"Did you hear the news?" The man is asking his friend while he is twirls a coin between his fingers.

The man next to him utters a slurred response as his face twitches, "No...ur, what news?"

"The guest that was staying with Lord Hospis, the elven lord from Fledding. He's been murdered." The man waits for a response and stops twirling the coin.

"Are you listening?" The man is loosing his patience.

"Huh?" The twitching man calls for another ale. Go to Comment

From another end of the bar two guards that just got off watch are talking to each other and like the attention they are getting from their discussion.

"I tell you, the Edmanciums are a bigger threat than everyone thinks."

"Ahhhh, you are overreacting. The Edmanciums are just another rebel group that thinks they can make a fortune through fear and hijacking. They will be soon enough shown who has the true power. Lord Foxrin will not stand for any brigands near his home and will aid any of the Four Cities if they call for it."

The first soldier shakes his head as he sips his ale, "I fear we will learn too late. You heard of the latest caravan that was robbed on its way to Solar. The Solar roads are the best defended roads in all of Aros. Why then are they having trouble with a few brigands" He smuggly smiles and waits for an answer.

"I cannot say what troubles Solar that they cannot keep their roads clear. The rumors of the caravan were probably exaggerated by those that brought them to sound like they were heroes for the telling of it. I guarantee they got a few drinks from the telling of those tales." He laughs heartily.

The other soldier nods his head, "Yes, I suppose you are right. But Lord Foxrin is worried enough to post double guard duty and has called his militia to scout the country side. His prudence is well founded I would wager."

Their conversation wanders towards the young girl that came through their gate earlier that afternoon and the small crowd that was listening in slowly dissipates. Go to Comment

Grothar leans over the counter as he pours you a mug of ale. "You best stay for the show tonight. I got myself a new entertainer. She goes by the name of Amber...Amber....something or other. Never did catch her name. In and out with her companions like they were into something urgent. Got themselves involved with the seawolves that be plaquing our streets."

"Yep, regular demons running around causing a ruckus. Bad for business I'll tell ya. I hear that they caught a couple of them already and they be holding 'em at the Temple of Sails. Having trouble finding 'em but they say they take to the sea. No chance of rounding them up out there. Not without the help of the mermen anyway and no one seems to know where they disappeared to."

He takes out a towel and wipes down the counter with loving care. "People around here are spooked and are ready for the end of it all. Don't want to leave their homes for fear of running into one of the beasts. Lord Foxrin is in an uproar I hear. Sent out the guard to be patrolling round the clock. Enlisting common folk to help hunt them down. Only problem is nobody knows how many of the devil-kin there are."

Grothar shakes his head with unease. "I best be tending the rest of the bar. Be sure to give a holler as soon as your mug runs dry. Remember, show starts at 8:00...well, usually anyway."

With a smile Grothar tends his other patrons. Go to Comment

"Ach welcome, welcome. We are under new management now. I am Brawn Hammerstein an adventurer of many years, I could tell you a tale or two, the things I could do with a donkey and a carrot.. ach those were the days.

Mind that table, yes you can seen that we are still under con..

Morgan watch where you throw those blasted til.. don't give that boy or i'll ^%#&^^$ come up there and beat the *&^% out of that small head of yours.

Apologies it's hard to find good help these days. Where was I oh yes - under construction, dusty here ain't it.

Last stop you get though before you reach the mountains to the East, There's the woods to the South and the port nearby, Although between you and me sailors always smell of fish and I don't trust people who call floating on blasted bit's of wood a living. Yes there's been quite a bit trouble with the woods lately, wolves mostly, getting a bit daring these days.

I have to leave you now, I haven't recieved the barrels from Isocarta yet, blasted expensive the Taverns down there. And the barmen,.. wouldn't trust em as far as I could throw em, and believe me that's some distance. Now where have those blasted monks got to.. MORGAN!? blasted quite
they are.... when I find th...... MORGAN?!" Go to Comment

Hugghhh der still be much grumbling from dem people on the plains, more sightings of flying things, and now sandstorms too, come out of nowhere rage for hours and den vanish at the blink of an eye. As if dat should be bad der been funny business about dat Talan puddle too, been more
sightings of dem water things, creatures made of water, rising and sinking, it not be right I tell you, it was enough to have a few sightings now and den, but every body that pass dis way from the Lake tell of sightings. Me bones a creakin at der thought of it, something bad is a coming." Go to Comment

"Ah me friends welcome, here ave a draught on the house. You've come at blasted bad time. There's been nuttin but bad omens around for weeks, first dem blasted raids by those so called Edmanciums and now..

