《Jump Start with Miles Van Val-de'Ijsdr'k》 Monday, July 17th - Power Loss in S.W. Palisades + More MILES vV, HOST: Good morning! I''m Miles, guest-less for the first time in months, and this is Jump Start. [Jump Start theme begins] MILES: Power outages cripple the tech industry out of South West Palisades - how this will have ripple effects on the market at large. Also, long haulers going on strike - the hidden heroes of the Empire and how you can support the effort. Last, a new form for the show - how transcription software has opened new doors here at EFPR. MILES: Let''s get a Jump Start on the week. [Jump Start theme ends, transitional sound effect] MILES: Severe electrical storms over the weekend took out power to major portions of the South West Palisades, causing social media spell Glamr to shut down for the weekend - as many of you well know - as well as major server disruptions at arcanotech giant Meta''s HQ. Residential and small businesses were back up in hours thanks to city-provided mana reserves - but was it enough? We go to EFPR''s business correspondent Grimmax the Hungering for more. GRIMMAX: "Unexpected weather conditions" is the name of the game at Crixo, the major mana provider for the still-without power Palisades. They cite a change in Thunderbird migration patterns for multiple strikes on under-shielded arcane reservoirs in their first post after the spell''s return. Left out of the post, that the resulting explosion tragically ended the lives of one goblin and three elven crew at the scene - something they decline to acknowledge until a full investigation has completed, according to comments in their post. But was this fatal mistake really so difficult to predict? Experts - and locals - think not. GRIMMAX: Every year, migrations of Greater Thunder Birds famously pass what some have come to call the Social Media Mesa at a safe distance. These birds, each over two dozen feet across, have taken this same route since before the Empire. Tourists from across the world gather to take pictures with the ancient birds. You may have seen EFPR''s coverage, just last month, of the innovative conduits lining the nearby valleys that keep most of the region with a steady supply of mana. Here''s a clip from an interview I had with ferrofowl expert John L''chleign last month. GRIMMAX: So John, tell us a little about these Thunder Birds. JOHN: Sure can. Despite the name, they''re have the least to do with thunder - they don''t even make the lightning. GRIMMAX: They don''t? Can you tell us more? JOHN: I''d be happy to, Grimmax. As with their reclassification to "Ferrofowl" last decade, we''ve found that they''re mostly animated metal. GRIMMAX: Mostly? JOHN: That''s right, which is why there''s some contention on the classification - trust me I could do my own podcast on it. GRIMMAX: I believe you! So they aren''t strictly arcane, then? JOHN: Right. The birds, neither chick nor full grown adult, cannot produce lightning on their own. Each are merely conductors to a natural electrical phenomenon found in a few magically dense places in the world. These birds, powerful as they are, don''t control this weather - no. It''s no more arcane than the average Ironhide Dove. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. GRIMMAX: ... and here''s a short interview I had with local witch Bauhinia P. as she was charging her broom at a neighborhood Locus about the storms. BAUHINIA: "Well, yknow, people have been living here since before Glamr and them all moved in. We''ve been putting up towers and whatnot since before the birds, I''d say. And we''ve been tellin Ol'' Joe and his lot for years that those reservoirs they have are gonna get hit one day. Tellin'' them for years we have." GRIMMAX: Joseph Amplos, better known simply as Ol'' Joe, has been the mayor in this town for over sixty decades, but a resident since before The Traveller arrived. He acknowledged the problem, promised a swift resolution, but made clear they were not responsible for the oversight. His office wanted to emphasize that the city infrastructure was entirely unaffected thanks to the historic architecture - it''s the many private networks brought in by Crixo that have failed. And while Crixo engineers have been more than visible across the city restoring power to the businesses most affected, no official company representative was available for comment by this broadcast. GRIMMAX: I had hoped to find out what caused the change in migration path. When reached out to by spell, John L''chleign, the Ferrofowl expert I consulted last month, had this to say, quote, JOHN: I and much of the Aetherverian community have turned out to observe the birds, so if I could tell you, I would be a very rich man right now. GRIMMAX: Clearly, we won''t have answers right away, but we''ll update you as research develops. MILES: That was Grimmax the Hungering, business correspondent with member station SWPPR. To Jump Start your week, make sure friends and family can contact you by other methods besides social media spells until this issue gets fully resolved. [Transition Jingle] MILES: Prices for just about everything may be going up as long haul magic carpet pilots begin their first week of strikes. Pilots for many major hauling companies, including shipping giant Mercury Global, have begun a picket line