Shadowed boughs of twilight - Revision history

Hailmur: /* Shadow Garden */

2026-09-26T23:42:22Z

Shadow Garden

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:42, 26 September 2026
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	As the enchantment takes root, it becomes apparent that it is not the only thing blooming in Ossium during the late Summer and early Autumn. Travellers in Drownbark Forest, Echofell, and [[Ossium#Nearweald\|Nearweald]] report multiple encounters with the vampiric ''dubik''. They appear in wooded areas in small numbers, and there are sightings of more of them lurking along the edges of less-travelled paths and the outskirts of isolated vales. A type of [[Varushkan_Monster#Wolves\|wolf]], they take the form of animate plant-like creatures that thirst for human blood. They have an ability to mimic human speech, and seek to draw unwary travellers off the road so they may feast. The enchantment plays right into their hands. While they are not appearing in sufficient numbers to try and overwhelm a vale, there are still enough of them to make people nervous. Unsubstantiated reports say they may also be gathering in Bonewood and Webwood as well.		As the enchantment takes root, it becomes apparent that it is not the only thing blooming in Ossium during the late Summer and early Autumn. Travellers in Drownbark Forest, Echofell, and [[Ossium#Nearweald\|Nearweald]] report multiple encounters with the vampiric ''dubik''. They appear in wooded areas in small numbers, and there are sightings of more of them lurking along the edges of less-travelled paths and the outskirts of isolated vales. A type of [[Varushkan_Monster#Wolves\|wolf]], they take the form of animate plant-like creatures that thirst for human blood. They have an ability to mimic human speech, and seek to draw unwary travellers off the road so they may feast. The enchantment plays right into their hands. While they are not appearing in sufficient numbers to try and overwhelm a vale, there are still enough of them to make people nervous. Unsubstantiated reports say they may also be gathering in Bonewood and Webwood as well.

	The main threat they represent is to those who control [[forest]] resources in the territory. Whether composed of [[beggar's lye\|beggarwood]], harvested for [[ambergelt]], host to the beautiful winged [[iridescent gloaming\|butterflies]], or with roots dug deep into soil rich in [[dragonbone]] the enchantment seems to be drawing the dubik to them like bees to flowers. There have been a few incidents, and there are likely to be more as Winter draws closer and the nights get longer. Monsters are not a new threat for the people of Varushka, and wardens, sellswords, and questing-~~nights~~ aplenty to [[Venture#Protect_the_Vales_of_Varushka\|protect]] the more isolated forests but it will not be an easy winter.		The main threat they represent is to those who control [[forest]] resources in the territory. Whether composed of [[beggar's lye\|beggarwood]], harvested for [[ambergelt]], host to the beautiful winged [[iridescent gloaming\|butterflies]], or with roots dug deep into soil rich in [[dragonbone]] the enchantment seems to be drawing the dubik to them like bees to flowers. There have been a few incidents, and there are likely to be more as Winter draws closer and the nights get longer. Monsters are not a new threat for the people of Varushka, and wardens, sellswords, and questing-knights aplenty to [[Venture#Protect_the_Vales_of_Varushka\|protect]] the more isolated forests but it will not be an easy winter.

	Following the Autumn Equinox, every [[forest]] in [[Ossium]] (whether Varushkan or Navarr) will produce 2 fewer measures of base material due to the depredations of dubik. It is not all bad news; fighting off the dubik mean that every such forest will instead receive a ''blackblood thorn'' or a dose of ''bloodvine liquor''.		Following the Autumn Equinox, every [[forest]] in [[Ossium]] (whether Varushkan or Navarr) will produce 2 fewer measures of base material due to the depredations of dubik. It is not all bad news; fighting off the dubik mean that every such forest will instead receive a ''blackblood thorn'' or a dose of ''bloodvine liquor''.
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	* '''This would cause more disruption to the forest but provide more opportunity to harvest the dubik'''		* '''This would cause more disruption to the forest but provide more opportunity to harvest the dubik'''
	* '''If too many forests are enchanted in this way it would damage Kurstrozi's Lumbermill'''		* '''If too many forests are enchanted in this way it would damage Kurstrozi's Lumbermill'''
	Some forest owners may want to go further though. Any forest in Ossium enchanted with [[Verdant Bounty of the Twilight Bayou]] will be absolutely ~~irresistable~~ to the dubik in the territory. They will gather in numbers and attack the forest. Instead of the usual increase to production that the ritual applies, it will instead produce ''four'' fewer measures but receive ''five'' ''blackblood thorn'' or ''bloodvine liquor'' to its production. There is a potential side effect though - if more than half the forests currently in Ossium are enchanted in this way it will focus the dubik on those forests. Any forest that ''isn't'' enchanted with the ritual will not be attacked, receiving its usual production with neither losses nor increases.		Some forest owners may want to go further though. Any forest in Ossium enchanted with [[Verdant Bounty of the Twilight Bayou]] will be absolutely irresistible to the dubik in the territory. They will gather in numbers and attack the forest. Instead of the usual increase to production that the ritual applies, it will instead produce ''four'' fewer measures but receive ''five'' ''blackblood thorn'' or ''bloodvine liquor'' to its production. There is a potential side effect though - if more than half the forests currently in Ossium are enchanted in this way it will focus the dubik on those forests. Any forest that ''isn't'' enchanted with the ritual will not be attacked, receiving its usual production with neither losses nor increases.

