Dale News - 2015-02

Date	Location	Title
04	ESGAROTH	Can't pay, won't pay!
09	ESGAROTH	What was that?
13	ESGAROTH	Baskets and Blushes

Post Title:	Can't pay, won't pay!
Author:	Brev
Date posted:	4 February 2015
You'll never guess who I saw in the Fishtale the other afternoon: Lady ORIANA Karath! Aye, she didn't even have the grace to look embarrassed, she was smiling as she talked with the old fellow tending the bar. Oh, and there was someone else too, though it took me a while to recognize her: that ragamuffin LOUSE turned up like the proverbial bad penny. Funny, she looks different somehow (did /you/ know her hair was blonde under all that dirt? Nope, me neither). Her manners haven't changed, though, judging by the way she demanded a drink. A fellow in a grey cloak (DAEGAL), said something to her as he left and I do hope it was a reprimand! Anyway, Lady Oriana had the bartender bring out some woman who was pregnant, and far along too by the looks of it. I was worried she was about to drop! The woman seemed to be expecting a handout from Karath, said something about giving 'mah babeh its rightful due' and 'payin' up'. Maybe she's the one the rumour-mill said was carrying Lord Bernar's child? But Oriana gave her the brush-off, cool as a cucumber, informed her that House Karath would not be party to extortion and then swept out of the place without passing on so much as a penny. Louse didn't hand over any pennies either - complained that the bartender had spilled half her drink (if you ask me, fear of House Karath made his hand shake worse than usual!) and announced he could keep it, as she wasn't paying up. Instead she stormed off. I suppose she must have passed Lady Oriana somewhere along the Wharf, but I wasn't wasting time on following them.

Post Title:	What was that?
Author:	Thorald
Date posted:	9 February 2015
Most of the people of Esgaroth living near the docks were blissfully unaware of an event happening right at their doorstep in the early hours of a particularly chilly winter's day. Those who witnessed it, claim that a group of Esgaroth Watchmen along with a couple of soldiers from the Order of the Black Arrow and several Royal Wardens, walked down to that hut that was on fire a couple of years ago? You know, the Old Bugger's former house? Well, nobody knew there were people living there! But I guess the guard did since they went right over and that fellow from the House Karath that has been gone for a while - THORALD, I think his name was - went and knocked on the door! We didn't expect him to get an answer but some fool opened anyway and then all hell broke loose! There were half-dressed men, fully armored and all of them were armed to the teeth! Albeit some of them had less than ideal weapons and shields - a stool for a shield? Really, now... But yes, the Watch under the command of Sergeant LOREN(played by Isobel), handled it quite well. The Steward of House Karath, ORIANA, was there, too. She was staying back until some unfortunate bugger ran straight by her and she took him out with a fierce left-hook. Wouldn't want to be him when he wakes up. Did you know LOUSE(played by Brev) is a Warden now? Well, she showed up in their armor and everything and kicked some wiry fellow's behind - or his bells, more like, ahem! - and made us all proud, what with being one of us and everything. The leader of this violent gang living in that house was someone called ROB(temped by Cer) and he almost got away, too, if it weren't for the Royal Wardens by the dock in a boat. That new High Warden gives me creeps, with his weird eyes and odd smile. Pfft, southerners... Anyway, the sun was coming up when they were cleaning up the mess and taking the survivors in. I went over and asked officer LOREN about what this was all about and he rather grumpily told me to mind my own business! How rude! Said:"If you were supposed to know, you would have been told." Well, I never! But yes. In the end, a couple of the fiends were cut down for violently resisting their arrest, the Karath fellow was stabbed in the back and Loren fe--- OW! Oh... I err... mean, he was so great we all should be thankful we have him protecting our city! Yes, sir! The prisoners were taken to the stockades and the wounded were swooped up by the healers. Speaking of which. Hey, pretty lady. I got this nasty bump in the midst of all the fierce fighting... Ow!

Post Title:	Baskets and Blushes
Author:	Oriana
Date posted:	13 February 2015
"Well now," Says an old woman who is sitting in the market knitting away. There is another old woman who is wrinkled and dusty looking sitting beside her. "I saw that Lord GERIK wondering here yesterday, with that healer ISLEEN (played by Oriana). Whatever would a noble be doing with a commoner?!" The dusty old woman laughs. "Taking pity on her I bet! But the lass is a pretty thing, though by far to shy if you ask me!" The first not so old but old woman shrugs and knits. "Saw him give her a basket of food and some toys. Do you think? Maybe she is -" The dusty looking old woman gasps. "Say no such thing! She may be a commoner but he is a noble man" They both burst into laughter suddenly. "I suppose that says it all! Why else would he be hanging about her hrm? Can't be because they get along.. could it?" The first older woman waves a hand as if to dismiss it. "Maybe we should keep our noses out of others business.." Again, there is a burst of laughter. They both know that is a lie..