Eyes On Absalom
3rd Pharast 4720 AR
MYSTERY IN THE MIDST OF THE RADIANT FESTIVAL: WIZARD VANISHES WITHOUT A TRACE!
By the Inquisitive Investigators of Eyes On Absalom
In yet another baffling twist to Absalom’s already bustling Radiant Festival, a well-known wizard has mysteriously vanished, leaving behind only whispers and worry. Kemeneles, an experienced wizard and visitor to the festival, hasn’t been seen in days. His young apprentice, Eunice, is desperate for answers—and he’s not alone.
Witnesses report seeing Kemeneles and Eunice together as recently as two days ago, marveling at the Radiant Festival’s sights. However, at some point, the elder wizard wandered off, and according to Eunice, he never returned. “He wouldn’t just leave me here alone,” Eunice told Eyes On Absalom, clutching a tattered spellbook. “He was excited about the festival—and he’d never leave without saying a word.”
The festival has been known to attract all kinds of visitors (and trouble), so Kemeneles’ disappearance has raised more than a few eyebrows. While there is no evidence of foul play, the question remains: where could the wizard have gone? Festival-goers have reported hearing odd sounds, seeing strange lights, and experiencing sudden, unexplained chills in certain areas of the grounds.
Could Kemeneles be caught up in something dangerous? Did he stumble upon an unsavory deal, a magical mishap, or perhaps something… otherworldly? Eyes On Absalom reached out to the Edgewatch for comment, but none was provided at the time of publication—likely due to the busy schedule of the newly assigned rookies (who we hear may have met the wizard themselves!).
Until Kemeneles is found, festival visitors are advised to exercise caution and travel in groups. Any information on Kemeneles’ whereabouts should be directed to the young Eunice, who can be found near the Arcane Wonders Pavilion at the Radiant Festival’s northern end. “He needs help,” Eunice insists, his eyes filled with worry. “Please, if anyone has seen him… let us know.”
Stay tuned as Eyes On Absalom digs deeper into this magical mystery—could this be the beginning of Absalom’s next big scandal?
Chaos at the Menagerie! Edgewatch’s Freshest Recruits Cause More Havoc Than They Halt
By Our Ever-Vigilant Reporters at Eyes On Absalom
In an episode that left more than just feathers ruffled, Absalom’s latest Edgewatch rookies took their rookie status to heart yesterday, turning a simple errand into an all-out spectacle. Local heroes? Hardly! Citizens bore witness as the agents of order stumbled through their task like penguins on a patch of ice.
After barely surviving their daily beat, the four fresh-faced agents—Cole Umburo (who insists he’s an investigator), Catis (a swashbuckler with a penchant for stumbling over his own boots), Glum (an overeager goblin fighter), and Arrem Kyndari (a nervous cleric of Abadar)—were given their first big assignment: rein in the creatures on the loose from Knight’s Marvellous Menagerie. But did they restore calm? Let’s just say the beasts weren’t the only ones causing a ruckus.
Cockatrice Chaos: Edgewatch Gets Pecked Down a Peg
Arriving at the marketplace outside the Menagerie, the agents immediately locked eyes with a ferocious cockatrice—or at least, that’s what the agents insist. To any witnesses, it looked suspiciously like a cranky rooster with a feather problem. The creature launched an attack, while the agents fumbled with their weapons and argued over tactics. Catis missed his mark more times than we could count, Glum tried his best “intimidating goblin” face to no effect, and Cole kept muttering about a “gun-cane” that might or might not exist.
Luckily for them, Arrem managed to fling enough crossbow bolts to eventually land a shot, sending the cockatrice to the great henhouse in the sky. Citizens hid behind wagons, applauding—mostly because they were glad the scene was finally over.
Rust Monster Reeks Havoc (and Eats a Fine Blade or Two)
Barely catching their breath, our fumbling foursome heard cries from Parva Maock’s smithy. Apparently, a rust monster was snacking on Absalom’s finest steel collection, and the agents raced north to save what they could (which turned out to be not much).
