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Heard in Haven: November 2000 Title: The Captain Returns! Much money passes hands along with growls and complaints as the sea yields forth a familiar ship. The Amarada, it would seem, has successfully returned from the lands of the Aesir, though she seems a little worse for the wear. Some have profited from bets placed that she would return to the shores of Haven, while others must eat their words, swallow their pride, and empty their pockets. She certainly has been gone a long time, though whether that is due to the simple fact that the lands are far and the waters treacherous, or to the tales the sailors spin of monsters and demons, raiders and pirates ... well, who is to say for certain? Having met with the departing Northern brethren, Demetrius shared with them their bounty from the trade he made for them, and now the goods are in Haven at last, being distributed to those who placed an order before The Amarada left port. Word is, however, that the cargo belly of this ship is well laden with goods from the cold northern climes that is still up for sale - fine white furs perfect for dying a variety of colors, the strongest mead that can be found anywhere in Haven, as well as some of the finest weapons made ... if you have the muscles to raise them up! With the city surrounded by water, the good Captain has also let it be known that other trade runs or passengers runs can be made by his ship once repairs have been effected. All inquires should be made to Demetrius.
Title: Fire! It was a perfectly lovely spring day - the air fresh, the sun bright, even if each breath seemed laden with moisture from the flood waters surrounding Haven. Thus it was very strange when a fire sprang up quickly, devouring a warehouse and shipyard. There was no warning, and the flames seemed to claim the building and nearly the workers and inhabitants of it before they were even aware of the danger. Word on the docks is that it was arson, though for what reason is uncertain. There was some talk that the warehouse was supposed to be refitting and repairing the Amarada, but the ship is still docked out in the bay, unharmed. The Empyrean captain of the ship was seen on the site of the fire, dashing in and out of the burning structure, trying to help rescue those that were trapped inside the inferno. Fortunately no one was killed in the disaster, and the building collapsed upon itself, smothering much of the fire in the process. Being so close to the docks proved a blessing as what remained of the fire was quickly put out before it could spread to any of the other buildings. With the blackened wood of the docks still visible, it was a reminder of just how serious such blaze could be.
Title: Wingers Dunno How to Have a Funeral With all the furor that the Empyreans in Haven have been having as of late over the execution by Khalid Atar of Cassius Augustin, it's pretty much inevitable that the Mongrels of Haven must hear about it. But on the whole, a good number of the Mongrels of Haven have been discreetly rolling their eyes. For one thing, it's one less winger to be breathing down their necks. And for another thing, all solemn and sober as them wingers seem to want to get over the whole thing, it's apparent that them wingers just do NOT know how to hold a funeral. Or, at least, so goes the opinion of a number of Mongrel bards in Haven, once a bedraggled refugee out of Avalon makes it back into the city -- just ahead of the floods that have recently swamped the countryside -- bearing a battered lyre and the news that one of their own has been killed. "Th' Talespinner's gone," croaks the exhausted piper, once he's carried out the last task with which Lyre Talespinner had entrusted him, the conveyance of the instrument for which he'd been named into the hands of a certain healer girl. Popular as the Mongrel bard had been among several of the seedier dives in Bordertown, the word spreads quickly: "We gotta do right after th' Talespinner! He'd want that, y'ken?" "Aye, raise up a noise loud enough that ev'ry bloody god's gonna hear him comin' into th' afterlife! Get yer instruments, lads!" "We're gonna have ourselves a wake!"
Title: The Fate of Caius Two Hounds move through dark streets made to glisten slickly by a misting drizzle that has emptied the evening streets. The background serpentine hiss of falling water is broken by the gruff weathered voice of one of the men. "You heard our latest orders, Sardon?" A shake of sodden rusty curls accompanies wizened words. "No, the old commander is always going on about nothing. Don't pay to mind him much. What's the word, Rayne?" The bluff features of Rayne twist in a scowl before he spits into the disquieted surface of a puddle, "Seems they tried Caius without him there to defend himself. Got tired of waiting I suppose. Delphi calls you better come running. Still it is an ugly business they have left us. Word is, we see him we take him down. No questions. And we better be sure he is dead too." Sardon's eyes widen with a hint of blood lust, eagerness invading the usually bored tone. "'Bout time we got some real action. My old girl...," the man pats his crossbow lovingly, "..was beginning to feel a bit neglected." To this Rayne only shakes his head before aiming another volley of spittle into the night. Clearly not sharing his companion's eagerness.
