Conspiracy MONTHLY

 By Kieran/Kyra Barry

Credit to Sean Finn for an article I wholesale got from him, no wording change needed.

Rumors April 1025

 

Rumors around the Realms April 1025

Arken

Many of the people from Arken can be seen traveling with the intention of heading to Mid-Realm. When questioned, they answer about Arken beginning to move to keep a watchful eye on the Mirror discovered during the Expedition.

Blackavar

Following the winter thaw, Baron Kurt Gautier has begun preparing for his household to move with Wilma Wilmont to the ruins on the banks of the River Archendale. A settlement is planned to be rebuilt where the ruins stand.

Eroewan

 Denizens of the land chat excitedly about a big festival to happen in June. The reason for the festival is currently unknown. 

Strange horned rabbits have been observed roaming the land, behaving similarly to ordinary rabbits. 

Meme Monday

 by the Meme Team

On Inclusion

Hello members of our Realms community,

In the face of discriminatory laws at both the federal and state level, the Knights of the Realms remain steadfast in our desire for the Realms community to remain an inclusive space for everyone. 

We are opposed to the federal executive order limiting gender to that assigned at birth. 

We are opposed to a similar and reprehensible bill, HB148/SB268, making its way through the New Hampshire legislative process. 

To our LGBTQ+, and specifically trans, friends, know that we would be lesser without your full presence in our lives. You are a vital and valuable part of this community and we are committed to doing everything we can to make sure you know you are wanted here.

To every member of our community. If you believe in the sentiments that we have expressed above, let this missive serve as a call to action.

As of the time we’re writing this, this legislation in New Hampshire has passed through the House and the Senate. There is still time to act, however, before it is signed by the governor. A very similar bill was put to the previous governor, Chris Sununu, last year and he vetoed it, saying “It is unacceptable and runs contrary to New Hampshire’s Live Free or Die Spirit.”

The following webpage contains multiple methods to contact Governor Ayotte. https://www.governor.nh.gov/contact-governor-ayotte

Reach out and let your opinion on this bill be heard. If you do not live in New Hampshire but have family or friends there, encourage them to express their opinions on this legislation.

Never fool yourself into believing that elected officials, especially our local ones, are ever in a position to ignore the calls and emails of their constituents. I can assure you that they read our emails and listen to our calls. Minds can be changed and votes can be influenced with a large enough groundswell.

We know that calling this a difficult and scary time for many in our community is a severe understatement. This rollback of civil rights is unprecedented in our lives up until now. 

The best we can do as a community is to stay true to the path we have chosen. We will look out for each other at all times, seek understanding from each other when we disagree, and stand by each other when disruption to our inclusive ways seems inevitable. 

We pledge to do these things always as we march into uncertain times ahead.

In duty,

The Knights of the Realms

Undersigned

Jason Rosa, Knights Commander

Patrick Bobell

Matt Brenner

Keith Cronyn

Kathy Fey

Randy Gordon

Jason Gray

Angela Gray

Lani Jones

Steven Matulewicz

James Murphy

Tucker Noyes

Ian Pushee

Sean Veale

Art of the Soul in the eyes of the Potato

 Written by: John "Potato" Peloquin 

Started this adventure scrolling through the village enjoying the peaceful day with a baked potato. I stopped my pace to finish eating and saw the library had a sign in big letters saying there was an art show on display. I looked closer and read a small description saying they are still accepting submissions for it. Thinking about how I dabble in the arts myself, I decided to check what it's about. I walked in and started to gaze around the library admiring the woodwork on the walls. I eventually spotted signs posted pointing where to go for the art and followed. I walked round the corner and saw the installation, such a variety of art to admire. Before I continued on to get a closer look, I was stopped by someone who looked to be a librarian. I was asked if I had any questions or art to submit to the show. I ask them a few general questions about the place before asking what the theme was and who can submit a piece for the show. They smiled before saying “anyone with art in their soul can submit their work, up to three different mediums that represent themselves. Place it on an empty display and write on the placecard is all you have to do. The theme is art of the soul. What art shows off your passion and soul? Have a look around, enjoy your time, and be inspired.” I looked at her a little stunned, deeper than what I was expecting. She smiled, turned, and walked off without another word.

