Mystara Rumour Mill | Mystara Alternate

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Nov 27, 2023 0:34:52 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Nov 27, 2023 0:34:52 GMT 10

More strange occurrences in Luln. And somebody seems to have made sure that the news of it spreads like wildfire in Verge and Threshold as well. Curious.

Apparently, one of the patrolmen who had previously received a cake (an NCO), was seen beating a young child for the simple crime of blocking his path by playing in the street.

A few days later, they failed to report for duty on time. When troopers went to his address, they found a note pinned to the door. Several villagers had already seen it, and the short contents of the note are part of the spreading rumors.

Greetings!

I see my first message was not understood!

We should think carefully about the way we act. Things have a way of being repaid.

Unkind actions against children? These will be repaid a hundred times over.

This one got off easy. Do not make me come back.

-The Shrouded Prince

Upon entering the patrolman's house, they found him chained to a support pillar in his basement, stripped naked. His right thumb had been removed. Some might speculate this was done to ensure he could no longer effectively control a weapon. The place where the digit had been removed was mangled and poorly cauterized to an extent that might interfere with magical healing, requiring a significantly greater effort to repair than typical wounds. His body was covered in strange patterns of bruises, burns, and evidence of the application of corrosives. These injuries were not particularly serious, but were likely extremely painful. When found, the man was delirious with fear. Dragged out of the building babbling about talking shadows. About some corruption being forced upon him. About blood-red gloves and a mask and a swimming sea of visions. And pain.

When he began to recover, or at least, calm down a little, he refused to speak about what happened. Made no report. Made no attempt to seek healing. According to witnesses, he simply walked into the woods late that evening, and never returned.

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Dec 5, 2023 13:52:24 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Dec 5, 2023 13:52:24 GMT 10

Highforge have purchased advertisements far and wide across the kingdom. The fliers have an image of an airship, its balloon being straddled by a smiling, blushing, busty redheaded woman in red-and-green festive attire. The airship is hovering above a cozy looking town nestled between snowy mountains.

Corvyna Winter Resort Now Open!

Enjoy a relaxing bath in the natural hot springs! A premium meal at Corvyna lodge! Or indulge in the pleasures of our luxury holiday cabins! Located high in the Altan Tepes and accessible only by airship from Highforge, 'tis always the season to be jolly at Corvyna!

Last Edit: Dec 5, 2023 13:54:53 GMT 10 by Troubletcat

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Dec 25, 2023 12:50:09 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Dec 25, 2023 12:50:09 GMT 10

The below two rumours originally posted by Laurnath on Discord.

After significant assistance from foreign powers, individual people and interested companies - The Kingdom of Ierendi finally begins to bounce back. In the midst of the rain, an intense effort had been made to clear the remnants of their strongest hurricane so far. As predicted by the stars and the tides, the sun and heat chases away the clouds and the gloom. Mist evaporates from all but the deepest places. Districts finally reopen their doors... well, some of them anyway. It appears inside the eye of the storm, many dark deeds have occurred.

Adventurers may find themselves more in demand than before, despite the beautiful sunshine and glistening beaches. It is by far one of the most dangerous places they will visit.

Please remember to enjoy Ierendi responsibly! Bring your friends. Bring heal kits. Bring your bathing suit (or don't).

Bellamy and Zeljko can be seen bringing gifts of hampers of spices, new sturdy boots and warm clothing to the masses of refugees in Threshold. It appears that he is explaining a lot of things to the confused foreigner, mostly to do with the Solstice and the Season of Joy. It appears sailors have little space for the merriment and traditions of Karameikos and the colder climates of the world. In appreciation of the cold, she wears many layers and some fur trimming - hovering closer to fires and huffing out steam clouds as she replies to people.

Though they seem happy, it's clear they are worried about the warmth and safety of the influx of lost souls. They stay for a while, and help shift crates and organise the space more efficiently.

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Dec 26, 2023 12:52:56 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Dec 26, 2023 12:52:56 GMT 10

This rumour originally posted by Hino on discord

Within Verge, Len can be seen going house to house, dropping off presents at night and then flittering off, the soft glow that always seems to be around her and her wings flapping happily as she does. For each house there is always chocolate, themed for the holidays with tree shaped chocolates, some adorned with ornament shaped white chocolate and others sprinkled to represent a light dusting of snow. Among the chocolates are presents, new and warmer clothes, shoes, new toys in the shape of the Highforge airship. *airship does not fly.

For those that see her she stops and chats with them, before continuing on wishing them a wonderful holiday.

