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The Balican Crier, Issue 17
About the Crier The gravely voice of Cimbaiylan rose about the din of the crowd at the Balican Common. "Attention, eaters! I have come to deliver the news of the day." The Balican Common was busy at this lunch time, as it usually was. Kavira of House Wavir had been chatting with friends and enjoying a glass of Aphalan wine until it was the proper time to conduct her duties as this weeks crier. As that time had arrived, she said goodbye and walked to the end of the Common to give her speech, answering shouted greetings as she did. "Once again, good day!" she began. "I am privileged to once again stand before you to deliver the news of the day. First is the announcement that a new merchant company has been registered. Vorgesh Traders has officially opened for business to transport goods across the Tablelands. They have developed formal relations with the governments of Balic, Tyr, and Gulg, and they have expressed their confidence to the city council that Nibenay will soon follow. Of course, I am a representative of House Wavir, and I can assure you that as one of Athas' oldest merchants houses, House Wavir can provide for all your trading needs, with regard to both cost and security." "Grnak and Sons, Balic's largest stonecutters, has expanded it's business. They have just returned to the city with a shipment of Octagsa marble from mines in the wastelands south of Balic. This profitable marble mine is in need of strong guards, and if you are in need of employment, contact them on at their Obsidian Way office. Also, if you have skill with stonecutting, they are also looking for craftsmen to work the stone. Finally, if you are looking to purchase high quality marble, see Grnak for his wide selection of stone." "The organizers of Orenasenfest have announced that the festival was a success. Last year's champion, Lhatkos, has repeated as winner of the javelin throw. He has assured everyone that he will be back next year to defeat everyone once again." "Thank you everyone. I will return in a few weeks to deliver the news again." The mine discovered by Grnak and Sons is forty miles southwest of Balic, across the southern branch of the Estuary of the Forked Tongue. It is in this inhospitable area that prospectors employed by the stonecutting business located a large source of Octagsa marble, a high quality golden stone with black streaks that is very popular with the nobility and other wealthy residents of Balic. The first shipments have returned and Grnak is openly advertising his find to help gather customers for his profitable business. With this announcement, though, come opportunistic brigands. Knowing this, Grnak has hired mercenaries to protect the shipments back to Balic, and thus far, the marble has reached its destination safely. A more pressing need is for mine guards. The wastelands where the mine is located hold numerous wandering undead which attack the miners and stonecutters retrieving the marble from the ground. Attacks happen almost on a daily basis. To this point, the undead have been repelled, but it is only a matter of time before some of the more intelligent creatures of the area organize a more potent assault. |