Ephisis' Scale - Revision history

Twiggy: /* Unique Trade Goods */

2026-09-16T16:23:58Z

Unique Trade Goods

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:23, 16 September 2026
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	While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.		While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

	~~<1--~~
	===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===		===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
	* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs and liao, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''		* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs and liao, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''

Matt: /* Herbs, Potions and Consumables */

2026-09-09T20:41:40Z

Herbs, Potions and Consumables

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 9 September 2026
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	While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.		While common trade goods are rarely value, unique trade goods are a different matter. If a trader has goods produced in a foreign port which is difficult to access, or which are unique to the Empire, then they will command a good price. The only problem is that the more of such resources the Empire sells, the less valuable the thing becomes. The first one is unique, the second one is not - so prices rapidly fall off.

			<1--
	===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===		===Herbs, Potions and Consumables===
	* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs and liao, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''		* '''The Autumn realm will buy herbs and liao, but rarely if ever offers them for sale'''
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	* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''		* '''Unusual consumables including drugs and narcotics sell well and offer a chance for a good profit if they are put in a box by themselves'''

	Herbs are ~~always in demand~~ in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Likewise, [[liao]] is often in demand; as a refined substance, it keeps well, and the Sumaah - being the only other great power that produces it - only engages in face-to-face deals with the City. Surprisingly, most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time-consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.		Herbs are useful in the Autumn realm, since they can make use of them, but they don't grow well in the realm if at all. For this reason they command a good price when offered for sale to the city, though it is expensive to buy them from the City. Likewise, [[liao]] is often in demand; as a refined substance, it keeps well, and the Sumaah - being the only other great power that produces it - only engages in face-to-face deals with the City. Surprisingly, most other potions are not worth offering to the City. It is time-consuming to identify them and most heralds have little interest in trading them on, so they offer only very low prices for them.

	Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.		Unusual consumables, including drugs and narcotics do sell in the Autumn realm but there are few buyers and that does depress the sale price. The Silent Market, a trading operation in the City can offer a price for them, and will also offer them for sale in the right conditions. Drugs that are illegal in the Empire are usually the most profitable for merchants trading with the City.

	The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.		The ''Silent Market'', is a trading desk that ''only'' deals in unusual items, drugs, narcotics, and storied items. They handle all this trade that comes from the Empire. As a result, these things are always best put in an Ephisis box by themselves so that the Silent Market can assess them and make an offer. Including 20 ambergelt alongside thirty doses of Bite is a recipe for disappointment, because the Silent Market will buy the Bite but they don't want the ambergelt. Their rivals in the City want the ambergelt but not the Bite. Thus the best way for Imperial citizens to get the best possible price is to put drugs, narcotics and storied items in a separate box.
			-->

	===Magical Items===		===Magical Items===

Matt: /* Guidance */

2026-09-09T20:34:31Z

Guidance

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:34, 9 September 2026
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	<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>		<tr><td>Autumn Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>		<tr><td>Other Vis</td><td>Very Low</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Herbs and Liao</td><td>~~Average~~</td><td>~~Very~~ High</td></tr>		<tr><td>Herbs and Liao</td><td>Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>		<tr><td>Common Potions</td><td>Very Low</td><td>High</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>		<tr><td>Drugs and Narcotics</td><td>Low</td><td>Low</td></tr>

Matt: /* Guidance */

2026-09-05T12:17:45Z

Guidance

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:17, 5 September 2026
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	===Assurance===		===Assurance===
	This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.		This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.
	~~===Guidance===~~
	During the Summer Solstice 388YE, the City of Gold and Lead offered guidance as to the likely returns on items placed in Ephisis Boxes, detailed in the '''[[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]]''' wind of fortune.
	<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>

Matt at 12:17, 5 September 2026

2026-09-05T12:17:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:17, 5 September 2026
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	This ritual is sometimes used to arrange unique trades with the City of Gold and Lead, other Autumn eternals, or mortal magicians who have negotiated a deal with Ephisis or her heralds. In this case, there will usually be a token that can be placed in the box to indicate that the contents are part of a specific deal. For example, in the past there have been cases where including specific items and something marked with the Lann rune results in a pre-arranged exchange. These are invariably related to [[opportunities]].		This ritual is sometimes used to arrange unique trades with the City of Gold and Lead, other Autumn eternals, or mortal magicians who have negotiated a deal with Ephisis or her heralds. In this case, there will usually be a token that can be placed in the box to indicate that the contents are part of a specific deal. For example, in the past there have been cases where including specific items and something marked with the Lann rune results in a pre-arranged exchange. These are invariably related to [[opportunities]].