By Ventors beard had I been there..

A guest has died in der house of old Hospis, der lord, he's been a raging for day's I pity der blood stained hand of him who killed him. Blast his eyes I do not, I would hunt him myself if I we're not tied to this place.

Hospis has called out the guard, too stubbon he is to call for help from Foxrin and dem other Lords. It be a slur to his name, a guest dyin under his protection.

But what be reason I say, the Edmanciums are bringing themselves up for the wrath of four lords if this carries on.

Achh it be bad times, ders also been rumours from the steadings to der west, strange sightings they says. Strange looking birds over the plains and fires in the night, goats missing and the like. Although in dem plains it be no rare thing. Dey be soft and moan like women but with the recent happenings...

Go south if I was you, find the Last Stand Tavern in Isocarta, me old friend Grothar might know more. Tell him from me dat business here be flowing freer then his watered beer, AH HAAAAA ahha ha" Go to Comment

"It has been a long time my friends, no doubts you been out saving the Land of Aros and such, hehe.

It has been quiet, I thinks dat der king has those Edmanciums hiding for now, blasted cowards. Goblins be better, dey at least will fight in der open, not run and hide.

It be der forest, too many places to hide, dem lords should hire more rangers to patrol dem, adventurers to clear it. Ahh if only I wear a young lad again, there'd be nowhere to hide. It seems that the trade from Isocarta be slower then it twas too, probably fear of dem bandits.

MORGAAAANNNN bring me a tray of ales ya lazy oaf!! Ventors beard.. he's been a mooning after that lass at the bakery again. She be after the blacksmiths apprentice.. hehe dat las knows how to sweet talk men, humans I will never understand. I was a talkin to Landra a while ago, now that be a woman. Break your arm with a finger she could, ahaha, not bad for a human she agreed to take him into der guard to train im. That be the women to talk to about troubles in der city.

Here sup on this draught. Go to Comment

The loud noises of warriors returning form a long hunt fill the air. The timberwolf hunt was a success and the town should be free of their constant aggravation until next spring.

The shouts of men buying drinks for each other fills the Tavern. Screaming and shouting about the kills each had drowns out all but the loudest of guests. A constant roar fills the place.

As the noise continues a man slams open the door and enters the room with fear and sorrow in his eyes. He yells at the top of his lungs, "THEY ARE DEAD...ALL OF THEM!"

A hush falls over the Tavern as these words are announced.

"They are dead," he repeats with tears starting to sting his eyes. "The Toral family has been murdered!"

"The Torals," a man shouts, "I just saw them this morning. They were going to come in late from the hunt. Alin Toral wanted to show his son where the timberwolves main lair was. We killed all those timberwolves. Who murdered him?"

"It was no animal that killed them. It was bandits."

Shouts and calls are made at this. Solar prides itself on keeping there land free of danger. The town is centralized around an organized militia. It is insane to say that brigands have infiltrated the protected forests of Solar. Many men remark in this way all jumbled together.

"It was bandits," the man repeats. "Alin killed three 'fore they took him and his family. The slimy bandits had a nasty tatoo on there back. It was of a wierd dragon shape or something. The council gathers now to discuss the situation. If only our king were alive. 'Tis a shame he met his fate at the hands of an accident."

The group leaves the bar and makes there way to outside of the castle to find out what exactly has transpired. Go to Comment

The bar is filled with the celebrating of the good people of Solar. A celebration like none have ever heard of in Solar is taking place. Wenches scurry from table to table not moving fast enough for all the orders called at them. The entire place is filled with excitement.

Someone near the back stands on a table and motions for silence. Quickly the entire place calms down as everyone directs there attention to the man standing on the table. Whispers heard tell that it is Glendor Grimdor, the head of the militia in Solar.

