One reason I’m excited about this idea is that it goes back to the “Cosmos” section and tying up some loose ends there, which seems to be what the Book of Briars is trying to do, piece by piece. Port’s involvement could point in that direction also.
Gaaaah, and it’s worth pointing out that those cities led to a “Future Works” picture of a chronocompass, and some Roman numerals. Were those ever solved? If not, maybe the “Future Work” is now? Or perhaps I just need to finish reading the whole topic … 
(Edited to add a post from @Robert that pulls together all of the Roman numeral riddles.)
(Edited again to add a guess: The sequence 1324-1654 refers to eight words in those numbered positions in the Guide. There isn’t a version with numbered words, is there? . That’s way more than enough out of me for tonight!)
(Edited one more time to add: CAN YOU TELL I’M EXCITED?! Okay. Fine. Time to stop.)