Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Sshamath's outpost in the Upperdark, Undrek Naudal, has long been a quite place, little more than a remote way-station of seemingly little import to the City's ruling Conclave. Yet now, travellers would see more activity than usual. A trio of senior bearing the insignia of the School of Abjuration are frequent visitors, periodically casting spells at certain points in the outpost.

Another visitor, usually in the company of this trio, is another mage whose rank soon becomes known throughout the settlement as an Archmage of Divination - and more importantly Magister, answerable directly to the conclave itself. The fact that this Magister is guarded by a golem bearing the marks of the School of Transmutation suggests that the power block formed by the Schools of Abjuration, Transmutation and Divination has some interest in this formerly quiet outpost.
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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In the wake of the recent supply delivery organized by House Sshamath, a new figure can be observed exploring the outpost and its surroundings: One of the drow mercenaries who had served as the vanguard of the expedition, the rapier-bearing woman tends to alternate between studying the area and resting at the old Selmiyeritar complex. (Having no key of her own yet, though, she is frequently forced to knock on the door until one of the House's remaining servants can let her in.)

Though she does not bear their insignia yet, it seems reasonable from her behavior and the attitudes of the guards that she has recently joined the Selmiyeritars... an unusual development, considering their recent history...
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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The First Blade of House Selmiyeritar (who now bears both her keys and her house insignia!) could be seen wandering out of the outpost in her previous adventuring outfit, accompanied by Selmiyeritar's Captain of the Guard in plain (albeit brightly colored) clothes. Between the two of them, they seemed to have no weapons besides a single dagger.

When they returned hours later, they looked fatigued, but otherwise unharmed and seemingly unchanged by their venture. Their destination and purpose remained unclear, though their safe return suggests the First Blade did not intend to drag the Captain out unarmed and unarmored into an ambush, as the disparity in their equipment might have initially implied.
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Selmiyeritar's Captain of the Guard could recently be seen helping a badly wounded First Blade into Naudal. The smell of burnt flesh followed them as they headed straight into the estate, and while she was conscious and nominally on her feet, the young drow was clearly incapable of properly walking or even standing unsupported at the time.

Over the next few cycles, she is not seen leaving the estate, though any guards willing to comment would note that she is recovering steadily.
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Drow bearing the insignia of House Selmiyeritar could be seen leaving the estate to put up posters, first in Naudal itself, but quickly moving on to Rockrun, Undrek Vallanar, and Sshamath itself:
To all interested traders, artisans, and anyone else of a mercantile persuasion; to all adventurers looking for new equipment,

It is with great pleasure and anticipation that Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar of Sshamath invites you to visit us at our estate in Undrek Naudal for a trade fair on the twenty-third cycle of the third turning (23rd of Ches by surface calendars), where in addition to being able to peddle and peruse each others' goods, you will witness the first of what will hopefully be many future auctions run by our Qu'ellar.

Proceeds from the auction will be shared between the sellers and expanding Naudal's infrastructure. Other trade during the fair is encouraged, but not required, to contribute to Naudal's treasury as well.

Described below are but a few of the dozens of magical items and paraphernalia we are contributing to the auction:

~~~~ "Mind over Body": This well-warded magical belt greatly enhances the wearer's intelligence, endurance, and knowledge of the Art. A fine choice for many a faern.

~~~~ Champion Marksman's Shortbow: A composite bow expertly fashioned out of duskwood, this masterpiece of the fletcher's art bears only the finest of permanent weapon enchantments, and boasts astounding draw strength for its size.

~~~~ A number of diamonds, canary diamonds, and bone wands.

We look forward to seeing you soon,

--Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar
The fair formally starts outside the Selmiyeritar estate in Undrek Naudal, on Saturday, March 25, 1700 GMT, and lasts until 2100 GMT.
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Selmiyeritar's messengers could once again be seen putting up flyers - as before, they start in Undrek Naudal before moving on to Blue Lantern Keep, Undrek Vallanar, and Sshamath:
To all warriors, mages, and adventurers seeking fame, fortune, or an opportunity to demonstrate their skills,

Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar of Sshamath now invites you to demonstrate your skills, whether with blade, spell, or both, at our estate in Undrek Naudal. Join one or more of the competitions we are holding on the twenty-eighth cycle of the fourth turning (28th of Tarsakh according to surface calendars), or spectate and bet on the contestants as they battle each other for the championship!

We shall hold up to three events, depending on the skills and preferences of our competitors:

~~~~ A mage dueling tournament, where your only weapons will be your spellbooks! (Or your holy symbols, your blood, or however you cast magic. Pact mages will likely be exempt from this contest, however. What strategy is there in repeating the same spell a thousand times until your opponent finally collapses from exhaustion?)

~~~~ A martial tournament, the exact inverse of the mage duels. (Though the invocations of pact mages are considered magical enough to be prohibited in this one, as well... but they are otherwise free to participate here.)

