             |
Heard in Haven: April 2001
Title: Reward Offered Outside the closed gates of Atesh-Gah, the following notice has been posted. For information leading to the capture of the culprits responsible for poisoning the Varati of Haven and other participants of the Festival of Lights. Persons with information should contact Imphada Zahrah Sahar al-Behzad. Only persons with useful information will receive monetary compensation.
Title: A Missing Dove? Even when they are healthy and hale, there are not a few Mongrels dwelling in Bordertown who are not pleased to see the slender figure of the shudra Faanshi as she makes her daily way among them. Never has the halfbreed girl failed to have a kind word for those she meets, and without hesitation does she heal man, woman and child alike, Mongrel, halfbreed, Sylvan, or any other race she happens to encounter upon the streets. Many still recollect her as "th' Talespinner's gel", though as of late they have debated amongst themselves the merits of the big Varati called Mehul who has been seen accompanying her and her ever-loyal hound Kosha on her missions of mercy. Now, though... she has not been sighted in Bordertown for several days, and there is no sign of the man called Mehul either. "Bodes ill, I tell ye," the Mongrels of Bordertown mutter uneasily to one another, hearing the rumors as well of the disaster that struck the Varati at the end of their Festival of Lights. "Prob'ly called 'er back in, they did, to 'eal 'em up... not like th' fire-folk'll give the poor mite 'er due fer bustin' 'er back fer 'em!" Others agree, and even go so far as to say -- at least when no Varati ears can hear them -- that the Children of Fire have plenty enough healers of their own without having to conscript Faanshi as well. And what's a few less Varati, anyway? All the fewer of them to capture and abuse them.
Title: Rogue Fire Elemental Captured ".. and then she ran like a madwoman through the Rialto, Kristin. Good thing the Hounds were there to get her and good riddance. She was mad I tell you... setting every candle in the booth on fire and then the bale of hay! I thought I was going to be next when she looked at me with that one eye. I had never seen a rogue mage before," comes the chittering of a woman as she walks down the street with her friend. "I heard she drew a knife and tried to kill one of the Hounds. Is that true, Pheona?" says Kristin. Pheona shakes her head, "No.. nothing like that. She thought they were going to kill her. Something about dark knives waiting for her. Then when they finally got her to calm down she was acting all like a queen. She looked more like a slave to me. Those rags were so hideous." Kristin giggles and puts a hand to Pheona's arm. "Really? How awful. Well certainly she is in good hands now, the Hounds always take care of those dangerous rogues. When will they learn?"
Title: A Ghost Returns to the Streets... "He walks by every day and buys an apple, Janis. Just like the old days; like nothing has even happened." One of the many merchants in the Rialto says with a smile to one of his associates, nodding towards the fruits in his cart. "Hasn't been around much since he left the Hounds, has he?" The vendor in the next stall asks with interest, bright green Sylvan eyes on the Varati fruit peddler. "The Praetorians grabbed him, whisked him off to some place or another, eh?" "That was the word. But who cares, his tips are back in my pocket!" A dry cackle come from the apple vendor, his hand patting the side of his tunic. "Good Archon or not, he was always good for a little extra of the gold on top." Indeed, the man once commonly seen on the streets of Haven has been spotted once again, his path taking him frequently from the steps of Delphi to those of the Praetorian Eyrie. Lessons have resumed once again in the Citadel, the darkly dressed man clearly trying hard to pick up where he left off before he disappeared to the north over a year ago...
