The Chronicle

of the month of Lorinfall in the year 157

Celebrations of the Harvestide feast were subdued this year following the very poor harvest. Water levels continue to rise as the unrelenting rains poor onto the city and the areas upriver. The marshes are at their most extensive ever and the causeways remain treacherous and in need of constant repair. A special session of the Witanmoot has been called to discuss the crisis amid concern that the port may have to be closed. Debate is likely to rage over the proposals for the construction of extensive dams and drainage brought forward by Gilbert de Clare. Petro Cutario is apparently active in opposing these plans. His views probably have less to do with concerns over cost and more to do with the fact that the waters are providing such effective slum clearing for him.

Extensive flooding has caused much of Denmarsh to be abandoned causing serious overcrowding of the rest of Northshore. Conflict is also growing between the City and Northshore following a fight between a large group of guild journeymen and some Northshore traders. The journeymen were angry at the increasing impact of the cheap non-guild products being produced in Northshore upon their livelihoods. The spokesman for the journeymen, Alice Shoreland, told the Chronicle. How can we ever be expected to make a living in the city if these fraudsters are allowed to undercut our prices. The incident was sparked when Gary Drayton, a chandler from Northshore, paid for a crier to advertise his low prices through the city. Mr Drayton, who recently finished his apprenticeship, told the Chronicle. I've set up my business in Northshore because I can't afford city taxes. The city's high taxes are its problem not mine.

The contest for Alderman of Berewic was hard fought with much back room negotiation and debate. In the end it was the votes of Peter Ryman's votes that made the difference giving the victory to Emma Chireton by 12 votes to 11. Denying that he was going against the wishes of the people of the ward Alderman Ryman explained that he had asked the other members of the Wardmoot whom they would support.

Citizens have been startled by the reappearance of some Babel in the City. They bring news of the abandonment of Fenny Bridges. These rumours have been confirmed by her highnesses forces who remain vigilant against any incursion from the displaced forces of Countess Derwent.

Two Consortium ships recently returned from the city states have struggled into port to bring news of a deadly attack on a marine camp at the Salvoyn estuary. All those serving within the Falcone Company are confirmed dead, although the actual cause of death is unclear. The Triton is to return with further troops before the start of winter.

Building work at the Brynette Temple has been completed this month. The weather has further added to Alderman De Clare's problems but it would appear that he can finally put this disaster behind him. The project for the ornate chimneys and upgraded furnaces has run considerably over budget and behind schedule this past year. Workmen were particularly keen to clear away surplus material and scaffolding before the weather deteriorated and serious scavenging got underway. Subsequent celebrations within the temple were marred by the sudden appearance of large painted letters down the side of the central chimney. Reshite Scum has now been partially washed off by a combination of the rain and unwilling acolytes dangling from ropes. Investigations are underway, according to the temple.

The influx of people into the city from Denmarsh and the surrounding lands is beginning to cause problem for law and order. A squad of city guard have been injured, and one killed, while attempting to prevent looting of shops in Cripplegate. Neighbours had complained about a number of petty thefts earlier in the week, and had been threatened with reprisals. Blessop's Bakery, that great institution of Faringdon, is to be closed for a month after a fire broke out in one of the kitchens. Much of the back hall has been destroyed or damaged, and will need to be rebuilt before the eatery can re-open. How long this will take given the other demands upon carpenters and masons is anybody's guess.

The city guard regret to have to confirm the recent death of supervisor Godrick Multun during routine interrogation.

The Chronicle

of the month of Arvinoth in the year 157

Councillor Monterey's proposed motion of censure against Alderman Ryman was defeated in a most classic display of Witanmoot procedural shenanigans. In a carefully written piece of play-acting, all of the participants carefully engineered the desired conclusion that Alderman Ryman was innocent because he had merely requested that a city guard member make the arrest not ordered it. Poor Officer Harry Fieldsman, clearly distressed to suddenly have the attention of so many powerful people is said have spent the entire previous day rehearsing his lines.

