Rumors of the Northern Sword Coast

[Calodan]

In Soubar the caravan stops and Danny steps off the carriage to a grisly site. Two magic users presumed to be Necromancers are seen summoning what appeared to be a hoard of undead and other fiends. Looking to one he takes note of his stature and robes even though he is hooded before scurrying out of town and up the hill towards the light on it where he had heard rumor of a band of known watch guards on it. Having alerted them he accompanied them to the bridge where many consecrations and wards were placed before the two magic users came to the bridge. Then in with little time to react the sky erupted in storm and frenzy as the groups set to battle. Danny feeling his blood run cold jumps into the shadows and slinks off quietly saving his own hide but telling the tale to every guard and adventure he can find having lived to tell it for a copper or two of course......

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////Description is of Drow Necro #1 White and black robes.
Small stature for a surface race Elf or Human and too large to be Hin or Dwarf. Lean build. Dark features under a hooded guise. The second magic user was not seen sufficiently to be described.

[Fury_US]

Rumors literally explode out of the North- wild and preposterous seeming, spanning from devil hordes, to an army of drow descending on the Boareskyr bridge. They agree a fierce battle took place, ending with the camp by the ruined bridge fort being razed to the ground.

Others report a member of the Radiant Heart fishing grievously wounded corpses (the number varies from teller to teller) from the river, and teleporting away with them.

[LaceAndLeather]

Following (or even in conjunction with) the rumors of a battle upon the bridge, there are gossipy whispers of the area west of and upon the Boareskyr Bridge, said to be left shimmering with divine radiance, bearing an unusually bright and direct silver light, as if the moon shines unrelentingly down on the area for an evening or more.

There are a few worried, uncomfortable murmurs within the village of Soubar over what such heralded—or, as the case may be and depending upon the rumor, warranted—attention of the goddess in question could mean for those who have wronged her...

[kleomenes]

A few cycles ago, or days to surfacers, a group of shady individuals wearing the insignia of Bregan D'aerthe frequented the Winding Way Inn in Soubar. Some were masked but some were not, and clearly showed their identities of denizens of the Underdark.

One, in particular, made himself known as Daug'aonar, Lieutenant of the Sshamath Chapter of Bregan D'aerthe, and he did business in the tavern with a number of people before departing with his escorts.

[sweetlikesplenda]

Some may have seen a missive arrive via courier at the Helm and Cloak, delivered to the Tactician of the Red Knight, and recently sworn Knight to the Dukes, Aaron Lyonaler. The man would have simply gathered his things after reading it and depart north out of the city.

Any traveling along the north Trade Way might have seen him divert off the trail and head towards the marshes in the direction of the Serpent Hills.

Later, any traveling south that would recognize him, might have seen a dirtier Aaron traveling south back towards Baldur's Gate, a sac in hand. If asked he would reveal that he had been hunting dragon scales.

With a cheerful demeanor, the knight would deposit the bag of scales off at the Radiant Heart Chapter House, then make back for his quarters to bath and rest.

[Winterborne]

Daily, for the past few days, a blond man can be seen making regular trips to Dragonspear Keep. Each day he goes, he comes back tired and somewhat bloodied, but alive. He always enters the keep carrying a brown canvas sack, and returns with it full of something clanking like dried bones.

Rumors spread that on his latest trip, the devils began to retreat from him, but whether it is to regroup for some sort of ambush, or because they are afraid, none but the devils themselves could say.

[Camera9]

*In the night, a strong alliance of adventurers wiped out the devils around the walls of Dragonspear castle.
They couldn't go through the heavy gate so they left, walking among the corpses of their enemies.

Only later on, one of them seems to have found a passage through the walls. Now they're all willing to come back there and breach into the dark castle, in order to destroy the evil threat once for all...*

((With the participation of: Ardan Thusk, Exordius Vrass, Kassian, Msciwoj, The Eglinton Brothers, Athana and Leo Scyntz))

[Fury_US]

The continued reports of the seeming weakening of the Dragonspear Devils is accompanied by word coming out of the Northern Watch camp that they are seeking individuals with training in the healing arts. There is also report of inquiries being made for contract labor- carpenters and stonemasons in particular.

