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Word spreads throughout the streets that yet another murder has taken place in one of the seedy tenements of the Quartier Ouvrier. Citizens shake their heads at the too common story.
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A bizzare story comes out of the dirty slums of Ouvrier. A mysterious figure, clad in the regailia of a knight, bearing the symbol of the Raven slinks through the slums at night, protecting foolish pedestrians and the hospices from violence. He moves with almost supernatural speed, fights with inhuman skill- seldom killing his opponents, leaving pickpockets and cutthroats unconscious for the Gendarme or their own victem, but showing no mercy for murderers and bandits. He seldom speaks, and then only in a hoarse, raspy, forced voice, like wind being blown over paper.
None known his name, and most chide the silly theatrics of it all - a grown man running around in costume, beating up hoodlums as some vigilante. The nerve.
But still, the nights of Ouvrier are a little bit safer now. Just a little.
-
Whispers amongst the common street thugs and cutthroats say that the night has turned against them.
"I was out in zee night with zee boys, doin zee rounds, lookin for zee fools who not know zee night is ours. It was long after zee midnight when I hear Peppe' scream. When I turn he is layin in zee street with his throat cut clean."
The man runs a hand through his thick hair as he relate the tale to a companion at the Bullseye.
"Zen Sherri, I see her fall as zee shadows come alive and slice open her guts zen disappear into zee dark again. Don't know what to do, so I run and I have no shame in sayin I run as fast as Philip can run.
With a shaking hand he takes a shot of "Bullet" and calms himself as the night replays in his mind.
"Just before dawn I dared to go back. Zee sight I see was one zat will give even me Nightmares. Zee streets are littered in zee bodies of my companions. All of zem are cut, some in zee back and others in zee guts. Zey where all dead, Roger zee club, Dead Eye Ammie, Jackie quick hands, zey all were dead, all of zem zat was on zee night patrol."
The man Philip is speaking to rubs his temples as the news adds stress to his already worry lined brow,
"Did you see who did zhis Philip?"
Philip closes his eyes and shivers,
"All I can remeber of zee killer was zee eyes zat glowed red in the fires light as zey peered out from under zee shadowed hood, zey were hard, and merciless. I zink Philip will take a vaction till zee streets calm down."
-
Whispers about a dark angel spread through the poor and downtrodden people of Quartier Ouvier. The normal predators of the street are turning up dead in frightening numbers, while random people have been blessed with presents of hundreds of Solars, mysteriously found within their homes. This continued for 2 weeks and then died down. 40 families benfited from the tis dark angel and easily 3 times that of the criminal element suffered for their sins by this same being, or so it is rumored.
The words, "bless you angel of the night" are heard on some lips while others curse and ward themselves against evil when the subject is breached.
-
Local thugs, backstabbers and smugglers chuckle of a man clad in red entering the Workers Tavern with some kind of prospect, before the figure knew it he'd been knocked unconscious, robbed of his belongings...a pair of calibans were paid an unknown amount to take him to the docks where he was unceremoniously dumped in the sea...
-
A bloodied whip discarded on a cobbled sidewalk. Rapturous cries from the lips of the faithful in the darkened hours. And a slow trickle of papers appearing overnight.
BLESSED BE THE HAND THAT SCRIBES, THE EYE THAT WATCHES, THE EAR THAT WILL GIVE HEED, THE LIMBS THAT WILL RUSH.
FOR THIS IS THE CLARION ANNOUNCING HER COMING, THE END OF ALL AND NONE, THE FINAL EMBRACE, THE BLESSED UNION.
EZRA WATCHED TIRELESSLY OVER HER FAITHFUL FEW, THEIR WORKINGS TRUE AND VALLIANT; YET FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS, THE LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT STILL PREVAILED.
FOR EACH FALLEN REDEEMED, FIVE MORE WOULD BEFOUL THE WORLD WITH THEIR DEPRAVITY.
THERE WAS MUCH SUFFERING AND ANGUISH AMONGST HER SERVANTS. AND EZRA ANSWERED THEIR DESPERATE PLEA.
“LET NOT THE WAYS OF THE LEGIONS DAUNT YOU, FOR THEIR TAINT WILL GNAW UPON ITSELF, AND YOU WILL CLEANSE ITS DESPICABLE REMAINS.
BLACKEN AND SIN, ACCEPT AND BE SWEPT, FOR ONLY IN REVELING WITH THEIR VILE WAYS SHALL THE CLEANSING EXACTED BE MEANINGFUL.
FOR IF IN DEED YOU ARE FEW AND DISTRAUGHT; PURGE RELENTLESSLY THAT WHICH THE LEGIONS FLAUNT OPENLY, BEGIN WITH YOURSELVES.”
AND HER FAITHFUL OBEYED. AND THEY SET TO ADORNING THEIR BODIES AND SOULS WITH THE SIGN OF THE PURGE OF THE LEGIONS’ MARK.
GLORIOUS IN THE VESTIGE OF VIRTUE, EACH SOUL A CLEANSED SPARK THAT WOULD BRING SUCCOR TO THE BLEAK HOLLOW.
THE MISTS OF DEATH COME. AND THE FLOCK ABSOLVED SHALT BE. IN THE FLICKER OF LIFE AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
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A series of children have been killed during the night. Many of them had broken necks. Most of them were armed with crossbows, daggers, knives. "Punishing some to educate thousand", someone seems having whispered around the "Muse".
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At night time, a dark tall person has been seen after groups of thieves, killing them with ease and leaving behind corpses that are ripped apart
-
A man in red and black armor walks past the carnage of the killings of children and horribly torn apart rouges.
After a few moments of silence he sighs and mutters.. "How unclean a kill..."
-
Some people pass by a dark clad woman staring at the ancient ruins of Ezras temple as if waiting for some sign of something.
-
Several written copies of this prayer circulate through the Quarter Ouvrier, blown about the cobblestones and filth.
Holy saint Marle, Icon of Her sainted image,
Guide us, show us your path
Help those in need,
Give strength to the weak,
Comfort the sorrowful,
kiss us with the kisses of Her mouth.
For your love is better than wine.
Saint Marle, all who seek your help,
experience your unfailing protection.
Amen.
-
One of the Sisters of Compassion hospices was severely vandalized, with rocks thrown in windows, and shouting occurring throughout the night. Apparently someone took refuge with the Halans, after angering some of the local street thugs.
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A letter is left in a specifc point of the area, by a mute sailor woman.
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Fresh linen & food stocks , clothes for the needy , shoes for the waifs , all are seen being bought in abundance by the Sisters of Compasion after a recent charity event raised some thirty thousand solars for the local hospices.
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People on their ways to work in the warehouses and down at the docks as well as children playing in the alleys and streets of the quartier have stumbled upon many dead bodies. Men, women and children, cut down as if attacked from all sides. Some of the salin are known thieves and cutthroats giving the impression that some sort of vigilante is about. Mixed feelings are heard in the gossiping, some making mention that the Dark Angel had returned, others concerned that it is the work of a rival gang trying to secure their place in the streets.
-
People spy a man in red and black armor stakling the streets in an attempt to find this "Dark angel".
-
Dawn greets the poor section of Port-a-lucine with a grizzly sight. Slaughtered and mutilated bodies lying all around, some of known thugs and others of poor peasants. Word is out of terrible, otherwordly singing and screaming filling the night.
Even stranger is that there is no new bounty posted up following this night following the murders. Instead many, many bounties taken down .
-
Some say that a new resident has taken up in the Grand City. A haggard and seemingly broken-spirited man, with an eye patch and many scars, is seen around the city. He frequently visits the Gendarme headquarters. His name is unknown, though, since few if any people in the Port have attempted to speak to him.
-
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb227/Dhark_bucket/Ravenloft-Prisoner_0000o.jpg)
In the poorer district of Port-a-lucine the Hospices seem a little warmer this day, Like many others across the core they are decorated by many candles . If asked why the custodians simply reply..It is Imbolc.....Candlemass, they repeat to blank expresions, as if that were explination enough.
February 2nd marks the first Halite
celebration according to the general consensus
of the Barovian Calendar. On this day, it is
typical of the witches to celebrate life and union
in all its forms. This celebration is known as
Imbolc (Im-bulk) to the church, though the
masses have given it the more common name or
Candlemass. All members of the church spend
this day with their families and loved ones.
Each member present lights a candle in addition
to what other light sources are present. Homes
and hospices belonging to members of Hala are
said to be warm on this day, despite the probable
harsh coldness of the time of year. While it is
never explained, witches of Hala urge couples to
bed down early that evening. The witches of
Hala also retire early that night. Not
surprisingly, there are a good many children
born nine months later.
-
A black clad swordsman shrouded in witchery casually strolled through the streets and alleys at night, cutting down men and women who raised arms against him. The almost business-like manner in which he decapitated no less than seven of the people he felled leads many to question what value is placed on life when someone can so callously profit from death. Needless to say that figure was last seen sauntering off towards the Gendarme's offices, no doubt lessening their coffers considerably...
-
The torchlit streets ring with the sound of heavy, metal clad footsteps, accompanied by a subtle song and the whistle of bolts from the shadows. Blood stains the cobbles come morning, the sun rising upon headless bodies, telling the tale of those who foolishly accosted the night time traveller and his singing companion.
-
A very angry woman is muttering about how poor the Manor Retreat is compared to the hotell in the open café, eagerly muttering about gaining a fitting job to be able to return to the hotell!
-
Rumor spreads of a new gang being sighted in Port-A-Lucine. They seem to be a collective of thugs and dark wizards who have taken residence in the Quartier Ouvrier. The rumor further spreads that this gang is violent in nature and should be avoided. In spite of their appearance however, the streets have seemed much safer as of late. Less and less thugs roam the streets at night, leaving only "The Family."
-
with the recent increase of outlander visitors people begin to gossip why they are here with their sword shields and armors most look upon them with disgust with their backwarded ways.
also word passes among the outlanders that the kargat been active in the port, its been said that 1 of the thirteen dukkars been taken by the kargat the worry among the vistani grows as madame eva's prophecy is beeing fullfilled.
-
The slums in which the majority of the halflings live within Quartier Ouvrier have been littered with what appears to be a "wanted ad", written in Halfling, then in High Mordentish, and lastly in Common (Vaasi):
"Eddirduyr, gurmwycg yw Port-a-Lucine!
Um dni cesg yw isyrylus ybbyhdoruduim legurk ud neht wyh ayo ert ayoh weluca dy legi irtm liid? Ty ayo nefi e timuhi dy mii ehd bod urdy lyduyr? Ehi ayo e neht zyhgih? Uw ayo ehi, le Theatre de la Cathedrale um ur tuhi riit wyh mdekinertm, sehbirdihm, ert mid-syrmdhosdyhm.
Bealird um 40 solars e tea, dzusi zned um kufir pa dni zyhgnyomim wyh zyhg dir dulim em khoicurk. Culudit dy 8 bymuduyrm, my liid zudn Absalom Nightlyre em myyr em bymmupci!"
"Attention, parents du Port-a-Lucine!
Est-ce le manque de possibilités économiques qui rend difficile pour vous et votre famille à joindre les deux bouts? Avez-vous un désir de voir l'art mis en mouvement? Êtes-vous un travailleur acharné? Si vous êtes, le Théâtre de la Cathedrale est dans le besoin pour les machinistes, charpentiers, constructeurs et la mise en.
Le paiement est 40 Solars par jour, deux fois ce qui est donné par les maisons de travail pour dix fois travail exténuant. Limité à 8 positions, afin de répondre avec Absalom Nightlyre dès que possible!"
"Attention, kinsfolk of Port-a-Lucine!
Is the lack of economic opportunities making it hard for you and your family to make ends meet? Do you have a desire to see art put into motion? Are you a hard worker? If you are, le Theatre de la Cathedrale is in dire need for stagehands, carpenters, and set-constructors.
Payment is 40 solars a day, twice what is given by the workhouses for work ten times as grueling. Limited to 8 positions, so meet with Absalom Nightlyre as soon as possible!"
-
Talk spreads amongst the poor and destitute living in the Quartier Ouvrier about how one of the fabled monsters of the night, a wererat, entered the water-hole known as Le Muse Endiablee - the proprietor Valdor and his wife Delia fled, but their patrons were not as lucky - they were, in fact, trapped in the small establishment. A newcomer who went by the name of "Hawke" successfully drove off the lycanthrope, sending it back into the night that spawned it. The name of this unlikely hero is quickly spreading throughout the slums of Port-a-Lucine, but also spreading is the fear and anxiety that this may not be the last attack by the Beasts that Rend that they experience...
Meanwhile, the bourgeoisie of Port-a-Lucine continue to act and behave as normal. Those of the upper-crust who hear of what occurred in Le Muse Endiablee dismiss it as mere fantasy. After all, there's no such thing as werewolves or wererats. Oui?
-
A familiar black skull can be seen painted in various places around the Ouvrier. Almost as if it were a territorial marker.
-
Locals talk of a strange and mysterious man who wanders the streets, cloaked and hooded he avoids contact with all those he encounters, fleeing and disappearing when confronted. He appears to be searching for something, or hiding from someone, or both.
-
A short and dry notice appears in all the Hospices of Hala.
"The Members of the so-called 'Family' have no deals with our mission of charity, and any dealing with them is, from now on, unwelcomed".
-
[A large caliban known to work for the vardo is seen staggers threw the streets, blood runs from his back, he staggers and falls alot he can't seem to walk hardly, he is offered no help.]
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The presence of Vallaki's Red Vardo Captain, Vasco Silivasi, has been noted in the Quarter Ouvrier with strange frequency both day and night. The Borcan seems to casually stroll about intently gazing upon each and every crumbling structure he passes. Silivasi, his dislike of the city well known in some circles is not known for taking in the sights when in the city on business.
-
A few terrified children, miraculously spared a grusome end, whisper in the forgotten corners of the sewers of another stanger come to take heads. This is not uncommon in such a brutal and desperate place. But this "Black Knight" made no sound as he cut men down except for a strange hollow laugh, that carried with it no joy or delight, only bitterness and hatred echoing through the blood splattered streets.
-
A young urchin mutters in a shaking voice punctuated by sobs. Whimpering her tale out to the other street rats in the slums “Dressed in black, laughing, but it was a bad laugh… like when the mad people scream… or the dead people cry… ‘is sword was glowin’ red, like he’d brought it form hell. The red glow would shine out though the dark and light up the people a second before ‘e cut ‘um down. All the time laghin’.
‘E’s walking through all the Bosses men, like they were nuffin, they tried to stop ‘im but they cut him and the blood poured and all it did was make ‘im laugh more… screaming at them to try harder because death were comin’ for ‘um.
The Boss were the last to fall, but ‘e didn’t die right away, ‘e just looked up at that shadowed ‘ood and asked ‘im “why?” and the metal man in black, ‘e jus’ leaned over, and ‘is voice were quiet and empty and made me feel like the ice were comin’ for me in the middle of the night.
E’ said “Your pain is helping me ease my own, and I bless you for that.” And then ‘is sword came down, glowin’ brighter like the blood were feedin’ it and ‘e carried the ‘ed away leavin’ a long trail o’ red after ‘im.
E saw me o’ course and turned that empty ‘ood to look right at me, but e’ jus’ flicked the blood off ‘is sword and kept walking. I ain’t never goin’ down to that lodge again!”
-
Rumor has it that dozens of urchin children have began to disappear during the late hours of the night - some supposedly snatched right from their beds, never to be seen from again. Why is this happening?
-
[Angry citizens of Port-à-Lucine cluster around the Government food providers in the Quartier Ouvrier, demanding their food tickets to be honored. However most days the all food is gone within a few short hours after they open their doors, and many are forced to leave empty handed. The surplus of vouchers and lack of stocked food is mostly chalked up to poor planning by local magistrates.]
-
The following is posted in several locations around the Quartier Ouvier, particularly near the food providers:
SEEKING FIVE APPRENTICES
Among the following crafts:
Smithing, Woodworking, Leatherworking,
Herbalism, Alchemy, Bowyering,
Fletching, Hunting
Benefits:
Learn a profitable trade.
Daily food rations as you learn.
Potential for travel around the Core, according to interest.
Requirements:
Clean legal record
Willing to work hard
Must speak the common trade language
Seek out Erynne Perselli at the Forge de Vincent, or leave word how to contact you.
-
Two people been seen walking throughtout Ourivier district wearing simillar amulets with an ox and giving away food to people.
THey looked different from the usual city crowd. It is unknown from where did they come from and where did they go affterwards.
Perhaps there is still hope?
-
Two people been seen walking throughtout Ourivier district wearing simillar amulets with an ox and giving away food to people.
THey looked different from the usual city crowd. It is unknown from where did they come from and where did they go affterwards.
Perhaps there is still hope?
