Archive of Past Events

Event 3: A Conspiracy of Clews (April 13-15, 2018)

As spring begins to melt away the winter's ice in the Northlands, the Evensong Expedition likewise begins to make preparations for the new year. A sense of urgency sharpens the air, with the knowledge that the High Festival of Dreams will be celebrated in only a few months' time, near the end of June. During the Festival, the Rite of Restoration must be performed at the first Shrine of Dreams, said to be located within the ruins known as Evensong Keep, formerly the palace of the Heretic Queen.

But many worry that the Rite of Restoration is in jeopardy. Two of the three holy artifacts required for the Rite remain lost-- stolen by the Vespers, the agents of Nightmare who have plagued the people of Concordance. While the Champions of Evensong recovered the Chalice, the Altar-Cloth and Lamp are yet to be found, and time grows short...

Morgan Shepherd, leader of the Expedition, has stated that she has every confidence in her Champions, and has announced that work is underway to gain access to the Shrine of Dreams, thanks to the efforts of several brave explorers last winter. But there are rumors that the leadership of the Expedition is in turmoil, following the execution of Allister Morgan Wistow, the Navigator and Shepherd's grandfather, who was found responsible for the deaths of Seneschal Welbert Corwell of the Templars and nearly the entire Third Expeditionary Force, in YC 762. There are those who say Morgan Shepherd is unfit to lead, given that she comes from such traitorous and weak stock, and the many disruptions that have plagued the current expedition.

The recent Reverie Gala, presented by the Champions of Evensong last winter, may have gained the Expedition a measure of goodwill, however. It is said that several members of the Coterie, the ruling council of Dantessa, have come out in support of the current Expedition. Aquilla Indelicato is said to have declared that if the Champions can throw a party like that, they can most certainly save the world from the Nightmare Lord. The Academy of Old Dantessi have also released a statement praising the academic and scholarly achievements of the Champions.

A number of clan chieftains from the Silver Daggers have likewise been more vocal in their support, after several Champions resolved a dispute between two prominent clans during the Gala. Likewise the Lady of the Forest has voiced her support for the Champions, who are rumored to have assisted her family in a number of matters. Support from Zhekiza is mixed, however, with some powerful members of the Senate voicing reservations about the Expedition for "personal reasons."

There are also some reservations among the most powerful within the Thousandfold Assembly. It is rumored that Cavalon Escanor, the Secretary Prime, Most Favored of the Dreaming Goddess, attended the Gala, though there have been no public statements from his office regarding his experience. Most Favored of Sakitha, Sigeo Boniface, a ranking member of the Holy Council who was also in attendance at the Gala, is said to have returned in ill spirits. Once a staunch supporter of the Expedition, in recent weeks he is said to have been reconsidering his stance. While no public statement has been given, the gossip rags in the City of Dreams claim this may have something to do with the unfortunate passing of one Jethe Yorik, a Zoku seamstress said to be Boniface's lover, who was also in attendance at the Gala.

Popular excitement in the Expedition has been piqued by recent reports that a brand new Voluptuous Vellum serial titled DESIRE IN THE NORTHLANDS, by renowned author Cookie Chartreuse, will be debuting this summer, inspired by the exploits of the Champions. It is said readers are already clamoring for the first edition, following the release of certain illustrated promotional materials.

Travel to the Northlands remains open, but challenging. Given the turmoil, many wonder if the plans to bring in hundreds of notables from across Concordance to observe the Rite of Renewal is still feasible. The Holy Council has yet to make any public statement on the matter.

Uneasy conversation occurs around the settlement about the dreams of those near Evensong. Though the content of everyone’s dreams appear to be more or less typical, the dreams all have a yellowish tint, as if viewed through golden stained glass. This appears to be true for everyone from laborer to Champion. It is rumored to be related to the strange, vaguely mushroom shaped object across the field that glows with the same yellow light.