76

Journals & Backgrounds / Re: Giona Morton's Little Black Book

« on: September 05, 2021, 07:55:14 am »

1a.
Lauriella Sithir
More threats and insults received.  What I was told about Selunites clearly true.  Claims to be observing me now.  Is either a pretty moon elf with speckled eyes or has an agent who is such.  Am currently mulling over whether pre-emptive action is necessary.  Possibly an ill or misguided girl and not actually evil.  Just touched by Selune's cruel madness.  Would not want to give her details to H if she can be cured.   

77

Public Notices / Re: Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)

« on: August 31, 2021, 02:12:30 am »

The Conch Champion.  Independent & Accurate, Always.

APOLOGIES AND CORRECTIONS
While at all times the Conch Champion strives to report events with scrupulous good faith and accuracy, journalism is not a precise art and errors of content or judgement do occasionally occur.  Therefore I would like to issue the following statements regarding previous stories (one of which was published under previous editor Perrina Layne, but as current editor I must take responsibility). 

Apology to Hobgoblins
Last year, former reporter Acton Peers wrote an article discussing racial traits of hobgoblins.  We now acknowledge this article was in poor taste and inadequately researched and we apologise to all hobgoblin residents of Conch for its publication.  Specifically the Conch Champion withdraws the allegation that all hobgoblins are ravenously addicted to a traditional brewed drink called "hobnoggin".  Also, no future Conch Champion article will use the offensive abbreviation "hoblin" to refer to a hobgoblin.

Apology to Religions
I personally and profusely apologise to the churches and worshippers of Moander, Khozah and Targus.  In a recent editorial I implied that they were of comparable wickedness to another deity.  I understand and accept the hurt I have caused those parties with this association and promise to do better in future. 

-G. Morton, Editor

78

Journals & Backgrounds / Re: Eliezra Baldwin's File

« on: August 28, 2021, 11:04:31 am »

My health has improved enough that I can make some tentative journeys outside our camp.  I ran a few errands for the needy as best I could.  My muscles are still weak and my reactions slow, and it was not long before I was seriously injured.  But these are wounds that can be easily healed, unlike the scars left by my illness.  It did me some good and I can feel my vigour returning.  My equipment is rather shabby but adequate.  One of the Knots sold it to me cheap because he knew Trewin, the man who trained me.  The Knots seem less obnoxious than most of the other gangs and are probably the only one we are likely to find much common ground with. 

Ostian warned me of a few things before I ventured out.  He said the Boys have been shaking down strangers for protection money.  But they didn't bother me.  The brutes on duty just waved me through, so I suppose this means I am considered a local now or they just felt sorry for me.  Ostian also advised me to stay out of Uptown because "it's whip territory", whatever that means.  But I had no reason to go there anyway. 

Mylene wants me to find an ordained cleric of the Broken God.  Conch does not seem a likely place for such a person to be, even in passing.  All the same I promised I will search for one, though I am not entirely sure why she is so eager for me to meet one.  She's a lay healer and preacher and does a great job.  We seem to be doing all right on our own so far. 

79

Public Notices / Re: Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)

« on: August 28, 2021, 12:55:46 am »

The Conch Champion.  Independent & Accurate, Always

Plights & Pirates
My recent editorial about Selunite adventurers was replied to by a frankly alarming letter of complaint accompanied with threats to my person and outrageous accusations about the cleanliness of my desk.  I have much sympathy for the plight of the insane.  My own wife tragically suffers from incurable insanity and along with the death of my son it is the greatest grief in my life to date.  So I will not name and shame this offender for their madness is not truly their own.  Instead, it is a tragic plight instilled upon them by Selune, the Mad Goddess of the Moon, who seeks to transform the serene and quiet darkness of night into something mystical and fearful.  I do take comfort from the many letters of support I received from the silent majority of good citizens of Conch who naturally all pleaded not to be named in fear of Selunite reprisals.

Reports from Sullivan's port say a new orcish pirate fleet is prowling the sea.  I advise all sane mariners to ensure they sail in convoys and be prepared to repel boarders.  This news caused me to ponder the nature of piracy.  Most pirates are what I would call "honest scoundrels", that is, nasty and cruel men and women who are under no delusions that they are anything but nasty and cruel men and women.  They are deserving of a noose certainly, but are simple criminals and no more.  Were they not so dangerous one could almost respect their pragmatic honesty. 

