The prettiest star

Overview

There are creatures beyond the mortal world, the inhabitants of the six realms of magic. These realms are closer than they seem, and further away than can be imagined. Their inhabitants are fundamentally different to humans and orcs, to the people of the mortal world. They are larger than life, simple and complex in equal measure. They have goals inscrutable and obvious, and they seek to change the world to match their perception of what it should be. Dabbling and dealing, bargaining and negotiating, offering boons and threatening curses, giving and taking. It can be difficult to predict exactly where their gifts will lead.

The Empire can reach out to the eternals through the powers of the Archmages and the Imperial Conclave, but the inhabitants of the realms can also touch the mortal world when they wish. The power of alignment allows the Conclave to make it easier or harder for them to touch the world, relationships shaped by the tension between true friends and dire enemies. Some desire that state of amity, some revel in the enmity they have earned, but none can deny the power of the Conclave to guard the borders of the Empire.

It is a rare season that passes without an eternal, or a handful, seeking to influence the Empire. There are other winds of fortune that speak of different situations. The responses to the plenipotentiary missives of the Archmages is covered in the Can you hear me? wind of fortune. The conclusion of the Rhianos race is covered in The last leg. Both Daybreak in Spiral and Nightfall in Apulian have sections talking about eternal-related events. Build it up deals with the challenges offered by Barien to those who wish to make use of his ritual, which Ice on the snow details an eternal-sponsored tourney for the Icy Crag of the Eternal SunAnd here, a roundup of magical matters related to the eternal realms.

Magical events originating closer to home are detailed in the companion wind of fortune, Sound and vision.

Summer

Don't Sit Down (Cathan Canae)

Volstann, Eater of Boars, favoured lieutenant of the Lady of the Frost, met with several Imperial dignitaries last season in his hall. Several things were discussed in the Hall of Heroes, but first amongst them was the Empire's ongoing access to the Mistress of Blizzard's frozen citadels. Mirella of the Twisted Rose, the Archmage of Summer, and her allies were able to come to an agreement with Volstann on the necessity of ceding land to focus on conquest elsewhere. An agreement was made that the Crown of Black Ice will not limit the Empire's access to her citadels if it cedes a region, provided that the Empire proceeds to use the time gained to conquer a new territory before a year has passed.

To avoid any doubt Bregasland, Liathaven, Therunin, and the recently recovered Madruga do not count as new territories. Each of those four was once claimed by the Empire, and the Immovable One wishes to see the Empire expand.

Golden Years (Meraud)

Morgayne the Pentadurge is a seemingly "new" herald who has come into prominence since her master's renewal. Morgayne has a deep appreciation for the Pentad: Hammer of Thunder, Strength of the Bull, Swan's Cruel Wing, Swift Leaping Hare, and Tenacity of Jotra. She has issued a challenge to Summer covens for the summit, to see who can perform one of the Pentad with the highest number of targets. Whichever coven manages to perform the largest ritual will receive an Orb of Silverfire before the Autumn Equinox 387YE. The Orb is a covenstone, up to ten members of the coven gain one additional rank of Summer lore, subject to the normal rules for effective skill, when casting a ritual in the Pentad.

The Lord of the Summer Stars' attention has been drawn to the people of Urizen, partly as a result of the raising of Mount Polus. Meraud will lend some small amount of his power to the ritualists of Urizen at the coming summit to supporting battlemages. Any Urizen ritualist performing a personal enchantment with a targeting requirement of a battlemage, such as Crimson Ward of Summer Stars or Mantle of the Kriegszauberer, can benefit from the following:

Snow (Eleonaris) (Conjunction)

Last season, the Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq managed to corral a hundred heads of cattle from the markets of the Marches to the wilds of Sermersuaq. They were penned out in carefully chosen areas in an attempt to draw Typhawn, guardian of Hayaak, into a trap. The lure has worked, and Typhawn is currently in the area. Unfortunately, just as it is time to deal with the monster, a legion of heralds of Eleonaris has appeared, marching towards the area containing Typhawn. They might be looking to free the guardian or possibly to kill the creature.

The heralds are Knights of Glory drawn from the Summer realm. They are a common sight for many Imperial soldiers - over the past year, they have been called forth many times to support Imperial armies on campaign against barbarians. They have also been present fighting against the Empire, but they have rarely been seen in numbers.

A small band of Suaq scouts were the first to spot the legion of heralds, accompanied by a dozen or so Jotun, moving across the Suaq Wastes and have raised the alarm for the possible consequences. It is down to whoever is elected as the Banner-bearer of Atkonaroq, to journey to Sermersuaq and defeat Typhawn, the knights of Eleonaris, and the Jotun.

