Tempus Sigilian

by Zchtolmolkov Atinar Xoll III

SIGIL (Market Ward) -- Several hours before peak on the 7th day of Tithing, factioneers of the Harmonium moved in and shut down the Sigilian based offices of the newspaper known as S.I.G.I.S. (an acronym for the burdensome title of "Sigil's Independent Global Information Service"). The move by the faction was neither surprising nor unexpected; as one Harmonium officer told the Tempus, "Those SIGIS leatherheads had this a long time comin'". In the past, SIGIS has managed to push the boundaries of legitimate reporting far into the shadowy realms of insinuation and downright fabrication with little or no backlash. But this time, their spittle may have caught our fair Lady in the eye, so to speak, and gotten them thrown to the mazes for their trouble.
Harmonium sergeant, Sessler Jakoby, a human hailing from the Gate-town of Rigus, told me the reasons for the raid. "The high-ups in the Barracks gave the go ahead after SIGIS had the nerve to publish confidential documents stolen from the very Barracks themselves", said Jackoby. "Of course, the only way the papers could have been scragged like that was if they was bobbed, so Mover Four Durkayle sent the lot of us in to find the originals and search for evidence. I was one of the first bashers through the door. You shoulda seen the looks on those sods faces when the nine of us, including the kyton and the two barbazu, marched on in and started bustin' up the kip. Priceless! Lots of juicy darks too."

Naturally, Sergeant Jakoby wasn't at liberty to discuss the evidence the patrol uncovered during the raid, but barbazu captain Harshon Yule related the multiple charges levelled on those apprehended in the raid. "We managed to scrag fifteen berks who were put up in chains. The kyton did that faster than sodding what-all. Then we nailed them for theft of classified documents, treason, conspiracy, impersonating Harmonium factioneers and organisation of a criminal collective. I don't know if all them charges will stick, but any one of these charges mean a one-way trip to feed the Wyrm, and I've no doubt that some SIGIS sod is gonna pay the music this time. I hope I get some vacation time to enjoy that entertainment."
The final tally of prisoners included several important figures in the organisation, such as the editor Seamus Keller and the marginally competent culler Maija Intwood. Keller will almost certainly be tried on some charges, as he allowed the documents to be published in the first place, but it is unclear how many others of this "criminal collective" will be brought to justice. Zeines Pauch, the primary SIGIS correspondent on the Cadre case was still at large at the time of this writing, but Harmonium officials assure that he will be apprehended in very short order.
[Author: Scott Kelley]

FRATERNITY OF ORDER APPROVES HARMONIUM BAN OF SIGIS AND BWJ

by Aemelia Rocius Caprenicus

SIGIL (Barracks) -- Harmonium Mover Five Tonat Shar announced early yesterday morning that the Sigilian newsrag known as SIGIS, and its sister paper the Blood's War Journal (BWJ), would be banned from Sigil under the Treason and Conspiracy Codes of 459. At a press conference held in the Lady's Ward, Tonat Shar described to receptive cullers the events that precipitated the ban: "The Harmonium have suspected for some time now that members of SIGIS have sought to undermine the security of our fair city," explained Shar. "Until now we have had little evidence upon which to base a criminal investigation. However, last week SIGIS cross-traders finally tipped their hand with the publication of illegally procured and highly confidential documents related to the Cadre Case [See SIGIS #17]. Bobbing confidential documents on a criminal investigation concerning an Anarchist cell, especially one with designs to dead-book half the Cage, is clearly a treasonous act, and we have taken the necessary steps to insure that such cross-trading does not go unpunished."
The Mover Four was then questioned as to why he thought SIGIS decided to print the obviously stolen documents. "Well firstly, the newsrag obviously wanted to make a load of jink off the documents. This was a ploy guaranteed to attract readers and sell newspapers," explained Shar. (If this proves true, then it is ironic that the news of the Modron March surfaced the very same week, a sure-fire paper seller in and of itself.) "Secondly," continued Shar, "we have strong suspicions, now based on hard evidence, that this was an attempt by the editor, Seamus Keller, to alert the Cadre to the Harmonium's knowledge of their designs. One Anarchist cell warning another."
As Shar explained to the assembled, the raid of SIGIS offices netted an enormous number of documents describing illicit activities that SIGIS cullers, clerks and touts engaged in, such as: Blood War arms and chant trading, peddling the hallucinogen known as "glitterglee" in Outland burgs, and selling faction secrets to various bashers for exclusive coverage of stories.

