Skeleton key

Magic holds the keys; both the keys to creation and the keys to destruction.

Overview

The Empire is one of magic, woven both by mortal magicians and eternal inhabitants of the realms. While the archmages engage in formal parley, and the Imperial Conclave guides the magicians of the Empire, there is plenty of other magic seething and coiling. Even in the wake of the Imperial Synod warning citizens against making arrangements with eternals and dark powers, there are still eternals and dark powers that want to make deals with Imperial citizens.

Here, we round up as many magical incidents or opportunities as possible.

Mortal Magic

Twisted Recollections

• The peculiar option to write memories down with iridescent gloaming at the Imperial regio while casting Cast Off the Chain of Memory remains

Last Summer a peculiar conjunction was believed to be the cause of some odd effects observed while performing Cast Off The Chain of Memory at a regio. They persisted through the Autumn Equinox. They're still ongoing, long after the conjunction ending adding credence to speculation that they were not actually related to the constellations at all. News of the effects have spread beyond the Empire, leading to interest in several quarters. Several people report having received letters from an Axou physick, desperate to recover some specific memories he sacrificed and hoping this strange magical effect might help him. There's also whispers of very peculiar correspondence from... nobody seems to know where... talking of invitations. The mystery deepens.

Whatever else is going on, during the Spring Equinox when a magician performs Cast Off the Chain of Memory but as part of the performance writes down the memory they wish to remove with ink infused with iridescent gloaming in ninety-nine words or fewer, something happens. The paper folds in on itself and disappears along with the memory. Then, overnight, the memory is replaced with something else - a new, different memory.

Magicians who have experimented with the effect report that some of the memories they receive are more powerful, visceral, or immediate. The experience can influence the recipient in unexpected ways, related to the memory. These pioneers tentatively suggest that the more vivid the memory written down, the more detailed the description, the stronger the result, although that is mostly conjecture at this time. None of these discoveries makes those magicians already suspicious about what's happening here any happier and they urge even more caution as a consequence.

OOC Process: When performing Cast Off the Chain of Memory at the Imperial regio, the target can write down the memory they intend to lose in as much detail as they like, as long as it doesn't go over ninety-nine words. The ink needs to be infused with a measure of iridescent gloaming (given to the ref during the casting), and the paper needs to have the targets PID on the back. The memory recorded must be a real memory that is being removed with the ritual or nothing happens. At the completion of the ritual, if the other criteria are met, the paper disappears and takes the memory with it. Before going into play next morning, you can visit the regio again (not GOD) to receive a written description of a new memory that your character now remembers having experienced.

If you have any out of character phobias, traumatic subjects, or experiences you'd wish to avoid reading about, you can include them on the reverse of the paper along with your PID.

Artisinal Arms

• Magic items crafted over the past few months have acquired unexpected auras

For the last three months, the magic items created by artisans in the Empire have turned out a little... odd. Most of them have picked up peculiar auras from somewhere that are apparent to anyone handling them. Nobody currently has any idea why this is happening, or what it portends. A lot of artisans visit Anvil during the summits, obviously, so there's a hope that someone there can make a study of some of these items and work out if it's a good thing, a bad thing, or just an odd thing. People aware of the situation are watching the Conclave in particular, on the assumption that if there is something up they'll be the obvious people to work out what to do about it.

Eternal Magic

Netweaver's Eye (Roshanwe)

• The eternal Roshanwe offers a ritual to the Imperial Conclave

The eternal Roshanwe is always fascinated by the search for truth. She considers the journey as important, if not more important, than the destination. At the moment, she sponsors a ritual in Imperial lore called Combing the Beach that allows her to offer some support to truth-seekers in the Empire. However, she's always looking for new perspectives and new ways to encourage those questing for understanding. During the Winter Solstice, however, Skywise Gralka, Archmage of Day, proposed that her alignment to the Empire suited neutrality rather than amity. The eternal is not angry in any way, just interested in this decision and has apparently spent some time considering the situation.

