A fork in the path - Revision history

Hailmur at 13:52, 27 August 2026

2026-08-27T13:52:33Z

GuiltyConscience: /* Mysteries */

2026-08-27T13:46:45Z

Mysteries

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	It is impossible to know what might happen beyond this, but when the [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Writhing_Tails,_Flashing_Wing\|Chamber of Euphony]] was built in [[Spiral#Apulian\|Apulian]], ''Night Singer'' appears [[This_is_the_end#The_moment_prepared_for\|to have intervened to protect the City from the Whisper Gallery]] in some way. What is more they chose to favour the [[Map to the City Below\|the citizen appointed to protect the fane]] in ways that may help them protect the City if it were threatened in the future.		It is impossible to know what might happen beyond this, but when the [[The_play_that_came_to_Apulian#Writhing_Tails,_Flashing_Wing\|Chamber of Euphony]] was built in [[Spiral#Apulian\|Apulian]], ''Night Singer'' appears [[This_is_the_end#The_moment_prepared_for\|to have intervened to protect the City from the Whisper Gallery]] in some way. What is more they chose to favour the [[Map to the City Below\|the citizen appointed to protect the fane]] in ways that may help them protect the City if it were threatened in the future.

	Might they not do the same here? It is impossible to know precisely what might happen, not least because the eternal is the ''Lady of Mysteries'' after-all. There are clear risks involved in granting any eternal dominion over something, but all the Mystics of Ishal agree that all the omens regarding this are auspicious and ~~. Whatever~~ the dangers are, there is no hint of deception or betrayal in ''Night Singer's'' offer.		Might they not do the same here? It is impossible to know precisely what might happen, not least because the eternal is the ''Lady of Mysteries'' after-all. There are clear risks involved in granting any eternal dominion over something, but all the Mystics of Ishal agree that all the omens regarding this are auspicious and whatever the dangers are, there is no hint of deception or betrayal in ''Night Singer's'' offer.

	==Further Reading==		==Further Reading==
	* [[Raven Seer]]		* [[Raven Seer]]
	* [[Mystic]]		* [[Mystic]]

GuiltyConscience: /* Champions */

2026-08-27T13:43:42Z

Champions

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	<box>		<box>
	<p><big>'''Choosing a Cause'''</big><br>		<p><big>'''Choosing a Cause'''</big><br>
	Choosing a cause is an opportunity for Wintermark to push forward the plot in an area that the nation cares about. A cause should be something discrete and achievable - taking all of Sermersuaq back from the Thule is fine, it is something characters might commit to as a short or medium-term goal. Killing all the Thule or taking all their lands it not because it is so vast that no player could ever hope to achieve it in the space of a two or three years. Slaying Agramant's servants in Tsirku is a great cause; killing Agramant is not. The ideal cause is something powerful and inspiring that the nation can rally behind and heroes can make sacrifices to achieve it over the coming events.</p>		Choosing a cause is an opportunity for Wintermark to push forward the plot in an area that the nation cares about. A cause should be something discrete and achievable - taking all of Sermersuaq back from the Thule is fine, it is something characters might commit to as a short or medium-term goal. Killing all the Thule or taking all their lands it not because it is so vast that no player could ever hope to achieve it in the space of two or three years. Slaying Agramant's servants in Tsirku is a great cause; killing Agramant is not. The ideal cause is something powerful and inspiring that the nation can rally behind and heroes can make sacrifices to achieve it over the coming events.</p>

	<p><big>'''Choosing a Champion'''</big><br>		<p><big>'''Choosing a Champion'''</big><br>