			==Guidance==
			* '''The City provides guidance on what citizens might hope to expect if they offer goods up for sale or purchase'''

	<div {{float}}>		<div {{float}}>
	<table>		<table>
	<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>~~Sale Price~~</th><th>~~Purchase Price~~</th></tr>		<tr><th>Commodity</th><th>Ephisis Buys</th><th>Ephisis Sells</th></tr>
	<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>		<tr><td>Ingots and Measures</td><td>High</td><td>Very High</td></tr>
	<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>		<tr><td>Wains</td><td>Low</td><td>Average</td></tr>
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	</table>		</table>
	</div>		</div>

			The City of Gold and Lead will always offer a price for something, provided they can find a buyer for it, but some commodities and resources are in high demand in the City and should fetch a good price, while others are not. Some things are nearly worthless - even if the City offers a price for them, it will be a matter of a few rings at best. Exhausted magic items are completely worthless as they have no value, so the City can offer nothing in exchange for them.

			The prices offered by the City are influenced by local market prices, but they are not set by them. The City of Gold and Lead takes the goods sold to them in Ephisis boxes and sells them on elsewhere, either to other cities in the Iron Labyrinth or to other locations in the mortal world. Ultimately the price they are prepared to offer is set by what the heralds believe they can get for the resources they acquire and ''not'' by prices in Imperial markets. Offers ''may'' be influenced by the value of goods at Anvil - the heralds may lower their offer if they believe they can offer less and still make a deal.

			Some merchants are surprised to discover they are being offered a price for their goods ''below'' what they could get in Anvil, but that is to be expected. If Imperial traders are offering goods from all over the Empire, then it's perfectly normal that the heralds won't always be able to match local prices for everything.

			The City publishes guidance for the various resources and commodities they are commonly offered. The first column indicates the price at which Ephisis will attempt to buy goods they are offered - it is the price a merchant might hope to get when selling goods to Ephisis. The second column indicates the level of prices the City would demand if offering to sell goods to Imperial merchants at - which can be useful if a merchant is seeking payment for their own goods in that currency. There is never a guarantee of profit - these ratings are comparative to each other, not comparative to Anvil prices.

			The published guidance is good for small volumes of materials - huge bulk offers will usually distort the market resulting in lowered prices. If a merchant puts 500 mithril in their box and sends it to Ephisis they can expect to be offered less per wain than a citizen offering to sell 5 mithril.

	===Ingots and Measures===		===Ingots and Measures===

Matt at 12:09, 5 September 2026

2026-09-05T12:09:57Z

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 This ritual is sometimes used to arrange unique trades with the City of Gold and Lead, other Autumn eternals, or mortal magicians who have negotiated a deal with Ephisis or her heralds. In this case, there will usually be a token that can be placed in the box to indicate that the contents are part of a specific deal. For example, in the past there have been cases where including specific items and something marked with the Lann rune results in a pre-arranged exchange. These are invariably related to [[opportunities]].
 ===Assurance===
 This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.

Hailmur: /* Guidance */

2026-08-29T01:20:44Z

Guidance

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 29 August 2026
Line 19:		Line 19:
	This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.		This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.
	===Guidance===		===Guidance===
	During the Summer Solstice 388YE, the City of Gold and Lead offered guidance as to the likely returns on items placed in Ephisis Boxes, detailed in the [[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]] wind of fortune.		During the Summer Solstice 388YE, the City of Gold and Lead offered guidance as to the likely returns on items placed in Ephisis Boxes, detailed in the '''[[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]]''' wind of fortune.
	<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>

	==Description==		==Description==
	This ritual allows magicians to engage in measured trade with the realm of Autumn, specifically with the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]] and the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead. These denizens often act as brokers, finding potential buyers from their City, the other cities of their realm, or even mortals who use similar rituals to trade with them. They are known to be scrupulous in their commitment to fair trades - wherever possible, the goods offered are considered to have at least equal value to the goods that have been offered. Sometimes this assessment is unbalanced, most often because of complex economic factors of supply and demand. Some ritualists attempt to influence the counter-offers by including a scroll or letter with the submitted goods, but there is no guarantee that such documents will have any impact.		This ritual allows magicians to engage in measured trade with the realm of Autumn, specifically with the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]] and the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead. These denizens often act as brokers, finding potential buyers from their City, the other cities of their realm, or even mortals who use similar rituals to trade with them. They are known to be scrupulous in their commitment to fair trades - wherever possible, the goods offered are considered to have at least equal value to the goods that have been offered. Sometimes this assessment is unbalanced, most often because of complex economic factors of supply and demand. Some ritualists attempt to influence the counter-offers by including a scroll or letter with the submitted goods, but there is no guarantee that such documents will have any impact.

