Key of dreams
Ophelia was in her robe, half asleep, not expecting guests. Especially not a guest as peculiar as the one at her chamber door. One of the realities of life above a regio was that sometimes very strange people - for a given value - turned up in your bedroom at all hours of the night. This one she knew as Blue; barely three feet tall with a kind face, long turquoise hair, and a flexible tail that ended in a shock of aquamarine strands. They wore a flowing woollen dark-green robe cinched at what amounted to their waist with a rope belt. They rarely bothered to be invited in, and tonight was no exception. They bustled past her and jumped up onto the chair near the table, starting to go through the reagents there without being asked.
"It's very late," said Ophelia. She had no particular hope that her visitor would appreciate the hour.
"That's nice dear," said the creature. It shook a little bottle containing rusted iron filings before discarding it; licked a ring of ilium with every sign of enthusiasm; stuck one thick nail-less finger into a pestle of ground realmsroot and sniffed it suspiciously. "The three keys to solving a problem? I'll give you a clue - there's four of them."
Ophelia shut the door, and lifted the cap over the lightstone partially, illuminating the room a little better. Blue had stopped poking around her work table and was instead pulling books out of the bookcase one at a time, piling them up to make a stool to sit on. The Urizeni stargazer had never seen Blue, or any of her kin, actually read a book. She wasn't sure they even knew what they were.
"Well I suppose there's a riddle there - how can three..."
Blue wasn't listening.
"The first key is Thinking About The Thing. That's when you try to work out what the problem actually is, and what to do about it. That's the most important key obviously."
"Obviously, so..."
"The second key is Talking About The Thing. That's when you put words on your thought. Makes your thoughts real, you see. Also it lets you boss people around or, if the problem is really bad, work with others. That's the most vital of all the keys obviously."
Oh, thought Ophelia. It's going to be one of those kinds of conversations.
"The third key is Actually Doing The Thing." Blue had pulled a length of something long and clear that looked like glass out of her robe, and was chewing on it with every sign of enthusiasm. Ophelia could hear it splintering. She wasn't sure how - Blue had no teeth in her wide, unlipped mouth. "That's when you actually try to solve the problem, and find out if any of your keys fit the lock. That's definitely the most important key."
Blue looked at her through half lidded eyes. Ophelia sipped a little of the water from her night-stand.
"So the fourth key..." she said thoughtfully. She considered everything she knew about Blue and her kind, and their patron. "I think you want me to think the fourth key is the last one, but actually I think... yes. It's actually the first one."
The little herald sat on their stool of books swinging their legs, kicking their heels against an antique copy of the Vojaĝtaglibroj de Vojaĝanta Onklo Matt which her grandmother had acquired for a small fortune at Anvil one Summer. Her expression, usually open and enthusiastic, was unreadable.
"I think the first key, then, the first key is the key of... inspiration? Having a spark that turns into a thought, then a plan, then action?"
Blue nodded her head in approval.
"The Key of Dreams," said her strange little guest seriously, and Ophelia could hear the capital letters. "The key that unlocks the cabinet where the other keys are kept, so you can use them to open your lock. Which is in this case your problem! Whatever that is."
Aha! thought Ophelia. An opening!
"Well, as I said to your... fellow dweller, the little yellow worried one. I've been experimenting with realmsroot and I'm convinced there's a way to transform it into..."
Blue jumped down from the stool, and hopped up onto the bedside table. From inside their robe they produced a bright red fruit - or perhaps a vegetable - shaped a little like a stylised heart.
"Here you go!" they said in a slightly dreamy tone. "This'll help you find the first key you're looking for. All you have to do is eat it."
The little herald smiled, as Ophelia reached out to take the fruit, and if there was something unsettling in their half-lidded eyes, the Urizeni was too focused on the gift being offered to notice.
Overview
- Six eternals have sent emissaries to Anvil, apparently in response to plenipotentiary messages from the Imperial archmages
- Five have agreed to meetings of one kind or another, either in person or via emissaries
- The other has provided messages, opportunities, or gifts of one type or another
As the Winter Solstice approaches, the eternals respond to the plenipotentiary messages of the six archmages. Each of the six is empowered to send a single message to an eternal of their realm each season, with certain expectation of some kind of response. Some eternals will arrange a parley or some kind, a personal meeting with themselves or more commonly one of their favoured lieutenants. Others may take more direct action, offering opportunities to secure boons or enlist the eternal's power to change the Empire in some way. Sometimes they decline the offer of meetings or boons, but even then they are likely to provide their reasons for doing so.
