The Chronicle

of the month of Ternost in the year 137

Our loyal readers will no doubt have been missing the regular reports of Marc the Thatcher. Never fear, the chroniclers can reveal exclusively that Marc is away on honeymoon in Aclea and will return with the spring thaw. The identity of the bride is something of a mystery but it is thought that she will add an interesting new dimension to the struggle for a new guild. The chroniclers also note that Aclea is an expensively distant place to go.

A demented soothsayer appeared in Bilgegate Market last month to forecast floods, storms and vile death; a not inaccurate prediction for the coming season you might think. The crazed crone disappeared under a hail of herring (storms not being a popular subject with fisher folk) but events took an unexpected turn when a respectable Mandatien of the Temple of Hahn appeared the following day to "make enquiries". Has a new prophet been revealed unto them?

The Guild of Skinners and Leathersellers has elected Master Cuthbert de Cranford as its head following the retirement of Master Leofwin. Master Cuthbert who is believed to be recovering from a massive post-election celebration, was unavailable for comment.

Master Vintner Malcolm Mowbray wishes to announce the discovery of several forged documents, which purport to come from him. All merchants are requested to send a messenger to check any financial matters directly. On a more pleasant note, he would also like to announce his engagement to Sandra Key, daughter of Master-brewer Martin Key.

The King's troops have been withdrawn from the watch of the Floating Market, despite protests by nearby residents. The market appears to have quietened with the first winter snows, but remnants of the Cursos quarter continue to be scattered around the river.

An irate Mrs Blessop is out hunting for blood this month, in search of the originator of the rumour linking her name with the appearance of the Sea Monster. The joker is advised to make peace with his/her God as Mrs Blessop is offering a 5s reward for information!

Notice from the Temple of Hahn:

There is no cause for concern regarding the unfortunate accident last month. It was an isolated incident caused by the unforeseen presence of earlier workings beneath the law school site. These workings have been investigated and should cause no further problems to the building project.

Dear Councillor Marc,

Re: Thatching of New Law School:

No

Yours Faithfully

>Torrel (Temple of Hahn)

Dear Torrel,

Interested in your choice of roofing for the new Law School. May I enquire whether this is because you consider thatch to be an unsuitable roofing material for your purposes – or because you do not wish to become involved in the current controversy. Incidentally, I could not fully understand the last sentence in your last letter to the chronicle. Was the punctuation, spelling of words deliberate?

Yours Sincerely Reg Marc (councillor)

John William Giffard is pleased to announce the opening of 'The Bullion', a magnificent new inn on Generals Way, Welland. Book your Midwinter celebrations here now.

The Chronicle will be sending Chinon along to discover just how "magnificent" the Bull and Bucket has become.

The Chronicle

of the month of Kryll in the year 137

The last days of Lorinfall have seen a massive increase of violence in the floating market. A bitter internal war, aided by fire, has destroyed a large portion of the floating slums. A detachment of the Kings Archers is keeping watch from the section of city wall above the river, and the area is said to be "quiet". Fishermen report that most of the dead are Cursos, and indeed a small flotilla of these people are now moored around Masons Stairs, refusing to return across the river to the floating market.

Earlier in the month D'Alenson, the notorious cat-burglar, escaped from Marshgate prison which had held him for over two years. Several days later an archer was found stabbed to death on the northern wall overlooking the marshes. The events may not be connected, but certain nervous Goldsmiths have seen fit to set a rooftop guard.

Merchants from the southern border bring the interesting news that the Crown Prince has graciously knighted Roger Colleton, his household chamberlain. The unexpected ennoblement of a Scrivener's son from Salvoyn has caused some surprise, and the Knight Marshall is openly furious after so many of his own recommendations were refused "for lack of funds". Sources at the Citadel have confirmed that Sir Roger Colleton is currently writing a history of the Prince's Gelt Campaign.

Citizens of Linrodeth,

May I, on behalf of the College, thank all those keen zoologists who have called on us throughout the past month. I trust that it will not be taken amiss if I point out that the College welcomes all knowledge freely given, but will not exchange coin on this matter. I trust that all misunderstandings have now been fully clarified.

Archivist Major

Chinon Starsinger is extolling 'The Sea-Serpent' as this months place to eat out. The lampreys in galantine sauce come highly recommended, although the owner is prepared to flambee almost anything at your table. (River opposite for those of a nervous disposition.)

