Rumours of the Western Heartlands

[Almarea90]

*The below flyer bears Candlekeep's symbols and is posted in Candlekeep, Baldur's Gate, Greenest and Beregost, but would likely find its way to the other settlements in time.*

Coastal Chronicles - Alturiak 1360 DR Year of the Turret


Kraak Helzak - Diplomatic negotiation are taking place between the dwarves and the elves of En Darasha Everae. [Player Led]

Boareskyr Bridge - A new druidic circle is now active in the area and is helping the Green Enclave in their efforts against the poisoning of the river. [DM Spartacus]

Greenest - There are rumors of an organised and well hidden assassin group. Their grip on the rural communities a complex mix of benevolent guardians and iron grip punishments. [DM Spartacus]

Western Heartlands - Necromancer cultists acting in the name of the destroyed lich Polvich are driven from various hideouts along the coast by various adventurers and may have retreated into the Troll Claws where undead were summoned during the devil wars. [DM Spartacus]

Baldur's Gate - The men of the Order of the Radiant Heart join the Flaming Fist in their effort against the Crimson Spice. The Grand Knight himself is also seen in the lower district of the city looking for anyone who might need aid. [Player Led]

Lion's Way - The Bladestone Foundation intensifies the patrols in the area in order to make the transit of the refugees as safe as possible. There are also rumors of talks with the dwarves of the north for supplies to be provided. [Player Led]

Amn - There is a rumour a Djinni is offering good gold to recover the Mace of the Planes held somewhere in Amn. [DM Spartacus]

Baldur's Gate - The House of Cards reports that Snow leopard skins are still of value in the fashion market once again and they offer fair pricing. They also claim star sapphires are selling well to the far south ahd the house is purchasing limited numbers at competitive prices. This is at odds with the reduction in pricing for blue diamonds market saturation. [DM Spartacus]

Moonshae Islands - The lost ship of the long dead pirate Torvil the Tide might have been located in the Moonshae shores by a group of adventurers. [DM Spartacus]

Baldur's Gate - Word spreads about the newly established Church of the Red Knight and the relics of the faith they gathered in recent years. [Player Led]

2nd Alturiak, Trielta Hills - The necromancer Bronwyn the Scorned is captured on behalf of the Inquisition by a group of adventurers. They however find that the necromancer who had summoned forth swaths of undead to face them is actually her prepubescent daughter. The child is brought to the Temple of Mystra in Baldur's Gate, while the mother manages to escape. [DM Mimic]

2nd Alturiak, Amn - The Inquisition disavows and repudiates any association with the Everwatch Knights, claiming that they are "more concerned over the fate of unregistered and criminal magi than it is about the plight of the common man in Amn". The common folk of Nashkel however seem to be taking the side of the knights. Meanwhile, Nashkel's Mayor Ghastkill receives a supply of of food, apparently coordinated between the Iron Throne, the Bladestone Foundation, and the Phoenix Company. [DM Mimic]

3rd Alturiak, Nashkel - Scrolls of Web are distributed throughout the town. On the back of the scrolls are written lines that denounce both Tyrelius and the Inquisition. The authors of these lines are the dissidents of the Voice of Freedom. [Player Led]

4th Alturiak, Nashkel - After Zerros Ozmir's prolonged absence, the cyricist Illyon steps up as acting commander of the Crimson Watch. [Player Led]

7th Alturiak, Friendly Arm Inn - A cultist is killed by an half orc. According to a witness, the cultist belonged to the infernal cult of the Red Stones, active months ago and that preys upon the poor and downthrodden. After the death of the cultist, an Erynes appears and reclaims the body. [DM Summerbreeze]

7th Alturiak, Baldur's Gate - The drug known as Golden Augury is declared illegal by ducal decree. [DM Honk]

9th Alturiak, Baldur's Gate - Saer Terence Haelwing, Overseer of the Iron Throne, manages to sign a deal with Grand Duke Eltan for a new influx of weapons of all kind. Meanwhile, the task force proceeds in its effort to contain the damage and find those behind the drugs trade. [DM Honk]

10th Alturiak, Greenest - Castus arrives at the village and requests a meeting with Queen Scatterheart. After the meeting, the Amnian refugees are no longer welcome outside Greenest walls and are moved to the manor of Archon Yuri Lichelina. [DM Mimic]

