Red star - Revision history

Matt: Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

2026-01-15T16:50:56Z

Text replacement - "[[Imperial Conclave" to "[[Conclave"

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:50, 15 January 2026
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	The new star is not visible to the naked eye, but anyone with an astronomantic background is free to roleplay that they have seen it themselves - a tiny spark of red light that clearly follows in the wake of [[the Wanderer]].		The new star is not visible to the naked eye, but anyone with an astronomantic background is free to roleplay that they have seen it themselves - a tiny spark of red light that clearly follows in the wake of [[the Wanderer]].

	Despite a few convenient titles, the star itself does not have a name. The [[~~Imperial~~ Conclave]] might choose to formally name it with a [[Declaration#Declaration of Concord\|Declaration of Concord]].		Despite a few convenient titles, the star itself does not have a name. The [[Conclave]] might choose to formally name it with a [[Declaration#Declaration of Concord\|Declaration of Concord]].

	The new star is tiny, and the telescopes the Empire has brought to bear on it are unable to make out much more than its presence. They cannot even be sure that it is red - its proximity to the Wanderer may simply mean that perceptions are being tinged by the light of that crimson eye. As with all other stars, the new star is outside the reach of mortal magic - it cannot be scried upon, and it cannot be directly affected with known ritual magic.		The new star is tiny, and the telescopes the Empire has brought to bear on it are unable to make out much more than its presence. They cannot even be sure that it is red - its proximity to the Wanderer may simply mean that perceptions are being tinged by the light of that crimson eye. As with all other stars, the new star is outside the reach of mortal magic - it cannot be scried upon, and it cannot be directly affected with known ritual magic.

Twiggy at 00:53, 18 July 2025

2025-07-18T00:53:38Z

Twiggy at 21:09, 12 July 2025

2025-07-12T21:09:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:09, 12 July 2025
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	Something is a little awry in the night sky over the Empire. Most obvious is that there is something happening in the [[astronomancy\|astronomantic]] constellation of [[the Phoenix]]. While it is one of the most easily recognisable arrangements of stars in the night sky, scholars all across the Empire have reported a growing uncertainty as to precisely which stars make up its form, and whether there are nine, ten, or eleven of them. When actually looking at it, the answer is clear ... but the more time elapses from actually seeing it, the more they begin to doubt. This phenomenon has not been encountered before. A few letters have been sent to noted astronomancers in other nations to see if this is a wide-spread situation or something peculiar to the Empire, but no reliable responses have yet been received.		Something is a little awry in the night sky over the Empire. Most obvious is that there is something happening in the [[astronomancy\|astronomantic]] constellation of [[the Phoenix]]. While it is one of the most easily recognisable arrangements of stars in the night sky, scholars all across the Empire have reported a growing uncertainty as to precisely which stars make up its form, and whether there are nine, ten, or eleven of them. When actually looking at it, the answer is clear ... but the more time elapses from actually seeing it, the more they begin to doubt. This phenomenon has not been encountered before. A few letters have been sent to noted astronomancers in other nations to see if this is a wide-spread situation or something peculiar to the Empire, but no reliable responses have yet been received.

	At the same time, astronomancers from several observatories in [[Urizen]], [[Varushka]], and [[the Brass Coast]] have reported seeing a new star in the sky. It is too small to be seen with the naked eye - a tiny speck of light that seems to follow the Wanderer on its whimsical peregrinations across the heavens. There is a great deal of disagreement over what to call it - suggestions include "the Pilgrim", "the ~~Traveler~~", and "the little bit of grit on the lens". Despite initial scepticism, it certainly appears to be there although what it portends (if anything) is difficult to say.		At the same time, astronomancers from several observatories in [[Urizen]], [[Varushka]], and [[the Brass Coast]] have reported seeing a new star in the sky. It is too small to be seen with the naked eye - a tiny speck of light that seems to follow the Wanderer on its whimsical peregrinations across the heavens. There is a great deal of disagreement over what to call it - suggestions include "the Pilgrim", "the Traveller", and "the little bit of grit on the lens". Despite initial scepticism, it certainly appears to be there although what it portends (if anything) is difficult to say.

