Long ago, in the mists of Nexal time, eight of the most powerful Wizards ever to exist banded together to set their magical wits against gods, angels and demons and elevate their craft above its humble origins. By simultaneously wresting the secrets of the Weave of Magic from the universe and wringing fluid matter from the Breaths, they forged a powerful new institution - the Council of Keys - to delve into deeper mysteries and create a haven separate from the endless war.
That was long ago, and the original Councilors have not been seen in the lifetimes of all but the eldest of Nexal combatants - who for quite sensible reasons do not always advertise who they are. And so it drew attention when - in the most recent Breath - a signal was received by all Wizards, a riddle that hinted at a higher secret out of the deep past. Wizards are curious beings by nature and training, always testing and analyzing, and so some of the finest minds in Wizardkind set to the task of trying to interpret the implications of the message. Eventually, a gathering of the whole Council was called in their hidden Vale, and the Weave of Magic itself was wielded to test various possibilities. Some surprising secrets were cracked in the process, such as a hidden peak beyond the known boundaries of the Vale and a whole new way to wield the Weave that was spellbound into a seemingly invincible door. But none of them seemed like the secret, and eventually effort turned to frustration.
In time, though, the Council took a new approach, one that would reshape their future - to find the secret, they would make their own.
(OOC: Since the Wizard Exhale is an ongoing event that might leave folks a bit exposed, I'm going to let the story lag behind the events a bit. Feel free to chip in your characters' perspectives!)
Vale of Mysteries: A Wizard Exhale Quest
Re: Vale of Mysteries: A Wizard Exhale Quest
Isabel Hasheen was an unlikely candidate to get the ball rolling. A lower-case-r revenant and a Wizard remarkable only for sheer dogged persistence in infusing, she had always been quite open about the fact that her job on the Council was to represent the interests of Hashaa - no more and no less. The sheer cold practicality of this was apparent when she pursued the Seal of Divided Matter tied to the unloved school of Slashing magic simply to ensure this representation continued no matter how heated the competition for the more prestigious Seal of Dust and Bone of Death Magic.
She had said very little in the whole Breath, and usually in a cryptic, riddling fashion that was probably Hashaa's fault and always implied that she knew more than she let on. And so it was probably a surprise to many when a new perspective - and a plan - came spilling out of her. Perhaps she did know more than she let on, and finally felt the need to talk.
How to describe the Wizards' Estate of Altostratus, to those who have never been there? To walk its halls is to visit a place that feels like a half-remembered verdant dream, a radiant and distant memory - even when your rational mind knows full well that you are literally, physically there. It feels infused with a light and a grandeur that greatly exceed its actual, objective physical proportions, and it has been said that no two Archmages remember the layout of the place quite the same. Every Councilor has an elegantly apportioned set of quarters there, and indeed many Wizards who are no longer or have never been Councilors have claimed some suite of rooms within it for themselves, but for all these reasons and more, some are more comfortable with long dwelling in their quarters than others.
The metaphysical challenges of sleeping in such a place did not, however, extend to holding a tea party there to discuss dead ends and new possibilities. Jorus, keeper of the Seal of Dust and Bone, came to join the discussion first.
She had said very little in the whole Breath, and usually in a cryptic, riddling fashion that was probably Hashaa's fault and always implied that she knew more than she let on. And so it was probably a surprise to many when a new perspective - and a plan - came spilling out of her. Perhaps she did know more than she let on, and finally felt the need to talk.
- You say, "I'll leave my watchers here, but I think it's fair to say that this isn't working." (2025-06-12 15:11:31).
- You say, "I'll be in my quarters at our estate. Even with the fires it's getting cold out here, and I'm dead." (2025-06-12 15:12:05).
- You emote, " sounds surprisingly non-cryptic here, almost as if Hashaa can't get to her as well. And more than a little like her sister, but that's probably a coincidence." (2025-06-12 15:12:34).
- You step outside of Pivot Peak. (2025-06-12 15:12:38).
- You step inside Altostratus. (2025-06-12 15:13:09).