Title: New Provost! Slowly, the news filters out of Delphi: Haven has a new Provost. The man tapped is Rohan Garret, the Atlantean Ferine best known for his part in helping design and create Haven's floodwall, and nearly eating Pasiphae's very own High Priestess, Lehuan Okalani. Garret's selection seems to go against the tradition of having a non-mage in the position, but the Estrella have made their choice. Given that the details of the position, it's no surprise that few have stepped forward to apply for the job. The bad jokes, predictably, have already begun to circulate. The Provost, however, also helps to manage one other asset: Delphi's mages. As Rohan Garret has been one of the more outspoken mages in his view that the magic of Delphi should serve the city of Haven, many that know him best may wonder what this portends. He has often been seen walking through Bordertown and noting the plight of Haven's most dispossessed citizens, even despite rumors of a recent attack on his person. For better or for worse, Rohan Garret is now Haven's Provost. The longtime residents of both the Citadel and the city just shrug and go about their business, sure that it won't effect their lives much, and just as sure that the Atlantean has no idea of the work in store for him.
Title: Receding Waters "Y'seen what's happenin' out north o' that bloody wall Delphi's built?" "Eh? No. Only that them mages been swarmin' out there like rats." "The water's recedin'. Been goin' down o'er the past few days. All that's left out there now's some big puddles and lots of mud." "Oh, that's good. Maybe things can git back to normal. Think they'll take down that wall?" "I dunno... I ain't seen 'em startin' yet. Betcha they won't. They wanna keep us trapped here." Those who venture north for themselves will indeed discover that the flood waters that had swamped the farmlands have receded a great deal and don't seem to be stopping yet. Delphi's mages are still present, and so far, they don't seem to be dismantling the flood walls. While this arouses suspicion in many of the Havenites, a few mutter that it's still pretty early yet.
Title: News from the North... The news trickles down from the north, borne on the wagons of merchants. They tell of a great battle -- some excitedly, for it surely spells the end of shortages, some soberly, for they report of having actually seen the battlefields. The two Varati Clans, Muhari and Nivat, made their final attack on the half-finished Empyrean strongholds in Avalon. There is no clear news on the outcome, but this much is clear: the strongholds are still standing and there are still Empyrean soldiers within them.
Title: Tearing Down the Walls News travels, as it always seems to in Haven, radially out from the Rialto. There's a quick rumor among the vendors in the early morning that yet another contingent from Delphi has marched off to the north, shovels in hand. This time, however, word is that Delphi is going to take /down/ the controversial floodwall that protected Haven from the spring runoff. By mid-morning, the Heralds are confirming all: Delphi has indeed begun to tear down the gigantic fortifications around the city. Furthermore, most of the Citadel's Earth-Elementals are working to salvage the farmlands to the east of Haven that were flooded, and ensure that this year's harvest is not lacking because of it. Bereft of most magical assistance, Delphi is relying on picks and shovels to get the job done, and for that, it'll need help. A fair wage is being offered to any day-laborers interested in helping tear the wall down, and will be until the project is completed.
Title: Avalon Storm Of perhaps secondary interest to the news of a battle between Empyreans and Varati in Avalon is the note that the fighting was accompanied by a ferocious storm. Travelers report that the storm stayed to the north of the battlefield, providing a particularly vicious thunderbolt display as a backdrop. About half of those asked about it think it is a sign that the gods were pleased by the carnage, the other half opine that they were angry. In the end, though, who knows the ways of gods?
Title: Gladiator Championship Opened With the a highly dramatic match, offering the best in different fighting styles, tricks and skills, the Gladiator championship of this year has opened in Haven. Along with gold, glory and fame, the victor(s) is promised the silver laurels making them the champions of the arena (at least for this year). Most matches will consist of teams testing their prowess against one another for the amusement of the crowd. Along with unsponsored teams, prestigious fighters of the Houses Jove, Acesius, Tritonis and Augustus will enter the arena. The first match tested 'The Lord of the Skies,' the Empyrean Theodoros against the mongrel half-Varati 'Stinger' Fahred. Despite the raw force, some feints and surprising attacks of the big, the skill and flexibility of his golden-haired foe prevailed. The fight was to death, so at the end of the match, Fahred's corpse was dragged out from the arena. Over the week, various matches of the first round, all to the death of one side, will happen, while the later stages of the tournament end with surrender.
