Quinn Dead; Slaves Rejoice

Warric Quinn, leader of the slave trade in Olosyc, is believed to be dead. The high-ranking merchant has not been seen since the fire in the slave market several days ago and is now believed by many to have burned to death in the flames.

“I could have sworn I saw him running from the blaze, he always wore that ridiculous feathered hat so there was no mistaking him. He was some way ahead of me and I escaped unharmed,” one confused witness told the Herald, “I guess it wasn’t him after all.”

Several slaves have been overheard expressing their delight at the news. “Good riddance to bad rubbish,” one was heard to mutter darkly to a fellow slave at the docks this morning.

Whilst a thorough search has not yet been carried out at the slave market, authorities are expecting to find his body amongst the dead and the Merchant’s Guild has already made an official announcement of his death. As Warric Quinn leaves no heirs his estate will pass into the hands of the Merchant’s Guild, who will dispose of it as they see fit.

“Whilst we are deeply saddened by the news of our colleagues unfortunate demise, we would like to assure everyone that the Merchant’s Guild Ball will still go ahead as planned,” a spokesman for the Guild announced earlier, “It’s what Merchant Quinn would have wanted. May I remind everyone that tickets are still available for purchase to anyone who wants to attend. There is, of course, no charge to guild members.”

Some will mourn the passing of a key player in the Guild, but many more will no doubt quietly rejoice the demise of a man who was unpopular with both slaves and the common people alike.

Thapelel Shakes

Reports are emerging from Thapelel of an earthquake on the 21st day of the Moneth of the Fogge Moon, apparently felt across the entire continent. Many residents in the North of Thapelel, where the quake was felt most strongly were just retiring for the night when the worlde shook beneath them.

“Gived me a reet scare, it did,” one woman claimed, “Shook me reet off t’bed.” Other residents claimed the woman was probably drunk at the time and reported, “T’was no more than a tremor really, we hardly felt it.”

The quake is said to have originated in the Thapelelian Wilds, where many strange happenings have been reported recently. Officials are reiterating that the jungles are no place for decent, city-dwelling folk, and are warning people to stay well away. “Once you go in, there’s no telling how many arms or heads you’ll come out with,” noted the Mayor of Sumbura. A stark warning indeed.

Olosyc Slave Market On Fire

Fire has ripped through Olosyc’s Slave Market, completely destroying it, and killing a number of slaves.

The fire started early this afternoon just as the day’s slave auctions were about to get underway and quickly devoured buildings and selling platforms alike.

So ferocious was the blaze that customers and merchants were forced to flee for their lives ahead of a wall of roaring flame. “The fire leapt from stand to stand so fast I could barely outrun it,” wailed one, slightly singed, witness. Others insist that it was not just one fire, but that several blazes started at various points around the market within seconds of each other, leading some to speculate that this was deliberate arson and not an accident at all.

Even as this is being reported officials and other volunteer fire-fighters are still working to extinguish the blaze entirely, although it is now said to be under control, with damage to other property in the city “unlikely”. Once all flames have been put out officials from the High Ward and other interested parties will no doubt be picking through the blackened ruins in order to find out exactly what happened.

 ”If it’s arson, someone will pay.” Merchant Taryn was heard saying, “I lost some good slaves in there.” Others were luckier, or perhaps just more concerned about their business interests. “I got all my slaves out, but it’s still a terrible loss,” Merchant Lys told The Herald, “With no slave market to do business in many merchants are going to be struggling. Fortunately I myself have other business ventures to direct my efforts towards.”

In a bizarre twist of events it seems it is actually illegal to sell slaves anywhere outside the confines of the market, a law enacted by the Merchant’s Guild many years ago to protect its members from black market slavery. Although no one from the Merchant’s Guild was available to comment at this time it seems likely that there will be no slave trade in Olosyc for a while.