This site is for the trial run of Horizon, which has finished! If you want information on the full game, commencing October 2005, you should go here.
The News
Turn 7
This news covers the period from the first day of Autumn's Glory to the last day of Autumn's Dusk, 4000HR, and is presented in rough chronological order - the first stories in each section appear just after last session, the last stories appear just before this session.In the Papers
CHILD-KILLING CULTISTS SLAIN IN THE STREETS!
(The Horizon Post.) On the night of the Twin Moons I was on scene to witness a scene of Horror and Heroism on the streets of Horizon, as the FOUL MUTILATOR-WORSHIPPING CULTISTS responsible for last month's Orphan-kidnapping dragged their young Victims out into the Streets and began to HORRIBLY MUTILATE the INNOCENT CHILDREN!!! However, these MURDEROUS LUNATICS had chosen the wrong place to conduct their DISGUSTING RITES: for within seconds they were set upon by a group of Heroic Citizens including BARON MONTAGE, CRACE COLUMNA, ERIC TUCO, and JOAKHIM AL-BAHRAD!!! The CRAZED CULTISTS were cut to Ribbons, and the Bleeding orphans ferried to Safety by famous taxi-driver DANNY TREVITHICK; only one cultist survived, and was swiftly taken into Custody by the Watchdogs. But the fight was Marred by one Surprising event; Joakhim al-Bahrad, despite being Famous for his swordsmanship, began this fight with a Wild Swing that would have Decapitated Mr Tuco had it not been for his Watchful Bodyguard. Mere Carelessness - or an Attempted Murder on the night of the Moon Truce?!? Mr Tuco was in NO DOUBT that an attempt had been made upon his Life, and even suggested that Al-Bahrad was in fact a COVERT CULTIST! Could this be True? Is that the Reason he plays Villains so well on Stage?!? Or was it all just a HORRIBLE MISTAKE???- James Ridgway
GHOULS PURSUE GROTESQUE CHILD-KILLING CULT!
(The Horizon Post.) Following the HORRIFIC ASSAULT upon the INNOCENT CHILDREN stolen from the del Orto orphanage - coming just as they were being returned to the orphanage - Horizon's GHOULISH CULT-HUNTERS are on the case!The Circle of the Ghoul community has said that they have evidence of a MAJOR CULT OF THE MUTILATED ONE, the DEPRAVED MASTER of DISMEMBERMENT, operating in the city. The Ghouls, who can TASTE the very TAINT OF THE GODS on dead flesh, claim to be "very, very close" to EXPOSING this DIRE CULT to the world and EXTERMINATING IT for the good of the city! We at the Post say: GO GET 'EM, GHOULS!
CIRCULAR STRIP PUBLISHING, INC. BUYS HORIZON POST
(The Horizon Post.) Up and coming new publishing company Circular Strip, Inc. bought the Horizon Post yesterday in an ambitious commercial venture. The new management has stated that despite the takeover we will continue to provide provide our readers with the same high quality of independent reporting they have come to expect from us. Stuart Daynann Dies, Joanna Takes Control of Family Business (The Horizon Tribune.) The shocking news revealed yesterday regarding the murder of Daynann family head, Stuart Daynann, was followed today by an annoncement from the family that Joanna Daynann would be taking over Stuart's former role. Mr. Daynann (45) was found dead yesterday morning and the Watchdogs were called in swiftly to investigate the crime scene. Upon the body being handed over to the Ghouls for further inspection it was confirmed yesterday afternoon that Mr. Daynann had indeed been murdered. The Watchdogs are searching for further witnesses and are chasing up leads of a dark-cloaked figure seen fleeing the scene.Joanna Daynann released an official annoncement to the press in her first act as new family head, commenting that she was “deeply saddened” by the recent tragedies that have plagued the family and imploring anyone with information on Stuart’s, or his predecessor Raymond Daynann’s murderers to come forward immediately.