Title: Did You Hear?! (Overheard in the seedier areas of Bordertown, likely spreading towards the Rialto quickly, if not further) Mongrel #1: Didja hear? Mongrel #2: Hear what? M1: Ohhh... y'missed some good lookin'! Y'know that gladiator fighter, Th' Claw? M2: Well 'course I do... who don't? Heard 'bout 'im in th' fights. M1: Right, then. Well, y'heard he been layin' low lately, din'cha? M2: Right I did, also seen 'im hangin' out at th' Siren's Song off'n on, too, makin' some friends there 'long th' way... but I ain't seen 'im get much wit'out any coin on 'im. M1: Yeah, well I saw 'im in th' old garden... y'know, th' overgrowed one? M2: So? M1: Shurrup, lemme tell it. So he's there, right, an' these birds are too, a pretty one an' some guards. Looked like Acesius. M2: Th' ones wot own 'im? Prob'ly just gettin' their fighter back. M1: Yeah but that's not all. Y'know Selene, don'cha? Well there she is talkin' to 'im, an' she's got her hands all over him, feelin' his arms, his neck an' his back, y'know? It was lookin' like there was somethin' there, I tell ya! M2: Yer a fool... M1: I'm tellin' ya it's true! I saw it wit' me own eyes as I was passin' through! Couldn't hear wot they was talkin' about, though... M2: Right... next thing you be tellin' me is she's signed up wit' th' Siren's Song... M1: Hey... that ain't such a bad idea...but y'wanna know th' best part? They went back together wit' her guards, off towards th' Palladium! An' he wasn't even in chains or nothin'! M2: Yer lyin'! M1: I swear it, s'true. (What's true? What isn't? Well, there was a meeting...)
Title: Introducing the Stars, Part I Anyone visiting the Coliseum this week, will be able to get the following information about the games, from the staff of the arena and wooden boards: TEAM ACESIUS: Fighting against three lions, the team Acesius consisted of Kesava - known as Pantheress - and The Claw (OOC: Jay). The crowd went wild when Kesava gave them what they came for. She shifted into a panther form, and taunted the lions, while The Claw took them down with his spear, short sword and his famous claws to make the show complete. The only problem: the lions seemed just a tad tame. The Acesius team looks strong, however, and it qualified on. TEAM JOVE: Team Jove consists of Bravo - the infamous gladiator who threw a sword in the Acesian stands during last games (can we say: scandal!?)- and Karana, a newcomer who uses a sword and a shield. Their opponents were 3 condemned criminals, and they looked absolutely non-combat worthy. Bravo made the bout last longer by taking them down one by one with his whip, but the matchup was far from even. The Jove team qualified on. TEAM TRITONIS: A new team in the arena, and one with a lot of interest. Arete (OOC: Lyranthe) - also known as the Dragon-Lady of Olympia is the only gladiator using a massive Aesir axe... with an ease of a child and a grace of a gymnast (and body to match). She fought Sheila the Dancer of Death in a difficult bout, till she single-handedly decapitated her opponent, amidst wild cheers. Arete is slightly injured for the next matches. Her partner, Theodoros - known as the Golden Boy - is one of those gladiators "for whom the girls sigh". He beat his mongrel opponent with style. The team moves on. TEAM AUGUSTUS: Another strong team. With Emrys - the winged Empyrean - up in the air, and Tyler on the ground with a spear, they fought 7 dwarves in what was supposed to be a comedy routine. The crowd laughed hysterically, and the dwarves were hardly skilled, but their number presented a grave danger. Emrys used airborne attacks to keep them scattered, and Tyler finished them off on the ground, using the created space. The team qualifies on.
