Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Morning Coffee Break

Got your morning cup of coffee and a few minutes? Great! We're continuing our coffee break feature at the View - we're going to be asking a series of questions and we want to know your answers! The question is posted below. So while you sip your morning beverage of choice, ruminate on this one:

 In fantasy world filled with different deities, do you believe the gods are the source of what is right and wrong, or are they bound by a greater moral truth? and if your patron commanded something once considered wrong, would it become right simply because they willed it?

Head on back to Social Media to let us know! 

Low Res Realms 4!

 It's time for a new interactive feature here at the View

Below is a photo... kinda.

It certainly used to be a photograph before we converted it to a pixelated mess.

We'd like you to figure out the following based on just the squares of color below.

• What event is this?
• What is happening in this picture?
• Who are some of the people in the picture?

The full photo will be revealed later this afternoon.

2026 EHC Digest

Hello everyone,

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who attended both the Players Meeting and the Event Holders Council. Serving in this role within the community is no small undertaking. Making decisions that impact the entire community can feel daunting at times. However, once the meetings concluded, I was reminded exactly why we do this work: for the love of our community.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, stayed engaged, and remained respectful and focused. Your professionalism and kindness helped ensure that both meetings ran smoothly and productively. Thank you to those who paused to say “thank you” throughout the process, who approached conversations with respect, and who remained thoughtful even when decisions and discussions were complex. That spirit of gratitude and mutual respect makes all the difference. It’s what allows us to have hard conversations while still feeling united in purpose.

At the Players Meeting, we had 55 virtual participants and addressed 56 total proposals. Of those, 37 passed and advanced to the Event Holders Council.

At the Event Holders Council 44 eligible Event Holders were in attendance. We addressed pending CRB cases, reviewed 39 proposals (31 of which passed), and conducted a thorough review of our standing policies. As a result, we officially removed the COVID Standing Policy enacted on June 12, 2021, as well as the Modified Non-Com Rules, which have now been incorporated as a formal rule. We also voted in our new administrative teams (which can be found below!)

I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the team members who supported these efforts every step of the way and throughout both meetings.

Crystal W. — thank you for the many hours of preparation leading up to both meetings and for your steady support throughout. Thank you for helping steer conversations with clarity and care, making space for voices to be heard while keeping us moving forward. Your passion and dedication does not go unnoticed. 

Nataliya K. — thank you for being an absolute rock star. Your help with counting hands and cards at both meetings, along with coordinating and organizing those joining virtually for CRB proceedings, ensured accuracy and kept everything on track.

Emma S. — thank you for assisting with counting at the Players Meeting, securing the room for the EHC, running the computer and always being one of my biggest supporters. 

Anna R. and Kyle Y. — thank you both for jumping in last minute to assist with counting at the Players Meeting. Your willingness to step up wherever needed is deeply appreciated.

Keith C. - thank you for always giving me a safe space to talk things out and providing meaningful guidance especially leading up to the EHC, and for answering procedural questions on how certain things were handled last year

Tucker N. — thank you for helping talk through and clarify the CRB processes. Your insight and guidance were invaluable during those discussions.

Pi Fisher — thank you for answering my questions throughout the EHC and for being such a steady and knowledgeable resource.

I’d also like to thank everyone who stayed afterward to help clean up quickly following the in-person meeting. That extra effort and teamwork did not go unnoticed and is another example of the care people continue to show for our shared space and community.

It truly takes a village to carry out work of this scale, and I am so thankful to be surrounded by people who are willing to show up and give so generously of themselves.

Thank you all for your continued commitment to this community.

-Dani Lacasse

_________________________________________________________________

2026 Administrative Roles:

Administrative Meeting Organizer(s)

Pi Fisher 

Backup: Crystal Welch 

Complaint Review Board

Chairperson: Nataliya K.

Vice Chairperson: Emily Murphy 

Paul Tilton 

Hannah Boucher 

Pi Fisher 

Backups:

Ben Lacasse 

Ed Drummond 

Josh Learned 

Death Marshal

Bri Meisser

Backup: Ian Pushee

Event List Administrator

Ian Pushee  

Backup: Dani Lacasse

Facebook Moderation Team

Dani Lacasse 

Jason Rosa

Sarah Fournier

Nataliya K.