Donations Pour In After Attack On Orphans - "Limbs For Kids" Drive Launched
(The Horizon Tribune.) A few months ago readers may remember the abduction of several orphans from the orphanage of Rosie del Orto, and that later they were found - but many had sustained horrific injuries from what can only be described as brutal torture. In response to this the Limbs for Kids campaign has been mounted to raise money to buy clockwork limbs for these poor children to give them a chance in life. This campaign has so far been very successful, with donations pouring in, but it is still not enough. We at the Tribune urge our readers to send donations, no matter how small, to Rosie's Orphanage, c/o Montague Hall.International Force Imposes Peace On Lasinia
(The Horizon Tribune.) As reported in this newspaper, a joint force of Horizon, Irgarim and Jurican troops entered Lasinia at the end of the first week of Autumn's Glory. We can now report that after two weeks of international involvement both sides in the Lasinian conflict have agreed to peace talks.The move follows seismic shifts in the leadership of both factions. Within the LPLF many hardliners - such as the infamous Comrade Hespercles, responsible for some of the bloodiest atrocities of the revolution - have been purged by a junta of so-called Democratic Gradualists. The Gradual Tendency broke the news to the world in a terse missive, reporting that certain "bandits, thugs and opportunists" who had "hijacked the revolution and committed grave crimes against the Lasinian people in its name" had been arrested, tried for mass murder, and executed over the course of a few days. The Tendency's press release angrily denounced rumours that the Tendency had received aid from Horizon and Irgar special forces in seizing control of the LPLF.
The old regime, meanwhile, has not been immune to leadership changes. In a speech to the Senate Lord Thadeous Avarius announced that he was resigning as Governor of Lasinia, to retire to his holiday-home in Jurica with his sister, Lady Portia. (This newspaper has heard fragmentary reports from Jurica that the Avarius siblings are living in a state more closely comparable to house arrest than comfortable retirement). The stated reason for this resignation was Lord Avarius's failure to contain the rebellion, but it seems that there was additional pressure upon him to resign - from international and from domestic quarters - to allow a more moderate group of nobles to take charge of the regime. A senior member of the diplomatic community in Horizon, speaking anonymously, gave us the following explanation:
"The revolutionaries, even the moderates, weren't keen to talk to Avarius's people, and who can blame them? The destruction of the LDA has made the LPLF cautious - the only way to convince them to come to the negotiating table was to change the loyalist regime. It's just fortunate that Avarius agreed to resign and go into exile - it means the LPLF might not insist on trying him for the mass murder of the LDA..."
The new loyalist regime, however, has suffered from accusations of being "soft touches". Many of them are aristocrats who have expressed sympathies for democratic, egalitarian causes in the past, and the LPLF negotiators certainly seem to have outmanoeuvred them at the hastily-convened peace conference: the peace treaty, signed by Comrade Hellodus for the LPLF and by Duke Rufus (known in aristocratic circles as "Rufus the Richterist" for his left-wing views) for the old regime effectively leaves Lasinia in the hands of the Democratic Gradualists and their sympathisers within the aristocracy. The LPLF itself has dissolved, and will now exist as the Lasinian People's Party.
The peace agreement calls for heavy restructuring of the Senate to allow individuals from all strata of society to vote for Senators and to run for office, for reform of the Governor's position to make the Governor more accountable, and for strengthening of local councils. If this weren't enough, the peace treaty congratulates the LPLF for successfully bringing its extremist wing to justice, and berates the old regime for failing to do so; "to prevent extremist loyalists from interrupting the process of reform", the treaty says, "the Senate and local councils are suspended with immediate effect. Local Soviets will manage local affairs and report to the National Soviet, which will handle the business of the Senate and whose General Secretary will hold the powers of the Governor. Full elections will be held for the Soviets as soon as the National Soviet decides that free and fair elections are viable."