Title: Introducing the Stars, Part II TEAM KHALIDA: Cameron - a new gladiator to Haven of whom nothing is known - and his partner Cistine are a two mongrel duo just added to the games by the Varati. They fought two other mongrels while bound to them by a collective steel chain! A carnage ensued, with the opponents dead, and Cistine very injured. She will need to be replaced, but the team qualifies on. FREELANCE TEAM 1: Bashirrah - the enigmatic Varati warrioress - and her partner Fenimos - an unknown slave from the provinces - fought 2 wrestlers. No team was allowed armor or weapons. The wrestlers seemed to have an advantage, but were unaccustomed to the arena. The gladiators - dealing with life and death each games - beat them both, using punching techniques to weaken them. Everyone really came to see Bashirrah crush a wrestler, and they got their wish. Fenimos didn't appear flashy, and seemed to mourn the death of his opponent. The team moves on. FREELANCE TEAM 2: Gaelius and Gonlos make an unusual team. While Gaelius is a newcomer to the arena, and age speaks against him, Gonlos fought all his short life - being barely 18 years old. A knife fight was the style, which is usually a messy affair. Experience of Gaelius proved the key, as he made a quick jab to his opponent and killed him before the clock struck 5 seconds... much to the booing of the crowd. The other fighter fell soon after. The team moves on. FREELANCE TEAM 3: Palestra - a retiarius - and Vu - an exotic gladiator who uses no armor - seem like a formidable team. Palestra is a hero of Civitas Dei, while Vu is completely unknown. Their enemies were 4 (!) tribal warriors from some unknown culture from the south - all slaves, and looking very much like Sylvans. Palestra's trident landed in three of them, while his net ensnared the last one. Vu distracted the enemies to make his partner's job easy. The team moves on. Unfair matchings? You bet. The next round is all day Thursday. Come by to see new stars emerge, and win some money in bets.
Title: Homecoming Evening in Haven and the sun rode high in the sky, passing its zenith and beginning its descent down in to darkness, casting another blessed and peaceful night over the denizens of the city. There were those who were not yet settling down for the night however. Scarce merchants and homeless, the peddler and the beggar roamed the streets that eve; those heading home or with nowhere to go. But no. They were not the only ones. From the north, through the gates, and in to the mostly deserted streets marched forward an entourage of mounted warriors, every one of them Varati, led by one with eyes of flame. Sword and lance they wielded, a banner pulling in the breezes behind them. It would not be a familiar one however. They rode quietly, calmly, ignoring those who might stare or scurry out of the way. Not til the Gem Inn did they stop removing chest after chest from horse and carrier... each filled with a fortune in coin and gem. Months have come and months have gone, and Geridan Kentari is home at last.
Title: Rumors Abound... "Did you hear Narma? Adept Aztlan has returned!" The other stares blankly. "Who?" "Aztlan!" Another blank stare. "He's a teacher, one of the Weavers of Aether." "Oh, so one of those elementalists." "Yeah!" "What's so special about him?" The excited one pauses, thinking. "Uhm...well...nothing, really...although a friend told me that her teacher once told her that he offended some people and was a general bastard, but another teacher told me that he's really a great guy who's very nice." The other student shrugs and gives a Daria-esque, "oh, well. That's nice. Come on, let's eat."
Title: The Dancer and the Dragon <AKA Team Tritonides Update> The stands were packed, filled with testosterone-laden males; this was truly going to be -the- fight of the opening bouts. In one corner, the beautiful mongrel possessing of long red hair and an uncanny way with daggers: Sheela, the Dancer of Death. In the other, the amazonesque Empyrean armed with a highly impressive Aesirian axe, Arete the Dragon-Lady. Dressed in next to nothing and already shouting obscenities at one another in the first few moments of the match, it was shaping up to be a grand morning. The fight itself lasted little over twenty minutes, with each combatant doing her best to thwart the other while hurling insults that only roused the crowds to higher pitches of lust, blood and otherwise. At first, it seemed that the mongrel had the upper hand, as truly, this was a David and Goliath fight. Whereas the Empyrean had strength, Sheela had agility and thusly the ability to maneuver faster than Arete could swing her massive axe. Mail armor and oiled skin flashing in the mid-morning sun, Sheela led the Dragon-Lady on a painful dance, striking first a wing and then at her torso. It all boiled down to the two final moves: Sheela threw a dagger, sending six inches of steel through Arete's foot, and the Empyrean retaliated with a rather dramatic upward swing of her wicked double-edged axe that took the Dancer's head. Vasilius declared Arete the winner amidst the wild calls of the crowd, and the Empyrean gladly accepted her accolades. Team Tritonides is looking very promising, indeed..