Since the Autumn Equinox, messengers representing six eternals have come to the Empire from their eternal patrons, detailing the response to each plenipotentiary missive.
Hearth-vigil (Summer)
- The Queen of Ice and Darkness has received the plenipotentiary of the Summer Archmage
- A parley will take place in a chamber reached via the Hall of Worlds at 19:00 on Friday during the summit
- Cathan Canae expects the Archmage to return the ritual text for the Fist of Black Ice
- The Archmage may include up to five others as part of their entourage
- The current Archmage of Summer is Mirella of the Twisted Rose
An enormous ogre, around whom swirls a miasma of frost and ice emerges from the Imperial Regio and marches with purpose towards the Civil Service tent. Any who stand too close feel the biting cold emanating from it, and those who do not get out of its way fast enough have to leap out of its way to not be swatted or crushed by its huge limbs. When it reaches the Hub, it slams its fist down on Jorgen's desk, causing splinters to shoot out and for the desk itself to emit an almighty groan.
The Immovable One has received the missive from the Archmage of Summer, Lady Keepsake, yet has no desire to meet representatives from the Empire in person at this time. Instead, she will be represented by the Thane of the Rimebound Shore, who shall speak on her behalf. The Indomitable Queen is a fair and considered ruler; she approves of the focus of the plenipotentiary and will hear out the Archmage as is appropriate for when one great court deals with another. If the representatives of The Indefatigable Sparrow wish to give their reasons for decommissioning Ballaghadruh and the Eastern Guard, they will have their opportunity. She is not so quick to lose her temper as Eleonaris, who is so eager to start roaring at any perceived slight, but it should be understood that the Majestic Glacier's wroth is being restrained, not that it does not exist.
While the Lady of the Frost may be fair, she is not easily swayed. An assurance has been broken. A troth plighted by the Empire shattered. An assurance is a promise. It is a solemn oath. It is a sworn vow. To break it, is a terrible thing. The Immovable One cannot overlook this. Thus, the Queen of Ice and Darkness wants it to be clear that there is no circumstance under which the Archmage will be coming back from the parley with a renewed ritual text for the Fist of Black Ice.
The Immovable One respects the decision of the Archmage to come to her immediately, to stand her ground and make her case, not to hide and wait until the blizzard no longer howls. It is good that Lady Keepsake is willing to face the storm head on - it is the only way to begin to rebuild what has been razed. But the Archmage must bring the now-ruined ritual text to the meeting to be returned to the Mistress of Blizzards as a first step before any further aid for Imperial magicians will be discussed. The Queen will look elsewhere to find a worthy recipient for that particular gift - the Empire must do without.
The Archmage may bring up to five guests. The Breath of Winter asks the Archmage to bring a representative of the Phonenix Rising coven as one of the five. She plans to reward them for completing the task to call forth her citadel into Hope's Rest in the Barrens. Too often, the labours of those who raise the walls are overlooked. The Lady of the Frost would like to present the witches with a personal gift in recognition of their efforts. They should bring a set of mage armour that has not already been worked by an artisan for her herald to imbue with a shard of her power. As to the rest, the Archmage may choose as she pleases and may, or may not, include the Senator for Spiral Genoveva Barossa d'Apulian and Master Watt Lambrook as she prefers. They will be welcomed with all due hospitality as the Archmage has requested, but they should not expect it to be a warm welcome.
Finder of Paths Unseen (Night)
- Azoth will create a night market at 22:00 on Saturday at the coming summit
- Anyone who wishes may visit to purchase various offerings in exchange for coins, ingots and measures
- Servants of many of the Night eternals will be present including the Whisper Gallery
A "distillation", a herald of Azoth comes to Anvil bearing a message. The Azoth shall dissolve the barriers between the Hall of Worlds and a region of the Night realm known as the Shadow Souk. In this chamber, representatives of many wyrms and serpents come together to mix and, in their joining, produce change, inspiration and other things upon which the Night thrives. Those mortals who dare join them will find amusements, indulgences, mysteries and secrets refined from across the lived world and the depths of Night’s oceans.
