If you like you can look at the (sketchy, incomplete) GM notes as well.

The News

Turn 10

In the Papers

Metaphysicians and occultists from the Imperial University have been intensively studying the new mountains, and have found that the transformation is almost complete. (Vegdarbarran propaganda messages imply that a similar transformation has taken place all along the wall, and the breach currently occupied by an ancient dragon matriarch has become a labyrinthine cave complex.) Here and there a few bricks have retained their form, but by and large the Wall as it was is gone. The mountains are still tall enough to cause night to fall as usual close to them, but deeper in the True and Treacherous Lands night does not become quite as dark as it used to - it is always daytime in the middle of the Jurican desert, and in the Hive itself (which is on top of one of the mountains, and is still only accessible by flying). This phenomenon has led to the mountains gaining the charming name of the Mountains of Dusk. Professor Fisk of the Horizon Geological Survey gave us this summary of the latest theories of the phenomenon's cause:

"The legends of the mythic dreamtime tell us that when the Wall was built entire mountans were rendered down to produce the bricks. It is possible that some unknown party has introduced a perfectly pure sample of Land Essence to the Wall, causing the rock it is hewn from to remember its former nature, and to revert to it. The, ah, immediate consequence of this is that the idea of `True Lands' and `Treacherous Lands' is now of purely historical interest: cosmologically speaking, we are all Treacherous now."

The transformation of the Wall has indeed apparently made passage between True and Treacherous easier - up to a point. Scouts from the Mayoral Legions have discovered that the mountains are highly treacherous if one does not use an established pass to cross them, and the only known major pass is that which is guarded by Old and New Horizon. Individuals, small parties, and the occasional monster can travel through the mountains; entire armies or tribes making the attempt would find themselves decimated by rockfalls, landslides, hidden crevasses and other pitfalls. Some superstitious explorers have suggested that the mountains do not appreciate being crossed. Meanwhile, the directions of Truewards and Wallwards, now redundant, have collapsed - but not disappeared. Reports from abandoned regions of the Slums and Ruins, and areas within New Horizon, suggest that they have instead coiled up and hidden deep within those twin cities. Rumours of strange, abandoned streets and alleys, lined with empty houses and abandoned market stalls and filled with silence and wind, have spread like wildfire, as have wild stories of wonders and terrors to be discovered within. The simplification of geography has proved useful. The Mountains of Dusk seem to be a perfectly circular range, making the True Lands a small enclave within the greater region of the Treacherous. Stories of forests on the move, islands losing their moorings, and rivers running uphill suggest that the geographical upheaval caused by the loss of the Wall may continue for some time.

The political consequences of this event are already unfolding. The nations of Horizon and New Horizon have united as one, the distinction appearing now purely academic. The Governor of New Horizon has, however, been appointed by David Wright as Minister for Reunification, to oversee the smooth union of colony and home nation. Meanwhile, there have been reports that a group of fairies have attempted to set up an embassy in Lasinia; they appear to have been rebuffed by the Soviet regime, which has declared that "the regime in the land of the Fair Folk is, as far as we are aware, an oligarchial monarchy. We are, however, interested in making contact with any revolutionary movement of the fairy people which may exist."

When asked for his comment on the disappearance of the Wall and the relocation of his home and workplace to the top of a very tall mountain, Mayor David Wright said "Wow, isn't this cool? You can see for miles from up here!"

DOCKYARD HOME GUARD ENGAGES IN PRACTICE DRILLS

Kellor Renegades Operating In Refugee Camp

CLOCKWORK BEES DEPLOYED IN WAR

The Horizon Post congratulates our CLOCKWORKERS in the efforts to drive back the VEGDARBARRAN MENACE.

Merchant's Arm-Connected Thugs Found Dead In Alleyway

Aerial Brigade Intercepts Shipment of Grey Technology to Vegdarbarra

Randolph Stalls New National Treasurer

Stalls' first deed as National Treasurer has been to impose a ban on foreign investment in Horizon-based businesses during the course of the war. "We simply can't allow Irgarim or Jurican investors to exploit the strain caused by the war to purchase key parts of our infrastructure," said Stalls. "Government loans will be available to important businesses in financial difficulty to keep them afloat. We understand that the business community has had to make numerous sacrifices in the course of the war effort - but can any sacrifice really equal that of our young men and women on the front line?"

Stalls has also declared that small businesses making a direct contribution to the war effort will be able to take advantage of "patriotic tax rebates", in a move widely perceived to be a concession to the Small Business Legal Defence Fund, whose legal challenges to recent tax increases continue to be heard in the courts.

HOME GUARD PUTS DOWN RATIONS RIOT AFTER HORSE GUARDS FAIL

THE ILLUMINATOR SAYS: THREE CHEERS FOR THE HOME GUARD. SHAPE UP TO THE HORSE GUARD.

