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Heard in Haven: August 2001 Title: A Hound Moving According to rumors running through the Empyrean Quarter and out to the rest of Haven, there is an empty room in the House Chryseis suites. A room that once belonged to a family led by a strong-willed yet often waffling warrior by the name of Altair. Word has it that he and his children, along with a few belongings and a rather large stone, were moved out of the Domus Solum and to new quarters not yet identified by the gossipers running around Haven. One bit of news that certainly does not need rumor to spread is the fact that Altair Chryseis is now back in the black and indigo colors of the Hounds. His Commander's rank restored, he is often seen at the Bastion, in the Rialto or patrolling the still-unchallenged Hound jurisdictions of Haven proper. For some, this is a great omen. For others, it is seen as simply more of Altair's folly. Only time will tell which it is, ultimately.
Title: Trouble with Bordertown Merchants grumble about the news that is spreading through Bordertown. There is a group gathering power that wish to draw a line at the part of the city called Bordertown to claim it as their own. Free men, they say. Thieves and cut-throats, others murmur. Outcasts... it is whispered. Many kinds of people reside in Bordertown. Some think sectioning off this part of Haven will be good for them - protect your own, the saying goes. Others think it will ruin trade, destroy a lifetime of work for anothers folly. Sylvans, Mongrels, and all other Bordertown residents look... nervously to the future. Should they listen to the rumours?
Title: The North Gate In the midst of the flying rumours, tension and activity in Haven, Delphi's response to matters seems almost quiet and unobtrusive. Dawn had barely touched the eastern horizon when travellers coming to and going from Haven noticed that the barricade which had closed off the Northern gate was being dismantled. With efforts from both Hound and mage, it was gone before midday. Traffic was permitted once more to move freely through the gate. There was some speculation as to just who delivered the command since the recent resignation of Dohosan Eagle-Eye from acting Archon, and those curious to know will find the source to be a middle-aged Atlantean Commander by the name of Korar Havmand. Also spotted were groups of mages moving through the city of Haven, always under the escort of Hounds, and wearing the kaftans that belong to the Shaper, Healer and Earth-Elemental sects. Those asking will be told that they were sent to help repair the damage that had been caused by the freak hurricane, a hurricane that they vehemently deny was any of Delphi's doing. The Earth Elementalists were apparently sent to repair any damage to the soil that had been caused by the salt of the seawater, whilst the Shapers were kept busier in helping to repair the homes, shops, and vessels of those who would accept their assistance. The purpose of the Healers was obvious. Though nothing could be done for those already dead, any who asked for help was given healing. Nothing was required in return. Before tea-time, Heralds were shouting the latest from Delphi: "Denizens of Haven! The barricade that had blocked the north gate has been lowered, and traffic may now pass freely back and forth. "Representatives from the Varati government have met with Delphi, and work on a new treaty and a new constitution for Haven is underway. Delegates for the remaining races are expected to be received in the Citadel in the near future, so that the changes which will come upon Haven will be for the betterment of all. "Until it is no longer needed, Delphi will offer the assistance of its mages to the city of Haven. Those whose homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed by the hurricane may request help of its Shapers, and Healers will be sent out into the streets to offer their services to those to weak to travel to the infirmary. In addition, any who have information regarding the cause of the hurricane are asked to come forward and report it to the Hounds or to a Delphic Adept."
Title: Amidst the Al'Samar... A young Varati man gossips quietly with a serving girl in the Haven holdings of clan Al' Samar about a meeting between his master and the once Shakir, Ma'at. "Really..." the girl leans close, eyes bright with curiosity, "But what was all the yelling about?" The young man, an apprentice is quick to rush to the defense, "He wasn't 'yelling', not really. He was... discussing." "Well, discussing loudly then. What was all the fuss about?" "About a Contract. The imphada's daughter, she's rather... taken with him." The sparkle in the serving gir's eyes all but proclaim /that/ poorly kept secret will be common knowledge by the end of the day, "And the Imphada, she is a shrewd bargainer, she is. Oh, I understand...." Heavy footfalls then signal the approach of the boyt's master, and the gossiping is put quickly to rest in a sudden hurry to seem busy.
