Pitter patter - Revision history

Twiggy at 22:16, 6 April 2026

2026-04-06T22:16:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:16, 6 April 2026
Line 27:		Line 27:
	* Farms in Temeschwar received an additional 18 rings over the coming season		* Farms in Temeschwar received an additional 18 rings over the coming season
	* Congregations did not benefit from the Bloody Great Theatre, nor did businesses benefit from Lorenzo’s Great Game		* Congregations did not benefit from the Bloody Great Theatre, nor did businesses benefit from Lorenzo’s Great Game
	* Military units in ~~Temescwhar~~ that take the paid work action received an additional 18 rings		* Military units in Temeschwar that take the paid work action received an additional 18 rings
	* The Chatelaine of the Reapers' Repose received an additional throne</box></div>		* The Chatelaine of the Reapers' Repose received an additional throne</box></div>
	At the Spring Equinox, the Temeschwar Chamber of Commerce met to [[They_bit_the_cats#At_the_Chamber_of_Commerce\|decide what to do about the situation]]. Two proposals were aid before the business owners of the city - one from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Temeschwari_Wardogs\|Wardog Kennels of Temeschwar]] and the other from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Apothecary_Tales\|Guild of the Green Flower]]. After a great deal of discussion, the Chamber voted to [[They_bit_the_cats#Riding_it_Out\|ride it out]] for the time being rather than risk precipitous action making things worse - and to give the [[Unfettered Mind]] an opportunity to investigate the situation.		At the Spring Equinox, the Temeschwar Chamber of Commerce met to [[They_bit_the_cats#At_the_Chamber_of_Commerce\|decide what to do about the situation]]. Two proposals were aid before the business owners of the city - one from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Temeschwari_Wardogs\|Wardog Kennels of Temeschwar]] and the other from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Apothecary_Tales\|Guild of the Green Flower]]. After a great deal of discussion, the Chamber voted to [[They_bit_the_cats#Riding_it_Out\|ride it out]] for the time being rather than risk precipitous action making things worse - and to give the [[Unfettered Mind]] an opportunity to investigate the situation.
Line 89:		Line 89:
	Still, it can't be denied that they are good at what they ''do''. Their members have an unerring sense of direction underground, and supply excellent guides to anyone who wants to explore the twisted maze beneath the city streets. Their maps are a bit better and more detailed, but their main advantage is their ability to know where they are at all times, even if they don't necessarily know where they are going. Adventurers exploring the sewers are advised to throw a crown or two to the Rat Kings, to secure one of their pipeguides. Those who don't tend to end up lost, emerging from the sewers covered in rat bites and an inordinate amount of foulness.		Still, it can't be denied that they are good at what they ''do''. Their members have an unerring sense of direction underground, and supply excellent guides to anyone who wants to explore the twisted maze beneath the city streets. Their maps are a bit better and more detailed, but their main advantage is their ability to know where they are at all times, even if they don't necessarily know where they are going. Adventurers exploring the sewers are advised to throw a crown or two to the Rat Kings, to secure one of their pipeguides. Those who don't tend to end up lost, emerging from the sewers covered in rat bites and an inordinate amount of foulness.

	They're quite good at hunting rats, too, and by all accounts they are doing ''very well'' out of the chaos in the city. They've gone on record several times as saying the Chamber of Commerce made the ~~aboslute~~ right decision to let people look after themselves. Wardogs are big, stupid, dangerous beasts barely suited to be around civilised people. The ''Guild of the Green Flower'' are jumped-up chancers, incapable of the precision needed to use poison safely in a built-up area, and doing nobody any favours by trying to muscle-in on the business of true professionals.		They're quite good at hunting rats, too, and by all accounts they are doing ''very well'' out of the chaos in the city. They've gone on record several times as saying the Chamber of Commerce made the absolute right decision to let people look after themselves. Wardogs are big, stupid, dangerous beasts barely suited to be around civilised people. The ''Guild of the Green Flower'' are jumped-up chancers, incapable of the precision needed to use poison safely in a built-up area, and doing nobody any favours by trying to muscle-in on the business of true professionals.