How to describe the Wizards' Estate of Altostratus, to those who have never been there? To walk its halls is to visit a place that feels like a half-remembered verdant dream, a radiant and distant memory - even when your rational mind knows full well that you are literally, physically there. It feels infused with a light and a grandeur that greatly exceed its actual, objective physical proportions, and it has been said that no two Archmages remember the layout of the place quite the same. Every Councilor has an elegantly apportioned set of quarters there, and indeed many Wizards who are no longer or have never been Councilors have claimed some suite of rooms within it for themselves, but for all these reasons and more, some are more comfortable with long dwelling in their quarters than others.
The metaphysical challenges of sleeping in such a place did not, however, extend to holding a tea party there to discuss dead ends and new possibilities. Jorus, keeper of the Seal of Dust and Bone, came to join the discussion first.
And with that question, another Councilor entered - Frigidaris, keeper of the Seal of Wind and Wave - and soon after the enigmatic Lady Morgana:- Jorus said, "Indeed. Seemed like another location might be more fruitful" (2025-06-12 15:25:55).
- You emote, " pokes around her quarters. Some of it is startlingly neat, while other surfaces are littered with piles of books, gems and loose parchments." (2025-06-12 15:26:03).
- You emote, " puts a kettle of tea on, which is plugged into something in the wall that probably isn't electricity. It hums and crackles. You notice the bed in the room is a padded coffin." (2025-06-12 15:27:16).
- You say, "I spent a lot of time on that mountaintop, looking into a whole lot of nothing. It's not the cold that got to me - I'm dead - but that nagging worry. And I think I've got what I was worried about figured out." (2025-06-12 15:28:04).
- You emote, " sounds, you notice, a whole lot less cryptic and more clear than you're used to. Maybe Hashaa has less reach here. Maybe she's trying really hard." (2025-06-12 15:28:35).
- You say, "Deep within the wind of this world, like a watch unspooling it - oh for Hashaa's sake. Sorry about that." (2025-06-12 15:29:47).
- Jorus stops wandering around inspecting random bits and bobs in the room and turns attentively towards Isabel (2025-06-12 15:30:00).
- You emote, " coughs. Looks like it's the "trying really hard" one." (2025-06-12 15:30:05).
- You say, "We've been out here looking for a secret." (2025-06-12 15:30:18).
- You say, "I don't think there *IS* a secret." (2025-06-12 15:30:27).
- You say, "...it's the Vale, of course. There's secrets upon secrets. Thousands of years of Wizard magic at work. Layers on layers. But we've been looking for the big obvious right exact combination of things to do to make some big engine turn on. Like those dots and dashes were an instruction manual." (2025-06-12 15:31:43).
- You say, "I don't think there is an engine. Or if there is, I doubt it works anymore." (2025-06-12 15:31:57).
- (2 times) Jorus said, "An interesting theory. Although, if what you say is true then why send the message at all? What goal might there be if there isn't a specific secret to uncover? An engine to turn on as you say?" (2025-06-12 15:35:52).
- You emote, " hears a small thud from the tea kettle. "Ah, there we go." She serves two cups and sips the other." (2025-06-12 15:36:28).
- You give your Cup of Tea to Jorus. (2025-06-12 15:36:43).
- Jorus said, "And we have made progress due to the messages sent in the past. Unlocked new magic and woven it into the weave of magic" (2025-06-12 15:36:56).
- You say, "That is what kept me wondering. The power to send us a message is less than the power to really build something like that. It could be toying with us. It could want us out of the way of something. Ultimately, I don't know." (2025-06-12 15:37:33).
- Jorus sips appreciatively, although somewhat distractedly (2025-06-12 15:37:47).
- You say, "But what I do know is it hasn't spoken since." (2025-06-12 15:37:47).
- You say, "And we have found things, but thinks locked up here as it were. A spell woven into that door. An old hideaway, reachable from the right vantage point. Things here all along. It could be that the messenger did not make them." (2025-06-12 15:38:38).
- Jorus said, "Very possible. The timing of the messages correlates with the destruction of these doors and the unlocking of new magic into the weave, but correlation does not mean causation" (2025-06-12 15:42:55).
- Jorus said, "The question being, how are we to determine the truth?" (2025-06-12 15:43:45).