Title: A Commander Without a Nation Rumors begin to pour out of the Empyrean Quarter, about a declaration of banishment against Altair Chryseis. Bits and pieces of it are bantered about Haven, culminating into one particular conversation... Aramis: Hey, did you hear? The Emperor banished that Hound Commander Chryseis the other day! Called him a coward for sneaking out of the Empyrean Quarter in the middle of the night. He didn't get to cut off the guy's wings. Joseph: Well, wouldn't you make a quiet exit if you thought there was an illegal order coming down the pipe? I mean the Emperor doesn't have the right to make orders like that without the approval of the Aegis. Aramis: Hey, this a new Empyre and a new Emperor. Everything's changing. Frankly, I think the Emperor did the right thing. I mean, the guy defected from the Praetorian Guard to the Hounds. How blatantly can you defy the Empyre without it coming up to bite you in the rear? Joseph: I don't think he's defying the Empyre at all. Delphi has had a long history of being a neutral city, for thousands of years. Many a loyal citizen of the Empyre has served in the Hounds, not a one has ever been banished before, in my recollection. Aramis: Like I said, everything's changing. So, what are we going to be calling him now, hmmmm? Commander mongrel? It certainly would be a fitting title for him. Joseph: From what I've heard, he's calling himself by the last name of Publius. Said it was to honor the public to which he serves. Aramis: 'The public to which he serves'. How drippy can you get? It's obvious the man hasn't a brain in his head, otherwise he'd have supported the Imperator and been an Optio by now. A Commander in a dying army of mongrels. A fitting end. Joseph: Or maybe a Commander in a growing army of idealists. Only time will tell....
Title: Has He Lost his Mind? Has the Heir of Orman lost his mind? Or is he, simply and fatally, a mere male for whom the temptations of the flesh have become too much? These questions, and others, are buzzing through the Korallion community. First, the graisha known as Kiera Khalida nearly kills the Heir to Orman-- and *then*, after causing a hurricane that nearly-decimates Haven in the short space of three seconds, she tries to strike him with a lightning bolt, which by the grace of cool clear water, either misses or slides right off him. THEN, that halfbreed Archmagus thing (the very epitome of why halfbreeds are mostly hated and destroyed on sight) has the temerity to ask Orman Phorcys for /lessons/. LESSONS! In magic no less! ...and he ***agrees***. What was he thinking? Is he so perverse in his tastes as to find halfbreeds to his liking? (Some few will remember the royal favors bestowed on another halfbreed, not graisha, named Grace.) Is he -afraid- of that Kiera-- has she, perhaps, threatened to bring the Korallion down over all our heads if not taught? Consensus is mixed, half bitter and angry, the other half slightly superior and magnanimous. A public statement issued by Pan, the Voca of Orman, attributing the hurricane as due to 'Kiera, known as Khalida', probably doesn't help matters at all. And meanwhile? Rhys, seemingly oblivious to this firestorm of rumor, continues to meet with Kiera the Halfbreed every dawn, on a secluded beach. Those who wish to watch, can. They may find something of interest to incide more rumor. His indifference to public opinion is well known and , in fact, legendary. But what /is/ the man thinking, with his wife pregnant and away in Lyanesse, settling some 'state affairs'?? ....most of those in Orman think they know. And so rumors leak out dockside and through the city to those who are interested: Orman Phorcys, Heir to the Decemvirate of Orman, has taken a halfbreed lover.
Title: Freak Storm Equals Behzadi Losses The unnatural storm which pounded the area near Haven's docks has members of Clan Behzad furiously demanding that Delphi uphold its obligations to control rogue mages. It seems that Clan Behzad, one of the few Varati clans which controls seaports and possesses shipping assets, lost both a ship-- the Alhena, which went down with all her cargo and most of her crew-- and goods recently unloaded into the clan's warehouses from the Balqis and the d'Hanan. The latter two ships narrowly escaped damage as well, having left port only a short time before the storm hit. In light of Behzad's other current instabilities, and the fact that Ormani tariffs are known to be high on both shipping and goods, these new losses are a large setback for the warlord-less clan. Representatives from Behzad are loudly calling for Delphi and the Hounds to find the elemental responsible for their losses and to administer punishment. There has also been talk of a demand for reparations... not only for Behzadi losses but for those of other merchants as well. As one angry Varati was heard to say, "Healers and Shapers. What of our lost ships, our dead, and all our goods? This is 'protection'? They only offer assistance after the damage is done, and do nothing to assuage the losses we have taken."
