Rumors & RP of Darkhold

[TheZhentarim]

In the late afternoon, a handful of Zhentilar are seen posting several fliers around Darkhold. A watercolor rendition of the black hand of Bane preludes the body of text, with the Dreadlord's personal signature seen at the bottom. Word quickly spreads: the Zhentarim are recruiting.

It is the dawn of a new era in Darkhold. Expansion is on the horizon -- and I invite you to take part.

The Zhentarim is looking for able-bodied men and women to fill our ranks in service of the Black Hand. Those who call upon the Tyrant Lord: I invite you to a test of strength at the courtyard in Darkhold. Show your lord the power you command. Show me how much fear you can inspire in our enemies and I will consider your invitation. Your clergy demands it.

But those who do not call upon Bane are invited to serve as well. Darkhold is in need of diplomats, traders, and individuals who will serve loyally regardless of faith or race. Security will be offered for you and your family in the best-defended keep in the region. Coin is guaranteed as one of Faeraun’s largest trade networks. Your service will be well-rewarded -- and the opportunities the Zhentarim can provide are unlike any other.

Come serve the Zhentarim or let power slip through your hands. My enemies have already taken notice. Will you?

Dreadlord Victoria Thornhart
Dark Doom of Bane
7th of Eleasis, 1356 DR

[Darradarljod]

It is said the champion of Bane known as Bueroza now serves as Commander of the Zhentarim at Darkhold under authority of the Dreadlord Victoria Thornhart. An exacting man with a passion for mastery of the mortal coil he has wasted no time since his appointment in dictating new and intense regiments for the Zhentilar garrison to increase their strength, courage and mastery. Day after day black masses of soldiers are rotated out into the courtyards, drilled mercilessly in the blizzards of Darkhold. Others endure arduous marches through the Sunset Mountains for 'conditioning' of body and will. Bueroza seems to approve of allowing disputes among the Zhentilar soldiers to be resolved by a spartan system of dueling, sometimes to first blood - other times to grevious injury or, it is rumored, occasionally death. The Commander himself takes an active hand in matters of discipline and, by all appearances, great pleasure in enforcing his philosophy of 'might makes right'.

Since the 26th of Eleasis, those who visit Darkhold find particularly stringent increase in security controls - gate checkpoints now included the forced removal of cowls, scarves and helmets for the inspection of every face and person. Mundane visitors on political or mercantile business with the Zhentarim were now briefly interrogated and required to sign tedious registries as a requirement of entry at the gates, by order of the Commander, and were expected to submit to searches of body and inventory and the forfeiture of their weapons. It seemed non-humans especially were met with the most thorough and humiliating scrutiny - presumably an extension of the natural prejudice of the Thayan.

Non-compliance of the recently instated measures were met indiscriminately with the refusal of Darkhold's invincible black gates.

[Darradarljod]

Rumors among the Zhentilar and staff of Darkhold tell that after a day and night of fasting the Commander Bueroza has refused to return to the elaborate cuisine of the kitchen staff. It is rumored he gave preference to a great dish of uncooked meats, feasting alone in the great-hall at a late hour on a piled platter of raw venison.

[DM SummerBreeze]

Rumour spreads that commander Boris, has succumb fully to a vampires curse, and has embraced his new immortality with open arms. He has taken on new title, of Deathknight of the Nightgale Clan. The physical changes the huge man has already undergone have only become more permanent, and more pronounced. Only the cold gaze of vampiric undeath stares from his eyes now.

.

[Leramak]

It is rumored that few days past a caravan full of Lumber and armaments departed the Blackrose encampment on the Northern Tradeway heading towards Darkhold.

[yyj]

A dark messenger delivers a letter to the gates of Darkhold.

[Your best friend]

A new recruit has taken her oaths in the Temple of Bane in Darkhold, overseen by both the Vigilator and Dreadlord.

[Your best friend]

The previous Zhentarim ban list is removed and updated to the following:

By order of the Dreadlord, the following factions and any representatives are henceforth banned from Zhentarim owned land, including the Protectorate of Corm Orp:

House Darius
House Vale
The Iron Company
The Order of the Radiant Heart
The Phoenix Company
The Whitewood Vanguard

Any member of those organizations found on Darkhold grounds, Corm Orp or the garrison nearby will be captured, interrogated and executed, unless given explicit permission by one of the ranking Zhentarim officers.