But there is a rare and deluded breed of pirate who claims to be acting for the greater good, to be liberating goods from the undeserving rich, to be avenging past slights and so forth.  You can imagine which goddess of navigators and mariners this specimen typically follows.  This type of pirate is reminiscent of the adventurer, who invariably claims the same motivations.  They share their tendencies to evade taxes, rob and murder men and beasts and wildly exaggerate their exploits.  Dear reader, you would simply not believe how many adventurers have written to me claiming they have slain the Man-Bat of Conch!  Dozens!  How can more than one of them (if even that!) possibly be telling the truth?  I tell you readers, the altruistic pirate is just as much a myth as is the altruistic adventurer. 

-G.Morton, Editor.


Rats and Rumours Engulf West Conch
West Conch was invaded this week by a horde of rats who boiled up from the sewers and threatened to overwhelm Diiri's Boys defenders.  Though the rodents were eventually put down rumours have swirled about their origins.  Some accounts claim that humanoid rats were seen directing the swarm.  This rumour has been given some credence by Nebular requests for any "intelligent rodents" to be captured and delivered to them for interrogation.  Another rumour claims that the rats are being directed by a breed of telepathic two-headed albino "rat queens".  The one person seemingly not worried is street vendor Nathal who buys rat tails and suddenly has more supplies than he ever dreamed of. 

-S. Hellsworth, Reporter.


Nebular Takes on Crows
Students from the Nebular University have formed a task force to investigate the crows decimating the Creek Farms area.  Though their first expedition failed to resolve the problem, Head Farmer Joy Lambert was grateful for the help.  "This is what we been crying out for- folk from inside the walls taking this problem seriously."  The farmers hope that Nebular will continue to investigate this matter and determine the cause behind the crows overstaying their welcome. 

-A. Nutt, Reporter.


Drama in Court
Justice Oswald Schenker has caused a stir in the Market Districts with one of his recent court rulings.  He convicted baker Darrell Peetevins of lacing his bread with sawdust, ignoring the man's pleas that the growing shortage of grain due to crows had left him no choice but to use a filler ingredient.  Peetevins' claims that sawdust is actually very nutritious were also dismissed.  Justice Schenker decreed that Peetevins' bakery will be closed and the baker himself kept in the watch house until he completely consumes a foot-long plank of fresh timber.  So far Peetevins has made minimal progress.   

-P. Krellin, Reporter.

80

Journals & Backgrounds / Giona Morton's Little Black Book

« on: August 22, 2021, 03:57:46 am »

This book is a small but high quality leatherbound journal.  Oddly, the notebook is circular rather than the typical rectangular shape. 

1.
Lauriella Sithir. 
Mulhorandi.  Captain of the merchant marine ship Moonflower II.  Apprentice at an academy (Nebular?).  Also follows Sehanine.  Likely an elf or half-elf.  Bad tempered & quickly makes threats of violence and insurrection.  Likely trade union links.  Imperfect spelling and punctuation. 

81

Public Notices / Re: Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)

« on: August 21, 2021, 08:26:35 am »

The Conch Champion.  Independent & Accurate, Always

A Hidden Menace?
I am pleased to say that the insidious wave of theft which swept across Conch recently seems to have receded.  While I would never exaggerate my own achievements, I know that my scathing editorial last week played some role in unnerving criminals and rousing our District Authorities into action. 

One criticism I have received of late is that Conch's patron goddess, Tyche, is one who favours adventurers.  I have the deepest respect for the Tychean faith and church and would never unfairly criticise either.  Therefore I must clarify my position to some extent.  Adventurers are a topic I have studied and also possess great life experience of.  Those that do embrace the true spirit of Tyche (and indeed some other deities) are invariably the best people of what I consider a normally bad breed.  But there is one particular faith that seems to breed the worst behaved and most dangerous adventurers. 

Moander, you ask?  Khozar?  Targus?  No, none of these.  The faith which produces the most unhinged adventurers is undoubtedly that of Selūne! Time and time again I have seen her lawless followers do as they please and ignore the rules of society the rest of us dutifully follow.  Many Selūnite adventurers are quite insane due to the well-established influence of the lunar cycle upon madness.  Selūnite adventurers act without thinking and do so with the pompous arrogance of the misguided do-gooder.  Once, these lands were even preyed upon by a deranged order of knights sworn to Selūne whom (I believe) were known as the Swords of Five Lunacies.  Fortunately all vestiges of those madmen and madwomen are long gone and they will never trouble us again. 

