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Attention: Fable Legends Content This article contains information mainly related to Fable Legends and is considered canon to such game. Due to Fable Legends’ cancelation on 7th March 2016, its canonicity status within the Fable series is uncertain. |
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The Historical Notices, also called Penelope’s Official History of Brightlodge, are a series of notes written by the archeologist Penelope, scattered around Brightlodge containing historical facts about the city and the surrounding region.
Background[]
Each notice is found right below, atop or next to the landmark or building they refer to in Brightlodge.
There were at least twenty-two notes scattered around Brightlodge, as they were numbered and the highest one found was entitled "No. 22". However, only sixteen have been found as of April 28 2025, and due to the fact that the Beta access to Fable Legends was terminated in 13th April 2016 it is unlikely that any other will ever be discovered.
Known Notices[]
No. 1 – The Birthplace of Wendleglass I[]
Our noble King was once but a humble trader – born like you or I in conventional squalor. From where did he acquire his extraordinary vision of a world of Kings and Heroes? Perhaps it was from the very window. Peer though, and see if you too are inspired to take the throne.
Note – no matter how inspiring the view, please do NOT attempt to usurp the throne.
No. 2 – Wendleglass Hall[]
The Hall itself has stood for countless years but was long thought too dangerous to inhabit. Mayor Wendleglass, in his infinite wisdom, saw otherwise. He moved our seat of governance from High Town to the Hall itself, began extensive renovation, and renamed it after himself. It remains an important site of archeological interest, with discoveries made among the foundations every week.
No. 3 – The Lowtown Expansion[]
For many years, Brightlodge stayed huddled atop its rock, keeping as far as possible from the lake and whatever strange creatures lay beneath its surface. But a rapidly expanding population required the settlement of new ground, and thus Lowtown was born. Of course, no-one wanted to live on a big pile of reclaimed dirt, so it took several years and a lot of arguing before anyone actually moved in.
No. 4 – The Brightlodge Anchor[]
This anchor once secured a mighty barge, keeping it happy and secure in the lake instead of hurtling towards to waterfall. Sadly, the decision to launch midwinter fireworks from its decks proved a fateful one. The barge was never seen again, and its anchor has been left where it landed as a reminder of the importance of being careful around explosives.
No. 5 - The Pig in the Pit[]
For as long as there has been a pit, there has been a pig, but the history of the pub itself is subject to much debate. Did the pig come here to feen on drunken scraps? Or was the pub built to capitalize on the sorts of people who come to gawp at a pig? Current research is considering if this is the original pig or one of the long-line of dutiful swiney guardians.
No. 6 – The Cullis Gate[]
Cullis Gates once covered the Old Kingdom, providing safe*, magical transportation to those with sufficient powers of will. This one is probably broken, as so far I’ve been entirely unable to make it do anything.
*8 of 10 users not being torn apart by trans-dimensional forces compared highly favourably with Old Kingdom road travel.
No. 7 – Kingsvale[]
Drink in our magnificent valley, marvel at our river’s unstoppable geological power, and be inspired! Note also how our Great Hall stands upon rock that endures while the world around it washes away. While this has left it in a rather precarious position. The spectacular vista is worth the logistical inconvenience.
No. 8 – The Mystery Gate[]
Behind this gate lies a staircase that descends into the inky dark below. Many have tried to discover where these strange steps lead, but they just seem to go on forever. Some attempts lasts minutes, other hours, but all turn around and come back. These sorts of things rarely end well, so the town council decided it would be far safer to just board the damm thing up and move on.
No. 9 – The Port[]
What would Brightlodge be without its docks? Cleaner, probably. The docks represent both challenge and opportunity for our town’s plucky traders. The river opens up new markets, brings novel wares, and carries goods faster and further than the donkey. However, it also carries merchants and their boats off the waterfall with alarming frequency.
No. 10 - Fragment of the Old Wall[]
Brightlodge as we know it evolved from a collection of small huts and stalls gathered around a popular wayfarer's inn. But there are subtle signs that other, greater, civilisations lived here before us. For example, town records show no invoices for a giant stone wall, statue or magical beacon of eternal flame. We can only wonder how they got here, and how long they must have stood...
