Gilladian
Adventurer
If it was pre-printing press, the only way would be word of mouth. Criers would work some areas of the city, in some communities. Written messages could be posted by hand in places where literate people were common (not likely!). Criers were hired by the person who wanted to spread the news, whether that was the temple who was attacked, or someone who didn't want the news of the attack suppressed.
Post-printing-press, as literacy spread, you might find broadsheets posted at inns, taverns and temples, or in markets. But the crier and word of mouth were still really how news spread.
Other secondary methods would be via song - the mocking or praising lyrical broadsheet was incredibly popular, and could appear within hours of an event worth memorializing - or by play/mummery/skit. Within a week or two of an event occurring, someone would have it rolled into their punch-and-judy skit.
The very slow spread of news - even very important news - was just part of how the pre-radio world worked. Of course, magic would influence this a little bit, as at least the most important folks would get mission-critical news by spell-messenger, I'd think.
Post-printing-press, as literacy spread, you might find broadsheets posted at inns, taverns and temples, or in markets. But the crier and word of mouth were still really how news spread.
Other secondary methods would be via song - the mocking or praising lyrical broadsheet was incredibly popular, and could appear within hours of an event worth memorializing - or by play/mummery/skit. Within a week or two of an event occurring, someone would have it rolled into their punch-and-judy skit.
The very slow spread of news - even very important news - was just part of how the pre-radio world worked. Of course, magic would influence this a little bit, as at least the most important folks would get mission-critical news by spell-messenger, I'd think.
Last edited:
