23. Third Week of Savorus
Copyright 1999 by Scott
Kelley and Jon
Winter
Artwork copyright 1999 by Scott
Kelley
Submissions by "Mr.
Niceguy", Alex
Roberts, Ragboy,
Scott
Kelley, Hofbauer
Heinz,
T-man,
Rob,
Galzion,
Sir
Twist, Jon
Winter, Matt
Pinquoch, Tom
Bubul, Greg
Jensen,
Jason
Ng, Pirvan,
James
O'Rance, Jim
Bologna, Chris
Visser, Jeremiah
Golden,
Nathan
Letsinger, Sianus
Karathorn, Edu,
Brian
Mooney, and Richard
Gant
ACHERON
CUBE
IN NEAR-MISS
WITH SIGIL IT IS
WITH great regret that we inform
S.I.G.I.S. readers we are not able to bring you this story.
Our culler Gert Rood has been hard on the case all week
gathering chant about the barmy (and huge!) cube, said to be
from Acheron, which whooshed through the centre of Sigil's
ring early in the week. However, just before we went to press,
we were informed that the Fated faction had closed some
legal loophole which prevents us from legally publishing our
story. I am sure readers of S.I.G.I.S. will
join with the editors and cullers in expressing their dismay
at this ruling, which despite being fought hard in the
Courthouse this morning, was upheld by the Guvners. No
reason was given for the ruling, which leads us to believe
something suspicious is afoot. It can surely be no secret to
Cagers that the event occurred, for a vast number of you
witnessed it. How the Fated can be allowed to
suppress the news in such a manner is disgraceful, and yet
another example of the unjust power the factions lord over
Cagers. At the risk of living up to the equally unfair
"Anarchist" label so liberally applied by another faction
dear to our hearts. the Harmonium, scant few weeks ago, we
at S.I.G.I.S. call for an appeal to the sensibilities of
Cagers. With the tax-collecting month of Tithing only just
behind us, the Cagefolk are still sick of the sight of the
Fated. Should we allow the Fated to continue heavy-hand us
in this way? And what is it they use our taxes for anyway?
We have dedicated this issue of S.I.G.I.S. to the Factions.
What are they up to, anyway? See the Editorial
section below... While we have been prevented from
bringing you the chant on the event, the legal ruling did
not mention expressing the opinions of Cagers to the
Acheron Cube. These were collected before the recent ruling.
Readers will find all they need to know in the Faction
Reaction section below... -- The Editors
-- by SIGIS editorial staff --
EX-FACTOLS
PERISH
IN GATEHOUSE
DISASTER
-- by Maija Intwood, culler --
SIGIL
(Hive Ward) -- Two former factols of the Bleak Cabal were
dead-booked last week as a section of the madwing in the
Gatehouse collapsed above them. At least 21 other sods lost
their lives as well when an entire block of cells caved in,
putting a final end to their barmy ranting. Although the
accident occurred early in the week, it took three days for
the chant to filter out of the Hive. Apparently, the
Bleakers were as unconcerned about the tragedy as they are
about anything else. At the scene, the Dustmen were busy
preparing the bodies for a trip to the Mortuary while a
couple of giant humanoids cleared the rubble. When asked
about possible survivors, one of the Dead said that this was
really "none of [her] concern". "I'm here to assure that respect is
given to these dead and to death itself," said the
Dustwoman. "The Bleak Cabal epitomise the pain and misery
that is the Multiverse -- they deserve proper disposal."
When further questioned about the chant of the ex-Factols
being buried under the rubble, the factioneer only said,
"It's not of much concern now, is it?" Dustwoman about her
work The giants working the scene clearing
the rubble were a bit more forthcoming. Hune, a giant from
Ysgard, said he'd wandered over to the Gatehouse when the
noise of the collapse woke him from his slumber. "Me and
Jera [the other giant] were sleeping off a few pints
of Dwarven Mountain when we heard and felt the crash. We
needed the jink so we come over to help. It was a right mess
berk, like a rockslide in Alfheim [A realm in Ysgard
- ed.]. Sods were screaming all addle-coved like and
Jera had to cuff a few barmies so she could work in
peace." Neither Hune nor Jera knew any chant
on the old Factols, though Jera, also from Ysgard, said
she'd seen a couple of Dustmen pull out a gold gilt ledger
from the rubble. "I thought little of it at the time, but
thinking back it was a little strange, " Jera said. "I did
think I'd ask them Dusties for more jink 'cause we was
practically finding treasure for them. But those two Dead
slipped the blinds before I could put a paw on them." None
of the Dustmen working at the site remembered the two
factioneers described by Jera, and some openly questioned
her memory which almost lead to a very memorable encounter.
Fortunately, the emotionless manner of the Dustmen made it
difficult for Jera to get very much of her ire up, and all
returned to their grim calling. At this point, the reasons for the
buildings collapse remains a mystery. The Harmonium, for
their part, were not interested in pursuing the case and
were quick to chalk it up poor construction. "Besides," said
one officer, "if the Bleakers don't care, why should we?