Some of the files also suggested that the BWJ (the newsrag that predated SIGIS some 70 years) was instrumental in planting Anarchists in high-up faction positions. [One aged document even suggested that the infamous Anarchist known as Omar came to power as a Factol in the Harmonium with help and chant he gathered from the BWJ.]
The documents also finger a number of high-up Cagers as having strong influences in SIGIS and the BWJ. These cutters include: the high-up trader Estavan of the Planar Trade Consortium, tout service guru Autochon, the medusa historian Magnum Opus, and Shemeshka the Marauder (who's been on the Harmonium's most wanted list for decades). Most of these high-ups have backed SIGIS financially, especially in times of financial strain, and have apparently received the benefits of first-hand reports from cullers, as well as options to screen certain news before printing. But much of the dark the Harmonium now has on these cutters may not see the light for some time. "Until we have fully explored every lead buried in the mounds of files recovered from the SIGIS offices, these documents will be kept locked up tighter than a Titan on Carceri," said Shar.
Concerning the raid itself, although the Harmonium managed to scrag fifteen of the SIGIS bashers, at least three "cullers" slipped the blinds on the patrol out a trapdoor in the back of the building and down into an old Maze of the Lady's, carrying bundles filled with numerous sensitive documents. Whether these cross-traders will use this information to turn stag on the Cage, or on SIGIS itself for profit, remains to be seen. However, the fact that SIGIS offices had a ready made escape route leading into a mapped Maze below their kip (a crime in and of itself) makes their guilt apparent as the Spire on the Outlands.
[Author: Scott Kelley]

SIGIS CADRE CULLER SCRAGGED BY FATED-HARMONIUM-GUVNER TRIO

by Sir Teller Guiarde

SIGIL (Clerk's Ward) -- In expected developments in the continuing story of the official banning of SIGIS, two of the rag's top cullers, Zeines Pauch and Felicity K. Ghwar, were scragged by the Harmonium for alleged unfair reporting practices.
Zeines Pauch, surely no stranger to the Barracks interrogation rooms, was picked up early this morning as he was about to step through a portal to Bytopia, "on assignment". Pauch's somewhat haphazard coverage of Anarchists activities in the Cage have drawn the attentions of an official probe by a joint task force of a Fated-Harmonium-Fraternity of Order investigative team, headed by none other than Measure Four Havrm Ghex.
Though this reporter was assured that the githzerai culler was but a small part of the investigation, I'm certain that the team is very interested in the methods by which Mr. Pauch came by his "inside information", including bobbed documents on Cadre "buzz bomb" designs that led to the raid of SIGIS offices and the banning of the newsrag.

There was a brief issuance of a warrant for Mr. Pauch late last evening, listing the culler as "armed and extremely dangerous", though from what we have read of his stories, Cagers need not be afraid of his especially sharp wit.
Another scragged SIGIS staffer was Felicity K. Ghwar, a somewhat airy trade-culler with more cleavage than economic theory. Though Harmonium officials reported that Ms. Ghwar was questioned briefly this afternoon and released, the chant in the Cage is that she has not been seen since. Perhaps she has reenlisted in Socioeconomic Precepts 101 offered by the Fated's public education program.
[Author: Paul Wolfe]

SUSPICIONS GROWS: S.I.G.I.S. INFILTRATED BY CROSS-TRADERS LONG AGO

by Haram Giles

SIGIL (Barracks) -- Suspicions are growing within the Harmonium that the newsrag known as SIGIS has long been harbouring cells of the Revolutionary League. Much of the information included in SIGIS has been given by patently false sources, and appears to have been willingly included and published in the newsrag. Mover Three Gerard Montega told the Tempus that, "Much of the information recently printed in the newsrag S.I.G.I.S. is obviously wrong, and it is simply not believable that the editors suddenly missed such outstanding errors. We, therefore, assume that the false information was either put into the newest issue intentionally for jink, or that Anarchists have found their way into SIGIS. In any case this is just one more justification for the banning."
One of the severe 'editing errors' alluded to by Mover Montega appeared in the last issue of SIGIS in the report of the primes who messed up Tradegate. According to the Harmonium, the statement in this particular advert, about a missing prime cross-trader, was simply made to fool the Harmonium. "All that talk about the missing prime was pure screed designed to send our factioneers on a wild slaad chase.

