The Great Balance

For over a decade, the Order of Wealth and Trade laboured without the promise of a reward. For almost as long, the Divine Order of Lord Prospero collected works of beauty and value from adventurers across the length and breadth of Sapience. All this was to craft a magnificent offering: a grand display of Wealth forged by patient and passionate mortal hands, in the hope of drawing the attention of their long-absent Lord back to Sapience.

In Scarlattan of 1013 AF, the Order gathered with family and friends in the reception hall of the Temple of Prospero for the unveiling of the Great Balance: a simple set of brass merchants’ scales, embellished by the hands of skilled craftsmen and enriched by the memories of a myriad of adventurers, capturing impressions of Wealth from every walk of life.

Drefan Ar’kena, assisted by Elaniara Blackrose-Baudelaire and Prospero’s secretary Helga, delivered a moving presentation of their labours as the memories imprinted upon the Great Balance displayed the many facets of Wealth for all gathered to witness.

As the presentation drew to a close, a gilded hand heavy with jewelled rings materialised above the Great Balance, slid gently along the crossbeam, and plucked the fine golden chain connecting it to a hanging pan. A brilliant flash of gold accompanied the metallic ringing, fading to reveal the smiling countenance of the Lord of Wealth Himself, a golden cigar propped between His fingers.

Prospero praised the efforts of His Order, complimenting the Great Balance and accepting it as an offering worthy of His attention. “It seems I have been remiss in My patronage of this world. Distant planes have distracted Me from the displays of Wealth that can be found here just as easily. A mistake I do not intend to repeat.”

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Summary: Thanks to the efforts of Prospero’s Divine Order, the Merchant Lord has returned His gaze to Sapience.

Penned by My hand on the 7th of Valnuary, in the year 1013 AF.