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Feb 15, 2024 15:34:40 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Feb 15, 2024 15:34:40 GMT 10

Marshall Nassus spreads the word that he's now offering a new bounty, suitable for beginning or adventurers or a small group of such.

Early this morning, a finely made carriage bearing the Capua family crest rolled into Threshold and parked behind Darcy's Diner. Word quickly spreads that its driver is looking to hire a group of mercenaries to resolve a bandit problem.

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Feb 24, 2024 19:33:22 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Feb 24, 2024 19:33:22 GMT 10

Something strange is happening to magical items, seemingly across the Known World.

Processes of magical enchantment have never been entirely reliable, producing results of varying strengths, but recently something seems different. At first, the creators of magical items simply believed that they were having a nasty string of bad luck, or typical local fluctuations in background magic potential were particularly unfavorable. However, it now seems clear that the issue is not limited to certain practitioners or locations as reports flood in not just from Karameikos, but Darokin, Ylaruam, Thyatis...

For reasons unknown, many methods of enchantment have become more unpredictable. More likely to lead to a weaker-than-intended result, or fail outright.

Already, this is having an impact on the supply of magical items of various kinds. Some have seen significant, wide-spread price-hikes. Other, more mundane items have actually become cheaper, with supply being increased due to these weaker results becoming more likely.

As of yet, nobody seems certain of the cause. If it will pass over time. If things will only get worse. Temples, mages' guilds, and artisans across the realm have begun researching the matter but have no conclusive results so far.

In Threshold, a spokesperson for the Arcane Alliance commented to the local papers that "While we're still unsure of the exact cause or scope of... whatever's going on... normal spellcasting seems unaffected. Therefore, the Alliance is somewhat confident that we're probably not witnessing the beginning of some kind of magical calamity that will destroy society as we know it, and possibly all life on the material plane. Probably."

Last Edit: Feb 24, 2024 19:33:37 GMT 10 by Troubletcat

Admins
Core Team

Posts: 803

Mystara Rumour Mill Mar 4, 2024 20:03:12 GMT 10 Troubletcat likes this

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Post by Admins on Mar 4, 2024 20:03:12 GMT 10

Local Paper Headlines and snippets for March 1043

Alvira Capua returns to Threshold
Hometown hero Alvira Capua has stopped through in Threshold, reminding the city's historic occupants of a time when the Capua Caravans were one of the only businesses that had the grit to stay in the dusty Threshold central area. Delivering and escaping in wagons of all shapes and sizes when the only room you could get was a tent.

Mirros Murders Magnified
In scenes reminiscent of the Dockhouse Kidnappings, Mirros is once again plagued with a murder mystery and escaping suspects.
The Kings Forces are looking to speak to anyone in the Garden District at midnight, three weeks ago. Near the intersecting Fountain and Lily streets. Sketches will soon be supplied to the major outlets.

Missing Craftspeople Ierendi
Karameikos is rarely stymied by the outer islands when it comes to trade and good graces - however the multitudes of highly lauded craftspeople who took shelter inside the great Castle of Ierendi. King Mungo is yet to release a statement about the hurricane damage, missing persons related to - or to thank our good Karameikan people for their assistance. Curiouser and curiouser.

Cursed by the gods?
Adverse weather events across Karameikos have exacerbated the already fragile islands. Now the creation of magical items is waning. Have your say, write into [redacted]

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Mar 14, 2024 21:48:45 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Mar 14, 2024 21:48:45 GMT 10

Ever since the influx of adventurers after Threshold was rebuilt some years ago, Verge has been slowly expanding and changing. Through busts and booms, backroom deals, and changes brought on by the war.

Now, the town strains at its seams, confined between the Black Woods, Rifflian Basin, the old Threshold resevoir, and the mines. With seemingly no more room to grow for the time being, and threats on all sides, a new defensive wall has been erected around the town.

The construction, which is now complete, was financed and organised with no help from the Crown, Threshold, or any other outside power. It seems the merchants collaborated to raise the funds and arrange construction as a joint, independent collective.

Troubletcat
Development Team

Trying, man

Posts: 210

Mystara Rumour Mill Mar 21, 2024 17:31:50 GMT 10

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Post by Troubletcat on Mar 21, 2024 17:31:50 GMT 10

Following some assistance from adventurers in Threshold, Capua Caravans have re-opened the route to Selenica.

---

In Penhaligon, a new pawn shop has been opened alongside a few other additions and renovations to the foreign quarter. Many merchants are now less willing to barter with adventurers than they were. Perhaps the owner of the new pawnshop struck some kind of deal?

Last Edit: Mar 21, 2024 17:32:10 GMT 10 by Troubletcat