11th Alturiak, Baldur's Gate - The Church of Sune issues a call to those of the faith for a mission beyond Baldur's Gate. [Player Led]

12th Alturiak, Baldur's Gate - Flyers from the Harpers circulate in the city thanking its people for their help. [Player Led]

16th Alturiak, Skull Gorge - It is rumored that the Valkuran priest Ryke Lighthouse and the elf Piir encountered an orc invulnerable to any weapon. They claim that the orc could only be slain by a "mirror axe". [Player Led]

17th Alturiak, Nashkel - A news conference takes place in town, where the High Inquisitor Giovann Vakkar answers the questions of those present. During the conference, however, Tyrelius teleports his gigantic tower into the sky, outside of Castus field range. Probably fearing the tower would plunge on Nashkel, Castus hesitates and his antimagic field dissipates for a few seconds, allowing Tyrelius to kidnap Dhaerys Lockheart. The body of Deputy Mayor Garroth Salvor is also dropped out of the tower with a note demanding Castus head. [DM Mimic]

18th Alturiak, Soubar - A delegation of the drow house Selmiyeritar meets with the new acting commander of the Crimson Watch Illyon. [Player Led]

20th Alturiak, Greenest - Supplies are being brought south towards the amnian border. [Player Led]

23rd Alturiak, Nashkel - A large force of Helm Guards and Priests, led by the Watchpriest, assembles in town with a large force of Amnian soldiers and mage hunters. [DM Mimic]

23rd Alturiak, Soubar - The Sharran church declares Castus an enemy of the church. [Player Led]

24th Alturiak, Friendly Arm Inn - A duel takes place between a Cyricist named Garon and a woman named Callo. The latter is killed and the former absconds with the body. According to a witness, the duel was prompted by the Cyricist attacking a friend of Callo. [Player Led]

25th Alturiak, Nashkel - After Tyrelius' surprise attack, the Everwatch Knights prepare the town's defenses. [Player Led]

26th Alturiak, Friendly Arm Inn - The Mulhorandi wanderer Zeila Linepret's corpse, bearing several arrow wounds, is brought to the temple. After the woman is raised, it is rumored she refuses more subsequent healing. [Player Led]

27th Alturiak, Western Heartlands - Sharran altars are erected in Ulgoth's Beard, Soubar, the graveyard of Baldur's Gate and the Lion's Way by unknown individuals. [Player Led], [Player Led], [Player Led] and [Player Led]

27th Alturiak, Amn - The Inquisition infiltrates Tyrelius' flying tower with the aid of a group of adventurers and manages to make it land safely, while Castus confronts Tyrelius. Dhaerys Lockheart and another prisoner named Enoch the Endless are saved, while Castus nullifies the spell devised by Tyrelius by shortly transforming his antimagic field in a zone of dead magic. The leader of the Arcane Liberation Front is captured by the Inquisition. [DM Mimic]

28th Alturiak, Nashkel - Tyrelius the Thrice Judged is defeated at the hands of Castus and captured by the Inquisition. [DM Mimic]

29th Alturiak, Baldur's Gate - A woman named Harriet attempts to lure away the amnian child who was being exploited by her mother to raise undead and now in the care of the temple of Mystra. The child is teleported back to the temple. [DM Mimic]

29th Alturiak, Greenest - A large patrol led by a group of adventurers departs from Greenest and defeats a gathering of Lolthite cultists in the area. [DM Spartacus]



Author's note: if anything is incorrect or missing, do not hesitate to contact me.



In faith,
Guide Edelgarde Spades

((OOC Disclaimer: If you would like something added in future works feel free to send me a PM or poke me on discord. In order for me to avoid involuntarily metagaming I kindly ask that the request is delivered as follows:

- Either IC (missive or in game if you prefer)
- Or OOC with a link to the relevant rumor post in the forum

In order to facilitate follow ups from new or returning players, I have added the name of the DM involved or the tag player led for each rumor. The original post is also linked. Please let me know if any of those is incorrect.

Thank you for making the game alive with your stories))

[zhazz]

Couriers are sent out from the Bladestone Foundation to major villages, towns, organizations, and places of commerce. Upon their arrival posters are put up all along the Coast: from Beregost in the south to Baldur's Gate in the north.

