The Marketplace

 

 

December 1 2001

A downpour of toads of all discriptions fell strange black clouds upon the Concourse of Temples. The street itself was alive with them. Acolytes from the temples filled buckets with them. They fell upon the roofs and into the gutters fouling all sources of fresh waters. The Assembly of Temples has called upon its diviners to interpret this omen.

Tarquin troops have been pulled from the Eastern front. Easterners are left to fend for themselves until the footsoldiers of Lugalzagezzi arrive in the field.

Strange howling noises in the air and large spots obscuring the noonday sun were reported in the city of Uruk. Reportsof astrologers at the great Observatory were conflicting and puzzled.

 

June 30 2001

Iron Hills Consortium continues to concentrate all of its resources towards the great canal. Word is the progress is quicker than expected. It may be finished within 5 years.

Investments in export caravans of luxury items are "as good as eastern gold."

Success against the orcs in the east. The God-King grants victory to his rebellious subjects in the east.

The God-King offers 100 shekels newly minted and 2 sacks of Eresh rice to each family that takes ship to Lopan for colonization. Many poverty stricken individuals "take the shekel".

Prosperity is rules in the Dominion of Man. The priestesses of Ninhursag accept coin in the marketplace from grateful merchants, later to be buried in vases as thanksgiving.

 

October 12 2000

A foodstuffs vendor traveling with a load of fish from the Great Market to Red Hook was ambushed and robbed by armed mercenaries.

A strange shambling creature has been spotted late at night. Pursued by Wardens it vanished behind the Tab.

Merchants find funding for new ventures to be easy and the terms good. This leads to an increase in the wages of all teamsters and dockworkers. This is a time of prosperity.

The God-King offers 100 shekels newly minted and 2 sacks of Eresch rice to each family that takes ship to Lopan for colonization. Many poverty stricken individuals seize the opportunity for a new start.

The mysterious foriegn troops have left the city under cover of night. No one saw them leave.

The God-Kings victorious fleet of Black Ships have banished the pirates from the Sea of Scarlet Waters.

 

May 30 2000

Trade is down as usual for the rainy season. Imported goods rise in price as usual.

Staples continue to be expensive because of the great amounts exported for the war effort.

Red Hook has become increasingly dangerous of late.

Tmar the yogurt vendor has probably gone off to live with relatives. He no longer haunts his old corner.

Excitement about the building of the great canal has led to a frenzy of investments in trading companies and the founding of many new ventures.

The subjugation of Lopan continues apace. What is left shall be loyal subjects. Many land-grants in Lopan have gone to merchant companies that have supported the war effort in varied ways.

More rumors of the great ship in the naval yard:

• It shall be the size of three great triremes
• It shall be built entirely of Yinsloth mahogany and ebon wood carved by Lilum
• Mages labor upon it day and night
• A dock worker who caught a glimpse had his eyes put out, tongue cut out and hands removed.
• The God-King himself plans to visit the construction site

Troops in the East have begun a push into the Old Kingdom. They fight side by side with the fabled "knights" of Timoro.

Foriegn troops in the Steets of Red Clay have marched into the Military grounds, where apparently they are now being billeted.

 

March 9 1999

The War with Lopan is over! The subjugation of its peoples have begun.

The Dwarves of the Iron Hills announce the construction of a huge canal that will once again make the West the center of world trade. Western merchants rejoice. Foreigners are fearful of the implications.

Pirates are scarce in the Sea of Scarlet Waters, apparently they have fled its well patrolled waters for the coasts of the Land of the South Winds and the Eastern Territories.

Rumors talk of the great ship being constructed in the naval yards.

The price of meat has been increasing. Much of it being preserved and salted for the war effort. Everyone is being asked to tighten their belts to support our men overseas.

 

January 10 1999  

Ships have landed troops on the Isle of Lopan. Resistance in Lopan is fierce but weakened by months of the blockade.

Troops have landed south of the Baalgor Wasteland on the western borders of the Old Kingdom. This joint effort of Timoro and the Empire seems well planned. They are digging in trenchworks in the Western style. From this supply base, strike forces will be led deep into Orc and goblin territory. Skirmishes with the Hanging Corpse tribe have already taken place.

The Dwarves continue to hire every strong and able bodied worker, offering more silver for a month's labor than most see in half a year. The laborers are sent to be temporarily housed in the now empty baracks, as empty troop ships return from Lopan the laborers are sent south-east in the Sea of Scarlet Waters to an unknown destination.

The pirate trouble in the Sea of Scarlet Waters has subsided entirely. Most believe that this is because their illegal ports on Lopan have been destroyed or because they are frightened of the power of the Rule of Man. Others whisper that the pirates were Western privateers harrassing Lopan shipping to impoverish them.

Sailors coming east through the inland sea talk of the smoke that rises day and night from the Lopan mainland. No port cities are left standing and where once the proud pillars of Lopan architecture stood there is only a smoking ruin.

Lopan nationals in the Great Market have become very scarce, most have fled the city.

December 7 1998

Lopan has declared war!

Last week at the festival, the population of Ashur assembled to cheer the pride of the Rule of Man. The Legions marched one after another along the Promenade. The thunder of the wheels of chariots drowned the roar of the crowds.

