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The Balican Crier, Issue 11
About the Crier The Common was sparsely populated (to the chagrin of the vendors) as the city prepared for the Endyear celebration, that very Balican of holidays where the citizens celebrated the years bounty with a ten days period of musical events, contests, and a wide variety of food. Red banners hung from the trees in the Common, and small ceramic globes colored silver and blue adorned the short walls surrounding the area. But the upcoming festivities did not stop the tall, thin woman in flowing robes of blue and a veil to match enter the common. Daveera Essen was well known to the populace, the sister of Lady Essen, the powerful head of the Rees merchant house. Unlike some of the other speakers that had spoken at the Common, everyone gave her their full attention. "Good afternoon. I have the privilege of addressing all of you on this very festive occasion. May this celebration of Balic's continued prosperity carry goodwill throughout our city and across the tablelands." "I must report unfortunate events at the recently opened Adaino mines to the southwest. Evildoers of unknown origin have been attacking the mine and shipments recently, causing delays in shipment. I lack any further details of the attacks, but those of a strong arm and quick feet can earn extra coin by contacting the Adaino representatives here in the city." "Enough unpleasantness," Daveera said with a smile. "Endyear has begun and the festivities continue tonight with music and dancing inside the arena. Vendors of food and goods will be selling wares you may not have ever seen before, even in such a cosmopolitan city of this, so come and enjoy the spectacle." "I would like to announce the opening of the Rees gardens. This beautiful garden is open to the public and is a wonderful place to get away from the heat of the day. House Rees has devoted much energy to it's creation, and I hope you will find it as relaxing and enjoyable as we do." "I wish you all a happy Endyear, and all prosperity in the future." Daveera Essen stepped away to appreciate goodbyes and walked off into the warm Balican day. The attacks on the Adaino slate mines, which have been open less than a month, are the work of Be'Ahlo, an intelligent undead, who rules a small force of lesser undead known as barweks. Be'Ahlo ruled a small valley outpost centuries ago that was wiped out by Balican troops led by Andropinis himself. The sorcerer-king covered the town in a conjured sandstorm, burying most of the surviving inhabitants alive. Be'Ahlo rose as an undead creature, but was mystically trapped by the sand that ended his mortal life. Many more of his population rose as barweks, emaciated looking creatures with pale skin and burning yellow eyes. The newly opened slate mine has opened a hole in the valley wall, causing whatever seal that held Be'Ahlo and his followers to be free. Murderously vengeful after hundreds of years of imprisonment, the undead attacked the miners without mercy, and the victims slaughtered by the barweks have risen as a third type of undead. Adaino wizards were able to erect some barricades, but Be'Ahlo has maintained much of his magical powers and is dispelling and destroying this barriers quickly. |