This leaves us to be watchful in the present day.  I urge you all to consider the followers of Selūne in this city.  Some are our friends and co-workers, and likely good folk.  But how many of them could secretly be current or aspiring adventurers or their sympathisers, and what problems could they cause us in the future?

-G.Morton, Editor.


A Fiendishly Good Day
The Mistress of House Mistari caused hearts to flutter and spouses' eyes to wander in the Markets this week by doing a shopping trip in the company of a succubus.  Some shoppers were appalled at the scantily-clad creature's presence, while others appreciated the visibly pleasing diversion.  The guards were all of the latter opinion and declined to take any action.  Notary Victoria Hastings of WNTC said that the day's takings were excellent indeed as many shoppers had flocked to the markets upon hearing rumours of the succubus' presence. 

-S. Hellsworth, Reporter.


Census Chaos
The council's preparations for the triennial census of Conch are in turmoil.  In recent months an increasing number of humans with extraplanar lineage have come to Conch or been born here.  Much debate has occurred about whether these residents should be considered humans, demi-humans or be assigned their own category (or categories).  Some also expressed concern that some sort of planar influence is drawing these people here. 

Furthermore an anonymous witness to these debates states that some administrators believe that many of the monstrous humanoids of West Conch will be unwilling or incapable of filling out the census form.  This would skew the data unless some means of ensuring their participation is imposed. 

-A.Nutt, Reporter.


No Relief From Crow Plague
The flocks of crows despoiling crops and harassing citizens of Conch are yet to migrate from the area and it appears they are here to stay.  Some tentative extermination efforts by independent operatives and district authorities are understood to have occurred but farmers and traders have reported no easing of the crow menace.  Farmers in particular are facing severe crop and income losses this season.  Head farmer Joy Lambton of the Creek Farms is leading bands of farmers to chase off crows which retreat to the marshes then swiftly return.  "We're doing the best we can," she grunted, "but this needs to end or we'll struggle to feed the city come winter."

-P. Krellin, Reporter. 

82

Public Notices / Re: Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)

« on: August 14, 2021, 02:02:50 am »

The Conch Champion.  Independent & Accurate, Always

Stop, Thief!
A wave of the most cowardly form of theft, pickpocketing, has fallen upon West Conch.  This should come as no surprise since this area is by far the roughest and most lawless part of Conch.  There were pickpockets under the administration of the Kolumbo Gang and no one should be surprised that Diiri's Boys are equally as lackadaisical in preventing them.  But as far as I am concerned, how Grymtol runs things in West Conch is Grymtol's business, not mine.

What concerns me far more is that the West Netheril Trading Company has not made a strong statement about this situation.  I have received complaints that people have even had their purses lifted in the markets.  This is utterly unacceptable!  This plague of wallet-lightening must not spread outside West Conch to the Market District, or gods forbid to Uptown either.  I call for Governor Every Hastings to immediately declare that pickpockets in the Market District will be hunted down and prosecuted for disrupting trade!

Finally, the pickpocket is rarely a dedicated specialist.  They invariably have other talents, whether it be thuggery, panhandling, burglary or murder.  Some perhaps even masquerade as legitimate professionals in conventional trades.  But most sinister of all is the link I have noticed between pickpocketing and adventuring!  Yes dear reader, many adventurers are skilled pickpockets.  They use these skills to illegally fund their deluded expeditions, rob innocent monsters and engage in various immoral sleights of hand.  Until proven otherwise, every adventurer should be considered a potential pickpocket.  Keep your coins tight when in their company, or better still avoid them entirely. 

-G.Morton, Editor.


Disappearances in Conch
District Authorities have experienced a sharp rise in reports of people going missing in Conch.  This phenomenon seems to be city-wide but no pattern or explanation has been defined as yet.  The Conch Champion has received dozens reports of people who are searching for missing loved ones (a full list of these names is printed in the classifieds section).  Most disturbing of all a few of these accounts involved people literally vanishing before the eyes of witnesses.  In one of these cases, the shaken witness claimed "poor Abdul was eaten alive by some invisible monster!"

-S.Hellsworth, Reporter.


Minotaur Goes Berserk in Markets
In a shocking incident this week a minotaur lost control and began attacking unfortunate passers-by in the fringes of the Market District.  Thankfully the District Authorities of both West Conch and the Markets swiftly dealt with the frenzied monster but not before it caused several deaths.  This horrifying event has caused some to question the wisdom and safety of allowing large and potentially dangerous humanoids to live within the walls of Conch. 