I look down the hall and see a couple people putting up their art to display or admiring the art. Closer to the end of the hall, I think I might’ve seen two people with metallic skin, shiny clothes, and glowing eyes and hair near some plushies on a display. The yellow-haired one looked like they were adding to the display before they turned a corner out of the hall. I think I’ve walked by them before towards their house in Sanctuary. I should go over and formally introduce myself some time. I thought to myself, before walking up to the first display.

The display had a little card that read Heart of Omri crafted by Omri, displaying a heart sculpture beholding what they valued most to them. I gazed at the heart sculpture that was open wide to receive and give love. A purple shine like a geode inside exposed, placed in empty spaces were hearts to show the love that has been given, a butterfly kissing an edge of the heart to make it flutter, and a dragon tucked away showing their bravery to protect what they love. I thought back to myself how inspiring this heart was to show that love was something to be cherished and protected. 

I scrolled off to the next display, it was a small book. The display read a Light rune trial a story of three princesses written by Mistral. I sat back at a convenient chair by the display. Feel like it is there for the purpose of enjoying this tale. I lost track of time in this riveting tale about the princesses battling against a dark wizard wanting to take the kingdom and power they had. Through this reading I start to get this feeling it's more than just a tale about saving their kingdom. It's about their journey on overcoming insecurities and accepting who you truly are. In the end everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, but one can become stronger when with others. What a thoughtful tale for people to enjoy. I closed the book and put it back on display, so others can learn from it and proceeded to the next display.

The display was an armor stand with a place card pinned on the chest. On the shoulder was a striking deep green pauldron and below it, the place card that read Leather pauldron crafted by Saegan. The leather pauldron was designed, textured, and dyed forest green. On the main plate displayed two embossed majestic stags locked in combat, displaying strength and the untamed spirit of the soul. The plate under it had the heraldry of Blackwood embossed on it, identifying where he hails from. The strap had an intricate design flowing down the sides showing off his attention to detail. Overall this piece shows the dedication to the craft made with the passion of his soul. I should keep his name in mind with my journey of learning leather crafting. Maybe he has some knowledge he'd willing to share.

I continued on to the next display while thinking to myself what art could represent my soul? It was another armor stand, this time displaying a Leather chest piece. The place card with it read Leather chest armor crafted by Gordon. So this is the chest piece I overheard them talking about. Not being done quite yet, but wanted to still show off his skill. Dyed a pitch black with a tree burned on the front of it. The tree outstretches its branches and roots across the front. Could be representing their strength and deep roots in the realms. The dedication in their craft shows off as well, can't wait to see this finished being used in battle. The details and craftsmanship is already stunning. I should keep their name in mind as well if I want to learn some tricks of the craft.

Bowls crafted by Keith C. & Emma S.

I headed off to the next display to view, thinking about how many inspiring artists and craftsmen there are in the realms on the way. It’s of two bowls with a place card that read "Clay bowls crafted by Irri and Saegan." One was of a solid deep blue with what looked like herbs or flowers branching up the bowl in a dark green. It appears they could have dipped herbs or flowers in colored paint and pressed an impression onto it. Same on the teal colored rim on the bowl. Displaying white herbs or flowers branching around the rim. How creative to use them in such a way to decorate the bowl. And the bowl itself must've been made with delicate hands to get this even, smooth shape and perfectly formed rim. I look at the other bowl, it's a solid sky blue bowl with pine green trees painted around branching up to the rim. Near the bottom of the bowl under the trees is a lighter blue striped in a patched jaggy fashion around the bowl. Staring at the bowl for a couple minutes, it started to remind me of bracers Saegan wears. I wondered if that's what he was going for as I turned away from the display to see what was next.

