TownCrier/Faction Attraction/TownCrier

This is a creative work set in the world of Elanthia, attributed to its original author(s). It does not necessarily represent the official lore of GemStone IV.

Title: Faction Attraction - TownCrier

Author: Yardie

Wehnimer’s Landing has been the epicenter of Elanthia, its frontier, and the nucleus of the social world. While the Shining City has its lustrous buildings and Vaalor its impregnable walls, the streets of Wehnimer’s infuses different parts of Elanthia through its vast and various population, which ultimately shares its information and gossip through different means and methods. Of course, that information is subject to various degrees of bias, making matters of import seem nothing more than gossip. However, one organization takes on the burden of vetting information and regaling the world with clear, unbiased news, serving the masses to digest and discern This is TownCrier.

Hosts and Members

Lady Luxelle Machtes the Bardess.

She appears to be an Elf.

Gracing her brow is a verdigrised copper ferroniere, the bright hue of the metal almost completely obscured by its verdant patina. Tiny spheres of blue and green amber provide flashes of brilliant color in contrast, the tiny gems hanging in strands around the entire edge of the ferroniere.

She is average height. She appears to be youthful. She has emerald-sparked lagoon blue eyes and creamy fair skin. She has long and pale, sun-kissed flaxen hair bound into a loose roll held at the nape of her neck by a pair of silver-twisted zorchar hairsticks. She has slightly upswept pointed ears. Her features bear a soft, gentle appearance. She has an alum-traced butterfly wing earcap inset in shards of glasswing butterfly attached to her ear.

Superimposed over Luxelle's form is the ghostly silhouette of a Ashrim guardian, a resolute expression on his face. As you watch, he shifts his stance purposefully as he adjusts his wave-etched espadon.

Miniature shimmering stars spiral outward from her before fading away.

She is in good shape.

She is wearing an ombre watered silk handbag slung over her shoulder, an ocean-dark elesine gown subtly embroidered with silver threads reminiscent of wave crests, a silver eahnor wedding ring, and some sparkling crystal-heeled slippers.

Whimweaver Leafiara Autumnwind the Defender of the Fallen of Wehnimer's Landing.

She appears to be a Half-Sylvan.

She is moderately tall and has a well-toned frame. She appears to be youthful. She has sparkling green eyes and smooth honey-hued skin. She has shoulder length, tousled cherry red hair framing her face in a disheveled, carefree style. She has a well-defined, heart-shaped face and slightly pointed ears. She has gradient scarlet-to-ivory polish brushed onto her smooth rounded fingernails.

Miniature yellow treble clefs spiral outward from her before fading away.

She is in good shape.

A budding sentient potato wearing an iridescent viridian and pink fairy costume is settled on her shoulder.

Her hands are covered in a light dusting of sugar.

There is a small ruby red sprite flying above her shoulder.

She is wearing a feystone dragonfly locket, a shimmering cherry red cloak, a radiant red zelnorn tunic accented by a shining white leaf flourish with a pure white starsilk sundress sporting a skirt-spanning red music staff underneath, an aelotian rose gold wedding ring showcasing a stylized dragonfly design, a polished knotwork platinum wedding band, and a pair of cherry red starsilk sandals sporting starsong-reinforced soles.

Colorful, wispy threads shimmer in and out of existence, twining and dancing freely around a white imflass manacle encircling her left wrist. Its empty keyway is outlined in a bold red glow that pulsates rhythmically.

With excited whining noises, a white-masked reddish brown puppy with high triangular ears starts to wag her white-tipped tail so hard that her entire body begins to sway in time with the motion.

Introductions

'The TownCrier, Newsroom' Numerous desks in various states of disarray are scattered around the room, covered in stacks of books and papers, the odd bottle of ink perched precariously atop the piles. Scraps of parchment are clipped to strategically placed contraptions hanging from beams. A large blackboard is mounted on the west wall between an office and the conference room. Open wood-framed cubbyholes line the south wall beneath glass-fronted news clippings, some empty, some bursting at the seams with unopened wax-sealed scrolls. You also see an eager intern, a glaes-paned door with a 'Staff Only' sign, an iron staircase spiraling upwards through a small opening and a well-used dark desk.

