The Larketian Herald
Part of the Regional Newspapers
Area: Larket
Distribution: Red Ogre Inn
Ownership: Privately owned by Santiago, independently run.
Language: Common.
OOC editor: Hmail Macon or News.
Issues Archive
2017
March 2017
Larket News
Coven of Destruction: Witches May Be Responsible for Earthquake
Recent evidence unearthed at the Chapel of Pleasure links witches to the earthquake which rocked Larket early last month. Professor Valen Veldair discovered a secret room said to have housed a map of Larket as well as many items necessary to dark witchcraft. He brought his discovery to the Crown and a more robust investigation was launched, with Mr. Veldair and Sir Mythayus as the leads. The local Priest of Delisha has confessed to having known about the room, which he rented out to witches who went by the names Brighid and Avery, but claims he did not know what they were up to, or what they had planned. “Why would I attack my own home, or aid those who would? I love Larket, and I will do whatever I can to help the authorities catch those witches.” [ooc: Part of the Larketian Fault Lines arc. NOTE: Witches didn’t do this! Misinformation and mistakes are a driving factor of this arc’s conflict. Read the arc timeline here: https://www.hollowgame.com/wiki/Talk:Arc:Larketian_Fault_Lines ] Suspicious Death with Magical Links to Venturil
A man was found dead in Gunther Horn’s home. The body was charred by alchemical fire, and nothing surrounding the body was burnt. There was no sign of forced entry and nothing was stolen. Authorities claim that similar deaths have been reported from Venturil, wherein the suspects are witches. “We do not know yet if this murder is at all related to the murders in Venturilia [sic], but we’re looking into it,” said Shawn Spices, spokesperson for the Crown. [ooc: Venturil angle is related to the Souls Out of Time arc led by Eirik. The murder is related to The Dust Up in Cenril Arc led by Hudson, Eleanor, and Emelyan.]
Local Tycoon’s First Business, a Deli, Bombed
A historic Larket deli was destroyed by bombing in a tragic terrorist attack. There were no casualties. This deli was the first business owned by Don Santiago. Guards are investigating the crime, which may have links to violent pro-fascism and anti-Larket groups.
Good Witch v. Bad Witch: Witches Enlisted in Defense of Larket, Asked to Self Report
Fort Freedom has asked all witches residing in Larket to self-report for security purposes. Local apothecary and hero, Artia, is the first to self report. When asked if the request to self report made her nervous, Artia said, “Not at all. In fact, I encourage my other fellow witches to unite with King Macon to help oppose any dark witches that threaten our good names. I am the first to come forth, and feel safe and secure in doing so. I encourage you to do the same.” Shawn Spices adds, “The Larket Academy of Magic has a list of mages. So a mage does a crime, bam, we have a list. We go to the list, we say, ok, listen, we know these guys. We know who the mages are, what they can do. We can’t do this for witches. Look, that’s all we’re saying. We need a list of witches so we know who is who and can keep Larket safe.” Witches are encouraged to report at the Fort. [ooc: Are you a witch? Do you know a witch? Want to report yourself or a neighbor? Hmail Reinhardt and Mythayus.]
City Life
Academy Opens New Research Department, Unique in all of Lithrydel
The Larket Academy of Magic has been inspired by recent discoveries at the University of Cenril that link witches to the creation of vampires. The Academy has opened a new research department to study witchcraft and answer questions as to the nature of the mysterious magic and its capabilities. The Academy calls on witches to volunteer for non-invasive, observation-based experiments. [ooc: Are you a witch? Want to contribute to arcano-science studies? Hmail Muzo and Valen.]
Geological Calamities Continue
The recent geological shocks have left permanent changes to Larket’s foundation. A massive sinkhole has opened up behind Kyla’s Eatery, along the Vibrance River. A smaller sinkhole upstream destroyed House of Ara. Healer Sabrina has been funding its reconstruction and hopes to expand on the healing center’s capacity. [ooc: Contact Sabrina to get involved.]
