Eternals of the sea - Revision history

Twiggy at 14:16, 1 August 2026

2026-08-01T14:16:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:16, 1 August 2026
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	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Watt of Lambrook.jpg\|caption='''Watt of Lambrook''', Minister of Historical Research\|align=right\|width=400}}		{{CaptionedImage\|file=Watt of Lambrook.jpg\|caption='''Watt of Lambrook''', Minister of Historical Research\|align=right\|width=400}}
	The trip across the seas was a little longer than I had expected, but proved mostly uneventful. I was not entirely prepared for just how many sharks there are in the [[The_seven_seas#Sea_of_Teeth\|Sea of Teeth]], but the [[the Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] sailors did their best to hide their amusement at my reaction. I explained several times that we have no sharks in [[Skarsind]] and that just seemed to amuse them even more. I was also a little taken aback at the sheer size of Sarcophan. It is a city to rival [[Sarvos]] and [[Tassato]] both together, a confusing melange of ancient and brand new, without any suggestion of a plan or scheme. Towers and bridges and halls and tombs all ~~hodge-podge~~ together like a box of building bricks upended with little rhyme or reason.		The trip across the seas was a little longer than I had expected, but proved mostly uneventful. I was not entirely prepared for just how many sharks there are in the [[The_seven_seas#Sea_of_Teeth\|Sea of Teeth]], but the [[the Brass Coast\|Freeborn]] sailors did their best to hide their amusement at my reaction. I explained several times that we have no sharks in [[Skarsind]] and that just seemed to amuse them even more. I was also a little taken aback at the sheer size of Sarcophan. It is a city to rival [[Sarvos]] and [[Tassato]] both together, a confusing melange of ancient and brand new, without any suggestion of a plan or scheme. Towers and bridges and halls and tombs all hodgepodge together like a box of building bricks upended with little rhyme or reason.

	I met with Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike only briefly; she welcomed me to the Delves and reassured me that there were several local [[coven\|covens]], as well as individual magicians and scholars who made a study of the eternals, eager to meet me. Helpfully, she had arranged a select gathering for the very next afternoon in which I was able to meet with what amounted to the cream of Sarcophan [[realms]] studies. I shan't bore you with details but I was a little heartened to find that they were for the most part as earnest, opinionated, argumentative, and downright peculiar as their peers at home. There was a definite split, however, between those who made a particular academic study of the realms and those who dealt directly with eternals and [[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds\|heralds]] as part of their professional lives. As always, there is a gulf between the theoretical and the practical, but where possible I shall attempt to synthesise the two approaches.		I met with Bedelaar Huisbaas Annike only briefly; she welcomed me to the Delves and reassured me that there were several local [[coven\|covens]], as well as individual magicians and scholars who made a study of the eternals, eager to meet me. Helpfully, she had arranged a select gathering for the very next afternoon in which I was able to meet with what amounted to the cream of Sarcophan [[realms]] studies. I shan't bore you with details but I was a little heartened to find that they were for the most part as earnest, opinionated, argumentative, and downright peculiar as their peers at home. There was a definite split, however, between those who made a particular academic study of the realms and those who dealt directly with eternals and [[Inhabitants of the realms#Heralds\|heralds]] as part of their professional lives. As always, there is a gulf between the theoretical and the practical, but where possible I shall attempt to synthesise the two approaches.
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	Salt in the Lungs and the Prophet of the Last Light are known in the Delves but they are kept carefully at arms length by most of the wizards here. One of the ''Stillegolf'', a droll fellow named ''Marta Kjirik '' with a poetic turn of phrase, described them thus: "''they are the deep oceans, the water you don't know, with rocks beneath the surface that you cannot see. They are the fear of the becalmed sailor, of the captain who sees the storm approaching that she knows her ship will not survive, the dread of being far from shore and feeling your vessel shift beneath your feet as it begins to take on water. They are the fraying of ropes, and the ripping of canvas, and the doomsong pealing in the depths, where no bells should be."		Salt in the Lungs and the Prophet of the Last Light are known in the Delves but they are kept carefully at arms length by most of the wizards here. One of the ''Stillegolf'', a droll fellow named ''Marta Kjirik '' with a poetic turn of phrase, described them thus: "''they are the deep oceans, the water you don't know, with rocks beneath the surface that you cannot see. They are the fear of the becalmed sailor, of the captain who sees the storm approaching that she knows her ship will not survive, the dread of being far from shore and feeling your vessel shift beneath your feet as it begins to take on water. They are the fraying of ropes, and the ripping of canvas, and the doomsong pealing in the depths, where no bells should be."