In the harbor, the fleets of the navy sailed in promenade. Literally thousands of ships from small caverel to great trireme, flew the regal colors of the west. The populace cheered the sailors who vied with each other for tallest stance in the riggings. Then the sun passed from sight behind a cloud and a chill touched the hearts of all onlookers. Twelve black triremes sailed into the harbor, without tacking against the wind, their canvas still filled and no sailors visble upon the decks. They too flew the standard of the west.

Magus Shab is said to be the new candidate for Arch-Mage now that Lisina has stepped down. It was his seal on the orders to purchase many of the items in the recent buying spree. Of what use is the thousands of yards of uncut silk they purchased anyway? Of what use will the hundreds of slaves they bought be put to? Indeed, where have they gone since they purchase as none have seen them since?

The foreign troops billeted in the city have been loaded aboard naval vessels and now set sail for the Old Kingdom's western borders.

Ever since the naval blockade of Lopan, there has been little pirate trouble in the Sea of Scarlet Waters.

 

September 29 1998

The League of Magi is undergoing some political changes. What does this have to do with their recent buying spree?

The Northgate Brewery has made a beer they call "White Warden Ale" after the fearful wardens who turned "white with fear" and quit their jobs. Apparently its quite popular at local taverns.

Sailors returning west through the inland seas speak about many fires seen buring on the blockaded Lopan mainland.

Foreign troops are being billeted in the Streets of Red Clay.

Still no ships heading east through the Scarlet Waters. But a Byzantine frigate ran the blockade with passengers from the Eastern territories.

Dwarves are filling up the inns and innkeepers are would be happy except that Dwarves drive such hard bargains. Many of them are paying in gold.

September 8 1998

The League of Magi is rumored to be conducting a purge of Lopan nationals. Several alchemist's shops in the Foreign Quarter have been boarded up by the League's orders.

Sailors returning west through the inland seas speak about a blockade of the harbor in Lopan by Zabaalum ships and a mysterious black trireme.

The Great Market Assize moved through the foreigner's quarters and arrested merchants of Lopan nationality and seized their goods. They were backed by soldiers whose orders had the seal of Umur Shamshi-Adad himself.

Alas! Poor Tmar, so plagued by flies that with his business ruined, he has been forced to beg in the streets.

Jerem Trading Co. declares bankruptcy. Properties revert leasehold to Jerem's owners whoever they are.

Aug 3 1998

A fast ocean cutter returned from a voyage in the inland sea. The crew told tales of an engagement of Zabaalum ships and a pirate fleet. Apparently the island kingdom of Lopan has been harboring the pirates that have so plagued Western commerce. The Zabaalum admiral has bottlenecked the pirates in a Lopan harbor and waits for them to grow desparate.

A respected Lopan merchant was arrested during business at the Great Market yesterday evening. A charge of espionage was levied against him and all his goods and lands were seized by the Market Assize.

A representative of the League of Magi arrived at the Great Market yesterday and did not leave until he had purchased all of the dragonbone that was currently for sale. Some pressure was used to bring prices down and the merchant's are resentful.

Some say that Tmar's yogurt has gained a "life of its own". The saddened vendor was forced to abandon his cart this morning when a vast cloud of flies descended upon it.

July 27 1998

The new brewery in Northgate enjoyed good business the last few days, despite high prices due to last year's barley mold.

Dwarven merchants return through the market with empty wagons and a military guard.

Still no ships heading east through the Scarlet Waters.

A merchant vessel carrying grain from Lopan was seized yesterday for smuggling. The captain and merchant-owner were tied to execution posts in the harbor at low tide.

Many strong workers are leaving their positions for better paying jobs in the Iron Hills.

Three shipments of rice from the Yin Sloth settlements were diverted to the military fields yesterday. Disappointed merchants complain about military privilege.

A mysterious black ship came into the harbor last night, unloaded mysterious cargo in the dark of night, and put to sea without waiting for the tide.

 

June 3 1998

Caravans "vast in number" are descending from the Iron Hills. The savvy dwarven merchants ignore the Great Market and instead travel further east.

Jerem Trading Co. was discretely purchased.

A new brewery is opening in Northgate.

It is difficult to find ships willing to travel east through the Sea of Scarlet Waters.

 

June 3 1998

Continuing pirate raids have caused Umur Zabaalum to publicly declare "war" upon them and pledge 20 warships towards their eradication. Umur Eresh supported Zabaalum, pledged his support, also publicly denouncing the government of Lopan which has been supporting these privateers.

The prices on rice and other staples continue to remain high.

The Iron Hills Consortium has solved it's guild problems and are now hiring heavy laborers at very high wages.

Red Hook Meat Packers, one of Ashur's larger butchers was purchased by Jerem Trading Co. at a very easy price.

The price of beer is up because of a mold on last year's barley crop.

 

May 5 1998

Pirate raids in the Sea of Scarlet Waters has caused the price of rice to rise.

The Empire has been buying most of the imported lumber and so lumber prices are unbelievable.

Don't buy yogurt from Tmar. He'll sell it after the flies have been at it.

Iron Hills Consortium has been refusing orders for months. Many finished metal goods are scarce.

Investments in export caravans of luxury items are "as good as eastern gold."

 

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