Stormreach Chronicle 4

NEWS
Splinterskull Ransacked? The taverns of Stormreach are aswirl with rumors that the Kar'Thul ogre tribe has pillaged the hobgoblin fortress of Splinterskull. Now, the Chronicle's scouts report another twist -- the great spider Whisperdoom is absent from her lair. Have the Kar'Thul slain one of Xen'drik's most notorious beasts? Or is some darker scheme afoot?

Delera's Defiled? The Stormreach Gravediggers Union has once again stopped work, blaming disturbing lights and noises from the spire that recently burst from the grounds of Delera's Graveyard. Is this an omen of awakening evil, or a cynical bid to raise gravedigging wages? This writer is too scared to investigate!

Haywire's Folly! The rogue artificer Phineas Hayward is back at his old tricks. After promising to ship several 'improved golems' from his workshop near the Black Anvil Mines to House Kundarak, Haywire failed to deliver, failed to explain himself, and, in fact, vanished entirely. Invited to comment, Barrow d'Kundarak merely shook his head and sighed.

Cult of Madness Gone Insane! Trakash the Gatekeeper has learned the location of an ancient quori temple from a newly-recovered Xorian cipher. According to Trakash, the Cult of Madness has also found the temple, and may be close to aligning its gates with the dread plane of Xoriat! Adventurers lacking a sense of self-preservation should speak with Trakash.

Jorasco Jitters? Anabel d'Jorasco was recently snatched from the streets of the House Jorasco ward. Before Jorasco could investigate, she was found wandering near the entrance of Parthilcar Tower Crypt. Anabel could not explain her ordeal, but described 'seeing lots of people I know' and 'having thoughts that weren't my own.' The Chronicle wonders: has House Jorasco deviated from the manufacture of protective potions to potent potables of the fermented variety?

Penitents Restless! Most copperless corpses end up in Delera's Graveyard, but the husks of the criminally insane are hauled a bit further, to the dreary plots of Penitent's Rest. Despite a Stormreach-wide ban on the interment of necromancers, Moonshadow Lightfoot (a.k.a. 'Deathshadow') was recently buried there by permission of a certain Coin Lord. Recent screams, howls and shrieks beyond the gates of Penitent's Rest suggest that Deathshadow sleeps but little. The Chronicle asks: how are the Coin Lords sleeping these days?

Shadow Crypt Secrecy Slipping? Dame Calla Swiftmare has repeatedly refused the Chronicle's requests for an interview, saying our publication is 'even worse than that rag from Korranberg!' We admit that our pages do not cater to the sensibilities of sharp-tongued Silver Flamers -- they cater to adventurers! In this spirit, we inform our readers of scuttlebutt amongst the Emerald Claw that the Shadow Crypt may be close to opening. No opportunities for gold and glory as of yet -- but perhaps soon? Dame Swiftmare, we invite you to speak directly to our readers and set this matter straight!