Pembleton Illustrated News

**The Pembleton Illustrated News** (PIN) is a Pemblish weekly national newspaper based in Pembleton. It was founded in 281 BGE as the Guilds and Companies Register. It originally aimed to be a daily account of trade and guild affairs in Pembleton, modelled on earlier publications such as the *Rubellium Shipping Times* and the *Lloads List*.

The publication renamed itself as the *Pembleton Weekly News* with the adoption of a broader range of news topic as well as a new weekly format in 235 BGE. It finally became *The Pembleton Illustrated News* in 38 BGE with the introduction of illustrative lithographs, which the paper was the first to introduce and which brought immediate public acclaim.

The paper rapidly expanded to become Pem's national paper of record, being read by thousands across the country in the modern age. The paper, alongside its sister paper publications the *Woleseat Guardian* and the *Imperial Guard Mercury,* are printed published at the Illustrated News Group offices in Pembleton.

## Clipping 1

**PROTESTS OVER RACIALLY INSENSITIVE PUB NAME**

by Arthur Fleetwhite

The Lumbering Golem Pub in Rodrick's Bend is not the sort of place you would expect to court controversy. As I write, the clink of glasses and the warm smell of tobacco float across the summer air.

Yet in recent weeks some degree of outrage has grown here with Golem Rights protesting the pub's name, which they say should be changed on the grounds that the name and sign are "insensitive" and "inflammatory".

Activist, campaigner and leader of the golem rights organisation 'Golems Are People', Nolan "The Golem" Rocksteady had this to say on the subject:

"We just think that it perpetuates the terrible stereotype that all golems do all day is lumber around, and that's just not true. Many are respected and hard-working members of the community all across Pem, and I think it's time that things like this pub change to recognise that. Most golems aren't members of the Rock Street Gang or somesuch."

However, locals of Rodrick's Bend say that the name is traditional, and a source of civic pride, since the pub itself dates back beyond the Civil War.

"It's ridiculous really. The pub's always been called that, and nobody's ever so much as batted an eyelid about it before," said Margaret Bench, a local. "I think it's just that people just don't have the kind of thick skin they used to. In my day we worried about things that actually mattered, like what colour your neighbours' door was".

**HEARTWOOD'S PATENTED CARROT SOAP!**

**"Cleans like a dream"**

## Clipping 2

**A NEW GUILD FOR FIGHTERS?**

by Arthur Fleetwhite

On a humble square, in the Old Town district of Rubellium, there is what appears to be just a normal red brick house. Unassuming. And yet behind this weathered door lies the headquarters of the Guild of Heroes. Though greatly diminished in this past century, these stalwart guardians have long protected the Centrelands. Those tasks which the Imperial Guard cannot combat, they will be there.

Yet a new organisation has emerged in Waysouth, claiming that it, and only it, represents "the Noble and Ancient Heritage of the Heroes of Old".

The Order of Worthies in Waysouth is certainly decked out in a fanciful way, with shields on the walls &c, yet some critics have claimed that they have yet to prove themselves as heroes of any sort, and that to the contrary, their hall is primarily the haunt of drunken fops.

The Order's leader, Lord Dunceny, takes issue with this accusation. "Just because we have yet to achieve something does not mean we will not."

Upon being asked who that apparent courtesan on his arm was, he became silent.

Yet the Worthies should not yet be dismissed outright. In recent years, the Guild of Heroes has fallen somewhat into decline, and boasts now only a handful of members, eager though they are.

However, it may be that their fortune may yet turn; it has been reported that their Guildmaster, as well as a recent recruit, may have won the favour of the Red God, and that the Guild now possesses His relics.

Despite this apparent endorsement though, it is not unquestionable that this new Order may yet trump them in their business, for business of course is the realm of the Yellow Goddess.

## Clipping 3

**CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW UNDERGROUND PROJECT**

*Work on 'Crossrail' expected to be swift and in budget*

By Lusy Cragginshaw

Groundbreaking on Pembleton's new metro rail project, codenamed 'Crossrail' began on Wednesday with great fanfare, at a ceremony attended by Pembleton mayor Richard Szennor, as well as officials from the Worshipful Company of Railway Workers, the Company of Gearsmiths and the Masterworks Institute.

The 23 mile, £22.6m 'deep-bore' line will provide a direct line between Collegefields in the west and Fondler's Lane in the east, via the city centre. The high-capacity line is expected to be open in 481 H.S. (G.E. 65) and will be operated using steamless clockwork locomotives created through a collaboration between the Masterworks and the Company of Gearsmiths, due to the lack of ventilation so deep underground.

