The Gate-Local News February/March 3001

In this issue:

Kingdom News

Local News

Constable's Blotter

Business/Financial

Offerings for Sale
Jobs for Hire
Trading Company Standings
Commodities

Features

Society Announcements
Obituaries
Writings of the Bards
Puzzles
Cityscapes
Horoscopes

Sports

Commentary

Local News Around Neridia's Gate

Jack’s Attacks Now Bring Death Total to 219

by Oscar Milan, Freelance Reporter

The serial killer known as Jack who tops the most wanted list continues his crime spree unabated. To date, despite over 200 murders, no clues leading to the identity of the mysterious Jack have come to light.

The murderous rampage which began in 2998 has continued through 3001 with the last death only three days ago, a merchant from Andulon named Piper Tomlinson. Of the 219 deaths, close to ¾ of the victims met their permanent death. Given this fact and that all means of magical detection have failed, it is now taken for granted that Jack is using some magical means to execute his murders. One traveler from Evendarr who wishes to remain anonymous stated that he is sure Jack is truly a vampire though still others reject this theory completely.

The reward for his capture and proof of identity has been placed at 1 gold certificate per murder and now stands at 219 gold certificates.

It is assumed that Jack is armed and dangerous and all caution should be taken. We advise that any attempt to capture Jack may lead to the permanent death of those making the attempt.

Monster Under the Bed Preys Upon Sleeping Innocents

by Gregor Haydn, Staff Reporter

Beginning in May 3000, odd things began happening involving the dreams of children. At first, an odd report came from the orphanage on the outskirts of the city which cares for quite a number of refugee children. The children there were not sleeping well and having incredibly vivid nightmares. The adventuring group known as the Dasha Morbihan investigated at request of Guildmistress Winterthorne of the Guild of Arcane and Alchemical Studies. There they were soon pulled into the dreams of a young biata refugee where they apparently relived scenes from the childhood of a recently slain group of adventurers called Doom’s Hand. In these scenes, each member was one by one dragged beneath the beds only to return as an undead creature.

One member of the Dasha Morbihan named Daryn Quinn met with the mysterious Dream Sage to further research the possible causes of such an occurrence. The Dream Sage spoke of metaphysics, of the separation of the real world and the dream world, and of a creature known to all children as the Monster Under the Bed. Using hidden arcane arts, the Dream Sage brought our world and the dream world into alignment such that we could now see the opening of gates beneath the beds into the monster’s realm. Many adventurers including the Dasha Morbihan, the crew of the Siren’s Fury, Aurellis, Elayne, Telaris, Elena, Malaclypse, Sir Algorian of Avendale, and other visitors to the Foreign Quarter entered these gates. At times, they simply fought nightmares but other times they entered a scene out of the past adventurers of the group Doom’s Hand. During these scenes, they were able to recover a piece of the spirit of each of these adventurers lost long ago to the Monster Under the Bed. When all five pieces were recovered, those holding them felt a tug pulling them across the river to the Forbiddence. It was within the borders of the Forbiddence that Doom’s Hand had apparently met its final fate. The adventurers within the city’s borders gathered and under the guidance of the Aran in Exile entered the Forbiddence. There they fought many undead to the point where they found the animated remains of Doom’s Hand. It was a mighty battle in which many nearly lost their lives but in the end, each piece of spirit was reunited with the body it was torn from sending Doom’s Hand to their rest.

At this point it was thought that the concerns with the Monster Under the Bed had ended. However this was not so. Children continued to have vivid nightmares and gates still opened beneath the beds. Throughout the next months, including the gathering in June, adventurers would travel beneath the beds into the realm of Nightmare. However, here they would only face fears repeatedly in an unending flow never coming face to face with the Monster Under the Bed nor any scene to give the battle meaning.