	Unfortunately, focusing the dubik in the territory into areas of naturally high industry, will also result in damage to [[Ossium#Kurstrozi's_Lumbermill\|Kurstrozi's Lumbermill]], the [[great work]] that provides a significant boost to the production of Ossium's forests. Until the start of the Autumn Equinox 389YE the lumbermill will not provide any measures to forests - instead each one will receive either a ''blackblood thorn'' or some ''bloodvine liquor'' as they continue to experience problems with the dubik. Causing trouble for the Lumbermill could have other impacts as well - [[Come_together#Where_It_Comes\|there are plans to make use of the Lumbermill]] which could ''not'' be pursued while it was plagued with dubik.		Unfortunately, focusing the dubik in the territory into areas of naturally high industry, will also result in damage to [[Ossium#Kurstrozi's_Lumbermill\|Kurstrozi's Lumbermill]], the [[great work]] that provides a significant boost to the production of Ossium's forests. Until the start of the Autumn Equinox 389YE the lumbermill will not provide any measures to forests - instead each one will receive either a ''blackblood thorn'' or some ''bloodvine liquor'' as they continue to experience problems with the dubik. Causing trouble for the Lumbermill could have other impacts as well - [[Come_together#Where_It_Comes\|there are plans to make use of the Lumbermill]] which could ''not'' be pursued while it was plagued with dubik.

Hailmur: /* Great Serpent */

2026-09-21T15:12:51Z

Great Serpent

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:12, 21 September 2026
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	</table></div>		</table></div>
	* '''Azoth has an interest in the Palace of Orieb'''		* '''Azoth has an interest in the Palace of Orieb'''
	Heralds of the [[Azoth]] have also been seen in the territory, most notably slithering in and out of the [[Apothecary_of_Orieb#Palace_of_Orieb\|Palace of Orieb]]. The palace is known to contain peculiar arrangements that seem to be "[[Apothecary_of_Orieb#Shrines_at_Orieb\|shrines]]", intended to allow the Druj ghulai to secure [[vis]] from each of the six realms in return for what amount to sacrifices. Given recent [[synod]] concerns about [[idolatry]], it's not a surprise that the activity here has caused some concern. Not least from '''Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov'', the [[Apothecary of Orieb]] themselves apparently. At the moment only one of these "shrines" is active - and its patron is the ''Crucible'' itself, the [[Azoth]].		Heralds of the [[Azoth]] have also been seen in the territory, most notably slithering in and out of the [[Apothecary_of_Orieb#Palace_of_Orieb\|Palace of Orieb]]. The palace is known to contain peculiar arrangements that seem to be "[[Apothecary_of_Orieb#Shrines_at_Orieb\|shrines]]", intended to allow the Druj ghulai to secure [[vis]] from each of the six realms in return for what amount to sacrifices. Given recent [[synod]] concerns about [[idolatry]], it's not a surprise that the activity here has caused some concern. Not least from '''Konstantin Rabovich Bolotnikov''', the [[Apothecary of Orieb]] themselves apparently. At the moment only one of these "shrines" is active - and its patron is the ''Crucible'' itself, the [[Azoth]].

	As night magic settles over Ossium, heralds of Azoth pop up at the Palace of Orieb and are a little surprised that people are not happy to see them. Taking it in their stride, they quickly work out what the problem is and after seeking a little "inspiration through madness" (talking to their boss), they adjust the proposal they were going to make and come up with a completely new one.		As night magic settles over Ossium, heralds of Azoth pop up at the Palace of Orieb and are a little surprised that people are not happy to see them. Taking it in their stride, they quickly work out what the problem is and after seeking a little "inspiration through madness" (talking to their boss), they adjust the proposal they were going to make and come up with a completely new one.