	It does not escape notice that the Rat Kings are remarkably unconcerned about the rat swarms, or the rumours of larger and stranger creatures. Their members shrug nonchalantly and suggest that these things are all in a day's work for the pre-eminent guild of collective of rat-catchers, sewer Walkers, and nightsoil collectors. It's also interesting that the Merchant-Prince of their guild is only ever referred to as "King" or "King Rat" and nobody can quite remember ever having actually met them.		It does not escape notice that the Rat Kings are remarkably unconcerned about the rat swarms, or the rumours of larger and stranger creatures. Their members shrug nonchalantly and suggest that these things are all in a day's work for the pre-eminent guild of collective of rat-catchers, sewer Walkers, and nightsoil collectors. It's also interesting that the Merchant-Prince of their guild is only ever referred to as "King" or "King Rat" and nobody can quite remember ever having actually met them.

Hailmur: /* Further Reading */

2026-01-28T15:56:26Z

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

2026-01-15T16:55:40Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:55, 15 January 2026
Line 51:		Line 51:
	<tr><td>Viktor von Temeschwar</td></tr>		<tr><td>Viktor von Temeschwar</td></tr>
	</table></div>		</table></div>
	The [[~~Imperial~~ Conclave]] chose to ask the [[Unfettered Mind]] to explore the obvious magic at work in the city. They chose not to ask the [[Rod and Shield]] to protect the magical scholars - they were travelling to one of the largest cities in the Empire what could go wrong? Fortunately for the Unfettered Minds magicians, there were a number of [[military unit\|captains]] who brought their soldiers to Temeschwar to help [[They_bit_the_cats#Rat_Hunt\|deal with the rat problem]]. Their efforts have ensured that while several magicians were ''hurt'' none have been killed. This time.		The [[Conclave]] chose to ask the [[Unfettered Mind]] to explore the obvious magic at work in the city. They chose not to ask the [[Rod and Shield]] to protect the magical scholars - they were travelling to one of the largest cities in the Empire what could go wrong? Fortunately for the Unfettered Minds magicians, there were a number of [[military unit\|captains]] who brought their soldiers to Temeschwar to help [[They_bit_the_cats#Rat_Hunt\|deal with the rat problem]]. Their efforts have ensured that while several magicians were ''hurt'' none have been killed. This time.

	The order is able to confirm that there is magic at work. The rats are clearly being influenced. A series of increasingly bizarre traps are used to capture some of the creatures for proper examination - the cunning creatures easily avoid traditional rat-traps much to the frustration of Temeschwar's rat catchers. The first thing the magicians are able to confirm is that this is not the result of a [[curse]] - dispelling fears that this was some machination of the [[The_Thrice-cursed_Court#Skathe\|Hag Queen]]. Not all the rats are ensorcelled - rough estimates suggest that about one in twelve has an aura similar to an enchantment but of undetectable provenance.		The order is able to confirm that there is magic at work. The rats are clearly being influenced. A series of increasingly bizarre traps are used to capture some of the creatures for proper examination - the cunning creatures easily avoid traditional rat-traps much to the frustration of Temeschwar's rat catchers. The first thing the magicians are able to confirm is that this is not the result of a [[curse]] - dispelling fears that this was some machination of the [[The_Thrice-cursed_Court#Skathe\|Hag Queen]]. Not all the rats are ensorcelled - rough estimates suggest that about one in twelve has an aura similar to an enchantment but of undetectable provenance.

Dre at 13:41, 20 August 2025

2025-08-20T13:41:08Z

Hailmur: /* Lorenzo's Deep Pockets */

2024-08-20T03:58:03Z

Lorenzo's Deep Pockets

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:58, 20 August 2024
Line 144:		Line 144:
	* '''There is something at large in the depths of the great mineworkings'''		* '''There is something at large in the depths of the great mineworkings'''
	* '''The Shuttered Lantern have made a report to their Grandmaster concerning their findings'''		* '''The Shuttered Lantern have made a report to their Grandmaster concerning their findings'''
	As [[They_bit_the_cats#Dweller_in_the_Depths\|recounted at the Spring Equinox]], ''something'' appears to have taken up residence in [[[[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo's_Deep_Pockets\|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]]. it does ''not'' seem to be the same "something" that is bedevilling Temeschwar however. This particular horror is something all its own.		As [[They_bit_the_cats#Dweller_in_the_Depths\|recounted at the Spring Equinox]], ''something'' appears to have taken up residence in [[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo's_Deep_Pockets\|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]]. it does ''not'' seem to be the same "something" that is bedevilling Temeschwar however. This particular horror is something all its own.

