IC Info Star Gazing Gazette

[Neologism]

The Stargazing Gazette is a simple house and office building at the edge of the Tenten Peak, resting by the bridge that connects over to the Sartu Peak. The ground floor is the office; when one enters, they will find a large open space, neatly organized. Shelves of scrolls and papers line the walls, which are covered in windows to allow as much light in as possible.

Couriers bustle in and out, and at the far end sits a simple desk; this end of the room is decidedly more messy. Various books and papers, both loose and crumpled, scatter the floor. The desk is covered in papers and writing implements, and is where one usually finds Kenvell, the owner and writer. Despite her best attempts to keep this end of the room tidy, Kenvell's writing process always makes a mess again. Upstairs is her private quarters, which is strictly off-limits to visitors.

Only those who wish to give information visit the small dwelling. Kenvell employs a small fleet of couriers who she uses to both send and gather information; but the most important aspect of her business is that she publishes the information she gathers.

On each peak, near the center of the largest square, there is a small stone post. Behind skyglass walls lay sheets of the finest Lhavitian paper, with the day's newest stories. Usually the sheets of paper contain no more than a wedding congratulation, or the notice that a business is looking for a new apprentice. Sales and information such as this are located at the corners of the board.

In the center, where interested readers are most likely to see, are the more urgent articles. Announcements from Lhavit's leading factions, or thrilling accounts of the latest drama, are neatly posted square in the center. Since the articles are regularly changed out, it is nearly impossible to find outdated information.

 

Kenvell Rimes

Name: Kenvell Rimes
Race: Human
Birthdate: 491 AV
Birthplace: Lhavit
Occupation: Owner and writer at the Stargazing Gazette
Gnosis: 1 mark of Qalaya (Graphomancy level 1)
Skills: Calligraphy - 80, Interrogation - 60, Investigation - 70, Organization - 30, Politics - 30, Storytelling - 40, Subterfuge - 50, Writing - 90
Languages: Common (Fluent), ****I***********************Nari (Fluent), Symenos (Basic)

Kenvell is the proprietor of the Stargazing Gazette. As the center for the city's source of information, she holds delicate ties to the powerful families and leading factions of the city. An excellent sailor in the social waters of Lhavit, she is perfectly amiable to anyone who approaches her, for whatever reason. Although secluded, Kenvell is a well known name within Lhavit, not only because of the secrets she hoards, but the ones she shares as well.

Despite her work, Kenvell breaks the stereotype that reporters have gathered for themselves, or at least seems to. Her use of the information she so easily acquires seems to not be used with malicious intent; or so it seems. Beware what you say when speaking to her, because she often hears more than you intend to tell.

This thread is for IC information only. City plots or important IC news may be announced or updated here. If you have something you wish to publish in the Gazette, run it by your ST before posting here. Just about anything that would be published in a newspaper would be published in the Gazette.

[Neologism]

During the midnight rest that lead into the 48th day of Winter, a letter was posted in all of the Gazette's billboards across the peaks. For those who did not see it first would quickly hear about it in town gossip and be able to go see it for themselves. The letter will remain posted until the end of the season.

To the beloved citizens of Lhavit, we address you with earnest hearts. We, the families of the Towers, seek to impress upon you the most urgent of requests. Although the city has come through much together, we have always found our best hearts to support the citizens of Lhavit against threats both foreign and domestic. In this dedicated loyalty to our people, we cannot remain silent when a threat such as this looms on the horizon of our future, a threat that comes from some of our own.

As many had witnessed, there was recently an incident of the Sweet Whispers that overcame a student of hypnotism. This particular student was allowed to reach a point of danger with their exposure to uncontrolled magic, and then walked through the street! They became a danger to not only themselves, but others, as their thoughts were overcome with a terrifying madness. To our utter relief and gratitude, the capable Shinya were able to step in and apprehend this student before too much danger befell our beloved home and its people. This unfortunate incident had overcome a student of the inexperienced Elena Lariat, who has only recently begun to offer her knowledge to those who were not qualified to be taught by the honorable Tasa of the Twilight family. Tasa, who had put her life on the line to protect her city from the corrupt nature of the late Weisur Twilight. Tasa, who also holds years beyond the experience of any mortal and the support of a household of magic, to ensure the safest outcomes for such a dangerous undertaking.

