Sigil,
Outlands - While the Sigil Advisory Council debated what to do with
the closed Hall of Records, the ex-college was gutted by ravaging fire.
On the evening of Retributus 9th, Sigil's Hall of Records was torched.
While the buildings still stand, both towers had their contents burned
by what is thought to be magical fire. While the separate Hall of
Census Records and the Acheron Battle School (once the Rowan Academy of
Training) still stand unharmed, both the main Hall of Records and the Hall
of Property Records had flames shooting out of their roofs one bell after
anti-peak.
"It's awfully peery that both buildings burned in one night," said Marcus
Legup, chief Son of Mercy investigator. "We know there are some old
tunnels linking the buildings where the fire could have started, but we
won't know until our investigation is complete. The report should
be completed by the 19th, when we will give it to the SAC in closed session."
This is just the most recent in a run of disasters for the building complex.
Originally Bigby's College of Academic Arts, it was bought by the Fated
(faction) about 300 years ago. When the Faction War struck, it became
clear that a few of the buildings on the campus had been used to house
troops and prepare for battle. When the faction dormitory was razed
in combat against the Sensates, more destruction reigned. Then, when
the Lady's Edict came down and the Takers left for Ysgard, more catastrophe
struck when many cutters that saw the opportunity decided to remove vital
chant about themselves to never see the light of day, destroy key contracts,
and dig up the dark on rivals. The Sigil Advisory Council decided,
in its first official decree, to seal the Hall campus before they could
figure out what to do with the place. Now this fire means that very
little remains aside from a few empty shells of buildings.
"What's worse," said Councilor Adriann Goldenson, "is that this will make
it even harder for the courts to get final rulings. It's tough now
with dabus judges speaking their rulings in those darned rebuses and the
interpreters guild demanding more for their efforts. This will just
add a fire mephit to the stew!"
Sigil is Merchant's
Mithral Mine!
by Sarat Vaultwatcher
Sigil,
Outlands - While many merchants avoid Sigil these days, those that
stay here find high profits!
With the last report making the mercantile interests look gloomy, it needed
to be noted the sparkle that is truly available here. With the increased
risk of coming through Sigil, along comes the lack of competition (in case
the Lady, by her graces, ever decide to close the portals again).
That lets merchants charge more, as they are charged more. Therefore,
all prices go up.
This may seem hard on customers, but with fewer merchants willing to take
risk, it's hard to find the best price. One needs often to search
for hours in the Bazaar to find the speciality items they seek.
"I love Sigil. I couldn't help but keep bringing my wares to Sigil,"
said Marcy Hunter, proprietress of the Flaming Fruits in the Great Bazaar.
"I have to pay more to get my fruits from the Elemental Plane of Fire,
but since I'm the only one able to do it, my Salamander and Dao customers
are willing to pay quite well."
"Anyone can find a market to corner here now," said Councilor Estavan.
"Everyone knows greater risk yields greater profit. I'm just seeing
to it that my constituents get the materials they need to live happy lives."
Sarat
Vaultwatcher is the TT's new beat writer on the guilds. This tiefling
wants the common being to know what's happening and to make all dark light
so the Faction War never happens again.
On Assignment
Yeoman, Bytopia - Iyill Rubylips reporting
This
wonderful, industrial town is now a perfect place. The bustle of
town commerce and the steady work of Right Honorable Lizabet the Seer,
Mistress of Guilds and Mayor of Yeoman has finally removed the stain of
the Order of the Planes Militant. After accidently burning part of
the Bazaar with their antics and years of legal games, the Conclave of
Masters has now formally voted to keep any who openly display the symbol
of the Order out of the city, and any found within the city will be fined
five gold and asked to leave immediately. These ramifications allow
this reporter to declare the town perfect. Any small folk will be perfectly
at home hear, and any seeking gemstones will find some of the finest crafters
here. If it is fine enough to attract the likes of Councilor Estavan
for good business, it should be good enough for you. It get here,
just throw a two headed coin at The Wound That Bleeds (the new sculpture
in the lower ward to commemorate the Faction War) and you'll find yourself
just a mile out of town. Good Business to you.