Last season the Conclave also declared a number of individuals to be sorcerers. Several years ago, she offered a Gift of Revelation to the Imperial Conclave, an arcane projection that drew on her power to examine the wisps of magical residue that cling to a magician for a short time after they perform ritual magic. Using day magic, it would divine if a specific target or targets had performed a named ritual during the past three days. Her intention was that it could be used to track down sorcerors who have broken their restriction against performing ritual magic, as well as covens who have chosen to perform illegal rituals. It has other obvious investigatory applications as well. She expected the arcane projection to be codified at a college of magic, and made available to any Imperial magician who wishes to perform it. That didn't happen - possibly because it was endowed on Octavius, Provost of the Halls of Knowledge, and not long after that the Halls of Knowledge were destroyed.

Given the obvious increased interest among the Imperial Conclave in remaining alert for magicians misusing their magic, Roshanwe offers her boon again. This time, however, she will provide an actual ritual text rather than an arcane projection. The Netweaver's Eye works just as the arcane projection she originally proposed, but is ready to be entered into Imperial lore if they wish. It has an assurance: it loses all power if the Sevenfold Path ever abandon their order's goal of building "a bridge between the Conclave and the priests of the Synod."

There is a price however, but one she supposes the Empire would be happy to pay. She asks to be released from her agreement to support Combing the Beach. If that is done, she will provide the ritual text to whichever member of the Conclave raises the declaration - either the Archmage of Day using a declaration of Alignment to restate her position of neutrality, and accept her offer, or a Declaration of Concord be passed to the same effect. Combing the Beach would become useless, but the new ritual text would be provided at the following Conclave session, whenever that was.

Ashen Knights and Grim Days (Tharim)

• Tharim, the Bound King, is touting his Ashen Knights around again

Tharim's black-clad knights have become a not-uncommon site on Imperial battlefields. They have supported the Navarr, as well as Dawn in the Barrens, and then for the past year they supported the Brass Coast. Over time, he has improved the quality of the knights he is sending - from hulking silent suits of armour to potent heralds clad in black-steel harness with a wickedly dark sense of humour. In return he has feasted upon mana sites and herb gardens. His agreement with the Freeborn is about to end, but he is in no hurry to call his knights back to his dreadful realm.

His tastes, however, have changed. His hunger has increased. If the Conclave wishes to retain the use of his knights in the Empire, he asks for a declaration. Either one of Concord from the Conclave, or one of Alignment from the Archmage of Winter agreeing to accept his boon. The declaration does not need to be made now; it could be made at the Summer Solstice although that might be cutting it a little fine. A renewed agreement would last until the start of the Summer Solstice 387YE. A named army - any Imperial army - would receive the support of his knights gaining an additional thousand fighting force, as an enchantment (meaning they couldn't simultaneously benefit from another enchantment, and if one were cast on them it would end the benefit provided by the knights). If the Conclave wished to change which army they supported, they would simply need to ask.

However, the price for his aid has increased. His hunger has grown, and if the Conclave wants to continue using his knights he requires their permission to feast more widely. In return for offering his knights then between the Summer Solstice this year and the Summer Solstice 387YE, he will consume all the mana provided by the Harps of Astolat, Lorenzo's Legacy of Prosperity in Casinea, and the Blade of Thorn of Hercynia, as well as all the herbs provided by Sweetwater Springs and the Gardens of High Chalcis. The great works would provide no benefits to the mana sites or herb gardens they normally support during that time. He's not unreasonable though and if the Archmage of Winter wants to negotiate the specifics they know where he is - although the level of tribute would need to be comparable.

Or they can just thank him for the aid he has offered so far and he will find other battlefields for his knights to stalk, without any hard feelings at all.

Empty Echoes (Sadogua)

• Dripping Echoes of the Fen will provide limited protection while the eternal Sadogua is in a mood

It's reasonably common knowledge that the eternal Sadogua is a little pissed off with some Imperial magicians over the "theft" of the Whistling Strand. It appears that recent developments in the Conclave however have quieted his anger somewhat. But he's not about to forgive and forget. One thing that appears to have made him a little happier is that nobody in the Empire seems to have cast Dripping Echoes of the Fen since the incident and he respects that. Either by design or happy accident, it's mollified him slightly. Although he is still less than pleased.