	At the same time, houses of healing across the Empire are reporting a small but noticeable increase in the number of people who require treatment for psychological ailments. From the dark woods of Varushka come reports of a capering volhov howling at the sky after a chance encounter on the road at night. In the well-tended rose gardens of Dawn, a cabal of weavers report finding one of their own cackling to their plants and whispering stories to the leaves. Stridings on the trods to the north report meeting a lone blood-drenched vate hanging hideous icons on the path as warnings to ward away danger. No part of the Empire is untouched by this outbreak of mania - indeed, ship captains returning from far off lands report that the Empire is not unique in experiencing this unsettling phenomenon.		At the same time, houses of healing across the Empire are reporting a small but noticeable increase in the number of people who require treatment for psychological ailments. From the dark woods of Varushka come reports of a capering volhov howling at the sky after a chance encounter on the road at night. In the well-tended rose gardens of Dawn, a cabal of weavers report finding one of their own cackling to their plants and whispering stories to the leaves. Stridings on the trods to the north report meeting a lone blood-drenched vate hanging hideous icons on the path as warnings to ward away danger. No part of the Empire is untouched by this outbreak of mania - indeed, ship captains returning from far off lands report that the Empire is not unique in experiencing this unsettling phenomenon.

Dre at 23:22, 3 August 2023

2023-08-03T23:22:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 3 August 2023
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	Despite a few convenient titles, the star itself does not have a name. The [[Imperial Conclave]] might choose to formally name it with a [[Declaration#Declaration of Concord\|Declaration of Concord]].		Despite a few convenient titles, the star itself does not have a name. The [[Imperial Conclave]] might choose to formally name it with a [[Declaration#Declaration of Concord\|Declaration of Concord]].

	The new star is tiny, and the telescopes the Empire has brought to bear on it are unable to make out much more than its presence. They cannot even be sure that it is red - its proximity to the Wanderer may simply mean that perceptions are being tinged by the light of that crimson eye. As with all other stars, the new star is outside the reach of mortal magic - it cannot be scried upon, and it cannot be directly ~~effected~~ with known ritual magic.		The new star is tiny, and the telescopes the Empire has brought to bear on it are unable to make out much more than its presence. They cannot even be sure that it is red - its proximity to the Wanderer may simply mean that perceptions are being tinged by the light of that crimson eye. As with all other stars, the new star is outside the reach of mortal magic - it cannot be scried upon, and it cannot be directly affected with known ritual magic.

	A group of respected scholars from the ''Observatory of the Blazing Mirror'' in [[Zenith#Iteri\|Iteri]], however, are confident that they could construct a device to allow them to get a closer look at the star. While the observatory is an Urizen spire, it has good relations with astronomancers and starwatchers in several parts of the Empire; their artisans are confident that if the Conclave were to provide them with 75 weltsilver and 10 crowns they would be able to complete the device by the Spring Equinox. provided the materials are available, a [[Declaration#Declaration of Endowment\|Declaration of Endowment]] could be used in the Conclave to instruct the civil service to transfer the materials to the spire. Alternatively, an individual might use a method such as [[Call Winged Messenger\|Call Winged Messenger]] to send the materials directly to ''Arbiter Horace, Observatory of the Blazing Mirror, Iteri, Zenith.'' Arbiter Horace also indicated that an emissary or delegation from the observatory will be visiting Anvil, assuming they are able to find a suitable volunteer among their ranks.		A group of respected scholars from the ''Observatory of the Blazing Mirror'' in [[Zenith#Iteri\|Iteri]], however, are confident that they could construct a device to allow them to get a closer look at the star. While the observatory is an Urizen spire, it has good relations with astronomancers and starwatchers in several parts of the Empire; their artisans are confident that if the Conclave were to provide them with 75 weltsilver and 10 crowns they would be able to complete the device by the Spring Equinox. provided the materials are available, a [[Declaration#Declaration of Endowment\|Declaration of Endowment]] could be used in the Conclave to instruct the civil service to transfer the materials to the spire. Alternatively, an individual might use a method such as [[Call Winged Messenger\|Call Winged Messenger]] to send the materials directly to ''Arbiter Horace, Observatory of the Blazing Mirror, Iteri, Zenith.'' Arbiter Horace also indicated that an emissary or delegation from the observatory will be visiting Anvil, assuming they are able to find a suitable volunteer among their ranks.

Dre at 21:29, 14 August 2020

2020-08-14T21:29:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:29, 14 August 2020
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	“While our researches have proved promising, two of our scholars have unfortunately suffered an unfortunate accident. Our own physicks are at a loss, but believe they would benefit greatly from the expertise offered by you and your ''sodales''. As such we have secured suitable guides and dispatched them to your spire. We entrust them with your care. They should arrive tomorrow if their journey has not been interrupted."		“While our researches have proved promising, two of our scholars have unfortunately suffered an unfortunate accident. Our own physicks are at a loss, but believe they would benefit greatly from the expertise offered by you and your ''sodales''. As such we have secured suitable guides and dispatched them to your spire. We entrust them with your care. They should arrive tomorrow if their journey has not been interrupted."