	I can tell you now that, sat in that dark cavernous room full of faded ~~splendor~~, with candles flickering and my hosts all staring at me unblinking, Marta's words sent a shiver down my spine and I heard the echo of one of my ancestors urging me to get out of there as fast as possible before they ate me. I squared my shoulders and persevered, however.		I can tell you now that, sat in that dark cavernous room full of faded splendour, with candles flickering and my hosts all staring at me unblinking, Marta's words sent a shiver down my spine and I heard the echo of one of my ancestors urging me to get out of there as fast as possible before they ate me. I squared my shoulders and persevered, however.

	One of the other draughir, ''Irta Covesaar'', told a story of Khobel Tavah in her heavily accented Imperial that one of their heralds allegedly came to the people of Umshalla, the folk who occupied the Delves before the Sarcophan, and offered a warning of three dooms: chaos, war, and plague. The Diarchs of Parralenth, Elam and Orpa, refuted each of the claims of the herald in turn and cast the doomsayer from their court. They truly believed that their people could weather any storm that might come. Within a handful of years, the Diarchs were dead, the nation had been riven with chaos, civil war burned in the streets, and the final plague had begun to spread.		One of the other draughir, ''Irta Covesaar'', told a story of Khobel Tavah in her heavily accented Imperial that one of their heralds allegedly came to the people of Umshalla, the folk who occupied the Delves before the Sarcophan, and offered a warning of three dooms: chaos, war, and plague. The Diarchs of Parralenth, Elam and Orpa, refuted each of the claims of the herald in turn and cast the doomsayer from their court. They truly believed that their people could weather any storm that might come. Within a handful of years, the Diarchs were dead, the nation had been riven with chaos, civil war burned in the streets, and the final plague had begun to spread.
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	It was around this point that I started to notice that the candles had mostly gone out. We are huddled together around the low table, scattered with the remnants of our supper, hunched forward while Sjaak rambled about nightmare and madness, sucking quagmire, and drifting lights that fed on the souls of the despairing, our shadows seeming to be dreadful giants leaning forward above and around us. It put me in mind of some of the stories I had heard from soldiers fighting in [[Zenith]] and [[Ossium]], and so I interjected and quickly described the [[Druj miasma]]. Might Ungholt be involved in such a thing?		It was around this point that I started to notice that the candles had mostly gone out. We are huddled together around the low table, scattered with the remnants of our supper, hunched forward while Sjaak rambled about nightmare and madness, sucking quagmire, and drifting lights that fed on the souls of the despairing, our shadows seeming to be dreadful giants leaning forward above and around us. It put me in mind of some of the stories I had heard from soldiers fighting in [[Zenith]] and [[Ossium]], and so I interjected and quickly described the [[Druj miasma]]. Might Ungholt be involved in such a thing?

	The draughir magicians asked several probing questions, and the more answers I gave the more certain they became that the Delirium King could not be responsible. The Druj miasma and its [[Druj_miasma#Miasma_Pillars\|pillars]] have laid over [[the Mallum]] for generations - Sjaak was adamant that any extended exposure to the power of Ungholt on such a scale could bring only madness and death. Whatever the miasma is, it is not a thing of the [[Realms#Night\|Night Realm]]. Yet they cautioned that it is the kind of thing that would delight Ungholt, would draw his attention like flies to a rotting corpse. An entire people oppressed by auras of fear, dread, and despair would be a feast for Ungholt and its servants. I was initially a little ~~skeptical~~, but the more I thought on it the more I came to agree with them. If the miasma of the Mallum ''was'' a thing of the realms we would have known about it decades ago. And I must stress, the four of them were in agreement that exposure to the power of Ungholt for an extended period of time would break the spirit and the mind to the point that nobody - Druj ''or'' their septs - would be able to function in any way.		The draughir magicians asked several probing questions, and the more answers I gave the more certain they became that the Delirium King could not be responsible. The Druj miasma and its [[Druj_miasma#Miasma_Pillars\|pillars]] have laid over [[the Mallum]] for generations - Sjaak was adamant that any extended exposure to the power of Ungholt on such a scale could bring only madness and death. Whatever the miasma is, it is not a thing of the [[Realms#Night\|Night Realm]]. Yet they cautioned that it is the kind of thing that would delight Ungholt, would draw his attention like flies to a rotting corpse. An entire people oppressed by auras of fear, dread, and despair would be a feast for Ungholt and its servants. I was initially a little sceptical, but the more I thought on it the more I came to agree with them. If the miasma of the Mallum ''was'' a thing of the realms we would have known about it decades ago. And I must stress, the four of them were in agreement that exposure to the power of Ungholt for an extended period of time would break the spirit and the mind to the point that nobody - Druj ''or'' their septs - would be able to function in any way.