Title: Death of a Juris Consulo Amid the banner-flying of double lightning bolts, the shock of the Princeps' death, and the heightened tension from having a stronger military presence than ever before in the Empyreal quarter of Haven, this small parcel of news might go unnoticed by many. But to those who knew him, it will be a reeling blow. Severus Gabriel Aurelius, the famed juris consulo who's been practicing law since the reign of Justinius (and who reputedly had acted as an advisor to that Emperor) is dead. The hows and whys of it are sketchy, but the general rumor is that he was found dead in his home, having supposedly choked to death during his evening meal. How ignoble a death for so great a man, some might say. Often controversial -- having time and again defended the 'underdog' when no one else would accept such clients, Severus had made a name for himself in the Empyre, and even in his chosen home of Haven. Some, of course, will be pleased at the news -- opponents he'd faced in the courts -- faced and defeated, for he'd been a formidable foe. But his voice, his pen, and his power to persuade are all silent, now. And he will pass into the pages of history, just like the former Emperor he had so loved.
Title: Bubbles on the Sand? It is a rare thing for lightning to strike on the beach and create the phenomenon of sand, but it seems that this has happened quite often recently...and without lightning! Oddly enough, bubbles of glass, sometimes even lines of it, have appeared on Haven's beach. There seems to be no explanation...for new bubbles seem to appear every day.
Title: Glass and Scents and Boys, oh my! Alas and woe! The Cinyrades shop, having passed through the mystical hurricane so recently without a single scratch upon a shutter, has come near to not surviving the ministrations of a single small Empyrean. Thus does Tyche give with one hand and thus does she taketh with the other, the owners of the shop being most distraught, but humble and accepting before the wayward powers of their goddess (though Marsyas seems to have acquired a ferocious frown of late). Presently the interior of the shop is in a shambles, shards of glass and strange odors drifting within, even broken wood, which has been piously offered to a nearby family of faltering means. Those in need have been hired to clean inside the shop and even now whispers of the small Empyrean's destructive capacity circulate through the city. The boy's status is unknown, but surely it is high considering his entourage, four in number and helpless before his obvious talents. Surely recompense shall be forthcoming from his elders, though why they themselves have not been bankrupted by terrors inflicted by this wild young fledgling is unknown.
Title: The Winds of Rebellion As autumn approaches and the wind bears the first fallen leaves of trees, more than this is carried on the wind that gusts from the courtyards and halls of the Palladium. Whispers sprout into conversations, conversations grow into shouts. There are many versions of the story, but all center around one event. Near the center of the Palladium's garden, as the sun rose, strange objects fluttered from the trees, drawing the eyes of all nearby. Torn bedsheets, ripped into strips and inscribed with a declaration, written in blood. The text reads roughly as follows: Republica And the thing that all swear by... the message was signed, boldly: Gabriel Hesperos Augustin.
Title: Delphic Announcement Several times during the course of the day, Heralds were announcing a proclamation from Delphi regarding the recent hurricane. "Denizens of Haven! The investigation into the cause of the hurricane has come to a conclusion with this statement from Khalid Atar, God-King of the Varati people: 'Investigation suggests that Kiera Khalida was held against her will by the Ormani, and that she employed her magics in order to escape from this unjust imprisonment. The Amir-al offers his sincere condolences to the innocent people of Haven, and suggests that those with grievances seek redress from the Ormani Decemvir, Orman Phorcys.' "The Seneschal of Delphi, Minowara Raijin, has stated that since Kiera Khalida acted in self-defense, and is not considered a rogue mage, the academy of Delphi cannot intervene in this matter. Until the governance of Haven has been re-established by international treaty, Delphi will be unable to seek compensation on behalf of the city's denizens, and they should therefore contact their respective embassies if they wish to pursue the matter further. Delphi will, of course, continue to offer what assistance it can in repairing the damage caused by this tragedy." Several snide comments were to be heard accompanying these announcements to the effect that the Behzad clan would now be seeking reparations from one of Khalid Atar's own clan.