Rafferty at 19:54, 18 July 2026

2026-07-18T19:54:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 18 July 2026
Line 18:		Line 18:
	===Assurance===		===Assurance===
	This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.		This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.
			===Guidance===
			During the Summer Solstice 388YE, the City of Gold and Lead offered guidance as to the likely returns on items placed in Ephisis Boxes, detailed in the [[Propensity to truck, barter, and exchange]] wind of fortune.
	<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>

	==Description==		==Description==
	This ritual allows magicians to engage in measured trade with the realm of Autumn, specifically with the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]] and the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead. These denizens often act as brokers, finding potential buyers from their City, the other cities of their realm, or even mortals who use similar rituals to trade with them. They are known to be scrupulous in their commitment to fair trades - wherever possible, the goods offered are considered to have at least equal value to the goods that have been offered. Sometimes this assessment is unbalanced, most often because of complex economic factors of supply and demand. Some ritualists attempt to influence the counter-offers by including a scroll or letter with the submitted goods, but there is no guarantee that such documents will have any impact.		This ritual allows magicians to engage in measured trade with the realm of Autumn, specifically with the [[eternal]] [[Ephisis]] and the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead. These denizens often act as brokers, finding potential buyers from their City, the other cities of their realm, or even mortals who use similar rituals to trade with them. They are known to be scrupulous in their commitment to fair trades - wherever possible, the goods offered are considered to have at least equal value to the goods that have been offered. Sometimes this assessment is unbalanced, most often because of complex economic factors of supply and demand. Some ritualists attempt to influence the counter-offers by including a scroll or letter with the submitted goods, but there is no guarantee that such documents will have any impact.

Hailmur at 11:38, 20 May 2026

2026-05-20T11:38:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:38, 20 May 2026
Line 17:		Line 17:
	This ritual is sometimes used to arrange unique trades with the City of Gold and Lead, other Autumn eternals, or mortal magicians who have negotiated a deal with Ephisis or her heralds. In this case, there will usually be a token that can be placed in the box to indicate that the contents are part of a specific deal. For example, in the past there have been cases where including specific items and something marked with the Lann rune results in a pre-arranged exchange. These are invariably related to [[opportunities]].		This ritual is sometimes used to arrange unique trades with the City of Gold and Lead, other Autumn eternals, or mortal magicians who have negotiated a deal with Ephisis or her heralds. In this case, there will usually be a token that can be placed in the box to indicate that the contents are part of a specific deal. For example, in the past there have been cases where including specific items and something marked with the Lann rune results in a pre-arranged exchange. These are invariably related to [[opportunities]].
	===Assurance===		===Assurance===
	This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to ~~[[Public auction\|~~publicly]] [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (~~Spring~~ through ~~Winter~~) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.		This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to publicly [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (spring through winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.
	<div style="float:right; width: ~~400px~~; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>