There was a woman and a man. The woman resembled the one who put up posters yesterday, advertising openings for apprentices at various crafts.
-
[Rumors spread of a man called "Jean of the Hood" donating a large surplus of food to the Hospice of Hala. The man was clad in black, hooded and masked, the only color was a shamrock on his coat's Lapel]
-
[Among the dirtied beggars and homeless in the streets of the Quartier Ouvrier, a woman of mixed heritage wearing exotic armor has been recently seen walking the streets and speaking with the people here. Two questions, regardless of what else is spoken, always seem to arise from this woman, one regarding any living relative of a woman named Michelle Delcroux, and the other inquiring the whereabouts of the family of a man who traveled to Barovia a few weeks ago and never returned.]
-
*A pale skinned woman adorning two rather large and noticeable horns scurries around the streets of Port-a-Lucine hiding behind invisibility as she carefully slips flyers under the doors of all the locals businesses of Quartier Marchland and Ouvrier early one morning.*
(http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1994/bluerose11.gif)
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Several crates of apples, expensive wine, barly beer, caviar, and fresh vetables, and vension have been given to the main hospice in the Ouvrier. With all of the crates, a single note was left on one of them.
"Jean of the Hood; Vive la Revolution"
-
Those who travel frequently through the streets of the Quartier Ouvrier might comment on a certain few paces of bloodstained road on one of the main paths of the city and the crumbling stone wall adjacent to it faintly marked by a faded more rough eroded circle. Most likely unable to easily identify the damage as acid erosion, it's quite easy to overlook or dismiss the peculiar darker circle. Travelers with more keen eyes taking the time to stare enough at the scene might notice the shielded shadow of a smaller framed figure on the otherwise eroded surface of the surrounding wall.
-
The warm spring night is rumored to bring happiness, and love in Dementlieu. Two nights ago brought forth happiness as the Hospice was overstocked with meats, fruits, and vegetables. A man believed to be Jean of the Hood rode off towards the docks on horse back, leaving a cart full of crates with much needed food. Whatever they couldn't store was handed out to the beggars, and people left homeless from the fires.
-
Following the ball hosted by one Miss Miuo Nevai, a large donation was given to the Hospice. Consisting of just over Fifteen thousand Solars, along with a shocking amount of Rubies and Emeralds. Various armors, and weapons along with other useful trinkets were donated to the local guard for the war. The donations were handed out by a whisp of a woman clad heavily in black fabrics.
-
Agents of the Blue Rose Company are recently seen wandering through the Ouvrier passing out large quantities of coin to every person they came across... Some rumors tell that they must have donated as much as thirty thousand solars to the lower-class of the city!
-
Agents of the Blue Rose Company are recently seen wandering through the Ouvrier passing out large quantities of coin to every person they came across... Some rumors tell that they must have donated as much as thirty thousand solars to the lower-class of the city!
Unfortunately, the Blue Rose's actions, while magnanimous, have made the individual solar's value plummet, driving up the cost of bread, rent, drinkable water, blankets, and other things the poor might need. This hyperinflation has not affected the rich, who certainly have the fiscal means to get what they need in the broken Dementlieuse wartime economy.
-
Smoke rose above Quartier Ouvrier as a derelict Warehouse was set aflame. Rumor has it that the controversial Ezrite heretical cult of Falknovian mad physician Lilas Wurtbeich has been torched.
-
Rumour has it that a group of women discovered a vile Falkovnian lurking in a hovel in the poor quarter. He had accomplices and a number of women he was forcing to work the streets for him offering various unsavoury services. A brief struggle ensued during wich the Falkovnian slaver and his thugs were slain. Afterwards the women took his prisoners with them as they headed for another part of the city.
-
Recently the newest addition to the Port-a-Lucine business world has been seen often visiting the Ouvrier in the day time, handing out solars here and there and speaking with the less fortunate. Rumor is that she is offering them jobs in her new club.
-
Recently beggars and commoners alike are speaking of a young white haired woman in Morningloridan Robes who is often seen traveling from one Halite House to the next with several supplies of extra bandages, clothing, and food rations left at each one. She is seen speaking to those that will listen to her of hope for all no matter where they may have been born from. She is seen offering not only donations of food and clothing and medicine but also of words of hope.
-
Rumours abound that a black armoured man has been seen in the Quartier Ouvrier after dark for the past few nights, purging the streets of the typical criminal blight that resides there. When daylight begins to creep over the grand Ezrite temple, all that remains on the streets are the broken bodies of the caliban gangleaders and human mobsters. Only the thief-children, the Waifs, seem untouched.
-
Rumors of a tragic event echo through the city.
In the outskirts of the city, in an otherwise outwardly pleasant and normal farmhouse, was the scene of a grisly nightmare. Within the house was a terrible sight, a family brutally murdered in their own home. A husband and his two children viciously slain by what appeared to be bite and claw marks, and bore holes rudely cut into the body which were traumatized in a way most foul. The bloodbath was contained to a single room, but the story goes that the man's wife was also taken, so not one, but two foul crimes took place in the same night.
The only clue found was a bloodied copy of the holy book of the morninglord temple, and some ripped pieces of one of their holy vestments.
-
Where starvation and disease are both so common-place, it takes a lot to get the attention of many dwelling within Quartier Ouvrier. However, a recent act of depravity has caught their attention and more.
In the northern part of the Quartier Ouvrier, a group of beggars has long taken to squatting in an old abandoned warehouse. Reeking of fæces and urine, the inside of the warehouse certainly looks no better than it smells. Nevertheless, the beggars would seek shelter come nightfall and warm themselves by a small fire formed in the middle of the dilapidated building, which is well on its way towards falling apart.
Loud cries for help were unanswered as someone proceeded to make short work of all the beggars, five in all. Two of the beggars appeared to be completely exsanguinated, with only small flecks of blood visible on the metal floor. The only wound that can be seen on the entire body is a cut made along the wrist of their right arms, severing a vein. The third beggar has, likewise, been drained of blood and bears an unhealthy pallor, though the incision has been made across the jugular.
The final two beggars were simply run through by a thin weapon, one that pierces through the entire body, skewering it entirely, these wounds having created considerably more blood on the metal floor, and on the nearby crates...
-
Whispers begin to circulate the poorer parts of Port-à-Lucine detailing the return of a man known as "Le Souffrance". After disappearing for several months, the vigilante seems to have returned with a vengeance.
Earlier today, a group of notorious criminals were terrorizing Quartier Ouvrier and Quartier Marchand in -broad daylight-, accosting groups of sailors and peasants alike. When the infamous axe-murderer Renard Jean-Pierre attempted to cleave a street urchin's skull in twain, A man burst from the crowd, his face concealed behind a hood and mask.
As quickly as it began, it was over. Renard lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, the masked man standing over him. He flicked a single coin onto the corpse, before seemingly disappearing into thin air. A witness examined the coin after the event, and found that it was no ordinary solar.
It appeared to be emblazoned with a Raven in flight, clutching a rose in it's Talons.
OOC: Rationalizing a Spawn-Bug during the day as a crime-wave
-
A few people in Port Lucine start to develop a harsh cough.
-
For the past month a young elf has been seen regularly visiting the poorer districts of Port-a-Lucine, appearing at random every few days. Her time there is split between various activities, and she rarely stays through the night – appearing in the early hours of the morning and staying through the afternoon before departing again. For the most part she spends these few hours playing in the streets with the children, and often her games are little more than an excuse to share her “snacks” with them – slices of bread and cheese, fruit, and occasionally even strips of dried meat. When not occupied by the children, she tends to help out the local charitable institutes by completing small chores, cleaning or cooking. She rarely offers help by way of riches, almost never donating coin, and while her presence is a helpful one, she tends to go about her business discreetly.
Dressed in worn commoner's clothing, the only thing that marks her as an unusual guest are the pointed ears that reveal her as Fey, and the pair of mismatched eyes that make her easily recognizable. When asked for her name, she replies only with a smile and: “I'm no one. Just call me Lady.”
[[OOC: This has been going on for quite a while now, but since no DM attention has been involved I haven't posted it up until now. Now that there is a plague going around Port, I figured this to be relevant. : ) ]]
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There have been an increasing number of reports about corpses attacking bandits on the streets at night. With the chaos going on in Barovia, Rumors spread wondering if the spreading plague is to blame for these creatures or if there might be a necromancer on the loose.
-
With increasing concerns of plague, the city of Port-a-Lucine is closed off by the Council of Brilliance, with entry or exit of the city denied to all traveler. One of the last people seen entering the city was the Ezrite templar Marcus Hulford, said to be checking in on the city's congregation of faithful at Ste. Mere-des-Larmes cathedral.
-
Word spreads like wildfire through the village that an Outlander Priest named Shy'Nar has found the cure for the plague in the Village of Barovia. It's only a matter of time before shipments of the cure arrive in Port....
-
The last nights have been of panic for the dark alleys of the Quartier Ouvrier.
The local gangs and scélérats are having a harsh time on the last days due to what they call "Mort des Brumes" or something close to "Death from the Mists", an apparition that seems to come through a fog of fetid smell and that some say to vindicate upon the ones that ran against the justice.
Whatever it really is, the only thing one is sure is that more and more mercenaries, cutthroats and thieves are seen butchered in horrific ways when the dawn comes to Quartier Ouvrier. The Sisters of Hala are more and more concerned about the safety of their people. Even if the Mort des Brumes only targeted the vile, none knows when they might swirl towards others.
As it would be expected, what happens at Quartier Ouvrier hardly reaches the ears of the Gendarmerie, and when it does, rarely interests them.
-
Word around the Slums is that a Darkonese man by the name of Sergius is hunting the poor with a spear. News goes around of how he slaughtered children and people just looking to sleep. The bodies of the children and the poor in the abondend warehouse being testimony to these graphic tales. But like with most that happens in ourvier. It stays in the ourvier and does not reach the lofty ears of the rich nobles.
-
For several days and weeks, one of the Government Food Provider establishments in Quartier Ouvrier has been assaulted by odd noises, tremors, foul scents and flashes of light coming from their new neighbors, the shop known as L'Ancienne Vermine - Shop of Wondrous Desires.
Who knows what sort of thing they have been up to there...
-
~As per usual bodies of some of the local toughs emerge as the sun crests over the horizon, yet oddly the scene is altogether much more horrific than usual, pools of blood and scattered entrails litter the gutters, One 'Victim' an unidentified female had the groin chewed out of it, as if devoured by some beast with a voracious appetite and yet Ironically not many seem to care. It is however certain whatever Ill befell those poor souls in the dark of night, it was not a pleasant experience~
-
Gerard Selosse has been seen giving out to the people of the slum food and clothing to the people who live and work in the slums. He simply smiles and just says "I am doing this to help my people" if asked.
-
.
-
[A man is seen delivering flyers and notes that speaks of a necromancer hiding away in the Presses.
They speak of said Necromancer being a student in the university and a member of several prestigious groups around the city.
They are signed with the initials "Q. E."]
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[A man is seen delivering flyers and notes that speaks of a necromancer hiding away in the Presses.
They speak of said Necromancer being a student in the university and a member of several prestigious groups around the city.
They are signed with the initials "Q. E."]
Any posters found would be torn down Emanuele Quattrocchi, mumbling something about foolish rumor mills.
-
The promising actor, Emanuele Quattrocchi, was seen shuffling from the Halan Hospice, sporting a bandaged neck and a cane to support him. Witnesses say he was as pale as death. The young, clearly upset man went to the Tenements, where he has remained since.
-
Siobhan Crowley of the Theatre de la Cathedral is seen spending more of her days and nights in a Halan Hospice, kneeling by the bed of a young man. She spends hours next to him, murmuring incoherently. The woman it looks, hasn't slept or bathed recently...she only sits there.
-
The young Borcan bard, Emanuele Quattrocchi, brought low in his attempts to save that which he cared most about in his life, moved for the first time since his mind was taken from him: he closed his eyes.
They'd never open again.
-
Howls echoed throughout the night in port. Many of the thugs in the quartier ouvrier have been mauled, eviscerated and partially, if not entirely, eaten. The streets are covered in gore. There is something on the prowl in Port it would seem.
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Once again there seems to have been a massacre in the Quartier Ouvrier. Thugs and thieves are torn to shreads, bodies partially eaten, some missing their brain or heart. Something foul ran a muck during the night. Howls could be overheard.
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A gruesome display of blood and gore has become visible in the Quartier Ouvrier. Rumor has it the infamous caliban witch serial killer has come to Port-a-lucine. The creatures blood lust is more apparent than ever before as well... new messages alongside the traditional "OMNIA NAM TIBI! ZAHLIA!" appear...
(http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/7805/v045.jpg)
This message roughly translates out to be "BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS! ZAHLIA!" .A halfling bandits body can be seen nailed to the bounty sign it's stomach split open for all to see... While the men killed may have been twisted thieves, whatever lurks the streets at night now is something more horrifying.
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A young, brightly dressed woman wearing a large purple and gold cloak and hood has been passing out copies of the latest paper of Port-au-Lucine: L'Homme Éclairé!
OOC: http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=35447.0
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//A sign is posted at the bounty board.
Thou hath claimed to be in possession of one of ours, as thy missives hath noted. This may hath held truth in a time long since past but now you merely hold in hand a pathetic wretch. A shell of one who once embraced truth and service. She is of little worth, but this husk of a partial woman is of even less worth.
Thou hath begged for an exchange. So may it be.
Near the border of the land of the Mulan and those held by the Count is a village. Passing north through that village brings one to a mighty fane. To the north and east of this edifice is a place for the dead. This is where such an exchange will take place.
Gather up the traitor and come to this place with no intent to join in combat and thou shall hath thy companion once more.
~P
-
On and off over the last few days thugs have been found by the Gendarmes in a most peculiar state. While their bodies are full of blood it appears that they are now aged drastically. The remains are often torn to shreds by what seems to be claws of some sort. Their hair is streaked with white as they appear to have been drained of their life force. There does not seem to be any puncture wounds like a vampire attack. What could be causing these victims?
-
A number of these posters have been hung up around Port-à-Lucine:
Beware! Necromancers lurk the streets!
Renée Bellamy, editor-in-chief of La Bougie, was assaulted by a Nerull-worshipping necromancer last evening. The culprit was a deathly thin woman with cloth wrapped around her head, and wore what appeared to be a black tunic and pants with metal studs.
The culprit tortured Renée extensively before subjecting her to horrific necromantic experiments. Renée's face was cut off and an eyeball gouged out. Despite receiving prompt magical healing, she is still blind in one eye.
Exercise caution if you see the woman. She is capable of making herself invisible and knows how to move quietly to avoid detection. She can lurk out of the shadows at any moment to catch a person who has lowered their guard. She is also capable of casting see invisibility, do not rely on magic to keep yourself hidden from her!
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During the daylight, an Ezrite priest donning green Anchorite robes, can be seen standing by the cobble road in the quarter, offering free food, alms, clean clothing and healing to any and all requiring such form of assistance.
-
[Several copies of the latest issue of L'Observateur are posted in and around the slums, most of them 'edited'...]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(http://i.imgur.com/VWrwY0H.jpg)
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A flood of new clothes, food and small toys flood the Quarter. Though neither extravagant nor expensive the gesture seems to be well received by the poorer denizens of the city.
All distributors are conspicuously dressed in the full livery of House de Vauqelin...
Some parents recall the young visconte before his ascent to the upper nobility and tell the tale to their small children.
"Nice to see Leandre hasn't forgotten his own..."
"There's a man who deserves what he's got..."
"That boy's goin' places..."
-
Reports have noted the handsome celebrity of Port - The Knight of Song - has been seen in the Ouvier. Singing for the people inspired Hymns and ballads, and handing out loaves of bread. Notices have also been placed for auditions, for a very special Ouvier performance!
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Reports have noted the handsome celebrity of Port - The Knight of Song - has been seen in the Ouvier. Singing for the people inspired Hymns and ballads, and handing out loaves of bread. Notices have also been placed for auditions, for a very special Ouvier performance!
In addition to the knight of Song, the newly made Baron Edmond Montte has been seen helping to hand out fresh fish and potatoes to the various commoners of the ourvier.
-
Further word spreads of the recent charity by Dementlieu's own Knight of Song, and the Lord Baron Montte. Together having discovered a large fire near the Government food provider, they moved quickly to smoother it, as witnessed by those around. They went to handing out fish, potatoes, (and apples, grapes and cherries for the children) there, in the the heart of the Ouvier and outside the closed provider.
The uplifting music of violin danced through the allies and streets, brightening the day of many who heard it. But not long into half the day, a mob of angry commoners was seen pushing and shoving each other for a chance to receive these noble handouts. Acting quickly it is reported that the knight of Song, A notable exhortationist in battle, used his skills and force of personality to influence these people to not turn on each other. Successful, they banded together, and it is said that he gave them all enough solars to buy their children new shoes.