White Lost for Good

SIEGE OF THE DARK TOWER LIFTED, FREE BEER ALL ROUND

The Hayes-Morton Interview II

In an exclusive supplement to today's Tribune, Bernard Hayes-Morton again gives us an insight into his life and work. He speaks of the disappointment caused within the Treasury by the Merchant's Arm's rejection of legal methods, and opines that while there are many honest businessmen in Horizon, the Merchant's Arm not represent them. He outlines how he, himself, accepted financial losses in the sale of his arms factories during nationalisation, feeling that there is no place for profiteering when friends and neighbours are laying down their lives for all.

He also addresses the libellous rumours alluded to in the Tribune's less respectable competitors, accusations relating to his sexual proclivities and conduct, and his alleged return to addiction. The Tribune cannot yet speculate as to which of Hayes-Morton's political enemies would spread such slander about a man who is clearly merely waiting for the right woman to come into his life - a life built around service ot his city - but can only hope that whichever individual is responsible ceases this malicious activity before precious reputations are forever soiled.

WRIGHT INSPECTS TROOPS WITH MARKAN IN TOW

LINKS BETWEEN ARM AND SONS OF RICHTER REVEALED
CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST LEADING MERCHANTS' ARM MEMBERS
DETECTIVE ARMAND CARRACK LEADS ARRESTS

Snapper, Snapper and Krum, the Merchants' Arm legal team, have provided no comment at this time.

CLOCKWORK RIFLE STOLEN BY BEES

The Post's zoological advisor, John Nemo, believes that these bees may have been CONDITIONED FROM BIRTH in top-secret VEGDARBARRAN BEEHIVES to fight against all lovers of freedom everywhere, and advises all its readers to SHOOT ALL AND ANY BEES THEY SEE with the nearest firearm they can lay hands on.

BILKO BOXES A HIT!

Strict Clockworkers Announce Invention of Clockwork People

Mayor David Wright has granted full civil rights to mechanical individuals, so long as they submit to an inspection by the Ministry of Public Works. "My concern is that irresponsible clockworkers may produce mechanical men with destructive, harmful tendencies embedded in their gears," he said. "Ministry clockworkers will examine each mechanical citizen produced, assess what tendencies are inherent in their design, and inform each clockwork individual of these tendencies on completion of this inspection, giving the clockwork individual an opportunity to change any aspect of his or her mental design he or she is dissatisfied with. It's my opinion that people are only free and responsible for their actions if they are capable of self-knowledge, and of choosing to change their ways."

Lesouge Executed

Among the many well - respected personages speaking at the trial was Sternos, former Ghoul headman and now apparently a Mechanical Citizen, who famously defeated the other two known avatars of Verachtlich, the Butcher and the Wrath, late last year. Also in attendance... (continues)

Kraelings of Kessereth Commit Genocide In Adhania

Reports have also reached Horizon that members of the Treacherous Colonies have managed to apprehend one member of the rampaging force, a young Kraeling who seems to have strayed from the main body of the forces. All intelligence suggests that for all the army is ruthless it also demonstrates a high degree of disorganisation. The captured Kraeling seemed to be suffering from a high degree of mental instability, possibility due to an inbalance in his affinities. He is recorded as ranting repeatedly about the apparent “messiah from the fire”, who he claims appeared from the heart of the sacred flame in Kessereth and declared himself their leader. Descriptions of the Kraeling leader seem to point to a young man with bright red hair and eyes.

Mayor Dissolves Goodly Chamber, Declares Elections

GIVEN THAT THE GOODLY FAMILES OF HORIZON:

• have persisted in refusing to shoulder equally the burden of the war effort.
  
• have continually demanded special treatment from the Mayoral Legions in a time of national crisis.
  
• have collaborated frequently in the past with the Merchant's Arm, and boast a number of members of that terrorist-funding organisation amongst their ranks.

IT IS HEREBY DECREED THAT:

• the Goodly Chamber shall henceforth be dissolved.
  
• the hereditary succession of Chamber membership shall be abolished.
  
• a new Chamber will be elected in due course by the people of Horizon, on a system of one citizen one vote, with full legislative powers, the ability to select ministers of state from its number, and the right to depose the Mayor given a successful vote of no confidence, the election of this chamber to take place on the 25th of Autumn's Dusk 4022 HR.

Signed and sealed this day, the 19th of Spring's Dusk 4022 Horizon Reckoning, by David Wright, Mayor and Governor of Horizons Old and New, in the Hive where it is always day.

This morning, Goodly Chamber members found this decree pinned to the locked doors of the Chamber. A number of members had to be escorted out by Watchdogs after attempting to ram open the doors with a nearby bench; the others were allowed to remain long enough to collect their papers from their offices before returning home.

