Title: Crowd pleaser at the Crossing
Author: Maat
Date: Sun Aug 1 2004
A quiet and lazy afternoon in the Bazaar was broken by the excited murmurs of a Sylvan dancer performing at the Crossing.
"I thought there was only entertainment at night," said one shopper.
"Who cares?" declared another. "I'm going to watch."
Those who ventured into the Crossing at mid-afternoon found Circling Wind, decidedly underdressed for performance, and a young mongrel boy with a sitar on the newly built stage. The Crossing quickly grew crowded as word spread and the light afternoon staff overwhelmed by the many shoppers that decided to stop in for a drink and a bite.
At the close of the dance, one of the Founder's Council rose from a table beside the stage, leaving an untouched cup of chai. Whatever the Council member was seeking, it certainly wasn't physical refreshment.
Title: Missing Sylvan!
Author: Sparrow
Date: Tue Aug 3 2004
What do you say? No! A Sylvan child gone? What, you're not sure if he is a child? Speak slower girl. What's his name, Lighthope? Lighthope. Mind that knife, it's sharp. He's missing? Since when? You don't know? Perhaps a month or more? Strange I haven't heard about it. Put that down. It's not yours. So, what happened to him? You think the Empyreans took him? But you're not sure? Who? An Empyrean? No, he doesn't sound like a nice man. Yes, he might be a slaver. I hope the slavers haven't got Lighthope, but that's what we have a Treaty for girl, remember. Oh, he's _looking_ for Lighthope? She did, did she? But Raven Bringer hates Empyreans! That's very noble of her. Who? Soft-feather? Who is Soft-feather? Oh, Lighthope's father? Yes, you should respect your elders, child. And that means Running Horse, stop poking fun at him. No you can't have a meat roll, they're for dinner. What were you doing on the docks, anyway, girl? You aren't supposed to... oh, _now_ where has she got to?
The bare bones of the rumour is this: Lighthope is missing, the Empyreans might have taken him and he is possibly lost in Parnassus. Soft-feather, Lighthope's father, is looking for him and Raven Bringer asked a 'bad' empyrean to look for Lighthope. Of course, spread by Sparrow as it is, everything she says should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Title: Change of Guard
Author: Kedar
Date: Tue Aug 3 2004
A month after the leave of Kedar's leave, the Lion of Fire returned on wyvern-back, alone, just the way he left. He made no announcement of his business back in his homelands, returning with quiet efficiency and abrubt demeanour back to his duty. While no change of his personality is apparent, acute observes would note that the old Seraskier, Ibrahim, assigned to the military command of the Varati conclave ever since the founding of the city, departed from the City of Fire together with two old-time guards. Even though few inside the cities walls care which of the Lions molests them, some might have noticed the little time span between the two events. Not that the Agni-Haidar make any fuss of their internal affairs.
OOC: Yup, I am back in IC-land. However, just as I am back, things get a bit heavier and stressfull here at work. I'll do my best to engage myself more in rp and perhaps resparkle some interest in what has bee so far a one-man-faction on Aether II.
-Kedar.
Title: Mohononeo Trading (Insults) Post
Author: Circling Wind
Date: Thu Aug 5 2004
OOC: Others who are there are welcomed to post their own rumors. ^^ Wheefun.
Overheard on Sylvan lands: "Did you see what happened at the trading post today?"
"No, but I heard about it! Some elder from another tribe admonished that chatterbox of a boy from the city, whatshisname?"
"Silence."
"What'd I say?"
"No, that's his name, I think. Silence."
(Insert Who's On First type Humor Here.)
"Well, anyway, sucked him right into the ground, he did. Wasn't given respect, or something, way I heard it."
"I heard the boy was made fun of."
"Well, if it's deserved. Besides, way I hear it, that elder might be Apisachi." Pause. "Yeah, y'figure. Poor kid ought'o'of known better, but he didn't. Stonewalker, isn't he?"
"*snort* Who knows! I heard he's a guest here by Circling Wind."
"Really? I heard she didn't like boys."
"I didn't think she liked anyone, but go talk to Laughing Brook. Now /she/ has a story."
Title: Feeling the Pinch
Author: Luna
Date: Thu Aug 12 2004
Spring has arrived, and many merchants look to the roads to relieve the ever-tightening grasp of Winter's bony grip as it sought to strangle the constant flow of Trade moving through Irha-Esh and Parnassus.