Title: Treaty Announced An announcement swiftly flows out from the Palladium, carried by messengers and servants decorated with the purple of the Empyreal Aegis. "Let it be known, Empyreal citizens of Haven, that the Empyre has concluded a treaty with the mongrel state of Avalon, which was once the district of Arelate. Mediated by a delegation selected by the Aegis and directed by Vertinius Gregorio Acesian, the treaty welcomes Avalon back into the sheltering arms of the Empyre as a full province, subject to our laws and taxation. A nominal government of mongrel citizens will oversee the day-to-day business of running the province, as a gesture of conciliation and goodwill on the part of the Empyre, and in order to further cement relations between our two peoples. It is the sincere and lasting hope of the Aegis that this treaty will mark the first step in a long journey of cooperation and beneficial support between the citizens of Avalon and the citizens of the Empyre as a whole. And so it shall be."
Title: Empyrean Troops Arrive Home In light of the announcement made through Haven about the treaty between Avalon and the Empyre, other news comes to the fore. The troops sent out by the Imperator of Haven are returning. The forces on the front are being supplemented by others from around the Empyre. Those that can fly begin to filter into the city, others, the injured through more land bound means or perhaps gryphon chariots. More and more Praetors and Velites entering a city where they no longer have a place.
Title: Games Results! The second round of the gladiatorial games in Coliseum opened yesterday, with an attendance more mixed in races that the games previous. Two pairs of gladiators clashed in combat, and when all was done, the sand was stained with blood, but to displeasure of some... no corpses. TEAM TRITONIDES (Arete, Theodoros) took on a strong pair of Palestra and Fenimos. After the spectacular first round, the Tritonis gladiators seemed to have met their match, and looked skilled but underhanded early on. The only team fully capable of flight, Tritonis - to the dismay of many - fought mainly on the ground, making the bout a tough affair and a test of true skill. Nearing the end, Palestra with his net and trident looked barely hurt, and his companion fended off vicious attacks. Yet one skilled strike from Arete instantly turned the bout around, embedded deep into Palestra's shoulder, leaving him with no net and only his back-up dagger in hand. Faced with overwhelming odds, the gladiator surrendered. His partner, battered by Theodoros, faced two opponents now, and while most agree he could have taken one down, life may have been his price. He surrendered honorably, in this closest match of the games yet. Both sides could have not fought another minute longer. TEAM JOVE (Bravo, Adham) took on TEAM KHALIDA (Zaleb, Cameron) in a spectacular match of force and agility. Bravo - the infamous mongrel that put a stain on Acesian honor - managed to turn the last few friends he had into enemies. He brutally insulted the Varati God-King in a manner that had many of the followers of Khalid leave the stands. He is now hated by Varati too, and may have earned this way some Empyrean fans. Cameron and Adham clashed in a bout of giants, using raw force in what became a wrestling match, before both went down... exhausted and faint. Bravo's opponent - Zaleb - is a flashy acrobat that gave Bravo all he could handle. But to surprise of all, Bravo looked stronger than before, and won. His victory is a very controversial affair, as a knife appeared in his hand at the last moment, although it apparently came from his belt. The Varati cry in outrage that he cheated, while the Empyrean fans don't care. Team Jove and Team Tritonis moves on to Sunday. Two more spots are left.