that spirals up a few hundred feet over Capital parade grounds. Industries such as produce, manufacturing, and textiles will be out of stock or a few gold more until such time as the quartermaster''s guild can come to an agreement. MILES: This strike has been on the horizon for several months as talks over breaks, restroom access, and fair base pay have broken down. The Emperor has interceded twice now to keep things running as they are, but it seems this was the last straw and even The Almighty Ruler has limits on Their executive power. This may come down to private resolutions for specific industries to keep the Empire from collapse or a tournament of duels from union and company heads. MILES: but what is it really about? Here''s an interview taken by Capital street report Marvin Marvin this morning. [City Traffic with additional whirring from many carpets. Picket chants can be heard overhead.] ANONYMOUS PILOT: Look, it''s a matter of looking up and looking down, right? No one looks up at us but they''re always looking down at us. But this Empire, it runs on our backs. Everyday I''m in my rig, sun on my neck, few dozen trees strapped to a Claron McLinton V8 which, let me tell you, is not a big carpet. Eleven hours a day, but when I drop off that load, I gotta leave? I can''t come inside for a few, cool off, get a drink, have a piss? What is this, America? No, we''re here working together, us pilots are holding each other up so no one can hold us down. [Chants of "We haul your shit / we''re tired of it / we work all day / we want more pay" fade out] MILES: if you would like to know more, or how you can show your support for the cause, you can find more information on our gemsite, . Donations go to keeping pilots fed and hydrated during demonstrations. [Transitional Jingle] MILES: As many dedicated listeners may know, this show has been through dozens of versions and hosts in the hundreds of years that it''s been on and off the air. Today, coincidentally on our six hundred and forty third anniversary no less, we go through one more change. We''ll be putting up transcripts of episodes of this program for free public access. But what does it take to get these made? MILES: Once, you had to bind a demon to a True Book, but today, you only need to open your crystal, open your messages, and hit the record button. That''s for the average user at home - but what about for producers like us at EFPR or video sharing spells? Things are surprisingly still fairly pre-Traveller - or they were. That''s where professional greater ritual services comes in to do huge amounts of transcriptions in moments. But is it accurate, how is it verified, and how does it work? To find these answers and more, check out CRYSTAL CRYSIS, hosted by EFPR''s own technologies desk correspondent, Olivia Street. CRYSTAL CRYSIS, ad free on EFPR Next every week. [Transition Jingle] MILES: Lastly, here''s a few things to get a jump on your week ahead. MILES: Dwemmernacht, a yearly Dwarven tradition under attack. Check out our Friday episode with guest Hardi Byr''dordt for more on a recent decree quietly targeting Dwarven festivals. MILES: Also, Mountain Hider has awoken and may be active for several weeks. As always, be sure to avert your gaze and tune into your local stations for updates and sightings. MILES: Lastly, a new Shadow Council bill gives mages a handful of new restrictions on casting - and a surprising reclassification. Are your spells prepared? Tune into Spellbook Today with me and my cohost A Head of Mead every new moon. [Jump Start Theme fades in] MILES: Thanks to EFPR''s executive producer, Malik First of His Line, editors Portia Marti'' and Xip, with technical support by the Lov''vovk brothers. Our theme was composed by Drip the Inspired. This is EFPR''s Jump Start. MILES: Have a good week everyone. Friday, July 21st - Dwemmernacht + More MILES vV, Host: Good morning! I''m Miles, here with my guest, Hardi Byr''dordt. HARDI: Morning! MILES: And this is Jump Start. [Jump Start theme begins] MILES: Half-Stout Bakery, a pre-Traveller staple of every mall in the Empire, closing its doors this weekend. What to get at the end of a legacy. HARDI: Also in the business sector, Foothills Engineering, closing their domestic offices - what does returning to import-only do to the vehicle market and the market at large? MILES: And lastly, a frank discussion with my guest to go over the newest decree and it''s impact on Dwemmernacht - does this target the minority dwarf populations in the Empire? MILES: All that and more ahead. Let''s get a Jump Start on the weekend. [Jump Start theme fades] MILES: Half Stout Bakery closes its doors this Sunday. The Halfling owned franchise is another in a recent string of similar regional chain restaurants now settling for bankruptcy. HARDI: This rash of closures comes on the tail of a controversial set of future rulings presented by the Depart of Prophecy. This is something several family restaurants, large chains, and private fortune telling entities are looking to contest in the next coming months. MILES: The closure of this neighborhood staple comes with a particular sting as it also means the conclusion of their food bank and charity, Stout Hearts. HARDI: How-wever, if you would like a piece of memorabilia, you can now bid on your local Stoutie! In