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*The season of goodwill comes to Port Royale* Posted: 30 Dec 2005 01:08 PM |
((the scene, an unremarkable carpenters store in the southern reaches of Port, the kind of place no adventurer has found reason to visit.))
The shopkeeper cowered, looking up in fear at the brutish looking thug stood over him.
"Please dont 'urt me any more, you've 'ad all I've got ta give, there'll be more next week I promise, tis a quiet time is all..."
The man's whimpering pleas were cut off by the wet sound of meaty fists striking flesh. Blows rained down upon the cringing figure, interspersed with grunted words...
"Jessup aint...*thump*....giving any....*whack*....more warnin's...*crunch*...pay up...*snap*...or ya...*thud*... lose it all."
As final punctuation the thug's foot made solid contact with the shopkeepers nose, and in a spray of crimson blood the poor wretch collapsed to the ground. The brutish man laughed, kicked the comatose form a couple more times in the ribs, and then left the store without a backward glance, chuckling lightly to himself in satisfaction at a good job well done.
.....................
Word comes to Jessup only hours later. The shopkeepers store has been burnt to the ground. Before the fires could be put out, they consumed the neighbouring store also, another business, but this one was up to date with its protection dues.
The mutilated and beaten carcass of the shopkeeper, and those of his wife and child, have been left outside the store on the streets of Port, with a note impaled onto the man's forehead. The note reads "Such is the fate of any that do not pay their dues on time". The note is unsigned, but emblazoned at the bottom is a very recognizable black hand.
The thug Jessup sent to give a serious warning to the shopkeeper cannot be found anywhere. The last anyone saw of him was when he left the store...a few minutes before the flames began to spread, and the bodies were noticed.
.........................
For those simply passing through Port, it is easy to hear gossip relating to the note and its contents. And to hear vivid, and heartwrenching descriptions of the dead man and his young family.
For those digging a little deeper, and with some degree of knowledge of the Port's darker side, it is easy to find out about the thug that was seen leaving a few minutes before the fires were noticed. And many in Port could tell you, off the record, that the thug was definitely on the payroll of the Black Hand.
Those seeking to dig any deeper than this need to contact me by PM.
Anyone asking around in Port in the last few days would have heard a few mocking jokes about Jessup and the Black Hand. Tales of him being killed yards from his own front door, with seeming ease, by an unseen assailant are rife. Speculation as to whether he might be losing his grip on the Black Hand. Talk that other members of the Hand are planning a coup. Even musings that he is ready to retire, and leave Port altogether. Anyone familiar with how gossip works in a city would be impressed by just how rife such talk had become in a very short period of time.
Also quite possible to find out that a less tolerant than normal approach has been taken over the last couple of days from the Black Hand, probably directly as a result of these whisperings.
Now however, all such talk has ceased. Instead people seem afraid to talk, to any extent, about anything to do with the Black Hand. Many folks about Port are sullen or scared. And dark looks are oft being cast towards the doors of PAJWT...
Please all remember to RP what you know and suspect IC, not what you may know or suspect OOC. Even Jessup himself only knows that he sent the thug, not what happened thereafter. Also, not every character does have a good knowledge of a city like Port. Unless you are a rogue type, have a strong b/grd in the Port, or very good reason to be particularly street wise, you are unlikely to be able to find out much unless someone else informs you. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*The season of goodwill comes to Port Royale* Posted: 02 Jan 2006 03:58 AM |
*events in Port Royale over the last few days*
- Word slowly spread that the Black Hand were denying all responsibility for the death of the shopkeeper and his family, and the torching of his store. This claim has been met with widespread disbelief, given it is relatively common knowledge that a thug employed by the Black Hand was seen leaving the location. There was initially a lot of anger and sullen resentment of the Hand in Port.
- Then word leaked out that Jessup has instructed that both torched buildings be torn down. And the store of the baker, who had paid his dues and still lost everything, was to be rebuilt at no cost to the baker. Considering the considerable cost of doing so, demolishing the ruins and then building a new store from scratch, for a man who was but a rent paying tenant, many began to reconsider their anger against the Hand. Although in some of the darker corners, people were heard to mutter that it was further proof that the Hand were in disarray, the left hand not knowing what the right were doing, and Jessup growing desperate to keep control at any price. But only those darkest of heart truly were open to such bleak rumours.
- The Hand were as good as their word, work began straight away on the rebuilding, the builders paid in advance, as is the only way to get work done in Port. The baker, a middle aged man renowned for supplying everyone from Mrs Miggins to the kitchens of the Palace, celebrated his good fortune in the Cross Cutlasses last night. There seemed to be a great deal of antipathy forming against the Hand in every tavern in Port, but the joy and gratitude of the baker, a lifelong and respected member of the Port served to alleviate a lot of this discontent, in the Cutlasses at least.
