Rumors & Events of Soubar

[TheBorderPrince]

A new piece of parchment has appeared on the notice board in Soubar:

"The fall has begun. Secrets discovered. Secrets kept. A new power in our grasp.


The fallen angel has not yet fallen far enough. When Castus chose to become a walking blasphemy, his fate was sealed. An arrogant enemy who knows nothing of what will come.

We know of the filth he so desperately tried to hide. Unforgivable acts will be met with unforgivable acts. Vengeance for the Nightsinger will come to fruition.



You think you still have all the power, fallen one?

You will soon know what true oblivion is."

A fresh bit of writing appeared on the bottom of the parchment, whether an update or a reply of another party (though contents may suggest the latter):

Bad Omens were foreseen in Marpenoth. But new ones have arisen. You know where to find me.

[TheBorderPrince]

Another set of rumours in Soubar may be heard from the insiders from the Ebon Keep. While the fortess' occupancy is currently at the low end: the Ebon Blades are mostly gone with but a skeleton crew managing the premises, and the other occupants, the Crimson Watch, is currently also at low numbers; the few that still live there sometimes spread gossip of strange happenings over a glass of Zzar in the Winding Way Tavern. Apparently, a strange woman, clad in dark robes, lives there at Herald's invitation for some time now, keeping to herself and not interacting with anyone save Ilyon. During that time the two were conducting some strange rituals, allegedly, often ending with them looking drained, battered and struck by malaise afterwards. Most recently the woman was found in the arcane laboratory in a state in which it was difficult to discern if she is even still alive - but the Herald forbade anyone from any intervention into her state.

[TheBorderPrince]

Another day in Soubar, another gruesome spectacle.

A group, led by Illyon, and consisting of warrior known to some as Garon, and a handful of masked individuals, have came back to the town through the northwestern gate. They were leading a minotaur, subdued and bound by chains, and took the creature into the walls of the Ebon Keep. The creature wasn't seen leaving the fortress though, at least, not in one piece. Instead, its remains, cleaved into manageable bits, ended thrown down the common burial pit, for purposes unknown - but one can assume some profane rituals in the name of the Black Sun were at play.

[RavenCredale]

In the early morning a Half drow with a bandaged left arm going from the middle of her bicep to the tips of her fingers, was seen walking into the tent city of Soubar. Her silver white hair chopped to be around to the middle of her neck as she strode in with long strides. Those that knew her and had not seen her for months would recognize her eerily unsettling eyes. Rauva Z'ress looked to the board in the market square and took note of a few new things before she stretched a bit.
"What a mess this place still is. I wonder if Mags has died yet, if so I can raid her stash of Zzar."


Later in the Evening another familiar face came to Soubar, one who use to be seen often in Greenest. The Kossuthan tiefling known as Na'Karia walked through the Tent city after adjusting her attire at the tailors Tent. No longer baring anything that would tie her to the Myradon Vindicators, the tiefling walks about the Tent City just relaxing for the mean time and taking small strolls out to beat up Fire Giants.

[TheBorderPrince]

With the return of Zerros to Soubar, the news around the settlement say that a new deal was struck in terms of the leadership of the faction - the returning commander, and Illyon, the one that was acting in his place during the months of his absence declared themselves as co-leaders, equal in status. It does not seems clear if they will divide the responsibilities in any particular way yet.

[leviticus]

((also posted in "Musings of a Natural Follower of Bane"))

# entry 309

Most leaders only care for the victory. Rarely, they care to peruse the depths of how a battle, or for that matter a situation had developped, let alone when things went south. I say I never lose. It’s either one or the other as it both are sides of the same coin.

Also, what many leaders barely care to learn is the art of dying. Not for their men, nor for themselves. But if you draw a blade on another, you have to be prepared to die yourself as well. For it can be an undesirable invitation to the realms beyond.

It’s only after my visit to Soubar and surroundings, I’ve finally came to acknowledge Bane was defeated. I will however never understand why He allowed himself to be in that situation. But slain? Perhaps He was, in a way. I still however sense fragments of His identity in between my anger and confusion. Perhaps because He was part of my own identity.

In fact, He could have taken possession of my body as a tactical way out. Why didn’t He?

I told myself to have faith. With enough devotion and strength, Bane may be reborn.

Meanwhile I am investigating what happened to fellow worshippers. And I’m exploring the possible sources of the energy I sense to remain steadfast in my worship to Bane. There had to be an explanation for it. My connection to Bane has always been strong, and though it felt weak now, much weaker than before, it was still there in one way or another. Perhaps through his blood … ?