a last hurrah, the bakery has announced that the iconic statuettes outside each location will be auctioned off by the Stout Heart foundation. Check with your local Half Stout for more. MILES: I''m picking up a few dozen of the Thresher breads while I can! HARDI: [chuckling] Really? MILES: Of course! Always loved them, best thing Half Stout serves. HARDI: [chuckling louder] Not the Drake Baked Biscuits? Not the Stout Bread? The Stout Bread, Miles! MILES: [Laughing] Well, we can agree to disagree there! [Transition Music as laughter fades out] HARDI: Also in the business sector, Foothills Engineering unexpectedly announced the closure of nearly all of their Empirical offices. The announcement cites better manufacturing opportunities elsewhere and promises that most customers will not notice the difference. MILES: However, experts are warning that this will have immediate effects in the job market and cause long term ripples throughout the domestic industrial community. Here''s economics correspondent Pyre Elemental with more. [Grainy audio of an early commercial fades in with "Engineering done right. From the mountains to the foothills to you.", then fades out.] PYRE: That was the beginning of the very first FE commercial to air in the Empire. It marked the beginning of an age in automobile and automaton production. Wilson Burred, the first CEO of FE-Empirical, brought a new age of marketing high tech magic craft to the middle and lower classes, shaping the desires of the average citizen to a taste in luxury and quality. PYRE: In the centuries since, Foothills Engineering has gone through many periods of change, including the infamous Djinni Djrivers and their experimental dalliances into nuclear technology. PYRE: Once upon a time, every car, automaton, and flying carpet would have that "Hills and Hammer" logo, but those days have long gone. In more recent years, FE has lost their foothold on the average consumer thanks to cheap imports and stiff competition, such as the Empirical Fjords, and a well run dry for breakthroughs in home appliances. PYRE: It''s not all bad news, say prophecy experts. The move to withdraw from the Empire caused a spike in stock prices internationally, especially in the Deep Market and The Bay. But what about here? A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. PYRE: Foothills Engineering made clear in their earlier announcement that this would not impact the average consumer. They promise their import schedules to be, I quote, "as precise as their designs". In part because of their already declined presence and the competitive market, prophets are agreeing it will be a while until most would notice the change. The biggest result is the closure of the remaining manufacturing plants, but we have yet to receive solid numbers on this. PYRE: To find out more, including those statistics listen to Behind the Boroughs with myself, Pyre Elemental, and my cohost Xib. [Transition Music] HARDI: My first car was an FE. MILES: You don''t say? HARDI: A hand-me-down Djinni Djriver Blue in bright green. I loved that thing until the core burned out. I could drift the sharp corners in the older mines in my neighborhood in Deep Mountain by leaning out the window. Do NOT do what I did, kids. [Shared laughter.] MILES: I''m sorry, "Blue in green"? I just can''t help but ask. HARDI: Yes! Each model was named for a colour. It was a whole theme. Believe it or not, it was originally to partner with a popular Dwarven action show. MILES: Like super heroes? HARDI: No no, they were the Lost Mine Rangers. Terrible show, but I loved it. It showed some corners of the older mines, some places very close to my childhood home, as rural dungeons. Eight coloured rangers would delve for treasure. It was cancelled before the car line could start production so they changed the names from the characters to their related colours - I could do a whole show on this, Miles, stop me now! MILES: [Chuckling] I want to be your first guest! HARDI: And if it ever happens, I promise you will. MILES: Well, Hardi, we have you here for one more segment to get your thoughts on this new decree. First of all, what is it? HARDI: It''s a lot of things Miles, but I want to start with what it''s not. It is not an outright attack on the dwarven community. It won''t have an immediate impact for most people - except for this weekend, Miles. MILES: And what is this weekend? HARDI: Saturday night into Sunday morning to be precise, we observe Dwemmernacht. It''s a beautiful ceremony where dwarves - and friends, and anyone who wishes to join us - stand vigil over the moons. We gather wherever the moons can be seen for the whole night and join hands to wish for a calm night. MILES: I''m sure many people have seen this, I believe it went viral on Cauldrn last year? HARDI: It did, and brought this issue a lot of attention in both positive and negative ways - as is all things on Cauldrn. MILES: For those less permanently on their spellbound, this trend was a burst of videos featuring young elves running around... HARDI: I believe it was the "How''d He Get There"s. In the forests of the Empire, sometimes finding a place to see the moon all night is hard to find. Sometimes, we try to find obscure places simply to be left alone. Ironically, this has caused some kids to turn it around, looking