Gypsy Genocide Looming?

[Martyna Z'muir]

A people revered as peaceful merchants and craftsmen, the nomadic gypsy clans have tragically come under siege by treasure-seeking adventurers across our kingdom. The jaunty encampments which dot the woodlands just outside the major cities have become bloody scenes of senseless carnage.

To investigate this tragedy I headed just east of Trinsic to Barrier Isle, a locale known to be frequented by traveling gypsies. Sadly, I was unprepared for what I encountered... Two blue tents stood near the eastern shore, more than a dozen human bodies lay nearby. The remains showed evidence of both magic and physical assault, a callous disregard for life. The camp's livestock had also been slaughtered, and every chest and crate torn open.

Venturing into one of the tents, I heard a quiet sobbing emanating from a closed barrel. Daring to open it, I found a terrified young girl clutching a threadbare rag doll. She began to scream that she "Didn't have one!" and "Why won't you believe us?" It took nearly twenty minutes before I could convince her I was there to help, and that I didn't covet any of her belongings.

Eventually, the girl, Mischa, told me how her clan had been murdered. Several men had rushed in on horseback at about midday and began harassing the elders about 'artifacts and relics.' These men became angry when told that the clan didn't possess such things and started attacking the gypsies. Mischa's mother managed to conceal her in a trash barrel before succumbing to the marauders, there she hid in torment- listening as her family fell and the camp was ransacked.

I left the girl in the safe hands of the Trinsic sheriff, and continued my investigation. Fortunately, I didn't have to go far as I happened upon two men near the Keg & Anchor talking loudly about "moonstone bracelets fetching high prices in Luna" and that they were "kept hidden by the dirty tent-people." I bit my tongue and sought out someone who would know more about gypsy antiquities.

According to one antiques dealer, who wished to remain anonymous, gypsy tinkers crafted the bracelets using the moonstones which once allowed travel between Felucca and Trammel, after the stones fell out of favor. He said that the inset stones will glow the color of the facet on which the wearer is located, but the bracelet performs no other feat. He had heard similar tragic tales like that of the clan near Trinsic from traders all over Britannia, of heartless ruffians murdering peaceful gypsies in their avaricious quest for the latest trendy bauble.

Seeking to inform those in authority, I found Chancellor DaKaren and Justicar Fl'Gith of the High Council of Britannia at the Civic Center in Compassion Grove and related to them looming genocide. Both men were shocked by the wonton butchery happening across the land agreed that this issue would be brought before the full Council this coming Monday.

"This is something I would have expected perpetrated by Casca or the bigoted Brotherhood of Valor, not the Virtuous Citizens of Britannia... Its appalling!" said a disappointed Chancellor.

"Tis inhumane t' murder these kind, wanderin' souls simply t' rob them o' th' few trinkets they 'ave left t' call their own." the Justicar said disdainfully.

If you see someone harassing the gypsies, remind them of the Virtuous Path. If you see these bracelets for sale, consider where they probably came from and the methods used in their acquisition...is one worth the life of your fellow Britannian?