In the past he's threatened to use the ritual to unleash boggarts or some similar act of malice. He wants to reassure Imperial magicians that that is probably not going to happen unless someone doubles down on the insult they've given him. However, until the bad blood between him and the Varushkan wizards are complete, he plans to keep to the letter of the agreement that underpins Dripping Echoes of the Fen. In the past he's been going beyond the minimum he needed to do because he likes the Conclave. Now, though, he won't be doing that.

The effect of the ritual will now change, until he chooses to apply himself again. Instead of providing its protection across an entire territory, it'll only protect the region it is cast on. The creatures of the Night realm and additional wards of confusion and misdirection he's used in the past will no longer be part of the ritual enchantment. The ward will provide its full effect if an enemy force attacks the region (4,000 effective force to defend the region and inflicts casualties). It will not however count as a fortification for purposes of removing the undefended territory bonus an attacker receives, nor make it harder for them to seize regions that are not directly protected. Strategic use of the ritual will be needed going forward.

(OOC NOTE: This only applies to Imperial casting of Dripping Echo of the Fen. Other similar rituals are not effected. Sadogua does not, for example, empower the similar ritual used by the Druj so that will not be effected.)

Shadowed Torchbearer (Janon)

• Janon offers the title of Shadowed Torchbrand to the Conclave to appoint
• The Imperial Senate would need to create the Shadowed Torchbrand as an Imperial title

Duing the Winter Solstice the Imperial Conclave accepted friendship of Janon. In return, Janon has offered to recognise an emissary - a special friend - chosen by the Conclave and bound with assurances from the Eternal that as long as the Conclave does not insult him with neutrality he will continue to support it. This might lead to a difficult discussion with the magistrates about what happens when Janon inevitably is placed under enmity, but the Fire Muse considers that an irritating legal wrangle that is of little consequence to it.

The title should be appointed by Declaration of Candidacy. Their responsibility would be to fan the flames of passion in the Empire through whatever means are available (but especially magic), and to serve as a go-between for the eternal or the Conclave as they needed it. By default, the Shadowed Torchbrand would always be invited to attend any parley or plenipotentiary meeting with Janon, even if they were not mentioned by name.

They'd also receive gifts crafted by the Night Sword. Something to allow them to kindle the flames of passion in others (a focus for the rituals Embrace the Living Flame, Still Waters, Running Deep, and Champions Shining Resolve); a sash that would allow the wearer to empower warriors with zeal on the battlefield; and bottles of liquor from the Night Realm that would infuse any who drank from it with a passionate spirit.

While it is clearly empowered by the eternal, the title is similar to the Churnspire Adjutor in that it is an Imperial title. The difference is that Janon doesn't need the Senate to build anything. However, if the Empire were ever to build a fane dedicated to Janon - something he wouldn't necessarily be opposed to - he would only countenance it if the Shadowed Torchbrand were placed in charge of it (that is, it and the powers it granted would become part of this title rather than creating a new one).

If the Imperial Senate were to create the title on Friday evening it would be possible to raise a Declaration of Candidacy at the Saturday session of Conclave to appoint the title.

Games and Resolutions (Zakalwe)

• Zakalwe has invited the participants in the recent strategic games run by Agon, Polemarch of Clartiy, to an informal meeting
• This includes the teams lead by the General of the Bloodcloaks, and the former General of the Hounds of Glory
• He also wishes to see the Imperial Seer, to discuss his experiences with arranging warriors to fight the Jotun last season
• A lieutenant will collect the guests from the Imperial Regio at 15.30 and convey them to the Eternal's presence

The Weapon-wise, the eternal Zakalwe, has invited a small number of Imperial citizens to speak with him on matters of strategy and tactics. This is not a parley or a plenipotentiary. His polemarch of Clarity, Agon, has been working closely with some Imperial strategists, hosting complex wargames for two teams. One team fighting the Empire's failed invasion of the Barrens during the reign of Empress Brannan, the other the complex situation of the north-western front in Wintermark. The Master Strategist requests their presence during the Spring Equinox, to discuss what they learned, the challenges they explored, and what they would do differently. he is hopeful the General of the Bloodcloaks, and the former General of the Hounds of Glory, will be able to get their teams together again for this meeting.