-A.Nutt, Reporter.


Lusus Naturae Regula Founded
Master Kliment of the Nebular University has officially announced the formation of Lusus Naturae Regula.  He states that this organisation will study and investigate incidences of violence and other anti-social behaviour committed by monstrous humanoids within Conch.  "This will not be some secretive clubhouse of narrow-minded racists," Master Kliment stated.  "We will have some of the sharpest minds of Conch working on this project.  I expect our work will improve lives of all people in Conch, and actually many of the monsters too."

-P.Krellin, Reporter 

83

Public Notices / Re: Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)

« on: August 07, 2021, 12:57:12 pm »

The Conch Champion.  Independent & Accurate, Always

The Man-Bat of Conch:  Monster, Urban Legend, or Sheer Fabrication?
One of the stranger stories one hears whilst walking the streets of Conch is that of "the Man-Bat".  Depending on the source, one will hear that the Man-Bat is a monster, a mad-man, or a practical joker.  What is clear is that these stories are confined to a narrow stretch of the Market District and always revolve around the Man-Bat making his lair in some unfortunate's basement.  Some poor deluded souls even become fans or acolytes of this legendary creature. 

The usual question discussed when locals speak of the Man-Bat is simple- is he real, or simply folklore?  I however, postulate a different origin to this creature.  An unnamed source has told me that the Man-Bat is a sick practical joke created by the more deranged adventurers of this town.  This source told me that adventurers have been capturing some bats and turning them loose in basements, then having one of their own dress up like a humanoid bat to scare the owner.  Then, the adventurer's cronies arrive and drive off the Man-Bat and claim a fee for their service. 

While no physical evidence was provided for this shocking claim it seems all too plausible to me.  It causes me to wonder too if adventurers are responsible for other nuisance problems we find in Conch, such as livestock mysteriously getting free and swarms of insects infesting homes.  Naturally, these problems also require a "generous adventurer" to resolve them!  People of Conch, next time you find yourself faced with some irritating or recurring problem ask yourselves "could an adventurer have caused this?"

-G. Morton, Editor


Nebular Students Go Wild!
It is apparent that this year's class of Nebular students is the wildest yet.  The Conch Champion has received numerous reports, tipoffs and complaints about new Nebular students indulging in all sorts of misbehaviour.  Grievances this newspaper have heard include street fights in the slums, roughing up a member of House Mistari, stirring up racial tensions and even stealing credit for each other's work.  Clearly the Masters of Nebular will have a harder semester than usual keeping their more unruly students in check. 

-S. Hellsworth, Reporter


Rampant Misuse of Magical Proclamations
Proclaimer Jason has directly complained to the Conch Champion about his services being misused by residents of Conch.  "Magical proclaimers are a vital and respected profession in the lands of Netheril," he said.  "It insults me and my trade when my skills are used to send nonsensical gibberish, threats and trash-talk after street brawls!"  Jason's suggestion is that offenders take their squabbles to the arena and settle their differences there.  Nevertheless, he assures the Champion that he is a professional and will continue (if sometimes grudgingly) to send any proclamation if hired to do so. 

- A.Nutt, Reporter


United in Death
The Solemn Mourners of Conch, a funeral service in West Conch, have welcomed calls for a more grand and secure temple to Jergal to be established in our city.  Mortician Kurt Totenstarre said "my organisation feels a deep connection to the Church of Jergal.  We share many of the same duties and my employees and I make regular contributions, both financial and volunteer work, to the Church."  While death is rarely a welcome visitor to most households, we in Conch are blessed to have two fine organisations working so well together in this grim industry. 

- P. Krellin, Reporter

84

Public Notices / Re: Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)

« on: July 31, 2021, 02:23:40 am »

The Conch Champion.  Independent & Accurate, Always

Conch Beset by Threats:  But Who Benefits?
Conch already had its hands full with the flocks of crows destroying crops, despoiling the markets and even attacking people.  But reports indicate that despite some time of peace the Rengarth are once again on the warpath.  Less surprising but still problematic is a recent goblin attack on Denvar's Bridge.  I assure you it has not escaped my attention that, amongst others, some freebooting adventurers were on hand to defend the bridge.

Why is Conch seeing this sudden increase in dangers to it and its citizens?  I believe I have an answer to this.  One of my tutors in journalism, one Douglas Parr, often reminded me of this nugget of wisdom: "when things are happening for reasons you cannot fathom, simply ask yourself this- who benefits from this situation?  Identify that party, and almost invariably you will have your perpetrator".  I thought back on Mr Parr's words carefully while considering this rash of activity around Conch and have come up with an answer.