No. 11 - The New Bridge[]
For many years, Brightlodge was only accessible via the North Bridge, and those who lived on the distant north bank were viewed with hostility and suspicion. But a progressive mayor commissioned the New North Bridge and opened up the world beyond. Those to the north are still viewed with suspicion, but at least now it's based on their funny accents and strange turnip rituals instead of prejudice.
No 12 – The House That Swam Away[]
A famous landmark, the House That Swam Away used to be a regular Lowtown house. Records don’t indicate if the house gradually snuck away from town, or if it leap over there in a single bound, but nonetheless there it is. Cheap rent is balanced against the incredible infrequent ferry and having to acquire shopping via carrier pigeon.
No. 13 – The Wishing Pool[]
Local myth claims that coins thrown in this pool will grant wishes. Interesting as folklore, but this is superstitious bunkum. Real Wishing Pools look very different – the trained eye immediately spots the absence of tell-tale gnomes, for example. This remains a nice spot, however, as the pond itself is very pretty and can’t help the daft stories told about it.
No. 14 – Traditional Fish Drying[]
Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll cover your cliff in disgusting drying fish.
Though the lake is teeming with all sorts of unpleasant-smelling fish, bones found near the docks suggests it used to hold stranger things than mere fish, with recently dredged finds including a fossilized tentacle over 40 feet long!
No. 15 - Grain Shortages[]
A city the size of Brightlodge doesn't feed itself easily. With terrain that varies from highly rocky to highly underwater, the town has always relied on shipments from further afield. The mill was built to help guard against untrustworthy merchants who diluted the flour with rocks, chalk, bones, and occasionally beaks. Brightlodge now proudly produces its own top-notch flour from ninety-nine percent grain and very few weevils.
No. 16 – Booze on the Water[]
One of Wendleglass’ more idealistic mayoral predecessors, after losing one too many clerks to the waterfall, attempted to ban drink from the city walls. Sadly this one only pushed pubs onto the water as determined drinkers took to imbibing on unlicensed booze rafts. Being drunk while drifting across the lake hardly improved the safety record, and the ban was quietly lifted two months later.
No. 17 - The Redcap Invasion[]
The Red Autumn was one of the most difficult periods in Brightlodge's recent history*. Countless redcaps burst from a cave at the very site, and many brave souls lost their lives pushing the menace back into the tunnel. The impact of this still sudden terror is felt today, with few if any people willing to sign up as a town guard.
*Addendum - until the Rose Debacle, of course.
No. 18 – Shipping Accidents[]
As the town flourished, so did trade. More and more merchants were lured by the opportunity of our golden shores, and not all were patient enough to actually learn to sail before attempting the journey. On the grand scale of shipping accidents, crashing into a jetty is far more appealing than falling off the waterfall, and the docks have become something of a graveyard for incautious trading boats.
No. 20 – The Festival of Roses[]
The Rose Festival was to be the crowning glory of Wendleglass’ reign. The forest subdued, and Heroes returned to Albion! The past, brought to life in our fair city! Alas, the past turned out to be highly dangerous, and the roses bloomed from a delightful-smelling distraction into full-blown terror. If it weren’t for the timely intervention of the newly-discovered Heroes, the whole city would have been lost to the Rosewood.
No. 21 – Wendleglass the Magnificent[]
Founding father of the Kingdom of Brightlodge, King Wendleglass the 1st rose from market trader, to mayor, to King, to dead, in a meteoric crescendo of success. His tragic passing is commemorated in this statue, carved by a local craftsman, Colin, from stone from beneath the Hall that definitely wasn’t load-bearing.
No. 22 – The Wendleglass Nook[]
Some Kings cement their legacy with statues, bridges, walls, and other useful bits of infrastructure. But our new ruler is a gentle sort. Instead of commissioning the sort of thing someone might actually find useful, he would apparently prefer to be remembered for a little bench and a nice sit-down.
Notes[]
As of April 28 2025 the following notice is still missing: No. 19.