	Before the Spring Equinox, a "fell wind" from the north-west was reported, blowing in off the [[Temeschwar#Vardstein_Vale\|Vardstein Vale]]. Since then, a significant number of workers have fallen sick, becoming listless and enervated, lacking the strength to work and barely having the inclination to eat and drink. What began with a handful of miners has spread widely, and fear has followed in its wake. It is uncertain exactly what is causing this sickness, and still nobody has died from it. But nobody gets better either.		Before the Spring Equinox, a "fell wind" from the north-west was reported, blowing in off the [[Temeschwar#Vardstein_Vale\|Vardstein Vale]]. Since then, a significant number of workers have fallen sick, becoming listless and enervated, lacking the strength to work and barely having the inclination to eat and drink. What began with a handful of miners has spread widely, and fear has followed in its wake. It is uncertain exactly what is causing this sickness, and still nobody has died from it. But nobody gets better either.
Line 161:		Line 161:

	You'll also have heard about the ''disappearances'' - workers and mercenaries alike are disappearing around Lorenzo's Deep Pockets and nobody knows what is happening to them.		You'll also have heard about the ''disappearances'' - workers and mercenaries alike are disappearing around Lorenzo's Deep Pockets and nobody knows what is happening to them.

	==Resolution==		==Resolution==
	* '''Conclave called on the Rod and Shield to address the problem at Lorenzo's Deep Pockets'''		* '''Conclave called on the Rod and Shield to address the problem at Lorenzo's Deep Pockets'''

Dre at 11:05, 6 August 2024

2024-08-06T11:05:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:05, 6 August 2024
Line 55:		Line 55:
	The order is able to confirm that there is magic at work. The rats are clearly being influenced. A series of increasingly bizarre traps are used to capture some of the creatures for proper examination - the cunning creatures easily avoid traditional rat-traps much to the frustration of Temeschwar's rat catchers. The first thing the magicians are able to confirm is that this is not the result of a [[curse]] - dispelling fears that this was some machination of the [[The_Thrice-cursed_Court#Skathe\|Hag Queen]]. Not all the rats are ensorcelled - rough estimates suggest that about one in twelve has an aura similar to an enchantment but of undetectable provenance.		The order is able to confirm that there is magic at work. The rats are clearly being influenced. A series of increasingly bizarre traps are used to capture some of the creatures for proper examination - the cunning creatures easily avoid traditional rat-traps much to the frustration of Temeschwar's rat catchers. The first thing the magicians are able to confirm is that this is not the result of a [[curse]] - dispelling fears that this was some machination of the [[The_Thrice-cursed_Court#Skathe\|Hag Queen]]. Not all the rats are ensorcelled - rough estimates suggest that about one in twelve has an aura similar to an enchantment but of undetectable provenance.

	One particularly savvy scholar from Holberg brings their own cage of rats with them, and believes that it is ''only'' the rats of Temeschwar that are ~~effected~~. Even allowing for the fact that their rats are pets and companions rather than wild creatures, they remain placid and friendly throughout their stay in the city. Even exposure to Temeschwari rats under controlled condition produce no change in their behaviour - but it's clear that the domesticated rats are even more terrified of the Temeschwari sewer rats than the people are.		One particularly savvy scholar from Holberg brings their own cage of rats with them, and believes that it is ''only'' the rats of Temeschwar that are affected. Even allowing for the fact that their rats are pets and companions rather than wild creatures, they remain placid and friendly throughout their stay in the city. Even exposure to Temeschwari rats under controlled condition produce no change in their behaviour - but it's clear that the domesticated rats are even more terrified of the Temeschwari sewer rats than the people are.
	===Rodents of Assorted Sizes===		===Rodents of Assorted Sizes===
	* '''As well as the packs and swarms of rats, two other creatures have been reported by the Unfettered Mind'''		* '''As well as the packs and swarms of rats, two other creatures have been reported by the Unfettered Mind'''