The Crucible invites citizens to come, to make merry and to be transformed. Those who attend will emerge from its dimly lit avenues transfigured in body, mind or soul; to be made ready for a new age. The herald includes a warning: visitors must be prepared to entreat with representatives of eternals that the Empire has chosen to quench via enmity. Alchemy, they say, is never without its impurities.
Azoth will offer the following gifts at the market:
- The Crucible of Twinned Souls - The magisterium of two distinct wholes shall extend the same rebirth to interested citizens. Two spirits that enter into the Crucible of Twinned Souls will be mixed, fused and reformed into two new beings possessing a unique blend of the memories, attitudes, experiences, hopes, and dreams of their progenitors. The process shall be catalysed by a measure of weltsilver provided by each of the participants and will work best on those whose spirits are already familiar with each other.
- The Solvent of Thought - Distilled from the raw essence of Night, this elixir roils with innumerable memories. For those with a handful of small coins, or a measure of something more precious, patrons may take these memories into themselves, or expunge a memory of their own and cast it into the solvent.
- Twilit Pigments - Art is transformative, sublimating the rarefied vapours of emotion into myriad forms concentrated into shapes either material or ethereal that serve in turn to transform the hearts of those who imbibe them. To such alchemists of the heart, Azoth shall dispense their twilit pigments. For a fee these essences may be applied to the skin, or provided for use in the artist’s own works and in each case shall produce distinct results.
- The Fraction of Being - Through madness we find inspiration, and madness is oft found in things that are alien to us. The Cauldron of Fractions contains fragments of personality offered from those around the world who deal with the Azoth. Those willing to tear out a piece of themselves and offer it to the cauldron may choose a fragment previous given up by someone not of the Empire. The trade must always be one to one, and is permanent. So the cycle goes, on and on.
After a brief pause, they then continue to describe the offerings available from the other denizens of the Night realm:
- Sadogua shall offer visitors opportunities to dredge treasures from his Mire of Indulgences
- Lashonar has been quite vociferous regarding its Talking Shop and the heap of ‘treasures’ it has gathered from across the world to barter, like for like, with citizens willing to engage in eloquent exchange.
- Sung shall not herself send representatives (or maybe she will, it is not clear, the herald admits) - but instead shall engage the Archmage of Night to ensure that the market is awash with music from the finest musicians the Empire may send: magical mysteries shall be imparted to the Archmage to reward those that compete to create an aura of mystery over the whole affair.
- Janon exhorts attendees to effuse with passion and shall offer a space for those with a fire in their spirit to move their peers. Those with a talent for speech will find their prowess alloyed with the Shadowed Flame’s power.
- The Whisper Gallery, as might be expected, have chosen to keep their contribution a secret.
Starlight Seeks Its Form (Day)
- The Coral Library declines a formal parley with the Archmage of Day
- Instead, a pocket of its archives will be accessible within the Hall of Worlds from 10:30 on the Sunday of the Spring Equinox
- Heralds of Phaleron will visit the Hall of Worlds and may channel the complete writings of the cultures requested by the Archmage of Day
- Unlocking this boon will require aid from Imperial magicians
A rushed civil servant almost steps on the lizard-like creature seemingly crafted from folded parchment which emerges from the Imperial regio one early spring morning. After some failed attempts at communication, it's finally discovered that unfolding the paper scales across the creature's back reveals neat penmanship that changes each time it is revealed. With an indignant rustle, the herald claims to be scale mail sent from the Great Library.
It assures the civil service in writing that the Archmage of Day was wise to seek out the Archives of Silence in a quest for guidance. A great many civilisations which once regularly sent writings to the library have long since ceased to do so. Phaleron has seen the rise and fall of ages and societies - and more than that, it has heard of their fears and hopes through their own voices. Those words remain as part of its collection, a testament to what has passed from the world.
From half-past-ten on the Sunday of the Spring Equinox, a collection of works from the Library will be made available to the Empire at their Hall of Worlds. Such works discuss the end of things, the fall of civilisations, the decay of culture, the growth of societies at the loss of what they once were - and of those left behind. It is the Archive's hope that those who visit the collection may add their own writings. As a rare boon, Imperial citizens are also welcome to take away any singular piece which speaks to them.
The collection will be available all Sunday, so there is no need for readers to rush to the collection. It will be accompanied by heralds during the morning, but the writings will remain for the entire day.