Boggartz (Boggarts)

Boggarts are generally seen as the weakest and most annoying inhabitants of the realms. They are drawn to magical places and people as often as not, and their nature is to be the cause of trouble regardless of which realm they hail from. Even if they do not consciously intend to be difficult disorder and destruction often follows in their wake. Two days before the start of the Summer Solstice summit, a poster appears at the regio written on golden-hued paper. As soon as a mortal hand touches it it starts to combust, but there is just enough time to read the message.

Apparently, a group called the "boggartz" are going to be coming to Anvil to claim what they are owed. They are going to be arriving around half past eight on Friday evening, and they intend to enter through the Imperial regio and none should risk their ire by getting in their way. It was sealed with a beautifully rendered Rune of Victory which also, sadly, burned up.

It's not clear what any of this actually means, there is no possibitliy that the sign could have been made by a boggart, they don't remotely have the intelligence for that. But clearly something is happening - magicians using the Imperial regio at that time are advised to be careful and do their best not to have their rituals disrupted.

Autumn

Curious Pitches (Callidus)

A week before the summit, a silver-faced, dark metallic-robed figure appeared at the regio. Striding past the rising tents, he made his way to the hub and ignored the line of people waiting to do business. Clicking his fingers to get the attention of the attendant civil servant, the herald handed over a letter sealed with a Fleur-de-Lys wax seal and left.

The Prince of the Argent Tontine invites citizens of Anvil to present to two of his heralds the items the Empire deems valuable and sought-after. The Sovereign-Lord of the City of Chains is not willing to share his motives at this time as to why he's taken an interest in the items of the Empire, but assures any concerned that theft is not his goal. Those who present items will receive a small compensation in respect for their time. The heralds of the Golden Bargainer also wish to speak to representatives of the Artisans Guild as to whether it intends to establish itself as an Imperial sodality.

The two heralds are eager to engage with citizens and have expressed interest in hosting pitches to a broader audience. They also welcome people negotiating deals with artisans following a pitch. The two heralds seem incredibly keen for people to make connections with artisans of the Empire. The Keeper of the Gilded Chains would be interested in the presentation of interesting items, even if they don't have the physical thing here and now. Callidus' connections mean he is interested in rare and unique items the Empire might be seeking, as well as items that are practical and have common uses.

Perfect to a Vault (Ephisis)

The flyers which appear at Autumn regio across the Empire are slightly more restrained in design this season, and bear reminders that all deals are final. They do, however, announce that once again Keel, weigher of worth, respected herald of the Hidden Prince intends to auction exclusive visitation to one of the City of Gold and Lead's vaults whose owner has long since defaulted on payment.

Keel was somewhat taken aback at the Empire's enthusiasm at last season's auction, but thanks the lucky bidders for their display of what she believes is generally called "Prosperity" within these borders.

As before, they will leave posters in the Hall of Worlds and the Hub announcing the name of the owner of the vault. At 20:00 on the Friday of the Summer Solstice, they will then hold an auction of crystal mana for two-minute-long slots within the vault. The auction will take place within the Hall of Worlds.

Each slot allows four people entry into the vault. Whilst in the vault, visitors may conduct business as they wish, and will be provided with a receptacle which may be filled with items found within that the visitors wish to take home with them. Any objects which do not fit in the receptacle must be returned to the vault.

Keel warns, of course, that those purchasing a later slot in the vault should be aware of the risk that there is nothing of value left within for them to take. She hopes that such visitors would still enjoy witnessing a unique spot within the City of Gold and Lead. Bidders should also be aware that access to the vault requires access to the Hall of Worlds, and any appropriate arrangements to reach the space are the responsibility of the ticket-holder, and not the Lady of the Counting House or any of her intermediaries.

Bidders are reminded that the only accepted currency for the auction will be crystal mana. Keel also advises those interested in coming along that slots to visit the vault will only be available between 14:05 and 14:45 on the Saturday of the Summer Solstice - so bidders should be sure of their availability before committing.

Spring

Spider Meets Fly (Arhallogen)

As summer comes, the Centipede General sends one of its heralds into the Hall of Worlds - a giant centipede with strikingly blue chitin, that skitters and snickers about before depositing a drenched letter from its mouth and retreating back to the Primal Forest.

Someone, apparently a mortal agent of Jaheris no less, has found a way to convey a message from the Unicorn Prince to the Scorpion Queen. In it, the eternal claims the Knight-protector believes himself to be a great and powerful hunter, capable of defending himself from any threat. And that, furthermore, he is willing to wager his life to this effect, with the opposing stakes being the favour of the Earl of the Groves that Shadow-Hunter possesses.