Rafferty: /* Participation */

2024-08-01T10:55:53Z

Participation

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:55, 1 August 2024
Line 161:		Line 161:

	You'll also have heard about the ''disappearances'' - workers and mercenaries alike are disappearing around Lorenzo's Deep Pockets and nobody knows what is happening to them.		You'll also have heard about the ''disappearances'' - workers and mercenaries alike are disappearing around Lorenzo's Deep Pockets and nobody knows what is happening to them.
			==Resolution==
			* '''Conclave called on the Rod and Shield to address the problem at Lorenzo's Deep Pockets'''
			During the Summer Solstice, the [[Grandmaster]] of the [[Rod and Shield]] declared that an [[Plaguewulf#Elder_Plaguewulfs\|elder plaguewulf]] dwelt in [[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo's_Deep_Pockets\|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]], and [[386YE_Summer_Solstice_Conclave_sessions#Concord%3A_Defeat_the_Plaguewulf\|urged members]] of the [[Conclave order]] to take an interest. In the absence of an [[opportunity]], it's not clear what if any impact this will have.

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==
	* [[They bit the cats]] - 286YE Spring Wind of Fortune		* [[They bit the cats]] - 286YE Spring Wind of Fortune

Responsible1: /* Lorenzo's Deep Pockets */

2024-07-29T19:19:43Z

Lorenzo's Deep Pockets

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 29 July 2024
Line 156:		Line 156:
	It will also effect those who take part in the adventure to ''[[Military_unit#Explore_the_Depths\|Explore the Depths]]''. Their production will not change, but the captain of any military unit who undertakes the adventure will find a lingering traumatic wound in their pack. If left untreated, the wound might prove fatal. Or worse...		It will also effect those who take part in the adventure to ''[[Military_unit#Explore_the_Depths\|Explore the Depths]]''. Their production will not change, but the captain of any military unit who undertakes the adventure will find a lingering traumatic wound in their pack. If left untreated, the wound might prove fatal. Or worse...

	~~Hopefuly~~, the Grandmaster of the Shuttered Lantern will have some idea about how to proceed...		Hopefully, the Grandmaster of the Shuttered Lantern will have some idea about how to proceed...
	===Participation===		===Participation===
	If your military unit took part in the ''Explore the Depths'' encounter this season, or you are a member of the Shuttered Lantern order, you are free to talk about the dreadful experiences in the depths of Lorenzo's Deep Pockets. The themes are of a lurking dread, swift-moving creatures glimpsed out of the corner of the eye, a feeling of being stalked, and the sudden unexpected stench of death and rot that vanishes almost as soon as it appears. You may also have caught a glimpse of some of the creatures lurking in the upper mine - pale, human-or-orc shaped, armed with improvised weapons and the occasional club or long knife. They never stay still for long enough to get a good look at them.		If your military unit took part in the ''Explore the Depths'' encounter this season, or you are a member of the Shuttered Lantern order, you are free to talk about the dreadful experiences in the depths of Lorenzo's Deep Pockets. The themes are of a lurking dread, swift-moving creatures glimpsed out of the corner of the eye, a feeling of being stalked, and the sudden unexpected stench of death and rot that vanishes almost as soon as it appears. You may also have caught a glimpse of some of the creatures lurking in the upper mine - pale, human-or-orc shaped, armed with improvised weapons and the occasional club or long knife. They never stay still for long enough to get a good look at them.

	You'll also have heard about the ''disappearances'' - workers and mercenaries alike are disappearing around Lorenzo's Deep Pockets ~~nad~~ nobody knows what is happening to them.		You'll also have heard about the ''disappearances'' - workers and mercenaries alike are disappearing around Lorenzo's Deep Pockets and nobody knows what is happening to them.