"Such honor," they cried along with other praises. Montte and LeFebvre were seen leaving the Ouvier together before dusk, seeming to be pleased with their day's work. The following days, the Ouvier would become alive again with the sweet sounds of violin, drawing them back to his hand outs like a pied piper.
-
[The efforts of private individuals, wealthy and otherwise, seem to keep the people of Quartier Ouvrier decently fed... at least for now. One must wonder what shall happen when the generosity of the privileged begins to run out...]
-
[both Baron Montte, the knight of song and a local of the ourvier, were seen handing out food and food slips to the poor following the trial.]
-
[An eerie calm consumes much of Ouvrier. Although Raoul Monet and Augustin DeLarge, after being acquitted by Councilor Josephine Chantreaux, were rumored to have been lynched by a large mob outside of the district, things become disturbingly quiet.]
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[Recent fundraising efforts for the poor and downtrodden begin to yield fruit. Rumor spreads that a few publicly-owned workhouses existing in Quartier Ouvrier are, in fact, increasing the wages their employees receive, making it at least somewhat easier for some to pay their rent and feed their families. Some say the recent efforts made by the Théatre de la Cathédrale and its director, Zidonne LeFebvre, are the cause for this slight improvement in the quality of life for some.
Food remains on the table in spite of the Government Food Providers being closed. Baron Montte and the funds raised from his fencing competition are part of the reason, but some of the food is said to have came from sources... unaccounted for. The commoners are tight-lipped about where much of this food may have came from, which some members of the gentry following the situation find more than a little unsettling. Still, as long as they have food on the table, the hoi polloi shain't take to the streets, right?]
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Colorful flyers appear all over the Ouvrier advertising a coming faire. They seemed to have appeared over night.
-
Valerie Barbier entered the Ouvier with a bundle of woolen clothing in her arms, and wearing a fashionable purple suede hat. She walked around depositing the bundle of plain woolen clothes by the beggars shacks before leaving again.
-
[Despite the Government Food Providers remaining closed down due to the cut in Dementlieu's social programs, it seems that the private donations offered by a few, namely those presently managing the Théatre de la Cathédrale, are keeping the majority of the commons at least treading water. The occasional rumblings of discontent in Quartier Ouvrier remain, however, as few have forgotten the factions of the debased nobleman, Raoul Monet, and his acquittal by Councilor Chantreaux, the same woman who pushed for social programs being cut in favor of shoring up the Dementlieuse military.
Not all the news is bad, however. Rumor spreads that a massive windfall of money has fallen into the hands of one lucky family, the Beauvoirs, and a little girl and his loving grandfather have purchased for themselves a modest estate in the Quartier Savant. This rags-to-riches story inspires a few, and they begin to work harder in the workhouses in the hopes that luck might shine down on them as well.]
-
[The news of Hélène duSuis, known to be a friend of the people and perhaps the most beloved member on the Council of Brilliance, siding with Pauline Jenout and her revolutionaries, has many in Quartier Ouvrier cheering, singing her praises. The wine flows at La Muse Endiablèe as quaint little ditties are written championing duSuis and all she has done for the common people of Dementlieu.]
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[To spite the recent smear article in the paper (http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=21393.msg484107#msg484107), and the rumors, Zidonne continues to show up every day for hours in the morning at his privately run food provider, and blissfully provide rations and staples to those in need. One might even say, his smile was just a little brighter today, than it was before.]
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Food, drink and solars make their way into the hands of a great deal of the Quartier's down trodden in little purple paper parcels this morning. Upon each is stamped the seal of House Vauqelin. Though a bit macabre in design, the old Mordentish house's crest is becoming a welcomed sight to the people of the Quartier Ouvrier these days...
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2vry5hy.gif)
De ma table à votre table!
-Leandre de Vauqelin
-
[A writer known for his incendiary diatribes, Auguste Tobias, was shot in the head by a mysterious gunman. Many who knew Tobias as a loving family man are up in arms about this, believing Guignol's jackbooted thugs to have killed the man.]
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[A new song starts to make the rounds, sung first at La Muse Endiablèe and then spreading from there; a song of revolution, defiance and passion]
Debout les damnés de la terre
Debout les forçats de la faim
La raison tonne en son cratère
C'est l'éruption de la fin
Du passe faisons table rase
Foules, esclaves, debout, debout
Le monde va changer de base
Nous ne sommes rien, soyons tout.
L'état comprime et la loi triche
L'impôt saigne le malheureux
Nul devoir ne s'impose au riche
Le droit du pauvre est un mot creux
C'est assez, languir en tutelle
L'égalité veut d'autres lois
Pas de droits sans devoirs dit-elle
Egaux, pas de devoirs sans droits
Hideux dans leur apothéose
Les rois de la mine et du rail
Ont-ils jamais fait autre chose
Que dévaliser le travail
Dans les coffres-forts de la bande
Ce qu'il a crée s'est fondu
En décrétant qu'on le lui rende
Le peuple ne veut que son dû.
-
[Word spreads that the poor laborers who have heeded Pauline Jenout's call and are refusing to go to work until conditions improve... are all surprisingly hale and healthy. One would think the downtrodden workers would be all starving without the meager wages needed to provide food for themselves and their families, but this is not the case.]
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[Smoke billows from the Quartier Ouvrier. Firebrands hawk subversive pamphlets openly while men armed with muskets and whatever else they can find man hastily erected barricades... they are preparing for something (http://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?p0=746&iso=20150120T20&msg=%3f%3f%3f)...]
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((This is in roughly 20 minutes!))
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[The commonfolk are in uproar, as news of Pauline Jenout's death at the hands of vile assassins spreads throughout the Quartier Ouvrier. The ranks of the revolutionaries swell and the rhetoric of the more prominent members becomes more venomous, as they call for 'blood for blood' and speak of 'justice' for their martyred leader.]
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A foreign woman in red returns to the quarter early in the morning to give food to the hungry and preach the words of her god called The Lord of Light to the masses. Today's lesson is on "where they are now is hell and only threw her god can they find salvation. The woman was seen performing some tricks of prestidigitation involving fire that some thought looked genuine.
-
[The Ouvrier witnessed a blood bath, as a band of local heroes swept through the streets, slaying ne'er-do-wells, scoundrels, and villains of all sorts, taking advantage of the chaos of Foquelaine's death. Zidonne LeFebvre, a constant champion for the Ouvrier, returned to open the LeFebvre Food Provider and Sundry straight from the fighting - blood sodden, filthy like the rest of them, and armed to take down any more trouble for the poor in need of providence. In addition, he has been seen placing posters where he can, while playing a victorious tun eon the violin, that read:
Foquelaine is dead! Viva la Dementlieu!
This is the time that we stand together, and rebuild our most serene Republic!
-
A new face to Dementlieu stands out, as a Falkovnian man has been seen moving through the city assessing the fallen, damage sustained to the city and its homes, though mainly he seems intent on assisting the various hospices scattered around the city, offering minor spells of healing from his goddess, Hala.
Some might know him by the name of Dietrich.
-
Throughout the Ouvrier, Agents of the Red Vardo Traders are seen distributing extra food and medical supplies to those in need.
-
[rumors speak of how with captaines Reynard and Dupree are missing currently, that Baron Edmond Montte has claimed to be the current acting captaine of the gendarme]
-
[The Ouvrier has once again turned to fighting in the streets as impoverished witnesses cry out in outrage at the brutal murder of a young boy. Witnesses claim that one of their very own, the new Revolutionary Gendarme dragged a small child into the middle of the streets, gouging out his eyes before snapping his neck and crushing his skull. Has the new government turned their back on their own people so soon? Is this the change the people of Port-A-Lucine lost so much for?]
-
[The LeFebvre Provider and Sundry, standing for aid and defending those seeking help during the civil unrest, continues to stand open. Zidonne, the property owner, has been seen patrolling the streets, armed, fending off brigands and calibans. The building itself is faring only by the repairs it receives, and word spreads that the LeFebvres intend to move the efforts to the auditorium of the theatre instead, until proper repairs can be made to the building structure - lest it falls apart on them.]
-
Mareta the red woman an employee of the Theatre is seen wearing her pistol as she helps with the packing and the eventual move of The LeFebvre Provider and Sundry supplies. Those in need are still provided for as she stays extra hours seeing to the peoples food and spiritual needs through prayer and sermons. Today she was heard to speak of the Lord of Lights message of salvation from the hell we live in, and how the faithful will stand by his side in the hereafter.
-
[Edmond has been seen patrolling the streets of the ourvier, looking to make sure that the people are safe from the thugs and criminals which have been taking advantage of the quariter in the chaos]
-
[A huge Hin has taken up residence in the Halfling Ghetto in the Ouvrier, nearly four and a half feet tall! He proudly tells anyone who'll hear he is "Ricard Gripp - World's tallest Halfing!"]
-
[Work has begun to repair the property once known as the LeFebvre Provider and Sundry after an explosion wrecked the building's front wall. The workers are seen making repairs to the neighboring establishments on the pay of the properties owner, Zidonne LeFebvre.]
-
[Work has begun to repair the property once known as the LeFebvre Provider and Sundry after an explosion wrecked the building's front wall. The workers are seen making repairs to the neighboring establishments on the pay of the properties owner, Zidonne LeFebvre.]
[More often than not Mareta the "The Lady in Red" can be found working along side Zidonne LeFebvre at the provider and preaching about her god the Lord Of Light.
-
[With repairs nearly complete to the Provider, local celebrity Zidonne LeFebvre has been seen helping with hands on labor - much to the enjoyment of the local ladies, who enjoy watching him and his crew tirelessly and with merriment work where they are able. News spreads that the well to do man has also included plans to make other repairs where cannon fire damage was made - though lacking in any permits, the repairs remain those which are needed to get by on. Still, with song once again echoing through the streets and alley ways, there is a thin ray of hope.]
-
It is said Mareta the Red priestess is seen shortly after the recent play in the Quarter Ouvrier preaching about placing love of money before their neighbor and the Lord of Light, and how greed lead to all the citys past troubles. As if to make a point at the end it is said she scattered a thousand solars into the crowd telling them this will feed you for now but will it give you salvation in the afterlife?
-
Rumor has it a bonfire gathering took place last night, where food and wine was served to the people, and Mareta the Red Priestess of the Lord Of Light was preaching to those gathered. The sermon was about the city needing to be rebuilt both spiritually, and physically and they should all do their part to to make it the glorious example of civilization that it can be. Help your neighbors find The Lord of Lights salvation, help one another so that we may grow strong! After the red Priestess speech she was seen to be in the company of one Juliette Marchand where they spent a long wile talking near the bonfire.
-
Priestess Maretas speech at this evenings bonfire gathering in the Quartier Ouvrier is said to have been especially "fire and brimstone" in nature. She spoke of the choices we all make between good and evil, right and wrong, the one true god of good the Lord Of Light, and the Evil of the great other. She encouraged those of the faithful to to share the message of salvation to those deceived by demon thrall faiths. Help those who turn to the side of good and do not associate with those who hear our Lords words yet refuse to choose good over evil.
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Rumor has it that at the most recent bon fire gathering, Mareta the red priestess of the Lord of Light preached about the goddess Ezra. She spoke about a man who destroyed an altar in the Mist Camp devoted to the Lord of Light, and then she did the same to his demon thrall god Ezras when he threatened to kill her. Its said that the demon Ezra then used the mists to attack the red priestess proving that Ezra is one with the evil mists once and for all. Wine and food was served and a straw dummy dressed like an Ezrite was burned in effigy.
-
Word spreads that the local celebrity, Zidonne LeFebvre, has been more actively involved in the welfare of the poor and common peoples - swinging open the doors of the LeFebvre charity house in the Ouvrier, and offering free music lessons to aspiring performers. With a fresh shipment of woolens for the winter time, and hardy non-perishables, he has been in a jovial mood. He spreads the word of Illmater, some say, and how Ezra has guided him since his separation from his beloved god.
Word also spreads that he is spending less and less time with his rumored fiance, the red woman Mareta, and more time with his beautiful brother doing good work. There might be speculation that the change of tone is an indirect attack on the zealous preaching of the Lord of Light - but this is just idle speculation. For now, good music pours into the Ouvrier, followed by the laughter of those who benefit from it.
-
[Word slowly spreads of a heinous robbery that took place last night, in one of the most peculiar of places. Tomes and scrolls filled with forbidden lore were taken from L'Bibliotheque Obscure's sealed alcove, a part of the strange bookstore that occultist Draycott Foucault allows only close friends and confidants to borrow from. Foucault has vowed to catch those responsible for the theft, a pair of criminals calling themselves "The Grey Malkin" and "The Mouse"...]
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[A large misshapen hulk of a man wearing a mask made of iron and dressed in grime-covered finery can be seen moving from one alleyway to the next in the less opulent parts of Port-a-Lucine. Moving mostly at night, who or even what this enigmatic figure might be remains a mystery...]
-
[The Sergeant Jerome de La Salle can be seen leading a small detachment of Company of the Fox soldiers throughout the district, loudly proclaiming that the Company seeks new recruits for the impending Campaign near the county's southern border. Looking quite professional in their freshly cleaned uniforms, and respectful with their muskets shouldered and blades sheathed at their sides, the soldiers implore the citoyens of the Ouvrier to join the ranks if they wish to seek La Glorie and La Fortune! The high pay that the Company promises from spoils of campaigns is emphasized here]
-
[A man dressed in Company of the Fox colours, introducing himself as Elric Wilcus, eldest son of House Wilcus, priest of The First and soldier of the Company of the Fox is seen distributing food to those in need of it]
-
[Rumors abound about the upcoming Golden pistol Contest that House Sallembier and the Red Vardo Traders are hosting together.]
-
[Flyers are being distributed around the Ouvrier by a lanky figure garbed entirely in black, his face concealed with cloth wrappings and a long, black mask.]
L'Eglise de l'Ombre
On behalf of the Lord of Shadows, I extend my aid and services to the downtrodden and the forgotten -- for the Shadows never forget, and will always take them in. I shall make myself available in the Market. My services include but are not limited to:
Healing of wounds
Curing of diseases
Resurrection of the recently deceased
Spells of deception
Training and education in the ways of Masque, the Lord of Shadows
Walk in shadow,
-Frère Ombre
(http://i.imgur.com/9LRQ12z.png)
-
[Rumors abound of a shadowy figure chasing off a group of armed thugs in the Quartier Ouvrier. The survivors of the attack relate impossible stories of an unnatural darkness filling the streets, a swordsman who melts into the shadows, and of a grievously wounded woman returned from the brink of death. The early-risers of the Ouvrier may even have seen the figure just before sunrise, escorting the woman to her home safely before disappearing into the mazelike alleyways of the quartier.]
-
[On the 26th of this month, during the early morning hours and throughout the day, a young woman dressed in fine clothing was seen in the Quartier Ouvrier dragging a huge, stuffed burlap sack, leaving baskets laden to the brim with clothing and both fresh and canned food in front of homes. She was joined shortly by two other individuals, the group as a whole seeming rather out of place with the downtrodden quarter. As time passed, near every home in the Ouvrier had a basket filled with goods on its front step.]
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Rumors abound of a night filled with screams some recount a situation occurring of a foreigner in drab brown leathers having been attacked by thugs and bullies. A shot was fired from the distance causing the foreigner to retaliate and defend himself. Witnesses from the bar by the gunshop could see from their second story windows the hunter with a bow fending off the fiends with relevant ease till many more joined the frey. To witnesses astonishment a large wolf came charging past gendarmie scaring off nobles to the district where it was seen rescuing and aiding the foreigner. Though a shot went off towards the wolf the foreigner seemed to had taken the wound its pet/ally bonding off to the river swimming across to land. Later reports say each thug was either subdued or slain an account of twenty-three men and six caliban of the twenty-nine only five were slain from bites or fatal arrow shots.
-
[Lieutenant Jerome de La Salle can be seen leading a small detachment of Company of the Fox soldiers throughout the district, loudly proclaiming that the Company seeks new recruits eager for a taste of La Glorie, and a chance to serve the Republique. Looking quite professional in their freshly cleaned uniforms, and respectful with their muskets shouldered and blades sheathed at their sides, the soldiers implore the citoyens of the Ouvrier to join the ranks. The high pay that the Company promises from spoils of campaigns and normal wages is emphasized here whilst they put up flyers for recruitment.]
-
The norm in the Ouvrier has been disturbed by a woman dressed in a manner uncharacteristic to the district, handing out baskets filled with winter-appropriate clothing to those unfortunate enough to have no home. The downtrodden in the streets must have almost forgotten the last time this same woman came around to prepare them for the harsh winter months...