A special detachment of the City Guard has captured the missing mine supervisor Godrick Multun. Master Multan is allegedly the perpetrator of the child slavery outrages at the Bramble Coombe mine. The unit despatched secretly by Lady Warin retuned to the city with the injured Multun on Third-day Firstweek, having detained him in a village not far from the original mine.

Shortly after being acquitted of misconduct Alderman Ryman issued a major contract for the rebuilding of the prisons to a consortium led by William Trueman. This will be a further blow for the beleaguered Alderman Gilbert de Clare. Although the good alderman appears finally to be sorting out his problems with the Brynette Temple, he is clearly still under a lot of financial pressure.

The continuing rains are beginning to cause concern. There has been minor flooding in some of the less well drained areas of the city and the high river flow is beginning to be a problem for shipping. The harvest is not yet at serious risk however the Dalethian temple has warned that if the rains do not abate the situation could become very serious. More rain has fallen further upriver and Fenny Bridges is reported impassable with merchants having to take the high road round the area.

Tensions between the city and the Barony of Denmarsh are rising along with the water level after Steward Highdale started a taxation survey of the entire North bank of the river. Alderman Richard Saunders has asked Sheriff Bowden for stronger patrols of the border and pointed out in no uncertain terms that should attempts be made to tax residents of Linrodeth then he will see this as banditry.

Both Aldric Houghton and Emma Chireton have been nominated to take the post of Aldermen of Berewic. There were only three votes between them at Midwinter, but holding the post is likely be a major boost come next Midwinter so a hard contest is expected between the Trueman and Bottler factions for the uncommitted Aldermanic votes. Trueman commended her as the choice of the people and as someone who has already got the experience to do the job.

Further military practice sessions have taken place this month building upon the success of the Midsummer muster. The Wards of Dowgate and Ishtan both fielded excellent shows of Archery skill in support of a detachment of Her Highnesses infantry. However more practice is clearly needed as the "how to defend against a cavalry charge” exercise resulted in several injuries and one death as the citizens scattered in disorder.

The Scathlocke Faction descended en mass into Bassishaw Ward this month for a massive and somewhat overwhelming campaigning event. A bemused Alderman Bergeren finally caught on to the fact that even though Gemma Downe was not in the city she was still doing his job. He eventually regained control, but not before nearly every problem in the ward had been solved several times over.

The Chronicle

of the month of Setheran in the year 157

A rather belated manhunt has started for Godrick Multun, the manager of the city's Bramblecoombe lead mine. The crisis appears to have blown over with a convenient agreement amongst all the political groups that Godrick was solely responsible for the slave labour which "the city could not reasonably have been expected to spot". One person not keen to let chairman for Lands and Agriculture Gilbert de Clare off so lightly is Gax the Heretic, who has been pursuing his legal challenge against the city and Alderman de Clare in a number of protracted sessions in the courts. Surprising support for de Clare has come from Alderman William Trueman who announced that he was dropping the matter because, "While Gilbert should have done better it is clear that he was not personally involved and uncertain that any normal scrutiny would have uncovered the wrongdoing. It is appropriate that the public are aware about this lapse but inappropriate to waste the tax payer's money on a court case that will not succeed".

In a quiet and uneventful Witanmoot session the budget has finally been passed. The main argument was avoided by the simple expedient of giving Her Highness £10,000 for the special war chest and providing the extra £250 for prison repair. The only argument was over the intention to create a mines inspectorate, which Cllr Ian Hobsley of Oldgate Ward described as "a stupid over reaction which simply adds to the ludicrous level of tax that the citizens are already paying". Also uneventfully Mary Hastings was elected as Sheriff to work with Nicholas Bowden in a classically stitched up Witanmoot lack of contest.

Alderman Peter Ryman will be summoned before the Lord of the City to answer a motion of censure raised by Cllr Alan Monterey accusing him of misconduct over the handling of the Northshore riots. Alderman Ryman is clearly outraged by this so much so that his comments are unprintable.