A sketch of male drow approximately 5'2" to 5'7" tall sporting a Mohawk-like haircut above an eye-patch. Average of build, and carrying a scimitar in one hand, a shield in the other.

"Spotted in the Woods of Sharp Teeth as well as the Lion's Way. Accosts travelers, attempting to intimidate them into binding themselves with rope. Is capable of magical self-concealment."

[TheBorderPrince]

Strange messages, apparently associated with the young deity Cyric, once again began appearing in various places on the Sword Coast - notice borards, walls, et cetera. While the exact characteristics differ from case to case, a generalised content contains of crudely drawn symbol of the Prince of Lies along the text most commonly stating the following:

The Eight represents the Whole. The infinity of directions radiating from the focal point. The Un-Guiding Star of Chaos, casting the shadow of uncertainty everywhere and everywhen. The Eight is the Whole. From the Change emanates the Difference. From the Difference, Power is born. The emanation of Power is Consciousness. Consciousness emanates Will, which gives birth to Strife. Strife leads to Conquest. Conquest breeds Unity.

ALL LAWS SHALL BE ABOLISHED

ALL BONDS BROKEN

ALL PRINCIPLES SUBVERTED

ALL VALUES CRUSHED

ALL MORALS EXTINGUISHED.

[JustAnotherGuy]

An entire day of revelry was had by dozens of persons near the pools off the River Chionthar. Celebrating the Spring Equinox, the Green Enclave invited people to come out for a feast. Dancing, singing, and merriment was had for hours. Eventually, the Archdruid and High Ranger had to leave. They told everyone to continue enjoying themselves, but reminded them to respect nature as they did.

[Obvious_Illusion]

While bodies along The Trade Way may not be an unusual sight, given the dangers of cutthroats and wild beasts, a group of adventurers stumbled on a series of bodies accompanied by troubling messages. The Illuskan Tyrran priest Vhaan de Luca, the Tiefling mage Zel Castriver, the elven thespian Isang, the Gur shaman Lagrima, and the Tiefling trickster Valvir found four such bodies with writing that they surmised must be associated with a Cyricist (see screenshots below). Lagrima and Vhaan also performed rituals to put the bodies to rest and cleanse them. Rumours of what the group saw is likely to circulate beyond them to other adventurers fast.

//OOC - Zel and Valvir are also capable of casting Hindsight but obviously can't cast without a DM?

South of Baldur's Gate (area north of FAI)



South of Beregost



Lion's Way
Corpse 1:


Corpse 2:

[Zeikari]

While the priest Vhaan was leading efforts of recovery along the Trade Way during the night, another body was also found not too far from Wyrm's Crossing, by the river Chionthar.
The first to find the remains of a dismembered half-elf was the traveling hin Quinric Tusslethorn, who, rushing in a panicked hurry to call for help, eventually stumbled upon Lady Netanya, with whom he returned to the scene of the crime to have her examine the body.
Much like with the other remains scattered on the Trade Way during the night, the body carried a message, which was recovered by Netanya.

[Lynendar]

As the clock approaches midnight in Baldur's Gate, a ghastly sight is just reported in the place of a recent murder on the Trade Way, not too far south from Wyrm's Crossing.


A reanimated skull, screeching in the night and flying frenetically up and down the Trade Way, repeating over and over the same sentence:

"My body was stolen by the Lord of the Rack,
a pox on his priestess, now I can never come back!"

The maddening hissing of the undead monstrosity keeps going for a while, then, the skull vanishes into darkness, just as quickly and mysteriously as it has appeared.

[Gwiston]

While heading North from Beregost towards the FAI, The warrior Allya caught sight of a number of Ghouls or Ghasts around the shrine of Mielikki. Leaping into action she was able to fight the undead off. It was then she realised the undead had been focussing their attention on the corpse they were devouring. Seeing the corpse was beyong her skill and sensing a great evil taint to the area Allya ran for aid.
She was able to locate the Cleric Ryke and his companion Piir. The trio made their way to the shrine to find the slain undead gone. The only things remaining were the broken body and the evil taint in the air.
Ryke was able to reconsecrate the shrine and he then resurrected the slain woman. Allya the carried the unconscious woman to the Inn at Beregost to recuperate.