The Court of Common Council and the Aldermanic Court have elected Master Raphael Fitz-Simmons of the Grossers Guild as the next Lord Chief Magistrate of the City.

The Chronicle

of the month of Arvinoth in the year 137

Several independent eyewitnesses have reported seeing a large greenish bulk at the mouth of the River Ishtan. Attempts to dismiss this as floating debris were confounded when it started to move upriver, against the flow of the tide. It continued a short way into the Ishtan and then submerged. These reports are particularly disturbing in view of the recent and still unexplained loss of the merchant ship 'Hogwash'.

The rally called for by Marc the Thatcher was attended by over a hundred people, mainly Thatchers families. The assembling of the rally at Newgate was watched by an interested Citadel guard from the battlements. The good-humoured crowd made their noisy way through the City to the Witanmoot, where they drew the councillors attention to the plight of the Thatchers. Rumours that the part of the rally led by Marc ended up at the Levestone in error appear to be utterly unfounded.

Readers may remember an article last month wherein a possible sale of land by the Hahn Temple was considered. The Chroniclers are pleased to be able to publish (at last) an official comment by the Temple;

Sirs, It has come to our notice that certain erroneous and misleading articles concerning the Temple of Hahn and purporting to originate from so-called informed sources have recently been appearing in your publication. During the summer recess the Temple has decided that the existing Law School? is to be demolished and new expanded premises with the same function will be constructed on the same site. There is no question of the lands being sold, nor is there any truth in the rumours concerning the temple's financial situation. Certain of the Guilds of the City have seen fit to bestow generous gifts towards the rebuilding of the Law School, which commonly serves to improve the services provided by the Temple. These gifts will not have escaped the notice of the Holy Trinity? whose blessings will ever fall upon the deserving just. -- The Temple of Hahn

As the be-dusted buildings of their neighbours eloquently testify, the demolition is now half completed. An observer at the start of the work reports that the work has been cursed and ill-omened, but could not identify the hag that foretold this.

Gax is on tour this month, but readers are reminded that he returns to Linrodeth on the 29th to speak at the 'Empty Barrel'. As a prelude to this event our roving reporter has been to this respectable "councillors' local" to sample the fare. Chinon particularly recommends imbibing the 'Marcstons Old Peculiar', the house special of this establishment.

Councillor Tholin's team of investigators appear to have shelved the murder investigation "pending further information". Their enquiries were apparently not helped by the non-cooperation of the bereaved families. Councillor Tholin is, however, pleased to report the following facts discovered by the team: The murderer is female, about 5'6" in height. The murders occur at the end of a Tuesday watch. The murderer is believed to have 4 barbed arrows remaining (of a make which has now been withdrawn from sale in Linrodeth).

Councillor Tholin commented; "We are unable to go any further with the investigation due to obstruction by the Morgan and Wainwright families. The team should not be considered to have failed. Considering the difficulties they had to overcome they did a magnificent job".

An open letter to the Masons Guild.

Sirs, I find your rejection of my accusations bland and uninspired. As every councillor is aware, the Carpenters? act for the Masons in council. The financial interests of these two guilds overlap enough for it to be unnecessary for the Masons to stand for election for them to exercise effective means of achieving their aims. My imprisonment was a blatant and despicable attempt to prevent me and my fellow workers from forming a guild, which would of course mean that the builders (guess who) would have to start paying us a decent return for our labours.

Marc, Thatcher

Dear Sirs, I wish to commend the Master masons and their guild for not sinking into sloth when faced with a shortage of work. Instead they promote the new sport of bugger to occupy their apprentices?, saving the latter from idleness and boredom which might have given rise to who knows what mindless violence. Even when a game is over bugger still provides occupation for the apprentice masons as the survivors build and decorate the tombs.

C. Ncur Esq.

The Chronicle

of the month of Setheran in the year 137

We open this months Chronicle with the sad news that another member of the watch has been killed by an unknown assailant. Kembel Faithside died last Tuesday while returning home from watch duty, along with his bodyguard.

Although his mother (a reputable silk merchant and member of the council) was unwilling to speak to the Chronicle, we have been able to ascertain that Kembel feared for his life and had arranged to be accompanied at all times. The bodyguard was also killed.