The Midsummer Fair was a major success despite the rain. Much to everyone's surprise the practice by the Marching Watch was the highlight of the event. Stirling work by the city's Aldermen and Colonel Aldridge's deployment of his soldiers over the last few weeks to provide training has clearly paid off. The city, it would appear, now has finally converted its fighting farce into a fighting force. Perhaps just in time if rumours leaking out of the citadel about Alan Monterey's reports of King Kieran's belligerence towards this fair city are to be believed.

Alderman William Trueman has hired a political assistant to help him with his campaign to become the next Lord of the City. This bold move shows the confidence of the Trueman Faction whose almost continuous campaigning this year is already swaying many wards towards their policies.

There have been no more arson attempts either in Northshore or upon the Hahnite temple this month. However there is still much unrest in Northshore and also much debate between the new Steward of Northshore Rodger Highdale and Sheriff Nicholas Bowden over the rights of the City and indeed where the City's boundary ends. It would appear that Steward Highdale is not too convinced about the legality of the city's annexation of the docks and until someone proves to him otherwise his bully boys intend to enforce the Stewards control over the area. A confrontation with the City Guard seems inevitable.

The Chronicle

of the month of Menderal in the year 157

An almighty row has broken out in the Witanmoot over the use of child slave labour in its lead mines. Whether the scandal is over the defrauding of public funds, the misuse of children, or the taking of someone else's serfs depends on who you speak to. The whole miserable mess only came to light this past week when a gang of the sorry wretches escaped and returned to the city. One returned home to Cripplegate and is now under the protective custody of Alderman Peter Ryman. The others all appear to be street urchins and have vanished back into the worst slums of Northshore, but not before speaking at length to Gax the Heretic. A fact which does nothing for the peace of mind of the city's Aldermen. Many of the ordinary councillors of the city are, to be fair, concerned at the use of children in this way. The scandal has not helped the already simmering unrest amongst the Northshore scum and, when the news broke, a large mob of the unwashed was set to storm across the bridge. The situation was only kept under control by the sterling efforts of Councillor Bever Edge and by the threat of Her Highness' light cavalry waiting at the far side. The use of child slavery seems to have occurred during this last year under the stewardship of the then Chair of Lands, Alderman Gilbert de Clare. Alderman de Clare is rumoured to be thinking of falling, if not on his sword, at least back on his monetary reserves. His hand has apparently only been stayed by the urgent intervention of his Hahnite advisors. The situation remains tense.

The repair of Newbridge has finally been agreed after Alderman Thomas Osbert drew up a multi claused contract to the liking of the town's elders. The Mayor and his entourage have now returned home in the company of one of the Witanmoot's junior masons. The young man appeared to be relieved to be leaving the city for a while.

The Midsummer Fair is being set up on the Tourney Fields complete with multiple raised stages, several livestock display arenas and some alarmingly extensive latrine trenches. A few hardy itinerant traders have already begun camping there ready for the big event, encouraged by the recent run of hot, sunny weather. Princess Selina has readily volunteered the services of the cavalry display team, possibly with an eye to rapid deployment around the city. The Sheriffs have also begun training the traditional rally of the full Marching Watch, presumably with the blessing of Her Highness given the absence of carnage by the aforementioned cavalry.

Another small fire has had to be put out at the Hahnite Temple, this time on the roof where various suspicious materials were discovered after the blaze was successfully dowsed. The Knights Templar have increased their patrols and are now discouraging "general malingering" within the temple precincts. So far the Archimandrite has refused to comment.

Amongst the general uproar in the Witanmoot, everyone appears to be trying to ignore the fact that the annual budget has not yet been approved. It appears to be waiting on a decision as to whether Her Highness receives £10,000 for her special war chest, or only £9,750 with £250 diverted to prison repair. The city's Aldermen have so far studiously avoided proposing or seconding either option, let alone voting for an outcome.

