The Sharn Inquisitive
The Sharn Inquisitive, the city's local chronicle, is the best source of local news. The Inquisitive appears weekly on Sul and is distributed via city mail. Its publisher, Haftak ir'Clarn, is a distant cousin of Lord Ruken ir'Clarn, a member of Breland's parliament who often expresses viewpoints and opinions in opposition to King Boranel. Haftak's position on his cousin's radical politics aside, you can find critics who claim that the Inquisitive goes out of its way to support or attack the Brelish crown.
Readers generally turn to the Inquisitive for local news (which some say reads more like idle gossip) and the opinion pages, which regularly feature heated debates on important city issues.
For news from beyond Sharn, most educated citizens rely on the Korranberg Chronicle.
A subscription to the Sharn Inquisitive costs 3 gp per year. Though the publication is not normally available for sale by single issues, it is usually easy to find a discarded copy a few days after publication.
This compilation of articles are taken from the Point of Infinity campaign.
Sul, 8th Therendor 998 Y.K.
Street-Kind Heroes
The annual Street-Kind Charity Ball was held last night with dignitaries and nobility travelling from across Sharn to Crystal Springs, the beautiful home of Lady Corven Sahlmer in the Mithral Towers district of the Upper Central Plateau. As the skycoaches flew in the crowds gathered to see the rich and sequestered draped in all their finery, hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
Guests included folk from all walks of life, from the most the distingushed nobility to the most humble of street-folk. Actors, musicians, politicians and socialites rubbed shoulders with traders, blacksmiths, cogs-workers and the homeless in this wonderful event that reminds us that we are part of this great city and that we should help each other as bet as we can.
It has, however, come to the attention of this reporter that all did not run smoothly at the function. Apparently as the party was in full swing there was an attempted robbery, one of the guests had their hippogriff stolen.
As the thieves returned for a second time, reportedly for another hippogriff, they butchered the guards posted there and would have got away with the prized mount were it not for a group of unknown individuals who had the courage to stand up to the gang.
The Red Blades have been fugitives from the law for some time now and their leader, Drem Lamor, was described by Yric Oureson of the City Watch as "a criminal master-mind in the making". After a series of bloody heists the gang got their name as a force to be reckoned with and with reputed ties to some of Sharn's largest criminal syndicates the have-a-go heroes who stood up to villainy and unlawful behaviour had best watch their backs for fear of revenge.
All five members were killed in the altercation.
The Sharn Inquisitive says:
Let the heroes who brought down such a vile group of villains be decorated and recognised by the city.
There are too many good folk suffering at the hands of criminals.
With an estimated 80,000 gold pieces raised for the charity it was hailed as a huge success.
Sul, 15th Therendor 998 Y.K.
Noble Kalesh ir'Semhel Found Dead
In the early hours of Zol, 10th of Therendor, the notably titled Kalesh ir'Semhal was found dead in his home by his night watch guard.
The renowned importer of Q'Barran antiquities and other regional goods had reportedly been flayed of his skin whilst alive, the guard found him trying to reach the door to his room when he died.
A privately hired inquisitive has insinuated draconic connections, claiming to have found what he describes as "The entire shed skin of a humanoid lizard, yet strangely no sign of ir'Semhel's skin was present".
His death is thought to be connected with a heated argument with a rival noble, Paxor ir'Somera, at the Street-Kind Charity Ball two days earlier. The city watch are currently searching for the noble in question but his whereabouts are unknown.
Although reports are hazy it is thought that several hours after his death, Kalesh ir'Semhel was seen to be withdrawing from his Kundarak account in Korranath.
It is also a reputed fact that much of Khorvaires Dream Lily is imported from Sarlona through the tiny inlets on the Q'Barran coast, and if the gossip is to be believed then ir'Semhel may have had his fingers in that pie.
Vermin Problems Escalate in Skyreach Tower
A constant stream of insects, arachnids, bugs, beetles and other critters of all varieties has become a huge problem to residents of Skyreach Tower on the Menthis Plateau. For those of you unfamiliar with the tower, it is one of the largest in the quarter, it grows from Downstairs, through Cassan Bridge and into the Seventh Tower district.