So who is it that benefits when vermin, barbarians and goblins attack or endanger Conch?  Simply put, the people we hire to solve the attacks!  I do not speak of Carsen Sable's stolid and honest warriors, nor of Nebular's eager students.  I speak of those unlicenced vigilantes that we lump under the term "adventurer".  They have the most to gain if the city needs extra warriors and wizards to fight threats.  Surely it is not too much to consider that perhaps it is the adventurers themselves who are deliberately drawing these attackers?

-G.Morton, Editor.


Diiri's Boys Turn West Conch into Dystopian Wasteland
Residents and visitors to West Conch alike have complained of a rise in robberies, assault and murders in West Conch (which the less charitable call "The Slums").  This rise has coincided with the rise to supremacy of the dangerous gang known as Diiri's Boys.  Victims of their predations have told the newspaper that this rise in violence is not simply the Boys "settling old scores" now that they are the authorities in West Conch, but is likely to be an ongoing policy. 

- S. Hellsworth, Reporter.


Judge Caught Skinny-Dipping
A certain long-serving and respected judge of Conch's court was allegedly sighted swimming nude in the creek outside Conch yesterday.  Our concept artist sketched a recreation based on witness accounts but our editor has decided it is simply too shocking for publication.  We will not name the judge in question to avoid litigation but will take careful note of this person's future rulings in public indecency cases.

- A. Nutt, Reporter.


New Community Group Forming
The Conch Champion can exclusively reveal that a Master of the Nebular University will be soon founding an organisation dedicated to the admirable goals of reducing violence in Conch and generally making it a more pleasant and harmonious place in which to live.  We have only been provided with the vaguest of details so far, but the Master stated "this will be a group for all of the people of Conch".  Other than noting the Master's emphasis on the word "people" we can only speculate upon what this group will be like.

- P. Krellin, Reporter.

85

Public Notices / Issues of the Conch Champion (For public reading)

« on: July 26, 2021, 12:02:58 am »

The Conch Champion.  Independent & Accurate, Always

The Adventurer: Hero or Menace?
Greetings people of Conch and thank you kindly for reading my first editorial.  Firstly I should introduce myself.  I am Giona Morton, the new editor of the esteemed Conch Champion.  I have recently moved here from the far town of Hadrian and welcome the opportunity to bring you more of the fearless investigative journalism, hard-hitting editorials and above all a focus on the truth for which the Conch Champion is renowned.

I departed the town of Hadrian after the resolution of a very specific problem with that otherwise fair city.  For too long Hadrian had relied heavily upon the services of people of a certain profession.  This profession, if one could truly call it that, is infested with some of the worst examples of humanity and other races imaginable.  Opportunists, mercenaries, tax evaders and anarchists make up the most of their ranks.  At best they are deluded bleeding heart do-gooders who actually cause more harm than good.  At worst they are thieves and murderers.  The actions of Hadrian's irresponsible and incompetent adventuring community eventually caused the death of my son and others of the town's children.  Therefore we as parents joined together to finally drive out that blight upon Hadrian that called itself "The Adventurer's Society".  With that done I resolved to move somewhere new and put my grief behind me.  But to my dismay I find the seeds of the same problem here in Conch!

Like any city Conch often struggles with problems of oversized vermin, thieves, feral humanoids and other threats.  But we already have three fine institutions here to resolve such matters.  I draw attention of course to the fine folk of West Netheril Trading Company, The Nebular University, and Diiri's Boys.  They are the rightful upholders of law and order in their respective districts, and in my opinion it is both reckless and illegal to circumvent them and use the services of that dangerously unqualified specimen, the adventurer.

The adventurer shirks their rightfully owed taxes.  The adventurer antagonises dangerous races and beings.  The adventurer inspires untrained youths to risk their lives in imitation of them.  The adventurer always complains about how much they are paid for a job.  The adventurer disrespects the rule of law.  The adventurer and his cronies gang up on some poor overgrown lizard, bloodily murder it then call themselves heroes!  The adventurer indignantly squawks about the price he pays for goods and for which he sells his stolen trinkets.  The adventurer is a lawbreaker, a vigilante, a thief, a poor example and a bully.  But above all, the adventurer is a MENACE.

G.Morton, Editor.