Nixon Showalter 

Minister of Magic Items 

Ian Pushee 

Backup: Tim Suitor

Omnibus Editorial Committee

Kelly Perfetto

Pi Fisher

Nixon Showalter 

Cameron Huneke

Zachary Koval

Why I Joined - Syruss of Neden

Lots of players in our game are part of nations. This series gives them a chance to talk about why they decided to join and what it means to them. If you would like to talk about why you joined your nation, please fill out this form. 

Who are you? (IC and/or OOC)

Demon Lord Sir Syruss O'Leary OOC Cal Marsden

 

What nation are you in?

I am the current leader of Neden

 

How long have you been a member?

It feels like my whole life. But I was a member of Grimloch from 2004 to 2012 when I joined Neden

 

Why did you join this nation?

To help my Brother Nymbous O'Leary re-brand and re-work the Nation to the group of rascals we have today. We had a formula and vision of being a more lighthearted group that prioritized uplifting moments for others. 

 

What sets your nation apart from others?

Our Cheeky Light Hearted demeanor. We also probably have more demons than anyone. we also pride ourselves on our weapons and props that we use for prizes at events.

 

What makes you proud to wear your nation’s colors?

To know where the nation was to where it went during my tenure. I am very proud of our props, funny story telling, our world building and most of all the OOC bonds we have all made.

 

What’s the most powerful moment you’ve experienced as a member of your nation?

Transitioning from the number 2 to the Lord of the nation. I had figured being the lord of a nation at the point was not in my cards. It was easy being the ideas guy with someone spearheading the projects I wasn't sure I was up to fill those shoes....I hope I did OK.

 

How does your nation help you become the person you want to be?

It helped me work with different people with different view points and goals and honestly the early stuff probably laid the background for me getting my masters in Psychology and Counseling. But I now have an impeccable ability to wrangle cats without a laser pointer.

 

What should someone do if they want to join?

Give me a high five and tell me why they are interested. We would need to make sure it is a mutual fit.

 

Anything else you'd like to say about your nation?

I am thank for everyone past and present that have worn the Green and Black. We are currently working on being more of a presence and back to throwing regular events so stay tuned for more of the Marvelous Neden Crew 

Neden for Life

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Realmsle #28

 

                       

This custom Wordle-adjacent-puzzle features a 5-letter word that is particularly relevant to the Realms.

If the embedded page isn't working below you can click this link to get to the puzzle.

Like regular Wordle you can copy your result's (but only if you follow the link), so paste them or a screenshot onto social media to let us know how you did. But no spoilers!

Warble’s Scattered Timeline

 When Warble died in her fight against Aniniak, pieces of her timeline became scattered to the wind. The adventures were able to pick up audio of key moments of her time. Below is a rough transcript of what they heard.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Timeline piece #1

Scene: Warble confides in Tik, and asks them for a new tool

Warble: “Tik, is now a good time?” Tone should be the satisfied tone of knowing it’s a good time

Tik: Deep sigh. “You already know that it is. How can I help you, Warble?”

Warble: “My time is running out. I need something from you.”

Tik: “What do you mean your time is running out. Warble what are you going to do?”

Warble: “I’m so sorry. It’s too late. I’ve already done it”

Tik: “I swear to the Starlords I will get Andromeda in here”

Warble: “You know they’d support me. But I’m not here to discuss my choices. I’m here for a tool to make sure I succeed"

Tik: “What do you need?”

Warble: “I’m going to activate the runestar protocol”

Tik: Surprised “Shit. That bad? Why are you coming to me and not Gina?”

Warble: “Because I know you can keep a secret. And because it’s not the magic I need. It’s the right tool for the job.”

Tik: “When do you need it by?”

Warble: “5 minutes ago. Sorry about this. Please activate this rune? Time rune activated”

Tik: "Creation rune activated”

*Hammering + fast forward noises*

Warble: “Oh no. I’m too late. They’re all dead. Calstus? I understand. I’m ready”

Tik: “Warble. Wait. Good luck.”

___________________________________________________________________________________

Timeline section #2

Scene: In the trial room, a 15 year old Franklin is receiving his alignment. He stands before the Twelve Guardians.

Warble: “Welcome Franklin Coleman, do you have any questions before we begin?”

Franklin: “You’re Warble right? From the festivals? Does this mean you want me to align to you?”

Warble: “Patience. We’ll get there. I am Warble, Guardian of Time. You have completed your trials. Those of us who feel you best embodied our aspects are going to speak to you-“

Franklin: Franklin interrupts “Yeah yeah yeah I know. I’ve heard the stories. Which of you can give me the power I am looking for?”

