(no subject)

[ice_cream_ai]

[Action]

[Like many others, he heard the announcement, but did not process it as clearly as others - just that this isn't good news for the humans, and muses they might be looking for momentary cheer before getting down to work. He went to a well-populated square in the entertainment district where many of the humans gathered and drops a cup on the ground, gathering their attention before he breaks out into song - most of them classics and old standards that everyone knows. When he finishes one melody, someone may shout out for another and he obliges.

After a half hour of singing, he takes a break, collecting the cup - jingling it to see how much the humans gave him before heading to a nearby restaurant to grab a quick bite, musing over the recommendation of going into the Verdant Forest]

So the Forest - I wonder if they'll find what they need there.

[He murmurs out loud as he pulls his fluffy muffler around his lower jaw]

Network - Voice/Action

[indy_wannabe]

Voice:

Hey guys, Ezreal here. I'm with the delvers, for those of you who don't know. I just heard the word and while I don't agree with the whole "keep out of the Old City" thing, I'm not about to let you Rangers have all the fun. I'm going out, a little snow won't stop me. Anybody in? Safer in numbers and all that.

Action:

[Ezreal's first stop was the Southern forest. While he was pretty sure iron more likely lay in the west or east, he had heard there was an interesting structure out by the lake to the south east and wanted to swing through and check it out. With his Elekid Spark at his side, he was pretty much ready for anything, at least as far as he was concerned.]

o1. audio / action

[ladyofluminosity]

[Voice]

Hello, can anyone hear me? I believe I'm still in the signal area. In any case, I believe that I may have found something interesting! A community of Spearows, so close to the city! I thought that they were solitary Pokémon, and yet there must be at least half a dozen of them nesting here, in close proximity. While I have not been able to get too close, I have been able to construct quite a few interesting ske--

Camille, what are you doing there? Camille, sto--

[The feed abruptly cuts off.]

[Action]

[The Verdant Forest, early morning, the trees covered in a new layer of fluffy white snow. The ratata are slowly crawling out from their hidey-holes to find their first meal of the day; pidgey cooing gently, welcoming in the day; the sweet, dulcimer cry of an errant Enlightened screaming--wait, what?!]

[Action]

[choseneutrality]

[Hearing the announcement made Flynn's gaze rest on the Old City that lied before the wall that separated it from the rest of Union. So there would be no more iron coming through from it. He half continued to listen to the radio as it continued to go on about other things per usual.]

What should we do after our shift, Fran?

[The Happiny at his side chirped and Flynn nodded slightly/]

I see. I suppose that would be a nice way to spend the rest of the day.

Voice

[highliber]

This is the WORST timing. It took months to get the right to build the new floor and now the price of steel is going to triple.

I have no desire to go prospecting myself, but I have access to funding if a more outdoors inclined person wanted to mount an expedition. I think it might save me money in the long run.

Voice/Action

[lifeissuffering]

Voice:

This is Ensign Ichiro Ogami, formerly of the Guard. I just heard the announcement and I want to help. If anybody needs assistance in their search, please let me know and I will accompany you when I am able.

Action:

[Unfortunately, while Ogami would love to go out and find an iron mine, he has many many duties at the Union Divine Theater that are keeping him busy. Like sweeping. Oh so much sweeping. It's an off day, although visitors are still allowed in naturally and there is much cleaning to be done. Which means no adventuring for him, unfortunately]

[Action - Hakurei Shrine]

[paradiseshrinemaiden]

[Reimu didn't really have much reason to be concerned with the iron shortage because it didn't directly effect her or her work, though it'd probably turn out to be a pain eventually. Her job was to tend to her shrine and keep an eye out for any possible incidents she might need to intervene in as current sole attendant and semi-official Head Priestess of the Hakurei Shrine.

Things had been quiet on that front though, so while she did keep up with patrols, when she wasn't she mostly lazed about the shrine and took care of any chores that needed doing. At present, that meant shoveling snow out of the shrine's courtyard. She'd taken care of the path leading up to the shrine the other day. Ugh, how she hated doing this, but it needed to be done and this one of those things Reimu wasn't really lazy about. She couldn't wait for spring.

Also, she hadn't gotten all that many donations lately, but that was nothing new. This place didn't really get that many visitors other than the old man and a certain childhood friend of hers after all. Though maybe she'd be lucky and someone might come by to drop a few coins in the donation box today.]

It sure is quiet today... [Cold too. Sigh.]

Live!

[bravenewmods]

[At precisely eight in the morning, all present in Union with a Warp Band will be alerted to an incoming message of minor urgency. Those listening to the radio will be treated to the same notification, while those outside the range of the network will receive a transcript in text.]

-- rrupt our planned broadcasts now to bring a word from the Council. This message will be broadcast periodically over the next twenty four hours.

As the citizens of Union have undoubtedly noticed, previous quarterly reports have demonstrated that the procurement of raw iron ore from the Old City is no longer sufficient to support rates of production of cast iron and steel. All estimates indicate that the known deposits will be completely depleted within a matter of weeks to months. After conference with the Delver's Guild, the Council has determined that the dangers presented by continued exploration into the Old City are, at this time, too great to be worth the costs. In the run-up leading into the critical shortage that will occur in a month's time, Delvers are not encouraged to probe further into the depths of the Old City.

Instead, the Council has determined that the highest priority at present is the discovery of an iron mine. While direct orders from the Council are rare, Rangers, trainers, and Enlightened are strongly encouraged to explore beyond the borders of the Verdant Forest in search of these resources. Union is not currently in a state of emergency, but we at A.C.E. Studios will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

As a caveat, Rangers report that due to inclement temperatures, the conditions in the eastern mountains have become highly treacherous. Traveling and exploration are currently unadvisable in the higher elevations. While the danger posed by the weather is already significant, the activity of the native Ice Pokémon in the region has also been reported to be on the rise. The effective danger posed by the eastern mountains should therefore be considered as significantly heightened.

Around Union, intermittent snowfall continues, mixed with occasional rain. Temperatures fluctuate around freezing, and while the forests are presently covered in a layer of snow, travelers would be wise to continue to keep the threat of the forest Pokémon in mind. Provocation of hibernating Pokémon or Pokémon taking shelter from the cold may prove to be a costly mistake.

...That's all for now.

We return now to our regularly scheduled programming. Up next are the ever popular Roggenrolas, with their latest production...

((The Effective Danger Level of the Mountains, High Elevation is now 21.))