The Goodly Chamber has only ever been an advisory body, and little is expected to change in the day-to-day running of Horizon's government until the more powerful elected Chamber comes into being. The sudden loss of their political voice, however, has outraged many in the Noble District, especially when combined with a wave of arrests of noble sons for draft-dodging. (The individuals in question will spend a week in the Doghouse before being transferred to the front.) In the Lower City, however, the move has proved wildly popular the Goodly Chamber being regarded by many as a toothless waste of money existing mainly to indulge the vanity of the aristocracy.

In the divide between Horizon's Lower and Upper Cities, David Wright has clearly aligned himself with the Lower. It remains to be seen whether this gambit will bear fruit.

[OOC: The Goodly Chamber elections will take place at the end of Turn 14, so the results will be declared during the session in 6th week - that'll be the session on the 21st of February.]

Ryan Columna Found Dead In Street - Nightbeast Accused!

The Watchdogs have started an investigation into the incident however they also have refused to comment on what the founder and former leader of the WBI was doing disguised as a mob boss in the slums. David Wright, meanwhile, has revealed that Ryan Columna had managed to survive the previous attempt on his life - the individual seen entering his office shortly before the blast being a hired double - and was in contact with the Mayor and the Watchdog commission before he died. The Mayor, however, has expressed bafflement at the William Kellor connection.

Ghoulish investigators have confirmed that it is the body of Ryan Columna and that the death is not to be considered murder but "pre-emptive self-defence", the legalistic euphemism for a lawful killing under the Twin Silvers agreement.

Lasinian Cultural Fair Held In Horizon

Zharkov's speech was a timely reminder that Lasinia is now a worker's utopia and the ideal model for a new and greater world. Unfortunately, his speech was cut sort by urgent military business which required his attention.

The State of the War

A regular column discussing the ongoing crisis.

Small hope of that. Negotiations between the three leaders broke down completely in the past two months. First, Milan Gapon accused Karl von Litkinstein of being a worshipper of Lacrymosa, and appeared to have discovered proof in the form of a "book of despair" found in Karl's quarters. The accusation seems to have convinced both Leonid von Litkinstein and the Vegdarbarran peasantry, and Karl is believed to be either dead or in hiding following a ruthless purge of those forces loyal to him by Gapon and Leonid's men. Relations between Milan Gapon and Leonid von Litkinstein, meanwhile, have deteriorated to the point where all-out war has been declared, and central Vegdarbarra is now caught up in a brutal civil war.

The Vegdarbarran commanders on the frontline are new in a tenuous position, especially now that Gapon's loyal forces have withdrawn to fight for him against Leonid's armies. With civil war raging in the Vegdarbarran heartland, they now cannot depend upon reinforcements; however, it is widely assumed that if they abandon their positions on the borders of Horizon and Lasinia the Lasinians will seize the opportunity to invade Vegdarbarra. (For Horizon's part, David Wright has ruled out retaliatory action, declaring that he will use the Mayoral Legions solely for the defence of Horizon and humanitarian missions.)

The war has therefore reached an ugly stalemate. The Vegdarbarran frontline commanders are not capable of launching decisive actions against the Horizon and Lasinian forces, but their forces are so entrenched on the border that any effort on the part of Horizon and Lasinia to oust them will lead to massive casualties on both sides. It is believed that the allied nations are divided over the acceptability of this course of action: David Wright is known to oppose it, preferring to take the opportunity to bolster Horizon's defences to the point where a war-weakened Vegdarbarra cannot seriously contemplate assailing them, whilst Lasinian leader Daniel Priestley is said to consider any sacrifice worthwhile if it means the defeat of Vegdarbarra.

In further news from the Vegdarbarran heartland, it is reported that Milan Gapon evaded an assassination attempt last night. While such attempts are more than common among Vegdarbarran nobles, the fact that the assassin got so close and make it definitely worthy of report - especially given the heights of paranoia seen amongst the Vegdarbarran leadership since Baron Yuri's death. Lieutenant Belikov of the Vegdarbarran 7th Regiment is believed to have been the assassin; He is reported to come to Gapon's headquarters at Urtovsk saying he had urgent news that was for Gapon's ears alone. Shortly after that, there was the sound of screaming and gunfire, and - rumour has it - eldritch chanting. Gapon's forces managed to stop the attacker at the cost of several men; Gapon is shaken by the incident and accuses Leonid von Litkinstein of the attack, which Leonid is said to deny.

On the Grapevine

Quickpistol Flip-Flops, Overrules Red Star

Dracion Leads Jude's Concern

Under-Chamber Defies Merchant's Arm, Arm Declared Fair Game

Columna vs. Columna: Christopher Beats the WBI

Vegdar-Dust Addicts Rave About New Blend

[OOC: With the Wall becoming a mountain, harvesting Vegdar-dust has become much easier: good Vegdar-dust is now as cheap as a normal drug, whilst bad Vegdar-dust is no longer on the market since it's no longer easier to harvest than the good.]

In the Small Ads

WANTED: NIGHTBEAST

[OOC: An anonymous contact point is given for those interested in this. 8,000 guilders is a Staggering amount of money.]

News Sources