for and filming our more agile community members. The finding is harmless, it''s when they try to break the concentration, such as screaming "How''d he get there?" repeatedly, that''s when you get videos that do not put anyone in a positive light. MILES: That''s terrible! HARDI: It is! This is an important night for us, and, I believe, many could benefit from it. However, a counter-trend of twinned spells used the first videos to explain the ritual and correct misconceptions. It was quite heartening to see... when the video is accurate. MILES: Big if! And so, what makes this tradition so important? HARDI: The Dwemmernacht is actually a more recent history than many might thing. While it is pre-Traveller, it was not more than a few centuries - well within a lifetime - from its inception to Her arrival. It is actually very simple. We make an effort to travel from anywhere in our mines and jobs and whatever is going on in our lives and spend the night together, watching the moons the one time a year that they are both full at the same time. MILES: That''s beautiful! HARDI: It is! Originally, it was believed that the moons missed us, so we had to spend at least one night, the night they are at their best, to give them our undivided attention. To prove we haven''t turned our backs on them. While we have learned a great deal about the moon spirits since then, many observe it either for fun, community, or health. Studies show that nearly 80% of adult dwarves and 40% of most every other majorly represented species in the Empire do not spend more than four days a year outside anymore. MILES: Four days? For a forest community, that''s shocking! HARDI: Exactly! A professor for the Deep Mine''s premier university, Slate Scholars Guild, Drillia Mortogaa, told me that there are also tremendous benefits mentally too. Here''s a clip from an interview I had with her. DRILLIA: Yes, yes, it''s very good for the mind. Some, some they have issues with the ah... loneliness of it. While we often join hands, and that itself is tremendous for us in this touch-starved world, the silent part of silent vigil can be hard for many. For them I recommend you go ahead and let that mind wander. It''s been a whole year since the last time you were there. Ups and downs, things to sort out and set to bed. Yes, yes, it''s good for the mind. For simple monotaskers ah... haha like yours truly, well, it''s a good time to empty the mind, freeing your thoughts from life for one night. HARDI: Comparative studies have shown many similarities between our Dwemmernacht and Elven meditations. MILES: I was just about to say! So it''s clear that this is a tradition with a short history, but it''s ultimately extremely beneficial to most participants... is that right? So now, how is this affected by the newest decree? HARDI: The newest decree, on its face, is aimed to keep people safe and make the jobs of city inquisitors a little easier. It puts a limit to the number of people that can gather in clearings and streets in metropolitan areas. While this sounds perfectly sensible, it has some pretty obvious drawbacks. With the dense forests surrounding the cities, dwarves will now either have to travel quite far, climb even more dangerous heights, or potentially even commit trespassing to find a place with enough open sky. This makes it all the more difficult to coordinate with local immigrant and allies and all the harder to form real community bonds, Miles. MILES: I don''t know, that does feel a touch... targeted. HARDI: I won''t pretend, it does seem that way to most. The Capital has come forth to defend the decree, stating that it is to help curb the occasional zombie outbreak by helping inquisitors make quick identifications late at night. MILES: Besides the Dwarven resistance to the disease. HARDI: They have yet to comment on similar questions EFPR has posed to them. MILES: So what can folks do right now? HARDI: Well, in solidarity for that night only, the carpet pilots will be pausing their strike to create clear skies. We will be holding a demonstration of our own at the Capital parade grounds, and invite all members of the public to join us in silent protest and observation of our ritual. MILES: I know I''ll be there. Hardi Byr''dordt, where can folks find you? HARDI: my account on Cauldrn is my name, my spells are all about the demonstration right now so please follow for updates. [Transition Jingle] MILES: Lastly, here''s a few things to get a jump on your week ahead. HARDI: Will o the Wisp season begins soon - be sure to fireproof your roofs and keep children from wandering for the next few weeks. MILES: Also, parents in the Mariz''fla''rezan school district are calling for an increase in cult teachings - that full story in a EFPR special tonight. HARDI: and lastly, rebounding land shark population - a big win for sharks and the indigenous population spearheading the efforts. How a symbiotic relation with the Empire''s most fascinating fish has saved a struggling city and brought attention to a long standing struggle on the next episode of jump start. [Jump Start Theme fades in] MILES: Thanks to EFPR''s executive producer, Malik First of His Line, editors Portia Marti'' and Xip, with technical support by the Lov''vovk brothers. Our theme was composed by Drip the Inspired. This is EFPR''s