The Chronicle

of the month of Heliora in the year 157

Free soup and lively oration have drawn large crowds to Bever Edge's "Citizenship Classes" in North Bridge. The debates were originally held at the Wainers' Rest Inn, but gatherings quickly became too large for an indoor venue and have recently moved to the fields around Pedlars Lane, lately vacated by the Tinker Camp. The popular topics are the nature of "commons" and whether the marshes north of the river by tradition and use qualify as "city commons". Amongst the quotable sentences from the more educated debaters:

"He who is permitted by law to have no property of his own can only with difficulty conceive that property is founded in anything but force."

"Nothing is ours, which another may deprive us of."

"The commons tell a story of co-operation in human society and with the land (and of the gradual imposition of private interests), as fragments of the old economy in a present beset by totalitarian market forces and where the majority are outsiders in their own city."

"Let them not take in their commons, neither make parks nor pastures nor pools, for the gods gave this land for free men to inhabit."

Comments by the majority of the population present are much less quotable, but convey a certain sense of restlessness which combines ill with the annual discussions over garbage disposal in the immediate area.

Her Royal Highness Princess Selina, having professed to enjoy the prison visits so much, found time this week to inspect the famous orphanage founded by Gax. Accompanied by her son and young daughter Her Highness found time to tour the orphanage property, view a play put on by the youngsters, and sit in on a class to test the erudition of the city's wardlings. The orphan children themselves were finely turned out in feast day best, and showed great interest in their august visitors. A mischievous attempt to quote Reg Marc as part of their legal history lesson was firmly suppressed by the governors present.

Representatives from the town of Newbridge along the Eresan road have expressed outrage that the Witanmoot propose to divide their township by a toll bridge on the King's road. The local mayor described the proposals as" an outrageous and extravagant solution to simple repair problem. This investment, which is such a minor matter for a great city, would undoubtedly benefit the city's own trade directly."

Mandatiens and acolytes at the Hahnite temple were roused in the early hours of Firstday morning to help put out a fire burning dangerously high in the vicinity of the library of the law school. The fire is thought to have been started by vandals and the Knights Templar are keen to question anyone seen in the area that night.

The Chronicle

of the month of Jasmarill in the year 157

As had been widely predicted the Lordship election went unanimously to Olivia Warin. Lady Davy appears to have anticipated this result, and spent the early part of the session signing off a number of "decreettes". Of prime interest was the creation of a "compulsory jurisdiction order", an intriguing legal precedent applying to Baron Denmarsh's new domain, which claims land "from the North Bridge boundary, along the line of Wharf Land and Dock head as far as the marsh opposite the Citadel, down to the Ishtan shore, and back upriver to the boundary marker. Said land to be secured by and for the military for the safety of the Principality." Chroniclers note that this could acquire most of the shipyards of importance to the Consortium, without in any way satisfying the rumbles of discontent from the disenfranchised inhabitants of Northshore. The finest Hahnite minds are already conferring with much interest, but hopefully Her Highness will intervene before too much temple income is generated.

Of less novelty was the assignment of £100 to Midsummer Fayre development, although more novelties might well result. A further £50 was put by for the brief homecoming of the peripatetic Gillian Howe, envoy to wherever Aldermen fear to tread. The rest of this year's city budget has been thrashed out behind closed doors. Full details will be provided later, we are assured. Such details as are leaking out of the wood-panelled rooms suggest that the serious money has followed Thomas Osbert from Shipping to Trade coffers.

The Bards College is investigating the conduct of its lay staff, and especially one Terrence Higgs Esq. (butler) after a number of rare and valuable wine casks went missing from its famously well-stocked cellars. The alert was raised by local Cllr Scathlocke after she observed Higgs loading casks onto a cart in the early hours of the morning. The college, which is famed for the quality of its dining and entertainment, raises funds for its cellar stock by subscription from all its members.

Householders along Cornhill are watching with concern the growth of a large dent in the main road which is threatening both traffic and shop foundations. The appearance of the dip after the spring flooding might be due to a new underground stream. Local residents are already expressing concern at the impact of the Bottler mansion on the local green, and point to the prodigious use of water in the Bottler baths as the most likely cause of subsidence. Mrs Bottler has made a robust defence of her household and suggested that "if their ward wells were as robustly constructed and maintained as our own private borehole then I have no doubt that those shopkeepers would not be facing their present problem."