Hailmur: /* Great Serpent */

2026-09-21T14:27:50Z

Great Serpent

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:27, 21 September 2026
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	===Great Serpent===		===Great Serpent===
	<div {{Float}}>		<div {{Float}}>
	<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: ~~LightBlue~~;">'''Cede the Palace of Orieb'''</tr>		<table class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"><tr><td style="background-color: #C994FF;">'''Cede the Palace of Orieb'''</tr>
	<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence\|Concedence]]</td></tr>		<tr><td>'''Commission Type:''' [[Powers_of_the_Imperial_Senate#Concedence\|Concedence]]</td></tr>
	<tr><td>'''Location:''' Drownbark Forest, Ossium</td></tr>		<tr><td>'''Location:''' Drownbark Forest, Ossium</td></tr>

Hailmur: /* Participation : Twisted Paths */

2026-09-18T14:35:25Z

Participation : Twisted Paths

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:35, 18 September 2026
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	The effects are particularly pronounced for people visiting the more out-of-the-way parts of the woodlands, such as those tending the [[Keeper_of_the_Bonehives#The_Bone_Hives\|Bone Hives]] or anyone who takes care of a [[forest]] resource given they are often off the beaten path.		The effects are particularly pronounced for people visiting the more out-of-the-way parts of the woodlands, such as those tending the [[Keeper_of_the_Bonehives#The_Bone_Hives\|Bone Hives]] or anyone who takes care of a [[forest]] resource given they are often off the beaten path.
	<div style="float:right; width: ~~275px~~; clear: right;">		<div style="float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;">
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Sung001b.JPG \|caption=Nothing can be said that can't be sung.\|align=right\|width=275}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Sung001b.JPG \|caption=Nothing can be said that can't be sung.\|align=right\|width=275}}
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Miroslav Dainovitch Temnavoda.jpg\|caption='''Miroslav Dainovitch Temnavoda''', Grieftender of the Forgotten\|align=right\|width=275}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Miroslav Dainovitch Temnavoda.jpg\|caption='''Miroslav Dainovitch Temnavoda''', Grieftender of the Forgotten\|align=right\|width=275}}

Kirkbride: /* Practice (Ossium) */

2026-09-09T23:32:25Z

Practice (Ossium)

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 9 September 2026
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	There have been several reports of a gang of cunning bandits making use of some strange tactics over the past season. Apparently, a few of them lie on the ground, pretending to be injured, whilst the others beg passersby for help. Then, when their targets are nearby with their guard down, the bandits strike. Gutting the nearest and causing chaos. They've not ''killed'' anyone... yet. But at one point this ploy is going to go wrong. They have stolen, and apparently spent, a lot of wealth over the last three months; mostly targeting the workers of the [[Vale of the Sunless Depths]]. The magistrates have asked the incumbent Custodian of the Sunless Depths, '''Arkady Morazovich''', to spring the trap and kill the bandits.		There have been several reports of a gang of cunning bandits making use of some strange tactics over the past season. Apparently, a few of them lie on the ground, pretending to be injured, whilst the others beg passersby for help. Then, when their targets are nearby with their guard down, the bandits strike. Gutting the nearest and causing chaos. They've not ''killed'' anyone... yet. But at one point this ploy is going to go wrong. They have stolen, and apparently spent, a lot of wealth over the last three months; mostly targeting the workers of the [[Vale of the Sunless Depths]]. The magistrates have asked the incumbent Custodian of the Sunless Depths, '''Arkady Morazovich''', to spring the trap and kill the bandits.

	If successful, the grateful workers will provide two wains of mithril ~~the~~ '''Arkady Morazovich''' after the Autumn Equinox.		If successful, the grateful workers will provide two wains of mithril to '''Arkady Morazovich''' after the Autumn Equinox.