GuiltyConscience: /* Champions */

2026-08-27T13:41:05Z

Champions

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	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Veikko Bondforger.webp\|caption='''Veikko Bondforger''' is the current Keeper of Oaths\|align=right\|width=200}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Veikko Bondforger.webp\|caption='''Veikko Bondforger''' is the current Keeper of Oaths\|align=right\|width=200}}</div>
	* '''The Champion of Wintermark must serve a cause important to the nation, that is chosen by the Witan'''		* '''The Champion of Wintermark must serve a cause important to the nation, that is chosen by the Witan'''
	* '''The mystics will ~~chose~~ who among the nation will champion the cause and crown them accordingly'''		* '''The mystics will choose who among the nation will champion the cause and crown them accordingly'''
	* '''The Champion serves until the quest is complete or until they have done all that they can in pursuit of the cause'''		* '''The Champion serves until the quest is complete or until they have done all that they can in pursuit of the cause'''
	The purpose of the Champion of Wintermark is to embody [[heroism]] in service to the nation. A true hero is not a glory-hound who seeks the limelight, they inspire others, rallying them to their cause as they work to achieve something important. They don't have to take the battlefield, but they do have to take the lead, heroically sacrificing their own ambitions to advance Wintermark's cause.		The purpose of the Champion of Wintermark is to embody [[heroism]] in service to the nation. A true hero is not a glory-hound who seeks the limelight, they inspire others, rallying them to their cause as they work to achieve something important. They don't have to take the battlefield, but they do have to take the lead, heroically sacrificing their own ambitions to advance Wintermark's cause.

GuiltyConscience: /* Crowns */

2026-08-27T13:40:09Z

Crowns

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	Not everyone agrees that the Crown is the right symbol of Wintermark. There are those who believe a more modern relic like Guntherm's warbanner, Foe-Slayer, might better serve the nation. There are runesmiths who dispute the story of the Crown's creation, claiming the doom it bears is a result of the [[Wintermark_history#The_Troll_Wars\|role it played in the downfall of the trolls]]. Regardless of the merits of these arguments, what is not in doubt is that the Crown represents a clear risk to the nation. Barely a decade ago, the Thule captured the symbol of the nation and used fell magic on it to try and split the three people apart. [[Agramant\|The Howler]] is known to be obsessed with the Crown and has tried in the past to steal it and to suborn the wearer. For better, and for worse, the Crown of Three Tears is linked to the spirit of the nation.		Not everyone agrees that the Crown is the right symbol of Wintermark. There are those who believe a more modern relic like Guntherm's warbanner, Foe-Slayer, might better serve the nation. There are runesmiths who dispute the story of the Crown's creation, claiming the doom it bears is a result of the [[Wintermark_history#The_Troll_Wars\|role it played in the downfall of the trolls]]. Regardless of the merits of these arguments, what is not in doubt is that the Crown represents a clear risk to the nation. Barely a decade ago, the Thule captured the symbol of the nation and used fell magic on it to try and split the three people apart. [[Agramant\|The Howler]] is known to be obsessed with the Crown and has tried in the past to steal it and to suborn the wearer. For better, and for worse, the Crown of Three Tears is linked to the spirit of the nation.

	According to the Mystics of Ishal, the omens and portents indicate terrible woe for the nation should a new champion be chosen before [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune#Champion_of_Wintermark\|Wemba the Bloody and Kaarina White-Eye]] are dealt with. These traitors are servants of ''The Hunter in the Wastes'', which is surely not a coincidence, given that ~~eternals~~ fell interest in the Crown. The egregores have trusted the Crown to safekeeping until the nation is in a position to decide what to do with it again.		According to the Mystics of Ishal, the omens and portents indicate terrible woe for the nation should a new champion be chosen before [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune#Champion_of_Wintermark\|Wemba the Bloody and Kaarina White-Eye]] are dealt with. These traitors are servants of ''The Hunter in the Wastes'', which is surely not a coincidence, given that eternal's fell interest in the Crown. The egregores have trusted the Crown to safekeeping until the nation is in a position to decide what to do with it again.