	She almost growled, throwing the letter onto a pile of similar correspondence. The arbiter had obviously waited until the very last moment to send the heliopticon message - ensuring there was no change that she could try and dissuade them from sending her more patients. Two from Ankra last week, three from Caeli the week before, now another two from Peregro. Where were they all coming from? Had the ~~magi~~ of Urizen suddenly stopped to care about ~~Arete~~? She noted that the nature of the "accident" was unclear but assumed it was unsupervised astronomantic experimentation. As usual.		She almost growled, throwing the letter onto a pile of similar correspondence. The arbiter had obviously waited until the very last moment to send the heliopticon message - ensuring there was no change that she could try and dissuade them from sending her more patients. Two from Ankra last week, three from Caeli the week before, now another two from Peregro. Where were they all coming from? Had the mages of Urizen suddenly stopped to care about arete? She noted that the nature of the "accident" was unclear but assumed it was unsupervised astronomantic experimentation. As usual.

	There was a quiet knock, and the door to her sanctum opened. Her secretary stood primly in the door. He had another neatly folded heliopticon message in his webbed hand. He waited for her to indicate he should enter, and glided across the soft carpeted floor to her desk.		There was a quiet knock, and the door to her sanctum opened. Her secretary stood primly in the door. He had another neatly folded heliopticon message in his webbed hand. He waited for her to indicate he should enter, and glided across the soft carpeted floor to her desk.

Dre at 21:10, 14 August 2020

2020-08-14T21:10:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 14 August 2020
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	<ic>Winters were rarely predictable in Lustri. Some years, they were mild enough that when Spring came it was barely ~~noticable~~. Other years, when the snow clouds gathered fatly around the mountain peaks and the cold winds blew out of the east, the roads became treacherous. It was easy for outsiders to forget that the forests lay on the edge of the Empire. It had been a long time since the Druj threatened Zenith, after all.		<ic>Winters were rarely predictable in Lustri. Some years, they were mild enough that when Spring came it was barely noticeable. Other years, when the snow clouds gathered fatly around the mountain peaks and the cold winds blew out of the east, the roads became treacherous. It was easy for outsiders to forget that the forests lay on the edge of the Empire. It had been a long time since the Druj threatened Zenith, after all.

	Isolation has its uses of course. Papiria stood on the balcony outside her office, staring down at the trees below. Distance grants safety, she mused; both for her charges and for the Empire. But winters like this with so few new visitors could be hard. Heliopticon messages were adequate, but there was little comfort in them. They carried words but the light lacked anything physical, anything tactile, anything to touch, to hold, to smell.		Isolation has its uses of course. Papiria stood on the balcony outside her office, staring down at the trees below. Distance grants safety, she mused; both for her charges and for the Empire. But winters like this with so few new visitors could be hard. Heliopticon messages were adequate, but there was little comfort in them. They carried words but the light lacked anything physical, anything tactile, anything to touch, to hold, to smell.
Line 50:		Line 50:
	At the same time, astronomancers from several observatories in [[Urizen]], [[Varushka]], and [[the Brass Coast]] have reported seeing a new star in the sky. It is too small to be seen with the naked eye - a tiny speck of light that seems to follow the Wanderer on its whimsical peregrinations across the heavens. There is a great deal of disagreement over what to call it - suggestions include "the Pilgrim", "the Traveler", and "the little bit of grit on the lens". Despite initial scepticism, it certainly appears to be there although what it portends (if anything) is difficult to say.		At the same time, astronomancers from several observatories in [[Urizen]], [[Varushka]], and [[the Brass Coast]] have reported seeing a new star in the sky. It is too small to be seen with the naked eye - a tiny speck of light that seems to follow the Wanderer on its whimsical peregrinations across the heavens. There is a great deal of disagreement over what to call it - suggestions include "the Pilgrim", "the Traveler", and "the little bit of grit on the lens". Despite initial scepticism, it certainly appears to be there although what it portends (if anything) is difficult to say.