There is a long pause.

Warble: “You have the potential to be a great time mage… But I must warn you that aligning to time is a great responsibility; it takes a specific type of person to-“

Franklin: Interrupting again “I’m not just going to be a great time mage. I’m going to be the best time mage there ever was.”

Another pause.

Warble: “I truly hope you’re right. For all our sakes. Mortals have free will. But I do not. If you would choose it, you may align with me”

Franklin: “I align with you then, Warble”

Warble: “Very well. Welcome, Franklin of Time. And may the Starlords help us all”

___________________________________________________________________________________

Timeline section #3

Scene: Andorr and Warble have a conversation about Warble’s choice to intervene

Andorr: I am sorry, Warble. Above all else, we honor choice. It was Nelson’s choice to sacrifice himself. You saved him. You robbed him of the outcome of his own choice.

Warble: I stand by my actions. Keeper Nelson has a destiny to fulfill. One that would have been ended if I had let him perish there.

Andorr: And who decides his destiny? His fate? You, Warble? You have purview over that realm, and I would not violate your own choices, but you walk a fine line. Saving him. Bringing him through time.

Warble: And I will walk it again, and again. I am not like you, Andorr. I could not stand idly by, not when I had the power to help. You know this. I think you always did.

Andorr: I do. And you have your own choices to make. But, if you think Chronos sits idly by, you know not who he is. The Church of Chronos will act when it is right. Chronos will act when it is right. No sooner, and no later.

Warble: And in the meantime, you just let people die?

Andorr: People die. In the end, all mortals die. What they choose to do with their time matters.

Warble: Shouldn’t they have as much time as they can? The chance to make those choices?

Andorr: “They do. Farewell, Warble. You and I will not meet again for a long while. Know that, in spite of our differences, you are a friend to us. In the time of your greatest need, one of ours will be there, where they need to be. That is how we choose. Goodbye.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Timeline section #4

Scene: A young Warble is having a discussion with Calstus about the nature of free will

Warble: Hey Calstus? Can I ask you a question?

Calstus: You may.

Warble: You say we have free will. But how can I have free will if I can see everything that is going to happen?

Calstus: He pauses for a moment, considering his words Just because you know what is going to happen does not mean you have no free will. The free will of those who experience time as you do is precious, because you choose in spite of knowing the outcome.

Warble: How is it a choice then? If I know what I am going to do before I do it?

Calstus: Calstus sighs audibly, You safeguard possibilities. Even if you know what choice you are going to make, it is possible to choose others. You just need to make your own choices. For you, having free will itself is a choice. 

Warble: That doesn’t make any sense

Calstus: One day it will. And when that day comes, find me. I’ll be waiting

___________________________________________________________________________________

Bonus listens: 

Bridge of Hope

Time Loop

Shield Stories with Nataliya Kostenko

  Organized by James "Tao" Murphy

Please physically describe your shield; style, Heraldry colors etc? 

Sure! My shield is made out of a foam sled that’s pretty tall but a little narrow. It has the same stripe painted on the front that Ashenmark tabards do (though it has faded a lot—I’ll have to repaint it soon)

How long have you had your shield? 

I think I’ve had the shield for maybe 6 or 7 years.

Is this your preferred shield style? 

I like this style because it’s very light, very big (covers most of me), very easy to make if you find the right kind of sled (just attach a handle), and provides a nice sitting surface for wet or snowy quests.

Have you ever tried a different style of shield? 

I’ve also used a more traditional coffin shield and a circle shield. I’d like to get better with the circle but haven’t gotten to practice with it much yet.

Who made it?

Lexa from Rhiassa got two matching sleds and asked if I wanted “to copy Eldritch.” I said sure and thus the shield was born. I believe she also made a matching Rhiassa version for herself.

Have you ever had to fix/repair/refoam it since it's original creation?

No foam required, and I have not yet but I should definitely patch it up a bit soon. The handle is a little loose and the stripe has faded big time.

What is your favorite move with the shield?

The one where I hold it out at full extension and it’s really hard to hit me.

Do you have any interesting stories about the shield?

Not a specific story, but it’s big and comfy so I like to invite people to sit on it with me in downtime on quests. Also, I haven’t yet but I hope to someday sled down the hill at Cecil’s/Winter revelry on it.

What's It Do? What's It Do?