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==

Kirkbride: /* The Place That Was Not (Conjunction) */

2026-09-09T23:30:48Z

The Place That Was Not (Conjunction)

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 There is no suggestion that the enchantment is in any way illegal, it's not a crime to annoy the Thule. The [[Conclave]] could choose to [[endorsement|endorse]] the casting of the enchantment, which would ensure that the coven involved was shielded from any legal consequences. If that happens, the Thule would instead demand that the Conclave itself make amends for their losses.
-==The Place That Was Not (Conjunction) ==
+==Conjunctions==
 * '''A band of Mirk Lizards are attempting to establish a camp in the Semmerlak'''
 * '''This skirmish is a [[Accessibility#Combat_Highly_Likely|combat highly likely]] encounter'''
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 </div>
 {{KaelaGift}}
 ==Further Reading==

Vsabo: /* The Place That Was Not (Conjunction) */

2026-09-09T14:28:24Z

The Place That Was Not (Conjunction)

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 9 September 2026
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	* '''''Romand Reinetova Remislav'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication\|responsible]] for killing the Mirk Lizards'''		* '''''Romand Reinetova Remislav'' is [[Sentinel_Gate#Prognostication\|responsible]] for killing the Mirk Lizards'''
	{{AgainstBarbarians}}		{{AgainstBarbarians}}
	It is the wettest night of the summer when a thing with the shape of a person slides out of the Semmerlak and makes itself known to a cabalist in Moresvah. Its fellow servants of [[Dho'uala\|Undertow]] have apparently been conversing with a band from the Mallum who have sailed up the ~~nameless river~~, across the Barren Sea, and now make their way upriver towards the Semmerlak. Later reports from the river patrols identify the band as Mirk Lizards, and that they have landed on an island in the Semmerlak and are preparing to establish a camp there.		It is the wettest night of the summer when a thing with the shape of a person slides out of the Semmerlak and makes itself known to a cabalist in Moresvah. Its fellow servants of [[Dho'uala\|Undertow]] have apparently been conversing with a band from the Mallum who have sailed up the Nameless River, across the Barren Sea, and now make their way upriver towards the Semmerlak. Later reports from the river patrols identify the band as Mirk Lizards, and that they have landed on an island in the Semmerlak and are preparing to establish a camp there.

	'''Romand Reinetova Remislav''', as the incumbent [[Watcher of the Semmerlak]], has been tasked with killing the Mirk Lizards before they can pose a threat to Imperial citizens. If unsuccessful, the Mirk Lizards will no doubt become a thorn in the side of those who make their homes on the shores of the Semmerlak.		'''Romand Reinetova Remislav''', as the incumbent [[Watcher of the Semmerlak]], has been tasked with killing the Mirk Lizards before they can pose a threat to Imperial citizens. If unsuccessful, the Mirk Lizards will no doubt become a thorn in the side of those who make their homes on the shores of the Semmerlak.

Vsabo: /* The Dark Power Problem */

2026-09-09T14:24:27Z

The Dark Power Problem

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 9 September 2026
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	Rituals that create territory-wide effects - enchantments and curses alike - always do certain things. They might also do additional things depending on the circumstances in the territory where they are cast, but the effects are unpredictable. There are [[Varushkan Monster\|monsters]] in Varushka, and while they are not an omnipresent threat by any means they are certainly not tamed. Any large-scale magic that targets a Varushkan territory will impact not only the Thule - who can at least be reasoned with - but also the wolves, sovereigns and other entities that lurk in those territories, who cannot.		Rituals that create territory-wide effects - enchantments and curses alike - always do certain things. They might also do additional things depending on the circumstances in the territory where they are cast, but the effects are unpredictable. There are [[Varushkan Monster\|monsters]] in Varushka, and while they are not an omnipresent threat by any means they are certainly not tamed. Any large-scale magic that targets a Varushkan territory will impact not only the Thule - who can at least be reasoned with - but also the wolves, sovereigns and other entities that lurk in those territories, who cannot.

	Imperial ~~Enchantments~~ by contrast are rarely focused enough to have a significant impact on the sovereigns of Varushka or their creatures. Yet even here there is a little bit of risk. An Imperial curse that made the dead walk for example could easily create significantly more problems in Varushka.		Imperial enchantments by contrast are rarely focused enough to have a significant impact on the sovereigns of Varushka or their creatures. Yet even here there is a little bit of risk. An Imperial curse that made the dead walk for example could easily create significantly more problems in Varushka.

	Before anyone asks, it isn't possible to make an arcane projection that targets a territory but circumvents this problem. The only way to avoid or mitigate the problem is to create the arcane projection ''carefully'' and give thought to what its effects, and especially roleplaying effects, might do to a monster.		Before anyone asks, it isn't possible to make an arcane projection that targets a territory but circumvents this problem. The only way to avoid or mitigate the problem is to create the arcane projection ''carefully'' and give thought to what its effects, and especially roleplaying effects, might do to a monster.

