Incident report: Habib Salas - Purple Guard

[Purple Guard] Incident Report: Habib Salas Maskmaker Habib Salas was found dead in the fourth quadrant of The Shambles by Nasar apprentice Emul Vano during the first watch. A Guards patrol attended and was able to establish that the subject died instantly due to a fall from a great height. A tag found nearby identified the subject as resident of the Poets' quarter. After examination of the scene and the subject, violations of Akbar's commandments can be ruled out.

Background:

Born CC 27 at Aiwaz, died CC 60, Djachroum. Son of the sculptor Jawan and icon maker Raeda. Studied at the art academy in Kurav at Mira. Carried out a pilgrimage to Sadaal at CC 52 and studied there at the great mask maker Gaubruva. Arrived at Djachroum CC 56 and opened Salas’ workshop in the poets' quarter.

Lt Rahim Gulda

Habib Salas’ Journal

13/07/60

It started as any day. Among the calls of the traders and the chatter of the monkeys, I offered my prayers and set up my little stall in the backstreets of the Shambles. Another day filled with unworthy efforts to sell cheap cardboard masks to wabas and tourists. Oh, Salomeh, can you blame me for wanting to leave this unworthy life behind? Suddenly, it stood there in the dusty alley. A richly decorated sedan chair, black as basalt and decorated with algolan celestial patterns of gold thread. A faint buzz filled the air and for a moment it was as if the noise of the basaar had stilled. The door of beautiful conveyance opened and out of the darkness, a gloved hand beckoned. Jewelled rings added a sparkle to the gesture of invitation.
What did I have to lose? I looked around, but around me the commerce continued, and no one seemed to take any notice of us. The scent of Miran jasmine almost stunned me as I stepped in and sat down opposite a veiled figure, a woman, if I am any judge. She watched me for a long time before the first word was uttered. I could not see her eyes.

14/07/60

Salomeh, if you only knew how the icons smile upon me now. I have been entrusted with a commission of the kind you get once in a lifetime. The veiled lady offered me a sum beyond my wildest imagination. Admittedly, it is a very complicated order, an exact copy of a garbarra mask from Sadaal, but by the Icons, if there is anyone on Djachroum who can do it, is is I!

15/07/60

At the beginning of the evening shift, I was picked up in the black sedan chair. The windows of the vehicle were dark, so we travelled blindly, but I felt that we were moving up. Up towards the Bridge Town. Up towards a better life.
When we arrived, it looked like it once was a palace dedicated to the Icon of the Founders. Strange statues extended up to the vaulted ceiling, inspiring both fear and admiration. I have been given a chamber where I will do my work.
The veiled one visited me as I was arranging my tools. When I turned around, she was just standing there in the doorway, immobile and indistinct. That's when I saw it: on her bare left hand was a symbol I have seen before. A white star. Suddenly, I realized who my employer was.

18/07/60

I am more than halfway through my work and up until now my mind has been calm and focused. But today something strange happened. I was working as usual in my chamber when my concentration was broken by voices from the great hall below. I went out on the balustrade to sate my curiosity. Oh, Salomeh, I wish I hadn’t! I saw the one they call the First, their high priest. He was wearing a crimson caftan but had dropped the hood and I was shaking all over my body when I realized who it was. May the Judge show mercy. What have I gotten myself into?

20/07/60

By the grace of the Icons, they know everything! I've never been so scared in my whole life. Salomeh, this is so much bigger than I could ever have imagined. How could I be so blind! Garbarra-dul-mur. Do you understand? The truth is in the mask! If anything should happen to me, I want you to sell the workshop and leave Djachroum as soon as you can. You have to promise me that!

Type

Text, Newspaper