	When Sjaak left to answer the call of his bladder, Pieter quickly explained that there was a reason that Sjaak was so impassioned, and why they were certain that the eternal was not behind this "miasma" I spoke of. Twenty years ago the ''Stillegolf'' ran afoul of a coven of magicians who drew on the boons of Ungholt. The coven dwelled outside the city in the swamps along the Umshalla river, and had come to the attention of the Delves' coven because they were terrorising Sarcophan ship captains who relied on their warding magic for protection. The ensuing "wizards war" went in favour of the ''Stillegolf'', not least because they were able to call in favours from several of the maritime associations they had worked with, and because they were able to draw on soldiers from the Grim Legion of the ''Maiden of Midnight''. Despite this, the fight left two of their number - including Sjaak's husband - trapped in eternal nightmare slumber, and Sjaak on the verge of madness after six months of awful waking visions.		When Sjaak left to answer the call of his bladder, Pieter quickly explained that there was a reason that Sjaak was so impassioned, and why they were certain that the eternal was not behind this "miasma" I spoke of. Twenty years ago the ''Stillegolf'' ran afoul of a coven of magicians who drew on the boons of Ungholt. The coven dwelled outside the city in the swamps along the Umshalla river, and had come to the attention of the Delves' coven because they were terrorising Sarcophan ship captains who relied on their warding magic for protection. The ensuing "wizards war" went in favour of the ''Stillegolf'', not least because they were able to call in favours from several of the maritime associations they had worked with, and because they were able to draw on soldiers from the Grim Legion of the ''Maiden of Midnight''. Despite this, the fight left two of their number - including Sjaak's husband - trapped in eternal nightmare slumber, and Sjaak on the verge of madness after six months of awful waking visions.

Vsabo: /* Kobhel Tava and More */

2026-08-01T13:19:21Z

Kobhel Tava and More

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 1 August 2026
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	Their enthusiasm for communication, says Jaan, has some key differences to that of the eternal Lashonar with which Imperial magicians are perhaps more familiar. Lashonar brings people together so that they can speak face-to-face. Its Caucus Forum is a perfect example of how it sees communication - a chance for disparate folk to come together to share ideas, able to deploy their insight and intuition to evaluate the people they are speaking to, using emotion and subtlety to control the ebb and flow of words. The citizens of the City of Salt and Sail are not ''averse'' to people speaking to each other but they are ''much'' more excited about the written word. Not only letters, but also the myriad other ways that things written down can communicate (and perhaps even exert influence over readers). They certainly have demonstrated the ability to arrange meetings, but like the [[Prospero\|Sovereign Lord of the City of Bridges]] they are likely to require a steep price for doing so. Where they shine is in their ability to get a letter to, in theory, anyone anywhere in the world.		Their enthusiasm for communication, says Jaan, has some key differences to that of the eternal Lashonar with which Imperial magicians are perhaps more familiar. Lashonar brings people together so that they can speak face-to-face. Its Caucus Forum is a perfect example of how it sees communication - a chance for disparate folk to come together to share ideas, able to deploy their insight and intuition to evaluate the people they are speaking to, using emotion and subtlety to control the ebb and flow of words. The citizens of the City of Salt and Sail are not ''averse'' to people speaking to each other but they are ''much'' more excited about the written word. Not only letters, but also the myriad other ways that things written down can communicate (and perhaps even exert influence over readers). They certainly have demonstrated the ability to arrange meetings, but like the [[Prospero\|Sovereign Lord of the City of Bridges]] they are likely to require a steep price for doing so. Where they shine is in their ability to get a letter to, in theory, anyone anywhere in the world.

	==~~Kobhel Tava~~ and More==		==Khobel Tavah and More==
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=KhobelTavah.jpg\|caption=Khobel and Tavah are the worst fear of sailors and those they leave behind. They are the drowned and the sea that drowns.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=KhobelTavah.jpg\|caption=Khobel and Tavah are the worst fear of sailors and those they leave behind. They are the drowned and the sea that drowns.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>
	After a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of Jaan van Daan, I finished my time with Mina by visiting some old colleagues of hers. The ''Stillegolf'' are a small coven who these days are apparently mostly retired. The four of them met with me in their apartments - a series of large open rooms at the top of one of the teetering towers of Sarcophan. We met at night, among candles, and I feel that decision was in part to ensure they presented their home in the best light. It was clear to me that their glory days are behind them, but I have no doubt that they knew it themselves, and knew I knew. In spite of that, the quartet of elderly [[draughir]] were engaging dinner companions and we spoke long into the night about the King of Nowhere and the Queen of the Vast.		After a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of Jaan van Daan, I finished my time with Mina by visiting some old colleagues of hers. The ''Stillegolf'' are a small coven who these days are apparently mostly retired. The four of them met with me in their apartments - a series of large open rooms at the top of one of the teetering towers of Sarcophan. We met at night, among candles, and I feel that decision was in part to ensure they presented their home in the best light. It was clear to me that their glory days are behind them, but I have no doubt that they knew it themselves, and knew I knew. In spite of that, the quartet of elderly [[draughir]] were engaging dinner companions and we spoke long into the night about the King of Nowhere and the Queen of the Vast.