Title: Fading Silence For months Oriane Tritonides has not been seen - not around Haven, the Palladium, or even her own House. She'd simply vanished. Disappeared. It's left quite a few tongues waggling, as well - as she seemed to have vanished just after it was reported that the former Emperor, Drusus Marcus Jove, was feared dead. Now comes word that the Dea of Tritonis is seeking a new adjutor and assistant. A simple announcement is released regarding the disappearance of Oriane Tritonides. It reads as follows: Dominae and Dominii, It is with both pleasure and sadness that I give word that Oriane Jova Tritonides has decided to remain in Tritonia's holdings in Acre for quite some time - dedicating her time there to research the history of this Family. In doing so, she will be unable to continue in her role as both Adjutor and Assistant. Please direct any correspondence formerly given to Domina Oriane Tritonides directly to the Dea, until a suitable replacement is found. Pax et decorum. Dea Kalypso Deukalia Tritonides 23rd February, 3908
Title: Happenings at the Ancient Temple For untold years it seems as if the abandoned Empyrean temple in the northwestern section of town had been forgotten by the race that built it hundreds of years ago. Those familiar with the place would speak of the overgrown columns, the crumbling walls and the abandoned images of Empyrean gods. It had gone from a place of worship to a residence of sorts for some of the city's homeless. But lately some Empyreans have been seen poking their noses around the temple, and not just that large cloaked Empyrean man who had claimed it as his home. No, this time it seemed the Empyreans, led by art collector and historian, Dea Selene Acesian, were actually doing something about the temple. No restoration has taken place, but rather it seems as if they are dismantling it instead. Wagons lined the street, loaded with crates which were filled with the artifacts from within the temple. Schola were on hand, as were Servitor ranked Praetorians and members of the Acesian house guard, all to make sure the excavation went off without a disturbance. Some that were there helping to remove the artifacts did mention that the cloaked Empyrean did make an appearance and had a few quiet words with the Dea while work went on around them, but he made no move to stop them. The train of wagons was seen heading back to the Palladium with the wealth of goods, their next destination has yet to be revealed, but it looks like Acesius is storing them for the time being.
Title: A Return? It is said, among the Naraki and less-disciplined guards of Atesh-Gah, that early yesterday morning, a new Varati of no small rank made his way into Haven, accompanied only by his clothing and a battered walking-stick. Apparently having traveled from Masada by himself, without guards, palanquin or entourage. Still others claim that this plainly-dressed Kshatri is in fact returning to Haven after moving away - and that he is of Clan Khalida.
Title: Rumors about Forbidden Touches ... The students of the Delphic Citadel seem to be in a splendid mood, giggling and mumbling when they meet and all that because of the tale about a meeting in the Library on one late evening. For the last week or so, a typical conversation of a group of students sounded like this: Student 1: 'Did you hear?? I mean... the thing with Jana??' Student 2: 'What do you mean? Is it something I should know?' Student 3: 'Hmm? I heard a rumor saying, she was sick!' Student 1: 'Naw! Better, even! She had a meeting in the Library... with a Varati man!' Student 3: 'Ohhh! Biiig deal! So what?' Student 2: 'Shut up and let him talk!' Student 1: '(with a broad grin) You know....that strange man came in and one couldn't even recognise him, because of that hood. He sat down beside her after a few words...' Student 3: 'Now get to the interesting part!' Student 2: 'I don't think, he can continue, if you interrupt all the time!' Student 1: '(grinning more) Well, I wasn't able to hear much, but a friend of a friend was much closer and they talked about.... love!' Student 2: 'You are making this up!' Student 3: 'Yeah. I don't believe this either, but go on. Or was that it?' Student 1: '(snickering) Noooo.. it gets better. In the course of that conversation, she blushed so hard, even I could see that! And she tried to hide herself with her wings! But the best thing is.... they carried on and they even talked about....' Student 3: 'Not about what I think, did they?' Student 2: 'You are a liar!!' Student 1: '(pouts) No! Really! Jana and this strange guy...Mashai...Rashai... whatever, I didn't get his name... they talked about -you-know-what-! (blushes a bit) And he even brushed over her cheek!! And she didn't even whince! I bet, she liked it!' Student 2: 'Oh gods! No, never with a Varati...(getting clearly curious).. And then?' Student 3: 'Did they kiss or something?? Get on with it... we'll be late for class and get rinto trouble!' Student 1: '(grins again) They went on with the talk for a short time... but then, after he said something, I didn't get....she started to cry!!' Student 3: 'Now you are stretching it! Not in the Library, she wouldn't do that! There would be rumors all around the Citadel in no time... hmm.. hey, they are!' Student 2: 'That's not funny! Is it the truth?? If you lied, I will tell some rumors about /you/!' Student 1: 'I swear! I saw it with my own eyes! She cried and he simply turned his back on her and left! Now you guess what they talked about, hm??' Student 2: 'I don't think, that is any of our business! Let's get to class! (clearly believing the story)' Student 3: '(grins too) Yeah... what did they talk about... he told her off, that's what happened!' Student 1: 'But don't spread it too far, will you? Not /everyone/ needs to know about this!' The students then go about their businesses... only to spread it in the usual, incredible speed of rumors. After a week, all is forgotten and no one will talk about it...or so the rumormongers think.