Glendor puts his hands over his head and announces to the gathered. "Today we have met a great victory. We have overcome the Edmancium in this great battle."

He is interrupted by mighty cheers and hollers from the bar and it takes several minutes for them to calm down.

"But this is only one battle. We cannot hope that we have rid the Four Cities of this foul clan. We must continue our vigil till every caravan and traveler feel safe to walk our roads. We must remember our losses also. The ones that gave their lives to provide us with the security we expect. Let us give a moment of silence in honor of the few who fell in battle. The greatest honor
to be given to a warrior of Solar."

The place falls silent and is broken a few moments later by Glendor.

"In your celebrating keep in your minds those that have fallen, and remember the ones who have taken them. The coward mage who hid during battle only to attack with cowards magic and then run away. He knows the might of Solar and ran from it. But we will chase him my friends," he continues yelling over the calls for revenge. "He will find no solace in his travels. Not until he rests, buried in the earth."

Glendor picks up his cup and raises it to the air, "To revenge. All the sweeter for the chase."

Yelling loud enough to deafen errupts in the bar. Not one person is left in their chair as they all call on the death of their enemy. Vows to not rest until the land is free are heard intermixed with calls of death to all that oppose Solar. The look of madness is in many eyes. The wenches hide behind the bar, scared of what has turned from a joyous celebration to a call for revenge.

Glendor lets out a mighty yell and jumps from the table and walks swiftly out the door. The bar quiets down and returns to what it was at the beginning. Go to Comment

As you enter the smoky bar the smell of meat and ale assail you from all sides, it is still early evening but already the Tavern is bustling with activity. The Barkeep is busy filling tankards while the serving maids run from table to table, giving an adept slap of the hand now and again.

The place seems very reserved, the crowds not yet drunk from an excess of beer, mostly patrons there for a meal.

As you stride towards a seat snatches of conversation drift to your ear.

From a table to your left a well muscled man with a long sword laid on the table is talking to a dwarf sitting opposite him, pausing only to drink from his pint. "I tell you there's a fortune to be made in the North, Solar is being over run by timberwolves at the moment, a job would be guaranteed. What do you think?"

The dwarf seemingly oblivious to any thoughts at all apart from the haunch of venison in front of him grunts through a mouthful of the meat.

Nearer to the bar a small man with a love of tasteless gold rings berates a young woman, his voice high pitched and nasal. "You know better then to think of seeing that woodcutters son, why, they say that the forest is crawling with all manner of creatures, werewolves no less and other strange creatures.."

You sigh in sympathy for the girl who sits with her head down avoiding the mans gaze.

Across from them an old woman complains to an old man who sits there nodding absently at the woman's ramblings as they whistle threw her teeth. "Ah it's not right I tell you, his daughter goes missing and what does he do? Nothing, he is the Lord Mayor he could have the town guard to look for her, and talking about him, his new taxes......"

As you reach your seat a serving girl approaches you. "What'll it be then?" Go to Comment

You walk towards your usual table, it has been a hard day and you are tired and in need of some food and drink. The bar is empty at this time of day and conversations and mutterings fly across the room.

A crash draws your attention before you can order. From across the room you see a two men facing each other, chairs and mugs lie on the floor. One has the look of a marked veteran, the other the touch of youth in his features.

The young one stands with his back straight and seems furious at the older man. "It twas not my fault I tell you, I was awake at my post and I heard nothing! They came out of nowhere, all those damned trees how could any one see anything, the roads within this forest are no longer safe to travel even for an armed escort."

The veteran seems taken aback at the vehemence in the young guards voice. "Then you failed at your job lad, we were hired to guard a caravan and failed." His voice rises as his own anger boils to the surface. "Do you know how hard it will be to find work now! We have been disgraced, and you then have the gaul to tell me that they ran away not on two feet but on four.
Do you know how that sounds, and they ran as fast as wild dogs. It is not even a full moon lad. Lucky for you that you had the sense to shout for help, we may all be dead now."

"They did run on four feet, I saw them." The youths shoulders slump, as he picks up a chair and sits again.

