Hail, Sapience.

We glimpsed dignitaries and legends of old in attendance at Princess Catarin's presentation to the Seleucarian court, crowned winners in the finals of the Seleucarian Debate Series, and immersed ourselves in a recreation of Lucaine Pyramides' legendary feat at the Battle of King's Tomb. It is time for us to enter the final chapter of Seleucarian history: the Age of the Sundering.

[ AGE OF THE SUNDERING ]

The third and last chapter of the Seleucarian Empire focuses on the Sapient League and its efforts to thwart deep-rooted Imperial corruption and tyranny. However, this noble quest was perverted by Parni deSangre, lost heir of Nicator, who proceeded to end the Empire with the same Staff used to build it.

Such was the Staff's power that it wrought indescribable ruin upon the continent, separating it into what we know today as Sapience and Meropis, and awakening horrors within the deep that plagued the southern survivors for centuries. Priceless knowledge was forgotten, and Meropis plunged into a veritable informational Dark Age as a result - until its rediscovery in the modern age.

= EVENTS =

Make crucial decisions on escaping beleaguered Seleucar as a member of the Blades of Piety in The Road to Survival, an immersive group participation event.

Race across Meropis to test your observation and exploratory abilities in the inaugural Meropian Foozle.

Can you outmaneuver the tempestuous seas and escape certain doom, as the Imperial fleets could not during the Sundering? Test your seafaring abilities in a ship race!

As the court of public opinion, decide whether the actions of Davis Kephry, Sapient League founder and wielder of the Bringer of Tears, make him hero or villain...and what his fate shall be.

See UPCOMING for further details.

= EXHIBITS =

The fourth and final Seleucarian location will be transported to the Asterian Restoration this month by Lord Scarlatti. Images of the previous are preserved at the mezzanine reading floor, where the Sojourn table is also temporarily available.

The HIMS Iridescent Moon now floats south and west from the portal to the Asterian Restoration, and all are invited to visit. Look closely at what lies within.

Choose and yield two memories to contribute to the Orb of Memories in the Asterian Restoration. Details are in Public post #22301.

The Path of Seleucar remains: a self-guided adventure that follows, as closely as possible, Nikolas and Severian's original journey to found Seleucar. Retrace their steps from the first monolith at the centre of New Thera and look out for the clues at the end that take you to the next.

= JOURNAL =

Your Festival participation will be tracked - by yourself - in a journal of your choosing. To qualify as completing this Age, you must cover at least ONE (1) of the following in your designated journal:

1. Attend any of the presentations or exhibits and write down your thoughts on what you saw, heard and learned. See UPCOMING for a list.

or

a) Explore: Walk the Coastal Highway to visit Aster Malik, Sirocco Fortress, and sealed Thornwall Hold - the remaining strongholds of civilisation after the Fall. Record something you find most interesting about their way of life.

b) Engage: Find a location or item dedicated to someone from the third volume of the Seleucarian Empire in the Asterian Restoration, and describe your thoughts on the location or item.

c) Educate: Review the third volume of the Seleucarian Empire, and compile your thoughts on the tale within. This should be found within any library, or the Ingram Cairo Memorial Library also possesses one.

You may complete more than one task if you wish. This journal, ultimately, records your journey and growth.

Note: These tasks can be completed at any time, so long as it is before the end of the Festival. You do not need to complete Age of the Sundering tasks only in this Age, as we understand schedules can be unaccommodating. Events, of course, are time-limited.

= MISCELLANEOUS =

1. The Grand Bazaar, the largest bazaar in modern history, continues upon the Asterian Peninsula with around 25 carts stocking wares and goods from all over Sapience. See Public news #22289, or the poster at the portal on Meropis.

2. View the artwork and curios on display at the gallery of the Anchors Acreage in the Shamtota Hills (coordinates 56264 on most maps), and decide if you want to bid on any during the upcoming Historical Art and Artefacts Auction.

3. We are still accepting applications for the Asterian Masquerade. Information in Public news #22220.

As always, ENTER the PORTAL in central New Thera for easy access to the Asterian Restoration. We look forward to your participation in our Festival.

Regards,

Jurixe S. Nithilar
representing the Asterian Restoration

Penned by my hand on the 13th of Daedalan, in the year 978 AF.