Devereux Family Grieves Revered Lord
Lord Devereux Senior passed away earlier this month. His family held a private ceremony. The title of Lord passes to Lord Reinhardt Devereux, only son. Lord Devereux Senior is survived by his son and wife, Violet Devereux, President of the Women Patriots of Larket Society.
Love in the Stacks
Professor Valen and local ranger York are happy to announce their engagement! The nuptials will take place on April 3rd.
Royal Baby Bump?
The Royal Couple may soon be a Royal Family! Sources close to the couple can confirm that King Macon surprised his young wife with a nursery for her birthday. “She was so happy she was crying tears of joy!” our source confirms. “The King picked out all the details himself, but there’s no indication as to whether we can expect a prince or princess.” The Herald’s body language expert says the signs first began to appear as early as last month. During a recent outing to the market, Queen Josleen held a hand over her stomach protectively. And the last time the Couple volunteered at the Towering Tenements, the King was very protective of the Queen, which is common behavior in expectant fathers. You can also look for clues as to gender by closely observing the Queen. Does she prefer salty foods and meats? Expect a bouncing baby boy! Rich sweet and dairy-based foods are signs that a sweet girl is on the way.” (This article is accompanied by an illustration of Queen Josleen relaxing on a chaise, with a jar of Mama’s Touch Cocoa Butter prominently displayed on a coffee table. This cocoa butter is sold in Don Santiago’s various stores.)
Opinion
The Follies of Democracy
Disaster, whether natural or man-made, breeds discontent. Disaster response necessitates an ordering of reconstruction priorities. Various groups disagree on what those priorities should be, and thus dissatisfaction is inevitable. In the wake of the earthquake, our King has poured resources primarily into reconstructing our defenses, which indeed seems wise in the wake of a very recent war, and has focused on investigating the earthquake itself, which given recent discoveries had proved prescient. Concurrently with this, the King has had to pour resources into investigating a recent bombing of the construction site of his mother’s future home. A group of fringe political thinkers disagreed with the King’s priorities, believing the Towering Tenements should have been the first building reconstructed, and bombed the estate in protest. They argued that Larket would benefit from a democracy so that priorities may be set by popular vote. And what would the popular vote have gotten us? If Larket were a democracy and the majority would have voted for their immediate improvement, which is indeed understandable. The shanty town at the Tenements breaks this writer’s heart. However, doing so would mean that the witches’ involvement in the earthquake would likely never have been discovered, and our city would have remained vulnerable to external threats. A monarch has a clearer picture of what the city needs, all the knowledge that is attainable about our collective condition, and has a long-term view of our common good. A democracy is the collection of good-intentioned people making decisions based on their narrow-view of what’s at stake. (ooc: Agree? Love the King? Shoot an hmail asking how to continue serving him. Disagree? Want democracy? Think the King is corrupt and self-serving? Hmail Valrae, Hudson, and Pilar, the secret underground opposition.)
January 2017
Larket News
ATTACK ON FORT FREEDOM
Last Monday Fort Freedom was attacked by the Dragon Queen Hildegarde. The Silver destroyed a turret, and tore a hole through a wall in the throne room. The Hostile Queen was seen clutching Thane Josleen of Frostmaw who had previously been staying in the fort as a guest of the King. In retaliation, King Macon ordered a volley of boulders, launched by the latest line of trebuchets, but the dragon managed to escape. The King survived the attack and is unharmed. Long live the King.
With a heavy heart The Herald reports that the same could not be said for all of Larket’s bravest. Several soldiers died in the attack. Our condolences to the families affected by this attack, and our thanks to the brave soldiers who protect our great city, both living and lost. (A list of soldiers killed during the attack follows with short blurbs describe each one, e.g. father, husband, horse trainer, liked to sing, survived by wife and infant son, and so on.) [ooc: See Arc:Rise of Larket on the wiki for more information. Contact Macon to get involved.]
A War on Two Fronts: The Dino Wave
Legendary fashion icon and uyeer Kreekitaka has threatened the Hard City with an army of dinosaurs (yes, really). It is unclear if these dinosaurs are in any way related to the dinosaurs native to the The Wilds south of Venturil. There is no indication at this time that Venturil is involved with the threat.