Title: Traveler Attacked! Two mongrels are loading their carts full of goods in the Rialto. "Ya hear what happened ta Kern out at that canyon?" "No, what?" "He was out there pokin through all that trash out there - ya know, tha old wagons and weapons and such - when he hears this growlin' sound comin from this big chunk a' overturned wagon. He gets closer ta take a look, and all of a sudden this big cat, he thinks it was a lynx, attacks 'im!" "Yer kiddin me! What happened?" "Tha thing slashed him a good one across tha face and bit a chunk a meat outta 'is arm before he managed ta kick it offa him and run away. He's lucky it didn't run after em, them cats are fast." "No kidding. I wonder why it didn't chas 'im?" "Kern said it looked kinda scrawny and weak, maybe it didn't have tha energy. he got real lucky. That lynx coulda torn 'im apart and NOBODY'D find 'is body out there." "If its hungry it may start comin closer ta town. Anybody who's travelin north of Haven may be in danger!"
Title: Whirlwind Wedding Amidst talk of devestatingly bad weather and rogue elementals, another phenomenon has surfaced, this time amidst the ranks of clan Al'Samar. A storm of rather a different nature. The wedding of the daughter of the once Shakir of the clan has been announced and completed in a near frenzy of scarcely a month. The groom himself is hardly less strange than the haste of the joyous union. Aditu Maat Al'Samara is to wed a simple metal smith of the clan Kazim, remarkable only for his passable skill at his trade. Such oddities are certain to give rise to gossip. Rumors already abound that the groom to be was afflicted with the Dipavali curse and taken in by Clan Al'Samar to be treated. Then there is the matter of the ceremony. Why such haste? Some rare few suggest, though never within earshot of the bride's family, that the coming months may provide the answer in the form of a babe, while others snicker that they feared to delay would be to allow the bride's family to frighten off the perspective husband. What of possible agreements between the two Vaisya clans? No one has yet sorted through the chaos far enough to ask such questions.
Title: Edict of the Guild It would seem the Merchant's Guild has taken a stance against the Emperor's own edict in the name of fair trade for one and all. The Chancellor was seen entering the Rialto and stepping atop a sturdy stall to begin the edict of the Merchant's Guild, an edict backed by the Mercantile Council and its members. "....it is with much thought and discussion that the Mercantile Council of the Merchant's Guild of Haven and other jurisdictions hereby states that its members shall henceforth boycott any Empyrean stall or business bearing the twin thunder strikes and also henceforth all supplies and materials supplied by members of this fine and illustrious Guild shall no longer be used to supply or offer any such assistance to those who seek to undermine the fair and generous trading within this independent city by bearing this banner. It should also be known that Guild property is off limits to all those who seek unfair tax reductions and tariff's and I state here and now that this act of favourtism is not favoured by the Guild's members nor ruling council...we are not amused...." And indeed he isn`t as he is helped from the stall and by all accounts assisted back to his store.
Title: Vandals at the Gates Ah, for the protection of the Merchants Guild. Though that protection seems frail in light of the occurences of last night. Man an Empyrean merchant or business discovered that vandals had attacked shops and businesses in the middle of the night. The oddest part, perhaps, is that the shops that were damaged were those who did not fly the Fulminaris flags of the Emperor. Those /with/ the flag however...well, their shops remained miraculously untouched. As if whatever brigands were behind the attacks feared the wrath of the Emperor and His Men.
Title: Hounds on Alert! In response to the sudden attack of vandals upon the Rialto merchant buildings, the Hounds have officially gone on alert it would seem. The patrols have been beefed up considerably, and a larger than normal contingent of the black and indigo soldiers have made their presence known in the Rialto. They stand guard there 24 hours a day, ready to defend the property of the citizens of Haven, and to call upon reinforcements if necessary. If asked about why they are there, they are neutral in their answers, saying only that the increased crime activity has necessitated the action they have taken by going on alert.