Someone's got to press charges!" But Unity of Rings, an
upper planar who frequents the Gatehouse often, was
unsatisfied with this response. "I have been to the
Gatehouse more times than I can count to minister to the
sick and downtrodden," he said. "I have never known any of
this building to be unsteady or of poor construction. There
is little mistaking such foul play for what it is. I hope
the faction that preaches Harmony and goodness can find it
within themselves to pursue that path into whatever part of
the Multiverse it shall lead them, else they will never find
themselves whole and complete of heart." [Editor's Note: To add insult
to injury, moments before the steam presses were started up,
an edict was issued by the Harmonium preventing the
inclusion of the illustration accompanying this article. It
was claimed it was a vital piece of evidence. But for what?
The Harmonium still express no interest in following up the
case. We believe the Harmonium is just trying to make life
awkward for us, the largest thorn in the faction's side. Our
lawyer, 'Sly' Nye is arguing our case even as S.I.G.I.S. is
printed. Chalk up another point to the repressive factions,
cutter.
BY ORDER OF THE HARMONIUM
SPEAKERS
REVOKE
MARTIAL
LAW
-- by Ordnin Balaclavos, legislative
beat --
SIGIL
-- After weeks of debate, the Hall of Speakers has narrowly
decided to cancel the current state of Martial Law.
Instituted to combat the recent ward-wide riots in the Hive
(see issue 19 - ed.), the martial law condition gave
Harmonium and Mercykiller forces unprecedented authority to
scrag law-breakers. Complaints about overzealous faction
militias have grown louder in the Hall since the last of the
Hiter Rioters were thrown into the belly of the brick beast.
The continued threat to the peacefulness of the Mortuary
prompted recent Dustman objections. Harmonium raids on the
Grand Bazaar have caused an immense slowdown in trade and
Indep high-ups were on the verge of declaring a retaliatory
embargo against all Lady's Ward cases. Debate on revoking the martial law had
been introduced in the Speaker's Hall by Factol Erin
Montgomery of the Sensates early in the emergency. She said,
"It's good to let the namers experience a bit of civil
unrest once in a while. But how can we feel out the
mysteries of the multiverse while hard-toed Harmonium boots
are kicking in our tavern doors every night?" The Sensates
were soon joined in their call by the Dustmen, who detested
the tumult and emotion of the lawlessness, and by the
Guvners, who wanted to re-institute their normal procedures
as soon as possible. Factol Montgomery's political skills
(aided by economic pressure from the embattled Free League)
then brought the Lost and the Godsmen into her camp. When
the last of the Hiter Rioters were scragged, the Ciphers too
called for immediate cessation of the emergency rule.
The Mercykillers, backed by Factol
Darkwood of the Fated and Factol Sarin of the Harmonium, led
the opposition to the call for normalcy. "This wicked city
is finally getting a fresh taste of justice," said Factol
Nilesia. "Let it swallow a good, long draught before the
pimps, bubbers and sin-mongers drag it back to the troughs
of iniquity." Paradoxically, the Xaosmen also were
in favor of keeping martial law. "It like we," said
Xaositect factor Red-Breathed Dog Wing. "One law laws of
lots better than is." The Bleak Cabal joined their xaotic
brethren in support of martial law. "All these courts and
laws and procedures and what-not were always pretty
pointless, we've always thought," said a Bleaker with no
name. Members of the Doomguard barely had time to register
their vote in favor of martial law because the Armory was so
busy forging weapons to arm all camps. (Anarchists seem to
have constituted the majority of the weapons' recipients.
Reports indicate that the Revolutionary League was milking
martial law conditions to the fullest as a recruitment
tool.) Interestingly, the deciding vote to
revoke martial law came from the Sign of One. Said Factol
Darius, "I suffered from a lengthy bout of Gehennan
indigestion some weeks ago, and riots broke out in the Hive
Ward. I'm now feeling much more serene and I imagine the
city will too, with its normal procedures back in place. So
be it." Reports that Signers were promised peak-to-anti
access to the Gymnasium and Festhall's relaxation parlours,
along with stand-by sedan chair service, may have also
influenced Darius' vote. That vote was delayed however, by
the lengthy debate. In a superhuman display, Factol Darkwood
filibustered for five days straight in support of Factol
Nilesia. It has been widely wagged about town that he was
only stopped by a lasciviously slow strip-tease from Factol
Montgomery. When asked if her floor-stopping display had
been a response to Factol Nilesia's 'pimps and bubbers'
comment, Factol Erin responded simply, "Don't be daft. It
was just hot in there with all of Darkwood's blustering." An
eyewitness to the final debate and vote, questioned as he
was entering The Factols' Faces (a house of ill-repute whose
jink-skirts and -shirts uncannily resemble current factols)
agreed. "It sure WAS hot in there! But I don't recall
Darkwood. Did he attend?"