Jump Start. HARDI: Jump Start is sponsored in part by contributions of listeners like you. You can show your support by casting the EFPR app, available on most devices, and by joining EFPR Next. MILES: Thanks to guest host Hardi again. Good to have you on. HARDI: Always happy to be here Miles! MILES: Have a good week everyone. Monday, July 24th - Seaperson Peace Talks + More MILES vV, Host: Good morning! I''m Miles, here with guest host, Cynthia Magusdotter. CYNTHIA: Hi hi! MILES: She''s here with us today to share her mind-bending interview with author T.L. Greybeard, right? CYNTHIA: Sure am! Excited to share! MILES: Then let''s get into it! This is Jump Start. [Jump Start theme begins] MILES: My guest host today shares her interview with prolific Seaperson author T.L. Greybeardabout their newest book and thoughts on Elven politics. CYNTHIA: Then, reporter Mo Lrey''fal gives us a look into a border city, once in crisis, and how an unusual ranch is saving it - and saving a species from extinction. MILES: Lasty, surprise concessions in oceanic blockades - how a change in regime is opening peace talks and a potential return of the Depart of Settlements and Survival. [Jump Start theme fades] MILES: Cynthia, I''m sure most of us already know T.L. Greybeard, but for those of us who read little more than the news... what can we expect? CYNTHIA: T.L. Greybeard is one of many great authors to come from the Seaperson Blockade, specifically from one of the "painted vessels", which serve as a type of... artist commune within the Blockade''s central ring. They started with short stories and poems and a decent novella, all about the water and undersea combat, as most do, but they gained recognition enough to join the painted vessel from an unexpected stunt: Arch. MILES: Oh! I''ve heard of that! CYNTHIA: I expect so! Surveys from that year found that almost 70% of anyone with a scrying mirror had seen it live! That''s almost three in every four, Miles! MILES: For the youth who may not be familiar, it was a performance art piece where this quite frail looking person held two ships together by the top of their masts. Spun in circles for days while chanting some... poem I admit I''m not familiar with. CYNTHIA: It was an epic they wrote themselves. Over 18 thousand lines, spoken from memory. They had actually pierced holes in their palms years earlier to prepare for the hidden wire. MILES: Was that how they got passed the magic detection? CYNTHIA: Yes, it really was entirely magicless! It- ah, I should move on, but I urge you to research it. MILES: We''ll start a Spellcast. CYNTHIA: I''ll hold you to that! Anyway! T.L. pivoted from performance art pretty quickly, but it clearly left a mark on them as much as it did the world. Their next novel, Truer Depths Unexplored, won several awards and remained a best seller for months! MILES: Was that the one with the gnome in the dive helmet? CYNTHIA: You''re thinking of the.. less-well received movie version. MILES: I often am. The hair in that was... CYNTHIA: Tragic. Luckily, T.L. has continued to create incredible works of fiction despite that... mistake. MILES: So what sets this one apart? CYNTHIA: Well, this is their first attempt at a political thriller, and they chose to write about Elven politics, but based in the Traveller''s Eart. I have a clip here of a few questions I asked T.L. Be warned, they are in the middle of a new long-term performance piece and you may need a few moments to understand fully. [Ship creaking fades in] CYNTHIA: T.L., what can you tell us about your new book, Boughs Above? T.L.: What? What''s going on? Oh, yes, I''m... good, thank you. Sure, we can begin ah... whenever you''re ready I guess. CYNTHIA: Could you give readers a few insights into your new novel? What do you think will help a reader get into for your take on Eart? T.L.: Oh, well... its... out now! You can get if you want that sort of thing I guess. Insights? No, I try not to have any of those. So... I don''t think I should share any either. CYNTHIA: I...see! Many reviews of your work state it as insightful, would you say that''s not the case? Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. T.L.: I try a more naturalist take on Eart than most authors, I think. I mean, I don''t know, have I read enough to claim "most"? CYNTHIA: Sorry? T.L.: I wouldn''t know, I pretend not to read those. CYNTHIA: Wh- ahhhh. Alright. Well, it is pretty clear that there''s a lot of discussion of the way Elves cover politics written in this book, both inside and outside the Empire. Where did you draw your inspirations from? T.L.: Don''t worry, take your time. CYNTHIA: I hope that was a good answer! Is there a connection in your book to your past... and present... in performance art? T.L.: Is there any inspiration? I couldn''t possibly know with all the influence everything has on everyone all the time. Don''t you find it oppressive? CYNTHIA: I d- ah. What I mean to say is, how do you feel about the positive audience reception both here in the Blockade and in the Empire? T.L.: Yes! Yes you are starting to understand! Well, I would say that my past can never leave me. Of course it does, but I don''t believe you need such an artistic reading of it. My work... it''s just for fun now, you understand? CYNTHIA: I do, I see Glamr and Cauldrn notifications