- Jorus said, "And even if the message isn't responsible, are there not yet more worthwhile secrets to discover here?" (2025-06-12 15:44:59).
- You say, "I'm sure there are. Consider, though." (2025-06-12 16:07:25).
- You say, "There must be a great deal that is old buried here. Layers on strata." (2025-06-12 16:07:49).
- You say, "But we are the Council. We, not some old voice, are the most powerful presence here." (2025-06-12 16:08:05).
- You say, "What do *we* want the secrets to be?" (2025-06-12 16:08:15).
- You give your Apple Pie to Frigidaris. (2025-06-12 16:09:42).
- You emote, " has a treat from somewhere. You didn't see her open the fridge." (2025-06-12 16:10:01).
- Frigidaris said, "Sure, thanks. Don't mind me, I heard you were discussing Council business and I came to hear your thoughts." (2025-06-12 16:11:33).
- Frigidaris raises a slab of earth and shapes it into a couch. (2025-06-12 16:12:05).
- You emote, " scoops her papers out of the way of the couch and rearranges them on a table." (2025-06-12 16:14:03).
- You say, "To summarize a little - I don't think there's a thing we can do to wake up some big old secret. If there was a machine underlying it all, it's not functioning and I'm not sure that coded voice has a plan." (2025-06-12 16:16:52).
- Frigidaris said, "Personally, I'm interested in discovering new ways to shape the Weave via the Council. I was assuming, of course, that the keys to new powers lay buried somewhere in the Vale, but if our collective willpower is enough then I'm fine with going back to the Nexus again." (2025-06-12 16:18:43).
- Frigidaris said, "And I've enjoyed discovering things here, but the fact that we're constantly swinging in the dark and overanalyzing every single detail is exhausting me, frankly." (2025-06-12 16:19:54).
- Frigidaris said, "Sometimes I wish the voice would drop the cryptic commentary and tell us what it wants plainly, and the fact that it doesn't is making me skeptical of its power." (2025-06-12 16:21:46).
- Frigidaris lounges on the couch. "Anyway, that's my two cents." (2025-06-12 16:22:49).
- You say, "I've had many of the same thoughts. Well worded." (2025-06-12 16:31:49).
- Frigidaris said, "Alright, how about this: I've long had the theory that the gears outside Pivot Peak are related to the underground room, but Wonderworking didn't seem to do anything. If Mastery of Tools doesn't activate anything new and nobody has other suggestions, I propose we leave the Vale and enjoy our lives before this Breath ends." (2025-06-12 18:53:56).
- Frigidaris said, "And if one of us comes up with a new way to fold the Weave of Magic, and we don't need to rummage around in this place for that to become a reality, then I'm fine with leaving." (2025-06-12 18:54:39).
- You say, "I suspect that the Weave is doing precisely what the Weave has always done: set the rules for Archmages." (2025-06-12 19:18:19).
- You say, "Not a lever on some old machine. Maybe there's a "pull a lever on an old machine" thing it can be set to somewhere. But I am doubtful of our ability to find it." (2025-06-12 19:18:58).
- You say, "But consider this: This place was shaped by the Council. *We* are the Council. Whatever power made this place, we have." (2025-06-12 19:19:45).
- You emote, " looks sideways. Coming from her it looks pretty unnatural. "In theory."" (2025-06-12 19:20:08).
- You say, "We've been asking what some powerful ancient being would like to happen with this place. What would *you* have happen with this place, if you could?"" (2025-06-12 19:20:48).
- You give your Apple Pie to Lady Morgana. (2025-06-12 19:25:48).
- You say, "Oh, hello, Lady Morgana." (2025-06-12 19:25:57).
- You emote, " offers another slice of pie to the newcomer." (2025-06-12 19:26:09).
- Jorus said, "I would have this place be focused on research. Finding new ways to alter the weave. Replicate powers we know others possess. Wrestling powers usually reserved for others and bending them to our will" (2025-06-12 20:05:40).
- Jorus said, "We already know how to utilize hidden portals, but what about gaining further mastery over the portals all others know of?" (2025-06-12 20:07:20).
