21st Day of Quiescence 1856
THE NEWHAVEN TIMES
Illustrated Weekly Newspaper
by Lucious Theodore Kidman
Remembering Vonnaver Lorieth
Beloved Monarch
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| A painting commissioned by the famed Solomon Smith on the 400th birthday of the Empress. |
I remember the look on my father’s face when he stumbled into our small home in the High Park district of Newhaven. He set the paper down on the table and just stared out the window for hours. My family gathered around and mourned. It felt like we had lost a member of the family. I don’t think I met a single soul on our street who wasn’t shocked by the news. The woman who had outlived generations of her own family, many of her own friends and confidants and remembered the days of the cruel Maleficium raging unabated across the land; our empress had set her house in order and passed beyond the mortal strand peacefully in her sleep.
As a boy I remember seeing her in the street during the Winter Solstice. She was wearing a simple dark cloak lined with white fur. I turned and looked up into that beautiful face. She smiled at me, sending both chills down my spine and making my heart pound faster. She put a slender finger to her lips, and I knew I shared something special with the Forever Empress from that day forward; I held a secret. To say I was infatuated with her for the rest of my life was a mild exaggeration. I was enchanted. A patron, a military leader, and a city planner, she helped usher in a new age in the life of a city which had been reduced to rubble just a few hundred years before. Instead of receiving the applause of a grateful citizenry, she watched quietly from the sidelines.
Possessed by a boldness beyond my station, I reached out my hand, and to my astonishment, she did as well. Her snow-white hand touched mine, as we linked thumbs and extended our fingers out in the “winger” sign. I think I blushed, for she laughed, making my face burn red with embarrassment. To this day I can never explain the sensation. A courage rushed through my arm and spread through my body. I looked up, saw those violet eyes; then in a rush that sounded like ruffled feathers, she was gone. (cont. on pg4)
STONEHILL WEEKLY
By AJ Lewis
War Rages
Revolution Continues
Constabulary Cracks Down
Many residents awoke to the bloodbath in the Low Park District of Newhaven. Bodies of infamous underworld kingpins were found hanging by the neck having been brutally tortured and hung until dead outside of the local Hall of Justice. This is another mark against this arm of the law, as readers will remember the corruption and imprisonment of many members of the Constabulary in this district who were found to have taken bribes and neglected their sworn duty to serve and protect. There were rumors and testimonies of an underworld figure known to work from behind the scenes, proxying through his lackeys. Despite fear of reprisal, this paper has chosen to expose the actions of the one known as criminal mastermind, Roald.
The Constabulary responded to this vile display of cruelty with a series of targeted arrests. The city has been sent into a tailspin as members of gangs, petty criminals and dollymops across the city have found themselves inside interrogation rooms and jail cells. Violence continues to spread as a local gang known as the Whalers have taken vengeance against Constables, lawmen and innocent citizens as they have taken credit for more than a dozen acts of terror on the populace of Newhaven. The formation of this gang came about in the wake of the bombing of a local gin house, the Shifty Whale, a known HQ for a small-time petty criminal, Leigh McNab. This paper believes this was a prelude to a territory war among the criminal empires which have grown up between the cracks of a fledgling police force.
Meanwhile, revolution is reaching a fevered pitch as labor unions are demanding fairer wages and better working conditions, striking in protest against the very companies that employ them. Many cite inaction of the Royal Crown to step in and the Council from taking decision action. Little wonder, considering their rich rumpuses have prospered from the profits of such companies. (Con. pg 10)
The Informer
Ambassador Dendrar Departs City for Health
Rumors abound about the health of the ambassador from the Northern provinces who was viciously attacked by an unknown assassin at the Bridgerton party a few weeks ago. An official statement was released confirming that Ambassador Dendrar had survived and was recovering. This announcement was issued by Arthur Belebrante personally. This paper has speculated on the curious relationship between the ambassador and the patriarch of the sizable Belebrante fortune. Their public relationship seems one of political nature. But Arthur seems to have made every occasion to advance her cause, elevating his name in the public and private sphere for weeks now.One of our reporters was able to learn that Ambassador Dendrar has been keeping a close relationship with a distant relation to the Lorieth Family, a Miss Lindion Mavienness-Lorieth. This connection seems to be a most beneficial one, which has caused both to rise in public circles together, though little is known of Miss Mavieness as of yet.
Ambassador Dendrar has been sighted at the train station leaving on the Iron Horse Line slightly before 6:30. When approached for comment, a rather gruff looking man as tall as an actual building blocked the way and was only dissuaded from strangling our reporter (we later learned this is one of her new bodyguards) by Arthur, who casually told reporters that the Ambassador was in need of a change of scenery and wanted to view the open countryside. We later learned from our foreign connection that the Ambassador boarded the last train that night across the Desert.
There are rumors that a new ambassador will be posted in the city to represent the interests and face of this growing political conflict.
The Newhaven Inquirer
Manhunt Underway
Murderer at Large
The vicious murder of the late Jaqueline Parsons by a servant of the Parsons has shocked the city of Newhaven into protests and angry demands for justice. The murderer has been identified by those who worked with the former Coachman as Thaddeus Turnball, an orc with the low traits typical of his species. Dr Lambeau, our resident alienist, told this paper that in his professional opinion, this incident represents a larger problem. “They are a hearty folk to be sure, but orcs are a temperamental lot, prone to tantrums and ill tempers which I am surprised have not resulted in the deaths of us all.” He is not alone in this sentiment, as many of the servants of the Parsons household said Turnball had taken to treating the house like his own. “Orcs are low class, and will always remain there,” Dr Trambeau said. “It is not because of the abundant opportunities lavished upon them by society. They hold themselves back. Integration is impossible.”Dr Herbert Bain is among the outspoken few who reject such notions of “speci-ism” among his colleagues. “The incident is tragic. But orcs form an important part of our society. We cannot so easily ignore their mechanical acumen, physical prowess or contributions to our great empire. Orcs are no more inherently barbaric than other species are naturally inclined to murder their masters. This attack should double our efforts to include orcs into proper society through education, good jobs and into the religious services. Driving a wedge between our species will only drive us further apart” he concluded.
The Constabulary is offering a reward for information to anyone if it results in the capture of murderer Thaddeaus Turnball.
Ferraday Remains Current
Electrical Science Breakthrough
The dazzling displays, controversial contraptions and titillating theories were just a few of the many wonders at this year's Symposium of Experimental Science and Innovation. The marvels of this age are without number, though many a common man would not notice the various inclusions of these new inventions. Save, for one which was debuted at the Symposium by none other than Mashell Faraday. A reclusive inventor, known for her seminal work in electrical engineering and her Faraday Cage, which has allowed scientists to study this wild and dangerous energy up close, was a late but welcome inclusion in the lineup of new inventions to be shown at this year's event.Many of the inventions have already been speculated on for weeks now prior to the day, but this was truly a surprise to many who had no idea that this breakthrough in the field of electrical energy was even a reality. With the sincerity and frankness Miss Faraday is known for, she revealed her latest breakthrough in the form of a water powered battery. The implications were far reaching, as she detailed the uses in mining, transportation and everyday life. There was no place, she claimed, this new technological marvel would not be felt. Some have cautiously speculated on the use of this new marvel in the war with the north, which has continued in a gridlock for decades. This might just be the edge that the army needs to force the North to surrender. Questions directed at Miss Faraday were quietly ignored. Work on these new marvels are already underway, with promises to appear in the near future as the marvels are perfected and instituted into our daily lives.
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