The language of the treaty is obscure on a number of points. The term "Soviet" seems to be an Irgarim term, originally referring to a tribal council within certain Irgarim tribes which held supreme authority over the tribal leader, as opposed to the more usual reverse arrangement. The term was obscure until a few decades ago, when it was used to describe local committees of the Richterist Worker's Party of Irgar. The use of a term that is now closely-associated with Richterism has led to speculation that the Lasinian People's Party will enjoy a comfortable majority - perhaps even absolute control - of the local and national Soviets. Our source within the diplomatic community was stunned by the peace settlement, and was not afraid to tell us so:
"We were assured that these people were moderates, not pushovers! They've caved in completely to the LPLF's demands - and now we can't do anything about it without openly warring against the Lasinian government. At least we were able to get the clause in ruling out official support for revolutionary organisations in other countries, and it looks like the demilitarised zones are going to be established."
Demilitarised zones? Yes; hidden away in a footnote on page 152 of the peace treaty is a clause allowing for the creation of demilitarised zones on Lasinia's borders with Irgar, Jurica and Horizon, patrolled by the militaries of the respective nations - ostensibly to prevent war criminals from either faction escaping Lasinia, but the phrase "land grab" has been used by some of the more unsubtle diplomats involved. It seems that the Lasinian peace will be a peace born of pragmatism...
Count Moebius Missing: Presumed Dead In Lasinian Warzone
(The Horizon Tribune.) Hope of finding Count Moebius Columna alive seems to have been all but eliminated as the Columna family faced the end of the second week since his disappearance, which came mere days before the resignation of Lord Avarius and the announcement of peace talks. Count Moebius Columna had been campaigning hard in the Goodly Chamber over the past few months to convince them that military intervention in Lasinia was the only viable means to bring an end to the LPLF’s reign of violence. His inspiring speeches seem to have contributed greatly to the government’s eventual decision to reinstate stability in Lasinia by sending in Horizon’s own brave soldiers. However, in an unfortunate turn of events Count Columna vanished whilst on a diplomatic mission to Lasinia. Suggestions that he may have been taken prisoner by terrorist activists have not yet been confirmed and the government is now fearing the worst.The official annoncement by the government stated “although we would wish that there may be hope of the Count being returned to us alive, there seems little likelihood of that given the current state of affairs. We appeal to the right-minded souls in Lasinia to return his body to Horizon so that we may learn better the cause of his death.”
The Columna household are still in mourning and as yet have not made an official statement. Speculation as to who will take over the leadership of the family seems to point to Moebius Columna’s sibling, Crace. However, the former Count Alric’s appeal case has yet to conclude and if he is sucessful his title may be reinstated.
Horizon Family Attacked On Road To Irgar
(The Horizon Tribune.) Loving and devoted husband and father, Sam Perez, 32, experienced a tragic end to his dream holiday with his family in Irgar when they were attacked by bandits. The ambush occurred on the Horizon-Irgar road, just as the family were setting off in their rented cart on their holiday. The brigands abducted Sam's wife and children and left him for dead in a ditch; severely injured, he managed to pull up sufficient reserve to crawl back to the city where he was spotted by the gate guards. Sam Perez, an officer in the Watchdogs, has declared that he will not rest until he has found his wife and dear children and asks that anyone with information related to these tragic events, no matter how small, pass it on to the Watchdogs.THE CROWLAND CURSE STRIKES AGAIN!
(The Horizon Post.) Noble circles are in SHOCK after the sudden death of TWO DUKE CROWLANDS WITHIN THE SAME WEEK!Duke Timothy Crowland, son of the vile Imperialist Duke Benjamin who was executed earlier this year, died towards the beginning of the month of Autumn's Glory, succumbing to a MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS which BAFFLED HIS DOCTORS. Family members were STUNNED when it was revealed in Timothy's will that his brother SAMUEL CROWLAND - known to the criminal underworld as GENTLEMAN SAM - would become the new Duke! Samuel had been cast out of the family in disgrace by his father some years ago, following his dabbling with CRIMINAL GANGS and REVOLUTIONARY POLITICS - this sudden return to the fold is a mystery to aristocrat-watchers everywhere, who had all assumed that Timothy shared his father's dim view of RICHTERIST NONSENSE.