~~~~ A general contest of might, be it magical, mundane, or some combination of the two! Anything allowed in either of the other contests will be allowed in this one.

Entry into each competition shall require a registration fee of 1000 gold pieces (or equivalent currency), submitted along with the participant's name no later than one cycle before the beginning of the event. Late arrivals will be charged double to make up for making the schedulers' lives difficult.

The final winner in each of the competitions shall receive a prize of 25,000 gold pieces, as well as half of all the registration fees for that competition. If any of the competitions are not held, their prizes shall be divided between the others, and registration fees refunded in full.

Some of the ground rules for the tournament include:

~~~~ No maiming or killing. These are not deathmatches; an opponent must be left unable to continue the fight without inflicting permanent injury.
~~~~ No spellcasting items of any kind whatsoever may be used during a match: Wands, potions, staves... herbal preparations to such effects are also forbidden.
~~~~ Leaving the arena, whether voluntarily or by force, results in forfeiture of the match.

We hope to see you soon,

--Que'llar Selmiyeritar
Same time and location as last time: Undrek Naudal, 1700-2100 GMT. This month's event is scheduled for Saturday, April 29.
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Timing correction for the above post: The tournament starts at 1600 and ends at 2000 UTC! Daylight saving messed my conversions up...
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Over the past turning, a number of new arrivals could be seen trickling into the Selmiyeritar courtyard, teleported across by the house's First Blade - the second-in-command and de-facto ambassador of Selmiyeritar. Some of them are armed and armored; others are dressed like mages and alchemists. Numbering six in total - three warriors and three mages - they are soon housed in the Selmiyeritar estate, as no more appropriate lodgings are available yet.

Shortly after the last one arrives, the First Blade makes an announcement in the courtyard, to all those who would listen to it. The three warriors would stand beside her, wearing an unfamiliar uniform. Posters bearing a similar message to her announcement would later be placed at key locations within Naudal, as she clearly wishes this information to be known to anyone entering the outpost:
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To anyone reading this,

Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar regrets to inform you that we will not be organizing any new events for the fifth turning (Mirtul by surface calendars). No trade fairs, no tournaments. But we have an important announcement all the same:

We are sponsoring the creation of a guard division dedicated to maintaining order and security within Undrek Naudal. As of now (the seventeenth cycle of the fifth turning, or 17th of Mirtul for surfacers), Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar will recognize and support the authority of the Ih'aran d'Naudal as a constabulary force within the territories within and adjacent to the outpost of Undrek Naudal, charged with upholding Sshamathan law within their domain. We invite the ambassador of Clan Shieldbreaker, the commander of the local Conclave garrison, and the representatives of the School of Conjuration to join us in empowering these men and women to keep the peace in the growing settlement we all share:

~~~~ Captain Xirzeth Duunorl

~~~~ Lieutenant Galthryn Yithery

~~~~ Protector Azzara Kzavarr

This is not the only announcement we have to make. In cooperation with the Ih'aran d'Naudal, and with the added support of necromancer Thaevara Nythryl's undead cohort, Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar will begin clearing out the myconid and bat dens immediately outside the outpost, in preparation to reclaim the ruins to the north; expand the reach of our defensive walls; and obtain additional space for housing, a proper marketplace, and other things befitting a small town. First and foremost on this list are lodgings and workspaces for the abovementioned Ih'aran members; Thaevara; Chief Architect and sculptor Valtaris Zest'orl; and alchemist Arvendeth Lothryl and her shop. All of these are currently housed at the Selmiyeritar estate pending the completion of their respective living spaces.

Additionally, as might be inferred from our previous announcement, the School of Conjuration has arranged for the establishment of an enclave within Naudal, to be constructed as soon as the abovementioned wall and housing requirements have been met.

We apologize if this is not the announcement some of you were hoping for. But we are sure you can agree it is an important milestone for Undrek Naudal, and we assure you there will be another event next turning,

--Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar
As her subordinates went out to place the posters, the First Blade herself would deliver a sealed letter to the Shieldbreaker embassy, before heading out, rapier in hand, to join the first extermination expedition outside the outpost gates.