-
A bit over a month has passed, and again came a round of winter clothing to the citizens of the Ouvrier, carried out by the same young woman, this time with company. The two friends made their way through the Ouvrier, handing out baskets to every homeless person, to every family in the upper Ouvrier, and to every family in the Halfling Quarter. As winter is not yet here, it is assumed by many that they will pass again with other such charitable acts before long.
-
Accompanied by a group of Fox Company soldiers, First Lieutenant Jerome de La Salle, addressed the people of the Ourvrier and Marchand, as well as many other notable citizens and foreigners, this evening. He spoke at length about the supposed Falkovnian threat looming over the Republique, and implored the citizens that action must be taken against the Hawks, if the people of Dementlieu wished to protect their livelihood and liberties. In contrast to other recent public orations, no violence erupted on the streets this night.
/// Was informed by DM present that the common folk would have been at the speech, though not represented in game.
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Word circulates around the commonfolk of l'Ouvrier, of fliers being handed off to some individuals by a burlap-robed figure, inviting them to the muck and dirt of the sewer below, in the markets inhabited by caliban and criminals, to receive healing, and any aid they may wish, be it personal advice or a guarantee of foodstuffs supplied to their homes. This offer is extended to any and all, and should the generous Sisters of Compassion be overburdened - let it be known there is an alternative.
//OOC: Should anyone wish to interact, PM me here on the forums, or simply come down to the Black Market during the evenings EST.
-
Word around the Ouvrier is that Hugo 'Longshanks' Lambert is looking for a few fellows with a pair of brass bastards above the knees to help him with a job.
OOC:// Feel free to give me a shout on the forums, on discord, or even IG via tells!
-
[Redacted- Rollback]
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Word circulates around the commonfolk of l'Ouvrier, of fliers being handed off to some individuals by a burlap-robed figure, inviting them to the muck and dirt of the sewer below, in the markets inhabited by caliban and criminals, to receive healing, and any aid they may wish, be it personal advice or a guarantee of foodstuffs supplied to their homes. This offer is extended to any and all, and should the generous Sisters of Compassion be overburdened - let it be known there is an alternative.
//OOC: Should anyone wish to interact, PM me here on the forums, or simply come down to the Black Market during the evenings EST.
These fliers begin to circulate once more.
-
The old store of Benoit Books is closed down. The owner has disappeared quickly, moving out in a single morning, with the majority of his stock loaded onto a carriage. The wildest rumour places him and his wife in a (perhaps fatal?) dispute, with members of the Ezrite faith to blame.
Regardless of the veracity of the gossip, his wife has not been seen... though many living on the street struggle to remember the last time they saw the beautiful Marielle Benoit, anyway.
-
The crack of musketry and pistol fire could be heard, along with shouts of commands and forceful opening of doors from within the abandoned Worker's Lodging and warehouse below. From the uniforms of those involved, seen prepping and debriefing in the street before and afterword, it seems like the Company of the Fox and Nationale Gendarmarie held a joint training exercise this evening...
-
As with every other night in the Quartier Ouvrier, the criminals take to the streets to find their living. Last night though something strange and terrible occurred; children, the desperate and downtrodden children struggling to make their way in this cold world... were the victims. Two girls, no older than nine were found, completely drained of their blood, a single precise incision on the side of their necks the only mark upon them.
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The dawn’s rays illuminate a macabre scene, two forms lie lifeless on the cobble-stones of the Quarter Ouvrier. A pool of sanguine blood encircles the two husks and the viscous liquid seeps into the crevices between the stones. The bodies were deliberately positioned in a mocking lovers’ embrace, as evidenced by the displacement of the liquid and distinct drag marks.
The waifish woman, clothed in tattered and blood-soaked rags, is blanched white in complexion save for a savage, crimson tear wound at her neck. Clutched in her lithe hand is a small blade, caked in viscera and blood. Her lover is horribly disfigured and barely recognizable as human. Remnants of chunks of flesh, ear, and appendages are scattered around the two. Incisions mar the edges of the mouths of both, carved upward into the semblance of a rictus grin.
Within the nimbus of blood, three distinct square-shaped indentations, arranged in the shape of a triangle, are present and accompanied by a series of booted tracks.
-
[The most recent deaths here and elsewhere in Port-a-Lucine seemed to have caught the attention of none other than the Great Detective, Alanik Ray! He can often be seen wandering the streets of the city's slums, his expression dour as he asks those living there about the grisly murders perpetrated in that side of town, recently. Who can say how long his presence there might be tolerated by the criminals known to dwell in that part of town, though...]
-
[A number of screeds can be seen posted throughout the Quartier Ouvrier, featuring a number of syntax errors and spelling mistakes. Most simply look at what is posted and move away, shaking their head, while a few seem to look it over with mild amusement, laughing. Whatever message they were trying to spread, it seems to be for the most part ignored, with most paying attention only to the obvious lack of proofreading and the strange comments about men...]
"Common, working women of Dementlieu, mothers and daughters who work in the mills and factories so they're fathers and husband can lay about- we, the Daughters of Jenout, write to you now, in order to inform you about a gross injustise, perpatraited by those who once claimed to be inheritors of the revalushinary spirit, protector of us ordinary folk - I speak, of course, of the Company of the Fox.
Caring more about coin and favor than prinsapal, they accepted a job from the chauvanist Gaston de Seyres, the Vicomte de Clermont. Knowing full well that he employs a debt repayment system, they still took the job and beat into submission proud women who did the right thing in rising up against the paytreearchry.
You may wonder why the women chose rise up against their male opressors- to act violently- the reason is simple my sisters- They were despereete, they were out of other options. The Company attempt to negosheate- To ask them to surrender what they had fought and bled for. But our sisters will not be swayed by there sweet lies. Why should the you not try to defend yerself from such barbarism, if put in the same positon.
Silvie Bossquet was a martur, a friend and lover- a heroine that we all women should look up to. Though she was butchered by the soldiers in the Company of the Fox , what she stood for shall not be forgotten- the brithright of sisterhood that all women share. It is her you should look to, not the Company of the Fox who are composed of sycophants, hypocrites, and traitors to the Revolution."
-
A grotesque sight catches the attention of those who dwell in squalor in the Quartier Ouvrier with the cresting of the sun over the horizon at first light. The emaciated body of a woman lies in a crumpled slump, a preternatural pallor washed over every inch of her exposed skin. A barbarous laceration mars the side of her neck; a jagged incision encircled in a blossoming of pink around the wound. Her tattered and patchwork clothes, along with bits of flesh, are rife with small tears, as if gnawed at by vermins’ toothy maws.
Surrounding the lifeless feminine figure is a littering of large rats; their stomachs engorged and distended. Noticeably absent, however, is a significant volume of blood given the savagery of the wound and collection of dead vermin. Only a splattering of crimson mars the filth-encrusted stones of the street.
As abruptly as the previous grisly murders ceased, whatever villain perpetrated this and the previous atrocities may have returned. Or, perhaps, it is just another dead waif, another impoverished victim claimed by the slums, the wretched obscured in the long-cast shadow of the illustrious City of Lights.
-
[Posters are adhered to the facades of various dilapidated structures around the Quartier Ouvrier, fresh parchment standing in contrast to the various strips of debris that litter the cobblestones. Elegant, looping Mordentish scripting of black ink elicits the attention of all passersby]
The True People of the Republique
All of us have undoubtedly witnessed the extensive littering of propaganda that the mercenary company floods our hallowed streets and lines our domiciles with. They are rife with pictures, painting the common laborer the fool that would kowtow to imagery rather than the lucidity of common sense and discernment! We, the true backs of the Republique are not so foolhardy as to fall for their duplicitous attempt to placate us from our decrees of liberty, of acknowledgement!
Their notices brand those that would fight to uphold their own truths, defiant in the face of insurmountable odds for liberty and justice, as traitors. They beckon the masses to join in their cause in defense of the noble Republique, deeming all others devious and cowardly. Yet these are the ones that hide behind banners. Wretched souls that have pledged their lives to commanders that view them as mere pieces upon a board, an acceptable sacrifice to further the agendas of those that manipulate the sovereignty of our great nation.
In truth, I pity them.
They are promised the grandiose accoutrements commensurate with dutiful service to a regime that barely acknowledges their existence beyond what they can provide for the gentry’s machinations. In earnest, they will be drained of their life-blood upon the cobblestones of our illustrious city whilst spilling the blood of their own brothers, their own kin. And they will sacrifice all this for a purpose unknown, hidden beneath the veneer of righteousness and patriotism.
If I am to bleed, to inflict pain, to offer all that I am in visceral protest, I will pledge only to the cause that I devote myself to in earnest.
I will elevate my fellow laborer, my neighbor, my kin, my family and my friends to a greater stratum than they currently reside. I will serve the impetus of the people, those that toil endlessly with the currency of a glistening sheen of sweat and the aching of back, rather than the whims of the bluebloods that pander only themselves and their personal agendas.
The decrees of the -FOX-, a notably duplicitous and cunning vermin amidst folklore, entreat you to consider your duty to the Republique, to defend liberty, to have the pride to meet your neighbors gaze should your refuse their beckoning…They say the Republique needs you, but where was this Republique in –OUR-- time of need? Why must we depend on the care of a foreign dogma, the sisterhood of Hala, to maintain our hospices that tend to our sick? Why are the patrols of the Gendarmerie noticeably absent from our crime-riddled streets?
Now they entreat you, brothers and sisters, for support in their war against those of our own. A mercenary company, refuted consistently by the Duchesse de Beauvais without acknowledgement, and the Gendarmerie that unerringly consider our homes and streets beyond salvaging or viability for security. Remember the barbarous butchering at the mill, the blood of our own people spilled as lamented by the Daughters of Jenout. Whilst we huddle in our modest homes at night, hovels in comparison to the lavish and posh interiors afforded to the gentry, nefarious men and women roam the street unchecked.
The mercenaries and Gendarmerie simply do not value your breath, my fellow man of Port-a-Lucine, until now.
This is the Port-a-Lucine they wish to perpetuate, my kindred. This is the sovereignty and sanctuary that they afford us. They will enlist you, if you allow them, maneuver you like cattle to the slaughter.
Pawns.
And after they have nearly razed the city, turning their weaponry, that resides dormant for now outside our ramparts, on the city and citizens itself, butchered those that stood for their –own—liberty and truth, they will employ -US- to rebuild the shattered husks of buildings and families that their warmongering left in their wake.
Until we have new representatives, those that will bend ear to the true life-blood of the City of Lights, those that continuously and unerringly devote blood, sweat, and labor to this land -daily-, I will not acquiesce to the mercenaries’ cries for recruitment. I will fight, assuredly, but for my own reasons and for the amelioration of my kin and family.
Not the Council.
Not the Gendarmerie.
Not the Company of the Fox.
For the -true- people of the Republique --- For us.
Rise up!
Our voices will reach a crescendo as they are echoed from every corner -
We will not tolerate this oppression and squalor any longer!
-May Liberty Never Acquiesce-
-Viva la population de la Republique-
-
[The trio of diatribes seem to have been removed mere hours after their appearance. In their place, some dozen new pieces of propaganda from the Company of the Fox now line the quarter's walls- the smell of fresh ink apparent on many of them.]
(http://i.imgur.com/gFTJEUw.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/0l9Z2UJ.png)
The True People of the Republique
All of us have undoubtedly witnessed the extensive littering of propaganda that the mercenary company floods our hallowed streets and lines our domiciles with. They are rife with pictures, painting the common laborer the fool that would kowtow to imagery rather than the lucidity of common sense and discernment! We, the true backs of the Republique are not so foolhardy as to fall for their duplicitous attempt to placate us from our decrees of liberty, of acknowledgement!
Their notices brand those that would fight to uphold their own truths, defiant in the face of insurmountable odds for liberty and justice, as traitors. They beckon the masses to join in their cause in defense of the noble Republique, deeming all others devious and cowardly. Yet these are the ones that hide behind banners. Wretched souls that have pledged their lives to commanders that view them as mere pieces upon a board, an acceptable sacrifice to further the agendas of those that manipulate the sovereignty of our great nation.
In truth, I pity them.
They are promised the grandiose accoutrements commensurate with dutiful service to a regime that barely acknowledges their existence beyond what they can provide for the gentry’s machinations. In earnest, they will be drained of their life-blood upon the cobblestones of our illustrious city whilst spilling the blood of their own brothers, their own kin. And they will sacrifice all this for a purpose unknown, hidden beneath the veneer of righteousness and patriotism.
If I am to bleed, to inflict pain, to offer all that I am in visceral protest, I will pledge only to the cause that I devote myself to in earnest.
I will elevate my fellow laborer, my neighbor, my kin, my family and my friends to a greater stratum than they currently reside. I will serve the impetus of the people, those that toil endlessly with the currency of a glistening sheen of sweat and the aching of back, rather than the whims of the bluebloods that pander only themselves and their personal agendas.
The decrees of the -FOX-, a notably duplicitous and cunning vermin amidst folklore, entreat you to consider your duty to the Republique, to defend liberty, to have the pride to meet your neighbors gaze should your refuse their beckoning…They say the Republique needs you, but where was this Republique in –OUR-- time of need? Why must we depend on the care of a foreign dogma, the sisterhood of Hala, to maintain our hospices that tend to our sick? Why are the patrols of the Gendarmerie noticeably absent from our crime-riddled streets?
Now they entreat you, brothers and sisters, for support in their war against those of our own. A mercenary company, refuted consistently by the Duchesse de Beauvais without acknowledgement, and the Gendarmerie that unerringly consider our homes and streets beyond salvaging or viability for security. Remember the barbarous butchering at the mill, the blood of our own people spilled as lamented by the Daughters of Jenout. Whilst we huddle in our modest homes at night, hovels in comparison to the lavish and posh interiors afforded to the gentry, nefarious men and women roam the street unchecked.
The mercenaries and Gendarmerie simply do not value your breath, my fellow man of Port-a-Lucine, until now.
This is the Port-a-Lucine they wish to perpetuate, my kindred. This is the sovereignty and sanctuary that they afford us. They will enlist you, if you allow them, maneuver you like cattle to the slaughter.
Pawns.
And after they have nearly razed the city, turning their weaponry, that resides dormant for now outside our ramparts, on the city and citizens itself, butchered those that stood for their –own—liberty and truth, they will employ -US- to rebuild the shattered husks of buildings and families that their warmongering left in their wake.
Until we have new representatives, those that will bend ear to the true life-blood of the City of Lights, those that continuously and unerringly devote blood, sweat, and labor to this land -daily-, I will not acquiesce to the mercenaries’ cries for recruitment. I will fight, assuredly, but for my own reasons and for the amelioration of my kin and family.
Not the Council.
Not the Gendarmerie.
Not the Company of the Fox.
For the -true- people of the Republique --- For us.
Rise up!
Our voices will reach a crescendo as they are echoed from every corner -
We will not tolerate this oppression and squalor any longer!
-May Liberty Never Acquiesce-
-Viva la population de la Republique-
[/quote]
-
[Posters are adhered to the facades of various decripit structures around the Quartier Ouvrier, parchment adorned directly adjacent to the littering of the Company of the Fox recruitment letters plastered over the previous notices. Elegant, looping Mordentish scripting fills the postings.]
True People of the Republique
How quickly our penned lamentations and decrees for justice and liberty are callously torn down!
Those that wish to entice you with feigned promises of glory, attempting to elicit a sense of duty within you, foolishly believing they can lead you astray from the truth meant to silence you. They believe we are unbefitting of choice, unworthy of a voice, and suitable only for fodder in their schemes. Know that their removal of our words only means that we have strummed the most mellifluous chords, a resonant beckoning of liberty and emancipation that has reached their attention!
Already word spreads of the violence and bloodshed that spills forth from of our countrymen. One of our own flesh, kin, claimed merely as a collateral and acceptable loss for being in the vicinity of the warmongers vying for monuments which our backs erect, our hands shape and form. They serve only to inflate their own hubris and the medium of which they utilize for their merciless ends is the blood, sweat, and labor of our kindred on -OUR- cobblestone streets.
Though they intend to deprive you of the choice, evidenced by their removal of our written decrees, they do not hold such power of you. We are the lifeblood of the city, the spirit that invigorates the streets, the crucial and imperative mechanisms that allow it to function and proliferate. I implore my fellow men to manifest their own destiny, empowered by their conscious decision, snatch up that which we deserve, that which we are entitled to from our years of service.
Do not be the impartial casualty of the booted heel, acrid stench of gunpowder, or keen piercing spear of barricade. You are imbued with the decision to remain a spectator in our demise, or worse, continuous subjugation and oppression --OR-- to rise up and be the arbiter of our shared prosperous future.
Seize what you yearn for your kin and yourself... FOR THE REPUBLIQUE!
