Collegian Crier

Historical Overview

Origins

The Collegian Crier is one of the foremost town criers, and later papers, in Somae. In Anhara, news is spready by News-Writers, groups which write the news in daily or twice-daily papers, which are nailed to boards in public locations such as squares. They often employ criers to read them to the masses at intervals, while delivering hand-written copies to the more wealthy for a fee. The Collegian Crier is one such news-writer, established in the aftermath of a town and gown dispute to advocate on behalf of the Student Unions.

Bias

The Collegian Crier does not hide its purpose as advocating on behalf of the Academy Somae. It does so however without falling onto a side for or against students or professors. Rather, while a Student Union may take issue with a Faculty, the Crier - and the Academy as a whole - will always advocate for the academics of the city first.

"The Lord's eldest son was mocked for his lecherous habits by the mask-wearers of the Ashgrounds, and by decree they have been forced to halt their satirical farce in that portion of the city." - Collegian Crier

As the Crier sometimes takes fiery aim at important or wealthy members of the city, as well as the luddite masses more generally, it carefully advocates on behalf of the government as well. In doing so, it has become the paper of note for governmental activity, with most taking their announcements as official.

Sophistry

The Crier does engage in one particularly petty academic dispute, with the Sophist of Somae. The Sophist is the news-writer and crier located in the Philosophers' Grounds. Next door to the Collegians' Copse, the main criers for both papers argue on the Discordant Steps.

"Apocryphal sources say the Grounds and Copse were first dilineated when a rambunctious argumentative, surely with too much coffee in them, was thrown headfirst down the steps of discord. We welcome our philosophizing neighbors to try again and allow us to repeat the act." - Collegian Crier

Most general readers or listeners find these debates uninteresting or humerous, leading to most of the listeners at the Steps being academics, while Criers elsewhere in the city leave out the insulting polemics.

Type

Broadcasting, Newspaper / Magazine

Location

Somae