This is quite the challenge, and it has piqued the interest of the Spider King. He isn't used to having the minions of other eternals start fights on behalf of others, but he is willing to test the mettle of the Knight-protector of Spring, Clint Leohart De Licorne, and will happily wager the favour he holds for this purpose. The Envenomed Blade sadly cannot be there to challenge the questing knight, and besides, the test that Skittering Dark has in mind has nothing to do with facing a superior foe. Instead, Many Move as One wishes to see the Knight-protector prove themselves to be the strongest predator - to prove themselves greater than all lesser beings.

As such, the Knight-protector should bring themselves to the Hall of Worlds at 20:35 on the Friday night of the summit. A herald of Web of Blades will lead them, alone, into a chamber. There, they must best one hundred of the progeny of Maw-of-Spikes. They will not come all at once, of course - Arhallogen desires to test the endurance of his supreme hunter. If the Knight-protector is victorious, then they will be awarded the favour. If they aren't, then their body will be consumed by the children of That Which Hunts and their effects returned to the Hall of Worlds.

The last Knight-protector to face one of these tests brought every potion they could get their hands on - it looks like this one might be well-advised to likewise prepare.

Winter

A Response to Adoration (Skathe)

The herald that emerges from the Imperial regio as summer approaches is a squat, sad little thing. It appears to be made of dough-like flesh shaped into the approximate shape of a person-like figure, out of which chunks have been torn by a creature with vicious talons. It withdraws a scroll from one of its wounds with a somewhat wet squelch, and begins to read, the red of its innards dripping from its hands as it does so. The message it has to relay is not nearly as sinister as its appearance would suggest.

It says that it represents the High Enchantress of Grievances, who wants to pass on her personal thanks to - and here it launches into a long, unbroken list of names - Vukmir Cresavich Echfelyer, Kish of the Flame Beneath the Earth, Caela of the Weaver's Hall, Daegan Larksong, Rhion Thresher, Aspar, Catena, Eleri Bronwen's Rest, Travid Longest Path, Vera from the Dark Water, Enchantress Rosalynn Asterion, Volya Vychodny Nebov, Niamh Pathfinder, Maximillian Ankarien, and Asthore Embracing Fold. These individuals have shown themselves, to varying degrees, capable of exquisite levels of - variously - pain, spite, hatred, cruelty, vindictiveness, malice, and other such commendable qualities. Others wrote to her and also showed these things, but they didn't sign their name, and the Most Beautiful One always prefers that people put their name to what they truly believe.

She has no reward as such for these named people, as she believes spite is its own reward, but also, the Archmage of Winter has in his hands the opportunity to unleash what her correspondents crave, anyway. However, the Lady of Laments will be paying close attention this season to the businesses of the Imperial state, and watching for those she has named. If they get a Declaration of Concord passed in the Conclave, a Statement of Principle in the Synod which passes with a greater majority, or a suitable Appraisal in the Senate, or even simply author the orders of an Imperial army as its general, and in this state clearly their wish and resolve to see the Druj erased as a civilisation and their name forgotten, invoking the pain they have felt, the spite they feel, these sorts of things... then the Queen of the Hags will offer aid towards this end.

Cold Calling (Thrice-Cursed Court)

The Thrice-cursed Court have become aware that a number of beautiful pearls, black as night and cold as the deadest winter have slipped through nets and fallen into the mortal realm. The Three would very much like to get their hands on these coal-black gems and they are eager for enterprising magicians to send them to them, via castings of Tribute to the Thrice Cursed Court.

An Imperial magician may send any number of black pearls to the Court using the ritual, once and once only, during the summit. If they send up to thirteen black pearls the magician will receive one vial of heart's blood for every two black pearls they send to the court.

However, if a magician is able to acquire more black pearls, then they could embrace Winter's cold touch. If a magician sends fourteen or more black pearls, the Three will send back thirteen vials of heart's blood in total. Each Imperial magician may only benefit from this generous offer once during the summit. If they attempt to perform the ritual again... then the Court will take what they have sent and give them nothing. The ritual is quite straightforward, but in the event that a coven cooperates to perform it, this counts as a casting by all contributors.

Night

A Walk in Dark Woods (Sadogua)

The Globberslotch has a task for Eerikki Korpi. After Eerikki's kind message, the Toad King has been doing some research into the people of good character and fine ambition whom Eerikki mentioned. He understands Silverbrow has been attending to their needs thus far, and that is probably fine. But, really, they are clearly in need of some proper tuition if they're going to get anywhere with actual magic.