Unfortunately, the influx of new goods simply hasn't happened. While the Bridge continues to thrive on local goods changing hands, the rich (and extremely profitable) trade of expensive and rare Varati goods from their lands to the north of Edessa has not resumed. In fact, a very few caravans have been seen arriving at all. The few that have arrived delivered their goods quite happily to Varati merchants within Irha-Esh and returned to their homeland. Unfortunately, none of these items have found their way into Parnassus in the hands of merchants unwilling to bother with the trouble of constant Praetorian watch. Instead the valuable items remain in the Varati city, unsold or passed on only to their own people.
Likewise, as the Republic rouses from its Winter sleep and goods begin to trickle into Parnassus, very few of the typical trade items reserved to tempt Varati sensibilities find their way across the bridge into Irha-Esh, as merchant after merchant turns away at the prospect of disarming under the watchful eye of the Agni-Haidar.
In a time when Spring has begun to push its new growth and bloom from the barren earth, the twin cities seem locked, still, in the deathly grip of Winter.
Title: A Memorable Occasion
Author: Celerity
Date: Thu Aug 12 2004
Emma stood on the edge of the Temple grounds a basket of empty wine bottles balanced on her hip. She waves at Alys and beckons the other tired looking woman over. "Can you believe all this waste?" She starts in before Alys had a moment to say 'ave'. "No new crops in at the Bazaar, and the Nobles eating and drinking like everything was free!"
"It was free. To those not paying at least." Alys gently pulls a ribbon from Emma's wing. "Enough of that - did you hear what the Priestess said at the ceremony? All about a child and blood and raining fire with swords clashing Then she all but demurred and said her original vision was about happiness and children - " She clucks her tongue. "I dare say."
Picking up another bottle, Emma nods. "But you know that Clairvoyants can't be trusted Ugh. I am happy that some of those Nobles from Civitas and Haven are returning home. They do not have proper morals! Why the new Domina Jove's own grandmother went off with Desipio Celatus!"
Alys bends to pick up another bottle. At least they had the easier tasks - recycling of wine bottles and rescuing glasses from being trashed. Unlike the slaves and mongrel servants who must return the Temple and surrounding area to its normally pristine condition. "And your Villica came with a common sailor--"
"He is her student!" Emma defends quickly, finding a couple glasses tucked in with some flowers.
Mmm hmmm. Alys takes the glasses and puts them into a nearby box. "Indeed. Did you see the bride and groom left early?"
"I heard it was too much ambrosia --"
"Oh, right." The two women laugh - the wedded couple is two teenagers, they probably had better things to do.
Title: Leaving Parnassus
Author: Lucretia
Date: Sun Aug 15 2004
A carriage drawn by gryphons left the Fortuna household early one morning this week. It was said to be carrying the Vilicus' daughter Lucretia and several of her maids. There were enough bags and trunks to suggest that wherever the carriage was headed, it would be some time before it returned.
Perhaps Ludovicus has finally arranged a marriage for his daughter and is sending her away since no eligible man in Parnassus will take her? Perhaps she has found a new lover somewhere outside of Parnassus and is running off to join him? Or quite possibly, she's run out of luck and wound up pregnant. Wouldn't that just be deliciously scandalous?
Title: Restrictions Lifted?
Author: Aeolus
Date: Mon Aug 16 2004
It comes without fanfare, announcement or proclamation, but visitors to Parnassus, especially Varati visitors, find that there is a change as to how the Praetorian Guard is dealing with those from across the bridge. Peace bonds are no longer required and merchants are no longer incessantly followed around.
If asked, the guards simply respond that it comes at the order of the Praefect, and that is good enough for them.
The ban on giant fire-breathing lizards remains, however.<
Title: Likewise...
Author: Samraat
Date: Wed Aug 18 2004
As word of the lifted restrictions reach Irha-Esh, so does the Pasha announce lifted restrictions on the Varati City. No longer will Empyreans be searched and stripped of any weapons and no longer will they be escorted while inside the city's boundaries.
As the Empyreans have stepped up to their part of the agreement, so shall the Varati.
Title: Water on the floor
Author: Gossip
Date: Wed Aug 18 2004
"Hey, Nikole, come over, quick! Oh dear, have you seen that??"
--"No, I don't think so, what was there?"
"You are blind, you know? Maybe you should get your eyes checked by a healer."
--"Come on, tell me, what did you see?"
"Tsk tsk, Nikole, there, do you see that bald-headed blue woman there going towards the bridge now?"
--"Yep, I do. Actually, I have seen her quite often here in Parnassus. She's really odd!"
"Exactly, and while you were still flirting over there, you missed the show of the year!"
--"Ach, shush, now finally tell me what went on!"
"She was lying on the ground, listening to something or somewhat ... and now comes the best part: with a Praetorian Guard!!" *laughter* "Can you imagine that? A blue-patterned Atlantean woman and one of our guards, both on the ground with ears pressed to the street."