In this continuing View feature, we show you a picture of a theoretical magic item. Then you go back to Facebook and in the comments, invent your idea for the powers that this item would have.

Here is this week's item:

Picture submitted by: Stephen Sanford

So head on back to Social Media and let us know what this pair of blue chaps do! 

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Straight Outta Context

 Here's our next installment of “Straight Outta Context” where we post a photo with absolutely no context and see what you think is happening! To kick off each post, we'll ask someone random in the community to take a stab at what's happening!

Jason "Aeston" Rosa guesses:

"Ah the much anticipated right-angle measuring championship, doubles category."

Share your guesses about what is going on via Discord or in the Facebook comments!

Want to take a stab at what's happening in our next picture? Reach out to Dani Lacasse via discord or facebook messenger to signup!

What You Missed - Sanctuary Questing 13

By: Briar "Phee" Sieracki

 Time had paused for the demi-plane of Sanctuary at some time late afternoon, on October 25th, 1025 By Mortal Reckoning. It had frozen, because the Devourer of Time and the Guardian of Time destroyed each other. Without the Guardian to progress time, it could not be. Luckily, Sanctuary had the aid of a hero of the Realms, whose own time had been stopped (ha) when they stood as one of the three who sacrificed themselves so we could truly face and end the Mad Titan: Kieran Lostsong, the oft forgotten for how quickly they came into adventuring and just how quickly they left.

But that is a story for another time.

I write to you all today to tell you of what happened when we gathered in Sanctuary to adjust the balance. Since October, many newer adventurers (as well as a not-insignificant number of more established) have been planning to save Warble, the Guardian of Time, from her self-sacrifice. Now, many of us know the "Rules of Time Travel", and I know the set of 4: Don't Time Travel, Don't Travel in Time, Too Late You've Already Done It, Just Do It! Clearly, we'd have to jump very quickly to steps 3 and 4.

When we arrived, some of us found ourselves at different points of time in our lives or different selves entirely. Gordon found themself with the skills they would have had should some very good advice not been bestowed years ago. I found myself as a hopeful future. (Kieran themself called me "Your Majesty" so you can imagine my own surprise and understanding.) However, we didn't have a large amount of time (heh), as we needed to channel hope into a literal bridge to bring us to roughly the right moment to undo what had been done, but also destroy the Devourer.

As we heard the hopes of many settle around us, guiding us into the past, we discovered that our adventuring group was split into parallel but alternate timelines. We did our best, caught off-guard and understanding there were many creatures that we might have been prepared for, but preparedness is not the same as being ready. And then...the Devourer was walking amongst us, pushing and pulling people through the timelines, altering the flow, and occasionally feeding off our time. A few minutes later, and Warble appeared, and they fought, bouncing between timelines over and over, until she grabbed him, and....

Suddenly the chaos of battle was gone. We had been sent back to the moments before, and Kieran helped us change our angle of attack. A different entry point, more sideways. A slight change, one to maybe give us a helping hand. However, we also discovered several time-related artifacts we had were now missing, but we knew we would be able to reclaim them...in time. (Sorry, sorry.) This time, we angled ourselves just so to enter a space with small creatures with large eyes called Mind Readers. Mostly harmless, they just search for things to line their nest with, like that of information. They're also quite drawn to spellbooks, unfortunately, and had a tendency to nibble on legs. We were on a timer, and there were some challenges along the way.

 Sadly, around this time, old cold iron injuries flared up, requiring I take a less hands-on aid to the rest of our quest. It did give me a fantastic chance to observe most of the final goings-on. I still missed some things but thankfully, Bogen has given me the answers to what I didn't know, to allow me to continue telling this tale and fill in the gaps.

In order to set time right from this angle, we needed to move thing gears and thick gears to the right points in the room to interlace together, destroy clockwork creatures to gather rainbow gears for a third one, and I know another part of the room required a timeline of the Realms to be set back into a linear order. (Tara and Pawldo, from my understanding, were very set on that one.) Every so often, we would find ourselves back at the entrance, time reset. Each loop of that got us closer, and we could do these faster, knowing a little more than we did a loop prior. The trick was that we had to do all of those before time reset. This lead to many people memorizing the exact pattern to beat the clockwork creations, destroy them, and knowing exactly which one held which gear in the first place. There also was a small orange notebook that detailed how a scientist working for The Governor (whomever that is) made these clockworks with Franklin, the Devourer's Servant, that run on condensed time. It apparently made one person ill to the point of death to read it.

