Reporters this issue:
Andy Merritt (amerritt@armltd.co.uk)
Leonard Scott (lenscott@aol.com)
Mike Phillips (msphil@birds.wm.edu)
Gabriel A. Valentin (valentig@ios.com)
Richard J. Pugh (rjpugh@aol.com)
Jeremy Pemberton (jpembert@bribri.ci.ucr.ac.cr)
Daniel Luis Rui (dlr@vision.inesc.pt)
Waterdeep: VAMPIRE SEES LIGHT OF DAY IN TRADES WARD
The remains of a vampire was discovered near the Bowels of the
Earth tavern on Snail street. Locals recognize the remains as
belonging to a noble, lord Montreause Highfield, who often spent his
nights in the Bowels passing stories with locals and strangers alike.
Many were surprised to learn that lord Highfield was undead: "He was
always polite to everyone, and drank his ale with the best of us,"
said Masina the Rock, who says she was proud to call him friend. He
was last seen in the early morning two nights ago at the Bowels. He
left shortly after receiving a note from a messenger, and hadn't been
seen since. Watchmen, who checked lord Highfield's rooms on
Mhalsymber's Way, report that the rooms have been cleared of
everything, perhaps by the unknown assailant who finally put lord
Montreause Highfield to eternal rest.
Turmish: Alaghon: NEW PLAY OPENS AT THE CADABLANA
The traveling performing band, the "Troop of Many Loves," will
perform an inspired tragedy called Makbett all this week at the
Cadablana club. Named after a mystical noble of Tethyr, Makbett, who
followed the advice of witches and overthrew the rulers of Tethyr, and
was then brought low by one who he called friend. Bring your hand-
cloths, this is a real tearjerker! It includes original songs by
master bard, Sindleton the Polite, and special effects including a
walking forest! Not recommended for children under the age of
thirteen, nor for followers of Azuth (He gets a bad rap in this show).
The Vilhon Reach: City of Surkh: DAYTIME RAID ON INN, 12 DEAD, 23 WOUNDED!
In the city of Surkh at the Deepwater lake, a lightning-fast raid
took place on the Solemn Sword Inn near the main gates. Six humanoids
in outlandishly decorated clothing entered the inn shortly before noon
and within minutes an astonishing 12 people were killed, including the
innkeeper and her family. Twenty-three other people were wounded in
the fight between the six and a party of esteemed adventurers which
were staying at the inn. Surviving eye-witnesses agree that the
humanoids were after a hooded stranger who checked into the inn the
night before. The stranger has not been located or accounted for. None
of the humanoids were apprehended, and their skill in coordinating the
raid has lead some to conclude that they may have been Githyanki, a
warlike species that has not often been encountered in this area of
the realms.
Funeral services for the four murdered adventurers will be held
tomorrow, pending resurrection attempts, and the remaining three vow
revenge against the aliens.
The Vast: Tavilar: BULLYWUG LEADER TRULY MONSTROUS
The bullywug hordes have attacked the outlaying farms and harassed
the multitudes of visiting festival-goers and adventurers that have
come to the Mushroom and Fungus Festival. Town leaders are still
hopeful that the uprising can be contained without interfering with
the festival. The rebel leader of the bullywug horde, Glib the
Noxious, has been seen in the outskirts of the town Tavilar in the
northern Vast. He is reported to be between 9 and 11 feet tall and
hugely muscular. "He is too massive to be any kind of bullywug. He is
more of a giant amphibian than anything else. I saw him grab another
bullywug who had gotten too close; Glib killed the other by pulling
off its arms!" Says witness, Xigtsib the Unusual, a fairly well-known
mage of no little power, "After I saw what Glib did, I left as quietly
as possible. No sense causing trouble."
A militia called by the town, fought the horde in several battles,
and reports that the bullywugs are lead by captains rather than Glib
himself.
The Vast: Town of Lankao: NEW TOWN: FREE TILLAGE AND TOWN LOTS
A new town in eastern Vast has just been created by renowned
warrior, Lankao. The town lies next to Lankao's keep and includes a
sanitation system, plenty of wells, good defensive walls, and best of
all: 10 free acres to every farmer or a free 100' x 100' lot in town!
Lankao says, "The town is fairly new (the walls are only half up), but
has a sewer system, a temple, a shopping square, and no taxes for 5
years! My courageous band of men will see to it that everyone will be
treated fairly and protected against any bandits or monsters that may
come. The soil is good for farming or ranching, and the town itself is
on a small ridge for ease of defense with good bedrock for
foundations. I will organize a militia system for guarding the town,
and a council to oversee law and order. All master craftmen (or
craftwomen) are invited to start a guild of your own. Come, it is only
two weeks journey on foot east from Dead Tree Hollow. I have retainers
there to direct you. Come, and start a new life for yourself and your
family!"