We found absolutely no evidence that some clueless had slipped the blinds on us. The advert was also put out in our name for the next issue, but WE had absolutely nothing to do with it", said Montega. Clearly, this is just more evidence that the Harmonium censorship of SIGIS is reasonable, and should easily find support in the courts and in the Hall of Speakers (although with Chaosmen making a run of the place these days, reason may have nothing to do with any decisions the Factols come to).
The discord between the Harmonium and SIGIS, however, has a long history going far beyond recent events. To see why, you simply have to look at the cullers SIGIS has employed over the years. Given their shady backgrounds, the clash with the Harmonium could easily have been predicted, and was a long time coming. To clear my point I have done some research on one particular culler, Ansas Ewald. The following are a series of news clips taken from the Tempus years back that demonstrate just what kind of cullers SIGIS tend to hire...

[Three years back, article taken from the Tempus Sigilian]

by Aemelia Rocius Caprenicus

SIGIL (Lower Ward) -- Relief filled the Harmonium ranks when news of the break-up of the adventurous group called 'The Glinter' finally arrived. The group of well known troublemakers was residing in the lower Ward since the disappearance seven weeks ago of their infamous leader and founder, Binx the Mad (a disreputable tiefling, which may be redundant). The Harmonium worried how long it would be until this motley bunch of suspected cross-traders grew bored of waiting around between jobs and started making trouble. Fortunately for the officers, and the Cage in general, their worries proved groundless once the group parted ways. The members of the group were asked what they want to do now that their group was practically nonexistent, and the majority stated that they would return home. Two of the Planewalkers, however, gave more explicit statements of their plans.
The Bariaur Halsar the Green told the Tempus, "I will return to my clan on the Lands once more. You see, I liked Binx and also enjoyed the planewalking, but Binx and Chervale were lost, and the majority of the group plans to head home. There's no reason why I should continue and I guess the others have similar feelings. It was a great time with great people doing great deeds, but that time has ended, and so has our group."
When asked what he would do next, another of the planewalkers Ansas Ewald said, "Will I will visit my homeland ? No, I don't think so. When Binx and Halsar found me, I was in severe trouble with the local law. These two bloods not only saved my life, but also took me on their journey through the planes. You will certainly understand that after walking the Great Ring for over five years, battling fiends and whatnot, I can hardly return to a stagnant village on a backwater prime. I will stay in Sigil and see what I can make of the darks I know. As for Binx, I think he's in the dead-book for sure. His last journey took him to the Abyss, and I don't buy that he liked it so much he decided to make his case there. No, the cutter is long gone in my opinion."

[Two and a half years back, taken from a 'Wanted' poster]
"...The cross trader Ansas Ewald, a.k.a. Telusion Talvchrim, was seen several times picking Cagers pockets but has yet to be scragged. He is also said to trade false chant and peel unwary visitors and merchants..."
(Not long afterwards, Ewald apparently slipped the blinds and left the Cage.)

[Two years back]
New chant tripped around the Cage that Ewald had signed some contracts to trade chant from the lower planes, and lower plane gate towns, with Marchosias Chou (secretive founder of S.I.G.I.S.)

[One year back, taken from the archives of the Tempus Sigilian. Note: This never saw print in the Tempus]
Answer of Chou (through a third agent) to the question of why he continues to rely on Ansas Ewald who knowingly trades forged darks: " Of course I do not trust him completely. But I've tested Ewald over and over, and so far I can assure you that the chant he trades is not only correct, but also the freshest chant in the Cage."
(I should add that along with the interview was a scribbled note that read, "MC refused to tell me anything about how he tested AE, nor did he tell me the general topic of the secrets Ansas was trading.")

[Half a year back, taken from the archives of the Tempus Sigilian. Note: This never saw print in the Tempus]
(At this point, chant had it that Ewald had returned to the Cage and apparently settled whatever problems he had with the Harmonium.)
The Mover Quell Zarn told our culler, when he asked about Ewald, that "the basher [Ewald] turned up about three weeks ago and told us he wants to pay for his crimes. Ewald was judged and he paid dearly for his them, according to the Mercykillers. For now we have no qualms with Ewald."

[Just three weeks ago]
Ansas Ewald became official culler for the newsrag 'S.I.G.I.S.'

[Author: Heinz Hofbauer]

[and Player Character Class Kit!]