Once again a crude poem had been etched into the slain individuals skin.

[Kevin_Smith]

Hidden: show

While heading North from Beregost towards the FAI, The warrior Allya caught sight of a number of Ghouls or Ghasts around the shrine of Mielikki. Leaping into action she was able to fight the undead off. It was then she realised the undead had been focussing their attention on the corpse they were devouring. Seeing the corpse was beyong her skill and sensing a great evil taint to the area Allya ran for aid.
She was able to locate the Cleric Ryke and his companion Piir. The trio made their way to the shrine to find the slain undead gone. The only things remaining were the broken body and the evil taint in the air.
Ryke was able to reconsecrate the shrine and he then resurrected the slain woman. Allya the carried the unconscious woman to the Inn at Beregost to recuperate.

Once again a crude poem had been etched into the slain individuals skin.

Ryke Lighthouse and Piir, while loitering by the Friendly Arm, were informed by Allya about undead by Mielikki shrine. The three rushed to see what they can do, and found a mutiliated female body, with eerie lyrics written on top of it.

Using divine power granted by his fella Valkur, Ryke Lighthouse performed a resurrection ritual, restoring the lady to life in one piece. Unconcious, the lady was brought to Beregost by Allya to have some rest.

[Hakken2]

Bhor Stonecutter makes a long journey from Kraak Helzak to Misty Forrest. He has an important mission to the village of En Dharasha Everae. Unsure of the paths inside the forest it takes him a long time to arrive with his precious letter.

[Almarea90]

*The below flyer bears Candlekeep's symbols and is posted in Candlekeep, Baldur's Gate, Greenest and Beregost, but would likely find its way to the other settlements in time.*

Coastal Chronicles - Ches 1360 DR Year of the Turret


Nashkel - The village is yet again gripped in bitted cold. There are rumors about a request from the followers of the Frost Maiden for the people of Nashkel to surrender their children to her, though the citizens appear to be defiant turning instead to the Everwatch Knights and the Inquisition. [DM Abyss]

Baldur's Gate - The efforts of the Ducal Task Force against the Crimson Spice continue. The quantity of the substance available on the streets has decreased however this leads to a bigger struggle against withdrawal from those addicted. Meanwhile the Iron Throne prepares to welcome several ships from the east, bringing siege weapons and all sorts of weaponry to the City, as agreed with Duke Eltan. Terence Haelwing continues to spread his influence across the Noble Houses and Guilds, making the Iron Throne more of an important player in the tapestry of city politics. [DM Honk]

Baldur's Gate - The Church of Ilmater is still seeking herbs to aid in the care of those struggling with the Crimson Spice. [Player Led]

Triel - Word spreads of further open opportunities for the people in the surrounding region. Upon the past tendays, caravans of hopeful citizens arrive to castle of Triel from a variety of lands. [DM Ink]

2nd Ches, Friendly Arm Inn - A seriously wounded tiefling drops out of a portal near the inn. [Player Led]

3rd Ches, Soubar - A human sacrifice is conducted by the self-proclaimed Herald of the Black Dawn in the name of Cyric. The halfling that was with him attempts to reanimate the body. [Player Led]

5th Ches, Woods of Sharpteeth and Lion's Way - The Bladestone Foundation claims that a drow sporting a Mohawk-like haircut above an eye-patch capable of magical self-concealment accosts travelers, attempting to intimidate them into binding themselves with rope. [Player Led]

5th Ches, Bladestone Foundation - The gnome known as Worbert is banned from the Bladestone Foundation due to allegations of poisoning the woman known as Nalissa Colds, as well as openly admitting to trading with drow. [Player Led]

10th Ches, Western Hearlands - Messages bearing the symbol of the Black Sun are found scattered on the Coast, usally stating the following: "The Eight represents the Whole. The infinity of directions radiating from the focal point. The Un-Guiding Star of Chaos, casting the shadow of uncertainty everywhere and everywhen. The Eight is the Whole. From the Change emanates the Difference. From the Difference, Power is born. The emanation of Power is Consciousness. Consciousness emanates Will, which gives birth to Strife. Strife leads to Conquest. Conquest breeds Unity.