OOC: Approved by DM Winter. The poster would include sketches of Xirzeth, Galthryn, and Azzara, two males and one female, respectively, in their Ih'aran uniforms. Drow readers would recognize the organization name as translating to "Protectors of Naudal".
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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As she returned from an audience with the Conclave in Sshamath, word may slowly begin to spread that the First Blade of House Selmiyeritar had declared herself matron. Though she is slow to make a public announcement, if indeed she believes such a thing is warranted, this decision casts her predecessor's near-disappearance from public life in a new light... as it does the new matron's history of representing her house in the vast majority of its dealings over the past few turnings.

What has happened, and why? For now, perhaps only the Selmiyeritars and the Conclave know for certain...
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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As of the past few Cycles, work has picked up in Undrek Naudal.

Duergar of the Shield Breaker clan can be seen mining and carrying materials. Undead workers under the command of a necromancer hired by the Selmiyeritar haul heavy stones. The newly formed Ih'aran d'Naudal is seen exterminating the critters outside the outpost in an attempt to gain ground. Buildings are being raised by an expert drow sculptor.

The outpost is now under the command of a small Council created by the Conclave, overseeing its expansion. The council is composed of the Matron of House Selmiyeritar, the Commander of the Shield Breaker clan of the outpost, a representative of the School of Conjuration and a Magister of the Stonestave
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Amidst the construction work, messengers are once again sent out from the Selmiyeritar estate to Blue Lantern Keep, Undrek Vallanar, and Sshamath, putting up posters in public spaces:
To all interested traders, artisans, and anyone else of a mercantile persuasion; to all adventurers looking for new equipment,

Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar of Sshamath is pleased to once again invite you to visit us at our estate in Undrek Naudal for a trade fair on the thirtieth cycle of the sixth turning (30th of Kythorn by surface calendars), both to peddle and peruse each others' goods, and to participate in another auction of magical items overseen by our new matron.

As was the case last time, proceeds from the auction will be shared between the sellers and expanding Naudal's infrastructure. Other trade during the fair is encouraged, but not required, to contribute to Naudal's treasury as well.

Described below is a sampling of the items we are contributing to the auction:

---- Champion Assassin's Shortsword: An exemplary blade undoubtedly custom-made for its forgotten owner, this shortsword bears numerous enchantments to secure a swift yet stealthy kill.

---- Champion Boots of the Sun Soul: Thought to have belonged to a great Netherese monk in ages past, these masterfully enchanted boots enhance the wearer's coordination, offering an almost unnatural ability to anticipate and evade the blows of one's enemy.

---- As before, a multitude of diamonds and other rare reagents.

We look forward to seeing you soon,

--Qu'ellar Selmiyeritar
The fair formally starts outside the Selmiyeritar estate in Undrek Naudal, on Saturday, July 1, 1600 GMT, and lasts until 2000 GMT or until everyone leaves, whichever is first.
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Shortly after their matron's return from an unexpected cycle in Sshamath, messengers of House Selmiyeritar could be seen delivering sealed letters addressed to the other members of Naudal's ruling council, as well as General Morex of Blue Lantern Keep.

The contents of these letters remain unknown to outsiders. However, as the letters go out, members of the house guard are pulled away from supporting the Ih'aran in their extermination campaign, in favor of guarding the entrances to the cavern complex they were previously clearing out. Are they expecting an attack? Or are they merely concerned by the possibility of one?
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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Upon returning from a visit to Sshamath with the captain of the house guard, the matron of Selmiyeritar sends letters to the Naudal council and General Morex. Once again, the contents are likely unknown to outsiders... but the movements accompanying them would seem to hint at a reversal of whatever was in the last series of letters. The house guard thus resumes their prior support of the Ih'aran's extermination efforts.
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Re: Rumours and events of the Upperdark - Undrek Naudal

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After a meeting with several key figures in House Selmiyeritar's project to develop Undrek Naudal, an uneasy silence fell over the Selmiyeritar estate, and the new year snuck in with nary a sound. But silence is not absence; inaction is not indifference; and as the cycles go by, the house leadership keeps waiting. Considering. Preparing.

There is a tension in the air, and an impatience: The walls were to be completed, an inn established, and craftsmen brought in over half a year ago. But with setback after setback, confronted by enemies without and blunders within, the schedule has lapsed time and time again. Yet the work continues. Soon, one of the obstacles hindering Naudal's growth would be removed... one way or another...
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