WELCOME TO FRIDAY MORNING NOCTURNIS

 WELCOME TO FRIDAY MORNING NOCTURNIS

Friday, June 27, 2025, 6:00 AM

ATY ESTEMED BLACKWOOD, HEDGES & STERLING FAMILIES STEWARDS INS TREST NORCRYS IN OUR TOWN'S LEGACY

6 CHAWNEL 6 NCTWNIS

LOCAL EVENTS, & THE MYSTEREIS LUYKGEIG IN THE UNDERCITY AND WONIDERFFLLLY STARNDE

Welcome to Friday Morning Nocturnis, your source for news that delves beyond the ordinary. I'm Raven Blackwood, your lead anchor here at Channel 6 News, and with me today is our insightful head commentator, Caspian Blackwood. We also have a special guest at the desk, Agnes Hedges, a respected voice from one of Nocturnis's founding families, filling in for her son, Alden, who is on a fascinating assignment this week. And later in the broadcast, we'll be hearing from our dedicated astronomy correspondent, Anthony Wood, live from the local observatory.

Something Old, Something New

(Presented by Agnes Hedges, filling in for Alden)

It’s a pleasure to be here. Alden always enjoys bridging the past and present for our viewers. Today, I recall the sturdy dependability of the 1985 Hedges-designed coupe, a true workhorse. Now, we look to the future with the stunning new ‘Ignis’ model, a marvel of engineering that blends our family’s commitment to quality with cutting-edge advancements. This spirit of innovation while honoring our roots is what defines Nocturnis, whether it's seen in the revitalization of our historic landmarks or the evolution of our cherished traditions.

The Aether Echoes

(Anchored by Raven Blackwood with reports from Argene Sterling)

The veil between worlds often feels thin here in Nocturnis, and our Shadow Tracer, Argene Sterling, has been following some particularly unusual energy signatures emanating from our undercity. These echoes, as we call them, suggest a lingering influence from the ether dragons and the displaced inhabitants of Troll World. Argene’s unique sensitivities have allowed her to pinpoint areas within the undercity where these otherworldly energies are most palpable.

The Twilight Nexus

(Anchored by Caspian Blackwood)

The interconnectedness of reality is a constant source of… intrigue. Last night’s report of a luminous sphere above the old clock tower, coinciding with a localized power surge and its subsequent vanishing act near an unmapped section of the undercity, bears all the hallmarks of a Twilight Nexus event. These are the moments when the fabric of our reality seems to shimmer, hinting at the vastness of the multiverse that may lie just beyond our perception.

Chronicle of the Unseen

(Investigative Report teased by Agnes Hedges)

Later in the broadcast, as part of Alden's ongoing commitment to uncovering Nocturnis's hidden stories, we'll be touching upon the growing legends of phantom figures in the undercity's abandoned tunnels and the elusive "Mire Wraith" said to roam our northern marshes. These tales often hold grains of truth, and with Alden currently investigating a related, unusual phenomenon, next week’s report promises to be quite revealing.

Now, let's turn to our Weather Mistress, Courtney Kline, for a look at today's forecast.

Courtney Kline reports:

Good morning, Nocturnis. The sunrise was at 6:05 AM, and it is expected to get up to a scorching 97 degrees today. My forecast for today is simple: sweltering heat. A word to the wise from our farming families: everyone should stay indoors all day, or if you must venture out, dress completely covered up to avoid discomfort. For those who suffer from sunlight sensitivity, the risk is severe, and the prolonged heat could cause our Newtonians to suffer 3d6 damage to their Constitution. Please be cautious and find a cool, dark place to wait it out.

[The broadcast cuts back to Raven at the desk.]

Thank you, Courtney. Now, a special report from our astronomy correspondent, Anthony Wood, live from the Nocturnis Observatory, with a look at the Bootid Meteor Shower.

Anthony Wood reports from the Nocturnis Observatory:

Good morning, Nocturnis. Anthony Wood here, high above the city at our local observatory. As you can see behind me, the telescopes are trained on the heavens, and for good reason. We are currently experiencing the peak activity window for the annual Bootid Meteor Shower, which runs from June 22nd to July 2nd, with the predicted peak around today, June 27th.

Each year, as Earth journeys around the sun, we pass through trails of debris left behind by comets. In June, that comet is 7P/Pons-Winnecke. When these tiny particles, some no larger than a grain of sand, strike our atmosphere at high speeds, they burn up, creating the beautiful streaks of light we call meteors or shooting stars. NASA estimates that around 48.5 tons of this ancient debris enters our atmosphere every day!

The radiant of the Bootid shower, the point in the constellation Bootes from which the meteors appear to originate, will be high in the sky after dusk tonight, offering the best viewing opportunities. And with the new moon approaching, the darker skies will enhance our chances of spotting these fleeting visitors from space.

However, it's important to manage expectations. The Bootids are classified as a variable shower. While they can occasionally produce strong displays, it’s more likely we’ll see a modest rate of perhaps only a few meteors per hour. Major showers like the Perseids or Geminids can offer dozens, even hundreds, of meteors per hour at their peak. For the best chance of seeing longer trails, look about 40 degrees away from the radiant. You can use smartphone stargazing apps to help you locate the constellation Bootes.

The Nocturnis Twist:

Raven Blackwood: Thank you for that fascinating report, Anthony. Now, for a local phenomenon that casts a rather different light on these celestial events. Our sources within the undercity have confirmed a concerning development. The increased activity of the Bootid Meteor Shower appears to have coincided with the return of the fire vampires.

Caspian Blackwood: Indeed. We believe the unusual heat wave we are currently experiencing in our city is directly linked to their re-emergence. These are not your typical creatures of the night; they are beings of intense heat and shadow, drawn to celestial events and thriving in extreme temperatures.

Agnes Hedges: But we are not without defenses. We have received word that the esteemed Doctor Nocturnis, in collaboration with our own Courtney Kline, is working on countermeasures to alleviate this unnatural heat as the sun sets. Furthermore, Thorne Cop and the city guard are on high alert, coordinating with Doctor Nocturnis to protect our citizens from any potential threats posed by these unwelcome visitors.

Caspian Blackwood: And a final note: as Raven mentioned, our own Alden Hedges is currently investigating a separate, rather unusual occurrence within the city limits. His findings next week promise to shed light on some of the deeper mysteries lurking within Nocturnis. We certainly hope his investigation goes smoothly.

Raven Blackwood: We all do. That’s all the news we have for you this Friday morning. Thank you for tuning in to Friday Morning Nocturnis. Stay safe, stay informed, and we’ll see you next week.