	If Wintermark decides to crown a new Champion once Agramant's wicked servants are slain, then the people of Ishal are determined that the nation's mystics should resume their traditional role of selecting who should be crowned. In recent times the Champion has been chosen in a very ad hoc way, a consequence of the Crown being lost for many years. The Mystics of Ishal plan to restore the old traditions, and combine them with the Witan to ensure that they choose a Champion who will serve the whole nation.		If Wintermark decides to crown a new Champion once Agramant's wicked servants are slain, then the people of Ishal are determined that the nation's mystics should resume their traditional role of selecting who should be crowned. In recent times the Champion has been chosen in a very ad hoc way, a consequence of the Crown being lost for many years. The Mystics of Ishal plan to restore the old traditions, and combine them with the Witan to ensure that they choose a Champion who will serve the whole nation.

GuiltyConscience: /* Crowns */

2026-08-27T13:39:13Z

Crowns

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	Many previous champions have been doughty warriors, but not all - there have been plenty of heroic runesmiths, scops, grimnir and mediators and others in the past. According to legend there has only ever been one [[maggot]] who wore the crown, Aino White-Eyes Lumisdottir, and the stories disagree on whether she was granted the crown or merely stole it...		Many previous champions have been doughty warriors, but not all - there have been plenty of heroic runesmiths, scops, grimnir and mediators and others in the past. According to legend there has only ever been one [[maggot]] who wore the crown, Aino White-Eyes Lumisdottir, and the stories disagree on whether she was granted the crown or merely stole it...

	Not everyone agrees that the Crown is the right symbol of Wintermark. There are those who believe a more modern relic like Guntherm's warbanner, Foe-Slayer, might better serve the nation. There are runesmiths who dispute the story of the Crown's creation, claiming the doom it bears is a result of the [[Wintermark_history#The_Troll_Wars\|role it played in the downfall of the trolls]]. Regardless of the merits of these arguments, what is not in doubt is that the Crown represents a clear risk to the nation. Barely a decade ago, the Thule captured the symbol of the nation and used fell magic on it to try and split the three people apart. [[Agramant\|The Howler]] is known to be obsessed with the Crown and has tried in the past to steal it and to suborn the wearer. For better, and for worse, the Crown of Three Tears is linked to spirit of the nation		Not everyone agrees that the Crown is the right symbol of Wintermark. There are those who believe a more modern relic like Guntherm's warbanner, Foe-Slayer, might better serve the nation. There are runesmiths who dispute the story of the Crown's creation, claiming the doom it bears is a result of the [[Wintermark_history#The_Troll_Wars\|role it played in the downfall of the trolls]]. Regardless of the merits of these arguments, what is not in doubt is that the Crown represents a clear risk to the nation. Barely a decade ago, the Thule captured the symbol of the nation and used fell magic on it to try and split the three people apart. [[Agramant\|The Howler]] is known to be obsessed with the Crown and has tried in the past to steal it and to suborn the wearer. For better, and for worse, the Crown of Three Tears is linked to the spirit of the nation.

	According to the Mystics of Ishal, the omens and portents indicate terrible woe for the nation should a new champion be chosen before [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune#Champion_of_Wintermark\|Wemba the Bloody and Kaarina White-Eye]] are dealt with. These traitors are servants of ''The Hunter in the Wastes'', which is surely not a coincidence, given that eternals fell interest in the Crown. The egregores have trusted the Crown to safekeeping until the nation is in a position to decide what to do with it again.		According to the Mystics of Ishal, the omens and portents indicate terrible woe for the nation should a new champion be chosen before [[388YE_Spring_Equinox_winds_of_fortune#Champion_of_Wintermark\|Wemba the Bloody and Kaarina White-Eye]] are dealt with. These traitors are servants of ''The Hunter in the Wastes'', which is surely not a coincidence, given that eternals fell interest in the Crown. The egregores have trusted the Crown to safekeeping until the nation is in a position to decide what to do with it again.