Title: Vandals! Tis terrible...tis awful...well yes, it would seem the the Vicina General Mercantile on Seaside and Vicina has been vandalised. Windows broke and the door kicked in, merchandise strewn across the floor and worse...thankfully the owner of this store was not present during the attack upon his property.. Chancellor Aurelius Malachi Volaire declined to comment to anyone, for on top of this a few suppliers of his have also ceased to supply him and indeed one may notice the prices of other Empyrean cloth merchants about him falling....of course his prices continue to fall aswell...some people wonder whose prices shall stop falling first?
Title: How Interesting... Overheard just outside the Pantheon: "Did you hear what I just heard Isabelle?" "I most certainly did, can you believe it?" "It's not a bad idea really, I just am suprised at the choice of inspiration." "Oh Meralyn, you are so awful sometimes! So do you think it will be permanent?" "I have heard some people already suggesting it should be. It'd be such a nice addition. Think of it. The atmosphere there is aleady so nice.. and to listen to the musicians play, or go upstairs to the masseur, then come down to watch an artist at work.. even get a piece made of yourself." "Oh yes, that masseur.. I have heard delightful things about /him/ you know." "And you have dreamed up even more than that you wicked old woman!" "Well I hope that artist stays there, what she did with that sculpture was amazing.. the real thing would never even look that good!" "Isabelle, shame on you, and you called me awful?" The rest of the convesation breaks into fitful giggles, but it seems that many people came out of the Pantheon that morning with talk of a sculpture on their lips. Perhaps it is to draw more customers, since things as of late have slowed it down so much.
Title: New Gem Inn Owner! Or perhaps that should be 'new-old'. After having been gone for two - three years, Opal Faida Ambika al'Harishaf has returned to Haven and bought back her Inn from the couple who owned it during her absence. Despite the mere days gone by since the purchase was finalized, gossip is already spreading about the changes that are occuring. A large part of the old staff has been fired for various types of small illegal activities, sloppy work and even 'immoral behavior', and new ones are being hired in a rush.. Though not so hasty as to avoid getting thoroughly checked out by their new employer. More than a few of the new staff members are tough looking, and the word is that their function will indeed be that of bouncers and guards. Many, many guards, to keep away the previous invasion of thieves and worse from the Inn property, and even 'bring back the quality guests and keep out the riffraff'. It'd appear Opal is less than pleased with what happened with 'her' Inn, eh?
Title: Beached Fish It would seem that something was fought on the beach for there was a line of blood from the water, pooling in one spot on the sand. Altair of the Hounds was seen carrying a fish-tailed Atlantean through the City towards Delphi and the Infirmary there. There are no clues as to who caused the bloodshed.
Title: A Unique Opportunity Sometime in the afternoon, a wind began to stir in the Rialto. Not the wind that blows, but more of a whirlwind. A sense of...excitement?...perhaps. Certainly disbelief at first, and then a sense of adventure for some. The whirlwind centered around those whose stalls had been decimated by the fulminari (or so conjecture has it). It also involved those who sell empty stalls. Amica: "Mic, did that Atlantean woman stop by your place?" Mic seems to know exactly what was being talked about, for he nods. "Aye. She said she's canvassing all the Empyrean shops that were destroyed." Amica: "Do you believe she'll do what she says?" Mic chuckles. "Knowing her, most definitely. I think it's a fantastic idea. She wants us to spread the word to anyone she misses." Just what -is- the word? An Atlantean female intends to buy up stalls, and build where necessary. Then, she is going to -rent- to the Empyreans who had their stalls destroyed. Her reason? Well, that seemed to be something that was not dare gossiped about. Never know who could be listening.
Title: Statuary in the Rialto It began with an odd delivery. A huge lump of onyx (several chunks piled atop on another, actually) and much the same of marble were delivered to the Rialto--to no one in particular. They were simply left at the end of the day when not much could be done about it, the marble to the Rialto's east side near Delphi, and the onyx on the northwestern corner. It was the following morning when the shocking outcome of the odd delivery was realised. Statuary now 'graces' the Rialto proper, if grace could be said to have anything to do with it. The stone itself is grown well into the ground, making the sculpture all but impossible to remove by hand (if the weight alone were not already enough to deter all but the most stubborn groups). Khalid and Arius, rendered in what could hardly be considered a tasteful manner, now glare their way over the Rialto in comic form, drawing attention, rumor, laughter and fear.