ALL LAWS SHALL BE ABOLISHED

ALL BONDS BROKEN

ALL PRINCIPLES SUBVERTED

ALL VALUES CRUSHED

ALL MORALS EXTINGUISHED. [Player Led]

13th Ches, Nashkel - Preparations for the trial to Tyrelius the Thrice Judged continue in Nashkel. High Inquisitor Giovann Vakkar, preoccupied by the condition of Dhaerys Lockheart, takes a back seat to the proceedings. In his place, Inquisitor Micaela Navar is named prosecuting attorney, while High Judicator Hieron Ampbel is appointed to lead the Tribunal. Eloy Rhonmark, brother to Baron Enriq Rhonmark, volunteers to serve as Tyrelius' advocate. [DM Mimic]

14th Ches, Baldur's Gate - The House of Huntermoon of Neverwinter is called at Baldur's gate after the recent death of one of their merchant kin Abe Huntermoon in the nearby island of Ulgoth's Beard. It is rumored that they complained with the Duke about law and order. The Dukes reassure them that this was a mere incident. After securing a trade agreement with the House of Cards the House of Huntermoon leaves the city. On the same day two dockers are found slain a the Dockside Arms allegedly due to a dispute over possession of crimson spice. [DM Spartacus]

14th Ches, Baldur's Gate - A body is found stripped of its skin with a hunk of rotting flesh sitting next to it and a light spell at the top. A note praising the Mad God is also found on the scene. [Player Led]

16th Ches, Friendly Arm Inn - A frightened elderly couple arrives at the Inn and claims to have run across a wounded, armored gnoll upon the Way of the Lion but also to have been passed by and left completely unharmed. [DM Verjigorm]

22nd Ches, Along the Chiontar - A celebration of the Spring Equinox is held by the Green Enclave. [Player Led]

22nd Ches, Baldur's Gate - A giant shadow attacks in the sewers after disappearing as suddenly as it appeared. [Player Led]

23rd Ches, Baldur's Gate - The Flaming Fist patrols the sewers and detects a number of violations. [DM Spartacus]

23rd Ches, Amn - After helping the Arcane Liberation Front against the Inquisition, in a battle where the Witch-Knight Lilah, one of Tyrelius' last remaining lieutenants is killed, but that ultimately sees the Inquisition retreating, the Myradon Vindicators are banned from Amn. After Amnian envoy are sent to Greenest, the town reinforces its defenses. Meanwhile in Nashkel resentment grows against the Inquisition. [DM Mimic]

24th Ches, Greenest - Following the battle in Amn, Archon Yuri Lichelina releases a statement claiming that the Myradon Vindicators distance themselves from the acts committed by Tyrelius the Thrice Judged and that their intervention had the sole purpose of protecting innocent lives. [Player Led]

24th Ches, South of Beregost - The corpse of a human woman in tattered robes is found, seemingly attacked by a giant creature. A few letters were carved on her forehead: "Lost on the way to a meaningless site, now dreading the touch of Death's holy might". [Player Led]

24th Ches, Lion's Way - Two corpses are found: one of a female human with several claw wounds and her hands cut off while facing towards Candlekeep next to a broken magic staff with a note on her back reading "Princess of the Weave, dead and reborn, will die once again, rot rules over all!" the other of a woman shriveled by foul magic and her head shaven bald with words carved on her face: "Impostor of gold, you can never prevail. I am reaper authentic as deadly as fair". [Player Led]

24th Ches, By the River Chiontar - Another body is found: this time of a half-elf young man with several claws injuries dressed in leaves. His arms and legs are found disembodied and scattered around the body. A note is stuck on his back: "Followed a faun and he torn me to shreds, wished to dance at the Equinox, but now I'm just dead". [Player Led]

24th Ches, South of Wyrm's Crossing - The headless corpse of a human man bearing deep claw injuries is found with a note carved on his chest: "My dawn sours faintly into a livid sun, pale crops yielding woes that are to come". The bodies were put to rest by the Tyrran priest Vhaan de Luca and the Gur shaman Lagrima. [Player Led]

24th Ches, South of Wyrm's Crossing - In the place of a recent murder on the Trade Way a flying reanimated skull repeats over and over the same sentence: "My body was stolen by the Lord of the Rack,
a pox on his priestess, now I can never come back" before the skull vanishes into darkness after a while. [Player Led]