- However, things soon turned darker once more in the Port. In the early hours of this morn, the rather inebriated baker was returning to his sister's dwelling, where he was staying whilst his store and home were being rebuilt. He stopped off to talk with some stall holders he knew, before heading for the winding alleyways in the south of the city. Where he was ambushed and slain. As luck would have it, a young and for once conscientous guardsman was on patrol and witnessed the brutal and merciless attack. It was too dark for him to see much, especially as he turned and fled within moments, having realised the assailant was well beyond his powers to harm. But his report has been heard far and wide, throughout the Port. A halfling woman seemed to step out of the very shadows and struck the baker down, laughing scornfully and calling the baker a trusting fool as she did so. By the time the young guardsman returned to the scene with reinforcements, there was nothing. No body, just bloodstains, and no sign has been seen of the baker since.
- Within minutes of this attack, rumours were widespread. The Hand had never intended to allow the baker to benefit from the torching of his store. The Hand sought only profit, and the benefit of yet another piece of property owned by them, which they could use for far more profitable purposes than a bakery. Fingers pointed at the fact that Jessup was known to associate with a halfling lass. Who had indeed been seen to be capable of dancing in and out of the shadows in such a way as described by the guardsman.
- Tales had also been spreading throughout Port of another killing by the Hand. A beautiful young bard had been widowed, her husband brutally slain by members of the black hand for falling behind on repayments of a loan. It seemed that he had begged for more time, yet some ruffians had administed a beating to make an example of him, but he was not a hardy man and had succumbed to his injuries. The young bard wife he left behind is spoken of with great affection throughout the Port, and the atmosphere in Port is becoming -very- volatile. Adventurers passing through are being treated with contempt for doing nothing to stop the depravations of the Hand. And any suspected of being associated with the Hand are ocassionally being pelted from the shadows by rotten fruit and vegetables, to great merriment and applause. Though none do so to their face, the hostility is growing with every passing hour. For those used to the streets of the Port, it has never been so united in anger and bitterness. Seemingly far beyond what would be usual for a city so used to violence and crime, the hostility far, far outstrips what seems to have been going on.
- There are rumours that the eyes of the Palace are being drawn to the slums and docks. An unusual, and unlikely event, for normally Port is a truly divided city, with neither half interacting with the other. But it seems that for some reason even the "better half" of Port is growing increasingly restless.
- Any PC with many bard levels (at least 10) who is looking into any of the above, please PM me for further information.
- This is the current state of play in Port. I know of several PCs that are supposed to be involved in investigating certain matters. I am giving limited feedback to Jessup, and maybe certain others, based on these purported investigations. But nothing concrete can come of this without the relevant players PMing me directly. And either arranging mutually convenient times to be IG, or failing that as my IG time can be limited, exchanging PMs to further the investigations.
Enjoy!
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*The season of goodwill comes to Port Royale* Posted: 03 Jan 2006 04:48 AM |
All through Port the rumours and gossip are flying. Jessup is to be arrested. Jessup has already been killed by the night masks. There is a hundred thousand gold being offered for every member of the Hand slain. The Hand are winding down their operations, and Jessup is retiring to live off his ill gotten gains. Jessup and Johe have run off together, Jessup finally having found a replacement for his one true love, the halfling named Pickston. And even wilder, more strange rumours are becoming commonplace.
More disturbingly, the city is growing angry. Really angry. Such widespread anger has never before been felt on the streets of Port. A city so used to crime, to nefarious dealings and harsh reality, a city that rarely if ever gets shaken from its complacency, but those who know the city best can scarcely believe how much anger is being directed at the Hand. Every little act, that has been commonplace in Port for countless centuries is suddenly attracting fierce criticism. Every time the Hand act they are criticised for excessive cruelty, and avarice. Every time they fail to act, others criticise them for weakness and ineptitude. Port is coming to the boil...
Running through the tumult is a common theme. Songs, poems, limerick style chants, graffiti on walls, children playing games in the street; everywhere you turn in Port sentiments against the Hand are being expressed in every way you can imagine. The most civilized places that the nobility gather are being serenaded by music of outstanding composition, parodying the very concept of the Black Hand, comparing it to a gaggle of children playing at being a "gang". Whilst in the southern reaches of the city, in the slums and the docks, the taverns and the brothels, the pie shop and the bath house, in the areas that form the true heart and soul of the city, cruder and simpler chants and songs are spreading like wildfire...
