Folks, kid number 5 has severely curtailed the amount of free time I've got to devote to anything. I can't see that changing for a good while yet and I know it's self-inflicted.

Therefore I'd like to bring this part of The City, After to a close. It seems fairer than leaving it hanging on. I can then pull the text together, work it into a reasonable manuscript and put it back on the site here as a complete story.

I'm going to leave the game exactly where it is, write up a closing piece.

It's been a tough decision to come to, drawing this to a close. But hopefully it means I can make better use of the time I've got. 

...the bright light of a summer's afternoon. Blue skies can be seen through the windows, the sounds of a market in full swing waft in on a light breeze. Through two of the windows, towers spike into the sky, the third looks out over unspoilt countryside.

Three tall, arched windows pierce the side of the tower, beneath each a scribe's desk placed to make best use of the light. At each desk sits a grey-robed scribe, each with a page of ornate manuscript in front of them, working on illuminations with a selection of brushes, inks and pens. Only one turns and acknowledges the three figures standing, somewhat stunned, near the doorway to the lower levels.

In the centre of the room, an ornate spiral staircase leads upwards, faint voices drifting down.

A narrow alley, about a hundred yards away from the Grey Tower. Two men tower over a small child. Each of the men wears a heavy leather hood, covering their faces completely. Branded onto the leather is the outline of a hammer superimposed over a hand. The child stands as tall as he can, no trace of fear in his face.

"You're sure?"

That's all, folks.  Game to start Monday 18th January.  That will give me time to finish blocking out the first story arc and get you your character sheets.  Anyone who's not finished their prologue had better hurry up!

So what did Khadim have before the Night of Fire and what is left now?

Khadim is/was part of the Empire. Could I get a brief description of the Empire? Was it a kind of allied city-states (sort of like ancient Greece) or a true empire (Roman Empire).

Most of the questions I as going to ask are already answered in Captain Mal's journal. The city was ruled by the magi (currently missing) and the Guild Council (down to 3 members). There were libraries, an amphitheatre, and sewers. There is a Riverside district and an Artisan's quarter. What other districts are there? There is a graveyard. How big is it and does it continue underground?

During the Night of Fire, the entire world changed. Now that it is over, is the land still changing and if so how rapidly? Is the general terrain makeup (contours of the land and soil composition) changing, or just vegetation? Do massive changes happen overnight, or does it take weeks/months for changes to occur?

Basically, if I look over the city wall today will I see the same thing when I look over tomorrow? A week later? A month later? By my understanding of the setting, it will change. I just want some clarification on how significant the changes will be over those time periods.