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

The News

Turn 11

In the Papers

Arm Severed!

I would continue this article, but you guys have read the details in the other papers anyway, everyone in the office is getting drunk and I see no reason not to join them. Read the Liberator: the newspaper that's rihgt all the time!y

Arm-Held Businesses to be Nationalised

MECHANICAL SHAMANISM PERMITTED, SKY- AND OCEAN-ALIGNED CLOCKERS APPEARING (PS: SHAMANISM ALSO LEGAL FOR HUMAN BEINGS)

It was pointed out to the Mayor that humans were now the only race in Horizon not allowed to legitimately practice shamanism. “Oh yes, well, it’s legal for them too now,” he said.

"Seelie Court of Reconciliation" Establishing Embassies

Church Fundraiser for War Hospital

The children of the Del Orto foundation orphanage put on a wonderful country dance for the event and a local folk music group played throughout the day.

Father Isenkral was present throughout the event ensuring a smooth running of the day and speaking passionately about the need to maintain the hospital with the continued looming threat from beyond the range.

STEAM UNION TO SUPPORT HORIZON PEOPLE'S PARTY

Mayor Vetos Clockwork Funding Plan, Guild and Treasury Protest

The perceived problem is that once produced clockwork people become free citizens, and as a free citizen they cannot be sold by their original creator, and thus the creator loses out on any investment they made. This is perceived in some quarters to be a significant deterrent to the mass adoption of clockwork men manufacture.

Treasury officials proposed a new law requiring that newly created clockwork men would owe their creator a debt according to the cost of their manufacture, the time the Clockworker took to create the man, and a reasonable profit margin. Those clockwork men who opted to serve Horizon for 5 years would have this sum paid for by the government of Horizon. Those who opted for independence would have to donate half of their income every month to the Clockworker who created them until their debt was paid. As with any other citizen, those who refused to attempt to pay their debts would be sent to debtor prison.

In order to assist with this, the Treasury proposed establishing a "Clockworkers' Mutual Company" to offer loans to Clockworkers in order to build clockwork men, manage the collection of debts, arrange for the tricky governmental paperwork and take the hassle away from the clockworkers, allowing them to get on with their craft. Additional proposals included allowing the Strict Clockworkers to inspect clockwork men's mechanisms for the citizenship examination, rather than devoting Ministry of Public Works time to the matter.

All these initiatives have been overruled by David Wright. When we asked the Mayor about his reasons for doing so, he gave us the following statement:

"I overruled the Treasury proposals because they amount to slavery, pure and simple. No other citizen of Horizon is born into debt; mothers and fathers do not present their adult children at the coming of age with a bill for clothing, food and board, after all. What is most objectionable about this proposal is that it does not come from the mechanical community, but from human beings. The current compact between the Mayor's Office and the Ghouls and Kraelings was arranged with the leaders of those communities; I am deeply uncomfortable of any proposal which requires national service or debt-servitude of the clockwork community which does not come from the clockwork community itself, as a united whole.

"It is my understanding that clockworking is regarded as much as an art as it is an occupation, and that many clockworkers produce their works for their sheer love of the craft rather than for mercenary ends. If the current state of affairs means that clockwork people tend to be produced by dedicated individuals for the love of their craft, instead of churned out by disinterested clockworkers who are only in it for the money, I feel that this would only have a beneficial effect on the welfare of the clockwork people. Mechanical individuals, treated with respect, love and kindness by their creators, are far more likely to willingly work with them to pay the cost of their creation - and will probably work harder and more effectively - than mechanical individuals who are compelled into doing so."

Surprise Air Raid Destroys Lasinian Prison Ships

Senior figures in the Mayoral Legion and the government are said to be investigating possible reasons for the seemingly random raid, and also for its unusually precise targetting.

PEACE WITH VEGDARBARRA

The peace treaty comes HOT ON THE HEELS of the end of the civil war in Vegdarbarra, with the ASSASSINATION of Leonid von Litkinstein by members of a near-extinct Vegdarbarran ethnic group (victims of one of his GENOCIDES) proving a grim form of POETIC JUSTICE. Milan Gapon, former ambassador to Horizon, now rules all Vegdarbarra, and appears to have FORGIVEN the city whose streets claimed the lives of his sons.