The reign of Duke Sam was brief, however! For no sooner had he made his first appearance in the Goodly Chamber - where he was BOOED and JEERED AT as he made a speech denouncing the gathered lords and ladies as FAT PIE-EATING BASTARDS - "Gentleman Sam" was found DEAD IN AN ALLEYWAY, BUTCHERED by an unknown knifeman!
OCCITAN SHAW, the Horizon Post's in-house mystic, has conducted PAINSTAKING RESEARCH in his DUSTY TOMES OF FORBIDDEN LORE, and has come up with a simple explanation for the family's troubles: THE CROWLANDS ARE HAUNTED BY THE EMPEROR'S GHOST! That the foul tyrant managed to exert a curious influence upon Timothy and Sam's father Duke Benjamin is BEYOND DOUBT - why else would a man with everything to lose willingly conspire with IMPERIALIST MANIACS? It seems that Timothy and Sam were made of STERNER STUFF than their EMPEROR-WORSHIPPING FATHER: clearly, they rebuffed the SPECTRAL MONARCH'S demands, and were KILLED BY THE GHOST IN REVENGE!
The hunt is now on for NATASHA CROWLAND, who left the family home under mysterious circumstances and DISAPPEARED on the mean streets of Horizon. If she is not found, the house of Crowland could very well be EXTINCT!
Lasinian Truth and Reconciliation Commission Seals Records
(The Horizon Tribune.) The Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up by the Lasinian National Soviet to look into atrocities committed by both sides in the recent Lasinian civil war has concluded its investigation by sealing all records of the civil war. The Commission issued this brief statement to the press:
"There comes a time when we must all move on and forget the tragedies of the past. The excesses of certain revolutionary cells, the overenthusiasm of certain generals of the old regime - what do they really matter to us, who are alive today in the new Lasinia rising from the ashes of the old? It is better that our new peace is not disturbed by wild stories; therefore, we are declaring all records of so-called `atrocities' committed by both sides of the civil war to be national secrets, to be sealed in the national archive for at least 200 years."
JOAKHIM AL-BAHRAD DISAPPEARS! AERIAL THEATRE CANCELLED!
(The Horizon Post.) Famed Jurican actor Joakhim al-Bahrad has VANISHED WITHOUT A TRACE, having allegedly gone into VOLUNTARY EXILE in the TREACHEROUS COLONIES to escape MYSTERIOUS ENEMIES.Concerned friends visiting his home were SHOCKED to discover the dead body of his MURDERED BODYGUARD. Initially they thought they had found the BUTCHERED CADAVER of Joakhim himself, since the bodyguard had been skillfully disguised as al-Bahrad in a clear attempt to confuse assailants. MOTLEY the FLYING DOG was nowhere to be found.
As a result of the disappearance of Joakhim, the next performance of the aerial theatre was a SHAMBOLIC FARCE. David Watts, better known for his performances as AKNOBBLYKNEES THE CONFUSED, took the Nick Nastily role, his understudy Anachroles the Black taking the Aknobblyknees role and Motley the Dog being replaced by CHESTER THE WONDER-SHEEP. Unfortunately, Anachroles' clumsy flying technique caused a terrifying MID-AIR COLLISION. Children FLED IN TERROR as the WING-SLICED REMAINS of Chester the Wonder-Sheep RAINED DOWN UPON THE SHOCKED AUDIENCE. In the ensuing riot, Anachroles was PELTED WITH ROTTEN EGGS and blamed for WRECKING THE AERIAL THEATRE, which is currently cancelled until competant replacement performers can be found.
Occitan Shaw, our in-house mystic, reports that he has not SENSED THE PAINFUL AND HORRIFIC DEMISE of Joakhim, but expects to do so ANY DAY NOW. "Clearly," says Shaw, "Joakhim's aerial theatre antics have attracted the attention of the real Nick Nastily..."
