Satraps of the Abyss - Revision history

Hailmur: /* Wisdom of the Conclave */

2026-07-04T21:59:14Z

Wisdom of the Conclave

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 4 July 2026
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	* '''During the Summer Solstice the Conclave can send a single order to support the appraisal		* '''During the Summer Solstice the Conclave can send a single order to support the appraisal
	* '''This will end the order's involvement in any other project		* '''This will end the order's involvement in any other project
	* '''The order will be engaged until the start of the Winter Solstice ~~383YE~~		* '''The order will be engaged until the start of the Winter Solstice 388YE
	* '''The order chosen will contribute to the outcome of the appraisal depending on its nature		* '''The order chosen will contribute to the outcome of the appraisal depending on its nature
	As discussed in the [[Forging_links#Joining_Virtue_and_Magic\|original proposal]], the Sumaash are happy to host a delegation from a single [[Conclave order]] to support Lisane. Her initial report is dense, full of information about the situation in Sumaah, partly because she believes this will help the Conclave to determine which order would be best suited to make the long journey to the southern shores of the [[The_seven_seas#Sea_of_Salt\|Sea of Salt]].		As discussed in the [[Forging_links#Joining_Virtue_and_Magic\|original proposal]], the Sumaash are happy to host a delegation from a single [[Conclave order]] to support Lisane. Her initial report is dense, full of information about the situation in Sumaah, partly because she believes this will help the Conclave to determine which order would be best suited to make the long journey to the southern shores of the [[The_seven_seas#Sea_of_Salt\|Sea of Salt]].
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	Regardless of which order is chosen - if any - the trip represents a rare opportunity to gain access to the magicians of the Sumaah Republic. It is not likely to be one that gets repeated any time soon.		Regardless of which order is chosen - if any - the trip represents a rare opportunity to gain access to the magicians of the Sumaah Republic. It is not likely to be one that gets repeated any time soon.
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Accalon5901.jpg\|\|caption=Accalon of Felix's Watch, Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic\|align=right\|width=350}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Accalon5901.jpg\|\|caption=Accalon of Felix's Watch, Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic\|align=right\|width=350}}

	==Virtue and Magic==		==Virtue and Magic==
	* '''The first part of Lisane's preliminary report provides a general overview of attitudes to magic and eternals		* '''The first part of Lisane's preliminary report provides a general overview of attitudes to magic and eternals

Responsible1: /* Of Summer */

2026-07-04T15:34:31Z

Of Summer

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:34, 4 July 2026
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	* '''Cathan Canae, Rhianos and Adamant are tolerated		* '''Cathan Canae, Rhianos and Adamant are tolerated
	* '''All the other Summer eternals are anathema		* '''All the other Summer eternals are anathema
	Of the eternals of the Summer realm, [[Adamant\|Stone Dragon]], [[Rhianos\|Ninth Wave]], and [[Cathan Canae\|Thunder ~~Drake~~]] are tolerated. Stone Dragon provides useful boons and rarely wants anything unvirtuous in exchange. It's still illegal to accept his aid to build buildings dedicated to virtue however - any temple or shrine must be shaped by human hands alone.		Of the eternals of the Summer realm, [[Adamant\|Stone Dragon]], [[Rhianos\|Ninth Wave]], and [[Cathan Canae\|Thunder Lizard]] are tolerated. Stone Dragon provides useful boons and rarely wants anything unvirtuous in exchange. It's still illegal to accept his aid to build buildings dedicated to virtue however - any temple or shrine must be shaped by human hands alone.

	Ninth Wave is also tolerated, but remains controversial with interactions carefully monitored to ensure that folk are not being lead astray by unvirtuous endeavour. It is clear that the eternal desires mortals to embrace peril for the excitement it brings - such motivation is dubious at best and the endeavours themselves are frequently desperately irresponsible in nature. However moments of great Virtue often occur while engaged on such exploits and so the eternal is tolerated. Even so they are primarily dealt with by ''Frieøyer'' magicians rather than by the Republic as a whole.		Ninth Wave is also tolerated, but remains controversial with interactions carefully monitored to ensure that folk are not being lead astray by unvirtuous endeavour. It is clear that the eternal desires mortals to embrace peril for the excitement it brings - such motivation is dubious at best and the endeavours themselves are frequently desperately irresponsible in nature. However moments of great Virtue often occur while engaged on such exploits and so the eternal is tolerated. Even so they are primarily dealt with by ''Frieøyer'' magicians rather than by the Republic as a whole.

