Teaser: Campaign Session Four, "The Dam Breaks"

Following a successful and well-attended World's Fair, the city has been abuzz with progressive sentiments and talk of new commercial ventures, many inspired by visitors from foreign lands.  Of these ventures, the most immediate is a medical clinic being constructed jointly by a handful of Machines and Victorians.  Many believe that this collaboration heralds a new age of cooperation between the two cultures.  Meanwhile, rumor has it that the Queen has been preparing to sing a new opera, her Victorian debut.

It is also to be noted that the fabulously wealthy businessman, A. David Brandington, is hosting a coming-of-age party for his sister, Stephanie Brandington, at the Great Hall at 9:30 PM.

A number of high-profile individuals have been missing from the city; there are many rumors about what may have befallen the Baron of Blood, in particular.  Strangely, though the Marquess of Winds is also gone, no one seems to notice or care, and business related to her office seems to be taken care of.

After the Baron finally returns a few days before the session, a new "ribbon program" is announced.  Posters, flyers, criers, and conversation spreads word throughout the city of this initiative.  It is proclaimed that there will be a census of those who dwell within the city.  Her Majesty respectfully requests that all persons within the bounds of Victoria converse with the Baron of Blood, who has been made overseer of this task.

Finally, the nightmares of the past few months have reached a frenetic peak.  It is not uncommon to hear cries of anguish drifting from open windows at night, and many walk about with dark circles beneath their eyes.  Even those who can sleep often awaken suddenly, far from their beds.  The aura of fear in Victoria is compounded by a series of horrific killings, each worse than the last - many Machines have been found, grotesquely gutted in fetid alleyways.  There is some debate over how much protection they should be given, since it is unclear whether they are Victorian citizens.