The offices of the Weekly News From Many Places are housed in a multi-level building adjacent to the Paper Mill on the Lula River's east bank. This building is an imposing structure, made of dark stone and reinforced with iron girders, giving it a stern and official appearance.
Exterior and Windmills:
The building is topped with two large windmills that power the printing press in the basement, similar to the system used by the neighboring paper mill. The windmills, with their massive wooden blades, are a distinctive feature of the building, constantly turning in the breeze to keep the press running smoothly.
Layout:
Ground Floor: The entrance opens into a grand reception area, where visitors are greeted by a bustling atmosphere. The ground floor is also where the central reporters' pool is located—a large open space filled with rows of desks, each piled high with papers, quills, and inkpots. Reporters come and go, gathering information, writing stories, and preparing their next assignments. This area has a frenetic energy, with news being discussed, debated, and sometimes argued over.
Upper Levels: The upper floors house the offices of the editors and senior staff. These offices are more secluded, with heavy wooden doors and large windows overlooking the city. The editor's office, in particular, is an opulent room with dark wood paneling, a large oak desk, and walls lined with bookshelves and maps. The editor, Hendrik van der Meulen, a gruff and obnoxious man, often paces around his office, barking orders and reviewing drafts with a critical eye. He is known for his unwavering loyalty to the king's agenda, ensuring that the paper promotes education, trade, and reports on the reduction in crime while being careful about what they publish on sensitive issues like missing persons or unrest.
Basement: The basement is where the printing press is located. The press itself is a marvel of mechanical engineering, powered by the windmills above. Large rolls of paper are carefully transported from the mill next door and fed into the press, where the news of the day is printed. The basement also houses storage rooms for paper, ink, and other supplies necessary for the daily operations of the paper.
Atmosphere and Influence:
The building's atmosphere is a blend of intense activity and strict order, reflecting its role as both a news outlet and a government mouthpiece. The reporters, while dedicated to their craft, are always aware of the invisible boundaries set by the editor and the king's office. The stories they write shape public opinion, and the building itself is a symbol of the power that the press holds in Seregon, especially when it comes to influencing education, trade, and perceptions of safety in the city.
Influence on Seregon:
The influence of the Weekly News From Many Places extends beyond just reporting the news. The careful selection of stories and the emphasis on certain topics over others helps shape public opinion in Seregon. The paper's focus on positive developments like education and trade, while downplaying or carefully curating stories on crime and unrest, ensures that the government's narrative remains dominant. The warning against travel to the Emerald Enclave, for example, subtly reinforces the government's stance on maintaining order and stability within Seregon's borders.
This building, with its windmills, reporters' pool, and basement printing press, is more than just the heart of the city's news—it is a key instrument in the shaping of public consciousness in Seregon.