...Time loops, by the way, are a very dizzying theme of the day.

From the completion of that set of challenges, we found ourselves in another fight against Laughing Dead and Dogs of War (and yet, less terrible Dogs than they could have been based on records in Ivory, thank the gods), and yet again Guardian and Devourer fought, only for us to not be able to change that moment. We broke to refuel our bodies, rest, and consider a new plan of action. After all, if a Devourer is destroyed but they still have a Servant, that Servant becomes a new Devourer, and we have a different-yet-same problem again. Once again, we were split into three timelines, but now with a specific hourglass flipping every 8 minutes, marked on one side with a Time rune and an Anti-Time rune opposite. Bogen's notes again are helpful, as all I know was quite a bit of button mashing...and I was going to bite if I heard that DING again before the challenge began.

"To start the encounter we needed to let it finish anti-time downwards. We spent forever keeping it in the middle instead. That is when the bunny finger ritual thing happened." (We did, to waste some time. There's...no good way to explain it, it was just very silly to start, and then just...expanded. We got crystalized time out of it, which was quite helpful, as you'll soon see.) "Eventually we started the room. The hourglass was linked to Kas and Franklin, and we had to fight Franklin across the timelines." I know at one point, Gordon's timelines converged in a real messy way, and people had to put them down a few times before that got fixed.

Kas, thankfully, also had more insight into what the hourglass and Franklin had to do with things. Kas had soul-bound himself to Franklin's hourglass, and for a time experienced Franklin being in his head. This particular room involved them both vying for control over that hourglass, with Franklin representing the Anti-Time side, and Kas representing Time. Thus, Franklin had power so long as the sands flowed towards the Anti-Time side, and vice versa. Paired with a Time Boon that allowed Kas to cross timelines, Kas chased Franklin across time until all the sand had fallen to the Time side, aided by the button. Eventually, the two dueled, and Kas won control of the hourglass.

Finally, all that remained was to restore all the previously sacrificed timelines Franklin had given up the possibilities of to gain power as a time mage. In the end, Kas offered him a choice: Surrender and choose one of the many possibilities, hopefully do something good for once in his life, or continue fighting for the Devourer and face death at the hands of the very angry adventurers around him. In the name of self-preservation, Franklin chose the former and fought beside us for a brief while.

This time, we entered what was really truly the Plane of Lost Things. We entered a room full of hundreds of socks, a few monsters, and more Mind Readers. It was soon discovered that the socks had definitions and archaic words on them. I...got quite excited because I knew what several of those words were off the top of my head, while others weren't sure they were real words. As I got to matching words and definitions, others fed them to the Mind Readers, who were quite happy with new things to line nests with, and left. Others discovered that monsters seemed to be color-coded, and the only way to defeat them was to pull the same colored sock over their weapon first.

And then...finally...it was time. We were certain this was it, we could do it this round. We entered to discover a hard 30 minutes left before we could no longer continue this fight. However, we found our remaining time artifacts, and our very tense planning for this final push tried to combine in a matter of minutes. It began with a call and response to empower...well, I'm not sure if it was N, or the inert Time Snarl he tied to himself. Once it was done, all that was left was calling out Anti-Time to fight. This time, armed with the knowledge we needed, we made a push. And this time...this time it wasn't a mad-dash fight between Warble and Anti-Time, but Anti-Time sprinting, frantic to get away from the now Hug-Bomb shaped N. Cornered, it detonated, blasting the room, but leaving a few of us with Resist Magic alive. As things reached a very tense moment, and we started to relax, we realized that the clock was still ticking down. 5 minutes left, and a call for Last Rites rang out over the room, trying to make sure that Anti-Time stayed down. Styx began calling for people to stand for the fastest Sanctuary ritual they could. With several handfuls of crystalized time, and the ritual starting, I quietly called on Divine Aid to help however Styx needed it. People began pulling scrolls from their pockets, remembering at quite literally the last minute, they could draw on spare time to make sure the ritual had time to complete.

And thus, with a ritual channeled through the Watch of Lacune (a Titan's pocketwatch, and no small feat to use that!) to create a fixed moment in time...Warble's months long looping fight came to an end. Even as I write this, I'm still shaking off the echoes of a monarchy that hasn't happened yet, and my followers are resting or planning another adventure. As always, Sanctuary's survival is...a fascinating time to experience.

Okay now I'll stop making little jokes about time...that clock's run out.

