Category Archives: In-Game Staff Submissions

It appears the great plague of Tradegate has ended, but not without significant cost.

Spiritualists report the energy of the disease began siphoning away to two distinct locations on the 19^th of Petalsong—one located on the outskirts of the major city, one within. Though no turbulence has been reported from the location on the outskirts of the city, the one located within Tradegate erupted with danger as a massive abomination of the laughing plague crushed its way from the basement of a dilapidated home on the east end.

Horns blared as the town guard and stationed members of the Irvanshirian army took up arms against the vile creature. Despite fighting valiantly, the armed forces had to retreat shortly after being summoned, overwhelmed by the manifestations of the disease and a cackling band of followers who appeared humanoid. Dozens fell to the disease’s corruption, but no townsfolk were reported deceased.

The violence ended as the abomination crushed its way through an outer wall, its back towards Tradegate as it fled. Scouts report the abomination has manifested thousands of iterations of the disease, its numbers climbing by the day—an army of disease and laughter untamed.

Irvanshirians nervous about the disease began flocking to the Crown’s gates in Point Edgar, demanding answers and reassurances, screaming for an update from the High Inqusitior and Crown. When pressed, Ambrose Glass, Herald of the Crown, House Brighthand, issued a statement about the recent activity:

“The King offers his sincerest sorrow for what has occurred in the great city of Tradegate. His thoughts are with its people and the families of those who have suffered or lost loved ones due to this devastating affliction. . .

The Crown, steadfast in its resolve to keep Irvanshire safe, has been reassured by High Inquisitor Vondus that he will personally oversee that the army of disease, and its abomination, will be dispatched as swiftly as possible without any more loss of human life. Our complete confidence rests within his abilities.”

At last note the army of disease was moving eastward on the coast. Citizens between Tradegate and Bloomingport are urged to take extreme caution and prepare for a potential plague on their doorsteps. 

In the wake of the quarantine of Tradegate, the Crown calls to officially recognize Lord Vega of House Vondus from the dimension of Mortuan for an incredibly sizable donation of gold, aid, and resources in support of relief efforts to the great city and, thus, Irvanshire. 

Henceforth it be known: in recognition of these deeds; and in recognition of a stalwart resolve against decay and in betterment of humankind; insofar as the rights be extended throughout the kingdom of Irvanshire, the Crown doth decree an inquisition occur with the sole focusing of warding the state against future famine, disease, and plague. 

Effective immediately, the Crown doth decree Lord Vega of House Vondus of Mortuan, with all rights do, as HIGH INQUISITOR of this task force. 

So shall it be known.

Ambrose Glass
Herald of the Crown
House Brighthand 

Thousands gathered in Tradegate for its annual New Year’s celebration. On the tail end of a panel discussion spurning the old gods hosted by the Allegiant and moderated by acting Minster Heartsong, a glorious fireworks display concluded another epic, citywide celebration. The high spirits of the crowd seemed to peak as the audience burst into laughter together.

Little paid any attention first to the giggles gurgling from the frivolity at first—all symptoms of a wonderful time. But then, the laughter increasingly felt forced. As the crowd began noticing that they couldn’t control their own laughter, people’s anxieties grew into panic as they began struggling to breathe. The local town guard was called in to bring the peace and to prevent riots and to force citizens back into their homes, taverns—or really anywhere but the streets. No casualties have yet been reported.

Initial diagnoses from local spiritualists identified that the affliction was of a laughing disease of unknown origins that was spreading like wildfire through Tradegate. Heavily contagious, the disease’s strand was not one ever faced by the spiritualists before. As all cases analyzed were still early in the disease’s incubation, the spiritualists expressed concern about what would happen as the disease progressed in the body. They are still heavily monitoring cases but expressed a lack of magical ability to cure every case of the disease in the city.

Tradegate officials cannot confirm the disease has been contained in the chaos of its onset, stating it was possible parties fled the city with the disease. In an effort to further stop the spread, by order of the king, Tradegate has been officially quarantined. To help maintain order, the Irvanshirian Army has been called to help enforce the entrances and exits of all parties in and out of Tradegate.

Irvanshirian economists are claiming that every day of Tradegate’s quarantine will amount in serious—even catastrophic—consequence to the Irvanshirian economy, with thousands of gold projected to be lost. They are still uncertain of the impact this will have, by consequence, on the rest of Irvanshire, but the outlook at this time appears grim, especially for those most in need who do business with Tradegate frequently.

Should anyone have any information about the disease, a cure, or anything to help in this crisis, they are asked to report to an Irvanshirian soldier outside of Tradegate—who will then direct you to the appropriate avenue depending on area of aid.