((the following are but a small selection of what can be heard and seen in Port.))
An orc of supreme ugliness is Jess, He walks the streets of Port in a dress, For us simple folk he couldnt care less, For his crimes he must be made to confess, Its about time we had some redress!
Oh no, here comes the Black Hand, In truth they're a bit of a joke, Our friend the baker was a wonderful bloke, It's about time someone made a stand, We might just be ordinary folk, But together we'll throw off their yoke.
............
*kids playing in the street as a group*
black hand smack hand the dirty orc is hobbled
don't you gloat they'll cut your throat but only if they can catch us!
*at which point, the kids break up and run around, with the "orc" trying to catch one of the others - when they do, the ditty starts again with the one caught being the orc*
............
*rioters demonstrating on the waterfront, near the cross cutlasses. Plenty of alcohol being served, seemingly free of charge*
It's time to take _ to set things right and no longer succumb _ to their brutal might
We'll offer you _ our undarkened hand so that together _ we'll make a stand
It's an enterprise _ for all of us to drain and bleed _ this deadly pus
This city is ours!
*the mob is ugly. seems to be dock workers complaining about the burden of the squeeze being put on them*
..............
*more children's games, played with small stones. one child with a bag of stones passes them out as they sing*
a gold for you, a gold for me a gold for the princess up high to see
a gold for the baker for his fine bread a gold for the taxman until you are dead
the rest to the ones who we all trust to spend our gold for their dirty lust
*one of the kids then tries to take the bag of stones and as quickly as possible to take the rest of the stones from the other kids where the game begins again with a new kid holding the bag of stones*
((thx to pdw for most of the above)) |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*Dream a dream of darkness* Posted: 03 Jan 2006 01:54 PM |
The following applies only to full members of the Black Hand.
Any time you sleep in Port, your dreams are dark and disturbing. You have frightful visions of being lynched by an angry mob; of the PAJWT building burning to the ground with you locked inside; of Jessup falling once more before the blades of Virallax and all your comrades being tortured and slain, before you yourself share their fate; and many other similar such nightmares.
The worst thing about these dreams is how real they feel. You can feel every bit of the pain, smell the burning flesh, feel the dreadful heat, hear the sickening thud as Jessup falls to the ground lifeless, etc, etc. They are unlike any dream you have ever known. But they -only- occur when you sleep in Port.
At first it is only one dream in the course of the night, but over the coming week the dreams multiply, becoming so frequent that by this weekend you will feel as though you have had virtually no sleep if you try to sleep in Port. And when you awaken after one of these dreams, you feel almost as if the city of Port itself is rejecting you, wants you gone, an irrational feeling but one you cannot help.
The following applies to any goodly adventurer, not a member of the Hand, sleeping anywhere in Port.
You too are plagued with dreams. Dreams in which you witness dark dealings, visions of innocents being mutilated, beaten, even killed. You see the baker so recently slain, staring accusingly at you with dead empty eyes; you see the family of the dead carpenter, lost in dark mists crying for their husband / father; you see Johe dead at the bottom of the ocean, heavy weights holding him in place; and in these and countless other similar visions, you see Jessup floating through the dreams, pulling strings as though some sadistic puppeteer, delighting as the stench of his acts threatens to drown the city in a sea of rage and destruction.
You have little rest from any night spent in Port, and when you awaken you feel somehow sullied, and guilty as though you have just been tried and found wanting. Again, today the dreams are infrequent, by this weekend they would last the entire night through.
These dreams last until I post to say otherwise. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: *Dream a dream of darkness* Posted: 05 Jan 2006 07:05 AM |
| ((just a *bump* to say I will be IG running some storylines concerning the above Friday evening, approximately 8pm onwards. Anyone with an interest in Port or the Black Hand may want to be around. Alternately, will be available at some times over the weekend, PM me if you want DM interaction for anything related to goings on in Port.)) |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*death or taxes...* Posted: 06 Jan 2006 07:00 PM |
Ok, the following is readily known to all in Port:
PAJWT has been locked up. Magically warded. And is closed to all. There is a sign on the front door that reads as following:
"Closed by order of Queen Aquinas. All property within has been seized by her royal majesty. Trespassers beware."
...........
Port has calmed somewhat, though the locals still react with great anger to any mention of the Hand.
