Train Robbery!, BB i. 2

The first train robbery in several months took place early yesterday morning, leaving at least 8 people dead and 1 injured. The Dholan Line train was carrying the governmental payment coin to the miners working in various camps of the Veserauk Desert. Eyewitness accounts state that a massive giant varying between 10 and 20 feet tall climbed onto the train after one half-hour of travel outside Blackwall. The engineer claims that the train began to slow for unknown reasons at this point, possibly due to the added weight of the giant. Several cars were disconnected from the engine before it was finally stopped by the engineer. The bodies of 6 guards were found in the train, having been shot, cut or crushed to death. Two additional guards are at this time unaccounted for. The iron door leading into the money car was brutally bashed in, allowing the thief or thieves to enter and steal what the Dholan Line says to be over 15000 coin.

Passengers report that two of their number, miners trained in the use of the new steam mining equipment being shipped to select mines in the desert, went to investigate the decoupling of the passenger section of the train. It appears that at some point they came upon the next car decoupled, that being the transport car for the steam miners. It is unclear what happened next, but the two men and their steam miners were found near the decoupled money car, battered, crushed and destroyed. Both men died inside their steam miners.

Brigadier Byron Chuffey, the army officer in charge of the investigation, had this to say: "This brand of lawlessness will not be tolerated. Tales of giants and such don't concern me in the slightest. Men did this, and those men will pay."

Local Singer Upstaged, BB i. 1

Last night the talented Amaya Angel gave a wonderful performance at the Lilting Lily tavern, though the crowd was less than the standard full house that packs the Lily for her shows. Those who went were in for more than the normal show, however. A wildman of enormous size was the real spectacle, frightening and awing the patrons with his powerful build. He interrupted the show at one point, to the apparent amusement of Miss Angel.

The brute was slow, causing communication problems, but he was accompanied by a dwarf woman who seemed able to speak with him in a crude language. Reports through the Army's Watch Division state that she was stopped on her way into town for causing a disturbance by bringing a wolf into the city. This seems an unlikely behavior for a dwarf and should be dismissed.

Initial fears of the wildman were somewhat forgotten when he began to produce precious metals of many different varieties from his pack, all in their raw states. Rumors abound that he is from a hidden cleft in the high mountain peaks rich in ores and veins beyond all imagination.

While lacking all but the most rudimentary of speech, the wildman seemed capable of drawing people to him. One of the displaced gnome population of Blackwall apparently purchased a room at the Lily for the beastly biped, though the reasons for this are unknown at this time. His table was also graced by the presence of the lovely Miss Angel for some time. Others of a less savory nature were seen to approach him, though no trouble came to pass.

With the wildman staying at the Lily for an undisclosed amount of time, this reporter expects the crowds to reach capacity for the duration of his stay and well beyond, the curiosity drawing all manner of patrons. Says Elijah Johnson, proprietor of the establishment: "Not sure how to feel about that one. A curiosity to be sure, but I don't know if he can drive men to drink like our Amaya can."

DFS Highcloud to Launch Soon, BB i. 1

The Pellio Company has announced that their first lighter-than-air ship will be launching from Rivermeet soon, although no official date has been given. The company received a large grant from the Dholan High Parliament to complete the DFS Highcloud--the first airship constructed in Dholan and possibly only the third in all of Celevox--far ahead of schedule. Pellio has heavily advertised the ship in Rivermeet, looking to use it as a luxury mode of transportation far superior to the railways, as well as a means to transport small amounts of cargo. A special mooring is being constructed south of Blackwall to accommodate the airship, though progress has been slowed somewhat by the initial use of substandard materials. The collapse of the lower 100 foot portion that had been constructed resulted in the deaths of 6 workers on the site.

Military to Expand Through Lot, BB i. 1

The Blackwall division of the Dholan Army is poised to increase its numbers by instituting a lottery draft of registered citizens. Using the registry engine maintained by the tribunal, registered citizens from the ages of 16 to 30 will be randomly selected for a two-year obligation of service. Army officials have been very close-mouthed about the whole affair, however General Matilda Heterodyne had spoken with this paper regarding the lottery.

"This will be a very small increase over our current number of soldiers, so there is no need to panic that everyone in the city will be conscripted. I urge those citizens without a technological bent to not use this as another excuse to avoid registration. The benefits far outweigh the very small chance that you will be conscripted."

Gen. Heterodyne also divulged that citizens could remove themselves from the lottery by volunteering for a single year of service. Should enough citizens volunteer, the lottery should be ended prematurely. Generals Nathaniel Farragut and Zammish Axebane could not be contacted before press time.

Cartographers Complete Map, BB i. 1

After dozens of expeditions and hundreds of hours of debate, a team of cartographers commissioned by the government of Unified Thrannal has finally completed the most definitive map of Veser on record. The team was led by Finneus Proudmore, now approaching his late 50s. Here you see an image of the map, which now has prime copies in the libraries of both Benegek and Rivermeet.

The Blackwall Broadsheet, Issue 1

Welcome, all, to this haven for rational thought. Let me begin by thanking each of you for reading. I hope that you will find our paper enjoyable and educational.

The purpose of this broadsheet is to report on the world of Celevox. Specifically, the continent of Veser. With the Western Coal Wars finally at an end--save for a few rogue ironclad crawler captains--we can finally reach for true scientific gains, and strive for peace.

We here at the Broadsheet will provide the most interesting stories available in all of Celevox. We shall cover advances in science, magic, exploration and archeology. We will bring to you updates on politics throughout Veser, and reports on the continuing efforts to end sand piracy. Reporters from around the continent will use the magic of the teletype to bring you, our dear reader, a view of the wider world.

I, your very own Finkirk Kellon, will be bringing a special treat to our readers. I shall bring to you the adventures of an unknown troupe of heroes and misfits as they make their way in the New West and beyond! Expect these columns to appear near the end of each week.

We, the staff of the Blackwall Broadsheet, promise our readers the finest paper available west of the Razorboar Mountains.