Rafferty: /* Of Night */

2026-07-04T15:32:27Z

Of Night

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:32, 4 July 2026
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	* '''An unfamiliar eternal named Deep Drummer is tolerated		* '''An unfamiliar eternal named Deep Drummer is tolerated
	* '''Janon, Sadogua, Azoth, and the Whisper Gallery are anathema		* '''Janon, Sadogua, Azoth, and the Whisper Gallery are anathema
			* '''Azoth appears unknown in the Republic'''
	''[[Sung\|Moon Moth]]'' is idly tolerated. She is depicted as a huge rainbow-winged moth who encourages mortals to pursue the great mysteries of the world and the spirit, without claiming to be an authority on either. This includes the mysteries of virtue and the Labyrinth, and apparently she has offered boons relating to both the cultivation of [[iridescent gloaming]] and the creation of [[potion\|potions]] that help pursue spiritual matters. Lisane notes with interest that the Sumaah apparently believe that ''all'' moths are agents of Moon Moth, and that the reason they are never seen during the day is that they pass into the Night realm when the sun rises. This belief, and the toleration of Sung, apparently dates back to a time long before the foundation of the Republic.		''[[Sung\|Moon Moth]]'' is idly tolerated. She is depicted as a huge rainbow-winged moth who encourages mortals to pursue the great mysteries of the world and the spirit, without claiming to be an authority on either. This includes the mysteries of virtue and the Labyrinth, and apparently she has offered boons relating to both the cultivation of [[iridescent gloaming]] and the creation of [[potion\|potions]] that help pursue spiritual matters. Lisane notes with interest that the Sumaah apparently believe that ''all'' moths are agents of Moon Moth, and that the reason they are never seen during the day is that they pass into the Night realm when the sun rises. This belief, and the toleration of Sung, apparently dates back to a time long before the foundation of the Republic.

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	[[Janon\|Whirling Chaos]], as has already been mentioned, is anathema. A dangerously unpredictable entity that appears on the surface to encourage Virtue but is actually a creature of anarchy who does not care what people feel as long as they allow their passions to consume them utterly. The [[Whisper Gallery\|Screaming Monkey Kings]] are also anathema, not least because they cannot be trusted in any way not to support the Asavean Archipelago at every turn. Lisane mentions that Chikkal, Assessor of the High House of Vigilance, seems to take the existence of the Screaming Monkey Kings as a personal affront and that this attitude is by no means uncommon in the Republic.		[[Janon\|Whirling Chaos]], as has already been mentioned, is anathema. A dangerously unpredictable entity that appears on the surface to encourage Virtue but is actually a creature of anarchy who does not care what people feel as long as they allow their passions to consume them utterly. The [[Whisper Gallery\|Screaming Monkey Kings]] are also anathema, not least because they cannot be trusted in any way not to support the Asavean Archipelago at every turn. Lisane mentions that Chikkal, Assessor of the High House of Vigilance, seems to take the existence of the Screaming Monkey Kings as a personal affront and that this attitude is by no means uncommon in the Republic.

			The Sumaah do not seem to be familiar with the eternal [[Azoth]], and on learning more about them, Chikkal suggests there will be little interest in changing that situation.