Rumours all seem to say the same thing:
Boddelglum Pratwiddle Misermaddioc (a gnome of serious demeanour with an exceptionally long nose) & Ugbak "Da Prozekewtah" (a half orc in a tux with an exceptionally large...club) paid an unannounced visit to PAJWT. Citizens, from the nobility to the poorest peasant gave this pair a wide berth, seems the gnome is the most renowned tax collector for Queen Aquinas, well known for dealing with any "problem" cases, and the orc is her most trusted lawyer (enforcer).
They carried out an inspection of PAJWT, which seemed to last a fairly short time. The building was seized, and all possessions within declared forfeit in place of taxes, incorrect / insufficient paperwork and subsequent penalties owed.
The gnome was last seen heading at pace for the palace, chortling with delight at all the paperwork that awaited him.
Jessup and the supposedly "murderous" halfling lass Cora that oft accompanies him were soon after seen leaving Port, looking less than pleased. Jessup has not been seen to return.
There was a minor street party held that night to celebrate this turn of events....
And the story continues...
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*the quiet before the storm* Posted: 10 Jan 2006 08:48 AM |
Over the last few days, things have settled down greatly. Some mutterings of discontent can still be heard, mainly aimed at the remnants of the Black Hand blamed for a spate of robberies throughout the city. But generally the consensus seems to be that the Hand have been driven from Port in their entirety, and there is a mixture of celebrating combined with some wariness as folk seem to slowly awaken from a dream and realise what has happened.
And now there is a sense of expectation. Of curiosity as to what will come next, who or what will replace the Hand. For Port has always had someone controlling the true heart of the city...and now there is a void, a void that surely will not remain unfilled for long.
Already rumours are circulating that the PAJWT building has been showed to several interested parties. And that a firm offer has been made by one of those parties. The truth of this seems difficult to ascertain, nobody seems to know who has made this offer, and speculation is rife... |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*a new beginning* Posted: 14 Jan 2006 01:36 PM |
*SOLD*
So reads the sign attached to the front door of PAJWT. Nobody has seen the new owners to date, although people whispers of lights seen moving around on the upper stories overnight.
The building is still locked up tight, and supernaturally warded.
There seems to be a unanimous feeling in Port that whoever has taken possession must be an improvement on the previous owners. And there is a general sense of optimism and hope beginning to spread throughout the city.
Many speak of the young bard lass who was widowed by the Hand, it seems her joy at justice finally being done is contagious. And people say she has performed several impromptu sets of songs in various taverns and gathering places in Port, raising money for the families of those others who suffered due to the Black Hand.
It seems a brighter day is dawning in Port... |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*What is going bump in the night...* Posted: 21 Jan 2006 04:17 AM |
Everything seemed to have quietened in Port. The hardened citizens soon put the trauma's of recent events behind, and aside from a large number of jokes and crude comments regarding the Black Hand, life had resumed its normal flow.
The underworld of Port also seems to have become subdued, a new power seems to have arisen. Over the last few days the bodies of a number of people known to have been loyal to the Hand have been found, their throats slit open by a single clean cut. Nobody is talking about who has taken over, but it seems Port has a new Underlord.
The PAJWT building has been opened on ocassion. For deliveries of all manner of crates. Otherwise it remains locked shut. However, as of last night, the building was beginning to attract notice once more. Strange chanting was heard from within all through the night, bright flashes of light seen from the upper stories followed by a persistent, eerie red glow that lasted until dawn. And people passing nearby reported a particularly unpleasant smell in the area.
All the above phenomena have stopped come morning, but for a strange chill of dread sweeping over any approaching the building...
And PAJWT now remains closed. All deliveries have ceased. And no sign of life whatsoever can be seen within. The windows have been blackened, and absolutely nothing can be seen of the inside.
.......................
In totally unrelated news, there are muttering from the sewer workers of Port about plans to go on strike. It seems there was a rather significant disturbance in the sewers a day or so ago. Although that seems to have been resolved by the actions of some brave souls, something remains wrong below the city.
Those few who regularly dare the sewers speak of strange bubbling noises, and a stench that overcomes even their deadened sense of smell. And apparently people have begun to go missing down there... |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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*continuing developments* Posted: 24 Jan 2006 05:09 AM |
Every night strange sounds, and eerie chanting can be heard coming from the top levels of PAJWT. Local residents have taken to giving the building a very wide berth when walking past.
A number of labourers have been seen to enter the building, carrying much in the way of building materials. Those watching with an experienced eye would be able to tell that these "labourers" move with the grace and control of those well trained and versed in the killing arts.
Nonetheless, during the daylight hours, the sound of renovations and building work emanates from within. None of the labourers that enter are seen to leave.
...........
In other news, the sewer workers of Port have indeed gone on strike. They state that they will not return to work until someone does something about the terrible stench now filling the sewers of Port.
