In Other News…

You shake your head. No Reader Vote Results29.5% of the readers voted for ‘Nope; don’t know ‘em, don’t trust ‘em‘. The next closest was ‘Kinda interested, need time to think‘ at around 18.5%. ~ Ameronis. It seems like a good opportunity, and you’re tempted to think about it a little more, but, you don’t know these guys and have no reason to trust them, or get so deeply involved. You’re still not sure how long you’re going to be staying here yet, so no point in getting tied down right now. You will take the reward money though. And you might as well make use of the VIP pass. Maybe you’ll swing by again later tonight; you had a good time yesterday after all.

As for now, you decide you’d like to meet some new people and get to know the locals Reader Vote Results26% of the readers voted for ‘Get socialising and meet new people‘, with 19% of the voters wanting to ‘Look for work opportunities‘. ‘Look for opportunities to gain new skills‘ was third at 17.5%. ~ Ameronis. Where to start though?

You mosey back to the main road where you amble along, considering your options. Areas where a lot of people gather and hang out would be a good place to start, so that narrows it down. It’s much too early to go into a bar or tavern, which is a shame; Josey would surely be able to suggest some places you could visit to find new faces. Oh well; you’ll have to swing by later and ask him then. Maybe grab another one of those drinks while you’re at it. In the meantime, you’re on your own, unless you find someone else to ask.

You glance about, taking stock of where you’ve wandered to now. You’re further along the main road, heading in the direction of the marketplace. That’s another option; there were dozens of people there, not including the market vendors themselves. And that stretch of shops leading to it, what wwas it called? Banes Way? Perhaps you could stop in one of the food shops for lunch and see who comes and goes. Maybe strike up a conversation with someone over a bite to eat. Hopefully not run into that Asaari guy again.

At the junction between the high street and the adjacent road, you see a young boy standing beside a small trolley full of newspapers; he’s currently yelling and waving one around as he steadily makes his way down the road. You decide to get one and see what’s going on in the news. Might as well continue to familiarise yourself with the place; you’ve not felt any need to move on yet, and the city is, according to your map, very large. You’ve barely scratched the surface. You head on over and buy a paper. After a brief exchange, where the boy baffles you by asking you for “95 fin”, you realise that the coins here are not also referred to as cogs, and that they each have a different name. The smallest denomination is the “fin”.

A little wiser, slightly more exposed as a tourist, and with your newspaper in hand, you start to make your way back towards Slaryn House before you change your mind and head towards the park instead. It’s a lovely day so far, so why not make the most of it and find a nice place to sit and read?

A short while later, you enter the park, and after enjoying a stroll along scenic pathways, you find a bench overlooking a wide inlet that empties out into the larger boating lake a few meters away. You take a seat and rest for a moment before unfolding your paper; a copy of The Royal Herald.

You read today’s news AI InputNews stories suggested by ChatGPT. ~ Ameronis ; the main story talks about a suspicious break-in of a laboratory in a different part of the city, with the authorities launching an investigation to learn more. There is a health scare in another area, with officials taking swift measures to contain it; some locals are claiming it’s kraith, but the officials deny this. There is also a story talking about the continued success of “The Airborne Dispatch System”, and plans to extend it to further reaches of the city. Apparently, mail delivery is thriving as a result.

In other news, you see concerning stories about some mysterious disappearances that have baffled the law enforcers with an operation underway to find the missing individuals, and, the threat of a nearby river bursting its banks and flooding the area, thanks to exceptionally wet weather further upstream. Action is underway to set up sandbags along the banks, just in case.

In less serious news, you’re informed about an ongoing event happening somewhere in the city; “Revelry and Merriment at the Grand Jamboree”. Apparently, it’s a week-long event, already on its 4th day, promising revelry, food, music, and games; joy and fun for locals and visitors alike. You make a note to go and visit it before it’s over.

You keep reading and learn of Intheo Klunes RanGen’s GensName inspired by names in RanGen’s Fantasy Name Generator ~ Ameronis; a “legendary storyteller” who is currently in town and captivating listeners with enthralling tales of heroes, mythical creatures, and legendary quests. However, rather than doing set performances at specific venues, he seems to be moving around town somewhat randomly, and appearing in clubs, bars, taverns, and halls, and spontaneously entertaining whoever happens to be there. As it’s not known where he’ll show up next; locals are encouraged to keep an eye out for him and consider themselves lucky if they encounter him and hear one of his tales.

On the next page, a sketch of a falcon flying at you catches your eye. Somewhere in town, there is a falconry display. That would be interesting to watch. Even more interesting if something went wrong. Your thoughts drift for a moment as you imagine a flock of falcons flying loose around a crowd. So many talons…

You snap back to reality and continue. There’s a section where the locals have posted messages and ads. Among the entries, you see a couple of responses to a previous edition, with one recommending a skilled blacksmith to repair a broken heirloom sword, and another responding to a call about a locket that went missing in another marketplace.

Then there are new messages, most notably relating to a missing cat called “Sage”, a disgruntled resident whose garden fence is repeatedly damaged by unknown assailants, and someone called “Jayn” who encourages the hunting of pigeons in the town square to reduce their numbers.

Visiting the town square is another option. That building you saw not too far from here was likely the town hall, so the square can’t be too far from there. You mentally add it as a stop on your journey.

The locals’ messages are broken up by one from the Cliffton Peacekeepers: “Beware of pickpockets! Keep your valuables secure and report any suspicious activities to the enforcers.”

At the mention of pickpockets, you instinctively glance around, but there is no one within several meters. You relax a little, but stay on guard. You keep reading, continuing with more messages from the locals.

Volunteers are needed at a local orphanage to help with a charity event, someone is trying to sell a sturdy writing desk for a decently low price, and a group of gardening enthusiasts are looking for more members to join an ongoing project in Magnolia Court Gardens, among other snippets.

Magnolia Court Gardens… You vaguely remember seeing that name cast above the ornate gate at the entrance of the park. Apparently, the Green Thumb Society is lurking around here somewhere.

“Pray, madam, spare a coin for a poor soul?”

Your reading is interrupted by the arrival of a beggar, scruffy and ragged and entirely out of place amongst the beautiful surroundings. After a moment, you realise he’s the same one from before, whom you previously gave 1 cog to. He manages to look quite pathetic, as he holds a tattered cap in both hands in front of him, as if he’s a small, frightened child. Is he really that destitute, or is he just a very good actor?

---