Title: A Cobra in Garish Clothing Below the starless skies, the evening was wet and cheerless. The courtyard of Atesh-Gah was almost empty, except for a few Varati passing through. It was in these wet and dreary conditions that the Queen-Maharani approached the Qadi of Messala known as Vasuki. The Queen-Maharani questioned the garishly dressed Qadi about his heretical tale which he told during her Storyteller Contest. The Qadi claimed that his tale about a serpent killing a lion and a dove then becoming King was allegorical. More words were exchanged which resulted in the Queen-Maharani attempting to place the man in many-colored clothes under arrest. It was at this point that the situation degenerated. The Qadi attacked the Queen-Maharani, changing himself into a hooded cobra. It was noted by observers that the Qadi has a strange, hourglass-shaped tattoo and it was from here that his traitorous change began. Vasuki attempted to attack Thalia, but the Queen's Agni-Haidar and Atarvani guards were alert and removed her from danger. However, a kshatri warrior, Sukhvir of Temjin, had stepped between the Queen and the cobra, thinking to protect her. It is this poor, hapless kshatri who was bitten by the cobra, proving that the Qadi has poisonous fangs. The fate of Sukhvir of Temjin is currently in question, though one of the Queen's Healers immediately rushed to his aid. The traitorous snake was taken into custody by the Agni-Haidar and whisked away. In the wake of this incident, it is not surprising that the Queen-Maharani has been bringing in loyal warriors from the varas -- not just to help with the horror of the mass poisoning at Dipavali. Apparently, after her call for clairvoyants as well as other information gathered by the Agni-Haidar, Thalia has reason to suspect the loyalty of certain Varati in Haven. It is rumored that the Maharani intends to clean house.
Title: Curious Events Strange happenings occurred at Delphi over the last few days. Such as winged children falling from the sky in Varati garb. As it turns out, the child was Zada, the born-Empyrean adopted-Varati daughter of Zuhayr al Jehan. The child was one of the victims of the Dipvali festival and the naraki in charge of guarding her for her own safety fell asleep on his watch. The child, who was thought to have outgrown her problem of sleep-flying, took to the air. Dizziness assailed her over the Delphic courtyard, and Oracle Jana flew up to catch her and take her to the infirmary. There were many there affected by the poison, but Zada was given treatments over several days by the adept Caducean Rashid. The Caducean took to his chambers for 2 days after he finished, to rest and recover. Why was she healed when others continued to suffer? Rashid asserts that it was a matter of honour, that he could not stand by and watch little children suffer Varati betrayal. There are whispers (mostly from the female quarter) that speculate perhaps the man has, after all, a soft spot for children.
