Hex 29.14.03
Connects to: 29.14.02 and 30.12.
Of all the balloon-artisans in the City of Shuttered Windows, the most respected was Yilbar the Illustrious. Owning an entire studio of builders, designers and painters, he was the creator of the Doge’s current air-barge, as well as many other fine balloons.
His greatest work yet was to be the Black Balloon. Painted primarily black, with white frescoes depicting grand moments in the history of the City, it was filled with a new type of gas (also black). Yilbar had acquired the gas from some distant place, but the specifics of where and how he would not divulge.
In any case, the black gas when heated was extremely buoyant, allowing the Black Balloon to rise higher than any other before it. The Doge didn’t like this, but Yilbar assured him that the balloon represented the glory of the entire City, and besides it was only being taken up for a test flight.
The whole City turned out to watch the Black Balloon rise. Yilbar was on it, along with his twin daughters Ysmara and Ynae. The Balloon rose until it was merely a black spot in the sky. It didn’t come down again. In fact, it floats there still, and can be seen from the ground on a clear day.
Nobody knows why the Balloon is not returning. However, a few hours after its ascent, a flaming body was seen to fall from it before bursting into ashes on the pavement. A distinctive silver ring identified the body as Yilbar the Illustrious.
Connection:
- Yilbar constructed a balloon for the fabulously wealthy Count Seutorian (30.12) in the likeness of Baron Horenghast‘s mother.
Hooks:
- Where did the black gas come from?
- What happened to Yilbar, and why hasn’t the balloon come down?
- Yilbar’s son is offering a handsome reward to anyone who can get up to the balloon and rescue his sisters, if they still live. But how would anyone get up that high?