COLD
WEATHER
FAILS
TO SPOIL
FESTIVALS
-- by Blondie Blutheim, culler --
AS WE WENT
to press last week, freezing cold
weather blew in from the paraelemental plane of Ice, causing
snow, sleet and freezing rain. The entire city was gripped
by dark evenings and shady mornings, as the clouds of snow
and tendrils of semielemental shadow made Sigil a more
dangerous and uncomfortable place than usual. Despite this
unexpected turn of events, thousands of cagers turned out to
celebrate the religious festivals in the week. Esperance,
the principal feast day of the Archonite season of Hopetide,
was marked publicly and privately by unprecedented numbers
of people. Scores of people wandered the streets at all
times of day during the festival, singing euphorically and
exchanging greetings. The fact that not one third of these
people could actually have fitted into the city's Archonite
churches seems to have been ignored. Although the cold weather put paid to
any alfresco activities planned, the Aphrodisia, celebrated
separately by Sensates and the United Sigilian Church of
Aphrodite-Venus, was also a success. The Aphrodisians held a massive orgy
at their main temple, where Lesomoneia, a retired devi proxy
of Aphrodite, conducted the proceedings. The Sensates also
seem to have enjoyed themselves, with large areas of the
festhall being given over to celebrations of love and sex
for two whole days. Afterwards, Factol Erin said that she
was glad that an agreement had been reached with 'our
friends' the Archonites, and that she considered the Sensate
celebration of Aphrodisia to have been 'an unrestrained
success'. However, many other factions were less
than impressed by the Sensate celebration, denouncing the
Society as 'shallow beyond belief' (Factor Pnifz of the
Athar); 'probably illegal' (Factor Tier Roph of the
Mercykillers); 'forgettable' (Susie the Signer - rank
unknown); and 'delusional to the point of insanity'
(ex-factol Tollysalmon of the Bleakers). The Sensates have
not commented on these remarks yet.
SCHOOL
OF LIFE
EMBARKS
ON CONTROVERSIAL
PROGRAM
-- by Edmon Ilsen, independent culler --
SIGIL
-- Aaz Muldo, proprietress of the School of Life, a Dustmen
prep school for children, announced today that a new system
of entry would be instituted: Loyalty Pledges. This system
would require that, prior to being accepted into the School
of Life's program, the child, and his/her parents, must sign
a pledge that the child will enter the Dustman faction once
their educational obligations are completed. Parents and
students who sign such a pledge also commit their remains to
the Dustmen, even before completion of the curriculum. This
program has met with outrage by current students and their
parents, as they are likewise required to sign such an
agreement, or pay significantly increased tuition fees for
the School. Those that sign have their tuition waived,
retroactively, since the student has been a part of the
program. Muldo defended her new policy with
this statement: "Though there are no guarantees in life, our
School must have assurances that we will have a return on
our valuable services. Too many young berks come through our
school and move on to other factions. We need students that
are committed to both the education that we provide, and the
Dustmen. Thus, by having contracts up front, we can rest
assured that the students, the School of Life and the
Dustmen are all best served." Other factions were on the post
immediately following the announcement, to attack Muldo and
her School's new policies. Thurber Hawklight, spokesman for
the Fated: "While we recognize and respect Ms. Muldo's
position of strength in this issue (it is her school, after
all), the Fated will make recommendations to our faction
members not to support her or the Dustmen in their not so
cleverly disguised ruse to raise their membership numbers."
Other factions had similar reactions
and opinions at the obvious reasons for the new program.
Though Factol Skall has not issued an official statement,
there is general malaise at the news from the few Dustmen
that would give us a statement. What is clear here is that
the School of Life's curriculum, long touted as one of the
best planar prep schools in Sigil, might begin to further
shift to its patron's philosophies while simultaneously
filling its ranks with new Dead.
CAT'S
EYES,
NINE
LIES:
THE
VILE
HUNT
-- by Minako, Outlands culler --
FAUNEL
-- After some days of rest we were able to continue and find
the truth - there was just the problem that we didn't know
where to look for it. So we decided that we shall travel to
the Beastlands and see if there are similar attacks on
Tabaxi villages or if this madness only takes place on the
Outlands. When we reached the pool-gate near
Faunel, Wrath surprised us by not asking us for our business
on the Beastlands, but asked us to stay a while longer and
listen. We were surprised as you, dear reader, can
surely understand. We were also surprised when Wrath didn't
talk on but remained in silence. A short while an old Tabaxi
emerged from the pool, shivered and fell to her knees! She
looked at Purra, a bard and the only one from Sekuno's party
that did not join Nethereye, and told him: "They are there and you are here -
Isn't Yoru a nice name for a stone and Dream and Change and
Körper and Hoshi and Sinn and - When you go they will
come - A cat's eye can't see, think about and you'll - Ask
Mengethol he knows - Five there four here - You CAN get lost
in dreams, even when awake - They mustn't get
them." At this point she died, and, though
confused, we clearly recognized that she wanted to say
more. We took Dreamtongue, as Nethereye
called her, icy cold body and brought it to Nethereye who
should arrange the rebirth rite. [Ed. note - the Tabaxi belief
that they were once animals that were doing evil and, thus,
were forced in half-human half-animal form by rebirth to
suffer for their deeds and to be able to do good to
counterweight what they've done in their former live. When
they succeed they become once more
animals.] We then decided to further stay in
Faunel and try to find meaning in the words or Dreamtongue
which were surely important when even Wrath had a hand in
it. Because we remained in Faunel we could also observe the
growing of Nethereye's army. Of Sekuno's party Mairra,
Sheela and Tatze joined and Hazel of our original
investigation team, who was Silverclaw's mate and friend for
long. A lot of other Tabaxi too decided that Nethereye has
the right attitude concerning this affair. When we also
count the animal petitioner's that gathered 'round him the
army counts the impressive number of 72
participants. Purra, beside Sekuno himself, was the
only person from the outpost who decided to join us instead
of the old Shaman and as he told us cause of a good reason.