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==
	* [[They bit the cats]] - 286YE Spring Wind of Fortune		* [[They bit the cats]] - 286YE Spring Wind of Fortune

Responsible1: /* The Chamber of Commerce */

2024-07-29T19:19:20Z

The Chamber of Commerce

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 29 July 2024
Line 132:		Line 132:
	* '''There are currently three (four) possibilities'''		* '''There are currently three (four) possibilities'''
	* '''The Rat Hunt adventure remains available to League citizens'''		* '''The Rat Hunt adventure remains available to League citizens'''
	The decision about what ~~todo~~ about the rats remains with the Chamber of Commerce. Both the [[They_bit_the_cats#Temeschwari_Wardogs\|Wardog Kennels of Temeschwar]] and the [[They_bit_the_cats#Apothecary_Tales\|Guild of the Green Flower]] are prepared to offer their services. It's possible that the meeting with the Rat Kings might lead to a third possibility. Or the Chamber could continue to do nothing and see what happens next. As before, this latter will continue to be bad for some and good for others.		The decision about what to do about the rats remains with the Chamber of Commerce. Both the [[They_bit_the_cats#Temeschwari_Wardogs\|Wardog Kennels of Temeschwar]] and the [[They_bit_the_cats#Apothecary_Tales\|Guild of the Green Flower]] are prepared to offer their services. It's possible that the meeting with the Rat Kings might lead to a third possibility. Or the Chamber could continue to do nothing and see what happens next. As before, this latter will continue to be bad for some and good for others.

	Every [[business]] owner in Temeschwar is part of the cities' Chamber of Commerce - including the [[Steinr]] [[grimnir]] '''Kylara''' of Wintermark. The egregore has worked with the civil service to secure an updated list of everyone eligible to vote. Discussion and vote will take place at three in the afternoon on Saturday; decision will be by show of hands among all those eligible. The opportunities on the table will be "Accept the offer of the Wardog Kennels", "Accept the offer of the Guild of the Green Flower", or "Ride it out." ~~Deetails~~ of the offers are the same as those presented last season (in the [[They_bit_the_cats#At_the_Chamber_of_Commerce\|They bit the cats]] wind of fortune). If the Senator for Temeschwar wishes, the offer of the Rat Kings may also be presented.		Every [[business]] owner in Temeschwar is part of the cities' Chamber of Commerce - including the [[Steinr]] [[grimnir]] '''Kylara''' of Wintermark. The egregore has worked with the civil service to secure an updated list of everyone eligible to vote. Discussion and vote will take place at three in the afternoon on Saturday; decision will be by show of hands among all those eligible. The opportunities on the table will be "Accept the offer of the Wardog Kennels", "Accept the offer of the Guild of the Green Flower", or "Ride it out." Details of the offers are the same as those presented last season (in the [[They_bit_the_cats#At_the_Chamber_of_Commerce\|They bit the cats]] wind of fortune). If the Senator for Temeschwar wishes, the offer of the Rat Kings may also be presented.

	It's ''probably'' just a coincidence that the meeting with Brinton von Temeschwar takes place ''after'' the vote of the Chamber of Commerce - the timing of a conjunction is in the hands of the Sentinel Gate, not any individual mortal after all.		It's ''probably'' just a coincidence that the meeting with Brinton von Temeschwar takes place ''after'' the vote of the Chamber of Commerce - the timing of a conjunction is in the hands of the Sentinel Gate, not any individual mortal after all.

Responsible1: /* Rodents of Assorted Sizes */

2024-07-29T19:17:46Z

Rodents of Assorted Sizes

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:17, 29 July 2024
Line 60:		Line 60:
	The rat swarms, where dozens to hundreds of rats boil out of the sewers or abandoned buildings and indiscriminately attack people, are only one aspect of the situation. The Unfettered Mind are able to observe two other horrors lurking in the tunnels and sewers that appear to be much more careful bout being seen. The first are massive, bloated rats larger than a wolf. They're usually spotted solo, or surrounded by more normally-sized rats. If they have the advantage they attack with horrible savagery - a Wintermark magician who ends up on the wrong end of their attack likens it to being mauled by a small chittering bear. The minute a fight seems to turn against them, they scamper away, deftly avoiding attempts to trap them. So far they've not been seen above-ground, only encountered in tunnels and basements.		The rat swarms, where dozens to hundreds of rats boil out of the sewers or abandoned buildings and indiscriminately attack people, are only one aspect of the situation. The Unfettered Mind are able to observe two other horrors lurking in the tunnels and sewers that appear to be much more careful bout being seen. The first are massive, bloated rats larger than a wolf. They're usually spotted solo, or surrounded by more normally-sized rats. If they have the advantage they attack with horrible savagery - a Wintermark magician who ends up on the wrong end of their attack likens it to being mauled by a small chittering bear. The minute a fight seems to turn against them, they scamper away, deftly avoiding attempts to trap them. So far they've not been seen above-ground, only encountered in tunnels and basements.