Grymtol and Diiri's Boys Revive West Conch
In good news for West Conch Diiri's Boys and their leader Grymtol have brought a new regime of prosperity and order in the district.  I recently visited West Conch to take a look for myself at the changes Diiri's Boys have brought.

Though they are a rustic bunch in comparison to their decadent predecessors it cannot be denied that the Boys have brought a crude order back to the streets.  West Conch will only rise to the wealth of the rest of the city if it has some semblance of predictability for commerce and whatever their quirks Diiri's Boys have brought that.

This reporter's only concern is Diiri's Boys' questionable decision to take on an embedded journalist from another publication.  But we assure Mr Grymtol that the Conch Champion would never begrudge a district authority's choices in such matters.  Nor would we ever allow such a petty thing to affect our commitment to honest reporting and commentary.

-S. Hellsworth, Reporter.


A Plague of Crows Descends on Conch
Farmers, merchants and householders alike have been shocked and suffered financial loss at the beaks and talons of flocks of crows.  The Conch Champion has received many disturbing reports in the past weeks of crows destroying crops, defecating upon crowds and even attacking citizens.  Clearly this situation is both frightening and dangerous and citizens are hoping that the district authorities can find a cause and solution to this plague of crows.  This newspaper has found no evidence to support conspiracy theories that these crows are in fact "spybirds" for a greater power.

-A. Nutt, Reporter.

Nebular Accuses WNTC of Price Gouging
Students from the Nebular University have complained to this publication that WNTC merchants are vastly overcharging them for academic supplies.  This reporter performed a simple undercover operation by dressing in a borrowed Nebular student's robe and found that this simple identifier of Nebular membership raised prices charged to me by 150%.  One can only speculate at the reasons for this.  A spokesperson from WNTC has vehemently denied any official policy to charge Nebular students at a higher rate than other customers. 

-P. Krellin, Reporter.

86

Journals & Backgrounds / Eliezra Baldwin's File

« on: May 21, 2021, 03:59:16 am »

Spoiler

Ostian was an Imperial Archivist before he came to us, and this story is entirely his idea.  He asked me and a few of the others to write down where we came from and how we got here and ultimately what we do.  Supposedly it will help bring us some "closure" (whatever that means) as well as allow him to compile a written record of our members and movement (which I doubt anybody will ever read).  I don't think my experiences were any better or worse or even any more interesting than anyone else's here, whatever Mylene will tell you.  But Ostian was good to me when I first arrived, so I will humour him. 

I was born in Lyrkos, the third of five children.  My parents owned a textile business there and their only dreams for me were to work in it until I married a man in the same line of work.  It wasn't an unhappy upbringing by any means but I decided a future in rugs and curtains wasn't for me.  In a fit of pique I stole some money from the family safe and ran away from home in my late teens.  My glorious dreams of adventures and wealth came to nothing and a few years later I found myself scraping by working as a barmaid in a Fenwick tavern.  I was barely making enough coin to get by and it seemed I would have to return to my family.  But just as I was mulling over what apologies I could possibly come up with for that reunion, a wonderful opportunity appeared.

An elegant tiefling lady by the name of Tylna came to the tavern one night and was quite taken by me.  Accompanying her was a little retinue of attractive young men and women.  Tylna said I was pretty, charming and resourceful and just needed the right opportunity.  She was starting a "classy escort business" in Conch with her friends and offered to take me there to work for her as a courtesan.  Oh, the trip wasn't free, but she assured me I could quickly repay it through my work for her.  She and her friends plied me with drinks and glamorous stories, and I decided I could do this for a while and then return triumphantly to Lyrkos a wealthy young woman.

It seems so foolish now.  I am sure thousands of young men and women through the years have fallen for this trick.  The only completely true part of Tylna's proposition was that we were going to Conch.  But instead of flitting around a mansion entertaining wealthy ladies and gentlemen, I was to work in a shabby brothel in the slums.  We were not free to leave unescorted and our pay was pitiful.  If we ever did start to save some money, Tylna just added interest to our "loan".  Most of the clients were as horrid as you can imagine.  Surprisingly there was a kind man, a battle-scarred brute from the Knots gang named Trewin.  He had been an adventurer, and for months when he visited he taught a few of us some of what he knew.  Skills like how to handle a weapon, how to force a lock, and how to spot booby traps.  I imagine he had some grand plan for us, but unfortunately he was tortured to death after being captured by Diiri's Boys and our training ended.

