Greetings, all --
We are approaching late Scarlatan and into Ero! Here are the upcoming events, so keep an ear out for shouts as the times approach.


EVENTS
======

- LADY LORIELAN'S ORDER: SECTS, SYMBOLS, AND SANCTUMS OF
ENLIGHTENMENT & NISHNATOBA

A seminar on the sects, the symbols, and the sanctums of the
Jade Empress, followed by a game of strategy played among Samatha.

Shamtota Hills, Below an archway (10267? 10268?)


- LADY GAIA'S ORDER: THE NYMPHEAN OCTAVE AND THE SWARM

Join the High Coven of the Earth for a bug bath.

Western Ithmia, beneath a verdant canopy (954)


- LORD PROSPERO'S ORDER: THE FESTIVAL OF INVESTMENT:
AN IMPOSSIBLE COMMISSION

An active presentation involving five different interpretations
of how Patronage and Wealth interact, an examination of Value.

Asterian Peninsula, a high vantage point (32588)


- DEVOTEES OF THE FOUNTAIN CLAN: VIGIL FOR LADY INDRANI

Come honour the fallen Goddess Indrani, and learn of our past,
and how we may apply it to our future.

Asterian Restoration, Chapel of Remembrance (68705)


JOURNALING, ERO 1018 AF
=======================

- Attend one of the Late Scarlatan/Ero events and write down your reflections.
A. Lady Lorielan's Order: Sects, Symbols, and Sanctums of
Enlightenment, and Nishnatoba.

B. Lady Gaia's Order: The Nymphean Octave and The Swarm.

C. Lord Prospero's Order: The Festival of Investment: An
impossible commission.

D. Devotees of the Fountain: Vigil for Lady Indrani.

or

- Do you currently follow one of these Divine? What do Their
teachings mean to you? What would you like to share with others
about Them?

or

- Visit a library and seek out a book on a Divine - departed or
still around. Write your reflections - what was interesting
about Their history? What did you learn about Their teachings?


GETTING TO MEROPIS
==================
A correction, to get to Meropis during the festival, you can head to North of New Thera and go IN from there to arrive at the Asterian Restoration. Leaving the building will put you on the Asterian Peninsula.


REMEMBRANCES
============
I will be logging names and any notes you'd like to include regarding retired or otherwise missed friends and family. You can send me a MESSAGE with the name(s) and any sort of note for that person. These will be logged in a manuscript later on.


TRANSCRIPT OF OPENING CEREMONY SPEECH
=====================================
Presented by Mhuswys Danial

Thank you all for coming, and I welcome you all to the Opening of the Asterian Festival of Celebration.


While there have been Asterian Festivals in the past, this one, I think, is pretty unique in that the theme is more about the future than studying the past.

Over the next year, all of the nations of Sapience, many of the Divine Orders, the Guild of Knights, and other groups will be presenting their cultures, identities, and how they celebrate.

I hope that all of us approach the next year of celebration with an open mind and an open heart, ready to learn and participate and yes, even have fun.


For a bit of context, Lord Scarlatti selected a handful of us to head efforts for organizing this event, many of us quite young. We have not seen as much history as many of you.

In asking us to share how we celebrate and to synthesize new celebrations for the future, we were also reminded that we have the ability to leave our own mark, as small as we may feel.

That we can have the audacity to bring folks together, somewhat unmarred by age-old grievances.

That, though young, we can also have a vision, and to share how see things through a new lense.


Many people have been working the past two years to coordinate and plan in hopes of sharing their cultures. If we had no future, we would have no hope, and by participating in this effort, people from around Sapience and Meropis are expressing their hopes.


And my perception is that the Asterian Restoration itself was founded on hope, and what the possible future could hold, with us all coming together to work for this future. To collaborate, to learn, to remember, and to build our future.


However, the future does not exist without the present, and the present does not exist without the past. What is the purpose of celebrating if we have not overcome hardships in the past? Who would we be in the future without the guidance and support of those in our present?

I think that it is important to not get stuck just thinking about the past, present, OR future, but to take time to appreciate and honour all three.

As such, while we eagerly anticipate the celebrations to come, I would like to take a moment to remember those we miss, who helped us become who we are today.


During the planning of this festival, I have had a couple of dear friends retire. One had helped me in aggregating transcripts of memories for my work with the Asterian Compendium of Memories, and the other was a long-time friend that was always a constant in my life, 'til they weren't. And I know we have many more that are missed. So, I will be keeping a book of names in memory of anyone who wishes to submit one - send me a message with a name and a note if you would like your loved ones to be added.


Now, as we get ready to kick off this year, I want to make sure that I thank Historian Jurixe and Lord Scarlatti, as well as many many other people who have offered advice, guidance, and to all of those who have helped with organization.

I greatly appreciate this opportunity to be the director of planning for this festival, for all the time I've been given to get to know and to work with my co-planners.

I hope you all will find enjoyment, learn new things, and come away with your own visions for the future. I know I will.

----

Thanks, all.

-- Mhuswys Danial


Penned by my hand on the 21st of Scarlatan, in the year 1018 AF.