Hello, I’m Branwyn Two-Moon of Clan Lightridge and these are the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Gnome Waxing, 2019.

First and foremost, Bryce Wayfinder’s team of investigators set out to the crossroads on the fifth day this week, and they expect to be camping and studying in the area for a while to determine whether or not the magic that fouled up the Hisenwatch’s merchant caravan was cast or wild. The Messengers Guild has announced they will be sending a runner up to the camp each day to ask for news, and I for one promise to share it once I have it.

Speaking of messengers, it’s hard not to notice their bright green regalia when they’re out and about, and while no reasonable person would dare interfere with a messenger on business, or inquire as to the details of it outside of legal matters, it’s perfectly normal to comment on their comings and goings. Since the second day, messengers have been seen passing between our lighthouses multiple times a day. Yes, even all the way out to Ocean’s Watch. Every rumormonger in town wants to know what’s up, but as they’re only asking and not telling, it’s safe to say the messengers are doing their jobs, the Lightkeepers Guild isn’t ready to tell us, and we’ll find out when the time is right.

Town Hall has asked me to let everyone know that as of mid-day today, the seventh day of Gnome Waxing, there are very, very few spots left anywhere in town for the gather.   Persons or groups interested in stall space should get their requests in as soon as possible. Additionally, the inns and taverns in town report that rooms are also being reserved for gather and that if you want one, you should not delay in reserving one. Between the gather and the Royal Guards accepting applicants, it promises to be a busy week for businesses in town.

Everyone else should be busy for the next day or two, making sure they’ve got plenty of firewood ready. Local Sylph-casters report that a strong storm will blow through late on the second day and last into the night on the third. Significant snow is expected, so there will be plenty of need for manual labor to clear the streets on the fourth day before the gather can truly start on the fifth. Expect the sixth and seventh days to be sunny and chilly, but with little wind.  There’s no word if the town council is looking for more official employees to clear the snow at this time.

Out at Wickerby Pond, the early detachment of Royal Guards have set up the camp for tryouts next week and they expect the full contingent of reviewers to arrive by the second day. Applicants are welcome beginning one day after the full detachment arrives.

Fear not, you will need need to hike out to the pond to find out if the detachment has arrived, as most of the guard unit assigned to the city is being rotated out and their replacements are arriving with the reviewers.  To those guards that leaving us, we thank you for your two years of service and remind you to settle your bar tabs before you go… along with any other tabs.

Annelise Skywatch has asked that I pass on her gratitude to everyone who has offered to help design the Skywatch Academy of Blades.  She and Alyra Windvale are reviewing candidates and their ideas and will make their decisions by the end of next week.

The Messengers’ Guild paid me an unexpected visit yesterday, which allows me to bring you this news: I’ve received a letter from Revna of The Druid’s Circle guild.  In it, she asks me to let you all know that favorable winds and currents have her running ahead of schedule and she’s now halfway to the Shrine of Water nearly a week earlier than planned.  Sylph and Undine be praised!

Lastly, Kyelin Windshear and Ariette Walks-the-Dawnline report that they’ve received far more applicants to join the guild they’re forming than expected and will stop taking new applicants at the end of the week. Interviews and evaluations will happen the weeks of Gnome Waning and Gnome Fading, with a guild roster to be posted in Fjord’s Tail Taven the week of Dryad Rising.  No word yet on when they’ll begin their efforts on the keep, and if there’s a specific plan they’re going to try, they’re being tight-lipped about it. As previous plans have failed for everything from being bad plans to being underminded by competing groups who want the reward for themselves, I can’t blame them – I just hope they have a plan.

The Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor are brought to you by Red Wombat Tea Company, purveyors of fine and otherwordly teas. Red Wombat: We Dig Tea.

Also brought to you by Marie’s Pies: guaranteed to make your mouth water and be better than anyone else’s or we’ll give you your money back! Find us in the main square during the gather!

These have been the Ersatz Echoes of Eastfjord Harbor for the week of Gnome Waxing, 2019. Take care, and stay warm.