in my sleep! But did you spend any time in the Empire or studying Elven history to write your story? T.L.: I can''t stand it. I do not understand why anyone would read what I write. It is dreadful, self-indulgent, silly, artsy nonsense. I detest it, yet I cannot stop making it. CYNTHIA: It''s apparent that you haven''t quite left the performance art world. Would you mind discussing your current piece? T.L.: Yes and no. I watch a lot of Elven media when I''m not writing. It''s empty but space filling. It keeps the voices quiet. [Greybeard laughs] When I was young, though. I was raised in the Empire. That doesn''t leave you either. CYNTHIA: You don''t like that others enjoy your work? T.L.: I would love to. It''s to our point already - we are so influenced. Surrounded by attention grabbing fetishes and charms. I speak in this way to create some more space in the world. I want to slow down, and think a little. CYNTHIA: [CYNTHIA laughs] Me too. That makes a lot of sense. T.L.: I absolutely cannot understand the reason for it. Why should any of you care it is nothing but selfish cries for attention wrapped in a sorry excuse for art. What I care about is the feelings it leaves you with after, not these details like who is reflected in what. [Ship creaking fades out] CYNTHIA: You can hear the rest of this challenging interview later this week! MILES: Incredible! And the whole interview, just like that? CYNTHIA: You know, Miles, you start to get used to it after a while. We''re talking about writing a book of interviews, though they are still one question late on that! [MILES laughs, then CYNTHIA laughs, then both laugh at once.] [Transition Jingle] MILES: Now to reporter Mo Lrey''fal from member station WMFT on a little place known as Reef Ranch. MO: Here off of Leyline 220, near the border station and little else, is a tiny town lodged in a magicless swamp known as Marshall''s Martial Marshes Marches. Most of the town had moved out with the mundane logging industry to greener forests in the Empire. MO: Those who''ve called this town home the longest, composed of Elves and Pixies who''s owned the land for millennia, remained to tend the remaining marshlands. Stripped of the natural resources due to the predatory Human contracts, the town began to fall to ruins. MO: However, a community effort to save another native of the land would turn that around. [Crunching of footsteps on gravel fades in.] PIRR: Yeah, it was like... like most of this? Crumbling and rotting, dilapidated as all get-out. MO (VO): I spoke with Pirr Nees, one of the town elders, who took me on a tour of old Four M, as it''s known to locals - then later welcomed me into his home for some of the best tea I''ve ever had. PIRR: Once was bustlin''! But no more. We had markets and whatnot, but it all went. Dried up some centuries back. Grew up playin'' with dozens o'' kith and kinderen and some of them Human kids even, all the way up to where the Pot O''s was workin''. Now I''m the only one of them kids here. Rest moved away and took all our trees with em. [Gravel fades out] MO: "Pot O" was the "Pot Of Green" logging company that once dominated the regional industry and the economy of Four M. Now, however, it''s a new set of kids that are saving this town. I spoke to Reef Ranch''s spokesperson, 260 year old Pat Lyertis for more. [Wooping and wet roaring heard faintly in the background] MO: Pat, what in the hells am I looking at right now? PAT: [Chuckling] Hard work, Mo. You''re looking at years of hard work in action right there. MO: Sure, but I''m asking literally. It appears that there is a young woman riding a horse, currently attempting to lasso an astonishingly fast shark. PAT: Sounds like you got it then! That''s Maizy, she''s actually staff. All of the "staff" here have lived here their whole lives, and everyone who lives here in town is on the Reef Ranch staff. MO: Even Mister Nees? PAT: Yeah, the old man gives tours to visitors and keeps the town history alive. We all think that''s worth enough to be staff and get an equal share. MO: Incredible, all decisions made as a group? PAT: As a business, a town, and a conservation effort. And with a few volunteers here and there. Some kids, they come fix up a house, take it as theirs for a year or two before deciding what to do with their adult lives. Usually took a few of our summer programs, but now they come take care of their favorites while they sort out next steps. MO: Favorites... of the land sharks? PAT: Of course! That right there is Lainy, my personal favorite and a little show off. We feature her for our traveling school programs. Twelve hundred pounds of muscle, hard cartilage, and pure heart. MO: Heart? Not "teeth"? PAT: Believe it or not, in my years working with these creatures, I have not seen one take a single bite out of anyone it knew and trusted. They''re predators, no doubt, you have to be careful with them at all times. But they''re not murder machines and they can be sweet as a familiar. MO: Not everyone sees them that way, you know? PAT: Of course, and yknow that''s what got them to such low numbers. Forced from their homes by the logging. Hunted for fear of a little cattle-snacking. Our herd, they''ve been rescued from hunting and vehicle accidents, and then they''re given a second chance here where they can be safely