Act 2, Scene 2: Welcome to Cyrecuze

General Summary

The party, including probationary member Cilash Mazo, arrived in Cyrecuze. After asking around, they discovered that Cyrecuse is a large (pop. 30,000), prosperous, port city organized primarily as a trade center. It’s known for its bountiful wheat crop, olive groves, textiles, and deep water fishing port. Cyrecusans are less bent toward scholarly pursuits than Larissans, but still enjoy at least the basic benefits of Almieadan education. Like its neighbors, Cyrecuze is run by a council of 11 experts from various fields (e.g., maritime activities, military, economics, etc.)   Cyrecuse boasts two markets—the Dawn Agora, which is located near the eastern gate where the party arrived, and Tradewharf, which is adjacent to the docks. The Dawn Agora is a loud, chaotic, dusty, trampled souk with shops, brightly colored booths, vendor carts, hawkers, and other peddlers all competing for coin. Travelers and locals alike can shop for food, supplies, and exotic goods from all over Malatoria. Tradewharf is equally bustling with exchange, but tends to deal more in seafood and raw materials shipped in or out of Cyrecuse (e.g., hewn stone for building, timber, etc). At the Dawn Agora, the party learned that the symbol of the Brotherhood of Ignorance is also the trademark of the Mandiaskias Olive Company. Clearly, there is some connection between the Cabal Al-Jahal and this merchant enterprise. The Mandiaskias Olive Company’s holdings are just southwest of Cyrecuse proper.   A motte and bailey, Thallasadon’s Watch, is a grim sentinel defending the harbor; the fortress is also the seat of government. (It is named for a Cyrecusan admiral revered for defeating a fleet of Mezzalunan pirates). About two weeks past, A ghost ship sailed into the harbor. The crew were dead and the ship seemed to be guiding itself; witnesses all reported a strange glowing lantern swinging above the helm. The party suspected that it may have been the Fisher's work.   More recently, a group of arsonists attempted to burn down a small college in Cyrecuze, which includes a library and scriptorium. The arsonists were thwarted by the head librarian, the Honorable Doctor Philebus Tolliver. Philebus is a well-known and respected historian and former colleague (though no fan of) Pinkus MacEarthy. Hearing of this, and believing (rightly) that the attack was the work of the Cabal Al-Jahal, the group went to meet with Dr. Tolliver. After detailing their exploits at the Shrine of the Preserver, the librarian suggested that the party explore Haram Alia-Tiwa, an abandoned jail located just to the north of Cyrecuse. Local farmers claimed to have heard screams and cries from within, despite the fact that Haram Alia-Tiwa has been vacant for more than a century. The city district nearest Haram Alia-Tiwa also reported an outbreak of illness. Details are sketchy, but one symptom is foul smelling farts. Perhaps this is the same illness the Fisher used to corrupt and destroy the expeditions to the Shrine of the Preserver…   The day drew on, so the group decided to rest at the Spine and Vine, a public house on the edge of the campus. A few of the party decided to do some shopping in Cyrecuse’s markets. They were surprised to see a fey and unsettling fog moving through the city towards the Spine and Vine. Hurrying back to the pub, they caught a troupe of skeletons lead by a mummy and wight skulking through the mist. Terror and panic followed in the creatures’ wake. Thinking quickly, the party dispatched the mummy with fire while Cilash drew upon the power of Brittanicus to drive off the wight. Coop, Tiberius, and Tybalt Muse easily defeated the skeletons. The monsters came from the north, so the group left to investigate Haram Alia-Tiwa at first light.