 

On display is a necklace with a place card that reads Ladybugs love crafted by Hedda. A beautiful clear heart-shaped pendant with a ladybug inside. The details on the ladybug itself is eye-catching. The way the lines swirl around and are perfectly symmetrical on each side with each other. The details in the necklace shows the love she put into her work to create beautiful works like this. It's as beautiful as the souls that dwell in Sanctuary, I thought to myself as I made my way to the next.

  I walk up to the next display and it looks like a couple tables were put together to make more room. The place card read "Multiple works of art crafted by Lady Tarnisha and my daughter Mandolin."  There were some colorfully fun gingerbread cookies decorated on a platter. Next to them were some sewn fabric stuffed plague rats, maybe trying to get the delicious-looking cookies on the platter. A beautiful dream catcher on a cold-colored matching necklace that looks like it will be used for a ward spell. As well as what appears to be a worst-case scenario colored drawing of a solar eclipse. I feel like these ones were done with little Mandolins growing talents, very nicely done by her. There was a sheet of paper next, it was a ballad written and titled Ballad of Darkvale, sounds like it's about what took place during Winter Reverly. The last piece was a sideless light blue and tan surcoat. It had its own little note attached to it that said it's just a first pattern for a more complex  SL surcoat, she is making for King Orion's Coronation. Even so it was still elegant, decorated with an upper band of flowers along the chest line, and patch of flowers under the right armhole of the surcoat. If this is just the first pattern I can't wait to see how gorgeous the final will be. This display of work just shows the time they spend with family is what's important to her soul. 

So much to reflect on as I scroll through this hall of art, so many impressive artists in these lands. I reach the next display with a place card that reads Enchanted armor token and Heraldry of The Kingdom of Misery crafted by Rain. The armor token was black with a scattered line pattern on one side and on the other an incomplete looped heart wrapped in leather around the circle edge. Next to it a drawn heraldry with a rainbow over a castle silhouette. Both are well-crafted pieces of art for their journey ahead.

The next display to be seen was a poem written by Styx. I found the poem to be captivating how they captured what their soul would look like. Felt like I was there looking into their soul, the home that was built that shows the hardships and good times the soul has had. Content with who they are as a person and the journey they have had. Home is where the soul is. As I placed the poem back down for others to see I got a whiff of something sweet going behind me and turned around.

It was Fern quickly walking by with the smell of something sweet filling the air. I see them stop at an empty display and place a plate and a little display card. Before I could reach them for some small talk, they started to walk away to leave. So I let them, must be busy getting ready for the coming events like others. I can just read the little display place card about what smells so good and catch up later. The display card read Earl Grey Honey cheesecake, Blackberry and Sage cheesecake, and Chocolate Sumac cheesecake baked by Fern. They even left an additional place card describing her choice in work. It said “As many of you know, I love baking and coming up with new desserts. As slightly fewer of you know, I am an Avatar of the Beast, and Avatars of the Beast must eat cheesecake. For this Art of the Soul project, I created a set of three types of cheesecakes meant to represent me: Earl Grey and Honey for a more academic side, and bees!, Blackberry and Sage for my appreciation of nature, and Chocolate and Sumac again for my love of nature but also the comforting aspects of life. These were a good intellectual challenge for me, as I have not made many cheesecakes on my own before. I had to heavily adapt the recipes I was basing these off of, and I had to gauge the flavor balances correctly on my first try. I did a ritual with them shortly after finishing them. They turned out just as wonderful as I envisioned, and even the decorations played along. Truly food for the soul!” Could be the leftovers from the ritual, I wanted to try a nibble but resisted. I've been told the cheesecakes they make are beyond delicious, I'm sure one day I'll get one. I took off from the display before I couldn't resist any longer.

