cd
MireEnd
Tribune
Issue 1
"Local News For Local People" 3p
MIRE END RESIDENTS PETITION 3 CANALS AGAIN !
There were ugly scenes at the Grand
In further efforts to have Mire End Undaunted by their experience, the
Chambers as representatives at- group returned to Mire End vowing
recognised as part of the Three
Canals Metropolitan Area, a resi- tempted to gain access. This reporter
to carry on the protest. Holsten said:
witnessed Provosts using consider-  My mother and father, my grand-
dents group presented another
able force to disperse what was
plea to the Authority. Travelling parents, they all protested before me.
a small and mainly peaceful group.
on foot to the Grand Chambers, eight I ll carry on until we get the recogni-
Provost commander on the spot, Lyn
locals once again set the case of tion we deserve.
Burnard, stated:  Several non-TCMA
Mire End before the lawmakers of the
An Exclusive by
residents attempted to gain access
TCMAA.
Anon Supporter
by force to the Grand Hall. We used
Mire End representative Tjeri Hol-
acceptable force to keep them out".
sten said:  All we re looking for is
When asked if shooting one of the
equal rights and services. There re
FIREBOMB
group was reasonable force, Provost
good people round our way who
Burnard said:  No comment.
deserve a chance. We just want a
KILLS NINE
chance to show that we can be a part
Local residents were placed in a state
of the TCMA.
of fear and alarm when popular cellar
pub 'The Newmarket Bar' was fire-
NEW PROVOST COMMANDER
bombed. Reliable witnesses state
that three firebombs were thrown
APPOINTED TO FOLLY HILLS
into the bar in quick succession. In
taking patrols into Mire End in the the ensuing chaos, nine patrons
In a surprise move from the TCMA
search for criminal elements. When died.
Provosts, a new commander has
been appointed to Folly Hills. Prov- pressed to reveal if this meant that
This is the third such incident in
Mire End would receive regular Prov-
ost Captain Illyin Japarov arrived in
recent weeks. Suspicions of in-
ost assistance, he replied:  No.
Folly Hills today to take up his new
creased rivalry between local 3rd
appointment.
By Victor Dammers Syndicate and Hohler Gang interests
have been rife.
Known for his hardline approach in
dealing with street crime, Japarov
has the full backing of the Provosts
and the TCMA in making Folly Hills TICKTOCK MAN
a safer place to live.  I ve no com-
punctions about using all means
necessary to crush criminal elements
STRIKES AGAIN!
and keep the good people of Folly
Hills safe.
Bloody murder stained the waters of Local lostfinder Janus Kripitsch, who
When questioned about the Mire
the Green Canal once more as crazed has been following the progress of
End situation, Captain Japarov
serial killer Ticktock Man struck the Ticktock Man case, also admitted
stated he would  not be averse to
again. Canal traders found another to being thoroughly confused.  It s a
horrifically mutilated body, bearing confusing case. It would seem that
all the hallmarks of Ticktock Man, Ticktock Man is deliberately baiting
WIN A MEAL! just south of the Mire End/Folly Hills us, yet we can t piece the clues
ferry. together. I just wonder how many
more people will die?
turn to page3 Provosts were quickly on the scene
but confessed to having no further Regular readers will already be aware
leads in a case which has dragged on of the horrific nature of Ticktock
for years.  I m bloody baffled," said Mans crimes and the editors feel that
Provost Guarnere, a sentiment ech- further descriptions of their sicken-
oed by several of his colleagues. ing brutality are quite un-necessary.
cd
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yet none can argue that his tactics
are not effective in the extreme.