An elf walks over from a nearby table and pats the youth on the shoulder. "Do not be too disheartened young warrior, in the forest it is told of strange illnesses that can turn the minds of men into that of a raging beast. It is also extremely hard to see within the canopy of the forest. We elves too can feel the change in the forest, what with the threat of these Edmancium raiders and now strange sightings being reported in the forest, we are all a little uneasy." He reassures the young man before helping them pick up the strewn plates and mugs.

The attention of the crowd draws away from the scene as calm returns to the table. As you look round you can see that the unease is not limited to the three in the corner, all around people sit uneasy at their seats sipping at their drinks and eating slowly and grudgingly.

The table next to you seats two men, both merchants by the look of their gaudy clothing, one feral faced and the other with too much weight and beads of sweat on his brow.

"Times have become desperate." The thin man remarks to the other, glancing towards the scene of the incident. "It was a pity about Shad's caravan being raided like that, lucky he did not lose too much."

The other mops his brow and interjects. "But he lost four guards. We should be more careful, hire more guards. Perhaps we should travel in groups. No, no that would be too big a target wouldn't it. Should we ask the lord for.."

"Bahh, rubbish. Guards are two in a dozen, most you can hire today aren't worth the scraps under your feet. As to the lord, what would he do, send his own private guard as escorts, heh, no. We are the life blood of the four cities and we are becoming the targets of every bandit and thief in the forest, and what do the lords do, nothing! I tell you we should move from here, trade between the eastern lands and Solar. We are becoming isolated so far in the woods, blocked on all sides." The mans thin body shakes as he wheezes." The fat man nods energetically, between bites of food, at his every word.

Your attention is drawn away by the serving maid as she drifts over. Go to Comment

"I heard that Jukal of the north is caravaning this way riding the storm."

"Jukal? No way, he has never come down here."

"Kio said that was the rumor that came down on the last three caravans of the fall. Three I tell ya. Not all of them could have made up the same lie about Jukal!"

"No, but Kio could have. I bet he drank like a fish and didn't have to buy one drink while telling all of Jukal coming."

"So what? What if Jukal really is coming and Rock Jaws meets him?"

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere near that! Not for anything. I need a drink. HEY WENCH!" Go to Comment

Birds have been dying for weeks, damndest thing you ever did see. One moment they be flocking and ducking and the next they be falling right at your feet. Not natural I say, not natural. Somes have had the fortitude to try cooking them up. Heck, in these times it might be hard to resist, I don't view them any worse, just saying I wouldn't never be trying them as my main dish. Anywhos, they did get the sickness not long after for their trouble. Few died from what I hear, but they don't stay dead. Now, these are just things I been hearing I'm telling you. But my door be locked tight an night from now on. I am just fine hearing about them, not wanting to see none of it for myself, that is for certain.

Go to Comment

There are some great hooks amongst all those great rumors. Awesome thread and a higher vote for the value that all the members provided from the seed!

Go to Comment

There have been complaints recently about livestock going missing and carcasses turning up days later, disfigured and mangled. They are focused on the local manor. Something strange is going on, and the tavern meets tonight to discuss a resolution: should we take the law into our own hands?

Players may be unwillingly dragged into a vigilante posse intent upon attacking this manor (which is either perfectly innocent or a haven for evil magics. Either way...) Go to Comment

With special reference to the plot "The Deterrent" or just generally overheard to demonstrate superstitious extremism after a few pints:

"So what d'you think, Kjurd?"

"I'd heard it was nearer sixty thousand, all be told."

"Sixty thousand!? Now yer talking sh..."

"No serious. They breed them. No! They do, really! They have whole castles full of 'em, just waiting for the word from the King and then..."

"And then?"

"Well...they'd release them, I suppose."

"And how's to know that a horde of sixty thousand dragons wouldn't just fly down and start attacking us? Our country?"

"Well I suppose they must feed them on Stanic flesh."

"Or make 'em smell Stanic food so's they can sniff the place out?"

"Yeah, or maybe they're like racing pidgeons..."

"Pidgeons?"

"...well they'd know where to go..."

"Are you tellin me that a horde of sixty thousand fire-breathin serpents is like a flock of pidgeons?"