Vsabo: /* Hongerigespin and Ungholt */

2026-08-01T13:18:55Z

Hongerigespin and Ungholt

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	==Hongerigespin and Ungholt==		==Hongerigespin and Ungholt==
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Delirium King.jpg\|caption=Ungholt the Delerium King spreads madness and terror, and twists the dreams of sleeping mortals into terrible shapes.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Delirium King.jpg\|caption=Ungholt the Delerium King spreads madness and terror, and twists the dreams of sleeping mortals into terrible shapes.\|align=left\|width=400}}</div>
	Mina looked quite concerned when he mentioned these two, and saw my questioning expression. We sat back down again and Sjaak gave a quick explanation. These were not eternals of the Winter realm, but of Night. He did not talk much about ''Hongerigespin'' apart from ~~the~~ say that it was a creature that devoured everything that made a person a person and brought the kind of living death which ate the entire person but left their body behind. Irta tried to interject that the creature also had useful powers over obfuscation and concealment, but even she had to agree that the boons were never worth it given the price. Mina kept trying to catch my eye during this exchange and communicate nonverbally, and on top of that one of my ancestors was growling very loudly in my left ear, and so I did not take much in.		Mina looked quite concerned when he mentioned these two, and saw my questioning expression. We sat back down again and Sjaak gave a quick explanation. These were not eternals of the Winter realm, but of Night. He did not talk much about ''Hongerigespin'' apart from to say that it was a creature that devoured everything that made a person a person and brought the kind of living death which ate the entire person but left their body behind. Irta tried to interject that the creature also had useful powers over obfuscation and concealment, but even she had to agree that the boons were never worth it given the price. Mina kept trying to catch my eye during this exchange and communicate nonverbally, and on top of that one of my ancestors was growling very loudly in my left ear, and so I did not take much in.

	On the subject of ''Ungholt, the Delirium King'', however, Sjaak was much more voluble, seemingly to the chagrin of his three covenmates. Apparently this creature appears as a figure without a face, in a hooded robe. It may also appear as the most terrifying image drawn from the nightmares of those who see them. There is no lesson in the fear brought by the Delirium King, only madness and death. Sjaak began to twitch as he spoke, getting more and more agitated, until Marta brought out a particular deep green liquor and made him down a small glass of it to bring back his calm.		On the subject of ''Ungholt, the Delirium King'', however, Sjaak was much more voluble, seemingly to the chagrin of his three covenmates. Apparently this creature appears as a figure without a face, in a hooded robe. It may also appear as the most terrifying image drawn from the nightmares of those who see them. There is no lesson in the fear brought by the Delirium King, only madness and death. Sjaak began to twitch as he spoke, getting more and more agitated, until Marta brought out a particular deep green liquor and made him down a small glass of it to bring back his calm.

Vsabo: /* Sailor on the Skerries */

2026-08-01T13:03:37Z

Sailor on the Skerries

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:03, 1 August 2026
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	In character they and their heralds are apparently nerve-shreddingly optimistic, upbeat, positive, hopeful, and joyous. They love wonderful things, and go out of their way to encourage other people to share that joy. The consensus of the ''Haaienvermijders '' is that they are pleasant enough to deal with from time to time, but the boons they can provide are often not worth the effort it takes to get hold of them.		In character they and their heralds are apparently nerve-shreddingly optimistic, upbeat, positive, hopeful, and joyous. They love wonderful things, and go out of their way to encourage other people to share that joy. The consensus of the ''Haaienvermijders '' is that they are pleasant enough to deal with from time to time, but the boons they can provide are often not worth the effort it takes to get hold of them.

	They're also a little unpredictable, even for a Night eternal. One of them told a cautionary tale about the ''Wonderverkopers'' - the "Miracle Sellers". This guild became wealthy selling some materials introduced to them by Dathan as recreational narcotics, as well as a small number of marvellous dream rituals developed with the patronage of the eternal (which to my mind sounded a bit like Octavius of Auric Horizon's [[Ride the Noble Steed]]) After a time, though, they became greedy and started placing more and more demands on Dathan, and apparently paying lip service to the ~~eternals~~ goal of inspiring and bringing joy and wonder to drab lives.		They're also a little unpredictable, even for a Night eternal. One of them told a cautionary tale about the ''Wonderverkopers'' - the "Miracle Sellers". This guild became wealthy selling some materials introduced to them by Dathan as recreational narcotics, as well as a small number of marvellous dream rituals developed with the patronage of the eternal (which to my mind sounded a bit like Octavius of Auric Horizon's [[Ride the Noble Steed]]) After a time, though, they became greedy and started placing more and more demands on Dathan, and apparently paying lip service to the eternal's goal of inspiring and bringing joy and wonder to drab lives.