There is, however, some confusion amongst the attendants of the Coral Library. It seems, from the Archmage's words, that she wishes to document the lives of certain cultures herself. A noble act. One a great many scholars undertake, and certainly such writings would be welcomed into the coral shelves. But it seems there has been an assumption that the Great Library lacks words from these cultures' own pens. Since the Archmage and the Empire wish to learn more about these civilisations, the Archive can - with some support from Imperial mages - instead provide the collective writings they have submitted to the Archive.
The collection in the Hall of Worlds will be available throughout time-in on Sunday, but the lector heralds will only be available to channel from 11:00-11:30.
This encounter involves reading written (and sometimes handwritten) text. There will be NPCs available to read aloud to anyone who needs it between 10:30-11:30.
The intention with the request for items related to the named cultures is not to provide an impossible puzzle where players must search for the one item received on a Rahvin encounter countless events ago. Any ribboned item with a suitable story attached to it would meet the criteria - a weapon from a character who campaigned in a relevant location and has a story to tell which relates to that culture would be an excellent example. The item does not need to have a relevant vision response to the ritual, but unlike in usual circumstances the mana will sill be used and the ritual still cast even if there is mechanically speaking no vision response. It should be noted that the Skein of Years ritual is not appropriate to use in this encounter, as it only shares the vision amongst the ritualists.It would take centuries for attendants of the Library to dredge up all relevant writings submitted to it by a certain culture -- and it has unfortunately become plain to the attendants that it is rare for a reader to possess such patience. Work has begun on consolidating the collections requested by the Archmage, but for this to be achievable within her mortal lifetime, Imperial mages must provide some support.
Four library attendants known as lectors will visit the Hall of Worlds from eleven in the morning on the Sunday of the Spring Equinox. The Archmage should source and bring an object relating to each culture to one of the lectors. This might not necessarily be an item originating from its culture - a sword which fought in the hand of someone hoping to save a fragment of the culture, or indeed a hammer which forged chains that bound that culture's people, would both be adequate examples. Once the item is in the lector's hands, a ritual which would share visions of that item's history with the herald must be cast - the most likely example would be Revelations of the Past. This magic is not part of either Imperial or Urizen lore, but the Crystalline Archive knows that there are magicians in the Empire capable of casting it. The second step for the Archmage will be to track some of them down. The vision the ritual provides will serve as a "hook" which the lector can leverage to spontaneously channel the culture's writings. Such lectors have begun the process of consolidating the writings of the cultures known as the Bloodwater Spears, the Waterwalkers, the Rahvin and the Vendarri.
There is one last, slightly awkward element which the attendants to the Library wish to ensure the Empire understands. They, naturally, believe the writings of a culture to be a perfect path to understanding it. But they are not so bull-headed as to believe that all writings from a culture are submitted to their coral shelves. Their knowledge is, sadly, imperfect. Beautiful, comprehensive, diverse. But not complete.
Sharp Fangs Behind The Leaves (Spring)
- Arhallogen declines parley at this time
- It has set out a number of criteria whereby the Conclave might win its favour
A herald of Arhallogen appears at Spiral Castle shortly after the Winter Solstice. It did not take long, it seems, for the plenipotentiary of Ibiss Briarheart to be digested. Arhallogen respects the decision of the Archmage to move on to hunt different prey. They did not always have a positive relationship, but that is only right and proper for two masters of the hunt. The Apex Predator wishes him all the best in facing whomever he chooses to point the tip of his staff at next, and trusts he will show them no mercy. As a parting gift, Arhallogen has made an offer to his people as outlined in the TBC wind of fortune.
The Archmage mentions a great number of things, some of which should be addressed in full plenipotentiaries of their own. When it comes to the armies and septs of the Druj that the Empire is capably conquering, their treatment of those who reside in Nesustak Forest tells the Scorpion Queen that there is no offer she can make this season that the Empire would have the stomach for. The matter of the Palace of Sleepers can be discussed at a future date if and when it returns from... wherever it has gone. As to the other boons requested, the Empire must show some willingness to use the tools they already have first. Fresh meat does not simply fall into one's lap slain and skinned; effort must be put in, the hunt must first be completed.