Anyone venturing beneath the sewers of Port can now see the wide expanses of sewage beneath the city are violently bubbling and churning, and the odour down there is quite simply breathtakingly awful. Imagine the cess pits of Mgok Tukar combined with the very worst charnel house and you have but a pale approximation of the truly dire aromas permeating the sewers of Port. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: *Dream a dream of darkness* Posted: 24 Jan 2006 08:27 AM |
These dreams last until I post to say otherwise.
...oops.
Just to confirm, these dreams stopped several nights ago. Stopped suddenly, and completely.
Sirac |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: *Dream a dream of darkness* Posted: 29 Jan 2006 08:42 AM |
*notices are placed all around Port Royale, written in a very concise hand on fine parchment bearing the emblem of Queen Aquinas*
Hear ye, Hear Ye,
Gigglesnort auctioneers will be holding an auction on behalf of her royal majesty, Queen Aquinas. The lots on auction are items recovered from the building formerly known as PAJWT, consisting of a wide variety of powerful and exotic artifacts and enchanted items.
Her majesty will be donating a percentage of all funds raised to the Order of the Seven Sisters.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire some truly remarkable objects. The auction will take place one week from today, further times and details to follow.
On behalf of her Royal Majesty,
*signature is bold yet austere*
Boddelglum Pratwiddle Misermaddioc, HMRTC, GpX, ARC & KotAM. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: *Dream a dream of darkness* Posted: 01 Feb 2006 07:59 AM |
*times and dates are posted for the auction. OOC: 7pm GMT Sunday. The notice concludes with the following...*
Due to the sensitive and valuable nature of items in this auction, very high levels of security will be in place. Rites of protection will be cast on the auction house that will result in catastrophic effects for any attempting an act of theft or violence. Our Royal Majesty offers her thanks to the mages of Kaazim for these measures.
*the same signature as before*
Boddelglum Pratwiddle Misermaddioc, HMRTC, GpX, ARC & KotAM. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: *Dream a dream of darkness* Posted: 03 Feb 2006 06:59 PM |
((ooc posting this now so that players dont keep their schedule clear, and so that I dont forget to post it, but the IC part of this message does not go up for another 12 hrs IRL))
*notices are placed all about Port Royale. Rather than the plain and efficient writing of prior notices, these seem scribbled at haste, and the nails holding the parchment in place seem to have been hammered -very- deep into the wood. There is a definite sense of anger in both the writing and presentation*
Due to an unfortunate administrative error, it seems that the auction must be cancelled.
Apologies,
*signed in barely legible writing*
Boddelglum Pratwiddle Misermaddioc, HMRTC, GpX, ARC & KotAM. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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Re: *Dream a dream of darkness* Posted: 09 Feb 2006 02:12 PM |
As the tremors following the cataclysmic showdown between the Night Masks and the Black Hand die down, the following facts should be known:
- The Night Masks have ceased to exist utterly and completely in Port, and indeed anywhere in Vives.
- Colloquialisms begin to appear in Port. To "do a night mask" is to fail at something utterly and completely. "Watch out or the night masks might get you" is a light hearted joke parents say to children knowing that it is more funny than scary. In general, the night masks over the next few weeks and months are forgotten, except as a poor joke, and even the jokes swiftly fade away. ((there should be no references left to night masks anywhere IG, if you find any please bug report them))
- Anyone claiming to be a night mask, or to have seen one, is likely to be met with utter ridicule. There seems to be a general determination to just wipe away all memory of their existence.
- There is no dislike of the Hand expressed in Port, they seem if anything more entrenched and accepted by the populace than ever before.
- However all is not well in Port. A stench is beginning to fill the lower half of the city. It comes and goes in waves, but when it happens it is truly awful. A stench of utter putrescence and decay, mingled with the aroma of long dead rotten corpses. Even those with the hardiest of constitutions cannot help but feel touched by an element of nausea. Something is truly rotten beneath the streets of Port. Anyone brave enough to venture into the sewers finds the stench there to be always present, and even worse. The sewers are perpetually roiling and bubbling, and half formed masses of solid sewage seem to threaten to explode out of the sewage at any moment.
ALL PCs BE AWARE, IF YOU VENTURE INTO THE SEWERS OF PORT, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU MIGHT BE PERFECTLY SAFE TO DO SO, BUT YOU CAN SENSE THAT SOMETHING IS "BREWING" DOWN THERE, AND THEY ARE GENERALLY A LOT LESS SAFE THAN NORMAL. |
'The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof.' - Richard Bach, Illusions. |
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