As you can plainly see, SIGIS tends to be less than discriminating in its choice of cullers and employees. Below is more dark on the various cullers SIGIS employs and what SIGIS looks for in a culler. All information comes from SIGIS's own documents collected in the Harmonium raids which they have allowed us to print as a warning to citizens in the Cage.
Both SIGIS and its progenitor paper, the Blood's War Journal, make a point to recruit bashers with specific sets of skills, particularly for assignments that are out of town or out of touch. As most Cagers know, the two papers built their reputation on their ability to dig up the chant all over the Multiverse and pass it back to the Cage before any other newsrags could get wind of it. Given their reputation for bravery (stupidity) and guile (luck!), we wondered just what criteria the editors of SIGIS used in choosing their cullers. Below we give details of the type of berks SIGIS looks for straight from their own journals of employment.
THE S.I.G.I.S. CULLER
DESCRIPTION: The SIGIS culler, like cullers for other papers, has much the same skills as a bard, particularly of the story-telling variety. In fact, many of them used to be story-tellers, poets or writers before they fell on hard times and turned to journalism. (The competition in the Cage for audiences it fierce.) Most have some skill with spells, weapons and lockpicks which are all very helpful on many assignments.
ROLE: The basic job of the culler is to pick up the latest chant, and speed it back to SIGIS as soon as possible. Because they often do their work in the most disreputable places, with the most disreputable of beings, they quickly become founts of darks, most of them nasty. In fact, many of them make an excellent extra living spreading chant on Blood War battles, gate-town politics, high-ups, Sects, petitioners and so on. A lot of planewalkers make it a point to visit the nearest SIGIS culler as soon as they enter a burg to find out the latest, though finding these cullers if you don't know them well, can prove quite an adventure.
In the Cage, SIGIS cullers spend a lot of time hanging out at the various Faction headquarters, pestering the factioneers for chant and chatting up the locals. They can be quite annoying, but many of them seem able to endear themselves to all sorts of bashers who come to their aid when they ask another the wrong question. You'll also find them in the lowest bub-houses digging the dark (with plentiful garnish) out of the local cross-traders. If they can make such an excellent living from fleecing the dark, why stay with SIGIS? The association with SIGIS really helps them in two ways: 1) SIGIS can bail them out tight situations with jink, mercenaries and contacts, and 2) association with SIGIS really helps draw in the chant mongers.

EQUIPMENT: Key to the success of SIGIS cullers, and SIGIS itself, are the instruments cullers are given to do their work. Their main trick of speeding reports back to the Cage is accomplished through the use of magically constructed scroll cases that instantly transport high-quality scroll paper across the planes. Each of these cases has a twin back in the SIGIS offices which is checked daily for reports by the Sigil based staff. Chant is that these instruments are originally 'Loth inventions that have a lifetime of a year before they need recharging. Apparently, a whole host of these cases are locked up tight (with strong magical wards) in the main vaults of SIGIS. Like recorder stones, the one "twin" cannot be removed from this room or it loses all power. (This is the chant at least, but may be pure screed. We've also heard that these things last forever and a few of them have gone missing from the vaults. But the secret of their construction is still a mystery.) Other equipment carried by the cullers are reed pens, high-quality scroll paper for inter-planar transport, and inks that work well in many different environments. Finally, cullers are given an allowance for planewalking equipment, and the very useful spell known as "Warp Sense" to find portals for a quick entrance or exit.
NON-WEAPON PROFICIENCIES: All SIGIS cullers must, of course, be able to Read and Write (though after reading the newsrag, it is doubtful much of them can do so past a grade-school level). Many of them also have quite a bit of Planar Lore, about certain planes or realms in particular. Additionally, a lot of them can concoct decent Disguises, know how to Game and bone up on a lot of Local History. The real veterans of the outer planes can also Mountaineer, know some Planar Navigation, and have planar Survival skills. We've even heard that the infamous Daaras Intwood knew a lot about Planar Religions and even Herbalism.
WEAPON PROFICIENCIES: Though they prefer not to use them, sometimes weapon skill is necessary when the latest chant from Rigus doesn't let a culler slip the blinds in Ribcage. In these times, SIGIS cullers may rely on some light, easily carried weaponry. Short swords, daggers and throwing knives are favoured weapons of cullers. (We've also heard that Maija Intwood favours poisoned darts shot out a blowgun, while some others use hand-held crossbows with multiple bolt catchers.)
SPECIAL BENEFITS AND HINDRANCES: The benefits of being a culler can be many, if you write what people want to hear. SIGIS is well known across the planes, which is both good and bad. From those who like the stories about their burg or themselves, SIGIS cullers can expect a welcome reception and lots of great chant. From those they've offended, they can get a very well-made rope from which to hang while they are flayed alive.
[Author: Scott Kelley]

[NPCs]

Below, we provide detailed information gathered directly from SIGIS vaults (with the express permission of the Harmonium and the Fraternity of Order) on a number of cullers working for SIGIS. We hope this legally obtained information gives Cagers a clearer picture of just what kind of organisation SIGIS is.
[Ed. Note: The Tempus Sigilian would like to formally thank all of the stag-turning rats who've graciously provided this dark on their cullers. Thanks bloods!]