	At the same time, houses of healing across the Empire are reporting a small but noticeable increase in the number of people who require treatment for psychological ailments. From the dark woods of Varushka come reports of a capering volhov howling at the sky after a chance encounter on the road at night. In the well-tended rose gardens of Dawn, a cabal of weavers report finding one of their own cackling to their plants and whispering stories to the leaves. Stridings on the ~~Trods~~ to the north report meeting a lone blood-drenched vate hanging hideous icons on the path as warnings to ward away danger. No part of the Empire is untouched by this outbreak of mania - indeed, ship captains returning from far off lands report that the Empire is not unique in experiencing this unsettling phenomenon.		At the same time, houses of healing across the Empire are reporting a small but noticeable increase in the number of people who require treatment for psychological ailments. From the dark woods of Varushka come reports of a capering volhov howling at the sky after a chance encounter on the road at night. In the well-tended rose gardens of Dawn, a cabal of weavers report finding one of their own cackling to their plants and whispering stories to the leaves. Stridings on the trods to the north report meeting a lone blood-drenched vate hanging hideous icons on the path as warnings to ward away danger. No part of the Empire is untouched by this outbreak of mania - indeed, ship captains returning from far off lands report that the Empire is not unique in experiencing this unsettling phenomenon.

	==Significance==		==Significance==
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	A group of respected scholars from the ''Observatory of the Blazing Mirror'' in [[Zenith#Iteri\|Iteri]], however, are confident that they could construct a device to allow them to get a closer look at the star. While the observatory is an Urizen spire, it has good relations with astronomancers and starwatchers in several parts of the Empire; their artisans are confident that if the Conclave were to provide them with 75 weltsilver and 10 crowns they would be able to complete the device by the Spring Equinox. provided the materials are available, a [[Declaration#Declaration of Endowment\|Declaration of Endowment]] could be used in the Conclave to instruct the civil service to transfer the materials to the spire. Alternatively, an individual might use a method such as [[Call Winged Messenger\|Call Winged Messenger]] to send the materials directly to ''Arbiter Horace, Observatory of the Blazing Mirror, Iteri, Zenith.'' Arbiter Horace also indicated that an emissary or delegation from the observatory will be visiting Anvil, assuming they are able to find a suitable volunteer among their ranks.		A group of respected scholars from the ''Observatory of the Blazing Mirror'' in [[Zenith#Iteri\|Iteri]], however, are confident that they could construct a device to allow them to get a closer look at the star. While the observatory is an Urizen spire, it has good relations with astronomancers and starwatchers in several parts of the Empire; their artisans are confident that if the Conclave were to provide them with 75 weltsilver and 10 crowns they would be able to complete the device by the Spring Equinox. provided the materials are available, a [[Declaration#Declaration of Endowment\|Declaration of Endowment]] could be used in the Conclave to instruct the civil service to transfer the materials to the spire. Alternatively, an individual might use a method such as [[Call Winged Messenger\|Call Winged Messenger]] to send the materials directly to ''Arbiter Horace, Observatory of the Blazing Mirror, Iteri, Zenith.'' Arbiter Horace also indicated that an emissary or delegation from the observatory will be visiting Anvil, assuming they are able to find a suitable volunteer among their ranks.

	Needless to say the benefactor who supplies the materials, either directly or by raising a declaration, is certain to be added to the guest list for the grand unveiling. If they are successful, their intention is to invite the [[archmage\|~~archmagi~~]], the [[Grandmaster\|grandmasters]], and several other guests to a grand unveiling during the Equinox. They are confident that an event of such fateful magnitude will guarantee a [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions\|conjunction]] on the [[Sentinel Gate]] - after all, is that potent device not crowned with an image of the Wanderer?		Needless to say the benefactor who supplies the materials, either directly or by raising a declaration, is certain to be added to the guest list for the grand unveiling. If they are successful, their intention is to invite the [[archmage\|archmages]], the [[Grandmaster\|grandmasters]], and several other guests to a grand unveiling during the Equinox. They are confident that an event of such fateful magnitude will guarantee a [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions\|conjunction]] on the [[Sentinel Gate]] - after all, is that potent device not crowned with an image of the Wanderer?