I reached the final display and read the place card. Two plushies of Kas' parents, no name of who crafted it. These plushies look like the ones I saw earlier. One plush of a short yellow haired person wearing a knitted yellow shirt, pale red surcoat, and brown pants for an outfit. There was also a rock placed next to it, that's what they placed on the display. The other was of a long red haired person wearing a knitted light purple top and violet pants to match. So much detail went into embroidering and sewing the plush together. The clothes they wear are so tightly and neatly knitted together, amazing craftsmanship.

I thought about leaving the art show, but then I looked at an empty display. I stood there and thought if my crafts had anything I thought was worthy of being shown off as my art of the soul. After some thought I walked over and decided to place two items. I took out my chainmail coif with holes for my ears, my first chainmail craft. I made it because I wanted to be more protected so I can fight better with my friends and allies. I had fun making it, and will continue until it's a full suit. The other piece of art I decided to place were a few of my Potato Chips I have been making. Woodburned circular chips one side a potato and the other a number one with a P and C, with a decorative dash border going around. I hand burned each one, and have many more to continue making. My hope is to make it a new currency the realms will like when Im ready. Back by my shop and food cart, if anything maybe they'll want to collect the art. I put my soul into my art and the memories I make with my friends. I write down on the placecard what I placed on the display and my name. Left the art show with a little more thought about what art of the soul can be and appreciation for the artists for showing me their soul.

Why I Want to Go - Sanctuary Questing 2 [Part 2]

Written by: Nixon "Jasper" Sherwood

Hello friends, foes, and otherwise,

For those of you unfamiliar with Sanctuary, its people, its Guardians, and the foes which threaten the plane, let me give you a quick refresher. Sanctuary is just that, a plane which offers sanctuary to those in need. It is protected by twelve Guardians, each encompassing an alignment, with each alignment having a rune. The twelve alignments are Time, Love, Nature, Creation, Protection, Soul, Space, Light, Mind, Magic, Truth, and Hope. For reference, I am Soul aligned (if you could only imagine), following Guardian Amber of Soul. While these Guardians look to help all who they are capable of, they are not uncontested. There are other beings, known as Devourers (but saying that word can cause them to listen, so be careful), which look to destroy what the Guardians represent.

Across the seas two of these beings have been laying waste to the alignments they counter and it is up to us to stop them. While many of you know me, know the condition I have been left in as of a year prior, these beings are to blame. The first we will be targeting on this journey is Anti-Soul. Anti-Soul is currently consuming many Souls which have been taken from their rightful body and consumed, not being allowed to exist nor past to their after life. As you can imagine, this is a problem. We know of ways we can return these Souls, via the use of Hematite rings, weapons, and missiles of Soul Channeling. Once we have gathered the Souls into the Hematite, we can put them to rest. Additionally, we will need to defeat Anti-Soul itself. It currently has six Soul boxes which need to be destroyed before we can destroy the being itself. These are seemingly hidden around the university which we are visiting, it is up to us to find their exact locations. There is a seventh Soul box, belonging to Sir Perseus, a once Paladin of the Celestial Flame turned Servant to Anti-Light. We intend on freeing Perseus from their bond to Anti-Light as we did for Barton and Anti-Truth some year ago. This will not be as straightforward, requiring us to locate their head and reattach it, while also physically removing the rune from their body. However, I am confident in our ability to do so. Anti-Soul does currently have a ‘servant’, though they lack the power of other servants we have seen and are reluctant to be in their position. They are a Soul, located within Anti-Soul, currently serving as a clerk for the being, organizing the Souls within. There is little information known about them, but we are nothing if not a group capable of on the fly thinking.

After we handle Anti-Soul and free Sir Perseus, we will then be going to defeat Anti-Light. This is a being which feeds on Light. Expect darkness to surround us, Light magics to be haltered, and vision to be obscured. We are going to be fighting against it mainly in a tunnel battle, so prepare your long weapons and your best shields, we will need them. Other than that, this fight is more of a mystery, at least to me.