Until we meet again, teska'gen'nashona.

 For now, simply

Phee

-----------

If you haven't made an attempt to either PC or NPC a Sanctuary Questing...why not? Bri, as well as their fantastic team, have been telling some wild stories and challenging ideas of what a questing event means. Despite challenges of both college and health, Bri's crafted an absolutely amazing thing for the game. A good chunk of this event was planned and written from a hospital bed, something many of us would never attempt. Snow and health made some last minute changes happen, but truly, what a way to tell a time-looping story within a LARP where that's tricky. I can't even fully explain how wild and fun these events get because...well. You really truly have to just see it for yourself.

I also want to shout out the absolute care and kindness of the whole NPC staff and the sheer number of people who took the time to check on me or just make a joking aside while I had to quite literally sit in a chair out of the way when I subluxed two joints and had to go very non-com through a good chunk of the day. Kathy Fey also gets a big shout out there for physically stepping between the combat and me when it got too close and there was a chance of it colliding with me before I could get up and move. It's easy to feel despondent when that happens, especially as a disabled part of the game, but even the jokes of me clearly being the one summoning monsters helped keep me from wondering if I should just go sit alone outside. That level of care and levity from the entire staff truly helps and is a shining example of our community. An equally big shout out goes to the PCs who, instead of encouraging me to sit outside the room or completely step out when I needed to go non-com, instead found ways to keep me involved. I got to feel incredibly smart with those archaic words (we don't need to know why I know what word means "baby eater"), and sometimes just being silly as we wait for time to pass is exactly what we all need.

A massive shout out to Bogen/Zach and Kas/Alistar for their help in piecing together things I missed at the time. I completely forgot some stuff by the time I started writing this!

I’ll see you all soon!

-Briar/Phee

A Declaration of Peace in Eagle's Rook

 To the Heroes of the Realms,

We are pleased to announce that our lands, the lands of Eagle’s Rook, are no longer in the grave danger we faced these past few years. The forces of Guthrevin and the wraiths he appears to command have been driven underground and into hiding in Eagle’s Rook, and do not currently pose a great threat. Similarly, the Fae of Avendroth are no longer under threat, though are still making their presence known in our shared lands. 

For now, we seek to rebuild and open our gates to outsiders once more. Those who visit may find that our fields are not producing as many crops, and that the magic remains less accessible, but rest assured that we are regrowing. Alchemy has increased in relevance and relative usefulness, and those visiting may find that embracing these skills could bring better results than typical magical avenues. 

You may also see more of our representative members traveling outside of our borders once again, now that this threat has subsided. We are pleased to have been able to attend such events in 1025 and 1026 as Chimeron’s Feast and Coronation, Blackwood’s Tournaments, Ashenmark’s Feast, and the Feast of the Leviathan in Rhiassa. 

In the future we hope to rely on the aid of our allies to defend against Guthrevin and his forces, should they show themselves again. Until that day comes, Eagle’s Rook stands undaunted.

Steward Sir Wil

Sir Adara 

Sir Mikail

Lady Meela 

Squire Balthazar

Squire Omri

Squire Fern 

Herschel

Newbie Spell Prop Bin

By: Maria "Liselle Silvermaple" Carr

What is this: This is a bin of spell props to help enhance a new player's experience in the Realms by giving them access to spell props they might not yet have or have ready to use and allow them to use the spells they learn. These props cover 90% of the spells in the Omnibus.

How did this come about: When I came back to the realms after a long hiatus, I learned about the Newbie Loaner Armor Bin that made armor more accessible for new players to the game. It was then, I realized there was not an equivalent for new spell casters. With how quickly casters can learn spells, it is more important than ever that new players have access to required components.  

What’s in the bin: Within this bin are spell props that cover everything from sashes to rope to ritual paraphernalia. While most of the items are for loan there are a few things that players are welcome to keep. Some of these items include journals, pens, and markers. There is also a binder which contains the section of the omnibus ‘Magic in the Realms’ and ‘Spell Descriptions’. At the bottom of each spell description is what component from this bin can be used for the spell.

How can I get the bin at my event: I will happily bring this bin to every event I go to, but unfortunately I can’t get to everything. If you would like it at your event, please reach out to me and we can work on making arrangements - I have no problem passing it off to someone so it can get to your event.  

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Conspiracy Monthly

By: Kyra/Kieran Barry

From the award winning publication! 