Sekuno spoke for both of them : "Haste does not help. And
blind revenge does not help as long as your efforts have no
target. Sure they say they will eradicate the Vile Hunt, but
where is it, who are its members? You also have to
understand that such radical actions are not much different
from what the Hunt does. They act without much thought, and
sadly so. We stayed with you to find the truth, and
hopefully we are able to settle this affair without becoming
like the huntsmen and without much bloodshed."
ON
ESPERANCE, in St Azrael's Church,
in the Rue Morgue, Bishop Julia Spesinfracta was installed
as the first Archbishop of Sigil by the Pontiff,
Angelusmisit IV and the celestials Laurelli Tantarella and
Unity-of-Rings. The service was a magnificent ceremony,
attended by many of the leading lights of Sigilian society.
Lady Erin Darkflame Montgomery, Clarion the Guardian, Factol
Sarin and his wife Faith, Factol Darius the Veyl, Factol
Hashkar, Factol Rhys, Jeena Ealy and many other faction
representatives were present. Notably, Factols Darkwood and
Nilesia were absent, and it seems that they were not
invited. The Pontiff preached an interesting address on the
subject of the value of experience. Although his main theme
was that the people of Sigil would benefit from the new
archbishop's long experience, the obvious subtext was that
the Archonites were attempting to reconcile their
differences with the Sensates. The music for the ceremony included a
specially composed anthem by Tuleman Ralesil, who also wrote
the phenomenally successful Archonite oratorio 'Sophia'.
Ralesil personally conducted the Sigilian Singers in
'Mardath the Prophet'. The readings were carefully chosen to
avoid offending the guests, and were mostly about the duties
of priests. Of all the factols present, only Lady Erin
accepted a personal blessing from the new Archbishop, and
this fact did not go unnoticed, either by political
correspondents or by gossip columnists. Security at the
service was heavy, with the Harmonium and Planes-Militant
working hard to ensure that none of the various agitators
present got into the church. After the service, a private
lunch was held for the guests at an secret
location. We apologise for the typographical
error in our last issue that caused the Pontiff's name to
appear as 'Angelusmisit XIV'. This should, of course, have
read 'Angelusmisit IV'. We attribute this to a purely
mechanical error, and extend our apologies and a
contribution of 100 gp to the Society of Angelusmisit the
Fourteenth, who drew this matter to our
attention. AVERNUS
-- As of this writing a large force of Tanar'ri including
General Ysthis quala'baz and his 12th elite Recon Army still
hold the Fortress of Justice in Avernus. Chant in the Pit is
that Bel's own elite scouts have attempted to infiltrate the
Fortress through secret portals and passages known only to
the Black General himself, but to no avail. All his sorties
have been returned in pieces. Though there has been no official word
from the Abyss (like we expected one?) concerning this
amazing surprise attack on Baator's best defended layer,
some chaos fiends in the Cage have speculated that quala'baz
and his Army were not part of the original invasion force.
An anonymous vrock had this to say: "The whole was quite a
spur of the moment thing, you see," he pauses to snap up
another live khaasta youngling before continuing, "Arioch
was rather drunk on distilled bebilith icor and declared an
invasion. Most of us bloods were just as far bubbed, you
see, and we all fell in with the mob," (his look at me left
no question who was on for the next course), "quala'baz
ain't been seen in the Abyss in a Balor's age. Hey, whatcha
doing later, culler? Me an' my bloods are going to knock
about the Lady's Ward for a bit of a blast." Another source claimed that Ysthis
actually coordinated the attack and got the chaos fiends
into (perish the thought) a semblance of order. Or, as my
source said, "'e got 'em all running crazy in the same
direction" It can only be assumed that either the invading
force was somehow commanded by Ysthis quala'baz, or that he
and his Army came by the invasion some other way, and as my
vrock contact said, "just fell in with the mob." Bel's forces decline to comment on the
situation or their plans (not that I pressed too hard) and
there is still no word from the fiends in the Fortress or
their self-proclaimed negotiator, the arcanoloth Bheckmile
Threk. For the moment, however, all seems silent on this
Blood War front as the fiends face off on
Avernus.
TO MASSIVE
ACCLAIM
-- by Blondie Blutheim, culler --
BEL
AT BAY
-- by, n Ugut M., Blood War culler
--
THE
WAR
RAGES
ON
-- by Koshtrim'yamal, special to
SIGIS from the Blood's War Journal --
THE BLOOD
WAR, the war between different
beliefs and alignments. The Baatezu and the Tanar'ri , both
types of fiends are from what the Clueless Primers would
call "Hell". The only thing that makes them different is
Choas vs. Law, the numbers of Abyss vs. the strategy and
hard planning of the Baatezu. This war has raged, some sages
say, since the beginning of time. There are many history
books that try to look at the why and how of the war, but
none could ever come close to describing the war as it
should be, as it is, and the way it is run. My name is Koshtrim'yamal, Baron
Cambion, 26th son of the Abyssal Lord Graz'zt, I have been
given permission, surprise to us all, to report on the Blood
War battles as I find them, by my father. Again, as a true
surprise, I have also been given permission from Furcas, the
member of the Dark Eight that is in charge of Mortal
Relations, to report from the Baatezu side too. This
includes interviews, chats, and drawings of the Baatezu and
their points of view. I guess that with my reports to
S.I.G.I.S. that the Baatezu might be able to recruit more to
their cause. A note that I want to state that my
ability to teleport without error has been restored, coupled
with the ability to plane skip, getting to the battles
should be easy. Also I wish to state that I am neutral in
this. I am not what is refereed to as "Evil", and thus my
ability to see things in a different light is two fold.