	==Design Note==		==Design Note==

Twiggy at 15:25, 4 July 2026

2026-07-04T15:25:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 4 July 2026
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	* '''Estavus and Ephisis are tolerated		* '''Estavus and Ephisis are tolerated
	* '''Polyptoton is not entirely familiar to the Empire and is tolerated		* '''Polyptoton is not entirely familiar to the Empire and is tolerated
	* '''Prospero, Callidus, ~~Basilea~~, and the Lictors are anathema		* '''Prospero, Callidus, Basileia, and the Lictors are anathema
	* '''The Satrapy of Discord appear to be part of an unfamiliar city of the Autumn realm that is anathema		* '''The Satrapy of Discord appear to be part of an unfamiliar city of the Autumn realm that is anathema
	One of the more popular eternals among Sumaah magicians is [[Estavus\|Fire Mountain]], also known as ''the Anvil of Thunder and Granite''. The Republic is not rich in ore, and a common bargain between Sumaash and Fire Mountain involves the trade of [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|natural materials]] for [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|valuable metals]]. From the point of view of the Sumaah, the prices demanded by the Anvil of Thunder and Granite for its aid tend to be straightforward, and deeply transactional, in a way that does not threaten virtue. Even so, it is much more common to deal with Fire Mountain to secure raw materials than worked goods, however. There is a fairly common belief that purchasing worked goods from Fire Mountain deprives a mortal human of their industry and Prosperity.		One of the more popular eternals among Sumaah magicians is [[Estavus\|Fire Mountain]], also known as ''the Anvil of Thunder and Granite''. The Republic is not rich in ore, and a common bargain between Sumaash and Fire Mountain involves the trade of [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|natural materials]] for [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|valuable metals]]. From the point of view of the Sumaah, the prices demanded by the Anvil of Thunder and Granite for its aid tend to be straightforward, and deeply transactional, in a way that does not threaten virtue. Even so, it is much more common to deal with Fire Mountain to secure raw materials than worked goods, however. There is a fairly common belief that purchasing worked goods from Fire Mountain deprives a mortal human of their industry and Prosperity.

Rafferty: /* Of Night */

2026-07-04T15:17:23Z

Of Night

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:17, 4 July 2026
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	''[[Lashonar\|Chattering Bird]]'' is tolerated, but only just. As with the ''Great Turtle'', it provides useful abilities for the Sumaah to communicate with others that they cannot achieve themselves - access to the [[Lashonar#Caucus_Forum\|Caucus Forum]] is considered a valuable resource. Whenever it attempts to have an opinion on politics the virtuous quickly shut it and its followers down. One interesting proscription Lisane notes is that it is illegal to accept boons from Chattering Bird related to preaching the Way in the same vein in which it is illegal to accept the aid of Stone Dragon to build places of virtue.		''[[Lashonar\|Chattering Bird]]'' is tolerated, but only just. As with the ''Great Turtle'', it provides useful abilities for the Sumaah to communicate with others that they cannot achieve themselves - access to the [[Lashonar#Caucus_Forum\|Caucus Forum]] is considered a valuable resource. Whenever it attempts to have an opinion on politics the virtuous quickly shut it and its followers down. One interesting proscription Lisane notes is that it is illegal to accept boons from Chattering Bird related to preaching the Way in the same vein in which it is illegal to accept the aid of Stone Dragon to build places of virtue.
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Rainbow Moth.jpg\|caption="Moon Moth" is the most common Sumaah Republic name for the eternal the Empire knows as Sung; rather than a feathered serpent they depict her as an insect with beautiful iridescent wings.\|align=right\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Rainbow Moth.jpg\|caption="Moon Moth" is the most common Sumaah Republic name for the eternal the Empire knows as Sung; rather than a feathered serpent they depict her as an insect with beautiful iridescent wings.\|align=right\|width=400}}</div>
	There is another eternal tolerated by the Sumaah that at first is mistaken for [[Janon]]. The ''Deep Drummer'' is a creature that appears to represent mystical ideas of catharsis, the channelling strong emotions, and celebration of victories and achievements. It is popular not only with Sumaah warriors, but also with artists as it encourages them to both express and inspire strong feelings through their art. The High House of Vigilance has clashed with the High Houses of Courage and Pride in the past around the toleration of Deep Drummer, who are concerned that the eternals enthusiasm for celebration can lead the virtuous astray. The Sumaah apparently view "Deep Drummer as the sibling or spouse of ''Whirling Chaos'', claiming the former is a creature of balance where the latter is a creature of discord.		There is another eternal tolerated by the Sumaah that at first is mistaken for [[Janon]]. The ''Deep Drummer'' is a creature that appears to represent mystical ideas of catharsis, the channelling strong emotions, and celebration of victories and achievements. It is popular not only with Sumaah warriors, but also with artists as it encourages them to both express and inspire strong feelings through their art. The High House of Vigilance has clashed with the High Houses of Courage and Pride in the past around the toleration of Deep Drummer, who are concerned that the eternals enthusiasm for celebration can lead the virtuous astray. The Sumaah apparently view Deep Drummer as the sibling or spouse of ''Whirling Chaos'', claiming the former is a creature of balance where the latter is a creature of discord.