	===Unsettled Nights===		===Unsettled Nights===

Rafferty at 17:03, 24 November 2019

2019-11-24T17:03:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:03, 24 November 2019
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	[[Category:Winds of Fortune]]		[[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
	[[Category:Recent History]]		[[Category:Recent History]]
	[[Category:379YE]]		[[Category:379YE Winter]]

GuiltyConscience at 15:11, 26 June 2019

2019-06-26T15:11:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:11, 26 June 2019
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	[[Category:Winds of Fortune]]		[[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
	[[Category:Recent History]]		[[Category:Recent History]]
	[[Category:~~380YE~~]]		[[Category:379YE]]

Dre at 18:55, 3 April 2019

2019-04-03T18:55:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:55, 3 April 2019
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	If your character suffers from any sort of mental or emotional ailment, they may choose to have that condition intensify during the coming event. Any [[lineage\|lineaged]] character may also wish to review the section on the wiki regarding roleplaying their lineage, with particular regard to the final bullet point on "''descent into madness''".		If your character suffers from any sort of mental or emotional ailment, they may choose to have that condition intensify during the coming event. Any [[lineage\|lineaged]] character may also wish to review the section on the wiki regarding roleplaying their lineage, with particular regard to the final bullet point on "''descent into madness''".

	If you do choose to explore this opportunity, however, you should remain mindful of Profound Decisions' rules on [~~http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/equalityanddiversity?0~~ equality and diversity].		If you do choose to explore this opportunity, however, you should remain mindful of Profound Decisions' rules on [[conduct\|equality and diversity]].

	[[Category:Winds of Fortune]]		[[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
	[[Category:Recent History]]		[[Category:Recent History]]
	[[Category:380YE]]		[[Category:380YE]]

Rafferty: /* Unsettled Nights */

2016-05-20T11:21:52Z

Unsettled Nights

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 20 May 2016
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	If you do choose to explore this opportunity, however, you should remain mindful of Profound Decisions' rules on [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/equalityanddiversity?0 equality and diversity].		If you do choose to explore this opportunity, however, you should remain mindful of Profound Decisions' rules on [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/equalityanddiversity?0 equality and diversity].

	{{Category:~~379YE Winter Solstice winds~~ of ~~fortune}}~~		[[Category:Winds of Fortune]]
			[[Category:Recent History]]
			[[Category:380YE]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:53, 18 July 2025
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	<ic>Winters were rarely predictable in Lustri. Some years, they were mild enough that when Spring came it was barely noticeable. Other years, when the snow clouds gathered fatly around the mountain peaks and the cold winds blew out of the east, the roads became treacherous. It was easy for outsiders to forget that the forests lay on the edge of the Empire. It had been a long time since the Druj threatened Zenith, after all.		<ic>Winters were rarely predictable in Lustri. Some years, they were mild enough that when Spring came, it was barely noticeable. Other years, when the snow clouds gathered fatly around the mountain peaks and the cold winds blew out of the east, the roads became treacherous. It was easy for outsiders to forget that the forests lay on the edge of the Empire. It had been a long time since the Druj threatened Zenith, after all.

	Isolation has its uses of course. Papiria stood on the balcony outside her office, staring down at the trees below. Distance grants safety, she mused; both for her charges and for the Empire. But winters like this with so few new visitors could be hard. Heliopticon messages were adequate, but there was little comfort in them. They carried words but the light lacked anything physical, anything tactile, anything to touch, to hold, to smell.		Isolation has its uses, of course. Papiria stood on the balcony outside her office, staring down at the trees below. Distance grants safety, she mused; both for her charges and for the Empire. But winters like this with so few new visitors could be hard. Heliopticon messages were adequate, but there was little comfort in them. They carried words but the light lacked anything physical, anything tactile, anything to touch, to hold, to smell.

	Lazy snowflakes drifted in the still evening air, settled on her scales and reminded her of that time, years before when she had come to this white marble edifice hidden away within the wooded peaks of Zenith. It had been the beginning of a bad month, she remembered. She had heard the first gibbering scream almost as soon as she crossed the threshold of the spire. When the stars moved in certain ways, they caused difficult days and the spire felt so very cramped.		Lazy snowflakes drifted in the still evening air, settled on her scales and reminded her of that time, years before, when she had come to this white marble edifice hidden away within the wooded peaks of Zenith. It had been the beginning of a bad month, she remembered. She had heard the first gibbering scream almost as soon as she crossed the threshold of the spire. When the stars moved in certain ways, they caused difficult days and the spire felt so very cramped.

