The Westbrooke Express: November 21st, 190 F.T

== CHIEF MAGISTER ARRESTED! ==
The self-titled ‘Archmagi’, Kistarin Yvris, having spent two years in office as Chief Magister of the Republic of Westbrooke, was arrested this week following evidence of corruption, including spending government funds on personal projects, and organization of criminal enterprises, including the theft of a priceless object from the Realm of Lofthaven, an ally of the Republic. The Chief Magister was also in violation of over a dozen International Mages Guild policies, including the illegal possession and use of outlawed spells.
Rumors of the Archmagis corruption have long been spread, but until recently, no definitive action could be taken. According to our trusted sources, it was the Officer of Religious Affairs, Tovis K. Blacktree, who brought proof of her ill-deeds to the Archon, Alheim Cornelius. We spoke with the Archon on the matter, and he had these words to say;
“Such corruption at the highest levels of power will not be tolerated in the Republic of Westbrooke. Despite my personal relationship with Kistarin Yvris, and the generally admirable job she has done within her station, this Republic has a dedication to both Justice, and Freedom. To misuse both position in the government, and ability as an Arcanist, all for personal gain, is an affront to every person within the Republic of Westbrooke.”
When asked about a potential replacement for the former Chief Magister, the Archon merely stated that the people of the Republic would decide, not him. With these accusations of corruption, there are some in the Republic who have grown suspicious of both the Archon, and the rest of the Council. The Officer of Internal Affairs, Halrune Virynore, has assured the people of Westbrooke that intensely strict scrutiny will be placed on every member of the council going forward, including the monthly release of all records of expenditure to the public. Officer Virynore has also approved a recompensation to all whose taxes were spent by the Chief Magisters personal whims.
We spoke with Janus Thorne, a local businessman and philanthropist, who helped fund the Republic of Westbrookes public Library, as well as other scholarly projects within the city.
“Mister Thorne, what are your thoughts on the apprehension of the Archmagi?”
“To speak frankly, I find this dispensation of justice to be long overdue. Kistarin Yvris has practically monopolized both the distribution of arcane knowledge, as well as that of magical items, within the Republic.”
“And you find that to be a bad thing?”
“Absolutely. Magic is an incredible tool, one which can assist quite literally everyone in their day to day lives. To withhold that from the people of the Republic is a disservice to the ideas of freedom this nation was founded upon.”
Wise words from Mister Thorne. Though the fate of Kistarin Yvris is yet to be set in stone, many agree that her expulsion from the government and further incarceration is all but inevitable. We will continue to update you on this matter as new information arises.
=== ARCHON SEEKING SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY CRISIS ===
As the Republic of Westbrooke grows, so too does it's need for electricity. As industry expands, many have come to be concerned over how the nation will supply power to the factories and establishments which have begun to fuel the economy. While the small power plant operated by the Wildwood Company has thus far been successful in supplying energy to the City of Westbrooke, their ability to do so dwindles as the need for power skyrockets.
Furthermore, with the creation of new state-sponsored settlements such as Ieravon, Starcrest, and Alintera, this demand for energy has expanded beyond Westbrooke itself, as thus far these locations operate without electricity. In response to these concerns, the Archon has made it clear to the Republic that this concern is at the top of his priority list. Although this crisis has been ongoing, and the output of power has increased drastically in the past few years, the Republics borders and population as grown alongside it, at a far greater rate. Many in the Republic, including the Wildwood Company, are seeking assistance in combating this lack of power via unorthodox means. The Archon himself has issued a request to any entrepreneur who believes they may have a solution to assist the Republic in this matter.
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=== WILDWOOD COMPANY REPORTS SUCCESS ON LONG-RANGE COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ===
For many months now, arcanists and engineers at Sidonias Wildwood Company have worked tirelessly to blend magic and science to create a device which can send words, sounds, and other auditory information over a long distance, without the need of casting a sending spell or the use of expensive magical ingredients. Two weeks ago, it seems they were successful, when this new device, which they call a "telephone", was able to send a message from their headquarters in Highcrest, all the way to Westbrooke City. The technology operates in a similar way to the telegram system, using magical ley-lines to transport information from one place to another. However, it seems the introduction of mythril into the equation has somehow allowed more complex things to be sent, though the company would not divulge the exact process. Although the audio was reportedly warbled and hard to understand, the experiment was certainly successful, and it seems the Wildwood Company is already working to improve the design, in hopes for eventual wide-spread use, just as the telegram has had over the past decade.
