They never asked for the name. They never agreed to it. And they certainly never use it around each other.
But to the readers of Lindral, and increasingly across the wider realm, The Three Quills are a fact of life — a triumvirate of ink, ego, and wildly differing interpretations of the truth. Between them, they shape gossip, policy, public opinion, and the fates of many unfortunate mayors.
Coined originally by a bored intern at the Observer and chalked onto a newsroom board as a joke, the nickname stuck after a visiting bard mentioned it in an evening performance. The phrase now appears in footnotes, tavern retellings, and even student essays.
Each writer has their loyal following. Each insists the others are misinformed, dangerous, or ridiculous. And none of them enjoy the name.
Thistledown Quillweaver
The Lindral Observer
Beloved for his warm tone, vivid descriptions, and the way he can make a goat-herder’s afternoon feel like a royal ball. Travels constantly. Eats well. Often forgets deadlines. Occasionally forgets surnames. Wields charm like a blade, then apologises with pie.
“It’s not about the butter. It’s about what the butter means.”
Merevine Holt
The Citadel Voice
Authoritative, dramatic, and always on high alert. Writes from a posture of moral panic and nostalgic outrage. Uses phrases like “the death of tradition” and “the rot beneath the revels.” Has never admitted to smiling. Prefers footnotes longer than the body text.
“A fair today. A fae parade tomorrow. Where, I ask, is the line?”
Pellinette Vance
The Velvet Quill
Elegant, generous with compliments, and terrifying to anyone with secrets. Her column seems light — fashion, fêtes, charming mishaps — but beneath the lilac prose lies a mind trained in tactical ruin. Often described as “delightful.” Rarely by those she writes about.
“Of course, I wouldn’t dream of naming names. That would be vulgar.”
Collective Reputation:
- Regularly cited in court testimonies, academic disputes, and family feuds
- Known to derail council meetings with competing versions of events
- Banned from sitting together at most public panels after the “incident of the goose“
No one agrees with all three. But no one dares ignore them.