Arhallogen appreciates that the Archmage of Spring's last plenipotentiary to the Centipede General gives it an opportunity to address the wider issues it sees in its relationship with the Empire, given that the new Archmage should be apprised of the current state of things moving forward. In the many, many eyes of the Scorpion Queen, the Imperial Conclave has been ruined by the influence of Wet Crunch and the Sap, even after the creation of the Silver Chalice as its first mistake. Even the once formidable military council has fallen to foolishness, preferring to fight under the counter-productive Rivers of Life at every turn. The once great Gryphon's Pride has become a little more than a herd of prey animals, and the three peoples' idolisation of the folly of "honour" leaves a sick taste in the mouths of the Centipede General.
The Envenomed Blade is not one to give up a fight easily, however, and thus has chosen to offer the Conclave some great and powerful boons if it is prepared to reverse its decline and not let its current victories make it complacent and weak, valid until the end of the Winter Solstice 388YE. In each instance, the raising magician of the successful declaration involved will receive a gift of five pawns of vital honey. Other boons will be granted depending on the nature of the action the Conclave takes - including arcane projections for magical rituals that could be codified, and potentially even made a part of Imperial lore or Urizen lore. The civil service notes that the magics mentioned will certainly have assurances, but that Sharp Fangs Behind the Leaves has not disclosed what they might be.
- If the Conclave removes the interdiction on savage army enchantment, Arhallogen will watch Imperial armies for a year, and offer the one who displays the strongest killer instincts a significant boon.
- If the Conclave removes the interdiction on Rivers Run Red, Arhallogen will provide the magician who raises the Declaration of License with an arcane projection called Instincts of the Shadow-Hunter that improves an army's ability to pursue prey as she does - a ritual well known in one form or another to the Druj.
- If the Conclave removes the interdiction on Mountain Remembers Its Youth, Arhallogen will provide the magician who raises the Declaration of License with an arcane projection called Enveloped in the Dripping Web, a much more potent version of Fire in the Blood.
- If the Conclave removes the interdiction on the potion set Double-sided Blade, Arhallogen will offer a bequeathment of herbs and vital honey to the Guild Leader of the Apothecaries' Guild which they can use to make dangerous blade venoms. Or heal people. Whichever.
- If the Conclave places the perfidious Irra Harah under enmity, it will teach all Imperial artisans how to make a one-handed weapon similar to the Barbed Spear that will prove useful when fighting the vallorn. Or indeed any other enemy.
- If the Conclave places the soporific Ossegrahn under enmity, it will present an opportunity to aid the Empire in its war against the Orcs of the Broken Shore. To be absolutely clear, this will involve the killing of many Grendel. The Grendel are also interested in seeking a boon from the Mother of Stonefish, so it may behove the Conclave to move quickly on that one.
According to the Skittering-Dark, if the Conclave does not change its course, and soon, something truly awful might happen. It does not say what this thing might be, for fear of encouraging the perverse elements within the Empire that would promote a disaster so recently averted.
Shifting Memory of Ages (Winter)
- Eldest Sister has agreed to a meeting with the heroes of Empire
- She invites the Wise Ones of Varushka to name six Varushkan storytellers to visit her and learn the wisdom of her stories
- These storytellers take on responsibility to spread Grandmother Winter's tales to Anvil
- The chosen storytellers are to meet her herald at 15:50, to be taken hence to her campfire.
| Known Storytellers |
| Anastasia "Ana" Varenye |
| Anatolij Paukov Zorkin |
| Bregeslav |
| Cvijeta Ravenkova |
| Jurand Biegacz |
| Katarina |
| Katerina Pavukov Novosad |
| Korvak Zovich |
| Kłamca Bzdura |
| Laumina Yulenkaovich Delmorozov |
| Maja Świętosława Przewałski |
| Miroslav "XIII" Ruparcic |
| Mojca Sanjač |
| Nikolai "The Butcher" Petravich |
| Radomir Illyot Shallotovich |
| Rolnik Cytryn |
| Sławomir Rabovich Bolotstrazh |
| Vera |
| Vlodikaz Ivarovich Vardovich (known as Vlod) |
| Vukovich |
| Yasna Yalinovsky Labzov |
A spry young thing comes to Anvil. Despite the blazing mortal sun, they are wrapped in many layers of tattered rags and greasy furs. When they skip lightly into the civil service tent, those present are struck by the age in their eyes. Then they smile, and it is polite, disarming, and threatening all at once.