	The atmosphere ebbed and flowed of course. More effort had been made to give the patients more space from each other; even those who weren't Urizeni appeared to appreciate that. Expanding the spire had been costly and difficult, but there had been plenty of people prepared to donate time, money, and materials. Anything to ensure they did not have to deal with the broken magicians. Each patient now had their own lodgings and could where necessary be treated separately from their peers. She had also insisted that extra attention be paid to the acoustics, to try and stop the patients from having to endure each ~~others~~ cries when the wanderer was particularly immanent. She knew the other naga, both among the staff and the patients, especially appreciated that.		The atmosphere ebbed and flowed of course. More effort had been made to give the patients more space from each other; even those who weren't Urizeni appeared to appreciate that. Expanding the spire had been costly and difficult, but there had been plenty of people prepared to donate time, money, and materials. Anything to ensure they did not have to deal with the broken magicians. Each patient now had their own lodgings and could where necessary be treated separately from their peers. She had also insisted that extra attention be paid to the acoustics, to try and stop the patients from having to endure each other's cries when the wanderer was particularly immanent. She knew the other naga, both among the staff and the patients, especially appreciated that.

	The snow began to become heavier. She back stepped inside, her Naga eyes adjusting quickly to the interior gloom. The office was neat but comfortable, restful pastel shades and beautiful dark woods. Everything was as it should be. ~~her~~ eyes rested on a pile of decrypted heliopticon messages on her desk and she frowned slightly. They had not been there when she stepped out. She suppressed a pang of irritation at the idea that someone had been in her sanctum without her knowing.		The snow began to become heavier. She back stepped inside, her Naga eyes adjusting quickly to the interior gloom. The office was neat but comfortable, restful pastel shades and beautiful dark woods. Everything was as it should be. Her eyes rested on a pile of decrypted heliopticon messages on her desk and she frowned slightly. They had not been there when she stepped out. She suppressed a pang of irritation at the idea that someone had been in her sanctum without her knowing.

	She sat down to read the latest message come down from the tower, mildly irritated by the fussy, precise, angular handwriting of her secretary. How many years looking at that same, passionless scrawl? Her eyes wandered. She sighed in the heavy silence. She tried to force herself to concentrate on the tedious message.		She sat down to read the latest message come down from the tower, mildly irritated by the fussy, precise, angular handwriting of her secretary. How many years looking at that same, passionless scrawl? Her eyes wandered. She sighed in the heavy silence. She tried to force herself to concentrate on the tedious message.
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	“While our researches have proved promising, two of our scholars have unfortunately suffered an unfortunate accident. Our own physicks are at a loss, but believe they would benefit greatly from the expertise offered by you and your ''sodales''. As such we have secured suitable guides and dispatched them to your spire. We entrust them with your care. They should arrive tomorrow if their journey has not been interrupted."		“While our researches have proved promising, two of our scholars have unfortunately suffered an unfortunate accident. Our own physicks are at a loss, but believe they would benefit greatly from the expertise offered by you and your ''sodales''. As such we have secured suitable guides and dispatched them to your spire. We entrust them with your care. They should arrive tomorrow if their journey has not been interrupted."

	She almost growled, throwing the letter onto a pile of similar correspondence. The arbiter had obviously waited until the very last moment to send the heliopticon message - ensuring there was no ~~change~~ that she could try and dissuade them from sending her more patients. Two from Ankra last week, three from Caeli the week before, now another two from Peregro. Where were they all coming from? Had the mages of Urizen suddenly stopped to care about arete? She noted that the nature of the "accident" was unclear but assumed it was unsupervised astronomantic experimentation. As usual.		She almost growled, throwing the letter onto a pile of similar correspondence. The arbiter had obviously waited until the very last moment to send the heliopticon message - ensuring there was no chance that she could try and dissuade them from sending her more patients. Two from Ankra last week, three from Caeli the week before, now another two from Peregro. Where were they all coming from? Had the mages of Urizen suddenly stopped to care about arete? She noted that the nature of the "accident" was unclear but assumed it was unsupervised astronomantic experimentation. As usual.

	There was a quiet knock, and the door to her sanctum opened. Her secretary stood primly in the door. He had another neatly folded heliopticon message in his webbed hand. He waited for her to indicate he should enter, and glided across the soft carpeted floor to her desk.		There was a quiet knock, and the door to her sanctum opened. Her secretary stood primly in the door. He had another neatly folded heliopticon message in his webbed hand. He waited for her to indicate he should enter, and glided across the soft carpeted floor to her desk.

	"Another admission." He said. ~~his~~ voice was quiet, a little breathy. It irritated Papiria.		"Another admission." He said. His voice was quiet, a little breathy. It irritated Papiria.