Reports have gradually been growing over the past few months of pest control agencies being inundated with reports of creepy crawlies running amok in the vicinity of the tower.
One resident reports, "I don't know where they're coming from, we've got no cracks in the walls that we can see and we don't leave the place in a state that would attract them. It's about time the council listened to us and did something about it."
Another concerned resident states, "Well about a week ago old Gerard got chased out of his stables by a huge great spider, no one can say where it came from, it was lucky for him that the watch were patrolling the street nearby when it happened."
Residents of Downstairs are voicing their concerns about the number of scavenging and carrion birds that are gathering in the volcanic land at the base of the plateau, "It's just not healthy," says one resident, "All that muck those horrid birds are creating, when the wind changes the smell is indescribable".
The council representatives of Middle Menthis have made the following statements:
Savia Potellas - Lower Menthis Plateau
"Something has to be done. The residents of Skyreach Tower are suffering, whether this is a refuse or waste issue i'm not yet sure, but one thing i am certain of is that these people can't all afford to hire extermination services and it is a certainty that disease will follow."
Caskar Halavik - Middle Menthis Plateau
"As the problem is growing we have to take a long hard look at the hygiene of the lower wards. This is obviously a problem, that is growing from the ground up. It is an issue that Potellas should be facing head on."
Thurik Davandi - Upper Menthis Plateau
"There have been several reports of larger vermin reaching the streets of the upper levels of Skyreach Tower, but thus far there have been no casualties and there has been no source of this incursion found, all we can assume is that they are find their way up the tower from the lower levels, perhaps following the streets or up the outer walls."
Sul, 15th Eyre 998 Y.K.
Scrimshaw Captured
In the early hours of Zor, 12th of Eyre, the master inquisitive Viktor Saint-Demain staggered into the garrison house in Black Arch with "The Ivory Gargoyle" manacled before him.
His most recent known crime was some 6 months ago when he went on a two week killing spree in the Blackbones district of the Cogs.
Scrimshaws moniker describes the terrible disease affecting him. The stony serial killer's rocky hide turned bone white years ago, and his horrible reputation prevented him from receiving aid from either Jorasco healers or clerics.
Saint-Demain was greeted with cheers from the garrison as he walked in with the vile villain.
"I'm simply making the streets of Sharn safer, one crook at a time." was the response from the city's most respected and effective inquisitives.
Rumours persist that his stern sense of justice and charitable heart have spurred him into purchasing a condemned temple of Aureon to start a school for impoverished children, although his noble sensibilities would not allow him to comment.
His most recent known crime was some 6 months ago when he went on a two week killing spree in the Blackbones district of the Cogs.
Scrimshaws moniker describes the terrible disease affecting him. The stony serial killer's rocky hide turned bone white years ago, and his horrible reputation prevented him from receiving aid from either Jorasco healers or clerics.
Saint-Demain was greeted with cheers from the garrison as he walked in with the vile villain.
"I'm simply making the streets of Sharn safer, one crook at a time." was the response from the city's most respected and effective inquisitives.
Rumours persist that his stern sense of justice and charitable heart have spurred him into purchasing a condemned temple of Aureon to start a school for impoverished children, although his noble sensibilities would not allow him to comment.
Sul, 22nd Eyre 998 Y.K.
Bluescar Lighthouse Restored
Houses Lyrander and Vadalis were celebrating today as the lighthouse at Bluescar Headland was restored to functionality. Aleal d'Lyrander, shipping co-ordinator for the south-east coastal passage praised the valiant efforts of the company known as "Crimson Fist".
Speaking from his small and busy office in Lyrander Tower Aleal said, "They set out to retrieve the Dragonshard that sheds light across the rocky waters, and they did as promised. They have done more than earn favour from ourselves and House Vadalis, they have undoubtedly saved the lives of many sailors and merchants who regularly use the shipping lanes from Q'Barra, Valenar and Zilargo."
This is another blow to the pirate organisations and their affiliates that are currently plaguing the southern seas and the Straits of Shargon. If only the crown would do as much, then we would certainly lead safer lives.