- Jorus said, "Or perhaps delving further into teleportation magic so that we need not blink over such short distances, but take longer strides?" (2025-06-12 20:08:41).
- Jorus said, "You ask what I want this place to be?" (2025-06-12 20:10:33).
- Jorus said, "I want this place to be the beginning. The start of Wizardoms ascension to heights of power heretofore undreamed of." (2025-06-12 20:13:07).
- Frigidaris said, "Very well said, Jorus." (2025-06-12 21:38:23).
- Frigidaris said, "Personally, I want to have an active hand in the shaping of this plane, leave my mark in it. This corner of existence was shaped by our predecessors, but as it stands now it is an unchanging monument to past glories." (2025-06-12 21:39:21).
- Frigidaris said, "This mindset may stem from my connection to earthly magic, but if this place was created by the Council's power, then I wish we Councillors could alter the Vale's landscape; make it our own little world, not just an interesting relic from a bygone era." (2025-06-12 21:41:40).
Re: Vale of Mysteries: A Wizard Exhale Quest
Wizards are more prone than, say, Conduits to be status-conscious beings, and the original Councilors were apparently quite interested in some badge to signify their power. Each of their Seals of magic were tied to a single item. Some seem remarkably wondrous, some take the form of documents and records of important information, and some appear to only be broken keepsakes of some bygone time. Yet functionally all perform the same function - to tie the wielder to the Weave (and though most understand it less, the reverse).
The strangeness of some of the items was bound to come up sooner or later.
The strangeness of some of the items was bound to come up sooner or later.
- Frigidaris said, "Changing the subject a bit: I have a question for you, Isabel. We Councillors possess an artifact to signify our status, and I understand the nature of most of them; I carry the Map in my knapsack, Jorus wears the Fingerbone around his neck, and so on. My question is, how do you carry around a Shattered Planar Foundation Orb? Do you hold it in your hand like a crystal ball, does it float around you...?" (2025-06-12 21:52:56).
- Frigidaris said, "Though to be honest, I'm not sure how Gandledore carries around his Chalice of Everlasting Flame either." (2025-06-12 21:53:09).
- You say, "Ah, that old thing? The first Councillor to find it kept it in a handbag. The second had it float around him like a moon." (2025-06-12 21:55:37).
- You say, "Me? Well..." (2025-06-12 21:55:43).
- You emote, " holds up a hand in front of her face and whispers something in Hasheen. You see the familiar flash of a death spell, and the hair, skin and flesh of her head go transparent, showing only bone. The bones of the back of her skull are interlaced with shards of a shimmering, silvery metal written over in fine, intricate runes." (2025-06-12 21:57:35).
- You emote, " stops the skull and her appearance goes back to normal. "I'm dead, so a different method came to mind. I'm keeping it close."" (2025-06-12 21:58:06).
- Frigidaris said, "I have to say, that's a clever way to carry that thing around. Fascinating!" (2025-06-12 22:11:12).
- The Council of Keys has decreed that magic be directed to enhance tools and technology for those who have mastered it. All weapons will have greater accuracy in the hands of an Archmage! (2025-06-13 00:00:02).
- You say, "What can I say? It keeps my hands free." (2025-06-13 00:17:40).
Re: Vale of Mysteries: A Wizard Exhale Quest
As the flock grew, it finally had added to it a wizard neither interested in status nor luxury: the woods mage Nirvanyos the Arcane, keeper of the Seal of Stone and Silt. And hints that the Tirazah Coven as a whole might have taken an interest...