Title: Overheard in Bordertown "Nita! I didn't expect to see you out and about - I thought you had a broken leg." "I did. Had a healer see to it, though, and it's good as new." "Herbs can't do that, Nita! Which healer did you see?" "Some Delphi girl. Starsong? Yes, that' s it. Nice little thing, for a Delphi brat. I was surprised." "There were Delphi people here? Here in Bordertown?" "Oh, yes. Don't you give me that look, Toran, you know they come here all the time! Well, sometimes. Well...oh, all right, I was surprised to see them too. Especially with all those Hounds. Oh, and speaking of which, you'd never believe who was there! Mikal - remember him? That nice mongrel boy from Fish Alley? Made it into the Hounds and got himself a shiny uniform - " "Nita, do you mean to tell me that a Delphi mage _and_ a slew of Hounds came all the way down _here_ just to do some healing?" "That's what it looked like. Didn't ask for payment or anything." "There has to be a catch." "No - no catch. Well...one of the Hounds did say something about how coming here was that girl's way of making up for something she'd done wrong. But honestly, she didn't seem too upset about it. Loved the kids. Said she'd come back, even - if the Provost kept sending her, that is. And that more of them would be coming, too. Looks like _someone_ up there wants a change."
Title: The Death of a Ceterion Two Hounds talk in the Bastion Courtyard... Silent-Eyes: Did you hear what happened yesterday?? Dorian: No, I didn't... What's happened? SE: That Caius character! He's been killed! Some say 'executed!' Dorian: You mean that Praetorian that killed all those people? I thought we were supposed to capture him alive! SE: One and the same! I've heard all kinds of rumors, but most say that he was ambushed out in the Haven woods by none other than Commander Chryseis! Dorian: Altair?? You must be daft! Why would be go against orders so blatantly?? SE: I suspect because he thought that Caius was too dangerous to be brought in alive. As it is, that same night he killed three of our border patrol officers and sent a fourth to the Infirmary with serious injuries... Dorian: Yikes. Well, I've seen that guy around before. Just from the look in his eyes, you could tell that he wasn't one ever to do anything willingly that went against what he believed... Probably better him dead than more of us. SE: Yeah, but what is the Archon going to say about it? And have you /seen/ the Commander lately? It's as if that light in his eyes just burned out... Dorian: If that's true, then I'm not sure which one's going to be the more frightening around here. The Archon or the Commander...? Soon after, the head of Ceterion Caius Antoninus is found upon a pike in front of the Bastion, as a reminder to all those that would seek to defy Delphic Law. Strangely enough, the Commander also turns up mysteriously missing from the Bastion, apparently having been taken off duty for a time undefined. Rumors about that are still too few to place as yet.
Title: Games Results! The last leg of the middle rounds of the games happened today: TEAM ACESIUS, composing of the now famous gladiator that is only known as The Claw - due to iron claws that he wears attached to his gauntlets - and his partner's substitute Toleo, looked a bit weakened by the absence of Kesava, who will enter back into the fray tomorrow, one hopes. They fought a duo of Decimus - an Empyrean gladiator of unknown origin - and Scorpion, a Sylvan fighter using two whips as her style. Yet for all the expectations of The Claw, it was Toleo who finished his partner - Scorpion - very quickly. He lost his weapon, and appeared to be done, when he skillfully turned the entire match around with a practiced deception. Scorpion went down from a shield-but to her nose, and her corpse was dragged out of the arena. The Claw had problems with his opponent Decimus, and was it not for the quick unfair advantage of Team Acesius, the fight would have lasted much longer. Decimus, keeping his airborne position as a huge advantage, fought well, and for some time, challenged both gladiators by himself. Yet such overwhelming odds - given Toleo's lack of major injuries - would eventually spell his death, so the gladiator honorably yielded. Team Acesius moves on to Sunday - the last day of competition. TEAM AUGUSTUS looks strong indeed. With Tyler's iron body on the ground, and with Emrys' mobility in the air, this duo fought a pair of masked gladiators of identical size and body-shape... their race and origins unknown. The fight was flashy, but not very long, with the duo of the opponents being cut up severely and both surrendering at once, having taken too much damage to continue and live. They were taken away from the arena, and left Haven immediately after. The sponsor for this team is unknown. Team Augustus moves on to Sunday's bouts. Ladies and Gentlemen! On Sunday, TEAM JOVE fights TEAM ACESIUS in the semi-finals, while TEAM AUGUSTUS takes on TEAM TRITONIS. Only Empyrean heroes made it so far, but given Empyre's history of gladiatorial combat, the advantage may be reasonable. Yet this advantage is definitely narrowing with each games, and next time... perhaps the Empyreans team sponsors will no longer be so lucky, or their gladiators so skilled. The games begin on Sunday at 3 PM EST. They will continue for most of the afternoon and early evening. Come and join us!