Interview On the War With d'Avenant

Draft Ended By Mayor Wright

"Our war for national survival, which brought us the draft, is now over. But we are now faced with a greater battle: a war for the survival of civilisation itself. I cannot, in good conscience, send men to the front to face the hordes of Kessereth unless they are possessed of a heartfelt wish to defend the world from their Fire-spawned terror. For in the end, it does not matter: if our line breaks, the Kraelings will pour through Horizon and into the True Lands. Those who do not fight them in New Horizon may find themselves fighting them in the streets of Horizon, or if they flee Horizon the wastes of Vegdarbarra, or if they flee that the deserts of Jurica. It is for each individual to wrestle with his or her conscience and choose whether he or she will face the Kraelings in New Horizon, as part of a united force, or in the True Lands as frightened refugees."

Wright has announced that those conscripted in the past few months will be gradually released from active service at the end of their compulsory turn of service and allowed to return home. His appeal to the patriotic spirit of Horizonites to remain in the armed forces in light of the advancing Kesserith Kraelings seems to have inspired many, but Commander Hess has stated that while the threat of Kesserith is still real the draft should not be ended, and she is reluctant to demob the majority of the army. The Mayor replied that the commander is welcome to recruit from the city and retain her men if she can persuade them to continue their careers in the Legions after the Kessereth threat is dealt with.

Meanwhile, the row over the assignment of nobles to officer positions has abated, with the Mayor stating that with the draft over final authority over Legion recruitment policy devlolves to Commander Hess. This newspaper can reveal that despite this fewer noble children than ever are actually entering the Legions, and are instead somehow taking up gainful employment within the Watchdogs in minor positions.

HPLF Throw Themselves Into Mob Politics - Columna Assassination Attempted - Stolen Watchdog Weapons Used

It was with these happy thoughts, we must assume, that a vast number of HPLF cadets assembled in the Slums yesterday and, armed with the very newest and best weapons (borrowed, subsequent investigations have suggested, from the Watchdogs), proceeded to assault Tom-All-Alone's, also known as Fortress Kellor. Apparently taken by surprise by the ferocity of the assault, and the Watchdog-boosted power of the HPLF arms, the Family's defenders were initially on the back foot. The revolutionaries were apparently able to reach as far as Christopher Columna's study, where a "confused altercation" took place. At this point, though, the Family goons arrived at the scene en masse. Well-armed as the HPLF cadets were, they were inexperienced and vastly outnumbered. The rest of the confrontation, the Intelligencer is reliably informed, was short and bloody. The few HPLF survivors have officially "melted away into the Slums", but that is a well-worn euphemism for "detained for questioning by the Family". In this case, such questioning is unlikely to be gentle.

And what of the consequences of the raid? Christopher Columna is once again taking a lower public profile, recovering from mild injuries sustained in the fighting according to the official Family line. Sources close to this newspaper, though, suggest something more sinister - a complete absence of Columna (or any Columna-shaped corpse) since the attack. Time, and the Intelligencer, will tell.

While other HPLF cells have rushed out statements to the effect that they entirely disown the actions of the cell responsible for the Family raid, the Watchdogs are said to be looking very seriously into the affair. Senior Watchdog sources have stated that no supply of arms to HPLF cells was sanctioned, and are said to be "seriously pissed" with respect to the losses. An audit has shown that the arms went missing from the Horse Guards' stores, and the administrators of that unit are likely to be closely questioned in the near future.

The Family are said to be reserving direct action in response to the raid until Christopher Columna is fully secure against further assassination attempts. How long, the Intelligencer wonders, will that be...?

Mayor Legalises Prostutution, Many Narcotics

"Let's face it: the Watchdogs can never expect to eliminate prostitution from our streets; however, they can certainly do a lot of good if prostitution is legalised to a limited extent. This legislation makes prostitution clear under certain strict conditions:

• It must take placed in a licenced brothel.
  
• The individuals working in this brothel must not be coerced into doing so, and must be free to leave at any time. The government and the Watchdogs will make sure that there are numerous avenues through which prostitutes may seek sanctuary from their employers if they feel that they are in danger from them.
  
• The brothel must meet certain minimum standards of cleanliness and the operators must have suitable health and safety precautions.

"I wish to make it clear that the legislation also introduces harsh penalties for various misdeeds:

• It is still illegal to offer sex for sale in the street. Not only does this practice discomfort citizens living in areas where this practice occurs, but it is also well-known to be the most dangerous way for a sex worker to ply their trade.
  