Whatever the plan, any time you have the ear of a possibly authority on your magical artifacts is a good time to dig into their provenance - a question that would, in time, prove relevant:- You say, "Ah, welcome, Nirvanyos. I don't usually have guests, but I have quite a lot of seating anyway." (2025-06-13 00:44:22)
- You emote, " isn’t kidding, judging by a look around the room, but a lot of the furnishings seem to be made of bone. They're surprisingly comfortable anyway." (2025-06-13 00:45:04)
- Nirvanyos the Arcane wanders into the estates, his tatty robes swishing over the marble flooring. He dips his head in greeting, the brim of his wizard hat flopping some with the movement. The rugged obsidian staff he carries marks his passage with a high pitched 'tink' each time it taps against the floor. In his other hand, he carries a smoldering burl pipe. As he nears his quarters, an impatient wave of the staff prompts the protective waffle-weave of wooden overgrowth barring the entryway to retreat into the ground. The venerable sage mutters. "Hrh. Musty. That'll need a minute to air out." Finally he turns about and joins the gathered wizards. "So we finally gave up on the goose chase, eh? Back to plannin' and plottin'?" (2025-06-13 00:45:28)
- You emote, " pours a drink for the newcomer. "Knowing you, you probably don't visit your quarters at all." (2025-06-13 00:45:50)
- You say, "I think we've been going about it wrong." (2025-06-13 00:46:25)
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, "Yeh, hard to settle into a place where everyone knows t' look for ya. Makes the back o' my skull itch." He pauses to take a long, pungent draw off of his pipe. He inhales thoughtfully, holding the drawn breath as he thinks over Isabel's words. The eventual exhale streams smoke out his also-venerable nostrils. "Ay, been thinkin' that a while, too. Didn't have the heart to stomp on the tea party, as the saying goes." (2025-06-13 00:50:11)
- You say, "Of course, now we're having an actual tea party..." (2025-06-13 00:58:15)
- You say, "Ultimately - we are the ones with the Council's power now, and we could - theoretically - shape it as we need. As we wish." (2025-06-13 01:05:14)
- Nirvanyos the Arcane nods. "Kind o' figured that ought to be the case. How's about we make a big tower in the middle o' a vast, empty wilderland?" (2025-06-13 01:51:46)
- You say, "Mm. This is many things, but it isn't vast. That could change." (2025-06-13 01:55:58)
- You say, "The power here is a knot. Preserved. Locked out of sight." (2025-06-13 01:57:46)
- You say, "Oh Hashaa, I'm sounding like *me*, aren't I? Seriously though. Someone took a bundle of matter and power away from the cycle long ago and made this." (2025-06-13 01:58:16)
- You say, "And it's separate, but the cycle is contracting anyway. There is no better time to tinker with how all...this...works. To ride the tide." (2025-06-13 01:58:42)
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, "Y'know, seems like these sorts o' mysteries tend to hit a fever pitch 'round this time in the cycle. And somehow you an' yer sisters always end up tangled in it. Heh." (2025-06-13 12:58:29).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane falls quiet for a beat as he tamps down on his pipe with an air of well-practiced ritual--not necessary, perhaps, but rote-familiar handiwork to help himself think. "Ya believe this place really is separate from the cycle, though? We could bunker down and ride out the end?" (2025-06-13 13:20:18).
- You say, "We're bound to the Nexus. We'll be caught up in the end the same as anyone." (2025-06-13 15:03:50).
- You say, "It's this, this place, this matter, that's outside of it though. This isn’t like Stygia that's part of the normal respawning planes. Nor like Nifleheim that it gets a total change every Breath. This valley has been the same for a long, long time." (2025-06-13 15:04:55).
- You say, "It stands to reason that anything we do *to* it will ride out the breath." (2025-06-13 15:05:11).
- Iona said, "hmmmmmmmm" (2025-06-13 16:53:30).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, ""Ehm. If we're gonna be settin' a while while the others gather, I did have somethin' completely different to ask ya about, Isabel. Er, not you specifically but it seems like somethin' ya might know about. Ever seen a book like this?" The wizard shoves a hand down one of his voluminous sleeves and digs around. After a few moments, he produces a grimy grimoire covered in runes. "All I been able to translate of it is the title. Says 'Codex Mortis'....I think."" (2025-06-13 21:51:07).
- You say, "Ah. I see these from time to time." (2025-06-14 01:20:40).
- You say, "There's a legendary artifact out there somewhere - Hashaa's Book of the Dead. It keeps...an incredible amount of knowledge about who died, when and where and what it means." (2025-06-14 01:21:35).
- You say, "And with that knowledge comes power." (2025-06-14 01:22:08).