	At one point, during a meeting of the now wealthy members of the previously underdog guild, to discuss a potential play for the [[Founders_of_the_Delves#The_Buidelrat\|Seat of the Buidelrat]], something went horribly wrong. The guild members themselves were eventually discovered sealed in their meeting chambers sound asleep. They remained asleep from that day onwards. Examination by a profession ''vloekprik'' - an expert in curses - determined that they were all enjoying truly amazing dreams of wealth, power, and indulgence that would last for the rest of their lives. Breaking the curse was apparently too expensive, and so the surviving members of the guild had them moved to a nice hospice in the marshes where they each lived out several more decades of endless, wonderful dreams. How true this tale is I cannot say for sure, but the ''Haaienvermijders'' certainly seemed to believe it so...		At one point, during a meeting of the now wealthy members of the previously underdog guild, to discuss a potential play for the [[Founders_of_the_Delves#The_Buidelrat\|Seat of the Buidelrat]], something went horribly wrong. The guild members themselves were eventually discovered sealed in their meeting chambers sound asleep. They remained asleep from that day onwards. Examination by a profession ''vloekprik'' - an expert in curses - determined that they were all enjoying truly amazing dreams of wealth, power, and indulgence that would last for the rest of their lives. Breaking the curse was apparently too expensive, and so the surviving members of the guild had them moved to a nice hospice in the marshes where they each lived out several more decades of endless, wonderful dreams. How true this tale is I cannot say for sure, but the ''Haaienvermijders'' certainly seemed to believe it so...

Rafferty: /* Regent of the Eternal Sea */

2026-08-01T12:42:24Z

Regent of the Eternal Sea

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	==Regent of the Eternal Sea==		==Regent of the Eternal Sea==
	<div style="float:right; width: ~~200px~~; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=RhianosArt.jpg\|align=right\|width=~~200~~\|caption=Rhinaos, Regent of the Eternal Sea, is a spirit of adventure - but also risk and recklessness.}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=RhianosArt.jpg\|align=right\|width=300\|caption=Rhinaos, Regent of the Eternal Sea, is a spirit of adventure - but also risk and recklessness.}}</div>
	I spent a very enjoyable week with the ''Haaienvermijders'', a Sarcophan magical cabal familiar to some Imperial magicians. It did not cease to entertain me that their name literally translates into Imperial as "Shark Dodgers". They live up to their name - a jovial coven whose members compose a small trading guild - although I will confess I was a little surprised to discover that these adepts of [[Summer magic\|Summer]] and [[Night magic]] were almost entirely of the [[briar]] [[lineage]]. Of course the Spring-touched are common in the Delves - the blessings of their heritage help them endure the various problems related to living in what amounts to a plague-haunted swamp with towers in it - but it struck me as a little surprising to imagine such an enterprisingly entrepreneurial endeavour being run entirely by briar folk. I confess this led to a little introspective soul-searching that is beyond the remit of my researches.		I spent a very enjoyable week with the ''Haaienvermijders'', a Sarcophan magical cabal familiar to some Imperial magicians. It did not cease to entertain me that their name literally translates into Imperial as "Shark Dodgers". They live up to their name - a jovial coven whose members compose a small trading guild - although I will confess I was a little surprised to discover that these adepts of [[Summer magic\|Summer]] and [[Night magic]] were almost entirely of the [[briar]] [[lineage]]. Of course the Spring-touched are common in the Delves - the blessings of their heritage help them endure the various problems related to living in what amounts to a plague-haunted swamp with towers in it - but it struck me as a little surprising to imagine such an enterprisingly entrepreneurial endeavour being run entirely by briar folk. I confess this led to a little introspective soul-searching that is beyond the remit of my researches.