I just had to identify the nature of this connection, and I had to identify it quickly. Cause from what I can tell my world was changing and it was doing so fast. Consulting fellow Banites out here seemed out of the question. Most of them had turned to Cyric and abandoned law and order. I just let them be. Some were likely already lost in delusions of what they deemed was sublimity and competence.

That I eventually turn my back on the Ebon Keep had nothing to do with shrinking in fear after two threatened me. They simply were of no use to me and there was nothing to be gained. All the intel matched.

One however dared to call me a sheep while considering himself a wolf. I’m afraid this man cannot even begin to grasp the concept of a wolf. In an attempt to enlight the poor creature I left behind my key to the Ebon Keep on their doorstep.


In a pile of dogshit.

[leviticus]

*A note was spread in a few places in and around Soubar*

To the "New-Cyrisists",

When Our Lord Bane made a calculated Retreat, after eras of His examplary Leadership, of stalwart securing our Values, and of forming the backbone of your personal Evolution… did you really require a shoulder to cry on?
Did you really have to challenge the perception of a Banite being as resolute as the ultimate Bulwark, and instead become just like a lonely tree on a cliff bending in whichever the wind blows?

While things before your eyes are obviously being fabricated by the Prince of Lies, it still is not too late to become undeceived. And when you claim to feel the pressure of the Cyrisist horde manhunting you down, consider this one thing : True Banites always actively search for strong foes in order to be Glamorous.

Speaking of talents, that is also the single and only talent of Cyric and his followers. Putting you in front of the cart while lounging comfortably in their luxury suits, persuading you in their convictions and growing you weak so they can continue to dominate your poor souls.

Notice the lesser beings invading your homes, observe the display of power which in reality proves to be nothing but weakness, and learn their promises are actually sweet lies.

Should you do anything now? No you don’t, if you don’t care.

But maybe consider this.

Being you and being yourself is the best thing you got. Next to Bane’s guidance. If you happen to possess said fundamental Understanding, I can encourage you all to turn your gaze inward and proudly learn what is missing or broken. For a brief moment, consider the chaos and deception, and then put clarity of Purpose and the power of Conviction next to it.

When it dawns on you, rise through the Ranks of the Faithful and claim your rightful place among the True Elite.

Whisper His name at night, listen with undivided attention, and learn there is an alternative path.

[TheBorderPrince]

*A note was spread in a few places in and around Soubar*

To the "New-Cyrisists",

When Our Lord Bane made a calculated Retreat, after eras of His examplary Leadership, of stalwart securing our Values, and of forming the backbone of your personal Evolution… did you really require a shoulder to cry on?
Did you really have to challenge the perception of a Banite being as resolute as the ultimate Bulwark, and instead become just like a lonely tree on a cliff bending in whichever the wind blows?

While things before your eyes are obviously being fabricated by the Prince of Lies, it still is not too late to become undeceived. And when you claim to feel the pressure of the Cyrisist horde manhunting you down, consider this one thing : True Banites always actively search for strong foes in order to be Glamorous.

Speaking of talents, that is also the single and only talent of Cyric and his followers. Putting you in front of the cart while lounging comfortably in their luxury suits, persuading you in their convictions and growing you weak so they can continue to dominate your poor souls.

Notice the lesser beings invading your homes, observe the display of power which in reality proves to be nothing but weakness, and learn their promises are actually sweet lies.

Should you do anything now? No you don’t, if you don’t care.

But maybe consider this.

Being you and being yourself is the best thing you got. Next to Bane’s guidance. If you happen to possess said fundamental Understanding, I can encourage you all to turn your gaze inward and proudly learn what is missing or broken. For a brief moment, consider the chaos and deception, and then put clarity of Purpose and the power of Conviction next to it.

When it dawns on you, rise through the Ranks of the Faithful and claim your rightful place among the True Elite.

Whisper His name at night, listen with undivided attention, and learn there is an alternative path.

One of the notes, one located in the most prominent place, was "graced" by a "reply". Which took form of an inscription, crudely and irrevelently smeared over the original text with big, red letters:

WOOF, WOOF, WOOF - IMPOTENT YAPPING
OF A RELIC FROM ERA GONE BY, INCAPABLE OF
PROCESSING OWN OBSOLESCENCE.
HOW DELIGHTFULLY DESPERATE.