	The rest of the Night realm is anathema in Sumaah. [[Sadogua\|Seducer]], the ''Satrap of Bats'', is famously despised in the Sumaah Republic. He shamelessly encourages magicians to put their own selfish concerns above virtue, and regularly opined that the assemblies should "butt out" of magicians' affairs. He was also involved in early attempts to form a magical fraternity similar on paper to the Imperial Conclave, that was roundly rejected on grounds of being a terrible idea two hundred years ago. The eternal itself is one of those that still seeks to deal with Sumaash magicians, and its influence is actively resisted by the hunters of idolators.		The rest of the Night realm is anathema in Sumaah. [[Sadogua\|Seducer]], the ''Satrap of Bats'', is famously despised in the Sumaah Republic. He shamelessly encourages magicians to put their own selfish concerns above virtue, and regularly opined that the assemblies should "butt out" of magicians' affairs. He was also involved in early attempts to form a magical fraternity similar on paper to the Imperial Conclave, that was roundly rejected on grounds of being a terrible idea two hundred years ago. The eternal itself is one of those that still seeks to deal with Sumaash magicians, and its influence is actively resisted by the hunters of idolators.

Rafferty: /* Of Winter */

2026-07-04T15:16:28Z

Of Winter

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 4 July 2026
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	<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;">[[File:WinterRune.jpg\|267px]]</div>		<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;">[[File:WinterRune.jpg\|267px]]</div>
	* '''Wise Rangara is tolerated		* '''Wise Rangara is tolerated
	* '''An unfamiliar ~~eternals~~ named Pale Jaguar is tolerated		* '''An unfamiliar eternal named Pale Jaguar is tolerated
	* '''Agramant, the Thrice-cursed Court, Sorin, and Kaela are anathema		* '''Agramant, the Thrice-cursed Court, Sorin, and Kaela are anathema
	* '''Khobel Tavah appears to be unknown in the Republic		* '''Khobel Tavah appears to be unknown in the Republic

Rafferty: /* Of Autumn */

2026-07-04T15:16:17Z

Of Autumn

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 4 July 2026
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	* '''Polyptoton is not entirely familiar to the Empire and is tolerated		* '''Polyptoton is not entirely familiar to the Empire and is tolerated
	* '''Prospero, Callidus, Basilea, and the Lictors are anathema		* '''Prospero, Callidus, Basilea, and the Lictors are anathema
	* '''The Satrapy of Discord appear to be part of an unfamiliar city of the Autumn realm ~~who~~ is anathema		* '''The Satrapy of Discord appear to be part of an unfamiliar city of the Autumn realm that is anathema
	One of the more popular eternals among Sumaah magicians is [[Estavus\|Fire Mountain]], also known as ''the Anvil of Thunder and Granite''. The Republic is not rich in ore, and a common bargain between Sumaash and Fire Mountain involves the trade of [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|natural materials]] for [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|valuable metals]]. From the point of view of the Sumaah, the prices demanded by the Anvil of Thunder and Granite for its aid tend to be straightforward, and deeply transactional, in a way that does not threaten virtue. Even so, it is much more common to deal with Fire Mountain to secure raw materials than worked goods, however. There is a fairly common belief that purchasing worked goods from Fire Mountain deprives a mortal human of their industry and Prosperity.		One of the more popular eternals among Sumaah magicians is [[Estavus\|Fire Mountain]], also known as ''the Anvil of Thunder and Granite''. The Republic is not rich in ore, and a common bargain between Sumaash and Fire Mountain involves the trade of [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|natural materials]] for [[Materials#Natural_Materials\|valuable metals]]. From the point of view of the Sumaah, the prices demanded by the Anvil of Thunder and Granite for its aid tend to be straightforward, and deeply transactional, in a way that does not threaten virtue. Even so, it is much more common to deal with Fire Mountain to secure raw materials than worked goods, however. There is a fairly common belief that purchasing worked goods from Fire Mountain deprives a mortal human of their industry and Prosperity.