During the September gathering, the Dream Sage returned to the Foreign Quarter and gathered three people; Daryn Quinn with whom he spoken previously, Jarnac another member of the Dasha Morbihan, and Balynthalis, a visitor from Avendale. These three apparently had some connection to the dream realm. The Dream Sage sent them into the realm he called the Dream Paths to learn more of the Monster Under the Bed. The chosen three brought others with them including Lochlewan, the leader of the Dasha Morbihan, Torin Hammerfist, their arms master, and Solarus, a visitor from Kincora. They brought back information that showed that dream catchers could actually be used to protect children from these nightmares just as legends say. With the help of many generous citizens and visitors, the dream catchers have been distributed throughout the city. However, the gates still open here and there and within these gates were found manifestations of particular fears shared by the young. One group reportedly faced a clown which scared all the children who saw it. In the end, they were unable to defeat it. Many now plan to use dream catchers as weapons against these nightmares as well as a defense.

Rodents Continue to Infest Neridia’s Gate

by Vivian Devereaux, Staff Reporter

Similar to the last reports brought to you, the rodent population in Neridia’s Gate continues to be an ever increasing problem. Rats continue to come from the sewers and catacombs raiding stores of food and even attacking citizens and visitors within the walls of the city.

Larger and larger rats have been seen in addition to the normal sewer rats. Monstrous sized versions called war rats by the adventurers who fight them and even larger unnamed rats have been fought within the catacombs and even within the streets.

Attempts by trap makers to decrease the population and protect food stores have met with little success. Similarly the alchemists have not found a rat poison which is not harmful to people. Given the situation with refugees and decreased food stores, this cannot continue for much longer.

With the ever increasing problems, many have begun to say that there is an intelligence behind the rat problems. In fact it was on Nerid’s Day last year that the crew of the Siren’s Fury became the first adventurers to meet what have now become known as rogres, a bizarre cross between rats and the monster known as an ogre which is believed to be extinct in the Neridia area. Adventurers also report increasing numbers of undead rats, rodent skeletons, and even undead rat scavengers.

At the gathering last September, groups including the Exotic Safari and numerous independent adventurers’ explored the catacombs at the request of Guildmaster James Ramafort of the Adventurers’ Guild found rat scavenger formal mages creating these undead rodents. A peculiar metal was found to be required for this formal magic and Guildsman Janos Rigley of the Guild of Arcane and Alchemical Studies was able to create a compass which led the gathered adventurers to find a mage named Salvio the so-called Rodent Resurrector raising large numbers of undead rats.

The gathered adventurers defeated Salvio and prevented his creation of even more undead rodents. As the battle ended, an animated rat scavenger entered the caverns where Salvio had been, repeatedly saying “Salvio, Master Quenten wants you.” The thing was quickly cut down and still no one is sure of who or what this Master Quenten is.

A few weeks ago, as people once again gathered for Nerid’s Day, some of the adventurers who entered the catacombs to destroy the entrance ways (see accompanying article on State of the War) found numerous rats, undead rats, and rat scavengers. According to Lysander Ironwood, several of the groups found what he called “interesting information” but no details have been made public. Rumors continue to fly that an undead rat scavenger with glowing blue eyes stalks the catacombs but no reliable reports have ever been made.

Escaped Present Eludes Capture

Neridians and visitors from lands afar both flooded into Neridia’s Gate to offer presents to the new mayor, Leilah Clairborne at the feast she was hosting in the Foreign Quarter. One such merchant sent forth his only daughter to deliver his most prized snakes to the chef at the feast to prepare as an appetizer. Unfortunately she ran into problems when her cart hit a bump in road and the cages came undone. She tried to catch as many of the escaping snakes as she could but they moved too fast. Frantic as she realized the hour of the feast grew ever closer, she went into the Common Hall to find help offering as several gold to recover some of the larger ones to those interested adventurers she found within.

Helpful visitors and Neridians scoured the forest-like quarter limits finding only limited success. Three of the six prized snakes were retrieved and presented for the feast though reliable sources close to the Mayor report that the renowned chef originally lined up to cook the meal ran off screaming upon this presentation.