Councillor Tholin of Avigon has requested that a team be put together to solve this problem. Suitable citizens are requested to contact him via the Chronicle.

The Midsummer Fair was a washout as the heavens opened for the duration of the event. Councillors hoping to see their Ward Team excel in the archery contest crept quietly away as round after round was ruined by the rain and damp. Overall scores were, if anything, worse than last year. Prizes were presented by the Citadel Bowmaster, the King and Knight Marshall having left early.

Also disrupted by the heavy rain were the riding events, cancelled to prevent injury to the horses. The Second Cavalry were also disrupted by the noisy arrival of Sir Hugh Grosvenor leading a war-horse ridden by several small children. The King took obvious pleasure in announcing the appointment of Sir Hugh as the 2nd Cavalry's new Major. The churned mud fields provided an ideal setting for the wrestling and bugger contests. Fat Sal powered her way to the £5 wrestling purse; while the Brewers & Coopers were the winners of the Stone Cup presented by Master-mason James St George. In the first round the Coopers & Brewers had beaten the Squires by a comfortable margin, whilst the Masons scraped through against the Skinners. In the deciding match the Coopers beat the Masons by a
close margin.

Surprise of the Tournament was the appearance of a masked (but distinctly female) opponent to challenge the Kinjuru envoy to a duel with the Fara'ket, also called the Bladed Rope. This potentially vicious fight lasted a comparatively short time, and often resembled a dance. The challenger eventually conceded when she was forced to block with her rope, thus shredding it. The envoy declared himself delighted with
her skill and insisted on presenting her with his purse. The Chroniclers wonder whether this was in any way influenced by the fact that the King was watching.

The Midsummer meeting of the Witanmoot announced the election of the following two citizens as sheriffs: Paston Courtney (Master Carpenter) and Kennet Maxil (Master Mercer)

The Grocers announce the loss at sea of the merchant ship 'Hogwash'. Eyewitnesses on the shore describe the ship bursting into flame and sinking quickly. There were no survivors.

Gax has announced that the total of funds raised during 'Lemon-Aid' were £46 7s 2d. He declared the event to be a good success in view of the appalling weather. He also wishes to announce, via The Chronicle, a series of public debates under the title: "The
Marc's Tour – a better future"

Date	Places
1st Arvinoth	Vintners Hall (Linrodeth)
4th Arvinoth	Haybridge
11th Arvinoth	Dereham Cross
19th Arvinoth	Fethanleag
25th Arvinoth	Hawkhurst
29th Arvinoth	The 'Empty Barrel' (Linrodeth)

Councillor Marc wishes it to be known that, to the best of his knowledge, he is not in any way related to Marc the Thatcher.

Marc the Thatcher wishes to announce a protest march in support of the Thatchers. The march will be on the first of next month and will start at Newgate and proceed
towards the Witanmoot. All are welcome.

The Chroniclers note that the fortunes of the Hahn temple appear to go from bad to worse. Apparently unable to maintain even their old school, the students are
being evacuated to the main Temple site. The possible sale of the valuable school lands on Shadow Street could well be the bargain of the year.

Sirs, We wish to inform Marc the Thatcher that the masons guild has no
representatives on the council – our interests are represented by the carpenters guild – so it is impossible for us to have acted as 'lackeys' in the rejection of an appeal for a rehearing. Perhaps the 'lack' that is involved is the lack in the Thatchers' leadership, when their spokesman allows himself to spend two months in a luxury apartment as a guest of 'The Company'.

The Guild of Masons

The Chronicle

of the month of Menderal in the year 137

Welcome to summer. The Chroniclers wish to apologise for a small delay in publication. This was due to a move to the new, larger premises. Despite the hot weather, the incidence of 'summer sickness' has been light this year. The chronicle notes however that the royal household is taking no chances, and a move to the royal hunting lodge upriver is planned.

Final lists for the Midsummer Tournament have been posted in the market places. The archery contest has proved uncommonly popular, and several eliminating rounds will be held before the final contest. Entries for the joust have been a little thin this year, since many knights are away in the southern campaign; however the lance contest has been well supported by the 2nd Cavalry, who incidentally are also providing a display of mounted manoeuvres. Sword and quarter staff prizes are also contended, although no-one has yet taken up the Kinjuru envoy's challenge to try the Fara'ket. Away from the royal stands, Fat Sal is the hot favourite for the wrestling purse. The Masons Guild have kindly provided sponsorship for the new game of bugger, the prize is the 'Stone Cup'.