Rafferty: /* Overview */

2026-07-04T15:15:41Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:15, 4 July 2026
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	<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Black Panther.jpg\|align=left\|caption=The unfamiliar spirits of the deep jungle are equally dangerous and enticing to Imperial scholars.\|width=500}}</div>		<div style="float:left; width: 500px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Black Panther.jpg\|align=left\|caption=The unfamiliar spirits of the deep jungle are equally dangerous and enticing to Imperial scholars.\|width=500}}</div>
	==Overview==		==Overview==
	At the Spring Equinox, the Senate took advantage of an opportunity brokered by the [[Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic]], '''Accalon of Felix's Watch''', regarding magical cooperation between the Empire and the [[Sumaah Republic\|Sumaash]]. The [[Senate]] elected to send the freshly-appointed prognosticator ''[[Appraisal#Lisane de Terresford\|Lisane de Terresford]]'' on the task, to ''appraise how the High Houses of Virtue and the Imperial Conclave can find ways to co-operate in interactions with [[eternal\|eternals]]''.		At the Spring Equinox, the Senate took advantage of an opportunity brokered by the [[Ambassador to the Sumaah Republic]], '''Accalon of Felix's Watch''', regarding magical cooperation between the Empire and the [[Sumaah Republic\|Sumaash]]. The [[Senate]] elected to send the freshly-appointed prognosticator ''[[Appraisal#Lisane de Terresford\|Lisane de Terresford]]'' on the task, to "''appraise how the High Houses of Virtue and the Imperial Conclave can find ways to co-operate in interactions with [[eternal\|eternals]]''".

	The former [[Dawn\|Dawnish]] [[earl]] took passage to the Sumaah Republic immediately after the Spring Equinox, and made the crossing safely. She and her small staff have been granted apartments in [[Sumaah_Republic#Timoj\|Timoj]], the capital city of the Republic, as guests of the High Houses of [[Wisdom]] and [[Vigilance]]. Lisane is expected to remain in Timoj for the next several seasons, and will not be available to undertake other appraisals until she returns to the Empire. As the Summer Solstice approaches, however, a preliminary report has already reached ''Gerard La Salle''.		The former [[Dawn\|Dawnish]] [[earl]] took passage to the Sumaah Republic immediately after the Spring Equinox, and made the crossing safely. She and her small staff have been granted apartments in [[Sumaah_Republic#Timoj\|Timoj]], the capital city of the Republic, as guests of the High Houses of [[Wisdom]] and [[Vigilance]]. Lisane is expected to remain in Timoj for the next several seasons, and will not be available to undertake other appraisals until she returns to the Empire. As the Summer Solstice approaches, however, a preliminary report has already reached ''Gerard La Salle''.

Dre at 15:08, 4 July 2026

2026-07-04T15:08:31Z

Show changes

Thespaceinvader: /* Of Winter */

2026-07-04T15:03:49Z

Of Winter

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:03, 4 July 2026
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	* '''An unfamiliar eternals named Pale Jaguar is tolerated		* '''An unfamiliar eternals named Pale Jaguar is tolerated
	* '''Agramant, the Thrice-cursed Court, Sorin, and Kaela are anathema		* '''Agramant, the Thrice-cursed Court, Sorin, and Kaela are anathema
	* '''~~Kobal~~ Tavah appears to be unknown in the Republic		* '''Khobel Tavah appears to be unknown in the Republic
	Only two Winter eternals are tolerated among the Sumaah. [[Wise Rangara\|White Eye Serpent]] is a black-scaled creature associated with "wisdom" that is one of the oldest spirits known to the Republic. It isn't wisdom as the virtuous understand it, but more the importance of learning difficult lessons, questioning assumptions, and cleaving to tradition. It's a font of herbal lore, and has ways of bringing out human insight that can prove invaluable. One reason it is tolerated is that it rarely if ever seeks to provide answers, but will offer aid to nudge someone along the path towards understanding a situation through their own efforts.		Only two Winter eternals are tolerated among the Sumaah. [[Wise Rangara\|White Eye Serpent]] is a black-scaled creature associated with "wisdom" that is one of the oldest spirits known to the Republic. It isn't wisdom as the virtuous understand it, but more the importance of learning difficult lessons, questioning assumptions, and cleaving to tradition. It's a font of herbal lore, and has ways of bringing out human insight that can prove invaluable. One reason it is tolerated is that it rarely if ever seeks to provide answers, but will offer aid to nudge someone along the path towards understanding a situation through their own efforts.