Western Heartlands: Beregost: GROUP TELLS OF STAY IN GHOSTLY INN
Late last week, a group of seven ragged strangers entered Beregost
telling tales of an inn along the Coast Way about two days ride south
of Beregost. Although no one else has seen such an inn, the
strangeetween the six and a party of esteemed adventurers which were
staying at the inn. Surviving eye-witnesses agree that the humanoids
were after a hooded stranger who checked into the inn the night
before. The stranger has not been located or accounted for. None of
the humanoids were apprehended, and their skill in coordinating the
raid has lead some to conclude that they may have been Githyanki, a
warlike species that has not often been encountered in this area of
the realms.
Funeral services for the four murdered adventurers will be held
tomorrow, pending resurrection attempts, and the remaining three vow
revenge against the aliens.
Northern Damara: Dragonsbane Gate:
SPECIAL BULLETIN...DRAGONSBANE DEPARTS FOR NETHER REGIONS
Since the end of the Vaasa-Damara War, Gareth Dragonsbane has been
the ruler of Northern Damara, a small third of the original Damara. He
consolidated the regions overrun by Vaasan forces into a strong
monarchy, while the southern two thirds congregated around independent
city-states which ultimately united into a federation: the League of
Southern Damara. Relations between the two states have been less than
cordial due to the presence of Dragonsbane, who is unpopular in the
South.
Recently in the last two weeks, severe storms have settled over
the Northern Damaran capital of Dragonsbane Gate, a citadel built
after the War along with its sibling, Bloodfeathers Gate. Sages
attributed the storms to evil influences coming from the Vaasan side
of the East Galena Mountains. At one point, lightening from the storms
wrecked a tower of the Temple of Tyr. The next day, Dragonsbane
appeared with his band of lieutenants and in his speech to the people
of Dragonsbane Gate, told them of a mysterious force which will wreak
destruction over the entire land unless he tries to ward it off. He
departed for places unknown, leaving the nephew of the Last King
Virdin Bloodfeathers in command of Northern Damara.
There has been no statement from the Southern Damaran government,
but it is hoped that the disappearance of Gareth Dragonsbane will
enable the reconciliation of two countries broken by War and Troubles.
FORGOTTEN REALMS CLASSIFIEDS
BOWELS OF THE EARTH. Wanted: full time security guard and bouncer to work nights. Easy work, good pay. Starting at 1 gold Dragon per month plus room and board. [Waterdeep]
REWARD. 600 gold pieces for the capture of the six humanoids responsible for the attack on the Solemn Sword which left twelve families in mourning. Town officials have given permission to bring the outlaws in either DEAD OR ALIVE. For purposes of the reward, only the heads of the murderers are necessary. [Surkh, Vilhon Reach]
WANTED. The Eastern Sea Delivery Coster is looking for independent traders with experience in the Cormyr-Sembia-Western Heartlands region to staff a new department of the ESDC and assist in developing a sales strategy and line of merchandise specifically tailored for the West. Nearly unlimited advancement with opportunities for travel, wealth, and excitement! Benefits include a retirement plan, and health care. For more details speak to Myrois the head of procurement for the ESDC in the town of Selgaunt. [Sembia]
Leonard Scott: lenscott@aol.com
Gabriel A. Valentin: valentig@ios.com
The crystal sphere of Omnispace has been confirmed as being
destroyed. Details are incomplete, but evidence suggests that a
rapidly expanding portal to the Elemental Plane of Fire was
responsible for the destruction of the sphere.
Before the destruction of the sphere, it is known that Lord
Tanenbaum Colicor was installing a system of planer gates to connect
the planets of the system. The Grand Arcane Trading House provided
the materials for this project, and there is reason to believe that
the arcane were somehow responsible for opening a gate that caused a
chain reaction. This ultimately resulted in the destruction of the
sphere.
Monitor, the Baron of New Glorin and former Lord of Omnispace, has
been conducting an investigation of the incident. Preliminiary
findings have confirmed the theory that the arcane destroyed the
sphere. Representatives of the Grand Arcane Trading House have been
unavailable for any comment. Monitor has promised further information
as it becomes available.
As a result of this incident, all beings doing business with the
Grand Arcane Trading House are encouraged to either complete or
terminate their business dealings as soon as possible.
The Spelljammer's Aid Society broke all relations with the Grand
Arcane Trading House earlier this year, after they were proven to be
responsible for multiple counts of vandalism, sabotage, and murder
against spelljamming individuals and agencies.