Furthermore, wild dinosaurs, seemingly not connected with Kreekitaka’s dinosaur army, have been attacking camps south of the Vibrance River. There is some question as to whether or not these dinosaurs are connected to Frostmaw. A contingent of kingsguard valiantly fought the Frostmawian knight-commander Lionel, and his allies, in Western Sage, on the border of the ravine. The battle was escalated by dinosaurs, though it remains unclear at this time if the dinosaurs attacked in a concerted effort with Frostmaw, or due to their own beastly nature. It is also unclear as to why the kingsguard were not with the King.
Update: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the dinosaurs in Western Sage are connected to Kreekitaka. There is no evidence linking the two groups of dinosaurs.
Update 2: An earlier version of this article stated Kreekitaka’s race as ‘crab’. Kreekitaka is, of course, an uyeer^. The Herald regrets the error.
^The word ‘uyeer’ is not found in the University of Cenril’s Complete Dictionary of the Common Language, in the Encyclopedia Esoterica, or in Colonel Crake’s Critter Compendium. In a statement to The Herald, Headmaster Percival of the Academy of Magic said, “an uyeer is a crab from outer space.”
[ooc: For your ooc information, the dinosaurs that attacked Northern Sage are -not- part of Frostmaw’s attack. The paper isn’t clear. Chalk it up to wartime confusion.]
Business
Kreekitaka Boycott Cripples Profits, But Not His
Hard times for couture boutiques selling Kreekitaka clothing and accessories. After the threat of invasion, proud Larketian patriots are boycotting the fashionista’s designs. However, most resellers have no connection to the designer and peddle in past season’s fashion lines, and used garments. For these small business owners, the boycott is a blunt tool which punishes them without ever landing a blow on Kreekitaka himself. Lacey July, owner of Cuts on Larketian Avenue North, said to The Herald, “I understand the boycott, but the boycotters don’t understand my business model.” But for one boutique owner, the boycott presents a unique business opportunity. Carmen Salis is hosting a Bye Bye to the bLouse Bonfire event on (ooc: TBD, may actually do this). Ms. Salis said, “All my Kreekitaka stock is now marked with a 70% discount. Buy a piece and throw it into the fire! There will be food and music. BYOB.” [ooc: Both Kreekitaka related stories straddle two arcs: Arc:Rise of Larket and Arc:Sauriangate. Contact Lionel to get involved with the latter, Sauriangate, which is also a Warrior’s Guild RP. Want to join the Warrior’s Guild? Contact Hildegarde and/or Lionel.]
City Life
Professor Valen has returned to The Academy of Magic after a sabbatical. The professor is once again accepting students. Those interested may write to Valen at the Academy.
Renowned apothecary and councilwoman Artia, and her husband, member of the Mage’s Guild, Odhranos, welcomed a baby girl into the world. The Herald welcomes Ava-Marie Kerrigan. Send well wishes and gifts to [ooc: Artia address; she’s back in Larket].
Opinion
New Must-Have Skill for Journalists: Lip Reading?
It is difficult to believe in the wake of the attack on the fort that just weeks ago Larketians across the city were hopeful for peace. Over the yule season, Thane Josleen of Frostmaw was seen in Fort Freedom for over a month, often in the company of the King. To wit, spectators at the unveiling of the new trebuchets even described the King and Thane as cozy. They whispered closely, smiled, though what they spoke of is anyone’s guess. Were peace talks imminent? Had peace talks already begun? What went wrong and why did the The Hostile Queen take the Thane by force? The peddler’s guess is as good as the political journalists these days. This new royal regime, while popular with the public, has left reporters with little to put to the paper. Alarmingly low transparency translates into a public left in the dark. This here servant of the public good hereby beseeches the King to put a mind towards communication with The Herald, so that his subjects may better know his rule--and indeed, love him for it.