Still, what the herald has to say is simple enough, or so it would seem. Augur-at-the-campfire thanks Bloodcrow Arora in the kindest terms, but stories must be told in the right way, at the right time. She therefore pronounces that she will tell her stories to no more than six storytellers of Varushka, to be chosen by the Wise Ones of that nation. If they are Wise of understanding and skilful in their craft, they shall prove themselves to the Clever Spider by sharing her tales with Anvil. Word-for-word is not the Venerable Guest's way, the important thing is that the right meaning is imparted to the right people.
The herald suggests interested storytellers go to the Varushkan National Assembly meeting, which they understand to be taking place at 19:00 on the Friday of the summit, in the tent of Vor'zai, and that the Varushkan Wise Ones take steps to choose the best. Also, the best storytellers may not be the best magicians. The herald drily notes that if the wizards of the Empire desire her wisdom as ardently as they appear, then the Pale Raven is confident that they can acquire sufficient Pauper's Keys.
Regardless, once the six are chosen, the Archmage of Winter should bring them to the Hall of Worlds at four in the afternoon on the Saturday of the coming summit. From there, a herald will take them to a hut in the wild woods where stories may be told. It will begin as a parley, but if that turns out to be too constraining for the telling of tales, then it might be needful to put it aside. Regardless, she promises that no harm will befall the storytellers - unless they bring some harm with them, of course.
Many Minds Move As One (Autumn)
- A representative from the City of Salt and Sail will journey to the Hall of Worlds at 10.00 in the morning on Saturday
- They hope to meet with the Archmage of Autumn in a formal parley
- Several items that the archmage suggested will be on the agenda
A few weeks before the Spring Equinox, a missive arrives at the Hub. Most of the civil servants have either experienced or observed the slightly odd feeling of being delivered a letter accompanied by nothing more than a muted flutter of wings. It is apparently an altogether different experience when the flutter of wings is more of boisterous flapping accompanied by raucous cawing, as if the missive was delivered by an unseen dire gull (albeit one significantly less murderously minded than the typical dire gull). Once the civil servants on duty had finished calming down and collecting the paperwork displaced by the things' invisible wings, they carefully read the missive, and they have made the contents public knowledge.
The missive is from Ptolemy, Custodian of the Infinite Rookery, who intends to visit the Hall of Worlds in response to a plenipotentiary sent by Vossk, Archmage of Autumn. Ptolemy represents the City of Salt and Sail; a city of the Autumn realm unknown to the Empire. Ptolemy proposes the following agenda:
- Introductions - in which each party establishes their bona fides.
- Agenda - a short discussion to confirm that body parties are happy with the proposed agenda for the rest of the meeting.
- Winged Messengers - to focus on their functions and assurances.
- Boons for Salt and Sail - to explore the Empire's needs for magical assistance with fleets and navies to see if they can be profitably met by the City.
- Ports - as above, but with an emphasis on both improvement and protection.
- Minutes - a comparison of minutes taken by both parties to ensure they are in agreement.
- Close - meeting closes with a formal agreement that both parties will then depart.
The City has allocated one hour for this meeting. Both parties are to make good faith efforts to avoid a costly overrun.
Ptolemy wishes to make clear that the City would prefer to avoid price discovery at this stage, and that Ptolemy is not approved to agree initial or final terms. This is a preliminary meeting to explore what options exist for profitable exchange with a view to subsequent communication to establish heads of terms before moving to signed contracts.
One thing that must be clear from the outset is that the city will not involve itself in any matters vis-a-vis the war between the Empire and Asavea. Even to contemplate the possibility of discussion of this conflict might undermine the stance of strict neutrality that is a binding requirement of all heralds of the City of Salt and Sail placed on them by the one under whose auspices they travel.
Timetable
There are comparatively few meetings taking place during this summit. The times, the locations, and the eternals involved are summarised here.
| Day | Time | Eternal | Realm | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | 19:00 | Cathan Canae | Summer | Parley; Archmage and up to five guests are invited to the chamber where it will take place |
| Saturday | 10.00 | Salt and Sail | Autumn | Parley; hosted in the Hall of Worlds |
| Saturday | 16.00 | Wise Rangara | Winter | Parley; Archmage and up to six Varushkan storytellers invited to a chamber |
| Saturday | 22:00 | Azoth | Night | Not a parley; a Shadow Souk will take place in the Hall of Worlds |
| Sunday | 10:00 | Phaleron | Day | Not a parley; a pocket of the archives will manifest in the Hall of Worlds |