Publish first. Say sorry later.

Dear Readers,

The New Briny Journal would like to apologize for its most recent claims that certain members of the Four Winds — namely Zephyrus Galerius and Boreas Bellows — have long maintained questionable ties to the Selectery’s Department of Adjudicators for the sole purpose of influencing the highly regarded candidate selection process in favor of the Fourth Thunder. Not only have we as the editorial review board been unable to substantiate such claims, but any ties that we have found between the Four Winds and the Selectery’s Adjudicators were only ever limited to the occassional publicity event or state dinner — leading us as guardians of the truth concerning the elemental and supernatural to grieve all the more that somehow our negligence in this matter may have contributed to undue harm, and to none more than the Four Winds, who up to now have been nothing but the most ardent supporters about our mission to enlighten the world we live in.

Allow me to make this perfectly clear. The Four Winds are noble, and this is beyond dispute, and we here at the New Briny Journal fully acknowledge that. They are gifts to this world and to be praised for the many and various contributions that each of them have made to the strengthening of bonds between elementals and men.

Now in our defense our sources weren’t entirely wrong: the Four Winds are confirmed as official patrons of the Fourth Thunder as our issue states — this is well understood — and do make their residence there from time to time, this is also well understood. But what must be clarified is their role, and herein we failed. The Four Winds are wind and therefore understand the nature of aerodynamics, perhaps better than anyone in the Thunderlands, so this makes them uniquely qualified to consult the Fourth Thunder on how to take full advantage of their Wielder and its many uses, namely the Aeriatis. But at no time HAVE THEY, DO THEY, or WILL the Four Winds ever venture back to the Thunder they call home until all springtime proceedings surrounding First-year acceptances have been completed and sealed, an important fact that our staff should have taken greater care in accurately reporting. Nor do the Winds, as we now know, play party to the vetting of any candidate potentially being considered for entrance into the Fourth Thunder, for this would cast certain doubts about the integrity of the process and to that they are most opposed.

So let me reiterate; the New Briny Journal takes full responsibility for its errors in reporting, and retracts any and all statements that could possibly disparage the character of the Four Winds — they are without blemish. We take very seriously our public trust, and we owe nothing but the best and most thorough reporting on all matters important to our loyal readership.  We assure all fans of the New Briny Journal of Supernatural Phenomenon that accuracy and honesty continue to be our guiding lights, and that new measures now in place will ensure we never lose sight of that.

Consider it my promise to you.

Most Sincerely,
Atticus Peabody
Editor-In-Chief

Inkling #23:
What is the Seven Thunders? It is they that are made of whirl and wind. North, South, East, West, and from all four corners do they descend — from morning’s rise to setting sun and winter’s grip to summer’s fun. Elementals, four of them: Zephyrus, Eurus, Notus, and Boreas — 3 brothers, 1 sister. On their breath the seasons turn, and they have lived long enough to see the continents shift and man expand to claim them. It’s a lucky thing to know a Wind, and luckier still when they decide to make your home their own.