- Eternity
- Turn 15
- Turn 14
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HORIZON IS OVER!
The webpage remains up as a permanent archive of game material, mainly for the benefit of nostalgic players - although if you'd like to run a Horizon-inspired game for your friends, that's wonderful too. Horizon will be succeeded by Legacyin Trinity term of 2006.If you like you can look at the (sketchy, incomplete) GM notes as well.
The News
Turn 15
This news covers events from the 1st of Winter's Dawn, 4022 HR, to the 25th of Winter's Rise - Horizon's Day, and the day of the Mayoral election. In each section, stories are sorted in roughly chronological order, although in the case of the Grapevine it's hard to tell precisely when rumours begin, and it's rare that anything appearing in the Pamphlet Gallery is dated.In the Papers
[OOC: All Liberator articles this turn are printed using the old-fashioned presses they were forced to use after their Greywriters broke down.]Goodly Chamber Bans Human Shamanism
(The Horizon Tribune, 4th Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) Yesterday, as many will be aware the new Goodly Chamber was formed and its members sworn in. After that, it was straight down to business, the members' first proposal being the reversal of Mayor Wright's legalisation of Human Shamanism. The CASA-proposed bill was hotly supported by Michael d'Avenant, who featured the issue heavily in his campaign and was supported by Prosperity. Those members of the DPH under d'Avenant voted unanimously for the bill, and a high proportion of Prosperity members followed suit. With a moderate amount of support from the rest of the Goodly Chamber the motion was passed, coming into effect immediately. Those individuals who became openly shamanic during the last few months where given the choice of either swearing on a dog never to perform shamanism again or exile from Horizon - effectively banishment to uncivilised regions of the True Lands, since no civilised nation tolerates shamanism within its borders. It appears that most shamen have taken the former option, with only a few land shamen and sky shamen preferring exile. Those humans which are caught practicing shamanism will face execution as was their fate before the reign of Mayor Wright.Apost-HAL Disqualified From Mayoral Race
(The Town Crier, 6th Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) Let it be known that the candidate Apost-HAL has met the disapproval of all four of the embassies of the Jägerine Kingdom of Vegdarbarra, the Soviet Republic of Lasinia, the Kingdom of Irgar and the Caliphate of Jurica.Having failed to meet the approval of at least three of the Four Nations, the candidate Apost-HAL is therefore disqualified from the Mayoral election.
Prosperity Hold Garden Party In Order to Raise Funds for Hospital
(The Horizon Times, 8th Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) The Kessereth War Memorial Hospital has found rich and powerful supporters in the form of the Prosperity Party. Evidently eager to back a public work which has become such an unqualified success, Cornelius Dalcrow is - supported by the Church's Bishop Jones - holding a garden party tomorrow in advance of the Steam Funfair's grand opening, in order to raise awareness of the great charity event itself. Naturally, a great many investors in the Memorial Hospital are expected to be attending.Old Chamber Reinstated
(The Horizon Tribune, 10th Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) A vote brought to the Goodly Chamber by Prosperity today called for the formation of a second chamber consisting of the heads of aristocratic families - in other words, the reformation of the original Goodly Chamber. Cornelius Dalcrow, head of Prosperity, brought forward the motion in response to the sudden changes in government and political organisation over the past few months.
"It is vital that stability is maintained throughout the city. The election of a New Goodly chamber is admirable and will do much to convey the voice of the people accurately to the mayor. However we are in a position now where every new voice is clamouring for attention of a Mayor that hasn't even been elected yet. There are going to be a lot of green people running this city without the wisdom of age and experience to guide them. I propose that a second chamber, an 'Old Chamber' if you will, is formed, where members are permanent and have some knowledge of the running of the city. There they can act in an advisory role to both the New Chamber and the Mayor with the benefit of having seen how well or badly certain courses of action worked in the past. In this way the vital breadth of knowledge that has been accumulated over the centuries of running Horizon will not be lost and can be utilised for the benefit of all."
This speech seemed to hit a chord with many of the members of chamber as the motion was voted in 534 for to 166 against. The "Old Chamber" is likely to be appointed based upon the previous Goodly chamber by the end of the Twomonth, before the Mayoral Election occurs on Horizon's Day.
