Broadsheets
The Broadsheet, or newspaper was invented in the mid late 600s ATC. By the turn of the last century there were dozens of daily publications, some selling for no more than a copper piece. Even the most prestigious paper, The Toresta Line sell for no more than 5 cp per issue.
Foreign papers are delivered to Toresta regularly via airship, with interesting stories being repeated by the local papers almost immediately. Local, as well as foreign correspondents work is published, as well as standard fare; advertisements, announcements, obituaries, sometimes including eulogies for important or famous people.
Parts of papers are often posted in inns and other public houses. Sometimes articles are read aloud by bards or other performers, particularly narrative pieces penned by supposed eye-witnesses.
Utility
Broadsheets are a key medium as far as the spreading of news, propaganda, and financial information. Many guilds publish their own broadsheet, as does the Council of Captains. That particular publication, The Maritime Voice includes tide tables, ship departures and arrivals, reviews of maritime law and sometimes narratives of galley victories against pirates and other adversaries.
Manufacturing
Initially printed using manual presses invented by dwarven crafters, the invention of the Ley energy shard powered perpetual motion engine allowed for the arcane press to be used. The Pressmen's Guild is primarily responsible for running these devices. Their construction is still heavily influenced by the dwarven crafters in the several establishments that construct these devices.
Social Impact
Literacy is high in Toresta. The multitude of broadsheets, often supporting divergent agendas and viewpoints results in a quick and wide distribution of information to the citizenry.
In most places in the world one or two sheet broadsheets are produced locally, still using manual presses, and full of strictly local news. In Toresta, because of its location most broadsheets are thick tomes full of both international and local coverage. Papers are available at local stands on the streets in many shops and are delivered daily or sometimes even more often to homes, apartments and businesses.