Title: Another Announcement Shouts from the Heralds bring yet another proclamation from Delphi, repeated several times throughout the course of the day: "Denizens of Haven! Due to some confusion that has arisen, Seneschal Minowara Raijin wishes it known that Delphi itself holds no blame against Orman Phorcys, Heir of the Ormani Decemvirate, nor against Kiera Khalida for the hurricane which happened on the sixth of September, 3908. The investigations that it had undertaken were inconclusive, and Delphi will continue to advise all who are interested in pursuing this matter further to contact his or her racial embassy. For those who have no embassy, Delphi will continue to offer what support it can in repairing the damages done. "This is an issue that stands between Clan Khalida and the Ormani Decemvirate, and Delphi implores that some resolution is reached and made public so that the innocents of Haven, who suffered and died during this time, may know where to turn for recompense."
Title: Disturbance at the Rialto There was a comotion of the more unusual kind in the Rialto yesterday. A small street urching, takeing it seemed the time to insult both Agni-Hadar's and the Amir-Al. And that's shocking in its own right. And then some Mongrel Shudra appeared into the scene, claiming that the urchin was no urchin but rather a noble woman's shudra. Imagine that...The Agni-Hadar first confused over what to do in the end grabbed the urchin taking her off towards the Varati Embassy, to let the Noble woman decide the furture in this. The question still remains. Is the street urchin a shudra, and if so what is Zahrah Bezhad to do with her rude and errant servant.
Title: Praetorian Troops Recalled Many of Haven's citizens might have watched with relief as the 200-some-odd Praetorians who'd been stationed in the Rialto took wing one afternoon, and finally abandoned their watchful vigil. The command must have come down from on high, although the belligerent Imperator was not present personally, to oversee the withdrawal. Nonetheless, the small army of Praetorians no longer guards Delphi; they have instead been recalled to step up patrols in the Empyrean quarter of Haven. And there are a growing number of twin lightning bolts decorating soldier's arms.
Title: Statuary. Not long after the two statues appeared in the Rialto, perhaps a day or two at most, storm clouds gathered above the area. Dark, forboding and bristling with lightning that jumped from one part of the cloud to another. Within a short time, the lightning finaly lept from the clouds in a blinding white arc of light that connected to the stature of the Emperor. Exploding it into thousands of tiny shards of marble. Instead of the shards scattering everywhere, a whirling wind catches all but the smallest pieces and gathers them up. Whisking them away. Those looking to the sky when the clouds clear may have noticed the Emperor's chariot headed for the Palladium.
Title: More Statuary While the statue of the Emperor exploded in a flash of lightening, the statue of Khalid is hidden from view in a less flashy and sophisticated way. Sometime in the cover of the night, a pair of darkly clad Varati warriors simply decided to cover the obsadian block with a black several layers of blankets, keeping them fastened with heavy stones on the ground. While the covers alone would be simply ripped off soon enough, the guards are taking turns to watch the passers in front of the hidden statue to persuade any blanket-thief with threatening stares that this might not be the best time and place for them...
Title: Play Fighting Whispers gather in various spheres around Haven, mostly centering around an odd type of fight that happened in the Rialto recently. "Didja see it? Didja? Huh? Huh?" One particularly spunky mongrel asks her gossiping companion. Said companion cocks her head to the side, "See /what/? Mel, you're not makin' any sense, girl!" Mel wrinkles her nose and shrugs, "'parently there was some kinda fight 'r somethin'." Mel's companion's eyes widen with delight, "Did anyone /die/?" Mel giggles girlishly and shakes her head, golden curls bouncing, "Nah! 'twas 'tween lil' kids! Canya b'lieve it?" Companion's eyes widen again, but this time with amusement, a giggle ringing forth, "/Kids/? Mel - who /cares/?" Mel shakes her head with denial and widens her own eyes, looking innocent, "Nono - 'twas 'twixt some mongrel girl an' a /bird/. Cannya b'lieve 't? 'twas a noble Empy, too! 'ad 'is own guards, but 'e couldn't 'ave been more than five." The companion's eyebrows shoot upward and she tugs on Mel's sleeve, "So? So? What 'appened?" Mel continues, pleased and smug as she reads the interest within her companion's bright eyes, "So any'ow, th'girl ended up dumpin' chowder on th'poor thin's head, an' they both got caught by some big Varati." A shrug is inserted - what was the Varati doing there anyway? "Then th'boy's guards came an' made a circle so I couldna see." Both pout at the same time, but Mel's companion urges her onward. "Well any'ow, th'girl got outta 't 'cause her Sylvan 'friend'," And both giggle shamelessly, "Came 'long an' saved 'er from th'big Varati. An' jus' 'bout th'same time, th' lil' boy from Augustin, 'e was 'auled off by 'is nanny." The companion's eyes are large, "That's it?" she demands. Mel nods her head seriously, "'ow odd is /that/" "Very..."