Vsabo: /* Stranger on the Road */

2026-09-09T14:21:06Z

Stranger on the Road

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:21, 9 September 2026
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	It is the only dark power of Varushka that can travel by the roads, but when it does so it is bound to harm none and present only a pleasing face. It cannot hurt anyone who travels with it - and they often do not realise the horror that walks alongside them - unless they somehow invite it to do so. It is an echo of this essence that causes the mora to act as if they are simple travellers until someone breaches the bonds of hospitality, that let the trudnik masquerade as innocent draughir until their hosts or guests gave them the opening to attack. What it can do, however, is use words as weapons. It can poison those who listen to it tell its tales or offer its friendly advice, and if they accept its twisted words and act on them, it lures them into its service. The worst of its servitors are those that look to all eyes as if they are just normal folk, but whose spirits and minds are rotten and twisted. The wolves who are "hairy on the inside" - who stab their friends in the back, hack their parents with axes without warning, poison a meal for no reason. Not all random acts of inexplicable cruelty and violence are the doing of the Stranger, but many are.		It is the only dark power of Varushka that can travel by the roads, but when it does so it is bound to harm none and present only a pleasing face. It cannot hurt anyone who travels with it - and they often do not realise the horror that walks alongside them - unless they somehow invite it to do so. It is an echo of this essence that causes the mora to act as if they are simple travellers until someone breaches the bonds of hospitality, that let the trudnik masquerade as innocent draughir until their hosts or guests gave them the opening to attack. What it can do, however, is use words as weapons. It can poison those who listen to it tell its tales or offer its friendly advice, and if they accept its twisted words and act on them, it lures them into its service. The worst of its servitors are those that look to all eyes as if they are just normal folk, but whose spirits and minds are rotten and twisted. The wolves who are "hairy on the inside" - who stab their friends in the back, hack their parents with axes without warning, poison a meal for no reason. Not all random acts of inexplicable cruelty and violence are the doing of the Stranger, but many are.

	Uncanny Companion can be bargained with, and as long as it is in its fair seeming its boons may be dangerous but they will be true. If it is ''not'' in its fair seeming form, then the boons it offers are curses that will drag those who accept them to their doom. The problem is that it is often not possible to tell simply by looking at it whether it is truly fair or just pretending to be. One of its strangest elements is that it tells the truth. When it is wearing its friendly seeming it never lies, but it allows people to deceive themselves by interpreting its words the way they want to. Always and always, it works to corrode trust. To make people suspicious of strangers who could be their friends, to drive wedges between loyal companions, to sow distrust of honest merchants and virtuous folk.		''Uncanny Companion'' can be bargained with, and as long as it is in its fair seeming its boons may be dangerous but they will be true. If it is ''not'' in its fair seeming form, then the boons it offers are curses that will drag those who accept them to their doom. The problem is that it is often not possible to tell simply by looking at it whether it is truly fair or just pretending to be. One of its strangest elements is that it tells the truth. When it is wearing its friendly seeming it never lies, but it allows people to deceive themselves by interpreting its words the way they want to. Always and always, it works to corrode trust. To make people suspicious of strangers who could be their friends, to drive wedges between loyal companions, to sow distrust of honest merchants and virtuous folk.

	The hounds and the geese whisper one last secret - it is the roads of Varushka that are its domain even though paradoxically it cannot directly harm anyone who uses them. The roads promise safety, but that safety is constrained by rules, and it is this tension that grants the Stranger and its servants their power.		The hounds and the geese whisper one last secret - it is the roads of Varushka that are its domain even though paradoxically it cannot directly harm anyone who uses them. The roads promise safety, but that safety is constrained by rules, and it is this tension that grants the Stranger and its servants their power.

