Kessid 503 events

*The following was part of the online lead-up role-playing conducted for The Pick & Chisel
 , and Inn event in 2003. Each post describes some of the events that
characters who were in Kessid were experiencing. It is posted now (with a
 fresh edit) as a historical document to allow people whose characters
would know such things to be up-to-date on what happened in Kessid that
winter.*

**The Fires**

In the early hours of December fourth (ay503), you are awoken by the
city-wide warning bells sounding. Throwing on some simple clothes
against the night chill, you rush to the window, or the nearest door.

As you look out over the city there are two things of note occurring. If
 you are close to the Artisan's Quarter you see a single-masted ship,
moored along the bank, that has caught fire. The flames are already high
 in the rigging. The fire seems to be moving very quickly, and burning
very brightly. The flames move to consume the ship, and, nearby vessels
are starting to steam in the intense heat. Even as you watch, the fire
is suddenly doused, leaving your now ill-adjusted eyes blind in the
night darkness. You confusion lasts only moments, as a nearby
townsperson remarks "It took the mages long enough to get there! The
whole Quarter could have gone up..."

Those of you near the Wharf, having first seen the distant candle of the
 ship now realize that there is still smoke, too much smoke, in your
area too. This must have struck others as well, for the bells of the
Wharf and the Foreign Quarter barracks again begin ringing.

Soon, the cause is apparent. A favorite tavern in the Wharf, The
Dockside Saloon, is also aflame and the fire has also began to consume a
 nearby warehouse. The mages, still across the river dealing with the
smoking remains of the ship, are too distant.

You all watch, horrified, as the fire continues to spread. Many of the
people in the area begin to form bucket brigades from the river, inland
the two blocks to the fire. City Watchmen
 , in varying degrees of uniform, arrive to assist. This haphazard
response lasts nearly twenty minutes, until the remaining Mage Guild
members are able to arrive and use their magiks to defend the city from
the fire.

Only two hours after the first bell rang, the city is again mostly
quiet. The City Watch has doubled its watch, making frequent patrols of
streets and alleys. Some shop owners stand outside their stores, clubs
and swords at the ready.

The morning dawns gloomy, with a think fog overlaying the city. The cool
 dampness does nothing to relieve the sense ill-ease that pervades the
city. In the fog lingers the scent of the fires, reminding all what
occurred.

Fires are not unsual. Two at the same time, one aboard a ship, and another in a tavern, is highly unusual. Rumors fly... \_

**The Fight *(Dec 15, 503)***

The new week dawns cool and bright. This morning in the shadows a slight
 frost had formed which quickly melted away in the sunlight. All around
you Kessid comes alive with the sounds of morning. The scent of foods
being prepared swirls in the air. The crisp air gives you purpose, and
energy, like any good autumn day can. You head off into the day with a
spring in your step, excited to tackle whatever comes you way.
Everything seems alright in the world.

Sometime during your day, depending on how distant you are from the
Wharf, you will hear tell of a fight in the streets there last night,
where a City Guardsman was injured, and, two men were killed. That this
event occured is not unusual or strange in any way, as Kessid
 can be a rough place ('...especially that part of town.' is whispered
quite a few times within your earshot). The strange part is that *everyone* is talking about it, and, no one really seems to know why this story is being passed around.

**The Flight** *(Dec 19, 503)*

Today, the day before the annual "Darkest Day Feast"\* , the Prince of Irroquin
 and all of his retinue left the city. The story being told is that he
was heading north to his Summer Estate, near the border with Quivera.
 Along with him went a good number of the Directorate members, as well
as their families and staff. This means that a meaningful number of the
wealthiest members of Kessid society have left the city for other
locales. The obvious question on everyone's mind is "why"? Strangely,
nobody seems to be talking about their suspicions.

*\* For those forgetful Kessid citizens, and you travelers, the
Darkest Day Feast comes every year on the shortest day. We here in
Kessid take that day off from most work, and revel in the lowest point
of the year. From here, both the weather and business start back up to
the summer heights. Instead of sulking in the misery of the bottom, here
 in Kessid we celebrate the promise of the future!*

**The Force** *(Dec 29, 503)*

A little after the midday bells, the streets throughtout the Artisan's
Quarter and City Center were turned to chaos. Two strange ships docked
at an Artisan's Quarter peir. They were flying a brilliant red and gold
flag and were propelled by both sail and rows of oars. After docking,
there was some ordered movement on the ships, and, then down the plank
came two columns of soldiers, in full battle dress. They carried large
shields and wore at their side short swords. They came in two groups of
perhaps forty troops.

These two columns, escorted by Kessid City Watch, marched through the
city to the City Watch stockade, where, inside, they set up a tented
compound in the middle of the pratice field.

A few days later, these troops have been outfitted as City Watchmen, and
 are helping to patrol the city. Word on the street is that the ever-sly
 Prince arranged a great deal with these 'Dominians ' to help guard the city. Why is help needed, you ask? Good question!

**The Fall** *(Jan 16, 504)*

The morning dawns cool and crisp. The scent of the few fires that raged
earlier in the night clings to the city streets. Few people are outside,
 the street is occupied only by the City Watch.

The whispers in the Inns and Taverns are about fires, and deaths. People
 report having been there when mages hurled spells back-and-forth, only
to then die in a rain of crossbow bolts.

Another story that circulates says that the Lamplighters ' Guild Boss was set aflame on the front steps of his home by a masked assassin.
Everywhere you turn, another person has another story of the mayhem and
confusion of the night before. In general, the people of Kessid are in
shock.

In your soul you know that below the surface, the currents of this city have changed.

**The Finish** *(March, 504)*

Over the months following January 15th, or the "Night of Consequence",
as it is being called, more and more of what occurred is becoming known.
 Or, at least guessed. That night it is said that over one hundred men,
women and children lost their lives to an assassin's skill. Some bodies
were found, appearing untouched in their beds. Others were hacked to
peices and left on doorsteps. Still others were never found.

Everyone seems to think that the Thieves Guild
 was involved. Some suppose that the Lamplighters and the Thieves were
at war. Others believe it was two rival factions within the Thieves
Guild that fought for supremacy.

Nobody who knows talks. Those talking probably don't know.

Kessid seems normal once again. Just a week ago the Prince returned to
his seat in the Palace Keep. Most of the homes, taverns, and shops that
were burned have been cleared away, and already craftsmen are swarming
into these empty spots, filling in the gaps in the city.

The most visible killing, that of the Lamplighters' Boss, has gone
unsolved. Despite there being many witnesses, the spectacle of the man
burning to death in the middle of the High Quarter had masked memories
of the person responsible. Or, perhaps those who saw it fear a similar
fate. In all, Kessid seems to have taken a large sigh of relief, ready
to put this time behind.

Those in the shadows, though, know that the hard part is still ahead.
There are new powers to be reckoned with; old friends and associates are
 now gone, missing or hiding. There is new profit to be made. Kessid now
 casts a different shadow...