CLOK BBS

Acting Mayor Gunther announced recently that new gate construction has begun, though it is a bit further within the canyon. "We need this gate built as soon as possible, and building it across the entire mouth of the canyon, where it is the widest, was simply not practical. We encourage patrons and staff alike of the Hanged Man to exercise extreme caution, as it is beyond the area the gate will protect, and advise them to promptly move within the town should there be any signs of invasion."

In a disturbing addition this morning, Gunther announced that builders have been killed while working on the gate project, and he is having trouble finding people willing to work on the project. "The people are scared," the Acting Mayor said. "On one hand, they know that the additional defense will help the town fend off future invasions and secure Shadgard's safety. On the other hand, they're well aware that people working on the project have the disturbing tendency to end up as corpses - and often even those cannot be found."

"We have some investigators working on figuring out just who is responsible for these attacks," the Acting Mayor continued. "Naturally, the primary suspects are the infested, but we cannot discount the possibility that it may be those cultists that have holed up in the burial grounds. The recent rash of incidents involving the abduction and reanimation of citizens makes me suspect our builders may be yet more victims to the disgusting experiments of those sorcerers. An announcement will be made once any conclusive evidence is found either way."

In response to the recent announcements by the assistant Mayor, representatives of the Trade Coalition have stepped forward and offered the services of several highly skilled guards to assure the safety of the gate builders. Master Trader Locke arrived in Shadgard, escorted by several guardsmen to meet with Gunther.

A short time later Locke returned to the town square and announced,” It is difficult times such as these when we must stand together. The Trade Coalition will do everything it can to support our humble town and assist in its defense. We too have lost a number of honorable guardsmen and we will not stand by and allow these miscreants to rule us with their ways of terror, whether the Necromancer, or the infested."

A short time later, armored guards were seen escorting builders and their supplies to the worksite in the canyon.

Before leaving, Locke also added, "Due to the expense of these guards, I have extended invitations to several of my contacts who know how to raise riln effectively. I am hoping to hear word from them soon and if negotiations go well, funding these guardsmen for a time should be simple."

When asked for details Locke simply grinned and left town along with his escort of hireswords.

Master Trader Locke appeared today at the City Hall to pass on a report from his hireswords.

He stated to the small group of citizens gathered, "I've received disturbing reports from my hired guards that they've caught sight of a man moving about in the shadows. This man attacked them with dark magics, attempting to kill the gate workers from hiding. The hireswords reported to me there were able to drive off the man successfully at first but that the attacks continued in one form or another."

Locke hesitated before continuing, "It was further reported that the animated corpse of one of our citizens attacked the builders later that night, my men were forced to end the poor man a second time to stop the attack and shortly after one of our hounds located and attacked the Necromancer Jaren who had been hiding in the shadows, it was reported that he quickly fled."

Locke continued, "I am grateful for Lars in accepting the invitation to come and sell his wares and we will do all we can to assure his safety while he is here. I've received word from other contacts who have also agreed visit our town for a short time and I hope their services can lift spirits and help us rally against these evils plaguing our lands."