Furthermore, the Zhentilar will also be capturing the following individuals should they be found on Zhentarim lands:

Celestia
Boendal Silvereye
Hinzel
Maximillian Blackthorne
Morgalia
Stunraerilya AKA Cinnamon
Wren Di'Corvi

Signed,

Dreadlord Victoria Thornhart
Dark Doom of Bane

[Your best friend]

While at Darkhold, Victoria Thornhart would now be frequently seen in the company of a teenager. Rumor has it that the child is Bueroza's -- the former Commander of Darkhold -- but he has declared Victoria to be the teen's new mother.

[Your best friend]

A flyer is left on Darkhold's notice board for all passing through the keep to see.

Uktar 1, Evening
Join Us If You Dare



Masquerade of the Damned
At Darkhold

---

Prizes for Best Costume
Open Stage • Murder Mystery • Courtyard Open Market

1st Place Prizes: 65% of the Pot
And a Date with the Dreadlord or a Mystery Item

2nd Place Prizes: 25% of the Pot

3rd Place Prizes: 10% of the Pot


On the first of Uktar, all the most vile miscreants of the Coast will assemble at Darkhold for an unholy masquerade.

Join us for an open market, accompanied by song and dance, while a secret murderer runs loose through the keep -- leaving a trail of bodies and only a handful of clues. It will be up to the guests to solve this mystery before it's too late, lest the murderer direct his sights on them as well.

At the 2nd Candlemark, guests will be invited to attend an open stage, where the most macabre of tales and jokes shall be shared -- accompanied only by hideous laughter.

And at the 3rd Candlemark of the ball, a costume contest will be held -- with three judges selected from the audience at random. Which ghastly costume will inspire the most delight? Come and find out...

---

All guests will be inspected at the Main Gate. No weapons, poisons, or explosives will be allowed inside. Any confiscated weaponry or items will be returned to you when you leave.

If you are interested in hosting a stall at the open market, contact Dreadlord Victoria Thornhart immediately. Include which organization you will be representing and what wares you intend to sell.

The Murder Mystery is just for fun and games -- in other words, pretend. Dreadlord Thornhart will tolerate no violence inside Darkhold or attempted murder. The safety of all guests will be ensured on this evening.

The entry fee for the costume contest will be 1,000 coins. The three judges will be paid 5,000 coins each for their services.

If you happen to be a banned person or part of a banned group, but you are interested in attending, you can contact Dreadlord Victoria Thornhart to be escorted onto the premises. Refer to Darkhold's laws, public banishment list, or agents if you have any questions.

((OOC information: Nov. 1, 4:00 pm EST/8 pm GMT. We hope to see you there!))

[yyj]

Ah woman in dark plate armor is seen training outside of Darkhold, training herself using the dummies, her roaring voice sometimes could be heard echoing by the mighty mountains that surround rhe castle that once belonged to giants.

Her technique, while possesing a good amount of poise, is done with the use of great strength, and soon the woman growls after a few hours of such training in the snowy mountains, that smoke could be seen coming from the helmet mouth piece.

After that, the muscular woman goes out of the fortifications and starts to run and jog and climb across the mighty mountauns, this rigorous training takes her body to the limit, yet she shows no signs of getting tired, as if magics where at work that were giving her such unnatural stamina.

After this mountain training, she returns back to Darkhold, the mysterious woman never removing her helmet once.

[Glowfire]

A couple of days ago two new arrivals to the region, Dreadmaster Vadim Morozov and his wife Yadira Morozov were invited to Darkhold by Lord Harkonis. Many words were shared and they were joined by others behind closed doors. The astute eye would make notice of that the couple are not Zhentarim members themselves.

[Uranus]

A personal message is left on Darkhold's notice board. Even though all can see it, only the person that message is addressed to would know the details

The old man with the hat, would be willing to try out your skills and pay you well for it. When you see him again, contact the little elf you met outside the Hall, if interested

[GlassShardRose]

A familiar Half-Drow Diplomat referring to herself simply as Ry'Dia has been seen in Dark hold and asking if the dreadlord is free to meet with her.

[Rhifox]

A decree is sent out across the lands under Darkhold's domain (including the Darkhold Vale and those living in and around Corm Orp).

By the order of the Lord of Darkhold, all homes within the demense of Darkhold are to send any able-bodied man to the Darkhold Vale for a three-week training program in the use of arms and battle tactics. You will receive a monetary stipend for the duration of the program.

If time cannot be set aside for this program, persons may instead purchase leave from service. This tax will be used to finance other military investments.

All homes are as well reminded that they are expected to own and maintain a minimum of one set of armor, one spear, one short or long bow, and one shield. Equipment will be made available at Darkhold Vale during the training program.

Failure to abide by this decree is a betrayal of your obligations to your lord and will be considered a criminal violation.