[TheBorderPrince]

What was seemingly inevitable for quite a time, has just became a reality. While the background of banners adorning walls of the Ebon Keep remains black, the silver emblem of the Ebon Blades they did once proudly display is now replaced by the watchful, red eye of the Crimson Watch. The handful of Ebon Blade mercenaries that remained in Soubar, instead of following their captain into new conflicts far to the south along the rest of the company, now also have crimson accents added to their black armour. Whether through formal deal or unilateral takeover of the mostly abandoned fastness, the Ebon Keep is now fully serving the new masters.

[The Whistler]

It isn't long after the takeover that the Ebon Keep obtains a new tenant in the form of a stony-faced youth of 23 summers, whose murderous reputation and air of malignance afford him a wide berth by even some of the outfit's most battle-hardened elements. At the start of each day he remains cloistered away in the fortress, a fresh slave is brought to him from the marketplace, only for their lifeless remains to join the charnel pit outside the walls by nightfall. The bodies mangled beyond all recognition by a savage, bladed weapon.

[leviticus]

*A new note found its way to public places*

Once we eliminated our enemies and extinguished the light in the eyes of the weak, we will introduce the season of die-hardism. Like a long lasting winter of despair, with everything before us and nothing before them, in a darkness more clear than crystal laying on all landscape,... fatal to the ill-equipped and oblivious to those deaf to the bells of His temple and the distant unremitting military drums.

We then must rebuild. Not just walls, not just properties, but also hearts, minds, and ultimately Banehold. We will snag the armors of our foes from the battlefield and melt them into thundering war apparatus. Never will the sun go down with a brighter glory in its tiny little corner… never will the moon rise with a smaller crescent with what is barely an excuse for its mild radiance… than on that moment of predestined victory.

And when they come find us, seeking us out, after long and lonely spurring over dreary roads, they would not arrive to a cluster of poor cottages steeped in darkness, they will not find people in a ghostly matter in the dead of night… but they’ll encounter a fantastic fortress glittering with glory without shadow, and spotless warriors lined up in flawless ranks at the great gate.

Behind them, brilliant descendants, state-of-the-art, generations hence. Far better than all else you have known.

[Avanos]

Just south of the town of Soubar, as the early morning sun cast long shadows on the Trade Way, travelers would stumble upon a gruesome scene that would shivers down their spines.
Two desiccated corpses lay sprawled on the dusty road, their faces twisted in agony. Their bodies reduced to little more than skin and bones, bore signs of a violent end. Upon closer inspection, it became evident that their blood had been forcibly exsanguinated, the skin nearly torn open from the immense pressure.
A few feet away, the remains of a third victim were scattered in a radius, centered on a blood-soaked point in the dirt. The explosion had been so powerful that bits of flesh and bone were flung in all directions.
Aside from the scent of iron lingering in the air near the corpses, nothing else could be ascertained about what took place.

[Avanos]

In the Soubar Marketplace, a brief encounter took place. Words were exchanged between the Zhentarim and a shadowy, translucent shade. After the exchange, the Zhentarim received mysterious "gifts" from the shade, who then promptly vanished.

[Mother Night]

A new piece of parchment has appeared on the notice board in Soubar:

"The darkest hour is upon us.

Castus has failed his brothers, abandoned them. One by one they shall fall. Blood spills upon our altar. Their fates, crushed within our hands. Their brother's foolish pursuit has been in vain.

Castus the Fallen, your cursed existence we have gotten to know so well, will soon meet its bitter end. There will be no place to hide.
We rebuke your father's wretched name and cast it into the shadows! The blight he left upon this world shall be cleansed in unforgiving darkness.

The void is waiting. You will have no peace. You will have no comfort.

Oblivion comes for you.


May all bear witness to the might of Shar!"

[TheBorderPrince]

A new piece of parchment has appeared on the notice board in Soubar:

"The darkest hour is upon us.

Castus has failed his brothers, abandoned them. One by one they shall fall. Blood spills upon our altar. Their fates, crushed within our hands. Their brother's foolish pursuit has been in vain.

Castus the Fallen, your cursed existence we have gotten to know so well, will soon meet its bitter end. There will be no place to hide.
We rebuke your father's wretched name and cast it into the shadows! The blight he left upon this world shall be cleansed in unforgiving darkness.

The void is waiting. You will have no peace. You will have no comfort.

Oblivion comes for you.


May all bear witness to the might of Shar!"

As with the previous note, some time after it was posted, a message was added below the original text - in the same hanndwriting as before:

A new portent appeared - pointing the same direction as before.