Sharing a table
with ... Arwyn Swan's Son
by Drakus Lightquill
This is the second in a series of nine sessions of our fine editor speaking
with each of the nine councilors that make up the Sigil Advisory Council.
Next month, we'll bang around with Estavan of the Planar Trade Consortium.
Drakus
Lightquill: Thank you for your time, councilman.
Arwyn Swan's Son: You are welcome. We are here for our common man,
after all.
DL: First off, and please do not be insulted, but what is with your name?
It seems barmy just to be known as the son of another. Do you have
your own name?
ASS: Do I, yes. Will I share it with you? No. I know
how unwise it is to reveal one's true name. It happened once and
I will not let it happen again. You can call me by The Son, if you
wish, but I'd prefer Arwyn Swan's Son. Please print that.
DL: Well then, can you share where you got that name?
ASS: Surely. On my home of Toril, I was following my patron's will.
However, I was going into the "godless" lands of Mulhorand, and I found
quickly that the teachings of my lord Tyr were heretical to their horrible
beliefs. I found I was outcast for my name. However, when I
helped an old woman from city bandits, I later discovered she was a woman
of great prestige. Madam Swan told me to go with her blessing, and
acting as her son, as her own died in an act of horrible treachery and
dishonor. Since then, I've used the name, and it reminds me that
all are worth protecting, and all I do, I do to honor her.
DL: Beautiful story. Do you expect others to really believe it?
ASS: Why not? I do not lie.
DL: Well, I'm not sure about that. Isn't it true that before the
War, you were acting against your own factol, Factol Nilesia of the Mercykillers?
ASS: I was collecting loyal followers of Justice because Nilesia was perverting
the morals of the Mercykillers. She was taking her riotousness too
far.
DL: And some might say your followers, the Sons of Mercy are much the same.
ASS: There are some who hold their pride too high. I try to keep
it in check when I see it.
DL: What are your faction's goals?
ASS: First off, we are not a faction. The Lady forbid all factions.
We might become one if they become legal again, but for now, we will wait.
As to the goals of the Sons of Mercy, when the Harmonium left, the city
was in chaos. Someone needed to keep the city clear of those trying
to harm her and her citizens.
DL: What separated you from the Hardheads then?
ASS: The Hardheads wanted to take over Sigil and shape it in their image.
We just want to protect people and give common justice. We don't
kill prisoners just because we think they are disharmonious. We punish
properly. A person stealing food is punished to work with the Hive
Feeders group for a week, not having his hands cut off or executed.
DL: But punishment isn't up to you anymore is it. Isn't that for
the judges to decide.
ASS: Uh, yes.
DL: Also, isn't it true you have to get a little dirty to defeat the dirt
of Sigil. Isn't it true that crime rates went up like an Arborean
mortai when you first took over?
ASS: Well, yes, but we buckled down quickly. Crime rates were only
up for a few months, but now they are at a pretty low level.
DL: Couldn't that also be due to the dabus judges. Interpretation
of their rebuses has resulted in some barmy rulings. Folks are more
peery of trying the system now.
ASS: Well, it could be the reason, but I truly believe we are the reason.
DL: Another point. The Sons of Mercy haven't been given any sort
of official support to do the law protection. What gives you the
right?
ASS: It's not a right, it's a job. We are just doing what needs to
be done! Besides, the next Council meeting will have the final vote
recognizing the Sons as the official town guard. Also, we accept
people into the guard other than Sons and Daughters.
DL: Very well. We appear to be out of time. Thank you for your
time, "The Son".
ASS: Very funny. You are welcome.
Bazaar Bargains: Pandemonium
Pipes
by Kez'bat
One thing any Cager will tell you about the great Bazaar — it's noisy.
Under normal circumstances, a cutter can't even catch her own thoughts
over hawker's cries, snatches of conversation, and the screechings of would-be
bards. Over the years, I have become accustomed to the cacophony,
so when I heard a noise that sounded clearly through the din, I took notice.