Shaw has also managed to channel a MESSAGE FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE from Chester the Wonder-Sheep: "Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."
Professors Atten and Faol Lecture On Treacherous Colonies' Success
(The Amateur Natural Philosopher's Periodical.) Packed audiences have been treated to an upbeat assessment of the trans-Wall colonies' status in a series of open lectures given by Professor Merriman Atten and Professor Titus Faol. Noting the recent pacification of the Kraelings by Governor Frost and the introduction of Grey Technology to the colonies, Atten and Faol predict that the colonies will be able to harvest enough food to feed themselves next year, a key stage in making themselves self-sufficient. Professor Faol was especially complimentary about the governorship of Governor Frost, who seems to have chosen a team of capable individuals to handle the colonies' day-to-day affairs.Some consternation was caused by an audience member who, in the questions and answers phase, asked whether there was truth to a rumour that the colonies were being supported by the smuggling of Vegdar-Dust into Horizon. "Lots of people say the Vegdar-Dust lichen is highly prevailant upon the far side of the Wall," asserted the questioner, "has it been harvested?" Professor Faol replied that Governor Frost takes a dim view of illegal narcotics smuggling, and of course the government would not get involved in such a trade; furthermore, the colonies couldn't possibly be funded by drug money, since if a significant amount of Dust were being smuggled the recent fighting over the Vegdarbarran village of Urtovsk would not have been so fierce.
Lasinian People's Party Unable to Recall Death Squad
(The Horizon Tribune.) Shortly before he was purged by the Democratic Gradualists within the LPLF - now known as the Lasinian People's Party - Comrade Hespercles issued a puzzling statement declaring that "the friends of the revolution would be seeking the assassin Janus Voorash, in the den of reactionary corruption he is currently making his home". The LPP have now managed to clarify the statement."Comrade Hespercles was a bandit and a thug," their spokesman told us. "This is why he had to be brought to justice. However, it appears that before he was purged he sent a group of his revolutionary comrades to eliminate Janus Voorash, who he had identified as an enemy of the revolution. We have lost contact with this group, but we cannot disagree with Comrade Hespercles' assessment that Mr Autoris is a threat to the revolution, to the cause of the proletariat, and to the world, and therefore we wish the comrades travelling to bring justice to him good luck."
NAVY RAIDS PIRATE HIDEOUT!
(The Horizon Illuminator.) BATTLE ON THE HIGH SEAS ensued when the Horizon Navy attacked the secret pirate hideout of PLUNDER ISLAND! Used by the DREAD BROTHERHOOD OF PIRATES as a base, PLUNDER ISLAND is one of innumberable small isles found in the so-called Peninsula of Piracy, a series of islands in a region of ocean claimed by no nation. It seems that the island was used by Horizon-based pirates as a place to stash their ships - they would sail between Plunder Island and Horizon in ROTTING HULKS to maintain their cover identities as HARMLESS TRADERS, whilst keeping their real ships at PLUNDER ISLAND so the authorities could not discover their secret piratical ways.The naval raid comes after GREYWRITTEN MAPS were delivered to THIS FINE NEWSPAPER amongst others, as well as the Navy and the Embassies of the Four Nations, by an anonymous informant. "Whoever gave us this information must have an excellent knowledge of the sea," said a Naval spokesman. "They were even able to tell us how to navigate the natural coral reef maze surrounding Plunder Island - if they weren't a pirate navigator themselves, they must have been a salty seaman!"
FLYING SQUAD GROUNDED! WINGS PILFERED!