What You Missed - Arken Expedition 2

by: Ella "Violet" Smith

Hello good people of the realms, this is what you missed at Arken Expedition 2: 

 All of us adventurers gather before the fire before making the trip to the Arken castle, where there was a call for adventurers to help defend the castle. They had heard rumors of a plan to seize the castle. Once we made it to the castle, it was only quiet for mere moments before the attacks started. The front was hit hard but held; the sides remained strong throughout; the archers would have ran out of arrows if not for the amazing use of shape shifting magic to go out and retrieve the shot arrows. 

 Once the siege appeared to be over, we were informed to go claim the land surrounding the castle. Each area had its own tasks to complete to raise the Arken flag, whether they be fighting or  puzzles. I can only recall what me and my small group got into. We were told when entering the area that there was not a game of fighting, but of wits, and the word inconceivable was thrown around a lot. I volunteered to do this challenge. The challenge was to pick between three glasses: two with poison and one without. Myself and the man that I was to play this with would each drink one. It was only until my hands were on the glass that I was told it was no mere poison: if I picked the wrong glass, part of my soul would be torn apart, leaving a permanent mark on my soul. However, I was willing to gamble; it was, after all, a one in three chance. Thankfully, I gambled correctly. I took the only safe glass, and after my opponent died, we were given a mirror shard and what appeared to be a recipe to seal the mirror realm. In addition, we got to raise the Arken flag for that area.

Once me and my small group got back from that, we were tasked to collect all the mirror shards so that they were in the same place. I got the feeling that the more I collected them, the more they were pulling to go towards the old shattered mirror. After the knowledge was shared, all of us adventurers made our way to the old shattered mirror. We put the pieces into the mirror and made it whole again. With the mirror whole again, we entered the mirror realm and were immediately met with violence. After we cleared the area and ensured that part of the land was safe, we took a quick soup break. We are mortal, after all. At least, most of us are. In addition, the feedback on the chili was absolutely incredible. 

After the soup and warming by the fire, we were back to the quest. We soon encountered slimes on the road. We quickly pieced together that the recipe I had gotten earlier was for the slime goo, and if we did it correctly, it could make a potion that could forever seal the mirror realm. The only problem is that we couldn't kill the slime or touch them to get the goo. Luckily, we had a magical ladle to collect the goo. While the goo was being laddled, the rest of us were working on distraction. Once all of the goo was collected, we needed to perform a ritual: we needed three magic users, two people of the color green, one person who symbolizes rage, and an alchemist to oversee it all. I was one of the magic users involved, and the ritual was a giant success.

After the ritual, we needed to get moving fast because the rest of the adventurers were already fighting up ahead. When I got to where the fight was happening, there was a lot of death. However, once the magic users were back up, everyone was raised again. We spent some time fighting towards a massive mirror building that seemed to hold all of the people we were fighting. There were some negotiations, but none seemed to work, so we just brute forced it and crushed the building. We took out the remaining people, I became a mother to a fox during this fight and still don't really know how that happened, and other people found really amazing magic items.  

We could at last  make our way out of the mirror realm, where we met up with Fancy, who exclaimed their thanks to us for assisting. Finally, mirror-Fancy showed up and started monologuing, but we all started running and officially sealed the mirror realms. 

Thank you all for reading my tale, stay warm  -Violet  

Why I Want to Go – Sanctuary Questing 13

by Alistair “Kasca” Gilmour

Heroes of The Realms,

I write to ask you for your aid.  Sanctuary, the plane my family calls home, has been under threat by forces that wish to destroy it and the Guardians who protect it.  My friends and I have worked to whittle down their forces over the past two years (maybe more?), but this time, it’s different.

At Black and White last fall, Warble, Guardian of Time and one of my friends, sacrificed herself to annihilate one of our worst foes.  Sanctuary has been in stasis ever since, and those of us who are Time mages have been stranded here, regardless of whether we belong in this time or not.  To save Sanctuary, we need to bring Warble back home.

To do this, we will be venturing through the Plane of Lost things, a land where anything that is lost ends up, whether it be socks, things you were sure you put in a safe place, even old foes and Time itself.  It will be dangerous, but knowing everyone, that kind of danger will be seen as a challenge.

The friends and family I have in Sanctuary have become an important part of my life, so to anyone who chooses to help out, you have my deepest gratitude.

