "Go ahead and try. Give me an excuse ta throw ya in the fire and make me some bacon, savvy?"

Barbarian: *The orc woman clenches her fist and points at him in challenge, unable to refrain her anger.* "A ez dute ez ^fohah u^f batzuk zhabbho!"

Warrior: "Ugh... really now?"

Pirate: "Wot she squealin about?"

Raider: "Hmmm... there's always a lot of words being thrown. How about you put them into action? We have the arena right over there..." *He points somewhere behind himself, while addressing the orc woman.*

Pirate: *Pulls out a flask and takes a swig, then tucks it away.*

Raider: "She says she has nothing to fear from a cripple."

Pirate: *Grins at those words.* "Welp, guess I got to teach ye a lession in fear then."

Raider: "So it seems!"

Warrior: "Hey hey! ...Don't make a mess here-. Arena's right over yonder. Don't wanna get Mag pissy."

[...]

A livelier day than usual in Soubar, as a chat by the campfire escalated to violence and bloodshed! According to rumors, it started with an orc woman visiting the Crimson Watch Commander to discuss something. Regrettably, with their entire conversation being in the Orcish tongue, not much of what they talked about would become known. Despite sharing a meal together, as time passed, the orc would grow increasingly angry at the tiefling, even moreso as other familiar faces joined the two of them by the campfire.

By the amount of yelling and posturing, it seemed inevitable that a fight might break, yet, surprisingly, the orc woman would pick a different target to vent her anger: the Dark Breaker Quint Blackwell.

Pirate: "Ready when ye are."

Scholar: "I'll put 1000 coin on the orc." *She smirks.*

Barbarian: *She lets out a grunt, gripping her greataxe.*

Raider: "Alright, let this bloodshed please the Stormstar! Let the Furies see the truth of it!"

Under the gathered crowd of spectators, the pirate and the barbarian would engage in a brutal combat. In spite of his greater experience, the pirate would find himself gravely injured by the raging mountain orc, who nearly tore him to shreds with two mighty swings of her greataxe. Yet, making leverage of his greater dexterity, the Dark Weaver would deflect an incoming strike, and disarm the orc woman in the middle of her last swing. Before she could reach for her weapon once more, Quint closed the distance, and cut her down, emerging victorious.

To those who witnessed the duel, it would be noticed just how strong and terrible both opponents were, as it seemed each of their cuts would have been strong enough to fell most humanoids in a single blow, and it was therefore no surprise that neither of them left the encounter unscathed.

Though at first it seemed as if the orc woman would be left on the field to bleed to death, the winner of the duel reportedly tossed a healing potion her way after some chatter with the spectators. Apparently, the orc woman was not particularly ingratiated by the gesture, though she accepted it nonetheless, and limped off yelling in her tongue at both the human and the tiefling.

With most of the events surrounding the fight having been discussed in foreign tongue, it's hard to say what exactly might be the consequences of this encounter, or whether the orc woman will return, though it certainly has given the locals a lively spectacle!

Not one to be slowed down by a handful of near-fatal injuries, the Dark Breaker would not long after be seen teleporting off alongside familiar faces to go raid in the wilderness...

[Babiree]

Raider: "May these unholy tidings bring amusement to the Stormstar, and the Icedawn, and the Queen of the Depths, and all the Furies and their principalities!"

Visitor: *Pours a bit more into his cup and rises it.* "Let it be done!"

Warrior: *Raises his mug too.*

Priestess: "Hail to Auril! Bring the Eternal Winter!"

Raider: "Such is the desire of our gods, that fear and destruction be spread in their name! By their delectation we may be rewarded, and much bloody merriment be granted to us, until it is time that we too are discarded and forgotten, as is the fate of all mortals!"

Pirate: "Here here!"

Warrior: "Uh... yeah... hear hear!"

Much ruckus and titles of profane powers echoed through the halls of the Crimson Watch keep during the past night, which saw once again the gathering of the foul worshipers of the gods of Fury, with representatives of Icedawn, the Bitch-Queen and the Destroyer being in attendance. Unlike most such occasions, the group would forego raiding the nearby territories, and instead spent the evening dining and drinking. To some, the occasion might be perceived just as a recreational gathering of like-minded folks, yet some faint rumors spreading from the garrison of the keep would claim that most of the evening was spent discussing logistics and countermeasures relating to one very specific subject. It may be that the increase of visits by high-ranking favored representatives of the gods of Fury to Soubar that led up to this meeting is but the prelude to a more nefarious doom...