- You say, "But Hashaa governs entropy, decay, death. So no one can get something like that and keep it for long. You find it, you start reading it, after a while it vanishes." (2025-06-14 01:22:52).
- You say, "I've never, personally, seen the real Book of the Dead. My sister Katerina says she had it once. I think most of the time no one has it. I don't think it wants to be found." (2025-06-14 01:23:38).
- You say, "But most people who've had it, by the time they know enough to find it, know that it's going to slip away." (2025-06-14 01:24:25).
- You say, "So from time to time you'll see a knockoff, a copy someone who had the real deal jotted down either in the time they had, or from memory." (2025-06-14 01:25:07).
- You say, "Sometimes the person who does this is pretentious enough to call their copy the Book of the Dead. Sometimes not." (2025-06-14 01:25:32).
- You say, "But that's what you've got - a replica of a big-league artifact. Still useful, in its own way." (2025-06-14 01:26:34).
- You say, "Good find." (2025-06-14 01:27:32).
- You say, "The real deal would be quite handy for what we're trying to do. I have never hidden that I represent Hashaa's interests on the Council. But I wouldn't begin to know how to find it." (2025-06-14 01:38:11).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, ""Huh. Bootleg relic. How 'bout that."" (2025-06-14 01:49:50).
- You say, "Where'd you find it, anyway?" (2025-06-14 02:02:31).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, "Well." The wizard sighs, scratching the back of his scraggly pate. "Kind of a long story. Y'know how sometimes that plane of winter sorta...imposes itself on the fabric of the Nexus? Well, me bein' me I had to go explore it...and ended up down in some ancient tunnel system below the village that turned outta be full o' death cultists..." He shrugs." (2025-06-14 02:28:55).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, "It were self defence--really. But the priest that attacked me dropped this after I dropped *him.*"" (2025-06-14 02:29:36).
- You say, "You'll get no blame from me. No one in that place is trustworthy. It's in safer hands." (2025-06-14 02:34:25).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, "That is a very kind, and perhaps misguided thing to say. My track record with responsibility is checkered at best." (2025-06-14 03:14:47).
- You say, "You didn't turn an entire town into a murder-cult temple." (2025-06-14 04:06:08).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane snorts. "Y'know what? Fair dues. You did say 'safer', not 'safe'. And that's true enough. Hard to be more dangerous than what was goin' on in that place." (2025-06-14 12:40:48).
Re: Vale of Mysteries: A Wizard Exhale Quest
If, theoretically, the Council could restore fluidity to the Weave - wield it to, however briefly, do as they please - what would they do with it? That, again, was the pressing question.
And with that, another hint at a strategy dropped into the Wizards' laps. A single jotted-down set of notes is one thing, but two hinted at a wider strategy and a possible solution.- You say, "I can see why you'd want a tower away from civilization, if that's a big part of your exposure to it." (2025-06-14 14:01:29).
- You say, "So that's what you'd do, if you could?" (2025-06-14 15:08:50).
- Jorus lit a stick of incense. As its fragrance reaches you, you feel self-assured and tranquil. (2025-06-14 17:02:05).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane shrugs. "I...yeh, actually. I'm tired. War is not what I'm made for. The endless conflict. I want t' find somewhere peaceful. I want to enjoy the worlds we get dropped on. Instead o' thinkin' about how best to wage war on them. I'd like somewhere beautiful, somewhere to make tracks and get lost in. A hut would be fine for me, but a tower is nice...ye can gather like minded folks there. Collect knowledge. S' good." He flames up his pipe, taking a long drag therefrom. (2025-06-14 17:44:30).
- You say, "It looks like whoever made this place wanted the same, albeit with a little less exploration and more creature comforts." (2025-06-15 02:56:07).
- You say, "Though I suspect then as now, the risk is the same - by being there, we risk bringing the war with us" (2025-06-15 02:56:50).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane nods. "Yeh, well, suppose that is indeed a risk. Same time, s'not like we lose anything by it. An' at least this place is somewhat sheltered. Only us magick-y types here to bicker over it. And we've done a fair job of not bickerin'." (2025-06-15 16:28:32).
- You say, "Institutions are an alternative to fighting. Until the institutions themselves are fought over." (2025-06-15 18:31:46).