	==Description==		==Description==
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	Some ritualists have bargained with Ephisis for larger containers in which to place goods. For example, the [[The Marches\|Marcher]] mage-smith Alan of Cotter's Barn was known to possess a weirwood case 6' long and 2' wide and deep with which he traded the fruits of his crafting with Ephisis. It is also possible to arrange special agreements with Ephisis or her factotums. The [[The League\|League]] [[Surgical skills#Apothecary\|apothecary]] Helena Jung von Holberg apparently possessed an oak-and-brass potion case, for example, that ensured that trades offered for potions would always involve herbs or other potions.		Some ritualists have bargained with Ephisis for larger containers in which to place goods. For example, the [[The Marches\|Marcher]] mage-smith Alan of Cotter's Barn was known to possess a weirwood case 6' long and 2' wide and deep with which he traded the fruits of his crafting with Ephisis. It is also possible to arrange special agreements with Ephisis or her factotums. The [[The League\|League]] [[Surgical skills#Apothecary\|apothecary]] Helena Jung von Holberg apparently possessed an oak-and-brass potion case, for example, that ensured that trades offered for potions would always involve herbs or other potions.
	<div style="float:right; width: ~~400px~~; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Magical box.jpg\|width=400\|caption=Once the trade is made, the heralds of the Autumn realm replace the offered contents with the agreed payment, as seen with this box belonging to Freeborn magician Iñez i Azul-Mar i Erigo.\|align=right}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Magical box.jpg\|width=400\|caption=Once the trade is made, the heralds of the Autumn realm replace the offered contents with the agreed payment, as seen with this box belonging to Freeborn magician Iñez i Azul-Mar i Erigo.\|align=right}}</div>
	As with [[Missive for Sadogua]] and similar eternal-themed rituals, 'Ephisis' Scale' uses a small amount of mana to open a conduit to the eternal in question, allowing a small amount of material to be transferred. The additional magnitudes reinforce or recognise the nature of an agreed pact - in this case that Ephisis or her factotums will consider an object or objects offered in trade and offer something of equal value in return. The [[The Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] scholar Serval i Riqueza of the [[Unfettered Mind]], who made a study of several of these rituals, posited that the additional magnitude served as a 'handling fee' for Ephisis, to ensure that the eternal always made a slight profit even when the suggested trade was not accepted.		As with [[Missive for Sadogua]] and similar eternal-themed rituals, 'Ephisis' Scale' uses a small amount of mana to open a conduit to the eternal in question, allowing a small amount of material to be transferred. The additional magnitudes reinforce or recognise the nature of an agreed pact - in this case that Ephisis or her factotums will consider an object or objects offered in trade and offer something of equal value in return. The [[The Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] scholar Serval i Riqueza of the [[Unfettered Mind]], who made a study of several of these rituals, posited that the additional magnitude served as a 'handling fee' for Ephisis, to ensure that the eternal always made a slight profit even when the suggested trade was not accepted.

	Almost every [[Foreign_nations\|other nation]], foreign and barbarian alike, has access to some variation of this ritual; the City of Gold and Lead is very keen to facilitate trade with mortals. The [[#Assurance\|nature of the agreement]] that maintains access to the ritual, and some of the details about how it is performed may vary (sometimes even between different factions within a nation), but the essential ritual seems to be common throughout the known world.		Almost every [[Foreign_nations\|other nation]], foreign and barbarian alike, has access to some variation of this ritual; the City of Gold and Lead is very keen to facilitate trade with mortals. The [[#Assurance\|nature of the agreement]] that maintains access to the ritual, and some of the details about how it is performed may vary (sometimes even between different factions within a nation), but the essential ritual seems to be common throughout the known world.

	Prior to Summer 385YE, the ritual worked somewhat differently. Trades were arranged in an hour, but there was no capacity for negotiation; the contents of the box were merely "swapped" for other valuables and the ritualists had the choice to accept the offer in its totality or reject it. It is unlikely to be coincidence that the [[Inkpot gods#~~LINK~~\|reassessment of the ritual]] took place as Imperial magicians performed a potent Autumn enchantment that [[:Category:Imperial Enchantment\|covered the entire Empire]]. There was some discussion that the heralds of the City of Gold and Lead wanted to explore different ways to trade with Imperial citizens - and after what was presumably a successful experiment, permanently changed the way the ritual worked starting with the Winter Solstice. Indications from foreign nations such as [[Principalities of Jarm\|Jarm]], [[Faraden]], and the [[Commonwealth]] suggest that their versions of this ritual have been altered in a similar fashion.		Prior to Summer 385YE, the ritual worked somewhat differently. Trades were arranged in an hour, but there was no capacity for negotiation; the contents of the box were merely "swapped" for other valuables and the ritualists had the choice to accept the offer in its totality or reject it. It is unlikely to be a coincidence that the [[Inkpot gods#Weighers_of_Worth\|reassessment of the ritual]] took place as Imperial magicians performed a potent Autumn enchantment that [[:Category:Imperial Enchantment\|covered the entire Empire]]. There was some discussion that the heralds of the City of Gold and Lead wanted to explore different ways to trade with Imperial citizens - and after what was presumably a successful experiment, permanently changed the way the ritual worked starting with the Winter Solstice. Indications from foreign nations such as [[Principalities of Jarm\|Jarm]], [[Faraden]], and the [[Commonwealth]] suggest that their versions of this ritual have been altered in a similar fashion.
	<div style="float:right; width: ~~400px~~; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Lann box.jpg\|width=400\|caption=This box, belonging to Richardo Glostari di Sarvos, is marked with the [[Lann\|Rune of Bargains]]; the [[Queros\|Rune of Conspiracy]] is often used for boxes employed in more dubious deals.\|align=right}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 350px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Lann box.jpg\|width=400\|caption=This box, belonging to Richardo Glostari di Sarvos, is marked with the [[Lann\|Rune of Bargains]]; the [[Queros\|Rune of Conspiracy]] is often used for boxes employed in more dubious deals.\|align=right}}</div>