(The Horizon Illuminator.) The city around the Imperial Ruins this morning has an eerie, quiet feel to it without the whirring wings of the Flying Squad leaving the Watchdog depot for their patrols. This is due to the surprise disappearance yesterday of the Watchdogs' entire stock of wings. Watchdog receptionist Amanda Jones, 24, gave the following statement:
"Well, this group of clockworkers arrived and said they needed to perform some checks and repairs on the wings, replace a few cogs, that sort of thing. Next thing we knew, the clockworkers have disappeared and so have the wings! Cheeky buggers just walked off with them and didn't bring them back! All their paperwork was in order, so we just had to let them through - how were we supposed to know they weren't real clockworkers?"
The Clockworkers' Guild earlier today released a statement that this action did not occur with the sanction of the Guild, and further investigation suggests that the paperwork shown by the thieves was forged. This embarrassing theft of Watchdog property has left the Flying Squad grounded for the time being - perhaps they shall have to take the taxi!!!
WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE
(The Town Crier, and various posters around Horizon.) The assassin Janus Voorash, AKA Victor Autoris, AKA Mr Whirr of Click-Click-Whirr Clockworking, is sought by the Watchdogs in connection with a series of high-profile murders. Most recently, when Mr Voorash was cornered by a number of Watchdogs in a sting operation he produced a pair of one-shots, and with those dangerous and dishonourable weapons took the lives of two of the officers before flying away at great speed using a pair of concealed, heavily-modified clockwork wings.Citizens are warned that Mr Voorash is a well-armed and skillful killer, and appears to be a highly-skilled master of disguise. Do not trust strangers, and be cautious of your friends. A reward of 500 Guilders has been posted for the apprehension of this murderous thug, or for the delivery of his corpse to the Doghouse.
[OOC: That's a Major reward for bringing in Voorash.]
IMPERIALIST CELL BUSTED BY PEREZ!
(The Horizon Illuminator.) Yesterday disgraced ex-watchdog Coruscatius Animo, 31, was publicly beheaded in Jurica, following the discovery of incriminating correspondence in the headquarters of an Imperialist cell.The cell was busted in a sting operation by a team of Watchdogs led by Sam Perez, 32. The Imperialists were arrested, convicted, and put in front of a firing squad, and a search of their hideout revealed documents suggesting that Animo had been plotting to sell Jurican weapons and poisons to the cell.
Both Jurican and watchdog forces are much indebted to Corporal Sam Perez and his work against such terrorists, especially after the tragic disappearance of his wife and children. In recognition of this he has been promoted to the rank of detective in the Watchdogs.
Our correspondent in Jurica reports that the news of Animo's links to Imperialists was delivered to the Caliph in the Jurican Grand Palace, where he was already furiously berating Animo on a separate issue. Curiously, Animo hadn't even been summoned to the Grand Palace, and certainly hadn't been summoned to the Caliph's harem where he was discovered by the enraged monarch...
ALRIC WINS APPEAL! MOEBIUS COLUMNA DENOUNCED!
(The Horizon Illuminator.) SENSATIONAL SCENES today in court with the success of ALRIC COLUMNA'S crack team of lawyers in their bid to dismiss charges against their client! Confident after their PRIOR VICTORY in overturning the charges of incestuous rape, they turned their attention to the serious accusation of GHOUL MURDER. The legal team presented the court with CONVINCING EVIDENCE that Alric did not give any order to kill the ghoul, and in fact was making arrangements to RETURN THE BODY to the ghoulish community as demanded by the Circle. The body, however, MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED, and was then handed over by Moebius Columna. This, and the previous suggestion that it was Moebius who gave the family retainers in question the order to KILL THE GHOUL, has shifted suspicion over to Moebius Columna. A warrent has been issued for Moebius's arrest in absentia, but the judge expressed doubt as to whether Moebius would ever be found after his MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE in Lasinia.Having been EXONERATED by his lawyers, Alric Columna is no longer a wanted fugitive, and it's expected that the Goodly Chamber will happily restore his title to him in the near future.
WEISS ORDERS RAID ON PIRATE DEN!
