New Leader Rises Among the Fringe!
The fallout of the Stonehearth Calamity continues, and as the dust settles, new scrutiny falls on the Fringe Consortium. Those who have had contact with the bandits report that the collective is guided by a mysterious figure that has united the previously scattered groups. Just who is 'Malleus Maleficarum' and what do they want?
Our investigation would take readers deep into the heart of the Fringe's operations, revealing the man behind the curtain who orchestrated the most devastating attack in our history. Through exclusive interviews and on-the-ground reporting, we'll expose the truth about this shadow organization and its enigmatic leader.
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We were in the editor's office of the Celestial Daily, in front of Reggie's desk. The man himself had his shirt sleeves rolled up, tie loosened, hair run backwards by swiping his fingers through it too many times. His expression while reading our proposal was somewhere between exhausted and slack-jawed awe.
"We have it on good authority that the Fringe set up a capital city out here in the Jagged Peaks." I said, showing him my map. "They call it Shantytown! It's a max level - level 100 - zone, so we're going to need supplies to get out there, then we can contact the locals, do some interviews. It's not just a piece on Malleus, but a showcase of life in the Fringe!"
Reggie's expression didn't change. He set the proposal down with deliberate slowness.
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"Have you two completely lost your minds? That is far too dangerous! These people rob and kill players indiscriminately - you wouldn't make it past the Stonehearth Red Line."
"Ok..." I regrouped quickly, pulling out my backup pitch. "How about this, then? The Celestial Daily Presents: An Evening with Bedlam! We do a ride-along with a patrol-"
"Also rejected." Reggie cut me off mid-sentence.
"But the Fringe is hot right now!" Cherry exploded out of her chair, hands slapping down on Reggie's desk. "That's what the people want to know about!"
I jumped in, "Yeah! They sacked one of the major cities, leaving it completely uninhabitable! Just who are these people?! Our readers deserve to know!"
Reggie sighed and started drumming his fingers on the desk. "You want action, huh?"
"That's what we live for!" Cherry said. "We're here to get the scoop, boss, just put us in!"
He turned to a filing cabinet beside his desk, fingers walking across the labeled folders until he found what he wanted. "How about a spotlight on one of the Vanguard guilds? Get some Citadel news to take people's minds off the Calamity. I've already spoken to Tempest, and they're willing to give us exclusive access into the guild's inner workings."
Cherry made a sound like she'd swallowed a bug. "Tempest?! Who cares!"
"Tempest is-" Reggie started.
"She's right." I interrupted. "No one wants to know about those schmucks." Reggie's eyebrows climbed toward his hairline, but I pressed on. "Counter-proposal: we cover one of the smaller guilds. It's an underdog story! Show the personal, real side of the Vanguard - plucky young fighters going in without the money and big name backing! Think about it - everyone already knows Tempest's story. Rich guild, good support from the Guard, best equipment, methodical progression. Where's the human interest in that? But a small guild struggling to keep up, fighting for every inch of progress? That's drama. That's what sells papers!"
I watched Reggie's expression shift as he considered it. Coming back to his desk, he set his pre-prepared files down. "Alright. If you think you can deliver that, go for it. But you'll need to handle all the arrangements yourselves. Tempest already offered interviews and ride-alongs."
Cherry and I exchanged triumphant glances. I said, "Oh, we've already got that covered."