Refugees Raid Food Stores

By Vivian Devereaux, Staff Reporter

Driven to last resorts by unending starvation, a group of refugees stormed PortGate Transport and Storage in search for food to feed their starving families. However, they did not find what they were looking for, only the beady eyes of rats met their startled stares. Attempting to run, the rodents quickly caught up and began attacking the refugees with their claws. Squire Jarryd Versante, passing by with a few of his fellow Windriders, came to the refugees’ assistance and quickly dispatched the rodents.

Upon hearing of this incident, reliable sources say that the Grand Duke of Versante reportedly personally arranged for shipments of food down from the Morindell farms and orchards to feed the starving refugees. As well, he paid the fines for the convicted refugees and dedicated himself to their cause.

New Constable Cracks Down

Crime in the City Brought Under Control

The past six months have borne witness to a significant decrease in the crime that ordinarily plagues cities the size of Neridia’s Gate. Many attribute this noticeable decline in criminal activity to the actions of the new Constable, Ronald MacKnee.

The streets of Neridia’s Gate are once again safe for ordinary citizens to walk about this wonderful city and we have Constable MacKnee to thank for it.

Refugees Flood Neridia’s Gate

Fleeing the brutality of the Varykite invaders, hundreds of Neridians living in the District headed eastward leaving behind their homes and all but their most valuable possessions. As the city struggles to accommodate all those in need, the existing camps have become overburdened and conditions continue to deteriorate.

The unexpectedly cold winter has brought tremendous snowfall throughout the winter months driving food and timber reserves to an all-time low. Prices of even the most basic of goods have increased dramatically.

Grand Duke Daniel Versante has pledged support for the refugees and commissioned the Guild of Masons and Builders to construct additional shelters for the homeless Neridians.

Constable’s Blotter

The Order Elemental N’Gah who calls himself the Gavel of the Judgeratt is wanted to stand trial for the murder of Malcolm. Citizens and visitors should be warned that he is quite dangerous and all caution should be taken when dealing with him. Several reports of unprovoked attacks against sentients by N’Gah and his henchmen in the Quarter have been filed. Please send for myself or any of my deputies if you should encounter him. If you attempt to apprehend N’Gah and bring him in to stand Neridian justice, please take the utmost care and caution.

January 2^nd: Several citizens still celebrating the beginning of the new year in the Rat’s Nest were arrested for assault after another patron questioned the loyalty of members of the Avenging Hawks had to the Crown.

January 30^th: While the rest of the Kingdom mourned the tragedy that befell the Hartwell family so many years ago on this Black Tuesday, Kelly Marks decided he could not live without his bride of a week. Inexplicably found dead only a short five days after their wedding, the young groom resorted to the blackest of magics and reanimated her lifeless corpse so that they could live out their days together once more. Upon discovery of this, his wife was placed to final rest and he was sentenced to death for his high crime.

January 30^th: An assassination attempt on the life of Raidin, the Varykite ambassador was made by unknown persons within the Varykite Embassy. The attempt was foiled by the Ambassador’s attachés and the Embassy guards dispatched the attackers, putting them to death as per their laws.

February 2^nd: Jones Devin assaulted the Hunting Grounds warden. He claimed that it was because there was nothing else to hunt and the warden promised him some good game that day. He paid the appropriate fine and is performing five hours of community service since his record is filled with prior convictions of such violent behavior.

February 23^rd: As the festivities for the week-long Nerid’s Day celebrations began, visitors to the Foreign Quarter became targets of an organized effort by a band of bandits. Aggravated assault and theft were the charges filed by at least six victims. Jewelry and certificates totaling thirty six gold were stolen. Anyone with information on the perpetrators of these crimes may speak in confidence to the Constable or any member of the City Watch.

February 28^th: Trade worthy Engineering and Development registered a complaint that their offices were broken into and several important production plans were stolen. A twenty gold certificate reward for the recovery of these documents has been offered as well as a ten gold certificate reward offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of the criminals.

March 15^th: A break-in at the Neridia-Andulon Axis was reported. Stolen were several boxes of documents as well as coin and other valuables totaling thirty gold certificates. A ten gold certificate reward has been placed for the recovery of the documents.