In a similar vein, he also asks for the Imperial Seer, Jorma Steelhail, to visit him at the same time to discuss the recent engagement with the Jotun that he oversaw. The invitation is for Saturday at half-past three. In deference to the fact that some of the competitors in the recent games are not magicians, Zakalwe will send one of his lieutenant to the Imperial Regio rather than the Hall of Worlds, to escort his guests directly to his presence.

The messenger is at pains to be clear that this is intended to be a social engagement, a meeting with strategists to talk companionably about games. It's not a time to ask for boons, or to press the Empire's case, which is one reason the Archmage of Day is not specifically invited - because the talk will be of logistics and the theories of war rather than anything to do with the relations between the Empire and the Day realm.

Sanvar Isk is not a slaver. The workers on the Loom of Spells are willing workers and hold full freedom to leave if they wish. They should be considered apprentices under Sanvar Isk's prosperity, not slaves. Sanvar Isk is not a slaver.

Coraddo Filiarchi di Regario, Winter Solstice 385YE, Vote: upheld 244-0

Isk And You Shall Receive (Sandvar Isk)

• Access to the Loom Of Spells will be auctioned at 14:00 at the Imperial Regio.
• Sanvar Isk is unbearably smug.

By judgement of the League National Assembly regarding Sanvar Isk, raised by Coraddo Filiarchi di Regario, did not receive a greater majority, but residents of Tassato cannot help but be aware of it. Sanvar Isk has paid for massive broadsheets to be printed with the exact wording of this Judgement displayed in very large letters. He has also added some commentary of his own, claiming that this judgement specifically endorses him as being Prosperous and that working for him on the Loom of Spells is good for your soul. Emboldened by this he has once again approached the Churches of the Little Mother to pitch his 'apprenticeship' scheme. This time he was driven off by a rain of rotten produce specifically stockpiled against his return. A coalition of Tassatan bishops of the Little Mother have issued a strongly-worded statement condemning Isk's claim to be Prosperous as self-serving bullshit, and letting everyone know that no child under their care will be allowed to work in his exploitative magic mill. The burgeoning feud is the cause of some amusement throughout the twin cities, and a number of topical plays have been hastily rushed out to cash in on the drama.

Despite all of these distractions, Sanvar Isk has not forgotten the source of his wealth. He will once again attend the Imperial Regio at two o'clock on the Sunday of the forthcoming summit to auction access to the Loom of Spells. Bids should once again be given in any combination of mine and forest materials, with only the total quantity mattering. Isk expresses hope that the bids this season will be even larger than before. Increasing his wealth will only cement his status as the Most Prosperous Herald, therefore assisting in the spread of the best Virtue to the realm of Autumn (or so claims Sandvar Isk).

After the Party (Barien)

• It is still not possible to cast the ritual Challenge the Iron Duke
• Barien has not been seen in public for some time in the summer realm, and is apparently working on something
• The heralds of the Iron Duke wish to speak to the following people; Areloe Larmallevés, Ishka, Jaska, Rillian de Gauvain & Claude Videre
• They will be around the Glory Square in Dawn at 7pm on the Friday of the upcoming summit

It has been a quiet few months for the heralds of the Iron Duke. It seems that the unknown magical force preventing the use of the ritual used to challenge their lord continues, and no magician, Imperial or otherwise, is able to entreat Barien to a challenge using straightforward ritual magic. Work continues apace though - there are many challenges still ongoing, and the white and blue clad heralds can still be spotted in Anvil between summits on some business or other, even if their visits have become less frequent.

A few things are clear from conversations with them. Firstly, their lord has not managed to resolve the situation, and the ritual will not be able to be cast at this summit again, and almost certainly longer than that in all likelihood. Secondly, Barien themselves has gone into some kind of seclusion to work on...something. Even the heralds closest to the Lord of the Crossroads are unsure exactly what it is Barien is up to, but they do not appear concerned about this, nor about the current failure of the ritual. They remain steadfastly cheerful that all things will resolve themselves in good time, but that doesn't mean that things will stay the same either; there have been changes in the tides of magic and the moods of their lord before, and there will be again, no doubt. Exactly what those changes might be though, they cannot say.