-May Liberty Never Acquiesce-
-Viva la population de la Republique-
-
[Propaganda posters are plastered about the Quartier Ouvrier, each depicting a painted image of a multi-headed beast. Each neck spouts a head that is a mocking visage of a supporter of the Covenant forces. Attacking this monster, are two soldiers, one in Gendarmerie colors, and another, in the uniform of the Company of the Fox. A mob of citizens stand with pikes, scythes, and muskets, in support of the soldiers.]
(http://i.imgur.com/8gPvCIL.png)
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Early in the morning, two Gendarmerie officers are seen leading a stark red-haired man without shirt through the lower district. One bid him to place his hands up against a ruined wall, and the other drew his truncheon. The punishment soon to follow drew a light crowd, which near its conclusion, they started to throw rotten fruit at the man, having been revealed as the one to let a fire in the Tenements occur some small while back. The outburst was short lived, and the people ushered on after the spectacle's conclusion.
-
By the morning's end, a tall, red haired man, was seen being carried away by a small woman with a wide belly. They huddled in the rain on the edges of the Ouvrier until the crowds dispersed, and then were seen going their separate ways. The man looked worse for wear, and was seen later stumbling out of Dementlieu with a limp. Leaving a small amount of blood on the cobble to be washed away by the coastal rains.
-
[Notes was left on enter of each hospice of Hala.]
(https://pp.userapi.com/c834402/v834402544/c29ed/CzYYcMzWnGs.jpg)
Teaching to herbalism art for free.
Knowldge about healing herbs and potions.
For more inquiring minds - teaching to make complex and strong healing and restorative potions.
All lessons for free if one have true desire to help others and learn that art.
Left contacts and notes in:
Quartier Marchand,Les Presses du Savoir
to Medea Frafu
-
A sight to be seen occurred in the slums, starting in the afternoon and late into the night. Two Falkovnians wandered the streets, seemingly cleaning the place up. One dressed as a member of the Fox Company was ordering the other around. The other man seemed disgruntled but still did a fine job, if not in vain, attempt to make the streets clean. Those who bore witness, first hand, couldn't be sure if it was a theatrical improve grove, or the real deal of what they saw before them due to them speaking Falkovnian the entire time.
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In few hospices there was possible to see human woman in black and purple who for free was giving lessons about herbalism how to brew complex healing potions and even sharing recipes and methods how to brew potions which brings dead back to life.
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A man went into the Muse Endiablée with an enlisted People's National Army uniform. With the helpings of a few rounds at the lively tavern known for its music in the Ouvrier, the man claimed that today was the 'Re-founding' of the Company of the Fox with Oskar de Larose as its captain once more. Revolutionary tunes were sung and common sayings in screeds often seen in these parts were uttered as well as sentiments of the late Jerome de La Salle's innocence and his unblemished record as a hero.
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A rumor begins to spread across the commonfolk of the Quartier Ouvrier of an unusual sight that took place within the Sisters of Compassion Hospice of Hala, just near the Quartier Marchand. A man with black hair, wearing an old Company of the Fox uniform was removed from the building in shackles alongside a Falkovnian Gendarme.
-
[Posters show up around the Ouvrier as dusk falls upon the City of Lights]
People of the Ouvrier! Heed these warnings of the Gendarme. Abernathy Gearling, a fine family man and pillar of the community, has been accosted by the law.
Intimidated by Lieutenant Treillard and her hound on no just grounds. If such a kind old man can be abused, think of what they'll do to your own loved ones!
-
Recent incendiary messages make their way to the people of the street have had their effects on the commons living in the boroughs of the Ouvrier. Anti-government antipathy has reached a new high as provocateurs harp on anti-Covenant sentiment that coincides with the return of revolutionary slogans and chants of Pauline Jenout. Mutterings regarding the alleged treatment of Abernathy Gearling has also raised a fuss among some artisans and shopkeepers who see themselves at risk if the law may harass such a well-reputed name in the city. Political cartoons develop with caricatures of gendarmes including most notably of a tall man with a zweifalk on his forehead.
-
(https://i.imgur.com/ZEufD0W.png)
Found thrown about back alleys and corners of the Ouvrier, and tucked into alcoves of the Rue Bas sit tidy slips of paper scribbled with a not so tidy text. It reads;
Delinquent Ball; You're Invited!
Where: Night Market
When: Oct. 31st 5pm EST
What: Costume Party
The Midnighters are throwing a party to christen their union, and Ouvrier's invited. Come all ye poor and wretched, ye night-stalkers and roguish, for free drink and passable music in delightful-guises to celebrate.
Gendarmes and Do-Wells need not attend, or do so at their own risk.
-
With the winter snows, an Ezrite warden has been going through the Ouvrier, distributing food rations and tending to the sick.
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A woman in whie, veiled, hooded and gloved, has been seen wandering the Ouvrier. She never speaks, occasionally stopping by those beggers on the streets. Though she clearly knows well enough not to be seen doing such and is careful to be discrete, it might be noticed she seems to be handing out food to those she stops by.
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Word travels that the Workers' Congress is scheduled to meet to discuss delivering a petition of redress to the Provisional Government of Port-a-Lucine that involves numerous guilds and unions from across the working district and the docks. Gossip speculates over thirty different associations will send representatives speaking on behalf of different coalitions of workers' associations. Some say even the Bellegarde Trade Consortium, House Jalabert, Red Vardo Traders, the Miners' Union, The Dockworkers' Union, and others have been invited for the auspicious occasion (https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20181129T17&p0=179&msg=Workers%27+Congress&font=cursive) following the events of November 27 in front of the Palais Dirigeant.
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Yesterday a terrible explosion has taken place in the Quartier Ouvrier that devastated the northwestern corner where the old Abandoned Workers' Lodgings was. The place is infamous for gang activity since its closure years ago and it has become structurally unstable after a massive explosion tore through it and killed countless people inside as well as at least a dozen others outside in the day. While the culprit isn't known, the agitation from the quarter's poor fortunes, charged political climate, and anti-government antipathy running a current high there is a stir among the people and some fear the worst should the desperate workers' and commoners' point fingers and march or protest once more...
-
A terrible incident is reported from inside a hospice of the Sisters of Compassion.It was reported that a Dementlieuse man entered and spoke briefly before killing Dame Tabitha and Chevalier Elias Cal’Raheal. Gendarmes investigated the following morning.
-
nwoh
-
A dusky skinned man wearing broken spectacles and speaking with a Souragnien accent is seen about the abandoned worker's lodge. He spends days working with others to repair the damage done to the structure following the recent bombing. He clearly lacks experience but applies himself cheerfully and diligently, acquiring a number of bruises and cuts while working on the site.
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A young woman usually spotted around the Quartier in the Gendarmerie's uniform is seen joining the repair crew of the abandoned worker's lodge in her free time, silently helping in the rebuilding efforts to the best of her ability.
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Intermittently at night in the rundown quarter the music of an amateurish violinist can be heard. There does not seem to be any consistency in style or tone. Occasionally the music is interrupted and come dawn a number of the unsavoury individuals that walk the streets at night seem to have been beaten unconscious; broken bones are not uncommon, though it seems the violinist never takes their lives.
-
Recently, another figure is more present among the dusky streets of the Quartier. Rarely distinguishable amongst the crowds, she sweeps to pass through the various hospices of the area, spares a conversation or two with the local denizens of the area and continues on her way.
This begins to become a frequent occurrence.
-
Plumes of smoke and soot billow out of a derelict structure in the Quartier Ourvier. The embers of whatever long-forgotten furnishings were whisked along the currents of the wind as all but the stone exterior lay in ruin. The smoldering husk of the building sizzled with each drop of rain that descended upon it as the inferno raged, consuming all of the fuel within before finally succumbing to starvation and being extinguished. The pillar of smoke that rose into the sky over the City of Lights was the only testament of its conflagration in the early hours of dawn.
As the cloud dispersed, the soot was washed away into the grates that marred the cobblestone streets and served as water drainage. Much like the impoverished denizens of the Quartier, the demise of the decrepit housing was marked with only idle curiosity, followed by an upturned nose of disdain at the inconvenience the momentary blockage of the sun's light caused in disrupting the otherwise pleasant day of the gentry on the promenade of the Quartier Publique.
-
There has been talk of the strong smell of burning throughout the streets of the Quartier Ouvrier late in the night. Although no buildings or individuals appear to have been affected, an extinguished bonfire was discovered in the morning and banners hanging in front of the Halan hospices have gone missing.
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A platinum blonde haired gnome in a warm suit and a well dressed man are seen going to the the quarter distributing over sixty sets of freshly sewn Linen clothes around the Quartier Ouvrier. They said the Donations are from Mademoiselle Alix Sinclair Martineau in conjunction with the Theatre de la Cathedrale. They stop at the Hospices of Hala and the Government Food Providers
-
A taller Dementileuse man donned in golden plate armor, seemingly stricken with clear Albinism is seen distributing large amounts of warm clothing, food, and a few meager luxury items - including expensive-looking pastries, medical bandages and basic ointments for healing and common diseases. The man spends a good long while conversing with those that live there, mending a few wounds with divine power until his power was depleted, a warm smile never once leaving his lips. He doesn't leave the Ouvrier till his supplies of donations are given away entirely.
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A few wagons of food, medicine, and general supplies make their way through the slums, delivered to the hospices there. The majority of the crates bear stamps and receipts from the length of the Core, containing seasonable foods that bring a little minor exotica and spice to the impoverished people that must normally "make do" with the minimum. Some benevolent group, it seems, has not forgotten the long-standing plight of the poor, despite the recent levy of the nobility.
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In the wee hours of the morning a full detachment of Gendarme were seen conducting a raid upon the thugs, thieves and truant children of the Ouvrier. Some ten uniformed officers searched the Quartier for hours to no avail. Their query, the "Quartier Watch" recruitment officers, remain elusive.
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Recently a masked young man is seen treating the sick and wounded around the Quartier for free. And some murderers and thieves are now missing or frozen to death.
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A tall woman with a horned masquerade mask has been delivering freshly made clothing to various hospices in the quartier stopping to hand coins to any beggars she passes on her way between the hospices.
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Again the same tall woman in the horned masquerade mask shows up to various hospices in the Ouvrier delivering freshly made clothing. She stays at one of the hospices for the evening.
-
Pistol shots ring and spells fly in the late evening hours!
Talk among people of Ouvrier tell tales that Jacinth de la Rochenoire, warden of Ezra, attacked one of the illegal checkpoints raised by The Quartier Watch last night. Gunshots and spells were flung at the checkpoint wounding one of the members who quickly retreated. The peace would be short lived though. The lone watchman would rally and return fire from a second checkpoint only to vanish into the night air. The Gendarmerie arrived on scene shortly to help with the aftermath.
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A nobleman, who had a tankard of ale unceremoniously emptied over his head in the Muse Endiablee the evening prior, returns in the morning to leave a copy of the latest issue of the Light in the tavern. He bears a striking resemblance to one Anatole de la Rochenoire.
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A young man and woman are seen leaving a few stacks of a newspaper, titled Le Lunaire at La Muse Endiablée and the Port-à-Lucine Tourism Office
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Another disappearance has happened in the Quartier Ouvrier during the night. The home of an old eccentric scholar, Serge Goulet, was broken into and the man has since gone missing without a trace. The strange symbol of a triangle is drawn over by a chalk on the side of his home.
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Another disappearance has happened in the Quartier Ouvrier during the night. The home of an old eccentric scholar, Serge Goulet, was broken into and the man has since gone missing without a trace. The strange symbol of a triangle is drawn over by a chalk on the side of his home.
The Gendarmerie Nationale were not slow to arrive on the scene. A pair of Gendarmes, one brown-haired and the other blonde-bearded, were seen passing through the Marchand to the Ouvrier and entering the building. They left just before sunset, leaving little trace of their visit save a sign marking the presence of a crime scene...
-
Throughout the late evening, the chalk marking on the side of the edifice that Serge Goulet resided in has been smudged off.
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Four figures--two male, two female--pass the entire night in the Quartier, first clearing it of all miscreants, though reports are the group did not in all cases employ lethal force. After securing the streets, the group settled down in a central location and spent the remaining hours uneventfully until almost dawn.
Two--an Elf maiden and a one-eyed warrior of knightly bearing--wore amulets that emitted a faint blue light.
The two others were recognizable as quiet residents of the Quartier's Tenements, one a woman reputed to pass out coins to beggars and indigent children.
Fragments of their overheard discussions revealed they spoke together of the recent disappearances.
At dawn, an enormous brute clad completely in armor with a face-obscuring helmet arrived, causing a stir as citizens began to start their miserable workaday. Whether because of sunrise or because of the disruption invited by the armored bulk, all left toward the Quartier Marchand.
-
Under the cover of night, several hand-made notices are posted in the various corners and alleys of Ouvrier and Marchand
WATCH OUT FOR THE TRAITOR!
ALL GOOD PEOPLE OF OUVRIER AND MARCHAND!
WE PRONOUNCE SYLVIE COULETTE A SNITCH AND A TRAITOR TO HER PEOPLE.
HER CRIMES ARE AS LISTED:
AIDING HER LOVER, JACINTH DE LA ROCHENOIRE, IN COVERING UP HIS LIES. ALTHOUGH HE CLAIMED THAT SHE WAS PRESENT DURING HIS FIRST ASSAULT ON THE QUARTIER WATCH, SHE WAS NOT THERE.
COMPLIANCE IN THE FACE OF BRUTALITY. SHE WATCHED IDLY, AS HER LOVER, JACINTH DE LA ROCHENOIRE, ASSAULTED A MAN, WHO DISCOVERED THEM DURING INTERCOURSE IN AN ALLEYWAY, ALMOST KILLING HIM.
ASSAULT UPON THE DENIZENS OF QUARTIERS OUVRIER AND MARCHAND AND DECEIT. SHE KNOWINGLY APPROACHED MEMBERS OF THE QUARTIER WATCH IN ORDER TO SPY ON THEM FOR HER LOVER, JACINTH DE LA ROCHENOIRE, USING LIES AND MANIPULATION. AT THE SAME TIME, HER HAND ROSE AGAINST THE POOR PEOPLE OF OUVRIER AND MARCHAND.
IS SYLVIE COULETTE WHAT CHURCH OF EZRA HAS TO OFFER, AFTER CLOSING THEIR DOORS IN OUR FACES?
GOOD PEOPLE OF OUVRIER AND MARCHAND, OFFER SYLVIE COULETTE OR THE DISHONORABLE BRUTE, JACINTH DE LA ROCHENOIRE, NO AID, NO FOOD, NO PEACE, AND NO INFORMATION!
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The tall horned masked woman has been seen around the sisters of compassion hospices again recently, aiding where she can. Today the tall woman comes in carrying a small stack of papers. She moves about the hospice as she gets ready to teach something there.
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Alexander Vaillant was seen recently constructing shelters in Port-a-Lucine's poorest district. The young noble seemed in high spirits as he left coins for beggars and candies for children. Throughout the outing, he remained under the dutiful gaze of Lucius von Braccen and another man cloaked in black.
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Alexander Vaillant was seen recently constructing shelters in Port-a-Lucine's poorest district. The young noble seemed in high spirits as he left coins for beggars and candies for children. Throughout the outing, he remained under the dutiful gaze of Lucius von Braccen and another man cloaked in black.
[Later on, a young man in a golden vest is seen helping to clear the bodies and blood left by the House Vaillant's latest attempt at "charity".]
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In the dead of night following the construction of the shelters, a man in House Vaillant colors is seen walking, never running, bearing several loads of tinned rations and delivering them to the Halan Hospices. In stark contrast to this mission, in the streets, blood and bodies are left scattered as the Ouvrier's denizens take offense -- or make defense, depending on perspective -- at this intruder in their holdings.
As dawn breaks, one might have seen a man in a gold vest conversing with the armored man in the alleys, at which time the armored soldier departs into the rainy, rising day.
-
[A young man in a golden vest is seen leaving a few stacks of a newspaper, titled Le Lunaire at La Muse Endiablée and the Mutinied Sailor. He appears unusually somber.]
-
A young woman wearing the uniform of La Jeune Compagnie was seen leaving several bags of food, including meat and potatoes, with the sisters of Hala. She left as quickly as she arrived, without speaking to anyone.
-
[Sometime in the night, packages of rations, apples and bread were left at various homes in the Ouvrier- there was no trace of who did it.]
-
[From sun up, to sun down, a tall red haired man has been seen coming from his apartment in the Tenements to build a soup kitchen not a hundred steps from the closed government food provider. At night, when vandals and brigands damage the construction, he, without complaint, is seen repairing it by morning at the first sliver of light. Planted pots of potato and other plants are seen near this site, as well as deliveries of other sorts of food - with only the most quality being accepted, and scraps and hard tack being turned away.]
-
Overnight flyers go up around The Quartier Ouvrrier
Hiring Laborers
Get paid in solars per day, reliable work - Trained Bakers and Millers paid extra.