Tyche, the patron goddess of Conch, intervened in my predicament rather cruelly.  A particularly grotesque client in greenish khaki robes came in to the Lamb one night.  We drew straws for who would take him.  One of the newer girls got the short straw and sobbed in distress.  Fatefully I offered to take her place to spare her this client.  A few hours after "entertaining" this vile man, I came down with a fever.  By the next day I was seriously ill.  I don't need to describe the symptoms.  Anyone reading this knows what I look like.  Tylna had me wrapped in sheets and taken to the temple to see Kardeen.  He was horrified by my condition, but Tylna was even more horrified by the price he put on a cure.  Deciding I wasn't "economically viable" anymore, Tylna fired me and hired one of Diiri's thugs to take me away.  I wouldn't be surprised if he was supposed to mercy kill me, but in his haste to avoid being infected he just dumped me and ran from the alley. 

In a dark corner of the slums I drifted in and out of consciousness for what I think were days.  A few people walked past but other than gasping in horror none of them offered any response to my whispered pleas.  I knew I was dying, and made peace with that.  I felt that if nothing else I had spared another person this horrid death, and that was a burden I could accept.  The only thing I couldn't let go of was the realisation that the man who had made me sick would continue spreading his ghastly pestilence.  This sordid part of Conch was utterly without mercy.  So lacking in that humble virtue in fact that not even Tylna's hired goon had been willing to give me release. 

That was what I was thinking about when I heard footsteps.  My clouded vision looked to the sound and saw a pitiful sight.  There was a man dressed only in a loincloth and his exposed skin was covered in a multitude of welts from what must have been a hellish whipping.  His fingers were bent back and broken and he limped upon burned and blistered feet.  His face, though plastered with blood, reminded me of Trewin. 

"Follow me, child" he said softly.  "You, who would spare another a horrific fate and take on that heavy burden yourself, shall not die here."
The crippled man beckoned to me with a crooked finger, and somehow I managed to dredge up just enough strength to crawl to his familiar face as he led me.  He stopped occasionally and smiled at me warmly with his gashed lips while I caught my breath, and beckoned again.  I kept crawling, not even knowing why I bothered when I was surely beyond any recovery.

Finally feeling that I could not even crawl anymore, I looked up to plead for the man to have mercy on me.  Instead I let out a moan of anguish when I realised he was gone.  But I was not alone.  I heard the familiar sounds of footsteps followed by gasps of horror, but this time they were accompanied by many strong arms lifting me from the ground.  I was carried to a ruined but warm building.  Though my eyesight was hazy then, I remember seeing the faces of little Ostian and old Mylene amongst my saviours.  They had no money, and Sister Mylene at that point possessed only limited healing magic.  But they knew more basic cures and they treated me with those and did so with remarkable persistence and care.  Though they never spoke of any doubt as I convalesced I could tell they were shocked when some weeks later, I rose to my feet once again and looked at them with clear eyes.   

My strength recovered though of course some other things never have or will.  It only took a single look in a mirror to resign myself to wearing a veil for the rest of my life.  Within a few more days I was well enough to leave, but I refused to.  I explained that my old family would never take me back as I am now.  They would never forgive me for stealing from them and then doing what they would see as shameful work nor could they still love or even stand the sight of what I had become now.  Furthermore I felt I had to do something, however pitifully small, about the appalling things going on in this district.  And physically, I figured I would be more accepted in a district of shunned monsters than anywhere else in Conch. 

Mylene smiled when I told them all this, then she told me the truth of their little group here and what their purpose is in West Conch.  I would be their newest family member she said, and they would take me as I am and welcome my presence.  Mylene said they were fearful of many things here in the slums and for a long time they had waited and prayed for someone like me to come to them.  I didn't know quite what she meant by that.  I still don't.  I can feel the call of my saviour, but I am struggling to find the path he is calling me to. 

87

Journals & Backgrounds / The Many Fates of Fiverine (v1)

« on: February 05, 2021, 12:52:22 am »

Bayin Kortharis lost his life in a bungled attempt to destroy "the Boatman" of the Western Swamps.  Though his dying wish was that fans of his proclamations would lay him to rest in the Crypts of Moander, they instead embalmed and minutely dismembered his body to make dozens of unholy relics. These relics still occasionally show up at trinket shops even now.