	The second creature, there is only one sighting of, and it is not entirely reliable. ''Cartagia of Windfall Spire'' is a refined and self-centred scholar, the last person one would expect to wander around a sewer. Indeed, the clever scholar spends most of his time organising his fellows and maintaining a base of operations in apartments hired from a merchant-prince keen to get out of the city. So when they are found covered in bites, ~~delerious~~, wandering the streets with their robes in rags, it's clear something has gone wrong. The healers manage to save their life, but only just. The story they tell is sobering and more than a little chilling. A Temeschwari fellow came to see them at their apartments, bluffing their way past the door. When the two were alone, the man collapsed, a horde of blood-thirsty rats pouring out of his mouth. To his horror, Cartagia discovered that the man was nothing more than a hollow shell - a "suit" of skin worn by a small horde of rats. He managed to escape by throwing himself out of the window, but has no idea what happened after that. The problem with Cartagia's story is that nobody else has seen anything like this... and the magician was clearly suffering dreadful hallucinations bought on by rat bites and scratches. Is it possible he imagined this? Or are there among the people of Temeschwar people who are actually packs of sewer rats wearing hollowed-out person suits?		The second creature, there is only one sighting of, and it is not entirely reliable. ''Cartagia of Windfall Spire'' is a refined and self-centred scholar, the last person one would expect to wander around a sewer. Indeed, the clever scholar spends most of his time organising his fellows and maintaining a base of operations in apartments hired from a merchant-prince keen to get out of the city. So when they are found covered in bites, delirious, wandering the streets with their robes in rags, it's clear something has gone wrong. The healers manage to save their life, but only just. The story they tell is sobering and more than a little chilling. A Temeschwari fellow came to see them at their apartments, bluffing their way past the door. When the two were alone, the man collapsed, a horde of blood-thirsty rats pouring out of his mouth. To his horror, Cartagia discovered that the man was nothing more than a hollow shell - a "suit" of skin worn by a small horde of rats. He managed to escape by throwing himself out of the window, but has no idea what happened after that. The problem with Cartagia's story is that nobody else has seen anything like this... and the magician was clearly suffering dreadful hallucinations bought on by rat bites and scratches. Is it possible he imagined this? Or are there among the people of Temeschwar people who are actually packs of sewer rats wearing hollowed-out person suits?

	===Things that Don't Work===		===Things that Don't Work===

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:56, 28 January 2026
Line 167:		Line 167:

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==
	* [[They bit the cats]] - ~~286YE~~ Spring Wind of Fortune		* [[They bit the cats]] - 386YE Spring Wind of Fortune

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:41, 20 August 2025
Line 31:		Line 31:
	At the Spring Equinox, the Temeschwar Chamber of Commerce met to [[They_bit_the_cats#At_the_Chamber_of_Commerce\|decide what to do about the situation]]. Two proposals were aid before the business owners of the city - one from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Temeschwari_Wardogs\|Wardog Kennels of Temeschwar]] and the other from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Apothecary_Tales\|Guild of the Green Flower]]. After a great deal of discussion, the Chamber voted to [[They_bit_the_cats#Riding_it_Out\|ride it out]] for the time being rather than risk precipitous action making things worse - and to give the [[Unfettered Mind]] an opportunity to investigate the situation.		At the Spring Equinox, the Temeschwar Chamber of Commerce met to [[They_bit_the_cats#At_the_Chamber_of_Commerce\|decide what to do about the situation]]. Two proposals were aid before the business owners of the city - one from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Temeschwari_Wardogs\|Wardog Kennels of Temeschwar]] and the other from the [[They_bit_the_cats#Apothecary_Tales\|Guild of the Green Flower]]. After a great deal of discussion, the Chamber voted to [[They_bit_the_cats#Riding_it_Out\|ride it out]] for the time being rather than risk precipitous action making things worse - and to give the [[Unfettered Mind]] an opportunity to investigate the situation.

