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

The forecast for next week suggests the valley itself is getting over last week’s news, even if its people are not.  Expect cold, partly cloudy days with steady breezes and light overnight snow down in the valley, moderate snow on the rim and out at the castle, with deep snows in the mountains.  As is usual this time of year, all ground traffic heading towards Eastfjord Harbor will soon be coming through the tunnels near the castle instead of down the sides of the valley as the mountain passes become blocked by snow.

The Royal Guards have significantly stepped up patrols all around the region and I’m told that guard stations and outposts in towns and villages along the major trade routes have done the same. Whether this is having any impact on bandit activity is not immediately clear, but no one can deny the effect their presence is having on the general peace of mind.

Speaking of trading, a number of small vessels sailed in to port this past week, bringing the news that the northern ports have all frozen over, resulting in a number of larger trading vessels rerouting to Eastfjord Harbor and expected to arrive next week.  All three dockworkers guilds are looking for additional hands to help with the labor, as are the warehouses. It’s safe to expect that once the overland caravans come in, they’ll be looking for help moving the goods on those vessels as well. Those last jobs are likely to result in being gone for some time given the original northern destinations.

If you’re interested in the dock or warehouse work, check in with the appropriate leaders at offices near the docks.  For those interested in the latter kind of jobs, they’re likely to be announced in inns and taverns throughout town and filled before my next broadcast.

No new updates from Revna and her party yet. This is to be expected as the earliest they could arrive will be late next week, assuming the heavy rains that dominate the region around the Shrine of Water this time of year are playing nice.

Reports slightly more substantial than rumor indicate that the Shrine Watchers’ League has sent its Seekers into the world once more to search for the Shrine of Magic.  Wisp’s shrine has not been seen in nearly a hundred years and the last known person to pass its trials passed away about a decade ago. What signs have spurred the watchers into seeking remain known only to them.

Speaking of signs, the town council has commissioned several for major crossroads around the region in the hopes of preventing another incident like the one the Hisenwatch Trade Caravan encountered.  Requests for such signs have been declined by the council in the past, but recent events have changed the council’s mind. Arrangements are being made with the Royal Guards to regularly check on the signs once they’re in place to make sure they’re in good order.

The Royal Guards have announced that twenty-two candidates have made the cut to join their ranks. The complete list of candidates is posted in the lobby of the main office in North Square.  We wish all the best on their chosen journey.

The Council of Guilds has, as expected, announced the bi-annual Journeymen’s Festival to take place on its traditional Spring Equinox date. This year, the Spring Equinox falls on the second day of Dryad Fading, just under a month from now. Tradition holds that this will not be a true gather, but will be treated as one.

One last oddity for this week, witnessed today, by me: I was approached in the street by two Royal Messengers, who declared me the first Feralix they’d encountered in the valley and asked to which Clan I belonged.  My answer confused them, as to be expected. I was then able to direct them to the people they sought: the leaders of the White and Black Mountain Clans. They thanked me on behalf of the crowns and went on their way.  What our king and queen want with our Feralix leaders, I do not know.

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

Also brought to you by the Druids’ Circle Guild, who would like to publicly thank East Valley Trekkers for their assistance with an unexpectedly large group of saberlings raiding farms on the northeast end of the valley.

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