- Frigidaris knocks on the door. (2025-06-15 18:34:32).
- Frigidaris said, "I've come to say my goodbyes. I'm going back to the Nexus again, since I've seen enough of the Vale for the rest of the Breath. If you want to come visit, I'll probably be residing inside 52, 26 Cordillera; it's not as opulent as our quarters here, but it's perfect for an Earth wizard like me." (2025-06-15 18:38:05).
- Frigidaris said, "The last thing I wanted to test is the fact that Cracked Threshold let us fly indoors, which I'm not sure is something exclusive to the Vale. Since I'm leaving anyways, I'll try it outside and let you know what happens." (2025-06-15 18:39:24).
- You say, "Fare well. One more thing." (2025-06-15 18:39:31).
- Frigidaris takes off his wizard hat and bows at the waist: "Take care, my friends." (2025-06-15 18:40:22).
- You say, "You had dreams for what to do with your power. Should you find an opportunity to chase them, a crack in the threshold, do not turn it down. Remember your dreams." (2025-06-15 18:40:24).
- You say, "I felt like I ought to say that. Not sure why." (2025-06-15 18:41:26).
- Frigidaris said, "Wise words, and ones I'll carry with me for a long time. I almost forgot, I have something that belongs in your hands, Isabel." (2025-06-15 18:45:08).
- Frigidaris rummages around in his knapsack, finally pulling out an ancient tome covered in ominously glowing runes. (2025-06-15 18:46:15).
- Frigidaris said, "The Codex Mortis! I heard you had been talking about this and remembered I had a copy with me. I'm not sure it's even a copy of a copy, but still, I think you should have it." (2025-06-15 18:47:45).
- Frigidaris gave you a(n) Codex Mortis. (2025-06-15 18:47:53).
At last the workings of the possible spell became apparent - at least somewhere inside Isabel's room-temperature head. But a few pieces remained. And that meant seeking out more help, if help could be had.- Frigidaris said, "Well, nice seeing you lot. Take care now." (2025-06-15 18:48:54).
- You say, "...there are more of these than I thought." (2025-06-15 19:51:25).
- You say, "It looks a little different than yours." (2025-06-15 19:51:38).
- You have sent 1 credits to Frigidaris along with the message: Isabel’s thanks echoes throughout the magical voidnet. She seems very intrigued by something. You hear paper rustling. (2025-06-15 19:52:02).
- You say, "The same nickname, but..." (2025-06-15 19:52:15).
- You emote, " scoots Nirvanyos' copy over from the other side of the table, turns both over in her hands, and opens them with an impressive display of dexterity." (2025-06-15 19:52:54).
- You say, "Color me surprised. Two authors - look at how the hand is different." (2025-06-15 19:53:29).
- You emote, " sets them down side by side and rustles up some parchment and a pen. Every so once in a while you see her take a note as she flips through them. The written form of Hasheen is surprisingly shorthand-like." (2025-06-15 19:54:28).
- You say, "Two authors and commentaries on two *almost* entirely different aspects of the Book of the Dead." (2025-06-15 19:54:55).
- You have changed your vote for the direction that the Council of Keys will apply to the Weave of Magic. Your new vote is: Hidden Pathways (2025-06-15 19:55:10).
- You emote, " seems quite excited by something. You feel her change her Council vote almost without a gesture. She pores over the books." (2025-06-15 19:57:08).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane scratches thoughtfully at his beard, looking over her shoulder at the two open books. "Would take me a bit for a proper translation, but yeh...even I can tell they're not quite the same. Hrm." He chuffs at his pipe, taking great pains (including a small prestidigitation) to direct the smoke away from the books and the wizard in front of him. "Think if we found enough copies, we might be able ter sorta... reverse engineer the original? Or, y'know. An approximate?" (2025-06-15 21:35:57).
- You say, "Or enough of the original for our purposes. It goes away. The copies don't." (2025-06-16 01:33:13).
- You emote, " by now has a pretty significant collection of notes and doodles. You notice the latter look like drawings in the books, but they fit together surprisingly well." (2025-06-16 01:34:41).