Sorcery and the Perpetuation of Free Will
(Occult Correspondences, 12th Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) A note from the Editor: we were recently sent the following correspondence, anonymously. It contains a novel and highly speculative technique for the decomposition of mental influence techniques - "mind-control" - that rely on occult means. It also contains a pertinent opinion about the role of sorcerers in society. We have therefore seen fit to publish it, despite the lack of test results or development notes, or indeed a return address.
"Sorcerers have done many good things for this city. Ensured gods were slain safely, dealt with avatars, revealed the identity of the Autumn Princess."And yet there are people who want to outlaw us or to lynch us.
"Secrecy is all well and good, but sometimes knowledge needs to be shared. It takes one sorceress who knows how to control minds to take over a city, many sorcerers free of her control to break it.
"In the interests of national security, when in doubt use this..."
[OOC: Details of a Cantrip to break mind control follow. Any sorcerers examining the details of this cantrip will find that it does indeed appear to be an effective spell for breaking mind-control of any supernatural description. It will break effects equivalent to cantrips.
Six weeks later, OC publishes a second spell that was delivered anonymously, this time without any covering letter. It is a Grand Ritual to break mind control, and will break any occult mind control effect known to man.]
Virros to Lead Prosperity In New Chamber
(The Horizon Tribune, 14th Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) Recent rumours of a change in Prosperity's leadership have been confirmed today as Cornelius Dalcrow has resigned his position in the party and an internal election has occurred to appoint a new leader. Stating his desire to take up his appointed position on the Old Chamber, Lord Dalcrow resigned on the basis that he does not feel it suitable that he hold two such important positions. As his replacement Virros was voted in with a 90% majority of the members. Virros is a relative newcomer to the political scene but seems to have embraced this new role whole heartedly celebrating the success of Prosperity in the Chamber elections by hosting a victory party for all involved - no expense spared! Taking up his position he said that he was most pleased to be able to have the opportunity to lead this party towards the ideals it has always stood for. Virros is widely known around the city, his reputation for knowing someone everywhere and his willingness to talk to the common man have led to many people speaking in high regard of their new party leader. With much of the party behind him this paper feels he will go far in the political arena.D'Avenant Confirmed as Democratic Mayoral Candidate, Dracion Loses Support
(The Horizon Tribune, 18th Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) The Democratic Party of Horizon's ballot to choose its Mayoral candidate has concluded with, as expected, a large majority expressing its support for Michael d'Avenant.The result is seen as a blow for Dracion, whose supporters have begun drifting away from his camp, claiming disillusionment. One Goodly Chamber member - who spoke to us on condition of anonymity - told us that "I came into the Chamber one day, and I took a long look at Dracion, and I realised that I simply didn't want to support the man. It's strange, I never noticed it before but he really isn't as charismatic or charming as I thought he was - to be frank, in fact, he gives me the creeps."
A sizable number of Dracion's bloc within the Democratic party drifted away to the d'Avenant and Columna factions after Dracion abruptly ceased to make speeches in the Goodly Chamber. "He's usually such a forceful speaker," our source said, "so I don't know what's made him withdraw to the sidelines. He's also lost his knack for winning people around to his point of view - I've seen some of his strongest supporters in the Chamber, business partners of his from that Concern he leads, having blazing stand-up shouting matches with him, where previously they'd follow his lead to the bitter end. It's all most odd."