FACES IN THE CROWD
Growing up in the moderately com-
fortable burgh of Coldbath Fell,
Whoever can crack the Ticktock
Japarov did not suffer the privations
TICKTOCK MAN
Man case will be rich, famous and
and hardship of the common popu-
adored. However, it is a dangerous
A legend in the Three Canals, a
lace during his childhood. Yet, for
trail to follow. Those who have come
story used to frighten children, a
some reason, he developed a deep
close to the heart of the case have
vicious killer, a black hole in the
seated hatred of crime and criminals.
wound up dead or insane. Very few
urban warren. Ticktock Man is all
Those who have delved into his
individuals wish to delve into the
these things and more. For years the
past find no particular reason for
murky world of Ticktock Man. The
Provosts, vigilantes, hired guns and
this. He was happy as a child, loved
wise know that some things are best
macrocorporate investigators have
by his parents and siblings and did
left alone.
tried to track down one of the most
not undergo any particular traumas
famous serial killers in The City. All
which have skewed his judgement.
have met with abject failure or igno-
Despite this, at age 16 he joined the
minious death. The true number of PROVOST COM-
Provosts in order to pursue his
killings carried out by Ticktock Man
desire for law and order.
MANDER ILLIYAN
is unknown, as many murders are
To say that he rose through the
attributed to him. The actual number
JAPAROV
ranks quickly would be a gross
will never be known, but conserva-
understatement. His determination,
tive estimates put it in the high tens,
talents and ruthless application of
possibly over one hundred.
the law were rapidly recognised by
The brutality of this famed killer's
his superiors. Sticking absolutely to
crimes are shocking, even by the
the letter of TCMAA law, he still
violence-numbed standards of The
managed to instill an sense of fear in
City. Tracking through the spirals
criminals. Feted by the local press,
and fractals of Ticktocks Man s kill-
admired by the moneyed classes and
ing spree has driven more than one
respected by all within the Provosts,
hapless investigator to the edge of
Japarov seemed destined for the top.
madness. Sometimes they fall off the
Destined for the top, it seemed, until
edge. Respected, for a while revered,
he hit something of a glass ceiling.
Provost Saskia Nordenholtz now re-
Age: 37
Such is his zeal, fame and ruthless-
sides in Inferno as Inmate 490341,
ness, many of the more senior and
her mind snapped by the Ticktock Height: 5 9
more corrupt members of the Prov-
Man investigation, her body left as a
Weight:
osts now fear their prodigy turning
drooling, gibbering husk, living out
his sights on them. For Japarov
Eyes: Grey
her days squatting in her own filth
despises lawlessness of any kind,
and cackling at dust motes.
Hair: Grey/Black
especially within the Provosts them-
Ticktock Man s name comes from
Affiliations: TCMAA Provosts. selves. He is known to administer
the only contact the killer has ever
Mortal God Church (Godless Incur- harsh 'corrective punishment' to men
had with investigators. After the
sors faction). under his command who are found
first few killings, a note was deliv-
to be corrupt in any way.
A hard, hard man, Japarov is uncom-
ered to First Citizen Gorecki. This
Senior commanders hope that, by
promising in his attitude towards
was unusual in that the note was
giving him one of the toughest
crime. Every area he has worked in
not delivered by any individual and
possible assignments, the cleaning
within the TCMA has experienced a
seemed to simply appear on the First
up of Folly Hills, that he will fail
drop in crime, often a substantial
Citizen's desk. Another, rather dis-
ignominiously, be pilloried by the
drop. Some would argue that this
turbing, feature of the note delivery,
has come at the cost of civil liber- press and fall upon his own sword.
was the nature of the paper on
If this is what they think, then they
ties, others argue the price is well
which it was written. What was
seriously underestimate the man.
worth paying.
unusual about the paper has never
Japarov is on a mission to clean up
been disclosed. However, part of the
Japarov is not for his tolerance of
the streets as best he can, even if it
message which referred to  the tick
criminal activity of any kind, from
means personally rounding up every
tock of a giant clock leaked out,
the most petty cutpurse, right up to
criminal he can law his hands on.
hence the name applied to Tick Tock
the activities of the Third Syndicate.
Man.