In the meantime the work of the heralds continues as normal. They will be in Anvil for a shortened visit this summit, and will be found at 7pm around the Glory Square in Dawn, which seems appropriate to save a walk for the Dawnish and Winterfolk they are looking for. They wish to speak to Areloe Larmallevés, Ishka, Jaska, Rillian de Gauvain & Claude Videre regarding a variety of matters - many others will have been send letters of invitation or information. The heralds of the Iron Duke do make it known however that, given there are no new challenges can be cast this summit, they will not be returning on the Sunday as had previously been the case - Friday evening will be the only opportunity.

Ripples in the Pond (Ossegrahn) (Conjunctions)

• Odd creatures and warriors of Arhallogen have emerged from regio in Weirwater, Upwold, and Hercynia
• The eternal Ossegrahn seems to know what is going on
• A conjunction to Wickmoor, in Weirwater, has been identified at 20.15 on Saturday allowing 20 people to pass through to the vicinity of the creatures under the supervision of the Knight Protector of Spring
• A conjunction to Birchland, in Upwold, has been identified at 20.45 on Saturday allowing 20 people to pass through to the vicinity of the creatures under the supervision of the Keeper of the Golden Fields
• A conjunction to Summersend, in Hercnyia, has been identified at 21.15 on Saturday allowing 15 people to pass through to the vicinity of the creatures under the supervision of the Granger of the Golden Orchard
• Ossegrahn is sending an emissary to the Imperial Regio at 20.00 on Friday to hopefully meet Imperial friends

During the Autumn Equinox last year, the Imperial Conclave recognised the eternal Ossegrahn as a friend of the Empire. It's not clear whether the Rain King realised this had been done, or was simply politely waiting for the Empire to approach him. Regardless, the eternal has sent word that he desperately needs the help of his Imperial friends on a serious matter.

It appears that the eternal has become locked in conflict with the Spider King over control of certain regio aligned with the Spring Realm. Emboldened by recent developments, the Centipede General seeks to claim certain old sites from Ossegrahn. The eternal is capable of defending himself and his charges, and normally such an altercation would be confined to the Spring realm itself. This time, however, elements of it have spilled over into the mortal world. Specifically, some of the innocent creatures that Ossegrahn protects - things others might consider verminous boggarts - have fled the violence of Arhallogen into the Empire via old regio. Some of the soldiers of the Scorpion Queen have pursued them. Ossegrahn would like to ask for his Imperial friends to help get the creatures back where they belong.

This message from Ossegrahn goes some way to providing context for recent events. About a week ago, there were sightings of peculiar creatures in Weirwater (near an old spring in Wickmoor, in Birchland not far from the border with Miaren, and in Summersend in Hercynia. The creatures appear to be harmless - roughly shaped humanoids with odd animal features - and flee when any human or orc gets too close. At the same time, though, there are reports of monstrous insect-creatures hunting and killing them. At first the fear was that this was some hitherto unknown manifestation of the vallorn, but it now appears that there is another cause. Conjunctions of the Sentinel Gate have been identified to three locations near these boggarts and heralds, opening on Saturday evening.

Ossegrahn plans to send one of his heralds responsible for tending to these relatively harmless little boggarts to the Empire at eight in the evening on Friday. He's asked that the Keeper of the Golden Fields, and the Granger of the Golden Orchard, those who plan to stand for the position of Knight-protector of Spring, meet his emissary at the Imperial regio at Anvil so he can explain the situation. Ideally, he would like his Imperial friends to get the poor creatures protected from Arhallogen's warriors and sent back through the regio they emerged from. Before they get too used to the mortal realm and...cause any problems. In light of this, the civil service has given these positions the responsibility to arrange the accompanying conjunctions.

Resolution

• The Conclave declined the offer of Tharim to send their knights to fight with Imperial magicians

During the Summer Solstice, the Archmage of Winter declined the offer made by the Bound King.

The Imperial Conclave accepted the offer made by Roshanwe. During the Summer Solstice, the Shuttered Lantern, proposed that Netweaver's Eye be included in Imperial Lore and the Conclave concurred.