Asa-thi lienakhar Sapience,

I address you as the Shepherdess of the Stars, the voice of the Argent Queen of Night, Lady Ourania.

As I began this, in the sky above was the fading light of the Waning Moon, an hour of mysteries made known through introspection, earned wisdom, and a little bit of magic.

We live in the Age of the Crone, where memory pervades and armed with what we've learned in the struggles of our past, we prepare. Because the Reckoning is not merely a tally sheet, and every ending holds the possibility to begin again.

As we face this Age with excitement, we the Children of the Moon do so under the blessing of the Lady of the Crossroads, the liminal space between what is and what could be, and Whose Lantern guides us on a great journey toward a destiny of our choosing and making.

We are humbled by Her benevolence and the gift of endless possibility, and so we praise Her name, and make offerings in perfect love and gratitude.

For a few years now, we have been preparing such an offering, a festival in Her name and dedicated to Her glory. In less than two years, we begin.

It is with humility that I invite you to these festivities, regardless of the path you walk, and pray you join us in celebration of this era and all that it holds.

It is with the utmost pride that I announce The Convocation of the Nightcleaver.

Below is an itinerary, as well as people you may contact with questions. All events will be held within 1012 AF, and specific dates will be announced by the host.

We begin on 18 Sarapin 1012, and I very much hope to see you there.

Nezaya Visindi
Shepherdess of the Stars
Witch


--------- The Convocation of the Nightcleaver ---------

Most events shall be held within Tasur'ke, and we ask that all participants show our hosts courtesy and kindness, and also buy lots of stuff from their shops.

I. Ceremonies - Just giving the dates for kickoff and close.

II. Performances and Gatherings - Interactive and educational demonstrations.

III. Artistry and Craft - Design contests and exhibits, valuable rewards for exceptional entries.

IV. Games and Competitions - Demonstrations of skill, wit, and speed.

--- A Note on Designing ------------------------------------

We are expecting significant slowdowns in the approval of designs for the next few years. The timing is unfortunate, but I asked my Order if they wanted to postpone, and they resoundedly refused. Instead, we shall do as the Lady instructs and improvise to bring an improbable success to our goals. If you have the capability to produce the work in time for physical display, you may do so. If not, we are willing to bring your creation to life using Illusion, and shall judge both creative and imagined works by the same standard.

We recognize this is a challenge, and we are excited to see what unburdening ourselves of the limitations of the tangible can bring.

While you are welcome to use illusion at the fashion show, we request that you show up also wearing actual clothes. Actually, we beg.

Symbols of the Lady are allowed, provided they are respectful, tasteful, and not irreverent.

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--- I. Ceremonies ---

- Opening Ceremony - 18 Sarapin 1012 - Host: Nezaya -

We shall hold this on the first Waxing Moon of 1012.

- Closing Ceremony - Host: Nezaya

We shall hold this on the last Waning Moon of 1012.

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--- II. Performances and Gatherings ---

- Three Words of Advice - Host: Taril -

The Wisdom of the Moon is often granted through the Visages, who personify the Waxing, Full, and Waning Moons. These are the Huntress Skuld, the Mother Verthandi, and the Crone Urdu.

With the Waxing Sage Taril as your host, you will have the opportunity to ask the Visages for advice on any matter that troubles you, be it personal or otherwise.

As we could not book the ladies themselves, three of the Order will stand in for them.

- Cast -
Taril, as Himself
Nezaya as Skuld, the Eternal Huntress
Tekla as Verthandi, the Guardian Mother
Theosis as Urdu, the Crone of Reckoning

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- Memorial Maiden River Run - Host: Theosis -

Lady Ourania is Mother to many; to the unseen, the misjudged, the outcast, to the witches and mystics, and to all who are told to be content with their lot, who decline and are scorned for it, and persist.

Lady Ourania is Mother to Lady Kastalia, Goddess of Rivers, Who was slain by Bal'met, and Who we eternally mourn. In this gathering, we shall float the map of rivers, gazing into the sky in tribute to the Daughter of the Moon.

