Singer of the Silence
Overview
The Singer of the Silence is an Imperial title created by the Imperial Senate in Spring 387YE following a mandate enacted by Nathair Autumngale, to consecrate the site with true liao. The aim of the consecration was to empower a magician to connect with the mystical history of the Great Library of Hacynian in the hope that they might be able to draw on the power of the curious Day and Night Ritual that exists there.
During the Summer Solstice 387YE, the Singer was made responsible for the Great Library of Hacynian in Hercynia following changes to the way the Advisor on the Vallorn was appointed.
Responsibilities
The Singer of the Silence has a responsibility to maintain the curious regio at the heart of the Great Library at Hacynian. Actual custodianship of the Great Library at Hacynian currently resides with the Advisor on the Vallorn. As custodian of the Great Library of Hacynian, if the commission were to be threatened in any way, it would be the responsibility of the Advisor to deal with those threats. Likewise, if any opportunity relating to the library presented itself, they would make any decisions needed to take advantage of that.
Powers
The curious regio at Hacynian cycles between the realms of Night and Day as the sun rises and falls. The actual magical realms themselves are not tied to the diurnal cycle of day and night - the realms represent metaphysical ideas. The Day realm is not literally the day any more than the Spring realm is the season of Spring. The only reason this regio changes in this way is because someone chose to make it do so, presumably as part of a pact forged long ago.
The close connection between the strange regio and the Singer of the Silence grants them a number of strange powers - some of which they can use during the day and some they can use at night. At each summit, the referees provide an official time that dusk begins and ends. The Singer of the Silence can use any of their "Day" powers from time-in each day before the start of dusk. They can use any of their "Night" powers from the end of dusk until time-out each day.
Any power that relies on this cycle cannot be used at all in the hour between the start of dusk and the end of dusk (the period when the Whispers through the Black Gate can be cast).
Custodian of the Great Library
The Singer has custodianship of the Great Library of Hacynian in Hercynia. They are not automatically assumed to be involved in the day to day operation of the library but are assumed to direct those efforts. The custodian cannot take any action that would require a legal power to authorise, such as abrogating or ceding the commission (which are powers of the Imperial Senate).
Ink and Fire
- The Singer receives two pieces of crystal fire and two doses of prismatic ink from the regio each season
Careful cultivation of the regio at the heart of the Grand Library has provided a small but steady supply of precious vis, yielding two pieces of crystal fire and two doses of prismatic ink each season.
Eternal Quietus
- Three times per day, the Singer can draw on the power of the regio to use materials to perform rituals they have mastered
- Before dusk, the Singer can use weltsilver in place of mana when casting Day rituals they have mastered
- After dusk, the Singer can use iridescent gloaming in place of mana when casting Night rituals they have mastered
- Every ingot and measure spent counts as one crystal mana
There is an old wooden table near the heart of Great Library of Hacynian, in the part of the building that used to be the ruins of the old Terunael library. The table is marked with the remains of the blood magic performed by visiting vates. In the centre of the table is the Bowl of Phaleron, an ancient covenstone that was once highly polished but has long since tarnished. The stone, a Radiant Orb has long since lost its magic centuries ago, but the eyes of the eternal are still upon it.
When the sun falls, the room grows dark but the dull tarnish on the silver bowl turns chromatic, giving off hypnotic coloured light that glides slowly round the room. The effect is subtle and easily missed when the room is lit with lightstones or even candles. Only when the room is dark can you sense that the bowl is claimed by the Rainbow Serpent.
Three times per day (in total), the Night Singer can draw on the power of the Bowl to help them perform magic. They can do this even when they are far away at Anvil. Before dusk, when the regio at Hacynian is tuned to the Day Realm the Singer can use weltsilver in place of crystal mana when performing a Day ritual they have mastered. After dusk, when the regio is turned to the Night realm, they can use iridescent gloaming in place of crystal mana when performing a Night ritual they have mastered. They can use this ability three times a day in total (not three times before and after dusk); each measure or ingot used counts as one crystal mana. The Singer remains limited to the amount of mana they can contribute to the performance of a ritual by their ranks of realm lore, as always.
Lantern Wings
- Any character who performs an insight on the Singer is unable to read their aura
- Three times per day the Singer can cause their aura to affect a character who performs a thorough insight on them
- Before dusk, the singer can allow the priest to regain all expended personal mana
- After dusk the singer can grant the priest a vision
If a character performs an insight on the Singer they sense that they are human, but nothing more. They cannot read their aura, which is obscured (a little like they were bonded to a Shackle of the Unvirtuous but with some obvious differences such as the fact it does not prevent the Singer from dreaming or performing liao ceremonies). Before dusk, the singer's aura shines so brightly it is impossible to make anything out. After dusk, they may be dimly aware of a pair of iridescent wings enfolding the Singer and obscuring their aura being a kaleidoscope of scintillating rays. During the hour of dusk, they may encounter either or both phenomena simultaneously.
Three times per day, the Singer may draw on the power of the Hacynian regio to strengthen their aura. The effects vary depending whether the regio at Hacynian is tuned to day or night. They can use this ability three times a day in total (not three times before and after dusk).
When the Singer uses this power before dusk, any priest who performs a thorough insight on them can regain any personal mana they have expended. The priest performing the insight feels the Singer's aura expand to bathe them in a warm light that refreshes and invigorates.
When the Singer uses this power after dusk, any priest who performs a thorough insight on them gains a vision. These visions are the same as those received from the Signs and Portents ritual or the Goosewhisper Infusion. The priest performing the insight sees the Singer's aura twist and distort, filling their perception until it resolves into a dream-like vision.
The Singer's aura can never be read at any time, but they can only empower their aura to benefit the one viewing it in this way before dusk begins or after dusk ends.
Appointment
This title is appointed during the Spring Equinox. The Singer of the Silence is a Virtue position appointed by the Synod. It is elected by judgement of the Wisdom Assembly.
The title can be held by any Imperial citizen. They can be revoked by the General Assembly, the Wisdom Assembly, and by the Assembly of the Nine.
| Summit | Nation | Elected | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Equinox 387YE | Navarr | Siân Eternal | 84 Votes |
Recent Elections
This title is currently held by Siân Eternal; it will be reelected at Spring Equinox 388YE. The table to the right shows the citizens who have been elected to hold this title in the years since Empress Britta died.