I hope you have made it this far, the information above will be crucial to our success. If you haven’t surmised, I want to go to Asteria to defend Sanctuary because it is a place that offers itself to defend those who need it, so it is only fair I offer myself to do the same. Anti-Soul and Anti-Light both are wreaking havoc on Asteria, capturing innocent Souls and sucking the Light out of the world, and for this they must be stopped at whatever cost. It is also relevant to note that I am a vampire turned by Sir Perseus. I have chosen to stay this way in hopes that the connection to them may strengthen their bond to our world. We will have to see if this holds true once they are freed.

If you have any questions, you are always welcome to reach out to me in whatever means you are able, I am happy to help. There are also many knowledgeable people going on this journey, so posting to boards around the Realms will also help gather the information you seek.

Until the sun touches the sea,

Jasper Sherwood of Alifon

((OOC:

Hi everyone! Nixon here! Sanctuary Questing 2 is going to be an absolute blast. There are going to be so many interesting mechanics, so many cool encounters, the entire quest is going to be full of so many things to do! And the BBEGs are just begging to be hunted down, so we must do as they wish! The plot team is full of incredible people and the work they have done, have been doing, and continue to do is incredible.

You may have heard this before, but I can’t emphasize it enough, trust yourselves, trust your marshals, and have fun!))

Why I Want To Go - Sanctuary Questing 2 [Part 1]

Written by: Keith “Saegan” Cronyn

Famed author Brandon Sanderson can be cited saying that a good fantasy story has enough Strange to be interesting, but enough Familiar to be relatable. I think this is a very poignant idea, and a hard needle to thread, and many fantasy writers slip too far in either direction, but I think the Sanctuary Questing team, does a brilliant job of threading that needle. 

Sanctuary,  a sort of pocket dimension for protected individuals, is empowered by 12 iconic forces, represented by beings called the Guardians. Players can take trials to align to these powers, either 1 or 2 of them, and gain specific benefits by doing so. These forces are made up of intangible ideas like Truth, Love, and Soul; as well as aspects of physics like Time, Space, and Light.  Combined they create a deep meaningful system, that is both easy to opt into and relatable; while also offering deep actionable quality, and leading to important character moments. 

It is not uncommon for players to say something like “I never realized “X” about my character, until taking the trials, that’s pretty cool.” and that comes from aged veteran and newbie alike. 

The staff of Sanctuary Questing, are driven by the fundamental ideas that their plot should be available to everyone, taking steps to ensure that a plot that could be criticized as being overwhelmingly E-Questing centric, is not that. Over the last year they have introduced elements that allow for people to take home their Trials, as between event actions. They’ve created summary documents so that if you’re busy you can just read the bullet points, and be caught up with all the important information. They’ve organized meetings for players, and encouraged team work to create an environment of friendship and success. They strive to do everything they can to make this even series, fun, interesting, accessible, and unique. 

In a more specific highlight, to encourage the arts within the community, as a specific benefit for the event, players are allowed to submit art pieces that represent themselves or their soul in some way. This benefit specifically aids the players in the quest in that it protects them from the Devourer of Soul. I think this is such a great idea, because the Arts can be so often left to the side as a part of the community. This highlight, and meaningful mechanic reinforces participation in the arts in a way I can’t recall having ever been done before. And it’s fantastic. 

This weekend, our enemies will be the Devourer of Soul, and the Devourer of Light, and their respective minions. They sit as polar opposites of their respective Guardians, and I think their names represent their goals fairly obviously. 

So, this has been a bit more of a long winded “Why I Want To Go” than usual. Why do I want to go? I want to go because I want to support the meaningful efforts of the staff. I want to go because I have a great time when I play in the world they’ve developed. I want to go because I know I am going to have meaningful choices to make, and important character decisions. I want to go because I want to see what’s going to happen. Who we can save, who will be lost to the light? 

I am so excited to see you on the field. 

Keith “Saegan” Cronyn