seen and understood by someone who might, next time, call us instead of backing up over ''em. MO: Brutal. That feels too specific not to be a story. PAT: It happens more often than you imagine, Mo. We think of it as a reflection of the Empire, and it shows in how the kids in our program are treated. MO: Yes, let''s talk about them. Are those them in the green suits, lined up by the fence? PAT: Correct! All ages of troubled youth. We''re not a set-straight camp, but we give them something to care for and respect. If you can''t take care of a one and a half ton shark, how can you take care of you, you know? MO: I do not. PAT: Well maybe we should getchu on a horse? [Ranch noises fade out.] MO: Full confession, I did not "get me" on a horse that day. With EFPR partner WMFT, I''m Mo Lrey''fal. [Transition Jingle] MILES: Last, a quick update on a surprise development you may have heard about over the weekend. CYNTHIA: Due in part to a change in leadership within the mysterious dredging platform that serves as the capital, a seat at the Pirate''s Congress has opened up, allowing an interesting new opportunity here in the Empire. MILES: Experts are saying that this foot in the door has tipped favor for the Empire within the dredge platform that may allow new settlement and trade vessels to once again travel through the Seaperson Blockade. CYNTHIA: The Blockade, which began as a single vessel but now hosts a population equal to, if not greater than, several small nations bordering the Empire, such as Marinopoloiana or the Werepublic. MILES: Passing this glot of sails would open up options to attempt settlement once more. Listeners may remember the special we did with naval commander Rip''lio-Che a few months ago, which covered the cost and effort to maintain the ultra-long distance vessels built specifically for such a purpose over three hundred years ago. CYNTHIA: EFPR will have further updates as they develop. [Transition Jingle] MILES: Lastly, here''s a few things to get a jump on your week ahead. CYNTHIA: Rain at last! Check your local apothecary for rain summoning potions as logistics complications ease in the Werepublic. MILES: Then, a new spell reveals potential Far Watcher locations. How can you honor Him? What status does He prefer? CYNTHIA: This Friday, look forward to our story on how fast food just got a little faster - and how many people it may put out of a job. [Jump Start Theme fades in] MILES: Thanks to EFPR''s executive producer, Malik First of His Line, editors Portia Marti'' and Xip, with technical support by the Lov''vovk brothers. Our theme was composed by Drip the Inspired. This is EFPR''s Jump Start. CYNTHIA: Jump Start is sponsored in part by contributions of listeners like you. You can show your support by casting the EFPR app, available on most devices, and by joining EFPR Next. MILES: Thanks again to guest host Cynthia Magusdotter. Thanks for coming! CYNTHIA: Thanks for having me! MILES: Have a good week everyone. Friday July 28th - Fast Food Automation + More MILES: Good morning! I''m Miles, this is my guest host for the day, EFPR''s junior economics correspondent Pyre Elemental. PYRE: Hello. MILES: Let''s get a Jump Start on the weekend. [Jump Start theme begins] MILES: Military joint exercises begin today between Empirical armed forces and the Werepublic''s national army this week and their People''s Militia the following. We discuss what this means with one of EFPR''s international correspondent, Sandra Materplatin. PYRE: Later, we bring you market crashes in the Greater Plains and the Divine Republic and what concerns and effects you might feel at home. MILES: Then our feature story, innovations in automated fast food technology get fielded to test restaurants in several territories. What does this mean for the job market? [Jump Start theme ends] MILES: Today, we''re joined by EFPR''s international correspondent in the Werepublic, Sandra Materplatin. Sandra, I understand the word military exercise but what''s really going on? And why''s it happening twice? SANDRA: Excellent questions Michaels. Citizens in the Eastern Panhandle might have seen lines of armored auto-wagons and light siege machines rolling, single file, down the highway late into the night. This crew is special, carrying, not foot soldiers, but archmages, logistics officers, grand paladins, and mechanics! MILES: Not the typical mission! SANDRA: But not the first! These occur every other decade or so, or every five years for each country the Empire participates in exercises with. These exercises used to be about drilling in coordinated formations, then in coordinating armies. Now, leadership from both countries meet to discuss defensive plans for every situation. MILES: In this case, what is included in "every situation"? SANDRA: Well, Michaels, it''s a lot more than you might expect! Not only are we talking about invasions from any direction, this also covers natural disasters. How do we get aid to the Werepublic on a federal level and a local level? This is why this program spans two weeks. The first has our people here in the capital while next week distributes the support staff to each city state, to then work with the individual chapters of the People''s Militia. MILES: Sandra Materplatin out of the Werepublic. Thank you Sandra! SANDRA: Thanks, Michaels. [Transition