Sun Post, Issue 1

Number 1 III 986 Artusum 29 2 farthings	SUN POST	Rising Sun Printsmithy Baarda Printsmith Proprietess

A Royalist Conspiracy · The Demon at the Fort
Heroic efforts by loyal RS guardsmen and brave citizens saved the day as a monstrous demon, summoned by royalist traitors, attacked the Fort on the night of the 25th. A series of bizarre events related to royalist and separatist conspiracies led up to the attack on the Fort. Late on the 23rd eight conspirators under the guidance of Councilman Corbek of Gnometown were discovered transporting large quantities of blackpowder into the Gnometown Meeting House, in preparation for an attack on the opening of the Assembly the next day. Concerned citizens Kaliya Morgaine, Watkyn the Mage-Crafter, Melea of Gifron, and Eofor (a tribesman from the Rodor), observing the suspicious activity, were accosted and attacked by gnomish guardsmen on the scene --- co-conspirators with Corbek. In the ensuing melee Miss Morgaine and several traitors were killed by explosions. Guardsmen led by Lt. Fiona Aschl arrived on the scene and took Miss Melea, Watkyn, and Eofor into custody. Firefighters were called to the scene but their services were not required. The remaining gnomish bombers stayed barricaded in the Meeting House cellar until two days later when they were assassinated by human guardsmen, fellow co-conspirators under direction of one Sergeant Ranulf --- and acting under orders of Ténoc Lem, Captain of the Guard. Two days later Miss Melea and Masters Eofor and Watkyn were released after the Sherriff's Office found them innocent of involvement with the bombers. The Conspiracy The conspiratorial coterie --- led by Councilman Corbek, Capt. Lem, Councilman Braddock Shipwright, and Maga Hazel Brenner --- planned to blow up the Assembly as they convened on the 24th. The destruction would be carried out by gnomish thugs in the employ of Corbek, and blamed on the innocent citizens of Gnometown --- whose representatives would all be conveniently absent due to illness, food poisoning at the hands of the traitorous Corbek. According to Corbek himself, this would result in riots and fighting between Man and Gnome, part of a larger devious scheme to weaken the Union --- supported by gnomish separatists and human royalists. Corbek was saved from assassination at the hands of his fellow conspirators by Mr. Watkyn, who risking his life nearly fell into a trap set by the Maga Brenner. Corbek hardly had time to tell his tale to the heroes before Sgts. Ranulf and Everard arrived with a dozen guardsmen to arrest him at the Wolfsstunde on the town square.	The Melee & the Demon The heroes, joined by Master Bleys de Rejk (formerly of Onderberg) and the Covedi Magus Kighvoron, led by Lt. Aschl (now our new Captain) and other loyal guardsmen, rushed to the Fort, where they engaged two dozen guardsmen under Sgts Ranulf and Everard. After a short engagement with minimal casualties, several traitors surrendered, and it was discovered Sgt Everard was in the magical thrall of M Brenner. Inside the Fort was chaos as loyal guardsmen, led by Sgt Oswald, fought the traitors. Brenner, Lem, and the mysterious man Gavin had barricaded themselves in the signal tower, where Brenner, in one desparate, horrific final measure, summoned a monstrous creature described by those who saw it as a 30-foot tall, smooth-skinned, black-as-pitch, razor-toothed giant wielding wicked axes of enormous proportions. M. Melea and her master Magus Kighvoron, against all odds, blew up the fell beast with grenades from the armory and banished the demon creature from the world. At the same time, Masters Eofor, Waktyn, and de Rejk succeeded in capturing Brenner and Lem, Master de Rejk besting the captain in single combat. At the time of this pressing, Gavin is still at large. Braddock Shipwright What became of Councilman Shipwright? His body, long decomposed, was found in his own cellar just days ago. Our brave heroes, coming to the rescue of Miss Michaela Wolf (niece of Conrad Wolf of the Wolfsstunde), who was kidnapped for unknown nefarious reasons by what was thought to be Shipwright, fought said man who turned out to be a monstrous creature capable of shapeshifting and impersonating others. It is not known how long this thing lived among us, or if even now others of its ilk walk the streets, hiding in broad daylight and plain view. Laurels for the Heroes Masters de Rejk, Watkyn, Kighvoron, and Eofor, and Miss Melea were called before the convened Assembly of the Hundred on the morning of the 27th where they were presented with medals by His Honor Edmund Abbottson, Mayor of Rising Sun, and given the gratitude of the entire citizenry. Miss Morgaine was laid to rest by Sagart Meryck of the Union Church (and of the Cartographic Office, incidentally) in a ceremony attended by her friends and acquaintances and Mayor Abbottson. The loyalties and bravery of Lt Aschl and Sgt Oswald have been rewarded with their promotions to Captain of the Guard and Leiutenant.
Penalties for the villains · Lem, Brenner, Corbek, and Ranulf are in jail, awaiting a swift trial and execution for their extreme crimes of treason. It is rumored that truthsayers have been employed to rend whatever information they can regarding these events, and a possible wider conspiracy, from these criminals. Trials of other guardsmen are expected to last longer, as discovering who was merely following orders and who knew of the conspiracy will take time.