	Anyone able to do so seizes any opportunity to get out of the city. They visit friends or family abroad, or take the opportunity to visit the [[Chatelaine of the Reapers' Repose\|Reapers' Repose]]. Poorer citizens just have to make the most of it. An epidemic of rat bites sees a lot of business for [[Surgical skills#Physick\|physicks]], but also sees a wave of sickness in the city. Symptoms that needed to be treated by a physick include persistent nausea and mild hallucinations involving being watched by rats. If the illness is left for too long, it gets worse, and there are reports of patients unable to keep down wholesome food driven to feast on refuse that exposes those not fortunate enough to have the [[draughir]] [[lineage]] to further sickness. The hallucinations of rats get worse, and there are two patients who have to be treated for blood-loss after becoming convinced that rats are somehow ''inside them''. So far the sickness has proved treatable with medicine brewed from [[bladeroot]], but the worst cases have also required a suffusion of [[vis#Prismatic Ink\|prismatic ink]] to help chase away the delusions of rats. Still, the doctors of Temeschwar are holding their own, for now.		Anyone able to do so seizes any opportunity to get out of the city. They visit friends or family abroad, or take the opportunity to visit the [[Chatelaine of the Reapers' Repose\|Reapers' Repose]]. Poorer citizens just have to make the most of it. An epidemic of rat bites sees a lot of business for [[Surgical skills#Physick\|physicks]], but also sees a wave of sickness in the city. Symptoms that needed to be treated by a physick include persistent nausea and mild hallucinations involving being watched by rats. If the illness is left for too long, it gets worse, and there are reports of patients unable to keep down wholesome food driven to feast on refuse that exposes those not fortunate enough to have the [[draughir]] [[lineage]] to further sickness. The hallucinations of rats get worse, and there are two patients who have to be treated for blood-loss after becoming convinced that rats are somehow ''inside them''. So far the sickness has proved treatable with medicine brewed from [[bladeroot]], but the worst cases have also required a suffusion of [[vis#Prismatic Ink\|prismatic ink]] to help chase away the delusions of rats. Still, the doctors of Temeschwar are holding their own, for now.
	<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=OrderUnfetteredMind.jpg\|title=Order of the Unfettered Mind\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=OrderUnfetteredMind.jpg\|title=Order of the Unfettered Mind\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>

Line 64:		Line 64:
	===Things that Don't Work===		===Things that Don't Work===
	* '''The Unfettered Mind experiment with a number of rituals'''		* '''The Unfettered Mind experiment with a number of rituals'''
	Among other experiments, the Unfettered Mind employ a number of rituals to see if they might offer some assistance against the rats. All three of the commonly known wards - [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]] and [[There Is No Welcome Here]] are both equally ineffective at dealing with the rats - meaning they are neither unliving horrors nor creatures of the realms. One of the Highborn magicians, being almost over-thorough, also confirms that the [[Ward of the Black Waste]] does not work. There is some further experimentation with Winter magic wards, ~~lead~~ by a coven of cabalists from Varushka, and they managed to confirm that it ''is'' possible to build a ward against the rat swarms. The problem is that it's almost entirely impractical - seven crystal mana to ward a room against rats for a day is ''incredibly'' uneconomical. Even if the ritual were scaled up to last for an entire month, it would still be around magnitude twenty-three putting it outside the reach of all save the richest, and in no way a long-term solution to the problem.		Among other experiments, the Unfettered Mind employ a number of rituals to see if they might offer some assistance against the rats. All three of the commonly known wards - [[Hold Back Frozen Hunger]] and [[There Is No Welcome Here]] are both equally ineffective at dealing with the rats - meaning they are neither unliving horrors nor creatures of the realms. One of the Highborn magicians, being almost over-thorough, also confirms that the [[Ward of the Black Waste]] does not work. There is some further experimentation with Winter magic wards, led by a coven of cabalists from Varushka, and they managed to confirm that it ''is'' possible to build a ward against the rat swarms. The problem is that it's almost entirely impractical - seven crystal mana to ward a room against rats for a day is ''incredibly'' uneconomical. Even if the ritual were scaled up to last for an entire month, it would still be around magnitude twenty-three putting it outside the reach of all save the richest, and in no way a long-term solution to the problem.