His methods are sometimes de- Folly Hills is in for a shock.
scribed as repressive, even brutal,
2
the characters are drawn in to a web
of intrigue. This particular adventure
FROM THE GROUNDS
nugget is ideally suited to parties
who have a Lostfinder in their midst,
as they are likely to be approached
Welcome to the the first issue of
Mailing List
by some of the more kind hearted
 The Mire End Tribune , our regular
Mire End citizens. Alternatively, the
Join the a/state mailing list and be
newsletter offering news from Con-
body could give rise to tensions
notified as soon as anything hap-
tested Ground Studios, a/state game
between local criminal elements, vi-
pens. Obviously, this only relates to
information, NPCs, new info on The
cious rumours on the street accusing
stuff involving CGS and a/state. I
City, gear and mini adventures. The
various parties. One of the more
mean, if your car is stolen, you can t
' Tribune' will be available six times a
influential organisations (perhaps
expect us to tell you about it. To join
year, with occasional ' special is-
the Hohler Gang) may wish to settle
the list, go to the  Links page on the
sues (more on them in future edi-
this once and for all and approach
CGS website and click on the  a/state
tions).
 outside interests (i.e.: the party) to
mailing list link.
clear things up.
Once a/state is launched (or even
after a/stateLite is available, if you
feel particularly inspired), we d really
Thanks
The body is that of a young scrape
like the  Tribune to become a forum
addict and prostitute named Eloise
for GMs and players contributions. Thanks go to Matthew Barrowcliffe
Huyten. She was killed by her par-
If you have an NPC, a place in The who paid Ł200 in theConpulsion
ents, one of whom is under the
City, an item of technology, even an 2002 Grand Charity Auction for copy
influence of a Drache. Her father is
adventure or adventure seed, feel 0001 of a/state and Brian Pickles who
an immensely fat man, who is only
free to send it to us at info@contest- paid Ł100 in the same auction for a
able to walk by means of heavy
edground.co.uk. You ll receive full limited edition print of a piece of art
crutches and extensive leg braces.
credit for any contributions and the from the game. Other thanks to
Her mother is an emaciated, haggard
dubious pleasure of seeing your Mark, who paid Ł106 at the DrakCon
harridan of a woman, constantly
work in print! 2002 auction for a limited edition
screeching and screaming. Together
print. Cheers lads!
they run a second hand clothes
store in Folly Hills, a store which
also does a profitable sideline in
Save Your Screen
pornography of the more depraved
FOR YOUR
As you may (or may not) have
kind.
noticed, an a/state screensaver is
VIEWING
available for download on the CGS
website. Featuring art from the game, There are various elements involved
PLEASURE here: the girls parent's, local organ-
this will make a handsome addition
ised crime elements, local gangs, the
to any home computer. Amaze your
Each issue, 'For Your Viewing Pleas-
Provosts, the girl's boyfriend and
friends, irritate your family, get an
ure' will bring you an adventure
even the semi-legendary serial killer,
a/state screensaver.
nugget, short adventure or series of
Ticktock Man. Who is ultimately
ideas for use with a/state. The first
responsible for the killing is up to
of these is given below, a horriffic
the GM. Possible reasons for the
a/stateLite
murder with a whole host of possi- killing include:
bilities....
As you'll probably know, a/stateLite
is now available as a 62 page PDF.
Parents: The possession by the
Offering the ideal introduction to the
Drache causes bizarre and unreason-
world of a/state, Lite offers basic
Strange Little Girl
able acts, including murder. Mr
background, details on The City,
Huyten lives in constant fear of his
simplified rules, and introductory ad-
wife (he doesn t actually know she s
venture and pre-generated charac-
Finding a dismembered body in the
possessed, he just thinks she s
ters.
Green Canal is not all that unusual mad).
an occurrence for the citizens of
Mire End and Folly Hills. However, a
Real a/state!
carefully wrapped, dismembered Organised Crime/Gangs: The rea-
sons could run the gamut from not
body of a young girl is a different
Coming in October/November! Yes,
paying for drugs to passing informa-
matter. As the Provosts refuse to
honest, it is!
tion to the provosts or another gan-
investigate (citing the fact that the
g/organisation.