Interested individuals should direct inquiries to The Red Vardo Traders store, located in The Quartier Marchand
-
One sunlit afternoon, a young man in a smart suit with groomed facial hair distributes a satchel of food to some of the street beggars of the Ouvrier. He does not make a fuss, just leaving a portion of food before each of those he passes before he runs out.
-
The familiar sound of a scuffle occurs in the middle of the night. The clash of steel and a gunshot echo out into the still air. The moon hangs over the half-eaten corpse of a child in the street.
-
In the night, the familiar ring of battle echoes throughout the Ouvrier. Swords clash, incantations cast and screams of utter agony. Throughout it all, a maniacal yet distinctly feminine laughter bounces from alley to alley - a woman on the hunt.
On a street corner, just near the Tenements, sat two of the fallen. A fully grown woman and a younger child. Pale of skin and slumped in a pool of blood, with even the quickest of glances one can tell they're deceased. Like a recent discovery over in the Marchand; the dead woman had a single word carved into her forehead. Written in the same hand as the previous victim, a name perhaps familiar to those of Port-à-Lucine.
SORANZO
The child, no older than seven years, lacked most of her teeth with a few of them scattered down the street. More interestingly, in quite the brutal fashion, her chest was burst open. The apparent lack of a heart not hard to imagine, given the vacant space in her chest cavity. One wouldn't have to travel far to find the dislodged heart - it lay carefully cradled in the woman's hands, secured behind locked and bloody fingers.
Taking a step back, a message can be read on the wall above the pair - written in blood.
YOUR FREAKISH SCALED WIFE AND CHILD NEED NOT SUFFER
YOU HARBOUR A CRIMINAL
-
A trio of women were seen stopping passers-by to speak to them about a school opening, and pass out flyers. It seems they are looking for students,
especially those young of age and with little means, to offer them the chance and a fully-funded education.
(https://i.imgur.com/steqaPo.png)
-
As winter approaches in the City of Lights the days grow shorter and importantly for the ner-do-wells of the city's poorer districts, its nights longer. The Quarter Watch, perhaps emboldened by their enhanced cover of darkness, has seen fit to expand their illegal checkpoints. Rumors say what once was mere chevals have expanded into a sophisticated fortress spanning an entire city block! Moreover, these frauds have continued their operations into daylight blocking foreigners and gendarmes entry to the working and mercantile districts.
There is also talk that during the previous nights the Gendarmerie, in a rare showing of enforcement within the Ouvrier, dispatched a pair of its agents to dismantle these obstructions. Shouting, a gunshot, and what could only be described as the crack of thunder were heard in the wee hours of the morning. While the exact nature of the altercation remains unknown, Caporal Arnaude Fosse was seen limping away from the checkpoint aided by another gendarme.
-
The sight of someone... something... hunched over a corpse is seen in the Ouvrier. Another half-eaten child spread across the street is seen by all in the following morning.
(https://i.imgur.com/ayWIK2P.png)
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Rumors spread that a terrible shadowed wolf has torn through the poor district, tearing apart two dozen gang members, and leaving their torn bodies in the streets.
They say that the wolf was so terrifying that its victims were witnessed tearing into each other as the beast attacked...
-
A woman with red hair and powdered skin was seen passing out flyers in the Ouvrier. She spoke to any who would listen about a place called " La Lumière dans le Grenier", saying she was seeking to place children in the classrooms at no cost to the families.
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Sounds of a scuffle can be heard coming from room 16 in the tenements. After a short period of time the noises stop, and whoever was staying there is missing save for their effects tossed about the room and blood stains.
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[In the wake of the Quartier Watch's most recent proclamation, the streets of the Quartier Ouvrier have become a hotbed of discontent. Men and women can be heard openly hailing Felix Touré as a "hero" and a "champion of the people" for seeing justice delivered unto this heinous, predatory aristocrat. In the Quartier Ouvrier's most beloved watering-hole, the elven performer Delia sings of a heroic vigilante who made the hard choice of stamping out a great evil at great risk to himself, earning the ire of the law. The vigilante in question goes unnamed, but the song's contents leave no room as to whom she sings of..]
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[An odd sight graces the Quartier Ouvrier on the 7th of Decembre, 775 B.C. A handful of armored, private soldiers with a trio of heavily laden camels of wood and boxed rations made way to erect a station just outside of the recently proclaimed soon-to-be Gendarmerie "Safe Zone." These soldiers identified themselves, after the construction of furnishing and signs, as La Compagnie du Phénix, and as the sun settled over Port-à-Lucine, rations began to be passed out to the public citizenry, with verbal guarantees of safety and equal distribution for this night given by a young woman of raven hair and fair skin said to be the Dame d'Estellier, dressed in armor likened to the rest. Crowds of citizenry came at the promise of food to fill their hungry bellies, and security within which to freely enjoy it in the night light. Not long into this endeavor, a gang of Caliban attempted to seize the ration-stocks by force, and were repelled with equal force by the Compagnie soldiers. All-in-all, by the end of the night, all of the nearly 1,300 rations - more than advertised - of freshly hunted venison, porks, peas, breads, gravies and wheatstuff were gone, and the Compagnie and its soldiers returned back to the upper-districts of the city...]
[...Verbal and written accreditation was given throughout, for the earnest hands of Maitresse Francette Vaillant and Sylvie d'Esperance, la Baronesse de Mouisset, for their aid in preparing and cooking the food for the masses.]
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/688541097718186094/785676565094465536/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/688541097718186094/785677269716566036/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/688541097718186094/785677369884540968/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/688541097718186094/785679657142845470/unknown.png)
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The night before the strike, a number of the dock workers were escorted home by individuals predominantly in the uniforms of the Gendarmerie and Jeune Compagnie. Afterwards, the same personnel conducted a sweep of the Ouvrier, suppressing gang activity - at least for a time.
-
On the night after the day of the strike, Bluecoats are seen marching through the Marchand and Ouvrier again, patrolling on order to tackle such gang members as are present.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788225968388177920/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788225811605487636/unknown.png)
They greet peaceful passers by.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788228138685169715/unknown.png)
But alas, for some, they are too late.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788228757064122408/unknown.png)
-
Ouvrier Safe Zone
The Gendarmerie's safe zone initiative, supported by Jeune Compagnie, got underway today.
Gendarmes and Compagnons mustered at the Gendarmerie.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788497248500842506/unknown.png)
Checkpoints were assembled...
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788501548723732540/unknown.png)
...and manned throughout the night.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788524689554538536/unknown.png)
The night was not without incident, with criminals attempting to assault the safe-zone and gendarmes on patrol. Their efforts, however, met with little success.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788515422864408576/unknown.png)
The cells of the Gendarmerie are now well stocked with perpetrators, some masters of the blade, some not.
-
Once more, a uniformed night patrol takes place through the Marchand and Ouvrier.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788846909384163328/unknown.png)
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The Safe Zone was again occupied, although a shade lower key than the first night.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788953519436726292/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/788955721046818826/unknown.png)
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As the sun set over the horizon, a woman dressed in the famous blue and white of the Gendarmerie Nationale de Dementlieu may have been spotted patrolling both Quartier Marchand and Ouvrier with two females in a similar but red uniform. The sound of blades clashing and gunfire disturbed the relative peace of the night - rumour of thugs slain in combat start to spread. Vicious gangsters who would rather die than answer for their crimes.
(https://i.gyazo.com/5acd78127acbec1af7702f797ab1b218.png)
Like many nights previous, the designated "Safe Zone" was once again occupied by men and women in both red and blue uniforms.
(https://i.imgur.com/AXrA4GZ.jpg)
Gunshots rang out into the near silent Ouvrier, minutes later a hooded man was seen being escorted toward the Quartier Savant by both Gendarmes and Compagnon's of the Jeune Compagnie.
-
Nightime patrols continue in Quartier Ouvrier, with uniformed Gendarmes evident on the streets. Sargent de la Rochenoire's expression being notably grimmer and sterner than previous.
(https://i.imgur.com/dm3z4Mh.png)
Patrols also extended to Rue Bas, with the Gendarmes coming into conflict with local halfling gangs.
(https://i.imgur.com/bhjkITk.png)
-
Overnight occupation of the Quartier Safe Zone continues.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/791441700144807966/unknown.png)
Checkpoints are manned...
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/791439290756366346/unknown.png)
Held whatever the opposition...
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/791431709379526706/unknown.png)
And whatever the weather!
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/791441129273819146/unknown.png)
Rue Bas is occupied too, the halfling quarter's streets being kept free of miscreants.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/791439048320745522/unknown.png)
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The Gendarmerie and Jeune Compagnie again patrol the Ouvrier, including Rue Bas.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/792156801059651584/unknown.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/792160644602134588/unknown.png)
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Between surviving his conscription and becoming a Warden of the Ezrite Church -- inexplicably choosing backwater Barovia over Ste Mere des Larmes for his education -- the Ouvier's native son Anton Durand has become a completely different person this year. He has gone from being an aimless ne'er-do-well who labors in workhouses to being seen speaking with respected individuals. His mother, Claudette, has taken to putting on pretentious airs with her peer group as a result of his increased social standing. Anton's attempts to reconnect with good old friends in the Ouvier have been failing, as they do not have much in common anymore.
-
Once more sounds of battle echo out as the Gendarmerie re-establishes the barricades of the safe zone.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/381882521647972359/793310115478110218/unknown.png)
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While the nightly patrols of the beloved Gendamerie de National keep the streets above secure, a lone woman shrouded in dark magic inexpertly brandishing a sword hunts through the sewers below and inside the abandoned buildings.
Calibans, smugglers, and local cuthroats alike are offered no mercy, even in flight and many of them are left lying on the ground, faces frozen in abject terror as if simply scared to death. Infamous figures wanted by the local authority are left headless, and their notices of bounty taken down shortly afterwards.
-
Gendarme patrols continue, with a quartet of blue-uniformed figures engaging gangs with both blade and shot.
-
The Safe Zone expands to cover what the Gendarmerie is labelling "Cathedral Square". The barricades are joined by a redoubt in the square, and the craftsmanship is upgraded to wooden walls capable of stopping shot.
Strangely, this expansion was met with little resistance, on this night at least.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/640228502406299662/796486772737179688/unknown.png)
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A strange new visitor could be seen at the main Halan hospice in the Ouvrier: A young girl, speaking with a heavy Barovian accent, asking for help with some kind of magical problem, and inquiring about a man by the name of "Thadeous", who had previously responded to one of her letters.
She would remain at the hospice unless told to leave.
-
A strange new visitor could be seen at the main Halan hospice in the Ouvrier: A young girl, speaking with a heavy Barovian accent, asking for help with some kind of magical problem, and inquiring about a man by the name of "Thadeous", who had previously responded to one of her letters.
She would remain at the hospice unless told to leave.
The Barovian girl would have been seen venturing out of the hospice late before dusk. When she returned before the next sunset, she would be favoring her left side, with a set of competently-applied bandages clearly visible over her blue jacket. Judging from the location of the wound, it's probably a serious enough injury; regardless, she requests no aid, and opts for cleaning and rebandaging the wound herself.
-
Monday 18th January saw activity in the Safe Zone as Compagnons and Gendarmes manned checkpoints and battled gang members.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/689806971565637709/802336685476151306/Checkpoint.png)
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/689806971565637709/800874956346621962/unknown.png)
Afterwards, Sargent de la Rochenoire and Monsieur le Baron de Mouisset held a questions and answers session with Ouvrier residents about recent cases and the safe zone.
-
One morning in the Ouvier, lifeless bodies of commoners drained of blood begin turning up. Even a couple outside of the tenements, in the area of the vaunted 'safe zone'.
https://imgur.com/a/s4gCr8p
(https://imgur.com/HRJVj9t.png)
(https://imgur.com/9MeSg19.png)
(https://imgur.com/4EZtOKp.png)
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More bodies turn up in the Ouvier, this time outside of the safe zone, seemingly right by the entrance to a Hospice. Two women, a mother and a daughter possibly by the look, are found dead and drained of blood come morning.
(https://imgur.com/R2Blms1.png)
(https://imgur.com/RafRLrj.png)
-
Another scene of carnage in the Ouvier, this time in the Rue Bas. A pair of halflings murdered, and drained of blood, with a bloody note left near the bodies...
(https://imgur.com/0Q9XCxl.png)
(https://imgur.com/thJSxhj.png)
(https://imgur.com/rUMF1bk.png)
(https://imgur.com/xKQOsMP.png)
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[Word begins to spread through conversation by the commons in service to La Compagnie du Phénix of intensified drilling and activity amongst the organization -- Deployments of troops, moving in groups and caravans with supplies out East, towards Estellier become more and more frequent as the days come to pass. Rumours spread in taverns and pubs that a successfully retired Captain of a prestigious Richemuloise Watch Company, the Casques Safran, has begun to oversee the security and drill instruction of Compagnie du Phénix members in Estellier alongside the Lieutenant of the Estellier Garde, which seems to house the organization's most veteran soldiers. Each day passing, the numbers of the organization become more, and more apparent to the public, appearing to have flourished well into the hundreds...]
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Two blood-curdling screams in the night...two corpses... one with it's heart ripped out, another with it's eye forcibly ripped from it's socket. Another corpse, one of a noblewoman, her clothes torn to ribbons, her leg missing. What all these bodies share are numerous wolf-like bitemarks and they've all been maimed in some way. There was something else...a guttural howl in the night..
-
Escorted by a noble gentleman wearing the symbol of Ezra at his side, a woman dressed in black and with deep auburn hair pulled into an intricate bun was seen leaving the Bazaar with a crate full of peaches. Clearly of the nobility, based on her powder and silks, she then entered the Ouvrier, passing the fruits and the occasional coin out to those she passed.
-
A loud commotion erupts in the second floor of the Tenements, leaving behind only a great deal of blood.
-
A loud commotion erupts in the second floor of the Tenements, leaving behind only a great deal of blood.
Responding to the local gossip, two figures dressed in the uniform of the Gendarme arrive shortly after to investigate the scene, knocking on doors and seeking answers...
-
Escorted by an older looking human, a young halfling in tattered clothes scurries through the city and into the Quartier Ouvrier just around dusk. The man is last seen entering the Barnacle down by the halfling ghetto.
-
Scraping steel on stone and cacophonous groaning is heard in the night. After some time, the noice abates, and a lone figure in blue is seen passing through, bleeding heavily.
-
At the brink of night.
A desperate cry for help echoes out from the dank and forgotten corner of the halfling ghetto. At dusk, the limp remains of beaten and bruised young halfling lay unconscious just outside the Barnacle, stripped of any valuables he might have had on him at some point. As the locals of the Quartier Ouvrier begin to murmur about yet another unfortunate victim. Sadly this is all but a daily occurrence, rarely does anyone even seem to bat an eye at this sort violence.
-
In the poverty stricken Ouvrier, rumors begin going around of a small foreign woman offering miraculous healing for free in a ramshackle infirmary hastily erected over the past days. While Halan hospices are common enough among the slums, the feats of healing being performed in this small hospital are anything but common. Everything from breaking curses and restoring eyesight to the regrowth of limbs long lost.
Freshly painted letters on a sign outside the shanty hospital read:
|
----
|
|
H. Winters
Regenerative
Infirmary
-
The grim monotony of the day is interrupted by an procession of Black Army of Gundarak soldiers and House d'Espérance retainers, led by the Baroness de Mouisset, herself a native daughter of the Ouvrier. A shipment of southern grain accompanies them and is soon gifted away in attempt to blunt the claws of famine that clutch at the stomachs of the city's poor.
-
[In the thick of midnight, an unnatural and terrifying wail rings out across the district. Magical explosions followed shortly after, followed by even more shouting and the physical confrontation of swung swords, axes and whips. As the night ran on, vapors of crimson clouds of mist pooled upwards into the night sky before vanishing into oblivion. When the dust settled, all that remained was an imposing silence which stole the night away.]
-
In the early morning hours, a man in a brown leather trench coat could seen scrambling from nook to cranny, alleyway to alcove, dropping lyrics for some sort of chant or song as he went. They read as follows...
One, Two, Three, Four! WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!
Five, Six, Seven, Eight! WE WANT ANSWERS! SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT!
We're staying shut till we get paid, fewer hours, no more a slave! No more work till freedom is sung!
NO PEACE TILL VARTEUR'S KILLER IS HUNG!
-
[As morning comes to Port-a-Lucine, so does horrific news of Olivia Aumberden's violent death within her own room at the tenements. Having taken up the mantle of leadership in the Workers' Congress following Varteur's assassination, she would mark the third among the Workers' Congress to perish in the past few days, after Varteur and Lefwin Estbury, who purportedly died at the hands of a group of hard-bitten caliban criminals. Men and women in the Quartier Ouvrier openly speculate on the very streets on there being a government conspiracy to strip the commons of all those who would speak for them.