Pity the Bloodsucker
Larketians have long harbored ill-will for vampires, and with good reason. With Vailkrin so close to the east, it is our people who are often at risk of falling prey to the leeches. But why do we hate the vampire more than we hate the fox that steals our chickens or the lion that eats our wandering brother? I posit that it is their unnatural and dark genesis. Vampire scholars have long accepted the theory that vampires were first created in Cenril by the Dark Immortal Elazul when he gave the child Eilan a drink of his blood and invited her to drink the blood of the fallen. However, this story has always been riddled with inconsistencies. A group of historians at the Academy of Magic teamed up with archivists at the University of Cenril and believe they have found the true story of the genesis of vampires. It was not Elazul who created the first vampire Eilan, as he could not possibly have been in Cenril at that time. Indeed, there is credible evidence that Eilan was birthed as a vampire by her own mother, a dark witch. The power and nature of witches’ magic has long been a question mark in the arcane sciences. This discovery offers a clue into the role witches have played in shaping our world, and indeed may still be shaping it today. While mages and druids organize in region-wide Guilds with some accountability to others and record-keeping, witches organize in small, secretive covens with motives unknown, thus making it difficult for para-anthropologists to study them. (The article is followed by a collage of new evidence supporting the theory that vampires were created by evil witches.)
[ooc: The story of Elazul creating Eilan as the first vampire in Cenril is the CORRECT and accepted Hollow lore. This story here is false, but it isn’t an intentional lie. The author icly believes what he is writing. The next arc will deal in misinformation, often not malicious but innocently false. It’s an exploration of how people can look at the same evidence and draw separate conclusions. The arc will be political. Watch this space.]
2016
March 2016
Larket News
The Council Members have been holding regular meetings to address the fermin attacks that have been largely inflicted through poison. The attacks have been declared a city-wide crisis. The vicious rodents are said to poison the water and food suppl. The Council cautions residents to take extra care when sourcing their food and drink. Renowned apothecary Artia and her team developed an antidote which is now widely available daily at the town square.
A source attendant to the Council Meetings, but who wishes to remain anonymous, informs The Herald that discussions are taking place with regards to our future king or queen. There is no heir apparent to the Jacklin Throne. Queen Jacklin's absence has left Larket unstable and isolated from other regions. The esteemed Don Santiago said in an interview with The Herald that Larket’s trade routes and luxury-goods economy has taken a hit. Isolationists argue that this is beneficial to this city-state by ensuring that our currency circulates within the city limits. Don Santiago argues that, “trade is a tide that lifts all boats.”
A series of unsolved murders is rattling the Greater Larket Region. Victims are often parents of young children who are reported missing soon after the murders. It is unclear exactly how the murders and missing children are related, but the correlation is one the Sheriff’s Office is pursuing and has designated a top priority. The Larketian Herald and the Sheriff’s Office have issued a public request for information leading to the capture of the culprit and, if possible, the safe return of the children involved. (OOC: All three of these articles are related to the Rise of Larket arc. Check it out on the wiki for more information. Contact Artia to get involved.)
An assassination attempt was made on the life of visiting dignitary Steward Hildegarde of Frostmaw. The Silver Knight was dining in the Red Ogre Inn when she was poisoned via cakelog by a frost giant named Marjeg, according to witnesses. The giant escaped through the service door but was ultimately accosted and slain in the courtyard of the Towering Tenements by Hildegarde and her entourage. (ooc: Part of the Thy Kingdom Come arc under “Assassination Attempt by Cakelog”. Contact Hildegarde, Orikahn, or Leone to get involved.)
City Life
The distinguished skills of Larket's Official Healer, Sabrina, are available once more. The healer has returned to the city in its time of need. Don't wait! If you fear that you're a potential victim of the fermin's devious poisoning, head down to the clinic and schedule your appointment today! Please remember that these appointments can be secured with the Clinic Advisor in advance for an additional fee. (ooc: Other healers with an interest in joining The Healer’s Guild should contact Sabrina .)