NAME: Seamus Keller
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Editor-in-chief
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Male planar half-elf. Clean shaven with spectacles, thinly built around 6ft. tall. Favours clothing with muted colours: greens, blues and blacks.
FACTION TIES: Claims to be an Indep. Strongly suspected by Harmonium to be a member of an Anarchist Cell, maybe affiliated with the Cadre (particularly after allowing the publication of stolen case documents.)
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: A Cadre Cell? Known contacts with Sinkers, Mercykillers and Sensates.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Spent much of his youth being raised "by committee" in the Gate-town to Pandemonium. He was shuffled off from one "guardian" to another and has no knowledge of his real parent's identities. Apparently, after a chaotic childhood, Keller needed a lot more structure to his life. After leaving Xaos, he signed up with an army out of Rigus and spent 10 years doing battle on Acheron. After fulfilling his contract, Keller made his kip in Torch where he began to research the Thieve's Guilds. Through this research, and the subsequent contacts he made, his presence became known to Marchousias Chou, and Keller was eventually hired on by SIGIS.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Currently on trial for treason and theft
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Barracks, awaiting a hearing

[Author: Scott Kelley]

NAME: Alpha-2-9
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Unknown; Alpha-2-9 is believed to be the correspondent to the lawful planes excluding Mechanus.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A rogue modron; same shape and size as all rogues (3' cube with arms and legs). Wears mostly shades of violet.
FACTION TIES: The Guvners, who else?
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Unknown
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Alpha-2-9 is believed to be a recent addition to the S.I.G.I.S. staff and as such has been difficult to track down. It is believed that "Sherlock", as the rogue has come to be called, went rogue while attempting to discover the laws governing Tanar'ri anger.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Alpha-2-9, or a rogue matching its description was last seen on Avalas, Acheron.

[Author: Scott Kelley]

NAME: Ufftley Bailift
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: He reports on crime and court trials, and things of relevance to ogres, giants, and the like.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Ogre, planar
FACTION TIES: Suspected Anarchist
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: The only known ties he has to a faction is to a lot of ogres in the Doomguard who look up to him.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Third generation Cager. Family active in the triad of lawful factions. Clan originally came from Aargrag, a prime world where ogres are the dominant species. Ufftley is urbane, intelligent and prone to affectations.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: SIGIS main offices of the Cage.

[Author: Mr. Niceguy]

NAME: Ordnin Balaclavos
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Reports on legislative doings, from the Speaker's Hall and the Trianym, and from hints picked up from other factioneers who want to pass some law.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Older bariaur, male, greying.
FACTION TIES: Lapsed Signer
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Unknown
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Apparently he no longer believes he's the imaginer of everything, but isn't willing to place another in that position.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Speaker's Hall, Sigil.

[Author: Mr. Niceguy]

NAME: Blondie Blutheim
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Freelance Political and Social Columnist
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Tallish tiefling with pale blonde hair.
FACTION TIES: None known
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Known to be viciously opposed to the Baatezu, a fact she tries to keep under control in her political writing.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Probably of Incubus or Succubus parentage, Blondie has been a lady of leisure in Sigil for some time now. It is though she was a private detective somewhere in the Outlands before that.
CRIMINAL RECORD: None recorded.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: The Baatorian Embassy.

[Author: Alex Roberts]

NAME: Zeines Pauch (aka. the Reaver, Yanci Nova & Levin Gulhaus).
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Independent Culler, Thug and Assassin for Hire.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Male githzerai, average height and build, reddish brown hair, white beard (possibly dyed or fake), green eye.
FACTION TIES: Fated (Namer), Indep leanings.
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Revolutionary League?
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Often found in SIGIS main offices, various bars and flophouses about Sigil. Associates with Harmonium factioneers, Havrm Ghex & Christopher Verdue mostly about Cadre Case. Also is rumoured to spend time with the mysterious SIGIS publisher Marchousias Chou. Closest friend in SIGIS is Felicity K. Gwar, another SIGIS culler. Rumoured to be associated with a Red Cell Anarchist named "Bundo". [For more information on Pauch's personal history, check out the Cage Rattlers]
CRIMINAL RECORD: [Extensive]
Current Un-prosecuted Warrant Status: Failure to relinquish Harmonium Property (4 counts), Distributing Sensitive Information (20 counts), Obstruction of Investigation (5 counts), Harbouring a known felon (2 counts), Collaboration with a known felon (4 counts)
Current Prosecuted Warrant Status: Failure to relinquish Harmonium Property (NG--20 counts), Distributing Sensitive Information (NG--200 counts), Harbouring a known felon (NG-- 20 counts), Collaboration with a known felon (NG-- 20 counts), Attempted Murder (NG--1 count), (Failure to comply with a Lawful Directive (G --1 count)
Convicted of Failure to comply with a Lawful Directive (Two years Prison: Deferred).
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: See article above.