The Watermens Guild is calling for more patrols along the riverbanks after several members suffered muggings by gangs of youths loitering around the shores. Complaints have been made of heavy objects thrown at vessels making their way under the bridge, and some old folk have been thrown into the water as a jest.

The Chronicle

of the month of Pipetal in the year 157

The long awaited thaw has arrived slowly during the past month, thankfully limiting the feared flooding to the usual inconsequential areas of Northshore. Ships newly arrived in port bring news from Salvoyn of a harsh winter with much depravation amongst the marines due to the inadequate land base. Luckily, the evil fevers that plagued the army in previous years have been little in evidence and the siege has been tightly maintained. The Linrodeth fleet continues its highly effective blockade and Royal troops have used the winter to secure the lands to the south of Salvoyn, preventing a reopening of land trade with the city states. Preparations are now underway to tighten the stranglehold upon the city.

Witanmoot budget proposals this year yet again include increases in taxes and an increase in funding for the Law and Order committee in order to enable it to reopen the gaols. Surprisingly, given the defeat of the Salvoynian Navy and the absurd overcrowding of Linrodeth's docks, funding for the Consortium ship building programme has been continued. Cllr Tilly Falgar has decided to make an issue of this, complaining vociferously at the budget proposal meeting, that once again merchants are lining their own pockets to subsidise the importing of foreign goods whilst the honest craftsmen of Linrodeth struggle to get by.

Her Highness Princess Selina has underlined her concern for prisoner welfare by conducting a surprise inspection of Marshgate and Kingsgate gatehouses. The warden of Kingsgate took the opportunity to show her around some of the refurbished gentlemen's cells on the upper floor. She seemed very impressed, he commented afterwards, I don't think she'd even been in a prison cell before.

Citizens of Castle Bard have been treated to yet another example of public art. Locals were amused to note recent modifications to Gilbert de Clare's house. A gargoyle bearing a striking resemblance to Cllr Jessamine Scathlocke has taken pride of place adorning Guild Master de Clare's new garderobes. Although there has been some artistic criticism that the mouth is somewhat large, apparently Master Gilbert claims that anything smaller would have been prone to blockages.

Overland news from the court of High King Kieran is still awaited, as is the return of the many adventurers which set out weeks ago in the race to tell Alan Monterey about this year's elections. Meanwhile Princess Selina has decreed Alan Monterey to be her ambassador to the Court of the High King. The appointment has caused consternation in the Witanmoot as has Lord Monterey's elevation to the rank of Baron. Some questions have been raised in the Witanmoot as to the validity of someone being both a citizen envoy and baronial ambassador, however the general mood is one of celebration. Perhaps the greatest debate has been over the shear scope of the empowerment, which effectively gives Cllr Monterey the ability to express opinions as if they were those of Princess Selina herself. Commenting on the appointment, Lady Davy described her delight that Her Highness has once again reaffirmed her trust in the people of the city and shown that she sees the city and the principality as having completely shared objectives.

The number of corpses floating downriver (and returning again at high tide) is causing problems for the city's port and unfavourable comment amongst foreign shippers. Citizens are reminded to do their duty and dispose of frozen beggars tidily out in the marshes and not clutter up the River Ishtan.

Cpl Jack Tucker of the City Guard is being hailed as a hero by locals in Bassishaw. Cpl Tucker was attempting to rescue the Wortley family whose house was ablaze, but had to be pulled from the debris when the shop collapsed. Neighbours quickly contained the fire with the loss of only a handful of nearby shops, but the corporal was taken to the Torian temple with severe injuries, along with several colleagues suffering from the smoke.

