Missing Adventurers, Ill Omens, And The Return of Bartamus Fludge in the Fortnightly News

The new year's festivities have come and gone. Here is what the people of Orm are talking about this fortnite as they look to the new year:

Smokey Proag has returned from 'The Complex' is dire news. The Midnight Marauders hired four of the top members of the 111th Company (Ur-Kel, Geoph, Lirazil, and Smokey herself) and attempted to wrestle control of the 'Pool of Life' from the forces of Valtropis. The attack started out as a success with the force defeating a carcass crawler guardian and routing several of Valtropis' forces. It was in room containing the 'Pool of Life' that things went sour. The forces were locked in a bottle neck at the southern entrance when a crossbow bolt killed Geoph as he tried to cast an illusion. The Vat Spawn guards then pulled back and Valtropis unleashed the power of a strange wand causing the Marauders forces to break in fear. Smokey seems to be the only one who was not over come. As Smokey made her retreat, she saw Sir Rolf felled by a bolt to the chest and the former vat spawn servant of Vatroplis turned knight Ur-Kel captured. Smokey is uncertain what happened to the others as the fled in panic deeper into 'The Complex.' 111th Company head, Whiskers Redbeard, is offering a reward of 200gp for every member of the guild returned alive while 100gp will be paid out for any bodies returned for a proper burial.

Speaking of missing adventurers: the kobold PakPak, Wolfgang the Duelist, the vagrant fighter Frim Frimerson, Abraxis the Fighting Mutant, and the vat spawns Glow Pit & No Legs have not been seen since they gathered at twilight at the Wolves Den last week. There is no word as to their whereabouts.

The doom sayers and gutter dwelling prophets of the Alley of the Gods say such ill fates are portended the strange lights seen last night dancing across the sky. They recall ones seen almost a year ago to the day that revealed the lost cliff-face entrance to that underworld known in adventuring circles as 'The Complex'. While there is much debate as exactly what these light may mean, the consensus is decidedly that they mean more woe for the city-state of Orm.

Bartamus Fludge Returns

Perhaps the only good news to hit Orm in recent days is that the halfling trader Bartamus Fludge has once again been seen setting up near the Monument of the Old Gods. Fludge, not seen since Yellow Fever hit Orm. Joining Fludge and his pack ferrets is a return of the dwarfish peddler, Handsome Tiny. The savvy shopper may notice the inflated pricing of the peddlers goods. When asked, they replied in unison, "Night Raiders!" Those that want to take issue with the matter further have to contend with their three grizzled man-at-arms (the guards look even more rough-n-tumble than on their last visit to Orm).

Bartamus Fludge’s Wares
Item	Description	Qty. In Stock	Price Per Unit
Cloak Pin	A brass “u” shaped pin with the head of a hound at each end.	7	4 sp ea.
Helmet	An aventailed bascinet with bronze links	6	20 gp ea.
Insect Repellent	A greazy, waterproof salve	13 oz.	50 gp per oz.
String	Tri-colored hemp cord	1800 ft.	8 cp per 20’
Wine	A gnomish elderberry variety	20 gallons	2 gp per pint

 

Handsome Tiny’s Wares
Item	Description	Qty. In Stock	Price Per Unit
Enchanted tunic	A beaver fur tunic of gnomish-make enchanted to repel insects	2	250gp ea.
Ribbon	1.25’ wide red, black, and gray ribbon featuring a highly stylized dog design	150 ft.	4 cp. per yard
Rope, Silk	Lightweight climbing rope made of silk	100 ft.	15gp per 50 ft.
Sewing Kit	5 needles, a dozen spools of thread, measuring tape, and a thimble	5 kits	8gp ea.