Due to the unique position on the coast, many people, both from Starfall Coast and neighboring villages have reported very patchy cell service and internet outages. That's why we recommend listening to Starfall Coast Community Radio to reliably keep up to date with the news, events and weather reports.
Radio announcer: […] and it’s looking up to be another clear and dark night here in Starfall Coast. The sky seems to stay clear until the early hours of the morning, when a soft mist will roll in from the sea and settle over the town. The morning sun will chase it away quickly though, I am sure. Like the previous days, the rest of the week will be sunny and about 17°C.
The height of tonight’s meteor shower will be around 2:30AM so set your alarms if you want to make some wishes. [Radio announcer chuckles]
Or, if you’re more of an early bird than a night owl, get up in time tomorrow to go to the beach before everyone else to collect the remnants of the fallen stars. Just… remember to collect them responsibly, dear listeners. With that, I am wishing you all a restful night, sleep well.
[I Love You Still. by Nathalie Dextor starts playing and gets interrupted by static]
[ambiant music starts playing)
Lighthouse Keeper: The storm has passed, which means that it’s finally time to send out my weekly report. The colors of the sunset are swirling over the sky and the sea is calm, once again. The light is soft, coloring everything it touches a warm orange, and painting over all the destructive power of the weather. There is a sense of peace in the world right now.
The storm came on suddenly last evening and it kept raging all throughout last night and most of the morning. The weather changed so quickly that I almost didn’t make it inside in time. I was outside tending to my garden and looking over the sea when I noticed the dark clouds on the horizon. They were coming closer quickly although I couldn’t feel the wind yet. It was only going to be a matter of minutes before the light of the day had faded and the storm reached me. So I quickly gathered everything that was in danger of flying away, ran inside and slammed the door behind me just in time to hear raindrops hitting the door. I dropped the basket I was holding and quickly made my way up the stairs to turn up the light almost an hour earlier than expected. It was nothing I couldn’t deal with, of course, but I have noticed these sudden storms getting more frequent as of late.
The clouds blocked out the stars all night, the wind howled over their songs and the tower was swaying slightly while i was keeping watch. The radio stayed silent, but I am not sure if that is actually a good thing. But i couldn’t see any ships getting into trouble so i’m sure it was nothing. In the grand scheme of things, the storm was a minor inconvenience. The only real trouble it caused was delaying this report a day. And I’m sure you will forgive me for that.
There’s really not that much to report on at the moment aside from these weather anomalies anyway. Just the usual duties, keeping everything in order and watching over the developments of the weather to warn any ships that might get too close to the cliffs. Guiding the travellers back to where they need to be and picking up anything that’s lost. Things that get washed to the shore or fall through the cracks, in case they show up againI reported on patching up the cracks a few weeks ago and they remained closed ever since. Still, I will be here keeping an eye on it, just in case.
While we’re at it, I also fixed a leaky pipe in the kitchen today and took care of the plants that got damaged by the wind. Like I said, nothing particularly notable happene although. I'm still awaiting a delivery of supplies, but I can make do for a little while longer, I'm sure.
Earlier this week i was so sure i was about to run out of beans but i found more stashed away somewhere so… no need to worry about me, I’m always getting by somehow. I never know if these reports are actually going though or not so a message on my radio would be appreciated. A lot…
[pause. ambient sounds continues]
Hm, what else is there to report right now? The night sky is so beautiful out here on a clear night, far off from all the light pollution. The constellations shift and change constantly, the stars dancing around each other, fading in and out of view. I note down all the changes and new stars in the maps. It's more of a personal passion of mine than a real part of the job but I suppose someone has to do it.
[pause, the music changes a bit]
A while ago, a lost traveller knocked on my door and had a cup of tea before continuing their journey. God knows how they even ended up here…
The traveller had walked so far away from the life they knew that suddenly, the sky they looked up to was filled with stars they no longer recognized. Just… imagine that for a second. Getting lost between the stars. Imagine it and you’re half way there.
[pause]
Anyway, I had my maps and star charts spread out on my little table at the top of the lighthouse. The traveller, not familiar with any of them, looked at them for a long time. When they asked me about them, I showed them some of my favourite constellations that were visible right now.
After looking up at the sky in silence for a while the traveller asked me what the stars could tell them about their future.
I shook my head and explained that they had gotten it wrong, all of humanity had, really.
The stars know nothing of the future. The constellations we see, the stories we interpret into them are much more telling about the past than the future. Wars won, monsters defeated and lives well lived. This star over there used to be a dear friend of mine. The previous keeper of this lighthouse, in fact. This constellation tells a story that happened a long, long time ago.
Your future is not yet written, go find your own place among the stars. The traveller remained silent, looking up at the sky, watching the stars dance and twist and turn around each other. Slowly, but visibly
Now as the day is slipping away, somewhere else, the traveller is gazing into the sky. They're trying to make out the first stars but they know they're only going to see the dull orange glow of the city lights outside. They think of the sea, of lost summers and missed chances and sit down to write a letter. They’ve been stuck in the same place for too long and know change is coming sometime soon.
Somewhere above the hazy glow of light pollution, a shooting star flashes over the sky, going completely unnoticed by anyone.
[pause, she clears her throat]
I’m sorry, I think I got carried away a little bit. Anyway, to wrap up this report, here is a list of items washed ashore during the storm:
A small toy boat, belonging to a ten-year-old girl, entangled in seagrass and dearly missed by its owner
seaglass, washed smooth by the relentless push and pull of the waves
Various fish that unfortunately didn't make it through the night
An old net that once belonged to a fisherman in England, ripped into pieces beyond repair
A message in a bottle, the letter in it barely readable at this point. I can still make out the words “Dear Cassandra…” but not much more. That is a story for another time…
Driftwood, smooth and bleached by the sun until it almost looks like bones
A ring with two names engraved into it. Tossed into the sea with regret.
Oh dear listeners (whoever might hear this), I wish you could see what I am looking at right now. The sunset outside my little window is slowly fading and the first stars light up the sky instead. The sky is a dark purple with wisps of blue clouds drifting aimlessly in the wind. And this is only through the small window in the radio room. You should see how beautiful this time of day is at the very top of the lighthouse, reflected through the warped glass panels. I could sit there forever just watchign the universe spin around me. Stars get born and explode, long before we take note of them. I think it’s time for me to sign off and see what surprises the night sky holds tonight.
[pause]
[The Lighthosue Keeper sighs] The ocean is still, once again. Dark blue reflecting the last bits of daylight. The light from the lighthouse illuminating the water for a split second before it flicks off again. Wherever you may be, I wish you a good night under the bright stars.
This is the lighthouse keeper signing off for this week.
With the colours of the sunset are beginning to bleed over the sea, the clouds are disappearing, promising to be a clear night up until the hours of the early morning, when a soft mist will roll from the sea and settle in over the town. Falling stars can be observed the entire night, reaching their height at 2:30AM. And, if you happen to be out on the beaches in the early morning hours, you might come upon the remnants of a star. Remember to treat it with care when you do. Now, I wish all residents of Starfall Coast and visitors passing through a restful night.
i think i should just do a little fake tourism brochure for Starfall Coast as a worldbuilding exercise because i love my weird little coastal town and i have made up so many little details hihi
i can't believe there's not a single post about the Coast Calling EP by Ratwyfe on this website (that I could find). I've been listening to it ON REPEAT, it's SO BEAUTIFUL and also (obviously) SO LIGHTHOUSE CODED!!! ESPECIALLY WILL CODED!!! it's just them returning to Starfall Coast I canttttt