Grossers from a number of towns upriver have been complaining about the state of Newbridge on the main Eresan road. The double span stone bridge has been unrepaired for nearly a decade, and the latest floods off of the Great Fens have left it looking decidedly worn. Petitions to the Citadel and to Countess Derwent have gone unanswered. Traders are hoping that an appeal to the Witanmoot might produce more action.

Count Cutario is looking decidedly put out this month after it emerged that Alan Monterey has been granted large tracts of land in Northshore as part of his title of Baron Denmarsh. Also annoyed are civic-minded denizens of the slums themselves, who had hoped to organise local families into self-governing manors along the lines of the old style ward watches. Despite this sudden outbreak of democracy amongst the voteless, and the more hazardous humour of the owner of Ye Oval, Monterey's dubious holdings are entirely feudal. Wags at court have even begun to refer to the absent landlord as Baron de Tosher.

Officials from the Citadel have asked the Brynette temple to remove a large metallic structure from the horizon to the south of the city. The construction, described as a warding glyph by its enthusiastic builder Artificer Langerick, is apparently intended to fend off evil influences aimed at Linrodeth by the witches of Salvoyn. The outspoken artificer convinced a good number of concerned citizens to assist him in its erection out at Botmoor after the temple itself declined to provide funding. A spokesperson for |Her Highnesses court described the structure as deeply worrying for ordinary citizens, highly unsafe for passing merchants, and drawing undue attention to the group of burial mounds on the moors.

City Guardsmen are investigating a burglary at the home of Jestin Snedcroft in Dracas. Lord Jester is a flamboyant and well known bookie, in great demand at sporting occasions all around the city. The burglar is understood to have made off with most of the gentleman's takings for the past month. Guardsman are asking for any witnesses to events last Feastnight to come forward and assist the enquiry.

The Chronicle

of the month of Galemir in the year 157

This month's committee elections resulted in a startling tied vote for all of the contested committee chairmanships. It was therefore left to Lady Davy to resolve the situation, which she did with her usual decisiveness. Witanmoot watchers have tried to determine a pattern in the voting, but it would appear that the shifts of Alderman last month have resulted in a wider distribution of votes and a reduction in the coherence of some of the old power blocks. Much positioning is going on, but for the first time in many years no clear alliances exist. In fact the Witanmoot is more defined by its divisions with Scathlocke & Bottler and Monterey & Ryman clearly avoiding voting for the same candidate. The final results were as follows

The cold weather and heavy snows continue without much abatement this month, leading to concerns over flooding when the thaw comes. Nonetheless, the Brynette Temple is pushing for an early resumption of its delayed building work, and Alderman de Clare has begun to repair the abandoned scaffolding along the side of the furnaces.

Last month's fire in Brown's tannery has been followed this month by another major fire in the same area. This time Humbles leather workshop was the focus of the events. Suspicions have been raised that the most recent fire was arson, bringing into question whether the Brown's fire was also not an accident.

The King's Theatre has been forced to suspend its childminding service after being swamped by customers from all over the city. The crush on the final day was such that several youngsters and not a few parents were hurt. Alderman Horner is in negotiations with the Theatre owners to see if alternative arrangements can be made.

Her Highness Princess Selina has conducted a surprise inspection of Kingsport, no mean feat considering the inclement weather. Her Highness departed by sleigh down the river, and transferred to the causeway near the estuary. Some unusual exertion was required by her noble entourage, but almost the entire court had returned safely by sunset.

The Chronicles would like to congratulate the Arch-divide Recorder on this most auspicious landmark publication.

The Chronicle

of the month of Skelern in the year 157

High winds and heavy snowfall have driven everyone inside this month. Only the most stubborn apprentices remain out on the Frost Fair, especially after some urchins enlarged the "fishing holes” to a size hazardous in this poor visibility. The blizzards have also collapsed a row of rickety shops in Cripplegate, and have forced a large number of sick and elderly to seek help from the Torians. With regret, the Temple has announced that it has closed its doors to further patients for the time being.