Jingle] You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. MILES: Now, Pyre, tell us about what''s going on in the international market? I believe you''re here with something our listeners should know. PYRE: I think so. I do want to preface this, Miles, this is still too early to say anything for sure. We''re only seeing the problem now, but even our most senior economists don''t know exactly where this could land. MILES: Of course. It could be an iceberg, or- PYRE: Or it could mean absolutely nothing to the Empire''s economy in the least. We''re a big country with an active economy and a strong credit should even the worst happen. MILES: So enough apocalyptic visions, what''s going on? PYRE: As mentioned at the top of the show, two national economies have crashed in the last week. First the Greater Plains. It''s big... bigger than the Empire, depending on the season... but it''s almost an eighth as dense in population. MILES: and the other, the Divine Republic. PYRE: Which is both small and not very active on the global stage. Its import market is up there with large nations, but exports next to nothing. MILES: What are the prophecies saying about this? PYRE: Both experts and prophets agree that this comes down to a few critical decisions mostly up to the Emperor at this point but I''ll just tell you the one Empirical scholars are favoring: while it exposes our nation to a certain amount of risk, bailing out both countries would not create undue strain on our vaults but would go a long way to fixing our relationship with them. MILES: Some would ask what we might get out of putting Empirical coins toward saving another country, what would be the response to that? PYRE: In the short term, yes. The kickbacks would be small and specific, such as rare academic opportunities in the Divine Republic or a removal of ferries on Empirical imports to the Greater Plains. MILES: That''s not nothing! PYRE: Certainly, but even with sending our brightest to train with the majority Angelic nation, we wouldn''t see results in ten or more years. No, it''s long term. The long game of diplomacy that has made this country what it is. MILES: It''s a foot in the door, but it''s also... possibly simply an apology. PYRE: Of course, and while every Emperor since the Demon Emperor has made their personal apology circuits... MILES: Money goes a long way. PYRE: It sure does, Michaels. MILES: Thank you, Pirate Elemental. [Both share a laugh, which fades out. [Transition Jingle] MILES: Our short final piece of the week is all about what you eat. PYRE: And about how innovations in the tech industry have created concerns for the average worker. MILES: Specifically, we''re talking about an automated fryer technology from Gobboritories Inc. The North Palisade-based company installed one in the largest city of each territory to put them to the test. PYRE: Built on the steel and conveyor belt style that Gobboritories is known for, it is claimed to be able to safely and autonomously fry dozens of orders at once. What are workers saying? We go to Capitol street reporter Marvin Marvin, interviewing workers for more. WORKER 1: Intimidated? Hardly. Have you seen it work? Or not work, more like. WORKER 2: A bit. It''s scary to work by. What if it blows up? WORKER 3: Its going to be the next thing in technology and worker freedom. I will finally get to spend time time at home with the ones I love while this machine takes care of everything. I was not paid to say this. WORKER 4: It still needs me to load it, take stuff out into bags, it barely gets things right, honestly even if they went forward it would need me to fix it every ten minutes. I''m good. WORKER 5: Daniel said what? How would that work? Does he think they''ll still pay- MILES: For the rest of the interview, Marvin has a spellcast with more... lightly edited work. PYRE: It''s apparent, however, that we''re not looking at the end of days here, but as the product is refined, workers may notice fewer real coworkers. [Transition Jingle] MILES: Lastly, here''s a few things to help you get a jump on your week/end ahead. PYRE: A new spell is being released this weekend to the major wand brand Applewood that creates the perfect illusion of your pet, but experts fear exploits may help hexers farm Aethercoins. MILES: Mountain hider finally comes to a stop, marking one of the longest active periods in three years. Feel free to move about alone once more, but as always, keep a radio tuned to the nearest Watcher station for updates. PYRE: And next episode, we bring you an update on the flooding crisis in the Gr''pgria, a piece we covered a few weeks back. This time, how new challenges face the swamp-bound nation with spellcast host Arpi Maliir. [Jump Start Theme fades in] MILES: Thanks to EFPR''s executive producer, Malik First of His Line, editors Portia Marti'' and Xip, with technical support by the Lov''vovk brothers. Our theme was composed by Drip the Inspired. This is EFPR''s Jump Start. PYRE: Jump Start is sponsored in part by contributions of listeners like you. You can show your support by casting the EFPR app, available on most devices, and by joining EFPR Next. MILES: Thanks again to guest host Pyre Elemental from EFPR''s economics desk. Thanks for coming! PYRE: Thank you Miles. MILES: Have a good weekend everyone.