The Kastalian Lothien shall be our guest speaker, sharing his memories of his Divine Mother.

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- Urdu's Sight - Held Throughout - Host: Nezaya -

The Lady Ourania is blessed with peerless Foresight, personified in the Crone Urdu, and Her children seek to hone this gift within themselves. Throughout the year, we shall provide fortunetelling using a variety of traditions to any who seek it.

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--- III. Artistry and Craft ---

No festival is complete without a chance for mortal inspiration to be celebrated and this one is no different. If interested in contributing to any of these showcases, please contact the listed host. The host will do a follow-up post that will list prizes and further details.

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- Painting: Moonlight Menagerie of Art - Host: Gallus -

An open submission art show with canvases dedicated to Lady Ourania. This is not a contest nor an auction, but a chance for those inspired by the Nightcleaver to share the meaningful and creative works this inspiration has wrought.

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- Sculpture: Perspectives of Mother Moon - Host: Theosis -

A contest of sculptures crafted to honour Mother Moon. These will be on display in Tasur'ke, as prominent demonstrations skillful hands, cleverness, and unbound creativity.

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- Fashion: Night's Chrysalis - Host: Vesperyn

A combination fashion show and masquerade. Whether you sew fine clothes, craft glittering jewels, or just enjoy a good party, we would love for you to get involved.

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- Beverage Making: Moonshiners - Host: Kaburia -

As we are inviting you to a festival honouring the Queen of Night, we simply must invite those skilled in making the libations expected at every night's social event to show off. Bring your shakers and finest ingredients, for we cannot wait for a night to remember, but were so sloshed we forgot.

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- Furnishing: Reflections - Host: Danthan -

Before we can change in pursuit of our destiny, we must first understand ourselves, both the quality and flaw alike. This unusual contest will be to craft the very tool to do so; a mirror. There are multiple categories, and I will allow Danthan to introduce it, but consider this one a unique challenge.

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- Haiku - Host: Danthan -

A very simple form of poetry, and a useful tool to understand core truths, as each word must be carefully chosen. This is an open-invitational haiku contest.

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--- IV. Games and Competitions ---

Please note that entries for some of these are limited, so if you are interested please notify the listed host.

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- The Witch's Reckoning - Host: Vesperyn -

There are times when words are not enough, and in these dark hours, the Crone is the Avenging Scythe of Night. To honour our Queen, we too shall take up scythe and spell, and shall put them to test in a tournament of ritual dueling.

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- Skuld's Hunt - Host: Marra -

A test of riddles and history. Participants will receive a sheet of clues and challenged to track down the subjects they reference.

A note to participants, some clues may perhaps point to places in Hashan, so participation is limited to those who can lawfully travel in the Court of Shadows.

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- Verthandi's Cauldron - Host: Taril -

A test of riddles and geo foozle. Clues will lead to creatures and objects for the competitors to collect, and ultimately cauldron-brewed into a Lunar elixir.

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- The Infiltrator's Gauntlet - Host: Nezaya -

Competition is restricted to the Serpent class. Participation as a Blocker is open to all.

Lady Ourania was formerly a mortal named Elentari, who was the Guildmaster of the Serpentlords. We shall honour this heritage with a test of skill in a Serpent's signature role - infiltration.

Starting from Tasur'ke, competitors will seek and pass through a series of wormholes from one area to the next, and in each shall collect an object. No wings or direct routes are available, as the wormholes will be the checkpoints.

What sets the true Infiltrator apart is the ability to navigate obstacles and opposition, so Sapience at large will be invited to hinder the competitors, throw up obstacles, traps, totems, and any other form of NON-FATAL! hinder.

Support your citymate, ruin your enemy's day. I am expecting a great deal of carnage and controversy, which is a fitting tribute to a Serpent who ascended to Divinity.

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Penned by my hand on the 10th of Ero, in the year 1010 AF.