As such, he would like Eerikki and any other icewalkers who have been helping to go to the Dark Woods in Fereskov. There's a conjunction there at 23:10 on Friday, by his reckoning. He has sent Eerikki a little parcel, and he'd like them to take what's inside and take it to the offering-stone within those woods. He imagines their mutual friends will have found their way thereabouts, so presumably they might be able to do the guiding. Eerikki and the icewalkers ought to be a little careful because the Wyrm-King hasn't exactly been subtle about poking his nose into this, and it's entirely possible that other outside parties are going to try and gain an interest. Which is something that he'd very much appreciate avoiding.

Mysteries of Friendship (Sung)

Shortly before midnight, a feathered creature with scaly skin appeared at the regio. It moved with the grace of a flowing river, its scales rippling and shimmering as it moved. Its feathers seemed to flow with the creature. From the regio, it made its way to the hub where it delivered a message in a silvery, soft voice. The civil servant manning the desk scribbled down a message from the Lady of Mysteries.

Two heralds of Night Singer are going to the Academy to talk to young citizens of the Empire to ask questions about what friendship is. Sung has asked adults and had many answers, but young people remain a mystery. All children are welcome to come and talk to her heralds. Sung has a fondness for friendship because it seems a mystery with no one answer and always leads to more questions.

Day

Rebuilding (Ylenwe)

Recent seasons have seen two large-scale attempts to recover some of the areas of the Empire which were scorched by the activities of the scions of Cold Sun. Nearly a year ago, the black glass of the ruined vale of Bulgakov was cleansed of focused Day magic, which had previously stopped anyone approaching the remains of the settlement. And only last season, Ylenwe was called on to help with the recovery of an area in Southpines which has become known as the White Wood.

Sunken Glass (Karov)

Now that it is safe to approach, those who have followed the old roads to Bulgakov found a scar of scorched earth and blackened timbers. Any efforts to rebuild would effectively start from scratch.

Surrounding the ruins are several pools of water filled with shards of black glass. Many of these have been rendered inert thanks to a ritual invoking Ylenwe, which was performed at the site - and some passers by have even taken shards out of the pools to take home for their own private memorials. However, two of the glass-filled pools have not been cleansed. It is perfectly safe to approach these pools, but signs have been placed nearby warning travellers not to drink from them, as the waters sparkle with the peculiar Day magic which was sapped from the glass.

Local wildlife, however, do drink or wash in the pools from time to time - and stories have begun to spread of stags with crystalline antlers and mournful wisdom in their eyes, birdsong that follows a rhythmic modal, chanting and rabbit warrens drawing spiralling fractals with their tunnels. Stories, of course. Though most wise ones know the grain of truth in the tallest tale.

But by and large, if the survivors of Bulgakov wish to rebuild their shattered vale, it is now safe to do so. Regardless of any decision the previous inhabitants come to, their boyar, Valja Nikodemin Kopec has suggested that a memorial to the lost would be appropriate. He proposes that it should commemorate not only the Varushkan inhabitants who lost their lives, but also the band of Dawnish knights-errant who held back the scions to allow as many townsfolk as possible to escape.

Rainbow-Dappled Canopies (Skarsind)

The destruction of the Still Walkers left an area of Southpine transformed. Its trees were warped into something not unlike a white stone, which glows with an impossible iridescence as night falls. Locals call this dead space the white wood. Since a sapling imbued with the harmonising power of Ylenwe has been planted at the edge of the wood, the forest has begun to hum.

What started as a soft, barely noticeable drone spent weeks growing to an all-consuming roar. Until, as dawn broke one morning a week or so before the Summer Solstice, the wood fell silent.

The first to tread the winding paths through the white wood report that the trees have retained their strange colouring - but they were filled with a certainty that the area was now very much alive. Over the coming weeks, the white wood seems to become just an odd-looking extension of wider Southpine. The same birds nest in its softly glowing canopy. The same moss crawls up chalky trunks. The wider forest seems to reclaim the white wood and welcome it home.

It is only when a weary reaver tries to tap one of the trees for water that the extent of Ylenwe's "harmonising" becomes clear. Instead of water or sap, a thick liquid falls in slow drops from the tap. At first, the reaver claims - possibly for dramatic effect when retelling her story in wayhouses - she thought the substance was blood. But before they had even hit the forest floor, those first few drops shifted from a deep red to a delicate pink to a sparkling silver. The trees of the white wood pulse with prismatic ink. Cunning Imperial Orcs can take advantage of this bounty by diversifying. Each forest can only be diversified once in this way.

Further Reading

Playback Speed