	“We're just not prepared for this! Why is this all happening at once - I've run this institute for years and we've never had a problem like this, not even during the Grand Conjunction. Someone is doing this to make me look bad. Just how do they expect us to cope with these numbers? We are not a bottomless chasm into which they can throw so many people!”		“We're just not prepared for this! Why is this all happening at once - I've run this institute for years and we've never had a problem like this, not even during the Grand Conjunction. Someone is doing this to make me look bad. Just how do they expect us to cope with these numbers? We are not a bottomless chasm into which they can throw so many people!”
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	Staring out into the early night, she centred herself, regaining her poise with effort.		Staring out into the early night, she centred herself, regaining her poise with effort.

	“So two more arriving tomorrow, and another ... a day after? Two? We will need to double someone up until we can work out something more permanent. They will need assessed, and we will need to find someone compatible for each of them. I want Sentinels stationed on the open wards, just to be on the safe side. If we must use restraints, we must use restraints. Have von Holberg and Tivia started eating yet?"		“So two more arriving tomorrow, and another ... a day after? Two? We will need to double someone up until we can work out something more permanent. They will need to be assessed, and we will need to find someone compatible for each of them. I want Sentinels stationed on the open wards, just to be on the safe side. If we must use restraints, we must use restraints. Have von Holberg and Tivia started eating yet?"

	She looked back at him and he shook his head.		She looked back at him and he shook his head.

	"No, and now Issi has stopped eating as well. The connection is obvious. All three damaged by tulpa of the Phoenix. There is a message on your desk about the observations of the constellation."		"No, and now Issi has stopped eating as well. The connection is obvious. All three damaged by a tulpa of the Phoenix. There is a message on your desk about the observations of the constellation."

	There was no open disapproval in his voice, but she could hear it anyway. "''If you had read your messages,''" it seemed to say "''you would know this.''"		There was no open disapproval in his voice, but she could hear it anyway. "''If you had read your messages,''" it seemed to say "''you would know this.''"
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Something is a little awry in the night sky over the Empire. Most obvious is that there is something happening in the [[astronomancy\|astronomantic]] constellation of [[the Phoenix]]. While it is one of the most easily recognisable arrangements of stars in the night sky, scholars all across the Empire have reported a growing uncertainty as to precisely which stars make up its form, and whether there are nine, ten, or eleven of them. When actually looking at it, the answer is clear ... but the more time elapses from actually seeing it, the more they begin to doubt. This phenomenon has not been encountered before. A few letters have been sent to noted astronomancers in other nations to see if this is a ~~wide-spread~~ situation or something peculiar to the Empire, but no reliable responses have yet been received.		Something is a little awry in the night sky over the Empire. Most obvious is that there is something happening in the [[astronomancy\|astronomantic]] constellation of [[the Phoenix]]. While it is one of the most easily recognisable arrangements of stars in the night sky, scholars all across the Empire have reported a growing uncertainty as to precisely which stars make up its form, and whether there are nine, ten, or eleven of them. When actually looking at it, the answer is clear ... but the more time elapses from actually seeing it, the more they begin to doubt. This phenomenon has not been encountered before. A few letters have been sent to noted astronomancers in other nations to see if this is a widespread situation or something peculiar to the Empire, but no reliable responses have yet been received.

	At the same time, astronomancers from several observatories in [[Urizen]], [[Varushka]], and [[the Brass Coast]] have reported seeing a new star in the sky. It is too small to be seen with the naked eye - a tiny speck of light that seems to follow the Wanderer on its whimsical peregrinations across the heavens. There is a great deal of disagreement over what to call it - suggestions include "the Pilgrim", "the Traveller", and "the little bit of grit on the lens". Despite initial scepticism, it certainly appears to be there although what it portends (if anything) is difficult to say.		At the same time, astronomancers from several observatories in [[Urizen]], [[Varushka]], and [[the Brass Coast]] have reported seeing a new star in the sky. It is too small to be seen with the naked eye - a tiny speck of light that seems to follow the Wanderer on its whimsical peregrinations across the heavens. There is a great deal of disagreement over what to call it - suggestions include "the Pilgrim", "the Traveller", and "the little bit of grit on the lens". Despite initial scepticism, it certainly appears to be there although what it portends (if anything) is difficult to say.
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	==Significance==		==Significance==
	===The Phoenix===		===The Phoenix===
	The constellation of the Phoenix appears almost to be waning. It is becoming increasingly difficult to use the Phoenix in [[rituals\|ritual magic]] - while it still performs its function, ~~ans~~ the law "''things learn''" is still powerful and apparent, it requires a little extra effort to evoke the power of this constellation. Anyone who feels a strong attachment to, or identification with, this constellation will find themselves prone to periods of listlessness and uncharacteristic introspection. How you wish to [[roleplaying effects\|roleplay]] these elements is entirely up to you.		The constellation of the Phoenix appears almost to be waning. It is becoming increasingly difficult to use the Phoenix in [[rituals\|ritual magic]] - while it still performs its function, and the law "''things learn''" is still powerful and apparent, it requires a little extra effort to evoke the power of this constellation. Anyone who feels a strong attachment to, or identification with, this constellation will find themselves prone to periods of listlessness and uncharacteristic introspection. How you wish to [[roleplaying effects\|roleplay]] these elements is entirely up to you.