Rafferty: /* Sailor on the Skerries */

2026-08-01T12:42:11Z

Sailor on the Skerries

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	==Sailor on the Skerries==		==Sailor on the Skerries==
	<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Blue-ringed octopus.jpg\|caption=Dathan is a creature of wonder and imagination, a bringer of joy and reverie.\|width=~~400px~~}}</div>		<div style="float:right; width: 400px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Blue-ringed octopus.jpg\|caption=Dathan is a creature of wonder and imagination, a bringer of joy and reverie.\|width=400}}</div>
	The Haaienvermijders also spoke at some length about the eternals of the Night realm with an interest in the sea. They mentioned as a matter of course that they had good relations with the ''Brother of Seaserpents'' - [[Sadogua]] - but agreed that while he was always prepared to offer aid with the performing of maritime magic he wasn't actually any ''good'' at the rituals themselves. They were a little reticent to discuss the codification of ''Muffled Oar'', and the involvement of the ''Jolly Patron'' in that endeavour, instead preferring to change the subject. I was happy to let them do so - particularly because what they most wanted to talk about was ''Dathan'', the ''Regent of the Skerries of Dream''.		The Haaienvermijders also spoke at some length about the eternals of the Night realm with an interest in the sea. They mentioned as a matter of course that they had good relations with the ''Brother of Seaserpents'' - [[Sadogua]] - but agreed that while he was always prepared to offer aid with the performing of maritime magic he wasn't actually any ''good'' at the rituals themselves. They were a little reticent to discuss the codification of ''Muffled Oar'', and the involvement of the ''Jolly Patron'' in that endeavour, instead preferring to change the subject. I was happy to let them do so - particularly because what they most wanted to talk about was ''Dathan'', the ''Regent of the Skerries of Dream''.

Rafferty: /* Polyptoton */

2026-08-01T12:41:46Z

Polyptoton

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	==Polyptoton==		==Polyptoton==
	{{CaptionedImage\|file=Turtle city.jpg\|align=right\|width=~~250~~}}		<div style="float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;">{{CaptionedImage\|file=Turtle city.jpg\|align=right\|caption=The City of Salt and Sail is a mobile city that traverses the seas of the Autumn realm.\|width=300}}</div>
	Shortly before my time with Mina was due to come to an end, she introduced me to a Sarcophan [[cambion]] magician with the delightful name of ''Jaan van Daan''. Jaan makes a living dispatching messages and packages across the Known World through the auspices of [[Autumn magic]], and numbers everyone from ''Bedelaar Huisbaas'', through religious leaders, to fellow magicians among their clients. A true independent, it is likely that if you have received a [[Call Winged Messenger\|winged messenger]] from the Delves it is Jaan van Daan that has sent it. Or at least so they themselves claim; but they certainly have the wealth and lifestyle to make me believe their claims.		Shortly before my time with Mina was due to come to an end, she introduced me to a Sarcophan [[cambion]] magician with the delightful name of ''Jaan van Daan''. Jaan makes a living dispatching messages and packages across the Known World through the auspices of [[Autumn magic]], and numbers everyone from ''Bedelaar Huisbaas'', through religious leaders, to fellow magicians among their clients. A true independent, it is likely that if you have received a [[Call Winged Messenger\|winged messenger]] from the Delves it is Jaan van Daan that has sent it. Or at least so they themselves claim; but they certainly have the wealth and lifestyle to make me believe their claims.

GuiltyConscience: /* Hongerigespin and Ungholt */

2026-08-01T12:31:50Z

Hongerigespin and Ungholt

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	The draughir magicians asked several probing questions, and the more answers I gave the more certain they became that the Delirium King could not be responsible. The Druj miasma and its [[Druj_miasma#Miasma_Pillars\|pillars]] have laid over [[the Mallum]] for generations - Sjaak was adamant that any extended exposure to the power of Ungholt on such a scale could bring only madness and death. Whatever the miasma is, it is not a thing of the [[Realms#Night\|Night Realm]]. Yet they cautioned that it is the kind of thing that would delight Ungholt, would draw his attention like flies to a rotting corpse. An entire people oppressed by auras of fear, dread, and despair would be a feast for Ungholt and its servants. I was initially a little skeptical, but the more I thought on it the more I came to agree with them. If the miasma of the Mallum ''was'' a thing of the realms we would have known about it decades ago. And I must stress, the four of them were in agreement that exposure to the power of Ungholt for an extended period of time would break the spirit and the mind to the point that nobody - Druj ''or'' their septs - would be able to function in any way.		The draughir magicians asked several probing questions, and the more answers I gave the more certain they became that the Delirium King could not be responsible. The Druj miasma and its [[Druj_miasma#Miasma_Pillars\|pillars]] have laid over [[the Mallum]] for generations - Sjaak was adamant that any extended exposure to the power of Ungholt on such a scale could bring only madness and death. Whatever the miasma is, it is not a thing of the [[Realms#Night\|Night Realm]]. Yet they cautioned that it is the kind of thing that would delight Ungholt, would draw his attention like flies to a rotting corpse. An entire people oppressed by auras of fear, dread, and despair would be a feast for Ungholt and its servants. I was initially a little skeptical, but the more I thought on it the more I came to agree with them. If the miasma of the Mallum ''was'' a thing of the realms we would have known about it decades ago. And I must stress, the four of them were in agreement that exposure to the power of Ungholt for an extended period of time would break the spirit and the mind to the point that nobody - Druj ''or'' their septs - would be able to function in any way.