Vsabo: /* The Dubik */

2026-09-09T13:54:19Z

The Dubik

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 9 September 2026
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	The magical creatures whisper a secret to those able to listen - ''the'' Dubik, which is also called ''Odech the Wanderer'', ''That Which Walks Among the Boughs'', the ''Death of Grass'', ''Thorn-that-thirsts'', ''Venomroot'', ''Ghost-of-the-Dead-Forest'', ''Thornroots'', ''Bloody Rose'', ''Death-that-waits'', ''Moontree'', and ''Summer's Bane'' among others - has returned to Varushka. The Dubik, the progenitor of the creatures that share its name, always appears as a creature of wood and leaf, but it is actually a bodiless spirit that can move as a wind. Sometimes it slumbers, like a tree in Winter, but when it wakes it follows a pattern. It finds a plant - usually a tree - one that has stood proud and strong for many years - and it leeches the life from it, possessing it, transforming it into a vessel for its vile consciousness. It cannot move - not without outside assistance - but it squats somewhere in some out of the way place and it waits. It births dubik, who go out into the world to seek the blood of the living. Sometimes it draws to it those poisoned by hate, or jealousy, or bitterness. It stings them with its thorns, and a little of its malice takes root within their spirits and slowly spreads through them, granting them boons but ultimately turning them into living tools of its spiteful design. It also creates other servants - it can use a fraction of its essence to craft servants from plants that died of poison and send them out to bring ruin and misery.		The magical creatures whisper a secret to those able to listen - ''the'' Dubik, which is also called ''Odech the Wanderer'', ''That Which Walks Among the Boughs'', the ''Death of Grass'', ''Thorn-that-thirsts'', ''Venomroot'', ''Ghost-of-the-Dead-Forest'', ''Thornroots'', ''Bloody Rose'', ''Death-that-waits'', ''Moontree'', and ''Summer's Bane'' among others - has returned to Varushka. The Dubik, the progenitor of the creatures that share its name, always appears as a creature of wood and leaf, but it is actually a bodiless spirit that can move as a wind. Sometimes it slumbers, like a tree in Winter, but when it wakes it follows a pattern. It finds a plant - usually a tree - one that has stood proud and strong for many years - and it leeches the life from it, possessing it, transforming it into a vessel for its vile consciousness. It cannot move - not without outside assistance - but it squats somewhere in some out of the way place and it waits. It births dubik, who go out into the world to seek the blood of the living. Sometimes it draws to it those poisoned by hate, or jealousy, or bitterness. It stings them with its thorns, and a little of its malice takes root within their spirits and slowly spreads through them, granting them boons but ultimately turning them into living tools of its spiteful design. It also creates other servants - it can use a fraction of its essence to craft servants from plants that died of poison and send them out to bring ruin and misery.

	Finding Odech the Wanderer is a daunting task. The sparrows sing that it is ''one tree in a forest'', that there is something in its essential nature that allows it to hide as long as it is surrounded by living plants. Magic will not find it - and the squirrels whisper that [[Zoria]] herself could not find its location with her [[divination\|divinations]], no matter how long she looked. She wondered if perhaps the true secret of ''Thorn-that-thirsts'' is that it is the ghost of a dead [[weirwood]] tree, and that it enjoys all the protections that a living tree might have.		Finding ''Odech the Wanderer'' is a daunting task. The sparrows sing that it is ''one tree in a forest'', that there is something in its essential nature that allows it to hide as long as it is surrounded by living plants. Magic will not find it - and the squirrels whisper that [[Zoria]] herself could not find its location with her [[divination\|divinations]], no matter how long she looked. She wondered if perhaps the true secret of ''Thorn-that-thirsts'' is that it is the ghost of a dead [[weirwood]] tree, and that it enjoys all the protections that a living tree might have.

	Even if it is found, like any sovereign it probably cannot be destroyed while Varushka persists. Its body can be destroyed, but that frees it to move as a spirit and find a new host to poison and inhabit, and the only thing one can say with certainty is that host will be far, far away from where the last one died. The only good news is that after it moves as spirit, it inevitably slips into slumber. Indeed, say the little birds and the ivory squirrels in the dreams of the wise, it has slept away the last few years in the [[Tolvoli_Butcher#Tolvoli_Slaughterhouse_and_the_Heart_of_the_Tempest\|Heart of the Tempest]], and called its children around it. Now though, it has awoken again and the enchantment on Ossium has drawn it to that place to take up its new body and begin the new season of its cycle of misery.		Even if it is found, like any sovereign it probably cannot be destroyed while Varushka persists. Its body can be destroyed, but that frees it to move as a spirit and find a new host to poison and inhabit, and the only thing one can say with certainty is that host will be far, far away from where the last one died. The only good news is that after it moves as spirit, it inevitably slips into slumber. Indeed, say the little birds and the ivory squirrels in the dreams of the wise, it has slept away the last few years in the [[Tolvoli_Butcher#Tolvoli_Slaughterhouse_and_the_Heart_of_the_Tempest\|Heart of the Tempest]], and called its children around it. Now though, it has awoken again and the enchantment on Ossium has drawn it to that place to take up its new body and begin the new season of its cycle of misery.