25th Ches, Mielikki's Shrine - Undead are found at the shrine, but are defeated by the warrior Allya who also finds a mutilated female body. The place is reconsecrated and the woman resurrected by Ryke then brought unconscious to Beregost. [Player Led] and [Player Led]

29th Ches, Baldur's Gate - The Mystran Priestess Neela issues a formal announcement that the Church will not be allowing further visitations to the child Brienne without express approval from herself or a ranking member of the Church. [DM Mimic]

29th Ches, North of Nashkel - On the Trade Way a group of undead led by a floating skull were seeing devouring the body of a gnome and chanting. [Player Led]

30th Ches, Lion's Way - A skeleton arranged as if running is found in the Lion's Way with a note saying "The splatball was fun, but crimson makes a much better paint." A note was also found near the Bladestone Foundation saying "death walks where crows pry, pale shattered and crimson dried". [Player Led]

Author's note: if anything is incorrect or missing, do not hesitate to contact me.



In faith,
Guide Edelgarde Spades

((OOC Disclaimer: If you would like something added in future works feel free to send me a PM or poke me on discord. In order for me to avoid involuntarily metagaming I kindly ask that the request is delivered as follows:

- Either IC (missive or in game if you prefer)
- Or OOC with a link to the relevant rumor post in the forum

In order to facilitate follow ups from new or returning players, I have added the name of the DM involved or the tag player led for each rumor. The original post is also linked. Please let me know if any of those is incorrect.

Thank you for making the game alive with your stories))

[Lynendar]

Carnival of the Dead

Whilst the deepest forests are gripped in the hold of the Beastlord, the crimson rays of the blood moon shine another kind of horror upon the Trade Way: a large horde of undead of all kinds is spotted on midnight 6 Tarsakh 1360.



Crawling out of the abandoned chapel north of Beregost, the parade of skeletons, ghouls, shadows and rotten corpses shambled northward, desecrating the shrine of Mielikki along the way, patrolling up and down the Trade Way and either killing or scaring off anything in their path.



Eventually, they marched northward, seemingly headed for Candlekeep, yet, before they could reach the second bridge to their apparent destination, the horde vanished, as quickly as it had appeared.

[Steve]

The Hellriders allow Arthayer to pass.

The monk-priest makes a gesture with his hands in appreciation of the Hellriders parting their line of defense to allow him passage onward. Without looking back, Arthayer wanders off through the rolling hills in the direction of the beaten path that lays before him, towards the village.

Yet...the Faithful does not take a straight line toward the outer defensive walls of Triel that loom in the distance. Instead, he wanders about within the forest and the stony hills, observing the geography—as best is his ability to notice a thing, or not—on the western area of the lands surrounding Triel. He makes his way idly about, in a peaceful manner, as if the aimlessness may eventually lead him to....

[InsomnesCanis]

Hidden: show

Thunder and Lightning, A Storm Cometh.

From the shores of the Swords Coast at night, an active thunderstorm is seen Westward in the distance, rolling over the waves. Tall clouds and repeated flash of thunder. For now, it seems yet to hit the coastline.

A fury of a storm rages over the ocean front that saw little sign of easing, from the night into the morning and well into the next day. Already ships have been diverting course to avoid passing through it. There are portents discussed among Seers, that this storm is awaiting some appeasement. The opinions are divided.

The Bladestone Foundation's Administrator Adrian, and Deputy Headmistress Lylan'Synor had gathered workers from the Warrior's Rest and and Hope's Landing harbor to reinforce the docks and fasten its barges, as well as strengthening the lighthouse.

They then help the refugees fold up their camp and store it, as well as the refugees themselves in the Warrior's Rest and lastly strengthening the roof of the place. Working all day and night to finish the work before the storm reaches the shores.

Hopes Landing will be closed for the coming days until the seas quiet once more, and the Warrior's Rest might be more crowded than usual in the coming days.

[artemitavik]

Meanwhile, the Headmaster himself is seen taking extra patrols along the shore with the Bladestone guards, looking for sailors washed up from ships ruined in the outlying storm and assisting any villagers or farmers in getting any crops or livestock or wagons up to a safer location.