A large fire has destroyed Brown's tannery warehouse on Stoney Lane. The initial cause of the blaze is not known, but neighbours report that the high winds quickly fanned the flames out of control. A number of nearby slums were pulled down and the warehouse left to burn itself out. Luckily most members of the household are accounted for, and only three journeymen are said to be missing

Parents in and near Temple Ward have been very grateful to discover that the Kings Theatre is now operating a cheap crèche on Tenthday mornings. In a radical departure from its usual clientele, junior members of the troupe are encouraging youngsters to try out a number of "short, fun activities", interspersed with some improving storytelling. So far the troupe has run three exhausting sessions. The format has proved enormously popular with kids and parents alike, despite the obvious absence of the theatre's star names.

Agents for Capel Shipping Lines, or possibly for the Consortium, are canvassing senior opinions on the desirability of a deep water dock just below the bridge. Since Portwall already defines the south quays quite definitively, the proposal discusses excavating away a large section of the Northshore bank. Written comments on the proposed re-development are invited to be submitted to the Shipping Office of the Witanmoot within the next few months.

Princess Selina has been hosting a series of musical evenings at the Citadel. The soirées, featuring some of the elite minstrels produced by the Bards College in recent years, has drawn a select audience of nobility and enthusiasts to the Great Hall each evening. This patronage may soothe some feathers ruffled by Her Highnesses' recent choice of Midwinter revels.

Within the Witanmoot veteran Duncan Barnett has joined the Trueman faction, making it the strongest in the Aldermanic court. Alderman Barnett said he was pleased to be aligning himself with a faction "which understood that serving Linrodeth was the primary duty of all councillors". Controversially Alderman Richard Saunders has defected to newcomer Dominic Horner amid rumours that he was going to lose his committee chairmanship because of the opposition to Councillor Jessamine Scathlocke held by a number of faction leaders. The Bottler/De Clare faction, attempting a whitewash of recent artwork, was prevented by the householder but have continued to pursue the matter through the local wardmoot.

Committee Nominations:

Elections for the posts of Law & Order, Welfare & Education, Lands & Agriculture, Kerun and Cascorach will therefore take place next month.

The Chronicle

of Midwinter of the year 157

Her Highness Princess Selina's Midwinter Feast was a lively and informal affair this year, with Citadel entertainment provided by many of Linrodeth's own street performers and buskers. Blind Kane, Biddy Vox and Trugger Stubbs proved to be star musicians in front of a discerning audience, and the horde of jugglers and tumblers were also popular despite their tendency to pick up unconsidered trifles. No-one quite knows where the aged palm-reader usually resides, but she had reams of forthright advice for young lovers. Also making an appearance (apparently on the recommendation of Mrs Bottler) was the costumed figure of Grandfather Frost. A traditional Athionic icon, the Kerunian youngsters were delighted to learn about the toys and sweetmeats he distributed, the coal and holly goad having been diplomatically omitted. Proudly displayed above the high table was Princess Selina's Linrodeth Standard, which had been re-dyed dark Athionic blue for the occasion.

As is usual, the election results were announced at the end of the feast. In what was otherwise an uneventful night the loss of Alan Monterey's Aldermanic seat to Vernon Stripe in Levestone was a massive shock. It will undoubtedly be a blow to the good vintner when he returns to the city. The other changes of Alderman were in Arpent where Judi Spich recovered the seat she lost last year to Hugo Merewell and in Avigon where, after 3 recounts, the victory was awarded to Samuel Rucche by one vote.

Aside from his own ward, support across the city suggests a recovery for Alan Monterey whose efforts are clearly appreciated. If his faction had considered Stripe a threat, it is likely that Alan would have retained the seat. Supporters of William Trueman also did well across the city, with his faction commanding the broadest base of support. The Bottler faction suffered badly with the events of the budget and the frost fair clearly being held against them. Benefiting from this was the Scathlocke Faction which campaigned directly against Bottler. However her faction did less well in wards where there was no Bottler vote to take. Support for the Ryman and Horner factions, with their bias away from the Witanmoot, was very low outside of the wards in which they are active.