corpse was found on the Mire End
side of the canal),
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Boyfriend: In a fit of drug induced In another interesting feature, the
AN A/STATE
rage, he may have killed the girl and clockwork can be disengaged from
then dismembered the body and the gun mechanism and used to
GLOSSARY
dumped it in the canal in an effort to power a tiny internal dynamo which
conceal his crime. Then again, she recharges the capacitor. The ammu-
may have died accidentally, he pan- nition cylinder itself can also be
Given that a/state hasn't been re-
icked and tried to cover it up. completely removed and replaced
leased yet, some of the terms used in
with a freshly loaded specimen.
this issue of The Mire End Tribune
may be unfamiliar to you. So here's a
But the 'Fearless also has one last
The Provosts: If the girl attempted to
rough and ready guide to some of
trick up its sleeve: its dingin powered
ply her trade in Folly Hills, certain of
the more obscure terms...
sighting mechanism. Manufactured
the more militant Provosts may have
by Abelards brother Everard, the
killed her and tried to make it look
dingin itself is a tiny microscale unit
like a gang or serial killer crime. Such
Dingin: A mechanical computer. Can
of high quality and craftsmanship. It
acts are not unknown, and while the
be macroscale (large, visible compo-
draws its power from the clockwork
Provosts do not actively encourage
nents), microscale (components can
mechanism and a series of miniature
the  removal of  undesirable ele-
be seen with a powerfull magnifying
brass buttons and dials inset into its
ments , such acts are not investi-
glass) or nanoscale (components can
surface allow for programming. Users
gated with undue haste.
only be seen through the most pow-
are given a (handwritten) list of
erful microscopes).
codes which allow them to pro-
gramme the weapon to take account
Ticktock Man: Ticktock Man has
of different ammunition, propellant
absolutely nothing at all to do with
Provost: A member of the police
loads and even whether or not it is
this case, but provides a useful red
force of the Three Canals Metropoli-
raining or foggy. Then comes the
herring, so to speak.
tan Area.
clever bit.
When aiming at a target, the user
looks through a large, upright rectan- Sparklock: A common, primitive
THE WORKSHOP
muzzle loading firearm using capaci-
gular sight mounted towards the rear
tors or superconductors scavenged
of the weapon. Then they use a
Each issue 'The Workshop' will give
from hitech sources to electrically
small ratchet mechanism inlaid into
you lucky people a new bit of tech-
ignite a charge of propellant.
the butt to bracket the target with
nology from The City, insights into
two parallel bars, one aligning with
how things work and various other
the head, the other aligning with the
tech-related crap.
feet. Then the dingin takes over.
CREDITS
Gallowglass 'Fearless' Re-
Taking the average height of a man
volver
as its baseline, the dingin computes
the rough range to the target and
Layout: Paul Bourne
Manufactured by Abelard Gal-
adjusts the bars up or down accord-
lowglass & Sons, a gunsmiths of
Writing: Malcolm Craig
ingly. The user simply needs to keep
some repute, the 'Fearless' is truly a
Art: Paul Bourne
the target bracketed by the bars, pull
thing to behold. Most sparklocks
the trigger and the target is hit. The
have a reputation for being slow,
Proofreading: Rab Robertson
dingin can also be set for large or
inaccurate and clumsy. The 'Fearless'
small targets, according to the situa-
goes some way to resolving the first
tion.
two shortcomings, if not the third. In Go on, get your name here! If you'd
essence, it is a seven shot sparklock like to contribute a news story,
revolver of relatively simple design. something for 'Faces In The Crowd',
Caliber: 0.55
However, it is the way in which 'The Workshop', 'For Your Viewing
Damage: 13
Abelard Gallowglass has integrated Pleasure' or 'Round & About', then
some novel features which makes the Penetration: 11 get in touch with us. We won't nick
'Fearless' almost unique. Firstly, the your ideas (honest!) and you'll get
Range: 10
gun is semi-automatic. This is full credit for anything published.
ROF: 1
achieved through the use of a rug- Go on, what's the worst that could
Reaction Mod: -5
ged clockwork mechanism under the happen?
barrel which rotates the cylinder after Clip: 7 round cylinder
each shot. In front of this mechanism
Weight: 3Ilbs
(at the muzzle end of the weapon) is
Cost: Ł100
the large capacitor which provides
the power to fire the rounds fromthe
gun.
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