Those who participated in the strike outside the tanneries and Les Forges de Vincent in the Quartier Marchand yesterday do not go into work, but neither do they protest outside; instead, they stay home and both businesses remain shuttered for now.]
-
Two women and a man are seen wandering through the Ouvrier handing out food parcels and solars to those on the streets. They can also be seen removing flyers and posters from around the area.
-
In the morning, men and women in common clothing (who the truly observant might recognise as off-duty Red Vardo employees) go about distributing food in the Quartier Ouvrier, compliments of mademoiselles Florence Clemenceau, and Lily-Rose Dupont, Liason to the Worker's Association, and urging people to stay safe indoors when the Baronesse Vennier arrives.
-
As the estimated hour of attack draws closer, Lily-Rose, Liason of the Workers' Congress, is seen going from house to house in Ouvrier, pulling a small wagon of basic supplies: hammer, nails, saw, small boards. She checks every house she has time to visit for simple repairs needed to doors or windows, for the sake of the safety of those sheltering in place. Any offer of payment is politely refused, and she moves on to the next.
-
Three women and a man were seen heading out of the city towards the fort on the west peninsular. As they returned towards the city they began collecting crabs along the shoreline. Once dawn broke one of the women could be seen handing the meat prepared from the crabs to the most impoverished in the Ourvier as well as cookies for the children.
-
[A mere two hours after midnight the silent and frigid air in the Quartier Ourvier is broken by the tormented howls and wailing of men. These cries for help are cut short rather quickly. Located not too far from one of the Ourvier's many hospices laid a grisly scene from the night. The bodies of thugs torn apart; but most peculiar of all were the large bite marks on the corpses. Anyone could tell this bite shape was unique and featured two large tusks almost as if a wild boar had devoured the men. Though a closer and more trained eye could see other sharpened teeth unlike that of a boars had also inflicted these wounds...]
-
During the chilly early hours of the morning...
A young Halfling clad in a rather colorful yellow shirt is seen scuttering through the streets of the Quartier Ouvrier and the Marchand. With a worn and tattered looking journal under one arm, and a bag stuffed with fliers slung over the other. He makes his way through the city in a rush to scatter the notices.
-
(https://i.gyazo.com/65d4677c97c86d18d49d5ad4ba2fd142.png)
[Throughout the night of the recently renovated property in the Worker's Lodging House, large quantities of liquor, medical equipment, and lumber are hauled in through the channels leading in and out of the black market under the Quartier Ouvrier. Once more throughout the slums and the underworld of Port-a-Lucine talk about the elusive black market fight club blossoming begins to fill the streets as rumors indicate a proper venue was found.]
-
Graffiti sprawled across the Quartier (and some spilling into Marchand and Rue Bas) greets the early risers of Ouvrier. The subject of the work has been made apparent with the phrase:
REGINE BERGER IS A FRILLY TOAD
Some walls have only this announcement made in house-paint mixed with charcoal, while others are accompanied with charming caricatures of a stubby, warty, toad-like creature whose fat folds burgeon over the sides of it's uniform up to all sorts of antics like beating commoners for nobility or licking expensive shoes with its long, gross frog tongue.
-
After a grueling day of workhouse drudgery, the usual crowd assembles at the Muse Endiablée to wash away dust and sorrow with a round of drinks. It's late in the evening when their entire stock of beer went sour, and the wine turned to vinegar. Even glasses that appeared fine one sip, were foul the next. As some patrons grow sick, shock and confusion turns to anger and suspicion. A small crowd of the rougher sort of drunks drags a Falkovian refugee from the dim corner he'd claimed that evening, and slurred accusations of poisoning and spying turn deadly. The Sisters of Compassion arrive some time later to tend the ill, and declare no traces of poison or further explanation for the illness can be found.
-
[The sounds of bells ringing, skulls cracking and exasperated jeers resonated through the Ouvrier streets. A night of fights and gambling to be had, the local residents seemed thrilled with all manner of booze, liquor, substance and vice to go around Port-a-Lucine's new fight club, "The Penthouse Ouvrier." Eagerness and anticipation rests with the name on the tongue as many are excited to see what comes next after the most recent tryouts. One thing is certain, however, the people demand more blood.]
-
"Needle will mend you."
The words are spotted in an obscure corner of the Ouvrier, and easily dismissed.
But then they are seen again.
And again.
And again.
Sometimes it is painted upon a wall. Sometimes, it is scrawled across the back of an old bounty notice plastered up.
Sometimes, it is a whisper upon the lips of the poor and forgotten...
-
Despite recent troubling news, in a perhaps lighter tone on the tongues of those among the beleaguered residents of Ouvrier, a trio of women were spotted hosting a brief run of a soup kitchen to good success near the Sisters of Compassion hospice.
While feeding a fair amount of individuals that showed the trust and interest, it was apparent that this was an initiative by the newly self-appointed caretaker of the "Light in the Attic." It is rumored than over a dozen parents had decided to have their students enrolled in the modest school for the less fortunate, and that classes are to begin within the month.
-
The Colibri theatre is again animated by the barely muffled sounds of music, dance, laughing and shouting.
True to its name, even the sounds of breaking furniture can be heard echoing from the Shattering.
-
In the early hours of the morning, two Gendarmes make a beeline for an abandoned house at the heart of The Ouvrier.
The door is kicked in and the sound of yelling and breaking furniture can be heard, then more sounds of fighting and pistol shot.
As the sun rose the two bloodied Gendarmes are seen dragging a crate back towards The Savant.
-
[A tall redheaded woman is seen bringing hand made simple but warm clothes to the various hospices within the quartier during the afternoon. She leaves no name and keeps to herself besides leaving the items]
-
Often a lone figure could be seen distributing food, and supplies to the less well-off individuals of the City. A strange 'show' of magic follows him, as he seems to chant in a strange language that makes his hands glow to 'miracle' away diseases and injuries, one fortunate soul at a time. In the night, he watches over the district protecting the common folk from the ne'er-do-Wellers who prowl the streets looking for their next victim.
-
Overnight, it seems a small camp has cropped up in the Ouvrier. Food, Clothes, Water, and all manner of supplies are distributed freely by a man beside a foreign banner. What it represented at large remaining somewhat shrouded in mystery. But it seems he's there to stay. At night, the rustling of metal plates could be heard steel boots march along cobbles in staunch defense of those unfortunate enough to have not made it back before dark.
-
A Warden of Ezra with cheerful disposition is spied posting notices about the district; she greets all who she encounters, offers aide to those who appear to need it, and spends time offering healing and comforts to those that accept – at whatever cost to time and resource may be required. She encourages those that see her posting the notices to attend.
The notices indicate an upcoming Fifth Day Sermon (https://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=61261.0) to be held at the Ste. Mere – and identify the Warden as Abigail Shuttleworth, the woman holding the event.
-
Black stains adorn the walls of the Colibri Theatre in spidery scrawl. It's transcribed in High Mordentish, Low Mordentish, Sithican, and the Trade Tongue.
Broken things,
Is your voice as HAUNTING as your disfigured face?
Do you curse those too BLIND to see the line between their madness and your truth is thing as VEINS?
Are the FIRES within stoked by your DANCE with the ugliness of each dying BREATH?
The world waits to see what sights are hidden away by DARKNESS and FILTH. For those who can MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND.
Leave a gift of your ART upon the altar of this liar's HUSK. Perform something TERRIBLE and BEAUTIFUL, and I will find you.
-
A hood man leaves an offering in front of the Colibri theater. Said offering is a mish mash of individual gears put together that appear to be some used to create sort of mechanism. Although if one even attempts to use it by using the small make shift wire crank, the mechanism doesn't do anything - appearing to be jammed. Though at least some sort of attempt was made to create.... something.
-
Notices are posted about the Ouvrier, advertising the disappearance of a girl and calling for assistance. The circumstances are far from uncommon, and few gossips even bother to remember the missing girl's name...
-
Overnight the notices are added to, advertising a reward from a third party for information leading to the girl's safe return.
-
In the middle of the night, a lone armored warrior with a white tabbard and Ezra's insigna, can be seen braving the heart of the Quartier to a specific place where mists raises from the ground, trying his best to fight whatever is present, tiny or huge as they might be.
Not always victorious, hew can be seen limping back to one of the hotel in the Marchand area, avoiding the more obviously closer Hospices in the Ouvirer.
-
For the past several days pained screams and moans could be heard coming from room 6 of the tenements. Whoever is staying there is certainly in a great deal of agony.
-
Residents note the owner of Room 5, a typical outgoing elven bard, taking an interest both in frustration and curiosity as to the events taking place in Room 6. He often emerges with a drink in one hand, book and quill in the other. Mumbling about not being able to concentrate on his writing during his sabatical from Barovia.
-
A small sign posted outside the big hospice in the Ouvrier reads:
HELP WANTED:
Custodian
Must be able bodied and strong.
Bring your own cart.
Must be comfortable around and handling corpses.
Mortician experience ideal, but not necessary.
Available in the mornings.
Paid position.
Inquire with Mlle. Nora at any hospice for an interview.
-
Once more, the same black stains adorn the walls of the Colibri Theatre in spidery scrawl. They're transcribed in High Mordentish, Low Mordentish, Sithican, and the Trade Tongue.
Broken things,
Is your voice as HAUNTING as your disfigured face?
Do you curse those too BLIND to see the line between their madness and your truth is thing as VEINS?
Are the FIRES within stoked by your DANCE with the ugliness of each dying BREATH?
The world waits to see what sights are hidden away by DARKNESS and FILTH. For those who can MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND.
Leave a gift of your ART upon the altar of this liar's HUSK. Perform something TERRIBLE and BEAUTIFUL, and I will find you.
-
The Colibri theatre erupts into violence late in the evening, with the sounds of an impromptu spoken performance giving way to a strange flash of red light, and moments later, a gurgled scream. Three bodies are left upon on the floor, two seemingly without any wounds at all, and a third impaled from behind by some immense and sharp instrument. Shadows and things yet darker still are on the lips of those hiding where the glittering lights don't shine, tonight. A few angry souls whisper a Gendarme was spotted crossing into the wrong side of town, while others boast promise of bloody vengeance for the transgressions. Whatever the truth, three witnesses are dead. If there are more who can say what really happened, fear, guilt, or something else has stilled their tongues.
-
[Flyers go up...]
(https://i.imgur.com/Rlu6xOh.png)
//Placed IG. Feel free to PM me.
-
The rattling of wheels echoed down the dingy streets of the Ouvrier just after sunrise. A gangling young woman was seen collecting the bodies of the dead, piling them on her shoddy pushcart one by one before making her way off to the cemetery. Stacks of cadavers of the destitute and deranged are offloaded there, seemingly to receive a proper burial.
-
The Colibri theatre once again sees life in the early hours of the morning. Flames that come from no natural fire burn upon the stage, and voices and applause can be heard sporadically from within while shadows flicker past the boarded windows. Morning's light, when it creeps through the tattered ceiling, reveals strange markings, soot, and candlewax left behind. The scent of brimstone and perfume lingers in the air, like a whispered testament to the evening's strange happenings.
-
Not long after the sounds of gunfire and celebration cease in the ruins of the Colibri Theatre, a massive individual in rather high quality tailored clothes makes his way through the quarter. Despite many of the commoners pushing him away for being "caliban", the man goes to every beggar and hands each and every one of them a pouch of twenty solars. Without much further commotion, and with a saddened expression, the man leaves.
-
Yet again, the hulk of the Colibri Theatre sees a procession of finely clad and masked strangers in the early hours of morning. Stillness gives way to genteel applause, and then the soft chords of a harp mark the melody of ballet song not performed for nearly a decade. This too brings loud acclamation, and then flashes of red and despairing wails that evoke an ovation all their own. When the morning comes, the stage is splattered with artful swirls of crimson.
-
In the very middle of the Quartier Ouvrier, a thin plume of smoke billows sky-high. The wafting scent of burning wood and paper fills the air.
The next day, it happens again...
-
Smoke rises high from the north-eastern hospice; a mismatched couple flittering in and out, arms piled with various commodities. An outside stall is stacked high with fresh breads, blankets, and bandages.
The goods are distributed freely amongst the poorfolk.
The day after, the bespectacled woman returns to do so again..
-
A short rotund blonde fellow spends his afternoons, presumably after each undefined shift plying various handyman skills across the Ouvrier, reinforcing shacks and insulating ruined buildings as best as his apparent meager supplies allowed.
-
Announcing the Penthouse Library
We welcome all free thinkers and community minded residents of our Republique to an open discussion at the Penthouse Library, upon the topic of "Alternative Compliance".
This esteemed establishment has received great acclaim (by the local mice) whose cacophonous chitters of glee at the activity in our kitchen are the talk of the hidden highway.
Informal Dress Required
No admittance to fine suits or fancy dresses
Penthouse, Worker's Lodge, Ouvrier
~ Common Questions, tempered by Common Sense ~
// OOC: Apr 3rd, 5pm EST countdown (https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/halloween?p0=250&iso=20220403T17&year=2022&month=4&day=3&hour=17&min=0&sec=0&msg=Penthouse%20Library%20Opening)
-
Idle gossip has it that an unusual shipment of goods was brought into L'Auberge du Diamant just before daybreak. A black clad pair ushered their barrels into the back room and out of sight with little more than a nod to the barkeep.
-
A final time, the shell of broken dreams and promise that is the Colibri Theatre plays host to a macabre spectacle of men and women, finely dressed and anonymous. This performance lacks the flash of the last. Instead, the discordant notes of a harp play accompaniment to a child's sobs. Screams shatter the song, and then all is silent until applause once more crescendos. Shouting, screams cut short. and shattered glass serve as encore. Morning's investigation reveals only a mound of dust, and blood upon the tear-soaked stage.
-
Candles are placed along the back hallways of the Ouvrier, illuminating a passage.
// OOC: Starting soon!
(https://www.dropbox.com/s/89eyfb9qu1yc2ku/2022-04-03%2014_44_46-Neverwinter%20Nights_%20Enhanced%20Edition%20v86.8193.34.1%20%5Bb8d939f8%5D.png?raw=1)
Announcing the Penthouse Library
We welcome all free thinkers and community minded residents of our Republique to an open discussion at the Penthouse Library, upon the topic of "Alternative Compliance".
This esteemed establishment has received great acclaim (by the local mice) whose cacophonous chitters of glee at the activity in our kitchen are the talk of the hidden highway.
Informal Dress Required
No admittance to fine suits or fancy dresses
Penthouse, Worker's Lodge, Ouvrier
~ Common Questions, tempered by Common Sense ~
// OOC: Apr 3rd, 5pm EST countdown (https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/halloween?p0=250&iso=20220403T17&year=2022&month=4&day=3&hour=17&min=0&sec=0&msg=Penthouse%20Library%20Opening)
-
Not long after the fashion contest ends, Rithwarian Luelana is seen delivery a large shipment of well made hoods and cloaks to the Hospice of Hala.
-
In the night, one of the wandering waifs of the Quartier has disappeared. This likely doesn't attract much attention.
-
"Blue" blood splashes the cobbles as Maitre Emeric Desrosiers, Second Grandson to the Marquis de Valey, limps from amidst the alleys one dawn. Burned, and bearing a deep wound to his side that he clutches with one hand, he walks with determination in his gaze towards the Gendarmerie, a bag filled with ominous round objects in the other. Whatever transpired overnight has made this nobleman's visit to the slum remarkably public.
-
Shouts of "thief" from the Quartier Publique initiate a foot chase and a running exchange of gunfire which ends in the Quartier Ouvrier. A hooded figure pursued by a pair of Gendarmes vanishes into the tangle of ramshackle buildings and the warrens beneath. Not long after, a diminutive voice is heard shouting accusations, calling the Gendarmes murderers, killers, and worse. The city's defenders break off their investigation, returning to the safety of the Quartier Savant, a small body in arms.
-
A painting of a black Shepherd's crook is left casually leaned up against a wall. The disappearance of Ouvrier waifs, which seemed to have been happening at least once a night for a couple weeks, seems to have stopped.
-
PENTHOUSE LIBRARY
now accepting contributions
Welcoming the Obscure, the Forgotten, and the Bizarre.
Fiction, History, Periodicals, Poetry.
Clever Pseudonyms Encouraged.
A mailslot is installed into the the locked door in the Worker's Lodge (( //OOC: PM contributions to Siobhan (https://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=7207) ))
-
A recent addition to the hospice of the Sisters of Compassion, Marissa's perhaps familiar veil and robe could be seen pottering around the Ouvrier. She hangs out laundry, finding purchase in whatever scant sunlight filters down through the clouds. She tends to bundles of drying herbs, scrubs pots and pans and guides patients to empty beds for succor and rest. Though the work she undertakes appears to be menial and base-level, she offered no complaint, or showed any sign of protest or disgruntlement.