Gullsnest Ravaged by Chain Beast
Perhaps coincidence, several days after the restoration of the lighthouse at Bluescar, the nearest port - the sleepy fishing village of Gullsnest - came under attack by creatures wreathed in chains. They entered the town, a few hours after sunrise and slaughtered many villagers, early reports claim that there were over 50 casualties and at least 20 fatalities before the creatures simply vanished, leaving the town to mourn in fear.
Some experts claim that this is the work of the Mockery although no one can be sure as any who attempted to interact with the creature were brutally torn asunder in the most gruesome fashion.
Witnesses claim that the rattling chains of the creature can be heard moving through the dark streets after sundown.
Amongst many others it is known that the creature murdered Grimshaw the village alchemist, Therin Hewitt the village (Cannith affiliated) forgewright, and several patrons of the "Empty Nest", the village tavern.
Royal troops are moving from Flint Keep to reinforce the already strong Deneith outpost in Gullsnest. But as yet there has been no further report on the matter.
Have the heroes who have saved the lives of countless sailors also unwittingly loosed an evil upon the area, time will tell...
Sul 8th Dravago 998 Y.K.
Skyreach Tower Quarantine
The fear of residents in the higher wards of the tower are that this blight will spread to their neighbourhoods unless the City Council does something to investigate this matter. House Jorasco has already reportedly signed dozens of contracts with the wealthier residents of the tower as a precautionary measure, but that is of no help to the poor and needy of Downstairs.
Blinding sickness is known to be spread through tainted water and can weaken the victim to the point of helplessness whilst also causing permanent blindness.
Filth Fever is generally spread by rats and other sewer dwelling creatures, and is thought to be transmitted by bites. This disease can cause weakness, lack of co-ordination and in the worst case, death.
A spokesperson for councillor Savia Potellas gave the following statement:
"We are currently investigating the situation involving Skyreach Tower, however, our resources are stretched to the limit. Teams of sanitation engineers have been despatched into the sewer systems in and around the affected area but so far there have been no definitive conclusions. A relatively recent shift in the foundations occurred and the preventative measures taken at that time have prevented further investigation."
A brief seach through the Sharn Inquisitive archives has revealed the following report from around 85 years ago, detailing the foundation shift mentioned.
...Sul 8th Dravago, 923 Y.K.
Cityquake
Menthis Plateau was shaken to its foundations in the early hours of Sar 7th Dravago. Fractures and chasms opened throughout the interior structure of the tower and many people were killed or simply vanished. Investigations drew to a halt as swarms of vermin spilled from the cracks and the old chambers were sealed to prevent further incursions.
Cityquake
Menthis Plateau was shaken to its foundations in the early hours of Sar 7th Dravago. Fractures and chasms opened throughout the interior structure of the tower and many people were killed or simply vanished. Investigations drew to a halt as swarms of vermin spilled from the cracks and the old chambers were sealed to prevent further incursions.
Sul 15th Dravago 998 Y.K.
Sharn Cloaked in Darkness
The end can not be far behind, it's coming is foretold in the voices of the ravens that feast on the flesh of the dying that lie scattered throughout the region surrounding Skyreach Tower's lowest levels.
It has been a tough week for the residents of Sharn. One week past, a mysterious explosion in the Cogs spawned a fire of unprecedented proportions. Ashblack and Blackbones continue to burn bright, their foundries fuelling the spreading flames. The inferno still rages below the city, and the fire brigade, the watch and most of Sharn's mages battle the blaze night and day. Plumes of smoke choke the sky and heavy rain falls in torrents from tainted clouds. The city is shrouded in grey and black.
The skymages usually see to it that Sharn's spring-times stay a little drier than the surrounding areas. However with the fires raging in the cogs, Sharn's City Council has requisitioned the skymages to help deal with this catastrophe. Without the skymages asserting their power over the elements above the unusual rains have not passed. What's worse, the coal-black smoke rising like an angry shade from the burning Cogs taints the storm with poisonous vapour. Rain, fog and soot fill the air as one, plunging the entire city into darkness. No storm like this has ever been experienced before on Khorvaire, and many residents of Sharn believe it is the sign of an oncoming apocalypse akin to Cyre's day of Mourning.