And more such typical tavern conversation-observations. Go to Comment

Much has been said about the strange creatures living in the Wild Lands. Some are just invented by fools, but many are not described even half as terrible as they really are. One of those that surely exists is a creature called Grullug.

Grullug, it is said, is not only an animal, it has also something intelligent and devious. It is fast and with its sharp claws cannot lack prey, but it likes to prey more on the naive souls that travel into those parts. Adventurers usually search for treasure, and treasure they will find...

Often, there are precious items to be seen, gold and jewels freely strewn around as if they wouldn't belong to anyone. Most often they are seen by one that is unlucky, who leaves his friends, and seals so his fate. The Grullug can feel, who will be most attracted by the glow of gold, and how to lay the lure. The creature hides skillfully, its victim will collect handfuls of treasure, only to die in its terrible embrace. The friends will find only blood and a few trinkets. Go to Comment

"I was in the Brokeback Donkey down on Cattle Price street the other day, and I heard this from a Knife Chewer, so you know it's true... They say that the Great Emperor is sending a huge fleet from across the sea, and their gonna' invade the Coastal Republics on imperial charges of piracy!"

"No!"

"Yes! And they're bringing two-thousand blood-thirsty Jjekki warriors with the fleet, and the Chewer even said they might try to come south and take over the Cities again."

"It'd never happen. The Empire doesn't care about us, and we don't care about the Empire." Go to Comment

Overheard beside the Monument of Hetaira on the Promenade of Crimson Suns

"...assume that you have heard tell of the priests called Khaitarae, who dwell on the Isle of Khaitos in the Southern Sea?"
"I think so; are they not they who despise more wholesome priests, and who ban from their shores all images of the Phoenix and of Shin, the Moon God, and of the God of Carmanians?"
"The very same! Allow me to tell you, friend- I have seen their isle, and them as well, and I swear upon my name of Stachys..."
"Stachys? What sort of name is that? It has the ring of the south in it. Is it Khwarezmian?"
"Nothing so exotic! It is Pisidian; I am named for the city of Stachys, which is the seat of my land's beloved Autarch (whose brow-sweat is as gold to his people, may his name be blessed). But it is of no consequence. Will you now listen?"
"Yes, yes, do not be irritable."
"I was hired from the docks of that city of Stachys for a sail upon a Parsic merchantship, and in the fourth day of our voyage, as we sailed the islands, we lost most of our fresh water in an accident; the captain (one Dasharga, a huge and bellicose Parsic) was a man of scepticism..."
"Do you mean he was an Atheist?!"
"No! No, of course not. But he was not inclined to believe in such things as hungry ghosts and so on."
"Then go on."
"Yes. In any case, this Dasharga was a man of scepticism, and decided that we would put in at the Isle of Khaitos, for it was not far, and ask the priests there for water; they held no fear for him. We put in there, in a beauteous harbor of natural design; above us was the steaming jungle, and the most fantastic peaks, jagged, and worn with ages of rain!"
"You sound like a poet!"
"Why thank you."
"It is not a compliment in this land; but take it as you will. Go on."
"We went up the shore, looking for a sign of human manufacture, of which we found nothing. But then, as we advanced up into the edges of the jungle (at the orders of Dasharga, who became quite irate, particularly when a black-skin and a Mysian became fearful and fled), we were approached by a party of outrageous creatures!"
"What were they?"
"I shall tell you, if you will cease interruption!"
"Apologies, my good Pisidian; I have simply had too much to drink."
"Now I shall tell you what these creatures were; they were those solemn creatures who are termed gorira by sages, and..."
"No! Do you speak true?"
"Yes! Would I lie to you? Now, this creature, the gorira, is like a man and ape combined, but huge and hairy with black fur and a solemn, old face; I have been told that they are the offspring of apes and human women, but I do not think this true, for if it were, they would be more brutish. But these gorira (there were four) were gracious and dignified, and with hand-signs made it known that we were to come with them into the mountains..."

Stachys begins to whisper into his companions ear Go to Comment

"I hear tell that Rock Jaws is back."
"No!
(Interrupting loudly)"Oh yes!"
"And right on the teeth 'o' the worst storm season since the Year 'o' the Blue Wolf!"
"Suppose we won't be seein' any more tradin' wagons this year..." Go to Comment