-
[Candlelight shines through the abandoned front offices of L'Atelier du Progrès, perhaps for the first time in many years. Sometimes, there can even be heard the whirring of machinery by passersby.]
-
A pack of bodies is left strewn in the Ouvrier, thugs and waifs alike, as they seemed to have been shown no gentleness or remorse. Most horrifyingly, the bodies seem to have had chunks of flesh torn from them, as if eaten by some kind of feral animal.
-
The sounds of hammers and saws can be heard coming from the offices of L'Atelier du Progrès. It appears as though some entrepreneur intends to use the location as a store front of some sort. In the narrow walkways outside the location, a pair of signs seem to have sprung up reading "du Quesne Pistol and Powder: Coming Soon!"
-
The Souragnian Noble Voodan and Actress, Josephine Perigord, is seen coming to the Halan Hospice with a good bit of Souragnian food. Tchaka, Jambalaya, Griot, and Gumbo were all brought over to the Hospice so that those who come can enjoy the food.
-
[Amongst the squalid streets of the Quartier Ouvier, a Gendarme recruitment official swiftly makes his way through the widest of the streets, plastering recruitment posters onto the walls as he passes]
(https://i.imgur.com/hQuKJ06.png)
//placed in game
-
In the early morning bodies are picked clean from the Quartier Ouvrier in the early morning hours, two men with zweifalk's on their heads with grafitti written outside of the closed government provider reading.
"DEATH TO FALKOVNIA. REMEMBER RENAULT. REMEMBER DE SALLE."
-
The sound of a mournful violin can be heard coming from the derelict Colibri. The song simple and earnest but the pain of loss held within each note.
-
A blonde violinist takes to the streets of the Ouvrier playing songs for the various children about playing during the day. As she travels through to play for other children she offers alms to those most destitute as she passes. Her music is lively and energetic, clearly aimed to bring some brightness in the children's days.
-
A large collection of clothes suitable for interviews is brought to the hospices in the Ourvier by a blonde woman in white and pink. She does not offer a name but rather a friendly smile as she leave.
-
A perhaps familiar Mordentish man in blackened armour is seen making nightly patrols around the streets of the Ouvrier, whistling an old sailor's tune as he does. The rabble of brigands, ruffians, calibans and whatever else that would attempt to accost the man would be quickly dispatched by the monolithic double-edged axe upon his shoulder, pressing onwards without much of a second thought.
Whilst this sight itself wasn't unusual, it appeared on some nights he would linger longer than usual, his gaze watching the destitute rooftops above in search of something else, or someone else. Whatever it was, however, he clearly hadn't seem to find it.
-
Word travels the streets of disrespect shown to the gangs of the Ouvrier within the heart of their turf, and rumor is contracts are already out for the heads of those involved. Details can be found in the foul corners of the city where light and law don't reach.
-
Late in the evening a skilled and mournful violin can be heard coming from the collibri theatre. The song last a short time but the message of loss is clear to those who hear it.
-
A single candle is lit on the thieves highway, next to the entrance to the collibri theatre.
Music can occasionally be heard from inside ...
-
Deep below the streets of the Ouvrier, La Doublure D'Argent closed its doors for a number of hours. Rumors speak of a large meeting occurring, with only Caliban being allowed. Attending were members of various gangs, including The Dreadmauls and various revolutionary groups.
Loud arguing was heard, with some saying that peace was barely held on by Gros Louis and a few others.
(https://i.imgur.com/mhbFZp2.jpg)
-
These sinister posters begin to crop up around the underbelly and shadiest dens of the underworld around Port-á-Lucine. They appear mostly in Darkonese, with High Mordentish translations available.
(https://i.imgur.com/cLDaEUO.png)
BY DECREE OF THE VAUNTED
WE CALL UPON ALL THOSE WILL MARCH IN THE GREATEST WAR EVER WITNESSED BY MORTAL EYES.
THE SILENT FIELDS REMAINS A MERE SPECK OF DUST IN THE WINDS OF CHANGE - OUR TRUE CONQUEST BEGINS WITH FALKOVNIA.
DO NOT BE DECEIVED, THE BASTARD PRINCE DRAKOV IS DEAD AND HIS FATHER WILL FOLLOW. THE LOYAL SONS OF DARKON WILL MARCH UPON THEIR LAND, AND THE HOUR OF THEIR TWILIGHT WILL COME.
COME NOW, THOSE OF YOU WHO WISH TO CONQUER AND FIGHT. MERCENARIES, SOLDIERS, AND ASPIRANTS ALIKE. COME AND PARTAKE IN THE GREATEST BLOODSHED THIS REALM WILL EVER KNOW.
WE ARE INEVITABLE. WE ARE UNCEASING. WE ARE THEIR UNMAKING.
-
Little slips of paper appear in the places one would notice, and some in places one might not, seemingly advertising rat-catching services. Sometimes a thin slip of a youth, grimy and with a little crossbow, can be seen placing them down.
-
The meandering streets and back-alleys of the Quartier Ouvrier have never been strangers to dead bodies and sounds of struggle, but travelers report some of the recent carrion as looking less than recent. Like bodies that have been interred for some time. Despite this state they look badly damaged by savage postmortem wounds. Might this area have a new threat, or might this be the result of some imported foreign superstition?
-
Once again, crumpled notices of insidious markings crop up in the darkest depths of the underbelly, the highways of brigands and cut-throats alike. They seldom make it upon the surface, but perhaps one with keen or eager eyes would find them if they were so inclined.
(https://i.imgur.com/cLDaEUO.png)
BY DECREE OF THE VAUNTED
LET IT BE KNOWN THAT WE, THE VAUNTED, WALK THESE SHADOWED HALLS.
FALKOVNIANS BEWARE, THE SINS OF YOUR FLESH BRAND YOU AS TRAITORS. THOSE WHO WISH REPENTANCE MAY SEEK US OUT, AND BE BORN ANEW.
THOSE WHO IGNORE OUR WARNINGS WILL BE RIGHTFULLY PUNISHED - DEATH IS A MERCY YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
GLORY TO THE ETERNAL CONQUEST.
-
A strange sight can be observed on the thieves highway and its surrounding areas:
An obviously foreign man who does not quite fit into the picture of beggars and smuggler would travel along the shadowed halls nearly every night. It seems he leaves the occasional coin as a gift without speaking to anyone in particular.
A bouquet of blue roses is left on a specific table in the Colibri theater. Fresh flowers are brought every few days, accompanied with a song played by a formerly famous inhabitant of the theater.
-
A Gendarme is seen taking a woman's body into the Halan hospice to be tended by the sisters there.
-
Following the events of the previous evening, a mass of blue-coat Gendarmes march through the wider streets of the Ouvier, their intent apparent as they demand information on the wanted fugitive, Daidriann Valstahd..
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/880238416837627964/1082469319310581831/image.png)
-
(https://i.imgur.com/JtVbksH.png)
As the temperatures lower, various Westside notices shoved about the corners of the Ouv' are snatched; stolen for kindling.
-
More cryptic and malevolent looking posters begin surfacing within the shady corners of the streets and the city's underbelly alike.
(https://i.imgur.com/cLDaEUO.png)
BY DECREE OF THE VAUNTED
THE TALON PRINCE, LORD OF FALKOVNIA, THE CARRION KING. HIS DAY WILL SOON COME, THE ONE THAT IS PROMISED.
SERFS AND CHATTEL OF THE REPUBLIQUE, YOU ARE HEREBY CONSCRIPTED, WHETHER BY CHOICE OR OTHERWISE, INTO THE DEAD MAN'S WAR: THE WAR TO END ALL FALKOVNIAN AGGRESSION.
LOOK UPON YOUR HISTORY AND DESPAIR, REMEMBER WELL THE DESTRUCTION OF THE HAWK. THAT WHICH HAS RAVAGED YOUR LAND, YOUR HOMES, PUT YOUR FAMILIES TO EARLY AND SHALLOW GRAVES.
HEAR US, THE VAUNTED, AND OUR PROMISE TO NOT MERELY STAVE OFF THE THREAT OF DESTRUCTION, BUT TO UNDO THE VERY MENACE ITSELF. SOMETHING YOUR PITIFUL COUNCIL WILL NEVER GRANT YOU.
DEATH TO THE CROWNED SERPENT. DEATH TO THE GILDED TYRANTS. DEATH TO FALKOVNIA.
-
A lifeless body has been discovered in the last hours of the night.
The young woman presented a horrible wound to her womb, and voices in the quartier tell of a well dressed gentleman, a well know artist, a bulky carpenter and a small caliban discussing about the tiny wounds on her neck and the presence of the well known tiny wicked spiders tormenting that part of the city.
After a short survey, the gentleman departs to the direction of the Gendarmerie, while the others disperse.
-
The stench of formaldehyde and other strange chemicals escapes the abandoned Atelier du Progres. Perhaps some effort to manufacture narcotics gone awry, or something altogether stranger.
Pinned to the still accessible entrance from the "Thieves' Highway" is a notice:
LABORATORY OF SUA
Knowledge seekers may seek audience.
Cattle may seek audience if they bring tribute.
So say I,
Sua the Explorer
-
[in the early morning, a large Red Vardo, the trademark of the famous merchantile guild, makes its way from Quartier Marchand to Quartier Ouvrier, stopping at le Tenenments.
Figures clad in black and red hop down of the wagon, led by one of the petite gents. They quickly begin to offload crates, barrels and sack from the caravan.]
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/940353677049339985/1103055580203061309/RVT_Offloading.JPG?width=1005&height=633)
[Shortly after, the supplies are transferred inside the building and then onto the basement. The group works quietly, with very few words beyond orders being exchanged. Once the crates and their contents have been brought in the basement, the Red Vardo Traders make their leave - Quietly, followed by the surprised and suspicious stares of the commoners living in the poorest Quartier of Port-a-Lucine]
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/940353677049339985/1103055580542808064/RVT_-_Crates.JPG?width=1245&height=633)
-
(https://i.imgur.com/OhnilYa.png)
The sleep of the Ouvrier is rudely interrupted that evening as an explosion rocks the Government Food Provider...
-
Dawn breaks over the Ouvrier, but it isn't peaceful. Another explosion rocks the Ouvrier, this time at the other Food Provider. Except in this instance, it isn't the Government employees who are slain, but a young mother and her two daughters who had been queuing early with their ration coupons.
The officials who arrive to start their day at the Food Provider simply put the bodies to one side with the rest of the debris; it is the beggars who live nearby who offer the deceased dignity by covering them with a tarp.
(https://i.imgur.com/KxY856e.png)
-
Another day, another victim... outside the Government Food Provider, a young man has been killed by some mechanical trap. The people stay away, frightened by the terror that stalks amongst them.
(https://i.imgur.com/dbqqU6d.png)
-
[The night hours in the Quartier Ouvrier of Port-a-Lucine seem to become even more dangerous as of late. In addition to the typical violence that is often found in the dark streets, and the recent uprise in fatal assaults, another frightening and mysterious occurrence seems on the rise... kidnappings.
Muttered rumor suggests that some of the most violent gangs that trouble the Ouvrier have lost members as of late, but not the weak or cowardly. Instead, word spreads on the street that the roughest, most brutish thugs have been assailed at night, grabbed by a darkly armored figure of immense strength and quickness and dragged away into the shadows. Equally disturbing, is that those criminals of the gangs that are known to have arcane blood are also abducted, dragged unconscious from the Abandoned Worker's Lodging. Thus far, no one speaks of ransom notes or threats... ]
-
True to the notices, Mariah Parsons has taken to personally delivering food to the downtrodden and destitute in the Ouvrier, in flagrant provocation to La Flambeuse. She is not seen alone.
-
It appears the provocation has achieved a retaliation, though not against the rich, well-protected charitable folk...
(https://i.imgur.com/fxSi7Lp.png)
-
Screaming, yelling, and ranting disturb the night of the Ouvrier as a group of arcanists, combatants, and heroes from all walks of life bandy words with an unseen assailant. The people cower in their homes at the sound of subsequent arcane conflagrations... by morning, however, other than some new damage to the masonry, all is quiet again. Though the bodies of dead gang members are picked unusually clean...
-
A woman in a dark grey cloak is seen delivering bread to the poorest of the Ouvrier.
-
Another night, another scene of carnage. Nine bodies, lined up outside the Tenements, displaying a message...
(https://i.imgur.com/cPQtnOA.png)
-
Sieur Raphael d'Argenti can be seen setting up some sort of performance or demonstration in the Quarter Square...
-
As the Cathedral's bell tolls Seven o'clock, dozens upon dozens of explosions can be heard coming from the Ouvrier...followed by brillent flashes of light illuminating the night's sky. True to his word, the borcan knights firework display goes off without a hitch. Within the pryotechnic fire the words "HAPPY 41ST" can be seen...
-
When morning came to the Ouvrier, one caustic Tepestani woman saw to relocating the cadavers composing the birthday message to the morgue run by the local cemetery. Supposedly, the Gendarmerie's morgue has been too full to take on anymore bodies (or so the rumor goes), and so the relocation of unusual murder victims to the Cimetiere des Ames-Sereines is not new. What is new is the greasy chalk outlines of the bodies left by the Tepestani. Even in the rain, the hollow outlines still read 'HAPPY BDAY'.
-
A man wearing purple and gold and a woman wearing white and red enter one of the small taverns of the Ouvrier. They seat themselves at a small table and the man begins to speak to the empty seat in front of him. As he continues on, he begins to shed a river of tears down the right side of his face. As the afternoon comes to a close, he finishes what seems to be a mock interview with an 'Eloane La Sueur'. He stands, places a golden flower on the table after saying goodbye, and the pair leave soon after.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1076324401294880889/1115009836715888770/image.png)
-
Once more, a sizeable delivery of bread is made to the homeless of the Ouvrier.
-
Word would spread of the "De Sauvre Foundation" buying up debt contracts, and forgiving them. The more cynical might mutter that this is just more noble posturing while the avaricious start to circle like vultures looking for a way to exploit such generosity. Yet for some, at least, this represents a rare chance for hope and freedom...
-
Onlookers spot a exotically beautiful young woman in a green kimono enter a government-sponsored food bank this afternoon. They see her exit with arms full of rations and watch as she begins handing them out to the beggars and leaving them in impromptu shelters for the impoverished.
-
Just before sunset, an older man wearing a black coat with red trim would be seen bringing a large basket of fish into the tenements of the Ouvrier. He would not be seen leaving until dawn.
-
(https://i.ibb.co/59XkmVY/for-Heidi-Post.jpg)
Around venues such as La Doublure D'Argent, Auberge le Diamant or Fantaisies Luciniennes and others tied to Port-au-Lucine's criminal underworld, there circulates a rumour of a crew being gathered in the Black Market for a big score.
Philip "the Fence" seems to be casually acquainted with the perpetrator, others around the Black Market would occasionally see her there as of late, where she would often push hastily large quantities of jewellery of unknown origin.
-
Come dawn, an elder Warden of Ezra is seen distributing bread, cured meats, as well as firewood for the winter, to the locals of the Quartier Ouvrier with a genuine smile. To those who accept them, several printed Third Books of Ezra are distributed among the people. He asks for nothing in return, only that they consider coming to the next Fifth Day Service.
(https://i.gyazo.com/5f7bc099cd4ca0895bb9bbd4ec94d569.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/AYihISY.png)
A repetitive occurrence over the past month, the upcoming Épineux doctor has taken to almost daily visits of a sequestered Ouvrier home. An abode repurposed, a large wooden sign denotes the purpose of her appearances; a gaggle of sickly men and women taking treatment within. A collection of pungent herbs including dried peppermint and rose are hung upon the doorframe, replaced on her departure.
-
Rumors say that lately a tall young man goes around the Marchand and L'Ouvrier, leaving ration packs of deer, boar and rabbit meat in the streets and inside the abandoned houses where beggars and the poorest people usually gather.
-
A young man accompanied by two women can be seen giving food to the many beggars and poor around Qartier Ouvier. They light some fireworks for the people as well to give the area a bit more excitement.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1159703240099778631/1208615464054300692/To_the_poor.png?ex=65e3eddd&is=65d178dd&hm=8e1e131a1399d84d2fa4a6b68be3cdf2f564bf2645def63aa8c33e457faaba03&)
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Once more, the De Sauvre Foundation's agents perform their charitable endeavours, buying up bad debt contracts only to tear them up; clerks whisper of a sum of half a million solars poured into the open economic wound that is the Worker's Quarter. The well-meaning praise this good work, while the greedy rub their hands and plot to take advantage of such generosity. Still, if only for a few nights, many families can breathe a little easier without the burden of crushing debt.
((Goldsink abetted by DM Despot! <3 ))