=== CRIMINAL SMUGGLING RING APPREHENDED NEAR STARCREST ===
Recently, Officers of the Westbrooke army stationed near the southern town of Starcrest intercepted a large smuggling operation on the outskirts of the city, between it and Orange Mesa. They staged an ambush in the midst of a deal between two unsavory parties, and managed to capture most of them alive. The two groups were dealing in illegal magical items, in violation of IMG protocol and Republic law. The operation was commanded by Captain Apollo of Starcrest. We spoke with Apollo, a Formis of large stature and presence, about the mission. He told us this;
"OUR COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT FACTUS FORMIS, HAD RECEIVED GOOD INTEL FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE ON ILLEGAL OPERATIONS OF A GROUP WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING FOR SOME TIME. THE ESPIONAGE PROVED EXTREMELY USEFUL, AND WE WERE ABLE TO INTERCEPT THEM WITH A LARGE GROUP OF CAVALRY. WE ARRESTED THEM, AND CONFISCATED THEIR ILLICIT GOODS. UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF OUR OWN, PRIVATE LUTHER SILVERBRAND, LOST HIS LIFE DURING THE ORDEAL, SAVING ONE OF HIS FELLOW OUTRIDERS FROM CERTAIN PERIL. I ASK ALL TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO HIM. HE IS A HERO, AND HIS SACRIFICE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BY ME, OR HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS."
There you have it. Republic Forces have issued a public warning that any illegal activities will absolutely not be tolerated, and that the Republic may be wild and untamed, but it will not be lawless.
=== ARCANISTS CORNER: EXTENDED ARTICLE! TIPS AND TRICKS TO TELEPORTATION MAGIC! ===
Teleportation. An ability that few unlock. But those who have know just how much it changes the world around them. Even the simple access of a teleportation circle expands a persons world in a significant way. And although the widespread use of teleportation magic has expanded greatly in the past decade or so, there are still many without the ability, and even those who have it often find themselves at the whim of old mages and their ancient teleportation sigils. So, in today's Arcanists corner, we will discuss both the stepping stones to learning basic long-range teleportation, as well as how to more efficiently and most importantly, quickly create a teleportation circle for your own personal use.
In order to understand the workings of late-stage conjuration magic, one should, naturally, have a grasp of the basics. We reccomend beginning with simple cantrips that allow the creation and moving of things, including a self-defense spell like Sword Burst, and the ever-useful Mage Hand spell. Afterwards the learning of the Find Familiar Spell would be extremely useful both in day-to-day life, but also in the process of judging distances over longer ranges, and movement of a living creature of some kind. From there, of course the 'Misty Step' spell would be your first step of actually teleporting. I'll warn you, your first time can be a bit disorienting! Once you've had plenty of practice with moving about short distances, you will want to push your studies even further. The 'Dimension Door' spell is extremely difficult to learn, and often even more so to use. It will take some time to progress from short-range to long-range teleportation, but be patient, for with enough practice and time, anything can be learnt. We recommend only using Dimension Door to teleport to a place you can visually see, and not through buildings, or anything of the like.
Finally, after much study, you will surely arrive at the Teleportation Circle spell. The preferred way to travel across nigh-infinite distances for even the most accomplished Archmage. An in-depth knowledge of Sigil Script and ley-lines would do you well, though an adequate grasp of these things will come in the pursuit of the spell itself. We have many tricks available to cut down on costs and time, as the spell can be notoriously expensive, and requires a pre-made circle, a process that can take over a year.
Firstly, the arcane chalk, infused with rare gemstones, that is required for the process. About one fifth of this chalk can actually be supplemented with regular chalk, but only in select areas. The largest, and second to smallest circles on your teleportation pattern can be written with normal ingredients, effectively saving you ten dollars worth of materials on the spell. Of course, in terms of efficiency, many have taken to purchasing large, collapsible circular wooden rods in order to quickly trace some of the larger portions of the sigil. This technique is a tried-and-true method, and this writer personally subscribes to this method.
As for the lengthy period of time required to create a permanent sigil, this will require quite a bit of training, and a great expansion to your own magical abilities. As always, consult your nearest International Mages Guild location for assistance in learning, and safe practice of magic. Now then, while it is normally considered true that in order to create a permanent circle, you must expend a 5th tier portion of arcane power in the casting of the spell, once per day, every day, for a year, this can actually be subverted in several ways. Firstly, the additional expenditure of a second 5th tier spell during the daily casting will cut the process in half. Look up information on 'Double-Casting', if you want to know more, but for those of you with fiery fingers reading this, be warned! Such a thing is only for complex rituals, not for your pyrokinesis! Now then, in addition to the expenditure of another 5th level spell slot, the use of higher level slots can also greatly quicken the process. So far, a way to use a 6th and 7th tier slot have been discovered. A 6th level casting of teleportation circle in this way decreases the total time by two days, while a seventh level decreases it by three. In this process, one is able to effectively cut the time it takes for a permanent circle down to about a month and a half. Unfortunately I cannot detail the exact process of using higher level slots for such a use, but consult your nearest IMG location on 'The Incantation of Kalceron', if you wish to learn this process.
I hope this months Arcanists Corner was of great use to you, dear reader, and I look forward to writing more for you in the future, as always. If you have any questions, or topics you wish to see discussed, send a telegram to this code: ΔΓΣ84ΩΨ