Velwythe

Archive for the ‘Desert Messenger’ Category

The future of the port and entire city of Bree has become a major focus of the Grand Council’s attention. For decades now the port city has seen fewer and fewer ships docking, or even passing by. What was once one of the busiest and most congested ports on Atla has become a distant memory used only by those still living there or as an emergency shelter from the unpredictable and capricious Endless Sea. But when mere rumors spread to the distant desert city that the port would finally be officially removed from the list of national transport stops, crime and violence erupted on a level not seen for hundreds of years. Bree has been, since its first days as a port city, the epicenter for organized crime in Atla. Recently the city has become more and more peaceful and dreary as it has become less populated and useful. Organized crime was something most thought long gone in the desert. The few locals who work the dying harbor or fish the violent seas have had little to no problems with the crime as of late. The Grand Council has been discussing the ramifications of finally closing the port to shipping traffic for many years. Instead of leaving the port to the elements, the GC figures Bree should finally be converted into a scientific research outpost. The vast knowledge stored in the deserts of the Kahn province and the eastern access to the Endless Sea are two things that can’t be found anywhere else on Velwythe. However, the moment this news reached the city of Bree, a crime wave flooded the entire desert town. Within one week’s time twenty percent of the small businesses were destroyed, fifteen ships were raided and stolen, five people were killed and damage totaling 800,000 mig was done to the various structures and ships. Three crime families thought to have been eradicated over 100 years ago have reappeared and begun fighting for control of the city once again. Unlike the war in the archipelago or even the recent attacks in Sed, the battle is not an open war. Instead, the crime families have continued right where they left off, in drive by murders, people trafficking, sabotage and espionage. In one instance the owner of a local fish processing plant and his family were invited to a ‘formal evening function’. When the family arrived they were captured and have yet to be seen. After capturing the family, the Morrano outlaws seized control of the facility and captured all the ships docking there for several days. What is unclear however, is where exactly the crime organizations have come from (or more specifically, where they had been hiding). It is still unknown whether or not they have been in hiding, working behind the scenes for over 100 years, or if this is a new group acting under the old family names. Provincial law enforcement has been sent to the area and will arrive shortly. Their mission there is not to bring back the peace, but to assess the situation and get a better idea of what exactly should be done with Bree. Hopes are high that while there, the law enforcement will bring calm to the trouble city. But, just as in the past, it is not very likely that actual criminal activities will be seen. If the crime families have been around for this long, they are likely quite good at keeping their works a guarded secret. Fortunately, it is not too late to convert the now crime filled city into a research city.

If the GC does decide to finance the changes the military will be involved and quickly eradicate any criminals, putting an end to the crime for good.

—2nd of Vos