-- *sighs* "This is a real shame. That I could not see it. Oh well, maybe next time. She's around often enough. I wonder if she has anything going on with someone here..."
Title: Ferrets Everywhere!
Author: Maat
Date: Wed Aug 18 2004
Suddenly, it seems, there are ferrets everywhere! Ferrets peak out from among Varati clothing. Ferrets climbing trees! Ferrets under bushes. Ferrets riding on wagons. Black ferrets, brown ferrets, ferrets with white masks, ferrets with white feet, even almost white ferrets. Everywhere in Irha Esh, there are ferrets. When asked, the ferret-owning Varati will claim that they received the animal as a prize from the al'Samar ferret races. Nefer Maat al'Samar's only comment regarding the plethora of ferrets is, "The mongeese were killed by bandits en route."
Some ferrets have even been seen wandering over in Parnassus, perhaps having escaped from their keepers.
Title: Velite robbed: treason?
Author: Silence
Date: Thu Aug 19 2004
The following has been circulated to the Trolls and also to the Empyrean authorities:
Wanted
------
Information leading to the recovery of weapons stolen early one morning by a gang of thieves from the Last Gasp warehouse, avenue B, in the section of Mongrel Town by the docks. Weapons stolen include:
3 dozen longswords, recognizable hilt wrapped in brown leather moulded with an eagle's head and a square terminal and a long, thin straight blade about the length of an arm and two fingers wide.
2 dozen gladii, double edged with a straight blade the length of a man's forearm, the hilt bound in brown leather, bearing the legend CLVIII stamped into the metal of the hilt,
1 dozen pugia, double edged with a straight blade about one handspan long, the hilt bound in leather,
1 elaborately decorated knife, with lion's head in bronze and small green gems set around it in a circle on the hilt.
Some of these weapons were intended to supply the Velite Guard and the Trolls, and therefore their recovery is particularly important. The boxes were sealed, some with blue cord with a symbol of a gladius with 'Pro Velite' around the top and 'CLVIII' around the bottom of the seal. Reward offered for anyone providing information leading to the recovery of these weapons and/or the arrest of those responsible.
Title: News from Port al Salla'hin
Author: Amahl
Date: Thu Aug 26 2004
A small crowd gathers on the Northern part of the Bridge where a larger concentration of Varati merchants peddle their wares. One merchant is overheard during the course of an afternoon:
Merchant1: You mean you haven't heard about the attack?
Merchant2: What attack?
Merchant1: On Port al'Salla'hin. Heard that this ship just started sailing into port, fine as you please, but then fireballs started shooting from it into the port.
Merchant2: Fireballs into a Varati Port? Isn't that pretty stupid?
Merchant1: I'm not finished yet. So the fireballs started flying, but that was apparently just a distraction. While the mages and such were busy taking care of those fireballs, they had a water mage do something that flooded half the port. And -then- they pillaged.
Merchant2: You mean...?
Merchant1: That's why I have nothing. They took everything that was to be shipped here...all the silks and jewelry and delicacies that were supposed to come here.
Merchant2: That's why the pickings are slim then...
Merchant1: Guess so. All I know is that they're saying his ship flew a black flag with a coiled cobra piercing a red heart.
Merchant2: Isn't that the standard of the Makara?
Merchant1: I thought those were just rumors...
(OOC: Any questions? Please contact Amahl or Erzulie)<
Title: Vilicus Fortuna Recalled...
Author: Ludovicus
Date: Tue Aug 31 2004
Surprising many throughout the city of Parnassus (and some beyond), Ludovicus Fortuna departed the city this afternoon bound for Civitas Dei. Rumors, as they often do, abound as to the reason. The more reliable sources state that he has been recalled to Civitas Dei to take a greater role in the House leadership, perhaps even as an Aegian, and others say that he has been transferred to another city before he can ruin the one he's been living in. Regardless, it seems very likely that the infamous Ludovicus will not be returning to Parnassus, instead reuniting with his beloved daughter who will undoubtedly remain with him wherever he ends up calling home.
The state of House Fortuna is predictably up in the air. With both Ludovicus and Lucretia gone from the city, leadership will likely fall to Andreas Fortuna. Where the House will go from here is a question only the Gods themselves can answer, but with Tyche as a patron, it's bound to be a fascinating journey.
OOC: I'm going to be leaving the game at the end of this week. It's been a lot of fun, but it's time to move on to other things. If you'd like a scene before I'm gone, or to keep in contact with me afterward, please feel free to page or @mail.
Ludovicus (and alt Nicodemus)