Cutter Browne permanently settled amongst the halflings.  He abandoned his lustful ways and pledged total devotion to Yondalla.  He rarely left the chapel to her he helped build and died an elderly bachelor in Hilltop.  Hilltop legend claims that the infamous Maximus Valerius once attempted to drag Cutter back to Hadrian to face charges of legal malpractice.  Cutter's Halfling Death friends Casper, Marlee and Pip furiously chased Valerius off, and then Casper even more furiously bellowed at Cutter for bringing trouble to Hilltop. 

Helle Nygaard-Bach continued flitting around the Hadrian area for several months with her visible Sharran faith repeatedly causing conflicts and misunderstandings.  She then abruptly left.  Days later, the bizarre "Lost Village" of Covington from which she hailed also vanished, seemingly permanently.  Some speculate or hope that the village may appear again some day, though others are scornful of the notion.

Morgaine "The Red" Pritchard served as curator of the Southbank Art Gallery for several years.  Though she remained active as an adventurer and played a supporting role in the barbarian siege and the reclamation of the great mythallar, she was best known for her tortuous love triangle with Saeb Alanchi and Fjord Bjornson.  It became such a staple of town gossip that more than a few wagers were placed upon whom she would ultimately settle down with.  Punters and suitors alike were deflated when she instead married the mysterious new mayor of Hadrian, Sezar Voust.  Despite finally having the legitimate claim to the Voust title she had long pursued, Morgaine surprisingly then moved far away with Sezar to Saharelgard to start a family.

Dame Neasa Lawley lost her life defending the Eternal Flame against Dacethor the Blasphemer and his undead army at the Old Court of the Face on the Sun.  Amongst her motley allies were friends like Tenshi of the Heavenly Fist, Southbank Overseer Oscar Eisenhuth Montgomery III and Shi Lei of House Skettus, and more unusual arrivals such as the blackguard Boteler the Black and elf general Elanor Ginfer.  Neasa lured Dacethor into the Flame itself which then utterly consumed them both. Her allies then destroyed his army of fallen knights forever.  In honour of her sacrifice, Thomas Rayne of the Swords of Everlasting Light took a few young knights to the Old Court to become its new caretakers.  This proved a serendipitous move because they were absent from the catastrophe that later befell Moonglow Keep.

Sindisiwe Mbatha pleaded for allies to aid her quest to retrieve a relic of Ilmater deep in the Hollow to no avail.  She resolutely descended into the depths alone, and never returned.  Once again the stay of an Ilmaterite cleric in Hadrian proved tragically brief. 

Tyra Falk faithfully served in her new troll body as a Chosen of the Mother of All Monsters and with Gorag Skullcrusher became the shaman Biagrut's personal bodyguards.  Tyra presumably perished in the great volcanic eruption at Sullivan's Port.

88

Journals & Backgrounds / Re: Letters to the Church of Ilmater, Farenway Enclave

« on: May 21, 2020, 12:52:43 am »

Dear Reverend

I thank thee for this information.  I am aware of this site and will investigate immediately.  Should the dangers prove too great for me alone I shall retreat and seek allies. 

Sister Sindi Mbatha

89

Journals & Backgrounds / Re: Letters to the Church of Ilmater, Farenway Enclave

« on: May 17, 2020, 12:53:33 pm »

Dear Reverend

I thank thee for thy reply.  I have been able to take care of my most immediate needs, that of, lodging, money and healing supplies.  However, I need to secure a relic of our faith to prove the viability of a church.

The people of Hadrian have had little exposure to the Broken God's teachings or lore.  Therefore they have as yet been unable to give me any indication of where a local relic of Ilmater may lie.  Is there anything in our Farenway library that mentions Ilmatari holy items in this part of Lower Netheril?  Even rumours and legends may provide me with a starting point.

Suffer thee well, Reverend Brother

Sister Sindi Mbatha

90

Journals & Backgrounds / Re: Letters to the Church of Ilmater, Farenway Enclave

« on: May 17, 2020, 03:56:05 am »

Dear Exalted Sufferer

In order to raise funds for our church in Hadrian, I have opened a stall to sell discounted healing supplies to both civilians and adventurers.  I am stocking it with a combination of items I have recovered from the villains of this region and those I have made myself.  I am told that many adventurers pass through Hadrian, but currently there are very few.  This concerns me, for adventurers often provide both reconnaissance and protection from various threats. 

An adventuring wizard did tell me he saw a grey healer's robe like the one my predecessor Sister Silias wore in the treasure hoard of a crypt in the woods to the east of Hadrian.  Whether it is in fact hers or not, I shall endeavour to retrieve it for it very likely belonged to one of our faith.

Sister Sindi Mbatha