Traveling the lower planes is also
ways a hazard, no matter who or what one is. I have trained
for many long hard years for survival in such a environment.
I have seen and been in many Blood War battles, been on many
missions to other planes, even been to a few prime worlds.
My reports will outline, in truth, who and how these battles
are won. I am still in the process of getting together a
team, and hope to bring my first report in the next issue of
S.I.G.I.S.
To the Editors of
SIGIS: I stand here in the vastness of the
Outlands, contemplating the path set before me by Lord
Kelemvor. My companions and I are on our way to the Gray
Wastes to investigate the rumors of a Lich Kind trying to
raise an army of undead. I can honestly say that without the
slumbering company I now watch over, none of the tasks Lord
Kelemvor has bade me to do would have been
accomplished. I am Quint'eal "ShadowWalker", an
outcast among my people, the moon elves that inhabit the
Elven Court. For the longest time, only my brother Kal'asel,
whom has traveled with me for the past two decades, knew
about my secret practice of the ways of the holy warrior.
Lord Kelemvor, lord of the dead, had visited me in a vision
and showed me that it was my destiny to seek out the undead
and vanquish them. Kal had kept my secret for three decades,
before revealing it by accident when the Arch-Wizard of our
city was showing Kal's class how a truth spell works. I was
brought before the city council for practicing ways not
customary to our kind. Kal was the only one that would speak
for me during the time of my trial. After contemplating over
it for many days, the council members had decided to exile
us from the lands we had called home for so many decades
before. A few years after leaving our home
lands, Kal'asel and I had come across a wounded dwarven
religious warrior just outside of an ancient crypt. Using
the power that Lord Kelemvor had blessed me with, I tended
his wounds. Needless to say, Ivan BoneCrusher has traveled
with us ever since. Kal being so gifted in the arcane arts,
Ivan with his war cries to some dwarven battle god, and Lord
Kelemvor guiding me, we set out on a crusade against all
undead. Listening to Ivan's snoring, and
Talis' constant talking in her sleep, has made this an
amusing night. (I look from the horizon to my
brother) Even after so many years traveling the planes,
Kal'asel and I have spoken many times about returning to our
home land, but we have yet to enact on our conversations. I
have known for many years before our exile, that I was not
meant to be among my people, that the Lord of Death had
other plans for me in my life time. But as for Kal'asel, I
feel that in some way, it is my fault that he is unable to
return home. This is a guilt that I must carry with myself
forever. Signed, Quint'eal The Lady rules Sigil, and that's it.
Or so we think... There are certain prime worlds that
are dominated by an unknown force. In all of my days of
plane-hopping, I've seen about 20 or so of these worlds, the
foremost being Terra. Terra is a rather hideous place. It's
similar to the prime world, but also has an unknown terror
working behind it. This force, whatever it may be, is known
only as the Red Death. No-one knows who, or what, it is. It
has a pile of agents and deamons on it's side, and they know
near nothing about their master. The Lady of Pain. The Red Death.
No-one knows what either of them look like. They both are
tyrants, and they both have lots of minions. The both rule
over a place you generally don't want to spend every waking
moment in. If we look into are past, I think we can find a
lot of examples of this type of thing. Unknown tyrants,
subtly controlling everything that world knows. Maybe these
are all part of a great plan of Gods and Magic. Or maybe,
they're all just one person. I like to think that the Lady
of Pain has more faces then we've seen. If you look, you'd
be surprised what you'll see. Or not.. ADVERTISEMENT Sigil's a Big Burg,
Berk. Sometimes it's too big.
How's a cutter supposed to find his way around? You could
hire a tout. But they want jink, and lots of it. And some of
them smell. Where do the touts get their darks?
Why, they consult Brix's Guide, of course!* The earth mephit
Brix, a long-time resident in Sigil (just don't ask him
why), has surveyed all the best and worst places to go, and
compiled them into a compendium of Cager Lore: You'll find accurate chant and prices
for all sorts of places, bits of lore and history as well as
the odd secret I've managed to uncover. There'll be some red
faces around for the next few months, sure as Sigil!
Reckon you've already read it? Brix's
Guide to the Cage has just been revised and reprinted.
Copies should be in the shops as you read this, at the
bargain price of ten jinx. Or five if you're an earth
mephit [one purchase per earth mephit customer per
day only]. [Submitted by
Jon
Winter]
Talis,
she is a strange lot as most tiefling are, but I can say
that there is more than one time that I was glad for her
skills in being able to acquire things from people and at
finding traps that would have most likely killed us all. (a
slight chuckle) Although, there has been more times than I
can count that I have had to restrain her from going after
someone that offended her (I glance to the horizon in the
direction of the Gray Wastes) I think to the impending
battles that are to come, for the undead, as we have come to
find out, can be a conniving bunch.
-- by Cetheron Ke'Sheke
--
That ain't a threat, cutter, it's a
fact.