	When Sjaak left to answer the call of his bladder, Pieter quickly explained that there was a reason that Sjaak was so impassioned, and why they were certain that the eternal was not behind this "miasma" I spoke of. Twenty years ago the ''Stillegolf'' ran afoul of a coven of magicians who drew on the boons of Ungholt. The coven dwelled outside the city in the swamps along the Umshalla river, and had come to the attention of the Delves' coven because they were ~~terrorizing~~ Sarcophan ship captains who relied on their warding magic for protection. The ensuing "wizards war" went in favour of the ''Stillegolf'', not least because they were able to call in favours from several of the maritime associations they had worked with, and because they were able to draw on soldiers from the Grim Legion of the ''Maiden of Midnight''. Despite this, the fight left two of their number - including Sjaak's husband - trapped in eternal nightmare slumber, and Sjaak on the verge of madness after six months of awful waking visions.		When Sjaak left to answer the call of his bladder, Pieter quickly explained that there was a reason that Sjaak was so impassioned, and why they were certain that the eternal was not behind this "miasma" I spoke of. Twenty years ago the ''Stillegolf'' ran afoul of a coven of magicians who drew on the boons of Ungholt. The coven dwelled outside the city in the swamps along the Umshalla river, and had come to the attention of the Delves' coven because they were terrorising Sarcophan ship captains who relied on their warding magic for protection. The ensuing "wizards war" went in favour of the ''Stillegolf'', not least because they were able to call in favours from several of the maritime associations they had worked with, and because they were able to draw on soldiers from the Grim Legion of the ''Maiden of Midnight''. Despite this, the fight left two of their number - including Sjaak's husband - trapped in eternal nightmare slumber, and Sjaak on the verge of madness after six months of awful waking visions.

	While Pieter spoke, Irta lit more candles and unshrouded a dim [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]], and when Sjaak returned from his call of nature the subject was changed and Mina and I thanked our hosts and left. Sjaak had the last word - he warned that I should not seek to learn much more about Ungholt, and should definitely not seek to attract its attention. If the Empire is not of interest to the Delirium King, they should thank their good fortune and perhaps spare a moment to think compassionately of those in the Delves who are not so lucky.		While Pieter spoke, Irta lit more candles and unshrouded a dim [[Technology#Lightstones\|lightstone]], and when Sjaak returned from his call of nature the subject was changed and Mina and I thanked our hosts and left. Sjaak had the last word - he warned that I should not seek to learn much more about Ungholt, and should definitely not seek to attract its attention. If the Empire is not of interest to the Delirium King, they should thank their good fortune and perhaps spare a moment to think compassionately of those in the Delves who are not so lucky.

GuiltyConscience: /* Hongerigespin and Ungholt */

2026-08-01T12:27:22Z

Hongerigespin and Ungholt

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	Mina looked quite concerned when he mentioned these two, and saw my questioning expression. We sat back down again and Sjaak gave a quick explanation. These were not eternals of the Winter realm, but of Night. He did not talk much about ''Hongerigespin'' apart from the say that it was a creature that devoured everything that made a person a person and brought the kind of living death which ate the entire person but left their body behind. Irta tried to interject that the creature also had useful powers over obfuscation and concealment, but even she had to agree that the boons were never worth it given the price. Mina kept trying to catch my eye during this exchange and communicate nonverbally, and on top of that one of my ancestors was growling very loudly in my left ear, and so I did not take much in.		Mina looked quite concerned when he mentioned these two, and saw my questioning expression. We sat back down again and Sjaak gave a quick explanation. These were not eternals of the Winter realm, but of Night. He did not talk much about ''Hongerigespin'' apart from the say that it was a creature that devoured everything that made a person a person and brought the kind of living death which ate the entire person but left their body behind. Irta tried to interject that the creature also had useful powers over obfuscation and concealment, but even she had to agree that the boons were never worth it given the price. Mina kept trying to catch my eye during this exchange and communicate nonverbally, and on top of that one of my ancestors was growling very loudly in my left ear, and so I did not take much in.

	On the subject of ''Ungholt, the Delirium King'', however, Sjaak was much more voluble, seemingly to the chagrin of ~~this~~ three covenmates. Apparently this creature appears as a figure without a face, in a hooded robe. It may also appear as the most terrifying image drawn from the nightmares of those who see them. There is no lesson in the fear brought by the Delirium King, only madness and death. Sjaak began to twitch as he spoke, getting more and more agitated, until Marta brought out a particular deep green liquor and made him down a small glass of it to bring back his calm.		On the subject of ''Ungholt, the Delirium King'', however, Sjaak was much more voluble, seemingly to the chagrin of his three covenmates. Apparently this creature appears as a figure without a face, in a hooded robe. It may also appear as the most terrifying image drawn from the nightmares of those who see them. There is no lesson in the fear brought by the Delirium King, only madness and death. Sjaak began to twitch as he spoke, getting more and more agitated, until Marta brought out a particular deep green liquor and made him down a small glass of it to bring back his calm.