After missing with bolts, waving swords around, and generally getting in each other’s way, the agents finally managed to shoo the creature out the door. But not before Glum’s sword had turned to dust and Catis had misjudged his rapier’s reach, taking out a shelf of finely crafted daggers. Parva, ever the professional, tried to hide her frustration by offering the bumbling agents replacements. Some say she handed them her worst wares as “thanks.”
A Brief (And Brave) Encounter with… A Door
When the agents spotted an owlbear enjoying a free feast at the local general store, Arrem showed remarkable bravery. In a moment of true courage, he peeked through the door—then promptly closed it, whispering to his companions that the beast was “too much of a challenge.” Some heroism, right?
The Menagerie Mayhem Continues
Finally, our hapless heroes made it to the Menagerie itself. Shuffling past an abandoned ticket kiosk, they immediately suspected foul play upon noticing an empty cashbox. “Thieves!” Cole declared, conveniently ignoring the fact that the entire zoo was overrun with rampaging creatures. By the time they reached the center of the zoo, they were greeted by the sight of a blood-streaked pond where a lone penguin squawked for help. But before anyone could make a daring rescue, a giant viper emerged from the water!
Cue the comedy. Glum, after narrowly avoiding the snake’s fangs, slipped into the water, nearly taking Catis with him. Arrem’s prayers to Abadar were drowned out by the sounds of flailing and splashing. And Cole’s “gun-cane” shot? Nowhere to be seen. Eventually, the viper gave up, slinking back into the water, apparently as exhausted as the agents were.
A Job… Done?
Absalom can rest assured knowing the Edgewatch is ever-vigilant… and ever-hilarious. We may not know where Knight’s Marvellous Menagerie will pop up next, but we can say one thing for certain: if you see these agents of Edgewatch headed your way, hide your valuables, cover your wares, and brace yourself. The show is just beginning!
Stay tuned to Eyes on Absalom for updates on our city’s bumbling bravest!
Eyes on Absalom: The Dragonfly Pagoda – A Masterpiece on Hold
By our correspondent, Dulcinea Truthseeker
The Radiant Festival is well underway, drawing crowds from all over the Inner Sea and beyond, yet one of its most anticipated structures, the Dragonfly Pagoda, stands unfinished. Promising an otherworldly experience of Minkai-inspired beauty and artistry, this architectural gem was to be a centerpiece of the festival. However, as days turn to weeks, curious eyes and murmuring voices question: why the delay?
The visionary behind the pagoda, Ama Uomi, is no stranger to ambition. Hailing from the distant lands of Minkai, Uomi is known for her innovative designs that blend form and function with a rare reverence for nature. Her plans for the Dragonfly Pagoda reflect this ethos: a multi-tiered structure adorned with delicate curves that mirror the wings of its namesake. Each corner of the building boasts carvings and murals celebrating the flora and fauna of both Absalom and Minkai, symbolizing a bridge between East and West, tradition and modernity.
But what makes this project unique – and complicated – is Uomi’s insistence on sourcing traditional Minkai materials, a choice that has brought its fair share of challenges. Building supplies have trickled in slowly due to recent supply line disruptions, and Uomi’s meticulous standards for craftsmanship mean she’s refused to substitute local materials. “Every beam, every tile tells a story,” Uomi stated in a rare interview last year. “To replace even a single piece is to lose part of that story.”
Of course, not all Absalomians are as understanding. Some festival-goers have voiced disappointment, with complaints ranging from lost ticket sales to skepticism about the project's viability. Still, a growing number of supporters are rallying behind Uomi’s vision, insisting that a masterpiece can’t be rushed.
In a city where history is both built upon and buried, perhaps it’s fitting that the Dragonfly Pagoda reflects this tension between heritage and present-day practicality. Whether the pagoda becomes a lasting monument to patience and artistry or a cautionary tale about ambition, Absalom waits with bated breath – and just a touch of impatience. Stay tuned, dear readers; Eyes on Absalom will be here to cover every twist and turn.