	Attempts to track the rats with magic fail, in the maze of tunnels under the city. The magicians who try it invariably get attacked by rat swarms, and forced to retreat even with the protection of League mercenaries. They're able to say with some certainty however that whatever the source of the rat plague is, it's somewhere under the city. Some of the Varushkans go further - they talk about the texture of the darkness, and the sensation of being watched, in ominous tones. Parts of the undercity are without doubt the domain of a powerful, malign force. They can't be ''absolutely'' certain what that force is - but they narrow it down to either a very potent herald of a hostile eternal, or most likely a previously unknown [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns\|sovereign]]. Castings of [[Shadowed Glass of Sung]] and [[Clear Lens of the Eternal River]] add further credence to this theory. In certain places, especially the oldest sewer tunnels and the small number of winding stone passages that seem to predate them, the Night ritual identifies that the mystery or enigma at work here is that they are "''Part of the domain of the King of Rats''".		Attempts to track the rats with magic fail, in the maze of tunnels under the city. The magicians who try it invariably get attacked by rat swarms, and forced to retreat even with the protection of League mercenaries. They're able to say with some certainty however that whatever the source of the rat plague is, it's somewhere under the city. Some of the Varushkans go further - they talk about the texture of the darkness, and the sensation of being watched, in ominous tones. Parts of the undercity are without doubt the domain of a powerful, malign force. They can't be ''absolutely'' certain what that force is - but they narrow it down to either a very potent herald of a hostile eternal, or most likely a previously unknown [[Varushkan_Monster#Sovereigns\|sovereign]]. Castings of [[Shadowed Glass of Sung]] and [[Clear Lens of the Eternal River]] add further credence to this theory. In certain places, especially the oldest sewer tunnels and the small number of winding stone passages that seem to predate them, the Night ritual identifies that the mystery or enigma at work here is that they are "''Part of the domain of the King of Rats''".
Line 144:		Line 144:
	* '''There is something at large in the depths of the great mineworkings'''		* '''There is something at large in the depths of the great mineworkings'''
	* '''The Shuttered Lantern have made a report to their Grandmaster concerning their findings'''		* '''The Shuttered Lantern have made a report to their Grandmaster concerning their findings'''
	As [[They_bit_the_cats#Dweller_in_the_Depths\|recounted at the Spring Equinox]], ''something'' appears to have taken up residence in [[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo's_Deep_Pockets\|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]]. it does ''not'' seem to be the same "something" that is bedevilling Temeschwar however. This particular horror is something all its own.		As [[They_bit_the_cats#Dweller_in_the_Depths\|recounted at the Spring Equinox]], ''something'' appears to have taken up residence in [[Delver_of_the_Depths#Lorenzo's_Deep_Pockets\|Lorenzo's Deep Pockets]]. it does ''not'' seem to be the same "something" that is bedevilling Temeschwar however. This particular horror is something all its own.

	Before the Spring Equinox, a "fell wind" from the north-west was reported, blowing in off the [[Temeschwar#Vardstein_Vale\|Vardstein Vale]]. Since then, a significant number of workers have fallen sick, becoming listless and enervated, lacking the strength to work and barely having the inclination to eat and drink. What began with a handful of miners has spread widely, and fear has followed in its wake. It is uncertain exactly what is causing this sickness, and still nobody has died from it. But nobody gets better either.		Before the Spring Equinox, a "fell wind" from the north-west was reported, blowing in off the [[Temeschwar#Vardstein_Vale\|Vardstein Vale]]. Since then, a significant number of workers have fallen sick, becoming listless and enervated, lacking the strength to work and barely having the inclination to eat and drink. What began with a handful of miners has spread widely, and fear has followed in its wake. It is uncertain exactly what is causing this sickness, and still nobody has died from it. But nobody gets better either.