[Steve]

~The Claw of Winter, 1354 Dale Reckoning~

Though Kraak Helzak is situated just south-west of Boareskyr Bridge, and under peaks from which the crow flies south-east of the High Moor, none of the many Stout Folk that travel to and fro from the Holy Anvil, nor any non-dwarf visitors, above or below ground, bring word to the King and his allegiance of Clans, of any regional news of importance.

Thus, the Children of the Morndinsamman remain at their daily task(s), deep in the mountain, honing their strong martial traditions and beautiful craftsmanship in metalwork.

One of the greatest forces in the north, remains in peace.

[LaceAndLeather]

A young, silver-clad woman with blonde hair the color of wheat has been seen often in and around the village of Soubar, now twice or sometimes three times a tenday since mid-Hammer or so.

Some trips are short, primarily to purchase foodstuffs and other practical supplies, but for others, she lingers much longer, spending the better part of many full days tending to the motley assortment of villagers: providing rations for those struck down by misfortune, offering travelers directions through the region, and healing those who suffer injury or sickness with a soothing, silver light. During one such visit, she's even said to have stopped to play with a few vagabond children in the muddy streets.

The way those who have met her tell it, her services seem to benefit all who welcome her aid, regardless of race or creed, and she asks few questions and no payment of the townsfolk in return.

The occasional murmur follows in her wake: here or there a mention of the Northern Watch, though more frequently lip service or sometimes an earnest prayer to Selûne, goddess of wanderers, outcasts, and wayward souls.

[lum]

[samb123]

The tiefling Malign Ashmeddai can be seen around Soubar, of late. Generally referring to himself as a "magi", the tiefling is regularly seen in the Winding Way Tavern. At night, it's rumored he rents the cramped room in the tavern tower (paying weekly). Every few days, Malign takes the caravan to the Friendly Arms Inn (not returning until the following day).

Otherwise, Malign typically buys supplies from the merchants of Soubar and heads to various environs nearby. Often, he is found in the ruined temple of Bane. At other times, he heads over the Boareskyr Bridge, towards Thundar's Ride, or heading south further down the Trade Way. But the tiefling always returns to the Winding Way, whether returning from business at the Friendly Arms Inn or from exploring the local area.

[Tsidkenu]

A package was left with Mag in the Winding Way tavern, given over by a grey-robed redhead who spoke in a strong brogue. It was to be delivered to one Malign Ashmeddai, an additional sum of gold changing hands to ensure that happened.

[SoThereIWas]

A light, blue-gray colored tiefling was seen talking with another tiefling ("Magi") in the Winding Way Tavern bar before going up to "Magi's" room to chat privately. Shortly after, the blue-gray colored tiefling would have left the room tucking a coin pouch away into his jacket.

[metaquad4]

Along the Trade Way's Northern Area, between Soubar and the Reaching Woods, a gruesome sight can be seen. Beheaded wolf corpses, many already rotting and eaten away by carrion-feeders can be seen, dotting the landscape. At a particularly prominent boulder on the road, there can be seen a circle of wolf-heads around the large rock. The structure itself has a symbol painted on it, the symbol painted in a crude manner using blood.

The symbol is of a ring, the lines purposefully made jagged like that of a crown of thorns. The circle is dried well onto the rock and lies prominently on its side.

. . .

Further along the road, into the dark and foreboding reaching woods, there lies a similar scene if one cares to tread there. Gnoll corpses, strewn around the forest are likely no strange sight as many adventurers come to this wood to hunt the seemingly endless plague of cretins. However, near the cave that the gnolls call home, there is a strange sight.

On four trees surrounding the barricade and cave, there are circles painted. Each circle is made jagged, like that of a crown of thorns. The circles are drawn in blood, and judging from how some of the corpses seem to have had their guts and blood drained from them, it is likely the blood of these gnolls that the four circles are painted with.