Hail, Sapience.

As preparations for the Asterian Convention and the Asterian Festival of History near crystallised completion, here are a few items on the agenda to take note of.

AGENDA FINALISATION
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With just less than a year before the Festival officially begins, it comes time for the Restoration to finalise the agenda.

If you were contemplating holding a presentation and have not broached the subject to myself about it yet, please do so before the next Serenade if your presentation requires inclusion into the agenda. I will not be able to confirm inclusion otherwise.

Otherwise, if you intend to hold something off the calendar when opportunity presents itself, you should still speak to myself, but there is less urgency to commit.

KEY DATES AND PERSONNEL
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Amidst the flurry of posts and organisational schedules that will be incoming, here is a brief summary with key dates for those who have submissions and decisions pending:

18 Glacian 976AF (Serenade): The Asterian Convention: Chivalry in the Modern Age begins

12 Ero 977AF: The second Asterian Festival of History begins
12 Ero 977AF: The Grand Bazaar begins

13 Valnuary 978AF: The Historical Art and Artifacts Auction (I) begins
22 Valnuary 978AF: The Historical Art and Artifacts Auction (II) begins

21 Lupar 978AF: The Asterian Masquerade begins

Key personnel to contact about respective issues:

The Grand Bazaar: Keeper Laytron Rousseau
The Historical Art and Artifacts Auction: Skye B. Anchors

All else pertaining to the Convention or the Festival: Myself.

On the key events above, there will be further posts with instructions on participation as bidders for the Auction.

YOUR PREPARATION
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All who intend to participate in the Festival should prepare a blank journal for recordings. Those who experienced the first Festival will understand why. There will be further posts with guidance come the Festival start.

While we do not require you to have any prior knowledge of history to participate, we of the Restoration suggest that your experience will have greater value if you have a passing understanding of significant literature such as the Mythos, History of Mortal Races, Seleucar's rise and fall, and so on. You may wish to attempt some reading before it begins.

A REQUEST
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The Restoration requests that in the spirit of knowledge sharing, we perhaps find - at least temporarily - common ground on one aspect: recognition and consideration of effort.

A great deal of it has been poured into this Festival from all factions and faiths. This is a rare opportunity for inclusive debate, discussion, and scholarship beyond Public board exchanges, and it should be recognised as such.

As per our mission:

"We form a foundation for the discussion and sharing of ideas away from the boundaries often created by the delineations of citizenship. [...] We learn from each other as we view the world through the lenses of our differing experiences and identities. The pursuit of scholarly and philosophical excellence should not be limited by ideological borders."

We do not expect hostilities to cease across the realm for this Festival, but will regard intentional efforts to disrupt and obstruct presentations with ill favour. This does not include attempts to engage in discourse after presentations, as long as done so with some modicum of civility, even if the viewpoint opposes or challenges. Knowledge and opinions must be put to the test to solidify understanding.

We will look to the leaders of the various organisations to set the standards. All agendas are in UPCOMING.

Regards,

Jurixe S. Nithilar
representing the Asterian Restoration

Penned by my hand on the 1st of Valnuary, in the year 976 AF.