• Individuals who are found to have coerced individuals into becoming prostitutes, or into continuing in the profession, or are found to have assaulted their employees, or are found to have employeed underage individuals will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and can expect similar penalties to rapists and child molesters.

"In keeping with the idea that an individual is free to decide what he or she does to his or her body, I have declared that a number of previously-restricted substances will now become legal, although selling impure or contaminated substances will be a serious offence. Crawjuice, desert wine, fairy dust, good Vegdar-dust, Irgarim Tea, Charim Blue and Horsegrass are now all legal. I have increased the penalties for those caught dealing in cockroaches, maidensbud, and Battle Alpha, for the following reasons:

• Battle Alpha is a serious risk to public order, as the Watchdog riots of twenty years ago proved.
  
• Maidensbud has been frequently used as a `date-rape' drug.
  
• Cockroaches pose a major hazard to public health.

"It is up to individuals to use intoxicating substances wisely. Those who misbehave in the public under the influence of intoxicating substances will be treated like anyone exhibiting drunk and disorderly conduct, and will be obliged to enter the Asylum's successful rehabilitation program for those who cannot control their addictions."

Lasinian Captain Assassinated

BRIGADIER COURT-MARTIALLED, DEMOTED FOR SPREADING DISSENT AGAINST SUPERIOR OFFICERS

Count Julius, Lasinian Exile, Vanishes

Anyone with information can contact the Intelligencer. You may be assured that we never name our sources, and may be willing to pay good money if your information proves worthwhile.

Alchemist Lynched

The mob began attacking shopkeepers as they shut up their shops, smashing windows and setting fire to buildings. Many people fled their shops to safety, while some baracaded themselves inside to wether the storm. The crowd decended upon one alchemist, a Gerald Apollonius (42), known to work with Land essence in the belief that they were responsible for the current situation. Despite shutting himself inside, the crowd burst in and dragged Apollonius out. Before the Watchdogs could gain control of the situation three men were seen dragging Apollonius to a nearby crossbridge where they beat and hung him. His body was recovered by the Watchdogs and sent to the Ghouls in the hope of locating the three ultimately responsible.

It is believed that the group believed that the alchemists were responsible for the mutation of the Wall and with the appearance of new areas within the Slums were fearful of what might come through. One man was heard to shout that the Kraeling army was coming which is believed to have caused even more panic. Stop Press - Coup In Grey Order - Grey Commander Partario Releases Evidence of International Conspiracy - Reveals Secrets of Grey Engineering (The Horizon Tribune, 18th Summer's Rise 4022 HR.) A report has just reached the Horizon Times of a hastily-organised international conference of technologists and occultists, currently in progress in Irgar and attended by members of the Grey Order Commander Partario and Mr. Smith. The initial speech from Partario is reprinted here without comment:

"Recently the Grey Order has been receiving a lot of bad publicity and has been the subject of many rumours, not least of which that it was supplying guns to enemies of Horizon when it had made assurances that it would defend them against the unjustified attack of the Vegdarbarrans.

"It has always been a vision and dream that Grey Technology would be used to make the world a better place, a place of comfort, happiness and enlightenment. The Grey Order will only play a small part in this: the governments of the world, those who work with clockwork and steam and the Church of the Intercessor are all just a part of what is driving humanity towards a greater goal. And not just humanity but our allies such as the ghouls and the Kraelings that make up part of the population of Horizon.

"The Order, however, was not playing its part as it should due to some in the order who lost sight of what we could achieve and focussed on more material goals. The practice of Grey Engineering is expensive. This blinded some to the possibilities and they justified that in order to make the world a better place they would need money and so were diverted from their good intentions.

"This is how it came to be that elements of the Order were dealing with Vegdarbarra despite promises made to Horizon, in an attempt to prolong the war to further line their own pockets.

"The Order has taken a look at itself and its actions and has decided that some changes are needed to ensure that something like technology will not be used as a tool of greed again. There has been some restructuring of staff and policies but a few key steps are going to be taken.

"The main difference will be that the secrets of Grey Engineering are to be made more widely known. The Order holds a monopoly and in this way is able to ask any price from those who want what they have. If the secret is out then Grey Technology can work much as steam and clockwork technologies do. If an engineer asks for too high a price then a customer can turn to another engineer. In addition, with more people able to understand the principles of Grey Engineering it is hoped that the technology will spread further, that it will become of more use to the world, and that techniques will advance rapidly as more great minds from around the world develop and research more applications.