PRICE
WAR?
HALF
RIGHT!
IT CAN
HARDLY have escaped the
notice of our readers that in the last three months or so,
the prices of many in items in Sigil have undergone a
dramatic increase. This ranges from mundane food products,
to luxuries such as fine wine, to specialty items such as
certain weapons. Most have taken to indicate that merchants
are transferring rising costs onto their customers. We at
S.I.G.I.S. wondered if this was true, and asked our new
culler, Kora Rechan, to find out. This is his
report: THE PRICE
increases that we have seen recently in Sigil started around
four months ago, with a few modest price rises in basic
items, such as bread, beer and other foodstuffs. Over the
coming months, almost every other item for sale in Sigil has
risen in price. Most of the bar-room sages have proclaimed
this as a price war between merchants, but surely this can't
be correct? Surely in a price war merchants try to undercut
each others prices, so we should see prices falling, not
rising? Someone is trying to peel us. And after almost a
months research, I have discovered who. It's a war all right, but not between
merchants. It's a war between Merkhants. The shadowy sect of
those who prize gold above all other things is moving into
high gear. The price rises have been caused by Merkhants
either raising the price of an item directly, or increasing
the cost of a raw material. In either case, the price to the
consumer in the Great Market has risen. According to my informant, this can
mean just one thing. Although the Misers are constantly
trying to acquire jink, there is only one reason that would
have all of them making a concerted effort to gain as much
as they can in as short a space of time as possible. And
that is a leadership challenge. Rank amongst the Misers is determined
only at one time; when a challenge to the current leader (or
Master) is made. At this time, the worth of all Merkhants is
calculated, and the one with the most wealth is the new
Master. All others are ranked according to their worth, from
the highest to the lowest. So when a challenge is made, it
is common practice amongst the Misers for them to force the
market as high as it will go, and to purchase whatever
commodities they can, in order to improve their ranking
amongst their peers. And that's what we're seeing. Recent
information has demonstrated that the current Master, Tarnin
Golthax, controls almost all of the planar trade of
Baatorian Green Steel. It comes as no surprise that the
price of weapons made from green steel has almost doubled in
the past two months. Likewise, probably his strongest
challenger for the position of Master is Tarak de Leynon,
whom I have discovered imports over three-quarters of the
wine that Sigil consumes, and over half of the beer. Noticed
that your bub costs a bit more recently? That's de Leynon
moving for position. Another challenger for the top spot in
the Misers is the rogue modron, Root of Nine. As a major
player in the Planar Trading Consortium, Root of Nine has
been able to increase the cost of bringing many items to
Sigil; a cost which has largely been transferred to you the
consumer. According to my source, one month
after someone officially declares their challenge to Tarnin,
the relative wealth of all the Merkhants will be determined,
and the new Master will be declared. After that, it will be
business as usual. Which means that the Merkhants will start
trying to undercut each other in order to gain a larger
share of the market. Which will mean that prices of many
items will come back down again. Let us hope that someone
declares a challenge soon, whilst we still have some jink
left.
FACTION SPECIAL
ASK A
Cager what the factions are all about and you'll get a
variety of answers. Although these answers are as varied as
the Cagers themselves, they all have one very important
thing in common: none of them have anything to do with what
the factions are supposedly really about! For
instance, ask what the Guvners and the Hardheads do, and the
responses you typically get (often from factioneers) is
something like, "Well, they scrag cross-traders and put 'em
to the law. What else berk?" Or how about the Mercykillers?
I asked this one "factioneer" at the Rule of Fours, and at
first she gave me a funny look like I was some green prime
or something. I pressed her some more and she finally told
me that," [The Mercykillers] mete out justice on
lawbreakers. Go away." (When I pestered her some more about
what they really do, and are supposed to be doing, she
threatened to "mete out some justice" right there.
Sheesh!) The situation is no better on the
chaos side of the street. Besides giving me a bunch of
typical nonsense, a group of supposed "Chaosmen" told me
their purpose was to spread "chaos all around", and some
smart sod chimed in "particularly to the
Headhards!" More questions, more
answers: Fated - We take berks' jink.
Got any? Anarchists - Aren't you from
S.I.G.I.S.? What's that place like? I think those Anarchists
would just love to take you out. Why? Uhh... Godsmen - Look berk, I have
work to do at the foundry. Sensates - I had a bad dream,
and then you showed up... Guvners - I can't respond to
that question, because it contravenes paragraph III of the
second article of the Fraternity of Order right to privacy
ruling. Sinkers - I'll tell you what
I'm all about in a minute. But first, where's your
house? Ok, by now you must be asking a few
questions of your own, such as "What exactly is Chaas
getting to anyway? This sounds about right to me!" And that,
my friend, is exactly the point! The factions have
completely lost their reason for being! They no
longer have goals, or purpose or meaning. I'll tell you what
the factions are supposed to be about: they are supposed to
be changing the shape of the Multiverse through belief.
Instead, they spend their days being bureaucrats, or
scragging cross-traders or acting out in a really juvenile
manner. What has happened, it seems, is that
the faction's power has gone to their heads. They "run" the
City of Doors (or so they think), the center of the
Multiverse, and they think that that is all there is to it.