GuiltyConscience: /* Omens */

2026-08-27T13:36:24Z

Omens

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	==Omens==		==Omens==
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Sular.png\|title=Rune: Sular\|align=right\|width=150}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Sular.png\|title=Rune: Sular\|align=right\|width=150}}
	* '''The Mystics of Ishal are no longer able to support the ~~parliament~~ of Owls'''		* '''The Mystics of Ishal are no longer able to support the Parliament of Owls'''
	* '''They will instead, make their unique skills available to the Witan, as and when they can'''		* '''They will instead, make their unique skills available to the Witan, as and when they can'''
	* '''Wintermark will be able to use the Witan to ask the Mystics to appraise one issue at the coming Winter Solstice next year'''		* '''Wintermark will be able to use the Witan to ask the Mystics to appraise one issue at the coming Winter Solstice next year'''

GuiltyConscience: /* Omens */

2026-08-27T13:35:40Z

Omens

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	As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.		As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.

	In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[~~runesmith~~\|runesmiths]] and [[~~icewalker~~\|~~ice walkers~~]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.		In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Runesmiths\|runesmiths]] and [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Icewalkers\|icewalkers]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.
	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.		The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.

Hailmur: /* Omens */

2026-08-27T13:32:51Z

Omens

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 27 August 2026
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	As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.		As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.

	In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[runesmith\|runesmiths]] and [[~~ice walker~~\|ice walkers]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.		In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[runesmith\|runesmiths]] and [[icewalker\|ice walkers]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.
	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.		The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.

GuiltyConscience at 13:31, 27 August 2026

2026-08-27T13:31:12Z

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	Byric looked unconvinced. "Hardly a surprise," she said, "if anything it would be more worrying if it didn't come out."		Byric looked unconvinced. "Hardly a surprise," she said, "if anything it would be more worrying if it didn't come out."

	"True enough," acknowledged her teacher, " but it's the first rune, so it's the most significant," he reminded her. He put his hand back into the bag and draw a second stone.		"True enough," acknowledged her teacher, "but it's the first rune, so it's the most significant," he reminded her. He put his hand back into the bag and draw a second stone.

	"Wyr" he announced with a grin on seeing his own name on the table, "the rune of mystery." This time there was silence, so he pulled a final rune from the bag and placed it next to the others. "Irremais, the rune of Wisdom..." He let it rest there for a few moments and then looked at Byric, "That seems fairly definitive to me."		"Wyr" he announced with a grin on seeing his own name on the table, "the rune of mystery." This time there was silence, so he pulled a final rune from the bag and placed it next to the others. "Irremais, the rune of Wisdom..." He let it rest there for a few moments and then looked at Byric, "That seems fairly definitive to me."

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:35, 27 August 2026
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	As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.		As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.

	In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[~~runesmith~~\|runesmiths]] and [[~~icewalker~~\|~~ice walkers~~]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.		In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Runesmiths\|runesmiths]] and [[Wintermark_magical_traditions#Icewalkers\|icewalkers]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.
	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.		The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:32, 27 August 2026
Line 56:		Line 56:
	As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.		As a result they have abandoned their previous support for the Parliament of Owls. It will no longer be possible for the Raven Seer to employ the Parliament of Owls to send a message to Ishal. The Mystics have spoken with a representative of [[Lashonar\|Eater of Silence]] on the matter and agreed with the ''Loqacious One'' that the ritual's assurance is no longer valid. As a result it is not possible to cast Parliament of Owls any longer.

	In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[runesmith\|runesmiths]] and [[~~ice walker~~\|ice walkers]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.		In its place, the mystics plan to appeal to the Witan, just as they did [[Flight_of_birds#The_Witan\|last Winter]], to choose a single topic for them to appraise whenever they are able. The mystics will work with the [[runesmith\|runesmiths]] and [[icewalker\|ice walkers]] to find out everything they can about the subject and then present their findings to the whole nation at subsequent summits.
	<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 200px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=NBWintermark.jpg\|align=right\|width=250}}</div>
	The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.		The mystics have limited resources and cannot help the nation appraise something more than once a year at most. Even now they are preparing for the next attempt, planning to offer their services to the Witan ''at the Winter Solstice''. When that summit arrives, the mystics will ask Wilda who is [[Wintermark Egregore\|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]], to call a Witan, just as they did last time. Wise Wintermarkers will use the time before then to prepare for the Witan - if they wish to ensure their topic is the one that is chosen.