The Westbrooke Express: March 1st, 191 F.T

== JANUS THORNE ELECTED NEW CHIEF MAGISTER OF WESTBROOKE ==
As many expected, the results of the election for the next Chief Magister proved that the people of the Republic want Janus Thorne. In an unprecedented landslide, Janus Thorne has received over 75% of all votes, a sound victory for the new Chief Magister. Mister Thornes election into the council is a historic moment, with him being the first addition to the council since the founding of the Republic in 189. Thornes platform of "Magic for the Common Man" has been met with vast support, and Magister Thorne will have five years to fulfill his goals and promises before the next election. Thorne will be sworn into office on March 5th, after which he has declared he will give a speech, then press conference, to those who wish to hear them. Having beaten both Umbra Fartide, the previous Magisters chief aide, and Raphael Stern, Thorne has stated that he holds no grudge against his competitors, offering them both positions in his office.
The people of Westbrooke are confident that the next five years will bring a great deal of changes, and many hope that Thornes various policies allow magic to permeate society, and help the people of the Republic on every level.
=== GLAMOURWEAVE: WORTH THE PRICE? ===
A hit new sensation in the entertainment sector is 'glamourweave', a cloth enchanted to bear various illusions. From whisping flames that grow with a word, or sparkling stars flowing like a river, there is no question that many of the visual effects that glamourweave can offer are beautiful. However, many call into question the rather absurd pricing of the material, 100 Dollars for a square foot. A price one hundred times higher than that of normal cloth, the Skyborne Company, who is responsible for its invention and manufacture, claims to only be making a small profit off their sales, citing high production costs. However, insider knowledge tells us that a square foot of glamourweave takes only two dollars in materials and ten dollars in labor to manufacture. So, before purchasing glamourweave, ask yourself: Do you want to purchase from a company that gouges prices and holds monopoly over their product?
=== THE RACE OF TEN WINDS ===
A grand race shall be held on the date of Saturday, May 7th in The Vale District of Westbrooke. The race will be one mile, starting from Lake Ioris, and ending at the Black Wand Saloon. Participants are encouraged to use every tool available to ensure victory, from magic to intense physical training, anything goes. The winner of the race will receive a prize of 1000 Dollars, as well as free drinks for a year at the Black Wand Saloon. 25 Dollar entry free is required.
=== OFFICE OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS TO BE SPLIT IN HALF ===
News from the council came earlier today, shortly before the election of the new Chief Magister. A spokesman announced that the Office of Internal Affairs will have its duties split in half, with the creation of an Office of Legal Affairs. Officer Halrune Virynore has been overseeing both the cultural development of the Republic, including art, education, architecture, and more, all while also presiding over countless legal cases, a field which he even admits he was woefully unprepared for. Officer Virynore will continue to fill the role of Officer of Internal Affairs, while the role of Officer of Legal Affairs will be filled by someone chosen by the people of the Republic. Elections will be held six months from now, on August 1st. Potential Candidates are encouraged to begin their campaigns as soon as possible.
=== WHO SERVES THE BEST DRINKS IN WESTBROOKE? ===
Everyone enjoys a good drink from time to time. Some others enjoy a bad drink all the time. In any case, heated arguments across the capital of the Republic ask one question: what establishment serves the best booze? We'll take a look at the various bars, saloons, taverns, restaurants, and more, and tell you who we think has the best drink.
The Golden Grove is known across town as one of the finest high-end eateries that the capital has to offer, and while the food may be good, what about the drink? Well, their selection of wine is unmatched, from 30 year old Frevonian Wine from the Wine Shore, to aged Lofthaven white wine dating half a century, a connoisseur of fine drinks might find the Golden Grove to be the go-to place to enjoy an expensive drink. With that being said, not everyone is a connoisseur. Most of us just want a nice beer, or ale, and I have to say, The Golden Grove simply does not deliver. Their meager selection of beer is outdone only by their nonexistent selection of hard liquor. We rate their drinks a 6.5/10
The Black Wand Saloon is the opposite of the Golden Grove in every way. You'd be chased out of the building if you asked for wine, no doubt, and even asking for a simple beer might be met with laughter by the grizzled customers of this establishment. Their harder drinks, from Telbradian Whiskey to Storian Vodka is without a doubt their speciality. However, the poor atmosphere of the building and lack of variety certainly loses them points. We rate their drinks a 6/10
The Drill & Grill, Westbrookes only subterranean restaurant, offers a fine middle ground between the two aforementioned establishments. With lighter drinks including various cocktails, and a good selection of beers, ales, as well as harder drinks, the Drill & Grill offers a wide variety to choose from, however loses points at their lack of higher-end drinks. Regardless, we think the common man would have a much better time at the Drill & Grill, in no small part to the affordable prices available. We rate their drinks a 7/10
The Treants Trost is a fine mead-hall by any means. With a lively environment often including live entertainment, and a fine selection of drinks, served hot or cold on request, the Treants Trost also offers reasonable prices on all their items, both drink and otherwise. Most of their drinks are brewed locally, and many people of the Republic prefer to drink & eat there for that fact alone. In addition to all of these things, we've found their service to be above and beyond the rest, and many people report having made life-long friends there. We rate their drinks an 8/10
The Far Port is the Republics oldest drinking establishment, and it shows. With rustic construction and a community of regulars stretching back half a decade, there are those in Westbrooke who swear that beer just doesnt taste good if it isnt at The Far Port. Despite the cultural significance of the establishment, we found their selection to be lack-luster, and while their prices were relatively low, they did not meet many of our other expectations. We rate their drinks a 6/10
=== ARCHON TO MEET WITH BRIGHTFATHER ===
With the rising threat of Sidonian expansion in Duloris, the Archon, Alheim Cornelius, has agreed to meet with the Brightfather, ancient leader of the Sidonian Republic, in order to come to a peaceful solution in this feud, and avoid unnecessary bloodshed. The two parties have agreed to meet in the town of Starcrest on May 14th, a half-way point between the Sidonian territory of Vohnenheim and the Republics Capital city.