Opinion
“A New Queen or a New Coup?” By Carl Robe: Sources close to the apothecary Artia have suggested to me that this woman has imperial aspirations to be our next Queen. I find it convenient, suspiciously so, that her recent heroics in the fight against the fermin poison are so perfectly suited to her skill set. I pride myself on my skeptical mind and wish only to proffer a question, not an accusation. I ask this: Is it possible for an individual who wishes to claim a throne to manufacture a crisis to resolve themselves in order to claim heroic deeds and an empty throne? More specifically, is it so outrageous to wonder if Artia herself didn’t develop the poison she now oh-so-conveniently cured? Poison is said to be a woman's weapon, after all, though I refuse to subscribe to such sexist thinking. Furthermore, I ask myself this: Even if Artia is not a great conspirator, and I am not suggesting she is, even if she is a blessed apothecary is that what we need in our next Queen? Should a glorified potion brewer be entrusted with our army and our foreign relations, our trade negotiations and public safety? We should view the disappearance of Jacklin and her bloodline as an opportunity to remake Larket in the grand image of Historic Tritan!
The article continues to discuss in great length the wisdom of business-driven, free enterprise-focused government with officials chosen by the greatest merchants the city has to offer, such as Don Santiago who has managed to grow his business in spite of these trying times. (ooc: Anyone who looks into ‘Carl Robe’ will discover he does not exist, and the name is likely false.)
2014
October 2014
City Life
The Academy of Magic is under reconstruction. Faculty and staff have taken it upon themselves to alter the building. The project is not without controversy. The Masonry and Foundry Guild has criticized the project, arguing that such magical hubris will result in poor construction, which is dangerous for students, faculty, and staff alike. The Academy has dismissed the criticism as nothing more than the whining of those who suddenly found their profession to be redundant.(ooc: Contact Lydrain to get involved.)
The termite swarm in Kelay has now infected Larket. Several homes in the woods, as well as a few wood-working shops, have been devastated. The Crown has offered a reward for anyone who can devise and execute a plan to ride the city of this pest. (ooc: Contact Josleen for more information.)
Foreign Affairs
Venturil, one of Larket’s strongest trading partners, has begun an offensive against the Preklek scourge. Larket merchants are ordered not to trade with Four Moons under the threat of a treason charge, punishable by a life sentence or death. (ooc: Read the "Global Purge" arc on the wiki to learn more. Contact Eboric or Gerik to get involved.)
Opinion
Is the Academy of Magic redundant? This anonymous author says yes. The Mage’s Guild is an unmatched institution. The Academy of Magic is but a pale imitation of the Tower, and so on and so forth. It’s basically 8 pages of praise for the Mage’s Guild and patronizing criticism of the Larket Academy of Magic. This column was written in the original hand of the author and submitted to the Herald anonymously. The astute reader will notice the penmanship is typical to that of a runemaster (much in the same way that architects tend to have a distinctive hand). A peculiar nuance of this penmanship stands out to those in the know. Words with multiple t’s in them have one line running across the top margin of the word, so that a single line crosses all the t’s. Anyone familiar with the writings of Murgol “the Grease” Squealor, duergar runemaster, will immediately identify the author.
July 2014
Larket News
The Academy of Magic’s graduating class has once again pranked senior faculty. They transmuted pixie legs and lungs onto the bodies of the koi in the campus pond. The pranksters then baited the koi to run, bipedal with their flopping mouths gaping heavenwards, into the various faculty offices in the building. One prankster agreed to be interviewed with the Herald under the condition of anonymity. He arrived with his own head transmuted into that of an overgrown koi fish. The Academy states that the prankster overplayed his hand, for there is only one student in the graduating class so talented and so reckless in the discipline of transmutation as to transmute his own head into that of a fish. The Faculty gloated that this time they will be able to retaliate with a prank of their own.
Foreign Affairs
Trist’oth’s occupation of Kelay-Sage had been quiet for over a year, but that tense peace was destroyed earlier this week when a squadron of drow, three commuters including Hildegarde the Silver, Steward of Frostmaw, and an unidentified flying creature engaged in a lethal fight leaving seven Trist’oth soldiers dead. The City Council advises travelers to limit their exposure to Kelay-Sage.
Opinion
One author maintains the theory that the unidentified flying monster and the drow were in cahoots. It was a concerted effort to begin to escalate the occupation of Kelay-Sage while distracting the enemy from Trist’oth’s true, behind-the-curtain war strategy. This author expects more bloodshed at the hands of the drow.