I arrived at the TownCrier building in the lobby, familiar with the place since I've been there a few times. Thinking they would be waiting in the lobby, I waited, only to ponder if I was late, or they were. Impatience got the best of me, as I did not want to live up to the moniker of being tardy to the party, at least not in this professional setting. Instead, I traveled to the Newsroom. Like the consummate professional, Miss Luxelle was waiting for me. She beamed happily at me. In truth, I think she beams happily at everyone. I do not imagine a scenario where I have seen her angry at....anyone.

Luxelle: We are early!

That was a relief.

Yardie (nervously): I was...err....actually standing in the lobby.

Luxelle chuckles and nods. "I think there is food in there."

Luxelle ponders.

Yardie: Are we having any others show up today?

Luxelle: I am hoping. She gulps I tried to make it not sound like work and all. But it looks like just you and I.

Fireflies descend in a cloud, their pulsating lights and fluttering movements creating a brief hypnotic pattern in the air. As if by some unseen signal, they scatter back into the environs, revealing Leafiara in their absence. She observes her surroundings with a keen eye.

When I think of the Landing, I think of Leafiara Autumnwind, the former Mayor, Rook, Councilor, Chaos Embracer, Dancing Cleric, and Frontierswoman. At first, I opposed many of her politics and was often one to share my feelings on the matter. Despite those differences, we could always discuss matters despite disagreements and appreciate the honest approach. It was during the Barony and Elidal that we gained more common ground. It moved me to see the pulse of the Landing, which was so torn by the sudden change. Conversations led to a bet and led to more discussions. I would define Leafiara as the heart of the Landing, with Pukk being the soul and Gutstorm being the...er...inebriated brain. We exchanged hugs. I was glad to see her here.

Leafiara: Hiyas!

Luxelle: Miss Leafi, Thank you ever so much for coming!

Leafiara hooted at me. It was her trademark, a token from her connections to Willow Hall. "Wouldn't miss it if I could help it!"

Yardie: Glad you're here. I'm a little...nervous, and I don't know why.

Leafiara gazed in amusement at me. Her gaze told me a tale I perhaps did not know about myself.

Luxelle: Miss Leafiara has been here with us ... a really long time.

I grinned at Luxelle.

Leafiara adopts an agreeable expression.

Luxelle: She was one of those who voted YES - when I asked if we should become an official organization.

Leafiara: Ahh, now that really does seem so long ago...

Luxelle nods at Leafiara.

Yardie: Any estimation as to how long?

Luxelle: The Meeting Hall papers were in 5120. We were founded with Miss Newsby and all in 5116. The building was 5121? I might be off by a year for the MHO things. Luxelle sighs.

Leafiara: If I remember, the voting was unanimous.

I grinned at Leafiara.

Luxelle: I tried so hard to drag my feet on that.

Leafiara: At very least, I don't recall any reasons anyone could come up with not to do it.

Luxelle: But they all promised me they would help with the paperwork and requirements. Luxelle nods.

Leafiara (amusedly to Luxelle): That's true, it was more the rest of us pushing you to go for it. She chuckles.

Luxelle nods at Leafiara.

The Outcry for the TownCrier

Yardie: It's quite peculiar, because where there are not reasons why not to do it, it does pose the question of...well....why? Why form the TownCrier?

Leafiara: The TownCrier already had the recognition--it was just a matter of making it official.

Luxelle: Oh, originally, Miss Newsby and I pulled together to cook it all up because ... I was irritated that the information was not easy to find. And I was forever missing things. I figured if I was missing news and events, other people were, too. Luxelle nods. Irritation, the mother of invention.