- Kas

((OOC: I’ve had a lot of fun at every Sanctuary Questing event so far.  There’s a bit of everything for everyone, regardless of the magic you have or lack thereof, or your appetite for role-play.  The team has been amazing and they have big things planned for this weekend.  I think it will be fun regardless ^-^))

Rumors around the Realms February 1026

   

Rumors around the Realms December 1025

Across the Realms

In the deepest parts of the night, you hear from everywhere at once n a terrifying voice say "Despair mortals, for your actions have given rise to the most fearful, the demon of Maleficence!"

in the vicinity of Lionsmark

A town militia spotted a golden skull-faced demon-looking creature, standing over a recently fallen corpse, holding the victim’s severed arm in its hand and cackling triumphantly: “That’s nine of yours now!  Garm demands balance!” before scampering off into the night.  

Shadowlands

Lots of commotion within the lands lately.  Potato patches and chicken coops have been popping up like crazy.  The Wandering Potato Shop has opened up within the many shops in town.  Also we have been having a spoon shortage, which Isoba needs to be talked to about that…Karmha Creations is busy making the first of many of the nation of Shadowlands tabards.  Good things are coming to the Shadowlands now to just deal with these pesky cultists as the Queen prepares for the Blue Rose tournaments which has some new surprises coming so keep an eye out! 

General Realms

Random citizens in various locations speak of a sudden turn of bad luck striking someone they know, more than might normally be expected.  People have reported their neighbors suffering misfortunes ranging from the loss of items or senses, to strange behaviors and crippling maladies.

The Wyvern College

As outside help comes and goes from the Wyvern College in the months preceding Training Day, rumors begin to circulate about the draconic relatives in the area. Some claim that they’ve seen dozens of kobolds applying to the college in search of a higher education. And some whisper that they’ve heard that the Wyverns that live wild in the surrounding woods are actually expelled and transformed students.

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

Why I Want To Go - Arken Expedition 2

By: Matthew 

Hi! I’m Matthew “You-can-call-me-Traveller-though-that-is-not-my-name” Mueller, and about one-fifth of my personality is that I drive a minivan with four wheel drive. When SMAS makes a transportation sheet for each event, I have the dubious honor of driving the clown car- and tetris-ing everyone’s gear into the car. Turns out, 7 people, 6 shields of varying sizes, a couple 5’s, and many, many single shorts, 3’, and daggers can fit with little issue. I’m pretty sure I could even add a pike or two to that mix. Anyways- I figured I’d ask each of the Clowns this time round why they want to go to Arken- and getting four out of five responses is pretty good for busy college students.

Keith ‘Harkel’ Palmer-Poirier (Shotgun. Navigational Aid): 

“Attending last year’s Arken Expedition was a lot of fun, one of my favorite events of the year. I found the regionals to be fun as a shield fighter who got to feel important by being able to block a lot of the projectiles which were flying around. Additionally, the event has an interesting setting, with the mirror world being a really neat idea. Lastly, the site is a lot of fun, with the castle that we were able to siege as well as the field and the trails, giving a lot of variety to where we were fighting! Overall, last year was a great experience and I see no reason to expect anything different this year!”

Aiden Emeric | Ace (middle row, right, so I can keep an eye on him and his demon sword):

“A few reasons. 1st is to get a better understanding of the realms via participation in events and to become a better fighter so that I am more recognized IC which. 2nd is that my demon sword wants souls and I thought this might help with that.”

Elise “Topaz” Sainio (Middle row, left. Trusted not to kick the seat in front of her):

“I've heard great things about last year's Arken Expedition, and want to experience it for myself. Also, snow combat is fun and should be done more.”

Emma “Companion” Perez Rovira (Back left. Will probably fall asleep):

“I was told ot's[sic] cool. And i like the realms :3”

I attempted to reach out to the pike, nicknamed “Emiko’s Aura of Fear”, and the 5' diagonal “Shield of social obligations 2, electric boogaloo” which are occupying the 6th seat in the ride sheet. I did not receive a response.

And finally-why I want to go: The promise that the Arken team is making is one of a playground. Fighting through 2 feet of snow, with a castle, regionals that are as fun as they are powerful, and a premise that is both deeply serious and silly. I’m going to be running around with one point armor and two 3-foots, as a 3 path. In addition, the Arken team is playtesting fun new mechanics, from Ian’s animal companion overhaul, to a new ritual style spell alternative. I’m going to be craft swapping with a new friend, flinging myself through the snow, gasping dramatically at the plot twists I (totally) saw coming, and having a (snow)ball!