"Initially teaching will be on a small scale, but information will be distributed and classes will be organised as quickly as practical considerations will allow. Initially the teaching will be centered in Irgar but it is hoped that more information and training centres will be opened up in cities across the world, should the war allow.

"It should be added that it is not the purpose of the Order to put dangerous technology into the hands of all those who ask. To this end, devices such as the Grey Guns will not have their plans made publically available. It should be known that the weapons could be made by those who put their minds to it, even without plans, however such is the case with clockwork and steam already. And with more understanding the principles of grey technology the weaknesses of the guns and counter measures are more likely to arise."

Following questions from a man calling himself "Commander Stetz", Partario was forced to concede that the use of force had been instrumental in what he referred to as the "restructuring" of the Order. He maintained, however, that the coup was carried out with the minimum degree of force necessary, and that he was prepared to release to the international community details of illegal activities such as sabotage, intimidation and assault carried out under the instructions of the Order's previous management in order to prevent exactly the kind of peaceful takeover he would have preferred.

Full details of the conference will be included in tomorrow's edition of the Tribune.

Kraelings Thwarted at New Horizon - Sternos Calls Down Stars Themselves to Do Battle - New Horizon Annihilated

Over the last few months, as everyone in our fearful city knows, a vast army of fire-inspired Kraelings has poured out of the so-called Valley of Kessereth in the Treacherous Lands and, pausing only to commit genocide upon the ghoul nation of Adhania, has been bearing down on the gates (now the passes) between the Treacherous and Horizon. During the last week, the army had surged forwards, sheltering (apparently in anticipation) from air attacks in the shadows of the Wall mountains. War hero Lt. Roberts indeed attempted such attacks, but was thwarted in advance, perhaps betrayed by sources in Horizon. In the last few days, the army stood poised to pour out of the mountains and into New Horizon. When your correspondent arrived, many of the civilian population had already fled. The defence of the city consisted of New Horizon millitia, several units of the Mayoral Legion, and the security staff of the Grey Order. The presence of Sternos, the noted agent of the Stars, and occult expert Taran Vallax, was more than welcome.

Then the Kraelings came to New Horizon. Wave upon wave of howling, gibbering savages, waving torches and spears, both in and out of battle form as they descended upon what now looked to be the doomed defenders of civilization. Foul fire magics sent our forces into screaming madness, the discord mitigated but not ceased by the sorcerous works of Vallax and his staff, and by Sternos and a few other volunteering star shamen. Vallax performed rituals that drew down a great cloud from the sky, from which issued blue clad knights that attacked the Kraeling mass. The lines held, but barely, until a mysterious explosion in the mountains above the city started a landslide that annihilated an enitre wing of the New Horizon militia. Seemingly, everything was lost. But rumours spread among the lines, and it soon became clear that the Kraelings had been attacked from behind. At the eleventh hour the UFS had patched together a treaty with the Mayor, and a UFS force had joined battle.

For a few hours the battle raged on. Upon the arrival of the UFS forces, Sternos released a strange call, audible to everyone on the battlefield, then took to the air on great wings, apparently looking for something, while shooting down Kraelings from impossible heights. It was some time before the subject of Sternos' strange call became apparent, but when it did, a hush fell across the field. It seemed, at first, that the sky itself was descending upon us. This was far from true. Over a period of minutes, a creature the size of a small city was gliding down through the Sky. As they realised what was coming, many Kraelings simply fled the field in terror. Your correspondent had time to make panicked inquiries and find that what Sternos has called was a Cold Angel. The highest daimons of the Stars, they carry the Stars in their hearts through the heavens - in a sense, they are the Stars. And now their order had been so far disturbed that they sent one of their own on the dangerous journey to bring justice.

As the Angel descended, Sternos seemed to fall on a lone figure in the Kraeling mass, apparently having found his target. Your correspondent did not see him further during the battle. Rivers of flaming blood were hurled at the Angel from the Kraelings, but to no avail. The most perfect music imaginable emmanated from the creature, and all battle stopped as man, ghoul and Kraeling stood entranced. Then the Angel simply landed on half the Kraeling force, exterminating them in a heartbeat. With a move of its tail and an oceanic breath of ice, the rest were destroyed. Then it spoke a judgement: "THE NATION THAT BREEDS A DAIMON OF FIRE IS DEBASED AND CORRUPT. LET THE PURITY I BRING STAND AS WARNING." The Angel breathed out again, over New Horizon.