I'll tell you the real truth: the sects that are out there
shaping the rest of the Multiverse, these are the only real
"factions" left. And the ones that call themselves factions?
A pathetic shadow of a forgotten past. Well, it's about time
to take that long vacation I've been dreaming about to that
intense little crystal sphere. Chaas out! OVER THE
past few months there seems to have been an increase of
Doomguard activity in the Cage. This seems to indicate that
the Sinkers themselves have been gradually trickling into
the Cage, cutting short whatever tasks their high ups have
assigned to them. Unnamed sources have hinted that the
Sinkers may be heading towards a muster. And why would they
call such a large gathering of their number into their cage?
Is it truly coincidental that Sir
Twist, their public relations officer, dismissed the battle
for Tir Na Og as mere training exercises? Or his defense of
the miscreant Bloodheart's recent violence in the Market
truly heartfelt? Over the past weeks, we seem to have
accepted him as a member of the Cage's society. But who is
he, really? How come all of a sudden this well-dressed and
well-spoken man speaks for all the fractions of the
Doomguard? We know that they are split between their
approaches to this "glorious" scheme of entropy. We also
know that the most powerful (by far) of these three is that
which advocates active destruction. This is the group that
Pentar clearly supports. How then was this Twist, this
"gentleman" appointed? It seems that he has an agenda of his
own. I leave the citizens of Sigil to draw
their own conclusions. But I would like to remind them that
the Doomguard have seldom been our protectors. SIGIL
- Conflict and infighting between the factions is 23% more
prevalent that the same point in the last Cage Year,
according to results from the latest statistical surveys
this culler has compiled. Of 1024 factioneers surveyed, 19%
reported being on the receiving end of a violent
faction-related incident in the last cycle, while a
staggering 82% reported having observed such an incident. Of
these events, 63% were involving officers or namers from the
Harmonium, a worrying trend indeed. Further indicators of trouble brewing
come in from the Lower Ward, where acts of Doomguard
vandalism are up by 32% and pollution 13% worse than the
same time last year. It may be that the Foundries of the
Sinkers are forging weapons faster than ever before.
Certainly surveys of market stalls show 8% more Sinker
weapons on sale, and the average price of such has fallen by
19%, a sign that supply has increased. Fortune tellers are similarly
pessimistic. Of the 24 that were included in the survey by
this culler, 71% predicted a major change in the near
future. Omens and prophesies mentioned included towers of
flames, rioting, tanar'ri hordes descending upon the burg,
Sigil falling off the top of the Spire and wild fires
sweeping across the wards. One hag even claimed mathematics
would cease to function, though I suspect she was trying to
get rid of me. This culler will continue bring you
the vital numbers as they are calculated, for surely this is
the most accurate and informative way to report the
news.
-- by Daemon Chaas, political culler
--
PREPARING
TO TAKE
OUT
THE CAGE?
-- by Mover Two Tharn Gilren of the Harmonium
--
-- by Surveys Culler n=n+1 --
SPECIAL SECTION: ARTS AND LEISURE
LATHANDER
AND TYCHE THE
CELEBRATED opera by Petrino
Rhabando is presented by the Sigilian City Opera in a new
production choreographed and designed by Millicent
Bessex. Starring: Gianpaolo
Temezino (Counter-tenor) as Lathander Miriam Luce
(Mezzo-soprano) as Tyche Dion Brae (Bass) as Moander
Amartina Petronella (Soprano) as Selune Tomas Kamilevic
(Tenor) as Daimon. At the Circus Operum, Clerk's Ward,
every four days at 6 AP for five weeks. ARBOREA
LOOKS LIKE HADES
TO PRETENTIOUS
BESSE BARRAJO
Or the Merchant
of Tradegate Presented by the Birdcage College,
featuring Maurice LeGros, Olaf Sigurson, Jeanne de Tranche,
Rosina Panichatti, Gioachino Lucida and Petra
Urban. At the Fyrefly Theatre, Guildhall
Ward, every three days. Every third performance is a
matinee. Evening performances at 6:30 AP, matinees at
2:30. LAZZINI
AS DULL
AS EVER CHIMES
AT ANTIPEAK A play in four acts, starring Manon
Paix, Pierre de Antoinette, Acton Urse and Barbra
Featherstonehaugh. Every night at the Theatre Minceur for
two weeks. Performances begin at 7:30 AP and seats cost 5
stingers, but come early, because space is
limited. CHIMES
OF JOY MASON
AND MALIGN'S
CULINARY
REVIEW BE
CLUELESS of local dining no more.
The wondrous editors of S.I.G.I.S have granted me, Mason
MoreFood, halfling, and my tiefling counterpart this review
column. I will reveal the dark of the best and worst dining
establishments in Sigil, While Malign will review the
fiendish establishments. We rate restaurant on a scale of
one to five, one being horrible and recommend as spot to
avoid and five being, of course, the best. REVIEW
OF THE "SHIPYARD" The Shipyard is a nice establishment
on the outer edge of the Clerk's Ward. A plain brick
building on the outside supporting only one sign with an
anchor to advertise. The inside is large and spacious,
decorated with fishing nets, part of prime water crafts, and
a well rounded boating and fishing theme. They store is run by a family of
tabaxi, very well mannered and pleasant cat people. The
average clients seem to be mainly those of feline racial
disposition, along with a few Guabv rdinals, and a couple of
humanoids. The service was excellent and in the background
was the pleasant beat of tribal drums, a comforting soft
rhythm. While I must say that my diner was
fairly priced and most excellent, I do have one complaint.