[Author: Paul Wolfe]

NAME: Daemon Chaas
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Political culler, Hall of Speakers
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A Berbalang wearing tailored black pants and jerkin. Can't miss him in the Hall of Speakers!
FACTION TIES: Denies all affiliations. Seen attending Sinker gatherings, but is not an official member. He's extremely hard to pin down on any of his connections or background; a perfect political culler!
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Unknown. Spends much time on the Astral apparently.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Very unclear. Chant is that Chaas comes from the Astral and lived there for some time. Also rumoured to have visited the Prime on many occasions.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Maybe wanted for murder on the Prime (Crystal sphere of Toril).
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Astral, Unknown location.

[Author: Scott Kelley]

NAME: Ansas Ewald
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Outer Planes correspondent
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Information not available
FACTION TIES: Unknown (Suspected Anarchist)
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Former member of 'The Glinter' planewalking company, a suspected group of violent cross traders that had several conflicts with the Harmonium.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Ewald was a thief in a medium sized Prime village who got scragged after stealing from the local lord. His future partners, Binx and Halsar, rescued him from his punishment and hired him on with the Glinter as a guide. They taught him as much as they could about planewalking and the Blood War. When Binx vanished during a journey to the Abyss, and their party broke up, Ewald stayed in Sigil and started up his cross-trading once again, making the same error as before by plying his trade on well guarded pockets. He fled the Cage his problems with the law mounted. His flight brought him to Faunel (despite the stated chant). Some time later he heard that Marchousias Chou was looking for bashers to trade darks from the lower planes, and he travelled to some gate-towns to the lower planes where he build up a operation base for journeys down under. He did some business with Chou, and made some contacts all over the lower planes. Then Chou offered to employ him as a culler. He moved to Sigil and seems to have bribed the Harmonium to 'reduce' the charges a bit. He was finally punished for some minor violations of the law.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Arrested and charged on several accounts of theft. Still wanted on the Prime.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Sigil

[Author: Heinz Hofbauer]

NAME: Droni Forssen
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Culler active in upper-class districts of Sigil. Particular interest in Blossom Town.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Brown-haired dwarven male, aged about 110. Trims his beard in fashionable style rather than letting it grow loose as do many other dwarves. Frequent guest of Noyama Tanichi.
FACTION TIES: Godsmen (rumoured)
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: As a resident of Blossom Town, he's a member of the neighbourhood council there.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Originally from Arcadia, Droni came to Sigil some 45 years ago as a squire to a Samurai of the Noyama clan (long since returned to Arcadia to run a farm) and has remained here ever since. He speaks fluently several secondary common tongues (Dwarfish, both Oriental dialects, Hellenic, Classical) and is a friend of the Morla of the Fated, an associate and once alleged girlfriend of Clarion the Guardian. She is thought to pass on inside information to Clarion and Droni, although this is unconfirmed.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Obstruction (outside the Armoury last year, protesting against the desecration of the communal shrine in the Market of Peaches in Blossom Town)
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Blossom Town

[Author: Alex Roberts]

NAME: Maija Intwood
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Culler
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Human female (rumoured to have Tabaxi blood). Favours corn-rows and long braids. Often seen in colourful Sari's.
FACTION TIES: Fraternity of Order
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Asase Ya Clan, Elysium
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Maija is the younger sister of the famous Daaras Intwood, a long time correspondent and planewalker for the Blood's War Journal. Both come from the realm of Asase Ya on Elysium and chant says they have some Tabaxi blood from way back. Maija left the realm for the Cage to be nearer to her brother (and only living relation). She joined the Fraternity of Order as a scribe, but found her calling as a culler after her brother perished on assignment in the Outlands.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Barracks, awaiting trial.