Crossrail is planned to be delivered efficiently and on budget, according to Mr Szennor, who stated: "This project will certainly be a game-changer, and we at the City Council are very proud to play a part in this wonderful infrastructure project."

"However, I promise you all that we have no intention of letting Crossrail run away out of our control, and we promise that despite our boundless enthusiasm we will continue to deliver the same strong, capable leadership which you, the people, have come to expect from your government."

## Clipping 4

**NORTH-EASTERN TUNNEL LINK OPENS**

By Lusy Cragginshaw, Transport Editor

Pembleton's 9.6 mile Northeast Tunnel Link opened on Bloday, at an inauguration event attempted [sic] by the city's mayor, Mr Richard Szennor, as well as representatives of the Worshipful Company of Railway Workers, the Red Line Railway (RLR) and the Eastern Blue Line Railway (EBL).

The tunnel connects the RLR and EBL networks for the first time, enabling the operation of direct services between Coltar and Rubellium without changing trains at Pemblecross Station, and is also expected to reduce through traffic via the station, increasing comfort for passengers departing from Pemblecross.

The ceremony was held at the new Salters' Ward depot, and featured the departure of the first locomotive through the tunnel at half-past-eleven, to the accompaniment of brass band music and much flag waving.

The inauguration drew large crowds, eager to see this new engineering marvel enter service, and the event had an almost festive atmosphere, buoyed no doubt in part by the usual Coup's Day exuberance.

The tunnel will be operated and maintained by the Pembleton Tunnel Authority (PTA), a Public-Private Partnership of Pembleton Freehold Council, EBL, RLR and Gonk Construction Engineers (a civil engineering subsidiary of Gonk Lifestyle Architects, which has been contracted to carry out maintenance on the structure).

The project, which took six years to build, cost £11.3m and was primarily funded through contributions from the four PTA members, alongside a £3.7m loan from the Religious Bank of Sotha.

The project is notable for its success at opening on time and relatively within budget. This is in contrast with the much vaunted Crossrail project, originally scheduled for completion in 481 H.S., which is now three...

**HEARTWOOD'S PATENTED CARROT SOAP!**

**"Cleans like a dream"**

... years overdue. The project's estimated cost, originally pegged at £22.6m, has now almost doubled to £41.3m, with the Freehold Council granting a third rise in the project's budget last month.

**=Wiseold and Clyde=**

**<=Since 39 H.S.=>**

**"Cast-iron utensils from a name you can trust!"**

## Clipping 5

**KING OF ALEURIA DEAD**

By Ruperta Tedd, Aleurian Correspondent

His Royal Highness, Lumbard VII, King of Aleuria and Emperor of Spanicois and Aleuria's domains overseas, passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning at the royal chateau of Chenussay, near Mesdame. Lumbard reigned for 53 years, having inherited the Crown upon the death of his father, Lumbard VI, in H.S.398.

His reign has been notable for an unprecedented era of peace - the King-Emperor has been an enthusiastic proponent of diplomatic relations between the major powers of the Centrelands - a notable contrast to the continental and colonial wars of his father's reign. Lumbard's reign was also characterised by the great advancements in philosophical and scientific thought - his encouragement of the work of the Academie Alleurienne in particular is well known, and on occasion satirised.

No more evident is this rapid advancement than in Aleuria's current leading role in the development of airship technology. However, this advancement has coincided with a vast expansion in the kingdom's military might - aeronaval power of the Royal Airship Force has, since its inception, been used primarily for defensive purposes - yet its capacity to wage war has long been a concern to foreign governments.

Lumbard will be succeeded to the throne by his grandson, Guillaume, Duc de Boisroyeux. The young duke is known as a firebrand who has lobbied for a more overtly nationalistic stance on the world stage, particularly when dealing with Aleuria's northern neighbour, Pem. The new king, who writes poetry in his spare time, is also known to be a romantic, who idolises Aleuria's chivalric past. This includes the Aleurian Royal Family's claim to the Pemblish throne, the exiled Pemblish royals having fled to Aleuria following the establishment of the Commonwealth, and subsequently intermarried. This claim has, in recent decades, been downplayed for the sake of diplomacy - but for the hotheaded young king, it could be the makings of his first international blunder.

Despite his love of history, Guillaume, soon to be Guillaume III, is no less passionate about philosophy and technology than his grandfather. Indeed, during an address to the Aleurian parliament last year, he spoke of the technoloy as a means of reclaiming this lost 'Golden Age'.

A date for the new king's coronation is yet to be announced - the country is currently in the process of a two-week state of national mourning. The Aleurian embassy in Ridgeley has also been clad in black banners. I is likely that the coronation will take place sometime next spring.