We fear the influx of civilian instructors of magic has resulted in a saturation of such a beautiful and dangerous skill. We do not wish to restrain knowledge, as the Diamond of Kalea has always been home to those who seek magic without persecution, however it still remains that this is a dangerous feet for those who dare take it. It is because of the danger that we are selective with whom can be chosen to train with the Towers, and we worry about those who were not deemed fit to learn seeking the knowledge outside of the proven responsibility of the towers. It is but common sense to want a competent teacher, especially in knowingly risky arts. It is not a greed or a punishment, but a protection of the people of Lhavit. Should your child or neighbor not be fit to be taught by us, would you encourage them to seek nefarious sources to give them less structure than if they were to learn with us? To take an already known danger and make it less certain by grooming it with a novice and incapable user?

We implore our beloved Lhavitians to consider this, to reject the teachings of unproven magicians who accept those deemed unfit to learn magic or seek to undermine generations of safe and capable instruction that has come from the towers. It is because of our care for this city that we send this notice. Students of these half-made instructors should reconsider the safety of their decisions to learn from them. Civilians who do not meddle in the dangers of magic should reconsider supporting a business that has shown an inability to keep not only its students but its neighbors safe from the effects of those unequipped to handle this art. Consider rejecting your patronage to Elena’s Studio of Enchantment, The Den of the Lost, and The Divine’s Gateway.

With great care,
Sousa Dawn
Altelo Twilight
Ald'gare Dusk

[Neologism]

During the dusk rest on the 80th day of Winter, another note appeared on the Gazette’s Boards. Posted directly beside the warning from the towers is a small square of pale and faintly shimmering parchment with neat and sharp handwriting on it. The letter will remain posted until the end of the season.

To the citizens of Lhavit,

We, at the Koten Temple, Request the honor of your company for a formal dinner. Tickets will be sold for 2 Kina in order to cover the cost of your meal, and we encourage any and all to come. The purpose of this dinner is to raise funds to nurture our great city back to health after the damages we have suffered in the past seasons. Donations of both time and money for the good of the city will be appreciated but our doors are also open to those new to the faith and for education.

Please come to the Temple during your nightly prayers to Zintila and request a ticket from one of our devoted Priests or Acolytes. After purchasing your ticket, please come on the first bell of the dusk rest on the last night of the season to the Koten Temple. Dress formal, and be prepared to mingle and dine in Zintila's Sacred Temple.

Nemue of the Koten Temple

[Neologism]

On the morning of the 57th day of Spring, 519AV, an anonymous writer posts a satire on the boards of the Gazette. By noon the satire has been moved behind the protective glass of the boards, displaying Kenvelle's endorsement of the writing. It features the same symbol drawn on various mages' doors from earlier in the season. Here all can see the symbol, and it appears to be a minimal rendition black mask with crudely drawn eyes that appear to have inverted azure triangles for pupils. There are two hands in front of the mask depicting praying hands, although they hold a dagger faced down between them.

Consider the commoner, the weaver, whose fingers are dull and bright as roses from the weave of their work. Whose ingests the scent of their work and spoils their supper bread. But she is honored for her weaves are worn on the delicate frames of the mage. Consider the commoner, the shipwright, who treks two bells a day to work two days away from her family. But her sacrifice is honored for she allows outsiders to enter her land and learn from the magics of her city which she is not afforded. Consider the commoner, the fieldworker, his skin is like leather and he tends to his crop with eternal pain in his joints. He eats plain breads made from the lowest ground grain that he reaps, and the rest is turned to our beloved towers.

But he is honored for his bread is the source of all life, and without life there would not be magic. Magic which drives all of Lhavit, and is all that we need. Should we not understand the emotions of our lover? Turn to auristics to steal their thoughts rather than to ask them with our mouths. Should the price at the Azure market be too large for our small tower mage’s pockets? Turn to hypnotism to reprieve oneself of paying the fieldworker for his bread. The commoner is honored to serve such elite Lhavitians who can bend and will djed into their whims.

Consider the mage who toils and treads over textwork, with only but candle light to illuminate his words. Consider the child who dreams to wield magic and to study under the towers and so does not educate themselves with a trade. Consider the child who grows in the favor of drinks, refusing to benefit their peak in favor of one day learning the magic they dream. Consider this child, now an adult, who negotiates the instruction from a well-known studio. Consider the mage who hungers for more power than that of which he possesses and falls into madness that threatens the commoner. But the trauma of a few small children is a small price to pay for a fire-show during the Star Festival. Consider the tower-child who has to starve themselves during the winter when their most favorite fruit is unavailable because the shipwright mother of a child nearly voided finds leaving her family in these dangerous times to be a fools choice.

Consider your city, your beloved home. Consider those who seed the fields, who care for the Okomo, who weave your clothing, and attend to your beds. Consider the commoner who cares for his people. Then consider the mage who cares for his greed, no matter the cost.

Question Everything.