STERNOS SQUAD TAKES DOWN DANGEROUS ILLARIA CULT
(The Horizon Post, 22nd Winter's Dawn 4022 HR.) A DANGEROUS CULT OF ILLARIA was CAUGHT in the act of WORSHIP today by MICHAEL D'AVENANT and THE STERNOS SQUAD (YES, WE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT AT FIRST BUT WITH OUR OWN EYES WE SAW 7, YES 7, OF HIM!!!!!). Through INFILTRATION and STEALTH the octet located a CULT GROUP of ILLARIA WORSHIPPERS. Consisting mainly of CATS and a few MEN (acting suspiciously like CATS) the followers seemed to be BOWING DOWN in homage to an ENORMOUS BEAST OF A FELINE NATURE. It is believed that at a given signal d'Avenant exposed his CUNNING RUSE calling in the aid of the CLOCKWORK CONTINGENT who burst through the door and TOGETHER they ATTACKED the BEAST before them. The humans FLED quickly into the waiting arms of GHOULISH HUNTERS who had been called to the scene. Many of the CATS fled (and being harder to track, many got away), however some stayed to fight, CLAWING AND SCRATCHING in a FUTILE EFFORT to get through to the CLOCKWORK mechanisms of the Sternoses. Meanwhile d'Avenant went TOE TO TOE with the BEAST. The Claws were 6 INCHES LONG and RAZOR SHARP, with TEETH like KNIVES but could not best d'Avenant. The Sternoses then aided him and SURROUNDED the BEAST and Michael struck the KILLING BLOW. In death the beast HOWLED and could be heard across the city. The body shrunk somewhat to a mere 9 foot long and was later identified as RAJAH the escaped panther. The GHOULISH HUNTERS and ARCANUM GUARD confirm that RAJAH must have been on the verge of AVATARHOOD and that his death will be an enormous blow to ILLARIA. ALAS the God herself remains at large but maybe she'll THINK TWICE before meddling in the affairs of Horizon again!Horizon Steam Distribution Company Purchases Pipe Network
(The Horizon Times, 5th Winter's Glory 4022 HR.) The Horizon Steam Distribution Company has purchased the old Central Steam pipe network at auction, paving the way for a replacement to the Central Steam Service. HSDC seeks to rent the pipelines to private heat factories, establishing an open market in steam distribution throughout the city in order to avoid the pitfalls of a centralised, nationalised service such as Central Steam.Autumn Princess Tried In Absentia
(The Horizon Tribune, 13th Winter's Rise 4022 HR.) The Autumn Princess, Gabriella Rostefan, has been convicted in absentia of crimes against humanity committed during the Last War and the end of the Third Age by a Horizon court. The proceedings, brought by Mariana Hess and allies on behalf of the city of Horizon, have drawn criticism from the Senate of the UFS, who - according to their statement - "do not appreciate the libels being made against the Freedom State's lawful President, or the irregular nature of this court proceeding". Our sources from within the courtroom have, however, described Rostefan's defence lawyer as being "uniquely qualified", and the conviction was apparently a close call.Vegdarbarran Queen In Health Scare, Poisoning Feared
(The Horizon Times, 17th Winter's Rise 4022 HR.) Concern is growing over the health of the newly acceded Queen of Vegdarbarra, Her Majesty Marie von Jäger. The few months since she took the throne of a large part of the war-torn nation by popular acclaim have been marked by increasing leniency and responsibility of government, especially compared with the old regime. So it is the regret of the people of Vegdarbarra, as well as the people of Horizon, that must attend upon her ill-health. Contacts of this newspaper suggest that Her Majesty began acting erratically a few days ago, and was soon found to be suffering from an unknown affliction which led to her withdrawing to her bedchamber. Examination by several of the best doctors of Horizon and Vegdarbarra followed, but their findings have been kept secret. Our sources, however, suggest that a massive increase in palace security overseen by her son Klaus, and in particular around Her Majesty's eating arrangements, indicates an attempted poisoning.The international spokeperson for the Queen of Vegdarbarra, Her Majesty's son Hans von Jaeger, reasssured the world with these wise words:
"Look, chaps, there's nothing to worry about, it's just a simple case of, er, p- I mean, food poisoning, that's right. Mummy - oops, drat, I mean Her Majesty, of course, has a stomach like a concrete... er, that is to say, a very strong stomach, and she'll be on her feet in no time. Er, yes, and until then me, Klaus, and sis' - er sorry, I mean the Crown Princess, of course - will keep everything in perfect working order. So you see, everything's absolutely fine here. Tip-top. Full working order. Nothing wrong whatsoever."