(The Horizon Illuminator.) The Watchdogs arrested a FEARSOME BAND OF PIRATES yesterday in a raid on The Jolly Cabin-Boy, a Dockside tavern favoured by buccaneers. In a move believed to be a follow-up to the Navy's raid on Plunder Island, officers from the Illegal Organisations department arrested several individuals for membership of the DREAD BROTHERHOOD OF PIRATES. An attempt by the pirates to scupper the pub, which is located on a riverboat, was not successful.STAR SHAMEN CAUGHT BY FROST!
(The Horizon Post.) Once again, dear readers, the beloved GOVERNOR FROST has SPRUNG INTO ACTION with members of the Arcanum Guard, as they raided the residence of physician Alberta Blake to arrest two WANTED CRIMINALS: Marius Mustang and "Old Cracky", DEMENTED SERVANTS of the COLD AND HEARTLESS STARS!Following the lighting raid, members of the Arcanum Guard interrogated Miss Blake and her mother but found NO EVIDENCE that the pair were aware of the TRUE NATURE of their houseguests. They also removed what sources have told us were "sensitive materials" from the house.
Countess-Major Columna Acclaimed By Nobility and Military
(The Horizon Tribune.) In a shock move, Alric Columna has spurned the title he once proudly held, asking the Goodly Chamber to bestow it upon his sister instead."I could not ask your lordships to return me to this Chamber," said Alric, "when such shameful controversy has surrounded my name. Furthermore, I cannot foresake an opportunity to reward my beloved sister, who has supported me throughout this difficult time, and has suffered a great number of slanders in the gutter-press for her stance. I ask you, my lords, who is more deserving of the Columna title? I, who have suffered an indignity I will not recover from soon, or my sister, whose efforts have saved me from the gallows?"
Alric's suggestion was warmly welcomed by members of the Chamber, since Crace's return from the Lasinian campaign as a celebrated war hero. At the time of the speech, Crace was receiving a medal for bravery in battle and a promotion to Major. Countess-Major Crace Columna has thus been propelled into the highest levels of aristocratic and military society, and some are even speaking of the Countess as a future Mayor of the city.
PENELOPE WEISS: PRESS FAVOURITE
(Various newspapers.) Throughout the turn a wide variety of publications (the main exception being the underground newspapers) run favourable editorials about Commissioner Weiss. These range from the Tribune's sober feature on The Weiss Model of Policing to the Post's overenthusiastic PENELOPE WHIPS WATCHDOGS INTO SHAPE! Many publications are able to obtain exclusive interviews with Penelope.FROST: GOD OF THE TREACHEROUS LANDS?!?!
(The Horizon Post.) The SENSATIONAL news reached the Horizon Post yesterday that a tribe in the Treacherous Lands has acclaimed FEARLESS ADVENTURER Frost as its god. Not surprising for Barbarians witnessing for the first time the astonishing abilities of a civilised man... or so it would seem... The Horizon Post’s in-house mystic OCCITAN SHAW suggests the tribes may not in fact be so far from the truth as it would seem. Frost’s DISCONCERTING MYSTICAL AIR, fighting prowess and GLOWING PURPLE EYES are all traits pointing to a high affinity for the esoteric. For, readers, the Horizon Post can bring you the exclusive news that Frost is in fact a long-forgotten AVATAR OF THE INTERCESSOR!!! What does the Intercessor wish by sending his avatar to us after some may years of being withdrawn from the world? Has he sent him to PROTECT HUMANITY or possibly to JUDGE?!?! Does he wish to see the Treacherous lands tamed and civilised?!?! Only Frost himself can provide the answers!The Horizon Post offers its support to Horizon’s hero in the Treacherous Lands.
THE FUTURE'S GREY!