June 2014
Larket News
On the evening of May 17th, residents living near the Eternal Forest complained of a disturbance in the forest. Residents reported bright flashes of light, unusual thunderclaps and animal roars, which local naturalist and draconian specialist Petunia Clawborn believes belonged to at least one dragon. “Looks to me like the silver dragons of the Eternal Forest have awoken,” she said to The Herald. Woodsman John “the John” Johnson said “That [was not] a natural storm. The clouds [were] wrong, the wind [was] wrong, and I reckon that [was not] real, bonafide lightning.” The Larketian Knights have launched an investigation and have so far discovered the conflict site: overturned earth and signs of a titanic struggle, but no human bodies. The Knights did find a saurian ribcage and spinal cord sitting atop the dragon’s last known lair. “That is dragon-sized, alright. [It is the] right shape, too,” said Petunia Clawborn when asked about the remains. “But where is the rest of it? Where is the blood? That is the real mystery. Frankly, I think we need to consider the possibility of a hoax.” Graduating Academy students are being questioned. “This is madness. Aye, I admit that my fellow graduating students and I plan to uphold the Academy’s long-held prank tradition - and it will be the best in decades! However, we are not so foolish as to play before the lair of a dragon. Pranks are meant to be humorous, not suicidal.” (ooc: The associated rp is uploaded on the wiki under the name ‘Dragon Soup for the Soul, an Azakhaer Recipe’. See an opportunity to jump in? Contact Kasyr, Satoshi, or Svilfon.)
Lydrain has been meeting with a representative of the Riddarnir, the second Queen of Venturil, Raidh Jorgunsdotr. The two have been negotiating trade terms, and have as of publication settled on terms of trade for Larketian Horses and Riddarnir War Dogs. Don Santiago has so far been excluded from the trade negotiations, and commented to the Herald that it is unbecoming of Lydrain to exclude him given Santiago’s position as economic advisor on the city council. Don Santiago’s assistant was seen agitating a meeting of Queen Raidh and Lydrain, but has not been seen since. When pressed for comment, Lydrain picked his teeth, patted his belly, and said “No comment.” (ooc: Contact Lydrain to get involved in Larket’s political intrigue.)
Mothers Against the Deviant Delisha (M.A.D.D.) have declared victory in what they call ‘the morality war.’ Activity at the Chapel of Pleasure has slowed in recent weeks. M.A.D.D. credit their relentless picketing for the victory. However, skeptics cite the arrest in Cenril of prominent Delisha-devotee, Maylari Raicleach, for the decline in salacious worship. Ms. Raicleach was arrested for embezzlement, tax evasion, and money-laundering.
Foreign Affairs
Reports from Cenril state that the crime-stricken city may soon be afflicted by war – both internal and external. On May 30th, a company of crusaders crashed a gala held in Vailkrin. Cenrili Guard General Alice Brommson was in attendance at the soirée and agreed with Vailkrin authorities that the assailants were affiliated with the Church of Cenril or some subset thereof. Vailkrin has promised retribution, and General Alice Brommson is sympathetic to Vailkrin. Some reports claim that Alice Brommson has declared war on the Church of her own city, but these reports are unsubstantiated. The Herald is quick to remind you, dear reader, that they employ no reporters in Vailkrin and would never endanger the life of its reporters by assigning them to such a heathen city; all reports for this story come from Cenril. (ooc: Contact Kasyr and/or Alice for more information. The gala rp is uploaded on the wiki under the title ‘Crimson Rondo’.)
Frostmaw will host a celebratory feast and short tournament on June 12th to celebrate its recent victory over its enemies. Lydrain has announced that the City Council would like to sponsor a warrior to compete in the tournament. City Council sponsorship covers travel, lodging, food, armor, and weapon expenses. (ooc: Contact Lydrain to be sponsored to represent Larket in the tournament. Contact Hildegarde for more information about Frostmaw’s feast and tournament.)