	==Common Elements==		==Common Elements==
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	It used to be common practice for ritualists who mastered this ritual, and planned to engage in it often, to place a gong, bell or chime next to or on top of the container in which their trade goods were offered. The magic of the ritual caused the gong, bell or chime to ring when the transaction progressed to the next stage. Even with the changes to the way the ritual works, and the trade is made, some ritualists still incorporate such devices into their performance, sounding their gong (or what have you) to indicate the ritual is complete and the spirits of the City of Gold and Lead may lay claim to the enchanted box.		It used to be common practice for ritualists who mastered this ritual, and planned to engage in it often, to place a gong, bell or chime next to or on top of the container in which their trade goods were offered. The magic of the ritual caused the gong, bell or chime to ring when the transaction progressed to the next stage. Even with the changes to the way the ritual works, and the trade is made, some ritualists still incorporate such devices into their performance, sounding their gong (or what have you) to indicate the ritual is complete and the spirits of the City of Gold and Lead may lay claim to the enchanted box.

	[[Category:Autumn Ritual]]		[[Category:Autumn Ritual]]
	[[Category:Rituals]]		[[Category:Rituals]]

Matt: Text replacement - "Bourse" to "Bourse"

2026-01-16T09:36:40Z

Text replacement - "Bourse" to "Bourse"

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:36, 16 January 2026
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	This ritual is sometimes used to arrange unique trades with the City of Gold and Lead, other Autumn eternals, or mortal magicians who have negotiated a deal with Ephisis or her heralds. In this case, there will usually be a token that can be placed in the box to indicate that the contents are part of a specific deal. For example, in the past there have been cases where including specific items and something marked with the Lann rune results in a pre-arranged exchange. These are invariably related to [[opportunities]].		This ritual is sometimes used to arrange unique trades with the City of Gold and Lead, other Autumn eternals, or mortal magicians who have negotiated a deal with Ephisis or her heralds. In this case, there will usually be a token that can be placed in the box to indicate that the contents are part of a specific deal. For example, in the past there have been cases where including specific items and something marked with the Lann rune results in a pre-arranged exchange. These are invariably related to [[opportunities]].
	===Assurance===		===Assurance===
	This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to [[Public auction\|publicly]] [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[~~Bourse\|~~Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (Spring through Winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.		This ritual draws directly on the eternal [[Ephisis]] for its power. As with [[Ritual theory#Rituals_that_deal_with_Eternals\|most such rituals]], there is an [[Ritual theory#Agreement\|agreement]] that certain behaviour will cause it to become nonfunctional. Following the Winter Solstice 385YE this [[Eternals_and_rituals#Assurance_and_Stipulation\|assurance]] was confirmed to be that the Empire must continue to [[Public auction\|publicly]] [[Auction of the Seats\|auction]] as Imperial positions at least one [[mithril]], one [[weirwood]], one [[white granite]], and one [[ilium]] [[Bourse]] seat each year. Should a calendar year pass (Spring through Winter) in which no seats of a certain material are auctioned publicly to any Imperial citizen, the ritual would either lose its power or the denizens of the City of Gold and Lead would be freed from their agreement to offer equitable trades. While it is certainly possible for the eternal to empower the ritual again should the assurance be broken, there is no guarantee that it would work the same way it did previously.
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: left;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Briarheart Box.png\|width=400\|title=Box belonging to Jacob Cappelli, picture with permission\|caption=Despite the relatively small size, it's possible to fit a lot of valuables in an "Ephisis Box".\|align=right}}</div>