Title: Of Wolves and Goat's Milk For those in the Rialto during the afternoon, few would have missed the small excitement that occurred. At first, it was just a cause for amusement, jests and a small shrill of fear. A graisha, running on hands and feet trounced through the streets calling for someone.. her speech awkward, it sounded like a call for 'Hon.' Two children, finding the odd shaped, tailed woman as a playmate, chased after her, tugging her tail in attempt to play. Startled, the woman skidded into a barrel of goat's milk and spooked herself near into shock. The children, treating their discovery like a new found kitten, only worked the poor woman up more. A rescue was attempted, but another Sylvan, with a soft voice and pleading look in her eyes. As the crowds surrounded the center of excitement, (at least that hour's excitement) so too did the Hounds come, and so too did the frightened graisha become more stressed. After a handful of attempts at speech, claiming she wanted to go home.. the Hounds decided she was better off taken to the Bastion. Frightened more by that, the woman's control was lost and the wolf over took her. While shouts of 'Kill it', 'Destroy it', and 'Lock it up!' were shouted the Hounds moved. One grabbed the wolf by the scruff, while an Empyrean flew to the sky armed with bow and net. Snapping and fighting for her freedom, the wolf took a wound by knife, and then was trapped within the net. Dizzied from a backhand to the head, and now bound by her own nettings, the wolf's fight ended and the Varati Hound carried her off to the Bastion. As the streets cleared, much talk ensued. Some of how they should not be so hard on the graisha, and how this one really caused no true harm or danger, others talking how every one of them should be destroyed to make Haven safe. After all, if you cant keep them out, kill them.
Title: Arson? Talk begins to spread in the Rialto... One of the old warehouses down by the docks caught fire and burned nearly to the ground before it was able to be doused. Strange that, considering how wet and miserable the weather's been lately. Luckily no one was killed or badly hurt, and not too much property aside from the building was damaged. Circumstances were suspicious. About as suspicious as last week, when another building up north in town caught fire too. Only that one was put out fairly quickly, and much notice wasn't taken. Rumours of arson and a rogue mage begin to spread. It would seem that they were confirmed by the appearance of Hounds and later Delphic Clairvoyants at the scene of the burnt shell of the old warehouse. Has Haven got an overactive firebug? Or were these incidents merely accidents?
Title: Assault North of Town North of town, the hounds hear a child's terrified cry. What they discover, in the clearing beyond the gate leaves them in shock. Kallista, and her new adopted daughter Amaryllis have been set upon, and brutalized. Their assailant, apparently a mongrel, with an eye patch and a scar from their shaky account, took a savage delight in ripping the woman's feathers out by the handful, and even went so far as to torment the four year old girl, all the while demanding to know where 'it' was. Tentatively, this is the same man who killed Amaryllis' parents recently, or so the rumor goes. Who is this murdering and maiming mongrel? What does he want? How can we find and kill him? The only clue is a Varati wrought dagger, left behind as he escaped into the woods. There are far more questions than answers. How are the victims? Thankfully, their injuries, while nasty and painful, were not beyond the talents of the Delphi to repair.
Title: Arsonist Caught! It didn't take long for another fire to crop up in Haven's streets, consuming a small shop down on Seaside and Vicina. It started late in the morning, between the frequent downpours of rain that herald the coming of spring. People watched in amazement as the fire roared, despite the wet conditions of the wood and the valiant efforts of bucket brigades to douse the flames. Hounds and mages arrived shortly thereafter, and once the fire was out, some people noted that a gibbering, half-mad Varati woman was carried away from the scene by Esper-Sentire Nailo Maddock and a Delphic Elementalist. She was reported to have been taken to the Bastion. Injuries were surprisingly minimal. Burns were to be found, and some people commented on seeing a vaguely familiar Oracle Jana Tritonides. But more interesting to the common folk was the presence of the Acesian gladiator Draco.
Title: The Return of the Seafarers ... The fact that the Amarada has returned to Haven is of no great surprise. After all, even though her captain was lost at sea months ago, she would have to give up the search eventually and come back to port. But no one could have predicted the sight that entered Haven's bay. The blood-red sailed ship, The Morgenster, a known member of the Buccaneers, came with the Amarada, beaten and seriously damaged, in tow. Rumors on the docks are wide and wild, some true, and some far fetched. Some say that The Morgenster attacked the Amarada, and tows her back now to Haven as her prize. Others say that the Amarada tried to attack the red-sailed ship and lost to her Captain. Others claim that the Morgenster rescued the Amarada from yet another assaulting ship. There have even been rumors that the Amarada's dead captain haunts the deck of both ships. Others claim firmly that it is no ghost, but the Captain Demetrius himself, in the flesh, some how alive after all this time.
|