Opinion
A flowery, verbose, and inarticulate opinion piece is so badly stricken by purple prose that in order to sift a point from its paragraphs, the way one would sift stones from flour, one would have to strike-through three-quarters of the written words to elucidate the author’s meaning. Assuming you grunt through the migraine this article will undoubtedly induce, the point is quite simple: Larket should support the Church of Cenril in the war because vampires are evil.
Classifieds
Bard for hire. Singer and flutist, composer of original song. Seek the high elf Maldoff. Most likely found in Kelay Tavern, or The Hanging Corpse.
May 2014
Larket News
Don Santiago has been pushing for economic reform, but Lydrain, Headmaster of the Academy and Council member has opposed all of prudent business man Don Santiago’s proposals. “I ask what does a dragon know of the economics of man?” Don Santiago recently asked in a public statement. “Dragons can take whatever they want. Humans have to barter and trade. He knows not of that!” The Council is split between those who support Don Santiago and those who support Lydrain. The Crown could not be reached for comment. (ooc: Contact Lydrain to get involved in Larket’s political intrigue.)
The Chapel of Pleasure, temple to Delisha the Dark Mother, has been seeing much activity as a congregation of worshippers has been holding regular meetings there. Interest in the chapel has led to counter-interest in the form of concerned mothers who implore you all to think of the children. These Mothers Against the Deviant Delisha (M.A.D.D.) claim that worshippers engage in blood rituals and offerings of flesh unto the Dark Mother. Though those allegations remain unsubstantiated, none can deny the strange screams of pleasure and pain that emanate from the chapel in the dark of night. Several soldiers (curiously all of them young, male, and single) have volunteered to investigate the chapel during night patrols. They report that the worshippers are “very, very, very nice. Gods, never met nicer gals in my life. Very welcoming. A real credit to Larket.” (ooc: Contact Maylari to get involved!)
Business Section
Cenrili business tycoon Maylari Raicleach has been seen surveying land alongside local contractors Santiago & Sons Construction. Miss Raicleach could not be reached for comment, but Don Santiago was eager to insinuate that the “Raicleach Empire” may soon reach Larket.
The paper has published a generous profile on Emilia. The Venturil resident and Larket native is a credit to Larket’s reputation abroad. The enterprising farmer has made a name for herself and her green thumb in Venturil. Emilia entertained a short interview for the Herald in which she explains she is thinking of opening a farm near Gualon as well. When asked if she will ever return to Larket, the farmer replied, “Perhaps one day I’ll return to my roots.”
Foreign Affairs
Have you heard the prosperous news from Schezerade? A once mundane fountain has become a magical wish-granting fountain overnight! Although not all wishes are granted, and wishes must be made in the classic throw-your-money-in-the-fountain ritual of wishology, several real cases of wish-granting have been verified by the Herald. A once horribly burned man now has baby-smooth skin! A gambling woman’s last copper turned into 5,000 gold! (ooc: Contact Kenii or Skylei to get involved in this rp!)
Classifieds
Transport to Schezerade by Santiago Carriage Service now offered at a 30% discount to the first 10 customers!
Silvanya for hire! Always wanted to execute the perfect prank, but lacked the stones? Write Silvanya. Not above sabotage and libel.
April 2014
Larket News
A lull in political scandal (The Herald’s bread and butter) has forced the paper to focus on local crime. One article focuses on a spate of muggings which have occurred near the deteriorating airship dock. In all cases, eye witnesses describe assailants as looking “Cenrili,” whatever that means. No criminals of Cenrili descent have been arrested in the past month.
Mid-month on an ordinary mid-week evening, strange lights were seen hovering above the Fort Freedom. What could those lights haven been? The article lists all current theories which range from flying, magical beasts to rogue airships to weather data collecting instruments to extraterrestrials. The article gives a lot of precious print space to the latter theory. “What does Fort Freedom know? What are they trying to hide?” asks one eye-witness. Fort Freedom and The Crown could not be reached for comment.
City Life
The deterioration of the airship ferry has been a boon to the local carriage business. This small industry was utterly decimated when the free airship went into service. But today, faults in the airship’s power source and several airborne accidents have pushed locals to once again rely on the good old horse-and-cab.
A rotund, foppish advisor on The City Council was seen donning “The Javi” in public. It is now no longer cool.