I followed the sound to a booth labeled "Pandemonium Pipes." Unlike
most instrument makers, Ariel Windsweeper, the proprietress of Pandemonium
Pipes, keeps the instruments in their cases because many of them play by
themselves whenever any air currents are present. This was excellently
demonstrated by the P-shaped flute as long as my arm which hung out in
front of the booth; it emitted low, haunting tones even though there was
no perceptible breeze.
Ariel Windsweeper, an air genasi with a curious tic at the corner of her
mouth, lost no time in introducing me to her products. When asked
if there were any enchantments on the pipes other than their self-playing
ability, Windsweeper smiled knowingly and asked if I had anything particular
in mind. When I explained that I was merely curious, she showed me
various flutes, recorders, ocarinas, and instruments I have no name for
whose powers ranged from simply playing lovely music to emitting a bloodcurdling
shriek capable of penetrating most silence spells. Some pipes worked
love charms, some sounded like birds or wind in the trees, some were enchanted
to attract and charm vermin.
Are they worth the jink? Probably, depending on what you're looking
for. A golden lady seeking to add a note of enchantment (excuse the
pun) to her garden party and the lookout boy for a party of cross-traders
are equally likely to be satisfied with their purchases. And while
I was not shown them, a blood wanting to drive his greatest enemy into
ruin or repay an old debt by reducing someone to gibbering insanity will
also not likely be disappointed.
Announcements
Masquerade Ball in the Lower Ward
The Entertainer's Guild is proud to announce the first annual All Sigil
Masquerade Ball. Prizes will be offered for Best and most Unique Costume.
"We hope to bring things back no normal," said Posing Nemot of the Entertainer's
Guild. "It's been a rough year for everyone and we hope to make this
a yearly event." The Ball will be held on Retributus 23rd at 8 hours after
peak.
Festive Fun Back in Swing
After minor renovations, Chirper's has reopened and is once against the
largest festhall in the entire burg of Sigil! Come, and enjoy all
the features, the exhibits of planar beasts, and the finest foods in all
of Sigil. We especiall cater to those of you interested in tasting
delicacies of your home primes. Please come and enjoy!
Sigil City Council Meeting
The Sigil City Council meets once per month in an open session for you
to air your concerns and to ratify laws on the ninth of each month.
Come and speak fairly. But be warned, you have only two minutes before
you are muted.
Auction
In keeping with SAC order #2-7, the personal possessions of those who've
had their items seized by the order of the Sigilain Courts for their crimes,
and those stolen items recovered from raids that could not be returned
to their owners, will be sold off to the highest bidder. Come and
get a bargain. Auctioneer: Yeboy Hawkler
Personals
Nit Picking Sods!
Many of you have been pestering me this last month about the errors in
the common in the last issue of the TT. While you may have been right,
PIKE IT! Just to shut some boneboxes, I've hired Jineen Swiftink
as Proofreader and receptionist here at the TT. Thank her for showing
up, as it is what is keeping many of you berks alive.
-Drakus Lightquill
Intelligent Cutters Sought
Are you a sharp, creative cutter? Want to make piles of jink?
We may want you! Sigil's Interpreters Guild, responsible for interpreting
the judgements of dabus judges in the Sigilian Courts need more cutters
to help keep our courts clear. Come and try out, and you may find
your natural knack waiting within you. No training provided.
Lost?
Try the door of the new temple to Hades (built over the Shattered Temple).
Carry a wheel by its axle. It will lead you to the truth!
Help Wanted
Torus Times is looking for a few good writers! If you have always
wanted to be a writer, here is your chance. We're looking for reporters
to go on assignment, find bargains here in Sigil, head our travel section,
and other assorted jobs. Inquiries should go to the T.T. offices
next to Ylem's Replication on the border of the Lower Ward and the Hive.
This line could be yours!
Anyone interested in announcing or advertising in the Torus Times can do
so for a mere gold piece for 50 words or less, plus an extra 3 coppers
per word more than 50. Contact the T.T. office by the 12th of each
month to get into the next issue!
Bounty
Looking for prime yeth hound meat for special delicacy orders. 5
GP per pound fresh meat. Bring orders to the back door of Imel's
Happy Tongue.