Rumors and Hearsay of what? If its Blackmail, that tends to give the most items I believe. Arcana, Plots and Tends give more wearable gear. This is at least true for the crude and significant grades. You will find different brokers in different towns. Assuming you have been getting blackmails, try doing something other than gossip parleys. The more you diversify the better chance you will get some combinations of gear that will give you the presence you need to do some of the lower skill quests (25-50), and then you are on your way.
You also gain presence with a station by parleying with that station's members, this is granted in 1 point increments and adds to your base (naked) presence.
Be prepared to get ALOT of different clothing and make sure you have space in inventory. Between all the scraps of paper and clothes you will have space management issue. Well at least until the devs get us a better way to store scraps of paper. Coming Soon
tm 