If you have any information or wish to report any illegal activity, please seek out Constable Ronald MacKnee or one of his deputies at any time, night or day.

The City Guard is here to serve.

Confrontation between the Black Network and N.A.N.

Representatives from the Black Network, an organization dedicated to promoting the legalization of necromancy without reanimation, entered the Foreign Quarter early Sunday determined to gather signatures for their petition they plan to present to the Crown later this Spring.

After debating the issue with several visitors to the Quarter, the two were able to marginally convince some there but were unable to get anyone to commit their signature to support the Black Network’s cause.

Some tense verbal sparring began when one of the advocacy group Neridians Against Necromancy overheard the Black Network’s rhetoric. Words were exchanged as each preached their organization’s views. Pleased that no one had signed their petition, their continued assault on all the principles that N.A.N. holds dearly drove their representative to rip up their petition and storm off to the other side of the Common Hall.

This debate continues to engage the interest of the Kingdom. Though most support N.A.N., the Black Network claims that their supporters are growing but keep their opinions quiet as they fear persecution by law enforcement officials.

Silver Sash Awarded

In a presentation made by Leilah Clairborne at the Nerid’s Day feast, she awarded the Silver Sash to Arthur Mumford, a foreman with the Guild of Masons and Builders. As she began her speech with “Heroes are not found only on the battlefield but in everyday life”, she introduced Guildsman Mumford to the crowd that had gathered and presented the award to him.

Assigned to plug up the passageways in the catacombs that had provided Varykites assassins ready access to the Foreign Quarter earlier last year, Mumford’s crew was continually plagued by rats and other assorted nasty creatures that live below ground. However, the greatest threat proved to be the unstable walls soaked thoroughly with water that collapsed in on the crew. He dug through to free his crew and sacrificed his own life so that the others could make it to safety.

The Merchants’ High Guildmaster Milo Hawkins, after hearing the story of such heroic deed and great sacrifice, recommended Guildsman Mumford to receive the honor of the Silver Sash award.

Hazards Lurk in Kitchen

It seemed like a day just like any other for Lacey Burlappe and Gail Whyndham, scullery maids in the Nerid's Gate Common Hall. The two were cleaning up the kitchen when they heard a strange sound. "I was scraping some grease into the drain while Gail mopped the floor" said Burlappe, "when all of a sudden I heard this banging sound coming from under the floor right below us." The women looked around but saw nothing odd. "I went back to my mopping" Whyndham adds, "when all of a sudden this rank smelling ooze began spewing out of the drain, and I says to myself, I guess I'm going to have to clean that up too, great..." The women tried to push the slop back into the drain, but were thwarted when it began to coalesce and rise up into a pillar. According to Burlappe, " I was still poking at it until it began to bubble and roar and made a grab for me." The two frightened and now nauseous scullery maids ran screaming from the kitchen, followed slowly by the putrid mass of corruption. It flowed into the common hall and it's noisome excretions sickened many. Among the brave adventurers who fought it were Telaris, Esmeralda, Eyron, and Sasha. (there were others including a little male dark elf but...sorry don't remember them). The noxious heap was seemingly immune to binding magic as it had no particular shape to adhere to. The crowd of adventurers was able to pound it into oblivion, and several interesting things were found adhering to the surface of the mess along with the usual rotting kitchen garbage. For the next hour, the kitchen drain continued to overflow with this animated sewage, causing the common hall to reek with its stench. The brave adventurers continued to defend the common hall until the flow slowed to a trickle. When it finally stopped, Burlappe was able to enter the kitchen again, and sadly survey the damage. "It will take me at least an hour of cleaning before I would eat anything cooked in here again" she added. When apprised of the situation, Mayor Leilah Clairborne said "That's not supposed to happen is it? We will have to conduct an investigation on what would cause that". Sounds to this reporter like something's rotten in the sewers of Nerid's Gate.