- You say, "I'm starting to get a theory. The beginnings of an idea of what we could, perhaps, do." (2025-06-16 01:35:26).
- You say, "But there isn't quite enough here to commit to it. If I had the right additional citation from the original..." (2025-06-16 01:52:29).
- You say, "There's one other person I know has had their hands on the original, and that's my sister Katerina. If I know her, she's probably made her own imitation and is probably acting like it *is* the original." (2025-06-16 01:56:41).
- You say, "I can't go myself - weird stuff usually happens when Hasheen get into the same room. Like two pawns trying to fit onto the same square on the board." (2025-06-16 01:58:51).
- You say, "If some of you could track her down and go try to talk her out of it, it may be the missing piece to getting this place moving *our* way, not that voice's way." (2025-06-16 01:59:27).
- You say, "Because the universe is moving. Contracting, spiraling toward the exhale. And if I read this right, this might be very best time. Or the only time." (2025-06-16 02:24:51).
- Frigidaris has directed the Seal of Wind and Wave to vote differently on the Council of Keys. They are now voting for the Weave of Magic to be: Hidden Pathways. (2025-06-16 20:12:41).
- The Council of Keys has opened a secret network of portals throughout the Nexus, their workings known only to Archmages! (2025-06-17 00:00:02).
- You say, "All right. That should make it possible to get *back*." (2025-06-17 01:38:36).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane nods. "Ol' Kat and I go way back. Might be able to bend her ear, if we could gather up a little adventurin' group?" (2025-06-17 02:12:10).
- You say, "Oh, you've met? That'd help." (2025-06-17 02:41:41).
- You say, "Meanwhile I could make preparations." (2025-06-17 02:41:48).
- You say, "All just a theory at this point. Of course." (2025-06-17 02:41:59).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, "Everything's theory 'til it happens. Then it's theory again afterward." He nods again, the bobbing brim of his hat wafting a streamer of smoke into a fine haze. "That's academia, for ye."" (2025-06-17 12:12:09).
- Jorus said, "I don't have a Codex Mortis, but I have obtained a copy of the Tome of Everfrost." (2025-06-17 23:58:25).
- Jorus said, "I'm not sure if the knowledge contained within is relevant in this context, but if it is...." (2025-06-17 23:59:10).
- You say, "Not for the spell - if you can call it that - I have in mind." (2025-06-18 04:27:40).
- You say, "But its knowledge may yet prove useful, before all is said and done." (2025-06-18 04:27:57).
- You emote, " waves to the fur-covered archmage. "Welcome! I don't think I've seen you before. I'm Isabel Hasheen, keeper of the Seal of Divided Matter."" (2025-06-18 04:29:02).
- You say, "You'll find a lot of people around here who say things like that." (2025-06-18 04:35:54).
- Atrele Kasha said, "Greetings. I'm here to learn. And explore." (2025-06-18 07:29:47).
- Jorus waves his hand in the general direction of the southeast (2025-06-18 14:19:55).
- Jorus said, "You can find a cave over there" (2025-06-18 14:20:07).
- Jorus said, "There should still be potions inside. Feel free to help yourself" (2025-06-18 14:20:33).
- Jorus said, "I tend to brew when I'm not musing on the workings of the universe" (2025-06-18 14:21:22).
- Nirvanyos the Arcane said, "Oh. Erm. Perhaps I need to be a bit more assertive about rallyin' a wizard-adventure posse." (2025-06-20 01:14:19).
- You say, "Quite." (2025-06-20 01:48:04).
- You say, "Jorus can't have gone far." (2025-06-20 01:48:41).
- You say, "As for me...I have an idea for what I can do. If we have to do what I think we do, we'll need a means to fool a god. I'm going to go back to that peak and see who I can rally to help me figure that out." (2025-06-20 01:49:40).
- You say, "Good luck with that book. You know how to reach me." (2025-06-20 01:49:54).
- You emote, " gathers up her notes and heads out the door." (2025-06-20 01:50:03).
- You step outside of Altostratus. (2025-06-20 01:50:05).
- You step inside Pivot Peak. (2025-06-20 01:50:17).