	===The New Star===		===The New Star===
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	The new star is tiny, and the telescopes the Empire has brought to bear on it are unable to make out much more than its presence. They cannot even be sure that it is red - its proximity to the Wanderer may simply mean that perceptions are being tinged by the light of that crimson eye. As with all other stars, the new star is outside the reach of mortal magic - it cannot be scried upon, and it cannot be directly affected with known ritual magic.		The new star is tiny, and the telescopes the Empire has brought to bear on it are unable to make out much more than its presence. They cannot even be sure that it is red - its proximity to the Wanderer may simply mean that perceptions are being tinged by the light of that crimson eye. As with all other stars, the new star is outside the reach of mortal magic - it cannot be scried upon, and it cannot be directly affected with known ritual magic.

	A group of respected scholars from the ''Observatory of the Blazing Mirror'' in [[Zenith#Iteri\|Iteri]], however, are confident that they could construct a device to allow them to get a closer look at the star. While the observatory is an Urizen spire, it has good relations with astronomancers and starwatchers in several parts of the Empire; their artisans are confident that if the Conclave were to provide them with 75 weltsilver and 10 crowns they would be able to complete the device by the Spring Equinox. ~~provided~~ the materials are available, a [[Declaration#Declaration of Endowment\|Declaration of Endowment]] could be used in the Conclave to instruct the civil service to transfer the materials to the spire. Alternatively, an individual might use a method such as [[Call Winged Messenger\|Call Winged Messenger]] to send the materials directly to ''Arbiter Horace, Observatory of the Blazing Mirror, Iteri, Zenith.'' Arbiter Horace also indicated that an emissary or delegation from the observatory will be visiting Anvil, assuming they are able to find a suitable volunteer among their ranks.		A group of respected scholars from the ''Observatory of the Blazing Mirror'' in [[Zenith#Iteri\|Iteri]], however, are confident that they could construct a device to allow them to get a closer look at the star. While the observatory is an Urizen spire, it has good relations with astronomancers and starwatchers in several parts of the Empire; their artisans are confident that if the Conclave were to provide them with 75 weltsilver and 10 crowns they would be able to complete the device by the Spring Equinox. Provided the materials are available, a [[Declaration#Declaration of Endowment\|Declaration of Endowment]] could be used in the Conclave to instruct the civil service to transfer the materials to the spire. Alternatively, an individual might use a method such as [[Call Winged Messenger\|Call Winged Messenger]] to send the materials directly to ''Arbiter Horace, Observatory of the Blazing Mirror, Iteri, Zenith.'' Arbiter Horace also indicated that an emissary or delegation from the observatory will be visiting Anvil, assuming they are able to find a suitable volunteer among their ranks.

	Needless to say the benefactor who supplies the materials, either directly or by raising a declaration, is certain to be added to the guest list for the grand unveiling. If they are successful, their intention is to invite the [[archmage\|archmages]], the [[Grandmaster\|grandmasters]], and several other guests to a grand unveiling during the Equinox. They are confident that an event of such fateful magnitude will guarantee a [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions\|conjunction]] on the [[Sentinel Gate]] - after all, is that potent device not crowned with an image of the Wanderer?		Needless to say the benefactor who supplies the materials, either directly or by raising a declaration, is certain to be added to the guest list for the grand unveiling. If they are successful, their intention is to invite the [[archmage\|archmages]], the [[Grandmaster\|grandmasters]], and several other guests to a grand unveiling during the Equinox. They are confident that an event of such fateful magnitude will guarantee a [[Sentinel_Gate#Conjunctions\|conjunction]] on the [[Sentinel Gate]] - after all, is that potent device not crowned with an image of the Wanderer?