Stories From Both Sides Of The Red Desert

In Progress – The party has begun investigating the mystery.

Open – The party has yet to look into this event.

The Judge – A bald, insane giant has been terrorizing the town at the behest of Ol' King Cole. Who will stop the madness? - In Progress

The Sphere – The great sphere in the desert is said to be an observatory as well as a means of transportation. What other secrets does this strange monument hold? - In Progress

The Tower – A gigantic tower has been glimpsed at the center of the city. Hedwig has used some of her machine abilities to explore the structure. What did she find? - In Progress

The Tale of Two Countries – Representatives from The Democratic Cleromarchy of Nevada and The Meritocracy of Tijuana have come to Temperance in order draw it into the fold. With a town full or lonely miners, which will they choose? In progress

The Alleyway to The Temple – A dead end alley actually ends in a dimensional portal to a strange temple devoted to a goddess. It's head priestess devotes herself to freeing prostitutes and other women from their plights. What secrets does this ruined temple hold? In Progress

The Created Creator – Evidence and testimony sugguests that The Father is just the creation of an even larger being. Angels have been exiled for knowing too much, and further acts of barbarism continue in His name. What further horrors are in store? In Progress

The Exiled and Unwanted – Seven different sentient species are congregating outside of the town in the Shadow Realm. They state that their worlds were destroyed by fire from the sky. Will your world be next? In Progress

Glimpsed from the corners of eyes, or split second apparitions, a tower looms from the center of Temperance. The sightings never last more than an instant, but the immensity of the tower is immediately apparent. Easily 800 feet tall, it always appears to be nested within the center of the city. Only the strange and unique seem to catch these sightings of the monolithic structure in the distance, yet none have visited; perhaps those who have are remaining silent for their own reasons.

This government is ruled through a house of representatives who's representatives are chosen first through tests then through popular votes. All possible candidates from the various states are first given civil service aptitude tests based on resource management and economic theory. Those with the top 5 scores are then put on the ballot for the people to choose from. Representative Xavier Quesnay has been sent to see if Temperance would like to join the Meritocracy of Tijuana. 

This government is ruled through a combination of chance and democracy. The people choose representatives who cast lots or use cards to determine the final outcome of a vote. Those who have the majority of votes receive the best odds, with fate deciding the final outcome. Representatives are chosen through votes to decide who gets the best odds, with the final say being given to chance and the skill of the gamblers. Representatives gamble amongst themselves for the rights to particular laws, usually the rights belong first to the representative who introduced the law to the house of representatives. Those that own the rights receive a percentage of the fines and fees take from violators. Naturally gambling plays an integral part in the Cleromarchy's culture, with games of chance being given even religious significance. Two representatives have been sent to see if the small country of Temperance would like to join them: Cleromarch Vance Aldones and Cleromarch Cassilda Carcosa. 

It has been two weeks since the battle for independence and two major events have occurred in the intervening days:

Thorny vines now wind through the empty spaces between buildings as well as invade once placid gardens and parks. The vines sprout fragrant black roses, that draw the eye as well as the nose. Unfortunately, the flowers as well as their thorns are poisonous to the extreme. Those that consume the buds or are injured by the thorns experience a host of symptoms: fever, chills, profuse sweating, erratic heartbeat, and vomiting. If Chelation agents are not administered within the first 12 hours of exposure, death is a likelihood. 

The previous night a number of falling stars were seen to streak through the sky and impact within miles of the town. Those who witnessed the event have stated that the falling streaks of light were humanoid in shape. Witnesses have stated that they have seen a number of men and women wandering through the desert without aim, nude and lightly injured.

This was slipped beneath your doors.