	I had to check twice that the Delirium King was a creature of the Night realm, and not the Winter realm, but Sjaak was adamant and the others nodded silent agreement. He then explained that Delirium King is the lord of nightmare, madness, and fear made manifest. It is actually tangentially associated with my commission which is why I mention it here. Where most of the other domains of the Night realm are said to be forests, Ungholt dominates a land of mud and water, creeping mist, and unnatural trees called the Mire of Madness. It is drawn to places where people have drowned, and apparently finds the desperate struggles of someone unable to escape water or quicksand to be delightful music. Given that much of the land in and around the Delves is marshland, I could immediately see why the creature was relevant to the Sarcophan. Also, its tangential connection to water led me to believe that it might be relevant to the wider commission.		I had to check twice that the Delirium King was a creature of the Night realm, and not the Winter realm, but Sjaak was adamant and the others nodded silent agreement. He then explained that Delirium King is the lord of nightmare, madness, and fear made manifest. It is actually tangentially associated with my commission which is why I mention it here. Where most of the other domains of the Night realm are said to be forests, Ungholt dominates a land of mud and water, creeping mist, and unnatural trees called the Mire of Madness. It is drawn to places where people have drowned, and apparently finds the desperate struggles of someone unable to escape water or quicksand to be delightful music. Given that much of the land in and around the Delves is marshland, I could immediately see why the creature was relevant to the Sarcophan. Also, its tangential connection to water led me to believe that it might be relevant to the wider commission.

GuiltyConscience: /* Kobhel Tava and More */

2026-08-01T12:22:34Z

Kobhel Tava and More

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	After a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of Jaan van Daan, I finished my time with Mina by visiting some old colleagues of hers. The ''Stillegolf'' are a small coven who these days are apparently mostly retired. The four of them met with me in their apartments - a series of large open rooms at the top of one of the teetering towers of Sarcophan. We met at night, among candles, and I feel that decision was in part to ensure they presented their home in the best light. It was clear to me that their glory days are behind them, but I have no doubt that they knew it themselves, and knew I knew. In spite of that, the quartet of elderly [[draughir]] were engaging dinner companions and we spoke long into the night about the King of Nowhere and the Queen of the Vast.		After a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of Jaan van Daan, I finished my time with Mina by visiting some old colleagues of hers. The ''Stillegolf'' are a small coven who these days are apparently mostly retired. The four of them met with me in their apartments - a series of large open rooms at the top of one of the teetering towers of Sarcophan. We met at night, among candles, and I feel that decision was in part to ensure they presented their home in the best light. It was clear to me that their glory days are behind them, but I have no doubt that they knew it themselves, and knew I knew. In spite of that, the quartet of elderly [[draughir]] were engaging dinner companions and we spoke long into the night about the King of Nowhere and the Queen of the Vast.

	Salt in the Lungs and the Prophet of the Last Light are known in the Delves but they are kept carefully at arms length by most of the wizards here. One of the ''Stillegolf'', a droll fellow named ''Marta Kjirik '' with a poetic turn of phrase, described them thus: "''they are the deep oceans, the water you don't know, with rocks beneath the surface that you cannot see. They are the fear of the becalmed sailor, of the captain who sees the storm approaching that she knows her ship will not survive, the dread of being far from shore and feeling your vessel shift beneath your feet as it begins to ~~talk~~ on water. They are the fraying of ropes, and the ripping of canvas, and the doomsong pealing in the depths, where no bells should be."		Salt in the Lungs and the Prophet of the Last Light are known in the Delves but they are kept carefully at arms length by most of the wizards here. One of the ''Stillegolf'', a droll fellow named ''Marta Kjirik '' with a poetic turn of phrase, described them thus: "''they are the deep oceans, the water you don't know, with rocks beneath the surface that you cannot see. They are the fear of the becalmed sailor, of the captain who sees the storm approaching that she knows her ship will not survive, the dread of being far from shore and feeling your vessel shift beneath your feet as it begins to take on water. They are the fraying of ropes, and the ripping of canvas, and the doomsong pealing in the depths, where no bells should be."

	I can tell you now that, sat in that dark cavernous room full of faded splendor, with candles flickering and my hosts all staring at me unblinking, Marta's words sent a shiver down my spine and I heard the echo of one of my ancestors urging me to get out of there as fast as possible before they ate me. I squared my shoulders and persevered, however.		I can tell you now that, sat in that dark cavernous room full of faded splendor, with candles flickering and my hosts all staring at me unblinking, Marta's words sent a shiver down my spine and I heard the echo of one of my ancestors urging me to get out of there as fast as possible before they ate me. I squared my shoulders and persevered, however.