GUILD ACTIVITIES REPORTS

Guild of Arcane and Alchemical Studies —

As the winter snows melt and Spring pushes aside the bitter chill that Winter has left Neridia with for many months now, the Guild has been preoccupied with two key issues, rebuilding and strengthening the Barrier and caring for the growing casualties of war.

The components and necessary materials have been gathered to rebuild the pylon on the Elemental Plane of Order and plans have been readied to do so within the next month. Guildsmen will be contacted and organized to aid in this endeavor. As well, the pylons on the primal planes of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water will be strengthened at the same time. We anticipate that our problems with elementals will cease and Neridia may once again not be subjected to the fickle will of the elementals.

The war has swelled the numbers of refugees into the camps surrounding the city and the Guild has made every effort to aid in whatever ways it can. However, the tremendous loss and trauma experienced from the Varykite invasions have left its mark on our people. Nightmares plague young and old alike, causing more than a few to have psychotic episodes. The Guild, in joint cooperation with the Institute for the Preservation and Healing of the Psyche, has made every effort to help these poor people. As always, we encourage all visitors to the Foreign Quarter to register with the Guild any preferences they may have should a Resurrection be required. The Guild is here to serve. By preselecting method and performer of the resurrection, the process is made as comfortable as possible for all involved.

I am pleased to report that our prices for Guild services will not be increasing this year. Grand Duke Daniel Versante has generously offered to subsidize any expense associated with lab maintenance and supplies so that we can maintain our prices. However, supplies are limited and we ask that you submit a request to use our laboratories at least 7 days in advance and notify us what you will be making so that we can ensure that we have what you need in stock. Without such advance requests, we apologize for any inconvenience but are unable to guarantee that we will have the ingredients and materials that you need to produce what you would like.

By the stars above and the earth below,

Guildmistress Andraya Winterthorne

New Guildmembers & Promotions

Guildsman

Greavard Morbihan

Lochlewan Morbihan

Elena

Victor Roschenko

Fujiwara Michiko

Aurellis Ongwe-las Quallellen

Sebastien of Calvert

Arkyn

Elayne Josita Riveth-Ramirez

Apprentice

Killian Solan

Viggo Morgenstern

Adventurers’ Guild

Given today’s state of affairs, we project that this year will prove quite busy for our Guild members and anticipate that we will not have enough manpower to fill all the contracts that pour into our Guildhall daily.

As we saw last year, rats have poured into the city limits causing all sorts of havoc with businesses and personal residences alike. The warmer weather has witnessed an explosion in the rat population, and we are struggling to keep it under control.

The increased threat that the new Varykite invasion deeper into Winterthorne has made many merchants worried about their transports and they have contracted with the Guild for additional security to guard their caravans of valuable merchandise.

Job opportunities remain high and tremendous growth in the next months into the summer is expected given current political and economic trends. The Guild is actively looking for new members and if you are interested in joining, please send message to me at the Guildhall.

James Ramafort — Guildmaster, Neridia’s Gate Adventurers’ Guild

Merchants’ Guild

Significant alliances between the merchant houses of Neridia and nations across Avalon have stimulated the share prices of publicly traded companies, posting great gains and enabling businesses to reinvest to expand their trade routes and ventures substantially. Share prices have, on the average, posted at least 2 GC gain over the past months. Considering that the winter months have traditionally been the slowest for investment growth, these gains are noteworthy.

The ongoing war with the Varykites and current escalation keep armor and weapons in short supply and high demand. The goods and raw materials to make them will receive premium prices from the Guild. Interested suppliers should contact the Guild and the appropriate contracts will be drawn up.

Reports of pirates upon the waterways surrounding Neridia, the Thunder and Eastern Tyne Rivers, several ships have come under attack and have the goods they were transporting seized. Several trading companies have posted significant loss as a result and I caution investors until the authorities have apprehended the guilty parties.

For all interested in investing in the publicly traded houses, I am holding a general introduction to such investments later in April, the date and time to be announced later.

Milo Hawkins, Guildmaster, Merchants Guild of Neridia’s Gate