Title: Theft At the Bastion The night after Caius' head was placed outside the Bastion, it disappeared. The pike remains, bloodied and defiant, daring the Hounds to find the perpetrator. Certainly, the whispers say, there was no love lost between Caius and countless others. But why would anyone steal this gruesome trophy? And what of the guards, supposedly stationed outside the Bastion at all times? Were they paid off? The people of Haven wait, some at least, for the Bastion's reaction to this recent development in the Ceterion's saga. It seems that even dead, Caius is causing problems.
Title: The Gods Speak! In the evening hours of what had been a warm and sultry summer day, the unexpected happened. The Pantheon, noted for its posh decor and upper class clientele, was treated to 'a vision from the gods,' as some would say. Such a rumor spreads like wildfire, and with each retelling it is typically twisted and given extra fantastic details. "I tell ya, Ruthie! I overheard th' Domina talkin' bout it. She'd been there, she'd seen it for herself!" "Well, for gods' sakes, Trissa, tell me what happened!" "Oh, oh, she said the fountain came alive! Lit up with white light and all this sound came pourin' from it. Said she saw a vision in there. Some... oh, some name was said. And there was a couple in there that... oh, they ran away a long time ago. It was really tragic." "Y'know what? That makes no sense at all." "Well, all I know's this. The gods spoke in the waters of the Pantheon's fountain. Tomorrow I'm gonna go and toss in a coin. Think they'll hear?" "Maybe. So long as you don't ask 'em again to let that boy notice you. I'm sure they're sick of it."
Title: Champions of the Arena! With the end of the gladiator games in Haven, a champion pair was announced! TEAM ACESIUS (The Claw, Kesava) fought TEAM JOVE (Bravo, Adham). This matchup is becoming almost anticipated, given the bad blood created in it during the last year's bouts. This time, style was the name of the game, and while the massive Varati Adham clashed with the agility of the Pantheress Kesava, she suffered stout injuries from the man, but threw a number of incredibly daring attacks that sent the audience roaring. Bravo did not look as good as before, but his mouth was sharp, throwing insult after insult. And just as the life of The Claw was determined over, just as the smirking Bravo raised his sword to finish the man, the Acesian fighter came back and stunned the mongrel and the audience with a deadly strike of his famous claws to the man's sternum. When Bravo fell, his head was chopped off his body with a sword, leaving The Claw alive and victorious. After the bout, The Claw received his freedom from House Acesius, as Dea and Deus of the house presented him with the symbolic wooden sword. The debate whether The Claw was lucky or used some very skillful arena trick is still on. But the facts do not change. Bravo is dead, and Adham yielded soon after in honorable surrender. TEAM TRITONIS (Arete, Theodoros) fought TEAM AUGUSTUS (Emrys, Tyler) in a vicious match that erupted like a volcano. Tyler - so favored in the games - almost lost his life as his weapon was knocked from his hands by exotic Arete, but managed to recover. Emrys looked stronger than before - to surprise of many and to disappointment of all those who bet against him - and matched Theodoros in the air strike by strike. The talented Team Tritonis perhaps did not have enough strength left... their semi-final bout taking much out of them, and finally both fighters went down... with the Golden Boy Theodoros crashing from the sky to horror of all the ladies. They are alive, but Team Augustus won the match. FINAL: Team Acesius was too battered to be allowed to enter the final match, so the title went to Team Augustus! Emrys and Tyler are the silver champions of the arena. Seek out the heroes! And while the rumors of immortality of some of the gladiators and the note that Acesius fighters could match the Augustus ones for the laurels will never fade, these games are over, and the arena sleeps for a while now.
Title: A Hound Suspended A note is brought to the Rialto and announced into the busy square before being tacked to the place where other official pronouncements go: "As of the first day of Summer in the year Three Thousand Nine Hundred and Seven, the Archon Amaris Caioma al'Shirfa has suspended Commander Altair Chryseis from duty as a Hound for a time of no less than two weeks. During this time, Altair Chryseis will not carry the authority of his rank or be expected to execute the will of Delphi's Estrel." No reasons are given for the pronouncement, or why such a specific thing was revealed so openly to the public. There are mumbles of rumors from the Bastion and others, but no one is exactly certain of why.