Solaris, Beacon:
NEOGI DEFEATED IN JOINT MULDRAVIAN / OLVENHOLT MISSION
Official Press Release of the Imperial Muldravian Council and the United Federation of Olvenholt.
Using information recently aquired by a neogi defector, the
Muldravian Empire and the Federation of Olvenholt were able to destroy
the Solaris Neogi fleet at their base, about three days travel from
Beacon.
The Neogi were using a dwarven-made pyramid base star, similar to
the one they use in Clusterspace (known as Ironport), as their base of
operations in Solaris. Using information provided by the defector,
the attacking fleet was able to penetrate the neogi defences and
battle them on the base itself.
One group of commandos was able to free a Witchlight Maurauder
that was being heald by the neogi. With the Maurauder free on the
base star, the fleet was able to concentrate on the neogi ships that
were attempting to escape.
A few neogi did escape, but the majority of them were trapped on
or around the base star. It is assumed that they were trapped with
the Maurauder.
A follow-up mission is planned for later this month.
Solaris, Cartania:
STATE OF WAR WITH IMPERIAL ELVEN NAVY
Official Press Release of the Imperial Muldravian Council
The Imperial Elven Navy, which was recently found to be
responsible for the assassination of the Muldravian Emperor, has been
of late engaged in acts of war against the Muldravians and the other
independent nations of Cartania. The first major conflict was
centered around the second planet in Solaris, the water world of
Hydralax.
The battle at Hydralax involved an uncounted number of ships from
both the elven navy at the Muldravian empire. Few details are
available at the time, but the Muldravians are known to have driven
the elves back, but at great cost. The Muldravians, being unable to
pursue the elves after the battle because of damage to several of
their ships, are currently re-grouping at Cartania, as preparation for
a systematic sweep of the sphere in search of the elven bases.
The Muldravian Empire is known to have suffered the loss of High
Admiral Beraman Camerek during the battle. By order of the emperor-
elect, the position was granted to Commodore Deliliah Ferrengal.
Conflicts since the exchange at Hydralax have been restricted to
isolated battles involving small numbers of ships, but a second major
battle is expected.
Richard J. Pugh: rjpugh@aol.com
For the last eight months there have been various reports from the
two planets second nearest to the crystal shell in both Realmspace and
Greyspace, the few establishments on Garden and the small towns on the
cluster world Greela respectively. The reports speak of a battle-
enhanced Nautiloid bearing a blue flag with a pair of forest green
spears which cross at the middle of the flag. This strange emblem has
not been identified as any known pirate organization, not even by the
people on Garden who have an excess of pirate visitors. In fact, it
is believed that the so called Ransacking Nautiloid is unique.
It is even uncertain that the crew of the ship be illithid, as
only one witness lived long enough. He said the figures who attacked
were of humanoid form, yet they all wore dark brown hooded cloaks, and
furthermore they wielded large serrated swords. No more about the
attackers appearance was learned, as the interviewing party was more
concerned in knowing about the ship.
The fact that all the people that have been killed have been cut
with razor sharp blades and not freed of their brains is enough to
indicate that the attackers are not ilithid, but then we come to a
most difficult question: who in the multiverse rather than an illithid
would be in a Nautiloid?
To this day, they have landed in over a score of places, most of
which were small but wealthy towns. The ransacking has been a very
complete one in those terms, as all witnesses are slain and freed of
any valuables, the houses are also cleaned up, rumours from Garden say
the team of the Ransacking Nautiloid found the hide-out of some
wealthy pirates, dispatched them and stole all their gold. For sure
they won't be in friendly terms with any pirate ships they encounter.
Just recently, there was a report directly from Admiral Galft of
the trader ship Bobcat on Toril. Apparently he encountered the
Ransacking Nautiloid on his way to Toril, as he was inquiring in the
port about a blue flag with green spears. He said he saw the ship
travelling at high speed, the Nautiloid closed in as if to examine the
Bobcat, went past it and at the last moment fired the jettison at the
trader ship. Luckily the damage was minimum.
Jeremy Pemberton: jpembert@bribri.ci.ucr.ac.cr
Republic of Darokin: UNDEAD ATTACKS ON THE RISE!
All over the nation, but especially in the south, undead attacks
have increased to such point that some small villages have been
attacked four or five nights a week. These attacks have already taken
some victims, and most people are afraid to come out at night. The
attacks are usually made by zombies, ghouls and other 'weaker' undead,
but sometimes even a vampire was said to be seen leading the attack.
The authorities have no clue as to what is the cause of this sudden
increase in undead activity.
Kingdom of Karameikos: KARAMEIKOS BESEIGED BY UNDEAD!