Funfair Opens Early for Investors; Carack Gives Speech
(The Horizon Times, 18th Winter's Rise 4022 HR.) The Steam Funfair opened to a roaring success tonight, as the people of Horizon were first able to experience the dizzying excitement of amusements such as "Gus Weaver's Huge Rotating Wheel", "The Ride of Rapidly Spinning Chairs" and "Grizzly-Shootin' McIntyre's UFS-Style Shooting-Game of Manual Dexterity". The funfair's team of designers are surely to be praised for their technical (if not nomenclatural) genius in upgrading the hand-operated diversions of times gone by for the year of 4023. This reporter can confirm that once you've tried a steam-powered coconut shy, regular coconut shies will look positively dreary and mundane.The Steam Funfair expects to open its gates to the common people of Horizon tomorrow night, but tonight was a special occasion: backed by the Church of the Intercessor and the Prosperity party, the great and good of the city were allowed "first try" at the rides, in exchange for a donation to the Church's Kessereth Memorial Hospital. And, indeed, a great many turned out, with the Prosperity party being particularly eager to show their faces. In addition, the funfair for that night was host to a variety of speeches and workshops; most notably the enigmatically-titled "The Future", read by Detective Armand Carrack of the Watchdogs, speaking of the possibility of a city where corruption was not the norm and where moral compromise was not taken for granted. Detective Carrack left the stage to massed cheers from the crowd and, indeed, having seen so many of the city's nobility willingly giving money to the greater good, having watched Horizon beat back the threats of famine, insane Fire Shamen, a Vegdarbarran invasion and a plague of clockwork bees, this reporter could not help but leave the funfair thinking that a new beginning might just be dawning on the city of Horizon.
Revolution In UFS Ousts Autumn Princess, Senate Debates Nation's Future
(The Horizon Tribune, 21st Winter's Rise 4022 HR.) It has been just over a week since the trial-in-absentia of Gabriella Rostefan, the Autumn Princess, took place in Horizon. The Senate of the UFS, naturally, expressed outrage at the proceedings as they were ongoing, even going so far as to threaten war - and yet, as if the blindfolds had fallen from their eyes, they changed their tune once the guilty verdict came in, initiating their own impeachment proceedings to eject President Rostefan from office.The reaction from Rostefan and her secret police was panic. The Presidential Palace was sealed and the "Specials" were out in force. And yet the spirit of freedom so cherished by the citizens of the UFS, apparently dead and buried in recent months, was rekindled. Hastily-organised citizens' militias attacked known Special officers and safe houses and raided police stations, and the National Guard fell to infighting over whether to support Rostefan or the general populace. A siege of the Presidential Palace began, with certain individuals - Horizon intelligence officers, according to rumour - having located the secret exits from the Palace and preventing Rostefan from escaping.
Aid for the people of the UFS soon arrived from Horizon and Irgar - from Horizon came the famed Sternos Unit, and from Irgar the Grey Order's own Commander Roberts and the airship Revenge. Shelling from the Revenge apparently disrupted such wards as the Princess had placed upon the Palace, allowing the horde - led by the Sternos Unit - to enter the Palace, and following a period of fighting they emerged with a bound and gagged Rostefan, who was dragged into the Revenge by the crowd. The Revenge has now returned to Horizon, and the government has let it be known that the verdict reached in the trial has been met to the best of the government's ability.
At the first meeting of the UFS Senate since the raid Senators from all parties voted near-unanimously to extend the gratitude of the United Freedom State to the people of Horizon. With relations between the two nations now the warmest they have been since the UFS's acrimonious split from the New Horizon colonies, debate has been kindled as to the nation's future. Some, such as the majority Get Off My Land Caucus, advocate a new Presidential election, although some within the Caucus have called for a new Constitutional Convention to reform the UFS's system thoroughly. A number of Get Off My Land dissidents, however, as well as members of the major opposition group (the Federalists for a Democratic Republic Party) have suggested that, considering the substantial reforms that have occurred recently within Horizon, reunification with the New Horizon colonies may be desirable.
The debate continues - heatedly, but with good humour on both sides, and indicative of a body politic restored to health after a prolonged illness...
CORRUPTION REVEALED AT HEART OF PROSPERITY
(The Horizon Illuminator, 25th Winter's Rise 4022 HR.) Prosperity founders Cornelius Dalcrow, Cornelius Ferrars, Lucius del Orto and Sgt. Bilko have been ARRESTED today on suspicion of ELECTORAL FRAUD and SLAVE TRAFFICKING by a Watchdog team headed by DETECTIVE CARRACK. The party are believed to have been at the centre of a scheme UNLAWFULLY COERCING servants and staff into voting AGAINST THEIR HEARTS and for PROSPERITY, as well as dabbling in the SEAMY UNDERWORLD of the JURICAN SLAVE TRADE and perpetrating a BIZARRE form of gerrymandering involving Inner Horizon.The HORIZON ILLUMINATOR says: SHAME on these SICK PUPPETMASTERS! And SHAME on them for having dragged SERGEANT BILKO, a well-loved MAN OF THE PEOPLE, down to their level!