The Chronicle

of the month of Setheran in the year 150

The thirsting sickness has taken a heavy toll on the city over the past month. Although the Citadel and most of the guildsmen classes managed to secure clean drinking water for themselves, the death toll amongst the common citizenry has been high. It seems to have struck the very young, the elderly, and the already sick most hard, and it is estimated that almost 5,000 bodies have now been taken to the mass graves outside the city walls. The Welfare & Education committee worked tirelessly through the summer heat, but found their efforts swamped by the scale of the crisis. Surprisingly, William Trueman and the Brynette Temple have become the heroes of the hour. Trueman's emergency commandeering of the Brewers facilities provided the first mass supply of clean water. The Brynettes' construction of an experimental boiling tower on the embankment, at great personal risk, has also supplied huge amounts of clean free water since it started working. The situation seems to be stabilising, although the Torians admit that they are still at a loss as to how to clean and reopen the hundreds of contaminated wells across the city. The most recent outbreaks of the disease appear to centre around attempts to reopen and use some of these wells.

Shipping has largely diverted to Kingsport in recent months, in order to reprovision in relative safety. The Dockmaster there has passed along several more reports of attempted piracy on the high seas, and commends the Esprayennan convoy scheme to all ships captains. Trade to the city states continues to be brisk, with several Salvoynian ships joining them during this temporary lull in the civil war. Rumours that the Noordic settlers wish to re-establish trading contacts have not been confirmed by the Citadel.

Business in the Witanmoot has been very subdued with so many members severely ill this month. A barely quorate Court of Common Council managed to pass Bottler's motion for more money for the Portwall. and £200 of significant cuts were also made to the Welfare and Education budget in order to fund the Plague works. Alice Barbiter has been elected unopposed as the new Alderman of Cartage, further strengthening the position of William Trueman in the Witanmoot. The once powerful Monterey faction is now clearly weakening and may face major problems in the Midwinter elections.

Along with the merchants from Salvoyn comes news of a major breakout of political hostages held in the Royal Palace there. The rescued families, all apparently of southern nobility, have been successfully spirited away, but those responsible for plotting and aiding the escape have since been arrested and charged. Salvoynian authorities are apparently confident that full details of the incident will come to light during the trial, and may yet reveal the hiding place of the hostages. Of particular interest to the Citadel is news that the prime defendant is a Kerunian citizen based in Linrodeth, using Kerunian funds to arrange the escape. The Chroniclers also wonder whether it is entirely a coincidence that Kingsport has been opened to commercial shipping this month, which would allow any unusual visitors to disembark discreetly.

Rumours abound that the Cheddingham copper mine has been taken by a hostile incursion. The first news came when a lone miner who had escaped the attack arrived at the Witanmoot. He confirmed that a small force of well armed and "proper lookin' troops" attacked the mine at dawn on Seconday Firstweek. The miner who had fled the attack was not able to identify the attackers, however the speculation is that this was either a bold move by Aralan Derwent or a rebellion by a local Baron. The Citadel has refused to comment and concern about the scale of the situation has been raised by the sudden withdrawal of an infantry regiment from assistance with the plague and the re-deployment of a large cavalry force through the City last week. There has even been a suggestion that one of the royal armies may be planning to take advantage of the City's current inability to defend itself.

The Chronicle regrets to announce the death of Richard Firethorn. Councillor Firethorn will be remembered by many for his heroic efforts during the Great Fire and for the many important initiatives which he created and guided through the Witanmoot. He will be remembered for championing the much needed but, since his retirement, maliciously ignored sweetwater project. Despite continuing poor health Cllr Firethorn has been very active in the relief of the plague and is believed to have died from an infection gained during this work.