Foreign Affairs
An article briefly mentions the The Burrower terrorizing the Underdark and blames Vailkrin for Trist’oth’s trouble. The logic behind the accusation is elementary and based on no physical evidence. The Burrower = [Allegedly] Undead = Vailkrin. By the transitive power of prejudice, The Burrower is a spawn of Vailkrin hell bent on destroying the world. The article is very careful to never seem pro- or anti-drow. (ooc: Contact Tenebrae or Tiphareth for more information on the Burrower rp.)
Opinion
A professor of the Academy mocks the theories that have cropped up around the mysterious lights which hovered over Fort Freedom earlier this month. The professor states it was simply faerie fire. The fae are known for their pranks.
An anonymous columnist who has supposedly been vetted by The Herald as a true employee of Fort Freedom claims they saw soldiers wheel a thin, blue-skinned, many-eyed, hairless, mouthless, long-limbed humanoid creature down a hall towards the intelligence wing of the fort.
March 2014
Larket News
Where is the Lion of Larket? Knight-Commander Javier, the Lion of Larket, has not been seen for over a month. Mage-Commander of the Larketian Army, Lydrain offered this comment to The Herald, “I know as much as you do. If you know nothing, that is.” Lydrain has substituted for Javier’s duties, in effect minimizing the impact of this disappearance on the army. Army operations continue as normal. The City Council offered only this comment, “An investigation into the disappearance of Javier is underway. We have no reason to suspect his disappearance is due to foul play.” The Crown could not be reached for comment.
Sheriff Mythayus was stripped of his title and banished by Knight-Commander Javier. The banishment was repealed by order the City Council, but the title was not reinstated. Sheriff Blyss has taken up the title once more. The Crown could not be reached for comment.
The airship that connects Larket to Vhys has been behaving erratically. There have been some serious, but non-lethal accidents. One old geezer reached for comment has this to say: “I said that airship racket was nothing but a flying coffin! All those fancy young people with their high-minded ideas, going against the will of the gods, got what they had coming. The gods said “And Man Shall Not Fly!” [citation needed] but these young folks these days think they’re bigger than the gods.” A supporter of the airship technology says they hope they figure out the trouble soon, but until then, she will not be flying to Vhys anymore.
City Life
The price of imported produce has risen significantly in the past few months. Wealthy local import-export king Don Santiago, of The City Council and Chair of the local Commerce Guild, blames the sharp rise in prices on Larket’s lack of fiscal priorities. He chastises The Council for allocating more funds to improving The Larket Academy rather than improving roads in and out of The City. The Crown could not be reached for comment.
In a trend piece, men have started wearing their facial hair like Javier. It’s called “The Javi.”
Foreign Affairs
There is always some piece about how Vailkrin is the worst plague ever on Hollow’s great lands. There is a nuance in this anti-Vailkrin, monthly scree. The articles always reinforce the idea that the problem isn’t with the undead, primarily vampires, but with a culture that promotes vampire superiority and predatory lifestyles. This time around, the paper upholds Valen, a new mage professor at the Larket Academy and known vampire, as a shining example of the ‘good kind’ of vampire. By contrast, everyone in Vailkrin is the ‘bad kind’ of vampire. The paper accuses Vailkrin of being a broodmare of bad vampires.
Opinion
A tenured mage professor of the Academy questions the wisdom of employing young, non-mage professors. Although the author of this column does not directly attack Lydrain, the language makes it clear that this tenured professor thinks Lydrain is ill-suited to be the Head of the Larket Academy. The word choices are cowardly and weak, often using the passive voice and abusing the clauses ‘it would seem,’ ‘in my opinion,’ and ‘not unreasonable to conclude that.’
Another column praises the state of the roads in and out of the city, in direct conflict with Don Satiago’s claim that prices are rising due to deterioration. The column stops short of accusing Don Santiago of extortion, however. Curiously, there is an editor’s note attached to this column disclaiming that this piece reflects the opinion of one frustrated citizen and not the opinions of The Herald.
A third column praises Don Santiago for seemingly no reason other than he is Don Santiago.