The menu consisted of over a hundred recipes for tuna. While
I must say this prime fish is wonderful, I do believe that a
restaurant should serve more than one dish. For this I must
give the Shipyard only four Full Bellies as it is a fine
establishment but has an extremely limited
selection. REVIEW
OF THE "HORDLING
HOLE" When I finally found this dive, (it's
well hidden in a dark alley in the Hive, not far from the
Bottle & Jug), I was hit by its front door as a human
came hurtling out. After beating the sod to a pulp for his
bad flight control I entered thinking that this was a good
start. This fine establishment seems to cater
to the down right ugly and deformed. The waiter appear to be
an enslaved Rutterkin, and the owners don't seem to mind if
you beat up the help, as long as they survive. A few
tanar'ri seem to be regulars here and I get the feeling you
can buy some quality merchandise from these
fiends. The entertainment is great, kobalds
and the occasional gnome are strapped to a rotating wheel,
daggers are thrown and he who comes the closest without
hitting the creature wins the bets. It's an old game but
still one of my favorites. The food is nearly acidic, I must
compliment on this as the food burned but seemed to cause no
permanent damage. They serve a cheap local ale and
Pandemonium Pale, an ale brewed on that plane, it goes down
easy but has an after taste that will knock you off your
stool. When I left I had a knife wound in my
side, a fire burn on my left leg, and someone else's jink. I
must say this was a very enjoyable establishment, I give it
four Skulls. I must also recommend the wearing of armor or
magical protections, keep yer jink where you can see it, and
have a weapon ready at all times, great place! MITHRAIST
TEMPLE
ESTABLISHED
IN THE CLERK'S
WARD WORKMEN
ARRIVING at Vale's Inn of Law in
the Clerk's Ward last week to replace a defaced chapel door
were stunned to see a much larger construction under way.
The building next door, Sprelgate's Inn, has given over half
its courtyard to the construction of a new Mithraist Temple.
The cult of Mithras, which worships an aspect of Mitra
associated with the Persian and Greek gods, is said to have
made this dramatic expansion into the city with the proceeds
from trade with the Inviters of Izanagi and Izanami in
Arcadia. [See article two weeks ago - ed.] A
spokesman for the Temple of the August Personnages Who
Invite, in Blossom Town, said that although the trade with
the Mithraists had been beneficial to both sides, there were
as yet no plans to expand his church's activities in Sigil
or anywhere else on non-divine territory.
The Circus Operum this week
resounded to marvelous operatic talent in the SCO's new
production of Rhabando's Lathander and Tyche, but
those present were hardly in the mood to enjoy it.
Designer-choreographer Millicent Bessex has chosen to
accentuate the 'decay' theme in the work with minimalist
dance steps and largely grey sets, putting one more in mind
of Hades or Annwn than the opera's actual settings of
Arborea and Toril. The only remission from this bleak
scenery comes, ironically, in the climactic 'division'
scene, when the corrupted Tyche is divided into Tymora and
Beshaba. Miriam Luce, as Tyche, copes admirably with this
scene, which is both difficult to sing and magically
complex. The theatre illusionist, however, gives a
performance worthy of the material with a gut-wrenchingly
convincing splitting. Luce sings with confidence throughout,
and the show may be worth going to see simply for the
excellence of this scene. However, be prepared for a long
and gloomy wait first.
By Robino Lazzini
The Birdcage College's
production of Lazzini's Barrajo will confirm in the minds of
many opera-goers in the Cage that the vogue for the works of
this tedious composer was misguided, and is overdue to end.
It is not the fault of the singers, almost all very
talented, that the work is over-long and fails to stir
audience enthusiasm. The second act, consisting principally
of duets that, if translated, are a discussion about
moneylending, is symptomatic of the immense ennui of the
entire work. Lazzini always insisted on writing his own
plots and libretti, and it shows here, in this
inconsequential work in which there is neither grand action
nor personal interest to stir the emotions. It is the
considered opinion of this reviewer that the sooner Tuleman
Ralesil turns his hand to full-scale opera, the sooner we
will be able to have evenings out without enduring the kind
of grim tedium constituted by Lazzini's works.
By Infieri Estomolodo
Infieri Estomolodo's Chimes
at Antipeak opened for its second Sigil run last night
at the Theatre Minceur, and by the time the audience left,
to the real chimes of Antipeak, they were ecstatic.
Estomolodo, widely regarded as one of the Cage's most
talented playwrights of recent years, kept up his usual high
standards with this gently amusing comedy-drama set among
the Sensates. The cast all performed magnificently, although
it seems that Manon Paix, who was billed to play Terina, has
had some sort of unspecified accident, and relativly unknown
Zsa Zsa Myn has stepped into the breach. The role is
demanding, and daunting for an inexperience actress,
requires a long nude scene. Despite all this, Myn performed
wonderfully, and seemed to have won many hearts among the
audience to boot. I hope that the short scheduled run of
this exquisite play may be extended, because I anticipate
massive demand for it in the weeks to come.
-- by Mason --
-- by Malign --
-- by Droni Forssen, culler --
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