Master Thorold the Apothecary left town last month, noisily claiming that he had been put out of business by "foul rumours and vicious lies". A spokeswoman for the Torian priests merely commented that he was welcome to sue
for defamation of character if he wished. As well as lack of customers, Thorold has of late been disturbed by noisy gatherings of neighbours, usually late at night.

Another man was murdered this month while returning from watch duty. Thomas and Richard Wainwright were both shot as they returned home on Secondday. Thomas died instantly. Richard however is presently being tended by the Torian priests. His condition is described as critical and the arrow which is lodged near his heart has not been removed. Both are sons of Councillor Wainwright, who refused to speak to the Chronicle.

This attack brings the trade war theory into doubt as Councillor Wainwright is a Master Baker. Alderman Rimon in an interview with the Chronicle commented. "This is an obvious attempt by the criminal elements in our society to intimidate the watch. We are not going to be turned from our duty by a few deaths, no matter how dear the people are to us. The Watch will continue to keep our streets safe at night. It is only a matter of time before the people behind these murders are brought to justice and I for one will show no mercy. If
any citizen, no matter how lowly, knows who is responsible they should inform the council immediately. To encourage anyone who may fear reprisals I am offering a reward of two pounds."

When asked whether the council would take up the Knight Marshall's offer of putting the troops on the streets he replied " This would set a dangerous precedent, the City of Linrodeth is quite capable of policing itself without the assistance of the Knight Marshall".

Gax the Heretic is believed to have found a sponsor in the form of Councillor Marc. A series of public debates is to be announced, and Gax is already laying plans for a summer tour of the nearby market towns. Meanwhile Gax wishes to thank all citizens who have already contributed to the Lemon-aid fund, in particular the Vintners Guild for donation of a small plot of land outside Bardsgate.

The new Hahn Law School has been particularly noticeable for its absence. Rumour in the Guilds is that
the temple is short of cash, however a source close to the temple commented "we're not worried. Pendentite Edward has staked his reputation on the success of the project". Pendentite Edward was unavailable for comment.

Sirs, Having been recently prevented from fulfilling my duty as a spokesman at the Council Chambers, I find it necessary to accuse our Council of misconduct. It is well known that I was forcibly held during the last two months. Despite this the Council refuses to reconvene the hearing on the petition for a Thatchers Guild. This is a blatant attempt by the Carpenters, and their lackeys the Masons to prevent justice being done. I am shocked that our esteemed councillors have allowed themselves to be manipulated in this fashion.

Marc, Thatcher

The proprietors of the Bull and Bucket announce that they are closing for repairs until further notice.

The Chronicle

of the month of Kruthos in the year 136

Be it known that by Royal Decree, from this day, the 15^th of Kruthos in the year of the Kingdom One Hundred and Thirty Six, that the most ungodly and riotous game of football is BANNED, on pain of imprisonment.

Observers note with interest that this edict reflects the recent absence of many of the younger people from the compulsory Tenthday archery practice. Alderman Rimon, whose ward suffered badly during the final matches of a football contest was unsympathetic:

“Young whipper-snappers ought to be used as the Tenthday targets…..”

Damage to the Milk Lane Market last autumn was estimated at over three guineas.

The city youth were again the subject of debate in Council Chambers after a dispute between apprentices of the Vintners and the Fishmongers Guilds got out of hand. Fighting had spilled over into Rood Hill, injuring several innocent passers-by. A complaint was made to the Council (loudly) by Mrs Blessop, who had received a broken ankle. A complaint by three apprentices against Mrs Blessop was over-ruled.

Rumours abound of a triple headed demon born at the full moon last month in a house on Burgon Street.

Caveth the Vintner has declared bankruptcy after his third caravan this year has failed to make it through the southern mountains. Creditors are advised to contact the Guild.

Pendentites today attempted to prevent the daily preaching of Gax the Heretic from their temple steps. After a brief, polite discussion the ex-Mandatien was persuaded to leave. A spokesman from the temple has refused to comment on this development.