Your correspondent has since been told that the angel regarded the city as contaminated by the presence of the army of the Fire, and sought to remove that taint - as well as punishing the nation of Horizon for allowing the shaman leading the Kraelings to arise. In the event, much of our army and the entire remaining civilian population of New Horizon have been turned to ice, simply extinguished, no longer impure and no longer alive. The refugees will return to a city plunged into an unnatural winter, surrounded by the corpses of friend and neighbour. The Angel has departed, back to the Stars, and Horizon is saved. And with a death toll of over 10,000, we can say that we fully understand the justice offered by the Stars.

The aftermath of the battle was every bit as confused and violent as the battle itself. Apparently enraged, the knights of the Sky brutally assaulted Taran Vallax, severing his arm, before departing. Refugees are trying to find portions of the old, shattered Imperial New Horizon to get shelter. Government forces are beginning the long task of cleaning up...

Bees Stealing Cogs and Springs From New Horizon

Victorious Mayor Declares National Holiday, Lasinian Troops Prepare to Leave

"Let it be known that today, the 24th of Summer's Rise, is a national day of mourning - the Day of Ice - to allow us to remember our friends in New Horizon who have fallen to the breath of the Cold Angel. Henceforth, we will observe the Day of Ice on the anniversary of the Angel's coming.

"Let it also be known that tomorrow, the 25th of Summer's Rise, is Peace Day, a day of joyous celebration coinciding with the demobilisation of all conscripted men who have not elected to remain in the Mayoral Legions - as I know many have. It should not be forgotten that despite our losses we have survived a titanic struggle for national survival - and for the survival of civilisation itself. As terrible as our sacrifices have been, we could have lost so much more. So, rejoice! Peace is at hand!

"I wish to take this opportunity to express the gratitude of the people of Horizon to our Lasinian friends. I have received word from the Politburo that, in accordance to the agreement reached at the beginning of the conflict, the Lasinian troops will be returning home over the course of the next month, there being no reason for them to remain in Horizon any longer. I hope the citizenry will wish them a fond farewell as we look to the future, and our upcoming elections."

All signs from the Lasinian barracks suggest that the Soviet forces are, indeed, beginning to pack up for the journey home. Street parties are already beginning as beloved family members return from the front.

On the Grapevine

Dracion to Run for Goodly Chamber!

Quickpistol Killed In Duel, d'Avenant Running Brotherhood, Triumvirate to Run Rats

"Well, looks like the Rope-bound Brotherhood are keeping a fine old tradition running: succeeding the previous leader by killing him over an argument. Lord d'Avenant's in charge of the show now..."

(Discussion picks up a couple of weeks later...)

"It's not the leadership of the Brotherhood I'm worried about. Notice how there's still nobody sitting in the Captain's chair? No one leading the Rats? Dracion's in charge of Jude's Concern, and Virros is head of the Shoreleave House, but not one man among them has stepped up to lead. I even hear they're planning on keeping it that way."

"Nobody in the Captain's Chair? But what about the Long Duel? They're just going to throw away our oldest tradition like that?"

"Seems so."

Under-Chamber Votes Unanimously to Extend Truce, Home Guard

"Why?"

"Cos the truce is still on innit? That man you're about to hit with a rock may be a malodourous little toad..."

"...Them's long words guv..."

"Indeed, I read 'em inna book... anyway, he's protected by the truce from you 'itting him. Until those Krealing hords are sorted out the truce is still up even though the Vegdarbarran war is over."

Worthiest Street Competition In the Offing?

Miles Basey Vanishes!

The Pamphlet Gallery

Reign of Blood: Revolutionary Outrages In Lasinia

[OOC: The pamphlet continues to detail many of the worst excesses of Daniel Priestly's regime in Lasinia, and constantly hints that similar troubles are on their way in Horizon - and sooner rather than later.]

BEWILDERED? CONFUSED?

Available in all good bookshops, the Complete Horizon Atlas (pub. Imperial University, HR 4022) contains intimate details of the new layout of Horizon's Streets and includes locations of streets leading into the curious space of Inner Horizon.

NEVER BE LATE - NEVER BE LOST
ONLY 1 1/2 SHILLINGS

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