I chuckled. On many occasions, circumstances created an opportunity for some innovation. It seemed like years ago when a lunch-hungry ferryman concerned with his shifts served as the only means to the East. Now, there are ships, fixed roads, and bridges, travelers on mounts, and swift means of transport. I imagine it may have been the same for the news. Slow travel and little avenues of information probably made for a clueless, well, more than clueless Elanthia. On that, Miss Luxelle was more than correct.

Leafiara snickers.

Yardie: So I imagine, prior to the TownCrier, everything was through word of mouth?

Luxelle: I suppose. There were parchments left on Moot Hall and trees which ... were not easy to find for many people.

Leafiara: So... yes, more or less. She chuckles.

Luxelle: There had been no newspaper in the lands for many, many years.

Leafiara adopts an agreeable expression.

Luxelle: This building was full of cobwebs before we moved in.

Yardie: Was there anything prior to the TownCrier?

Luxelle nods. Oh! Come and see!

Leafiara: Tours!

Luxelle clasps Leafiara's hand tenderly.

The TownCrier, Gallery A large banner is suspended from the ceiling just inside the archway, boasting an assortment of hand-drawn quills and ribbon-tied scrolls surrounding the title "Elanthian News Delivery Through The Ages." Lush carpeting quiets the octagonal room, each wall featuring a display centered upon its smoothly plastered expanse. High above, domed stained glass in jewel tones depicts a messenger bird coming to rest upon a twining grapevine. A large, round rich blue leather bench provides a welcome spot to rest.

Luxelle: I had to get special permission, permits, exclusionary waivers and oh, many called in favors to add this gallery to the building.

Yardie: I imagine it was a daunting task. How was support for this idea?

Luxelle: Over the years I have purchased, been given copies, and found all I could about the histories of the publications. The idea of the gallery, or the TownCrier News itself?

Yardie: The News itself.

Luxelle: I spent 2 weeks getting it ready from a table in the Moonglae Inn. We lived in Ta'Illistim at the time.

Leafiara tilts her head toward Luxelle, examining her intently as the tip of one ear twitches briefly.

Yardie: The Shining City. I was not expecting origins for the Crier over there.

I really wasn't, though the logic behind it seemed sound. The East, particularly those in Ta'Illistim, were nothing if not scholars and literary aficionados. Any form of documentation or literary work probably set them in a stir in the same way violence and chaos stirred the Frontier folk or how snow and Coven talk motivated Icemule. To see it in the Landing proved most curious.

Luxelle: And then I spent half a week gathering opinions of people that I respected. And while many people thought it was a great idea, there was some significant pushback from surprising corners. Enough to give me pause. She gulps.

Leafiara looks thoughtfully at Luxelle.

Luxelle: But Miss Newsby insisted it was a great idea.

Leafiara (offhandedly to Yardie): Oh, this'll be a good interview. I'm learning things I didn't know either.

Yardie (to Leafiara): Well, that's why I'm here. To share with the masses."

Leafiara grinned at me, and I felt a bit at ease in knowing that this project of Faction Attraction served a purpose. For far too long, many of us have roamed and lived amongst communities and individuals without ever knowing, understanding, or even inquiring about their stories. To learn something new and share it with the masses slowly became a great joy and fulfillment that I hope swayed others.'Italic text

Yardie: Who had issues with the Crier? And if you can't discuss who....I guess, I'm more curious about why.

Luxelle: A few years ago, completely unbidden, one of my rolemodels and heroes came to me and acknowledged that while they though the TownCrier was not a good idea when I spoke about it originally, that they were so wrong, and thanked us for all our hard work.

Leafiara: Can't foresee every outcome perfectly.

Yardie: I'm glad. It is always appreciated when there are pleasant surprises.

Luxelle: I worked at bringing it to ESP, but we really could not figure out how to do that until a few years ago when Chronomages or Magisters or SOMEONE made ESP easier to use. Who did that? It is tangled with Chronomages in my head. Luxelle ponders. We might as well credit them with something kind. She winks.

Leafiara starts chortling.