As in Darokin, undead attacks have become very common, having the
same dreaded effects. So far, no one has been able to put an end to
the attacks, that are undoubtedly linked to those in Darokin (for
instance, the attacks allways occur in the same nights in both
nations). Troops have been deployed to the most unprotected areas of
the Kingdom, and meetings of the ambassadors and diplomats of both
nations have been made, in order to come up with some coordinated
effort on both sides to erradicate this problem.
Aengmor: RATS PLAGUING THE TWISTED FORESTS OF AENGMOR!
The shadow elves have been having some problems in driving away
the rats that have plagued the once green forests of Aengmor. Their
numbers have increased dramatically with the war, and some of them are
still around. They are dangerous not only because of their attacks
(mainly on small children and other animals), but also because of the
diseases they transmit (the memory of the plague is still fresh in the
memory of most people of the Known World).
Daniel Luis Rui: dlr@vision.inesc.pt
Mike Phillips: msphil@birds.wm.edu
At this point, I and my three companions had traveled through the Chondalwood Forest at no small risk to life and limb and stopped at the end of a trail leading from the woods. We were in a small valley with a mountain East of us. It was a pleasant day, and we decided to fill up with water at a small brook that came out of the forest, and get some sun. We left a wooden signpost dubbing the brook, "Forest- End." Big Jander, our woman warrior, and Nygellis, our Elven companion, went out and captured several small woodchucks, while I and Phan, the gnome, caught some fish from the brook. The next day we set out due East, quickly reaching the mountains.
Day 1- By midmorning we started up a mountain trail that headed roughly the direction we wished to go. Along the trail, we made 6 miles per day.
Day 2- While stopped for our noonfeast, we heard the sounds of rocks falling on rocks further along the trail, but upon investigating we found nothing.
Day 3- An hour before dusk, we came upon a small cave and decided to check out its suitability for shelter. It was very small and safe, and so we left a marker of "Safe Haven" near the entrance.
Day 5- This morning we awoke under a small ledge, and after morningfeast, we set out. The path we were following went underground into a cavern, and we decided to follow it into the earth. Nygellis and Phan went first since they could see underground, while Jander and I followed with a small glow-stone.
Day 6- It was very cold in the cavern system, and very quiet...that is until we started hearing a sound like jingling chains. We could not locate the source of the noise other than that it was far away, and that we were heading towards it.
Day 7- The small caverns we had been traveling through opened up to a large cavern complex lit by torches along the rim and the center. The center of the cavern was a building complex filled with chanting, hooded monsters that shook metallic rattles. While trying to sneak past them, Phan decided to steal a small statue of a two-headed dog, but instead caused the whole group of them to attack us! We ran into a tunnel but soon came to a dead end. We noticed a small humanoid who appeared out of a secret opening, and followed him up to the surface.
Day 9- It turns out to have been two days since our underground journey began, and that we had been rescued by a short goblin, named Fig. He said he was a follower of Ilmater, and bade us follow him to an outpost further up the mountain.
Day 11- We reached the dwelling place of an outpost of clerics of Ilmater near the top of the pass. The clerics had been there for over 45 years but deaths left only 9 remaining. Since no one had come to replace them, they patiently waited as directed by their ethos. They had some success in teaching a local goblin tribe, and Fig was in fact a new priest of Ilmater. They had some contact with a human village on the eastern side of the mountain range (the Markiirs, we were told it was called), from which they got their supplies.
Day 13- After staying a day, we had Fig lead us to the village, called Ilmater's Patience by the clerics. The path down was fairly well made, with little obstruction.
Day 15- Shortly after midday, it started raining: a cold heavy rain. Fig directed us to a small cave that he knew of and we spent the entire afternoon there. During Phan's watch, a large bear entered the cave. It attacked us and grabbed little Fig. He yelled for us to leave, just as the bear squeezed the life out of him. We killed the bear, but it was too late for Fig. We left a sign noting the fall of a brave friend and carried his body with us.
Day 16- It was still raining and the trail was very slippery, but we managed to get down to the bottom of the mountain. We got to the village of 'Patience before evening, and the village leader put us up in his home.
Day 17- The next morning we said our final fairwells to Fig and buried him in the village plots. We traded stories of our adventures for meals and found out about a trail that lead North towards Hlath on the Chandathan coast. Two days later we set out to Hlath, glad to get back to civilization.
I wrote up reports to my superiors and found out my next assignment: to confer with the Ilmater hierarchy in Westgate about getting assistance sent to their forgotten outpost in the Markiirs, and official recognition for Fig's actions in saving our lives.
Leonard Scott: lenscott@aol.com
Andy Merritt: amerritt@armltd.co.uk