(The Horizon Post.) Yesterday, the people of Horizon witnessed an AMAZING spectale of technology and skill, as rival teams of Skylarkers from the GREY ORDER and the CLOCKWORKERS' GUILD raced against each other above the city streets. The prize - nothing less than THE FUTURE!!! If victorious, the Grey Order were to be permitted to join the Clockworker's Guild, which has for Decades refused to allow them Membership; if defeated, they promised to Cease all activity in Horizon! The events of this Race would decide whether Grey technology will Replace clockwork, or vanish from Horizon altogether!!!The Technical Innovations employed by the two teams - the steam-powered WONDER-WINDERS of the Grey Order and the Replacable Springs designed for the Clockworkers by GYRAN RAMPESHTI - seemed Similarly Effective; if anything, the Springs appeared MORE efficient. But this was not a Lab Test, but a RACE - and in a Race, the Best Team Wins! Today, the best Team was that of the GREY ORDER, who doggedly followed the Clockwork Pigeon even when its twists and turns BAFFLED their competitors, and by a Small yet Decisive margin came home ahead. Now, to the DISGUST and DISPAIR of many Clockworkers, members of the Order are to be admitted to the Guild!
This evening, many clockworkers declared the DEATH of traditional clockworking, claiming that the Grey Order are interested only in POWER and PROFIT and will Neglect the Artistry and Craftsmanship that were once the Hallmarks of the Guild. Pure Clockwork devices may soon be a THING OF THE PAST. Hoard up your Clockworks - they may become Valuable Antiques sooner than you Think!
- James Ridgway
On the Grapevine
Mook-On-Mook Action!
Get outta the street, quick, it's not safe to be out around here. You don't know when those maniacs are going to start fightin' again. It's the Columna goons - they're killing each other! They say Alric's back and he's tryin' to regain control of the Columna from Moebius while he's away in Lasinia on that diplomatic mission of his. What's that you say? Moebius has vanished? Well, looks like the fighting won't be carrying on too long...Is the Clockwork Guild Bad for Kids?
"I don't know what the fuss with the Clockwork Guild is all about. They just crank out expensive toys for toffs, as far as I can tell.""Yeah, and they give one-shots to kids."
"What?!? I thought they kicked out anyone they caught making one-shots!"
"Yeah, but they've not caught the guy who sold the one-shot to Rakemore - or whoever was supplying the Death Bitches. I reckon the Guild've been turning a blind eye to it - there's money in making them, after all."
"You sure it's not just that Janus Voorash bloke who's making the one-shots? One of his cover identities is a clockworker, after all."
"Naaah, whoever's doing it has got to have someone protecting them - I reckon someone high up in the Guild, possibly the Tylers themselves. Voorash, or Whirr, or whatever you call him is too much of a loner, from what I hear."
Tuco's Cartel
Spread the word - Eric Tuco runs the Cartel now. Sure, there's a tiny faction still loyal to Hythim Marid, but they're runnin' scared. All the Cartel bigwigs answer to Tuco these days - even Asrar Hazar came around in the end. They've been combin' the streets for Marid and Joakhim al-Bahrad, but they've not found either of 'em - it's like they vanished without a trace. That's not all - the Elder Muldoon's put the word out that Joakhim's barred from the Riverview unless and until he's able to explain to the Muldoons why he nearly killed Eric Tuco at the last Moon Truce meetin'...In the Small Ads
Situations Vacant
(The Horizon Tribune.) Are you good with people? Are you enthusiastic about the possibilities of Grey technology? Are you on the lookout for an exciting career opportunity?We are looking for talented, charismatic individuals with a proven track record in sales to form a number of synergistic team units in the new Grey Order Public Relations Department. Each team will be expected to operate as autonomous nodes of actualisation, formulating paradigm-shifting marketing strategies in order to promote the coming renaissance in Grey engineering. Your primary task will be convincing the ordinary man in the street that Grey technology is going to become an indispensable part of his life in the near future.
Salaries begin at 50 Guilders a month, and opportunities for promotion are ample. Your inductory probation period will involve training in team management, salesmanship, and the proper use of the Grey Order Runic System.
[OOC: That's a Comfortable wage the Grey Order are offering to become a Grey Salesman.]