[Author: Scott Kelley]

NAME: Laxuli Phae
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Psionic investigator, Chaos correspondent and Mindbender
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Female yuan-ti halfbreed
FACTION TIES: Suspected Xaositect, though may be a Convert going through a chaotic patch
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Linked by many rumours to the Church of Shekinester
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Apparently has marilith blood in her veins, though she's more yuan-ti than tiefer. Phae has worked for Shemeshka the Marauder, allegedly to foil the Harmonium psychic Christopher Verdue. It's believed she may be partly responsible for the Cadre's nondetection.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Wanted in Celestia on counts of heresy and rabble-rousing. Barred from entering Arcadia, on undisclosed charges. Wanted by Harmonium in connection with illegal psionic aid in defence of Anarchists.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Following the slaad Chaos Tromp around the Great Ring.

[Author: Jon Winter]

NAME: Tenemus Al Karak
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Actually operates mostly outside of SIGIS in his position as Second Librarian.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Male aasimar (see picture of Al Karak in his younger, planewalking days). Favours a beard lately.
FACTION TIES: Fraternity of Order
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Druidic Circle in Tir Na Og, Temple of Oghma
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Born and raised in Tir Na Og, Al Karak was the son of a priestess of Silvanus but found his calling with Oghma. At age 50, he left his homeland on a pilgrimage of knowledge and eventually found his way to the Cage where he has been ever since. Joined the Fraternity of Order and made fast friends with Daaras Intwood which is how he discovered SIGIS. Started writing as an outside columnist and has been noted for his deep insight into the outer planes.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Barracks, awaiting trial

[Author: Scott Kelley, Artist: Zak Arntson]

NAME: Farrell McDuncan

FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Newsbrief Culler, very new to SIGIS
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Fire Genasi, youngish. Farrel is a little more than five and a half feet tall, and weighs around 130 pounds. He usually loose-cut breeches, a leather vest over a cloth jerkin, and heavy boots. Farrell is never without his glasses--actually modified eyes of the eagle, according to a source close to McDuncan. Occasionally (i.e., when expecting trouble) Farrell is rumoured to wear leather gloves of Ogre power. Should be considered extremely dangerous.
FACTION TIES: Cipher factioneer
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Rumoured to have considered joining an Anarchist Cell
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: On the surface, Farrell appears a very calm character--but his heritage has imparted in him a devastating temper, which he attempts to harness and control through the use of unarmed martial arts. He has never been known to use a weapon but it may be only a matter of time before this changes.
CRIMINAL RECORD: None recorded
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Crystal Sphere on Prime Material Plane

[Author: Aaron Wilsford]

NAME: Drushiye Melora
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Sensate Entertainment Correspondent
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Human female with black hair and blue eyes, she is of average height and weight.
FACTION TIES: Sensate Factor
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: None Known
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Drushiye is from a little known prime world and little is known by her or any others of her past.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Drushiye was arrested a few days after she first came to Sigil for involuntarily insulting a Hardhead while she was still learning the planar dialect. She served 2 days in prison.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Drushiye lives alone in a well-furnished home about a block from the Civic Festhall. She can usually be found at Ren Hall helping with auditions and is available by appointment only.

[Author: Alex Roberts]

NAME: Malacyst Mord
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Whistles culler, specialising in Baator.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Tiefling, mid-30's, male. Suspected Baatezu heritage. Goat hooves, cat's eyes, small horns, dusky red skin, pointed tail.
FACTION TIES: Fraternity of Order
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Baatezu connections are strong and deep.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Known to have been a bard at one time.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Baator, Dis.

[Author: Mr. Niceguy]

NAME: Sco'rut Morthus
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Culler, new recruit to staff
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Lean, plain looking human male
FACTION TIES: Unknown
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Unknown
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Refusing to let on about his past, even with close associates, his coverage of Doomguard activities is his claim to fame. Before working with SIGIS, he was reportedly seen on a backwater prime world called Titan.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Hive Ward on assignment.

[Author: Sir Twist]

NAME: Jerryla Perroli
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Outland Editor
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Female Lillend with long black hair and black feather wings streaked with red and white stripes. Two Tattoos on face: one is Indep colours while the other relates to her tribe on Ysgard (supposedly). Covers torso with a gorgeous multi-hued silk blouse.
FACTION TIES: Society of Sensation
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Tribe on Ysgard
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Born and raised by a Lillend tribe on the first layer of Ysgard. She apparently left the plane after making an enemy of a high-up Valkyrie.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Unknown
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Sigil in her kip in the Lady's Ward under house arrest.

[Author: Scott Kelley]

NAME: Gert Rood
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Culler, exclusively reports on the Hive
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Planar human, aged 55, female
FACTION TIES: Ring-giver sect
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Unknown; Suspected knowledge of wizardry from some special school in the Hive.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Lifelong Hiver, known associate of Neevi Sheevis.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Suspected thief (take from rich, give to poor, that sort of nonsense.) Never any proof of course.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: The Hive.