Title: Renovations of Atesh-Gah It would appear that craftsmen and architects have once again found work within the walls of Atesh-Gah. This time, the workers are not cleaning up after yet another disastrous magical combat. Instead, it would seem that all the activity is clustered around the Royal wing. Banging, shouting, and dust from the construction fills the air. Vaisya craftsman dressed in the colors of Al'Samar can be seen toiling away. In addition, members of the newly formed Merchant's Guild of Haven can be seen intermingling with the Varati, bringing both goods, plants and construction materials into the embassy.
Title: Varati are Frivolous! Yet again, the devil-may-care attitude of the Varati shocks Haven as the Queen-Maharani announces that with the completion of renovations, she will be holding a two day celebration. All residents of Haven, Varati citizens and otherwise, are invited to attend the grand re-opening of Atesh-Gah's Royal Wing. Food, fun, and tours of the renovated wing will be provided. Scheduled to begin November 13, 3908 (RL: September 4-5, 2001), Atesh-Gah's grounds and the atrium of the Royal Wing will be open to all. Gifts of statuary or other examples of devotion toward Khalid Atar (and his Queen) are encouraged of Haven's residents. Varati rules of conduct, ie no blaspheming Khalid or Thalia, will be enforced during the celebration.
Title: Chancellor Steps Down Within the Rialto a frail looking figure of an Empyrean slowly winds his way to a stall onto which he is assisted by the holder. Glancing about to those who gather he simply nods to those who'll regard him and removes the Chain of Office about his neck...a chain which has weighed heavily. "...ff.f.fellow Empyreans, Dominus', Domina's and others who listen to m.m.my ramblings, I w.w.was summoned before the Emperor only one d.d.d.day ago to explain my stance against the ominous appearance of the twin Lightning Bolts on stalls and soldiers...this lightning bolt now adorns my arm (an arm covered by clothing and so completely invisible to those who'll attempt to spot one upon his person) It is with my...my...suppoprt of the Deus Maximus that I step down from the Guild as Chancellor of the Mercantile Council for I know in my heart both cannot be supported nor encouraged, the Guild shall always have a special place in my heart and I shall remain within it if the Guild shall allow me to...but as Chancellor that post shall go to another more worthy and stronger in spirit and body.." With that the ex-Chancellor is assisted from stall by a couple of other merchants, his clothing falling from his arm only briefly to reveal the tattoo that has appeared above most Empyrean stalls...perhaps significally, above the Fulmaris sigil there is a larger tattoo, the tattoo clearly recognisable as the crest of the Merchant's Guild.
Title: Empyreans, Take Heart In the wake of Aurelius' proclamation, a certain Atlantean again makes the rounds of the merchants. Not only the Empyrean ones, however. Jasmine makes it known that she wishes to join the Merchant's Guild. Her business? Landlord. She will rent to any who wish to apply. There are two rules. One, that the stall will be painted crimson, to mark it as Atlantean-owned. (This, of course, for the protection of the Empyrean merchants.) The second rule? /No/ flags of /any/ nation shall fly over these stalls. If the tenants wish to fly flags, the symbol of the Merchant's Guild will be allowed. For those who might feel afraid of taking the first step alone, they would find that already three stalls had gone up after Jasmine's last offer, with at least one more planned. For those who wish time to think the offer over, it is well known that Jasmine resides at the Korallion. Prospective tenants are urged to contact her there, or simply to flag her down in the Rialto. Those who have known her for years have never seen such fire and steel burn in Jasmine's eyes.
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