Invitations to Aquor

[sonuvalich]

Word is spread far and wide by hired criers:

"Adventurers! Are you tired of gathering in the same place day after day? Dealing with the same conflicts, the same gossip, the same politics? Cast off the oppressive atmosphere of the Second Wind Inn! The gates of Aquor are open to you, and we welcome your presence. By Kossuth's blessing, our fire is a hundred times bigger than those of other meeting places! Our benches are smooth, polished marble instead of rotting wood! We have armed guards throughout the city, ready to protect you from monsters and each other! It never rains! Our eager merchants await your custom with a smile, and our food and drinks are second to none! Come experience the thrill of our year-round winter games or the exotic wonder of the Thayan Enclave! Stop getting involved in heated arguments and come chill out in Aquor, the new city of wonder!"

The criers also wait around to answer questions from interested parties and hand out tokens redeemable for a free hot meal and beverage in the Enclave.

[Fuzziebunny]

"Oh, that does sound lovely," Chime gushes to the poor crier. " I really would like to see more of Aquor. I am told that it was one of the gems of Sundren several years ago."

She gives the crier a bright smile and takes one of the tokens. " I am simply positive that there must be people there who remember. When you are finished you must promise to join us." She laughingly says to the Aquor crier before she rushes off, not waiting for any sort of reply. She drops the token in a pouch at her waist, the Aquor crier all but forgotten, as she chirps a greeting to someone else.

[gamestarmike]

Tyranus is awakened by the sounds and emerges from the bush beside the Second Wind Inn and walks up to one of the criers and listens to the whole speech. He then takes the tokens, grabs his trusted bush pillow and heads to Aquor.

"I can't wait to finally eat a meal that Sandro isn't making me pay fer! Maybe I'll be lucky and there will be a bigger bush to sleep in there!"

[Kitsunestume]

Soon after the news is announced, Sandro receives a carefully worded Sending:

A curious play.
I am inclined to agree,
The snow is better.

Tomorrow at Noon,
A chat over steaming tea cups.
Twenty five word limit.

((chat ingame sometime.

[BubbaCornbread]

Erolith listens to the crier while standing at the Second Wind Inn, dividing his time between the crier and a rather recalcitrant Dwarf that has his animal companion next to him. Seeing the Dwarf at the last get the "hint" and move along, he turns to the crier and asks, "You say it never rains? I have been to Aquor and it does indeed rain."

So saying, he walks away, pushing the hand that holds out a token down and away.

[Atmosphere]

Hearing of these rumors, a few vagabonds and refugees make their way to Aquor and begin calling its streets home. Bandit activity in the area also increases, though they keep their distance from Aquor proper and focus on ambushing under guarded merchants.

[sonuvalich]

Hearing rumors of increased bandit activity on the roads to Aquor, the High Arcanist dispatches Melza, Romar, and Garion under the guidance of Apprentice Lucious to dispatch any and all brigands along the roads in a spectacularly gruesome fashion to discourage further trespasses upon travelers to Aquor. The Knights in Aquor are given orders that social gatherings around the square are to be allowed, but any vagabonds found loitering about the city and creating eyesores are to be removed as peacefully as possible and sent to the Sanctuary of Ilmater in Avanthyr.

A second delegation is set out to post lively parchments on signposts and walls around the valley.

Aquor, rising jewel of the North, is looking for skilled craftsmen, merchants, laborers, and upstanding citizens. Efforts are ongoing to revitalize the city, and the call is going out for those looking for spaces to open shop or find work in a clean, prosperous, safe city. Property is available at very reasonable rates, please inquire in-writing with either High Arcanist Sandro or Arcanist Caesius if interested.

[cmosier]

Byrun van Hellstrom leaves word expressing interest in purchasing property.

Any bandits that approach him to or from the City will not die well.

[sonuvalich]

An interesting and surprising rumor begins circulating out of Aquor. Word has it that a crowd of refugees, turned away from all other cities and left to their own devices, gathered outside the gates of Aquor on the rumor that all were welcome there. They were given food and drink, but grew unruly as they began to lose hope of being granted sanctuary in the city. Fortunately for all involved, the High Arcanist and his associates were able to talk down the crowd and keep the peace.

Details are fuzzy, but it seems that the future Lady Hellstrom was there with between two and ten of her loyal Blackwood troops. The mercenaries calmed the crowds, helped break up scuffles, and the Lady herself even made loud offers of Hellstrom financial support for all the poor, destitute souls seeking help. Some contrary stories of a mercenary inciting the crowd with talks of demonic sacrifice and wanton killing arise, but seem to be in the minority. There is also talk of a bookish fellow seen advising the Red Wizards and the mercenaries, though details on this man vary from storyteller to storyteller.

In the end it appears the refugees were allowed into the city, but were forced to sign documentation before gaining access. Some say it was an infernal contract and all the refugees are now soulless thralls of the Enclave. Others claim the documents had fine print that promised the children into Thayan slavery. Still others said it was just for census and registration purposes, not that the illiterate crowds would know the difference. The only consistent fact heard is that those entering the city had to swear oaths to obey the laws and keep the peace, and were to be put to work by the Enclave in exchange for the generosity of the Red Wizards.

Edit: It is yet to be determined whether these newly inbound commoners will prove to be useful assets or a drain on the city's resources.

\\ This post has been reviewed by Encounter Fate.

[Fury]

Rumor has it that the newly wed Lady van Hellstrom is seen strolling through Arquor's snowy streets. She often stops to talk with the refugees, as well as look in on the progress being made at the temple of Sune, as well as the Museum- which she is an active supporter of.