[Author: Mr. Niceguy]

NAME: Sir Twist
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Not part of SIGIS though often asked to comment on matters of relevance to the Doomguard Faction.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Human male, Generally dresses in a black tunic and pants, with a light but flowing black cloak with deep blue lining. A cruel looking rapier and daggers line his belt.
FACTION TIES: Doomguard (lives for nothing else)
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: None known.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Sir Twist is a Decay Knight of the Doomguard, and Public Relations Officer for that faction. Fiercely devoted to Factol Pentar and an outspoken member of the faction. Although not officially on the SIGIS staff, he enjoys working with them and is apparently sorry to see them go. Generally a cool-tempered Prime, he can hold his own in a fight with both blade and magic. (Should be considered extremely dangerous, and probably likes it that way.)
CRIMINAL RECORD: None known, but he is suspected to have left the Prime to escape punishment for a crime he committed there.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: The Armoury, as always.

[Author: Sir Twist]

NAME: Lothlar Nosfer
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Culture and Events culler
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Slender male human, fanged and pale-skinned (apparently due to being a vampire). Believed to be dangerous; do not approach without garlic or holy symbol to hand.
FACTION TIES: Linked with the Dustmen, (un)naturally
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Bleak Cabal sympathiser
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: Lothlar died only recently, slain by a Dustman factor who wanted to create new offspring. Consequently he's more attached to the mortal world than your average creature of darkness.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Wanted in connection with the deaths of three unfortunate sods in the Cage.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: The Mortuary Catacombs.

[Author: Jon Winter]

NAME: Sim Underwood
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Outlands and upper Planes correspondent
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Male tallfellow halfling, blond hair and large sideburns, relatively thin for one of the short chubby folk
FACTION TIES: Indep
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: Family in Sheela Peryroyl's Realm, Outlands
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: A planar halfling from large family, Underwood has many connections with other short folk. He is also rumoured to be a part owner of the Greengage, a tavern in the Clerk's Ward.
CRIMINAL RECORD: Convicted for tax evasion on apple imports to the Cage.
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: Yeoman, Bytopia.

[Author: Jon Winter]

NAME: Reginal E'cantyr
FUNCTION WITHIN SIGIS: Special reporter. E'cantyr specialises in "special" jobs. Ususally being reports which involve things such as breaking into faction headquarters, stealing documents, impersonating high-up factors, ect. E'cantyr is very adept at uncovering plots, scheams -- and inter-faction secret affairs.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Unknown. A master of disguises, E'cantyr is always hidden behind a clever disguise or a spell, as he is wanted by the Harmonium, the Mercykillers, and seven other factions for various reasons.
FACTION TIES: It is believed that E'cantyr has friends among all factions, but none know him as E'cantyr. Assuming many identities and disguises, E'cantyr is known to walk the halls of all faction HQs as a faction member, and may have friends even among the high-ups of factions.
OTHER AFFILIATIONS: In the underworld of planar crime, E'cantyr is a legend. Formerly a master forger and hired impersonater, E'cantry retired from crime after assasinating an important member of the Planar Trade Consortium he was impersonating. Still with many contacts in the underworld, it is said E'cantyr has friends everywhere -- even if they don't know it.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL CONNECTIONS: E'cantyr was born a prime, the child of a human mother and an unknown lizard-like creature, a slave on an illithid Nautiloid. When one of the illithids when rogue becoming an alahoon, E'cantyr was taken as a personal slave for the illithilich. The alahoon later went mad, and E'cantyr took advantage of that and convinced the alahoon to teach him psionics and magic. E'cantyr reached Sigil when he found an amulet of the planes abord his master's vessel, and activated it by mistake. He woke in Sigil and spent several years in the gutters of the Hive until he was 21 years of age. He began as a con artist, then as a forger and worked his way up in the underworld of planar crime. Always careful of hiding his identity, it is believed no one has actually seen him yet undisguised.
CRIMINAL RECORD:
Impersonating Faction namers - 13 counts
Impersonating Factors - 7 counts
Impersonating Harmonium members - 47 counts
Forging legal documents - 130 counts
Grand Theft - 24 counts
Murder - 25 counts
(naturally, these are only the known counts, as graciosly provided by the Harmonium Faction).
LAST KNOWN WHEREABOUTS: The Hive Ward, 24 years ago. E'cantyr retired from criminal work, and changed to journalism after a successful impersonation of a SIGIS Culler, when he dicided he liked the job.

[Author: Draegarius]

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