Title: Listen to What I Heard... The story varies on who you ask, but throughout Haven, lips move in whispers: - There has been an attack on the Prophet's life? - There must have been a human sacrifice, I mean, there is blood on those rocks? - An Empyrean was carried to Delphi by a mongrel? - Helena Jove flew against what? - I think there was a lover's quarrel and he threw his woman off the cliffs? - Are the Varati at it again, attacking innocent people? - A woman defied the Gods and they dropped a rock on her? - A woman defied Khalid Atar and he dropped a rock on her? - Helena Jove was attacked by a terrible monster, but this brave mongrel managed to rescue her? - As if, you figure out the truth, I don't believe a word you're saying!
Title: A Cry in the Night Thursday, June 7, 3907: Late night at the Bastion. Even with the setting of the sun, Haven's streets are balmy and unmerciful. Word has it that a few of the less fortunate have actually perished due to this early, steady summer heat wave. It is because of this unbearably hot weather that the windows in the Officer's Barracks at the Bastion have been thrown open, thin curtains shifting uneasily in the scant sea breezes. All is quiet within, the Reeves and Commanders either fast asleep or off on their nightly patrol. A fly buzzes lazily around the room, finding the heavy damask drapes of one sectioned-off quarter slightly parted; it darts in, flitting over to the sleeping form within and landing on her face. This woman, though most assuredly, the fly could not care, is one that splits her nights off between the Bastion and the Chryseis Suite at the Domus Solum. As such, her living quarter in the Barracks is nearly bare, holding only a single bed, a small night table, and a desk covered in various bits of paper. In deep sleep, the Reeve bats at her lips, causing the fly to lift into the air. Seconds later, she sits bolt upright and screams, the single word waking everyone within the room and likely a few people in other parts of the Bastion. The word is a name, and one that surely weighs on more minds than one: "Faisal!" What happens after this, according to the faint murmuring of those who were witness to the outcry, is unclear. Generally it boils down to the same basic thing: Lyranthe, still clad in her sleeping clothes and shaking with either rage or fear, left the Bastion so quickly that none were able to speak with her. She did not return until the next day, and even then was tight-lipped about the dream -- or nightmare -- that she had.
Title: Changes in Varati Leadership After having made yet another lasting impression among the peoples of Haven -- both good and bad -- the God-King of the Varati took to the air on his ferocious Wyvern Queen. Rumor has it that the God-King returns to Masada, to keep a careful watch on the Varati, ensuring that beneath the ashes of the civil war, the embers of discontent do not continue to smolder. It is a week after Khalid Atar has left Haven, that another Wyvern Queen is seen in the air above Atesh-Gah. However, this Queen bears the fair form of Thalia Khalida. Her entourage comes on foot, but the Empyrean wife of the Varati God-King returns on a steed befitting her status and position.
Title: A New Exhibit With Empyreans still dealing with the death of Cassius Augustin and now the added death of the Ceterion Caius Antoninus it is customary to see some Empyreans dressed in the grey of mourning. But out of this period of mourning has come a small tribute to the two fallen Empyreans from the Acesian household. Those in the household have mentioned that the Dea has kept to herself a great deal as of late, but in the last couple of days she has been seen wandering between the Palladium and Poecile. Word is spread that the Dea's gallery in the Empyrean quarter has installed a new exhibit in the prestigious Master's Gallery entitled 'Chosen Weapons'. The new exhibit brings together pieces of Empyrean artwork which depict both Aegians and Praetorians, for Deus Augustin had been a member of the former while Ceterion Antoninus had been a member of the latter. The gallery is open to everyone and as always, guards are on duty to make certain that visitors look but do not touch.
Title: From the Empyrean Quarter... Rumors escape the Empyrean quarter that as a result of Altair Chryseis' 'murder' of Caius Antoninus, there have been possible threats made against his family. As a result, the Hound's children and wife have been moved to the Palladium where the children are restricted to stay and his wife, Andromache Chryseis is allowed to leave, but only with a Praetorian escort.
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